Chapter 247

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 13, 2025

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“Huh…”

Numerous love calls inundating the broadcasting station simultaneously.

The debonaire producer, Director Jung So-hyun, was in deep thought.

The debonaire members were already the top target for recruitment among active idol groups, alongside Ailee.

But thanks to the massive hit of Self-Content, they had jumped to the number one recruitment target for the broadcasting station.

According to insiders,

Several main variety show producers and writers, particularly staff from observational reality shows like Self-Content, were obsessed with our kids.

Of course, receiving good evaluations among insiders was a positive thing.

Generally speaking.

However, in the current situation, recklessly taking any variety show appearances as scheduled wasn’t a great look.

“It’s no good because it accelerates image depletion.”

If they were complete rookies, it would be a different story.

Do-hee and Seo-yoon had spent their peak days with Seven, who was comparable to Coral Blue, and even with their established reputations and value, being a second-hand rookie was a clear fact.

Moreover, the nature of the audition program they debuted in meant they were naturally closer to the public.

Yet, to maintain a certain level of mystique,

They couldn’t afford to burn bridges with the broadcasting station.

Only the ‘big players’ in the entertainment industry had the clout to even attempt to negotiate with the broadcasting stations.

Adding to that, Topist had already had friction with the giant music station Mwave during Seven’s disbandment process, making their relationship particularly strained.

So inevitably,

“We might have to appear in one or two shows according to the schedule. For each broadcasting station.”

He wondered if he had made a mistake in resigning Director Moon Kyu-cheol over a personal spat.

Though Director Moon was someone who, under the guise of hospitality, had splurged company funds on executives from the broadcasting station and entertainment venues, he had played a vital lubricant role between the station and the company with his unique charm.

“I wish he had just stopped right there.”

It couldn’t be helped.

Putting aside office politics, in order for Topist to have a healthy structure, it was a rotten branch that would have to be cut off sooner or later.

And the conclusion remained unchanged.

Ultimately, the members would have to participate in several variety shows, and image depletion was unavoidable.

So, there was only one solution.

To instill the members’ true personalities as seen in variety shows.

A laid-back, friendly, and warm image.

They had no choice but to layer that with a luxurious and sophisticated image, which was in stark contrast.

In fact, he thought that this time’s title track would be sufficient just with the image of having composed it, and he wanted to save it for later.

But there was nothing that could be done.

“Anyway, I had to go this year. So, it’s better to do it early. Probably… Paris Fashion Week is in the fall this year…”

I had been putting it off a bit to increase the value, but now it was time to quickly negotiate with brands and release articles right alongside the comeback.

Jung So-hyun nodded repeatedly.

“Yeah, it was necessary after all.”

Beauty, jewelry, fashion.

Three luxury ambassador contracts.

Currently, Do-hee only had the jewelry line.

Just as Seo-yoon had completed contracts in all three areas ahead of her.

It was time to choose new brands for Do-hee as ambassadors for the remaining two luxury categories.

“I can’t really tell the kids to go on air and act coy…”

So, Jung So-hyun opened the drawer and took out documents.

She carefully thought about the branding effects and image pursuit directions for the brands that had previously offered A-deal to Do-hee.

Of course, Jung So-hyun also had to check Debonaire’s schedule at the same time.

Thanks to that, a headache that wouldn’t go away.

“No matter how much of a versatile entertainer an idol is, they’re not a variety show star…”

She kept pressing her neck muscles.

“Ha-ah…”

*

Meanwhile, Do-hee, about to shoot, was simply pondering how to elicit laughter in her variety show.

“Isn’t it a fact that intelligence and humor sense are proportional? Hehe…”

“Well… I don’t know? There might be counterexamples?”

“Huh? Woo-ah, why are you looking at me?”

*

Manager Young-ho was feeling unnecessarily nervous about being on the show, trying to instill a solemn atmosphere among us.

“The director told us not to go overboard this time, so everyone, let’s be a little reserved tomorrow. Got it?”

“Manager, are you nervous?”

“Nervous, nervous!”

“Guys, this is serious.”

“Whoa, what’s with the facial acting~”

“Is this going to lead to a career in acting?”

“No, I’m serious, guys.”

“Wow, method acting is giving me chills.”

“I think I understand why you stepped into the entertainment industry. Did you have a dream?”

“Seems like you really wanted to be an actor… But I honestly think it would be fine if you became an actor, Manager! Like, a classy supporting role! You have such a nice mask!”

