Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 336



Only Noblemtl

Episode 336

Nearly 100 men were sitting in a long, terraced waiting area.

The cast of ‘Project For You Season 2’ were male trainees from numerous entertainment agencies.

Baek Soo-hyun sat with his hands folded and his feet moving anxiously.

“brother.”

A man who looked to be about middle school age sat next to Baek Soo-hyun.

“Oh, Min-gyu.”

“Is there a seat here?”

“You’ll know when you see it. It’s not there.”

The two became close friends from the start of the broadcast.

In the world of teenagers, even a one-year age gap can feel like a big deal. So, people of the same age usually gather together, but Min-gyu and Baek Soo-hyun were different.

The two were independent trainees without a management agency.

Because of that characteristic, we spoke to each other several times and became close.

“Then, the first mission… … .”

The actress who was the MC for Project For You Season 2 spoke seriously while looking at the cue cards.

“Let’s start the cover mission.”

A dozen meters in front of the waiting area, a white cloth covering something fell to the floor.

A large plastic board was revealed.

There were a total of 15 large stickers on the board.

“If I remove that sticker, I think the song name will appear.”

“I know.”

Baek Soo-hyun’s impatience grew stronger.

It’s a show that I appeared on after overcoming fierce opposition from my family, no, I just threw a tantrum and left home.

I still vividly remember the cries of my second younger brother who tried to stop me from leaving the house.

‘Hey, hey, bro, if you go out like this, you can’t come back! Yamero (Stop it)!’

I was just searching for videos of Girls’ League Rika on iTube, and when I combined that with a middle school student’s self-consciousness to stand out, I ended up with something of a hybrid.

Although his tone was playful, his brother was sincere.

‘Because I kept hearing my mom say things to my older sister who left home.’

The younger brother was genuinely worried about the situation where even the eldest son left after the eldest daughter.

‘… … Let’s stop thinking about it. This is an opportunity I’ve somehow managed to grab, so I can’t keep regretting it. Let’s focus on the present.’

Baek Soo-hyun, who became famous on SNS for her idol performance covers and natural beauty, was somehow able to appear on TV.

My older sister hid the fact that I was Snow White.

‘This is the opportunity I got after fighting with my mom and skipping school. I have to win. I have to, I have to… . ‘

The leg shaking got worse.

“Excuse me, stop moving your legs… … .”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

His wild behavior only ended after he was reprimanded by the trainee in front of him.

Baek Soo-hyun took a deep breath.

[When you feel tense, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. When you inhale, feel the path your breath takes, and when you exhale, feel your muscles relax.]

I did exactly what was written in my older sister Baek Seol-ha’s song notebook. It was surprisingly effective.

With a calm mind, Baek Soo-hyun stared at the board.

As each sticker was peeled off, the trainees were shocked or cheered with excessive reactions.

Baek Soo-hyun didn’t do that.

‘I don’t want to over-exert myself just to get caught on camera one more time.’

Just being on stage is enough to get attention.

His immature self-esteem forced him to calm his excitement.

“brother.”

“……why.”

Baek Soo-hyun answered Min-gyu’s call with a hint of annoyance.

It didn’t feel good to have someone talk to me at a moment when the tension was at its peak.

Even though he sensed Baek Soo-hyun’s presence, Min-gyu continued talking as if nothing had happened.

“Since our starting evaluation ranking is low, our song selection will probably be pushed back to later, right?”

“The rules haven’t been set yet, but it’s very likely.”

Baek Soo-hyun has watched every trainee survival program that has aired so far.

A low ranking often meant a penalty.

‘My ranking of 89th will be pushed back significantly.’

89th place… … .

Of course, it was a result that Baek Soo-hyun could accept calmly, since it was lacking compared to the real trainees belonging to the agency.

‘But it’s different when you practice. If you practice the same song, you won’t lose. When I showed what I prepared in advance, my ranking was low… … .’

Baek Soo-hyun turned his gaze to the side.

Min-gyu’s name tag proudly had his ranking number 92 on it.

Perhaps, Baek Soo Hyun and Mingyu were likely to be on the same team, since they would both be choosing songs in the latter half.

“Oh, it’s a girl group song.”

As the 14th sticker was peeled off, contrary to everyone’s expectations, the song ‘Gaia’ by girl group Kaiser Permanente came out.

Min-gyu said with anticipation.

“Isn’t that a good choice? Girl group songs are easy to dance to.”

Baek Soo-hyun wanted to shut Min-gyu’s mouth.

If something like that were to be broadcast, Min-gyu would immediately be labeled a sexist and bombarded with comments.

Baek Soo-hyun glared at him and warned him, but Min-gyu didn’t seem to notice.

“Why is that?”

“……no.”

The last sticker has been removed.

