Chapter 409
Wishze, that is, the experienced group of rookies who were a mix of TeStar and VTIC members, had almost reached the endpoint.
The grand prize was the goal.
'Our music is good. Popularity is also great.'
In fact, it was no longer strange for Wishze to win if people only looked at our report card.
As the end of the year approached, the risk of predictions being wrong gradually decreased. Unless something unexpected happened… No, we blocked it all. Would that even be possible?
There was only one thing left.
It was a so-called 'level' problem.
-If Wishze wasn't from LeTi, there'd no way they would be able to win a grand prize ㅋㅋ
-If rookie idols suddenly release good music but the charts are also questionable, wouldn't it be manipulated?
-To be honest, it feels awkward because it feels like an entertainer project group.
The perception was, 'They're only gaining attention because of their name.'
It was also a problem that occurred because individual awareness was higher than group awareness.
In any case, people couldn't stop us from receiving recognition due to our scores on the music chart, so they tried to undermine us instead.
Nothing had changed since TeStar won the Rookie of the Year award… No, to be exact, nothing had changed at all.
'It's probably harder to catch individual antis because they stick together.'
It was good that personal awareness had been raised to the limit through entertainment, but the problem arose because our characters were exposed so strongly so people either liked us or disliked us with no in-between.
-Fuck fuck. Eugene is a foreigner and an ace quarterback at the same time? Where did this garbage-like concept come from?
-ㅋㅋㅋ After LeTi got a taste of success they couldn't come to their senses. Now their idols are becoming weird too. What a mess.
-Kim Raebin, later on, he's definitely going to have some issues. With his facial features and personality, it's like an illusion. I've never seen anything like this.
The more they knew about us, the more they hated us so much that they couldn't stand it.
'They can't help it.'
Still, it was a bit disappointing.
'If the debut song had been a hit, it would have been better.'
If the image from the beginning was set as a 'crazy debut at the grand prize level', there would be less controversy.
Even though Kim Raebin had that personality, thanks to his dark impression, no one tried to catch him when he was in school.
We had no choice but to give up on this in order to achieve the minimum balance and maximize album sales, but it also had side effects.
Anyway, that was why some correction work was needed.
I solemnly declared in front of the large table in the living room that had been roughly cleared of candles and confetti.
"We just need to do it once."
"Wh-what… ?"
"An intense group activity that will appeal to as many people as possible."
"… !"
"It will alleviate some of the internet backlash when we win the grand prize."
Until now, all award-related status abnormalities were based on 'public recognition.'
'I didn't awaken those two for nothing.'
"Just one stage."
The primary purpose was to raise the stage quality to the level of VTIC, when they were easily ranked among the top tier.
Of course, whether the VTIC guys who took the 'Why We Became Trapped In Another Reality' lecture in one hour could catch up was a separate problem.
"Uh… Sounds good."
Jin Chaeyul barely answered. He still looked like he didn't know if this was reality or a dream.
Cheongryeo opened his mouth without any change in expression.
"It's too grand an idea to turn public opinion around in just one performance. Wouldn't it be better to make a quick comeback with a preliminary song?"
"Doing it really well one time is better. If we do it multiple times, the impact will only be dispersed."
"That's an optimistic idea."
"What we need is not a long-term reputation, but public opinion at the end of the year."
"Hmm."
Cheongryeo smiled slightly.
"Alright. If that's the case."
I appreciated the effort, but I really wasn't feeling it. Especially since the guy who had neon pink confetti all over his face a second ago was trying to set the mood.
By the way, Cheongryeo's cone-shaped party hat had already gone into the trash can as soon as work was finished. As expected from a guy with a lot of money, he didn't know how to save money.
"Then, Gunwoo hyung… I mean, does anyone have any opinions other than Moondae?"
Anyway, the vote was unanimous, so now it was time to do what we were supposed to do.
Brainstorming.
"We need to make a BOOM! And make the audience scream! Wait a minute… I got it! Motorcycle! Let's ride motorcycles!"
(TN: Eugene says motorcycle in English here)
"Moropsychol… ?"
"Motorcycle. Motorcycle."
"… ! It is a reckless idea to prepare a dangerous device in a short period of time. Above all, it doesn't match Wishze's songs!"
"Kim Raebin can arrange it!"