“Na-eun, what are you saying… I mean it, tomorrow’s concept should be soft, quiet, and cultured, okay? Like when you all eat!”

Star B-side, shortened to S-biD.

A show revealing the real lives of members from the manager’s perspective, always alongside celebrities.

It was one of the most popular observational variety programs.

It was a program.

Naturally, the fans would be very welcoming.

I was also quite pleased.

There might be a little setup, but there was no need to take extra time for the shoot.

It just so happened that we were at the stage of preparing for the music video.

In a way, it was just adding a few more production staff and crew since the behind-the-scenes cameras were already rolling.

“But honestly, I do have some culture.”

“Right, Do-hee, you’ve talked a lot. This time, make sure to show that culture!”

“Huh? I usually-”

I try not to pull out difficult trivia just to be humble.

Still, that culture would surely seep out unconsciously, wouldn’t it?

“Wow, Manager, looking at you, you really seem sincere.”

“Feels like it, right…?”

“Totally.”

“Sigh, guys, how smart our Do-hee is!”

I think I get it now.

“Wait a minute, are these people even recruiting the manager now? Almost got tricked today, huh?”

Still, it was too early for the members to fool me—at least 20 years too early.

*

‘……’

Let’s open up a cultured day.

Of course, it wasn’t much different from usual.

There were cameras in our dorm.

Today, we were just enjoying the virtue of silence a bit more luxuriously.

─Chwa-ra-ra-rak!

As I drew back the blackout curtains, the morning spring sunlight greeted me once again.

‘Ah, it’s so cozy!’

‘I need to get to today’s first stretch and play the piano!’

Right, today would be a quiet and peaceful song, like the sounds of morning birds.

Not flashy, but serene and gentle.

With a nocturne vibe.

Like Consolation, Liszt’s No. 3.

This piece would remind me that although the day would be busy and tiring, just like always, once it’s over, everything would be alright.

So today’s playing technique wouldn’t be just about striking the piano keys.

It would just be the music flowing from my hands.

“Leiwand! (Wonderful!)”

Ah, this German exclamation was a hasty little detail I found on my phone earlier, but…

*

“Ugh~” “Liar!” “Do-hee, what’s wrong?”

The panels, watching together, were horrified.

Sure, it had a playful tone, but not even MC Hong Jung-yong, known for his sharp tongue, seemed genuinely displeased.

“This friend’s concept is over the top! Who stretches and plays the piano right after waking up? Forget stretching; even the pianists I know are bored to death and would never do that!”

It was just absurd.

Just because they don’t do it doesn’t mean no one else does!

At times like this, we can only trust our Seo-yoon Unni.

The only one we can trust is our Seo-yoon Unni.

“But Do-hee really does that every day when she wakes up. Without fail.”

It’s true, but how do you defend that?

But still, I did raise her well, after all.

“Without fail? You really do it without fail?”

I decided to answer this time.

“Yes, almost. It’s a routine I’ve been doing since I was young.”

Hong Jeong-yong raised his hand, looking a bit awkward as if it were just a simple question.

“Oh, really? Is that why you play so well? Of course, you need effort to do something well. So, what’s that piece? The piano sound is amazing!”

I should think of it as his way of extracting more conversation from me.

“It’s No. 3 from Liszt’s Consolations. It’s a piece that expresses the happy days Liszt loved, and the beauty of how happiness comforts sadness is really something. It makes my heart feel at peace and happy, right?”

“It really is nice!”

“But honestly, it does feel a bit contrived.”

Huh?

“See! I knew there was something. The members know this, so hurry up and tell us, Seo-yoon.”

“Well, normally, she makes a ton of noise to wake up the members, stomping on the pedals and all… But right now she’s playing so quietly over there! I’m in the next room and her playing is basically my alarm!”

Oh.

“When did I ever? It’s just half and half, depending on whether I want to warm up or practice.”

“Half and half? Half and half? But every time you wake up, you go, ‘Unni, wake up!’ And then you show off Do-hee’s virtuosic skills from the morning!”

“Ugh!”

Well, it’s because difficult pieces are better to practice, after all.

Difficult pieces can generally be a bit loud.

Good grief.

─Leiwand!

“This one!”

Hong Jeong-yong pointed his finger as if asking about it.

“Oh, this is really contrived. I just shouted it jokingly once.”

“Right? This feels way too hastily thrown together~”

And now that I’m saying it, Seo-yoon Unni definitely got annoyed when her mother woke her up during her school days.

Not knowing how grateful she should be.

That morning performance is so expensive and refined.