This time, even Baek Soo-hyun couldn’t hold back his surprise.

[Girls League – Arabesque]

It was a song that Baek Soo-hyun had practiced. However, it was a song that should never have been chosen.

“The Girls’ League and Kaius… … .”

Min-gyu thought about it for a moment, then secretly suggested it to Baek Soo-hyun.

“Would you like an arabesque?”

His advice had a subtle nuance of looking down on the Girls’ League, which was affiliated with a small agency.

There was a very superficial judgment that ‘Gaia’ by KS Entertainment, a major entertainment company, would naturally be more difficult than ‘Arabesque’ by Girls’ League.

“Have you ever seen an arabesque?”

“I’ve seen the music video once or twice.”

“Have you ever practiced?”

“No.”

Baek Soo-hyun sighed and told his competitor, Min-gyu, some important information.

“You can’t get caught on that.”

“yes?”

“Everything else is fine, but you shouldn’t do ‘Arabesque’. First of all, most girl group performances change their center of gravity left and right for every movement. That is, they move their pelvis left and right to emphasize their curves.”

If a man were to do this, it would be not only ridiculous, but also difficult, since men do not have as wide a pelvis as women and are less capable of utilizing their pelvis.

“But didn’t the production team edit the dance? A bit… … to remove the girl group characteristics?”

“That’s right. But more than anything, ‘Arabesque’ is difficult. I know because I practiced it myself.”

However, Baek Soo-hyun could not keep up with the enormous physical exertion. It was ridiculously insufficient to complete the choreography in just one week.

“Just avoid ‘Arabesque’.”

Min-gyu also nodded to him.

“Yes, just avoid arabesques, okay? Got it?”

* * *

[Huh?]

One of the judges of ‘Project For You 2′ tilted his head.

It was because of the male trainees’ ‘Arabesque’ performance on stage.

It was truly a mess.

Especially in the highlight part where they were walking arm in arm, their steps were not in sync and each of their movements were different.

“Can you see Soo-Hyeon here?”

Seongpil pointed to Baek Suhyun, who was in the center of the line. Seongpil’s finger pointed to the center of the monitor, but Baek Seolha didn’t look at it.

I haven’t seen it.

Her face turned red and she was only concerned with avoiding eye contact.

“Well, that’s why it’s famous.”

Baek Soo-hyun on the monitor had a look of bereavement. Even while performing, it was clear that he was thinking, ‘Ah, this is ruined.’

“There were a lot of memes circulating on SNS. Mingyu… … .”

Min-gyu.

In his previous life, he was the leader of the boy group that Sungpil managed last when he was at Success Entertainment.

In the future that was seen several years later at the end of his previous life, only Min-gyu came to Seong-pil’s house to comfort him.

Seongpil continued speaking with a faint bitterness.

“After Min-gyu and Su-hyeon talk, I added a GIF of the scene where the judge says ‘Huh?’… … .”

[Baek Soo-hyun: Avoid only ‘Arabesque’.]

[Min-gyu: Yes, you’re telling me to just avoid ‘Arabesque’? Okay.]

[Baek Soo-hyun Team’s ‘Arabesque’ Performance]

[Judge: Huh?]

“It was such a hit. On the Internet, they called it ‘Huh? Besk’ and the number of views on the iTube clip… … .”

“Hey, please stop… … .”

Snow White wanted to run away from the office right away.

While the two were talking, there was an employee who couldn’t hold back laughter, though I don’t know who it was.

Although it wasn’t the humiliation I was experiencing, it was hard to endure because my younger brother was being widely embarrassed on the Internet.

“Well, anyway.”

Seongpil raised his fist.

“I’m glad that my little brother is doing well, Seol-ha!”

“Stop teasing me… … !”

Snow White ran away from the office.

Only then did the people in the office let out the laughter they had been holding back.

“It’s surprising that Seol-ha didn’t know.”

Son Hye-bin came closer to Seong-pil and looked at the monitor together.

In the still footage, Baek Soo-hyun still had a lost expression on his face.

“It seems like only yesterday that I was dancing with a stand microphone on the first floor of our company. But I’ve grown so much already.”

“I know.”

Son Hye-bin also contacted Baek Soo-hyun.

But it was already too late.

Because it was after Baek Soo-hyun participated in Project For You Season 2.

“It’s strange that you didn’t come to our company but went on a survival program first. Did we give you less autographs?”

“Rather than that… … .”

Seongpil said after a brief moment of thought.

“I guess he didn’t want to give the impression that he got in because of his older sister Seol-ha’s connections.”

“To whom?”

“To Seol-ha. And to the trainees who will become my colleagues at the company.”

Seongpil stared intently at Baek Su-hyeon’s face on the monitor.

“I want to prove myself.”

* * *

The comeback of Kaius is just around the corner.

