Chapter 162

Chapter 162

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

Episode 162: So What Do You Want Me To Do About It?

MingMingSsu – Wow… I knew our Gaeul was a great singer, but I didn’t realize she was this good.

Elastin – Her talent seems way too big for Girl Revolution.

Evergreen – What’s wrong with Girl Revolution? Even if it’s not enough now, we can help her grow!

shat7 – Since we’re at it, should we all hype this up together? Let’s go!

GyeoulLovesYou – Hype!

Omedeto – Up!

YukgapIsAnnoying – Hype!

SESE9822 – Up!

RoomboundChallenger – Instead of doing that, just buy another Girl Revolution album.

Jin Yeoreum, who had been reading these comments, cautiously spoke to the staff.

“It seems like it’s not just us who think well of her; most people seem to think so.”

Cheon Aram smiled happily and said.

“Right, how could they not like her when she shows such a side? Haha, I remember when I first saw Gaeul. Her magnetic power was amazing. I even thought she was too good for an idol.”

Seo Soo-yeon agreed with that.

“Honestly, it was incredible back then. I remember thinking it was the first time I’d ever felt so entranced listening to music.”

“You’re talking about that ‘Memories of Fallen Leaves and the Sea’ video with the most views, right? It was amazing! Even the one-hour repeat version of that song on AllTube had high views.”

Dance trainer Lee Hyerin, who had been nodding at Gyeoul’s bright words, tilted her head and asked.

“But didn’t the song feel a bit different?”

“It’s because Team Leader Seon arranged it more towards an acoustic direction.”

“Team Leader Seon?”

Oh James answered her.

“That’s the conclusion Team Leader Seon came to after constantly considering what kind of arrangement would get the best reaction on-site. The arrangement was probably more appealing live to the audience than it would have been in the broadcasted audio.”

“Wow, that must be one of the reasons she got the exclusive Love rating.”

“Yes, he’s amazing. He’s always had a genius eye for arrangements, so I didn’t need to get involved.”

As they continued discussing Gaeul’s song warmly, Oh Yoori, who had been watching the broadcast screen, particularly Gaeul’s expression, spoke up.

“Gaeul’s expression seems a bit off.”

Cheon Aram, who had been clinking champagne glasses with Seo Soo-yeon, asked.

“She seems off?”

“Yes.”

“In what way?”

“I think she’s feeling something that doesn’t match the good reviews from the audience.”

“A feeling that doesn’t match? I think she looks calm. What emotion do you think she’s feeling, Yoori?”

Oh Yoori stated the emotion she had read.

“Frustration.”

To praise Gaeul for her performance, I walked behind the stage where she had just finished, only to encounter an unexpected scene.

“I have nothing to say.”

“No, don’t say that; let’s talk for a moment…”

“Please, just disappear from my sight while I’m still being nice.”

It was Gaeul clearly drawing the line with a middle-aged woman trying to cling to her, even though they were in a foreign country, speaking in Korean.

It was a cold and firm attitude from Gaeul, usually known for her warm, golden retriever-like friendliness to everyone.

“I’ll come back later.”

The middle-aged Asian woman, who seemed stunned by Gaeul’s firm response, left after saying that.

Worried that the middle-aged woman might harm Gaeul, I looked at her with a tense expression before finally approaching Gaeul.

“Gaeul, you were amazing on stage today! It felt like you enchanted everyone.”

Gaeul stared at me blankly before speaking in a somewhat bitter tone.

“You saw it, right?”

“Yes, I saw everything from the moment you went on stage until the end.”

“No, not that. I mean the argument I just had.”

“…”

I tried to pretend I didn’t know, thinking it might involve some personal issue Gaeul didn’t want to show.

But the way she said it made me think that, rather than hiding it, she needed someone to confide in right now.

So, I spoke.

“Yeah, I saw it. Who was that person?”

“That was my mother.”

“…”

Then Gaeul looked at me with a fragile, almost broken gaze and spoke.

“She’s my mother, the one who left our family when I was 11.”

“Then, make sure to finish the assignment by tomorrow.”

Listening to Cheon Jonghoon’s words on the phone, I felt frustrated and couldn’t hold back my complaints.

“Wait, are you telling me to solve two application samples and create three samples by tomorrow? Is that even reasonable?”

Ever since I started working part-time under Cheon Jonghoon, he hadn’t just given me tasks on the days I was physically helping out—he also assigned me homework over the phone like this.

It was a hassle, but I had to admit I was learning a lot, so I was willing to tolerate it. It was even enjoyable in its own way. But there had to be a limit! Did he really think it was reasonable to assign something that would take a full day of effort to complete?

Cheon Jonghoon, you bastard! I have a job too! I have actual work!

