Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 73: What It Takes To Hire The Best Freelancer.

“Isn’t this judging criteria too strict?”

Ban Seongcheol, who was watching the on-site situation with me through a small monitor in the waiting room, clicked his tongue and said.

“We need to pick 11 people for A-class, right? But if we drop kids like that already, how many will be left?”

“It does seem like they’re being a bit strict with the criteria.”

The first to perform in the first impression test, the trio from Neulbom Entertainment, Counter, demonstrated the level of perfection that debuted idols possess with an excellent performance and well-organized composition.

Had the scoring been a bit lenient, they all had the skills to be evaluated as A-class.

Among them, Kim Yujin was also one of the 11 predetermined members of the Girl 100 project group.

Since she was set to debut, her agency seemed to have trained her rigorously, and she showed quality that matched.

Moreover, she showed exceptional talent in dancing.

She possessed flexibility that was a step ahead of Han Sora and Garnet, who performed well.

Although I didn’t see it firsthand, I guess her potential was probably around A-.

“Sigh, with such criteria, will Oh Yoo-ri at least get a B?”

Do you think she’ll get a B even after seeing that?

Oh Yoo-ri must be quite skilled.

Ban Seongcheol’s words made it sound like the 15-year-old Oh Yoo-ri, who hadn’t even debuted, had skills comparable to those of 19-year-olds who had already released a mini-album.

If such a kid was in Flower, there was no way I wouldn’t have known.

I couldn’t guess where my influence created variables that led to this change.

“Well, you’d be grateful even if you got a C.”

Ban Seongcheol said, looking down on me.

“Just because they both have an E on their sticker, it doesn’t mean your kid is on the same level as our Oh Yoo-ri.”

Since he spoke so rudely, I said a few things off the top of my head, and it seemed he got offended.

He spoke as if trying to scratch my pride.

“Oh Yoo-ri is a kid who wrote E at first but planned with the writer to show a turnaround. Unlike trainees who have already debuted or proven their skills in other audition programs, she aims to show dramatic charm by demonstrating skills that don’t fall short. Unlike other riff-raff.”

“That expression might be a bit dangerous.”

“So what? It’s the truth.”

Is he throwing these words around, thinking I won’t spread rumors about him being a jerk?

…Oh, come to think of it, I cleaned up the aftermath last time, didn’t I?

Determined not to get involved with him this time, I saw Gyeoul sitting in E-class on the screen.

Ban Seongcheol scoffed and said,

“…Hehe, but that kid over there seems to think even E is too much for her.”

Just as Ban Seongcheol said, she seemed uncomfortable even in the E-class seat, glancing towards the F-class side.

“Could this be the first time we see an F-class?”

“Hey.”

“…What?”

Oh, I was trying to ignore him, but now I’m getting pissed.

“Wanna bet?”

“…What bet?”

“A bet on whether Gyeoul gets evaluated as A-class or not. I’ll obviously bet that she will.”

“…Hahaha, wow, you’re really throwing it out there. You’re not betting a measly ten or fifty thousand won, right?”

“Of course not.”

I could bet my house, you jerk.

It’s not mine, though…

As all members of Counter from Neulbom Entertainment received B-class and went down, one of the vocal masters, Lee Eunji, looked at the fellow vocal master, James Oh, and spoke.

“Excuse me, Composer Oh?”

“Please call me James.”

“Oh, yes, Composer James.”

Only then did James Oh, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a gold chain, stop taking notes on his tablet and look at Lee Eunji.

“Do you have something to say?”

James’s gaze looked bored and indifferent as he looked at her.

To Lee Eunji, who had garnered countless men’s attention despite proving her abilities and building a reputation that spread throughout the industry, his gaze was quite unpleasant.

But she couldn’t point it out. Though the judging panel appeared to be on an equal footing, there was an obvious hierarchy.

Even Seo Woobaek, a choreographer so active that he was said to create 20% of the debuting girl group’s choreography, and Enji, who was evaluated as the dance trainer of dance trainers with unique skills, were clearly below James Oh.

Even Girls’ Sensation’s sub-vocal Kanola, who was evaluated as the pinnacle of second-generation groups, and Mei, the main dancer of the only second-generation girl group song to cause a national syndrome, ‘How,’ had to bow to him.

Both of them were also desperate to receive songs from him.

