Chapter 85

# Chapter 085

Seong Pil had not even brought up the main topic, yet he felt cornered.

“Um.”

At that moment, Han Goo-in raised his hand.

“I agree that a four-member group is risky. I did some research in the past, and the success rate is indeed extremely low. Starting from the second generation of idols, the group sizes began to grow, and smaller groups naturally faded away. By the third generation, the average number of members was eight, so to be honest, I was always anxious.”

There are quite a few four-member groups, some might think, listing a few names.

But those are only the successful groups.

If you consider the groups that have been buried, the success rate of four-member groups is very low.

“Of course, I trust the members, but I agree that there is a risk. There is a reason why idol groups have become larger. According to my research on the correlation between the size of fandoms and individual fans, the reason might be...”

“I appreciate your agreement.”

“Oh, yes.”

A small number of members is risky.

Han Goo-in believed that reducing this risk, even slightly, would be better.

With his support, Seong Pil continued.

“Actually, if we had enough time until debut, I wanted to form a seven-member group.”

The mention of the debut period made Hong Gyu-hun raise an eyebrow.

It was Hong Gyu-hun who drastically shortened the debut period, citing a lack of funds to reduce the training period.

This was Hong Gyu-hun's weakness.

“I believe everyone would have similar thoughts. If we had more time, we would have recruited more members.”

Seong Pil deliberately looked at Hong Gyu-hun, hoping for her agreement.

“Yeah, Park Manager is right. A seven-member group is appropriate. It’s definitely better than a four-member group. There’s even a saying that groups should always have an odd number of members. But, the debut is already set.”

Hong Gyu-hun began a rational counterargument.

“Adding more members at this point is too much. It’s a different level from when we were recruiting the other four members. Back then, we had a training period. If we were at this point now and had already recruited four members, I would have opposed adding a fifth member, even if it were Jo Ara and Jang Hae-yang.”

We only have about six months left.

If the new members were at the level of Jo Ara and Jang Hae-yang, we couldn’t wait for them to grow.

What we need now are members who can contribute immediately.

“Park Manager, it can’t be based on intuition. At the very least, we need someone who has made it to the pre-debut stage at a major agency, like Rika.”

“They’re not from a major agency, but they have reached the pre-debut stage. In fact, they could appear on TV if they wanted to.”

“How do you bring someone like that? Their debut is already confirmed, right?”

Seong Pil walked to the laptop connected to the projector and searched for a name.

“Shin A-reum?”

Numerous images appeared.

Photos and GIFs of Shin A-reum from Project For You filled the screen.

There was no need to prepare a presentation.

Project For You itself is Shin A-reum’s career.

“She can contribute immediately, we can bring her in, and she has the will to debut. She meets all the conditions you mentioned, President.”

“Hold on, Seong Pil.”

Son Hye-bin looked at Shin A-reum on the screen for a while.

“If I believe you that we can bring her in, I have a concern. Will she fit in with the other members? The chemistry among the current members is perfect. But if someone new suddenly joins, it might... you know?”

Perhaps they won’t be welcoming to the new member.

Especially if the new member has a significant level of recognition, it wouldn’t be strange for the other members to feel jealous.

“I understand why you want to bring in Shin A-reum. The publicity will be immense. Even without doing anything, the publicity will come. But, won’t our promotional marketing strategy have to be tailored to Shin A-reum?”

The new member will receive all the spotlight in the new group.

Because it’s the most economical and effective way.

Just by promoting Shin A-reum, the group will benefit from a trickle-down effect. So, Garo Entertainment will focus on Shin A-reum.

“I think the relationship with the other members will inevitably worsen. Seong Pil, you know that, right?”

“Will the members feel that way?”

Han Goo-in expressed doubt.

To him, the members were all angels.

“Of course! If a tall, handsome, well-educated, and as talented as Seong Pil suddenly joined, wouldn’t the members feel jealous?”

“...Uh, um, hmm.”

Han Goo-in couldn’t easily respond.

“Especially if all the president’s attention is on that person? We would all like that person more than Han Manager, right?”

Han Goo-in’s face looked like he was about to cry.

Isn’t your imagination a bit too vivid?

“Sister, stop teasing Han Manager.”

“Hehe. Anyway, do you understand? There will inevitably be a problem with the chemistry.”

“Isn’t it our job to take care of that?”

Min Kyung-sub supported Seong Pil.

