Episode 70
As Gyeoul walked to the filming location under Ye Han-na’s guidance, she carefully asked me,
“Uh… so, do I just have to show my ugly side like what Writer Ye Han-na said?”
“No, just show your best.”
Gyeoul was taken aback by my answer.
“Then, won’t the writer and the PD dislike us?”
“Probably.”
Although Ye Han-na might think differently, for the most part, that would be true since we’d be an obstacle in the game that’s already been set.
“Ugh… then it seems like we’ll either face terrifying edits in the broadcast or completely disappear from the screen. The judges probably received info about me being that kind of character, so they won’t evaluate me positively either.”
Gyeoul seemed to be in a panic, her pupils trembling, and she slapped her cheek, saying,
“But if Brother Taeyang said that, I’ll try! I, Han Gyeoul, will stick my head into an electric mosquito net and become a mayfly that bursts into flames, shining light for a moment!”
…Is that what a trainee with A+ appearance potential right before debut should be saying? With looks like hers, she could be a little confident since she dances and sings well, but if left to her own devices, Gyeoul constantly buried herself at the bottom.
I suddenly realized she had a self-esteem as thin as tissue paper.
“What’s this about a blazing mayfly? What kind of analogy is that for an idol?”
“…Ah, then how about a cicada? I heard cicadas stay underground for years and only fly up and make noise for a short time. …Thinking about it, that’s a pretty accurate analogy! It’s just like me, who’s been cooped up at home! The noise is the same too!”
…Why is she so obsessed with bugs?
“What do you even resemble? …You’ll just shine. Not like those bugs for a moment, but until the world remembers your name.”
“Is that even possible? Won’t I look bad to the writer and PD from the first impression? Oh, Sister Gaeul…”
“You don’t have to see the situation in such a negative light. Let me give you a reason.”
I needed to care for her before she went into full negative mode again.
“First, the judges probably weren’t instructed to use you as a comedic character or to score certain individuals favorably. Those people are all legendary top-tier figures in the industry. No matter how powerful the support a PD receives, they become just a cable PD in front of them.”
Although referring to MNet, a channel with a very strong foothold in K-Pop, as merely a cable broadcast was a bit aggressive, the judging panel sitting there were powerful figures who, despite knowing MNet’s influence, could still dish out harsh critiques if they didn’t like something.
As a channel that has established its presence, calling it just a cable broadcast might seem a bit aggressive, yet the judging panel sitting over there were figures who, knowing MNet’s standing, wouldn’t hesitate to slam down if something displeased them.
“That’s why we intentionally sought out a talent with a laughably bad comedic skill. It’s nearly impossible to instruct the judges on who to promote or demote, but if someone is obviously flawed, the expert team will assess and generate laughs on their own.”
Manipulation doesn’t mean swaying the judgment towards one side in a competitive environment. It’s about architecting the whole scenario and laying out the stage.
With the judgment of one capable planner, everyone becomes an accomplice.
“Secondly, the PD won’t like it. Even if they justify their skills have improved during that time, they’ll probably think we deceived them.”
Gyeoul said with a sulky look.
“Isn’t that the way to ruin everything?”
Oh, the worries are abundant. But Gyeoul’s concerns right now are not about her own failures. They stem from the fear of causing trouble for Gaeul, Yeoreum, and even the people at TwoBear due to her actions.
That’s just who Gyeoul is.
I carefully brushed her hair to avoid messing up her styled locks and said.
Gyeoul enjoyed the touch like a cat, closing her eyes in bliss.
She cautiously leaned her head in as if asking for more petting.
While grooming her a bit, I continued, “However, complete edits won’t be possible. The role of a PD ultimately involves producing entertaining videos.”
Gyeoul’s character and skills are unique. There’s no way they’d throw all that away just out of spite.
“Moreover, given the current focus on diversifying promotions, completely editing out your footage will surely spark controversy. Since all individual videos are uploaded to AllTube, if your video ends up solely there while getting cut, controversy will naturally arise. So from the start, they won’t make such a foolish choice that creates noise, impacting the crucial influx.”
Gyeoul nodded as if she understood.
“Aha, I see.”
Of course, separate from this, there were ways the PD could still sabotage us.
“However, they could engage in malicious editing. Like splicing reactions from other trainees’ stages and turning it into some creepy trash.”
“…Ugh.”
