“Shit…the board of directors are going to be up in arms again…Huuu…”
“Honey, if you don’t do anything about our Jun…”
“Be quiet already! I have a headache as it is! Tell that bastard Kang Jun to fend for himself!”
There was a murderous look in Director Seo Joong Won’s eyes. He was filled with rage stemming from anxiety.
KK’s success didn’t directly affect M2M or Ara Entertainment. However, Ara Entertainment agency’s singers had always been on top. If they were first place, it was expected. If they were below that…
“We’ll fall behind no matter how successful we get. Because of those slippery punks.”
Director Seo Joong Won grinded his teeth.
If the board of directors were to hold a meeting, it was clear that he’d be blamed for the management and working-level officials not doing anything while KK, who started at a smaller agency, were having such success, despite Ara having a greater capital and talent pool.
There wasn’t any other candidate within Ara Entertainment yet and M2M was gaining popularity again, so it shouldn’t cause many problems in him becoming President, but he couldn’t help but be very annoyed.
Becoming the President isn’t the only important thing. How he gets there is important too.
“Honey! How could you say that?!”
Director Seo Joong Won’s wife’s voice trembled, shocked by his words.
His wife’s voice made him take a deep breath. He was the king of the household, but that didn’t mean he could ignore his wife.
His wife is the gomyung* daughter of an assemblyman in the Seoul metropolitan area. It was his wife’s family that gave him, who had talent but nothing else, his power.
(TL Note: It either means famous and/or the only daughter among many sons)
“I’m just saying. I’ve told you multiple times. Wait. Tell that bastard Kang Jun too to just wait instead of whining to his mommy. Ok? I have to be President if I’m going to bring him back or reinstate him…”
“Reinstate?”
“Yeah. I can’t just let Kang Jun rot away like that.”
Director Seo Joong Won’s words made his wife, who had had a hardened expression, relax her expression a bit.
“It felt to me like you weren’t thinking of Jun at all…But there was a lot of commotion around his controversy, do you think he’ll be able to get reinstated? Just let him come back to Korea…”
“That will all be resolved with time. If he carelessly comes back midway, it’ll only cause commotion.”
Director Seo Joong Won’s wife nodded her head.
After the text with the link to the KK article, Director Seo Joong Won received one more text.
It said that they were not able to stop KK articles anymore.
***
“Billboard Music Awards…?”
Jung Yoon Ki muttered, his voice quivering.
“Michelle, you’re…you’re not joking, right?”
“Is there a hidden camera?”*
(TL Note: This was what was said, but he’s really asking if they’re getting pranked)
On the studio set of < Michelle's Night > . After a moment of silence that made it seem like the screen had frozen, the questions poured out from the members.
Do Wook’s big eyes had grown even bigger. Jung Yoon Ki kept rubbing his face in disbelief, and the hands of Ahn Hyung Seo, who had asked if there was a hidden camera, were shaking.
The members were not the only ones who were surprised. Fans in the audience were also delighted. They waved the placards with members’ names written on them more vigorously.
Michelle, who was told the question asking if there was a hidden camera through the interpreter, looked towards the audience and said with a serious expression,
“If there were a hidden camera…I may not be able to make it home safely tonight. I don’t think the Key Rings will let me go home.”
Hahaha. The audience burst into laughter.
While everyone was stunned by the situation, Suk Ji Hoon was the only one looking around, feeling lost.
Suk Ji Hoon, who had been drinking the juice they had prepared in case the guests got thirsty during the talk show portion, had missed the interpreter saying that they were nominated for the Billboard Music Awards Rookie of the Year Award.
He had only heard the words “Billboard Music Awards” so he was wondering if they were asked if that was their goal. However, the reactions from the people around him were intense so he was trying to find the right time to ask Do Wook, who was sitting next to him.
Do Wook, who noticed Suk Ji Hoon hadn’t heard her properly, told him.
“She said we were nominated for the Billboard Music Awards Rookie of the Year Award.”
Do Wook’s words made Suk Ji Hoon, who was taking another sip of orange juice, freeze in place.
The orange juice he had sipped trickled down his mouth.
“Kyaaaaa―!”
Seeing him do that, the fans screamed. The camera that was covering Suk Ji Hoon’s side didn’t miss a beat and did a close-up of him.
It became loud in the studio again. The members also looked at Suk Ji Hoon, who was drawing the attention of the fans, and saw Suk Ji Hoon drool orange juice out of shock.
