Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 43

#43.

“Are you sure these numbers are accurate?”

The part-time worker in charge of compiling the data flinched at the PD’s [Production Director’s] sharp question.

Even though the writers and assistant PDs had already confirmed the data, he couldn’t help but feel like he had made a mistake.

Of course, the PD’s question was directed at the writers and assistant PDs, not the part-time worker.

“Did you double-check everything?”

“Yes, we all thoroughly reviewed it,” the assistant PD replied stiffly, feeling guilty even though they hadn’t done anything wrong.

Judging by PD Oh Jong-hwan’s deeply furrowed face, today’s meeting was going to be a gathering of (innocent) prisoners.

The issue that had upset PD Oh Jong-hwan was the 1st place nominees.

Both of the rookie group MOST’s title tracks had been nominated for 1st place.

This week’s 1st place was a battle between MOST and MOST.

Even though MOST was alternating performances between the two songs, and both were popular, it was highly unusual for one group to have two songs nominated for 1st place.

It was only the third time this had happened, after the idol group HOH, who enjoyed explosive popularity, and singer-songwriter Seo Ji-eun, who had their title track and a B-side [a less promoted song on an album] simultaneously nominated for 1st place.

When they first received the data, the writers and assistant PDs were also surprised.

But they didn’t think it was something that would make PD Oh Jong-hwan angry…….

“Okay, fine. was 3rd place last week, so I can see it climbing up like this. But wasn’t this one 5th place last week? How did it suddenly jump up like this? Does that make sense? Tsk.”

“Well…….”

“What? Tell me. Did you change the scoring system without me knowing?”

The reason MOST, who had already won 1st place on cable music shows several weeks ago, couldn’t win 1st place on was precisely because of the scoring system.

Unlike cable channels, which are more friendly to idol singers, so-called fandom-driven singers, public broadcasting stations paid more attention to the general public.

Therefore, when selecting 1st place, they reflected more of the digital music score and MyTube [similar to YouTube] music video views rather than pre-online voting scores or album sales scores.

That way, the singer who actually had more people listening and watching, rather than just a singer with a large fandom, was more likely to win 1st place.

Of course, even this method was ultimately advantageous to idols with voting scores and album sales scores once the size of the fandom grew beyond a certain point, but MOST’s fandom size was not yet at that level.

That’s why, unlike the cable channels, ‘s 1st place winner last week was a veteran ballad singer.

“MOST filmed a promotional video for the city hall this time, and I think that’s why.”

The youngest writer stepped forward to explain while the assistant PD hesitated.

“That’s right. It seems like it’s all over government offices and public transportation. They dance so well in the video…. And is playing as the advertisement music on buses, so everyone is looking it up and listening to it.”

“On buses?”

“Yes. Tens of thousands of people ride the bus every day. Even if only a small fraction of them looked it up and listened to it…. The digital music ranking is bound to rise, and it’s a hot topic even on the internet…….”

As PD Oh Jong-hwan frowned with his mouth shut, the main writer stepped in to help.

“That’s right. I heard it on the bus too. It plays every time I ride. People who commute by bus probably know the chorus by heart.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

“Before that, one of the members did something at a fan signing event that became a hot topic, so album sales increased a lot to go to the fan signing event…. And their recognition increased too. Right, youngest?”

“Yes, yes. That and this city hall video are connected, so it’s even more of a hot topic.”

“So, it’s understandable that both songs are nominated for 1st place, right?”

PD Oh Jong-hwan said annoyedly, as if making excuses for the two writers’ explanations.

“…No. I mean, it’s okay to be nominated for 1st place, but isn’t it too much for both songs to be nominated?”

“We were surprised too…. But you know how it is. Once popularity catches on, it’s all rapid current.”

The flow of things was scary.

It meant that the saying, ‘I woke up the next day and became a star,’ was not an exaggeration.

