Chapter 88 Part 3: Produce 408

Competition.

It was something inseparable from humans.

Because in this harsh society, you couldn’t survive if you didn’t compete with others and win.

And, among those many competitions, there was one that would make Koreans’ competitive spirit explode.

The Korea-Japan match.

A game situated in a sacred realm where defeat was unacceptable, even if the sky were to split in two.

It’s no wonder there’s a half-joking, half-serious saying that if you lose a Korea-Japan match, you should swim back.

It was not just for the public, but also a matter of pride that the participants from both countries could absolutely not lose.

Produce 408.

An idol audition program launched to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Korea-Japan cultural exchange.

Empowered by these symbolic modifiers, the broadcasting station came up with a clever move to boost viewership.

“Yes?”

A Korea-Japan match?

“Yeah, Korea versus Japan, imagine how many people will watch, right?”

The idol industry, too, had once looked up to Japan and strived to catch up.

But, what about now?

The level of Japanese idols was now embarrassingly incomparable to Korea’s.

A one-sided slaughter, where it wouldn’t even be a game, was clearly anticipated, but still, it was a Korea-Japan match.

The fact that it could draw the attention of countless people was self-evident.

‘Of course, if we were to lose, the backlash would be just as severe, but······’

Well, what did it matter?

It wasn’t an international competition anyway.

The curses that would fly in case of defeat could surely be brushed off lightly.

The group scouted as a result was Cornelia.

As the program was scheduled to be exported overseas later, it was judged that if a Japanese group with good skills appeared, the preparation would be that much better.

And, that result was about to be revealed on stage now.

[P2. Korea-Japan Idol Battle]

[Japan: Cornelia]

[Korea: Riasix]

“The opposing side is····· Ah, Cornelia has come out.”

“Wow, this one’s a bit of a tough opponent, isn’t it?”

During the participant group introduction time.

At the name of the Japanese group appearing on the electronic display, sighs escaped from some of the judges.

All of them were individuals working in the music industry.

“Ah, are they very famous?”

At that sight, one of the celebrity panelists asked.

“Yes, well····· I suppose so?”

“If you lined up all the Japanese idols here right now and asked them to dance, really, only their group would be on a different level.”

“Ah, really?”

The celebrity nodded as if surprised by those words.

Seeing those who knew music better than anyone else speak like that, they looked at the stage with expectant eyes.

“But, Riasix is no pushover either.”

“Ah, I’ve heard of them too.”

They’re the group that debuted last year, right?

Japan’s top idol group, Cornelia.

[Their opponent is Korea’s 6-member girl group, Riasix!]

Riasix.

Among young people these days, there would be few who didn’t know their name.

Their agency itself was one of the top major agencies in Korea, and as they had also promoted heavily, they were one of the promising stars of the future.

It was a battle between relatively experienced veterans and fresh-faced rookies.

‘Normally, the veterans would have the advantage, but······.’

Unfortunately, the fact that they were a Japanese group was a sticking point.

The Japanese market and the Korean market operate very differently.

[First, we will begin with Cornelia’s performance.]

As soon as the host’s words ended, girls came up onto the stage.

「Hello! We are the girl group, Cornelia!」

As the members greeted in Japanese, cheers erupted from the audience.

“Alright, everyone can do well, right?”

Just before the performance began, Ren looked back at the members one last time.

“Of course!”

“Just because we’re overseas, we won’t be intimidated!”

What came back were the members’ confident replies.

Well, this much should be trustworthy.

Soon, all the lights on the stage went out, and music began to flow from the speakers.

⸻♫

‘·····Let’s go.’

Amidst the brilliant lights that soon came on, Cornelia’s Korean concert began.

---

“Oh····· this feels completely different, doesn’t it?”

It was an impression uttered by one of the judges watching Cornelia’s performance.

The atmosphere was different from the Japanese idols he had occasionally seen passing by on YourTube.

The song, of course, and even the charisma they exuded.

“This style is like a Korean idol’s.”

“Yes, composer Nam Jihye wrote the song for them.”

So the feel will probably be similar.

“Ah, really?”

At those words, those interested in music expressed their admiration.

Composer Nam Jihye, who was she?

A young rookie whose every composition became a hit.

She was a figure about whom there were even jokes circulating that she was a ‘victory totem’.

“Wow, I didn’t know she also composed songs for Japanese idols·····.”

“Yes, this was written very early in her career, so.”

Many people don’t know.

A composer on the judging panel watched the stage with eyes mixed with respect.

The song’s atmosphere was a typical girl crush.

It was a type of song currently popular among Korean idols as well, one that would do well overseas.

‘Moreover, that’s not all.’

Appropriate part distribution according to each voice, and even sophisticated choreography that wasn’t overdone.

It was completely different from the typical Japanese idol style.

“··········.”

How much time and effort must have gone into succeeding in that way.

A veteran singer on the judging panel quietly watched the stage.

It felt as if he were watching his former self.

His younger self, who recklessly and endlessly tried new methods.

