Chapter 58

# Episode 058

"It came together surprisingly quickly."

[Ha ha, right?]

This was thanks to most of the production team for Project Mammal working hard to gather trainees.

In an effort to somehow gather trainees from well-known agencies, they had even discarded their pride and scouted extensively, and by this point, they had managed to gather a decent pool of trainees.

Writer Jung Jae-sung, unable to hide his fatigue, continued.

[There's no need for a separate meeting. The start of the live-in is the starting point for filming and broadcasting.]

"I understand."

There was no room for Garo Entertainment to interfere with the broadcast.

They could only send the trainees and wait, twiddling their thumbs.

It was similar to previous trainee survival shows, but the clear intention to block agency interference stood out.

Perhaps it was an effort to ensure that even the slightest hint of manipulation didn't occur.

[Do you have any more questions?]

"No."

[Then please come to the designated location by the date I told you.]

After hanging up, he informed Rika of the news.

"Finally, I'm going to be on TV!"

"Do your best."

"I know! I've watched every show featuring trainees! I'll do anything to stand out!"

"Except the negative stuff."

Rika was brimming with enthusiasm.

After hearing from Sung Pil that the company's fate rested on her, Rika had sharpened her resolve like a samurai heading into battle.

"Starting today, let's do one more thing together."

"Anything!"

"Actions that shouldn't be done on TV, actions that should be done, and what kind of image looks good—we'll study all of that together."

"That sounds fun!"

"First, we need to attend a class."

"That sounds fun…"

The music history class was progressing well every week.

Last week, they had finished the late Romantic period, bringing Han Goo-in's exciting classical music journey to an end.

Starting today, Sung Pil would be the teacher.

"I might not be as good as Mr. Han, but I'll do my best."

After a small round of applause, Sung Pil picked up a board marker and wrote on the whiteboard.

Just writing one word, Rika reacted.

"Sex!"

"Ah, right. Correct."

"Sex!"

"Stop it…"

Baek Seol-ha, her face flushed, tried to stop Rika.

Sung Pil finished writing and asked.

"Let's check if everyone is learning English well. Who can read this?"

"Sex…"

"Rika, not you. Ara, can you read it?"

"This is sexual harassment. I'll tell Mr. Han."

"…"

"I'll read it."

Jang Ha-yang, twisting her tongue, read the words on the whiteboard.

"Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll."

"Okay."

"Ahaha."

"There's a country this phrase refers to. Who can guess?"

Jo Ara raised her hand.

"Japan."

"Why? Japan isn't that chaotic!"

"Um… Japan in the past."

"That's racist!"

"Then, Rika, do you want to try?"

"Hehe, easy. America!"

"Wrong."

"Eh?"

Most of the members thought it was America, so when Sung Pil said "wrong," confusion spread.

No one could easily come up with the next answer.

Jo Ara raised her hand again.

Sung Pil ignored her, but since she kept raising her hand, he had no choice but to call on her.

"Germany."

"Wrong."

"Ugh, I don't know."

"Just asking, why did you answer Germany?"

"Germany is known for being hardcore."

I shouldn't have asked.

"What does 'hardcore' mean? Difficult? Thick?"

"Um, roughly, rough."

"Is Germany rough?"

"I'll tell you in the dorm."

Stop it.

Don't teach that to Ha-yang.

"Ahem. The answer is the UK."

"The UK is a country of gentlemen! Mr. Park is lying!"

Sung Pil played the song "Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll" to illustrate rock music.

It wasn't a particularly good song to listen to with a modern sensibility, and the members weren't particularly interested in rock anyway.

"Rock music started in the Anglo-American sphere and spread worldwide. It challenged traditional order and was embraced as a youth culture. Rock was a symbol of resistance. The aggressive image we often associate with rockers has its roots here. The culture that spread among young people at the time was…"

"Phew."

"…a culture."

"Ahem."

"Ara, why are you laughing?"

"No, sorry, it's just funny to hear you say 'young people.'"

Should I throw the board marker at her forehead?

"After World War II, trust in reason was shattered. Young people…"

"Keh."

"…were full of distrust towards the culture created by the older generation. 'We grew up in peace, but we look at the world we inherited with unease.' This sentence encapsulates the thoughts of young people at the time. The culture of resistance against the older generation included anti-authoritarianism, drugs, anti-war movements, environmental movements, free love, and sexual liberation, among others."

The members seemed to focus more when the topic of sex came up.

Although it wasn't the main point, since the members were interested, he decided to elaborate a bit.

"This is a story from France, but there was an incident where male students occupied the female dormitory at a university."

"Chaotic!"

"The school was trying to separate the male and female dormitories."

