Common Ground Between Truck Victims and Regressors
Kim Seonye, who had been unable to hide her bewilderment, soon looked at me and let out a mocking laugh before speaking.
“A deal? Haha, how amusing. The situation calls for an apology and you on your knees, yet what gives you the confidence to even suggest something like that?”
“If kneeling or prostrating myself in apology would genuinely improve the situation, I would do so without hesitation. However, at this moment, that action feels entirely unproductive.”
Honestly, what great outcome could come from it besides slightly easing your hysteria? Instead, let’s calmly assess the situation. The recording is already done like this, so you can’t cut me or Winter out. Do you really think you can completely edit out the only three A-class contestants? At best, you’d pressure me to force Winter into an unfavorable role. And I won’t just sit back and watch that happen.
“Besides, I’m not the only one responsible for this situation, am I? A major factor in how far this has escalated is that the judges’ evaluation criteria were excessively strict. What ability do I have to control the hearts of those esteemed judges?”
“….”
Kim Seonye, looking bored, took out a lipstick from her pouch, applied it to her lips, and then spoke.
“So, is the point you wanted to make simply a plea about your lack of ability and an attempt to shift blame?”
“No, of course not. If that were all, I wouldn’t have brought up the word ‘deal.’”
I walked past the editing table chair where she was sitting and took a seat on a small folding chair. This brought our eye levels to the same height. With my hands clasped together, I looked directly into her eyes and said,
“What do you think is the reason Producer Kim Seonye considers this situation a crisis?”
She clicked her tongue in clear annoyance, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Are you seriously asking because you don’t know? Obviously, it’s because the image I envisioned while creating this program has been ruined. The image shown to the viewers won’t be the beautiful competition of jewels I wanted. It’ll look like fishing one or two gems out of a cesspool!”
No, that would only be the case if this recording airs exactly as it is.
“That is not a crisis. It can be overcome relatively easily by shifting the focus of the editing.”
“You make it sound so easy. How exactly?”
“By turning the judges into villains.”
In truth, considering what they had done, calling them real villains wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Even though the production team had already provided evaluation criteria and guidelines, they had ignored them, forgotten this was a broadcast, and caused this mess. The moral high ground was clearly on our side.
Yet Kim Seonye offered a negative opinion.
“Do you really think those people with their enormous egos would allow that?”
“They will. Why wouldn’t they?”
It was true that they held significant authority, but they were still human.
“If the broadcast is going to fail because of their own mistakes, how could they ignore that? No matter how great their reputations are, they aren’t at the level where they can overlook such a blunder. On the contrary, having that kind of fame means there will be plenty of people eager to tear them down. They won’t be able to avoid it. Of course, care will be needed in negotiations to avoid creating outright hostility.”
Of course, among them is someone like James Oh, so caution is definitely required. That man is crazy enough to go head-to-head with a broadcasting station all by himself….
“That said, turning the entire panel of judges into enemies would be dangerous. It would probably be easier and more effective to single out one specific person. Well, this is your area of expertise, Producer, so I’m sure you know better.”
Seonye, I saw your previous shows in your filmography. You’re really good at that—picking one person and turning them into the villain.
“Additionally, we must consider that most of the trainees who received evaluations already have established fanbases. Whether they’ve already debuted, gained fame through audition programs, or built a following on AllTube, they have existing supporters. Those fanbases won’t allow public opinion to paint the place where their idols are as some kind of cesspool.”
While their fandom sizes might not match those of current top-tier idols, that didn’t mean their firepower was weak. These were the kinds of fans who could turn a vote-rigging controversy into a major issue, launch investigations, and completely blow up a show. No one could call their power weak. Such fandoms would step forward to defend them.
“Ha… I don’t know. Wouldn’t they instead take the lead in criticizing the broadcasting station for portraying their stars that way? It’s easier to criticize than to protect, isn’t it?”
“No, that won’t happen. If the trainees who actually performed on stage had shown truly pathetic performances, the arrows of criticism might have turned toward the station for malicious editing. But in reality, the average level the trainees showed in this recording was quite high. Viewers will find it sufficiently appealing.”
