Chapter 187

“Hello~”

The meeting room of the broadcast station for SBC’s music program, where the MCs had gathered for the pre-meeting, was mostly filled with familiar faces.

“Do-hee, you made it~?”

The main and assistant directors and writers whom I had met during the Seven days.

And then there was someone unfamiliar.

The male MC.

We had brushed past each other at award shows and music broadcasts, but we had never actually introduced ourselves.

*

MC debut pre-interview.

Sitting in front of a panel plastered with logos of hit songs in the hallway, I was answering questions while looking at the camera, alongside the male MC.

“Hello, I’m Joo Seung-bin, the new MC from Aiverstu~”

As applause echoed, I pictured Aiverstu in my head.

“Aiverstu… they’re probably from Lepro, right?”

Lepro, the agency of NND.

As expected from Lepro’s boy group, Aiverstu was quite famous.

It seemed Joo Seung-bin had come out to build some recognition as an individual member this time.

“Here…”

Lost in thought, Joo Seung-bin suddenly passed the mic to me.

“Oh, hello. I’m also the new MC…”

I hadn’t thought about what to say, lost in my own thoughts.

“Uh… Who am I again?”

It didn’t seem right to say Seven.

Should I just say Do-hee…

— Pffft.

At that moment, I heard the sound of laughter being stifled.

Before long, bursts of laughter rang out around me.

“Pwahahahah!!”

“What do we do! So cute!”

Both the directors and writers were having a blast.

The male MC beside me was trying not to laugh but was also snorting.

My face heated up in an instant.

Only then did I grasp the situation.

I reflexively started rambling an excuse.

“No… Um, I used to be with Seven on music programs, so…”

But the people around continued to crack up, seeming to listen but also not.

“But since it’s my first time on a music program after the disbandment, I got confused for a moment… should I say the new group name…?”

The director gave me a thumbs up.

“Funny! Awesome! Our youngest MC indeed!”

…Ah, I feel like I’m going to get teased when this airs.

“I wanna do it again…”

*

After making a promise to edit that out, we continued with the interview.

‘Will they really edit it…? They always broadcast stuff like this.’

Still, with a heart full of doubt, I looked at the question sheet held up by the PD in front of me.

[What are the ages of the new MCs?]

Joo Seung-bin grabbed the mic first.

“Yes, I’m 19 years old and debuted with Aiverstu in April 2022.”

Thank goodness he’s the senior in this situation.

“I’m 17 years old, and I debuted in October 2022. Wow~”

If I were the senior, it would be a bit tricky with the titles.

Next question.

[What nickname would you like to be called as this MC combo?]
“Nickname…?”

“Oh, a nickname.”

Unlike the flustered Joo Seung-bin, I opened my mouth comfortably.

After all, a collective name for the MCs was bound to emerge.

You just have to think simply.

“How about this? Combining our surnames. Lee and Joo make Lee-Joo. It sounds good when we introduce it too. ‘Introducing the comeback of Lee-Joo!’ Something like that.”

“Oh, that sounds good!”

Alongside Joo Seung-bin’s nod, the writers sent positive signals.

“Right? It’s good!”

“There’ll be plenty of chances to use it!”

The Director gave the OK sign.

“Okay. From now on, the two of you will be Lee-Jooz. Let’s also come up with a corner. Now, next question.”

[When did you first hear about being an MC?]

Joo Seung-bin smiled brightly.

“I only heard there was good news, but while coming to work this morning, I found out I became the MC of a trendy song show, so I’m still a bit dazed.”

This morning?

They must have kept it a secret until the end.

I openly announced it.

‘Was I the only one who was in the loop?’

More than that, I’m anxious if they can keep it a secret.

The Topist Unni already knows.

I’ve been bragging to the Seven members too.

‘It doesn’t seem like it’s a secret…’

Since the Seven Unnis won’t spill the beans anywhere.

They’re not inexperienced enough to spoil someone else’s news.

Then the members now.

‘Should I check with Chiyo Unni when I get home today?’

That could be a bit fun.

Hehe.

“I think I came because the Director called me and insisted that I had to come. I thought I’d have to work hard. That was my mindset.”

“Okay, then let me ask the last question!”

*

“What’s with Do-hee? Is this Unni precious? Hehe.”

“Yep, of course.”

“Woo-ah is now extremely jealous of Chiyo… Do-hee has also fallen for the femme fatale, hehe…”

It’s chaotic.

“I get it, so lie down. I think Unni’s muscles are really tense.”

“Alright! Let’s hurry up with the massage…”

I pressed down on her calf muscles.

“Ahhh, it hurts!!!”

Chiyo Unni immediately kicked me and ran to the bed.

I followed, clambering up onto the bed while trying to avoid her kicks, clutching onto her calves.

I think my arm might be bruised from her kicks.

But I kept pressing on her muscles.

I’ve experienced this with Hana Unni before, and it really hurts here.

“Ahhh!! This isn’t a massage!”

“Are you going to tell or not!”

“Ahhh!! Why are you doing this to me!! Ahh!”

*

Joo Seung-bin got up from his chair, smiling.

“Did you arrive?”

The place I arrived at was Joo Seung-bin’s agency.

I greeted him while handing him a set of snacks.

“Oh, you didn’t have to bring this kind of stuff.”

He received it with both hands, making a troubled expression.

His first impression seems to show he’s a polite person.
“By the way, I think you’re quite the courteous person.”

