Telling the company that we could go to a schedule that had already been canceled?
Of course, it wouldn't work.
It was because there were many cases where the situation wasn't possible regardless of whether it was the truth or not.
So, we were free on the day we were supposed to resume our activities. There were articles coming out like 'Managing recovery', which gave TeStar the green light to resume activities within two days.
Thanks to this, the members had plenty of time during the day and performed only according to the schedule that the company conducted directly.
"Hm~ I'm sorry and thankful to the company staff."
"Y-yes. Really, you're right…"
Yes. Even if there was a penalty to pay, the sudden artist issue would have been a headache, so the company paid for it this time. Thank you to the staff.
It was just as I expected.
'Still, I'd be damned.'
-No matter how hard it is, having to rest during their active period just because of body aches… Well, isn't it too much?
-Someone is already causing a commotion about this ㅋㅋㅋ It's probably a stalker fan.
-TeStar participated in the university event, and they were even seen in cars on Wednesday, but suddenly it was announced they were in poor condition the next day? It's weird.
Keun Sejin quickly posted a post on social media according to the situation, but it was obvious what the people who had a lot of suspicions would say after the 'Song of the Stars' incident.
'I'll have to deal with it first.'
As a cause provider, wasn't suturing an essential procedure?
I refined some plans and hit the internet.
'Hmm… ?'
But to my surprise, it didn't turn out the way I expected.
Instead, the Billboard charts were slightly different from the news of our hiatus.
"Wow… I forgot about this."
"That's right. I think they were mistaken for a while by confusing the previous movie OST with our current title track."
Really?
It was okay to honestly say that I was distracted because of the chaos with Seon Ahyeon.
I shook my head and lowered the screen.
Once the album chart. Billboard 200.
[8. 〈WEAPON for you] / New!]
8th place.
"Ohhhh."
"S-single digits…"
The members who checked belatedly after the mess liked it, but in fact, it was predictable so far.
It was not uncommon for a KPOP boy group that made their name known in the US to reach the top 5 on the Billboard album chart in their heyday.
'Still, it's a result I really like.'
It was a sign that the chronic bearishness problem abroad had been resolved.
The problem was…
The song chart, which was the so-called Hot100.
[15. Savior / new!]
"… … ?"
"What?"
This… landed in 15th place.
'What?'
The reason why this was so surprising was that it was several times more difficult for a song in a foreign language to break through the ranks on this music chart than an album. Because artists needed a level of popularity to offset the fact that it was in a foreign language, or a ridiculously huge fandom to push it away.
So this… It was kind of weird.
'I expected it to be in the top 30 at best… ?'
No, actually, if it wasn't for the movie OST which was released right before the 30th place, it was a ranking that I wouldn't have dared to imagine.
'This… When TeStar released a performance-oriented song a few years ago, it's ranking was comparable to the Korean weekly music charts.'
And thanks to this, the Internet reaction to TeStar's suspension of activities was organized.
I mean… like this.
-The water is rushing in, but the oar was smashed~
-If I was TeStar, my stomach would be torn
- They're suspending their activities during this time? They must be really sick ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Aren't they trying to go to America quickly?
There was no way to suddenly rest if you were a sane person in this situation, so it was true that we were actually sick.
In addition, conspiracy theories such as 'Something must have happened while they were quickly moving to the US schedule' occurred, and the bullshit behind the scenes was absorbed all the time.
"… …"
The real thing worked out wonderfully, but I still didn't know what the cause of this was.
Bae Sejin also asked the American member who was always watching WeTube with eyes full of disbelief.
"This… Is it true that it comes out this well?"
However, the local declined to comment.
"I don't know! I don't look at Billboard often."
"Then what do you look at?"
"Umm, Dotifiy~"
"Dotify?"
It was a global music streaming site popular in the US.
'… Streaming.'
I realized at that moment.
"Ah."
Yes. I should have checked that first.
I immediately checked the Billboard score ratio.
Music sales, streaming index, radio on air…
"Hmm."
'There are more on-air scores than I thought.'
Foreign language songs were not likely to be played on American radio, but considering that, they complied. The company seemed to have spent its money well.
And, of course, the fandom had the highest sales volume of digital music, but…
"… !"
