Chapter 89

**Clattering Cottage (1)**

Ever since elementary school, through college and even now as a working adult, I've encountered countless idols. After fumbling through many idols, I've almost become a quasi-expert.

'If I roughly estimate the time I've poured into this, it must easily exceed 10,000 hours.'

I had to admit that I probably spent closer to 20,000 hours. My idol chasing journey has been nothing short of tumultuous.

Through this journey, I realized that while I tend to fall for idols quickly, my affection also fades just as fast. I would get hooked on someone just because they were good-looking, but my interest would wane just as quickly. As a result, I've gone through so many idols that I can't even count them on my fingers.

I also place a high value on singing skills, so the idol I liked the longest was a main vocalist with both looks and talent.

'Songs never betray you.'

Idol groups are rarely free from scandals and incidents.

'Just look at the idol groups that come to mind; most of them have lost one or two members. That says it all.'

It's almost as if there's an unchanging law that ensures some members will always have poor character.

'Do people who cause incidents naturally gravitate towards the entertainment industry, or does the industry change people?'

I don't know which is true, but it's a complex world. Fans are often embarrassed by association just because they like someone in that world. Moreover, when a scandal breaks out in an idol group, the fandom becomes a boiling cauldron of lava.

I didn't have the kind of affection that could withstand the stress. When a group I liked got caught up in negative news, I would coolly say goodbye.

However, if I liked the group's songs, I would keep them in my playlist even after I stopped following the group, and I would buy their new albums whenever they came out.

'In the past, I would have been called a casual fan and gotten a lot of flak for it.'

Nowadays, the idol culture is more tolerant, or maybe it's because they realize they need to hold onto even light fans. I feel like they are more accepting of fans like me who dabble in various idols.

'Honestly, I'm closer to being a fan of idol songs rather than an idol fan.'

A world where I can enjoy idol chasing more peacefully has arrived, but strangely, I haven't found any idols that really attract me lately.

Recent idol songs are particularly sensitive to trends, so they all sound similar.

'Really, would a true expert hear the difference?'

Unable to find anything new, I had to resort to listening to old songs and reliving the past.

"Great songs transcend time."

Sometimes, idol songs that make a comeback were actually good back then but just weren't well-known.

Songs that were ahead of their time were fresh and appealing then, and they still resonate with current trends.

I was considering listening to a refreshing playlist, but I decided to check out some new idol songs for the first time in a while.

It takes effort to find new songs during a drought of new releases.

"VanillaJin has taken over the charts, so..."

VanillaJin, the best output of KISS Entertainment, has maintained its top-tier status despite various controversies. KISS Entertainment is known for investing heavily in good music.

VanillaJin's songs are more influenced by the representative producer, Goyongsu, than by the members. The producer has a keen sense of music that has stood the test of time.

'While they can't impress with their songs, they excel in other areas...'

The desire to become a versatile producer has driven the fans. Especially, the attempts to impose the 50-year-old producer's fashion sense on the VanillaJin members are the worst.

"Love and hate, Goyongsu, really."

VanillaJin's latest album is a textbook example of an idol song. It's no wonder they dominate the music charts as soon as they make a comeback.

A love song that can get you in the mood for a drive. It's almost like they're openly declaring their intention to appeal to the masses. VanillaJin can easily secure a top spot on the charts with their fandom's support alone.

'Is it not enough to rely on their fandom, and they want to appeal to the masses too? That must be Goyongsu's idea.'

I can't deny that the melody is catchy, but personally, I feel a bit disappointed. The subtle sexiness that VanillaJin's songs used to have is gone.

'Is Goyongsu losing his touch too?'

While the producer will achieve his goal, it might be disappointing for fans who liked VanillaJin's unique style.

'I added the song to my playlist, but...'

The aftertaste wasn't quite satisfying, so I started browsing the charts for new songs. Midway through, I saw a name I didn't recognize: 'TEORRA (Theora). A quintessentially idol-like name. My hand moved on its own.

'I heard HANUL Entertainment was debuting a new group. Is this them?'

The song started playing through my headphones. My instincts were right.

'The song "Engraving" has a beat that's unmistakably an idol song.'

The sense of discovery from finding a new idol group was short-lived as I quickly got absorbed in the song. Before I knew it, the song was over.

"Wow. Did you torture the composer until you got the song you wanted? And why is the song so good? Are they not newbies?"

I put the song on repeat and searched online. It turned out they were HANUL Entertainment's new idol group, and the title track was composed by a member named Ham I Won.

