Jin-ah’s team was performing ‘ICE’ by Blue Sherbet.

Although the song was initially a major flop, it was still quite well-known. As the members of Blue Sherbet became more popular, public curiosity grew. That was how ‘ICE’ rose to fame with them.

“I watched this over and over again on a video.”

Someone whistled. “Now we’re talking.”

“If they use this as the teaser clip, I bet it’ll bring lots of viewers.”

Even though the only real Blue Sherbet member on stage was Jin-ah, that alone was enough to grab attention from the staff.

Since ‘ICE’ had never aired on a music show, the only way people could see it was through fancams from concerts and events. And views on those fancams were reaching new records by the day.

It was a failed song that became famous. A song that never got a proper performance on stage.

Jin-ah stood in formation with the trainees. The studio was dead silent as the staff leaned in to watch.

Then, the music started playing through the speakers. Kid watched like he was trying to uncover a hidden secret.

He already knew the fancams and the original song so well he could picture and hear it in his head with his eyes closed.

The performance had barely begun when a soft puff of air escaped Kid’s mouth.

“Huh.”

The trainees weren’t real members of Blue Sherbet, so it made sense they felt a little different from the original. Jin-ah had taken on her original part, but her improvement was obvious.

He expected it. Even from just a quick glance, it was clear Jin-ah had gotten way better than she used to be.

Still, seeing it live and up close, the difference was even bigger than he could have imagined. It was almost ridiculous.

“Wow! How’d she improve so fast?”

“This is unreal. It’s like she’s a different person!”

It was impossible not to notice Jin-ah first. The difference between her and the trainees was a big one.

The same went for him. Even during group practice, whenever they watched the playback, he always stood out like a swan in a flock of chickens.

In real idol groups, there was always that one member your eyes went to first during a performance. That didn’t mean everyone else wasn’t trying their best. That was just how the spotlight worked.

‘Is he wanting Jin-ah to keep the spotlight to the end? That President Kang? The one who said they were aiming for first place in team performance?’

’No way.’

Kid’s guess turned out to be right. Right after Jin-ah’s part, the next person in the spotlight was Trainee Hyun-hee Lee.

Everyone else stepped back, and she popped into the center. The other contestants pointed at the stage or even jumped up in surprise.

“They changed the choreography!”

“The whole formation’s different.”

Kid let out a dry chuckle.

“So this is what they were planning.”

Putting Hyun-hee at the front wasn’t just to highlight her strengths. There was another reason, too.

It was to cover up the weaknesses of the performers.

For the trainees who didn’t have enough stamina, the formation gave them time to rest so they wouldn’t mess up during their parts. In addition, if a trainee couldn’t handle the precise moves, they just changed the choreography to fit better.

They used the strong dancers to draw focus, so that the weak spots wouldn’t stand out.

When Hyun-hee had a weak part, someone else’s strength would pull attention away. When everyone’s weaknesses might show, Jin-ah would come in and steal the spotlight again.

Show the strong points. Hide the weak ones.

It was a risky move with a big group, and it could easily look messy.

However, this was just four members. Among the four, one of them was able to cover every part perfectly. It was perfectly doable.

It was like sleight of hand in a magic trick, a kind of ‘misdirection’ that led the audience’s eyes away from what you didn’t want them to see.

Kid leaned back in his chair and gave another dry laugh.

“How are we supposed to beat this…”

If he had the time, he could pull off something like this too. However, doing this in just a week was nearly impossible.

You would have to know every member’s strengths and weaknesses in fine detail.

You would also need time to practice. Then, while practicing, you would have to constantly fine-tune everything.

“We focused on being in sync and having clean choreography… Isn’t this almost cheating?”

They had worked so hard to move as one and to build real teamwork, but the other team had focused on making each member shine at the right time.

When someone else needed to shine, they found ways to draw attention away from Jin-ah, who had overwhelming talent.

If every member had top-tier skills, maybe focusing on teamwork and perfect sync would have made a better performance. Alas, these were trainees.