"I have my opinion too! … I think the time travel concept would be great! Since a related movie was released during this time, I think paying homage to it will result in a unique arrangement."
"Raebin's words are good, but since that OST is so famous, I think it might be dangerous. What do you think?"
"Me too. Let's listen to it next time."
"Yes!"
"…"
Arrangement, concept, costumes, appearance program.
Now that they had become accustomed to it, the TeStar guys made progress without hesitation.
And the two VTIC guys, who had just awakened to the conversation and content passing by in an instant, blinked.
The person who said the most comments here was… Ju-Dan.
"The outfit should also be sexy-like without being too over-the-top…"
"They are underage."
"I redact that statement."
Anyway, with the opinions pouring in, a plan was slowly taking shape. I threw words in and tried to move in a certain direction.
'It takes some time, but it's still better.'
Once we reached an agreement, we'd work harder and more actively. New opinions may emerge.
But even Cheongryeo, who clearly did not prefer this idea, was just smiling. This meant that he would not intervene.
'Is this a declaration of surrender?'
Well, as long as he didn't want to disturb me, that was fine.
"Shall we take a break?"
"Alright."
It was necessary to stop the discussion before it went in an unproductive direction.
'While I'm at it, I should organize a few things.'
"Coke?"
"It's okay."
Everyone got up one by one and went to the kitchen or went back to their rooms. I quietly headed to my room.
I was thinking of summarizing what had been said so far.
And when I sat down at my desk and picked up a pen…
Knock-knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Then, my roommate came in through the carefully opened door.
Jin Chaeyul.
"Um, hello."
With an awkward smile, he looked around the room and stepped inside.
The guy who had been humming and happily opening the door until just yesterday morning seemed to have found the room a little more awkward now that he remembered everything.
"Sunbaenim, this is your room. Please sit comfortably."
"Umm, yes."
Still, he soon quietly sat down on his bed, smiled, and spoke.
"Jaehyun hyung isn't talking as much!"
Now that I thought about it, I was so angry that I spoke out to that bastard so confidently.
"… … Yes. Well, it just happened."
"Alright!"
Chaeyul grinned. And he sighed softly.
"I've calmed down now. I want to go back to the way things were, so I will participate diligently."
"Ah."
Was that not enough consideration?
"Sorry. You must have been shocked. I proceeded too hastily."
"No! I think it's a bit of a rare method to begin with. We usually do it this way… We don't start by dividing things up from the basics."
The guy hastily threw up his hand. And he nodded his head with a serious face.
"Should I just say that it feels like there is a clear division of roles and each person does their best to do their job?"
"Hmm."
"So, even though it was a dream, it was fun working here. I was able to express a lot of my own opinions."
He muttered in a slightly juvenile tone.
"Why, I also liked the gesture I chose for this sub-song!"
"Yes, the response was good."
"Hmm, it was a bit like that, wasn't it? Gunwoo. No, hoobaenim!"
His cheeks were going to burst.
Chaeyul, who was laughing, soon asked a question with his smile still remaining.
"Until we go back, can I just call you Gunwoo-hyung? Ah, I know in my head that it's Moondae-ssi, but it's Gunwoo's face that I've been seeing for half a year!"
"It doesn't matter to me."
We needed to go back and block the possibility of causing controversy.
"Wouldn't it be okay if you just talk comfortably? No matter what, you're my sunbaenim."
"Oh, I will!"
In fact, he agreed so quickly that I thought he was trying to speak informally this whole time.
Chaeyul patted me on the back like a senior.
"Moondae, then when we go back, talk to me comfortably as well! Anyway, I will go to the military in a little while and not be active…"
"…"
"…"
"Fighting."
"Yes…"
I would have to go there twice. Be patient.
Anyway, until the next meeting when these two came up with useful opinions…
I think I'd give it some time.
And a few hours later…
"Then, I'll make a list starting from the ones that have been decided."
"Yes!"
I picked up a piece of paper with 'Welcome, VTIC' written on the back and used it to write.
"First, a program we can appear on."
-It absolutely has to be a contest program.
-How about selecting among the candidates based on viewer ratings and WeTube views?
I wrote down the corresponding program.
'It's a win-win situation because it'll be the special episode, which is episode 100.'
And next.
"Second, association."
-I hope we can bring to life a little bit of the personalities we picked up through our individual activities.
