Chapter 39
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 39
“Uh...?”
Seong Ji-won’s eyes darted around before he gave an awkward laugh.
“Where did you hear that?”
“I heard you were a top prospect.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I heard you had your pick between main vocal and center.”
“Well, I suppose I was the best-looking one in Today,” Seong Ji-won joked, slipping in a bit of harmless self-praise before turning the question back on me. “But why ask all of a sudden?”
I felt a slight prick of guilt.
“The Seo Ho-yun I know wouldn’t ask what my position in Today was just out of curiosity... You heard about that too, didn't you?”
Seong Ji-won had become incredibly sharp. It seemed being chewed out alongside me like a dried squid lately had changed him.
He clicked his tongue.
“This industry is just too small. Bad news travels faster than anything else.”
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
“No, what you heard is right.”
Seong Ji-won sighed.
“I ran away because I hated the sponsor offers.”
“...I see.”
“I knew the pressure was building. There were already rumors about a few other members of Today. They treated me like an idiot. They asked why I wouldn't take an opportunity that basically guaranteed success.”
Seong Ji-won kicked a small pebble on the ground.
“I... honestly didn't know. I started wondering if I really was the fool. And as I watched my spots being taken away one by one, it was driving me crazy. But then one day—I don’t know why, I don’t really remember—I just suddenly snapped out of it.”
He doesn't remember?
Is he just glossing over it because he doesn't want to talk about it?
Seong Ji-won’s brow furrowed.
“I thought, ‘What am I doing? I’ve lost my mind.’ I left right then and there. After drifting around for a while, I finally found this agency. The CEO and the manager are good people. There’s none of that kind of pressure here.”
“Good people?”
“Well... they are good people.”
Seong Ji-won shrugged.
In my eyes, the CEO and the manager were the same. They chased after ideals, and when results didn't appear immediately, they practically abandoned the kids and gave up. And that was with a group of guys who could do this well if only given the right stage.
“Since then, just seeing Today made me feel nauseous, like I wanted to throw up. But you know what?”
“What?”
“Ever since that receipt incident, it’s just been funny.”
Ah, that. I recalled Yoo Hyuk’s face when he desperately tried to grab a receipt, thinking it was a fan note.
“I still laugh when I think of the look on his face.”
“You were the one who told Yoo Hyuk to stop running his mouth.”
“Haha! I guess I just did that in the heat of the moment. And the look on Today’s faces this time was priceless. I’m definitely going to watch the broadcast.”
Seong Ji-won kept chuckling as if he couldn't get over how funny it was. Well, it was pretty funny.
Stopping his laughter, he hesitated for a moment before standing up.
“...Anyway, thanks, Ho-yun.”
“Thanks? To me?” I muttered, bewildered. “For what?”
I seriously began to suspect if Seong Ji-won was just a pushover.
On the contrary, he laughed as if he had seen right through my thoughts.
“I owe you so much. To be honest, I followed you out here just to say thank you.”
Seong Ji-won stretched his arms wide.
“I trust you. No matter how many more off-putting things you do, I’m going to trust you.”
“....”
“So, try trusting us a little, too.”
Seong Ji-won gave a faint smile.
Maybe I had been a bit arrogant. Maybe the other members were right. I felt like I had been slamming on the accelerator all by myself.
But this was who I was.
This was how I had lived until now.
Because I was the one who had to take responsibility alone.
Could I change?
No.
I downed the lukewarm citron tea in one gulp and stood up to follow him.
“Ji-won.”
Seong Ji-won’s eyes widened.
I’m sorry.
“I’ll make sure we get first place.”
That was the only thing I could say to him right now.
I don’t make promises I can’t keep. Seong Ji-won seemed to understand the weight of those words; his expression turned slightly bittersweet, but he soon patted my shoulder.
“Right.”
“....”
“Let’s go inside. It’s cold.”
* * *
“Hey.”
“What?”
“Eat this.”
While waiting in a meeting room at the tvK station, Kim Seong-hyeon suddenly tossed me a packet of red ginseng. I wondered if he had snatched it from Seong Ji-won.
“Uh... thanks.”
“Eat it already. You’re supposed to take stuff like this once a day.”
“What’s gotten into him?”
