Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 306

306. The Importance of a Fandom (1)

September 2, 2022

Unlike the first competition, the second competition includes online voting.

UTT has fans who remember them, but their numbers are far too small to constitute a proper fandom.

“You said you wanted to win, right?”

“Of course, I want to win. But we have to be realistic. That doesn’t mean I’m going to slack off just because winning might be a long shot.”

Minchan, who had boldly asked if they could win, answered quite maturely.

“If we can show that we’re doing our best and deliver the best performance we can, that’s enough for me.”

“Tell me the truth.”

“Ah! I want to win!”

No matter what, UTT’s objective box office numbers are far behind other teams.

It’s because they haven’t had a chance to achieve significant success until now.

Online voting accounts for a significant portion of the final results.

If they receive similar scores from the live audience and judges, the online vote will likely determine the outcome.

“Okay. Then work hard. Who knows? Maybe the positive reception from the first competition will translate into more online votes.”

“Ah, I don’t know. I’m just going to focus on preparing for now.”

I was worried that they would be discouraged by the introduction of viewer voting in the second round, but fortunately, they weren’t.

“Guys! Let’s practice! Practice!”

“You said we could rest for 5 minutes, but anyway, Kim Minchan…….”

Yeonwoo crossed his arms, watching UTT rush back to the mirror and awkwardly *matchwo* [coordinating/adjusting] with each other.

‘Winning, huh……’

He thought, recalling the phone he had glanced at before entering the practice room.

‘I think they might actually pull it off?’

*

If there is one essential device for modern people, it is definitely this.

It’s a smartphone.

Of course, some people may mention computers, other tablet devices, or even completely different gadgets.

However, Yeonwoo considers the small, palm-sized device as the most ubiquitous and essential.

‘Even that *gang* [strong/tough] *yeosa* [madam/woman], who isn’t exactly *chinhan* [close/friendly] with modern technology, has a smartphone……’

To be honest, it was a very subjective criterion, but who cares?

Anyway, the important thing isn’t the smartphone itself.

“Then what about *yeonlak* [contact]?”

The important thing is that UTT voluntarily started to distance themselves from smartphones, which are practically extensions of modern people.

“There’s no one to *yeonlak* [contact] me anyway, though?”

“…….”

Yeonwoo asked, watching UTT, like bears retreating into a cave to prepare for winter, declaring they were going to disconnect from the digital world.

And the answer that came back was rather disheartening.

“Anyway, there’s no one to *yeonlak* [contact] me except you, Yeonwoo……?”

“What if the writer *nim* [formal suffix] *yeonlaks* [contacts] you?”

“I’m not turning it off completely, so I’ll hear it if the ringtone goes off.”

Their purpose was clear.

It’s to avoid seeing the online *baneung* [reaction/response].

As preparations for the second competition began, the *Hangye Doolpa* [Limit Breakthrough] production team launched a voting page on their website.

Each team’s performance video was also uploaded to *neo tube* [YouTube] through the *Hangye Doolpa* [Limit Breakthrough] official account.

The voting, which continues until the day before the second competition is broadcast, will be *hapsan* [combined/added up] into the online score for the second competition.

‘I was worried about how these guys would *baneung* [react/respond]. I shouldn’t have been.’

It was as if they were deliberately avoiding looking at it.

They’ve become a little more resilient, but they’re still *yurimental* [glass mental/fragile].

I was worried that the *yurimental* [glass mental/fragile] state that I had *yeolsimhi* [diligently/earnestly] *damgeumjil* [tempered/forged] would be *geumi gamyeon* [cracked/damaged], so I was wondering if I should *geumji* [prohibit/ban] them from *chajaboji* [looking up/searching].

‘But have they developed in their own way?’

I never thought that their increased self-esteem would help in this way.

It seemed that their *mental* [mental/mindset] had been *dallyeon* [trained/strengthened] to the point where they *seuseuro* [themselves/on their own] *chadan* [block/cut off] *yoso* [elements/factors] that would *banghae* [hinder/disturb] the competition.