Staff hurried over and, with the help of the interpreter, gave Suk Ji Hoon a tissue.
Rather than embarrassment, Suk Ji Hoon was overflowing with shock and joy as he wiped his mouth and chin with the tissue.
“What’s going on!”
Kim Won yelled. Jung Yoon Ki pointed as he laughed at how silly Suk Ji Hoon looked.
Jung Yoon Ki’s eyes were bulging as he cackled. The tip of his nose was getting teary so he kept wrinkling his nose as he laughed.
‘I’m not sure if we’ll be able to win the award, but…just getting nominated is already a first in Korea.’
Do Wook held back his overwhelming emotions.
In a way, it was a complete mess, but it was proof just how unexpected this was for the KK members and how surprised and happy they were. Michelle had a warm smile on her face.
“Such innocent young men. I guess this is the charm that everyone has recognized. I think I’m becoming a fan too.”
“Thank you. And for delivering the good news to us too. There’s two good things that happened today. “
Do Wook’s response made Michelle laugh.
“Ok, then shall we get started with the talk show portion? We already got delayed quite a bit…”
The Assistant Floor Manager signaled to Michelle.
“Ah, originally, we were only going to talk with KK for about 10 minutes today, but we decided to extend the time. The responses online are exploding right now. I’m told the streaming sites are down. How amazing!”
The audience cheered at what Michelle said.
The KK members also laughed with all their heart. They felt like they were sitting on a cloud, not on a chair.
As planned, Michelle asked for an explanation of the song ‘Continue’, as well as questions about stories about the group KK, their music style, and personally doing the composing and lyrics writing.
Do Wook and Kim Won answered most of the questions with fluent English.
The other members also enthusiastically nodded their heads and focused on the talk show. Thus, the live broadcast of < Michelle’s Night > was coming to an end.
***
[KK, First in Korea to be nominated for the Billboard Music Awards…]
[Conquered America too! The highest rating for Michelle’s Night this year, how far does KK’s popularity reach?]
[A broadcast issue during the live broadcast? KK can’t control their joy!]
[The best reaction from locals! World Star KK, born in Korea, collecting performance awards]
[What kind of program is < Michelle's Night > that KK appeared on? America’s top…]
[What are the chances of them winning the Billboard Music Awards Rookie of the Year Award?]
[Climbing the Billboard chart rankings! Rookie of the Year Award, it’s possible!]
[Another MyTube record broken! KK is skyrocketing, KK’s popularity is ‘Continue’-ing ]
[Fell in love with the fiery performance! American daily newspapers report on KK…”The beginning of a legend”]
.
.
.
When the KK members got back to their lodgings in America, the articles were already pouring out in Korea. It was late at night in America, but it was daytime in Korea, so the articles were pouring out endlessly.
At least popping champagne was brought up, but most people leaned towards having a celebratory party if they won.
Instead, the members decided to prioritize planning for the future.
They were too high on endorphins to be able to sleep anyways.
Therefore, after a big accomplishment on their first American live broadcast, the members all gathered in the hotel conference room despite the anxiety and fatigue they were feeling.
KK’s original activity plan was to release an OKAY album with Do Wook’s solo album following suit, but they felt they had to adjust the plans.
They planned on starting the discussion today, then coordinating the schedule with Production Team Leader Shim Joon as well once they get back to Korea.
Members were on their phones while they waited for Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung and Manager Oh Baek Ho to come after finishing preparations. It wasn’t easy to put the cellphone down, because the trending search on the portal site as well as all the articles were all plastered with KK’s name.
The expressions on the members, who were looking over the articles, were bright.
Of course, there was one member whose expression wasn’t completely bright. It was Suk Ji Hoon.
“Arrgghhh, I spilled that much?”
Suk Ji Hoon’s orange juice video already had a ton of views on MyTube. After checking the video, Suk Ji Hoon put his head down on the desk pretending to pull his hair out. Then, he jumped up and said to Do Wook,
“Do Wook, how can you tell me such news so abruptly like that?”
He couldn’t go back in time to change it, so he was looking for anyone to blame.
“Hey, we all heard it suddenly too, you know.”
Do Wook smiled awkwardly, and Jung Yoon Ki retorted that Suk Ji Hoon was being ridiculous.
Ahn Hyung Seo said as he giggled,
“As expected of the variety show member Ji Hoon. Congratulations on becoming a world-wide variety show member!”