Thanks to the development of the internet, it was now a world where ordinary people could be on real-time search rankings in just half a day, without even having to wake up the next day.

Since the hype fades as quickly as it ignites, it was more difficult to maintain the spark than to ignite it these days.

Having heard the explanation, PD Oh Jong-hwan reluctantly agreed.

Scolding the staff wouldn’t change the 1st place nominees.

Even so, PD Oh Jong-hwan clicked his tongue and muttered.

“Tsk. Still, for a rookie to sweep the 1st place nominations. There’s going to be a ton of articles.”

‘Wouldn’t that be even better?’

That was the question that popped into the assistant PD’s head.

If articles poured out, the show’s buzz would increase, which would be beneficial to the program.

However, the assistant PD didn’t ask and gave the writers a grateful look.

“Okay. We can’t change the scoring system now. Let’s move on to the next topic.”

PD Oh Jong-hwan proceeded with the meeting, not hiding his uncomfortable feelings until the end.

***

After the meeting.

The writers gathered in the break room to talk about what had happened during the meeting.

“Why is PD Oh like that? Does he have money problems with MOST?”

“Writer, you heard it too! ‘We can’t change the scoring system!’ He means he wants to change it if he could! Seriously…….”

At the writers’ exclamations, the main writer shook her head with a troubled expression, but also shook her head.

“I know. I don’t think PD Oh has anything bad going on with Kingdom either.”

“He’s close with New though…. Isn’t that why?”

The youngest writer asked with sparkling eyes.

PD Oh Jong-hwan had been in charge of directing for 3 years.

For public broadcasting stations, music shows were a means of power to wield all kinds of singers and prominent agencies as they pleased, regardless of viewership ratings.

Even though TV’s influence had decreased compared to the past due to the emergence of various media, public broadcasting was still public broadcasting.

Singers’ recognition varied greatly depending on whether or not they showed their faces on public music shows, so the PD who held the rights to appear on the show was followed by tremendous power.

Naturally, there were countless people trying to get in line, and behind the scenes, there were secret receptions and deals.

Oh Jong-hwan PD and CP [Chief Producer], etc. The upper echelons of SVS were on good terms with New Entertainment.

It was a customary relationship that had been going on since before the HOH era.

“New? Why does being close to New matter?”

“Well, you know. The rookie, The Origin, needs to break out, but with MOST being so popular…. So there’s talk that New is keeping MOST in check?”

“Even if they keep them in check, what can they do? If MOST gains popularity, there’s nothing they can do…….”

“It might be uncomfortable for PD Oh. If MOST wins their first 1st place on public broadcasting, it’s like we’re promoting MOST. Don’t you think so, writer?”

The main writer nodded at the youngest writer’s question.

“That could be true.”

“…Ah. So that’s why he said to keep MOST’s stage time the same? They’re nominated for 1st place with two songs, but he won’t give them more time.”

“I know, right? They gave The Origin a lot of time since their debut.”

“I’m not even a MOST fan, but I’m starting to root for MOST for no reason.”

The youngest writer nodded as if agreeing with the writer who shrugged her shoulders.

The main writer also said regretfully.

“That’s right. The kids were nice though. They greet well.”

“More than anything, they perform well on stage. There’s a reason why they’re popular.”

Everyone nodded in unison.

The main writer, who took a sip of coffee, wrapped up the conversation.

“Youngest, contact the company quickly. Tell them to prepare. They’ll be happy.”

“Yes, writer!”

The youngest writer immediately found Kingdom’s team leader Kim Seok-cheol’s contact information on her phone.

***

1st place nominees.

MOST VS MOST .

Reactions poured out as soon as the nominees were announced.

