Chapter 49 - I'm Telling You, Nothing Good Will Come of It

『 Translator – Divinity 』

“Newstarz, please get ready!”

Finally, the time had come to go on the 'Music World' stage.

And a special opportunity at that, proceeding on an elaborately made set.

Even though it was a recording, they were bound to be nervous.

“……”

However, in Baek Hyeon-woo's view, this tension was not a bad thing.

Currently, the members' Mental Condition was being maintained in a stable state.

Rather than being too relaxed just because it's a recording, it's better to maintain this level of tension.

Because you can't show the best performance with a complacent attitude like, 'It's okay to make a mistake once'.

‘It's not a state where their competitive spirit is burning fiercely like at the Night-Bomb Festival... but a mentally stable state like now isn't bad either.’

Unlike the Night-Bomb Festival, where they had to capture the hearts of the audience on-site, the main target of this filming is the viewers who will be watching the recorded video.

Then, it's more important to maintain a high quality overall and show a professional side, rather than pushing through with momentary momentum.

Baek Hyeon-woo had been adjusting the members' conditions with that in mind.

“Manager-nim, we'll do well.”

“Yeah, go and do well.”

Starting with the leader, Seo Na-eun, he high-fived each and every member and encouraged them.

However, when he high-fived Kim So-yeong, he added one more word.

“So-yeong-ah.”

“Yes?”

“You look even cooler than usual today.”

“……!”

Because it was a remark thrown out in a lowered, whisper-like voice, the other people probably didn't hear it.

Hearing Baek Hyeon-woo's compliment, Kim So-yeong's ears turned slightly red, and she gave a brief, shy smile.

“Thank you!”

Kim So-yeong headed to the stage looking more confident than usual.

Her Mental Condition momentarily neared 95%. A plus correction was also applied to her Visual.

‘PD Park Jong-hoon is watching from behind the audience seats right now. But if I tell Kim So-yeong that directly, she'll feel burdened and get too nervous. So... encouraging her like this is the right way.’

If Park Jong-hoon really possessed the discerning eye to recognize a promising sprout, he would recognize Kim So-yeong's potential.

It's still unknown whether that will actually lead to her landing a drama role.

All she can do now is express her charm to the best of her ability and then wait for the results.

‘I've done everything I can. Let's trust and watch.’

Thinking that, Baek Hyeon-woo watched Newstarz's stage.

***

The audience seats were filled with fans who had applied to attend the pre-recording.

Originally, Newstarz was not a group this popular.

However, since the last Night-Bomb Festival, the attention on them had suddenly risen, and as they took the top spots on the music sites, their popularity was in the middle of rapidly rising.

That's why for this pre-recording as well, many fans had flocked to cheer for Newstarz.

‘Was Newstarz's popularity at this level?’

Behind those fans, PD Park Jong-hoon was watching the stage with his arms crossed.

He knew the fact that Newstarz was receiving attention these days, but he hadn't expected the fans' fervor to be at this level.

‘Then again, celebrities can blow up with just a small catalyst.’

A celebrity who suddenly gains popularity generally walks one of two paths.

Either their popularity subsides as suddenly as it shot up, and they fade out from the entertainment industry.

Or they continue to fly high and establish themselves as a popular celebrity.

‘Which side will Newstarz be?’

Will they be an idol that shines for a moment and then ends.

Or will they be a real star that continues to shine.

“Wow…!”

While Park Jong-hoon was lost in thought, Newstarz came on stage.

The five idols, dancing and singing to the music that began with a simple beat.

The audience members showed an enthusiastic response to that sight.

‘This is quite...’

Park Jong-hoon usually had no great interest in idols.

He checks on 'acting-dols' who appear in dramas and such, but he doesn't even know the names of general girl groups.

Naturally, he had never once seen a live stage performance.

For that reason, it was difficult for Park Jong-hoon to judge what level the performance Newstarz was showing on stage right now was at.

However, despite that.

Park Jong-hoon couldn't take his eyes off the stage.

‘Isn't this... quite good?’

Everyone's eyes were twinkling brightly.

Are all idols who go on stage originally like that?

Or is Newstarz special?

‘Is it because of the lighting? Or because of the makeup?’

He tried to analyze it from a technical aspect, but it didn't go well.

Park Jong-hoon swallowed and watched Newstarz's stage.

Amidst the enthusiastic response, the main vocalist did a shout, and it immediately led into the rap part.

“And so everyone said, that you can't do it──♪”

For a moment, Park Jong-hoon held his breath.

Because his eyes met with the tall main rapper who had jumped to the front.

No, their eyes probably didn't actually meet.

Because she probably didn't deliberately seek out and look at Park Jong-hoon, who was standing quietly in the corner.

However, Park Jong-hoon felt as if she had actually shot a look directly at him.

Her gaze was that intense.

‘That's Kim So-yeong...!’

