Chapter 30

30

Lim Hyunsoo was already clutching his neck and collapsing.

"…I apologize in advance~."

"Ahaha, what are you going to do that you even have to apologize?"

It wasn't really out of guilt, but a staged apology for the broadcast.

I sat in the chair and ran my hand through my hair. I didn't forget to let out a sigh filled with Lim Hyunsoo's characteristic annoyance and picked up the microphone.

"Mr. Jeong Dajun."

"Huh, yes… Yes."

"Why do you think there's a beat?"

Jeong Dajun flinched as if surprised.

"I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be sorry to me, but to the viewers. Watching such a low-quality performance during dinner time would ruin their appetite."

"Uhahaha!"

Yoo Jiya's laughter couldn't be held back any longer.

Incidentally, the lines I was delivering were actually all the words Lim Hyunsoo had said in the past.

Super Singer had five seasons, and Lim Hyunsoo was a judge in all of them, so even the other idols couldn't help but laugh.

However, Jeong Dajun, on the other hand, bowed his head with tears welling up in his eyes. It was hard to tell if it was acting or genuine.

"I'm sorry, I… I should have practiced the recorder more…."

"Practiced more?"

"Yes?"

"If practicing hard was enough, why would there be such a thing as talent?"

"Ahahaha! It's too similar!"

"Ah, no… My cheeks hurt."

By this point, Yoo Jiya was almost crying, her head buried in the table. Thinking about it, she seemed to have a close relationship with Lim Hyunsoo.

After thoroughly demoralizing the production team and the members, we ended the skit.

"How can you be so similar?"

You have to watch the same edited version more than 30 times.

"Because I respect him."

I turned my eyes to the camera.

To prevent any potential controversy, I made sure to show a close relationship.

"Mr. Composer, I respect you a lot. I'm always grateful!"

I winked at the camera. Jeong Dajun, still seemingly afraid of Lim Hyunsoo, bowed deeply to the camera.

Later, I found out that a direct comment from Lim Hyunsoo, "Let's cut off contact, Ho Yoon," was added as a subtitle, which was quite funny.

Anyway, after laughing for a while, Yoo Jiya finally picked up the microphone.

"If I had a vote, I would have voted for this. It was really well done. Personally, I think this is the most synchronized impersonation of Mr. Lim Hyunsoo I've ever seen. I was more immersed because I know him. Ah, my stomach hurts."

Yoo Jiya mumbled and suddenly lifted her head.

The next idols to perform were so nervous that they only focused on image management and didn't get as good a reaction as we did.

Especially, the highlight was Today.

"Um… I…."

"Yes, Mr. Yoo Hyuk. Have you decided on your special skill?"

"I'll try to be cute!"

Since he couldn't do a dance or a song, he decided to try being cute.

It's not a bad choice.

If this wasn't a team competition show.

Yoo Hyuk winked and made a fist.

"Can I say 'Hey!'?"

"……"

"Can I say 'Mine'?"

'What the…'

"Hey! We need a nickname that only we know. Baby, baby, from today, you're mine!"

Can I close my eyes?

Everyone rolled their eyes, clearly flustered.

Especially, Today's juniors were deeply troubled about how to react to Yoo Hyuk's 30-second performance.

I was impressed as Yoo Hyuk finished with a heart gesture and a biting action.

'At least Yoo Hyuk is trying hard!'

"…Wow…."

The only thing left in the studio was a cold silence. The polite juniors clapped for Today.

"Cute…."

"Um… Seniors are different, after all."

Yoo Hyuk, who had done his best, bowed his head in embarrassment.

Well, maybe Today's fans would like it. Idol cuteness is good for memes.

But this wasn't the picture the staff wanted in this competitive show.

Kim Hee-young was already glaring.

I swear, Kim Hee-young always adds this scene when there's a tense moment.

"Ha ha ha, really…."

"……"

"Good cuteness."

Yoo Jiya, unable to add more in the studio, held up the next card with a 'h…' expression.

"Okay, let's vote, shall we?"

The talent show voting followed three rules:

1. You cannot vote for your own group.

2. Voting is limited to the maximum number of members.

3. The group with the most votes wins first place.

Thinking it was a foregone conclusion, I entered my vote on the provided terminal.

