Chapter 70

Chapter 70

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

Episode 70: 7 Million Views Expected.

Following Ye Han-na’s lead to the filming location, Gyeoul cautiously asked me,

“…So, should I just show a bad performance like Writer Ye Han-na said?”

“No, just show your best.”

Gyeoul, flustered by my answer, said,

“Then, won’t the writer and PD dislike us?”

“Probably.”

Although Ye Han-na might have a different thought, most of them would feel that way.

Because we would be a hindrance to the pre-arranged plan.

“Oh no… Then they’ll probably edit me harshly on the show, or not show my face at all. And the judges would have been told I’m that kind of character, so they won’t rate me well.”

Gyeoul, seeming to be in a panic, trembled her pupils and slapped her cheeks before speaking.

“But if Taeyang ssam says so, I’ll do it. I, Han Gyeoul, will be like a mayfly that bursts into a spark when it hits an electric mosquito net and shines for a moment!”

…Is that something a trainee with A+ potential for debut would say?

Being that beautiful and good at dancing and singing, she could have a little more confidence, but Gyeoul always buried herself in the ground if left alone.

I realized again how fragile her self-esteem was.

“A mayfly burning up? Even when making analogies, why do you choose something like that as an idol?”

“…Oh, then how about a cicada? I heard cicadas stay underground for years and only come out for a short time to sing… Now that I think about it, it’s an exact analogy! It’s just like how I stayed locked up in my room! And the crying sound is similar too!”

…Why do you keep obsessing over insects?

“You’re not like that at all… You’ll just shine. Not like those insects for a moment, but for as long as the world remembers your name.”

“Can I really do that? Won’t I make a bad impression on the writer and PD from the start? Maybe Gaeul unnie should…”

“We don’t have to see the situation as bad. Let me explain why.”

I need to take care of her before she goes into negative mode again.

“First, the judges probably weren’t instructed to use you as a comedy character or to give good scores to specific trainees. Those people are legendary in the industry. No matter how powerful the PD is, they’d just be another cable TV PD in front of them.”

Although calling MNet just a cable channel might be a bit harsh, given their strong position in K-pop, the judges sitting there could still push back if they didn’t like something.

“That’s why they look for comedy characters with poor skills on purpose. It’s nearly impossible to instruct the judges to raise or drop someone, but if there’s a clear flaw, the expert team will evaluate it and create laughs.”

Manipulation isn’t about biased judgments in a free competition. It’s about designing the overall structure and setting the stage that way.

One well-thought-out decision by someone who knows how to design it properly makes everyone an accomplice.

“Second, the PD will probably dislike it. They’ll think we deceived them even if we excuse that your skills have improved.”

Gyeoul, looking distressed, said,

“Then, aren’t we doomed?”

Oh, such a worrywart.

But what Gyeoul was worrying about wasn’t her own failure.

She was afraid that her actions might bring harm to Gaeul, Yeoreum, and even TwoBear.

Gyeoul was that kind of person.

I carefully brushed her hair to avoid disturbing the style she had set.

Gyeoul closed her eyes and enjoyed the touch like a cat.

She even gently nudged her head as if asking to be petted there.

While grooming her gently, I said,

“But they won’t be able to edit you out completely. The PD’s job is to create entertaining footage, after all.”

Gyeoul’s character and skills were unique. They wouldn’t throw away such elements just out of spite.

“Furthermore, from a promotional standpoint, completely editing out your footage would surely cause controversy. Since each individual’s footage will be uploaded to AllTube, if only your footage gets uploaded and is edited out from the broadcast, it will definitely cause controversy. So, they won’t make such a dumb choice from the start, which is crucial for attracting viewers.”

Gyeoul nodded, showing she understood.

“Oh, I see.”

Of course, the PD could still find ways to screw us over.

“But they could do malicious editing. Like splicing your reactions into other trainees’ performances to make you look bad.”

“…Ugh.”

I had prepared for that by giving her a diver’s watch and training her, but it would still be tough if the production team decided to go all out.

