Chapter 20: The Idol's Technique That Never Fails

And it was 12 o'clock, moving into the next day.

A photo was uploaded to the official SNS account, showing the employee IDs of the six Firstlight members and another employee ID with a question mark drawn on it.

From the moment the photo was uploaded, the number of retweets began to rise rapidly.

[Wow, 7 of them]

[What, really 7 employee IDs?]

[Is TRV crazy? Haha, why is it like this?]

The photo set a record for the most retweets among all photos ever posted on the SNS account within just two hours.

[Damn, hahaha]

[I can't help but swear]

[What about the Firstlight fans?]

[But thinking about it, the kids have been mentioning Chae Won steadily...]

[The Firstlight kids are so innocent...]

[TRV is really going all out. This is the first time I've seen Firstlight mentioned so much since Guksun Ah. Hahaha]

Seeing the rapidly increasing number of retweets, President Park Hee-taek clicked his tongue.

"Fast, really fast."

One thing the company had hoped for in terms of buzz was definitely achieved.

After signing with Firstlight, even before the debut album was released, TRV had pulled out all the stops to promote the team.

They not only worked hard to get songs from famous producers but also signed contracts with the best photographers and videographers in the industry. They also continued their collaboration with the UO dance team, which had been with them since the Guksun Ah era. TRV had tried every promotion they could think of to keep the team afloat in the entertainment industry.

Despite all this, Firstlight was still on a downward trend. It felt like they were hitting a ceiling.

But now, with the "new member joining" rumor, a new level of buzz was being generated.

From the company's perspective, even negative reactions were needed to create buzz.

Chae Won's exclusive contract period was six months.

Even if it only generated controversy during that time, TRV wouldn't have to take responsibility.

On the other hand, if Chae Won successfully joined Firstlight, they could demand much better terms during the renegotiation.

However, based on the current reactions, the latter seemed highly unlikely.

President Park Hee-taek muttered to himself.

"Chae Won is kind of like a moth drawn to a flame, isn't he?"

He had proposed it out of urgency, but he didn't expect Chae Won to accept it so straightforwardly.

A moth doesn't know it's jumping into fire, but Chae Won knew it was fire and was still rushing towards it.

* * *

A new series of our own variety show, the first round of Firstlight Company.

In the game, which was divided into two parts, I, along with Hwang Saebi, Han Hyoseok, and Park Sunjae, who were part of "Light Company," entered the third floor marked as "First Company." The set was designed to feel like a real office, even though I had never worked in one.

After the other members went in first, I took my place. There were cameras inside the set, and each member had a camera director assigned to them.

Anyway, since I could be completely edited out depending on the situation, I planned to stay as quiet as possible. I couldn't hide my nervousness in front of the camera, and the other members didn't rush me.

We went around opening all the drawers on the third floor set to find information.

The drawers were filled with documents and office supplies in surprising detail, which made it take longer to find useful information.

After about four minutes of searching, Park Sunjae found an envelope that had fallen between a partition and a drawer.

"Seniors, this... Oh, it's 2043 now."

Since it was 2023, the setting was 20 years in the future. Park Sunjae read from the document.

"The data measurement system error report is stored in Area B of the archive. It says that this system error... is likely irreparable."

"What, what kind of company measures data?"

Hwang Saebi asked, and I pointed to the archive door.

"You'll see when you go to Area B."

Before I finished speaking, Han Hyoseok ran to the archive. The 7 minutes were up just as he was trying to open the locked door.

Since I wasn't much help, the 3-minute penalty was significant. We went down to the first floor before the Percoms, who still had 3 minutes left.

"Is this some kind of apocalypse?"

"Yeah, I think so too."

"Are there zombies? Oh, it's kind of scary when it gets dark..."

While we were guessing and writing down what we found on the whiteboard on the first floor, the three members of First Company—Shin Jiwoon, Ahn Juwon, and Min Jihoo—came down.

We were sure that the three of them had found a lot of information in the first round, but Min Jihoo said something unexpected.

"We didn't find any information."

So, Han Hyoseok, who was on our team, said in disbelief.

"Don't lie."

"Really, I'm not lying."

While they were arguing, PD Kim Jae-sung said,

"The first round naturally ends with the Percoms' victory. So, the Percoms, please discuss and decide who will be the host for the acquisition meeting. Before the second round starts, both teams should go back to their respective companies and gather information."

After he finished speaking, I headed to the second floor with my team members, where our company was located.

When we arrived at our company, I couldn't help but say,

"Wow... they're really scoundrels."

All the drawers in Light Company were wrapped with box tape. It seemed the three Percoms members had blocked everything while searching for information.

We spent the entire given time removing the tape and didn't find out what kind of company it was at all.

* * *

Before the second round started, we had a meal. It was our first meal at 4 PM.

While having what was likely our last meal, Min Jihoo deliberately played "Turn On the Light." He really has a strong attachment to his own song. Honestly, as the creator, I'm... proud.

[To you, the night is also my night. We look at the same place from the same place.]

[Here is the white night. The night no longer comes to us. The darkness can no longer catch us as we run.]

After Shin Jiwoon's part, Min Jihoo asked,

"Jiwoon, where are we running to?"