“He’s trying to say he’s sorry~!” Jeong Da-jun chimed in from the side. He seemed to have regained his energy, having even stuffed himself with the tteokbokki the manager had been so eager to buy for lunch.
Kim Seong-hyeon gave Jeong Da-jun a light noogie.
“He’s acting like that because he feels bad. You’re the one taking all the heat, after all.”
“Hey, watch your mouth.”
“What? I’m sure Ho-yun hyung already knows.”
Kang Yi-chae clicked his tongue. Of course I knew. But Kim Seong-hyeon kept glancing at me, worried that I might have lost heart after seeing the public opinion online.
I narrowed my eyes at him. Was he really feeling sorry for me?
...I really am trash.
I felt a sense of self-loathing, but my first instinct was always to be suspicious.
“Oh my, if it isn't our lucky charms! Congratulations on getting first place in the first competition!”
“Hello~.”
“Hello! Thank you!”
Just then, a staff member opened the door and walked in. She looked like she was in a great mood, beaming from ear to ear.
“Our ratings are going to be huuuuge! Our goal was a peak of 1 percent, you know? Hahaha, but what do you know! The ADG rating for Episode 1 the day before yesterday was 2.3 percent! We’re expecting 3 percent for Episode 2!”
Wow, those are incredible numbers for cable.
Definitely worth celebrating.
“It’s all thanks to The Dawn!”
I bet. Since we’re the sacrificial lambs.
“Especially Seo Ho-yun, how can we ever thank you? The production team really needs to treat you to something big.”
“Yes, please do.”
Since you used me as a sacrificial lamb and all.
While the staff member was buzzing with excitement, Jeong Da-jun tilted his head.
“Is the PD not coming today?”
“Ah, the PD isn't feeling well today, so I came instead. Now, shall we check the mission for the second competition?”
The staff member held out a mission envelope. Kim Seong-hyeon carefully pulled it out and read the contents slowly.
“Second competition mission: Song Swap.”
“Yep! We’re swapping songs! Isn't this the highlight of idol competitions?!”
She was having the time of her life.
On the other hand, our expressions soured. There were four teams besides us, meaning there was a one-in-four chance we’d get Today. If that happened, the controversy would only burn brighter.
“Shall we see which group’s song The Dawn will be covering?”
The staff member smiled brightly and shook a container filled with lots. Since we had already discussed manipulation before, I was willing to bet my wrist that only Today’s songs were inside.
From the production team’s perspective, there was nothing to lose.
“Go ahead, pick one!”
“Haha....”
Just as Kim Seong-hyeon, barely managing a smile, reached out with a trembling hand to draw a lot—
BAM! The meeting room door flew open.
“PD Kim?”
It was Kim Hee-yeong, her hair a mess. Wearing a hoodie and clutching her phone like a weapon, she was muttering to herself like a madwoman.
“PD Kim, what are you doing? I told you I’d handle the briefing. Why are you here?”
Ignoring the staff member, Kim Hee-yeong marched over to the table. She reeked of alcohol.
Whether she had been out drinking with the staff last night or not, her dark circles were hollow.
“Move.”
Kim Hee-yeong snatched the container Kim Seong-hyeon was about to reach for and dumped the contents out. The camera director jumped up in shock.
“PD Kim! What do you think you’re doing?!”
She unfolded the scattered lots one by one. Every single one of them had the same thing written on it.
[Today – Make Love]
[Today – Make Love]
[Today – Make Love]
[Today – Make Love]
All four slips.
Kang Yi-chae let out a hollow laugh. The staff member’s face turned pale.
“PD! Have you lost your mind?!”
“I told you, you f*ckers, not to do it the way we planned and to make the slips different!”
“No, that was just something you said while you were drunk last night... The Dawn, please don't misunderstand. We made a mistake. PD, you can't do this here.”
“Why not?! I’m the PD!”
It seemed Today’s agency had already pushed for this. Since public opinion had already shifted, their strategy was to push the ‘The Dawn vs. Today’ narrative to climb the ranks.
It wasn't actually a bad strategy. That’s why everyone expected Today’s lot to come out.
But I’d never seen anyone get caught so blatantly.
And by the main PD, no less....
“PD! You’re seriously going to get fired at this rate!”