Even if they were good, they weren’t seasoned pros yet. It would be hard to truly impress an audience that was used to watching top idols.

“This is totally Manager Kang’s style. It’s like how he made each member from Blue Sherbet stand out individually.”

Just like Kid, Min-seok let out a bitter laugh. He had also planned to win by perfecting the choreography and giving a rock-solid live performance.

Since the trainees weren’t first-tier idols, though, they couldn’t compete with Hyuk’s strategy. Not visually, anyway.

“What the heck. Are they the Avengers or something?”

They both thought the same thing.

‘We lost this one. This round goes to Manager Kang.’

’We lost to him.’

Their eyes turned to the side of the stage right where Hyuk was standing.

***

The performance ended, and the trainees looked like they were about to collapse. They were breathing hard, clearly having given it everything they had. Well, except for Jin-ah, who was only a little out of breath.

Choreographer Shin grabbed the mic with a shocked look on her face. She turned to me and spoke.

“This doesn’t make any sense! It’s not like they’ve been training together for years. That person, it’s practically cheating! Like… it’s not even fair anymore!”

She caught on right away. I hadn’t expected to fool a pro, anyway. I wasn’t worried, though. She wasn’t going to trash the performance just because of that.

Producer Lee quickly responded to her.

“The team competition isn’t even part of the official mission. Even if he planned the whole stage brilliantly, there’s no problem. In the end, someone from the team has to be eliminated.”

The host looked confused and asked the judges.

“I don’t really understand what you’re saying. Can you explain in a way our viewers can follow? Why does it feel unfair? Was the stage just too good?”

Shin answered.

“It looked like the trainees suddenly got way better, right? But they didn’t. Their skills didn’t actually change much in a week. That’s impossible. But the performance made it look like they had. It was because of President Kang. He showed us their strengths and hid all the weak parts.”

She was right. That was exactly what I did.

‘It’s easy when everyone’s talent is about the same level.’

When we choreographed Jin-ah’s solo, I hadn’t figured out the full extent of her ability because her talent was off the charts. I hadn’t expected her to improve that much that quickly. The skills I saw in the practice room when we decided on her solo? That was a fun mistake.

The host turned to me.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. It was just strategy. It shouldn’t have broken any rules.”

Everyone gasped and murmured in amazement. However, that didn’t change the rules. Even if our team ranked first in performance, that was just a bonus. One person still had to be eliminated.

“Wow… This is really tough. I mean, it makes sense to judge based on the performance.”

“We can’t just go by potential. The audience won’t buy it. Let’s only judge by what we saw on stage.”

“Sigh… yeah.”

Shin turned to the trainees and spoke seriously.

“Before we give our evaluations, I just want to say something. President Kang’s strategy was brilliant, sure. But this was still your result. You all worked so hard and showed us an amazing performance. I’m really grateful.”

Her words weren’t even finished, and the trainees’ eyes were already welling up. Just hearing that praise seemed to break the dam.

It wasn’t just the trainees. Even Jin-ah looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.

“There are still two performances left today, but I think you guys gave the best one. One of the three of you will be eliminated, but don’t lose confidence. Today, you were just as amazing as real professional idols.”

With that, the dam truly broke. Jin-ah and the trainees began crying for real, holding it in as best they could, but their faces were soaked in tears.

Then came the individual evaluations. They wouldn’t announce who was eliminated until all performances were done, but we could already guess the outcome after hearing what they had to say.

The girl who would be eliminated clutched Jin-ah’s hand tightly. Her lips trembled as she forced a tiny smile. Whatever she was trying to say, Jin-ah pulled her into a hug and cried with her.

Even after Kid’s and Min-seok’s teams finished their turns, everyone had to admit that our performance was the best. However, Jin-ah’s team couldn’t be happy. One of them had still been cut.

The elimination interview.

On stage, the eliminated trainee cried and cried, barely able to speak.

