Individual activities for idols.
It was usually done when a certain amount of experience had been accumulated, but there were even those who participated in individual activities without years of experience.
An example was right In front of me. Cheongryeo.
"VTIC didn't have a lot of individual activities until you guys renewed your contracts. This was probably due to your influence, right?"
"I would say that I helped the president in his decision-making."
The president must have helped him express his opinion.
In any case, it was common sense that it was done in a way that did not stimulate or divide the fandom too much.
Especially in the early days of debut, strengthening the group was a priority.
But… If we just needed one crucial hit to gain popularity, gaining personal fans would be the fastest.
It could be built.
"Let's distribute the work right away."
"There's no need to delay."
We had to gather all the connections we could. Since we were in a large agency, the fact that there were many programs we could immediately go on was an advantage, but…
'We can also take advantage of the fact that there are already successful people out there.'
The actor Bae Sejin and GY-ROP's Lee Sejin.
The assistance of two people with the same name had already been promised.
- Bae Sejin Hyung: It's already been discussed.
- Bae Sejin Hyung: You'll be contacted in the afternoon.
Bae Sejin handed over the OST of the movie he appeared in.
Originally, we could have participated as a group, but since we had to focus on the next album's title track, which would be released in a short period of time, only some members participated for promotional purposes.
And then there was Keun Sejin.
-Keun Sejin: I have a variety show that I will be a regular on, so maybe we could appear together? Haha. The PD already asked me if I had any recommendations for colleagues.
-What kind of entertainment show is it?
-Keun Sejin: A problem puppy rehabilitation entertainment show~~~ (heartwarming bear emoticon)
As expected from Keun Sejin, he seemed to be enjoying it. I immediately recommended a qualified person who had raised dogs since childhood.
"I took care of Kkami, but… All I did was give him a haircut."
"Normally, I don't even cut the hair myself."
So Ryu Chungwoo was immediately put in.
And…
"…"
"I've never lost money in this type of program."
"Do whatever you want."
Cheongryeo would also be appearing. I didn't think he could do it, but somehow the feeling of fraud got stronger.
Aside from that, all the guys who could go on based on their characteristics were put into programs that were doing well or would soon be doing well.
"I'm not the type of person who is very active in the entertainment aspect…"
"Woodan, you were famous for having the best sense of entertainment among VTIC."
"That's just a rumor."
I pushed Ju-Dan and the yes-men into a disaster simulation observation show. It was their decision, so they couldn't complain about things to me.
"What should I do?? I'm good at everything!"
"You're going to go to the army."
"… !?"
And Cha Eugene was put into a military entertainment show. Since he was a person who wouldn't normally go, he would be able to endure this.
After organizing it like that, there was only one person left…
I sent Kim Raebin to a variety show, but he even called me before filming that day.
-Hyung… No matter how much I think about it, this doesn't feel right.
"Why?"
Kim Raebin shouted in a low voice.
-This… Isn't this illegal participation?
Yes. I made this guy participate in the student rapper survival show called "School Rapping."
This situation seemed to be burdensome, with an article being published as 'A 17-year-old rookie idol from a major entertainment agency, a student rapper's entry into survival competition.'
-I'm not a student or a rookie, but it seems like a kind of manipulation of my academic background… !
Wow, it looked like he was still not convinced.
I opened my mouth.
"Whether you have been an idol for five years or one day, you are still an idol there. It's because they think idols are in a different field than rappers."
-… !!
"And a student is not a title originally tied to age. At any age, if you are in school, you are a student."
-That… !
And actually, Kim Raebin here had transferred to high school.
The sound beyond the smartphone was quiet for a while, but an answer soon came back.
-That… That's a valid point, though.
"Yes. So don't worry and do your best. It would actually be rude to do it half-heartedly. It seems like you're looking down on them."
-… ! Yes. I see!
This meant that Kim Raebin became a chaebol who intervened in children's fights and ruined the game.
(TN: Chaebol/재벌: in this context, a chaebol refers to a person part of a large and wealthy industrial conglomerate)
'I'm already expecting a reaction.'
I reflected on my choices with some satisfaction.
At that time, I got a call from the guy who would be giving us an OST for one of his movies.
-Bae Sejin: I'll see you on set soon. I heard we might be filming something together.
