Chapter 34

* * *

**Theft**

A few days after shooting the concept album and jacket photos, there was another shoot. This time, it was a short video introducing our group and its members.

We filmed scenes with all the members together and each member individually. It wasn't much different from taking photos, except for the camera getting very close to our faces. It was so close that it could show every pore, making me flinch reflexively.

"Good thing I took good care of my skin."

"Hyun, you've always had good skin. I get acne when I'm stressed. Hehe."

Park had naturally clear skin, but it was also sensitive, so she would get breakouts when stressed. Fortunately, she didn't have any acne for this shoot. She mentioned learning some skincare tips from Hyun.

"I think Oran came out the best in this shoot."

The video director captured Oran's transition from a blank expression to a gradual smile. Oran had the biggest difference between the neutral and smiling expressions, which made the final cut particularly impactful.

Ji-on finished with a slightly mocking expression, and Seohun with a refreshing smile. Park had a cheerful laugh, and I thought she looked great from the neutral expression all the way through. Hyun had a warm smile, and I didn't laugh too much.

When Oran smiled at the director's request, his eyes narrowed to the point where the pupils were almost invisible, and his mouth formed a deep cave, revealing neat teeth. He even had dimples on his cheeks, which made his smile look innocent and childlike.

It was still a surprising transformation. Even to me, who knew Oran's true nature, it didn't look like a fake smile. Oran knew his strengths and used them well.

Regarding the plastic surgery, I only heard that he had slightly raised his nose. I didn't know what Oran looked like before, but I had heard company staff say it was a good decision. It made his face more three-dimensional without changing his overall vibe.

For idols, plastic surgery is a way to increase their value. I think it's important to respect their choice, which involves taking risks and facing curiosity and criticism. Oran was confident in his decision, and I admired that.

"Ham Yi-won, did you see that? There's only one thing to remember when in front of the camera."

"What is it?"

"Confidence."

Is that Oran's motto? Should I be more confident?

"People say it's cringy or that it gives them a sense of disappointment. But if you don't feel it, you can express it freely."

I understand it in theory, but it seems almost impossible to put into practice. How did Oran become this way? It's a rare personality trait.

"Be professional."

"I get that you don't like unprofessional behavior."

What if I act unprofessionally? I can clearly see the disdainful look Oran would give me. I need to be careful.

"Where will this video be used, Hyun?"

"They didn't say. Maybe it will be posted on our official account when we get one?"

"It's a short video, so it feels like an ad shoot."

Do you have experience to compare it to?

"Seohun, have you done ads before?"

"When I was a child actor. It was a bakery ad, and I ate so much bread that I couldn't eat it for a while."

"Wow! A senior in the entertainment industry!"

"Respect. Ho-on?"

Park mimicked a fan cheering and waving their arms. Ji-on made a rapper's hand gesture. I also recalled Seohun's impressive career.

"Usually, he's just a sports enthusiast. It feels so real."

"Sports enthusiast, Oran…."

"Look at him now. He can't even scold us properly. How will he survive in this tough industry with such a weak personality? He should be grateful for his size. If not, tsk! Am I being too arrogant to my seniors?"

Seohun looked uncomfortable, as if something had hit a nerve. Oran's harsh words didn't bother him, but something from his past as a child actor might have happened.

"…I'm not trying to be aggressive."

"Stand up straight and look at me. Focus your eyes. You can raise your eyebrows or move your jaw. Speak in short words."

"What do you want me to do? Like this?"

…Are you trying to start a fight?

Seohun's acting made it feel too real. If he acted like that, he wouldn't look easy to approach. I'd probably run away or start a fight.

I'd be too scared to even talk to him. The other members seemed to feel the same way, hesitating.

"Phew. My idol self won't let me do that. I'll do it my way. If someone bullies you, tell me, and I'll fight for you. You can also tell the leader."

He'll subtly take care of it, and Hyun will handle it kindly.

…Hyun?

"Will that work?"

"We're lucky to be an idol group. Imagine being a solo singer or an actor. You'd be devoured."

Being in an idol group has its advantages. There are members like brothers who will stand up for you if you're wronged. Of course, Seohun is the oldest.

"Park's tone is subtly strong, so I'm not too worried. But Seohun and Ham Yi-won…."