The accommodation we returned to after a long training session.

As soon as Ginger entered the room, she took her guitar out of the case that was standing in the corner.

After tuning, Ginger sat down on the chair with her legs crossed and began to play the guitar.

“Hehe, hehehe… … .”

Ginger, who had been humming timidly, looked toward the door.

When she felt no sign of life, Ginger mustered up her courage and recited the lyrics.

“Harder harder never never give up…” … .”

It was an octave lower than the original pitch.

The other members didn’t even come to the dorm to practice, so Ginger felt embarrassed about practicing alone.

After work on the comeback album began, Ginger has been practicing little by little at her dorm.

It wasn’t that I felt like I lacked practice.

‘It’s fun.’

But I was embarrassed to show the members how I practiced at the dorm.

Despite constant practice, Ginger has the worst vocal skills within the group.

Practicing in the dormitory, which is everyone’s sanctuary, somehow feels like folding in front of a pupa.

‘There’s no need to be mindful of others… … .’

Ginger knows that she is very self-conscious about what other people think.

Even if she sang passionately here, she knew that the members wouldn’t pay any attention to her.

Thinking about it like that gave me courage.

Ginger originally tuned the note to an octave.

“It’s been a long time since we left the starting point… … .”

The moment when he was about to passionately sing his solo song included in this regular album.

“Ginger, have a snack… … .”

“When I move my dusty legs… … !”

Ki-ki-ki-ki.

Ginger grabbed the string that was ringing and stopped it abruptly. Then, her face, which had turned bright red in an instant, turned towards the door.

Kim Min-ju was looking on with a blank expression.

“Come for a snack.”

“… … Okay, I understand.”

Ginger tidied up her guitar and headed to the dining table in the living room.

The other members were already eating snacks.

All I had was a handful of nuts and a banana.

Ginger sat down, looking around for no reason. The moment she hurriedly peeled a banana and put it in her mouth.

“Ginger, you have to eat slowly.”

“Oh, I see.”

At Erica’s suggestion, Ginger only chewed the tip of the banana.

My trainer told me to eat as slowly as possible when I eat. He told me not to develop the habit of eating too quickly.

“You practice singing hard.”

Jin So-yu spoke.

“Did you like it because it’s your first solo song?”

“……yes?”

“Huh? What do you mean ‘yes’?”

Jin So-yu was troubled. She thought back to see if she had just used any difficult vocabulary, but she hadn’t.

Soon she realized that not only Ginger, but the other members were also looking at her.

Kim Min-ju even dropped the banana she was holding in her hand.

“Why is everyone like that?”

“Ah, no… … That’s not it.”

It was the first time that Jin So-yu showed interest in another member.

She doesn’t ask anyone questions like ‘Why are you like that?’, ‘What are you doing?’, or ‘How are you doing these days?’

That kind of question comes up when you’re interested. In other words, Jin So-yu wasn’t interested in others.

‘Sister Soyou has been acting strange lately.’

It seems that Jin So-yu has changed since returning from Japan.

Ginger hid her surprise by chewing a walnut. Then she answered Jinsoyu’s question.

“That’s right. It’s a song with only my name on it. Affection is sweet.”

Caius’ strategy is flawlessness and perfection.

Jung Ho-hwan estimates that the comeback period for KARS will be very long.

Fans eagerly await the release of Keus, praising him even if only the results are adequate, but Jung Ho-hwan does not allow for such things as ‘adequate results.’

It continues to be a hit with flawless and perfect results.

Accordingly, it was a very unexpected decision to give each member a solo song within the album.

Because the advantage of a group where each member can appropriately demonstrate their strengths cannot be utilized in a solo song.

“I want to be perfect.”

Ginger was delighted with the unexpected decision.

During the album meeting, the A&R team naturally recommended a dance song to Ginger. However, Ginger said, “A vocal song is fine too.”

Ginger fell in love with singing as well as dancing, which was her specialty.

‘Director Park shed tears when he heard my song.’

If you can move the listener to tears, then your skills aren’t all that bad.

Ginger smiled bashfully as she recalled Seongpil crying.

“Really? Work hard.”

“Do you like Soyou’s solo song?”

“commonly.”

“Is it normal?”

“Well, below average?”

“Is it below average?!”

“My feelings don’t matter.”

Jin So-yu’s solo song was arranged by people who know her better than Jin So-yu.

To be exact, they are the people who know the true nature of what others see better than she does herself.

KS Entertainment’s A&R team and visual team.

When it comes to albums, they make few mistakes.

“Right, uh… … .”

Jin So-yu looked at Erica, then narrowed her eyes and turned her gaze to Kim Min-ju.

Then Erica said dryly.

“Soyou. Could you stop making it seem like you don’t like me?”

“Did I do that? Minju, let me ask you something.”