‘That’s a *jangjok* [remarkable/great] *baljeon* [development/progress].’

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No. I feel *ansseureowoseo* [sorry/pitiful] because you said there’s no one to *yeonlak* [contact] you?”

“……That’s not true? I have lots of people who contact me?”

“Shall I turn on the camera?”

“…….”

Minchan was K.O.’d and *mulleoseotda* [stepped back/retreated].

Raon, who was watching it, *kkilkkildaetda* [giggled/snickered].

“Ah, why does *hyeong* [older brother/male] keep *deombilla geuraeyo* [picking a fight/challenging] Yeonwoo *hyeong* [older brother/male] when he can’t win?”

“Yeah. Minchan seems to have *him* [strength/energy] *nam* [left over/remaining], so practice the *anmu* [choreography/dance].”

“Ah! Park Raon’s *jja* [choreographed/created] *anmu* [choreography/dance] is completely *michyeosseo* [crazy/insane]! How am I supposed to *chu* [dance/perform] this!”

“……Do you think the *raep* [rap] part you’re in charge of is normal?”

Even the taciturn Doyul *diseu* [dissed/criticized] Minchan.

They could have had a *menbung* [mental breakdown] because of the *teukihan* [unusual/unique] competition mission that they didn’t even *saenggakjido motan* [expect/imagine].

Especially since I was worried that they were *yurimental* [glass mental/fragile], they *ohiryeo* [rather/instead] showed a more *dandanhaejin* [stronger/firmer] *moseup* [appearance/figure] and *sunjoropge* [smoothly/without a hitch] *ieogatda* [continued/proceeded] the competition *junbi* [preparation/readiness].

Yeonwoo *dasi* [again/once more] *haetda* [did/thought] the *saenggak* [thought/idea] he had before *deureoogi* [entering/coming in].

‘They might actually win.’

*

Yeonwoo’s *saenggak* [thought/idea] is that UTT’s *munjejjeom* [problem/issue] comes down to *dugaji* [two things/two kinds].

‘*Sillyeok* [skill/ability], well……’

It’s just that they haven’t had a chance to *pyeolchil* [unfold/display] their *neungnyeogeul* [ability/capability] so it wasn’t *deureonaji* [revealed/exposed].

If someone had *arabogo* [recognized/noticed] them and *jueotda* [given/provided] them with a *gihoereul* [opportunity/chance] even just *han beon* [once/one time], UTT’s *wichi* [position/location] might have *dallajyeosseuljido* [changed/been different] now.

You can tell just by looking at the first competition.

Anyway, the fact that they *geomeojwieotda* [seized/grasped] first place means that they have *mudae* [stage/performance] *jangaknyeok* [control/domination] and *sillyeok* [skill/ability] and *kariseuma* [charisma] to *hwieojabeul* [dominate/captivate] the *gwanjaek* [audience/spectators].

There are only two things that UTT *bujokhan* [lacks/is missing].

‘The first is *mental* [mental/mindset]. And the second is *paendeom* [fandom/fanbase].’

This is why Yeonwoo considered *naeriryeo* [issue/impose] a *haendeupon* [cellphone/mobile phone] *geumjiryeong* [ban/prohibition] on UTT.

“If we do this, will our *paen* [fans/supporters] *jom* [a little/somewhat] *neureonalkka* [increase/grow]?”

“I just hope they don’t *yok* [curse/swear] at us somewhere just because they like us.”

UTT was *hangaage* [leisurely/idly] sitting around saying things like this.

Realistically, a *paendeom* [fandom/fanbase] is *pilsu* [essential/necessary] to *baraboryeomyeon* [look at/aim for] the *useunggwon* [championship/winning].

[Yeonwoo, aren’t you being too *swipge* [easily/simply] letting them *useung* [winning/victory]?]

*Dongjaryeong* [Dongjaryeong/Child God], who was *gapjagi* [suddenly/unexpectedly] an *eocheoguni* [absurd/ridiculous] *aidol* [idol/star] *mento* [mentor/advisor], said that.