"The lyrics?"

"Yeah."

When Min Jihoo answered, Shin Jiwoon looked very disappointed and said,

"You didn't understand? The Earth rotates, so if you run at a certain speed without stopping, you can stay in the daylight."

"Oh, so that's why the night doesn't come?"

Min Jihoo was amazed, and Shin Jiwoon shook his head.

"You didn't understand the lyrics even after recording them? I'm disappointed, Minjo."

"No, I thought we were running because Chae Won joined."

"That's also true. We're running to avoid going back into a dark room after he joins."

Hearing that, I almost spit out the water I was drinking. Shin Jiwoon, looking genuinely upset, asked,

"What, you didn't know either? That can't be right?"

"Never heard of it."

"But you said the lyrics were good?"

"I thought it was about running to find the stage, where the white night's sun is the lighting."

"That's also true, but everyone only interpreted half of it. What, did I write it badly?"

Shin Jiwoon grumbled.

I didn't think the lyrics would include me.

I had said I would join, but it was only for six months. Considering the reactions of the people I had seen over the past two years, the possibility of me joining safely was slim.

Maybe I was thinking too much, but I didn't read that the lyrics were about inviting me to stand on the stage with them.

After that, I felt like I was deceiving these six people, and my stomach churned. I couldn't eat, so I just pretended to. Min Jihoo said,

"Is it that hard? Running following a spotlight?"

Then, Han Hyoseok, surprisingly, agreed.

"We can use it if we ever have a concert."

"Wow..."

At the word "concert," Min Jihoo couldn't continue and had a blissful expression. The other members had the same look.

I tried to calm my heart, which was about to overflow at the word "concert."

If I let it overflow and then realistically considered the possibility, it would feel like everything was swept away by a wave, leaving me in ruins. I needed to stay calm.

While trying to calm down, I looked around and saw Ahn Juwon holding an iPad from a distance. I sneaked over to see what he was doing, and it turned out to be artwork based on our conversation. "Turn On the Light" was written in one corner. It seemed he had been working on it consistently.

When he realized I was looking, Ahn Juwon tried to hide it, but I took the iPad by force. I'm surprisingly strong. Hehe.

Ahn Juwon complained, but his quiet personality made it just a tolerable level of noise.

Sometimes fans call Ahn Juwon "Art School Oppa," but he hasn't shown his artwork before.

If it were to be revealed for the first time, would there be anything better than using it for the album cover?

"Amazing."

When I said it sincerely, Ahn Juwon was embarrassed. I continued,

"Let's send it to the company."

"This?"

"Yeah, it's good, right?"

"What for?"

"Ask if it can be used as the cover."

Ahn Juwon looked embarrassed.

"That's something a professional should do."

"Would fans prefer a professional's work or a member's high-quality piece?"

"..."

"You know, right? Will you contact the company?"

"Sure, do what you want."

As soon as he answered, I called the album production team. After telling Manager Jung Seon-mi about Ahn Juwon's cover, I sent the file.

Ahn Juwon watched from a distance while I was on the phone. After I hung up, he said,

"You seem really grown-up today."

"What do you mean?"

"Pushing things forward."

Ahn Juwon's comment made Hwang Saebi, who had been eating steadily, interject,

"Exactly. I've always been the leader."

"You've always been the leader."

I cut him off and checked my phone. A message from Manager Jung Seon-mi had just come in.

[If you have other artworks, please send them.]

"Really?"

I showed my phone to Ahn Juwon, and his ears turned bright red. I asked,

"Can I see the others?"

"You can see them, but don't say anything. It's embarrassing."

"Got it."

I squatted next to Ahn Juwon and looked at his other artworks.

I didn't know, but everything was related to Firstlight's album.

I could feel Ahn Juwon's deep affection for Firstlight, more than I had imagined.

"Are you crazy... What if you keep this hidden?"

Still, my sister, who is always mentioned when talking about up-and-coming Korean artists, has a good eye.

And all of Ahn Juwon's artworks were more than suitable for album covers.

Anyway, as I flipped through them, I noticed some scribbles in the corner...

"Anju, is this a lyric?"

"..."

It was a very soft and tender lyric.

I never expected it from someone who looks like a classic heartthrob. The lyrics were like a shy teenager's first love, unable to say "I like you" and just feeling annoyed, worrying all night, feeling guilty, and apologizing the next morning.

It filled in the gap I felt was missing in Firstlight's previous song, "First Proposal." It was a fresh love story suitable for the current age of Firstlight's members.

"Juwon."

"What?"

"Want to work on this with me?"

Right as I asked, the status window appeared.

[Firstlight Regular Album 1]

[The keyword 'First Love' has been registered.]

Oh.

The same status window I saw before.

"Sure, I'll do it."

To my surprise, Ahn Juwon answered almost immediately.

"Definitely."

Anyway, for the first time since I met him, Ahn Juwon's eyes sparkled.

He seemed to have been holding back, but now that it was his turn, he grabbed the opportunity. After all, he must have survived the survival program because of such qualities.

I chuckled and replied,

"Sure, let's do it."

We might not be able to work together, but at least...

At that moment, the break ended, and we went back to filming.