Chapter 47

A few days after the sudden publicity offensive by DNS Media.

Lemon Entertainment launched a massive counterattack.

The publicity team, which had been allocated twice the budget compared to before, started distributing press releases like mad.

- 'New Black,' the Sensation of the Romance Myth, Returns with Original Songs

- "This Time, a Summer Season Song," New Black Reveals Track List for Debut Album

- New Black, Landing in the Music Scene in June with the Title Track 'Fireworks'

It seemed they had spent an enormous amount of money on publicity, as some articles even made it to the main page.

Thanks to this, our group name even appeared on the real-time search trends.

Perhaps because of the increased attention through music shows and music cafes.

When DNS Media promoted Street Boys, nothing like this happened.

And it seemed to have provoked our competitors.

DNS Media also poured in another wave of publicity, as if they wouldn't just stand by and take Lemon's counterattack.

- Lavian Rose Supports Junior Group on SNS... "Who is 'Street Boys'?"

- Rapper Hession Praises Street Boys' Leader 'Hanzo's' Rap Storm

- 'Street Boys' Rises to Real-Time Search Trends Before Debut... Already Hot?

The competition between the two companies was unfolding everywhere.

Perhaps because it was so obvious, posts began appearing on idol community forums.

- What's going on between Lemon and DNS? They're really checking each other out

- Are Kyo-ho and Hyun-sik fighting again?

- This didn't happen when Scarlett and La Rose were around... Why is it happening now?

- Is it because DNS made the first move? I heard the debut song for Street Boys changed from April... It's obvious they're aware of Lemon

- What? Haven't you seen the interview? ㅋㅋㅋ They said they were going to release it in their second album because the debut schedule was tight, but they had time to prepare it

- What's the problem with the upper comment? It's obvious New Black is following them

- The few fans are really fighting

- Why do they already have fans? Is it because of New Black's 'Something'? What about Street Boys?

- The debut reality show on K-net had a good response ㅇㅇ

- Wow ㅋㅋㅋ It's exciting to see the few fans already fighting ㅋㅋ

- Some comments are really toxic

- Just because they're rookies, everyone talks like this

- Reminds me of the fight between TNT and Siktee's fandoms. It won't be boring for a while

Most idol fans, except for a few, were eagerly watching the drama unfold, ready to pop some popcorn.

Perhaps because of this reaction, entertainment reporters, like hyenas, pounced on the story.

- The Upcoming June Boy Group Battle: Who Will Be the Winner?

- 'Songwriting Idols vs. Songwriting Idols': Key Points to Watch in the June Boy Group Battle

- June Music Scene: Bold Challenge of Rookie Boy Groups

The entertainment reporters even gave the competition between the two groups the grand name 'June Boy Group Battle.'

Of course, other groups were mentioned, but it was clear they were just filling the numbers.

The main focus was on the rivalry between us and Street Boys.

Who would have a more successful activity? Whose song would be better?

The general public was still indifferent, but interest among idol fans was gradually building.

After the downfall of Sixty Seconds, there hadn't been a real rivalry in the idol scene.

Moreover, in a situation where major artists were scheduled to return in July and August, the fight between rookie groups was a highlight for the otherwise dull June.

This was reflected in visible changes.

The number of members in the fan cafe increased, and the views on the videos we posted on MiTube skyrocketed.

The more this happened, the clearer the significance of this match became for the two companies.

Opportunity.

No one knew who would win, but it was clear that the winner would get all the attention.

A fight we had to win.

Amid the preparations and sharpening of swords by the two groups and their agencies, summer was slowly approaching.

* * *

May, a studio in Gangnam District.

“Wow.”

At the studio for the album jacket photoshoot, the New Black members were exclaiming in amazement.

“Bro, sit down. This sofa is as good as the one at my place.”

“Really? Amazing, this is.”

Wang Jiho and Kim Jung-hyun were sitting on the luxurious sofa, chatting happily.

“Doesn’t this look really expensive?”

“Yeah, it looks like an Egyptian vase. It would look nice in our dorm, too.”

“What’s the point of putting it in the dorm? You and Jiho will just break it.”

Seo Ri-hyuk and Kim Bi-ju were giving their opinions on a strange craft item.

The vase looked expensive.

Everything in the waiting room was like that, as if saying, “Is someone of your level even supposed to be here?”

“They say this is the best photographer in Gangnam. It seems to be true. The waiting room is so grand.”

“Look at the photos on the wall. They’re all top senior idols.”

“Wow. Hey, but there don’t seem to be many idols. That’s TN… Ah, why?”

“Not getting it?”