“Fire me then, f*ck! I’d rather be a total bum than live this dirty. I’ll report you to the Labor Board and squeeze every cent of severance out of you!”
“You lunatic! The contestants are right here!”
“So what! Why! What! You didn't know I was a crazy b*tch?!”
It was a total mess. As I watched the chaos unfold, only one thought crossed my mind.
The editors... are going to have a hell of a time.
“PD!”
“The Dawn, don't do that. I’ll draw new ones and bring them to you.”
As the staff member tried to stop her, Kim Seong-hyeon picked up one of the fallen slips and asked, “Is Today singing our song?”
“That’s....”
The staff member hesitated. That was answer enough. Kim Seong-hyeon glanced at me.
“Yeah.”
PD Kim Hee-yeong answered bluntly.
“So don't do it. I’ll just pick something decent for you. Do that instead. It’s the most consideration and conscience I can offer.”
“No... we’ll do this.”
Kim Seong-hyeon said.
Hmm?
That was unexpected.
The staff member’s face lit up instantly, while Kim Hee-yeong’s face turned into that of a vengeful demon.
“Is everyone here insane? I seriously don't get it. Am I the only one worried here?”
“Please, let us do this one.”
Jeong Da-jun pleaded. I didn't even need to say a word.
Kim Hee-yeong slumped down and ruffled her hair. Her already messy hair became even more disheveled.
“What is it? Am I the only one who doesn't understand? Am I the only one panicking?”
“PD.”
I called out to her softly and handed her the red ginseng. She glared at me, but I just gave a shameless smile and started packing up.
“Then we’ll go prepare the cover song.”
“...Sigh.”
“Yes! We look forward to it!”
As I was about to leave with the members, Kim Hee-yeong suddenly followed me.
“Seo Ho-yun, a word.”
“Ah, yes.”
I followed her down the hallway to the vending machines. She scratched her cheek, rummaged through both pockets, and pulled out some coins.
“What, do you like canned coffee?”
“Yes. Anything is fine.”
“Right. It’s not much, but I’ll buy you one.”
With slightly trembling hands, Kim Hee-yeong fumbled a few times before putting the coins into the machine. She seemed extremely on edge.
However, the vending machine just ate the coins and showed no intention of spitting out a drink. At first, she tried to press the button slowly, acting refined.
“Huh? Um... it’s not working?”
“It’s not?”
“Haha, it’ll work in a second. Just a moment.”
The tapping of her fingers gradually grew more violent. She pressed until it looked like her fingers might break, then started pounding on it, and finally, in a fit of rage, she even kicked it.
KICK!
The loud noise made everyone nearby jump and look over, but Kim Hee-yeong just screamed at the top of her lungs.
“Oh, for f*ck’s sake! Now even the vending machine won't listen to me! You’re trying to drive me crazy, aren't you?!”
“....”
“P-PD Kim...?”
A passerby was startled. Looking at his staff ID, he was a CP (Chief Producer), clearly higher-ranking than Kim Hee-yeong, but she just glared at him with sharp, cat-like eyes.
“What are you looking at, Chief?! Huh?! You got a problem with me?!”
“...N-no, carry on, PD Kim....”
The CP hurried away. She truly was the resident lunatic of the station.
I waited quietly by her side, not saying a word. After huffing and puffing in front of the vending machine for a long time, Kim Hee-yeong blew her bangs out of her face and suddenly turned to me.
“Forget it. I’ll buy you something expensive later.”
“...Okay.”
“Anyway, Seo Ho-yun, I didn't call you over to say anything grand.”
Kim Hee-yeong spoke, trying her best to calm her temper.
“Put it on my tab. I messed up, and it affected you guys too.”
“Why is that your debt, PD?”
“Because I’m the one who took on the planning for this trashy program. No matter what pressure came from above, I’m the one who executed it. So of course, the responsibility lies with me.”
Kim Hee-yeong brushed back her bangs roughly, as if they were annoying her.
She didn't have to do that. If it were anyone else, they would have jumped at the chance to have a favor owed to them. But because it was Kim Hee-yeong and no one else, I didn't want to do that.
Looking at her, I realized something.
Refusing would only end up wounding her pride.
“...Alright.”
