Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 548



Only Noblemtl

Episode 548

People dance under dim purple lights… … .

‘It’s 4 o’clock.’

Kevin clasped his hands together as he looked at his watch. He praised God, thanking him for finishing work safely today.

The scene in the club after 4 o’clock was completely different from just a few hours ago. The lively crowd had disappeared, and the atmosphere was damp and stale from alcohol.

It’s noticeably less lively than before, but there are still people who want to dance.

The show must go on.

“Kevin.”

The replacement DJ came up to the booth.

Kevin smiled happily as soon as he saw him and started gathering his personal belongings.

“Please take care of me.”

“Yeah, thanks for your hard work.”

The DJs who came into the booth in shifts looked powerless. There was no way they would be having fun standing in the DJ booth after the club’s hottest time.

Kevin tapped her on the shoulder a few times as he left.

“If you work hard, you can become a headliner.”

“Thank you very much.”

Kevin entered the staff room and took his stuff out of the locker. At that moment, the club manager came into the room.

“Hey, Kevin. Are you done now?”

“huh.”

“I heard you signed with a major label. You’re not coming to our club anymore?”

“I’ll come sometimes.”

Kevin smiled triumphantly as he gently closed the locker door.

“Let’s perform!”

“Honey, your shoulders are going to pierce the sky. Okay, so maybe we’ll see you at Coachella or South by Southwest?”

“It’s my agent’s ability.”

“Even if I’m assigned to a shabby stage, I’ll still go see it. If there’s no singer I like at the same time.”

“That means you’re not coming!”

Kevin smiled broadly and shook hands with his manager.

Today, Kevin steps down as the club’s main DJ because, as his manager says, he’s signed to a major label and is working in the major scene.

Of course, you can continue working as soon as you sign the contract, and you won’t start earning money right away.

Kevin just wanted to focus on his music career.

“however.”

The manager smiled bitterly when he saw Kevin’s barrel bag. Kevin’s barrel bag had a few accessories attached to it, but they didn’t look good on Kevin.

“Will you still be wearing that when you become a major artist?”

“that?”

Kevin looked at his bag. There were key chains and badges dangling from the strap.

“Oh, this?”

“That’s it? K-pop idol merchandise.”

“Isn’t it hip?”

“If it’s hip, it’s super hip. In a bad way.”

Kevin is a man in his 30s.

He has gentle eyes that make him look kind, but his curly yellow hair and beard give off a masculine vibe.

And there are K-pop idol goods hanging from the bag of that masculine man.

“How about you become a little hip? I’ll tell you the names, so watch the music videos and listen to the music. Do you know? K-pop is basically based on EDM… .”

“Okay. They’re too young.”

“They’re all adults.”

“You look young. I like those kinds of people.”

The manager patted his bulging belly.

“I’ll be labeled a pedophile right away. And I’m not interested in Asians.”

“It’s a shame. There’s no way our relationship can continue. Well then, goodbye.”

Kevin left the waiting room lightly.

The manager looked at the door he had exited through and burst into laughter.

“What a strange kid.”

Most Americans know about K-pop. They can’t help but know it because there’s a group called WTP. Those foreigners who suddenly appeared provide America with interesting gossip.

People know K-pop, but it’s different from listening to it.

It just stops at the level of ‘I heard there was something like that’.

Moreover, the perception of WTP is that they are a ‘great group, famous for being famous’. Only people who are not interested in them know exactly who they are.

It’s a boy band that kids hang out in.

And that boy band is doing something called K-pop.

Exactly that much.

Even if you like WTP, you’ll probably hear people say, “You’re amazing,” but Kevin takes it a step further.

“Who did you like?”

The manager repeated the words, ‘Girl, girl… ‘ and then shook his head. It was a name that would never be related to him anyway.

* * *

Kevin met with his manager at a cafeteria near the label he was signed to.

His manager was a woman in her thirties. She ran a hand through her blond hair and sat down in a businesslike manner, as if to prove that she had been in the business world for a long time.

“Kevin, you’re early? I usually come earlier than my appointment time, but you’re even earlier. Are you looking forward to it?”

“Actually, after work, I spent a lot of time here.”

The manager looked in front of Kevin.

There was a coffee cup sitting there. It had probably been refilled several times.