“Didn’t I at least reduce the amount of reading you have to do this time?”

“That was a German original text! Do you not realize that just reading it means I’m also studying German at the same time?!”

“Then did you think that receiving lessons from Cheon Jonghoon would be easy?”

“You said this was just a part-time job!”

“Ahem, ahem… Fine. Did you think that working a part-time job under Cheon Jonghoon would be easy?”

“…Do you not realize how pathetic that sounds even to yourself?”

“….”

Perhaps Cheon Jonghoon also thought so, as he couldn’t answer and remained silent.

However, maybe because the silence was awkward, he changed the subject.

“I watched ‘Music Road.’”

“Hmm… Then you must have seen the arrangement I did. What did you think?”

“You’re satisfied with that much? It’s still far from perfect!”

I never even mentioned being satisfied. Why is he acting like this?

“Well, I do acknowledge that you’ve made some progress.”

What a bothersome person he is.

“Don’t let your guard down. The public opinion on Yoo Gaeul seems to be shifting in a strange direction.”

“What do you mean by the public opinion shifting strangely?”

“Have you seen the fan communities of the singers who were eliminated this time?”

“No, I haven’t. I’ve mostly checked large communities that are discussing popular SNS posts or broadcasts.”

Cheon Jonghoon sighed softly before speaking.

“Then you should check it out. It doesn’t look good.”

Anonymous58 – Honestly, isn’t the fairness of ‘Music Road’ questionable?

I decided to check it out since it was a show produced by Dokgo Chan, who had a pretty solid track record in the music industry. But for a competition that claims to be a survival show, the fairness was all over the place.

I watched Shin Ju-rim’s performance, and objectively speaking, he managed to bring back at least 90% of his peak form. But his evaluation got absolutely wrecked—probably because he’s a middle-aged East Asian man, the kind of person who’s an easy target for discrimination.

On top of that, he sang Iron Wings, which is only famous in Korea and doesn’t have a single English lyric. Sure, it’s a great song, but obviously, it wouldn’t resonate as much with an international audience.

Meanwhile, that idol girl—Yoo Gaeul, was it?—she got every possible advantage, like she had bribed Dokgo Chan or something.

First off, she sang the English version of a song that already had strong emotional appeal and was well-known enough to make it onto the Billboard charts. Then, there’s her looks—her face is, well… honestly, way more than just a little pretty.

When everything—visuals, reputation, lyrics—is working in favor of that idol, how is this a fair survival show? What a joke.

Saying Shin Ju-rim wasn’t as skilled as that idol? No way. Anyone could tell he sang better.

And before anyone says I’m just a Shin Ju-rim fan—I’m not.

This whole Music Road thing needs to be called out. It can’t just be ignored.

Asparagus – Ju-rim, is that you?

DragonBecomesMe – Ju-rim, it’s okay even if you didn’t make it big. Just start performing again. It’s been three years since you last had a concert, you bastard. I’ll give you money—just rent a small theater or something. Please.

TenIdealMen – Yeah. I mean, was public urination after drinking really that big of a deal? A guy can shed some tears and take a piss outside! You paid the fine, you’ve reflected enough, now get back to performing. Seriously.

Descartes – (Personal opinion) To be fair, it was kind of a big deal.

Anonymous58 (OP) – I’M NOT SHIN JU-RIM, YOU ASSHOLES.

“…For sure, this doesn’t feel right.”

In fact, this response was relatively mild.

It wasn’t the fanbase of the laid-back Shin Ju-rim, but a fanbase from a strong community of real fans, especially from the Music Road elimination group, making dangerous remarks to tear down and insult Gaeul.

At least if they had watched the broadcast, they would have clearly realized that Gaeul’s talent wasn’t fake, but real.

The real issue was that this backlash wasn’t staying confined to fan sites—it was beginning to spread to larger online communities and social media.At this rate, Music Road, which was supposed to establish Gaeul’s image as an artist and strengthen her brand, could end up becoming a source of controversy instead.I sat in a café, staring at my tablet, carefully considering how to handle the situation—when someone spoke to me.

“You’re Gaeul’s manager, right?”

I looked up to confirm, and at that moment, it was the middle-aged woman who had argued with Gaeul, her mother.

I put down the tablet and replied politely.

“Yes, that’s correct. How can I help you, Gaeul’s mother?”

Gaeul’s mother licked her dry lips, glanced at me, and then spoke.

“I need some money.”

It was one of the things I had expected her to say.

I nodded indifferently.

“I see.”

Was my response frustrating? Gaeul’s mother spoke irritably.

“I, Gaeul’s mother, need money!”

I said exactly what came to mind.

“So what do you want me to do about it?”

If you need money, get a part-time job.