After Seo Kang Jun left, Ara Entertainment added Choi Eun Ho to M2M.

As Seo Kang Jun heated up the internet, he was the member who would fill the vacancy left by him and who had given a brilliant debut performance, so it was natural that the spotlight would be focused on him.

Even within Ara Entertainment, which had hundreds of trainees, Choi Eun Ho was called the ace.

Honestly, it was understandable why Choi Eun Ho, who had debuted at the TBN awards ceremony, was called an ace. He had both looks and talent.

Normally, each member’s individual charm is important to a group’s popularity, but the teamwork and relationship between members is also an important factor.

In the past as well, there were groups who would kick out and replace members because there were problems, but most of them went downhill afterwards.

Therefore, in the spotlight that was focused on Choi Eun Ho, there were actually a lot of negative sentiments saying, ‘There’s no way it’ll work out.’

However, Choi Eun Ho surprisingly brought new energy to M2M, attracting fans and contributing greatly to M2M’s success.

In the past, a rivalry formed between Seo Kang Jun and Do Wook because their groups and their acting careers each debuted at the same time. It caused M2M to constantly be labeled as “second place” even though they were doing well.

M2M was a group that almost collapsed, and KK was currently a big star that would be difficult for M2M to get ahead of. That fact actually allowed M2M to be evaluated on their own.

Thanks to that, M2M took over the top spot on the music programs for 2 weeks with the new album they released at the award ceremony.

They prepared their album as quickly as possible and had done a comeback last week. Their new album ‘Call Me’ was taking over the chart with tremendous momentum.

“Wow…just listen to the M2M fans. They’re really popular,”

Ahn Hyung Seo, who was watching the television, said. Suk Ji Hoon replied,

“Our fans are louder.”

“That’s true. Still, the M2M fans weren’t at that level last year, were they?”

There was a problem in comparing it with KK’s Tfandom, which could be said to be the largest in the nation. When Ahn Hyung Seo said that while muttering, Park Tae Hyung, who was next to him, nodded as if he were surprised.

“I think…their popularity increased a lot…”

It was definitely surprising.

The fact that they were able to release two consecutive albums this quickly, both of which were of high quality, showed Ara Entertainment’s ability. It was the power of capital and knowledge.

‘Of course, it’s not to the point that KK has to be nervous yet…’

M2M rebounding was the same as Director Seo Joong Won rebounding.

‘Let’s not rush. It will take some more time for them to recover their shaken reputation. It’s not like M2M has made it back to where they used to be yet…’

It would take time for Director Seo Joong Won to take over the Ara Entertainment President position. During that time, Do Wook planned to bring down Director Seo Joong Won no matter what.

Do Wook briefly bit his lips.

Manager Oh Baek Ho continued the conversation that was briefly interrupted by the sound of the television.

“You want to talk with Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung yourself? Hmmm…Are you by any chance planning on telling him everything?”

“I don’t know. Yet. But it bothers me that they brought up Seo Jun.”

“That bothers me too. I think they know something. Maybe about Reporter Choi Sung Jun…Honestly, we didn’t particularly do anything ourselves back then, right?”

Manager Oh Baek Ho asked, as if looking for validation.

Certainly, there was nothing Do Wook personally did regarding Seo Kang Jun’s downfall.

All he did was have Reporter Choi Sung Jun’s younger brother write a letter to expose the truth about Seo Kang Jun’s school violence and brainstorm with Reporter Choi about what to do.

The college admission corruption too. Reporter Choi had dove into the matter after he heard about it from Do Wook.

For the events that followed after, Seo Kang Jun pretty much walked the path of failure on his own.

It wasn’t even that Do Wook manipulated anything or set up a trap. It was all Seo Kang Jun’s actions. He brought it unto himself; it was karma.

‘It was Reporter Choi who actually rolled up his sleeves, but…it’s still true that he and I worked together,’

Do Wook thought.

Seo Joong Won watched his son helplessly go through back-to-back incidents and fall from the entertainment industry. He was not one to let it go afterwards.