[ *Sillyeok* [skill/ability] isn’t the only thing that can *tteu* [float/rise] in this *badak* [world/industry]. Tsk tsk. You’ve been *meokgo* [eating/working] in the *yeonyege* [entertainment industry] *mul* [water/experience] for so long and you still don’t know anything!]

*Dongjaryeong* [Dongjaryeong/Child God], who is now an *jungdokja* [addict/junkie] beyond a TV *maenia* [TV mania/TV fanatic], was an *injae* [talent/resource] who *seopryeop* [mastered/conquered] not only dramas but also all kinds of *yeneung* [entertainment/variety show] beyond various *seobaibeol* [survival/elimination] programs.

[ *Paendeom* [fandom/fanbase]! This *mujimongmaehahn* [ignorant/unenlightened] *nyeoseok* [fellow/guy] who doesn’t know how *jungyohan* [important/crucial] *paendeom* [fandom/fanbase] is!]

“…….”

That was true.

Because I don’t know the *sasil* [truth/fact].

“Is it that *simgakhae* [serious/grave]?”

[Of course. *Hyu* [sigh]. You don’t know, Yeonwoo, but when the *tupyo* [voting/poll] starts, *aedeul* [kids/children] like your UTT will *dudungsil* [adrift/floating] *tteoseo* [floating/drifting] *sarajilgeol* [disappear/vanish] far across the *bada* [sea/ocean]? *Sseup* [tsk]. The *aedeul* [kids/children] are *chakhagin* [nice/kind] *hadaman* [but/however]……. *Sseueup* [tsk]. But *hyeonsil* [reality/actuality] is *hyeonsil* [reality/actuality]. I think there might be *yeokpung* [backlash/headwind].]

“Why *yeokpung* [backlash/headwind]?”

[Think about it. They think their *gasuga* [singer/vocalist] is the *jeil* [most/best] *jalnatdago* [great/talented], but some *deutbojap* [unknown/nobody] comes out and wins first place. Then are they *ppak* [pissed/angry] or not?]

“*Deutbojap* [unknown/nobody]…….”

[It’s a *naengjeonghan* [cold/harsh] *hyeonsil* [reality/actuality], but the *sasil* [truth/fact] is the *sasil* [truth/fact]! Anyway, they might think that their *jarireul* [seat/position] has been *ppaeatgyeotdago* [taken away/robbed] and come out more *gonggyeokjeogeuro* [aggressively/offensively]. If *hwaryeokjiwon* [firepower support/coordinated effort] continues, the *jakgo* [small/little] *sosoonghan* [precious/valuable] *sosueui* [minority/small number] UTT *paendeom* [fandom/fanbase]……. eun eopji [there isn’t]? Let’s just say *paen* [fans/supporters]. The *paen* [fans/supporters] may be more *wichukdoel* [intimidated/discouraged]. Or *bul* [fire/flame] might *buteul* [ignite/catch fire]……. But it’s actually *jom* [a little/somewhat] *eoryeopji* [difficult/hard] to do that. If the *gyeokcha* [gap/disparity] is this *keumyeon* [big/large].]

The self-proclaimed *seobaibeol* [survival/elimination] program *N nyeoncha* [N years/years of experience] *sicheong* [watching/viewing] *jungin* [in the middle of/during] *jeonmunga* [expert/specialist] said.

That’s why I couldn’t help but worry about their *mental* [mental/mindset] and *paendeom* [fandom/fanbase].

[I think I can *pureoseo* [release/unleash] the *araetgeotdeul* [underlings/inferiors] to *tupyo* [vote/poll] *ssak* [completely/entirely].]

“What?”

[Well, I’ll make them *kkuge* [dream/have] a few *akmong* [nightmare/bad dream] and *nullige* [press/weigh down] them with *gawi* [scissors/sleep paralysis]……. Then wouldn’t they *tupyo* [vote/poll]? *Eit* [oh/ah]. Why can’t *gwisin* [ghost/spirit] *tupyo* [vote/poll]?]

