Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 557



Only Noblemtl

Episode 557

[Girls League Private Interest Controversy]

The Girls’ League is suffering from an unexpected controversy over private funds.

The Girls’ League, which had proven its rapid growth and popularity with their third mini-album ‘Automata’, was met with bad news.

Of course, the controversy only circulated among fans in the community or on social media.

There wasn’t a single line in the official article.

It’s like an annual event when idol fans light firewood while saying, “Isn’t this suspicious?”

Even the internet media reporters who were ignored as trash had no intention of being sued for writing articles based on controversies based on mere opinions.

But the people’s hearts were burning.

[It’s disgusting to confirm that it’s a private affair without any evidence]

The Girls’ League grew too quickly, which was frustrating for other fandoms.

Moreover, as their performance reached a level that threatened all other girl groups, it became common for them to be criticized on the Internet.

Extremely malicious fans did not want to believe that a girl group from a small agency could grow so quickly, and they tried to find fault with it in any way they could to discredit it.

Because that was the only way to prove that the group he was selling was not inferior to the Girls’ League.

[It’s only the third year, but is 410,000 a reasonable number for the first week? When Butes (KS Entertainment’s third-generation early boy group) was at its peak, it had 400,000?]

Point out validity by comparing the performance of other groups.

[It is absolutely not normal to sell an additional 210,000 copies during the week on top of the 200,000 pre-orders. It is not common sense to sell 50,000 copies a day, right?]

Packaging it as a logical and rational opinion by attaching words like ‘normal’ or ‘common sense’. Of course, it is only based on personal opinion.

[It sold so well, but why isn’t the group purchase certification coming up? It swept the US, so how can this be?]

Korea, even if you look at it favorably, is criticizing the expansion of Asian fan culture to the entire world.

[‘Apple Crush’ sold 260,000 copies, but if you were in your right mind, wouldn’t you have cut the initial quantity to around 300,000 or 350,000? How did there not become a shortage of quantity for several weeks? They must have printed a lot because they planned to buy up in advance.]

[The Girls’ League’s growth has been strange to begin with, lol. It jumped from 10,000 to 20,000 to 120,000, but how did they prepare for all that? Do the employees even see the future?]

Finding fault with the lack of album sales.

[I also don’t understand why the Japanese version of ‘Apple Crush’ sold 500,000 copies. The most popular layered song in Japan barely sold 200,000 copies in its third year.]

And compare it to other groups that don’t fall out either.

This comparison is the best way to create enemies for the people and allies for other fandoms.

When they hear news that ‘our kids are being compared to the Girls’ League’, people come from all over to try to protect their idol’s reputation.

“There are so many soldiers coming in… … .”

Kim Chae-hyun couldn’t suppress her anger as she looked at her phone.

You’re saying it’s okay because the article didn’t come out? That’s just the worst case scenario. It’s not okay because the article didn’t come out.

Twitter’s real-time trends are filled with things like ‘Girl’s League’s private jet’ and ‘Girl’s_League_OUT’.

What would people who don’t know the circumstances think if they saw that? They would just believe it. Because when humans receive information about only one of two opposing opinions, they think of it as truth, not information.

The people are trying their best to purify it, but it is too much. There are too many enemies of the people.

‘This is 100% youth and KS Enter fandom.’

The only fandoms that the people can’t win the battle to purify domestic trends are boy groups, top tier girl groups, and KARA.

Kim Chae-hyun felt helpless.

I couldn’t hang those scumbags, but I wanted to at least cover the eyes of the Girls’ League. But I can’t even do that.

If I keep watching it, I feel like I’m going to cry beyond anger.

‘These kids are making a big fuss about today being an awards ceremony… ‘

This can’t be left alone.

The Girls’ League has already been the target of much hate up until now.

At first, they were hit with all kinds of rumors by the group’s name and fandom name, and then by the fandoms of the group that were keeping the Girls’ League in check.

When ‘Our Producing’ started, they even openly laughed at us. Producers? You guys? Your image making is disgusting.

‘Those little pieces of trash.’