The manager smiled brightly.

“Would you like breakfast?”

“Oh, good.”

The manager had coffee and Kevin had a light breakfast. The manager talked about work while he was eating to save time.

“The most the label can give Kevin to produce his album is $50,000.”

“There are a lot.”

“As for Mr. Kevin’s ability, I think he’s on the salty side.”

“Does it cost that much to make a full album?”

“What about the promotional expenses? What about the money to give to the team members? What about the music video?”

“aha.”

Kevin understood immediately.

The US does not have a large entertainment agency system like Korea. If a Korean entertainment agency were to appear in the US, it would be immediately dismantled for violating anti-monopoly laws.

The controversy over child trainee abuse is a bonus.

In any case, the American music business industry operates on three axes.

Management that manages artists.

A label that releases an artist’s music.

An agency that brings work to artists.

In Korea, work is handled entirely by one company, but in the US, it is split into several branches.

The manager Kevin was currently facing was a management figure.

“This contract fee is a test for Kevin from the label. They are asking him to produce a decent result. The promotion provided by the label will be below common sense.”

“This is really a test.”

Kevin wiped the salt off his hands with a tissue as he ate the fries. He didn’t seem to feel any pressure.

“Mr. Kevin, the deadline is three months. Please complete it within that time. That’s the standard set by Mr. Kevin’s agent.”

“You’re telling me to make an album before the festival season starts?”

“Yes, you can. If you have any trouble, please let me know. I will do my best to help you. You have to trust me.”

“Of course I believe it.”

Kevin smiled brightly.

“You take 20% of my profits, so of course you want me to succeed. And then also, my agent got 20%? You split the profits with the label, so, oh, it’s really only a little bit for me.”

“I’m aiming for the next contract renewal. If Mr. Kevin is consistently successful, I’ll only receive 10%.”

“Olivia, can you tell me that?”

“What is it?”

“How many other artists do you work with besides me?”

Manager Olivia just smiled.

“It doesn’t matter how many artists I’m in charge of. I treat all of them with the utmost sincerity.”

“I have faith.”

“Don’t be jealous. I signed a contract because I saw potential in Kevin. I trust you. And who knows? Maybe one day, Kevin will be my first.”

Olivia was a fascinating woman. The mere hints she gave would set the imaginations of men who encountered her running wild.

Creating this atmosphere was one of the business skills she had honed.

‘Okay, work hard.’

The success of an artist means the success of his manager.

That’s a literal meaning in America.

Olivia gets 20% of Kevin’s profits. Of course, she doesn’t get all of it because it’s shared with the company, but as Kevin rises to the top, Olivia’s profits also increase.

‘Work hard and make me successful.’

Olivia smiled seductively at Kevin, almost as if trying to motivate him.

Just then Kevin’s cell phone rang loudly.

He quickly picked up his phone.

‘what.’

Olivia looked at it and thought.

‘Is that your girlfriend?’

Kevin’s expression turned into one of extreme excitement and happiness, so it seemed like we had only just met.

Then Olivia’s skills will inevitably fade…

“My favorite group is making a comeback. The teaser has been released.”

“group?”

It’s a word that’s hard to hear in America these days.

If you’re a musician who works with several people, you’ll probably use the word ‘band’. Is there a reason you use the word ‘group’?

“Would you like to see it? No, here, first, the face.”

Kevin took a colorful keychain out of his bag and placed it on the table. Olivia’s face lit up with confusion at the sight.

Oriental women with girlish faces were printed on every keychain.

Olivia, who works in the music business, knew what it was as soon as she saw it.

“K-pop idol?”

It’s a very deep taste.

Olivia couldn’t hide her embarrassment. Given Kevin’s tastes, it seemed like her trying to create a secretive atmosphere wouldn’t work at all.

“Isn’t it pretty?”

“Oh, yes, it’s pretty… … . I didn’t know Mr. Kevin liked K-pop.”

This is Olivia’s image of K-pop: something that girls like.

There aren’t many male musicians in America that teenage girls would be attracted to. If you’re talking about major-name musicians, you can probably count them on one hand.

I thought WTP was the one that filled that niche. When Olivia saw WTP, she felt nostalgic for the boy bands she used to like, so I wonder what the kids these days think.

