"The Dawn!"
Upon arriving at the tvK broadcasting station, the production staff welcomed us enthusiastically as we stepped out of the van.
"The ratings for Episode 1 were amazing! Incredible!!"
The scene of Kang Ichae's face-to-face encounter surpassed even the high-fives, hitting the highest ratings.
It felt like they wanted to roll out the red carpet for Kang Ichae.
The assistant director was so enthusiastic that if he had asked me to use a carpet instead, I would have felt like I was witnessing madness firsthand.
"Wow, you were really amazing this time too!!"
So, essentially, our attitude towards being treated like the byproduct of the broadcast was just the same as before.
As the assistant director guided us to the meeting room, he continued to rave on.
"Ah, yes…."
"Wow, Kang Ichae, you're always extraordinary, but this time you were really impressive. Even the views on last week's YouTube video skyrocketed! So, because of that, could we possibly have one more interview.... please?"
"Let's keep it to one verse."
Even after arriving at the meeting room, the awkward smiles didn't end as everyone continued to join in the assistant director's enthusiasm, but Kim Heeyoung, who arrived late, pushed past the assistant director blocking the door and raised a proposal.
"Kim PD!"
"Stop groveling! Stop harassing the cast!"
"Is our job to be stressed out?! We're the ones producing this crappy competition until Season 2!"
"Damn it! That's right!"
It is crappy indeed.
Thanks to Kim Heeyoung's arrival, the staff's attention shifted, and Kang Ichae's interview request was left unresolved.
With her still-busy demeanor and her piercing bangs falling heavily down her forehead, Kim Heeyoung flipped through the proposal.
"First of all, congratulations to The Dawn for ranking second in the first round of the competition. Thanks to the face-to-face encounter, the ratings for Shining Star were also excellent."
As Kim Seonghyun and Sung Jiwon exchanged proud smiles, Kim Heeyoung smirked mischievously.
But there was a suspicious scent in the air.
"But we can't rest, can we? Our schedule is packed~."
"Yes!"
"Good response. Now, let me guide you through the preparations for the second round of the competition."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The members, except for me, responded enthusiastically.
Kim Heeyoung looked over the proposal and then tossed it over her shoulder nonchalantly.
Kim Heeyoung glanced at the proposal she had been holding with only her eyes.
"I'll announce the theme for the second round of the competition."
Then, after briefly scanning through the proposal, she tossed it over her shoulder.
"???"
And then she brightened up.
"Anything will do."
"....Pardon?"
"Original songs, K-pop, foreign songs. Whatever suits you. But! It must be within the genre and concept we designate. Yoo Hyungseon, please come forward."
The assistant director, who was waiting behind, went out of the room and soon returned with a roulette wheel.
"...."
I knew it.
Kim Heeyoung wouldn't make it easy.
"Round and round~~ Roulette!!"
"...."
There were two roulette wheels; one had genres written on it, and the other had concepts.
"We've heard a lot of stories since Season 1. How can we consider it fair when each group and company has different songs to begin with?"
The prepared remark flowed smoothly from Kim Heeyoung's mouth.
Her eyes looked fierce, but her mouth seemed to whine as she made whimpering sounds, making Jung Dajun tremble slightly.
"So, this time! Let's try something fun!"
'...She's playing games.'
Being pushed around by her boss and criticized by fans for favoritism.
It seemed like her eyes had darted away in an instant.
On the paper that was thrown on the floor, which was supposed to be the concept for the second round, there was elegant handwriting that read, "If you don't like it, then you come up with a plan, damn it!!!!" Below that, there were numerous concepts lined up with red lines drawn next to them.
Ring!
"It seems like this time TEW, Try, and High-Five agencies will take turns."
So.
The broadcasting executives would have said something too.
Kim Heeyoung laughed like a crazy person and stared at each of us.
"Then, the person good at darts, come forward."
"...."
"...."
"Quickly, let's give it our all and spin, spin, spin~!"
Kim Heeyoung was obsessed with variety shows, but remembering her days as a PD, it wasn't my place to say.
With his strong athletic instincts, Kim Seonghyun stepped forward and asked our team's main arranger, Kang Ichae.
"What do you want to do?"
"Hip-hop! Hip-hop! Hip-hop yeah~!!"
He raised his hand, shouting for hip-hop, seemingly convinced after the face-to-face encounter.
Kim Seonghyun frowned but nodded.
'But can it be done? With a 1 in 15 chance.'
"Are you ready~?"
"Yes."
The assistant director grinned and spun the roulette wheel.
As Kim Seonghyun glared intently, he suddenly threw the dart.
Thunk!
With a crisp sound, it hit one spot, and as the assistant director grabbed the dartboard to stop it, the members' eyes widened.
[Hip-hop]
"Wowww!!!"
"Wow! Hyung!!!"
"Whoa, Seonghyun, amazing!"
'Is this real?'
Kim Seonghyun, who hit the jackpot with a 1 in 15 chance, turned around with a slightly proud expression.
