Episode 162
MingmingSsu – Wow… I knew our Gaeul sang well, but I didn’t know it was to that level!
Elashtin – That talent seems a bit too big for Girl Revolution, doesn’t it?
Evergreen – What’s wrong with Girl Revolution? Even if it’s lacking, we can nurture it!
shat7 Let’s all pitch in, shall we? Onward we go!
GyeoulAhSaranghae – Onward!
Omedeto – Car!
YukgapeulTteureoyo – Onward!
SESE9822 – Car!
BangGuseokChallenger – Instead of that crap, why not buy another Girl Revolution album?
As Jin Yeoreum read those comments, she cautiously spoke to her co-workers.
“It seems like most people viewed it positively, not just us?”
Cheon Aram smiled pleasantly and said, “Right, I mean, how could anyone not think well when you’re showcasing something like that? …Haha, it reminds me of the first time I saw Gaeul. The charm she has to draw people in is exceptional. It almost feels like a waste for her to be an idol.”
Seo Soo-yeon nodded in agreement.
“It was truly astounding back then. It was the first time I thought music could be so enchanting in my limited experience.”
“You’re talking about that highest-viewed AllTube video ‘Memories of Leaves and the Sea,’ right? It was incredible! The AllTube video that just plays that song on repeat for an hour also got a high view count.”
Dance trainer Lee Hyerin, who was nodding at Gyeoul’s bright comments, tilted her head and asked.
“But didn’t the song feel a bit different?”
“It’s because Team Leader Seon arranged it more acoustically.”
“Team Leader Seon?”
James Oh replied to her.
“That’s the conclusion Team Leader Seon reached while continuously thinking about arrangements that could get good reactions on-site. It probably resonated with the audience live even more than what’s captured in the broadcast audio. That was the aim of the arrangement.”
“…Wow, that must be part of why it received an exclusive Love rating.”
“Yes, incredible, isn’t it? It’s like she’s a genius at arrangements from the start, so I didn’t have to get involved at all.”
While they continued to discuss and evaluate Gaeul’s song in such a harmonious manner, Oh Yoori, who had been closely observing the broadcast screen, especially Gaeul’s expression, spoke up.
“Gaeul’s expression seems a bit strange.”
Cheon Aram, who was clinking champagne glasses with Seo Soo-yeon, asked.
“Strange how?”
“Yes.”
“In what way?”
“It feels like she’s experiencing an emotion completely at odds with the good feedback she’s getting from the audience right now.”
“Emotion at odds? I thought she just looked calm. What kind of emotion are you sensing, Yuri?”
“You look calm, but what kind of feeling did you just experience, Yuri?”
Oh Yoori expressed the emotion she had just read.
“It’s anger.”
*
After Gaeul finished her performance, I rushed backstage to shower her with compliments, but I encountered an unexpected scene.
“I have nothing to say.”
“No, please don’t say that. Just talk to me for a moment…”
“Just disappear from my sight while I’m still being nice.”
It was Gaeul clearly drawing a line with a middle-aged woman trying to cling to her in Korean, even overseas.
Gaeul, usually friendly and warm-hearted like a golden retriever, was exhibiting a cold and resolute demeanor.
“I’ll come back later.”
The middle-aged Asian woman, taken aback by Gaeul’s firmness, left those words and retreated.
Worried that the woman might cause trouble for Gaeul, I approached her with a tense expression.
“Gaeul, you were amazing on stage today! It seemed like everyone in the square was captivated.”
Gaeul stared at me blankly and replied with a somewhat bitter tone.
“Did you see it?”
“Yeah, I watched everything from when you stepped on stage to the end.”
“No, not that. I mean the argument I just had.”
“….”
I tried to play dumb, thinking there might be personal issues Gaeul wanted to keep private. But the way she was speaking suggested she needed someone to confide in even more than she wanted to hide it.
So I said,
“Yeah, I saw it. Who was that person?”
“She’s my mother.”
“….”
Then Gaeul looked at me with a fragile gaze, as if she might break at any moment, and said,
“She’s the mother who ran away from our family when I was eleven.”
*
“Then, make sure to finish the assignment by tomorrow.”
Hearing Cheon Jong-hoon on the phone started to grate on my nerves, and I couldn’t help but complain.
“Are you kidding me? Telling me to solve two application examples and create three samples by tomorrow? Really?”
Ever since I agreed to work part-time under Cheon Jong-hoon, he has been handing out verbal assignments like this, not just on workdays.
It was a hassle, but I accepted the existence of assignments since I was learning from them. However, isn’t it reasonable to expect them to be manageable? I barely have enough time in a day as it is!
You bastard, Cheon Jong-hoon! I’m a working person too! I have things to do!
You little punk! I’m also a worker. I’ve got things to do.