‘But this grown man… … .’

I never knew I could love K-pop so much.

Kids who seem to be 20 years younger than me… … .

‘Is it a yellow fetish (a sexual fetish for Asians)?’

In America, all stars who appeal to the opposite sex have sex appeal as their foundation.

So Olivia couldn’t help but think that Kevin was attracted to the idol’s sexuality.

“I met him in person a long time ago.”

“Have you ever been to Korea?”

“No, in America. ‘Ara’.”

Kevin tapped the keychain with Joara’s print on it with his index finger.

“I came to the US to learn dancing. I was an interpreter. I saw you dancing then.”

“Dance… … .”

“Would you like to watch it together? It’s a teaser video. It’s only 20 seconds long. And guess what? Olivia might end up managing this group later.”

“Am I the one talking?”

Olivia chuckled. Kevin smiled back and placed his phone back on the table.

The video started playing soon.

“It could be a realistic story. Last year, the group toured the United States. They had 10,000 people in four cities.”

“That’s amazing… … .”

Olivia perked up her ears.

She has been working in the music business for a long time. She even has a degree in music business.

That is, he is well versed in music.

The music in the teaser didn’t have lyrics. Since it was a teaser video, it must have excluded vocals.

Olivia focused on the music.

‘It’s full-blown electronic.’

After the music came the visuals.

Scene transitions that change almost in seconds. The props and backgrounds were beautifully colored.

Soon, the members’ faces are revealed.

Dressed in all black, they didn’t look as young as they did on their keychains.

Especially, the woman standing in the center was overflowing with sexuality at first glance. She had big breasts.

There are 10 seconds left in the teaser video.

And then they started dancing.

A passionate dance that will leave you breathless just by watching it.

Water droplets splashed from the ground they stepped on, sometimes white smoke billowed, and colorful powders flew in all directions with each step.

The teaser caught Olivia’s attention with just 10 seconds of dance. Then the main title appeared on the screen.

[Automata]

The last 20 seconds of the teaser shocked Olivia’s head. It reminded her of when she first saw a boy band dance performance on MTV as a child.

Handsome guys dance and sing.

So it’s amazing.

Of course, this is the exact opposite situation.

Pretty younger sisters are dancing and singing. From a teenager’s perspective, they must be pretty older sisters.

“how is it?”

Kevin asked.

Olivia’s eyes became serious.

“What is the name of this group?”

“This is the Girls’ League. Would you like a photo card?”

Olivia received a photo card. As soon as she saw it, she felt a sense of possibility.

‘This is money.’

“Kevin, how many K-pop fans do you think there are in America?”

“Huh? Well, I’ve never thought about it. Would a few million… be too many? Or is that a conservative estimate?”

“Yes, millions… … .”

Even if it’s 1% of the American population, that’s 3 million people. If we think conservatively, it’s probably 5 people per school, or at most 20 people. It’s certainly a small number. But that means it’s relatively small.

In America, K-pop is a minor culture. But listening to Kevin, it seems like it has its own fandom.

‘There’s no need to introduce it to all Americans.’

You just have to become famous among the American K-pop fandom.

‘You can build a fandom just by being outside of the US, so what if you were active in the US?’

If we could just capture the hundreds of thousands of K-pop fans that exist in the US… … .

‘It really makes money.’

Olivia stared blankly at Joara’s photo card. A photo printed on stiff paper.

‘This is the kind of fandom that buys this kind of stuff!’

“I’d like to collaborate with you someday. Can we do it? If we get popular with this album, maybe we can?”

Look over there, look at Kevin’s expression.

She looks exactly like Olivia’s older sister, who used to have a Backstreet Boys poster on her bedroom wall.

Of course, there are no other men like Kevin.

* * *

Office worker Yoo Yong-tae becomes a manager!

What does that mean?

‘Fuck.’

Yoo Yong-tae took the 9 p.m. subway and headed home. If you get promoted at work, it means you work hard. They give you a promotion because they want you to work hard.

On the subway, I often saw similar dead-eyed office workers.

‘That’s fortunate.’

If I had just waited a little longer, I would have been stuck between the kids who were rocking back and forth enjoying their youth.

Yoo Yong-tae felt like vomiting just from smelling alcohol these days. Was it because he worked too much, or was it because he got old and couldn’t even smell alcohol on his body?