‘Retaliation…’

That was also the reason Manager Oh Baek Ho was worried when Do Wook had first said he wanted to get revenge with Reporter Choi Sung Jun and why he said to bring down Seo Kang Jun after gaining power.

Considering that in the past, Director Seo Joon Won had turned Seo Kang Jun, the perpetrator of school violence, into a victim and put the blame on Do Wook, retaliation was an obvious step.

‘That’s why even Reporter Choi Sung Jun hid himself as much as possible by handing over the information to other reporters. From his perspective, he had nothing to fear even if it were revealed, but…’

Figuring out Reporter Choi Sung Jun’s identity might not be difficult for Director Seo Joong Won.

It was possible that he even found out about Do Wook contacting him.

However, it was difficult to predict how he would retaliate.

“That’s true, but he might have somehow found a connection. Considering who he is.”

Manager Oh Baek Ho nodded his head to what Do Wook said.

If Director Seo Joong Won was determined to find something out, he probably could.

Then, suddenly, it crossed Manager Oh Baek Ho’s mind that the person Do Wook wanted ‘revenge’ on wasn’t only Seo Kang Jun.

“Do Wook, you…you wouldn’t, right? Seo Joong Won, he’s a vicious man. I understand you’re angry about what happened to your friend, but you made it so Seo Kang Jun can never step foot in the entertainment world again. To go as far as Director Seo Joong Won is…”

It was just as he said. You could punish Seo Kang Jun to a certain degree, but not Director Seo Joong Won. His son’s failure probably would have made him more on edge.

“In time, Director Seo Joong Won will become the President of Ara Entertainment and become a more powerful figure in the entertainment industry, right?”

Do Wook calmly asked Manager Oh Baek Ho.

Manager Oh Baek Ho was surprised. Rumors of Seo Joong Won becoming the President of Ara Entertainment were circulating in the entertainment industry.

Director Seo Joong Won definitely played a big role in raising Ara Entertainment into a large agency. Furthermore, he was growing his power in the company, being ambitious not only in production but also in management.

Most people thought that if Ara Entertainment’s President stepped down from the front lines, the next president would be Director Seo Joong Won.

Many broadcast stations or newspaper agencies treated Director Seo Joong Won like an Acting President, not a Director.

Even so, Manager Oh Baek Ho didn’t think Do Wook knew so much. Do Wook not only had an incredible understanding of music but also the industry. When Manager Oh Baek Ho nodded his head, Do Wook continued,

“If time passes and his father is holding that title, Seo Kang Jun might also end up coming back in. To the entertainment world…”

“You’ve thought that far ahead…”

“Even if the public doesn’t forgive them, there are still a lot of currently active celebrities who went on broadcasts and did whatever it took to change their image.”

“That’s true.”

“If it’s Seo Joong Won’s son Seo Kang Jun, it’d be even easier.”

Manager Oh Baek Ho sighed as he crossed his arms. What Do Wook was suggesting was not too far-fetched. A pattern of causing trouble, doing a little self-reflection, and then coming back with tears in their eyes. It’s something that often happens, even these days.

“And the person who made the monster Seo Kang Jun that was using violence on people…is Seo Joong Won.”

Do Wook spoke in a serious tone.

“I don’t think that Director Seo Joong Won should sit in that position.”

Do Wook looked at Manager Oh Baek Ho with an unwavering gaze as he spoke.

‘That was my goal from the beginning. Although I now also have a dream to get more people to listen to purely good music…’

He couldn’t say that out loud.

Still, Manager Oh Baek Ho had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to change Do Wook’s mind with his sloppy persuasion.

Do Wook said as if he knew what Manager Oh Baek Ho was concerned about,

“For now, I should be fine. Seeing as he tried to get information from Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung, it could be that he hasn’t quite figured it out. And honestly, regardless of the stuff with Seo Kang Jun…the fact that KK, who isn’t a group from Ara Entertainment, is at the top was already a thorn in his side. He would want to get rid of it.”

