Chapter 32
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 32
The main vocal, and Yoo Hyuk.
“I don’t know, that guy just gets on my nerves. Seong Ji-won is irritating enough as it is, but he keeps picking fights over every little thing…”
“Hey, do you think there’s something going on between Seo Ho-yun and the PD?”
“Like what?”
The person they were talking about was standing right there. Kim Hee-yeong glared in their direction, her expression terrifying.
“The talent show, the special broadcast… even the final stage was changed. They’re just nobodies; it’s not like their agency has the money to bribe anyone, right?”
“Definitely not.”
“Then the math is simple. Seo Ho-yun must have hooked up with the PD. That’s why PD Kim is looking out for him.”
“Ah… yeah, that makes sense. That’s the answer.”
Ding!
[How pathetic…]
Even the system lamented. No kidding. People only see what they want to see; they were spewing nonsense, trapped in their own prejudices.
I didn’t care if another dirty rumor was added to my reputation, but just as I was about to step forward in case this affected Kim Hee-yeong—
“How interesting.”
I was about to turn toward the source of that murmur, but Kim Hee-yeong was faster.
Crash!
The sound of a bottle shattering rang out. Kim Hee-yeong was holding a jagged, broken bottle in her hand. The main vocal and Yoo Hyuk froze, turning pale at the sight of it.
“Hellooo.”
Kim Hee-yeong smiled brightly.
‘I don’t think they’re feeling very “hello” right now…’
“P-PD-nim!!”
The members of Today were so flustered they couldn’t even greet her properly. Kim Hee-yeong pressed the broken bottle against the wall and dragged it slowly.
Screeeech!
The bone-chilling sound echoed through the back alley. The red neon of a nearby sign reflected off her left cheek, making the look in her eyes seem even colder.
The "Mad Dog PD" of this district had arrived.
“What were you talking about that sounded so fun…?”
“P-PD-nim.”
“Let me in on it too, okay?”
Yoo Hyuk, regaining some of his senses, put on a groveling face.
“We didn’t mean it like that. Please, just calm down first…”
“Calm down?”
“Yes, yes. So, p-please, put that down first…”
The curve of Kim Hee-yeong’s smile deepened. Honestly, even I was a bit scared.
“Do you know my nickname?”
“……!”
‘You’d have to be living under a rock not to know, Noona.’
The Today members seemed to know as well, as their faces turned even more sallow. Kim Hee-yeong hummed in a refined tone.
“I’m the ‘tvK Crazy Bitch.’ Do you know how I got that nickname?”
“A-Ah, n-no.”
“I was called to a staff dinner once, and this bastard who was a Main CP touched my junior while pretending it was an accident…”
I had heard this story through the grapevine many times, but this was the first time hearing it from Kim Hee-yeong herself. She didn’t even spare me a glance as she continued.
“So! What do you think I did? I picked up a bottle of soju and poured it right over the CP’s head to help him clear his mind. When he asked what the hell I was doing, I picked up a bowl of rice and chucked it right in his face.”
“P… PD-nim.”
“Then, when he threatened to fire me, I went straight to the Deputy General Manager. He told me to just endure it. So I went to the Department Head. He also told me to endure it. Finally, I went to the Bureau Chief. And I told him…”
It was a famous line that had spread through the broadcasting world like a secret legend. Even I, standing behind her, silently mouthed the words along with her.
‘If you don’t deal with this pervert right now…’
“If you don’t deal with this pervert right now…”
Gulp.
The Today members swallowed hard, completely terrified.
“—The only thing appearing on the 9 o’clock news tomorrow will be his corpse.”
Damn!
Honestly, hearing that story made my heart race because she was so cool.
“In the end, he got fired~. Hahaha!”
She chuckled and cracked her neck from side to side.
“So? Shall we try to make one more breaking news story?”
“……We’re sorry!!”
“We’re sorry!!”
The Today members bowed deeply and scrambled away. It was as if they had just come face-to-face with a notorious serial killer.
As for me, regardless of how interesting and enjoyable the situation was, I was worried that being alone with an agitated Kim Hee-yeong might be dangerous.
‘Should I run away too…?’
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
“Yes!”
I folded my hands politely. Kim Hee-yeong clicked her tongue, still looking displeased.
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi, don’t hang out with kids like that. They’re nothing but trouble.”
“Yes, I’m very picky about who I associate with.”
“Good. That’s a relief. Fuck.”
I carefully took the bottle from Kim Hee-yeong’s hand.
“Ugh! I’m so pissed!!”
After checking to make sure she wasn’t hurt, I carefully gathered the shards and threw them into a nearby trash can. Kim Hee-yeong narrowed her eyes and looked at me.
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi. I’ll be honest with you.”
“Yes.”
“Those posers over there are going to take first place. It’s already been pre-selected. My conscience is pricking me, so I’m just telling you. Don’t work too hard; just aim for second. If you can at least gain some recognition from that…”
“Yes, I know.”
“It should be fine… Wait, you know?”
