Chapter 57 - Looks Like He's Going to Make Something Happen

“Na-eun unnie, what did you talk about with Seong Hae-won in the restroom?”

As Seo Na-eun returned to the practice space, Laura asked, lowering her voice.

“Whatever she said to you, unnie, don't worry about it. She's a born troublemaker, so there's no need to listen to her.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Answering Laura, Seo Na-eun turned her gaze to the other members.

“Can everyone gather around?”

The other members besides Laura also gathered in front of Seo Na-eun.

Seo Na-eun looked at each of her group members’ faces once and then opened her mouth.

“Honestly, we've been pretty bad until now, haven't we?”

“Huh?”

Everyone's eyes went round at Seo Na-eun's remark.

Among the flustered members, the eldest, Kim So-yeong, asked cautiously.

“Na-eun-ah, what are you talking about?”

“Since debuting in an incomplete state after losing our main vocalist... no, even before debuting, our state wasn't very good.”

Seo Na-eun said slowly.

“We knew it ourselves. That our future was by no means bright. The reason we couldn't get very close was probably because of that too.”

“……”

Kim So-yeong made a dark expression, recalling the time they had spent together.

It was the same for the others.

“However, we're different now.”

Seo Na-eun said with emphasis in front of her group members.

“We are not the 'us' of the past. As Jeong-ah came in, we became a complete 5-member group, and above all, our mindset itself has changed.”

“……”

“But it's still not enough. Because we've never once produced a distinct achievement yet.”

We did show a great stage at the Night-Bomb Festival, but that was only gaining a temporary advantage against Choux-pop.

Even on 'Music World', we just sang and danced in a spot that Baek Hyeon-woo had secured for us, and we've never taken first place in the popularity rankings.

Therefore, a clear, visible result is needed.

This program, which ranks everyone starkly from 1st place to last place, is the best stage to get such a result.

“If only to repay our Manager-nim who changed us like this... we have to produce a result this time.”

A camera was continuously rolling on the side, but Seo Na-eun didn't pay it any mind.

She spoke the words that came from her heart in a clear voice, without thinking about the gazes of others.

“Let's become the best group that doesn't lose to anyone.”

No answer was needed.

Without anyone having to say who should go first, they put their hands together.

They all overlapped their hands and shouted, 'Fighting!'

Let's defeat both N.A.N and Choux-pop and take first place on 'The Idol'.

With that heart, in this very moment, Newstarz became one.

……

“Assistant Manager Baek-nim.”

While Park Yeong-ho was away from his seat, Team Leader Jeong Do-woon of DP Entertainment approached Baek Hyeon-woo.

“It seems this is the first time since the Night-Bomb Festival.”

“I suppose it is.”

The gaze with which Jeong Do-woon looked at Baek Hyeon-woo was different from before.

Hostility dwelt deep in his eyes.

“Newstarz, do you think they'll do well? Today's assigned mission song looked a bit difficult.”

“Well. I am a bit worried.”

As he gave that perfunctory answer, Jeong Do-woon said in a chilly voice.

“Singing and dancing a cappella is not an easy task. The vocalist's singing ability is laid bare, and it's also easy to lose the sense of rhythm. If things go wrong, it can become a terrible stage that you can't watch with your eyes open.”

“……”

“The production staff here will air that kind of sight just as it is. A few groups will be greatly humiliated.”

Hearing that, Baek Hyeon-woo slowly opened his mouth.

“Seen from that perspective, Choux-pop's basic skills are outstanding, so you must be relatively at ease.”

“Well, yes.”

Pride was contained in Jeong Do-woon's voice.

“Choux-pop is a group that has even done a cappella at a solo concert. Their skills are not at a level where they would be shaken just because it's a cappella.”

“I see.”

Choux-pop is high-level in both singing and dancing.

Among the groups participating this time, the one with the most outstanding skill is N.A.N, but it's not like there's a huge difference with Choux-pop.

Honestly, many of the other groups were just pretty and lacked skill, but if you compare them with such groups, Choux-pop could be called a sufficiently skilled group.

“Therefore, we will take 2nd place, Assistant Manager Baek-nim.”

“……”

“This viewer vote, your side is probably aiming for 2nd place too, right? However, you won't be able to surpass Choux-pop.”

Jeong Do-woon glared at Baek Hyeon-woo with a provocative gaze.

They were eyes filled with the will to get revenge for the Night-Bomb Festival.

However, Baek Hyeon-woo did not avoid Jeong Do-woon's eyes.

“Go ahead and take 2nd place.”

“What?”

“The 2nd place spot, take it by all means.”

Meeting his eyes, he shot back head-on.

“You can take that much as you please.”

“……?”

Jeong Do-woon looked at him with an expression of not understanding.

“What is it? Is it a strategy to save your strength in the beginning and then charge up in the latter half?”