"Why do you shorten your words? What about me?"

I'm not the type to back down easily. I speak my mind.

"Ham Yi-won, you're bold, but fundamentally naive."

"Naive?"

"Like you don't understand the world?"

Either way, it means you look like an innocent child.

"Where exactly?"

"You trust people easily. It's as if you've never been betrayed."

"Ah…."

I had no excuse. It's true that I've never been betrayed. In my limited relationships with members and Hyun, I haven't experienced betrayal.

Maybe because of the lack I had since birth, my parents raised me carefully. After that, I had almost no social interactions, so I never had a chance to be betrayed. You can only be betrayed if you trust others.

"You don't have walls in your heart. You believe what others say without suspecting their intentions. It's part of your charm, but I think it will bring you great trials someday."

"……"

"There are bad people in the world who will use you and turn your trust into betrayal. Be cautious."

Oran had a thorough understanding of me. He felt like an older brother. Maybe he has more life experience.

"Thanks for caring."

"I don't want you to regret it later."

He was worried about me. I could now interpret the hidden meanings in his words. I chuckled and prepared for the remaining shoot.

* * *

**Music Video**

A music video is an essential element of an idol album. It allows fans to see the idol's visuals and performance and infer the world and meaning of the song. A well-planned video is a gift to fans.

"We need to secure this director. It's rare to find someone who delivers as much as they are paid."

At the end of the meeting, the director assigned to our Theora was a well-known figure in the industry, preferred even by the top three agencies.

He was said to be highly skilled, and the company had gone to great lengths to secure him. It seemed the company was truly betting on our success.

We soon received a rough concept for the music video. Although it wasn't fully developed, it had a consistent story.

I couldn't understand the details, but I could tell it wasn't bad. I thought the final music video would be impressive.

"What do you think?"

"True to his reputation, it's not bad. I'd like to make some slight adjustments, though."

"I can feel his experience. We can trust him."

The discussion about the concept continued.

However, we received unexpected bad news. The director who had agreed to shoot our music video suddenly informed us that he couldn't do it. The company staff were confused and flustered.

We later learned that one of the top three agencies, K-City Entertainment, had offered the director more than double the money, even after the penalty.

In the end, we lost the director.

Given K-City Entertainment's influence as a major agency and their offer of more money, it was a proposal the director couldn't refuse.

While I could understand from their perspective, it was a crisis for us.

"We should have set a higher penalty! Then it wouldn't have felt like a loss."

"There's no one who immediately comes to mind. Who should we bring in?"

"Let's try our best. It's a shame, but we have to."

We watched the staff run around, sweating, trying to find a new director. It wasn't easy to find a new music video director.

Despite the serious atmosphere, we continued to practice in the studio, as it was the best we could do.

"If we don't shoot the music video soon, our schedule will be disrupted. It must be disappointing to lower our standards."

Seohun took a deep breath and expressed his concern. Park optimistically suggested that the new director might be a better fit for us. There was a chance, but it was slim.

"Shooting a music video isn't hard, but making a great one is. Our music video needs to have a cinematic feel, which makes it even harder."

Oran's realistic view was typical. Ji-on added his thoughts.

"It would be great if a film director could shoot it. They could add computer graphics and all."

"CG! Oh! There are even directors who do both!"

Park went even further. Was he suggesting we make a movie instead of a music video? I heard CG costs a lot.

"…Really? Huh. Then I'll try to solve it."

All eyes turned to Hyun. As the leader, he felt responsible, but the reaction was excessive. How could he solve the problem of finding a music video director?

"Hyun, you don't have to feel responsible. There are things we can't control."

"I think I can help, Yi-won. I don't know the outcome, but if there's a way to try, I should."

"Nam Hyun. I know what you're planning. Will it be okay?"

Oran seemed to know what method Hyun would use, and that it wasn't something Hyun enjoyed. Seohun and Park also seemed to have an idea.

"It's fine. If I can use any means to help us, I should. I'll do whatever it takes."

I didn't know the details, but if I had a way to solve this, I would try too. I couldn't stop Hyun.

We soon found out the result of Hyun's efforts.

The news was that a director who had made a film with ten million viewers would be shooting Theora's music video.