Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 35

35.

‘Ji Dong-hwa has plenty of talent, but his problem is his lack of social skills.’

Jun-sung thought, staring at the message window with no reply.

Jun-sung had a feeling. Ji Dong-hwa wouldn’t do something unless it was something he wanted to do, or something he had a reason to do.

‘The unique emotion in his songs is really appealing. I feel like if I ask for the atmosphere I want, he’ll nail it.’

The songs Ji Dong-hwa showed in the 3rd and 5th rounds of the competition were full of traces of *gomin* [deep thought/worry] to maximize each member’s individual colors.

Jun-sung wanted his solo album to be filled with his own colors, so he listened to songs from various composers himself, but none of them caught his ear.

But why did he have to be drawn to someone who enjoys doing what he wants more than succeeding?

‘Ha, I can’t sleep until I achieve something I’m drawn to, so what should I do? Is there no way to put a leash on him…….’

Just then, the phone rang.

It was Jang PD [Production Director] from ‘Detection,’ the show he was a regular on.

“Yes, PD-nim, what’s up?”

―Jun-sung, do you happen to know anyone around you who’s smart and a fresh face who hasn’t been on our show before? We’re filming in two weeks, but the actor who was supposed to be on got caught drunk driving. I don’t know if this is a blessing or a curse.

And in that moment, Jun-sung trembled with the feeling that he had found the answer.

‘Ha, I’ve found it… a disposable leash…….’

“Yes, PD-nim, our company is debuting a new group this time, and there’s a really great junior [a younger or less experienced colleague].”

―…A rookie? Hmm, I’m not in a position to be picky, but is he trustworthy?

“Yes, I think he’ll do really well if he comes on our show. He’s a Korea University *hapgyeoksaeng* [someone who passed the entrance exam]! You can check his character by watching his debut survival show appearance.”

―Oh, Korea University? Even if he messes up, that’s still a decent picture. Okay, we’ll look into it.

After roughly ending the call, Jun-sung immediately called Ryu Yi-deun.

―Yes, hyung [older brother/male friend]! What’s going on?

“Yi-deun, tell me everything, one by one, about what would be a good way to persuade Dong-hwa.”

* * *

And the next day, Jun-sung stood in front of the studio rumored to be exclusively used by Ji Dong-hwa. Hmm, the song playing is quite to my liking.

And Jun-sung was now feeling an unknown sense of unease.

‘Normally, a rookie wouldn’t refuse… an offer to appear on a variety show, but why do I feel like Dong-hwa would reject it without a second thought?’

Jun-sung had memorized a logically organized list of 13 reasons why appearing on a variety show is advantageous for a rookie, as Ryu Yi-deun had advised him yesterday.

‘If I want to persuade him when we’re not close… I need to be logical. If I can’t persuade him after going this far, that would be sad.’

And Jun-sung carefully knocked on the door.

The door soon opened, and Ji Dong-hwa’s cold face appeared without any change in expression.

‘Wow… why am I getting nervous?’

* * *

While I was working on the rest of the song to give to Mok-hwa as a gift in the studio, someone knocked on the door.

Hmm, is it Lee Hyun-jae? I got up from my seat and opened the door.

“Ji Dong-hwa- *hubae-nim* [junior/younger colleague]! Long time no see.”

…Wow, it’s Jun-sung. Wait, was this guy serious about the message he sent yesterday?

“I happened to be passing by and heard a song, and wouldn’t you know it, it sounded like a song in your style, *hubae-nim*?”

…Thank you for the lesson to turn down the volume when listening to music next time.

“I heard it and it didn’t sound like a song for the group that’s about to debut, so I came to see if it was for me.”

This is the first time I’ve faced Jun-sung this closely, and his impression is subtly intimidating.

He’s a puppy-like face similar to Ryu Yi-deun, but if Ryu Yi-deun is a Golden Retriever, he’s closer to a Shepherd, so I guess that’s why.

…Definitely more like a dog than a puppy.

“…If you don’t mind me asking, why do you want my song?”

“Oh, good question.”

Then Jun-sung smiled and answered.

“You know that groups can’t be together forever, right?”

…Um, I didn’t know that.

“You probably also know that idols who have been around for that long start to worry about how to establish themselves after group activities.”

…Oh my god, so Blossoms can’t last forever either. That’s kind of shocking.

“I’m planning on doing solo activities, and if possible, I want to work with someone talented for a long time.”

Then Jun-sung clapped once.

“But, the moment I heard *hubae-nim’s* song, I was hooked!”

…You’re long-winded. I wish you would just say the conclusion simply.

“Ah, the thought of wanting to perform on stage with a song made by this person for me ended in an instant.”