He got off at the transfer station and trudged towards the next subway. Then his mind suddenly snapped awake.

‘Oh, right.’

Yoo Yong-tae turned around.

He arrived at a passageway whose walls were filled with digital screens.

Yoo Yong-tae carefully examined each one and found what he was looking for. Shin A-reum’s personal teaser photo for ‘Automata’ was hanging on one of the electronic boards.

‘It’s been properly caught.’

This billboard was one of the publicity projects that the people were carrying out by seeking a gun. Yong-tae Yoo also provided funding for the project, albeit in a small way.

In particular, this electronic board had a special meaning to Yoo Yong-tae.

‘I became a fan thanks to this.’

Before Girls’ League debuted, I became a fan of Shin A-reum after seeing her face on the electronic billboard. The first thought that came to my mind at that time was, ‘She really doesn’t listen to adults.’

Yoo Yong-tae laughed heartily.

‘Araumi is still like that.’

She looked down at the diagonal line with a dry expression, and her gaze was intense as if she was trying to make the other person submit beyond the level of ‘not listening’.

Yoo Yong-tae looked at it for a long time.

“……ha.”

He let out a satisfied sigh and started walking again to catch the subway.

When I see someone working hard, I feel motivated. For Yoo Yong-tae, idols are those kinds of people.

It makes me feel good to see children younger than me practicing hard every day and being rewarded for it on stage.

Those kids are working so hard, so I think I should try a little harder too. That makes me feel that way.

This feeling was especially special to Yoo Yong-tae.

‘The Soviets have grown up a lot now.’

Yoo Yong-tae contributed, albeit in a small way, to that success.

Of course, I’ve been a fan of Girls’ League since its inception.

Yoo Yong-tae, who was on the subway, was lucky enough to find a seat. He immediately took out his phone and searched for information about the Girls’ League.

[Title: My heart is pounding after watching the Girls’ League comeback teaser]

I recommend this.

[Title: Girls’ League This time, we need to sharpen our swords properly and come out]

[Or else it seems like it will be eaten up by Caius right away. It is the greatest title in Caius’ history, but if he makes a comeback with something decent this time, he won’t be able to compete with the rival gimmick. But since he cut off Glove’s neck before he could even touch it, he started by sending away a rival.]

[Comment

[I can’t stand being a slandererㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

This is… … ambiguous, so leave it alone.

[Title: I feel uneasy after watching the Girls’ League teaser]

[It’s obvious that Garo Enter is using ‘Our Producing’ as a shield for the members. Apple Crush is going well, but I’m not sure about Automata. I’m worried that if they fail this time, they’ll get cursed at… ]

This is not recommended.

and.

[Comment]

[The shield is really annoying. Have you watched the ‘Our Producing’ video? The members produced it themselves, but it’s so annoying.]

You have to leave a comment too.

It’s obvious that this was written by another fandom to cause discord among the people.

Posts like “I’m anxious,” “I’m worried about a certain member,” “Is this the right thing to do?” are fandom division tactics disguised as concern.

We can’t just leave this alone. We have to gather public opinion and make sure it doesn’t come out.

But there was one thing in this article that I could relate to.

‘If I fail, Ara will get cursed at… … .’

The people will defend Joara. No matter what the outcome is, they are ready to look at it with a clouded eye, saying, “This is what Joara wanted to do.”

But the other inhabitants of the stone plate are not so easy. They are the ones who curse even when a top-tier girl group sets an all-time record, so Jo Ara’s producing is ruined?

It’s scary to even imagine.

‘Looking at the teaser, it seems like the song was well chosen.’

Yoo Yong-tae remembers the last video of ‘Our Producing Season 1’.

It was Baek Seol-ha’s solo interview. Baek Seol-ha spoke as if she was relieved at first, but eventually shed tears.

I was really worried.

He said he couldn’t sleep a wink because he was worried about what would happen if he failed. He must have felt so sorry towards the members, the company, and the people.

Yoo Yong-tae felt sorry when he saw that.

‘Probably Ara too.’

“… … .”

Yoo Yong-tae was absentminded for a while, then he wrote another comment on the post that had been causing trouble earlier.