Kim So-yeong.

Until a while ago she was the main vocalist, but currently, she has changed her position to main rapper.

As she was freed from the burden of being the main vocalist, she is putting more effort into her visual expression.

The presence that comes from her tall stature, distinct features, and intense gaze is unrivaled in Newstarz.

She has been active as a model for a long time, but the image Kim So-yeong shows on stage, every single moment is like a shot from a pictorial.

...That's what was written on the internet.

“Ah…!”

The post written on the internet was not a lie.

Kim So-yeong was a talent who could utilize her own body to make visual expressions.

The inherent nature of a performer, something that can never be obtained just by taking acting classes.

A person who has this has the qualities to become a great success as an actor.

The rookie actors that Park Jong-hoon had discovered over the years all had those kinds of qualities.

‘Yes, I have to use a talent like that...!’

Until now, Park Jong-hoon had discovered many rookie actors.

There were actors who couldn't get a chance because their agency's power was weak, and there were actors who couldn't display their true skills because they were given roles that didn't suit them.

If he discovered such actors and gave them a chance to show off their talent, they would perform tremendously, carrying the quality of the entire project.

Of course, these days, there weren't many opportunities to do so.

Because the influence of large agencies or sponsors was growing stronger and stronger, it had become difficult for Park Jong-hoon to cast as he pleased.

For his last drama as well, he had to cast actors he didn't want in main roles to satisfy the sponsor's demands.

Thanks to that, the drama became a terrible flop, and Park Jong-hoon's standing weakened even more.

This time, with 'Unshakeable Dynasty', it is also difficult for Park Jong-hoon to cast as he pleases.

However...

“This is my probity!—♪”

Kim So-yeong, who finished even her English rap and stepped back.

Watching her, whose retreating figure was even cool, Park Jong-hoon swallowed his saliva.

I want to put that talent in.

I want to entrust her with the role of Wol-hwa and have her appear in the drama.

I want to make her navigate the world of the project with her intense and confident gaze.

That impulse was dominating Park Jong-hoon.

“Ah, shit.”

Park Jong-hoon spat out a curse in a low voice to himself.

“The envelope, I have to return it.”

The money envelope that he had put in his bag without touching it.

It seemed he would have to return it to UBX's Director Kim Do-gyun.

***

All the filming was over.

The video recorded now will be edited by the HBS staff and aired on the 'Music World' live broadcast.

“Everyone worked very hard! Let's go eat something delicious!”

“Yes…!”

The Newstarz members cheered at Team Leader Park Yeong-ho's voice.

They were all smiling with the satisfaction of having done their best.

“Well, this is good enough.”

Watching them, Choi Tae-hyung muttered in a surly voice.

Even though he had decided not to do Newstarz-related work, in the end, he stayed until the very end and helped.

“At least the money spent won't feel like a waste.”

“Thank you for all your help, Director.”

Baek Hyeon-woo bowed his head to Choi Tae-hyung and expressed his thanks.

“You'll be going to the after-party too, right, Director Choi?”

“I have things left to check, so you guys go by yourselves. The set has to be dismantled too.”

“Isn't the set dismantling something we can just entrust to others?”

“Still, I have to check.”

“Then I'll stay too.”

“There's nothing for you to do even if you stay. Just go to the after-party.”

“Still, there must be something to learn.”

As he was having a light argument with Choi Tae-hyung.

Baek Hyeon-woo's cell phone vibrated.

“What is it?”

“A message came from PD Park Jong-hoon-nim.”

“What? PD Park Jong-hoon?”

Choi Tae-hyung made a surprised expression.

“Why at a time like this...”

“Because he was watching the recording.”

“Wh-What did you say?”

Earlier, Baek Hyeon-woo had seen Park Jong-hoon come in.

However, he didn't tell anyone.

He had decided to keep it to himself, worried that it might affect the recording.

“Hey, Assistant Manager Baek, if you knew that, you should have told me...”

Choi Tae-hyung, who was about to nag Baek Hyeon-woo, shook his head and opened his mouth again.

“No, so what did PD Park-nim say?”

“PD Park-nim says he's in the middle of preparing a fusion historical drama.”

Baek Hyeon-woo answered while looking at his phone screen.

“He said there's a semi-main-level role that's perfect for Kim So-yeong, and that he'll put her on the list, so please have her come for an audition.”

“A s-semi-main-level role?!”

Choi Tae-hyung's eyes widened.

“Kim So-yeong has no acting experience, does she? But so suddenly like this...”

“I told you earlier.”

Baek Hyeon-woo put his phone away with a satisfied smile.

“That PD Park-nim is a person with an excellent eye for actors.”

Kim So-yeong, with her S-rank Visual.

Baek Hyeon-woo's gamble, believing that he would recognize her potential, had succeeded.

***

— Newstarz really put a lot of effort into their set today, huh?

