Chapter 53 - The Stakes Have Gotten Bigger

“I think there was more content that could be a reference for the drama than I thought.”

“I agree. The time period setting is a bit different, but there were aspects in the characters' ways of thinking that were similar.”

After watching the musical, Baek Hyeon-woo went into a nearby restaurant with Kim So-yeong.

It was a place Kim So-yeong had taken him to, saying there was a restaurant she had checked out in advance.

“The Wol-hwa you'll be playing is on the side trying to prevent the fall of Goryeo, right?”

“That's right. She's a very loyal and cool-headed character.”

At first, they were talking about the musical, but the conversation gradually moved on to the drama Kim So-yeong was appearing in.

They were two people who had come out to enjoy the holiday but ended up talking about work-related things.

“But she also has a weak side... so she worries about whether it's right to blindly offer her loyalty like this, and gradually starts to waver.”

“And what happens as she wavers?”

“They said that hasn't been decided yet. That the Writer-nim will decide while watching the viewers' reactions.”

“So it's not something that's decided in advance.”

“Because it's a drama, not a movie.”

As they were having that conversation, a waiter brought the next dish.

Baek Hyeon-woo and Kim So-yeong stopped their conversation and waited for the food to be served.

Although it was a restaurant that had created a private space by installing walls between the seats, they couldn't talk about broadcasting matters with the waiter right next to them.

“They probably don't know who you are, right?”

“For the most part, they won't be able to recognize me. Unless they're an ardent fan of Newstarz.”

She had taken off her sunglasses and hat now, but because her style was so different from usual, it seemed it would be difficult to recognize her.

“And... it's not like I'm a popular celebrity at the level where people recognize me on the street and rush over asking for an autograph.”

“……”

Since the Night-Bomb Festival, Newstarz's popularity has been gradually rising.

However, it's not yet at the level where they can be compared with top-class idols.

The new version of 'Gravity' is still maintaining a high rank on the music sites, but if you showed a picture of Newstarz and asked if they knew who these kids were, most people would probably answer that they don't know.

“It'll change if you appear on this program.”

Baek Hyeon-woo said in a calm voice.

“Choux-pop is set to appear and form a rivalry narrative with us, and TVX is also planning on putting a lot of effort into promotions. If you show a good side of yourselves there, your name recognition will also shoot up.”

The recording for TVX's idol competition program, 'The Idol', is scheduled to begin soon.

It's a new program that PD Seo Dong-cheol has ambitiously prepared, and high viewership ratings are expected.

Haram Entertainment's strategy was to achieve the best results possible on this program and raise Newstarz's status.

“There aren't many days left where you can walk around leisurely like now. So enjoy the current situation.”

“Hehe, I understand.”

Kim So-yeong smiled and nodded her head.

“But oppa, is there anything we should prepare separately for that program?”

“We don't know yet what kind of mission will be given. So it would be good to focus on basic practice.”

For the Night-Bomb Festival or the HBS 'Music World' recording, they only had to practice 'Gravity'.

However, 'The Idol' is not like that. They have to perform the mission song that is revealed each time according to unique rules.

“However, I think there's probably a style that the PD-nim prefers... so I'm in the middle of looking through the programs the PD-nim has made so far one by one.”

“What? You were doing even that?”

“Because I feel like I'll get a sense of it.”

“You must be incredibly tired.”

Kim So-yeong made a slightly apologetic expression.

“Weren't you supposed to rest today? Because of me, you're having a hard time...”

“No, it was a nice change of pace.”

Baek Hyeon-woo said, spearing a piece of steak with his fork and eating it.

“The food is delicious too. Since I don't usually get to eat things like this.”

“Ah, eat a lot. Would you like some of mine too?”

“No, you eat a lot.”

“I'm full, so it's okay. I'm paying anyway, so please eat a lot.”

Come to think of it, there is a lot of food compared to the amount Newstarz usually eats.

In the end, Baek Hyeon-woo also ended up eating what Kim So-yeong had shared.

“Ah, I'll just be a moment...”

