The current idol industry has become what you could call a
Challenge War
.
When I was a solo artist or when Prism was in its heyday, things like challenges didn’t even exist. Ah, I could starkly feel the passage of time.
If I kept talking about the old days like this, wouldn’t I end up showing my age in front of the kids again?
‘Well, what can I do? I’m already old enough to be their uncle.’
Back then, there were challenges like pouring ice water over your head for a good cause and spreading positive influence. However, systematic trends like this—dancing to the highlight choreography every time a new song came out—didn’t exist in those days.
‘Those Prism’s guys are still active, so they could do a challenge if they wanted to, but….’
Would there be any junior bold enough to approach those guys and suggest filming a challenge together?
If there was any, they should be a research subject.
Prism had such an intimidating image, they weren’t a group that frequently appeared on variety shows, and they were also senior veterans, so it was practically impossible for juniors to approach them first. Even if someone mustered the courage to ask, there was no way Prism, with their far-from-ordinary personalities, would agree to it.
‘Even if it wasn’t for a challenge, those guys hated anything that required them to socialize.’
“I don’t want to.”
“Do I really have to do it? There are times when doing something can make things go wrong, but there’s never a case where not doing it makes things go wrong.”
They were really vicious bastards.
I’ve told you a million times, but if you keep acting like that, you’re not going to make any friends. Even your manager is losing their hair from the stress.
“Yutae-hyung isn’t doing it anyway. He says that when human cubs gather, accidents are bound to happen. Then I won’t do it either.”
“The leader doesn’t socialize the most among us, so what else would the younger ones learn from that?”
Ah, did I mention that I was also included in those
vicious bastards
?
Han Seungbeom, a 20-year-old, made a mistake.
Just so you know, with the exception of Lee Chise, all the members of Prism have social skills beyond repair. And Lee Chise was so busy socializing with his inner circle that strangers had a hard time even talking to him. In other words, there’s never been an easily approachable member in Prism for our juniors.
So, I had never tried anything like that.
‘But whatever,
if it’s what I have to do
,
I’ll do it.’
Anyway, in Pantheion, I felt that there was no need to avoid it. The Pat and Mat would do the asking, or the foolish Bear and the Princess would take care of it, and all I had to do was sit still and get on the bus.
And crucially…….
[I hope our kids will take lots of challenge videos ㅠㅠ]
[I think the cult leader would be really good at filming challenge, if only he did them.]
[I’m sending telepathy to the Captain right now. Please please please. Please do the Knock Off challenge. I’m holding my breath until the kids do that challenge.]
‘Received.’
Since the culture of filming challenges has fully taken root, fans who eagerly wait for challenges every time celebrities make a comeback have naturally appeared, so it was impossible not to respond to that. I’ve already received multiple requests from the Muses asking me to film many challenges.
‘Of course I should do it. They asked me to do it.’
I’m Seo Yutae. A top idol who never falls behind in terms of love for fans and trendiness.
However, even though I made a determination to diligently film challenges, I did not hope for this kind of situation.
“I came because I thought it would be nice if we did the challenge together. But where did Danbi go? I really want to shoot the challenge with Danbi.”
Zen narrowed his eyes and sighed lightly as he watched Kim Saemyeong chatter nonstop in front of Woo Kangwon, who was never good at refusing requests. Then, with his body slightly turned to avoid being seen by the COMA-1 members and the camera, he covered his mouth and whispered to me.
“It’s a lie, a dirty trick.”
“Yeah, I know.”
If this guy, who was neither Lee Hwayoung nor Lee Danbi, would openly dislike him like this, then that guy must have been quite something. I patted Zen, who looked very irritated, on the back and walked over to Woo Kangwon’s side to face Kim Saemyeong. Then, I spoke in a calm tone.
“Unfortunately, Lee Danbi is out at the moment.”
“Really? Why?”
“He has a quick errand to run.”
I doubt you would believe it if I told you I sent him on another errand because I figured you’d pull this kind of nonsense.
Having read through his transparent mind, I swallowed my laughter inwardly.
The reason why Kim Saemyeong was so obsessed with Lee Danbi was obvious.
‘He probably thinks that he was pushed out of the debut lineup because of Lee Danbi.’
Unless he caused a major disaster like Frick, Jay would take care of everything without the person involved even noticing. In other words, he buried him without making a sound.
“I think Jay-sunbaenim snorted a little back then…….”