“Jin So-yu, you’re really showing off how much you dislike Erica right now. Are you having trouble being objective?”

“What would you do if a girl confessed to you?”

Kim Min-joo frowned arrogantly.

“I refuse.”

“Well, how do you feel?”

“I don’t know about other people, but if I were to confess to you, I would immediately run to the company and ask for separate accommodations.”

“I see.”

Jinsoyu changed the target to Ginger.

“What about Ginger?”

“I, am I the one who said that?”

“Yeah. You asked, ‘Ginger?’”

“Ah, um, umm… … .”

Ginger thought about it seriously.

“Does he know that I like guys?”

“I know.”

“Then, isn’t that a great courage? It’s a love that even I can’t control.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

“Shouldn’t I refuse as politely as possible?”

“What if I cry and cling to you, saying I’ll die without you?”

“Ah… … Still, wouldn’t it be rude to accept it? I can’t love you, psychologically or physiologically… … .”

“If you don’t try, you won’t know.”

“yes?”

“Soyou, stop it.”

Erica, who had finished eating her snack, stopped Jinsoyu.

“That’s not a good topic of conversation, and it just makes people uncomfortable.”

“Do you find love unpleasant?”

“If you’re interested in homosexuality, check out our fanfics. There’s a lot you’ll like there. Anyway, enough talking.”

Jin So-yu licked her lips teasingly.

Erica’s eyebrows quirked. She finished her meal and sat back down on her chair, her butt slightly lifted.

“Soyou, what is my intention in bringing up that topic? Why are you bringing up homosexuality as a topic at the dinner table in our dorm?”

“Then that won’t work?”

“If we were trying to make you wary, we did a great job.”

“You have a very strong ego, don’t you? You have deep prejudices. So if I bring up the topic of expanding welfare systems or deregulating corporations, are you going to treat me like a political psychopath? Are you going to single me out like this because I brought up a topic that shouldn’t be brought up as an idol?”

“Stop slamming your mouth.”

“You must be so shocked that you take my words so seriously when I bring it up as just small talk.”

“Why is this guy here… … .”

“Wouldn’t it be better to blame yourself for your own incompetence?”

“I’m going.”

Kim Min-joo left for the kitchen, carrying only her own plate.

Ginger hurriedly stepped in between Erica and Jinsoyu, who were exchanging glances.

“I’m late today! Didn’t the team leader tell you to go to bed early? Okay, Erika-unnie, Soyou-unnie, I’ll clear the dishes… … .”

“Don’t touch it.”

Ginger flinched at Erica’s cold tone.

Erica then came to her senses, sighed, and left.

Ginger stood there, trembling slightly, Erica’s cold words lingering in her mind.

At that moment, she felt warmth on her shoulder. Jin So-yu gently stroked Ginger.

“Ginger, I’m sorry for bothering you for no reason.”

“… … Ah, that’s not it.”

It was also incredibly surprising that Jin So-yu was comforting other members.

But rather than being surprised, Ginger accepted Jinsoyu’s warm comfort as is.

“That, Soyou’s older sister.”

“huh.”

“Erika unnie is also having a hard time because of her album work and comeback preparations, so that’s probably why she’s like that. Yes, it’s definitely why she’s like that. So don’t take it too seriously… … .”

“I know. We all do.”

Working on their regular album was the biggest wave they experienced after becoming KARA.

It was so brutal that I felt like I would be swept away just by standing there.

No matter how mentally strong a person was, it was obvious that he would break down if he lived like that for a few months.

Even the kind-hearted Erica is like that.

“Something, it seems like Soyou has changed.”

“Does it look like that? It’s different, then?”

“What happened in Japan?”

“I was there. I learned how to give up.”

Ginger guessed it was something to do with the fashion show.

Jin So-yu, who is full of confidence, has not achieved satisfactory results in fields not related to idols. I thought that was probably what it meant.

“Come to think of it, I never told you about Japan. No one even asked me about it in the first place.”

“I, I asked you… … .”

“Was it like that? I think it was like that.”

“My sister said she didn’t want to bother talking about it.”

“Want to hear?”

“I want to hear it.”

“Then… … Ah.”

Suddenly, Jin So-yu stood on one leg and moved around. Ginger was taken aback by the sudden display of skill.

But Jin So-yu soon stood on her own two legs.

“It’s difficult, as expected. It seemed easy when I first saw it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There was a director named Park Sung-pil. He was walking with a cane. But he was able to move around very well.”

“……yes?”

Ginger was even more shocked than when Erica had just treated her coldly.

“Oh, right. He was your favorite. Do you know him?”

“Why were you using crutches?”

“You got hit by a car?”

Traffic accident.

however.

I had such a big accident.

‘I didn’t know. He didn’t say anything to me.’

You said we were friends… … .