“We shouldn’t back down out of fear. As PD Son said, the marketing costs will be drastically reduced. The broadcasting station will likely put the group on music shows immediately. We won’t even need to beg the PDs.”

Min Kyung-sub supported Shin A-reum’s recruitment because it would make music show appearances easier.

For a small agency, especially one with a history of failure, getting on music shows is very difficult.

Every year, dozens of groups debut, but most sink at the first wall of music shows.

No matter how much they promote their albums and visit places, most groups don’t get on music shows.

They are forgotten without any recognition.

“If we can bring her in, Shin A-reum should definitely be brought in. I don’t think there’s any need to hesitate.”

Min Kyung-sub remembered how, in the early days of Success Entertainment, they cried and laughed over just getting on a music show.

For him, accepting Shin A-reum was a given.

Because it’s the agency’s role to promote the group in any way possible.

“There are pros and cons.”

Hong Gyu-hun seemed ready to make a decision.

“More pros than cons.”

“Park Manager, don’t argue with me.”

“...”

“The first pro is publicity. The second is overcoming the weaknesses of a four-member group. It’s more about complementing rather than overcoming. What difference does adding one more person make? But it’s a number that can have a central figure. The con is the risk of the members’ relationships deteriorating.”

That is a significant con.

If a member becomes isolated within the group, the agency can’t solve it.

If the members are determined to act, what can the agency do?

“It could lead to the group falling apart in the future, Park Manager.”

“Yes.”

“What’s Shin A-reum’s personality like? She seemed fine on TV.”

Shin A-reum was called “Our Left” during Project For You.

She once formed a team with F-grade trainees, and everyone expected someone from the team to be eliminated.

The team’s atmosphere was filled with such expectations.

In the gloomy atmosphere, Shin A-reum always said,

“We can do it!”

Shin A-reum always used the word “we.”

No matter which team she was in, she would say things like, “We can win!”, “We can do it!”, “We are the best!”

Her positive energy earned her the nickname “Our Left.”

“Oh, that. She has a leader’s quality. She likes to be in charge.”

“...Huh?”

“‘Just follow me, you fools!’ sounds too selfish, so she softened it to ‘We can do it!’”

“What... How does Park Manager know that... Ah.”

Hong Gyu-hun exclaimed in surprise.

“Shin A-reum is from Success Entertainment! Park Manager’s old agency!”

Everyone except Min Kyung-sub was as surprised as Hong Gyu-hun.

“Didn’t everyone know that?”

“Wow, Seong Pil is really ruthless. Now he’s even poaching talent.”

“How deep must his grudge be to do something like this...”

“Isn’t it a violation of business ethics? Park Manager, no matter how much you want revenge, poaching people is a bit...”

“It’s not like that!”

Seong Pil told Shin A-reum’s full story.

Even though he had already told Min Kyung-sub, he wiped away tears as he listened.

“How much must A-reum have suffered...”

The meeting continued.

It wasn’t an easy decision.

After a three-hour heated discussion, Hong Gyu-hun made a decision.

“Let’s have her take a test.”

“Thank you!”

“But that’s not the end.”

“Huh?”

“The test is essentially a job interview. There will be no short-term training period. We don’t have the luxury for that. She has to give her best. Understand?”

Seong Pil smiled calmly.

“What? Is my statement funny?”

“No, not at all. Just...”

Shin A-reum will definitely pass.

* * *

“I have a special skill.”

Shin A-reum, who came to take the test, suddenly declared. Hong Gyu-hun chuckled.

“Jang Hae-yang suddenly struck a sexy pose. What will you do, A-reum?”

“Show me any dance video. I’ll copy it exactly.”

“Huh?”

“Even with music. I’ll sing along.”

It was a bold, no, arrogant declaration.

If it were possible, she would deserve the title of genius.

“Oh, really?”

Son Hye-bin reacted. She found a video on her phone and gave it to Shin A-reum.

Seong Pil quietly asked,

“Whose song is it?”

“Huh? It’s not an idol’s?”

“Then what?”

“It’s the final song from Dancing Star.”

It’s an American dancer survival program.

It’s famous for producing world-class dancers every year.

It’s Son Hye-bin’s favorite program, and Jo Ara also likes it. This helped them become close.

“What? The people on that show are real dancers! Even Ara can’t copy them right away!”

Seong Pil had never given Shin A-reum such a difficult dance to copy.

“She’s confident, so I gave it to her.”

“I’ve seen it. Can we start now?”