"Seonghyun the Great! Seonghyun the Great!"
"Isn't it cool?"
"Wow~!! So cool~!!"
It was chaos, especially for Kang Ichae.
At Kim Heeyoung's signal, the assistant director brought out the genre roulette wheel and brought the concept roulette wheel from the side to the center.
"Now, it's time for the concept. Let someone else do it this time."
"Concept? Anything is fine~!"
Feeling even better now that the desired genre had been chosen, Kang Ichae looked at the concept roulette wheel and said with a slightly disappointed expression.
"As long as it's not oriental-themed. Mix it a bit with hip-hop~."
"Hoyun ah, do you want to do it?"
"Um, sure."
As long as it's not oriental-themed.
Nonchalantly stepping forward, Jung Dajun heard giggles from behind.
"Hoyoonnie hyung! It seems like you can just close your eyes and throw!!"
"Throw with your foot~!"
"Hahaha, okay. As long as it's not oriental-themed."
"Hey, what if that comes out?"
"Ah, Seonghyunie hyung. Surely not~."
The members were already enthusiastically riding the happiness rollercoaster.
As I stood with the dart in hand, the assistant director spun the roulette wheel with just the right amount of force.
Suddenly, a strong feeling rushed over me.
'Oh, I think I missed something...'
"Here goes."
"Yes~!"
While racking my brains to come up with something, I threw the dart first.
Swish-!
Thunk!
"Wow, what a nice sound!"
"It feels refreshing~!"
Spinning and spinning and spinning...
"Huh...?"
Spinning...
Spinning...
[Oriental-themed]
"Uh...."
"..."
I was engulfed in silence.
"....Hmm."
With the posture still of throwing the dart, a cold sweat trickled down.
'I remember.'
Although it was buried deep in the past and forgotten, whenever something happened, the seniors would always bring out the dartboard when I was a rookie PD.
And then, 100% of the annoying tasks were all mine.
Despite being fairly skilled in archery, it was just my innate luck that was a bit...
"Hoyun."
Before fleeing became even a fleeting thought, Sung Jiwon approached with gentle eyes, looking at me.
"Maybe you should've just thrown with your foot?"
"Sorry..."
***
"It's an amazing probability, hyung."
"I'll buy a lottery ticket."
"Sigh..."
Ignoring Kang Ichae's grumbling about the probability being 0.36% twice in a row, we couldn't leave the broadcasting station's meeting room even after Kim Heeyoung left.
"...But."
While the situation seemed amusing, the content itself might be cut short because it was difficult to grasp the concept of blending hip-hop with oriental style.
"What should we do about this?"
"The oriental style is good, but won't it overlap too much with the previous Shining Star competition?"
"That's the problem."
Despite all the members brainstorming together, no ideas came to mind on how to blend hip-hop with oriental style without overlapping with the previous season's stage.
"It's difficult..."
Kang Ichae tapped his laptop irritably, seeming a bit annoyed.
'Is it really that difficult?'
"Can't we just throw in some cymbals and drums during the Ssabi part?"
"Hyung, are you trying to make him angry?"
"...."
Beside the sensitive Kang Ichae, Jung Dajun subtly shifted away.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"He's sensitive, it's scary."
"I'm scared of Hoyun hyung when he's like this..."
As everyone remained silent for a while, the meeting room door suddenly creaked open.
"Hey~."
"Oh, hello."
By now, it wasn't surprising that Joo woo Sung was suddenly appearing after sleeping at the dormitory.
"Hey guys, is it okay if I come to this humble place?"
"If it's where esteemed individuals are, then anywhere is suitable."
Cha Jungwoo replied nonchalantly, patting Joo woo sung's's back as he pushed him inside.
Seating himself after gently brushing his flowing black hair, Cha Jungwoo also took a place beside Sung Jiwon.
"Hmm?"
"Seo Hoyun, it's been a while, hasn't it?"
Cha Jungwoo, who had been eyeing me since entering the meeting room, suddenly struck up a conversation.
"Oh, yes. It feels like it's the first time since my victory."
"Were you well during that time? I've heard so much about you, Seo Hoyun, it almost felt like seeing you every day, but seeing you in person is better, indeed."
"....Ahaha?"
"I told you not to say unnecessary things...."
"Woo sung, who told you about me?"
I thought to myself while listening to the conversation between Cha Jungwoo and Joo woo sung.
Despite brushing off everyone and only being engrossed in his phone, Joo Woosung g seemed friendly with Cha Jungwoo.
Although he grumbled verbally, his expression seemed relaxed.
'He still has friends.'
Sung Jiwon tilted his head with a grin and asked.
"Sunbae, what brings you here?"
"we were bored."
"Sigh...."
Cha Jungwoo sighed heavily, looking at Joo Woosung's complaining figure, as if asking, 'How can I deal with this guy?'
"Yes, he's like that.... I'm here to see you, Sung Jiwon."
"...Yes?"
Seeing Sung Jiwon's bewildered face, Cha Jungwoo chuckled, stroking his chin.
