Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Fan Club Name Vote (2)
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"Even before our debut, you said the fan club name was already set as LovePlanet, right?"
"That's right?"
"So, is it possibly due to the influence of the previous Manager Hong?"
"Uh, well..."
CEO Oh trailed off, as if he hadn't considered that far.
As expected. It seemed Manager Hong had a hand in pre-selecting LovePlanet as the fan club name. That figured.
"That part bothers me a bit. Since that person left the company in disgrace, using that name might... stir up some controversy. We can't rule out the possibility."
"You're right about that."
"EverPlanet is already public, so we can't change it, but this is something we can fix, CEO. There are alternatives. So please reconsider."
At my persuasion, CEO Oh stroked his chin, pondering seriously.
And shortly after, with a ding! notification,
[Title effect, 'Chick Negotiator,' activates. Negotiation succeeds due to additional probability.]
"Hmm, yeah. You're right, Jae. That Hong Jae-pil guy was vicious. I can't guarantee he won't cause trouble."
CEO Oh agreed with me.
This was my chance. I quickly added to his words.
"It'd just get more annoying if that happened. Dodging it in advance is a good strategy."
"Hmm..."
He seemed conflicted, stroking his chin with his finger, deep in thought.
Shortly after, he called Manager Hwang, who was working in another office.
Not long after CEO Oh's call, Manager Hwang opened the representative's office door, holding a tablet PC and a few sheets of paper.
"You called, CEO?"
"Manager Hwang, about the EverPlanet fan club name. Do you have the raw data from the fan vote?"
"Yes, CEO. The fans voted the most for Candidate 2, Sunlight."
"I see? Then what about 1?"
As expected. Our fans have such discerning eyes. They all have impeccable taste.
I let out a sigh of relief.
But the follow-up made it hard not to be a bit flustered.
"Candidate 1 came in second after Candidate 2. ...That's why I didn't strongly object to you, CEO."
"...Why on earth?"
Do that many people really prefer LovePlanet?
At Manager Hwang's words, not just me, but the other members' eyes widened like saucers.
Manager Hwang looked at his tablet and answered my question.
"Hmm, the staff reported separately. It seems because when abbreviated to two letters, it sounds nice. Lupple. Easy to pronounce too. Whereas Sunlight is a bit awkward to shorten."
Ah, I hadn't thought of that. That made sense.
In truth, fandom names are long, so fans use abbreviations more often than full names.
"See? It's fine, right? Better than you think?"
Han Tae-hee lifted his head confidently, and Kim Kwang-myeong nodded as if convinced.
"Hmm... Yeah, that's true. If shortening, Sunra? That seems the most neutral, but even that sounds off."
"Just say Sunlight without shortening it."
"Still better than LovePlanet."
"Right. If we're picking between Sunlight—which keeps the vibe—and LovePlanet, might as well just go with Esamo."
No. That's not it, Eun-young.
Despite Sunlight's flaws, Park Su-rim and the others vehemently rejected LovePlanet.
They really seemed to hate it.
The members' strong reactions combined with my persuasion led to a good outcome.
"Alright, then as you all say, let's go with 2, Sunlight. It was the top vote in the fan poll anyway. Changing it will be a hassle... but better than risking backlash."
"Whoa, damn. Really relieved...! Thank you, CEO. The best decision of this era!"
"...You aged ten years."
"CEO! Thank you! Thanks! Thank you!"
"CEO Oh, you thought it through. That's definitely right."
"If that's your wise decision, CEO. I like Sunlight too."
"Me too."
The members except Han Tae-hee and Kim Kwang-myeong expressed their gratitude to CEO Oh in excited voices, thrilled.
One major issue resolved properly. I gazed at them and CEO Oh with a proud expression.
...But hold on.
In that moment, a sudden curiosity crossed my mind, making me pause.
'If the title effect hadn't activated here... would CEO Oh have really pushed for LovePlanet?'
If so, then in the EverPlanet where real Ha Jae existed, not me... the fan club name would be... LovePlanet?
Thinking that far sent chills down my spine.
I shook my head.
Anyway, Sunlight was adopted in the end. What a relief.
After finalizing our fan club name as 'Sunlight' within the company, we moved to the conference room with its clean interior.
A camera was set up to film us as the seven of us sat in a row and talked.
'They must plan to film us announcing the fan club name ourselves and upload it.'
Not a bad idea.
If there were something like Y App, live streaming would be best... but that era hasn't come yet.
Uploading a filmed video like this was a good plan.
'Come to think of it, when will Y App launch?'
Roughly timing-wise... this year or next?
Not sure exactly, but with Y App, we'd have more fan service options.
A few years later, communicating with fans via Y App live broadcasts became the norm.
'I actually wanted to try it once.'
Real-time interaction with fans would feel amazing.
Then, the staff checking the camera gave us the OK sign.
"Camera setup complete."
"Good. Shall we start filming right away? Everyone, sit down."
"Yes. How should we arrange the seating?"
At Park Su-rim's question, CEO Oh pointed to the center seat.
"You're the leader, Su-rim, so sit in the middle. You all sit by age order from the right?"
"Yes. Guys, sit down."
With Park Su-rim in the center and seated by age, I coincidentally took the seat to her right.