Son Hye-bin flinched and laughed nervously.

“No. The others haven’t seen it. Let’s watch it once and then start. President, is that okay?”

“Yeah. Just call me President.”

“I’m sorry...”

The employees who saw the final song from Dancing Star all frowned.

“Man, this isn’t just idol level...”

It’s a real dancer’s performance.

Even the best dancer in America for that year.

Han Goo-in watched the video with his mouth open.

“Dance can convey emotion... Even without knowing the lyrics or context, the emotion is clear.”

Always watching idol group performances, seeing a real dancer’s performance made Han Goo-in feel enlightened.

He understood why there are dance departments in universities.

“This is too difficult.”

“What’s wrong with that? Shin A-reum seems very confident. To manage her smoothly in the future, we need to humble her a bit.”

“Is that from your experience?”

“Yes, my experience. Seong Pil, do you want to be humbled too?”

“I was humbled too much when I was your manager...”

“Hey, can we start now?”

“Sure, go ahead. Han Manager, play the music.”

As the music played, Son Hye-bin’s sneer turned into amazement.

“What, what is this?”

It’s unfair.

It made you think.

‘Is there really someone who can do this...?’

Shin A-reum wasn’t perfect, but she successfully copied the Dancing Star winner’s dance, even conveying some of the emotion.

Her facial expressions were impressive.

Despite not knowing the lyrics, she managed to read the flow of the song just by watching the video.

When the dance ended, the practice room was so quiet you could hear an ant walking.

Among them, only Seong Pil and Min Kyung-sub remained calm.

‘This is why A-reum is great.’

Shin A-reum is sick.

A disease characterized by delusions and hallucinations, but it seems to grant her some ability as compensation.

When she is in an abnormal state, she amplifies all her senses.

Vision, hearing, smell, touch, taste.

The world feels like it’s going crazy.

But when she is in a normal state, she can accept specific senses with great precision.

She can mimic something she has seen once as if she has seen it hundreds of times, and reproduce something she has heard once as if she has heard it hundreds of times.

Perhaps the ability came first, not the disease, but Shin A-reum doesn’t remember clearly.

‘And A-reum is worthy of the title of genius.’

She can instantly retrieve the information she has accepted.

Cognition directly leads to action.

Thoughts immediately transform into actions.

It’s a genius-like ability, perhaps gained at the cost of her disease.

Or perhaps she gained the disease at the cost of her genius.

Of course, converting and expressing the accepted information as her own is a different matter.

“Is this enough to be an immediate contributor?”

“...Let’s have her do a few more. It might have been a coincidence from an old practice.”

Of course, it wasn’t.

Shin A-reum reproduced everything she saw and heard.

Dance, song, anything.

Hong Gyu-hun dismissed Shin A-reum and said seriously,

“Is she a genius?”

“She is a genius...”

The one who answered was not Seong Pil but Han Goo-in.

“Human short-term memory lasts only 20 to 30 seconds, and the amount of information that can be accepted at once is about 7 to 9 chunks. To store more information, it needs to be moved to long-term memory... Copying a dance after seeing it once and moving it to long-term memory is impossible. Genius... She’s not human. Not just memory, but the ability to physically replicate it is beyond the capabilities of an average person.”

Han Goo-in’s explanation made Hong Gyu-hun shrug.

“She must be a genius. Why did Success Entertainment kick her out?”

“Yoon Sang-yul doesn’t like her face.”

“Her face? Why?”

“Cat-like and sharp. They said it didn’t match the image of Success Entertainment’s group.”

“Hmm... It’s not a stupid reason... But isn’t it a waste...?”

Yoon Sang-yul thinks of idol groups as machines.

If they don’t meet his expectations, he can discard them like parts.

This is the fundamental difference between Seong Pil and Yoon Sang-yul.

“She wouldn’t have been kicked out if it wasn’t a waste.”

“True. What do you think, PD Son?”

“...It’s unfair.”

“What is?”

“I practiced a lot to do that dance, but she can do it just by watching once...”

“Oh, I see. So you think it’s good? Then what about Han Manager?”

“I will follow the President’s decision.”

“Manager Min will naturally agree. Let’s see...”

Hong Gyu-hun hadn’t made up her mind until the test.

Shin A-reum’s recruitment would be a marketing advantage, but she didn’t want the members’ chemistry to break.

But seeing Shin A-reum, she made up her mind.

She couldn’t resist the temptation.

“Let’s bring her in. What do you