Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 291

291. Survival Program (2)

“Hello! Kang Yeon-woo. I’ve heard so much about you. You’re exactly the ideal type I’ve been dreaming of!”

“Thank you… Excuse me?”

An absurd word popped out of nowhere.

Lee Ju-ha chuckled beside him.

“Ah, this hyung [older brother or male friend] is going straight ahead with no brakes again. My friend gets flustered easily. He’s innocent.”

“Oh. I shouldn’t be like this. Ah. I’m a fan of Kang Yeon-woo. You’re such a versatile entertainer. Kang Yeon-woo is exactly the kind of talent I’m looking for.”

Then, he passionately explained how well he had been following Yeon-woo’s programs.

“I especially felt it while watching the 24-hour reality show. Ah. There’s talent like this in our country that I’ve been looking for! You’re good at acting, good at composing. You’re even good at singing. And you write your own lyrics?!”

“Yes, I do, but…”

It’s been a while. This momentum that makes me lose my words.

He listed one by one what he had seen.

“I almost shed tears back then. I’m usually not a man who cries, but suddenly tears were flowing when the birthday table was completed…”

I thought many people would at least look up what kind of work a celebrity does before meeting them.

But listening to him, it didn’t seem like he was just saying it out of courtesy.

[Favorability: High]

Seeing the fairly high favorability rating from the moment we met, it seemed genuine.

“See? My friend. I told you it would be okay.”

“I heard about it from Ju-ha anyway. It’s really okay. It’s not like I cast you without thinking just because I’m a fan. Our program isn’t planning to be that strict from the start. It’s a program designed to show diversity from the beginning…”

Then he gave an example.

“Among the mentors who have been cast, there is also a composer who specializes in trot music [a genre of Korean pop music]. He has 40 years of experience. He will be working with an idol group this time.”

“Trot…?”

Even though I’m ignorant, I know that trot and idol music are very far apart.

“Is that okay?”

I haven’t even confirmed my appearance yet, but I’m already starting to worry about the program.

‘Just looking at the fact that they’re trying to cast me, I can’t help but worry.’

“Yes. It’s not like only the older generation likes trot. Trot can be K-pop as much as anything else. How many great songs are there? Of course, some arrangement is needed, but it’s a decision made considering genre diversity. I also have expectations that a song that can be enjoyed by all ages will come out.”

“Ah…”

“Ju-ha here will be in charge of the hip-hop group.”

“I’m going to try rapping this time.”

Lee Ju-ha had mainly created songs that brought out his voice.

He added an explanation that it was ballad or R&B ballad, but I honestly didn’t understand it well.

‘Anyway, he’s saying he’s going to try a completely different style.’

“But wouldn’t that make it seem like the professionalism is lacking?”

“It doesn’t mean you don’t have skills just because the genre you’re mentoring is different. Diversity. Various appearances. It’s difficult to get that with existing methods. People try to settle for familiar methods. That’s why a spirit of challenge is needed. That’s why we deliberately gathered mentors from different fields. In addition to the trot composer and Ju-ha, there are also musical actors and pansori [Korean narrative song] prodigies. If I say it like this, it sounds like we just dragged anyone in, but that’s not the case. Even so, we’ve gathered mentors who are trying to supplement the parts that seem most necessary by looking at the characteristics of each group. For example, the group that Yeon-woo will be in charge of needed someone with a broad perspective rather than a simple composer.”

The PD explained that it was a way to definitely create that challenging spirit.

However, Yeon-woo was already starting to worry when he heard that.

‘It seems like they’ve really called mentors who only pursue diversity?’

I thought that the mentors for these kinds of competitions should be experts who are the heads of agencies.

‘Isn’t the spirit of challenge too much…?’

However, looking at that confident expression, it didn’t seem like they had done it without any countermeasures.

“I think Yeon-woo’s part of unreservedly stimulating people’s emotions is very good. It can be seen as less refined, but that’s rather something that moves people’s emotions more rawly and nakedly.”

Is it a compliment?

It must be a compliment, right?

“Thank you for seeing it in a good light.”

“No. It’s not just something I’m saying. It’s real. Even though I look like this, I’ve been doing music programs for over 10 years. I personally like music a lot. So, from what I see, Yeon-woo seems to instinctively know how to touch people’s emotions.”

That’s right.

