Chapter 42

Press Conference

Didn't the company trust us a bit too much?

Usually, press conferences were held just before or right after debut. They were events where the idol group would introduce themselves to the journalists, explaining what kind of group they were, what kind of music they pursued, and what concept they were presenting. The journalists would then write articles based on this information. Sometimes, it was conducted like a talk concert with a host introducing the group.

When we were told that we would have a showcase combined with a press conference, I felt a sense of tension. However, I wasn't overly worried. I believed that only journalists who were friendly towards us and Hanul Entertainment would be invited.

But what is this? Why are the journalists attacking us like they're trying to tear us apart? Theo is a rookie who hasn't even started their activities yet.

The entertainment industry isn't just a metaphor for a jungle. Did the company think we could survive in this world of the strong preying on the weak? Or did something unexpected happen?

We were almost being devoured. If it weren't for the members, I might have frozen on the spot. I'm the type who speaks up, but if I made a mistake here, it could affect the members and the company. I couldn't just answer recklessly, thinking only of myself.

"Let's talk about Theo's concept. You mentioned that Theo's worldview is based on post-apocalypse. Where can we find this worldview? How do you plan to appeal to fans with a concept that isn't much different from other idol groups?"

"What is the meaning behind the group's name? The pamphlet and introduction you provided say 'infinite possibilities.' Could you explain this in more detail?"

"What is your connection with Director Joo Young-won? It's not easy to bring in a director known for box office hits to shoot a music video. What conditions did you offer?"

"How did you come up with the idea of being the first idol group to air a TV commercial? How do you plan to deal with the backlash that might follow?"

Questions poured in. Were these journalists actually idol critics? They seemed to be experts who deeply analyzed the entire idol industry. Was it normal to receive such questions at a press conference? Now I understand why idols can handle a hearing with ease.

Most of the questions were ones that the company should have answered, not us. It felt like a deliberate setup.

Fortunately, Theo had been actively involved in important decision-making, so we could answer even the difficult questions with ease. This was largely thanks to Green.

Typically, the member who is good at speaking would handle the interviews. However, many questions came that other members couldn't cover. These were questions directed at individual members, so they had to answer personally.

"I heard that the members were actively involved in the debut album. Is it really active participation to just try writing lyrics? Many idols these days produce their own albums."

"My name is Lee Won. I wrote the lyrics and composed the music for the title track 'Imprint' and the B-side 'Ecstasy.' I also participated in the arrangement and production."

"I'm Green, the leader of Theo. Along with Park Ha, I helped with the choreography for the title track. The lyrics were written by Seohoon, Jeteon, and Lee Won."

I thought it would just be a matter of talking about the songs on the album or giving a brief introduction. Sitting on a chair with long legs, I felt as if I were tied up, so suffocating was the pressure.

"Mr. Seohoon, you were known as a child actor but had a break for a while. After that, you suddenly returned and debuted as an idol. Did something happen during that time? I'm curious about what caused the change in your mindset."

It was a sensitive question. If not handled carefully, it could lead to criticism of the people he worked with as a child actor or be seen as belittling idols.

Seohoon thought for a moment, then looked at the journalist who asked the question and spoke.

"Acting has always been enjoyable for me. However, my hometown is Yeosu, and my parents had to take care of my younger siblings, so I had to be far away to pursue acting. I felt lonely and spent some time with my family. During that time, I developed an interest in rap and wanted to learn more. I became friends with people who shared similar interests, and one of them suggested that I might be better suited for being an idol. That's how I started my trainee life."

"Do you have any plans to return to acting?"

"I still love and enjoy acting. I'm currently studying in the Department of Theater and Film because I want to learn more."

This was the first time I had heard Seohoon speak so much.

Seohoon, you're a better speaker than I thought. You usually listen to others, but when you express your opinions, you do so calmly and clearly.

I still didn't know the members completely, and I kept discovering new things about them.

"Mr. Jeteon, you participated in 'Show Me the Money 3' and achieved a decent score, but then you unexpectedly debuted as an idol. What was the reaction of the rappers around you?"

The intent was very obvious. The underlying motive was clear: to create controversy to increase views.

If it were the usual Jeteon, he might have said, "They can say whatever they want; I don't care." But because it was an official setting, he answered as politely as possible.

