Chapter 3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 3
I was still gingerly rubbing my aching back, but the manager was still in the middle of his passionate speech.
“What are you going to do if you get kicked out? The CEO is terrifying.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Maybe you’re still too young to know how the world works…”
“Just show me the practice room. And introduce me to the members.”
When I cut him off, the manager glared at me with burning eyes. I ignored him with the shamelessness forged by years of professional life. I’ve always been thick-skinned.
“Seo Ho-yun is acting weird today. He’s like a different person since he got sick…”
He kept muttering to himself like he was chanting a mantra.
Walking down the hallway, I continued to look at the photos of people I didn’t recognize. Ah, I knew this man. He was a famous actor who had transitioned from theater to romance dramas.
It seemed like the agency had a decent reputation on the acting side, at least…
An idol group in an agency specializing in actors…
“How many trainees are there?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? There’s only you guys.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You guys are the ones who debuted after we scraped together every single trainee we had. Sigh… I’m really worried, seriously.”
…For real?
That was the backstory?
While I was reeling in shock at a company system more crude than a mom-and-pop shop, the manager spoke up tentatively.
“Ho-yun.”
“Yes?”
“The guys… well, they might be a bit sensitive. Since the results haven’t been great lately. So don’t be flustered, no matter what they say.”
“Territorial?”
“Territorial… I guess so. From your perspective, it might feel that way. But don’t worry. I’ve watched them for a long time, and they’re really good kids. It’s just that they’re under a lot of stress.”
Usually, when someone keeps insisting that "the kids are nice," they aren't.
As I watched him with a flat expression, the manager grew even more nervous and pulled the door open.
“Hey guys, Ho-yun is here!”
…Lord, I’ve lived a good life.
You could have at least given me decent members to work with.
“Seo Ho-yun?”
However, looking at the members panting and drenched in sweat in the practice room, I clicked my tongue.
This isn't going to work.
They were handsome, sure. And idols obviously had to be handsome. Being good-looking, being pretty, being a good singer—it was all important. But in the Korean entertainment industry, where every good-looking and pretty person flocked, being just "okay" wasn't enough.
So, what was the way to survive?
It was star quality.
How much do they shine? Do they exude an effortless aura even when doing nothing? That was a crucial element.
I scanned the four members huddled together. And I made my judgment again.
Not yet.
Star quality—it seems like nothing, yet it’s so hard to acquire. It was an essential element to create fans who would cheer at a single gesture, but it was damn hard to get. You either had to have a popping charm or charisma.
And with my level of seniority, I could usually spot the ones with potential at a single glance.
But these members didn't have it. They lacked that "pop," so I let out a sigh and asked internally.
Hey. …Can I not see other people’s stats?
[You cannot >_<]
Useless.
Just as I was about to lament, a sharp voice pierced my ears.
“I heard Seo Ho-yun quit?”
The one who spoke was a tall guy. As soon as I saw him, a system window popped up like an over-explaining narrator.
[Kim Seong-hyeon, The Dawn’s Leader and Main Dancer]
[Note: ???]
[He is extremely sensitive due to the threat of disbandment.]
Yeah, I could tell even without you telling me.
“So why are you back? What did you do that was so great?”
Kim Seong-hyeon glared sharply in my direction. The manager, flustered, tried to mediate between us.
“Seong-hyeon, why are you being like this? Ho-yun was sick.”
“So what? Are we some kind of losers' bracket group? Why is someone who left without even promoting properly back here?”
“Kim Seong-hyeon!”
Honestly, I thought everything Kim Seong-hyeon said was absolutely right. At the same time, I re-evaluated him.
Maybe he’d do well with a 'bratty' character concept?
Usually, people were more drawn to someone who was rude 99 times and nice once, rather than someone who was nice a hundred times. If you were nice a hundred times, they just saw you as a pushover or an idiot.
“Seong-hyeon, let’s stop.”
[Seong Ji-won, Main Vocal]
[Note: ???]
[He has a kind heart, but his luck is incredibly bad.]
This one seems okay.