The difference, perhaps, was that they, unlike him, had succeeded in that way.

‘My goodness·····.’

Nationality and everything else aside, such a sight even seemed admirable.

「We gonna– fly up to high⸻!」

Such sentiments continued even after the song ended and Cornelia came down from the stage.

---

“Unnie?”

What’s wrong?

“···No, it’s just that I feel somewhat strange.”

After successfully finishing the performance, Ren, who came down from the stage, had a peculiar expression.

‘I think I heard someone say I look old.’

Of course, including my past life, it’s not exactly wrong, but right now, I’m a fresh 19-year-old.

However, the members seemed to have misunderstood something and kept talking to her.

“Hey, Unnie, you’re nervous too, right?”

“Well, it would be a lie to say I don’t feel that at all.”

No matter how much of a veteran one becomes, one always gets nervous when performing.

Why, just because students have taken many mock exams doesn’t mean they won’t be nervous for the actual college entrance exam, right?

Anyway, worrying about it now was useless.

“That problem is out of our hands now.”

An idol’s job is, to the best of their ability, to successfully complete the performance on stage.

And we did our best performing up there, and that alone was worth its price.

“Then, go rest in the waiting room for a bit.”

I still have things to do.

I have to sing a solo song a little later, so I need to move to a separate personal waiting room.

“Okay~!”

“Then, what should we do to play?”

“Uno!”

How about Uno?

“Ugh, just play on your phones.”

What’s with the card game?

“Wow, Natsume-chan, you really live a boring life.”

“···Do you want to die?”

Chattering like that, the other members moved to the waiting room.

“Ah, um··· Th-this way.”

The waiting room·····.

“Yes, thank you.”

“·····You speak Korean very well.”

Guided by a staff member who looked a little dumbfounded, I moved to an additional waiting room.

“Oh.”

The identity of the additional waiting room was a personal waiting room.

It’s definitely better than the place I was just in.

No strange people either.

‘That b*stard really·····.’

Let’s see, was the group name Neodex?

He only had a pretty face; his actions were no different from a gangster’s.

Why do agencies always kick out the diligent kids and keep only those kinds of guys?

「Now, this time it’s JYD’s rising rookie! Riasix!」

Looking at the television mounted on the wall, the stage performance was being broadcast live.

‘Riasix, huh·····.’

They said it was an idol group being pushed by a major Korean agency.

Since our group’s motto is K-pop style, there might be something to learn from an idol group from the homeland.

As the team leader, I can’t just stand by idly either.

How much time had passed since I started watching the performance of the idols who appeared next?

‘Should I catch some sleep for a bit·····’

Fatigue slowly set in, and my eyes began to close.

Come to think of it, I woke up early today and wandered around for a long time.

Checking the time, there were about 2 hours left until the solo song battle.

I’m tired from waking up early since morning, so I’ll just sleep for about 30 minutes.

How much time had passed after I briefly closed my eyes?

『⸻.』

『⸻!!』

A small, but in contrast, intense voice carefully flowed into Ren’s ears.

“Uung····?”

At the strange sound coming from outside the door, Ren rubbed her sleepy eyes and came to her senses.

‘Oh, a love quarrel?’

I can’t miss out on such prime entertainment industry gossip.

Instantly, Ren’s curiosity was piqued.

She cautiously approached the door and pressed her ear against it.

And the words coming from beyond were enough to completely harden her already cold expression.

『I’m telling you, let’s just meet once.』

『No, I said I don’t want to.』

『Why, I like you. You look so f*cking sexy.』

“······Ha?”

…What the hell is that b*stard blabbering about right now?

Even as her brain couldn’t momentarily catch up with the absurd words, the outrageous remarks continued.

『Girl groups, acting all innocent for show.』

You’re all the same as those Japanese b*tches.

You just don’t spread your legs in front of people like those wh*res.

This is a Japanese waiting room anyway, so no one will understand a f*cking thing.

‘Ah, this is too much.’

Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, I opened the waiting room door and came out.

Beolkeok- (Sound of door opening abruptly)

“Ah?”

·····Ah, hello.

At my appearance after opening the door, the male idol spoke to me in Japanese.

At that absurd sight, a scoff escaped me for a moment.

“We have something to talk about right now··· If we were loud, I apologize·····”

“Hey, cut the bullsh*t.”

Simultaneously.

Silence fell in the hallway.

“W-what···?”

“Why, is this the first time you’ve seen a Japanese wh*re who speaks Korean?”

At that contorted face, I immediately landed another verbal blow.

Then….

Wow, this is quite a sight.

I never knew a person’s face could contort so hideously with such malice.

It’s a first for me.

“F*ck, the more I think about it, the more pissed I get.”

Hey, do you know who I am?

The man’s identity was that b*stard I bumped into in the hallway just now.

I was already pissed off from him getting my number through his manager earlier, but this isn’t just bully-level, the person himself is just trash.

“Don’t disgrace your country and just quietly fck off, you bstard.”