Do Yuda was clueless and his brain was quite slow, but he instinctively felt anxious when negative emotions built up between people. When the incident with Woo Kangwon’s junior happened, Do Yuda was probably the first to notice my change of heart, and it was likely for a similar reason.
Do Yuda was only able to sense it because of his natural sensitivity. There was no way Kim Saemyeong could have noticed such a subtle change.
Kim Saemyeong must have found it difficult to accept the production team and trainers suddenly abandoning him, and he would have been desperate to find the cause. And at that moment,
voila
, Lee Danbi appeared.
‘It was after Kim Saemyeong’s screentime became non-existent that Lee Danbi started to gain attention.’
And even at that point,
The
Lee Chise was personally training him, the trainers gave positive feedback even when he made mistakes, and the broadcast portrayed his situation like a growth drama, so he must have been suspicious about Lee Danbi cheating.
But that suspicion was groundless.
As Lee Danbi said, his agency was too broke to pay any bribes.
And Lee Chise was someone I brought in, and the trainers recognized him for his growth and effort. Lee Danbi’s narrative was only possible because of his hard work, having never once neglected practice during the program. There were no dirty tricks involved.
‘On the contrary, it was Kim Saemyeong whose image was unusually created for the broadcast.’
You’re not seriously thinking that you’re allowed to do it, but Lee Danbi isn’t, are you?
If so, it was a really laughable situation.
‘Though it may also have had something to do with the fact that, when judged by skills alone, Lee Danbi seemed to be the easiest of our members.’
Kim Saemyeong, who never imagined that I had seen right through him, turned his gaze away from me and started pleading with Woo Kangwon again.
“I’ve been a fan of Danbi since I was in SI. So, my wish has always been to film a challenge together with him. Could you perhaps consider it?”
“I had no idea you liked our youngest so much … I’m sure that Lee Danbi himself didn’t know at all that Kim Saemyeong-ssi had those feelings, so it’s a bit of a surprise. I’m really glad to learn this today.”
You’re trying to take advantage of Lee Danbi, who is relatively lacking in skill for the challenge, and yet you dare to make up such a forced story?
When I pointed out that it was a complete lie since Lee Danbi didn’t know anything at all, and stopped him from bothering our family’s pushover, Kim Saemyeong lowered his eyebrows in a frown, pretending to be sad. Then, he muttered words that seemed to shift the blame onto Lee Danbi.
“Really? Ah, it’s a bit shocking to hear that Danbi didn’t know. I thought I expressed myself well. I’m a bit disappointed.”
“I guess you’re not very assertive. Even our members had no idea you were such a big fan of him, Kim Saemyeong-ssi. But that’s okay, you can get along well from now on. Please continue to cherish our Danbi.”
“…….”
Not very assertive, my foot.
There was no way someone who worked hard to take advantage of Woo Kangwon would lack assertiveness.
The mention of the fact that the trainees who appeared on
Survive IDOL
had never once witnessed this guy showing any favorable behavior toward Lee Danbi was to highlight that point. This sinister little bastard, realizing my intention, seemed to be offended. Instead of answering, he just rolled his eyes and slowly scanned me. Then, he brightened his tone and replied again.
This pitch-black young guy, sensing my intention and perhaps getting upset, didn’t respond and instead rolled his eyes, slowly scanning me. Then, he put on a brighter tone and replied again.
“Of course! From now on, I’ll have to show it off a lot until Danbi notices!”
‘Even if your face is only filmed on your own cameras, you shouldn’t let your guard down like that. You’re still so naive.’
Celebrities were human too, so it was normal for them to make verbal mistakes or show their irritation when they were feeling sensitive. In that case, except for provocative programs, everything would be edited out. However, Kang Hyukwoo was the type of person who never missed a chance to collect and store all the footage whenever his agency’s artists made such mistakes. He kept it to use as leverage for blackmail when contract renewal time came or when the artists refused his demands.
‘This might not be a big issue for now, but if that attitude continues, who knows what could happen in the future.’
My eyes looked at Kim Saemyeong, who seemed to still have no idea what kind of place RH Entertainment was, with pity. Then, my mouth threw out some bait that could make the public question his statements.
“If you happen to bring any albums or merchandise from your personal collection, please give them to me. I’ll make sure to tell Lee Danbi so he can at least sign them for you.”
“…Oh, that was very thoughtful of you, but I’m so sorry. I didn’t think I’d be able to get an autograph, so I left it at the dorm. It’s really a shame, I don’t know what to do.”