-If we do it wrong, it could have the opposite effect…
-I'm good at it. Everyone is good at it. Then, there are no problems!
I couldn't refute that.
So, it was time to write down point 3 about the decided direction and concept.
"I, um, have an idea."
"… !"
Jin Chaeyul raised his hand.
"Is it about the concept?"
"That too, but um… I'm talking about a program where we can appear."
"Oh, did you find another good option and want to change?"
"That's not it."
He hesitated a little and then opened his mouth.
"I was wondering, what if we postponed our appearance for just one more week!"
"… !"
Why bother with a special episode 100?
"I was a regular viewer of this program, and great people appeared the week after the special."
He stroked the back of his head.
"In fact, I think the viewership ratings were better back then…"
"Who were the people that appeared?"
"T-Holic sunbaenim."
"… !!"
It was definitely true, though.
'There's someone who would have known this better than that guy.'
I turned my head and looked at Cheongryeo. The guy spoke without even looking away.
"Who knows?"
"…"
"We took it off a week early on purpose. This has a preemptive effect. It is also difficult to control program casting."
It meant that he was telling him to be quiet.
Chaeyul swallowed slightly.
Shin-Oh looked at Chaeyul for a moment with the eyes of a pitiful person and was about to open his mouth as if he wanted to back him up.
"Oh, but I think the effect will be greater if we're compared directly! We can also develop a sense of competition."
"… !"
Chaeyul opened his mouth first. This guy looked a little embarrassed as if the situation was awkward, but he still didn't back down on his words.
Cheongryeo had no expressions.
'Hmm.'
Should I help?
I put down the pen and opened my mouth.
"If it succeeds, I think it will be worth the risk. Look at the number of people in our group now."
The guy looked away. I grinned.
"Isn't it worth trying to get revenge in a situation where you don't lose out to your sunbaenim in terms of experience?"
"…"
"We're raising the stakes."
There was silence.
And after a while, Cheongryeo, who was touching his chin, nodded.
"It's not bad."
"… !"
At that moment, the three VTIC guys looked like they had just witnessed a dog with wings come down from the sky.
"I'm in! I like it. Competition moves people!"
Thanks to Cha Eugene, who quickly came in with a bite, the atmosphere was set.
"Are there any objections?"
"Well, I guess there's none."
While listening to Ryu Chungwoo's slightly laughing voice, I wrote down the last list.
[4. Comparison target]
The more people who comment, the better the viral success would be.
It was a good idea. I nodded internally when I saw Chaeyul high-fiving Shin-Oh.
Still, Cheongryeo was willing to take off his rank insignia and win by being compared to T-Holic. Surprisingly, wasn't he a guy who knew how to be rude to seniors like them?
'It's not like he hasn't been in a first-place group for 10 years for no reason.'
It was fortunate that there was enough poison. I opened my mouth right away without any expression.
"Now, all we have to do is rest only when we sleep and replace all our time with practice time."
"…"
"…"
"Um, is TeStar always like this?"
"Yes. Isn't VTIC the same?"
"…"
I couldn't bear to deny it. After all, arts and physical education, which made a lot of money, was premised on work that destroyed work-life balance.
• * *
〈True Battle〉.
Among the many programs where singers compete for rankings and win or lose on stage, this was the original program that was the longest-running.
In particular, season 7 grew by recovering well in viewership ratings with the return of the original producer and the original PD. However, if there was a problem, it would be how long the program had been running.
There was a lack of a unique cast.
As a result, they, who originally only brought in singers famous for their singing skills or crazy performances, had no choice but to slightly change their route…
An idol appearance.
-Where has the original intention of showing a talented singer gone? It's truly shameful!
-Even when I turn on music broadcasts, only idols I don't know who they appear on, and now this show has been affected too? Please stop~~
They were snuck in.
It was a stage to lure viewers by carefully recruiting very popular or talented groups and lowering the hurdle…
Suddenly, in the preview for this episode, it was a betrayal that wasn't a betrayal.
-What kind of idol groups are there?
-T-Holic and Wishze? Who is Wishze?
But the best thing was that there were familiar faces and well-known songs.
That was why viewers sat in front of TVs, computers, and smartphone screens to watch this episode anyway, even though they were complaining and swearing.
-I think it's time to rest, PD.
And Wishze was scheduled to appear on the opening stage as a rookie.