Don’t trample on your juniors’ future because of your disgusting desires.

“W-what·····?!”

Perhaps still unable to grasp the situation, I grabbed the female trainee’s hand and quickly moved out of the hallway.

Fortunately, that b*stard didn’t follow us.

“·····Are you okay?”

“Ah··· Yes, thank you.”

The trainee with a dark expression.

Looking closely now, she was the one who had guided me here.

“Were you very surprised?”

“Yes?”

Ah·····.

She looks quite shocked, what should I do to help her?

“Excuse me, what’s your name?”

“Yes?”

“Not your real name, your stage name.”

It’s unfair if only I tell you mine, right?

Since she hasn’t debuted yet, it’s not official, but she probably has something she’s thought of.

At those words, the trainee hesitated and then spoke.

“S-Seolhwa·····.”

Cheon Seolhwa.

“Cheon Seolhwa, that’s a pretty name.”

Seolhwa, that’s a pretty decent name.

Overall, it’s fine.

“Yes, um.”

Ren-nim·····?

“What’s with the ‘nim,’ just call me sunbae.”

“Yes?”

Uh··· Um·····

“We’re all idols anyway, right?”

First, I decided to fix the honorifics so it wouldn’t be unnecessarily burdensome.

Huh?

Whether in Korea or Japan, we’re all idols, and since I debuted earlier, wouldn’t I be her sunbae?

“S-Sunbae?”

“Don’t be too discouraged.”

There are a lot of guys like that in the entertainment industry.

It’s just not as well-known compared to Japan, but sponsorships are quite prevalent in Korea too.

Well, that guy is from a famous group that even appears on TV, so the shock seems quite big for her.

“This won’t do.”

“Follow me to the rooftop.”

“····Yes?”

At the remark that sounded like she was about to pick a fight, Seolhwa’s mind went blank.

The moment she came to her senses, she realized she was already on the broadcasting station’s rooftop.

“···Hmm, it’s definitely a bit cold.”

“····Then wouldn’t it be cold at night?!”

“I thought it would be okay since it’s summer.”

The chilly night air continuously hit her body.

Seolhwa shivered and shouted.

What is this, I can’t just run away either.

“Still, I like it.”

“Yes?”

“When you get some cool breeze, your head clears up.”

A small garden located on the rooftop of the broadcasting station.

Seolhwa, sitting on a wooden bench there, spoke.

“·····I, I really liked Neodex, you know?”

The wound from learning the true nature of those she liked was deep.

Tears unknowingly flowed, blurring her vision.

The idol of the masses, singing wonderfully and performing on stage.

She also wanted to become such an idol and made it her goal.

However, what she faced upon actually stepping in were words mixed with ugly desires.

On the home TV, in live streams, sometimes in movies.

Ugly words flowed from the mouths that had always whispered love to the fans.

Now, what should she look towards and move forward?

Ordinary school life and friends.

She had dedicated everything solely for this path, but now she had lost that very driving force.

Just as Seolhwa was about to drown in the sea of overflowing emotions.

Ttak-

“Ouch!”

A sharp pain on her forehead brought her back to reality.

She unconsciously lifted her head.

There, an idol was sitting.

“I’m sorry, this, it reminds me of my group’s younger member, so I just couldn’t help it.”

“Eh?”

“But, because of that, to be swayed and to tear down the tower you’ve painstakingly built up until now, isn’t that too much of a waste?”

“What·····.”

Seolhwa, still clutching her throbbing head, asked back.

“───Then, follow me.”

Ren spoke with a faint smile.

“Yes···?”

“Well, I’m not exactly at that level yet, but it’s still better than nothing, right?”

I may look like this, but within Japan, I’m top-tier talent.

If so, wouldn’t I be worth aiming for, even if only for a moment?

“For now, I’m confident I won’t be beaten by those trash.”

“·····What’s that.”

At those words, laughter unknowingly burst from Seolhwa’s lips.

“I want to stop seeing talented juniors give up on their dreams because of others.”

The first person who came to my mind was Nano.

In those eyes that had lost their drive, I saw an overlap with her appearance when she had unconsciously tried to give up being an idol after her mother passed away.

Soon, other people also flashed through my mind.

The various actors I had met so far, Mayuri, my practice room peers.

Their commonality was that none of them had left the entertainment industry of their own free will.

‘When they try to leave on their own, you should let them go, but when they try to leave due to others, hold onto them until the end.’

It was something a senior had told me a long time ago.

Well, that was said while talking about relationships.

Anyway, just like that saying, I wanted to stop seeing people leave.

“How about it?”

I’ll hit the brakes for a moment, so do you want to try following me?

Simultaneously, fireworks shot up from behind Ren.

The fireworks display that had just begun made her gentle smile stand out even more.

“Ah···.”

“Then, I’ll be off to perform now.”

Soon, Ren stood up from her seat and went down from the rooftop.

She was heading towards the stage once again.

Because she was an idol who endlessly moved forward.

“········.”

Seolhwa could only stare blankly after her.