“…….What are you going to do later if you *ssahimyeon* [accumulate/pile up] *eopbo* [karma/retribution] like that? Don’t you know how *wiheomhan* [dangerous/risky] it is to *hamburo* [carelessly/recklessly] *taineui* [other people’s/someone else’s] *saenggageul* [thoughts/ideas] *bakkuryeogo* [change/alter] *deuneun* [try/attempt]? It’s not just *handu* [one or two] *myeong* [person/people], how are you going to *keobeo* [cover/handle] that many *sureul* [numbers/figures]? *Gang* [strong/tough] *yeosa* [madam/woman] will *singyeong* [care/worry] *mani* [a lot/much] *sseusinda* [use/spend] if you *sarajimyeon* [disappear/vanish].”

*Eomeoni* [mother/mom] Kang Yeonhwa showed a *jogeum* [little/slight] *dallajin* [changed/different] *moseup* [appearance/figure] after that *nal* [day/date].

She still keeps her *mom* [body/self] *jeonggalhage* [neat/tidy] and doesn’t *gaeulrihaji* [neglect/slack off] her *suhaeng* [practice/training], but she has started to *jogeumssik* [little by little/gradually] watch *Dongjaryeong* [Dongjaryeong/Child God] and TV *gateun* [like/similar] *geoseul* [things/items] *hamkke* [together/jointly] *bosigi* [see/watch] *sijakhataego* [started/began].

Especially when the *deurama* [drama/series] that Yeonwoo *naon* [came out/appeared] is about to *hal* [do/perform] its *sigan* [time/hour], she quietly *geonneogasindago* [go over/cross over] to the *sarangchae* [detached house/guest room] with the TV, *Dongjaryeong* [Dongjaryeong/Child God] *mijuareul* [minutely/in detail] *gojuareul* [minutely/in detail] *jeonhaejueotda* [told/conveyed].

“If it’s really *an* [not/no] *doenda* [work/succeed], I’ll just *naego* [release/put out] an *aelbeom* [album/record] and *hongbo* [promote/publicize] it. But even if I don’t, they’re the *sang* [face/look] that will *araseo* [automatically/on their own] *seonggonghal* [succeed/prosper] if I just *jumyeon* [give/provide] them a few *gihoe* [opportunity/chance], so, well.”

That means I didn’t *deonjin* [throw/cast] a *gwaenhan* [unnecessary/futile] *murisu* [overreach/unreasonable move] because I was *nun* [eye/eyes] *meoreo* [blinded/blurred] by the *useung* [winning/victory] *bosang* [reward/compensation].

Fortunately, UTT is *ansim* [relieved/at ease] about the *mental* [mental/mindset] part because they *jachejeogeuro* [independently/on their own] *bongin* [sealed/locked] their *haendeupon* [cellphone/mobile phone].

What’s *nameun* [left/remaining] is the *onrain* [online/internet] *tupyosu* [vote count/number of votes].

Where do I have to *kkeureowaya* [draw/attract] the *tupyo* [voting/poll] from?

That’s what Yeonwoo was *geokjeongeul* [worrying/concerned] about.

“What is this *sujja* [number/figure]?”

UTT, who had an *apdojeogin* [overwhelming/overpowering] *chai* [difference/gap] with the *kkoljji* [last place/bottom] as soon as the *tupyo* [voting/poll] started.

Fortunately, it wasn’t in a very *cheochamhan* [miserable/tragic] state because the people who *yuipdoen* [flowed in/were drawn in] after watching the *bangsong* [broadcast/show] *tupyo* [voted/polled] for them.

But considering the *keodaran* [huge/enormous] *gyeokcha* [gap/disparity] with other teams, it might be right to say that it’s *cheochamhan* [miserable/tragic]…….

But at some *sungan* [moment/instant], an *ibyeon* [unusual event/change] *ireonatda* [happened/occurred].

[I think *ne* [your/you] *paen* [fans/supporters] *tupyo* [voted/polled].]

