Chapter 24

### Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 24 (24/482)

Meanwhile, at the same time.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Manager Kim entered Hyunseung's personal studio, holding a convenience store bag in one hand and a laptop in the other.

"Huh? Late for what?"

"Look at this."

"We had a plan? We didn't, right?"

At this, Manager Kim sighed and asked, "Hey, isn't today Arin's Music Bank broadcast day?"

"So what?"

"What do you mean, 'so what'? We should watch it together."

"Why should I?"

"Why not! You brought her here and got her to debut…."

Hyunseung waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it, once the song is released, it's out of my hands."

"Phew, I feel so disappointed."

"You have a lot to be disappointed about, you know…."

After a brief exchange, Manager Kim said, "Let's do this." He took out a few cans of beer and some snacks from the bag he brought and added, "How about we watch Music Bank and have a beer together?"

Before Hyunseung could respond, Manager Kim placed the laptop on the coffee table and launched the live chat broadcast on a portal site.

"Oh, it looks like it's almost Arin's turn."

Manager Kim naturally handed a can of beer to Hyunseung….

"Fine."

Hyunseung reluctantly took the beer can.

At that moment, the performance of the singer on stage ended, and the scene suddenly switched to a full-screen view of Jeong Arin's album cover.

Manager Kim and Hyunseung naturally checked the live chat on the right side of the screen.

↳ Is this the one I've been seeing in entertainment news lately?;;

↳ Looks like LS has been grooming her; the news is all about her.

↳ What's so great about her that she's getting so much praise from musicians?

↳ It's just hype; don't you know about media manipulation?

↳ No, but I saw a video from her trainee days, and she's really good.

↳ I'm so tired of this; media manipulation should have limits.

Since Jeong Arin was just starting to gain recognition, there wasn't much reason for her to be criticized, but because of the recent flood of related articles on portal news entertainment pages, some people were watching her with a critical eye.

"Still, the reaction doesn't seem too bad…."

The scene switched again….

↳ Is this the power of a major agency? The stage quality is amazing. lol

↳ The stage production is good? For a debut, it's high quality. Yes

↳ This is why majors are the best. Even if LS is struggling, they still have their reputation.

↳ Really lol I've been a fan of small idols, and it's heartbreaking. 😭

Despite the lack of attention due to the incident with Park Jeong-won, the stage production turned out better than expected.

The stage was designed to match Jeong Arin's image, with a pure and subtly sparkling atmosphere that immediately drew the audience's attention.

If she could just sing the song perfectly without any mistakes, it would be perfect….

Jeong Arin raised the microphone to her lips, took a shaky breath, and began the first verse.

Soon, the live chat started to explode with messages.

↳ ?? What is this??? What is it??

↳ Did I hear that right? Was that a human voice?

↳ Haha lol I'm not the only one who felt that way.

↳ The intro voice is insane… crazy lol

↳ I found my first love; I recognized her voice right away. lol

↳ The camera finds her so well, it gives me chills.

↳ But… wasn't she a rookie??

↳ I've been on an infinite loop of her song lately; it's a hit; I'm not tired of it.

↳ Sigh, we have the same face, but how can she look so different?

The chat window was clearly heating up.

"What? The reaction is really good…?"

Hyunseung, too, tapped his foot to the beat and carefully watched the live chat.

↳ When will Jeong Arin's live audio be available? I'm waiting to stream it.

↳ Will someone upload a direct camera feed? I'm waiting with bated breath. 😭😭😭

↳ No way, how does she hit those high notes so easily? Is she a robot??

↳ I came to check her out after hearing the rumors, and I'm hooked. ㅇ<-

↳ 2222222 ●▅▇█▇▆▅▄▇

↳ LS must have sent her to set an example.

↳ Wow, she looks so natural, like she's not a rookie at all. How many years has she been in the industry??

↳ Really, I thought she was a comeback artist, but it's her debut. lol Is she a second-generation rookie?

↳ Real deal. Expression, breathing, vocalization, and volume. Is this real?

Hyunseung put aside the live chat and carefully watched Jeong Arin's performance.

The stage naturally incorporated the stage production ideas he had casually mentioned to Jeong Arin during the song production process.

Moreover, it had been six years.

Jeong Arin had spent six long years in the basement of LS Entertainment, training to debut as an idol.

The stage was a reflection of the experiences she gained during those six years as a trainee, such as precise eye contact, natural expressions, and a seasoned stage presence.

'She's doing well.'

Jeong Arin had continued to improve even after the recording sessions with Hyunseung.

Through the directing process, he had confirmed with his own eyes and ears that she was capable of following the music with a wide range of instruments.

Seeing her perform with such confidence, a smile crept onto one corner of his mouth.

Soon, Jeong Arin's performance ended, and the next act began, but the live chat continued to focus on her.

↳ You set my heart on fire and then you're just going to leave? lol; You came to set Music Bank on fire.