To be prepared for that, I had put a diver’s wristwatch on her wrist and completed the training, so we were ready for that. Still, if the production team really decided to go all out, it could get pretty tough. Generally, they wouldn’t go that far, but still.
“Well, I won’t go that far.”
“Then, should I show off my ugly self just like the writer wants?”
I chuckled and looked at Gyeoul as I spoke.
“Gyeoul, do you know that your dance video will definitely end up on YouTube? On MNet’s channel with around 20 million subscribers, no less.”
Gyeoul’s body stiffened.
“If I dance over there, it will go straight to YouTube?”
“Yep! And it will get around 2 to 7 million views.”
“Eep!”
It’s not going to be an unedited video; it’s going to be the broadcast clips of the kids, but that’s no exaggeration.
After all, Gyeoul would definitely be featured on the broadcast.
“Honestly, if you show your ugly side in such a widely viewed video, that might be harder to handle. The comments are going to flood in.”
Gyeoul nodded as if she had a motor attached to her head.
“Seeing as I have to create some people who don’t like me, let’s just pick a few writers and PDs. Then let’s save 7 million people… I’ll help with the aftermath. You will never be a victim of demonic editing.”
Preparations for that are already done.
Recalling Gyeoul crying with her makeup all smudged in front of the motel, I said,
“Trust me, Gyeoul. I’m the one who’s going to make you the best idol, right?”
Gyeoul seemed to remember that scene as well and smiled softly.
“I’ll believe you.”
We shared a laugh.
I had a feeling that no matter how much everything changed, this laughter that emerged whenever we saw each other wouldn’t change.
“So what should I do?”
“Just act like you usually do.”
“…Huh?”
I grinned playfully at Gyeoul, who tilted her head.
“That’s all it takes to eat them alive.”
You’re going to become the best idol, Gyeoul.
*
Of course, as the manager, I couldn’t keep up with Gyeoul until the end.
Because of that, I returned to the waiting room where Ban Seong-cheol was and watched the video on the monitor set up in the corner.
In the video, Gyeoul was standing awkwardly in front of the panel adorned with “Girl 100” and the MNet logo, in the hallway leading to the stage.
That seemed to be the photo call location mentioned by Ye Han-na.
This photo call zone was where trainees showcased their rivalry, looking awkward or tense, often showing off their youthful charm. Though some flaunted their confidence boldly, most relied on the cuteness and freshness typical of their age to make a good first impression.
This is where you show off your 모습. Of course, there are cases where one shows a confident and bold 모습을, but most of the time, it’s a chance to flaunt the cute and fresh charm unique to girls that age.
Gyeoul needs to capture attention with her own charm over there.
That shabby-looking panel in the hallway is the first battlefield of ‘Girl 100’.
In the photo call zone, it said to write down your own grade from A to F with a name pen.
The empty space above the name sticker on Gyeoul’s clothes must have been for that.
Upon seeing that, Gyeoul started deep in thought.
And she carefully wrote the letter E.
Oh dear, our little nerd. How can you be an E?
It seemed that her low self-esteem led to such a choice.
The reason she didn’t choose F wasn’t because she had that much confidence, but rather a dependent mindset thinking, “Shouldn’t I at least aim for E given what Lee Hyerin, Song Johan, and I taught?”
Well then, why didn’t you write D at the very least?
For a moment, it was a bit frustrating for me as a teacher participating and being called Teacher Taeyang.
Still, it wasn’t a bad choice.
Gyeoul may not have thought that far, but it resembled the picture the writer wanted.
An unknown rookie agency.
The initial chosen level was E.
A clumsy and nervous demeanor, definitely a timid look.
Anyone would say she looked like a trainee who got a barely fair chance, around 23 years old.
No one would have high hopes for someone like Gyeoul.
Not the evaluators, not the PD, not the viewers.
And that’s when the unexpected twist begins on the stage given without much expectation.
“Oh my, seems like a kid lacking confidence?”
Ban Seong-cheol seemed to have low expectations too. Watching Gyeoul’s video, he smirked slightly at the corners of his mouth.
“Yes, she is a kid lacking confidence.”
“…Oh dear. It is indeed a heavy opportunity for a rookie agency’s trainee.”
Oh man, the more I hear this guy, the more he sounds rude.
I decided to give Ban Seong-cheol a little spoiler.
“It’s indeed a heavy opportunity.”
He nodded as if he got the hint and lifted the corners of his mouth.
I lightly scoffed at him and said, “It’s not Gyeoul, but MNet.”
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