*Dongjaryeong* [Dongjaryeong/Child God], who is more *inteonet* [internet/online] *jungdokja* [addict/junkie] than Yeonwoo, *son swipge* [easily/readily] *dap* [answer/solution] *chajanaetda* [found/discovered].

-Our Yeonwoo *chum* [danced/performed] a *geol geurub* [girl group/female idol group] *chum* [dance/song]???? *Michyeot* [crazy/insane];;; I’m going to *boreo* [see/watch] it *dangjang* [immediately/right away];;;

ㄴThis *bun* [person/people] *sosik* [news/information] *neurine* [slow/late]^^……. I’ve already been *bogo* [seeing/watching] since Yeonwoo came out as a *mento* [mentor/advisor]~

ㄴJS I didn’t have *hyeonsaeng* [real life/present life] because I was *deokjil* [fangirling/obsessed] over the *deurama* [drama/series]ㅠㅠㅠ

As soon as the *sasil* [truth/fact] that Yeonwoo stood on the first *gyeongyeon* [competition/contest] *mudae* [stage/performance] together was *deureonajamaja* [revealed/exposed], the *sosik* [news/information] started to *jumokbatgi* [attract attention/be noticed] even more.

People who were not interested in *aidol* [idol/star] started *chajabogo* [looked up/searched] and *sicheong* [watched/viewed] *Hangye Doolpa* [Limit Breakthrough] just because Yeonwoo stood on the *mudae* [stage/performance].

And they *tupyo* [voted/polled] because Yeonwoo *mateun* [took on/was in charge of] the team.

It was something that could happen up to there.

‘Is this okay?’

I was wondering.

[Ah, well. Anyway, other team *paen* [fans/supporters] will *tupyo* [vote/poll] because they’re *paen* [fans/supporters] regardless of the *mudae* [stage/performance], right?]

It was a *chameuro* [truly/really] *natseon* [unfamiliar/strange] *aidol* [idol/star] *segye* [world/universe].

Anyway, UTT’s *sunwi* [ranking/order] *kkeongchong* [jumped/leaped] after receiving Yeonwoo’s *beopeu* [buff/boost].

‘It’s *muryeo* [as many as/no less than] 4th place.’

If it’s 4th place out of the seven teams that came out in the *gyeongyeon* [competition/contest], it’s a *seonbang* [good start/decent performance] *wichi* [position/location].

An *yesangchi* [unexpected/unforeseen] *motan* [not/unable] *seonsunhwan* [virtuous cycle/positive feedback loop] also *ireonatda* [happened/occurred].

[Yeonwoo *ne* [your/you] *paen* [fans/supporters] UTT *eungeunhi* [secretly/inwardly] *gwaenchanke* [okay/decent] *bonaboda* [see/think].]

If you *bodabomyeon* [see/watch] Yeonwoo, you can’t help but *an* [not/no] *bol* [see/watch] UTT, who *chureonhaneun* [appearing/performing] *hamkke* [together/jointly].

As a result, people *sokchulhaetda* [emerged/appeared] that they *jayeonseureopge* [naturally/automatically] *gamgige* [catch a cold/be captivated].

-What are these guysㅠㅠㅠ It’s been a long time since I’ve been *maemjjit* [heartbreaking/heartwrenching]…….

-I know why our Yeonwoo tried to *dowajuryeogo* [help/assist]ㅇㅇ The *aedeul* [kids/children] are *seonhane* [good/kind]. They’re basically *noryeokyeong* [hardworking/effort-based] too.