…I see, thank you for your explanation, Jun-sung-ssi [Mr./Ms.]. Would you please leave now?

“Of course, it’s not for free, I’ll definitely pay you for the song. And there are also special privileges I can give you since you’re an idol!”

Then Jun-sung held out his hand to me and said.

“For example, I can earnestly ask the PD-nim to cast you on the program I’m on.”

…Ha, he’s crazy, too. What did he see in me to make such an investment?

Coming at me like this makes me very suspicious of his intentions. It’s a definite no.

“There’s suddenly a vacancy in the variety show I’m a regular on. So if *hubae-nim* Dong-hwa keeps the promise you made with me in the past! I’ll give Blossoms a chance to appear on a variety show as a gift. It’s a great offer, right?”

…Um, wait, this.

“…What is the name of the program *seonbae-nim* [senior/older colleague] is on?”

Jun-sung quickly scanned the script in his head and immediately opened his mouth.

“Of course, I knew you would refuse. So I have 13 logical reasons to persuade you… Huh?”

What logic are you talking about?

“…I’m talking about the program name.”

“It’s called Detection, it’s a program with a decent fanbase…….”

I gather the deep sigh rising from within and exhale it.

Damn it, Gisaeng [a system or entity providing quests/missions].

“…I’ll work with you.”

Then Jun-sung looked at me with a slightly wronged expression and asked.

“Please listen to the logic first, *hubae* Dong-hwa! It’s not about the song right now, I’ve logically compared the pros and cons of a rookie appearing on a variety show!”

…I’m sure he’s crazy. It’s hard to classify him as normal, at least.

* * *

After quickly sending Jun-sung back, I sat still in my seat.

‘Ha… Gisaeng, quest complete.’

[Emergency Quest ‘Appearance!’ Completed!

Completion Condition: Blossoms must receive an offer to appear on ‘Detection’

Reward: Gisaeng’s support]

…Damn it, you call that a reward. I wouldn’t have even paid attention if you hadn’t said it was absolutely necessary for Blossoms.

‘Gisaeng, accepting the offer from that Shepherd-like human will help Blossoms, right?’

[Warning―! Constant distrust is not right.]

…This isn’t distrust, it’s called caution, Gisaeng.

* * *

The Nietzsche Entertainment A&R team leader is drinking coffee while listening to Ji Dong-hwa’s self-composed song.

“…Sophisticated.”

Surprisingly, Ji Dong-hwa’s self-composed song shows signs of studying. And quite deeply… But he went to the Department of Philosophy in college, so when did he get this much education?

“I wish my child was just half as smart as him.”

“…Team Leader Kim, you don’t even have a lover?”

“…Shhh.”

“And who drinks coffee while listening to such an exciting song?”

“…The deep meaning contained in the song.”

“So, is Dong-hwa’s song the title track for this album?”

Just listen a little, Team Leader Kim muttered and sat up straight.

“This level of quality is worth pushing as the title track with a little touch-up. With the budget scale that the planning team is roughly preparing, we can make it look great, right?”

“But, Team Leader, have you heard about that?”

“…What?”

“I heard that HighSix and BlueJack are making a comeback when Blossoms debuts?”

“…Oh dear, what is the planning team going to do? It’s impossible to move it up from now, and it’s a bit difficult to postpone it.”

Team Leader Kim closed his eyes for a moment and began to imagine what the planning team leader, Jang Hae-jin, would react.

“…Is she praying right now?”

She’s become a devout believer.

* * *

Planning team conference room, a loud noise echoes.

“God is dead after all! Nietzsche was right!”

“Team Leader Jang! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Since hearing from an industry colleague about the comeback schedules of the undisputed top male idol groups HighSix and BlueJack, Jang Hae-jin has become an unstoppable tank.

If two of the top three teams, along with TOT, make a comeback together, all the issues in the idol scene will inevitably be focused there.

“How! Why of all times! We’ve been gathering some issues, but there’s no way we can win!”

“Team Leader! Postponing the schedule is!”

“Assistant Manager Lee, you know it’s not possible. We’re… doomed. I thought we could aim for the debut number one if we targeted the empty spot well, since we’re TOT’s junior group and we did a survival show… So I got a huge budget from the president!”

And Jang Hae-jin clutched her head and almost wailed.

“No! They clearly said they would come back in another quarter last time, but the friends I have can’t even give me proper information! I’m an idiot for trusting those guys and gathering the budget!”

“…Number one isn’t necessarily success, Team Leader who raised TOT knows best. They debuted at number one in two years and are now one of the top groups.”

