Chapter 91

#091

As Rika was surprised, Seong Pil grabbed Jaoara's wrist and led her to a corner.

She stood facing the wall as if being punished.

Even from her back, it was clear she was sulking.

"Why a 6?"

"Here, each part has one person in the center, and the others are slightly spread out. It seems like you're trying to show off your individual skills too much..."

While speaking, Rika glanced at Jaoara, who was standing with her back turned.

"When you stand in the center, it feels like you're doing individual choreography rather than group choreography. The choreography also becomes a bit more difficult for the person in the center."

Bak Minjeong's song was more about placing a protagonist in each part rather than having the five members perfectly sync their movements.

The disadvantage of a small group is the limited performance options.

With fewer members, the stage can look empty, and it's hard to perform on a grand scale.

Without backup dancers, Bak Minjeong's solution was to "focus the audience's attention on the center."

By making the audience focus on one person, she aimed to hide the empty spaces on stage that are a disadvantage of a five-member group.

Rika seemed to dislike this approach.

"It doesn't feel like group choreography."

"Wow..."

"Hehe, am I that smart to be admired?"

"Are you sure you're not too good at Korean? You're almost like a Korean."

"Our country's language!"

It was strange to see a Japanese person use the term "our country."

"Korea is our country! Japan is my country! So, how was my choreography evaluation?"

"It's a valid point."

It wasn't just about being close to the debut group of KS Entertainment.

"I give it a 9."

Bak Seolha offered her opinion. As soon as she spoke, Jaoara's shoulders trembled with joy.

"It shows personality. I can feel the choreography matching the lyrics. Every moment feels like a highlight. It's beautiful."

Her opinion was the opposite of Rika's.

While speaking, Bak Seolha seemed to apologize to Rika by patting her back.

This had become a habit for Bak Seolha.

In the painful life of a trainee, she often comforted the members, and it had become a natural gesture.

"It's also impressive. I'm not sure about the details, but at first glance, it's the best."

"It's a valid opinion."

Next was Jang Hayang.

She received Seong Pil's gaze and laughed softly.

"Hmm, 7? 8? I'm not sure."

So far, she had received several proposals.

Every time she was asked to evaluate a proposal, Jang Hayang always gave an ambiguous score.

This confirmed it.

Jang Hayang was giving average scores to the members, not because she lacked backbone, but because she seemed to be hiding something.

"Hayang, you can speak honestly. Do you think Ara will come to the dorm and hit you?"

"Ara only hits me!"

"Jaoara, did you hit Rika?!"

"No, no! It was just a joke..."

She sounded like a school bully.

"Rika, describe it in detail. How did Ara hit you?"

"Ugh!"

Rika placed her chin on Seong Pil's head and pressed down.

It felt like a scalp massage.

"Like this!"

"It feels good."

"Do you want me to massage your shoulders too?"

"No. Hayang, just tell me your first impression. If the score feels awkward, you can say it's good, okay, or so-so."

"Hmm... then it's appropriate?"

Is she just lacking in backbone?

Come to think of it, when Seong Pil tried to persuade Jang Hayang to become an idol, she said:

"I don't know much about idols. If I become a trainee, it will be frustrating for the manager, won't it?"

Indeed, Jang Hayang had never dreamed of being an idol, so she lacked knowledge about idols.

Unlike Rika or Shin Ahreum, who had dreams of being idols.

Unlike Bak Seolha, who had excellent knowledge of vocals.

Unlike Jaoara, who was passionate about dance.

"Maybe Hayang feels burdened by giving opinions?"

Even without grand dreams or skills like the others, evaluating a proposal might be a burden for Jang Hayang.

This was something Seong Pil couldn't change.

Over time, Jang Hayang would have to develop an attachment to being an idol.

"Got it. Look at more proposals and think as much as you can. I want you to develop an attachment to the song and dance. This is your song, your dance, and your performance. If you just follow orders, it loses its meaning."

"Understood."

"Good. Hayang's evaluation is 'appropriate.' Lastly, Ahreum."

"Why am I last?"

"Huh?"

"Why am I last?"

"I like to eat the best thing last."

"Then am I the worst side dish?!"

"I divide the best thing into five parts and eat a little at a time, starting with the first bite."

"What are you talking about?"

Shin Ahreum laughed.

It was a strange analogy, but she was quick to come up with it. However, upon reflection, it wasn't a good analogy.

"There's no meaning in the order of questions. It just happened to be you last. So, what do you think?"

"I give it a 10."

Jaoara, who was standing facing the wall, clenched her fist.

"Good."

"What about it?"