↳ I'll hold my breath until Jeong Arin's live audio is out. Sigh

↳ Top chat… Instead of here, why don't you start a national petition…,

↳ Where's the encore in a music show! But, dear broadcast staff… Why not try this opportunity…,

However, when the final act, 'KOK,' started their overwhelmingly dazzling performance, the chat calmed down.

After all the acts were over, the day's performers gathered on stage for the ending.

– Live broadcast of Music Bank, first week of May!

– Only the announcement of the number one remains!

The MC was surrounded by singers who were already well-known, with KOK and The Superz in the center front row.

Jeong Arin stood quietly in the corner, out of the camera's view.

– The highly anticipated number one candidate, let's see who it is!

As the MC enthusiastically gestured, the screen switched.

– The number one candidate for the first week of May is KOK's Firework!

The MC's introduction was followed by KOK's faces appearing on the screen, and the audience erupted in cheers.

KOK's members, being the "idols of idols," walked forward with a relaxed attitude.

The Superz members were also waiting to be called as the next number one candidate.

– And the next candidate is…!

Just as the MC was about to heighten the tension by flipping a cue card,

– Jeong Arin's Adolescence!

An unexpected name was announced.

* * *

"What?!"

Manager Kim, who had been watching silently, jumped up from his seat.

"Who? Who?"

He had assumed that the number one candidates would be KOK and The Superz.

Since it was Jeong Arin's first music show after her debut, he never expected her to be in the running for a top spot.

It was impossible….

However, the screen confirmed the reality, showing Jeong Arin's surprised face.

The singers on stage also started whispering and looking for her, who had been called as a number one candidate along with KOK.

– Miss Jeong Arin, please come forward!

Jeong Arin, the actual candidate, looked around blankly and only moved to the center after the MC gestured to her, creating a comical scene that was captured on camera.

"Oh, you silly girl!"

Manager Kim held his head and shook it in disbelief.

↳ Jeong Arin's expression is killing it, ㅇㅇ

↳ She finally looks like a rookie…, the gap between her stage and expression is noticeable.

↳ Who would think she's a rookie when they see her face? lol

↳ But to beat The Superz… as a number one candidate…?

↳ This makes me suspect some manipulation;

↳ Honestly, she just debuted, you know?

↳ Her stage was great, but being a number one candidate on her debut show is a bit much…

The live chat was also buzzing with the unexpected turn of events.

However, most people seemed to disbelieve it.

Manager Kim also found it hard to believe, and it was unlikely that netizens would easily accept it.

What if, just in case, if, really….

If Jeong Arin won the number one spot, Manager Kim would have to prepare a statement with the PR department to explain the situation, which gave him a headache.

– Let's see who will take the number one spot! Show the scores!

Amid the confusion, the scores began to be announced one by one with the MC's explanation.

– Digital music score.

The tally appeared on the screen as the MC spoke.

"Oh!"

Manager Kim, who had forgotten his earlier concerns about the statement, immediately brightened up.

It's a natural law that male idols are weak in digital music scores.

While ballads and female idols often get good streaming numbers regardless of gender or fan status, male idols usually enter the charts temporarily due to fan support but quickly drop off.

Of course, KOK was one of the better-performing male idols in terms of chart entries and had several long-running hits.

However, thanks to the media play by Lee Duseok, Jeong Arin's digital music score was unusually high.

'Although it's a bit unfair to KOK….'

LS Entertainment is a well-organized company with clear lines, and they say that the arm bends inward.

So….

Manager Kim couldn't help but feel good that Jeong Arin's digital music score was higher.

At that moment,

"Stop blocking the screen and sit down and watch calmly."

Hyunseung pulled on Manager Kim's sleeve with a furrowed brow.

"Isn't this a time to be calm? You're like lukewarm water…."

"Standing up won't make Jeong Arin number one."

Manager Kim said, "That's true," and sat back down.

↳ Male idols are usually weak in digital music scores. Let's be honest.

↳ But… isn't KOK an exception?

↳ Really, KOK losing? It seems like the score tally is wrong.

↳ No, Jeong Arin's streaming numbers are higher.

↳ If Jeong Arin wins, the broadcast board will explode;

However, the live chat was quite heated, contrary to Manager Kim's mood.

'If Jeong Arin wins, people will immediately rise up….'

Manager Kim waited for the next score with a sense of walking a tightrope.

– Viewer preference score.

The MC continued to announce the score categories.

– Broadcast frequency score.

When the final album score appeared, the total score began to be tallied with a dramatic effect.

– And the total score is…!

Due to the unexpected rookie joining the number one candidates, a strange tension filled the stage.

Jeong Arin closed her eyes tightly, while KOK maintained a relaxed smile to show their tension.

– The winner of Music Bank's number one for the first week of May is….

The MC, also tense, announced,

– Congratulations!

Boom!

Confetti flew across the stage, and a moment of silence followed.

↳ What?!?!?!?!?!?!

Even the live chat, which had been flooding with messages, stopped.