Seo Ri-hyuk nodded toward a corner of the sofa where someone was sitting with their legs crossed.

Only then did Wang Jiho realize.

He had forgotten that someone who had dropped out of the TNT debut lineup was there.

However, the person didn’t seem to hear their conversation, just staring at their smartphone with a serious expression.

They looked incredibly focused.

Seo Ri-hyuk mouthed a question.

‘What is this guy looking at?’

‘Bro, what is Seo Woo-ju looking at now?’

Kim Jung-hyun blinked and looked at Wang Jiho.

His bear-like face showed that he had no idea what was going on.

Before he could ask, “Why?” in a clueless tone, Wang Jiho quickly raised his finger.

Then he opened the messenger.

[Seo Woo-ju-less Seo Woo-ju Team (4)]

It was a secret chat room that had been created around the time Seo Woo-ju started composing 'Fireworks.' A gathering to worry about the leader, you could say.

It was created by Kim Bi-ju because the leader, who was so focused on one thing that he would forget to eat and sleep, was concerning.

Jiho [Bro, what are you looking at?]

Only then did Kim Jung-hyun, who had been saying 'Ah,' stick his head out to glance at Seo Woo-ju’s phone.

But the reaction was not normal.

Shaking pupils.

Throat bobbing up and down.

Seeing Kim Jung-hyun swallow, the other members tilted their heads in confusion.

Ri-hyuk [Bro, what is it?]

Ri-hyuk [What are you looking at that’s making you so surprised?]

Jung-hyun [W...]

His thick fingers hesitated before moving.

Jung-hyun [Looking at pictures of women.]

Jung-hyun [In bikinis.]

Bikinis?

The members’ faces showed that they were completely baffled.

Ri-hyuk [What’s with the guy who used to look at women like stone statues? Why is he looking at pictures now?]

Jiho [Spring has come to Bro Woo-ju ♥]

Ri-hyuk [What’s the problem with you, really?]

Jiho [If you keep talking like this, I’ll send a text to the legal team of my dad’s company.]

Ri-hyuk [PDF, idiot.]

Just as the two juniors were about to start a physical fight, Kim Jung-hyun, who had been peeking at Seo Woo-ju, moved his fingers again.

Jung-hyun [Guys,]

Jung-hyun [This time, he’s watching a video.]

Bi-ju [?]

Bi-ju [No way, Bro Woo-ju wouldn’t do that.]

Jiho [Haha, Bi-ju is having a mental breakdown.]

But the other members were equally confused.

Over the past six months, the leader they had seen was someone with an incredible obsession with the success of the idol group.

Someone who focused on the goal like a racehorse.

Someone who would say, “Look at the company staff. We have to work hard enough to break our bones,” whenever there was a chance.

The idea that such a person would be watching videos of women in bikinis before an important photoshoot, and with such focus, was hard to believe.

Bi-ju [There must be a reason.]

Jung-hyun [Now he’s even laughing.]

Seo Woo-ju was looking at his phone and smiling broadly.

Jiho [Bro Bi-ju,]

Jiho [Bro Woo-ju is losing interest and should come to my arms.]

Bi-ju [No,]

Bi-ju [Bro Woo-ju has been composing a lot lately... and working hard... He’s probably stressed... He’s human, too.]

Bi-ju [Emoticon (sniff)]

Ri-hyuk [Bro, you look like you’ve been hit hard by a crisis.]

Jiho [Hahaha.]

Seeing the leader’s inexplicable behavior, everyone was exchanging opinions.

Ri-hyuk [Let’s watch and see.]

Ri-hyuk [He must have some ulterior motive.]

* * *

Now, I think I’ve seen enough.

I turned off my smartphone and remembered the expressions of the models I had just seen.

At the same time, I slowly moved my facial muscles.

A perfect expression for today’s shoot appeared on the black screen of my smartphone.

Perfect.

When I heard that the album concept was the freshness of summer, I prepared by mimicking expressions.

I referenced anything that fit the summer vibe.

I memorized the smile of a soda commercial model, the movement of the facial muscles in various summer photo shoots in magazines, and the usual smiles of models on MiTube.

I synthesized all of it.

It was possible because I had been practicing my ability to mimic expressions.

Whereas before I could only mimic a single movement, now I could naturally combine muscle movements.

That’s why I spent a few days researching the perfect expression for the photo shoot, like a chemist studying a formula.

Since then, the efficiency of my ability has clearly improved.

It started when I met Professor Choi Yong-jae at the hospital.

At that moment, I experienced a flashback to a past event, and the efficiency of my ability increased.

I still don’t know why it happened.