'Isn't streaming okay?'
Yes. There was almost no difference between streaming and similar ranking songs above and below.
Also, this…
"Cha Eugene, do you have a Dotify account?"
"Yes!"
"Let me see it."
I went into Cha Eugene's smartphone and looked at the rankings.
'No. 26 on the global chart.'
Considering that it had been about two weeks since its release, it had been holding on greatly.
And if I checked the US charts, not the global…
[25. Savior / by TeStar]
"Oh~ 25th place is good!"
"… !"
It was higher than the global rankings?
This too was unusual. Usually, KPOP had a higher global index than in the US…
"Hyung, how long will you use my phone for?"
"Wait a second."
I checked the fan accounts on my smartphone, and kept checking Dotify's streaming rankings on Cha Eugene's phone.
And I realized…
"It's a promotion."
"… Promotion? Advertisement?"
"Yes, I think they recommended this song to people who listened to our movie OST."
TeStar's title track would be recommended to those who had listened to 'Black Hole' from 〈Cosmic Gunner〉.
In the direction of the connection, the US promotion algorithm was commissioned.
'… It's effective.'
It was a song composed by the same guys and sung by the same guys, and the sample was used with a similar feel, so of course it fit their tastes.
It was the effect of maximizing natural promotion.
In addition, the image established through our movie cameos and appearances in variety shows created a synergistic effect.
'… They're enjoying the alien image.'
So it seemed that even the incomprehensible lyrics acted as their own unique charm and softened the reluctance.
So, to sum it up…
"The company did a good job."
"Yes."
Ryu Chungwoo's words couldn't be denied.
I could feel their tenacity to somehow squeeze the US market…
There was only one guy who could do this.
"Here. Things are going well."
"Yes!"
I returned Cha Eugene's smartphone.
I had a bitter tongue.
'… The general manager did a good job.'
It seemed that he wasn't an American business soldier for nothing. Or did he learn something through trial and error?
It was a good thing, but It felt strange. Was it because I thought of him as someone who lacked intelligence?
"Moondaemoondae~ Are you coming?"
"Yes."
I got off at the concept photo set for the tour and finished my thoughts.
First of all… I guess I should set up a Dotify account for monitoring.
I opened an account for the United States that day, ignoring Cha Eugene's advice.
And the very next day, I realized that this was a pretty good idea.
It was a night when my schedule got busy and I crawled into the dorm past midnight.
When I sat in the bathtub to relax…
[Hy-hyu-hyung! Did you see this?]
While checking the status window without thinking, I suddenly saw Keundal typing frantically on the status window.
[A new girl group appeared like a comet… 'Powty' is occupying Billboard!]
[Youngrin's hoobaenims, Pouty, says, "Please love the double title tracks!"]
[Powty's invasion of global music charts, appearance of the 'NEXT Youngrin']
"… …"
After reading the pouring text…
I struggled to open my mouth.
"They have a double title track."
[Yes…]
Then, I accessed the Dotify account opened for monitoring and looked at their ranking.
A new song that had just been ranked was floating there.
[14. Love Soul / by Powty]
[17. Underwater / by Powty]
Two songs.
When I clicked it, a trendy English dance song appeared.
-Hey goody, do you want a…
It sounded like commercial music. It stuck well to the ears. Even if it was obvious, it was a well-known masterpiece that anyone would like.
"… …"
I stopped playing the song and pressed my temples.
"This…"
Fuck.
What kind of situation was this?
[That… A teaser parody of the two titles was a big hit on TikTakTok and received a good response even in the US…]
Thank you for the supplementary explanation, but in fact, the cause was not important now.
In any case, the result that these rookies made a huge jackpot outside the standard was important.
'It's shit.'
… First of all, let's look at what 'KPOP record' I was trying to break.
[Two TeStar songs simultaneously listed at the top of the Billboard Hot100 chart]
This was it.
As shown, it was a choice considering that our movie OST would definitely be on the Billboard charts by now.
Because the OST would run for a long time until the movie was released to the public and continued to be exposed.
Then, I thought it would be possible if only the title track was maintained well.
'VTIC fans weren't aiming for this either.'
Their album was strong and their songs were less popular.