"Ah, they say he's the new god of the next K-pop generation. We have to come and see."
"...."
Even to Cha Jungwoo's joking words, Sung Jiwon couldn't respond and only mumbled with his mouth slightly open.
'Joo woo sung is a member of that group...'
He's audacious.
Even if someone else had mentioned the nickname "New God of Next Generation K-pop" to him in person, Sung Jiwon wouldn't have even blinked.
However, hearing it from Cha Jungwoo made Sung Jiwon's ears turn red with embarrassment and shame, something he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Hey, Cha Jungwoo."
Beside him, Joo Woosung playfully wrapped his arm around Cha Jungwoo's shoulder.
"Aren't you feeling ashamed?"
"Why? I like this nickname."
"Jiwon, just ignore him. He just dropped by to say hi before becoming a special mentor."
"Ah, I see...."
What's a special mentor?
Anyway, whether the statement about coming to see Sung Jiwon was a lie or not, Cha Jungwoo smoothly steered the conversation towards various vocal-related topics.
'But he seems to have a good personality.'
Despite being picky about people, Joo Woosung was easygoing and didn't seem malicious, so I just left him alone.
Joo woo Sung g, who was half-hanging onto Cha Jungwoo, soon got bored and lightly kicked his leg.
"So, what are you guys doing now?"
"We're in a meeting for the second round of the competition."
"What's that about?"
"Eastern style hip-hop."
"Why on earth?"
"Subae! That's the challenge!"
Kim Seonhhyun, who chimed in at this point, explained the situation to Jol woo sung with an air of authority.
"Oh...."
Joo Woosung's face, which had been listening quietly, gradually turned incredulous.
This guy Kim Seohyun, instead of comforting his own group members, spills it all to members of other groups.
"Seo Hoyun, can't you even get 14 out of 15?"
"Well, you see..."
"Ugh...."
"Can we keep it down since it's not me?"
At that moment, Cha Jungwoo, who had been talking to Sung Jiwon, widened his eyes and raised his voice.
"It's really good, isn't it? It's fresh."
"Huh, do you happen to have any ideas?"
Kang Ichae, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly perked up.
"Yes, I do. Are you going to produce it, Kang Ichae? We want to include intense hip-hop, but we're struggling because we can't find a suitable Eastern style beat. Forcing it in feels awkward and disrupts the flow of the song."
"Wow, yes!"
"If it's okay, can I suggest some songs that you could refer to?"
"!!"
Finally!
Instead of just saying 'do it', a mentor-like figure who gives specific instructions has arrived!
"Wow, this is what a mentor is."
"Seo Hoyun, are you seriously joking right now?"
As I exclaimed in admiration, Joo Woosung protested, wondering why I was treating him like this after he helped me.
I stood up, pressing down on Joo Woosung's chair, which was creaking under his complaints.
"Okay, okay. Do you want something to drink?"
"I don't want any."
"If you don't want it, just say so."
"...Green tea latte."
The other members seemed to be too absorbed in Cha Jungwoo's words, and Joo Woosung appeared too agitated to go along with them.
Since the meeting didn't seem to end anytime soon, feeling guilty for spinning the dartboard wrong, I quietly slipped out of the meeting room, deciding to get some coffee.
"Uh?"
Unfortunately, I bumped into someone I didn't particularly want to see.
At the café on the first floor of the broadcasting station, I ran into Kang Yeonhoo, the leader of High Five.
He greeted me with a smile. "Looks like you're treating me a coffee."
"Hello, sunbae ...Well, it's similar."
Because I totally messed up the dartboard....
"For takeout, please."
People seemed unusually preoccupied today.
As I glanced around, even the broadcasting station staff, who were accustomed to celebrities, cast occasional friendly glances at Kang Yeonhoo as they passed by.
High Five must be quite popular, damn it.
"Are you staying for the meeting?"
"Yes."
Maintaining a suitable distance, I placed the order, but Kang Yeonhoo kept tagging along.
"Busy this time, aren't you?"
"Probably not busier than you, sunbae."
"Yeah, it's true. This time, the mission is particularly unusual, so everyone is on high alert."
As Kang Yeonhoo asked more questions, deliberately giving vague answers to keep the conversation from flowing smoothly, he gave a slight smile and soon left.
After collecting the drinks and heading back to the meeting room, I noticed Kang Yeonhoo leaning against the wall near the café entrance.
"....?"
"We're heading in the same direction."
When our eyes met, Kang Yeonhoo smiled brightly.
'Well, I know.'
But why did he wait for me?
"Yes..."
As we waited alone for the elevator, Kang Yeonhoo began to speak more earnestly.
"I was really impressed by Shining Star Season 1. It was amazing. The member balance was good, and their personalities were great."
"The kids are kind."
"That's really important. It may be overlooked, but in reality, those aspects play a decisive role."
As the elevator doors opened, Kang Yeonhoo let me enter first and followed behind.
Then, almost as if humming to himself, he said, "So, do the Black Call sunbae like you that much?"
---