There were many ways a situation could lead to blaming the broadcasting station, but fundamentally, it would damage the trainees’ images. However, the stage quality this time meant there was no need to worry about that. The evaluation criteria had simply been set too high, resulting in undervaluation. The kids were plenty charming.
With such an attractive pool of talent gathered, it was no wonder the previous episodes had swept up millions of views per stage and dominated trending topics. Their charm and skill were beyond doubt.
…The only problem was that Winter stood out so insanely among them.
“Even so, if expert opinions are mostly negative, the fans will get swept up in that.”
“This is exactly where your role as producer becomes crucial.”
Kim Seonye looked at me with a suspicious gaze.
“Tell me what that role is.”
“Instead of devil’s editing, do angel’s editing.”
Become the shepherd who guides the viewers, Seonye.
“A single mistake made while moving across the stage, a cracked note that slipped out while attempting a falsetto—things like that are bound to happen when they’re forced onto stage without even a proper rehearsal. Highlighting those is what we call devil’s editing. Do the opposite.”
“You’re saying make it look like the judges are unreasonably criticizing them, no matter who’s watching?”
As expected from the person who orchestrated the massive vote-rigging scheme, her understanding is quick.
“That’s correct. Of course, completely turning them into enemies would be dangerous, so some tightrope walking will be necessary, as I mentioned earlier. But I believe that’s something you can handle with your abilities, Producer Kim Seonye. After all, you’re more than capable, aren’t you?”
“….”
She let out a single snort, crossed her legs in the opposite direction, and spoke.
“You’re not exactly slow-witted, are you?”
“You flatter me. Of course, something on this level must have already crossed your mind, Producer.”
At my words, she let out another chuckle. But unlike before, when it had been mocking, this time it was different. It was a strange laugh mixed with a hint of admiration, as if she were thinking, Well, look at this.
“…You look young, but you must have quite the career behind you? The way you speak, the way you think… Fine. Go on, keep talking.”
I shrugged and continued.
“There’s no way a mere manager like me could come up with ideas that someone in your position hadn’t already considered. While there might be differences in the details, I believe Producer Kim Seonye has already thought of similar countermeasures.”
She nodded with an intrigued expression.
“That’s right. If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t have reached this position. But if you knew I was already aware of this, why bring it up? If you were simply saying that since it’s a manageable situation, I should calm down, then I suppose I should proceed with what I originally planned to do to Team Leader Sun.”
She really knows how to make a threat sound terrifying. But the story wasn’t over yet, so there was no need to worry.
“Then let’s return to the original topic. Producer Kim Seonye, why do you consider this situation a crisis? You already have more than enough countermeasures prepared, just as we’ve discussed.”
Kim Seonye’s expression hardened.
“That’s something you don’t need to know.”
“It might be something I don’t need to know, but I already do.”
“…I was looking at you favorably, and now you’re getting cocky? What exactly do you think you know?”
What do I know? I know everything.
I unclasped my hands, leaned back comfortably in the chair, crossed my legs like she had, and spoke.
“The eleven members who will debut have already been decided, haven’t they?”
“….”
“You’ve already finished all the discussions with the higher-ups and the agencies, right? You’ve probably completed the preparations for the vote rigging as well.”
Looking at me as if my words were utterly ridiculous, she picked up the paper cup on the table, took a sip, and said,
“I don’t know where you picked up such nonsense, but that’s…”
“Kim Yujin, Catherine, Yeo Sua, Rachel, Lin Mei, Misaki, Lee Bom, Song Chaeyoung, Jang Minhee, Kaori, Emily.”
Kim Seonye’s mouth fell open. The paper cup she was holding slipped from her hand and rolled across the floor.
Looking at her, I couldn’t hold back a small laugh.
“I’m right, aren’t I? Those eleven.”
Do you know what truck accident victims and regressors have in common, Seonye?
“You crazy…”
If you get hit, there’s no answer.