[I don’t understand why you are belittling the kids’ efforts]

According to the information, Joara often visits communities and SNS. If so, it is not impossible that she will see this article.

In preparation for that time, Yoo Yong-tae tried to clean up the bulletin board by going back and forth between recommending and disrecommending. And he wasn’t the only one doing that.

Many people cheered for the Girls’ League by swimming around the bulletin board.

* * *

“hey.”

Lee Seon-ju called her employee. Soon, the employee came to her.

“Do you have this in stock?”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

The employee opened the drawer under the counter to look for cosmetics stock. There was none. The employee asked me to wait, saying he would go to the second floor.

Lee Seon-ju stood there and looked at the counters filled with various types of cosmetics. Each cosmetics brand had a small photo of a promotional model printed on it.

Among them was the Girls’ League.

Now that I look at it, the entire vertical line was the Girls’ League. Although there were only three rows, not all the members could fit in.

‘Hayang, Seolha, and Rika.’

Three people with a mature feel were chosen.

In particular, Jang Ha-yang is a hit. The aura she gives off is no joke because the photos were taken after she received proper makeup.

‘No, Ricardo… … .’

Rika has been a visual dark horse that has threatened Jang Ha-yang since long ago. Indeed, when you put them side by side like this, they have such a beauty that it is hard to tell which is better.

It was difficult to say who was objectively better. Lee Seon-ju personally preferred Jang Ha-yang, but it seemed to be a matter of taste.

‘Should I buy this… … .’

Lee Seon-ju focused on looking at cosmetics.

No, I was pretending to concentrate.

To ignore the voices heard from behind.

“Well, actually, it wasn’t that difficult.”

Kim Chae-hyun has been bragging about her college entrance exam scores ever since. She’s already bragged about them to the point where she’s sick of them through text messages, but she’s still doing it in person.

“Was it easy for me? Well, because I worked hard? The triumph of hard work? That kind of feeling? Sonna Kanji (that kind of feeling)?”

“Yes, you did really well. Congratulations in advance on passing.”

Kim Chae-hyun received a score so good that she was embarrassed about the fact that she had been procrastinating on the day of the CSAT.

As it turns out, the Korean language section that Kim Chae-hyun had been confused about was the most difficult section ever.

The Suneung community was busy hanging the necks of the people who had created the Korean language section. In the midst of all this, Kim Chae-hyun was very proud of herself for receiving a score of 90 points, a guaranteed grade 1.

Thanks to that, I went shopping with Lee Seon-ju, a free spirit who gave up on the college entrance exam, with a light heart.

“Of course. I study. That’s what it means to be a student. I’ve been faithful to my role as a student. Because that’s what it means to be a student.”

“Didn’t you say you weren’t going to use the internet while studying for the CSAT? How did you know about that meme?”

“After the college entrance exam, I reviewed the entire year of Internet History. Oh, right. I now know where Su-hyeon always says ‘Oh, shit’. It’s written by a streamer.”

“It’s surprising that he doesn’t look like he’d see anything like that. Oh, thank you.”

After receiving the inventory from the staff, Lee Seon-ju moved on to the next corner.

“Hey, just sleep.”

Kim Chae-hyun called Lee Seon-ju. Kim Chae-hyun bought a puff that the Girls’ League was promoting as a model.

Lee Seon-ju raised a question.

“You don’t use that lake.”

“Hey, the Soviets advertised it. You can give it to Maria if you want.”

Maria Kim is Samuel Kim’s younger sister.

Since going to a Girls’ League concert with Maria Kim in the past, they have been promoting a friendship that transcends age.

I decided to meet Maria this evening.

“But it’s a shame. I thought we’d all gathered together after such a long time.”

The college entrance exam is over.

Kim Chae-hyun, Lee Seon-ju, Baek Su-hyeon, and Kim Samuel should become the main characters and enjoy their freedom.

Kim Chae-hyun said with regret.

“There’s nothing I can do. The company told me not to meet friends of the opposite sex in private places.”

Baek Soo-hyun and Kim Samuel were unable to attend the college entrance exam wrap-up party. Their status as trainees prevented them from forming friendships with their friends.

Instead, Maria Kim decided to come and congratulate her in person.

