While The Dawn was diligently filming and posting their self-produced content, PD Kim Heeyeon, whose stock had risen sharply as a shining star, was experiencing even busier days lately.
“PD! When will the cast list be ready?”
“Kim Heeyeon, has the location been secured?”
“Kim Heeyeon!”
“Kim Heeyeon!!”
“Kim Heeyeon!!!”
At first, she thought she would have some leisure time after the program ended, but soon work poured in from everywhere like crazy.
Got it! Fuck, stop calling me!
Having entered that mode, Kim Heeyeon, who had run around until her feet felt like they were on fire, could finally catch her breath in an empty meeting room.
After downing an Americano with three extra shots in one gulp and heaving a deep sigh, she leaned back in her chair.
“I’m so busy, it’s killing me, really…”
Her vacation had been returned long ago.
Kim Heeyeon looked at the proposal in front of her.
Shining Star Season 2.
It was a program to use the winner of Season 1 as a contestant for Season 2.
Despite wrapping up with high viewership somehow, the Today incident blew up so big that Season 2 seemed to be fading into obscurity.
However, once all the cast members from Season 1 became successful and public opinion settled, the production of Season 2 was confirmed.
“I’m such a trash.”
The thought of pushing these much younger kids into the fiery pit of fierce competition left her with a bitter taste.
This was work, and the idols did gain something for their efforts, she consoled herself, but that only made her feel more despicable.
This time, without any mishaps.
Everything was perfect at the planning stage.
Given the big issue before, even major agencies similar to D.go had been keeping it low, wary of public opinion.
Kim Heeyeon’s eyes halted on a name as she scanned through the casting list.
It was The Dawn.
It was clear they were currently one of the hottest groups.
From early last year, starting from a single album to Shining Star, self-produced content, to variety shows.
Their schedule was so tight it made one wonder if it was humanly possible, but they made it in the end.
Then, with a knock, the meeting room door opened, and an AD came in.
“Are you here? Have you seen this?? Wow, The Dawn’s self-content has an insane number of views!”
“Really?”
“Yes, take a look at the responses.”
Taking the laptop the assistant director handed her, Kim Heeyeon quickly scanned through several posts.
They were mostly about The Dawn’s self-produced content.
[Title: The Dawn’s self-con is fucking hilarious…
They say they’re going all-in with military-themed self-con for their Apocalypse project but I honestly thought it’d be cringy af but
(Seonghyeon/ Ichae sexy dance clip)
(“The Time Controller” Jiwon self-destructing clip)
(Disheartened Dajun clip)
No but seriouslyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ why is it so funny?? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋI have a soft spot for this B-grade flimsy sentiment, laughed the whole way through
Especially when going bungee jumping, it was too funny
– Hoyun: “Call out the name of the person you love before jumping.”
– Dajun: “Noeul!!!”
– Hoyun: “Louder!!”
– Dajun: “I love Noeul~!!!!”
– Jiwon: (smiling contently) (smiling contently)
Jiwon, did you raise Dajun?
Let’s rewind time…
Anyway, next up is Kang Ichae, who got utterly wrecked by Seo Hoyun today…
Looking all raggedy with madness overflowing from his eyes
Regardless, Seo Hoyun was nonchalant
– Hoyun: “Be careful on your way down.”
– Ichae: (fuck) “Why are you so listless? Aren’t you going to ask me?”
– Hoyun: “I’d rather not hear it.”
– Ichae: (pissed off) “Can I call out the instructor’s name~? ^^!!!”
– Hoyun: (equally pissed off) “I suggest you call out Noeul before you cause a broadcast accident.”
Kang Ichae grinding his teeth then suddenly calls out the leader’s name and jumps
– Ichae: “I love Seonghyeon~~!!!!”
– Seonghyeon eating ice cream: ….?????
– Dawnies: ?????
– Staff: ??????
Seonghyeon got exempted from the bungee jump penalty and was eating ice cream but unexpectedly got screwed over
– Seonghyeon: “… Is this my penalty? Hearing Kang Ichae say he loves me?”
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋHe must’ve really hated itㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋKang Ichae calling out his name and saying he loves him, he asked several times if that was actually his penalty Ah ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ These kids, you never know where they’ll bounce off to, I swear…
Hah fuck thinking about it again, it’s hilarious
Guys, watch the Dawnies’ self-con…
Even a soul-stealer like me is holding onto The Dawn….