This was typical of a guy who made a surprisingly vague remark when talking about the OST, saying that it reminded him of "Cosmic Gunner." It also meant that those who sang the OST would be briefly accompanied during the promotional schedule.
But still.
-I won't sing the movie OST.
-Bae Sejin Hyung: ???
-Bae Sejin Hyung: Aren't you the main vocalist?
-I don't have time.
Yes.
I moved on to other activities out of efficiency considerations. Lead vocalists with good voices were also suitable for OST.
So, what should a main vocalist do to be cost-effective?
'Kim Raebin is participating in a Rapper Survival…'
It was a strategy that highlighted his abilities once more.
Actually, wasn't it obvious where I was going?
I recalled an article I checked a few days ago.
[Only ideas and songs… Special arrangement of 〈The Singer I Made]]
This special program.
I was scheduled to appear once more on "The Singer I Made," which was still a prototype.
Of course, I had no intention of wearing that unconventional flower head, 'The Groom of May', again.
'… I need to do something else.'
More than that… I planned to create a character that was more immersive.
I turned on my laptop in the car and started creating documents for the company. Since there was an afternoon schedule tomorrow, I would be able to complete it even if I had to stay up all night.
• * *
〈The Singer I Made〉 was not a cutting-edge program using holograms from the beginning.
It started with makeup.
People who created 'singer avatars', similar to characters at amusement parks, appeared in person with masks covering their entire bodies and special makeup.
And now was the time for that to begin.
[The Singer I Made]
"Oh."
An idol fan who happened to be sitting in front of the TV was watching the screen without thinking.
She started out as someone who loved to hear main vocalists singing, but she lost her passion after entering college.
'I don't have anyone I care about.'
These days, even when she saw the real thing, she wasn't particularly excited. It was clear that this was a revolution.
'Is this because I'm an adult now…?'
The college student watched the explanations passing on the screen with no emotion.
[A singer recreated with ideas!]
'… It's bizarre.'
It wouldn't be standardized until a few years later, but since it was only the beginning, a lot of different characters passed by. She wondered how much aggro it would receive.
'Wow, the spider is hard to believe.'
[Dancing Spider Queen]
[From the eight feet comes a poison that freezes people with emotion!]
Was she Medusa?
To be honest, the sight of eight black feet sticking out from under the white spider web costume was something from a nightmare.
This was especially true because the quality of the doll's mask was not good.
"Ugh."
Still, the song was well-sung and had a strange cult appeal, so the channel was fixed. (And this was also the reason why this special program became a regular program.)
In the same way, about 7 or 8 teams of all kinds of strange singers passed by in an instant. There were many cases where only one minute of singing was performed and only the winner emerged.
"Hoo."
The college student was starting to get tired of this weirdness.
The program, which was moving quickly, finally stopped and slowly introduced the next participant.
As if he were an important person.
[The participating singer this time is… … a puppy?]
And the person who waddled onto the stage was really holding a signboard… It was a Welsh corgi.
A full-body yellow dog doll outfit.
'Oh my gosh.'
It was so ordinary that it felt a bit out of place.
'Isn't it too roughly planned?'
The singer, wearing a blatantly ordinary cheap doll mask that could be seen anywhere, struggled and moved up onto the stage.
Then, there was a close-up of the board he was holding.
[Looking for a strong companion]
"Ahem!"
There were character descriptions that appeared along with flashing effects that were somehow B-grade.
[The Welsh Corgi at Your House]
[Eager job seeker who has mastered all kinds of tricks and personal skills]
[Declaration of participation: Raise me (what?) Raise me]
'What is that!'
It was a comment that somehow made the shiny eyes of the doll mask feel shameless.
"He must be crazy."
Even as she said that, the college student raised her head and looked at the screen.
'Is he a comedian? For some reason, I don't think he'll be good at singing.'
But the music started playing, and the song he finally started singing was…
-Up above the clouds!
"… !"
It was a cool band song with bright vocals and strong high notes.
'Oh.'
A song that blatantly boasted of his singing skills, enough to completely change the B-class atmosphere.
"Who is that? He's good~"
"Uh huh."
She responded reflexively to what her mother said as she passed by the living room, but she also meant it.
This person was really good?
At that moment, the college student slightly changed her mental attitude from thinking about it as a way to kill time.
