Chapter 159
The idol industry can never escape the category of pseudo-relationships.
The companies know very well the poison that this pseudo-relationship brings. However, since it’s not just about selling music as an artist, but also about building a “fandom” as a business, it was an unavoidable matter.
The music market is a red ocean.
Many have reached out for the very few stars who hold everything in their hands.
In the past year alone, around 150 trainees debuted, and in the last ten years, nearly 500 idol groups have made their debut.
All of them are competitors and options laid out before the public.
What’s needed to win against this countless array of choices is an exceedingly loyal fan. Not someone who judges with rationality, but an entity that acts on emotion.
It’s not enough to just admire a good album and download a song; what’s needed is someone willing to devote themselves as “us,” not just “them,” even if a lot of money is involved.
Using multiple phones to stream, boosting YouTube views, buying large quantities of albums to increase music scores, and mass voting—these are all sorts of tactics outside of legitimate competition.
Ultimately, the idol led by a strong fandom rises to the peak.
Fandom is important. And pseudo-relationships are the most powerful tool for building that fandom’s loyalty. But I knew all too well the negative effects excessive consolidation of this fandom could have.
After all, in the last chapter, I was the one who expertly handled this “fandom” business for ten years.
Therefore, for this chapter’s concept and promotional strategy for “Girl Revolution,” I aimed to establish the fandom while focusing on broader appeal and emphasizing artistic qualities, rather than catering to pseudo-relationships.
I believed this was for the children’s sake, and in the long run, I thought it would have a more positive impact.
However, even so, since we were using the title of idol in this country and featuring the most attractive four kids as the protagonists, it was impossible to completely avoid the theme of pseudo-relationships.
Specifically, Park Yeji’s case is one such example.
No matter how you compare it to first and second-generation idols where the culture around respecting artists’ private lives has improved, the underlying psychology of those fans hasn’t disappeared.
Thus, it’s regrettably necessary for the kids to be forbidden from dating, unless they are mature as idols and fans tacitly allow it after the end of their contracts or near the contract’s end.
And Winter also knew all of this.
“I love you. I truly love Teacher Taeyang.”
And knowing this, Winter confessed her feelings to me.
“…”
I couldn’t help but wonder how much that timid girl hesitated to say those words.
Should I have hesitated?
I don’t know. But I could take a guess.
This wasn’t a fleeting emotion.
It was a buildup of words that couldn’t be contained any longer.
After all, Gyeoul was a wise child, one who understood the meaning of that confession better than anyone.
And yet, or rather because of that, the words I had to say were already set.
“I’m sorry.”
“….”
“I can’t accept your feelings.”
Because that was what a manager had to say.
*
While I was casually having a drink with Seok Hyun-woo, Song Johan, and James Oh, a woman approached me.
“…Um, could you give me your autograph?”
“Is it for the Girl Revolution? I’m sorry, but this is a private outing, and the kids aren’t around. Once I’m with them again later, I’ll make sure….”
“No, not the Girl Revolution. I’m asking for Seon Taeyang’s autograph.”
“…But I’m the manager?”
“Yes! I’m a fan of Manager Seon Taeyang!”
Since I hadn’t prepared for autographs, I just took a photo instead.
Even after I offered my courtesy, the woman didn’t seem ready to leave, standing there awkwardly.
“Do you have something else to say?”
“…Ah, well. Is it possible to join your table? There are four of us girls.”
At that, James Oh looked impressed and said.
“Joining? Wow, it’s been a while since we’ve had that. We’re okay with….”
“No. We’re in the middle of an important conversation.”
“…Then I guess not.”
What’s with joining? If Isabella finds out, we’re both dead.
After sending off the strange woman claiming to be a fan, Song Johan smirked and said.
“By the way, it seems the impact of ‘First-Person Observer’ is quite tremendous. I can feel Team Leader Seon’s fame increasing day by day.”
Seok Hyun-woo laughed along and said.
“I feel it the most since I’m working as a manager. He’s basically an entertainer.”
“Why call him an entertainer? It’s not that much.”
“There are fan letters, so how could he not be an entertainer?”
“Fan letters?”
I’d never heard of that before.
“Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention. The company is keeping the fan letters, so bring a shopping bag next time, there’s quite a lot.”
“…”
The special broadcast of ‘First-Person Observer’ that aired afterward received unprecedented responses despite being a light-hearted special.
With no particular issues at hand, the cheerful topic of a manager subduing a barehanded robber was already drawing people’s attention. In the meantime, CBS stirred the pot by announcing they would release all the details and footage in high definition on public broadcasting.