Kim Chae-hyun continued to check the major idol communities while gritting her teeth. However, the name of the Girls’ League was overflowing in every community, as if it were a Girls’ League gallery.

“Mr. Lee, Jeong Byeong-nyeon and his friends… … .”

“Chae-Hyeon, you!”

Her mother slapped Kim Chae-hyun on the shoulder.

“Ah, oh no! Why are you hitting me!”

“I told you not to swear?”

“I made it so quiet that you couldn’t hear me… … .”

Kim Chae-hyun put her phone down on the sofa with a sad face. Her family was gathered in the living room watching television together.

My father sat blankly at the table in front of the television watching the ‘HPT Music Awards’ red carpet video.

At this time, the father always held the remote control, but today, it was taken away by the daughter. If she didn’t give him the remote control, he would cry and make a fuss, so the father had no choice but to give it to her.

The HPT Music Awards will be broadcast live on the internet, but Kim Chae-hyun really wanted to watch it on the big screen.

“But Chae-Hyeon, when is your entrance ceremony?”

“The announcement of acceptance was in February. It’s December now.”

“It took that long?”

“of course.”

“I didn’t know because it was my first time raising a high school student. Why is he so grumpy today?”

Kim Chae-hyun grabbed her mother and told her all about the unfair bullying the Girls’ League was experiencing.

Mother laughed out loud.

“When I used to like idols, it was even worse. It was common for them to make up stories that didn’t even exist, and they even spread rumors like they were on drugs or had dozens of girlfriends.”

“Do you believe that?”

“Even if you don’t know the truth, you just go around saying it.”

“why?”

“Well, it’s fun, right?”

Kim Chae-hyun’s expression distorted.

Her mother was a first-generation troll. Well, the internet wasn’t that active back then, so she probably just talked to her friends.

This was when fan culture had not yet matured.

In fact, it seemed like he wasn’t particularly mature even now.

Who said the Internet would bring world peace and unity to humanity? The Internet has become a den of hatred for all of humanity.

“Isn’t it cute that you bought the album?”

“How cute is this! How heartbreaking it must be for our children!”

“Are you talking as if he gave birth to your own child?”

A child born from one’s own stomach.

Kim Chae-hyun’s affection for the Girls’ League may not be to that extent, but it cannot be denied that it is very great.

She spent her entire high school years with the Girls’ League. Her youth will be remembered by the name of the Girls’ League.

It’s said that British people can only name their past prime ministers here and there, but they’re quick to answer questions about which rock bands were popular at which times.

I don’t know the names of the prime ministers or famous politicians from the 1960s, but I know that the Beatles were active back then.

“Oh, it’s coming out.”

The Girls’ League entered the red carpet.

Each of them wore distinctive clothes.

Pants and a tank top, or a dress, or a two-piece, a miniskirt and a cardigan, etc. It’s a very unique outfit, but the overall color combination is black and red.

Kim Chae-hyun immediately deduced the meaning of the color combination.

‘The red color represents Apple Crush and the black color represents Automata!’

And I tweeted it straight away.

Members lined up for the photo line waved at the camera.

“ah…….”

Kim Chae-hyun felt completely drained of energy.

Oh my gosh, the day will come when I can watch Girls’ League without worrying about studying?

Of course, I was a little anxious because I didn’t know whether I would pass or not, but I was almost certain that I would pass.

Even in the chatroom for department applicants, Kim Chae-hyun’s scores were among the highest.

“Are you a member of the Girls’ League?”

Father pointed to Joara on the screen.

“This one has gained the most weight.”

“Dad, that doesn’t mean she’s fat. It means she’s healthy! If you see her in person, she’s thinner than me!”

“What’s the difference between watching it on television and watching it in person?”

“No! The TV is fat on the sides!”

“okay……?”

The father stared intently at the Girls’ League. He was interested in the idol his daughter always talked about.

I don’t understand why a girl likes another girl, but that makes me more interested.

[People!]

“people……?”

My father, a former military officer, had sharp eyes.

