Chapter 115
“You will now have to perform the representative songs of the opposing teams in a competition. However,” Shin Yuhwa said, looking at Kim Ryeo-yu.
“There is a team that has not yet officially released any music. Ryeo-yu.”
“Yes.”
“You are still a rookie without a debut song, right?”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
They really picked someone who hasn’t even released an album.
At this point, Kim Mokyung was almost respectable.
He completely shattered common sense.
“Viewers might be puzzled. Even though you appeared on <Make a New Color>, you haven’t officially debuted. How did you end up on this show? Do you have any thoughts or words you’d like to share?”
“…Yes. There is something I really want to say to the viewers.”
Kim Ryeo-yu, with a tense face, took the microphone.
Geez… anyone who didn’t know would think she was really a victim.
I glanced at the members’ expressions.
Everyone was maintaining a poker face as discussed.
Even Kim Geum and Yeon Juhong, who were the most concerning, were doing very well.
I felt like my mind was cooling off because I was so angry.
“First of all, I want to thank the seniors who are here with me. They warmly welcomed me even though I haven’t officially debuted yet…. I was really happy when they greeted me so warmly in the waiting room earlier.”
As far as I knew, no one went to Kim Ryeo-yu’s waiting room.
It seemed like Director Kim had used his brain well.
He was indirectly implying that all the participants agreed to this.
Of course, seeing everyone’s surprised faces when Kim Ryeo-yu appeared showed that it wasn’t agreed upon.
“Furthermore, I want to apologize to everyone who has been hurt because of me. I am grateful that I can now resolve misunderstandings and move forward. However, even if they were misunderstandings, it was my mistakes that caused them. I deeply reflect and will never repeat the same mistakes again. I will repay everyone who has trusted and supported me with a great performance.”
“Yes, that was a truly heartfelt apology. I believe everyone can make mistakes and be misunderstood. What’s important is not repeating the same mistakes. Hearing Ryeo-yu’s words, I can feel her determination not to make the same mistake again. Great. Let’s repay the public with a good performance here on <Top of Idol>.”
Shin Yuhwa seemed very moved, probably as per the instructions he received.
“Although Ryeo-yu doesn’t have a representative song yet. Ryeo-yu. I heard you are going to release your debut song here on <Top of Idol>, is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s right. To maintain fairness with the other participants, I decided to release my debut song here. By the time viewers are watching this broadcast, they might be just encountering my song for the first time.”
She planned to debut here.
I was beginning to understand the situation a little more.
Viewers wouldn’t really understand.
Why Mnet chose ‘Kim Ryeo-yu,’ a risky move.
Why put Kim Ryeo-yu in a program that could succeed without her.
But for Mnet, Kim Ryeo-yu wasn’t such a big risk.
Sure, there would be some criticism, but criticism could also be a sign of interest.
Broadcasting companies aren’t celebrities; they wouldn’t worry much about a bit of criticism.
What they’d be more concerned about is a lack of buzz.
They likely aimed to raise viewership from the very first episode by stirring things up.
Of course, that’s Mnet’s stance.
From our perspective or that of the other participants, it was like handling a bomb.
For us, it was almost a nuclear bomb.
While I was looking at Kim Ryeo-yu with a suitable business-like expression, I felt a strange gaze.
…What?
I turned my head and looked around; the odd feeling disappeared immediately.
“Yes, good. Since the other participants don’t know the song yet, could you perform it here? Of course, to ensure fairness, this performance will not be broadcast.”
The strange feeling seemed to come from the participants’ side.
Was it just my imagination?
I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling and focused again on Kim Ryeo-yu’s stage.
—
“Sing it with your tongue
Call me BAD
Call me BAD BAD BAD”
Kim Ryeo-yu’s new song clearly showed Colors’ financial power.
The bass sound was grand, and the song was well-composed overall.
The repetitive chorus aimed at addiction and reflected current trends.
It felt strangely different yet similar to us.
At first glance, it seemed assertive and confident, but upon closer inspection, it was still Kim Ryeo-yu’s original sentiment.
Still, that was an issue with the lyrics; the song itself was good.
They must have spent the money saved on us on that song.
I didn’t want to win against that song.
I’d rather perform HiHiHo’s stage than get involved with Kim Ryeo-yu.
They probably didn’t want to get involved with us either.
At least ‘initially.’
As it gets to the later stages, they might try to create a scene where we reconcile.
Of course, I had no intention of doing so.
It wasn’t worth blatantly criticizing them, but I didn’t want to chat cheerfully with a smiling face either.
“Now, we will reveal the secret girl group team. Returning after three years-”
The other secret team was called <MaxBurning>.
They didn’t have very high public awareness domestically, but they were quite popular overseas.
They focused on overseas activities, resulting in a long hiatus, but it seemed they were gearing up to resume activities in Korea with this comeback.
Their group concept was clear, and the members’ skills were solid.