– So didn’t you reduce the amount of reading for me this time?
“That’s a German original text! Aren’t you aware that reading it is also studying German?”
– So you thought this teaching from Cheon Jong-hoon would be easy?
“You said it was a part-time job, right?”
– Hmm, hmm… So you thought this part-time job would be easy with Cheon Jong-hoon?
“…Don’t you think that’s a pretty pathetic thing to say, even for you?”
-…
Maybe Cheon Jong-hoon thought so too, as he couldn’t muster any response and just stayed silent.
But was even that silence embarrassing him? He changed the subject.
– Did you see ‘Music Road’?
“Hmm… then you must have seen the arrangements I did, right? What did you think?”
– Is that really enough to be satisfied? You’re still far from it!
Why bring up the word satisfaction when I’ve never even mentioned it?
– But I can acknowledge that you’re making some progress.
…What an annoying guy.
– But don’t let your guard down. The public sentiment towards Yoo Gaeul seems to be shifting in a weird direction.
“What do you mean the public sentiment is weird?”
– Have you seen the fan communities of the singers who got eliminated this time?
“No, I haven’t. I checked the reactions mainly on more general SNS and large communities that are buzzing with broadcasts.”
Cheon Jong-hoon let out a small sigh and said.
– Then take a look. The vibe isn’t great.
*
Anonymous58 – Honestly, isn’t the fairness in ‘Music Road’ way off?
– I heard it’s been doing well under PD Dokgo Chan, so I decided to take a look. But for something that claims to be a survival show, the fairness is totally lacking.
I saw Shin Joo-rim performing this time, and objectively speaking, he’s pulled off at least 90% of his prime form, right? But didn’t he get totally wrecked in the evaluations because he’s an Asian middle-aged man who’s easy to discriminate against?
Plus, he sang ‘Iron’s Ascent,’ which is only famous in Korea and doesn’t have any English lyrics in it, right? I acknowledge it’s a great song, but it must’ve been tough for foreigners to connect with it.
On the other hand, there was an idol this time, what’s her name, Yoo Gaeul? It’s like she bribed Dokgo Chan or something; she got all sorts of benefits!
She sang an English version, which has stronger appeal to people, and that song was recognizable enough to make the Billboard charts, right? Plus, her visuals? Like, she’s pretty—no, she’s really pretty.
All these visual advantages, fame, and lyrics were stacked in favor of that idol. A fair survival? Seriously, that’s a joke!
“Everything about that idol – their traits, reputation, and lyrics – is stacked in their favor, but a fair survival show? That’s just hilarious, seriously.
Honestly, is Shin Joo-rim’s skill lacking compared to that idol? Absolutely not. Anyone can see he sings better than that idol.
And I’m not saying this because I’m a fan of Shin Joo-rim.
Anyway, the Music Road needs to go public about this. It’s not something we can just brush aside.
Asparagus – Did Joo-rim log in?
DragonIBecome – Joo-rim, it’s okay that we’ve separated. Just keep active. It’s been three years since I saw a concert. Damn it. I’ll give you money, just rent a small theater, please.
TenPerfectMen – Right? Is it that big of a deal that you peed yourself after drinking? A man can shed a few tears and some urine! He’s paid the fine and served his penance, so just let him perform already.
Descartes – To be honest, TenPerfectMen has a point.
Anonymous58 (Writer) – I’m not Shin Joo-rim, you assholes.
“…Surely, this situation doesn’t feel good.”
In fact, this reaction was quite mild.
The fan community for Shin Joo-rim, who’s usually laid-back, was actually quite dangerous. They were making harsh comments about Gaeul and insulting her.
Anyone who watched that broadcast should have clearly felt that Gaeul’s skills were real, not fake.
The problem was that this public sentiment was not limited to the idol’s individual fan site, but was gradually spreading to other large communities and social media.
At this rate, ‘Music Road,’ which aimed to establish the idol’s image and enhance Gaeul’s brand value, could end up becoming a controversy itself.
While I was sitting in a café, contemplating appropriate reactions to the current situation while looking at my tablet, someone spoke to me.
“You’re Gaeul’s manager, right?”
I raised my head to confirm, and at that moment, I recognized the middle-aged woman I had argued with earlier – Gaeul’s mother.
I put down the tablet and politely replied.
“Yes, that’s correct. How may I assist you, Gaeul’s mother?”
Gaeul’s mother licked her dry lips, glanced at me nervously, and opened her mouth.
“I need some money.”
That was one of the things I had anticipated.
I nonchalantly nodded.
“I see.”
Perhaps my reaction frustrated her, as Gaeul’s mother spoke irritably.
“I, as Gaeul’s parent, said I need money!”
I bluntly said what came to mind.
“So, what do you want me to do about it?”
If you need money, get a part-time job!”
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