Because what I learned while growing up was how to see all kinds of human beings in the world.

If you go back far enough, there are even figures from before the Joseon Dynasty.

Not only that.

‘Because I also have abilities.’

Most of Yeon-woo’s abilities are specialized in strengthening influence.

From composing that moves hearts to an enchanting vocal cord created by a combination of abilities that is hard to escape once you hear it.

Abilities such as worship for forgotten gods and its derivative ability, the majesty of forgotten gods, fall into this category.

There is also the ability to convey intentions such as emotional transference.

“What we need is that kind of ability. We don’t need someone who is a mentor, who boasts about having many hit songs, and who is arrogant and haughty. It’s a joint effort. Not a solo performance. If you leave it to only one side, what kind of diversity would that show? Don’t you think so?”

In that respect, Yeon-woo was really the ideal type he had been hoping for, and he once again listed compliments.

“You’re also flexible in your thinking, and you have a lot of experience in various genres. That will all become the blood and flesh of our program. Yeon-woo is worried that his professionalism might be lacking, but I don’t think 4 million YouTube subscribers are achieved just like that. With that level of career, anyone will have no choice but to acknowledge it, right?”

It’s a very confident tone.

It was a very different view from Yeon-woo, who thought that those 4 million subscribers were a sham.

“Of course, the program is a competition style, so rankings will be determined, but… I don’t think it’s important to create a winner. It’s not a program to determine that. To be exact, I want to make everyone a winner.”

Diversity.

If you can successfully show different appearances to people, to the public, to the world, that’s as good as being number one.

There was not a single lie mixed in the PD’s words.

“So that’s why we need Yeon-woo’s instinctive sense. I can’t give you a definite answer unless I’m a god, but I’m still confident in the success. As you know, YouTube is also for attracting overseas fandoms from the beginning…”

The PD’s words were nothing short of eloquent.

Stories even came out that overseas fandom attraction and overseas performances were currently being discussed.

‘They said they would tag the accounts of the people who participated in the production when uploading to YouTube.’

It was a story that Yeon-woo, who was already interested, would be tempted by.

“What’s the name of the program?”

“It’s called ‘Breaking Limits.’ It also means to break through your limits and show more than that. Furthermore, it’s a name that contains the ambition to go beyond the limits of K-pop.”

And.

That was the result of the current situation.

‘…You said they’d be happy to see me?’

Yeon-woo faced the five neat faces looking at him with a sullen expression.

*

Yeon-woo was confident that he could summarize this situation with one expression.

‘An awkward first meeting.’

That expression was exactly the answer.

Because there was a camera, they didn’t blatantly show it, but it was impossible not to know.

It was fortunate that this much could be excused with a cute explanation of ‘An awkward first meeting!’

The awkwardness was so severe that it felt uncomfortable, but the PD was the only one who was excited.

“Yeon-woo! This is UTT! This is Kang Yeon-woo. You’ve heard a lot about each other’s names, right?”

That wasn’t the case.

Judging by their expressions, it didn’t seem much different on their side either.

They were just exchanging awkward and uncomfortable glances, but the PD was the only one who was so happy in the middle.

“I’m already looking forward to it. How the combination will be. You will definitely be of great help to each other.”

Smiling brightly.

The only person smiling in this room was the PD.

“Young people will have a lot to say, right? I’ll just leave the camera and go. It would be nice if you could get some footage, but it’s okay even if you don’t, so talk comfortably.”

Blankly.

In the spacious practice room where the PD disappeared, six people were just staring at each other blankly, blinking awkwardly.

“……”

What the heck is this absurd situation?

Yeon-woo sighed and immediately recalled the situation from a few tens of minutes ago.

*

“You’ve made a good decision!”

The PD jumped up as soon as he gave a positive answer.

Then he took his hand and shook it.

“You definitely won’t regret it. I also recognized Yeon-woo’s musical thirst. You will probably gain a lot from this opportunity.”

Yeon-woo agreed to some extent with the PD’s words that it wouldn’t be bad to learn about various new genres.

‘Because you can only know what you like and dislike if you know something.’

That’s how learning is.

Acting is the same.

There are often actors who consume the image they played in a work once it becomes popular.

‘Because that’s already a proven path. They don’t take risks.’

It was also because the client wanted it, but also because they didn’t feel the need to take risks on purpose.