“Then, we will now introduce the representative songs of each team that you will have to cover.”
Cha Yul: <Slope>
Sugar Dream: <Hawaiian Pizza>
MaxBurning:
HiHiHo: <That Summer Day>
Steel Blue: <Blue>
Ryeo-yu:
The song titles alone revealed each group’s concept.
It seemed they deliberately chose groups with distinct personalities.
Even if they weren’t as popular, it added variety to the viewing experience.
For instance, MaxBurning had never reached first place but had a solid core fan base.
Come to think of it, the only teams that had reached first place were us, Cha Yul, and Sugar Dream… just three teams.
And even for Sugar Dream, they had only done it once.
Fully established groups had no reason to participate in this kind of survival program, so the casting was mainly for groups in a rising position.
…Except for Cha Yul.
Cha Yul was definitely a popular singer.
Anyway.
I knew all the competition songs.
Since I had been working with Kim Geum on composing, I had listened to every girl group title song released in the past five years.
“Now, each team will decide which team’s representative song they will cover. The song selection will start with the team with the least experience.”
Isn’t this too obvious, Mnet? Pushing Kim Ryeo-yu forward like this.
It was getting to the point where a warning was warranted.
…Why should I worry about Mnet?
We should only worry about ourselves.
I carefully reviewed the song list.
Let’s summarize each song’s concept:
– <Slope>: Pop rock with a touch of tropical house
– <Hawaiian Pizza>: B-grade emotional hook song mixed with trot vibes
– : Dark fantasy K-pop with a metal genre and prominent drum and bass
– <That Summer Day>: Bright and cheerful synth pop with a funky synthesizer
– : Pop centered around Latin-style synth sound
“Then, we will give you some time to discuss which song your team will prioritize.”
At Shin Yuhwa’s words, the participants began to huddle and discuss.
Of course, we were no exception.
“…What do you all want to do?”
At my words, the members all looked at each other.
With such differing tastes, I sensed this was going to be a tough decision.
“…Actually, there’s someone I really wanted to cover as soon as I saw the list.”
“Bo-ra, you too? Me as well.”
“Oh my gosh, me too!”
“Oh, actually, me too.”
…Although I didn’t say it, I had someone in mind too.
I didn’t even need to look at the song list; I just wanted to cover that person.
“Shall we all say it at once?”
“Okay.”
“Yes, yes!”
“Alright. Let’s do it.”
“One, two, three.”
Who was it?
“Cha Yul sunbaenim.”
“Cha Yul sunbaenim!!”
We were all in agreement when it mattered.
“I also wanted to do Cha Yul sunbaenim’s song.”
After confirming that the members shared my opinion, I finally expressed my own.
I was really relieved.
No need for a long debate.
Why Cha Yul?
Partly because Cha Yul’s song <Slope> was a masterpiece.
But the real reason was,
‘Nokha.’
Just because I knew Cha Yul well.
So, I just felt we could do it well.
‘Were you burying yourself in guilt again? You know it wasn’t your fault. Come over to my place. Let’s have a drink together.’
It’s been a while, unnie.
I never thought I’d see your younger self like this.
“Cheong?”
Ah.
I had been lost in thought for too long.
I quickly nodded.
“We’re second in line, so there’s a good chance. The problem is—”
“Who Ryeo-yu will choose, right?”
At Seo Baek-young’s words, the shadows returned to everyone’s faces.
“Well, it’s not a big concern.”
“Why?”
“…Ryeo-yu will probably choose <That Summer Day>.”
My words left the members with puzzled expressions.
Just wait and see.
***
“I’ll choose HiHiHo sunbaenims’ <That Summer Day>.”
“!”
Sure enough, Kim Ryeo-yu chose <That Summer Day>.
The members all looked at me simultaneously.
Their eyes asked how I knew.
It wasn’t really a surprising outcome.
That song was the easiest to perform and the most manageable in terms of skill level.
I expected her to choose a song she could handle smoothly, minimizing the exposure of her limitations.
Also, Kim Ryeo-yu came on the show to somehow neutralize her negative image.
Would she choose the song of a popular idol in such a situation?
She would likely choose the song of the least popular idol to reduce the chances of criticism.
The original artist’s fandom wasn’t that large, so it was relatively easy to avoid backlash.
And it was also a good song to slightly distance herself from the sexy concept.
“Great. I’m curious to see what <That Summer Day> will feel like when Ryeo-yu performs it. Please show us a great stage.”
After giving the usual comment to Kim Ryeo-yu, Shin Yuhwa turned his attention to me.
“Steel Blue, it’s your turn. Which song will you choose?”
There it was again.
I felt another gaze from somewhere.
But this time, I knew who it was from.
“We’ll choose Cha Yul sunbaenim’s <Slope>.”
Yul unnie.
You had a habit of staring intently at people you wanted to befriend even ten years ago.