Usually, they wouldn’t go that far.

“Then, should I just show my ugly side as the writer wants?”

I chuckled and looked at Gyeoul as I spoke.

“Gyeoul, did you know that your dance video will definitely be uploaded to AllTube? On the MNet AllTube channel with about 20 million subscribers.”

Gyeoul’s body stiffened.

“So if I dance there, it’ll go straight to AllTube?”

“Yes. And it’ll get around 2 to 7 million views.”

“Eek!”

This wasn’t an exaggeration. Not the unedited videos, but the broadcast segments of the trainees would be uploaded to AllTube.

Because Gyeoul would definitely be on the broadcast.

“Actually, showing a poor performance in a video with so many viewers would be harder to handle. There will be a flood of comments.”

Gyeoul nodded as if she had a motor in her neck.

“If we’re going to make people dislike you, let’s make it just a few writers or PDs. And let’s capture the attention of 7 million people. I’ll help with the aftermath. I won’t let you be a victim of malicious editing.”

The preparations for that were already done.

I recalled the time when Gyeoul was crying with her makeup all smeared in front of the motel and said,

“Trust me, Gyeoul. I’m the one who’s going to make you the best idol, right?”

Gyeoul also seemed to recall that scene and smiled softly.

“I’ll trust you.”

We shared a smile.

I had a feeling that no matter how everything changed, this smile we shared when we looked at each other wouldn’t change.

“So, what should I do?”

“Just do what you always do.”

“…What?”

I smiled playfully at Gyeoul, who tilted her head in confusion, and said,

“That alone will blow them away.”

Because you’re going to be the best idol, Gyeoul.

Of course, as her manager, I couldn’t follow Gyeoul all the way.

So I returned to the waiting room where Ban Seongcheol was and watched the video on a monitor set up in the corner.

The video showed Gyeoul standing awkwardly in front of a panel full of ‘Girl 100’ and MNet logos in the hallway leading to the stage.

That seemed to be the photo call location Ye Han-na had mentioned.

That photo call zone was meant to set up rivalries between the trainees and show their fresh, awkward, or nervous sides. Of course, some showed confident and bold appearances, but most used their age-specific cuteness and freshness to make a first impression.

Gyeoul had to use her own charm to get some screen time there.

That shabby-looking hallway with just one panel was the first battleground of ‘Girl 100’.

In that photo call zone, there was a sign telling the trainees to grade themselves from A to F with a name pen.

The blank space above Gyeoul’s name sticker on her clothes was for writing that grade.

Gyeoul looked at it and started to think deeply.

Then she carefully wrote the letter E.

Oh, my poor Gyeoul. How could you be an E?

Her characteristic low self-esteem must have made her choose that.

The reason she didn’t choose F wasn’t because she had that much confidence, but because she depended on the thought that with Lee Hyerin, Song Johan, and I teaching her, she should at least be an E.

Then why didn’t you generously write D?

For a moment, as a teacher and being called Taeyang ssam, it was a bit frustrating.

But it wasn’t a bad choice.

Gyeoul might not have thought that far, but it resembled the picture the writer wanted.

A new agency whose name isn’t even known.

The initial level chosen was E.

A clumsy and nervous appearance.

It would appear to anyone as if she were a trainee around 23, who got an opportunity beyond her means.

No one would have expectations for Gyeoul.

Judges, PDs, viewers—all of them.

The reversal would begin on the stage given with no expectations.

“Oh, she must be a kid lacking confidence?”

Ban Seongcheol didn’t seem to have any expectations either. He slightly smirked as he watched Gyeoul’s video.

“Yes, she is a kid who lacks confidence.”

“…I see. It’s a burdensome opportunity for a trainee from a new agency.”

Man, the more I listen to this guy, the more his tone annoys me.

I gave Ban Seongcheol a little spoiler.

“It is a burdensome opportunity.”

He smirked and nodded as if he understood well.

Then I lightly laughed at him and said,

“Not for Gyeoul, but for MNet.”