“Orange boy, you have a new nickname now~! Orange boy~!”
Kim Won said. Ahn Hyung Seo yelled ‘orange boy’ like he was singing the chorus. Suk Ji Hoon lay face down again in frustration as ‘orange boy’ was repeated almost to the point it made one’s ears ring.
“Ah…”
Park Tae Hyung patted Suk Ji Hoon on his back. However, it was true that even Park Tae Hyung couldn’t hold back his laughter when he saw Suk Ji Hoon in the video clip, which was already made into a ‘GIF’.
“…Anyways, it looks like the fans are really happy too,”
Do Wook, who was writing a post on the fancafe for the first time in a while, said. Kim Won responded, “Of course”. The members weren’t the only ones who were informed of the news through < Michelle’s NIght >. It was true for the fans who were watching the live broadcast too.
Seeing the supportive messages from the fans, who were happy for them as if it were their own accomplishment, made Do Wook feel very proud.
At that moment, the door opened and Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung and Manager Oh Baek Ho came in.
“Congratulations once again.”
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung congratulated them. Manager Oh Baek Ho responded,
“It’s too early for congratulations. They can accept a proper congratulations after winning the award. Isn’t that right?”
It was the very example of a carrot on a stick.
The members laughed as they nodded their heads.
They lightly discussed activities for the future.
U.S. activities had already been on the back of Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung’s mind when they received the request to appear on < Michelle’s Night >. However, now that they’d been nominated for the Billboard Music Awards, Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung was certain that it was time they stepped up their efforts.
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung talked about KK’s potential. It wasn’t just potential anymore. It was reality.
“…So if we follow the analysis result, the U.S. fan base is really substantial. It wasn’t by chance that you received the invite.”
The members nodded their heads at Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung’s explanation.
“Of course, we’ll have to get a local contract to do activities in the US in earnest, like we signed an outsourcing contract with Nakamoto agency in Japan, but…honestly, we were already in discussion so I don’t think it’ll be hard. That part at least.”
Do Wook nodded his head as he looked towards Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung.
He was certainly a talented man whom they had to keep no matter what. Just as Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung saw a positive future for Do Wook, Do Wook was also certain that Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung would become an even bigger person.
“Whether you win at the awards or not, it’s certain that you’re on a roll right now, and if we’re going to do U.S. activities, I think now’s the time.”
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung continued after taking a sip of water.
“In order to do that, I think the OKAY unit album or Do Wook’s solo album will have to be delayed…”
“I’m ok with that. There are other priorities,”
Jung Yoon Ki replied.
Honestly, the most difficult thing to postpone was the OKAY unit album. Kim Won and Jung Yoon Ki had worked hard to keep up with the schedule. However, Jung Yoon Ki readily responded, which made Team Leader Lee Dae Jung’s expression brighten.
“Me too. America…I can’t believe it, but right now, we have to give it our all. On America.”
Kim Won also added. Do Wook, who had been thinking it over a bit, asked,
“There won’t be any issues with the Chinese promotion schedule, right?”
“There are events that are already booked, so we’ll have to make it so there isn’t a problem.”
They were events they were able to schedule thanks to < Sweetheart from the Universe >. They couldn’t abandon the Chinese fans to do U.S. activities. Although the number of foreign requests for Do Wook was at an unmanageable amount, Do Wook’s belief that he should focus on KK activities remained unchanged.
‘How high can KK climb…?’
For Do Wook, beyond his personal popularity, he only had the burning passion to try even harder.
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung nodded his head that he understood the members’ stance well, and wrapped things up by saying he’d have to go back to the company and set up more meetings.
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung said to Do Wook as they were leaving the conference room,
“I was expecting it, but it’s amazing that it really came to be like this…”
It was the same for Do Wook too. Each day was new and exciting.
“I look forward to continuing to work with you, sir.”
“Me too. I thought we were at the peak already, but with everything that happened, I see that there’s still a long way to go.”
Do Wook smiled at Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung’s words.
***
The day of the Billboard Music Awards.
With the Billboard Music Awards coming up, the KK members were busy preparing. Moreover, KK ended up having to prepare a special performance for the Billboard Music Awards, regardless of whether they would win their award or not.
Doing a special performance was proof that they were one of the hottest stars.
While everyone was in a happy mood, concerned comments were being posted in the Korean community.
—
Next chapter: It’s time for the Billboard Music Awards