— Has there been a time recently where a group that wasn't having a comeback stage did a pre-recording on a set of that level? Did Music World's policy change?

— Choux-pop did a set pre-recording last time

— Are Newstarz and Choux-pop on the same level? Their agencies aren't even comparable

— I guess Newstarz's status has gotten bigger than Choux-pop's now

Slam!

Joo Ga-hee got annoyed and threw her phone.

“What do you mean, their status has gotten bigger. What bullshit...”

Right now, Joo Ga-hee was in her room, checking the internet reactions.

She tried not to pay attention, but she couldn't help it because she could continuously hear the sound of Seong Hae-won watching 'Music World' from the dorm's living room.

“How can she keep watching that? I don't get it.”

Unlike Joo Ga-hee, Seong Hae-won didn't care whether Newstarz came on or not.

No, rather, when she heard Newstarz was coming on, she showed an even more excited reaction.

Even at the Night-Bomb Festival, Seong Hae-won hadn't been particularly upset.

Rather, she found it amusing and showed interest not only in the Newstarz members but in their manager as well.

It was difficult for Joo Ga-hee to understand that side of Seong Hae-won's personality.

When just the thought of Newstarz made her own stomach churn.

“Ah, so annoying...”

I really hate the sight of them.

I wish they would just disappear from the face of the earth.

At least, I wish they wouldn't appear before my eyes.

Thinking that, Joo Ga-hee bit her lip.

“Is everyone here? Gather around.”

At that moment, the sound of Team Leader Jeong Do-woon entering the dorm was heard.

It's probably different for each company, but DP Entertainment has a policy where the managers frequently come into the idol dorms to do checks.

So Joo Ga-hee came out of her room without much thought.

“Originally, I was going to tell you at the company tomorrow, but I thought the sooner the better.”

However, Jeong Do-woon's expression was more serious than usual.

“Choux-pop will also be participating in 'The Idol', the new competition program that PD Seo Dong-cheol is starting at TVX.”

“……!”

Participating in PD Seo Dong-cheol's new variety show.

She had heard talk of it for a while, but it seemed it was confirmed today.

“It's not a survival show to pick rookie idols, but a format where established groups compete against each other. You guys have experienced Seo Dong-cheol's style, so you probably know, but the content will be provocative and prioritize buzz.”

“……”

“Still, among the participating groups, Choux-pop's status is the highest. We'll be at an advantage in viewer voting, so in most cases, we will take a high rank.”

Joo Ga-hee was relieved to hear that.

If it's PD Seo Dong-cheol, he will include elements of viewer participation to draw as much aggro as possible.

If that happens, Choux-pop, with its large fandom size, is bound to be at an advantage.

“Team Leader.”

At that moment, Seong Hae-won opened her mouth.

“It's confirmed that they're participating too, right?”

“They? Ah…”

Jeong Do-woon nodded.

“Yeah, Newstarz will be participating too.”

“……!”

In that moment, Joo Ga-hee couldn't believe her ears.

Telling us to compete with Newstarz on the same program?

“Actually, we decided to participate after hearing that Newstarz was coming on. This is our chance to get revenge for last time's Night-Bomb...”

“Why are we going on with them!”

Unable to hold it in, Joo Ga-hee shrieked.

“Joo Ga-hee, what's wrong?”

“Why are we going on the same program as them! Nothing good will come from getting involved with them!”

Telling us to appear on the same program and compete with those things she hates the sight of?

Just imagining it was annoying.

“Joo Ga-hee, this matter is also Director Seong Soo-ho's order. Since Newstarz made us lose face at the last Night-Bomb, he said to make up for it this time...”

“And what are you going to do if we lose to Newstarz again!”

“Why would we lose? As I said before, if there's viewer voting, we're bound to be at an advantage because of our fandom size...”

“Ah, seriously...!”

Team Leader Jeong Do-woon, Director Seong Soo-ho, Seong Hae-won, they're all just idiots.

Newstarz has been growing with tremendous momentum since the Night-Bomb Festival.

By the time PD Seo Dong-cheol's idol competition program airs, there's a high possibility they will have risen to a status where they can sufficiently compete with Choux-pop.

Against Newstarz, who are rising with such good momentum, can Choux-pop gain the upper hand?

If, when this competition program is over, Newstarz's rank comes out higher than Choux-pop's... the hierarchy of Newstarz Choux-pop will be set in stone.

That was a nightmare-like event she didn't even want to imagine.

“Joo Ga-hee, it's already been decided, so don't argue back anymore.”

“Fucking annoying...”

The person who thought of Newstarz as more threatening than anyone else right now was Joo Ga-hee.

Though because of her pride, she would never admit it out loud.

“I'm telling you, nothing good will come from getting involved with those Newstarz kids... why don't you get that.”

On the verge of tears, she collapsed on the spot.

However, there was no one left who was listening to Joo Ga-hee's voice.