-Both of their digital music scores are soaring, it’s crazy

-DC Zziz [online community] is Dynamic World cheering on their friends~ I’m getting attached to them because I see them every day~

-100 times better than the old advertisement.. That weird voice city love theme song.. I really wanted to file a complaint with the city hall

-If you listen to that on a crowded bus, you don’t want to love each other, you want to hit each other

-It’s amazing, all the 1st place nominees are Most

-Gyeonggi-do citizens are cheering you on~

-Bus friends VS Bus friends’ alter egos

-They danced in the fortress and finally reached the topㅋㅋㅋ [laughing sounds]

– is also a great song that was nominated for 1st place together! Please listen to it!

-It’s amazing MOST fighting!

-They’re really doing wellㅋㅋ But where do the fans voteㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

It was truly MOST’s day.

They had been feeling new and thrilling every day since their debut, but today the members’ peak excitement was renewed once again.

“Everyone, gather around.”

About 20 minutes had passed since the live broadcast of began with the MCs’ opening remarks.

It was almost MOST’s stage.

Kijun called the members together.

The members, who had finished preparing, gathered in the middle of the waiting room.

Before going on stage, Kijun and the members always gathered together to strengthen their will for the day’s performance.

“Starting with today’s broadcast, this week…. You know it’s really important, right?”

Kijun’s expression was quite serious as he made eye contact with the members.

This week was a week where both and could achieve the feat of winning 1st place on all music shows.

Originally, it should have been the last broadcast, but the company extended MOST’s activity period by another week.

It was a time when they were surging up thanks to this promotional video.

It was a shame to end the activities.

It meant that activity expenses would be added, but it was Kingdom’s quick and wise choice to bet everything on MOST.

“Of course! We’ll do really well. We can do it! Aja aja! [fighting!/let’s go!]”

Louie replied in a loud voice.

The members also nodded as if making a pledge.

“Okay. It’s going to be tiring because we have to be active for another week…. But let’s do our best starting with today’s stage.”

“Yes, let’s do it.”

Dojae’s black eyes sparkled.

Heungmin, who had been silent, revealed his happy dilemma.

“Okay. But who should we hope wins 1st place today?”

“Team leader Kim said is likely to win. That’s why we’re performing on stage with .”

“As expected! It’s a song by a genius composer……!”

“…Lee Heungmin.”

Heungmin, who knew that Kijun would be serious, chuckled.

The other members also burst into laughter.

It was a day to feel good no matter what they did.

Dojae also laughed lightly and quickly gathered his hands in the middle before Kijun got angrier.

Starting with Louie, he put his hand on top of Dojae’s hand.

Before they knew it, all six members’ hands were gathered, and Kijun chanted first.

“We can do it!”

“We’ll make it!”

“MOST!!!”

A loud voice echoed in the waiting room.

***

―Today’s 1st place nominees were one group; which song will take 1st place?

―Now, today’s 1st place song is……!!!

―MOST’s ! Congratulations, congratulations!

“Kyaak! [scream of joy]”

Sunmi, who was watching TV, screamed loudly.

Hee-ra, who was sitting next to Sunmi, hugged Sunmi.

Hee-ra had been ‘converted’ to MOST since their debut showcase, following Sunmi.

“Ah, daebak! [amazing/awesome] Isn’t this really record-breaking?”

“Of course. It’s crazy. Seriously…. I’m so proud to be a MOST fan.”

―Thank you, thank you so much. Thanks to our fans, BEST, we got this result…. *sniff*

“Oh my. It looks like he’s about to cry. He’s holding back tears. Cry! Cry!”

“He looked so cold…….”

“I heard the leader oppa [term for older brother/male friend used by females] was a trainee for quite a long time. He can’t help but cry when he wins 1st place on public broadcasting with his own song.”

“Heo-eong…….[sound of crying]”

It was when Sunmi, who had been feeling emotional for no reason, was getting teary-eyed.

Hee-ra, who was listening to the acceptance speech and simultaneously checking community reactions, frowned.

“On this good day. Are these guys crazy?”

“What is it? What is it?”

Sunmi frowned along and checked Hee-ra’s phone.