Chapter 39

39

"Huh?"

Seong Ji-won rolled his eyes and then chuckled awkwardly.

"Where did you hear such a story?"

"They said he was a promising star."

"That can't be true."

"I heard he had to choose between being the main vocalist and the center."

"Well, among the members of Today, I do have the best looks, don't I?"

Seong Ji-won, with a hint of self-praise that wasn't annoying, asked a new question.

"But why would you suddenly ask about that?"

It stung.

"Seo Ho-yun, I don't think he's just curious about what position you held in Today... You heard that too, huh?"

Seong Ji-won's perceptiveness was truly remarkable. He seemed to have changed after being chewed out like a squid recently.

Seong Ji-won clicked his tongue.

"The industry is too small. Bad news spreads even faster."

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"You're right, what you heard."

Seong Ji-won sighed.

"I ran away because I didn't want to accept the sponsorship offer."

"…What?"

"I knew the pressure was increasing. Some of the Today members had already been approached. They treated me like an idiot, saying why I wouldn't take such a guaranteed opportunity."

Seong Ji-won kicked a small stone on the ground.

"I… Honestly, I didn't know what to think. I felt like I was the fool. And as I started losing my positions, I felt like I was going crazy. But one day, I don't know why, I can't remember clearly, I suddenly came to my senses."

He couldn't remember.

'Is he trying to avoid the topic?'

Seong Ji-won's furrowed brows twisted.

"What was I doing? I felt like I was going crazy. I left right away. After wandering around, I finally found my current agency. The CEO and manager are good people. They don't push me at all."

"Good people?"

"Well… they are good people."

Seong Ji-won shrugged.

To me, the CEO and manager are the same. They chased after quick results and abandoned the kids when they didn't get immediate success. They brought in these talented kids and then left them to rot.

"Ever since then, whenever I see Today, I feel like I'm going to throw up. But do you know what?"

"What?"

"Ever since the receipt incident, it's been hilarious."

Ah, that receipt incident. I remembered the desperate look on Yu Hyuk's face when he thought it was a note.

"Whenever I think about his expression, I still laugh."

"You told Yu Hyuk to stop talking, didn't you?"

"Haha! I did it in a fit of anger. The Today members' expressions this time were priceless. I'll definitely watch the broadcast."

No matter how I think about it, it's funny. Seong Ji-won kept chuckling. Well, it was funny.

Seong Ji-won stopped laughing, hesitated, and then stood up.

"…Anyway, thank you, Ho-yun."

"Thank me?"

I muttered, taken aback.

"Why?"

I deeply suspected that Seong Ji-won wasn't a fool.

On the contrary, Seong Ji-won laughed, as if he could see through my thoughts.

"How much do I owe you? I chased after you just to say thank you."

Seong Ji-won stretched.

"I trust you. No matter what crazy things happen here, I'll still trust you."

"…"

"So, trust us a little too."

Seong Ji-won smiled faintly.

I might have been a bit arrogant. The other members might have been right. I think I was pushing the accelerator too hard on my own.

But that's just who I am.

I've lived this way until now.

I had to take responsibility on my own.

Can I change?

'No.'

I gulped down the lukewarm yuja tea in one go and stood up to follow Seong Ji-won.

"Ji-won."

Seong Ji-won's eyes widened.

'Sorry.'

"I'll make you number one."

It was the only thing I could say right now.

I don't make promises I can't keep. Seong Ji-won, understanding the meaning, had a slightly bitter expression but patted my shoulder and said,

"Alright."

"…"

"Let's go, it's cold."

***

"Hey."

"What?"

"Have this."

In the meeting room at tvK, Kim Sung-hyun suddenly threw a ginseng at me. I thought he might have taken it from Seong Ji-won.

"…Thanks."

"Eat it quickly. You're supposed to have this once a day."

"Why is he suddenly like this?"

"It's an apology, I guess."

Jeong Da-jun interjected from the side. He had already recovered and had a hearty lunch of tteokbokki, which the manager wanted to buy.

Kim Sung-hyun smacked Jeong Da-jun on the head.

"He's regretting it. He's going to take all the blame anyway."

"Hey, watch your mouth."

"What are you talking about? Hyun-ssi already knows everything."

Kang Eun-jae clicked his tongue. I knew it too, but Kim Sung-hyun kept checking to see if I was feeling down about the online comments.

I narrowed my eyes and looked at him. Is he really disappointed in me?

'…I'm such a piece of trash.'

I do find myself disillusioned, but I always start with suspicion.

"Oh, our darlings. Congratulations on winning the first round!"

"Hello~."

"Hello! Thank you!"

In the middle of this, a staff member opened the waiting room door and came in, smiling brightly.

"Our ratings are skyrocketing. Our target was 1%, but… hahaha, it's 2.3% for the first episode and 3% for the second!"