"It clearly shows individual skills."

It was similar to but different from Bak Seolha's reason. Bak Seolha said it was good because it showed personality, but Shin Ahreum said it was good because it showed skills.

In other words, it's good because it makes you stand out.

If the group choreography is perfectly synchronized, individuals can get lost.

"It's a selfish opinion."

"Of course, everyone wants to stand out."

"I, uh, I..."

"Why are you trying to use Korean these days, Rika?"

"Just because."

Shin Ahreum had scolded her for not using Korean, but she couldn't say that to Seong Pil.

"I prefer group choreography where everyone syncs up..."

"What?"

"I, I like this too! I really do..."

Rika seemed to prefer choreography that highlights individual skills over synchronized group choreography.

She wanted a song that everyone created together.

But the decision had already been made.

Shin Ahreum gave 10 points to Bak Minjeong's proposal, Bak Seolha gave 9 points, and Jaoara would give 10 points without even looking.

It was the highest score among all the proposals.

"Got it. This proposal has the highest score so far."

Seong Pil finished writing in his notebook and stood up.

"Your opinions will be reflected in the proposal meeting. I'll let you know the date, so if you want to come, you can. Share your opinions then."

The members nodded.

Except for Jaoara, who was still facing the wall.

"Uncle, how long do I have to stand here?"

"Sorry, I forgot."

"..."

"Didn't you give it a 10?"

"Yes!"

Of course.

* * *

Even in the mid-evaluation of the proposals, the members chose Bak Minjeong's proposal as the top choice.

In the final evaluation, where all the proposals were finally submitted, her proposal received the highest score.

Rika, who had been persuaded by Shin Ahreum and Jaoara, gave it an 8 in the final evaluation.

It was 2 points higher than her initial score.

"Let's start."

The final proposal decision meeting.

All members of Garo Entertainment gathered.

Jeong Ji-eum was also present.

Choreography is not separate from the song. To maximize expression, it must align with the composer's vision.

"First, this one."

The proposals were displayed in order for the project.

Each member compared the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals.

After all the proposals were reviewed, they exchanged opinions and voted.

Garo Entertainment's major decisions were made through voting, but not by majority rule.

They were only reference materials for Hong Gyu-hun's judgment.

"Let's see."

Hong Gyu-hun announced the results.

"Proposal 3. Bak Minjeong's proposal received the most votes. I also think it's the best. I'll give you two more days to think about it. The next time will be the final decision."

Two days later, nothing changed.

Or, was it a change that a unanimous decision was reached?

Hong Gyu-hun looked at everyone as if he had expected this.

"Those who changed their opinions, did you read my mind?"

Han Goo-in and Jeong Ji-eum shook their heads.

The principle of secret voting was broken.

After the last meeting, they had already exchanged opinions, so the result was as good as revealed.

"Got it. I'll let you know my decision tomorrow."

"What? Aren't you deciding now?"

Min Gyeong-sub asked, as if his body was stiff.

The debut song "Ani" was almost complete.

The proposal needed to be decided quickly to fine-tune and complete the dance.

Once the song and choreography were ready, the next steps could begin.

"We need to move to styling and music video production as soon as possible."

Min Gyeong-sub was anxious.

Even though there were still a few months before the debut, the same was true for the others.

"We need to be cautious until the very end."

"Understood."

As the meeting ended and everyone was about to leave, Hong Gyu-hun kept Han Goo-in and Seong Pil.

"Manager Han, contact the representative of BG Investment to see if they can send someone."

"Understood."

BG Investment held 30% of Garo Entertainment's shares.

They had the right to participate in management and production, but they did not interfere with Garo Entertainment.

They only received occasional reports, but Hong Gyu-hun always contacted the representative of BG Investment for important decisions.

He thought it was a matter of courtesy.

"And that investor."

The person who invested 1.3 billion won in Garo Entertainment.

"Seung Pil."

His name was Seung Pil, a character created to hide Seong Pil's investment.

He wasn't a completely fictional character but a senior of Han Goo-in who agreed to play along after hearing the situation.

"Contact him and get his opinion."

"Is that why you delayed it by a day?"

"Yes. He also has shares."

Seong Pil used Seung Pil's name to invest in the form of equity.

It wasn't illegal to use the name, as everything was under Seong Pil's name, but it was reported to Hong Gyu-hun through Han Goo-in's manipulation.

"We need to inform him and get his opinion."

"Understood."

"Tell him he can come in person. Last time, we didn't treat him well."

Seung Pil had visited Garo Entertainment.

He was a man with a gentle appearance.

He had