“Well.”

Baek Hyeon-woo retorted while maintaining a calm demeanor.

“You'll find out if you just watch.”

“I just don't get it...”

While they were having that conversation, the participating groups that had finished their practice took their seats on one side of the stage.

They would wait like that, and when their turn came, they would come out and showcase their performance.

“‘The Idol’, which will decide the true skilled idols! The main character of its first stage is... Newstarz!”

Coincidentally, this time, Newstarz was the first batter.

However, Newstarz didn't feel burdened by the fact that they were going first.

Currently, Newstarz's Mental Condition was being maintained at an even higher level than when Baek Hyeon-woo had checked earlier.

‘Especially, Na-eun...’

His eyes met with Seo Na-eun, who was coming out to the center of the stage.

A clearer determination than usual could be felt in Seo Na-eun's eyes.

He could also confirm from her status window that Seo Na-eun was burning with motivation right now.

—————

[Seo Na-eun]

Vocal: A+

Dance: S++

Visual: B+

Potential: A

Body Condition: 80%

Mental Condition: 100%

– Mental Condition is very good.

– Plus corrections will be applied to Vocal, Dance, and Visual.

—————

The leader of Newstarz, Seo Na-eun.

She was ready to show the best performance of all time.

‘Looks like she's really going to make something happen today?’

The multi-entertainer who was the MC shouted for them to begin in a powerful voice, and the lighting changed.

Under the intense spotlight, the five members of Newstarz composed themselves.

Because it was a cappella, the members had to match the starting timing on their own.

How on earth will they start. Just as everyone, both on and off stage, was watching with bated breath.

Thump!

A loud sound rang out on the stage.

It was like the footstep of a heavy animal, like an elephant.

Of course, the only ones on stage were five girls.

That vibration occurred because they had stomped hard on the stage floor at the same time.

“What…?”

Thump, thump!

The sound of footsteps echoed at regular intervals.

And Newstarz moved their bodies to that sound.

Each and every movement was synchronized to the sound of the footsteps.

“Are they... matching the beat?”

Thump, thump, thump!

At the sound of footsteps echoing in place of a drum beat, the managers, including Jeong Do-woon, their eyes widened.

It was supposed to be a cappella, but the sound of the footsteps was marking the beat like a drum.

The idols sitting in their seats were also holding their breath and marveling.

However, the other idols wouldn't be able to imitate it even if they wanted to.

Because the only ones who could put on a performance while continuously maintaining that kind of beat from beginning to end were Newstarz, who had gained a strong lower body through Baek Hyeon-woo's training.

‘If they try to copy it, their legs will get tired from the middle, and they won't be able to perform properly. It would be a case of a crow-tit tearing its legs trying to walk like a stork.’

Still, it's too early to be surprised.

Because this is just the intro.

“……”

Among her members who were creating a beat with the sound of their footsteps, Yoo Jeong-ah brought the microphone to her mouth.

The people gathered here today probably don't know.

That the reason Yoo Jeong-ah, who was almost kicked out of the audition hall for having no charm, was able to capture the hearts of the Haram Entertainment people... was thanks to the clear and refreshing falsetto of 'White Waiting' that she sang a cappella.

“────!”

Yoo Jeong-ah's singing voice filled the stage.

It was a singing voice so rich that it made you forget the fact that it was a cappella.

While everyone held their breath at that vocal ability, the main dancer, Seo Na-eun, finally came forward.

Maintaining her unwavering eyes, she extended her hand toward the front.

A legendary stage, one that would continue to be talked about in the future, had begun.

……

The first air date of 'The Idol'.

Episode 1, which aired in TVX's prime time slot, recorded very high viewership ratings.

This was because there were many elements to draw viewers' interest, such as the participation of the large group N.A.N, and the rivalry narrative of Newstarz VS Choux-pop.

Along with the broadcast of episode 1, the internet voting system was also revealed.

The people who watched the broadcast rushed to log in and cast their votes.

It was to the point where so many people flocked to it that access was temporarily difficult.

As it became a hot topic in the internet communities, there were also people who showed interest belatedly, so the excitement was maintained right up until the voting deadline.

“It's almost time for the results announcement.”

“Yes…”

In the Haram Entertainment office, the Newstarz members were huddled together to check the voting results.

The employees, including Baek Hyeon-woo and Park Yeong-ho, were also waiting for the announcement with tense expressions.

“Phew…”

He heard a trembling breath and looked over, and Seo Na-eun had a very tense expression.

On stage, she had shown her best performance without trembling in the slightest, but now she was so nervous she could barely breathe.

“It's okay, Na-eun-ah.”

Baek Hyeon-woo spoke in a gentle voice.

“You worked so hard. There will definitely be a good result.”