But, that’s not urgent now.

What’s important is achieving results with this album.

“But...”

I asked the members who were looking at me with strange expressions.

“Why are you all staring like that?”

No one answered.

Just as I was about to ask again, the managers came in.

“The photographer just arrived. Let’s go and greet him.”

As we left the waiting room, Yoon Seok-hwan’s voice followed us.

“You know the photographer is super famous, right? We barely managed to convince him to work with rookies. So, when you meet him, be extra polite. Like the first day you appeared on a music show.”

“Got it.”

“The photos you take today will be uploaded to the internet by the company.”

Everyone nodded enthusiastically, and Jiho asked.

“Manager.”

“Hm?”

“But why doesn’t he usually work with rookies?”

“He usually does because rookies make a lot of mistakes. There are many things to point out about their expressions and poses. Well, it’s inevitable since they have less shooting experience, but from the photographer’s perspective, it can be very annoying if the subjects are clueless.”

As we headed deeper into the studio, we were taken aback.

“What, why are there so many people?”

“What do you mean.”

Seeing the bustling crowd, Yoon Seok-hwan smiled.

“They’re company staff here to help with your shoot.”

“Wow...”

There were at least 20 people.

Including the external makeup and staff and the management team members sent by the company.

All of this is because of us.

Now it feels real.

When I heard that the company was pouring a budget into promoting New Black, I was still in disbelief, but seeing it directly now, it feels like it’s hitting home.

I resolved myself and said to my juniors.

“We have to work hard enough to break our bones, guys.”

Huh? Why are they laughing?

I was being serious, but my juniors were inexplicably laughing.

* * *

The photoshoot officially began.

“...”

The New Black members just stared at one spot, blinking.

“Yes! That’s it!”

The photographer, wearing wire-rimmed glasses and a beanie, was pressing the shutter button excitedly.

“Right. Yes, yes, the expression of watching fireworks in the night sky, yes! That’s it. You’re doing great.”

The members looked at each other in silence.

“Did I hear that right? When I was being photographed, that photographer was super annoyed. If he was going to act like that, I would have quit.”

“Me too. He said my expressions were awkward. It was the first time I got criticized for my expressions.”

“I got scolded a lot, too.”

“I was criticized for being too big to photograph. He said I was the largest subject he had ever seen among idols and that my poses were like the Sphinx.”

“Bro, that’s...”

“Hey, Kim Jung-hyun. When he told you to get comfortable, you lying down was obviously going to get you scolded.”

Before Seo Woo-ju’s shoot, they had been scolded by the professional photographer, as Yoon Seok-hwan had warned.

The photographer’s expressions were so fierce that it made their legs tremble.

But now, the person who had been so strict was laughing non-stop.

“Feels a bit unfair, but this uncle is...”

“Really good.”

“Yeah, he’s really good.”

They looked at Seo Woo-ju standing in the studio.

White T-shirt, blue jeans.

Seo Woo-ju, wearing a light blue blazer, was posing with a smile.

An expression that showed no lack or excess.

An expression that seemed determined to show what true freshness was.

“Does Bro Woo-ju really have this level of acting skill?”

It wasn’t just them who were amazed.

The company staff who had come to help with the shoot were also looking at his expression as if they were spellbound.

It wasn’t just about his looks.

The expression he was making had something that drew people’s attention.

Like when you can’t help but stare at a sunset or a night sea.

“...Huh?”

At the sound of Kim Jung-hyun’s voice, the members turned their heads.

“What’s up?”

“Just now, that expression... It was similar to the models in the video Bro Woo-ju was watching earlier.”

They looked at each other.

“So, was he practicing expressions earlier?”

“It seems so.”

“Can you really practice that way?”

“Now that I see it, it seems like it works...”

They looked at each other again and let out a hollow laugh.

Because they had finally realized what their leader was doing.

Of course, if it had been anyone else, they would have dismissed it as nonsense, but because it was Seo Woo-ju, it made sense.

He was someone who often went beyond their common sense.

“Anyway, he’s an amazing person. Really.”

Seo Ri-hyuk said, sounding exasperated.

“Really, we’re lucky he’s on our side.”

“It’s really unfortunate for Street Boys. Just when they have to compete with a team that has such a crazy person.”

The seniors laughed at the junior’s comment.

“By the way, didn’t they say they would release their jacket photos around the same time as us?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“I’m really curious about the reaction.”

Indeed, how would the photos of Seo Woo-ju, which were getting such a good reaction on the scene, be received online?

Everyone was looking forward to it.

A few days later, concept photos were posted on the SNS accounts of the two companies.