Seong Ji-won held Kim Seong-hyeon back. Then he gave me a look. As I shrugged and walked into the practice room, Seong Ji-won welcomed me.
“Um… Ho-yun, anyway, glad you’re back. Are you feeling much better?”
“Yeah. I’m Seo Ho-yun. Looking forward to working with you.”
“Who doesn't know your name?”
“I just mean I want us to try our best again.”
“Seriously, the nerve…”
Perhaps because I had mentally prepared myself before leaving the house, lies and whatever else flowed out smoothly.
Kim Seong-hyeon’s face turned bright red, but I ignored him and looked at the other two. A guy with black hair opened his eyes wide.
“Ho-yun hyung, are you really all better?”
[Jeong Da-jun, Sub-Dancer]
[Note: ???]
[He is the maknae. Um… he is very polite.]
“Yeah. It’s all good.”
I didn't even know what was supposed to be wrong with me, but I gave a vague answer. Looking next to him, a guy who looked like a fox smirked.
“Hyung, you didn't come back, so I thought you were dead.”
[Kang Yi-chae, Main Rapper]
[Note: ???]
[His personality is equally twisted.]
Look at this guy’s attitude.
This one was someone to watch out for.
“I didn't die, I’m back.”
“Hm? …Hooo? Haha.”
[Quest: ‘Talk to the members!’ has been completed.]
[Everyone seems to be in a bad mood because you’re here!]
[I’ll add some Charm for now.]
I gave a casual response and looked at the quest window. Main vocal, dancer, rapper—it seemed they had at least gathered the basic positions. Or maybe they just assigned positions randomly since they said they scraped together every trainee they had…
The manager beamed, looking relieved that I had at least managed to exchange greetings with the members.
“Right, I’m glad the kids welcomed you! Let’s try our best again, everyone!”
“…….”
…How bright of him.
No one responded.
Even so, the manager continued to speak persistently and energetically. Being a salaryman is truly tough; I looked at him with pity.
“Ho-yun might not know yet, but we’re currently preparing for a comeback. We have one month left until the showcase and broadcast activities. Let’s do well. The CEO is really pushing for us!”
That’s not what it looked like…
Looking around, it seemed everyone knew that was a lie. The members' anxious faces were proof of that.
“Ho-yun, do you want to listen to the song first?”
[Quest Arrived:]
[‘Listen to the comeback song!’]
[This is The Dawn’s last chance!]
[Listen to the comeback song.]
[Success: Start of the next scenario, +1 Charm.]
[Failure: Significant drop in the members' trust.]
“Yes, please play it.”
Let’s see just how much of a failure this song is.
* * *
【Pop-pop-pop like a pineapple!
Yum-yum-yum like an apple!
Mang-mang-mang like a mango!】
“…….”
“…….”
Silence hung in the air.
It was a total disaster. It was a song about wanting to confess freshly to a crush like a pineapple, an apple, and a mango. Even someone with no ear for music could tell this was a legendary flop.
When I came in, I caught a glimpse of their debut single on Nutube, and I didn't think it was this bad…
We’re doomed…
Ding!
[Mang-mang-mang!]
“How is it? The song is good, right?”
I looked at the manager, who was grinning ear to ear.
…How can you even smile? Even though it’s obvious we’ll fail if we go out with this song?
No, we might be mocked on the internet for the rest of our lives.
“Pop-pop-pop like a pineapple! Man, what a masterpiece. The reaction is already crazy. The planning team is raving about how refreshing it is.”
Setting aside the trashy beat and the equally trashy lyrics, in winter?
It’s been half a year since summer ended, and they want to do this concept in winter? Is the planning team dead?
I imagined it.
Like a pineapple, like a mango, like an apple… Me performing while acting all cutesy, and the Nutube video having about three or four comments.
-Wow… I actually feel bad for them… lol
-LOL, seriously, anyone can be an idol these days~~ Can I debut too~~?
-Do idols like this even have fans? I’m genuinely curious.
I could already see the reactions. Shuddering, I gave my evaluation to match the slightly expectant gazes of those around me.
