Chapter 33
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 33
I’m very satisfied.
I won’t even need to do any smooth-talking.
As I watched silently, the other members all wore expressions of surprise.
“To be honest, it’s a fact that our debut song flopped,” Kim Seong-hyeon said.
“It flopped hard!”
“Our recent single was produced so well, and the response was so good it was almost dizzying, so we’ll definitely get points for that… but I just can’t stop thinking about our debut album.”
At Kim Seong-hyeon’s blunt remark, Jeong Da-jun’s face darkened.
“You’re right. Back then, we… we worked so hard, but it didn't work out. We practically lived in the practice room without sleeping.”
“Yeah. Even our manager… was really heartbroken.”
“Exactly. I still think that song is actually quite good. And for the fans who have supported us from the very beginning… I think it would make for a great performance.”
Kim Seong-hyeon, very good.
His sensitive side was shining through here. I smiled contentedly at the tear-jerking narrative that would look absolutely stunning on camera.
“I agree with doing the debut single as well.”
“Then is it unanimous?”
“Let’s just come up with a new concept for it.”
“A concept?”
We were currently watching The Dawn’s performance of Glow.
It was a "fresh schoolboy" concept, featuring a boy relentlessly pursuing his first love.
After watching it all, Seong Ji-won offered his critique.
“Ah, I should have… expressed more with my face there. I didn't get the angle of my right arm quite right.”
“And here comes the human protractor.”
Kang Yi-chae threw a light joke at Seong Ji-won, who was muttering incessantly. The camera director filming The Dawn let out an involuntary snort of laughter.
“The performance is definitely weaker compared to Second Chance.”
“True. Since it’s a competition, we need something that can really grab the audience.”
“Are you saying we should change the concept?”
“I think… we were lacking a story. And impact.”
Oh, Jeong Da-jun hit the nail on the head.
“Exactly. Actually, the concept itself isn't the problem. Keeping it as it is would be fine. The problem, as Da-jun pointed out, is the story.”
I tapped the table.
“It was vague. I get that it’s about a first love, but I have no idea what the situation is. I don't know who we are, why we like the other person, or why our friends are trying to stop us.”
Jeong Da-jun fell into deep thought, his brow furrowed in a way that didn't quite suit his face. We just needed to fill in what was missing. But what was it?
“The story lacks conviction. That’s why it lacks impact.”
“…I have an idea!”
Jeong Da-jun raised his hand high.
Oh?
It was unexpected, especially since he had been so hesitant to offer opinions during the first intro stage, rolling around on the floor saying it was too difficult.
When Kim Seong-hyeon nodded, Jeong Da-jun spoke with a flushed face.
“There’s a movie I’ve been really into lately. It’s called Twilight.”
“Ah. I know that one. Isn't it a bit old?”
“Yes! There’s a scene where the protagonist approaches the other person while hiding their true identity.”
At this rate, I might not even need Lee Ji-hyeon.
Everyone leaned in, intrigued by the interesting story.
“What if we apply that theme to this song?”
“Then we could write the lyrics like this.”
“Ah, that’s good. Then for this part of the stage, we could do this kind of choreography….”
I watched the members of The Dawn as they excitedly hammered out the planning themselves once a single concept was dropped.
I had them all wrong.
It’s not that these kids lack star power.
They just never had the environment to express it because they were at a small agency.
I listened intently to even the smallest passing ideas and took meticulous notes, eventually looking down at the fairly well-constructed scenario.
“Okay. We’re going with Da-jun’s idea.”
“Really?”
Jeong Da-jun’s jaw dropped in surprise, and then, excited, he began pouring out more ideas—what about this, what about that.
I noted every single one of them before organizing the schedule.
“We have to have the stage ready in eight days. Since it’s completely new, if we assume we’ll be mastering the choreography until then, the arrangement needs to be finished within the next two days at the latest.”
Should I use the Im Hyeon-su chance now? I already feel like I’m working her too hard.
As I sat there clicking my ballpoint pen in thought, Kang Yi-chae glanced at me tentatively.
“Hyungs. Da-jun.”
“Yeah?”
“Can I do the arrangement?”
Now what was this? I snapped my head up. Kang Yi-chae gave a slightly embarrassed smile, which was unlike him.
“You know how to arrange?”
“I used to dabble a bit, but I learned a lot from the composer last time. I’ve tried it a few times on my own since then….”
So that’s why he reacted so happily when Im Hyeon-su was mentioned. What should I do?
I twirled my pen, weighing Kang Yi-chae’s potential. My rule of thumb is to go as stable as possible, but…
Though he looked a bit embarrassed, the ambition was clear in Kang Yi-chae’s eyes. He had the face of someone who really wanted to give it a shot.
The intuition Kang Yi-chae possessed, the "pretty picture" it would paint for the broadcast if a member participated in the arrangement, and a tiny bit of trust in Yi-chae.
“I think… it’s a good idea.”
As I spoke slowly, Kang Yi-chae smiled as if relieved.
“I don't know when you found the time to study. Did you even have time for that?”
“Just, you know, I did a little here and there.”
Kang Yi-chae scratched his head. The decision passed to Kim Seong-hyeon.
“I’m fine with it too. I just feel bad that I can't help.”
“Ayy, Hyung. Don't talk like that again. I’ll make sure to pull off something truly legendary~.”
Kang Yi-chae grinned widely and began scribbling notes excitedly.
“Then, since we’re short on time, I’ll handle the choreography,” Kim Seong-hyeon said with a determined look.
In truth, even if we had time, it was obvious Daepasung wouldn't spend money to get us choreography.
Whether Kim Seong-hyeon knew that and spoke up first or was simply volunteering, it was one less thing to worry about. He had been the one coming up with their choreography all along anyway.