After eating even dessert, Kim So-yeong left her seat for a moment.

When Kim So-yeong returned after going to the restroom, Baek Hyeon-woo had already finished paying.

“I've paid. We can go now.”

“Huh?”

At Baek Hyeon-woo's words, Kim So-yeong's eyes went round.

“I said I was paying today.”

“You showed me the musical.”

“But those were tickets the magazine company gave me for free...”

“You're the one who made the reservations separately, right?”

“……!”

Kim So-yeong flinched in surprise.

“It's not like I'm an unemployed person who doesn't earn money, I can't just be treated one-sidedly.”

“Hyeon-woo oppa…”

“Thanks for introducing a good restaurant, I ate well. Let's go.”

As Baek Hyeon-woo took the lead and started walking, Kim So-yeong lightly hit his back with her fist from behind.

“How annoying.”

Since Kim So-yeong was behind him, he couldn't see what kind of expression she was making.

It was also impossible to check her Mental Condition on the status window.

However, it must have been a quite satisfactory holiday for Kim So-yeong.

If so, then Baek Hyeon-woo was also satisfied.

……

As he had told Kim So-yeong, the biggest event that Newstarz was currently facing was their appearance on 'The Idol'.

For that reason, they also adjusted their various schedules to fit the 'The Idol' schedule.

‘Even though TVX hasn't started the full-scale promotions yet, talk is already coming up in the online communities.’

After having the Newstarz members do their basic practice, Baek Hyeon-woo checked the public opinion on the internet communities with his phone.

He didn't know where the information had leaked from, but rumors were already circulating that a rematch between Newstarz and Choux-pop would take place.

‘But... thinking about it now, it feels a little lacking.’

At the last Night-Bomb Festival, Newstarz had overwhelmed Choux-pop.

The HBS stage video views for Newstarz's 'Gravity' had also surpassed the Choux-pop video that was uploaded 2 weeks ago.

At this point, if Newstarz has a rematch with Choux-pop, how enthusiastic will people be.

‘It's no longer a narrative of Newstarz challenging Choux-pop. Rather, the bigger point of interest will be whether Choux-pop can get their revenge on Newstarz.’

The speed of Newstarz's growth is faster than he had initially expected.

Even PD Seo Dong-cheol probably didn't expect it would turn out like this.

‘There has to be some new point of interest for people to get enthusiastic.’

A new point of interest that can give the same thrilling pleasure as when Newstarz first beat Choux-pop.

It seemed it would be good to have something like that.

“Kanade, you're doing your squats too half-heartedly. Your body needs to go down lower.”

“S-So-yeong unnie, please give me a break...”

“Yeah, I'll watch you until the very end, so work hard.”

“Th-That's not what I meant!”

When he suddenly raised his head, he saw that Kim So-yeong had finished her own training and was checking Kanade's posture.

Perhaps because the outing last holiday had a good influence, Kim So-yeong's expression was very bright recently.

Her Mental Condition was also very good, and perhaps because of that, her Body Condition was also being maintained in the high 80% range.

‘Should I take them out one by one every holiday?’

As Baek Hyeon-woo was seriously contemplating that.

Park Yeong-ho, who had come to the practice room, called for Baek Hyeon-woo.

“Assistant Manager Baek, a moment.”

“What is it?”

“There's something to talk about regarding 'The Idol'.”

“……”

Park Yeong-ho's expression was serious.

Baek Hyeon-woo had the members do self-training and then followed Park Yeong-ho.

“What is it? Did something happen?”

On the way to the meeting room, Choi Tae-hyung, who had noticed the serious atmosphere, spoke to them.

“Did some kind of problem come up?”

“Director, well...”

At Choi Tae-hyung's questioning, Park Yeong-ho scratched his head.

“An awkward situation has occurred. I'll tell you about it too, Director, so let's go to the meeting room.”

In the end, the three of them went into the meeting room together.

As Baek Hyeon-woo closed the door, Park Yeong-ho opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“'The Idol' will be officially announced soon, won't it.”

“It will.”