I nodded silently. Kim Hee-yeong’s face went pale, and she let out a string of curses under her breath.
“Where on earth did you hear that?”
“The industry is a small place, after all.”
“No, since when did you know?”
“From the beginning.”
“And you still wrote down first place as your predicted rank? Are you crazy?”
No, I wasn’t crazy.
I brushed off my hands and looked at Kim Hee-yeong. She seemed to be trying to discern whether I was a madman or not.
“I told you, PD-nim.”
I had told her it was fine, that I was okay even if I was treated poorly. I let out a faint smile.
“I’m going to take first place.”
I would make it happen.
“To do that, I’ll need a little help from you, PD-nim.”
“…What? Hey, I told you. I can’t do that. I don’t have the authority.”
“You will soon.”
“…….”
“Before long. Very soon.”
There was no point in saying more.
I said my goodbyes to Kim Hee-yeong and headed back to the restaurant. Jeong Da-jun greeted me warmly, his face completely oblivious to what had happened.
“Hyung!”
“Yeah.”
“Where did you go? I’ve been looking for you for ages.”
My dear members, who know nothing.
Honestly, I felt a little bad for them.
“Were you looking for me?”
But I hid my inner thoughts and gave them a bright smile.
“…W-What’s with that? That kind tone. It’s creeping me out…”
I ignored Jeong Da-jun, who was shivering in fear.
* * *
[The Dawn to appear on ‘Shining Star’… A showdown with Today?]
[The Dawn vs. Today, what will the result be?]
“Ugh, what are these trashy reporters up to now?”
An office worker, already exhausted from being hounded by her boss, was in a foul mood. The fan, whose expression said ‘I’ll kill anyone who touches me,’ found her only solace in The Dawn, whom she had fallen for recently.
‘What is with this guy? He’s insane… and so handsome….’
The fan, who was tearfully saving a preview shot of Seo Ho-yun arriving for Shining Star, turned fierce upon seeing an article.
“How can they pit them against Today? Their fandom is famous for being incredibly toxic!”
Honestly, Today was more popular than The Dawn. But in the fan’s eyes, Today’s personality was trash.
Even though clips of them looking like dead fish at fan signings while saying “Ah, really?” were already circulating, their fans just covered their eyes and ears.
‘The Dawn is way more handsome anyway!’
I want to see their glorious faces, so please hold a fan meeting! I’m ready to throw my money at you! Why do you think I’m earning money right now? The reason I keep saying “Yes, sir” to my boss who contacts me even after work to send files is to give my bank account to The Dawn!
Gritting her teeth, she ignored all the bait. At that moment, her timeline exploded. Checking to see what it was, she jumped out of her seat.
[The Dawn – Like Girls ‘Want You’]
“A pre-release?!”
Shining Star had dropped a pre-release clip. The three-minute stage had been condensed into a video of less than a minute.
The fan took a deep breath and pressed play.
[My fellow pirates, this is our showtime!]
Kang Yi-chae was the one who opened the performance.
“Ah, Kang Yi-chae, seriously…!”
Her heart tightened. Pirate costumes? The Dawn had absolutely demolished K-pop this year.
While the office worker was clutching her heart, she heard the ticking of a clock and saw Seo Ho-yun turning his head at an angle.
[Hello, let me say hi to you once more]
“Aaaagh! Ho-yun-ah!”
My heart hurts, waaaah.
Whether Seo Ho-yun knew the fan’s heart or not, he was overflowing with composure. Approaching the camera with a slight stagger, he gave a smirk.
[I know you’re wavering
You’re destined to come to me anyway]
“Ho-yun-ah, I’m coming… Noona is coming….”
[But don’t make me wait too long]
“I’m going right now!!”
As she was making a scene all by herself while grabbing her wallet, the short 45-second pre-release ended.
The fan stared at the black screen for a long time, tears in her eyes from the lingering excitement. The online communities were already in an uproar.
[Wait, was that really Like Girls’ ‘Want You’ that I just heard??????]
[Is this for real??? TTTT It’s so different. The original was bright and fresh but felt a bit plain, but this is so spicy. A pirate who’s tough on the outside and tough on the inside clinging to me? My tongue is burning.]
[Wait, I thought they said the concept was fairy tales… Honestly, picking Peter Pan was a disaster, but they brought in a pirate concept from that? It’s basically telling us not to go to Peter Pan, right??? Oppa, I’m not going anywhere. I’m all yours.]
[Yi-chae-ya, I just finished beating up Peter Pan.
└ LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
└ That’s some creative fangirling ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[I could take on a crocodile with my bare hands.]
[I have a confession to make.
I want to get stuck in Seong-hyeon’s dimples and die.
└ Please get a grip.]
Everyone was excited and having a parade of praise. But suddenly, a strange post appeared on the community.
[Title: Wow, The Dawn is totally the PD’s pick.
It’s so obvious they’re the PD’s pick ㅋㅋㅋ
They’ve been putting out articles and media play like crazy pitting them against Today when they’re total nobodies ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I knew something was fishy. Today isn’t even at a level where they should be appearing there in the first place.