"Isn't it natural to separate them…?"

"Well, in the past, they were together."

"Chaotic!"

"The ancestors of Europe would be disappointed if they saw you. Anyway, they probably thought, 'What's the difference between men and women?' How does that sound? Can you feel the spirit of resistance?"

"…Different. Why would they occupy the female dormitory for that reason? It just seems like they had ulterior motives."

Jo Ara couldn't agree with the burning spirit of resistance of the French.

"That spirit of resistance was expressed musically through rock. Let's listen to another song. You'll be familiar with it."

"The Beatles!"

Rika reacted as soon as she heard the intro.

Since Han Goo-in had used Beatles songs extensively in English classes, the members had almost memorized all of them.

"The Beatles' activities coincided with the golden age of British culture, known as the British Invasion. It resonated with the sentiments of young people at the time, and rock music spread worldwide. It seemed as if Britain was dominating the world culturally."

Sung Pil made eye contact with the members.

"K-pop will do the same. I hope you'll be at the forefront of it."

Sung Pil's class was interesting.

The mix of music and stories kept the members engaged.

However, the more Baek Seol-ha listened, the heavier her shoulders felt.

'How far does the manager expect us to go…?'

Just to be popular idols?

Until the end of the class, Baek Seol-ha couldn't take Sung Pil's words lightly.

She mulled over his words repeatedly, and the more she did, the heavier her heart became.

When it was time for the members to leave for the day, Han Goo-in toured the company to ensure all the lights were off.

He reached the classroom and rubbed his eyes at what he saw on the whiteboard.

[Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll]

"…???"

What did he teach?

* * *

"Yay, I'm first today!"

As soon as they arrived at the dorm, Rika rushed to the shower.

The remaining members sprawled out in the living room.

After the intense daily training, they had no energy to do anything when they got home.

"Want to order chicken…?"

Jo Ara suggested tentatively.

No one responded.

"I was just kidding."

Jo Ara rolled around on the floor and eventually lay still, exhausted.

"Guys, remember Mr. Park's class today?"

"Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll. Yeah."

"That's all you remember?"

"Imagine a world where everyone lives in peace, hmm."

It was a Korean translation of John Lennon's "Imagine."

Jo Ara hummed it weakly and rolled around again.

"I felt it during Mr. Han's class too. It seems they have high expectations for us. Not just to be idols."

"Isn't that true? We practice a lot."

"It's not just the practice…"

Garo Entertainment supported the members generously. The treatment was something Baek Seol-ha had never experienced at her previous agency.

They provided skin and hair care, massages, and even yoga for mental and physical flexibility.

Needless to say, the training was intense.

The diet was also taken care of, not just any food, but meals prepared with care by Han Goo-in.

There were also English and music history classes, and they would learn Japanese in the future.

Despite the hard work, the treatment was luxurious.

Even though it wasn't a major agency.

"Isn't Garo Entertainment already exceptional? Isn't this why being a trainee is so tough?"

"No, absolutely not. Our company is… no, it's good."

"Since they invest a lot, they must have high expectations."

"Right. As Ha-yang said. Extremely high, higher than we can imagine."

Han Goo-in had said he wanted them to become the 'Mozart' of their time.

Today, Sung Pil used the 'Beatles' as an example.

Do they really expect that level of talent?

An artist who leaves a mark in music history?

"He said we'll learn composition later…"

"Mr. Park's goal was to create the best idol."

"The best idol?"

Just hearing it was overwhelming, but coming from Sung Pil, it carried extra weight.

Can idols really grow to that level of artist…?

"I'm done showering!"

Rika appeared confidently.

"Hey, Rika."

"What?"

"I've told you several times to put on clothes before coming out. This isn't working. We need to add it to the rules. Do you agree, everyone?"

Nods.

"Ah, Ara, you're too harsh. We're both girls, what's the problem?"

"What's the problem? Ha, you're hopeless."

"Are you going to hit me?"

"I'll let you experience a traditional Korean game."

Rika's face turned pale.

"But we agreed to do it only when rules are broken…"

"In my heart, you're already out three times."

"I'll go shower."

Baek Seol-ha left as if granting permission. Jang Ha-yang lay on her back, looking at the wall.

As Rika trembled, Jo Ara came out with a pillow.

"Hey!"

Jo Ara pushed Rika to the floor and covered her head with the pillow.

Then, she lightly smacked Rika's head, making resistance impossible.

"Ah! Help! Sexual harassment!"

"Will you do it again or not?"

"I won't! I won't!"

"Can I trust you this time?"

"Um… let me go… my chest hurts…"

"Annoying."

"Ouch!"

