Chapter 143

Chapter 143

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

Episode 143: Ride The Wave Of National Pride.

I grabbed Park Miso’s mouse and checked the Billboard chart site.

However, the names and rankings I saw remained unchanged.

“Isn’t this a mistake?”

Even though it was clearly visible, I couldn’t be sure.

This was something that didn’t make sense to me at all, based on my common sense.

Seeing my reaction, Park Miso nodded understandingly and spoke carefully to me.

“I also had some doubts, so I checked, and the official video we uploaded on AllTube also saw a massive increase in views, so it seems certain.”

“Let’s take a look.”

I easily opened AllTube and went straight to Girl Revolution’s channel. I then clicked on the official video of the song in question.

“It’s the same though?”

“You need to watch the English version.”

“…”

Click.

Albatross_Girl’s Revolution Views: 34.82 million

“Wow.”

It was a video with no actual footage, just the album title image and the song playing.

Yet this video was surpassing the views of Girl Revolution’s title track ‘Traitor,’ which had a lavishly invested music video.

“Team Leader Seon, can we see the comments?”

At Oh Yoori’s cautious words, the staff’s gaze turned towards her.

“…No, I… it’s just… the comments are interesting, sorry. It was an offhand remark.”

Sensing Oh Yoori’s discomfort, the others encouraged her by speaking loudly.

“We can’t resist the comments. Let’s check them, Team Leader Seon.”

“I’m curious about what kind of comments there are, too.”

“Actually, I was curious too, not just Yoori.”

I opened the comments section without hesitation.

@ashii9914_ 4 days ago – This is something we can all admit. You’re not just listening once a day, but several times.

@LilyXiao_ 1 hour ago – They are a group with beautiful voices and songs. A star has been born in KPOP.

@HienHoang 3 days ago – I first heard this song and was so moved, I cried. It’s still so beautiful that I cry. The vocals are amazing. It comforts me in my difficult life.

@Mikaro7 2 days ago (edited) – This song opens the formula for creating both lyrical and upbeat music. It should be considered an iconic song, and if that’s true, it should be listed in the Korean National Music Registry.

@bikramjitdebnath 4 hours ago – But why is the main chorus so addictive? Until yesterday, I didn’t even know this group existed, but after hearing it briefly at a café, I’m completely hooked.

The public opinion was overwhelmingly positive.

“The overseas hype is quite different.”

“But I don’t see any Korean comments?”

“Maybe it’s because it’s the English version?”

“So, does that mean all those views are from overseas?”

“Probably, right?”

“This is a huge hit, right?”

“Even calling it a hit doesn’t do it justice. Charting on the Billboard Hot 100 right after debut, it’s unprecedented.”

“…”

They say that when reality is too shocking, you become numb to it.

Maybe it was the same for us at TwoBear, we read the comments in a daze, as if detached from reality.

“Wow, this person heard the song at a restaurant. Girl Revolution’s song has even reached restaurants overseas…”

“This person heard it at an electronics store.”

“It seems like it’s not just for K-pop enthusiasts, but has caught the attention of the general public.”

“So, does that mean we’re going to be like the number one pop singer, El Marina, or the global rapper, Waste?”

“No, that’s too much…”

“Could you scroll a bit slower? I haven’t finished reading yet.”

Hearing Oh Yoori’s words, I slowly scrolled down and suddenly spoke up.

“But, does the President know about this?”

“…Ah.”

Everyone sighed as if they just realized it.

…How could they forget the President?

In the meeting room where most of the staff were gathered, Cheon Aram rubbed her forehead and spoke.

“So, are you saying that Girl Revolution’s ‘Albatross’ charted at 46 on the Billboard chart?”

“It’s not just that. Looking at the trend, it seems it will continue to rise.”

“How high will it go?”

“…It’s such an unprecedented situation, there are no prior cases to compare, so I can’t give a definitive answer.”

“Hm… I see.”

Cheon Aram stared blankly at the chart ranking on the screen.

“I can’t accept this situation as reasonable—can someone explain why this is happening?”

The one who answered was Jo Narae from the PR team.

“First of all, we believe that the turning point was when Girl Revolution’s song started being played by DJs in the U.S. and other parts of the world.”

“The song being played? I know about that, too. But wasn’t it just a one-time thing? It’s impressive, but isn’t charting on the Hot 100 a bit too much just from a single play?”