└After they got massively cursed out last time, they’ve been pulling off some really good content, seriously surprising for a mid-tier company
└└Heard they hired a lot of planning team members after getting cursed at, also heard there’s a huge talent there
└└Oh… interestingㅋㅋ Is the feedback quick?
└└ㅋㅋ… Doesn’t seem like it….
└I’m honestly just so-so about idol self-con but The Dawnies’ is pretty good
└└It’s quite famous among other fandoms too, The Dawnies’ self-con… Exploding like that…
└Seriously, Seo Hoyun’s deal is insane
└└Right, usually it’s Kim Seonghyeon who takes the brunt
└└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
“…They really are crazy.”
Having read through it all, Kim Heeyeon scratched her cheek.
The AD also handed her viral videos like The Dawn’s Japanese debut showcase shoes video and Seo Hoyun’s legendary Japanese fancam.
“That’s what I’m saying. They’ve really, really gained a lot of popularity lately. There’s even talk among the domestic fans about them being the rookie pick. It is not the same The Dawn we first invited?”
“Hmm.”
“While The Dawn is a definite, it’s hard to tell with other idol groups who seem to have some recognition. Their thresholds are high. But considering balance, we need to pick other groups well too….”
Shining Star Season 1 was mostly focused on 1 to 2-year rookies—at most 4-year idols—but this time it was different.
The average was going to be around 3 to 4 years.
They planned to gather only idol groups that had solid fandoms both domestically and overseas.
When the request was made to every major agency to lend a group, they all showed reluctance but didn’t refuse.
This was because after the cast of Shining Star Season 1 appeared on the show, there was a significant boost in their initial sales
“They’re just flexing their pride, that’s all.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t you remember the show’s highest ratings from last season? It was the best among cable competition programs. Haven’t you seen the Shining Star Season 1 poster still hanging right in front of the broadcasting station?”
“Well, that’s true but….”
“It’s not like their popularity is at rock bottom, so they might not be desperate, but there’s a difference between 3rd-tier and 2nd-tier, and between 2nd-tier and 1st-tier. If they’re not willing to seize such a good opportunity for advancement, it’s better for us not to take them.”
If they were half-hearted and lackadaisical, it would not only be bad for them but also the worst for the program.
Even groups that had solidified their position as idols couldn’t guarantee their title would be hot every time
Even with massive capital investment, they might not win the public’s choice.
Ultimately, survival programs were the most definitive way to elevate one’s standing while simultaneously securing the public’s pick.
The anxiety of, “If I don’t choose them, they’ll fall.”
This anxiety translated into “Protect my baby at all costs,” and voting gets halfway engulfed in madness.
So, this was a program perfectly suited for South Korea, a society accustomed to the taste of spicy foods.
The existing fandoms would probably hate it, though.
…Sorry.
Kim Heeyeon was a PD-chasing-ratings, after all.
“Hey, if it were up to me, I’d want to request Black Call.”
“…Are you crazy??”
“Of course, I’m joking… Would I really do it?”
After being quiet for a while, except for occasional variety show appearances, Black Call had released their title song “Kings” late last year, placing them at the top among the 1st-rate groups and widening the gap with other top-tier groups.
They were now too big for broadcasters to casually ask for them, and even if asked, their agency wouldn’t let Black Call participate in such a survival program.
After the failed joke, Kim Heeyeon awkwardly scratched the bridge of her nose and said,
“So, I’m asking for other groups.”
“Uhm….”
“Why?”
Kim Heeyeon asked at the AD’s subtle expression.
“No, it’s just… I’m a bit worried about The Dawn.”
“What?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected content, the AD shrugged.
“While it’s true that their popularity has risen a lot, they could be completely overshadowed by the groups we’ve listed… We’re used to being criticized, but The Dawn was the top contributor to Shining Star Season 1’s success.”
“That’s for The Dawn to figure out.”
The AD internally clicked his tongue at Kim Heeyeon’s indifferent response.
Even so, she must have grown quite attached. Doesn’t she feel any guilt?
The AD saw Kim Heeyeon as a cold person, but Kim Heeyeon was actually making a very calm and objective assessment.
“Well, The Dawn just came back from their activities in Japan, so we should be able to adjust their schedule soon. I’ll contact Daepaseong Entertainment again….”
While listening to a staff member’s report, Kim Heeyeon fell into thought.
She knew The Dawn well.
Or rather, she knew Seo Hoyun well.
Such a damn tough guy.
Among idols?
No, out of all the people she had seen, he stood out.