-I’ll have to *jikyeobwaya* [watch/observe] *jom deo* [a little/somewhat], but they have *saenggagi* [thoughts/ideas] *ttokbaro* [straight/correctly] *bakhyeo* [embedded/implanted]ㅋㅋ They’re *gwiyeopda* [cute/adorable]. They’re not trying to *beotgyeomeogeuryeoneun* [exploit/take advantage of] our Yeonwoo, but they’re *mosigo* [serving/attending] him while pretending not toㅋㅋㅋ

-Our Yeonwoo is *hwaksilhaniikka* [certain/sure] that he’s *boneungeon* [seeing/looking] *saram* [person/people] *jaedaero* [properly/correctly], so at least *jyaene* [they/them] won’t *chilgeo* [hit/betray] *dwitongsu* [back of the head/betrayal]ㅇㅇ The *ae* [kid/child] named Minchan *tultulgeorineunde* [grumbles/complains] with his *ip* [mouth/lips], but he does *da* [all/everything] if you *sikimyeon* [order/tell]ㅋㅋ I think I’m getting *jeongdeul* [attached/fond] *boda* [see/watch] *bonikka* [because/as].

If you only *selling* [selling/marketing] *pointeu* [point/aspect] by *jabeumyeon* [catch/grab] that you’re *bulssanghadaneun* [pitiful/miserable] while *sayeonpari* [selling sob stories/exploiting personal stories], people are bound to *nagatteoreojigi* [fall off/drop out] *geumbang* [quickly/soon].

There aren’t many people who are *neomcheoreonaneun* [overflowing/abundant] enough to *chanchanhi* [carefully/thoroughly] *deuryeodabol* [look into/examine] someone’s *bulhaeng* [misfortune/unhappiness].

My *insaeng* [life/existence] is *himdeunde* [difficult/hard], why would I *siganeul* [time/hour] *deuryeo* [spend/put in] to see *nameui* [other people’s/someone else’s] *insaeng* [life/existence] *bulhaeng* [misfortune/unhappiness]?

-Those *aedeul* [kids/children] should *seonggonghaeyaji* [succeed/prosper]. But why didn’t they *tteu* [float/rise] *daeche* [what/how]?? The *norae* [song/melody] is also *johgo* [good/nice], they *chum* [dance/perform] well, and they’re *saenggin* [look/appear] well and their *pijikal* [physical/physique] is also *joheunde* [good/nice]??

In that *myeoneseo* [aspect/regard], UTT didn’t *maedalliji* [cling/hang] to *bulhaengjarang* [bragging about misfortune/flaunting misery] only.

*Ohiryeo* [rather/instead], they *gyeokkeotdeon* [experienced/underwent] their *bulhaeng* [misfortune/unhappiness] *dwirohago* [behind/after] *aesseotda* [tried/endeavored] to *boyeojuryeo* [show/demonstrate] more *moseubeul* [appearance/figure] *noryeokhaneun* [making an effort/trying hard].

*Moseup* [appearance/figure] *naaganeun* [moving forward/advancing] *miraereul* [future/tomorrow] *hyanghae* [toward/facing] *anjuhaji* [settling/complacency] *gwageoe* [past/history] *anko* [not/without].

That was a *han* [move/strategy] that *hwaksilhage* [certainly/surely] *jabamaeneun* [tie down/secure] the *gwansimeul* [interest/attention] of many people who *yuipdoeeotdeon* [flowed in/were drawn in] by Yeonwoo.

‘4th place…… I wish they could *ollagamyeon* [go up/rise] more.’

The *yuipdoen* [flowed in/were drawn in] *paen* [fans/supporters] *ollyeojumyeo* [raise/increase] *deukpyosureul* [number of votes/vote count] to *4wigwon* [4th place/top 4] and *talhwanhaetjiman* [recaptured/regained] *mwonga* [something/somehow] *jom* [a little/somewhat] *aswipda* [disappointing/regretful].

‘After all, if you *bararyeomyeon* [look at/aim for] *useung* [winning/victory], it seems *anjeonhal* [safe/secure] to *deuneun* [enter/be within] at least 3 *deung* [3rd place/top 3].’

*Deokbunilkka* [thanks to/because of] *baran* [wished/hoped] *geureoke* [that way/so].

UTT’s *deukpyosu* [number of votes/vote count] *tto* [again/also] *han beon* [once/one time] *michin* [crazy/insane] *deushan* [like/as if] *byeonhwa* [change/transformation] *ireukyeotda* [caused/brought about].