“That part seems to be due to word of mouth. On social media, retweets of ‘What’s this song?’ kept circulating, which helped spread the name.”

“Still, that wouldn’t be enough, would it?”

“I…”

Cheon Aram, though hesitant, kindly spoke to Park Miso, who had raised her hand.

“Please, feel free to speak your mind.”

“I believe that the results are also heavily influenced by Girl Revolution’s song becoming popular as background music on the Shorts platform, TokTok.”

“Shorts?”

Park Miso manipulated the screen and played a video from the platform, showing numerous videos with millions of views using ‘Albatross’ as background music.

“After the song started being used in Shorts, it influenced radio plays, and the unintended repetitive trend created a chain of publicity.”

“But isn’t K-pop kind of niche and for enthusiasts?”

Isabella added to their thoughts.

“I think the fact that it was the English version helped. Thanks to that, not only K-pop fans but also general American pop listeners have accepted it without resistance.”

Oh James, humming the melody of ‘Albatross’ that played in the Shorts video, grinned and said.

“Above all, it’s because the song is good. Once Girl Revolution’s and Team Leader Seon’s ‘Albatross’ got known, it was bound to rise.”

“…”

The direct compliment made my face flush, but I didn’t show it as I cleared my throat and continued.

“President, let’s contact all the reporters we know. Let’s grease the wheels and have them write some aggressive articles. Whether it’s a flex or just a waste of money depends on timing, and it seems like now is the perfect time. Let’s hop on the K-pop hype coin. This is definitely going to work.”

A dark horse K-pop idol who succeeded in charting on the world’s top charts.

This would work. Without a doubt.

All the staff’s eyes were on Cheon Aram.

Cheon Aram glanced over the staff and then grinned as she spoke.

“Proceed.”

[Shocking] America cried. The U.S. started learning Korean, Germany is wooing, France is protesting, China is plagiarizing, and Japan is lamenting, asking, ‘Why don’t we have idols like that?’ K-pop Idol! Girl Revolution! Conquers the Billboard Hot 100!

Girl Revolution is conquering the U.S. Billboard charts with their song “Albatross.”

According to the Billboard chart, which is a major U.S. music media, “Albatross,” released in February, ranked 12th on the Global 200 and 18th on the Global (excluding the U.S.) chart. This achievement, typically accomplished by established idols who have built a large fanbase, was achieved by a newly debuted group.

Girl Revolution entered the main single chart, the Hot 100, at number 46, continuing its long-term success while also achieving impressive results on the Global 200 chart.

The agency commented, “The popularity of Girl Revolution in North America, the hottest region right now, is proven by their success across both main and sub charts.”

The spotlight is on Girl Revolution, who are writing a new K-pop success story with their growing popularity.

Oh James, reading the article, asked.

“…Everything’s good, but can we do something about this thumbnail? Does it have to say ‘The Germany is wooing, Japan is lamenting?’”

Seok Hyun-woo, laughing at Oh James, spoke.

“Hey, that’s called national pride hype. When you’re hyped, even the smallest thing has to be exaggerated to the max. And we have something worth hyping about, right?”

“No, but still, it feels a bit embarrassing…”

“Ah, this guy still doesn’t know the feeling of national pride! Just wait; I’ll show you what real hype is.”

“I just don’t want to know about it…”

As I continued discussing with the reporters, using the background music of their trivial conversation, the door opened and someone called for me.

“Team Leader Seon, do you have a moment?”

It was Cheon Aram, the President of TwoBear.

“If it’s President Cheon, I would make time, even if I didn’t have it. Of course, I’ll come.”

“Alright, then, let’s have a brief conversation.”

I was curious about what she had to say, since the general work policies were already set, but I followed behind her.

Cheon Aram led me into the President’s office, and only then did she speak.

“What a strange coincidence. At the time when TwoBear was facing its greatest crisis, two positive issues have come up back-to-back.”

I casually responded.

“Yeah, we’ve really been lucky.”

“The DJs playing Girl Revolution’s songs and the issue with Woo Soo-hyun’s drugs—both were crucial. If only one of them had happened, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“Honestly, it wouldn’t have been easy. So, it’s even more of a relief.”

“Yeah, truly lucky. To think someone in this company could pull that off.”

“…What?”

Cheon Aram, playfully smiling at me, said.

“Both of those things were done by you, Team Leader Seon.”

“…”

…How did she know?