His ability to resolve issues with unconventional methods even under the worst conditions and his mental strength were distinctly different from others.
Kim Heeyeon leaned back in her chair, thinking about Seo Hoyun.
What exactly is he?
His face was incredibly pretty, but his skills were somewhat lacking.
However, he was courageous and didn’t care about what others thought.
When he pushed Today to the brink of hell, Seo Hoyun had answered her question with a light smile.
“Can’t other people have such thoughts?? It’s not that they don’t have thoughts, but they can’t do it because they have a conscience.”
“So what about you?”
“I don’t have a conscience.”[1]
“Wow, even thinking about it now gives me the chills.”
“Excuse me?”
How the hell can a person be like that?
Kim Heeyeon twirled her pen around.
He was indeed a charismatic figure.
The boldness in his actions and the occasional glimpse of tenderness.
Why is he even an idol?
Honestly, no matter how much she thought about it, Seo Hoyun didn’t seem like someone who was desperate to be an idol like the others.
Desiring unconditional love from fans or the thrill that came from being on stage wasn’t it either.
He was just moving sluggishly, driven by the duties and missions assigned to him…
“…No, despite that, he seems desperate.”
“Excuse me??”
“Never mind.”
Kim Heeyeon tilted her head in confusion.
Judging people was never an easy task.
“…Seo Hoyun is, no… The Dawn is…”
This time, it seemed Seo Hoyun would find it a bit tough to maneuver behind the scenes.
Kim Heeyeon reviewed the list again, drawing lines firmly across it.
Yet, one thing was certain: anyone who crossed paths with Seo Hoyun would inevitably find themselves deeply entangled with him, for better or worse.
“I don’t need to be considerate, they’ll manage fine on their own.”
Because he was a weirdo.
.
.
.
[Win the first place in Shining Star Season 2!
The survival program is back after a long time!
Secure first place in Shining Star Season 2.
Success: Vocal stats significantly increase
Failure: Seo Hoyun’s confidential information leaked]
“Fuck….”
I cursed under my breath the moment I saw it.
The quest had always been tough, but this penalty was the worst for someone with so much to hide.
I remained steadfast in denial, fleeing after the quest was thrown at me.
Ha….
Especially since I was just bracing myself to meet “PD Kim of Shining Star Season 2” before this.
“Wow! It’s the start of our Season 2!!”
I had come to the broadcasting station for a preliminary meeting for Shining Star Season 2.
Reluctantly dragging myself there, I found myself circling around the entrance when I spotted Joo Woosung talking to a woman near the sparsely populated smoking area, likely due to the early hour.
“Oops.”
Noticing me, he waved his hand gently.
As the other members bowed slightly, the woman beside him smiled and returned the greeting.
She was a fairly famous actress who had made a name for herself in a youth drama three years ago.
“Take care.”
“Yep, goodbye, Woosung.”
As we approached, she smiled lightly and hurried off.
I definitely knew her, but…
…What was it?
I felt like I was missing something.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I was lost in thought when Kim Seonghyeon’s excited voice reached me.
“Sunbae! I saw the clip from your last concert!”
“Oh, that video is out already?”
“Yes!!”
Joo Woosung, responding by lightly patting Seonghyeon’s shoulder, turned his head toward me.
“Hey, are you still mad?”
“…Hm?”
“This idiot forgot.”
It suddenly dawned on me.
Right, I had received a call from Joo Woosung when I was very sick in Japan.
Joo Woosung snorted as if he found it absurd.
“It was the first time a junior cursed me out. You bastard.”
“It’s a valuable experience in life, isn’t it?”
He looked at me with a sour expression as I chuckled.
After sending the members off, I looked back at Joo Woosung.
“So, you said you’d be mentoring Shining Star?”
I wished he would just enlist in the military already.
“Ugh. I’m gonna get cursed out so much.”
Muttering to himself, Joo Woosung slightly scratched his cheek.
“Well, does it even matter now…?”
“…?”
Mentoring was no big deal, right?
Of course, there might be some talk since Joo Woosung and the participating groups didn’t have a big age gap, but there was no denying his abilities.
More than that, my slight discomfort and curiosity were what mattered more to me, so I glanced around and asked,
“…Did you work with that person just now?”
“Huh? Ah, yeah.”
I couldn’t think of any connection between Joo Woosung and the actress.
With no one else around, Joo Woosung glanced around and then nonchalantly said,
“Yeah, she’s my ex-girlfriend.”
“…”
He mentioned it so calmly.
[1] See Episode 50.
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