After a short while, when all the idols had finished voting, Yoo Jiya smiled and delivered her prepared lines.

"Let's see which group will receive the exclusive additional broadcast and be honored as the first place."

On the giant monitor, hastily written letters appeared.

Gulim font. I'm glad it's not Gungsuh font, but if I were in charge, I would have fired the person responsible.

"More Than!"

"Wow!"

"Bro, additional broadcast!"

As soon as the group name was called, Jeong Dajun hugged me.

The other members surrounded us, making a ruckus, and I felt like I was going to lose my mind.

"Hey, calm down. Calm down a bit."

I pulled Jeong Dajun away and slipped out of the group. Yoo Jiya gave me a thumbs up, and an unreadable expression flashed across Kim Hee-young's face.

'Too happy, huh?' kind of expression.

I turned my gaze. Fortunately, a break was called just in time.

"Let's take a break until the next stage!"

The moment the camera lights went off, Yoo Hyuk, whose face was flushed, approached me as if he had been waiting.

"Ah, senior."

"Hey, you little brat."

I was greeted politely, but my shoulder was roughly grabbed.

"Wow."

Kang Iche, standing beside me, let out an exclamation. Even with the camera off, he was so bold in front of the staff. Yoo Hyuk, puffing, asked:

"Did you guys plan to make me look bad?"

Just as I was about to answer, Kang Iche interjected.

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"What about you?"

"Senior, did we make you laugh too much?"

What's this? It's unexpected for Kang Iche to step in. He usually just laughs and watches from the side.

Kang Iche smiled.

"Get over it. Our Dajun will play the recorder for you again~."

"You little brats…! Did you know in advance? That talent show, no singing, no dancing! And that writing 1st place would give you two chances?!"

"Really. As they say, when you're angry, you only see what you want to see."

I rubbed my ears.

Yoo Hyuk, who had been glaring, suddenly reached out. It was the moment when Kang Iche, caught in the middle, opened his eyes wide.

"Come here!"

I pushed Yoo Hyuk's hand away and shoved Kang Iche back.

"What?"

Move back. Giving a hint, Kang Iche frowned and obediently moved away. There was no need for one of our members to get caught up in this.

I can cover it myself.

"Hey."

"…What? Hey?"

"Scared?"

"……!"

"If you're mad, why didn't you write 1st place? Get slapped in Jongno and take it out in Han River, why."

Yoo Hyuk, stung, could only gape.

I thought about pushing him a bit more, but this was enough for now. The attention of everyone around us was drawn to us, and I was satisfied with the result.

The worse the relationship between More Than and Today, the better. I didn't expect Today to stir things up like this.

Yoo Hyuk, you're actually useful, even if you're stupid.

"…You, you…!"

He couldn't continue, probably not expecting a junior to speak so informally, but I didn't miss the opportunity.

"Good luck. We're going to prepare for our stage."

"Hey, hey… Aren't you going to stay there?!"

Ignoring him, I grabbed Kang Iche and walked away. As usual, I expected Kang Iche to laugh and tease, but he was silent.

I wondered if he had been hit somewhere.

"Why. Did you get hit anywhere?"

"No…."

Kang Iche looked at me with narrowed eyes. Then he shrugged and walked ahead.

I wondered why he was acting like that, but I couldn't figure it out.

Maybe he's going through puberty.

Thinking he was going ahead, Kang Iche suddenly turned around.

"What are you dawdling there, bro."

"……"

"We need to prepare."

Then he smiled widely, showing his teeth.

***

Kim Hee-young observed the atmosphere in the studio.

The mood had been lightened with comedy from the start, but now it would lead to additional broadcasts, which was a thorny issue.

Behind the sweet words and fake smiles, endless vigilance was hidden. The viewers wouldn't be unaware of this.

'Really a hot plate…'

When the broadcast airs, Kim Hee-young will have a long life. He will receive all kinds of abuse from the fandom.

But it's an inevitable choice. No matter how much harmony is talked about these days, to boost ratings, controversies must be created and fires stoked to survive in the broadcasting industry. Perhaps this is all he has learned and seen so far.