“I didn’t make it… but I’m so glad I got to… be with Jin-ah sunbae. I’m really thankful to President Kang, too… From now on, I’ll keep working hard, just like I learned from both of you… and I’ll debut one day. I’ll become a singer I can be proud of, just like Jin-ah sunbae…”

Finally, the filming for the day wrapped up.

Even though it was over, they were still crying and hugging each other like the world had ended.

“Oh my.” I muttered.

They had had the best result but looked like they had come in dead last.

“…Looks like the producers are planning to really push them.”

Even though they had been told filming was done, there were still cameras pointed at them. Other teams were comforting their eliminated members too, but Jin-ah’s team was on another level.

To viewers, it probably looked emotional and kinda funny. In a good way. It would definitely make people like them more.

As I shook my head, the entire team suddenly turned their heads. Toward me.

‘They’re not coming this way, right?’

They weren’t about to wipe those crying, snot-covered faces on me. Right?

“Oppaaa!”

“Thank you sooo much!”

“Waaaah! President Kang!”

“Wahhh! President Kang.”

They totally were.

Jin-ah started it by hugging me straight-on, and then the other trainees surrounded me from all sides, pressing their teary, makeup-smeared faces into my clothes.

‘Good grief…’

The cameras were still rolling, so I couldn’t even push them off.

I probably had a super stiff smile on my face.

I had no choice but to stand there until they cried it all out.

“Sigh… Done crying now?”

The four of them nodded in unison like little chicks in a row.

Their eyes and noses were red and their makeup were smudged like ghosts, but all traces of tears and snot had vanished.

Using my clothes.

I turned to the eliminated trainee and spoke to them.

“Don’t feel too bad about about getting eliminated here. You guys were number one. I’ve told you this before, right? It’s not just about surviving here.”

“Yes, we have to leave a strong impression on the viewers.”

“Exactly. And you did.”

Even with those words, she still looked unsure.

“…What?”

She stared at me for a moment, then gave a deep bow.

“I really learned a lot. I’ll definitely debut and become a star… So, um… I just wanted to say thank you. I mean it. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. I promise I’ll repay you someday.”

“Good. Go be a star.”

“I will. And I’ll pay you back too!”

“Haha. Alright.”

Managers from each agency came to take their trainees back. Kid had been waiting on the side of the set for a while, and now he walked over to me.

“Looks like you’ve been waiting for a while. What’s with that intense stare? You declaring war or something?”

Kid smacked his lips.

“I really wanted to win… but we lost. Completely.”

“The kids just did their part, that’s all.”

“No. No matter what anyone says, we lost because of you. Battling you head-on is pretty hard, but next time won’t be so easy.”

I gave a small laugh, and so did he.

“I learned under you for a long time, after all.”

“Good. Keep working hard. But in the end, we’ll still be the ones who win.”

Then, someone else stepped in between us.

Both Kid and I turned our heads.

It was Min-seok. The cold, sculpted one who looked like he’d stepped out of a painting.

He stared straight at me and finally spoke.

“This time, we lost. This will be the last time we lose.”

“Who knows. This might just be the beginning.”

***

Money poured out like water.

It was hard-earned cash, sure, but not a single cent felt wasted.

After all, it was for Yumi’s music video.

We could have saved some money by shooting outside, but for Yumi’s video, security came first.

In that sense, there was no choice but to spend more to build a set.

“President Kang, are you sure I can wear this? Back then, when Trezis and Crescendo saw it, they just laughed.”

Yumi stepped out of the studio dressing room.

A face half-covered by huge sunglasses.

Deep red lipstick.

Giant hoop earrings and a thin leather jacket slung over one shoulder.

Ripped leather pants and black combat boots.

It was way too much of a look for her small frame and babyish face.

It was the exact same style she was dressed in when she first walked into Six-Seven.

The difference was that she looked embarrassed instead of confident like back then.

“What are you talking about? I told you that outfit was super cute.”

“…You really think so?”

Yumi adjusted her sunglasses for no reason, clearly feeling shy.