She was curious about the Welsh Corgi's next stage.
[The winner is… The Welsh Corgi at Your House!]
The Welsh Corgi impressively advanced to the second round with tremendous cheers. His back somehow looked brave.
And he didn't break down in later rounds either. No, on the contrary, he showed a more diverse side.
In the second round, he sang a sad trot song with another concept-filled participant, and in the third round, he sang an emotional ballad.
His tone changed quickly and the songs were performed like a stunt.
'He must be handsome underneath the dog mask…'
The college student narrowed her eyes at the sight of the Welsh Corgi playing tricks, saying she understood why he bothered to create a character.
And finally, the final one-on-one match to determine the winner commenced.
The editing flowed smoothly without even creating tension.
[All participating singers will sing the same song announced in advance!]
If the song selection was the same, the difference in skill became more noticeable.
And the Welsh Corgi's skills were truly outstanding.
-Be my light
Even after this time passes
You last forever
The Welsh Corgi, who performed the female singer's song in the original key, almost mentally defeated the spider and won in the end.
It was overwhelming.
Wow!!
"Wow."
What was this? She was momentarily thrilled by the vicarious satisfaction she felt from an overwhelming victory.
On the screen, the Welsh Corgi was doing a pretty cute victory dance. It was a performance like an experienced worker at an amusement park.
Then, at the same time, she became curious.
'Who is it? Who is it?'
In times like this, it was collective intelligence!
As soon as the broadcast ended, she went online and checked real-time search terms.
Sure enough, 'The Singer I Made' and 'Your house' were already popping up as search terms.
-Wow, it's fun.
-You know it'll be legendary when you watch it and say, "Is such a thing possible?"
└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I feel the same way, yes yes
-No, but who is the real Welsh Corgi? Haha, is it Kang Seongchu?
└The voices are really similar.
└It's been a long time since he used up his vocal cordsㅠ Absolutely not~!
However, no sharp figures were selected.
'Huh?'
There were all kinds of speculations, such as 'he is an established singer' or 'he is the vocalist of an indie band'. A famous idol group's main vocalist also appeared in an unusual atmosphere.
If there were so many people talking like this, it would be easy to narrow down the target audience.
And the college student thought seriously.
'He has to be an idol.'
Many people thought he wasn't an idol and dismissed the thought because they weren't idol fans, but his acting and dancing skills were unusual.
It was clearly a product of training and time!
An unknown idol group's main vocalist who sang well! There were already similar cases, so she would place her bets here!
'Wow, this is crazy.'
Suddenly, tension surged through the college student's body.
'Ah, I don't even know his face, so why am I nervous?'
It was a sign of acceptance.
In the end, even though she went through a strange period of irregularity, she waited with excitement for next week's broadcast.
She watched the performances of all kinds of unknown idols to try to guess, and her eyes were bloodshot, but in the end, she couldn't pick just one person.
'Please!'
Today was the end of this special program, so his face would finally be revealed! Then the conclusion would be one that cooled down and burned down!
She swallowed her saliva and watched the program.
[The Singer I Made!]
[A head-to-head competition between burning ideas and singing skills]
[Right now, the second half begins.]
Also, there were a lot of strange and bizarre characters, and every once in a while, an ordinary character appeared that seemed to be quite talented.
But there was no wit like 'The Welsh Corgi at Your House'.
'He's unrivaled.'
After finally admitting it, she waited impatiently for the program to end while watching the Welsh Corgi beat others.
And after a little over an hour, the winner of this episode was finally revealed.
[The final opponent that the 'Cauldron Spaceship' will meet… ?]
A dog holding a picket came up onto the stage.
[Appearance of the winning singer in the first half]
[〈The Welsh Corgi at Your House]]
"Heok."
The college student took a deep breath and watched TV.
In the meantime, the Welsh Corgi was holding his board.
[Looking for a strong companion]
"Heob."
He lowered his standards… !
'There is a narrative… There is a narrative.'
In an era where job hunting has become more difficult, Welsh Corgi started the final stage with a bang, garnering laughter from the audience.
Darkness slowly fell on the stage.
Tak.
The spotlight turned on.
There was no change in the face of a dog holding an ordinary one-handed microphone. But a pleasant voice came out of it.
[There is someone looking for you]
The Welsh Corgi began the last song as if he were telling a story.