“Ah, that’s what our fans call us.”

“The people?”

“The fandom name in English is People.”

“These days, I feel so… free.”

“Are you unhappy? Dad, you said you wore a bright red outfit during the World Cup.”

“Hey, that one and this one are slightly different.”

[Thank you for your support throughout the year. I will definitely repay you here today!]

Baek Seol-ha bowed. Her father’s sharp eyes were fixed on the television instead of Kim Chae-hyeon.

“honey.”

My mother’s tone of voice became cold.

“You said you weren’t interested, but you’re watching it very intently?”

“No, I just think my wife is a hundred times, a thousand times better. Man, if Yeobongbong had been born just a little later, she would be standing there. Right?”

“Hey… … .”

Kim Chae-hyun hoped she wouldn’t have a younger sibling today.

Putting aside their passionate love, Kim Chae-hyun focused on the television.

The Kaias came in later than the Girls’ League. They were confident at first glance.

Kim Chae-hyun was already depressed.

‘Sorry.’

It seems like I won’t be able to defeat Caius this time either.

I don’t know if it was my mood, but the faces of the Soviets also seemed to have fallen into a trance.

* * *

The singer’s waiting seat is not comfortable.

I don’t know why, but it’s made of transparent glass and there’s only one cushion placed there, but it’s so hard that my butt hurts if I sit on it for a long time.

As soon as Joara saw that chair, she felt bad.

“Oh, it’s that again.”

“You’re too concerned about the visuals. Why don’t you just bring a sofa?”

Shin Areum was also grumbling.

Their wrinkled faces brightened up as soon as they reached the waiting area. This was because senior and junior idols were gathered around them.

“hello.”

As the Girls’ League members, including Baek Seol-ha, nodded in greeting, the other groups also stood up and exchanged greetings.

The Girls’ League took their seats.

It wasn’t a bad seat to see the stage. The left side was still empty, and the right side was… … .

“Hello, senior.”

Joara greeted Kyuyoung of Siace, who was sitting on her right.

“……hello.”

But Gyuyoung’s condition didn’t look good.

All of the members of C-ACE were like that.

Joara knew the reason.

The members of C-Ace will all be enlisting in the military next January. They probably want to drink a lot and enjoy their last bit of freedom right away, but they can’t be in a good mood because they’re called out to year-end broadcasts and award ceremonies every day.

“You will do well.”

Joara threw deep consolation at Gyuyoung, who said ‘yes’ appropriately. She looked almost soulless.

At that moment, Gyuyoung briefly regained her spirit.

“Aren’t you nervous?”

“Nervous… … Well, I’m nervous because I produced it. It’s kind of strange. In the first year, I was vaguely excited, in the second year, I felt full of fighting spirit, but now that it’s the third year, I’m nervous.”

“No, it’s Caius.”

“yes?”

“It’s a confrontation between Caius and the Soviet Union. I think there’s a prize they’re aiming for this time.”

There is one.

The HPT Music Awards are famous for frequently changing the names of their awards. Sometimes, they disappear, and sometimes, they reappear with a different name.

Although it has had many names so far, it is ultimately known by this word.

“Performance of the Year Award.”

“Are you talking about the Best Performance Group Female Award?”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Jo Ara felt uncomfortable when Gyuyoung directly mentioned Caius. She just wanted to focus on the awards ceremony without thinking about Caius.

“There is no group that will accept it unless it is the Girls’ League.”

Gyuyoung said so.

Joara looked at him in surprise.

“I think so. I… … in terms of performance, I liked Girls’ League’s ‘Automata’ better than Caius’s ‘Nectar’.”

Joara didn’t know what to say.

SiAce’s Kyuyoung was the idol she had idealized since she was a trainee. She loved the explosive performances of the group SiAce, and Kyuyoung was the group’s main dancer.

Although it wasn’t to the point where she was completely admiring him, Gyuyoung was one of Joara’s goals that she had to catch up with.

But that goal recognized itself.

“Hey, stop it and look ahead.”