“I see. There will always be another opportunity, so don’t be too disappointed. He’s someone who really cares for his fans, so he’ll be happy to sign for you another time.”
‘He has no idea that rumors are spreading on private accounts, and he’s still spouting nonsense like that … well, they’re talking about it in private account because they know the person in question won’t find out.’
Since we were filming a reality program, the cameras were already rolling on our side as well.
It meant that
it’s not just us who need to be careful with our words, the same goes for them.
This whole conversation would eventually be broadcast through our reality show.
“It’s a shame that Lee Danbi isn’t here, but we still have to film the challenge, don’t we? I’m sure everyone is looking forward to it.”
I gestured to the manager who was holding the company phone and spoke, and Kim Saemyeong nodded reluctantly. As soon as I got his approval, I quickly made the first move.
“From Pantheion, I will do it.”
“…….”
In this situation, it was impossible to say, “
Ah, can we do it with a different member…?
“.
Since the camera was recording everything, it would only make them look like they were afraid to confront me directly.
‘Yeah, so why the hell did you barge in with a camera?’
If they hadn’t brought a camera, I could have easily asked our side to pause the filming for a moment. They’ve ended up shooting themselves in the foot.
“Who will be doing it from COMA-1?”
Either run away like a coward, or come out and get a proper beating and get kicked out.
I relaxed and waited for the answer, letting them choose their demise on their own. Then, among the COMA-1 members, a notably tall member quietly walked out.
He was somewhere between Zen and Lee Hwayoung in height, and much shorter than my original body, which was about the same height as Woo Kangwon. The guy, who approached me quickly without making a sound, gently pushed Kim Saemyeong aside, and then bowed politely to greet me.
‘What?’
I stood there, stiffened by the suddenness of his behavior, but as soon as he straightened up his back, I saw his blunt face. And then I heard his voice, low enough to match mine, but deeper and softer.
“I will do it.”
[Wow, there’s a fake Seo Yutae in RH Entertainment’s new group omg omg]
It was him.
The center of that group, the one that Kang Hyukwoo had marketed as the
Second Seo Yutae
.
The guy who had thoroughly destroyed the mental state of Prism’s members.
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Translator’s Corner:
MY WIFI DIED AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON so now i’m using mobile. I’M MAD BECAUSE THIS SAEM GUY KEPT CALLING DANBI DANBI DANBI. Like, guys, you don’t call someone just by their given name unless you’re close !!! Even if they’re close, idols usually still use “XX-ssi” when addressing other group’s member in front of camera. It’s usually only people who already repeatedly showed they’re bff to the public that’s so casual to each other. Or the junior from the same agency comfortably call their senior “hyung” “unnie” (but usually they would also use sunbaenim, they don’t want to get whacked by senior fandom). Unless you’re like Lee Taemin from SHINee, who got called “Taeminie” by the whole industy.
Like our MC was repeatedly calling him “Kim Saemyeong-ssi”, and even OUR MC IS CALLING DANBI “Lee Danbi”. (Oh, this is something you should notice. MC called everyone by their full name. Only two people doesn’t get that treatment from the MC.) (If you read the chapter with different chara’s POV, like Baek Kiryang’s, people’s surname is ommited). (Actually, the original novel doesn’t add any indication when the first person POV suddenly changed to someone else. I added it on my own so you guys won’t get confused asdfghjkl.)
Tbh I’m not fan of challenge culture … now every song is made for tiktok … and it makes everyone speculating who’s close with who, when in fact idols are just filming together because they happened to promote on the same time or ask each other … like it’s genuinely fun to watch when idols who actually friends do it together, but half of the time, it really looks they’re just doing it for formality … like omg, just let my babies rest then T_T why bother filming challenge if one side didn’t even bother to do it properly … then there’s 4th gen stupid fanwar like “Why member XX can film challenge, but YY can’t?”, “My idol brought views to your idol tiktok account”, “ZZ did it better”. IT’S SOOO TIRING TO WATCH, WHO EVEN MADE THIS CULTURE BECOME MANDATORY T_T
For me, challenge that’s filmed because it’s actually a trend is far more fun to watch … Like how every idols doing the First Snow or APT challenge. Not every song needs to be made for tiktok….
Talking about First Snow, someone once commented that Sing For You that Cha Woon made kinda reminded them for EXO – Sing For You, so I listened to it (confession, Idk much about boygroup songs, except some songs that’s really popular or got covered by other groups or survival shows a lot). AND I’M SURPRISED BECAUSE EVEN THE LYRICS MATCH ???