Wow, that's really good for a cable channel.

We deserve a celebration.

"Thanks to all of you!"

'Of course, we're the sacrificial lambs.'

"Especially Seo Ho-yun, how can we thank you? The production team should really treat you to a big meal."

"Sure, treat us to a big meal."

I might as well go all the way.

The staff member was excited, but Jeong Da-jun tilted his head.

"Is PD Kim not coming today?"

"Ah, PD Kim isn't feeling well today. I'm here in his place. Now, let's confirm the second round mission."

The staff member handed over the mission envelope. Kim Sung-hyun carefully picked it up and slowly read the contents.

"Second round mission: Sing a different group's song."

"Right! We have to sing a different group's song! It's the highlight of an idol competition~!"

He's really excited.

On the other hand, our faces turned sour. Excluding us, there are four teams, and there's a 25% chance that Today will be chosen. This controversy will only get more intense.

"Let's see which group's song we'll cover."

The staff member smiled and shook the box containing the lots. Given the previous talk of manipulation, I'd bet my wrist that only Today's song is in there.

It's a win-win for the production team.

"Go ahead and pick!"

"Haha…"

Just as Kim Sung-hyun was about to pick the lot with a trembling hand, the meeting room door burst open.

"PD Kim?"

It was Kim Hee-young, with disheveled hair. She was wearing a hoodie and clutching her phone like a weapon, muttering to herself, looking like a madwoman.

"PD Kim, what's going on? I told you I'm good at talking. Why are you here?"

Ignoring the staff member, Kim Hee-young strode to the table, reeking of alcohol.

She looked exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes, probably from drinking with the staff last night.

"Come here."

Kim Hee-young snatched the lot box from Kim Sung-hyun and dumped it out. The camera director quickly stood up.

"PD Kim! What are you doing?!"

She spread out the lots on the table. They all had the same content.

[Today ? Make Love]

[Today ? Make Love]

[Today ? Make Love]

[Today ? Make Love]

All four lots.

Kang Eun-jae let out a hollow laugh. The staff member's face turned pale.

"PD Kim! Are you crazy?"

"Damn it, I told you to make the lots different, not the same."

"No, that was just a drunk talk… More Than, don't misunderstand. We made a mistake. PD Kim, you can't do this here."

"Why not! I'm the PD!"

It seems the push from Today's agency has already arrived. Since public opinion has turned, their strategy is to push the 'More Than vs. Today' narrative to boost ratings.

It's not a bad strategy. That's why everyone expected Today's lot to be chosen.

But it's the first time I've seen it so blatantly exposed.

Especially by the main PD…

"PD Kim! You'll get fired if you keep this up!"

"Fire me, fire me, damn it! I'd rather be a bum than live like this. I'll report them to the labor board and get the breach of contract fees!"

"You lunatic! There are participants here!"

"What! Why! What! Do you think I'm crazy?!"

It was a complete mess. As everyone watched in shock, I had only one thought.

'This is going to be a pain to edit.'

"PD Kim!"

"More Than, don't do it. I'll pick a new one for you."

The staff member tried to stop her, but Kim Sung-hyun picked up a fallen lot and asked.

"Will Today sing our song?"

"That's…"

The staff member hesitated, but we could already tell. Kim Sung-hyun glanced at me.

"Right."

PD Kim Hee-young spoke bluntly.

"So, don't do it. I'll pick a suitable one for you. That's the best I can do for you."

"No… We'll do this one."

Kim Sung-hyun said.

'Hmm?'

It was unexpected.

The staff member's face lit up, but PD Kim Hee-young's face turned demonic.

"Are you all crazy? I don't get it."

"Please, let us do this one."

Jeong Da-jun pleaded. I didn't need to say anything.

PD Kim Hee-young slumped and ran her hands through her already messy hair.

"What? Why don't I understand? Why am I the only one worried?"

"PD Kim."

I called her softly and offered the ginseng. She glared at me but smiled boldly and tidied up.

"Then we'll go prepare for the cover song."

"…Huh."

"Right! Good luck!"

As we were about to leave, PD Kim Hee-young suddenly followed me.

"Seo Ho-yun, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Ah, sure."

I followed her down the hallway to the vending machine. She scratched her cheek, rummaged through her pockets, and asked,

"Do you like canned coffee?"

"Yes, anything is fine."

"Alright, I'll buy it for you."

PD Kim Hee-young, with trembling hands, fumbled with the vending machine. She seemed nervous.

But the vending machine only took the coins and didn't dispense any drinks. She pressed the button slowly at first.

"Huh? It… doesn't work?"

"It doesn't?"

"Haha, it'll work soon. Just a moment."

Her pressing became more forceful. She pressed the button so hard it seemed her fingers would break, then pounded the machine, and finally kicked it in frustration.