The leader of the C-Ace spoke while tapping Gyu-young. Gyu-young followed his words and looked forward again.

Occasionally the camera captures the waiting area.

Even if a group of men and women are talking on the screen, it won’t be a good story.

Joara also turned her gaze straight at Gyuyoung. But then she felt a strong gaze coming from the side.

It was Jang Ha-yang. She was flying up like a clown flying into the sky. She clenched her fists as if cheering.

“Sister, didn’t I tell you that if I did that one more time you wouldn’t let me go?”

“I didn’t say anything, I said… … .”

“If you look at it, it seems like my older sister is more interested in this kind of thing than my teacher.”

“I’m not really interested either.”

When Baek Seol-ha spoke, the members remained silent as if they did not hear her.

“This is a frame… … .”

At that moment, I felt a presence next to the Girls’ League.

The Girls’ League members stood up and bowed almost reflexively.

“hello.”

“yes.”

That was the short answer.

Snow White, who was sitting in the leftmost seat, raised her head in embarrassment.

It was Erica.

“Hello, Sister. Girls’ League members.”

Led by Erica, the members of KARA also bowed and greeted each other. Then, as if they had been waiting, the camera caught the two groups.

The Girls’ League and Kaius were caught on the scoreboard.

It was the idols’ red carpet time, but the audience was already full. When the two groups appeared on the screen, the audience cheered so loudly that their ears were deafened.

“haha.”

Erica smiled, straightening her back and waving at the camera.

“Overseas stages are filled with cheers and applause. Some come to see their favorite idols, but it’s also a chance to see K-pop idols that are usually hard to see. All groups are welcome. No matter how much that is… … .”

The cheers and applause today were beyond imagination.

The idols in the waiting seats were so flustered that they looked around.

“Because Caius and the Girls’ League have a long-standing rivalry. I guess everyone is looking forward to it.”

“Ah, yeah… … .”

Snow White felt embarrassed and happy when Erika declared the Girls’ League to be her rivals.

Snow White looked at herself on the scoreboard and reached out her hand to Erica. Snow White’s expression was filled with confidence.

“Let’s have good results for both of us today.”

Erica looked at the hand Baek Seol-ha held out. Instead of taking her hand, she looked at Baek Seol-ha and smiled.

“The Girls’ League gained attention and recognition as a rival to Caius. That still holds true today.”

“Uh, yeah?”

“Whether it was a calculated marketing strategy or a fan-created rivalry, I always thought, ‘Rivals…’”

What is a rival?

“1st and 2nd place, the results have already been decided. Doesn’t the word rival mean an equal relationship?”

Snow White’s body stiffened. Only then did Erica grab Snow White’s hand.

The cheering grew louder.

It was to the point where he couldn’t hear Erica’s voice right in front of him. However, Baekseolha could tell what she was saying by looking at her lips.

‘It ends today.’

The ambiguous rivalry is over.

A perfect hierarchical relationship will be established.

As the cheering died down, Erica’s voice became clearly audible.

“We will become the best from today. We will be in the ranks of the best girl group that no one can refute, so please watch over us.”

Erica and Baek Seol-ha let go of each other’s hands.

The two group members sat in their respective seats.

And they never looked at each other again.

There is no superiority or inferiority in music and culture. There is no winning or losing. That’s what they say.

Wrong.

There is a clear distinction between superiority and defeat.

Whoever captivates more people wins.

* * *

“Are you sure you checked correctly?”

[If you could tell me in this situation… … .]

Jo Jin-man expressed his discomfort on the other end of the phone.

He is the president of a concert planning company and was in charge of directing Garo Enter’s performance at this year’s HPT Music Awards.

Atlas, led by Jo Jin-man, took on this project as a concert specialist on behalf of Garo Enter. This means that they were directly connected with the HPT Music Awards’ concert planning department.

but.

[You saw the rehearsal, right? It’s perfect.]

“I would like to talk to the people from the performance here, but I have no way to do so… … .”

[I can’t contact you right now. Even if there are changes, I won’t make any changes.]

Jo Jin-man smiled lightly as if he understood Seong-pil.

