Chapter 28
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28
[Hello, try saying hi once more
I know you’re shaking
You’re bound to come to me anyway]
“Ugh… of all the things to draw, it had to be this.”
The manager kept muttering under his breath.
We took the slip of paper back to the dorm and put our heads together, listening to the song on repeat.
Seong Ji-won spoke up slowly.
“It’s okay. We… we already know all the songs anyway.”
“Right, since Ju Woo-seong senior told us beforehand.”
He was right. Ju Woo-seong had leaked the first mission and the song list, so we had finished our preparations as best we could by listening to all five songs.
The problem was that the song we drew was the one with the absolute lowest recognition.
[Maybe I can’t do it anymore
I might have already lost
But I’ll take courage and walk once again]
“……It’s not bad. It’s not bad, but….”
“It lacks a punch.”
The more we listened to it….
The less addictive it felt.
“Was this song popular?”
“No, it never charted. It was a B-side, and Like Girls weren't very well-known back then.”
Like Girls was a group in their seventh year. They had been nobodies for four years until one member blew up on a variety show, catapulting them to the top.
The video of all the members sobbing while singing their encore after their first #1 win was still famous on various social media platforms.
They were a touching, truly great group, but….
The issue was that this song was a B-side from their debut album, which had flopped spectacularly.
Kang Yi-chae stroked his chin.
“Hey… do you think all five slips had this song written on them?”
“What?”
“No, think about it. It’s possible. Out of the list we got from Ju Woo-seong, this was the only song that felt out of place. If they really wanted to push Today, they would’ve given them a massive hit like a White Cherry song and given everyone else stuff like this.”
It was a persuasive argument.
Considering Kim Hee-yeong’s bitter expression earlier, that kind of manipulation was entirely possible.
“Wow….”
“If that’s really the case, I’m pissed.”
“Hey, the PD probably didn't have a choice. She said there was pressure from above.”
True, Kim Hee-yeong probably couldn't help it.
Kim Seong-hyeon was making sense for once, which actually made him look almost likable.
“It is cheerful, though. The concept is about being pushy with a crush you’ve had for a long time.”
“It has a cheerleader vibe.”
“Maybe going with a cheerleader concept would be good?”
“Hyungs… we have one more slip.”
Just then, Jeong Da-jun held out another crumpled piece of paper.
“What do we do about this one?”
“…….”
As the slip was smoothed out in Jeong Da-jun’s hand, the word [Peter Pan] was revealed.
It was incredibly vague.
It would have been better if it were at least The Little Mermaid or Cinderella. Those two are famous enough that the concept would be clear.
“The story of Peter Pan… was about Wendy meeting Peter Pan and leaving for Neverland, right?”
“I’ll be Tinkerbell. Who wants to be Peter Pan?”
“I want to do it!”
They all seemed to be speaking seriously, but no particularly good ideas were coming forth.
Jeong Da-jun, who had been racking his brain, eventually collapsed.
“Hyungs, hyungs…. I’m not smart enough for this.”
“Hey, you think the rest of us are geniuses?”
“You guys are smarter than me… I’ll just practice hard…. If Ji-won hyung tells me to roll, I’ll roll….”
With that, Jeong Da-jun actually started rolling around on the dorm floor. Kim Seong-hyeon’s eyes turned cold with judgment, while Seong Ji-won let out a deep sigh.
Actually, the song’s lack of recognition isn't the problem. If anything, a less-known song is better for a cover.
The recognition of the cover song didn't directly correlate to our popularity. In fact, if we did it well, there were plenty of opportunities for a rebound.
However, the problem was….
“Um, you know.”
Seong Ji-won stroked his jaw.
“A bright and cute song fits well with Peter Pan… but there’s one problem.”
“Aren't there several?”
“…Yi-chae, well, that’s true too, but.”
“Seong Ji-won, what do you think it is?”
I kept a firm grip on the back of the vicious-mouthed Kang Yi-chae’s neck as I turned my gaze toward Seong Ji-won.
Scanning the contents of the slips, Seong Ji-won let out another sigh that seemed to shake the earth.
“It doesn't fit our concept.”
Exactly. That was the answer.
Until recently, we were a rebel army and a government army who regressed upon death. If we suddenly showed up with a bright and bubbly concept, only the fans would like it; the group’s image would inevitably become blurred.
As idols who needed to capture not just existing fans but the general public as well, it wasn't a very good move.
“We already lack recognition as it is. In the beginning, we need songs that can clearly show the group’s identity.”
“True….”
“But what we got was a bright and cute Peter Pan concept!”
The stationary Jeong Da-jun suddenly started rolling across the dorm floor again. Watching him sweep up all sorts of dust, Kang Yi-chae muttered.
“Why buy a robot vacuum when we have Jeong Da-jun?”
“Are you saying I’m trash, hyung?”
“No, I’m saying you’re a vacuum that’s good at cleaning up trash.”
“Both of you, shut up. You’re making my head spin.”
It was so noisy I couldn't think. Even for someone like me, who was well-versed in planning, no fresh or good ideas were coming to mind in this situation.
At that moment, Seong Ji-won’s phone buzzed.
“What is it?”
“Uh… it’s an unknown number. Wait, sorry.”
“It’s fine. Take it!”
Seong Ji-won tilted his head but answered anyway. We weren't at the level of having sasaengs yet, so we just let him be.
But soon, Seong Ji-won’s face stiffened.
“……Yeah.”
‘Who is it?’
Kang Yi-chae whispered to Kim Seong-hyeon. At Kim Seong-hyeon’s signal, Seong Ji-won took the hint and switched the phone to speaker.
[Hey, Seong Ji-won. You still haven't changed your number?]
It was Yoo Hyuk.
[Is the concept meeting going well?]
“Um… yeah.”