Why would you try to challenge a new image when you already have a successful image?

What if it contradicts the image you’ve already created and becomes a minus?

CF-like advertisements [Commercial Film], appearance fees, and even your value may decrease.

Well.

It’s not just that choosing that path is bad.

Personal choice is… as long as it’s not a crime, there’s no need to be criticized.

‘But then there’s no development, right?’

Of course, it’s a different story for Yeon-woo.

‘Just settling for one thing that’s popular… isn’t that just cutting into your own flesh?’

Not challenging means restricting possibilities.

The moment you settle down, development stops and all that’s left is the path of consumption.

‘That’s no different from being outdated.’

Yeon-woo couldn’t understand that kind of person the most.

So Yeon-woo decided to try another challenge.

That’s why he nodded, but….

“Excuse me? Right now?”

“Yes. I contacted them and they said they’re in the practice room right now! Let’s go see them while we’re at it!”

“I haven’t even signed the contract yet….”

“Ah. My friend. Don’t worry about that. He’s not the kind of person who would scam you. Kwon is also there, so if he scams you, it’s the same as saying he doesn’t want to work in this industry, so don’t worry about that.”

Lee Ju-ha, who was matching the PD and adding excitement from the side, extended a not-so-helpful hand of help.

He didn’t forget to proudly raise his thumb, boasting that he had made sure to receive the best appearance fee and other conditions in the industry.

“Since it’s a group that you have to work with continuously, let’s at least see their faces and say hello!”

“Is the team already decided…?”

I haven’t even signed the contract yet, but already?

“Ah. After hearing Yeon-woo’s story, one team came to mind. Ju-ha also said it, and it seems perfect for Yeon-woo. Haha. Even though it looks like this, it was decided in a meeting, so don’t worry that it was hastily put together! I told you. We brought Yeon-woo to the position that Yeon-woo needed, so don’t worry!”

I’m worried.

That was the position I ended up moving to in a daze.

That position was this awkward first meeting.

Yeon-woo thought.

‘What exactly is perfect?!’

Like.

*

“Shouldn’t we call the PD back?”

“It’s a bit different from what we promised….”

“Ah…….”

Murmur, murmur.

Five small heads gather and sigh deeply.

Standing blankly and watching the scene, Yeon-woo thought.

‘Hmm… I don’t think they dislike me.’

It seemed that the initial awkward atmosphere was not because they disliked Yeon-woo.

The reason for acting awkwardly was embarrassment.

Yeon-woo, who is sensitive to other people’s emotions, especially negative emotions, could clearly grasp their feelings.

“Hello.”

They’re just looking at each other and can’t think of coming closer.

Yeon-woo took the initiative to say hello.

Only then,

“Ah. Hello…….”

“Hello…….”

An awkward greeting came back.

“It seems like the PD has a reckless side. I was also suddenly called here.”

“Ah…! Ah, I see…….”

“I was told to go and meet them once, so I came in a daze, but it seems like the story wasn’t discussed.”

There was no answer, but that in itself was an answer.

‘A program without a plan.’

I don’t know what they saw in me to put me with these people.

“Then you don’t know us well either…?”

“Yes, well…….”

“Um, we’re UTT, as you may have heard.”

One of the five kids, who seemed to be the most sociable, approached and explained.

“We’ve put our lives on the line for this program…….”

The story that started like that was quite heavy.

Yeon-woo, who came with the mindset of ‘Let’s just try it once,’ once again,

‘What exactly is a good fit, PD.’

To the extent that I thought.

“We’ve really had a long trainee period…….”

“In fact, our debut was almost canceled more than once or twice.”

“Anyway, we barely debuted and ruined our first full album and almost disbanded, right?”

“Then we survived with a single.”

“I cried then. I said I cried.”

“It’s right to say I wanted to cry then, so say it again.”

“Yes. I wanted to cry then.”

Wriggling, wriggling.

Even though they’re telling a very serious story, it’s strangely chaotic.

Is it because there are five mouths talking…….

In less than thirty minutes of meeting, Yeon-woo was able to roughly grasp the difficult past of this group.

“So we’re really desperate this time.”

The conclusion of the long lament was this.

“We really have to win this time.”

This was also a question thrown at Yeon-woo.

Whether they have the ability to make them win.

That kind of challenging question.