The loud noise made everyone jump, but PD Kim Hee-young shouted,

"Damn it! Now even the vending machine won't listen to me! Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

"…"

"PD Kim…?"

A passerby was startled. Seeing her staff card, which showed she was a Chief Producer (CP), and clearly higher than PD Kim Hee-young, she said,

"Manager, what are you looking at? What? Do you have a problem with me?"

"…No, I have to go, PD Kim…."

The CP quickly walked away. She was indeed a crazy person at the broadcasting station.

I couldn't say anything and just waited quietly. After a while, PD Kim Hee-young blew her bangs and turned to me.

"Alright. I'll buy you something expensive later."

"…Okay."

"Anyway, Seo Ho-yun, I didn't call you to say anything important."

PD Kim Hee-young tried to calm down.

"I owe you one. I caused you trouble, so it's my fault."

"Why is it your debt?"

"Because I took charge of this terrible program. Even if the push came from above, I was the one who executed it. So, I'm responsible."

PD Kim Hee-young, annoyed by her bangs, roughly brushed her hair back.

There was no need. If it were anyone else, they would have thought, 'What's this about?' and taken the debt. But since it was PD Kim Hee-young, I didn't want to.

Looking at her, I realized that rejecting her would hurt her pride.

"…I understand."

"Good, you made the right decision. Whenever you need it, just let me know. I'll do what I can."

PD Kim Hee-young, after saying that, kicked the vending machine again. Ridiculously, the drinks finally fell out. She snorted and left the drinks there, walking away.

'Hmm.'

PD Kim Hee-young was starting to show some resistance.

It was exactly what I wanted.

***

"What's going on?"

After picking the lot and returning to the practice room, I finally asked.

Everyone's morale was higher than before. Higher than after the guerrilla performance. They all had a fierce determination in their eyes, as if they would kill anyone who got in their way.

"This time, we'll really, really do our best."

Jeong Da-jun hesitated.

"Actually, I talked with Hyun-ssi all night."

What's this about? I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow, and Jeong Da-jun clenched his fist.

"If we choose Today's song and perform it much, much better, we can prove that we're better than Today."

"Right, and it's better to think of this as a revenge match."

'Hmm…?'

It wasn't what I expected.

Well, if we keep facing Today, it's good for me.

But seeing everyone so determined, it made my previous worries about their mental state seem trivial. If we don't come in first, their morale will hit rock bottom.

Seong Ji-won patted my shoulder.

"Hyun-ssi, it's not about winning first place. It's about showing people."

"…You're perceptive."

"Haha, I learned from the best."

Seong Ji-won smiled.

"As Da-jun said, let's show everyone that we're much better than Today. So no one can doubt our skills."

Kang Eun-jae gave a thumbs up.

"Hyun-ssi, you said it too."

"What?"

"You said we can't just be good; we have to be incredibly good."

Kang Eun-jae opened his laptop and showed us. It was neatly organized with Today's songs and concepts, probably from the previous night. I was honestly surprised.

"What's this?"

"I organized it last night. I've been preparing a bit for the possibility of performing another group's song, but it was hard not knowing which group it would be. After last night, it was obvious it would be Today, so I organized all their concepts and song interpretations. I even decided on the arrangement style for any song we might pick."

What are these guys?

I was taken aback, and Kang Eun-jae, looking serious, continued.

"Fortunately, Ji-won-ssi knows the situation well, which made it easier to organize."

"Make Love is within the range we considered?"

"Right. I already thought about the arrangement direction."

Kang Eun-jae spoke confidently.

"See, from the Make Love teaser, we know Today's vocal line is weak in both high and low notes. So, we can lay down the low notes with rap and use Ji-won-ssi and Hyun-ssi for the high notes to create a dense sound…"

"No, no."

"Why? Don't you like it?"

I raised my hand to stop Kang Eun-jae.

It's not that I don't like it or that it's wrong.

"How did you have time to prepare this?"

Kang Eun-jae tilted his head and answered casually.

"While you were sleeping?"

"When you and Ji-won-ssi were talking?"

"Weren't you sleeping?"

No, I mean, you weren't gossiping about me?

"Kang Eun-jae, did you go to talk about this instead of coming to the room?"

"Did you think I didn't want to see your face?"

"…"

Actually, I did.

Speechless, I closed my mouth, and Kang Eun-jae, with wide eyes, burst into laughter.

"Wow… You guys were so worried about me, huh?"

"Ha~, I'm so soft-hearted, what can I do~."

"Are you crazy?"

Despite my disgust, the team was looking at me with a strange sense of pride. Kim Sung-hyun sighed.

"We have to work hard too."

"…"

"We can't just sit back and take it."

After a long silence, I ran my hands through my hair and looked at Kang Eun-jae.

"…How are we going to arrange it?"

Kang Eun-jae smiled.