Rika quickly put on clothes as soon as she was released and clung to Jo Ara, who was sitting still, exhausted.

"Ara, are you mad?"

"Don't do it again. This is the fourth time, including today. Next time, it won't end like this."

"What will you do?"

"We'll go to the reconciliation chair."

The reconciliation chair was a designated place for dialogue set by Sung Pil.

They would look at each other, hold hands, and express their complaints.

"I'm really going to be mad."

"Um, yes. Sorry. I didn't know you disliked my body so much. Sorry…"

"I'm sorry for hitting you."

"No, it didn't hurt. It was just a light tap."

Jo Ara hugged Rika.

* * *

The people from Garo Entertainment came out to see Rika off.

Rika saluted energetically.

"I'll be back!"

Take care, stay healthy, do your best, dominate the show, etc.

Various encouraging words were said.

Rika smiled brightly in response, but her face suddenly contorted.

"Yes, I'll be back."

The contorted face relaxed and then quickly turned into a sad expression.

"I'll be back, sniff…"

"Hey."

Jo Ara hugged Rika powerfully. Rika buried her face in Jo Ara's chest.

Since Rika was taller, Jo Ara had to stand on tiptoe.

The perceptive Rika crouched slightly.

"Don't cry. We'll see each other in 100 days. I'll write to you. I'll keep watching the show."

"Okay. Thanks, Ara. Can I have a strand of your hair?"

"For a charm? That's a bit creepy."

"To eat. Hair doesn't digest in the stomach. I want to feel close to you…"

"Get lost."

Starting with Jo Ara, Rika hugged each member one by one.

"Teacher, I'll definitely come back as the top vocalist."

"You can do it. Good luck."

Baek Seol-ha gently stroked Rika's hair.

"Big sister, please see me shine. I'll send heart signs to the camera. You have to catch them."

"Sure. I'll watch the show."

Jang Ha-yang patted Rika's shoulder.

Rika stopped sobbing and was about to leave.

"Rika, aren't you going to hug me?"

Hong Gyu-hun said.

Rika immediately ran over and hugged her.

"Why are you so tall…"

"President! I'll definitely bring glory to the company! I'll win and save Garo Entertainment!"

"We're not bankrupt yet…"

"Please cheer for me!"

Rika, freed from Hong Gyu-hun's embrace, looked at Han Goo-in. Han Goo-in extended his hand as if to shake it.

No way.

She hugged him immediately.

"Mr. Han, don't hug so tightly…"

"I'll miss the food you make. I'll miss the interesting but useless knowledge you share. I'll miss the extreme respect you show. I'll study the books you gave me every night before bed."

"…Be safe."

Next was Sung Pil.

Rika wiped her tears on Sung Pil's chest.

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Don't wash this shirt. Keep it. When you miss me, look at the tear stains."

"Thanks a lot. You could have given me one of your things instead of wiping your tears on my shirt."

"Is Mr. Han crying?"

"No…"

"You are…"

"Anyone would think you're going to the army."

Even with Jo Ara's scolding, they couldn't stop crying.

"This time, I really, really mean it. I'll be back!"

Rika wiped her tears and saluted energetically again. She got into the passenger seat of the car, and Sung Pil got into the driver's seat.

Both were still affected by the recent emotional moment and had tears in their eyes.

"We have to be together for two more hours, and you're making me cry…"

"Only two hours? Sniff…"

50 minutes later.

The two looked straight ahead in an awkward silence.

"…Let's pretend this never happened. It's awkward."

"Sure. Should we stop at a rest area and get something to eat?"

"Sure!"

A little later, they bought hot dogs and night bread at a rest area.

"They won't give you snacks there, right?"

"Probably not. I don't know the details."

"Will you write to me every day? I'll wait for them. I won't sleep if they don't come."

"You'll stay up all night."

"Really, you won't write? Seriously?! Ah, write, please! Write! I'll run away from loneliness! I'll break into your house!"

"Stop shaking me…"

In the parking lot, a familiar face caught Sung Pil's eye.

"I can't believe it."

A man was opening the hood of his car and cursing.

Beside him, a girl around Rika's age sat on the ground, looking world-weary.

"Kyung-sub?"

The man, his face twisted with frustration, saw Sung Pil and his eyes widened like saucers.

"Sung Pil?"

At the sound of "Sung Pil," the girl also looked up. She was even more surprised than the man called Kyung-sub.

"Te, Team Leader, wow."

Rika asked Sung Pil anxiously.

"What do you mean by 'team leader'? Mr. Park is Mr. Park."

"…My former colleague and a trainee."

Min Kyung-sub, a manager at Success Entertainment, and his trainee, Shin Ah-reum.