“Good, wise choice. Tell me whenever. I’ll do whatever is within my power.”
After saying that, she gave the vending machine one last KICK! Funnily enough, a few drinks finally dropped down. With a snort, she left the drinks where they were and turned to walk away with long strides.
Hmm.
The pushback was starting to happen with Kim Hee-yeong as well.
Just as I wanted.
* * *
“What’s going on?”
I only asked after we had drawn the lot and returned to the practice room.
Everyone’s morale was even higher than before. Even more so than after the guerrilla concert. They all had a look of venom in their eyes, as if they were ready to kill anyone who got in their way.
“This time, we’re going to do reeeeally, really well.”
Jeong Da-jun fidgeted.
“Actually, I talked about it with Seong-hyeon hyung all night.”
What kind of development was this? When I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow, Jeong Da-jun clenched his fists.
“If we pick Today’s song and do way, way, way better, we can prove it. That we’re better than Today.”
“Right, and there’s that. It’s better to think of this as a revenge match.”
Hmm...?
This wasn't the development I had expected.
I mean, it was good for me if the rivalry with Today continued.
But everyone was so fired up that my worries from yesterday—about even one member’s mental state crumbling—seemed pointless. If they don't get first place like this, won't their morale hit rock bottom?
As I stood there hesitantly, Seong Ji-won patted my shoulder.
“Ho-yun. We’re not just saying let’s get first place in this competition. We’re saying let’s show people.”
“...You’re like a mind-reading ghost.”
“Haha, I learned from the best.”
Seong Ji-won grinned.
“Like Da-jun said, let’s show them we’re much better than Today. So that no one can say anything about our skills.”
Kang Yi-chae gave a big thumbs up.
“Hyung, you said it yourself.”
“What.”
“That just being good isn't enough, we have to be insanely good.”
Kang Yi-chae picked up his laptop and opened it. He must have been organizing it until yesterday, as Today’s songs and concepts were neatly laid out in an Excel sheet. Honestly, I was taken aback.
“What is this?”
“I organized it yesterday. All night. Honestly, I figured we’d have to perform another group’s song at some point, so I’d been preparing bit by bit. It was hard because I didn't know which group we’d get. Well, after yesterday, Today was obvious, so I organized all the concepts and song interpretations those lowlifes put out. I even decided on the arrangement styles so we could start preparing immediately no matter which song we picked.”
What is with these guys?
As I stared at them in disbelief, Kang Yi-chae glanced seriously at Seong Ji-won before continuing.
“Luckily, Ji-won hyung knows their situation well. It made organizing a lot easier.”
“If it’s ‘Make Love,’ it’s within the range we considered, right?”
“Yeah. I’ve already thought of the direction for the arrangement for that one.”
Kang Yi-chae continued eloquently.
“Look, as you can tell from the ‘Make Love’ pre-release video, Today’s vocal line is very weak in high and low notes. So, we’ll lay down a low-pitched rap, and for the high notes, we’ll put Ji-won hyung and Ho-yun hyung at the forefront to pack the sound density tight....”
“No, no.”
“Why? You don't like it?”
I raised my hand and stopped Kang Yi-chae.
It wasn't a matter of liking it or not.
“When did you guys have time to prepare this?”
Kang Yi-chae tilted his head. Then he answered nonchalantly.
“While you were sleeping?”
“When you went out to talk to Ji-won hyung!”
“Weren't you guys... sleeping?”
Wait, so they weren't actually talking smack about me behind my back?
“Kang Yi-chae, is this why you weren't coming into the room? To talk about this?”
“What, did you think I left because I didn't want to see your face?”
“....”
Actually, I did.
When I fell silent, having nothing to say, Kang Yi-chae’s eyes widened, and he burst into laughter.
“Wow.... Were you uuuupset because we talked without you?”
“Man~, what are we going to do with this hyung being so soft-hearted~?”
“Are you crazy?”
I reacted with disgust, but the team was already looking at me with strangely proud faces. Kim Seong-hyeon sighed.
“We have to put in the effort too.”
“....”
“We can't just sit back and let you do everything.”
I kept my mouth shut for a long time at those words, then ruffled my hair once and looked at Kang Yi-chae.
“...So, how are we doing the arrangement?”
Kang Yi-chae grinned.