└ Right? I thought the agency had lost its mind. Why are the guys who won 1st place last time competing there?
└ Aside from Mars and Refined, the rest are nothing ㅋㅋ Especially The Dawn, do they think they’re on the same level as Today just because they’ve gotten a bit of buzz lately? It’s disgusting to see them appearing alongside total nobodies.]
“Damn it….”
The trolls had arrived.
In cases like this, there was a high probability they weren’t actually Today fans. Even if some Today fans were toxic, they wouldn’t openly set a fire like this on a public community for everyone to see.
The moment The Dawn’s fandom fell for this provocation, it would turn into a full-blown war between the two fandoms. She hurriedly typed a comment.
It was a post that started with ‘I like Mars, but.’
[Today’s stage was good too. The Dawn did a decent job as well.]
Sorry, Mars fans… Honestly, I don’t know if Today’s stage was good, but she desperately tried to cover for them.
[└ LMAO ㅋㅋㅋ Do you like The Dawn?
└└ Hahaha, what Mars fan starts a post with ‘I like Mars, but’ ㅋㅋㅋㅋ You’re so transparent.]
‘Gasp…!’
In her haste, she had made a mistake. She tried to delete the post and made other desperate efforts, but the original post had already attracted a massive amount of bait.
[Title: Honestly, Today’s skills and personality ㅋㅋㅋ
What do they even have?
Isn’t it all just because of their agency?
The guys famous for the ‘Ah, really?’ dead eyes ㅋㅋㅋ The Dawn is better. At least they help old ladies ㅋㅋㅋ
└ Are you kidding? You’re comparing them to nobodies now?
└ Honestly, looking at this pre-release, I thought The Dawn were the seniors~~ Today covered ‘White Cherry Lemon Love’ this time and it was an eyesore ㅋㅋㅋ Compared to that, The Dawn is a godsend, a godsend~
└ You’re really saying whatever you want, you crazy bastard.]
“It’s ruined….”
It was a total disaster. The community reaction was spreading beyond control, and private SNS accounts were already spewing insults. This was a bad situation.
In the midst of all this, the official Shining Star account tactlessly released the notice for audience applications.
[1st Competition Audience Application Form]
No, it wasn’t tactless. This was a declaration of war.
A declaration of war telling them to apply and come if they didn’t want their idols to lose face.
Those damn producers.
“I-I have to go.”
They could never let Today fans take over the audience. They had to boost their boys’ morale.
She started pouring out posts on SNS telling people to apply for the audience.
* * *
“Our first episode is in a week?”
“Yes. We’ve decided to move quickly. We feel like our filming has been delayed a bit. The final competition in episode 6 is a live broadcast, so we have to match the schedule until then.”
The staff member explained briefly.
Even better. The members of The Dawn, sitting around the table in the tvK meeting room, nodded.
“Yes, understood.”
“I wonder if many people will come to our competition…”
Seong Ji-won expressed his worry.
Plenty of people would come. The fandom size was still small, so it would be less than Today, but still.
The staff member was carefully filming our reactions. It seemed they intended to push the comparison with Today.
“As you know, The Dawn took 1st place in the talent show last time, right? So, in the first episode, you’ll get a special 15-minute segment.”
“Whoa.”
Jeong Da-jun smiled brightly and clapped his hands. Kim Seong-hyeon and Kang Yi-chae also shared a high-five and smiled proudly.
The more that happened, the more the internet was bound to explode with controversy. The title would be something like [Don’t you really hate The Dawn? ㅋㅋㅋ]. I should tell the members not to look at the internet.
“Then, I will announce the mission for the 1st competition.”
“Yes!”
“The 1st competition is… Representative Hit Song.”
“…….”
Our reactions instantly turned cold.
One single, and one debut album from before.
We only had two songs.
“It will be conducted through audience votes, judge votes, and contestant self-votes. And among them, the group that takes 1st place will be given a special authority.”
“Authority?”
“Yes. You’ll find out what it is when you get to the stage. Then, the 1st competition will take place the day after the first episode airs. That leaves 8 days.”
“That’s fast…”
“Yes, thank you.”
The staff withdrew, leaving only the cameras.
Kim Seong-hyeon let out a hollow laugh.
“There’s only one stage… and we only have two songs. At least we won’t waste time choosing a song.”
“It’s good that it’s fast.”
“Ahaha….”
Seong Ji-won tried to laugh, but his face was haggard. While their recent single had performed well, the reaction to their debut album could be considered non-existent.
“Well, it’s narrowed down to choosing between ‘Second Chance’ and our debut song ‘Glow.’ Since ‘Second Chance’ was more popular…”
“To get a reaction on-site, we should choose the song that’s at least a little more well-known.”
“Um, guys.”
Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been lost in thought while stroking his chin without saying a word, cautiously spoke to the members.
“Yes.”
“Actually, I want to do our debut song.”