[Haha, why does your voice sound so dead? Someone might think the world ended.]
Predictable, so predictable.
I rested my arm on the sofa and clicked my tongue. That bastard was calling to taunt us because he knew we drew the short straw.
[What did you guys get?]
“Like Girls seniors’ ‘Want You.’”
[Hmm… what was that again? Never heard of it.]
He sneered. If we recorded this and leaked it, he’d be torn to shreds by Like Girls fans, but Yoo Hyuk was so full of himself that he didn't filter his words.
[We drew White Cherry’s ‘Lemon Love.’ I’m so excited! It was insanely popular in Korea and overseas, wasn't it?]
“…….”
Two deep, dark furrows appeared between Seong Ji-won’s brows.
At this point, Yoo Hyuk seemed impressive in a way—for being able to irritate Seong Ji-won, who was known as a living saint among the members.
Of course, the other members’ faces weren't looking much better either.
[Ah, but we’re a bit short on time. How are we supposed to practice such intense choreography in just three days? I’m jealous of you guys~. Yours looked easy.]
I glanced at Kang Yi-chae, who was listening quietly with his chin in his hand. He gave a bright smile and shook his phone, showing the recording screen.
Wow, Kang Yi-chae is thorough.
I would have recorded it too, though.
I gave him a thumbs up and continued listening to Yoo Hyuk.
Yoo Hyuk seemed determined to get under our skin as he continued to blather at Seong Ji-won.
[Must be nice, must be nice. We have so many schedules that we don’t even have enough time to practice, but you guys must have plenty. Doesn't that give you the advantage?]
“Well….”
[This might put us at a disadvantage. I’m so jealous of your members, you know?]
Seong Ji-won wore a faint smile.
Even though it was the same smile he always had on his face, it felt like a face I’d never seen before.
“Yoo Hyuk.”
[Yeah?]
“I didn't ask.”
Silence fell.
“Are you bored? Let’s just practice.”
—Click.
And with that, Seong Ji-won hung up.
The manager, the members, and even I froze.
That kind-hearted Seong Ji-won….
The Seong Ji-won who was always considerate of others no matter what they said….
I had never seen him speak so firmly.
“Pfft….”
“What was that, Seong Ji-won?!”
Everyone started laughing, pounding the dorm floor.
I suppressed my own laughter and nudged Kang Yi-chae.
“Hey, hey, Kang Yi-chae. You can’t use that whole recording.”
“Man, I recorded it to catch him in a trap, but I didn't know Ji-won hyung would act like that!”
“As Seong Ji-won said… ‘Didn't ask, don't care.’”
“…D-does it really come across like that?”
Everyone rolled around, unable to stop laughing for a long while.
Despite how firmly he’d hung up, Seong Ji-won was starting to look embarrassed.
“Ah, my cheeks hurt….”
“It’s even funnier because it’s so unlike Ji-won hyung.”
“I think he’s been influenced by Ho-yun hyung.”
“Hey, why am I being brought into this?”
Just as I was punishing the snickering Kang Yi-chae with a headlock, something suddenly clicked in my mind.
Unexpectedness.
A personality trait that stands out even more clearly because people didn't see it coming. Something that people can go wild for because it catches them off guard—that is unexpectedness.
I can see the vision now.
I picked up the slip of paper Seong Ji-won had set on the floor to take the call.
Staring at the slip that said [Peter Pan], ideas and strategies began to flood in like a bursting dam.
“Seong Ji-won, thanks.”
“Huh? For what…?”
I slammed the slip onto the table with gusto and gestured. Kim Seong-hyeon brought over paper and a pen.
Then, I began pouring out ideas like a madman.
“Alright, this is it. We’re set.”
“Ho-yun hyung is doing it again….”
Jeong Da-jun muttered.
“Just listen.”
The guys, who initially looked skeptical, grew more and more excited the more they heard.
After talking for a long time, we finally looked at each other and grinned.
“Let’s call Im Hyeon-su.”
* * *
[Eeeh? You drew what?]
“Like Girls’ ‘Want You.’”
[Ah~! That one.]
As expected of a composer, Im Hyeon-su recognized it immediately.
When I switched to speakerphone, the members—especially Kang Yi-chae—listened to Im Hyeon-su’s words like disciples.
[The melody for that was actually pretty good. It’s just that the arrangement was a bit of a mess. It’s a shame. Wouldn't it be okay with a little touch-up?]
She took the bait.
“Hmmmm.”
A brief silence followed.
[…Hey, don’t tell me.]
I grinned. Then I dragged out my words.
“…Blue Tiger-nim.”
[Oh, damn it, what now? You’re making me super anxious.]
“Genius composer-nim.”
[I’m not doing it, I’m not, I won’t!]
“Im Hyeon-su-nim.”
[I have something urgent, so I’m hanging up!]
Im Hyeon-su hung up on me just like that, but….
[Me: ^^]
[Me: ^^]
[Me: ^^]
[Me: ^^]
[Me: ^^]
[Me: Is this]
[Me: all our]
[Me: relationship is?]
[Me: ^^]
[Me: Was I the only one who thought we were close..?]
[Me: Can’t our relationship work on goodwill?]
[Me: I’m so hurt... really....]
[Me: In the end.. I have to.. sigh... T_T]
[Me: Do I have to act like I did back then?]
[Im Hyeon-su: You’re a literal madman]
[Im Hyeon-su: Stop it]
In the end, Im Hyeon-su had no choice but to call me back.
She growled and threatened that she would hold this debt over me forever.
Sure, go ahead.
And so, The Dawn blackmailed Im Hyeon-su and got what they wanted.
It was a very, very happy ending, just like a fairy tale.
.
.
.
Three days after immersing ourselves in practice,
We arrived at the first recording site for Shining Star.