"Is this the work of a guy under 20? Is this just image-making by the agency?"

However, I knew from my experience with idol chasing that HANUL Entertainment is known for its meticulous approach. Besides, with how fast news spreads these days, everything eventually comes to light.

"Hmm, 'Engrave me~' ... I already have the lyrics memorized?"

If a song is good enough to make you hum along, it was bound to see the light of day eventually. And it seems that day isn't far off.

The visual appeal of TEORRA's members is enough to catch the eye of even those who don't follow idols.

"But their songs are good too? That means they're undervalued stock."

After a long break, I decided to give a corner of my heart to this new idol group.

My long history of idol chasing has made me cautious, so I won't dive in headfirst.

...Or so I thought.

Falling for TEORRA was instantaneous. I just wanted to taste the main vocalist Ham I Won, who fits the description of "pretty," but I was reminded once again how difficult it is to resist.

As I got to know TEORRA better, I found them to be genuinely good kids. No matter how much they try to hide their true selves in front of the camera, some things are hard to conceal.

Fans often cover for their idols, even when they notice awkward moments or uncomfortable situations.

After watching videos multiple times, even someone who isn't observant can sense something off. But TEORRA didn't have that pretense. There was a slight awkwardness from a member named Olan, but it seemed to be due to camera shyness.

'Even though it's their debut, they were probably very nervous. If it's not noticeable even to my keen eye, I can relax and enjoy them.'

At least, there won't be any rumors of conflict. When members get along well, it positively affects the fans who watch them.

For idol groups, the relationship between members is more than just entertainment for fans; it can determine the group's longevity.

Fans often start by liking a specific member and then feel a sense of satisfaction from seeing good relationships within the group, which can lead to liking the entire group.

'Even if it's a business relationship, it's better than being cold.'

If the relationships seen on screen are maintained in real life, the group has a higher chance of lasting long, assuming external factors don't interfere.

And based on my sharp instincts, TEORRA is a promising group.

'No matter how hard they try to hide it, their true selves will show during their early, inexperienced days. Hehe.'

In the early days of their debut, with everything new and unfamiliar, it's hard to focus on chemistry with other members. Even if they can control their own reactions, it's impossible to control how others react.

If they could, they should be actors, not idol singers. Or acting teachers.

While the actual dynamics can only be known by living with them, it's impossible to fool someone with the experience of a self-proclaimed "idol connoisseur."

Moreover, I often hear that members hang out in pairs or groups, even when they don't have schedules. There are even reports of all six members being seen together.

If they spend private time together, it's a sign of genuine friendship.

"Is this finally an idol group I can support wholeheartedly?"

My music taste is firmly established, and I've been an idol fan for a long time, so everyone I know knows about my love for idols.

While I can't pretend to be a regular person, it's comfortable to be surrounded by people who understand my fandom.

However, there are still moments that make me feel awkward.

'When I hear, "A member of Kaida is leaving due to school bullying. Didn't you like Kaida?"' Even though I switched to another idol long ago after cutting ties with the problematic group, it's embarrassing to explain.

It's a reminder of the price I paid for being a fickle fan. Who can I blame?

That's when I started to admire people who stick to one group. As a migratory bird, I decided to try to become a resident bird, but with certain conditions.

Looks are just the first hurdle. They must excel in their main job, especially singing. This is a prerequisite for developing affection.

They must also behave properly and not embarrass me by appearing in the news.

Their love for fans must be genuine. I don't expect them to be the envy of other idol fans, but I don't want to feel like "fans are just a source of money."

The members must get along well and maintain their passion. And there are other conditions...

"...There's a reason I can't settle on one idol."

Meeting all my criteria and making me a lifelong fan is as rare as a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

But TEORRA is trying to pass through that needle. While I need to observe them more, so far, they've met my standards.

Moreover, TEORRA has a "drama." From the materials fans post, they've experienced a series of events that would be rare for a regular person.

Fans could edit videos with the theme "TEORRA's Growth Story" without it feeling out of place.

"Is this divine intervention?"

I'm looking forward to what new developments will bring laughter tomorrow. Just thinking about it makes me smile, and I habitually open NewTube to watch a personal NewTuber's game stream.

I was engrossed in the video when a mid-roll ad appeared.

"Ah!"

Just as I was about to put my phone down, a familiar face appeared. Starting with Seohun, the members of TEORRA appeared one by one.

"They're in an ad. What kind of ad...?"

I picked up my phone to watch the ad, but the members were making animal sounds instead of speaking.

"What is this...?"

I was so surprised that I paused the ad.