Yoo Yong-tae congratulated Kim Maria by throwing chicken gift cards in the chatroom. Baek Soo-hyun and Kim Samuel were not supposed to eat things like chicken, so they gave the gift cards to Kim Maria.

Thanks to that, only Maria Kim ended up being preyed on.

“I wonder if I’ll be able to meet them once before they debut.”

“But Chae-Hyeon, we can meet in public places.”

“I?”

“If you get a job at Garo Enter later.”

“Oh, right. Should I be polite to Soohyun and Samuel then?”

“It’s business. That’s how it is.”

“Glkun.”

The two spoke as if Baek Soo-hyun and Kim Samuel had already debuted.

After shopping with the student discount, the two headed to the karaoke room they had promised to go to. They were planning to use up all their energy at the karaoke room first and then have dinner.

“Maria!”

“Sister!”

After waiting for a while, Maria Kim arrived at the meeting place. Maria Kim and Chaehyun Kim shared a warm hug as if they were separated sisters reunited.

“How have you been?”

“yes!”

“Are you cold? Let’s go in.”

The three people went into the karaoke room.

It was quite spacious.

As soon as they entered, the three took off their coats and stretched out.

“Today, let’s hold a ceremony in hopes that the Girls’ League will defeat Caius. The Girls’ League song relay… … .”

At that moment, Kim Chae-hyun’s eyes caught Kim Maria’s eye. Kim Maria was looking at her phone with great enthusiasm.

Lee Seon-ju asked slyly.

“Is this your boyfriend?”

“Huh?! Oh, no! I don’t have a boyfriend!”

“Hey, you’re lying to me, even to my sister? Tell me. Show me. Introduce me.”

“There isn’t any… … !”

“Then who are you talking to so intently? Doesn’t this sister want to see Maria’s boyfriend?”

“That’s not it… … .”

Just then the door opened wide and two men appeared.

“Come here!”

Baek Soo-hyun and Kim Samuel entered the room holding a cake with candles. Unlike Baek Soo-hyun who was smiling brightly, Kim Samuel’s expression was almost on the verge of rotting.

But when he saw his younger sister, Maria Kim, he quickly brightened up.

“Uh, how are you guys… … ?”

“Our test takers, you’ve worked hard. Now, a congratulatory cake.”

Baek Soo-hyun placed the cake on the table.

Kim Chae-hyun was dumbfounded and just stared at the cake. Then she looked around. It seemed like she was asking if I knew.

Lee Seon-ju and Kim Maria took out firecrackers from their pockets as if they had been waiting for it.

“Chae-Hyeon, the only test taker in this room, you worked hard!”

“Master, you… … .”

“I gave up studying, so I’m not a test taker.”

“You even got a student discount… … .”

Kim Chae-hyun was in tears.

My friends’ surprise event was so much fun.

Soon after, everyone set off firecrackers. Kim Chae-hyun smiled brightly, wearing the confetti that came out of the firecrackers on her head.

“No, really. Weren’t you two not coming?”

“I lied to surprise you. How can the company stop you from meeting your friends?”

“How about practice?”

“haha.”

Now, the circumstances surrounding Kim Samuel’s rotten expression have been revealed. The two had just returned from their first day of practice.

“Hey, my friend! Blow out the candles.”

Kim Chae-hyun felt sorry for the two, but also grateful. She blew out the fire with all her might.

To him, Samuel Kim said casually.

“See you later at the same company.”

Those words pierced Kim Chae-hyun’s heart. She nodded with a faint smile.

“Yeah, let’s definitely work together.”

In the same company.

One side as an employee, the other side as an idol.

“Okay, then.”

Lee Seon-ju picked up the microphone.

“Let’s go relay to cheer for the victory of the Girls’ League!”

When Lee Seon-ju raised her hands, everyone shouted as if they were trying to get her to do something.

“fight!”

“liberation!”

“girl!”

“Alliance!”

“victory.”

“Samuel, aren’t you in the right mood?”

“Victory!”

Girls’ League, 3 days until comeback.

‘Automata’ album pre-orders exceed 200,000 copies.

* * *

It’s ruined.

The Girls’ League is ruined.

The album sales did not even surpass the ‘Apple Crush’. It was swept off the music charts in one day.

‘Automata’ failed.

Joara felt like she was living in hell every single day. She was stuck in her dorm and wouldn’t come out.

