Chapter 54
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: DM's Debut Stage
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On the way to the waiting room, scenes I would normally pass by without a second thought were now sticking in my mind one by one.
Writing about the greatest idol ever meant everything became material, every detail turned into description.
What things were in the broadcasting station? What expressions were on the faces of the people coming and going?
"You're here?"
"President!"
The kids waiting in the room greeted me warmly.
"You guys eat anything?"
The small waiting room was packed. I'd heard they'd been prepping since dawn, but the show wouldn't start until it got dark.
"Is it usually this cramped?"
As I looked around and commented, Team Leader Min approached with a smile.
"Getting a private room at all is a luxury. This is probably thanks to our Executive Director doubling as President pulling some strings."
"Oh, really? This is the last recording, right?"
This was why coverage mattered. Details like this fed the addiction demon.
"Yes. Whew, starting today, DM's gonna be swamped. We've got a string of local events lined up. They're not huge, but nothing beats exposure for building recognition. We'll do everything we can."
I looked at Team Leader Min for a moment before speaking.
"How about hiring a pro to shoot straight cams nonstop?"
"Why?"
"Upload them steadily online. English subtitles if possible."
"Think it'll work?"
Not right now. But accumulated, who knows what asset it'll become later? No one can tell yet.
"It won't cost much, so give it a shot. Starting's the key, right?"
"Got it. I know people in that field, so I can line someone up quick. Just shooting and editing—shouldn't be hard."
K-pop would later rack up 100 million, 500 million views, but right now, the playground wasn't even built.
'Time flies.'
First-mover advantage.
"Oh, and when filming, don't just do stage stuff. Throw in daily life clips too—like what they eat or gaming in free time."
"Hmm... Wouldn't mystery be better?"
"I think connecting's more effective."
"Alright. I'll plan it out."
He seemed to go along because the President said so, but not thrilled. Eating shows and such weren't big yet.
'Man, there's so much to do.'
Knowing the future. I felt its overwhelming power every time like this.
I'd gone all-in on pivotal moments, and as long as I didn't get hit with "it was all a dream!" betrayal, it was pure profit. Things were still following the future I knew.
'Novels, webtoons, dramas, idols.'
This might be the starting point of my brilliant life. So how far could I go?
'Focus on today for today.'
I turned my gaze back to DM.
Jin-seong and Jin-guk were their usual selves—made you wonder if they were really idols—but the others had noticeably stiff expressions.
One of them was thumping his chest with his fist like he was trying to shake off nerves at the last second.
I approached Ji-min. Our team's ace—main vocal with songwriting chops to boot.
"You okay?"
"President..."
Her trailing off said she wasn't.
"Wanna get some air? Still got time, right?"
"Yeah."
"Saw a vending machine on the way. Let's go."
Ji-min, looking up at me with big, wet puppy eyes, got up from her chair.
Months had passed, but one-on-one chats with her were rare.
"..."
"..."
She wasn't much of a talker. She processed emotions by refining them into lyrics, not spilling them out.
Probably like me. Which meant kindred spirits had nothing to say.
Still, as President, I had to break the ice.
"Feeling stuffy?"
"A bit."
"Coffee?"
"Barley tea."
"Got it."
Slurp.
I stood watching the vending machine. Nothing else to do, so I eyed her. Makeup done, hair perfect. Up close, she was half celebrity already.
"Here."
"Thanks."
Ji-min took the paper cup and clammed up again. She seemed to get I hadn't called her out for anything specific.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
"I read the novel."
"Oh?"
Did DM have time for my novel? Good. Time to check.
"No weird stuff?"
"What weird stuff?"
"Like, anything off-putting."
"Just fun. Thanks for nailing the characters. Felt surreal—like I became the novel's protagonist."
Her reaction suggested the BL code balance held. Couldn't lose male readers chasing female ones.
I chuckled lightly and patted her shoulder.
"You've been the novel protagonist so far. Now you'll be the real-life one."
"Huh?"
"...A star."
"Haha! Oh, yeah."
Her face said she didn't buy it. Fair enough. No one'd bet on rooftop-practicing goshiwon idols blowing up. They'd endured years of obscurity in reality too.
"You crushed it in the novel. If I bomb the stage today, it all crumbles, right?"
"Wouldn't bombing be normal?"
"...But we can't let that happen."
"I think acing it's the weird part. People do what they can. That's how you get the level-up thrill. Starting at max leaves nothing to do."
"..."
Ah, my word choice...
"Ji-min."
"...Yes, President."