“The song is… very fresh.”
“Right?”
“Does the CEO run an orchard?”
“Hey, Seo Ho-yun!”
When I spoke honestly, the members around me got angry.
“Ho-yun, even so, that’s a bit…”
“Why? It’s the truth.”
“Exactly. I’ll give you 'pop-pop-pop' for the pineapple, but why is the mango 'mang-mang-mang'?”
Kang Yi-chae agreed. I rubbed my face and stood up shakily, feeling miserable. I probably had a pack of cigarettes in my pocket. I needed to smoke just one.
Misunderstanding my intention, the manager called out to me.
“Seo Ho-yun, where are you going?”
“I’m going to get some fresh air.”
“Ho-yun!”
Leaving the protesting manager behind, I went outside the building, crouched on the sidewalk, and pulled out a cigarette. Then I looked at the company building across the street.
No wonder the building was small and old. Even I, with my tone-deaf ears, could compose something better than that. No, seriously, how did they even get a song like that? It was ridiculous enough to bring a summer concept when it was about to snow, but what was with the random EDM? EDM…
[Are you going to give up?]
“Shut up… I’m thinking.”
Give up? What give up? My pride wouldn't let me give up.
I suppressed my anger, remembering my rookie days when I was mocked for everything. I remembered the senior who told me to go pick up his business card from a trash bag, and the top star who threw all sorts of tantrums and power trips. Compared to then, this was nothing, absolutely nothing…
Whenever I felt a sudden surge of rage, I used to pull out my banking app, check my balance, and calm my heart, but damn, I can’t even do that now.
I have to feed Seo Ho-jin…
“Ho-yun.”
The main vocal I saw earlier approached me. His name was… let’s see.
“…Seong Ji-won.”
“Yeah.”
My memory was hazy, but I managed to act like I knew him after seeing the system window pop up again. He was the nice guy who had held the other members back earlier.
I can’t get used to this…
Seeing a guy who looked so young calling me by my name reminded me of just how insane my situation was.
…Since there was no answer, I took another drag.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“We were… a bit much, weren't we?”
“Forget it.”
I was just smoking, but Seong Ji-won’s expression darkened, as if he had interpreted it differently.
I realized it quickly. Right, idols aren't supposed to smoke. Seeing an idol, who needs to take care of their throat, smoking is no different from saying they’ve given up.
What was my position again? Sub-vocal?
The only singing I’d ever done was with a spoon stuck in a soju bottle at company dinners. I was already worried about how I’d get up on stage and sing.
“Understand the guys. It’s just because nothing is going right.”
“…….”
“We’re going to disband soon anyway. Everyone’s already given up. The planning team has let go of us too, and that song is the best the company could manage to get.”
Ugh.
Feeling annoyed, I narrowed my eyes and looked at Seong Ji-won.
“I guess we should think about what to do after we disband. I’ve been a trainee for so long that it’ll take a while to catch up on my studies.”
“How long were you one?”
“About seven years?”
“Where?”
“Oh, D.go.”
That’s not bad.
The place Seong Ji-won mentioned was a fairly large agency. There was a group called ‘Today’ that had some recognition recently.
Then maybe they have some skill? If they were skilled, that was one less thing to worry about. Though I couldn't be sure yet.
I took another drag of my cigarette, leaving the hesitating Seong Ji-won behind.
“That’s a big agency.”
“But none of it worked out. Let’s just think of it as making one last memory. Don’t mind the guys and let’s just do our best.”
I let out a smirk.
“Why are you laughing?”
Making one last memory?
What are you talking about? I didn't come here to make memories with you guys.
It’s arrogant to decide you’re going to fail before you’ve even started. Especially when my life is on the line.
I couldn't just throw away a game that hadn't even properly begun.
I crushed the cigarette out on the ground.
“Who says?”
“Huh?”
“Who says it’s the last time?”
They were just hovering in front of the gate without even tasting success. I had to take these idiots and turn them into a first-tier idol group.
And I was confident.
“I’m just getting started.”
Confident that I could put food on their tables, too.