[The original person in charge wants to check again and again. But this stage is out of our hands. The mistake is their fault. I understand your feelings, but you have already crossed the Rubicon. You can rest easy.]

“… … Yes. Are you watching right now?”

[Yes, I’m watching it on TV at home. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be different this time.]

Awards ceremonies held in Korea usually have relatively low ticket prices. You could call it a Korean discount, around 20,000 won.

However, if the award ceremony location changes overseas, the situation will be different. The ticket price for this year’s HPT Music Awards was a minimum of 150,000 won and a maximum of 200,000 won.

What that means is that you can spend a lot more money on stage direction.

The production costs allocated to the Girls’ League were different from before. It was not just about getting on stage and dancing.

He could do whatever he wanted, whether it was dozens of backup dancers, firecrackers, flamethrowers, water curtains, or a split or combined scoreboard.

[I’m watching because I think I can use other groups’ stages as reference. Above all, the Soviet Union is appearing.]

“Yes, I’m sorry for contacting you so suddenly. I was anxious.”

[No, I understand.]

After finishing his phone call with Jo Jin-man, Seong-pil took a deep breath and walked down the hallway.

Last year, Hong Yeon-heon, Hong Kyu-heon’s older sister, took me to the FOH (Front Of House) where the performances were organized.

If Hong Yeon-heon takes Seong-pil there now, Seong-pil will grab the production team leader and try to check the performance elements of the Girls’ League from beginning to end.

I’m busy so I can’t do it.

‘hmm?’

A thunderous roar was heard through the hallway walls.

‘Has it already started?’

It’s not that time yet. It looks like a top tier idol has already entered.

Overseas fans are especially cheering. Since it is rare to see K-pop idols, they cheer with all their might.

Seongpil went into the bathroom.

There was no one. Well, once I sit down, I don’t even drink water so as not to miss a single moment. I might need to go to the bathroom after drinking water.

Besides, it’s starting soon, so no one will be coming to the bathroom at this time.

Seongpil washed his hands at the sink. He rubbed his hands with soap as if trying to get rid of his anxiety.

‘I told the kids to be nervous and use that nervousness as strength to show a perfect performance… … .’

Even Seongpil couldn’t overcome the tension.

Even when I’m still, my heart pounds as if I’ve run at full speed.

This awards ceremony is also a place where ‘our producing’ is evaluated. The awards received at this awards ceremony will definitely have a much greater meaning to the members.

‘We must achieve results.’

Was it the main prize last year?

There are 10 grand prizes. The Girls’ League received one of those 10.

The main prize is the path to the grand prize, but there are countless idols who only win the main prize every year and then disband without even seeing the shadow of the grand prize.

There was an idol who said that his dream was to ‘receive the grand prize’ and was not only teased but even laughed at.

‘Girls’ League is truly at the top. They are in the top five girl groups. They will be.’

So this time we have to get the same results.

Seongpil locked the tap and shook his hands. He kept looking at the mirror while wiping his hands with a paper towel.

In the mirror, he was wearing a stylish suit and showing off his long-worked hairstyle.

But his expression revealed an anxiety that could not be hidden. Seongpil believed that this anxiety would soon turn into joy.

He threw the towel in the trash can and turned to leave. Then the door opened and someone else came in.

“uh?”

Seongpil was so embarrassed that he took a step back without realizing it.

“… Seongpil?”

It was Yoon Sang-yeol. He seemed equally flustered and did not try to come any further inside.

“……uh.”

Seongpil barely managed to continue speaking.

“brother…….”

Although he had promised not to call him hyung anymore, Seongpil found himself calling him hyung as soon as he saw him. Was it because of the time he spent with him?

At that moment, the host declared the opening of the HPT Music Awards.

The two looked up as if they had made a promise.

Applause and cheers broke through the walls and filled the area around Sungpil and Yoon Sangyeol.

The two looked at each other for a while, amidst the faint cheers that seemed to shake the walls. They were filled with various emotions.

HPT Music Awards, opening ceremony.