"Your fans won't demand perfection. They'll wanna cheer and support you. Even without Jin-seong or Jin-guk, you can lean on them. That's your character."
"...Really?"
The shadow lifted a bit from her face.
"Don't know? Go check a mirror. That expression's perfect."
Ji-min was cute and fierce, Se-chan frail and worn, Hae-jin handsome. Their looks had charm synergy potential.
"Head in first. I'll hit the bathroom."
"Thanks, President! I'll do my best!"
She drained the rest of her barley tea thriftily—looked relieved. I watched her toss the cup and head off, then pulled out my phone.
'Memo it.'
Record these feelings before forgetting. I was this diligent and professional.
"The paper cup trembled in Ji-min's hand. The hot barley tea threatened to spill over. Jin-seong's eyes watching were sharp, but his face showed nothing. No whining allowed for Jin-seong. He was the team's pillar—and pillars shatter before they falter."
'Hmm, 'falter' bugs me. Other double-meaning words...?'
Fix later. Back to reality.
Having models nearby sparked inspiration. For a medical novel later, check in? I'd died once, so patient POV would be ultra-real.
Music shows ran on recordings and live broadcasts. Finish live stage, fill gaps with pre-recorded TV slots, then back to live—rinse and repeat.
So live stages went to seasoned vets, prioritizing stars who could hype the audience.
'Here we go!'
The high school girl was hooked on DM. First time in her life falling for guys this fast.
Just a week.
'My oppas! Fighting!'
No big fandom yet, just scattered fans. Still, she watched timidly from the edge of the audience seats.
That was fine. She could cheer in person.
'Don't shake, Se-chan oppa!'
Truth be told, idols weren't her hobby. She preferred quiet over noise, books over music.
Then The Greatest Idol Ever upended her world.
-Lights check!
-Stage clear, no spills?
-Sound! Ready!
Busy prepping for recording. Few fans for today's debuting idols in the seats. DM took the stage—no reaction.
"Se-chan oppa..."
She gazed at the stage sadly. This indifference hurt. Felt sorry for her oppas.
Maybe that's why? Se-chan looked like a duckling tossed in a storm.
Then she spotted Hae-jin approaching Se-chan, whispering in his ear.
'Ack!'
She knew novel and reality differed, so why the audio assist? Impossible distance!
-Screw up and you're dead. Remember, your body's not just yours. Emotions, mood, every expression—tailor it to the watchers today.
'Se-chan, you're everyone's flesh... ugh.'
Why she couldn't quit The Greatest Idol Ever? The emotional lines from multiple characters.
Guys didn't really do that stuff IRL, but the author's subtle touches had readers rereading nonstop.
Author's a perv? Readers overreact? Who knew. Anyway, she liked Se-chan.
'Am I crazy?'
Snapping back, Hae-jin had stepped away.
Sound and lights set—DM took positions.
'They suit it.'
Hundreds of fan sign straight cams watched, but seeing oppas live hit different.
But then.
-DM! DM! Our DM!
-Kyaaah!
-Fly high! DM!
About 20 girls shrieked from one side of the seats.
'They were here.'
Thought she was solo, but a fan club existed. Relief... but oddly hollow. Plan to enjoy alone ruined?
-DM?
-Who're they?
-Debut stage?
Other idol fans glanced over as lights dimmed.
"They're nailing it. Such whiners."
My take after watching DM's backstage performance. Way more energetic and flawless than my fan sign.
-Whoa!
-They slayed? Rookies?
-DM, right?
Murmurs from the audience carried clearly. No expectations, then "shock!"
"Heh... my kids."
Arms crossed, enjoying, when Ye-jin spoke up beside me.
"Shall we head out? DM's moving separately."
"Right."
First stage smashed—would've been nice for a team dinner, but their schedule kicked off today.
Like parents watching grown kids? Kinda empty.
In the car, I flipped on DMB. Phones would rule later, but this was comfy now.
"What slot?"
"Mid-show."
"Good footage?"
Ye-jin just smiled.
No need to sweat small stuff like this, but launching my novel got me this pumped too. I knew best their sweat and grind.
"President."
"Yeah."
"Academy schedule's out."
Ah... right.
Fan signs, webtoons, new novel, kids' debut—blitz had me forgetting.
"I'll send it when we get back. Oh, Team Leader Min said you're prepping girl idols too?"
"Not sure yet. Not urgent."
Content first for now. Solid base to support.
"Yeah, for academy promo and buzz, adding trainees to early student lists could help. Even if they don't write or draw, they make noise. Variety shows too."
Variety shows...
Academy, variety, idols?
'Hmm?'
Something clicking...