So that huge fandom just decided on the title track and drove it with purchasing power, so I didn't even use this uneconomical method.
I thought this was the right method.
The original record was a way to be swayed by public perception, except for the traditional net exhaust.
Depending on how commonly it was recognized, it could become a meaningful record or end up as media play.
In that sense… Wasn't it quite impactful to see the same singer's name twice in the top 20?
Of course, Keundal also checked.
- I think it'll work? Ohhh! It'll be the first time!
It was like this.
'So I thought it was almost confirmed and proceeded…'
But now there was suddenly a rookie that did something similar?
I moved my head right away.
'Unless a bigger surprise occurs, the rookies will inevitably have lower sales or final streaming scores than us.'
In other words, according to Billboard, which calculated weekly results, we would win unconditionally.
'But that's not the point.'
Even if the song ranks lower than ours, wasn't it the way the public perceived them as dark horses?
-Amazing, Great. A rookie is fighting for rankings with TeStar
-What's going on with K-Pop this year?
If that side wins by decision… What would this mean as a record…
"… …"
Damn… No, I had to think of something else for now.
"… Hmm."
I held my breath and asked as casually as possible.
"Anyway, since our Billboard ranking came first, the mission condition would be a success. Two of our songs were listed in the top 20 for the first time. There's nothing to worry about."
Anyway, since we did it first, call it the first time and hit the mission success. This was it.
However, Keundal did not answer.
Then, with a creak, slowly, as if making excuses, the letters were slowly engraved.
[In this case… Uh, the public perception… Isn't it hard to see it as an overwhelming record? Since your active periods overlap, it's a bit comparable… Especially if it's a rookie group you're competing with.]
"… …"
This bastard… ?
[Um, I didn't mean to say that. It's my unconsciousness… ! Is it because of the system that I'm unconsciously judging?! ㅠㅠ]
[I'm sorry, hyung, but I really don't know either. Will it work?]
"… …"
Yeah, fuck. It wasn't his fault.
'Will it work? I'm not sure.'
I sighed.
Youngrin's company wasn't stupid, and since it had turned out like this, it made the media compare the rookies to TeStar, who was active at the same time.
'Because it's perfect for raising the results.'
Moreover, since the two groups competing against each other were of different genders, there was less feeling of fighting directly.
Then, the picture in which TeStar was recognized as breaking an impactful record was bound to go beyond the water.
Because similar minor cases were catching up with momentum.
"… Okay."
I cooled my head.
'Youngrin… They're Youngrin's hoobaenims.'
And I realized that they were the hoobaenims that Youngrin introduced during the awards season last year. I smiled bitterly.
Anyway, there were so many variables in this industry, so a competitor suddenly popped up like this.
[Hyung…]
But now was not the time to accept it as a competition.
I had to tear it out completely.
To do so… I would have to intervene artificially.
"…"
It was an intervention method.
I lowered my head in thought.
Opaque water filled with bath salts slithered around my body. I couldn't predict anything even an inch ahead, it seemed like the current situation…
Wait a moment.
"Ah."
Right.
'The water must be blurred.'
"Things will be fine as long as these rookies and TeStar aren't mentioned together."
[?? Will that… work?]
Why not?
'It's enough to blur the tone and attach a different weight class.'
It was enough to make a more fun version for the public.
I sat and contemplated until the bathtub water cooled.
Slash, slash.
In the most profitable direction.
And the next day…
"Manager, wait a minute."
"Yes?"
Before I even left my early morning schedule, I applied for a meeting with the general manager.
It was the first voluntary contact since the label contract, so I wondered how it would be received.
Hmm. And there was one more thing.
As I got into the car, I picked up my phone and sent out a text.
[If you see the text, please contact me when you have time.]
As soon as I sent it, I got a call right away.
-Ah, hello, sunbaenim!
"Hello."
-Yes!
It had been a while since I heard that military-like voice.
"Thank you for calling. I have a question."
It was Park Minha of Mirynay, a member of a female idol group who was TeStar's immediate junior.
After a bit of a pause, I got to the point.
"Do you have any concerns these days?"
-… What?
"About the direction that your group is heading in."
Yes.
Since we had already established a label, I wanted to contribute to the company.