Chapter 27
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 27
“Hello, I’m Kim Hee-yeong, the PD in charge of the planning for Shining Star.”
Kim Hee-yeong had a distinctive way of speaking. Her voice was soft and gentle, yet she tended to draw out the ends of her sentences. Furthermore, despite being in her early to mid-thirties, she looked young enough to pass for a university student.
Because of these traits, anyone meeting Kim Hee-yeong for the first time usually had the same thought:
Ah, she looks easy to handle.
“Hello! We are The Dawn!”
“You’re an hour early today, aren’t you?”
“Ah, yes!”
“I believe I told you to come on time because the schedule ahead is tight.”
And that thought was usually shattered into pieces within five minutes.
“Do you have a foreign member? Or do you just not understand Korean?”
“PD-nim! The camera is on over here.”
“We’re the ones editing it, so what are you afraid of?”
“PD-niiim!”
She hasn't changed a bit...
The moment everyone lost their words, the assistant director cautiously scanned the room. The manager, startled, waved his hands dismissively. Right now, the one in power wasn't some unknown idol group, but a successful PD.
“Our apologies. It seems there was a miscommunication on our end.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could be on time next time.”
Usually, people get scolded for being late, not for being early.
Everyone had a look of bewilderment on their faces, but it was clear Kim Hee-yeong was just cranky from pulling an all-night session. No, even before that, she acted like someone who had a personal grudge against this entire program.
Having been called out from the breakroom, Kim Hee-yeong yawned repeatedly while flipping through the planning documents.
“Well, since you’re here, let’s get started... You said you’re The Dawn from Daepasung, right? I heard you’ve been gaining some traction.”
“Yes, the members of The Dawn are really hard-working kids.”
“Hard work is exactly why things fail.”
Kim Hee-yeong let out a deep sigh. The members' faces stiffened as they grasped the implication of her words.
“From the left, Seong Ji-won-ssi, Kim Seong-hyeon-ssi...”
It seemed she intended to do her job at least, as she slowly recited their names. Having suddenly become the last one, I tried my best to remain composed.
“...And Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
“…….”
“Hmm….”
Kim Hee-yeong tilted her head and stared at me for an unusually long time.
What is it now?
Cold sweat began to trickle down my back.
Did she recognize me?
No, that’s impossible.
Im Hyeon-su, Ju Woo-seong—they all lost their memories of me. This isn't the world where PD Seo lives; it’s the world where the unknown idol Seo Ho-yun lives.
Sure enough, Kim Hee-yeong nodded.
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi... you’re quite handsome.”
“...Thank you.”
“I think you’ll look good on camera. Though you look like you’ve got a bit of a temper...”
Look who’s talking...
I muttered quietly to myself.
The members kept glancing at me with expressions that said, ‘Hyung, what’s wrong with you?’ or ‘Your face has been weird for a while now...’ I must have been making a truly strange expression.
When Kim Hee-yeong finally looked away, Kim Seong-hyeon, who was standing next to me, nudged my side as a warning.
He was telling me to get it together.
I wanted to. I really wanted to, but my ex-girlfriend, Kim Hee-yeong, was staring right at me from across the room. What was I supposed to do?
“Anyway... cutting to the chase. I assume you’ve all seen the plan.”
“Yes, it’s very interesting!”
“We looked over it well.”
“Right. I’m glad the members of The Dawn like it, at least. Personally, I think it’s absolute shit.”
“Kim PD-nim!”
The assistant director standing beside her was shocked and tried to stop her.
“PD-nim, have you lost your mind? What’s wrong with you, seriously? If you say things like that in front of fresh rookies, what are they going to think of you?”
“Ah... I don’t want to be like this either.”
“Then why are you being like this!”
“What am I supposed to do if I don’t like it? Those crazy bastards upstairs are interfering with every little thing, telling me to do this and that. Do they think people are disposable? Fuck...”
Kim Hee-yeong continued to mutter like a madwoman.
Except for Kim Hee-yeong and me, everyone’s faces were changing colors like a laser light show—turning red, then blue, shifting by the second.
Sigh... I really didn't want to talk to her if I could help it.
I was the only one here who could stop Kim Hee-yeong from spiraling. Eventually, I let out a shallow sigh and spoke up cautiously.
“Um, PD-nim.”
“...Yes, Ho-yun-ssi.”