“I’m just saying it because I hope to rely on you.”

“After all, we’ll be seeing each other every week for over a year.”

“We should get along well.”

“Wow, this place is really spacious, isn’t it?”

The Lepro headquarters, Averse Two practice room.

On the TV, on the bed, on the couch, on the desk…

It feels so vast that you can’t help but think of it as enormous.

“Those who come to film challenges always say the same thing. It’s really big, right?”

I guess it’s the wealthiest agency among the four major ones.

“Yes, and the high ceilings seem to allow for good air circulation…”

“Actually, it’s so spacious that sometimes the air conditioning doesn’t even reach you.”

I wonder if we’ll be able to move to a place like this someday if we do well like NND.

Suddenly, I’m curious about Lepro’s sales.

Joo Seung-bin made me sit on the couch.

Then he started unwrapping the snacks.

“Let’s talk while we eat what you brought. Oh, and there’s a café inside the building, so if you want any drinks…”

“Oh, thank you. I’ll have a chocolate latte then…”

“Sure, a chocolate latte. And manager, what would you like?”

Joo Seung-bin looked at Manager Young-ho next to me.

“Oh! Then I’ll have an Americano, please.”

Just as Joo Seung-bin took down the order and stepped out,

“Manager, this place is really spacious, right?”

“Right? It’s no wonder it’s a big corporation.”

I took out my phone and searched.

[Lepro Annual Revenue]

— Lepro’s annual revenue has surpassed 1 trillion.

— The first entertainment company to reach the scale of a conglomerate.

‘What the hell, how did they do this?’

I can’t help but feel amazed by the scale of NND.

But then again, both Jae-hyun from NND and I are Cartier ambassadors.

That’s me.

‘Hehe…’

While I was searching for the revenues of the other big four agencies, Joo Seung-bin quickly returned with the drinks.

“Wow, you came back really fast!”

“Oh, I ordered it in advance using the staff-only app.”

I envy that.

“Then, can you also order the meal menu in advance?”

“Oh, yes. Lunch and dinner too…”

“What’s on the menu…?”

“The menu has… over 5 options for each category…”

Truly, being a big company is something else.

So jealous.

*

Sitting side by side on the couch, enjoying drinks and snacks.

The managers installed a behind-the-scenes camera and left without any sense of responsibility.

The awkward atmosphere seemed ready to break through the camera.

Especially back in elementary and middle school, boys would act in such a way—confessing all of a sudden or acting annoying just to get attention—that I avoided even talking to them, so this situation feels even stranger.

‘Should I just treat this like a friend?’

“So…”

Joo Seung-bin opened his mouth.

“Oh, yes.”

“Shall we organize our titles first?”
“Yeah, yeah.”

It’s been a while since I’ve only answered with “yeah.”

I usually do this only in front of Director So-hyun.

But with Director So-hyun, even if I said “yeah,” it’s fine because it’s a choice.

Here, it’s just awkward…

“We’ll call you Do-hee when we’re MC-ing, but it feels a bit off to do that in private.”

I laughed, pretending to be all friendly and positive.

“Yes, since we’ll be seeing each other often from now on. I can call you Seung-bin senior, but you can call me casually!”

“U, uh, is that okay?”

“Yes, yes!”

He looked a bit pressured.

Should I just tell him to speak casually once he’s comfortable…?

“I understand…”

Silence again.

Joo Seung-bin seemed speechless and took a sip through his drink straw.

“Oh, then… Do-hee is a first-year high school student… right?”

“Yes, Hanseong Arts High School.”

“Oh, Hanseong Arts. I’m from Seomun Arts…”

“Yes, I’m a third year at the Seoul Arts High School…”

“Oh, you know it…”

“Yes, I got a little curious and looked it up.”

On Namuwiki.

“Oh, I see…”

Ha, damn.

I never thought my extroverted nature would be this useless.

It feels like being the new kid sitting next to their partner on the first day of school, surrounded by that partner’s friends.

*

“But actually… I’m a huge fan of Do-hee.”

“T-thank you?”

“I’m not just saying that; I looked up your piano performances. They’re really amazing. I also found the one you played at the concert…”

“Oh, really? I’m a fan of A1 too. Their songs are really great. I often listen to ‘sticky stigma’ and ‘suddenly’…”

“Huh? ‘Suddenly’ is a b-side.”

“I tend to seek out b-sides. The beat is too good, so I can’t help but keep listening.”

“Oh, I see. That makes me really happy. Thank you.”

“Haha… yes.”

I changed the subject to work.

I believe this awkwardness will fade away with time.

“Senior, have you prepared a song for today?”

“Oh! Yes, yes. Shall we start deciding and practicing?”

It’s customary for the MCs to create a special stage to celebrate the first broadcast day.

If the MC is an actor, the production staff chooses the stage song, but since we’re both idols, we decided to pick our own songs.

During our first meeting, we agreed to each bring a song by the next practice.

Given it’s summer, it should be a refreshing and cool song.

Of course, the song I chose was a boy group song.

My wish to perform on stage with a boy group song.

Can I achieve this outside of Seven?

Joo Seung-bin spoke first.

“I have a classic song… how about ‘The Sea’?”

…This guy has better taste than me.

“Oh, that was my pick too. Looks like we’re on the same page.”

“Haha, really?”

“Yeah, haha…”

“……”

“……”

“Shall we practice?”

“Yes, yes!”

---

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