Joara spent her time lying on the bed, covered only with a blanket, feeling guilty about the company, the members, and Sungpil.

‘I shouldn’t have just taken charge of it.’

I was so full of confidence like an idiot… … .

“Araya.”

The door opened and a familiar voice was heard. It was Seongpil.

Joara carefully pulled down the blanket covering her face. Sungpil was standing by the door.

“mister…….”

“Araya… … .”

Seongpil walked unsteadily toward Jo Ara’s bed. Jo Ara burst into tears.

“Sir, what should we do… … .”

“… … Sorry. It’s my fault.”

“You did nothing wrong!”

Joara shouted in a fit of rage.

When I look at his face, tears and guilt just keep welling up in my eyes.

At that time, Seongpil gently hugged Jo Ara. Jo Ara sobbed in his arms.

Seongpil waited quietly until her tears stopped. For hours. Finally, Joara stared blankly at the ceiling and said as if she had made up her mind.

“I’m so sorry, to the people, to the company… … .”

“so do i…….”

“Now, I have no choice but to die… … .”

Seongpil took out sleeping pills from his bag without saying a word. He put a few dozen pills in his palm and handed them to Jo Ara.

Joara took half of it.

“mister.”

“Araya.”

They both held tears and smiles at the same time.

“In the other world, let’s be happy together.”

* * *

Joara opened her eyes.

The corners of his eyes were wet.

“… … What the hell is this.”

There are so many strange dreams.

She slowly raised her upper body. Rubbing her eyes, she could tell she had been crying for quite some time. The corners of her eyes were swollen.

“Ara-chan, wake up. You’re awake?”

I saw Rika through the open door. Her hair was wet, as if she had just washed up.

“Hey, Ara-chan, did you cry?”

“Because the room is dry. What about Shin A-reum?”

“I’m washing now.”

The girls’ league members washed up one by one and prepared themselves. It was cold, so they all wore padded coats.

As we went outside the accommodation, a van had arrived. The members quickly went inside and took their seats.

The manager placed breakfast sandwiches and drinks at each person’s desk. The manager drove to the shop without saying a word.

Seongpil arrived at the shop first.

The shop was dazzlingly bright, even in the dark of dawn. Joara entered the light and stood face to face with Seongpil.

“did you sleep well?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I couldn’t even sleep a wink. I’m glad you slept at least.”

“I feel good today.”

“okay?”

“I had a bad dream.”

“… … Then isn’t that a bad thing?”

“Dreams are the opposite of reality. So, today I feel really good.”

“How bad of a dream could it be?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

Even after the two finished talking, they just looked at each other for a while. Then Joara opened her mouth.

“mister.”

“huh.”

“I’ll go and come back.”

“huh.”

Joara passed Seongpil and went inside.

‘There is no Kaeser. There is no Globe. There are no other senior girl groups, and there are no idols of the same generation.’

The Girls’ League’s exclusive stage.

The number one spot on a music show is a given.

But the Girls’ League’s battlefield isn’t there.

‘The initial sales of Caius this time were 880,000 copies.’

The highest-ranking girl group record of all time.

Finally, Caius surpassed all his seniors.

‘No. 1 on the monthly chart.’

Even in terms of sound sources, there is no one who can keep up.

So, is that the Girls’ League’s battlefield?

‘no.’

The battlefield of the Girls’ League.

‘Awards ceremony.’

Performance of the Year Award.

At every award ceremony that I could attend, I would win the crown with my performance. That was the purpose of the production, and that was the effort.

‘We reach the peak with dance performance.’

My blood is boiling with excitement. I guess it’ll cool down once I get on stage.

The current level of excitement is just right.

‘The goal is an incomparable, overwhelming performance. A quality that will never be seen again in the history of girl groups… … .’

Changing the K-pop scene. From now on, Girls’ League will become the standard for performance.

‘I’ve been working hard just for today.’

Director Seo Yu-seon.

Project choreographers.

Jeong Ji-eum music producer.

Executive Producer Park Sung-pil.

All the producing staff at Garo Enter.

Members who followed along well.

And, teacher Min Si-hwa.

With gratitude and respect for all those people, towards victory.

‘Go.’

Girls’ League, comeback day.