“You mentioned you would give us a summary of the first recording and the mission today.”
“I did.”
“Could we hear about that first? We didn't come here to listen to those kinds of stories.”
As soon as I said that, the members, who were already trembling at the PD’s words, turned even paler. The manager’s eyes flared as if to say, ‘If you can’t suck up to the PD, at least don’t pick a fight with her! Has Seo Ho-yun finally lost it?’ He looked ready to smack me upside the head if I said one more word.
However, Kim Hee-yeong simply blinked and slowly nodded.
“That’s true. Sorry. I haven't been in my right mind lately.”
Only then did everyone release the breath they had been holding and look somewhat relieved.
Kim Hee-yeong was known as the "crazy bitch" of this cable station, but she had reached her current position because she was fundamentally rational.
She slowly began handing out the planning materials.
“The production team for this project has been swapped out quite a bit, so the recording schedule is tight. The first recording starts in three days, so I’m counting on you. We’re planning to give each group 120 seconds for their entrance stage, so please have that prepared.”
“Starting in three days?”
“Yes. Oh, and bring out the lots for the drawing.”
The Dawn members’ faces darkened slightly.
This was a drawing meant only for appearances; Today had likely been contacted a month ago.
Kim Hee-yeong took the two lots from the assistant director, one in each hand. Her expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly feigned indifference.
“Alright, who’s going to pick?”
“Ah, I’ll do it.”
Naturally, Kim Seong-hyeon, the leader, stepped up to draw.
“There are five songs from girl groups. I wanted to go for something unique, so I made the list with girl groups instead of boy groups. You’ll be competing with the song you draw.”
“What are the songs?”
“White Cherry, Like Girls, Marry Me, Rosemary, and Eat Chu. Check the songs yourselves.”
They were all prominent girl groups. At her words, the members wore meaningful smiles.
Glancing at them, Kim Hee-yeong held out the lot in her right hand.
“And this side has the concept you’ll be performing. The motif is fairy tales, so you’ll be picking one of several stories. Ready?”
“Yes!”
At Kim Hee-yeong’s signal, the camera moved in close. A nervous Kim Seong-hyeon drew the song and the concept in sequence.
Upon seeing the result, no one could say a word.
“…….”
[Like Girls – Want You]
It was the song.
The one song everyone thought would be the most difficult.
Jeong Da-jun started clapping first.
“W.o.w.”
“I.t. i.s. s.u.c.h. a.n. h.o.n.o.r.”
“Oh my?”
Kim Hee-yeong chuckled as she looked at our frozen group.
“These kids are cute.”
This will edit well, Kim Hee-yeong muttered, her eyes curving into crescents.
* * *
“Ho-yun, wait here for a second. I don’t know where the kids scattered to.”
“Okay. I’ll stay here.”
Whether they were in shock or just hiding in the van, everyone had dispersed.
After sending the manager off, I trudged around the vicinity of the broadcasting station. Walking aimlessly, my feet naturally led me toward the smoking area.
It’s been a while. I used to come here to smoke whenever I visited this place...
I used to run into Kim Hee-yeong here often, too.
...Just as an uneasy feeling hit me and I was about to turn back—
“...Oh.”
Kim Hee-yeong really is a tiger. Speak of the devil.
I ran into her right at that moment. Kim Hee-yeong, who was openly smoking in front of the station, greeted me with more cheer than expected.
“If it isn't Seo Ho-yun-ssi~”
“...Yes.”
What was I supposed to do? I couldn't just ignore the main PD.
I approached her like a cow being dragged to a slaughterhouse.
“Did you come here to smoke?”
“No, I don’t smoke.”
“Really~?”
Outside, Kim Hee-yeong looked a tiny bit—just a sliver—more energetic than she did inside. It seemed the nicotine was making life more bearable for her.
A pang of guilt pricked my conscience.
Kim Hee-yeong used to be a light smoker... but for some reason, she had turned into a heavy smoker.
Ding!
[[Oh my, oh my!]]
…….
[[I’ve got my popcorn ready!]]
Shut up.
While I was debating what to say to make a natural exit, my eyes met Kim Hee-yeong’s.
Phew. Exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air, Kim Hee-yeong gave me a sly smile.
“No matter how much I look at you, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, you really are handsome... How did I not notice before?”
“Thank you...”