"Mr. Park Ha, you were part of SEED's debut lineup but dropped out just before the debut. Now you've made your debut with Theo. Could you share your determination?"

Asking about determination is a common question, but the additional comment was annoying.

Why would you ask something like that?

Despite the provocative question, Park Ha confidently answered that she would do her best as a member of Theo. Her attitude was filled with sincerity.

She was young, only 18 by Korean age and 16 by international age, but she was one of the most serious members about being an idol.

"Mr. Lee Won, you were studying violin at a music high school. How did you decide to become an idol? It seems unlikely that the classical music world would view pop music, especially idols, favorably. They might even see it as a lower form of music."

Unable to get satisfactory answers from the other members, the journalist targeted me.

"It was my choice, and I had support from those around me. I don't believe there are levels in music. Just because someone studies violin doesn't mean they have to become a violinist. It's not a must, and it's possible to change career paths. Just as not all journalists graduated from a journalism school."

The journalist who asked the question and the other journalists sitting nearby chuckled. It seemed the journalist wasn't a journalism major. The tense atmosphere of the press conference eased.

Green, who was sitting next to me, winked at me. Did it mean I did well? At least I didn't make any mistakes.

With the last question to me, the press conference seemed to be wrapping up. Green, who received a signal from the staff, announced the end of the conference. The Theo members bowed together and then headed to the waiting room for the performance of the B-side tracks.

* * *

After the manager dropped us off at our accommodation and said to rest well, we stumbled up the stairs and collapsed as soon as we opened the door. We didn't even have the energy to go to our respective rooms.

"It's over…."

Park Ha sprawled out on the living room floor. I tried to sit up on the sofa but ended up lying down halfway due to exhaustion.

"I didn't know dealing with journalists would be so difficult."

Even Seohoon, who seemed to have endless energy, leaned back on the sofa and sat on the floor.

I had never seen him lean back unless it was time to sleep. The showcase must have been tough for him too.

It was probably more of a mental strain than a physical one. The sharp questions during the press conference must have drained his mental strength.

After joining Hanul Entertainment, I had thought the criticism about the company's weak media response, meaning the PR team's poor handling, was baseless. But after the press conference, I understood what it meant.

If it were a large entertainment company, they would have invited only friendly journalists. Since it's over, I can let it go, but seeing the exhausted members, I couldn't help but sigh.

"…Do you want to check the music chart rankings?"

Green cautiously brought up the topic. We couldn't check the music sites due to our schedule. I had been hiding my fear of seeing the results with that excuse. Now that we were back at the accommodation, it was time to check the rankings.

"…Do you think we didn't make it into the charts?"

Seohoon's worry made the other members uneasy.

For a rookie, making it to the bottom of the music charts would be considered a success. On the day of debut? It would be a given.

It wouldn't be strange if Theo's name wasn't on the charts. There are countless solo artists and senior idols who dominate the top spots. But given our group's circumstances, making it to the bottom of the real-time charts seemed possible. Was it an excessive expectation?

"…I want to believe our name will be there, but it's a risky time. Recently."

Because the idol group 'Vanilla Gin' from K Entertainment, who had taken our music video director, had just made a comeback less than a week ago.

Vanilla Gin was an idol group that everyone recognized as top-tier, one of the most popular idol groups. Currently, their album was dominating the charts.

Our debut schedule was already set when the news of Vanilla Gin's comeback was announced, so we couldn't delay our debut.

It was probably because they were adjusting their comeback schedule with a solo artist known as the 'national younger sister.' They wouldn't have been trying to check us, who were essentially level 1 beginners.

Even if it wasn't intentional, Theo faced a crisis from the start of our debut.

"Anyway, we'll know everything tomorrow."

Olan was the most level-headed among us. The results were already out; it was just a matter of when we found out. If it was good news, they would tell us right away, and if it was bad, it would show.

Green took out his phone and opened the music app. The rest of us, including me, couldn't even get close to the phone and focused only on Green's expression. His fingers moved as if scrolling down the screen, slowly from top to bottom.

If Theo's song wasn't there even at the bottom of the list…

Green's fingers soon stopped.

Did he not find it even at the very bottom? Or did he find our name at the very end?