“Then I should consult with Yi-chae to decide how to handle the vocals.”
“I’ll summarize all this and hand it over to the planning team and the production crew.”
Honestly, the teamwork was solid. It felt great to have everything clicking into place like this after so long.
Jeong Da-jun blinked his round eyes and asked, “Th-then what should I do? Should I cheer you on? Or run errands for you guys?”
“Da-jun.”
I placed a hand gently on his shoulder. Since it had been a million years since I’d called him so tenderly, Jeong Da-jun’s pupils started shaking.
“What are you talking about? You have to be the center.”
“Wh-what?! Not Ji-won hyung or you, Ho-yun hyung?!”
“With this concept, it has to be you.”
“Yeah, I was thinking of Da-jun too.”
“You have to set the mood well.”
The hyungs teased him with smirks, and unaware of the playfulness, Jeong Da-jun’s face grew pale under the pressure. But then, the shrinking Da-jun suddenly got a spark in his eyes, steeled his resolve, and clenched his fists.
“I… I will become the face of this team!”
“Right, you be our team’s pride.”
I chuckled as I skimmed through the organized plan.
The preparations for the stage were complete.
Ding!
[Please don't do anything weird….]
When do I ever?
Now, all that was left was the scheming.
* * *
“Oh?”
“Hello.”
I approached a member of Mars with a smile. I think he was either the center or the lead vocal.
Anyway, the Mars vocal I ran into at the broadcasting station looked surprised as he accepted my greeting.
“What brings you here? I heard The Dawn members already left.”
“Ah, I had something to ask you, Sunbae-nim.”
“Sunbae… well, just speak comfortably. Aren't we the same age? I’ll speak casually too.”
He was more reasonable than I expected. Actually, I had approached him because I already knew that.
I sat down on the bench where he was sitting and handed him a can of ion drink I’d grabbed from the machine.
“Sure, let’s do that. Want some?”
“Oh… thanks.”
He had a look on his face that said, What’s up with this guy? Up until now, I’d always just brushed past with a quick greeting. But I can be quite kind to people I have business with.
“Is the planning going well?”
“Did you come to me to ask that?”
“No. This is just to break the ice.”
“What? Haha, you’re really honest.”
The Mars vocal’s eyes widened before he burst into laughter. He was famous for having a pleasant personality, and it seemed that was true. I just sipped my drink with a silent smile.
“Why break the ice?”
“I wanted to ask you something I was curious about.”
“What?”
“I saw you last time. Badmouthing the Today members.”
That’s right. During the broadcast where Today took first place, Mars had been caught talking trash.
Specifically, he’d said, “Why do people like those kinds of bastards? Their personalities are trash.”
“I was curious why you said that.”
I spoke calmly. The Mars vocal looked at me with eyes overflowing with suspicion, wondering what my angle was.
“Why are you curious about that?”
“Because I hate them too. I wanted to join in on the trash-talking.”
Of course, I had a different objective. The Mars vocal’s eyebrows shot up.
“Well… you did pick a fight with them last time like you were about to grab them by the collar. It was pretty satisfying to watch.”
“That senior seems to dislike me quite a bit.”
“Yeah. Well, everyone knows I’m not on good terms with Today anyway. It’s practically public knowledge.”
“Is that so?”
What’s going to come out?
“It’s famous how trashy those Today guys are. They treat their fans like their personal ATMs, but the fans just suffer in silence. They don't want to ruin Today’s image.”
Man, seriously. What even is affection?
They see them as cash cows, yet the fans keep covering for the idols because of their past attachment… really…. I felt bad for Today’s fans.
“But there’s more. They’re club junkies. There’s no way they’re playing nice there. If you dig, more will come out.”
Clubs, Today, and….
Ah. I have a general idea.
If I dig into the clubs, I’ll be able to tell pretty quickly whether that place is a "gateway" or not.
I recalled a certain someone’s number in my head. Just providing these keywords should be enough for them to dig it up. There are plenty of people who would grin from ear to ear if you just gave them a piece of gossip.
Of course, I use them well too.
“Yeah, they really are dirty, petty bastards. Thanks for telling me.”
It seemed Mars didn't know yet that Today was the pre-selected winner. But there was no need to tell him that. I was about to wrap things up with a nod when the vocal grabbed me.
“But why are you asking me?”
“Huh?”
“You’d know better if you asked Seong Ji-won.”
“Seong Ji-won was in the same agency, but he probably doesn't know anything about Today’s current situation.”
“No, that’s not what I mean….”
The vocal met my eyes, glanced around the surroundings, and wrinkled his nose.
“You don't know.”
“…….”
What does that mean?
When I frowned, the vocal looked extremely awkward and hesitated before finally confessing.
“…Those Today guys, they’re tied up in sponsorship issues. Seong Ji-won was originally in the top-tier debut group, but he’s famous for walking out because he hated that stuff.”
The vocal shifted his gaze and quickly finished up.
“Try talking to Seong Ji-won. It’ll be better than hearing it from a stranger. Oh, and don't tell him I said anything.”
“…Alright.”
“Well, let’s both do our best in the competition.”
Even after the Mars vocal left, I sat on the bench for a long time.
The fact that Seong Ji-won thought this was his last chance, and the fact that someone with that face and that talent was in an unknown group like this—it all made sense now. It was because of those pieces of trash.
Whether it was a parallel world or whatever, the fact that these social evils were still rampant made my blood boil. I felt a desperate craving for the cigarettes I had worked so hard to quit.
“There are plenty of trashy bastards in this industry….”
Why did I feel so particularly disgusted?
Instead of pulling out a cigarette, I downed the rest of my ion drink and slammed the can into the trash.
I needed to talk to Seong Ji-won.