“Originally, we were planning to put forward the story of Newstarz having a rematch with their rivals, Choux-pop.”

Newstarz VS Choux-pop.

The people inside Haram Entertainment all knew that we were going with this narrative.

“Our Newstarz has also become popular now, but still, among the appearing groups, Choux-pop has the highest status. The plan was to make our Newstarz compete fiercely with a group like Choux-pop, and use that to carry out our promotions.”

“I know that too. The roadmap has already been laid out.”

“However, all of this is about to collapse.”

“What are you talking about?”

Park Yeong-ho let out a sigh.

“They say N.A.N is coming on 'The Idol'.”

“What?”

N.A.N, the popular girl group that represents UBX.

Hearing that name, Choi Tae-hyung's eyes widened.

“Seven groups were scheduled to appear, and until now, only six groups had been confirmed, and the last spot was empty. They say N.A.N is going into that spot.”

“No, is N.A.N of a status to appear on this kind of variety show?”

N.A.N is a large girl group that boasts tremendous name recognition.

Even if they don't reach the TOP3 like She's On, their status is much higher than Choux-pop's.

It was an uncommon thing for a large group like N.A.N to participate in this kind of survival variety show and compete with mediocre groups.

“It seems they were searching for a program to appear on as regulars in Korea. And then they chose 'The Idol'.”

“Of all things, why are they appearing on 'The Idol' that we're going on. Ah, wait, don't tell me...”

Choi Tae-hyung flinched in surprise and looked at Baek Hyeon-woo.

“Are they trying to get revenge for being screwed over at the audition?”

A while ago, at the audition for 'Unshakeable Dynasty', there was an incident where N.A.N's Ryu-hwa was pushed out by Kim So-yeong and failed.

UBX had lobbied a lot to insert Ryu-hwa, but the role ended up being snatched away by Kim So-yeong, who cut in later.

So it was a situation where UBX might be holding a grudge and trying to retaliate.

“They can't do dirty things behind the scenes anymore because that blew up big last year, and breaking a scandal is impossible because Newstarz are such clean kids... so are they trying to retaliate by just crushing our strategy?”

“That possibility seems high.”

Park Yeong-ho nodded.

“In the past, there have often been cases of agencies keeping each other in check like this while having a battle of nerves. When there's a group from another company they want to keep in check, they make them clash with their own higher-status group and crush them.”

“Yeah, if UBX puts N.A.N on 'The Idol', they'll be able to crush Newstarz. Everything will get messed up for us.”

Right now, Newstarz is trying to take a leap one step higher through 'The Idol'.

If N.A.N can thwart that leap and crush them, it's possible to deal a huge blow to Newstarz and Haram Entertainment.

“PD Seo Dong-cheol's programs always have good viewership ratings and are newsworthy, so it probably won't be a loss for the UBX side either.”

“TVX will also use the fact that N.A.N is appearing to promote it even more... it'll become a complete feast for N.A.N.”

“It's not just us, Choux-pop will have a headache too. They were probably thinking of getting their revenge on us this time, but N.A.N suddenly appeared.”

“It's a case of a whale getting involved in a shrimp fight, tsk.”

Clicking his tongue, Choi Tae-hyung spoke to Baek Hyeon-woo.

“Assistant Manager Baek, for now, try contacting the PD-nim. Implore him to make sure everything isn't focused on N.A.N...”

“Director, Team Leader.”

Right at that moment.

Baek Hyeon-woo, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

“Is there a need to be so flustered?”

“What?”

Choi Tae-hyung and Park Yeong-ho's eyes widened as they stared.

Right now, both of them were in a state of anxiety, but Baek Hyeon-woo alone was just composed.

“Isn't UBX saying that they'll raise the stakes by bringing in their own representative girl group.”

Baek Hyeon-woo stated his own view while maintaining a calm expression.

“We didn't put in any effort, but the stakes have gotten bigger on their own. It's a chance to win big, so why are you so anxious?”

“……!”

As it was, he had been thinking that just Choux-pop was not enough.

At the perfect timing, the game got bigger on its own.