Honestly, I felt a little sorry about it, but this whole outfit had been Crescendo and Trezis’s idea. They were insistent. They said it had to be caught on camera.

‘It really is adorable.’

There wasn’t a better look to make someone fall for her at first sight.

The staff couldn’t stop smiling as they watched Yumi.

Even Jung-han, who was filming behind-the-scenes footage, had a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

But then.

“HAHAHA! You’re filming your music video like that? Oh my gosh, it’s the exact same outfit! Pfft, this is hilarious!”

Jin-ah, fresh from makeup, burst out laughing when she saw Yumi.

Yumi shot her a full-body glare, scanning her from head to toe.

Jin-ah was dressed to impress. Light-wash jeans, a cobalt blue shirt, and sparkly accessories in her hair, on her wrists, ears, and shoes. She looked light and breezy, like she was meant for a summer magazine cover.

Yumi looked down at her own dark, heavy outfit and pouted.

“It’s summer. Is it really okay for me to wear this?” She asked the question in a small, unsure voice.

Jin-ah was quick to answer.

“Hey. You literally wore that not too long ago, and now you’re acting like it’s some big seasonal mistake. Besides, that leather jacket’s only on one shoulder.”

She kept laughing between sentences, teasing Yumi on purpose.

“Unnie! This is my music video! I’m supposed to be the star! Why does your outfit stand out way more than mine?”

“It’s President Kang’s concept, remember? I just wore what they gave me. Didn’t say a word about the hair or makeup either.”

“…Ugh!”

Yumi was fuming, but couldn’t bring herself to yell at me, so she just huffed to herself instead.

What she didn’t realize was that her whole mismatched look of being awkward and pouty was even cuter than if she had been all dressed up like Jin-ah.

She didn’t know how cute she actually was.

That somehow made her even cuter.

“Hello! I hope I’m not late.”

Crescendo walked into the studio, eyes going straight to Yumi, and a smile spreading across his face.

“Hello, sunbae!” Jin-ah and Yumi both bowed deeply.

Crescendo looked at them and let out a little gasp.

“Wow! You two are seriously adorable. I mean, idols really are different. Maybe it’s ‘cause I’ve been surrounded by dudes all the time lately, or maybe it’s just you two but I think you’re the cutest idols I’ve ever seen.”

“Ah, um… Maybe it’s just ‘cause we’re extra special…? Haha.” Jin-ah joked and Yumi looked down, smiling shyly.

From the look on her face, she was starting to feel a little better.

I turned to Yumi.

“Yumi. Did you see Crescendo’s reaction? You look very cute right now. Even the staff keeps sneaking glances at you two. So you don’t have to worry, okay?”

Yumi and Jin-ah both whipped their heads around.

The staff scrambled to pretend they hadn’t been looking, coughing and turning away, but it was too late.

They had been caught.

Crescendo chuckled under his breath.

“They’re used to filming sexy concepts for hip-hop videos. Seeing cute idols like you two is not something they get to see often.”

Just like that, Yumi and Jin-ah started having fun in their outfits.

They walked all around the studio, snapping selfies left and right.

Click! Click!

New pose. New face.

Click! Click!

Dozens of photos in just a few minutes.

While watching them with a big, proud smile, Crescendo turned to me.

“So, we’re doing interviews and social posts before the song drops, right? That’s how we build hype?”

“Yep. Just don’t mention Yumi or Jin-ah’s names yet. Just say a new song is coming.”

“What? That’s boring! I’m gonna hype it all the way up. Like, ‘I worked with someone really special!’ That kind of thing. People are gonna get so curious, but I promise. Once they hear it, they won’t be disappointed. The song’s amazing.”

That worked just fine for us.

“We’re ready to roll!”

“Okay!”

“Coming!”

The girls came running out, leaving their selfies behind.

Jung-han was filming every second of it, from their big laughs to their silly moments.

All of it, just the way they were.

Fun, natural, and totally themselves.

—

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