“I know, but everyone knows that the investment cost is high for a rookie! Even if we do average, it’s a loss. I gathered everything I had, thinking it was a completely empty spot at the time of debut, but I’m not even sure if we’ll be mentioned in the community because we’re caught up in the comeback of other guys.”

And she buries her face in the desk and mutters.

“What can a rookie who hasn’t even debuted be a hot topic for…… It’s not like a variety show is suddenly falling from the sky. ”

Jang Hae-jin imagines herself being severely scolded by the president, sighs deeply, and looks at the sky.

“Anyone… want to go smoke together?”

Then the planning team members sigh and say.

“You’re the only smoker on our team, Team Leader…….”

After the time of regretful smoking, Jang Hae-jin, who had been in despair, sat down at the computer, and a company message came from Kang Seung-won.

‘Urgent, Detection team has casted 2 people including Ji Dong-hwa. Please come to Conference Room 3.’

Team Leader Jang Hae-jin rubs her eyes once.

…Wait, what is this.

It’s like her brain has stopped working.

‘Why… is a variety show falling from the sky?’

She quickly got up from her seat like Kang Seung-won before, grabbed her notebook, and started running.

* * *

It was when the members were gathered in the living room to finish the day and I was playing the song I composed.

“Oh, the team leader is calling.”

“…Answer it here, I’ll turn off the music.”

“Okay, Dong-hwa hyung.”

And Ryu Yi-deun talks on the phone for a while.

“…Yes?”

He looks at me, startled as if he heard something mysterious.

‘…What are you looking at, puppy.’

“…Yes, yes. Ah, I understand. I’ll take him there right now.”

Ah, is it a summons order?

All the members are watching what Ryu Yi-deun is saying with interest.

“Did they tell you to come now?”

Ryu Yi-deun nods once and answers.

“They said they got an offer to appear on a variety show.”

Ah, is that what Jun-sung was talking about?

Well, I’ve never heard of a person like me appearing on a variety show, so is it Chae Ha-min or Ryu Yi-deun?

* * *

“…Can you tell me again?”

Jang Hae-jin nods vigorously and answers.

“We’ve received a casting offer for Dong-hwa-ssi and one more person. You can’t believe it, right? I don’t either. Even though it’s cable, the opportunity to appear on TV before you even debut is a really, really unbelievable opportunity!”

…Isn’t a variety show something that has to be funny? Then I have a serious disqualification, so why?

Jang Hae-jin sends a piece of paper to everyone.

“The show we’ve been offered to appear on this time is ‘Detection: Who is the Criminal’. It’s a *chu-ri* [reasoning/deduction]-style variety show, but it’s actually a program where you play a more difficult and large-scale Mafia game.”

…What’s a Mafia game again?

“…Wouldn’t it be more harmful if someone like me with no social skills goes on a variety show?”

“Um, maybe the broadcast program itself is a way of using your brain. They’re asking for Dong-hwa-ssi, who is a smart person, along with one person who has a sense of entertainment.”

…Oh my god, so social skills don’t matter.

“We’ll have a meeting in about 3 days, and the actual filming will start in 2 weeks. The schedule is a bit tight, so I looked into why. Originally, another person was supposed to go in, but they got caught drunk driving?”

Then she puts her hands together and lowers her head for a moment as if praying to the sky, then raises her head with a flash.

“So Jun-sung strongly recommended our Blossoms to fill that spot, begging as if he was prostrating himself, and the broadcasting station was in a hurry, so they thought Ji Dong-hwa’s character wouldn’t be bad, even though he’s a rookie.”

…Wow, that guy is definitely not normal. My evaluation of Jun-sung has dropped three levels in my mind.

Team Leader Jang Hae-jin nods resolutely and says.

“Everyone, this is an opportunity given by heaven. We must seize it! It’s also a program where Dong-hwa-ssi can show off his talents! It’s airing a week before our debut, so there’s not much time difference from our debut, so it’s good for promotion!”

Then she glances over the five people gathered and asks.

“So, we have to choose someone to go with Dong-hwa-ssi, someone with a good sense of entertainment. Who should go to be the best for Blossoms?”

…Ha, I guess it’s confirmed that I’m going. To have to squeeze into that group of strangers, oh my god.

While I was stressed about the future, the other members looked at each other for a moment, and then Ryu Yi-deun raised his hand.

“Um, wouldn’t Ha-min be good, Team Leader?”

“What’s the reason?”

“First of all, he’s a character who is loved by others, right?”

Um, that means he’s a pushover.

“And in such variety shows, a character like Ha-min can be eaten up.”

That means he’s stupid.

“And since Ha-min easily becomes friends with people he meets for the first time, it’s also good for filling Dong-hwa’s shortcomings.”

…Hmm, doesn’t everything you just said apply to Ryu Yi-deun too?