Cheon Jonghoon would become the undisputed best producer in ten years. He was already building a reputation that fit.

But if you asked who the best producer in the KPOP scene was right now, ninety out of a hundred would say James Oh.

He had countless songs that reached number one on music shows and even some that charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Not only that, but he also showed excellent talent in vocals, dance, and art, being called an almost perfect producer.

Despite having such abilities, his uniqueness was that he worked as a freelancer without belonging to any place.

Some viewed that he reached his current position because he was a freelancer.

The one sure thing was that he had skills everyone wanted and, due to his uniqueness of not belonging anywhere, held an overwhelming position as the only freelancer who could wield power over major agencies.

Because of such James Oh, Lee Eunji unusually looked at his intentions and asked.

“Evaluating all the Counter kids as B-class seems a bit harsh, don’t you think?”

“Why do you think so?”

Though flustered by his probing remark, Lee Eunji noticed that the entire judging panel seemed to agree with her, gaining a bit of confidence, and spoke.

“They all completed the stage without a single mistake. Considering the kids here are trainees or have just debuted, don’t you think they were good enough to be evaluated as A-class?”

James Oh completely set down his tablet and spoke.

“If they didn’t make mistakes, does that mean they’re A-class? I think that’s not enough to rate them as top tier.”

“…That’s not necessarily the case, but wouldn’t it have been okay to give at least one of them an A-class? There are 11 A-class seats over there, but with these criteria, I don’t think anyone will sit there.”

Other judges, who had gathered their attention to their conversation, also nodded.

James Oh looked at them and said,

“Do the rest of you think so too?”

“…Yes, I think so, James.”

“I also think that from a choreographer’s perspective, Kim Yujin deserved an A.”

Not all judges voiced their opinions due to James Oh’s presence, but they showed signs of agreeing with Lee Eunji’s opinion.

Then James Oh began to ponder.

After a brief moment, he spoke.

“Then let’s see three more times… no, two more times. If the average level is below expectations, we’ll ease the criteria, and I’ll personally change the rating and reassign Kim Yujin to A-class.”

When he compromised, the judges welcomed it, praising his decisive judgment.

They fussed over, patted, and encouraged Lee Eunji, who led the negotiation.

Lee Eunji silently raised her arm and enjoyed the praise.

James Oh felt a pang of pity as he watched.

It was very disappointing to see those called the best in the industry compromising for the sake of the broadcast.

‘In the end, only overwhelming geniuses rise to the top. And the name A is only suitable for such kids.’

Though he thought that way, he was a sociable person, so he left room for compromise.

‘A truly talented kid should appear. Why else would I have come here?’

In fact, James Oh, who already had wealth and fame, had no need to appear on a show like Girl 100.

It wasn’t that he was desperate for an appearance fee or urgently needed to show his face on TV.

He decided to appear on Girl 100 to see talent that could revive his fading creative desire.

He hoped there might be a muse who could inspire him among the secret weapons meticulously selected by agencies.

But that didn’t seem easy.

As James Oh watched the stage with concern, new trainees stepped onto the stage.

There were four in total, and their self-assigned classes were A, C, C, and B, respectively.

He watched the stage, hoping that the kid with a large ‘A’ on their chest would show talent.

The stage of the four-member group, Blanc Girls, ended quickly.

“…All F. Any objections?”

“Still, couldn’t we give at least one of them a D…?”

“Didn’t we agree to stick to proper criteria for the next two evaluations?”

“…Yes, let’s go with all F.”

With high hopes, Blanc Girls headed to the F-class seats, looking disheartened.

James Oh became very uncomfortable.

He had only seen seven people so far, but the current situation made it seem reasonable to lower the criteria as the other judges suggested.

It seemed very difficult to find a talent that would inspire him as he intended.

“…Sigh.“

While all the judges watched James Oh’s displeased expression, the monitor on stage displayed the self-assigned class E.

“Oh dear.”

Choreographer Seo Woobaek lamented when he saw the letters.

Seeing the self-assigned class, it seemed like the talent wouldn’t cheer up James Oh.

From Seo Woobaek’s perspective, hoping for someone to lighten James Oh’s mood regardless of the criteria, it felt bleak.

In that heavy atmosphere, a trainee stepped onto the stage.

“…Uh… Hello! I’m trainee Han Gyeoul from TwoBear Entertainment!”

It was truly an unconvincing appearance.