Once everyone was seated, Manager Hwang from behind the camera approached and handed out a few A4 sheets.
They listed the fan club name candidates.
"Take one each, explain the candidates in turn, then announce the vote results. We'll cut there, then each say a short message to the Sunlights. Su-rim, you handle the overall flow."
"Ah, yes. Got it. But what if we mess up?"
"It's recording anyway, so NG is fine. No pressure."
"Got it."
Park Su-rim closed her eyes briefly. Seemed like she was gathering her thoughts.
When Park Su-rim opened her eyes, the camera staff asked.
"Ready?"
"Yes, ready."
"Recording starts. High, cue!"
At the staff's signal, Park Su-rim smiled brightly and greeted the camera.
The filmed video was uploaded to L-Tube a few days later.
* * *
Homma, editing a recent photo of Jae.
'This photo turned out really well.'
She finished editing, hit Ctrl+S, and nodded in satisfaction. This is why she does homma.
Then, the notification on her phone next to the desktop rang. It was EverPlanet's L-Tube upload alert.
'Wonder what video dropped.'
She closed the editing program, opened L-Tube, and checked the new video.
[EverPlanet Fan Club Name Officially Announced!]
"Whoa, jackpot."
She clicked the video hurriedly. They'd recently done a fan club name contest and vote on the fan cafe, so this must be the reveal.
Playing the video, the seven EverPlanet members appeared sitting in a neat row.
Their casual outfits looked great. Maybe even prettier without heavy makeup.
'Jae in plain clothes is cute.'
Especially Jae in the blue man-to-man with a white mouse drawing—adorable. Cool tone? It suited perfectly.
As she admired Jae, the center leader Park Su-rim looked around at the members and spoke.
"Let's start with greetings. Two, three."
"Turn Around! Hello, we are EverPlanet!"
With the group chant, Park Su-rim continued.
"Yes. The reason we're filming this is because our fan club name is finally! decided. We received candidate submissions from fans on the official fan cafe recently. So many sent emails with ideas. From those, five candidates were selected for voting. Let's go through them one by one with our members. Starting with 1, please."
As expected of Su-rim. Look at that stable hosting.
Homma inwardly admired Park Su-rim's leadership. Without her, the group wouldn't function properly. Her role as leader was immensely important and excellent.
Park Su-rim smoothly passed the turn to the others, and each read the descriptions on their sheets in order.
LovePlanet, Sunlight, Mood, Turner, Root.
After introducing all five candidates, Park Su-rim took back the baton.
"Yes. We've looked at all five candidates. Fans sent such great ideas, and we voted on the fan cafe last week. Some of you watching probably voted. And finally! The results are in. Before announcing, thanks to all who participated."
"Thank you."
"Thank you!"
The members bowed to the camera together. Then Park Su-rim held the paper with the results.
"Now, the reveal. The new name for our precious fans advancing with EverPlanet! The new fan club name is..."
Tell us already. I'm dizzy...! Homma unconsciously clenched her fists, staring unblinking at the screen.
"Just revealing it is boring, should we drum on the table?"
"OK! Good!"
Ugh, torturing us like this. Homma mumbled to herself. At Park Su-rim's signal, the members started drumming on the table with their palms.
Thud thud thud thud...
With that as BGM, Park Su-rim flipped the paper toward the camera.
"Yes! It's decided as 'Sunlight'!"
Sunlight! Homma grinned unwittingly. She had voted for Sunlight too.
"Wooo!"
"Sunlight!"
"Our sun!"
At the announcement, the members clapped, whistled, and cheered. So cute—Homma sighed shortly.
Especially Jae clapping like his palms were on fire—super adorable. Homma paused the video and screenshot that moment.
"Shall we each say a word to our new Sunlights?"
"Sure."
"Then eldest hyung, Tae-hee hyung, first."
"OK. This is my job as the oldest."
Han Tae-hee, as the eldest, confidently looked at the camera, head held high.
His handsome face got a close-up.
"Seriously so handsome."
Homma stuck out her tongue at Han Tae-hee's flawless, neat face.
If ranking looks, that face is definitely A—no, S-rank.
"Dear Sunlights. Wow, Sunlight. Such a pretty name. Don't know who suggested it, but as the eldest, thank you. From now on, no more plain 'fans'—I'll call you by the pretty name Sunlight. Keep supporting us. Thank you."
Following Han Tae-hee, Park Su-rim and Lee Jae-oh gave short messages.
"Yes, I'm thrilled to call you all by the cool name Sunlight. When I heard it was Sunlight, I was over the moon. As leader, I'll work harder for you Sunlights. Love you, Sunlight. Let's spend more time together."
"Sunlights, Sunlights... Never gets old. Actually, calling fans by a club name has been my dream. So happy it's this pretty name. I'll visit you Sunlights every day without fail. Looking forward to it."
All three spoke cleanly. She nodded in approval. Then, after finishing, Lee Jae-oh smiled and gestured to Jae.
"Now, Jae's turn."
Gasp. Jae's turn!
Homma paused the video and caught her breath. Gotta watch this reverently.
Resuming, Jae gazed at the camera with sparkling eyes. And opened his mouth.