“Of course, the other kids are handsome too, but, hmm, how should I put it... You have a way of drawing people in. That slightly sensitive look of yours is right in my strike zone.”
You cursed out that "strike zone" and told him to get lost when you broke up. I had to desperately stop you from splashing water on my face and slapping me.
“Ah!”
Interpreting my lukewarm reaction in her own way, Kim Hee-yeong waved her hand dismissively.
“I didn't mean anything special by it. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I’m being nosy, aren't I? When you’re a PD, evaluating people becomes part of the job, so I end up acting rude even when I don’t mean to.”
“No, it’s not like that.”
I hurried to deny it. Having spent so much time with her, I could understand the intent behind her words. I knew that her blunt and seemingly rude remarks were her own way of giving a compliment.
“How could I be offended when a PD says I’m handsome?”
“...Wow, you’ve got quite the silver tongue.”
When I gave a slight smile, Kim Hee-yeong couldn't take her eyes off it before clearing her throat awkwardly.
“Anyway, I like you, Seo Ho-yun-ssi. These days, idols are so afraid of being caught in a scandal that they just walk on eggshells around me, even when I’m being foul-mouthed. In that sense, I liked how straightforward you were earlier.”
“Maybe they weren't afraid of scandals, but just afraid of you, PD-nim?”
“Haha, what a joker. Do you know how kind I am?”
Now I finally understood how the kids felt when I used to claim, ‘I’m a nice person.’
Kim Hee-yeong cackled.
“Anyway, I’m sorry. Both for me and for how the members of The Dawn aren't being treated well in this project. Giving you the mission so late and all...”
By "giving it late," she probably assumed we knew nothing.
In reality, if Ju Woo-seong hadn't told us, we would have believed that every other team had also only started practicing three days prior.
I slowly shook my head.
“No. It’s fine. It’s already enough.”
“No, you’re definitely going to be mistreated.”
Kim Hee-yeong smiled bitterly, as if predicting the future. She looked exhausted.
“I’m sorry, really.”
“…….”
“Nothing in this world is easy.”
You can’t tell just by looking at the surface.
Kim Hee-yeong was a successful PD. She was someone people would beg and plead with to stay even if she threatened to quit variety shows out of exhaustion.
She was talented, confident.
I thought she lacked for nothing, but in reality, Kim Hee-yeong was worn out.
What should I say to her here?
I’m not even the Seo Ho-yun she knows.
“…….”
My lips parted, but in the end, I kept them shut without saying a word.
Kim Hee-yeong simply took one last deep drag of her cigarette, crushed the butt, and gave me a bright smile.
“Well, if there’s work in the future, I’ll try my best to call you. I’m saying this because I like you, Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
“...PD-nim.”
“Hmm?”
I pulled out the candy Kang Yi-chae had stuffed into my pocket. It was the candy he had given me, telling me to make sure I succeeded in quitting smoking.
When I poured them into Kim Hee-yeong’s hand, her eyes widened.
“...What’s this?”
“Candy.”
“I can see that...”
Kim Hee-yeong looked at me, wondering what kind of trick this was.
“In other words, it’s a bribe.”
“…….”
She looked dumbfounded.
Just then, I heard the manager calling me from a distance. I turned my head to look that way, then looked back at Kim Hee-yeong.
We used to have bets about quitting smoking, too.
Kim Hee-yeong was always full of confidence. She used to boast that she would quit much faster than a heavy smoker like me.
I smiled faintly as the old memories surfaced.
While I was pathetically reminiscing by myself, an ominous sound rang in my ears.
Ding!
[[Choices:
- Pretty Ho-yun will come again! ♡
- Think of me while eating the candy! ♡
- This humble servant shall take his leave.]]
You son of a bitch!
It always appeared at the most exquisite moments.
I snatched a choice so fast it was likely the quickest decision of Seo Ho-yun’s life.
Cold sweat was literally pouring down my back.
“Then, this humble servant shall take his leave!”
“……Pardon?”
“May you live a long and healthy life!”
Kim Hee-yeong’s face shifted from absurdity to bewilderment, and finally to the look one gives a total lunatic, but I turned around and hurried away. Staying any longer would only lead to more embarrassment.
She probably thinks I’m a nutcase, but I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face after seeing her for the first time in so long.
You don’t need to feel sorry, Noona.
Because we’re going to take first place.