The manager, known for being a bit overbearing, was already gathering quite the crowd’s attention. In the meantime, CBS decided to create a stir by promising to broadcast all the details and highlights in high definition.
The released video made it look like I was some prince on a white horse straight out of a romance comic, perhaps due to the author’s personal feelings about me.
To me, it was cringeworthy to the point of nausea, but it clearly didn’t seem that way to others, as the explosive reactions poured in.
They really sold the fantasy of being a manager, didn’t they?
“Team Leader Seon has completely ruined the industry’s perception of managers. Now people think there must be at least one person like Team Leader Seon among all the managers out there. But where would you find someone like Team Leader Seon in this world? The other day, I got a chance to see those counter kids from Girl 100 again, and they were whining about, ‘Why isn’t Team Leader Seon here at our agency?’”
“…If they actually worked with me, that illusion would shatter pretty quickly.”
At that, James Oh smiled good-naturedly and said,
“Not really, I don’t think? Just think about how our kids look up to Team Leader Seon.”
“…”
I couldn’t just laugh that off.
Seok Hyun-woo, after a satisfying gulp of beer, casually spoke up.
“Oh, speaking of which, Gyeoul seems to be oddly avoiding Team Leader Seon these days. Is something going on?”
“Ah, it’s not avoidance, you know. Gyeoul really looks up to Team Leader Seon. …But I do feel like she’s acting a bit conscious.”
James Oh, picking only the beef from the stir-fried meat and bean sprouts, asked curiously,
“Really, is there something happening?”
“…”
Acting like I didn’t notice would be deceiving.
So, I opened my mouth in front of the concentrated gazes,
“I hurt Gyeoul’s feelings.”
“Oh…”
“Oh no.”
“…Do you want me to help you apologize?”
I shook my head.
“Thanks for the offer, but it’s something I have to do myself.”
*
“Gyeoul, regarding today’s schedule, as I mentioned before, since it coincides with the strike issue, it’s okay to take the day off.”
With a bit of tension, I got to the point, glancing at Gyeoul who was nervously fidgeting.
“So, can you spare me a moment today? I have a lot I want to talk about with you. I’ll treat you to something delicious.”
Gyeoul’s eyes began to tremble.
After some awkward silence, Gyeoul finally managed to speak up.
“…Um.”
Seeing her hesitate, I added what came to mind.
“Let’s go play some games and visit that café you said you wanted to go to last time.”
“…That.”
“Oh, how about meeting our older sister after a long time? She pretends not to, but she really wanted to see you.”
Winter, who was nervously shaking her hands, instinctively grabbed my sleeve, then shocked at her own actions, let go and spoke.
“…Yes.”
“Yes?”
“I…I’ll practice a bit more and come back!”
With that, Winter hurriedly stepped back and disappeared.
Just then, Cheon Aram appeared from behind.
“She ran away.”
“Were you watching?”
“Yeah, it was hard to pretend not to with such an intense vibe.”
It seems Cheon Aram understood most of the situation.
After all, hiding from someone with her abilities was probably impossible from the start.
Cheon Aram spoke as if to comfort me.
“It might be tough, but I believe Team Leader Seon will handle it wisely.”
“I’ll repay your trust.”
To change the heavy mood, Cheon Aram lightened her tone.
“Oh, by the way, are you getting many requests for appearances, Team Leader Seon?”
“Requests? For Girl Revolution?”
“No, they want Manager Seon Taeyang as a panelist.”
…What are they planning to film me for?
“…Where?”
Cheon Aram took out her smartphone to check and said,
“I’ll skip the minor ones and just tell you the big ones. There’s a martial arts variety show, a light talk show with a main MC and a co-MC, a travel variety with girl groups, and even a documentary. Oh! There’s also a web drama.”
Why are there so many?
“If there’s a broadcast that would help the image of Girl Revolution, I’ll participate, but otherwise, I won’t. Right now, I want to focus on my duties as a manager.”
“They’re offering a lot of money.”
“I’m already getting paid well. …More than anything, I believe that working as a manager helps the kids more than appearing on a show.”
She nodded at my words, murmuring, “As expected of Team Leader Seon.”
Then, with a slightly playful tone, she continued.
“In that context, here’s a schedule I hope you can take on, Team Leader Seon!”
Cheon Aram pointed her smartphone at me, showing a program proposal.
I read the title.
[Music Road – Love and Song]
“What’s this?”
To my questioning look, Cheon Aram smiled softly and said,
“Team Leader Seon, go on a date with Gaeul.”
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