Kim Hee-young's gaze finally landed on Seo Hoyoon. Among the nervous or pretentious rookies, he was the only one who was calm.

'Seo Hoyoon, what is he really?'

Basically, all the participants wear microphones. So the informal talk with Yoo Hyuk was also recorded. If there had been any recording, More Than would have been in trouble due to character issues, but why?

'Is he a silver spoon? Does he have something to rely on?'

Kim Hee-young thought this but couldn't tear his interest away from Seo Hoyoon.

It might produce a good picture, but does this young kid really have to be pushed into the fire? Kim Hee-young felt a sense of doubt.

"PD."

"Ah, yeah."

"The first mission stage will start soon. The rest will watch from the waiting room."

"Okay. Um…."

While looking at the assistant director who was briefing the next schedule and stage, Kim Hee-young suddenly spoke.

"You said Today was the last, right?"

"Yes."

"Change it to More Than. Put Today right before them."

"Really? But… The investors and Today's fans won't stand for it."

"Will they fire me for changing the order? Besides, it won't be noticeable on the broadcast."

Kim Hee-young lowered his gaze. More Than had more recognizable members, but…

"When Today performs, focus on More Than's reactions. When More Than performs, focus on Today."

"PD, what do you mean…?"

"Yeah."

I'm sorry.

Kim Hee-young, in the end, pushed young kids, who were probably in their early 20s, into hell.

He felt a sense of guilt, but the picture for the first episode was gradually forming in his mind.

"Let's create a confrontation between the two."

I won't just be a puppet for the agency.

I can't change the 1st place, but I can cause some chaos within it.

***

"Huh?"

"Um, we're the last?"

Hearing that the order had changed, Kim Sung-hyun's voice wavered in confusion. He had been preparing to go out, thinking it was their turn. The camera focused on his shocked face.

I burst into a hollow laugh from the back.

This is how it's done, Kim Hee-young.

"The filming got a bit mixed up. You're after Today."

"Yes, I understand."

"Can you prepare?"

"Yes. It's not like we're going earlier."

"Being last might be a bit stressful, but do your best."

Those words were deliberately spoken.

In Jeong Dajun's eyes, a storm of anxiety, worry, and concern was raging.

"Bro, what do we do?"

"What can we do?"

Seung Ji-won stood up abruptly.

"Practice more."

"Right, that's true."

"Kang Iche, come here. You don't seem to fit in."

"Aah!"

Kang Iche was chosen as the scapegoat. Everyone turned their heads, thinking, "As long as it's not me."

While Kang Iche was being harassed by Seung Ji-won, Nightmare's stage began.

A Cinderella and a female idol's stage, with the theme of not going home even after midnight.

[Don't go, our party starts here]

The lyrics were a bit cheesy, but the stage itself was well put together. The young age of the members made the concept of a younger man asking not to go home feel fresh and lively.

"Well done."

"Wow, how did they do that?"

While the other members were reacting enthusiastically, I glanced at the camera, which was focusing on More Than.

'This is Kim Hee-young's doing.'

Changing the order had a significant impact on the stage. It wasn't for no reason that popular idols are placed last in music shows or year-end awards.

A time slot that even viewers who joined halfway through could see. This was also a way to ensure that as many viewers as possible would focus on the show.

The same applied to competition programs.

Even without the influence of the agency, Today had a high chance of being scheduled last due to their popularity. We, in terms of recognition, would have been second or third in the order. But in this situation, More Than, being fifth and last, would definitely be criticized by Today's fandom and even by other fandoms.

PD pick? Manipulation?

'The real manipulator is someone else.'

Kim Hee-young must have predicted this but still decided to push us into the fire.

The more abuse we receive, the better the ratings will be.

"Today's seniors are on stage."

Jeong Dajun mumbled. Seung Ji-won, who had stopped harassing Kang Iche, looked at the stage with a serious expression.

Maybe the group he had debuted with.

The well-known hit song by White Cherry, with a slightly adjusted male key, played. The mermaid princess concept, which everyone knew, fit very well.

How skilled are Today's members?

Are they good enough to match their popularity?

[Right okay,

You captivated me in an instant]

The More Than members watched the stage quietly, their