“True, he had a problem with it when the rivalry started.”

Manager Oh Baek Ho agreed. Even if Seo Kang Jun’s incident wasn’t necessarily Do Wook’s fault, Ara Entertainment already saw KK’s existence as a thorn in its side and wanted KK to collapse at any time.

“However, right now we’re not in a position where we’d fall right away just because they try to take us down.”

Manager Oh Baek Ho grinned at what Do Wook said.

KK was now on a roll with the full support of a large Tfandom. Having earned the title of Korea’s top group, they now had the world in their sights.

As long as the members themselves didn’t cause problems, if someone came at them hastily…

“…before he can have his ridiculous retaliation, I’ll hit him first.”

“Huuuuu…”

Manager Oh Baek Ho nodded his head even as he sighed. That might be the right choice. Since the opponent is Director Seo Joong Won.

“Let’s have a meal with Team Leader Lee soon.”

“Ok.”

Do Wook gave a reliable look to Manager Oh Baek Ho as he replied.

***

[ M2M 1st place for 3 weeks in a row! ‘Call Me’ hype! ]

[ M2M, who got back on their feet after a crisis, held a fan meeting to thank the fans ]

[ M2M fan meeting venue…Their sweet voices ringing throughout Hwajeong Gymnasium ]

[ The M2M fan meeting venue, which was filled with tears and laughter… ]

[ M2M, who started over with the mentality of a rookie! Was it effective? First place for 3 consecutive weeks! ]

-Oooh M2M~~ I’m rooting for you~~~!!

-The other members went through a lot because of Seo Jun ㅠㅠ

-I think Oh Bin’s dancing skills got even better, I fell in love with him after seeing him dancing in that old commercial

-I love you Bin oppa!

-Call Me. What a blessing

-LOL. Blessing over the phone?

-Call me. A blessing. LOL

-Is Seo Jun crying overseas right now?

-I went sightseeing and saw Seo Jun…He’s still handsome as ever…but it’s scary when I think of how he wielded his fists with that handsome face…he looked like he had gone through some stuff

-So what? Do you want a sympathy vote? Does Seo Jun still have fans?

-I’m not a fan. I was just writing an update, why are you picking a fight?

-M2M Fighting! Make it big!

-There was a time M2M was being compared to even KK, what happened haha

-KK is out of reach now~~!! ——-Unclimbable wall——-

-Where did KK get dragged in from? It’s like a Gangnam apartment VS Gangbuk month-to-month

-Why go so far…KK fans making a fuss…

-What do you mean making a fuss? It’s true that they’re no match. While KK was performing at the domes, they were at a no-name local gymnasium

-If you haven’t been to Hwajeong Gymnasium, shut up

The vigor of M2M’s new song ‘Call Me’ was surprising.

Since Do Wook was also human, he was getting anxious for many reasons. The pressure from Director Seo Joong Won, M2M’s momentum, and KK’s next album was pushing down on Do Wook.

However, that made Do Wook become even more absorbed in one thought.

‘KK’s comeback…’

He wanted to do the comeback as soon as possible and go on stage to sing and dance. Do Wook focused only on composing KK’s album title song. He focused to the point that he didn’t have time to pay attention to anything else. Do Wook’s head was full of thoughts about the song all day long.

On the third night of intensely working on the title song, Do Wook woke up from a light sleep, kicked off the blanket, and got up.

Do Wook quickly turned on his laptop.

He had to record the scales that just came to his mind before they disappeared.

—

Next chapter: Hope the world is ready for Do Wook’s next OP idea.

Translator’s comments: Hello!! It’s been a while since I wrote a TL comment. I just wanted to laugh at my own silliness and say that last week I posted on discord that Ch 151 issues were fixed but actually it was correct and me “fixing” it was actually the mistake haha! It really is fixed now though. I also wanted to give a shoutout White Rabbit for their amazing PR! They got so much proofreading done even though I didn’t send the chapter until the day of. Thank you! And thank you all for your continued support of Superstar!

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