“Manager-nim…”

Seo Na-eun looked at Baek Hyeon-woo with trembling eyes.

Right at that moment, Kanade couldn't wait for the exact announcement time and impatiently pressed refresh several times.

“Huh...?”

However, the announcement page didn't load properly and froze.

Seeing that it had suddenly become unresponsive, Kanade urgently mashed the refresh button, but there was no reaction.

“What did you do!”

“W-Well, normally you have to do this a few seconds early to properly... Ah!”

Just as Laura was pressing her, the screen suddenly changed.

Seeing the voting results being displayed, everyone craned their necks forward and checked the rankings.

“Ah…!”

“Waaah...!”

Cries of admiration bursting out all at once.

The employees threw their hands up high, and the Newstarz members hugged each other tightly and screamed.

[1st Place: Newstarz]

[2nd Place: Choux-pop]

[3rd Place: N.A.N]

Whereas N.A.N, who were not in a normal mental state, showed a performance that was below expectations, Newstarz utilized the a cappella environment to showcase a wonderful performance.

It was the result of the viewers coldly evaluating that sight.

“Unnie, unnie, we did it!”

“We did it!”

“Sob, sob...!”

While being hugged by the members, Seo Na-eun burst into tears.

“Why are you crying on such a good day!”

“Let's give our Leader-nim a celebratory toss to cheer her up!”

“That's a good idea!”

Before long, the other four started to give Seo Na-eun a celebratory toss.

As Baek Hyeon-woo was watching that sight with a pleased expression.

“Hyeon-woo oppa is next, right?”

“What?”

“Come on!”

Kim So-yeong and Laura simultaneously grabbed Baek Hyeon-woo's arms and pulled him.

And all together, they started to give Baek Hyeon-woo a celebratory toss.

“Wow! Even getting a celebratory toss from idols!”

“Assistant Manager Baek must feel great!”

The employees, including Team Leader Park Yeong-ho, burst out laughing at the sight.

However, Baek Hyeon-woo felt a sense of anxiety.

Why aren't they helping and are just watching from the side?

“Ah.”

Right after Kanade's ominous voice was heard.

Baek Hyeon-woo slipped through the members' arms and crashed onto the office floor.

“Ugh...!”

No matter how much he had been trained with high-intensity workouts... it was not an easy task for just girls to give a celebratory toss to a tall adult man.

“O-Oppa, are you okay?”

“I'm sorry!”

The five members rushed over to Baek Hyeon-woo, who was sprawled out on the office floor.

“Sh-Shall we give you a massage or something...?”

“No, I'm fine...”

They said being a manager was an extreme job, and it's really true.

Receiving the members' support, Baek Hyeon-woo raised his body with difficulty.

……

“I'm going crazy.”

1st place Newstarz, 2nd place Choux-pop, 3rd place N.A.N.

Team Leader Jeong Do-woon, who had confirmed the viewer vote results, tore at his hair.

He had expected them to take 2nd place, but it wasn't this form of 2nd place that he had wanted.

“To be 2nd place after losing not even to N.A.N, but to Newstarz...”

Still, this was a result that could have been expected.

Because when they recorded episode 1, N.A.N had made a series of mistakes and showed a performance that was below expectations.

Choux-pop had displayed their skills properly without any big mistakes, but... Newstarz's performance was just so excellent.

“How do I tell the Director?”

Right now, Jeong Do-woon had to call Seong Soo-ho immediately and inform him of the results.

Because Seong Soo-ho had been abroad since last week for another project, it was arranged that Jeong Do-woon would inform him as soon as the results came out.

“K-heuk...”

Jeong Do-woon hesitated and then made an international call.

After waiting for about 5 seconds, Seong Soo-ho's voice was immediately heard.

“Oh, yeah, Team Leader Jeong.”

Sounds like an airplane were also heard, as if he were near an airport.

“I was busy so I couldn't check myself, how's the reaction to the first episode of 'The Idol'?”

“It's quite good. The reaction was as we expected.”

“They have basic skills, so of course it should be. Have the vote rankings come out?”

“They're out.”

Jeong Do-woon swallowed his saliva and then spoke cautiously.

“Choux-pop took 2nd place.”

“It went according to our strategy.”

Seong Soo-ho said in a satisfied voice.

“Our strategy is to make it so that N.A.N and Choux-pop continuously get a one-two finish. Even if we can't defeat N.A.N, it's a success if we just create the image that Choux-pop is on the same level as N.A.N.”

“Director, but...”

“Keep doing that in the future. I have to go now, so I'm hanging up.”

The call was disconnected.

Jeong Do-woon stared at the phone, on which the call had ended, for a good while.

He had no idea at all how to resolve this situation.

“I'm screwed...”

Muttering that, Jeong Do-woon lay down on the office floor.

There was no one to help that Jeong Do-woon up.