Chapter 148

As Kim Heeyoung immersed herself in producing self-made content, the PD of Shining Star, whose stocks soared amidst the frenzy, found herself busier than ever.

"At what point will the cast list be finalized?"

"Has the location been secured, Kim Heeyoung?"

"Kim Heeyoung!"

"Kim Heeyoung!!"

"Kim Heeyoung!!!"

Initially thinking things would calm down after the program ended, she soon found herself bombarded with tasks from all directions.

"Alright already! Stop calling me!" she snapped, finally able to catch her breath as she entered the empty conference room.

Downing her third shot of Americano for the day, she sighed deeply and leaned back in her chair.

"I'm swamped, seriously…"

She had returned her vacation days long ago.

Kim Heeyoung glanced at the proposal document in front of her.

<Shining 2 Star Season>

It was a program planned from the early stages of Season 1 to considering taking the winner into Season 2 production. Despite ending with high ratings, Season 2 seemed inevitable due to the overwhelming response.

"I'm trash."

The bitter realization of having to throw much younger contestants into the pit of fierce competition weighed heavily on her.

This was the job, and just like idols who worked hard, there were gains to be had. But the more she reasoned with herself, the more she felt consumed by her own pettiness.

"This time, there must be no mistakes, no distractions."

Everything seemed perfect during the planning phase.

But with the recent fallout, even major agencies like D.go seemed to be treading cautiously, lowering their tails.

As Kim Heeyoung scrolled through the list of potential candidates, her gaze stopped at one name: The Dawn.

They were undoubtedly one of the hottest groups at the moment.

From single albums to Shining Star, self-made content, and variety shows since early last year. They had pushed themselves to the brink of human capability, and eventually, it paid off.

At that moment, the door to the conference room opened, and the assistant director walked in.

"Are you here? Have you seen this?? The views for The Dawn's content are incredible!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes, take a look at the reactions here."

Taking the laptop handed to her, Kim Hee-young quickly scanned through a few posts.

Most of them were about The Dawn's self-made content.

[Title: The Dawn's content is so damn entertaining...

They're seriously going all out with the apocalypse concept, I thought it would be cringy but (Sexy dance by Seonghyun/Lee Chae meme)

(Meme of 'The Time Reversing Guy' blowing himself up)

(Meme of a frustrated Dajun)

No, really, why is it so funny? I love this kind of B-grade, shoddy sentimentality, so I laughed all the way through.

Especially when they went bungee jumping, it was too funny.

Hoyun: I will descend while calling the name of the person I love.

Dajun: It's Noeul!!!!

Hoyun: Louder!!

Dajun: I love Noeul~!!!!

Jiwon: (Proud)(Proud)

Jiwon, did you raise Dajun?

Turn back time...

Anyway, next up is Kang Ichae, who was insanely attracted to Seo Hoyun today...

Somewhere shriveled up, madness overflowing in her eyes

Anyway, Seo Hoyun is indifferent.

Hoyun: Gossip show.

Ihae: (Damn) Why are you so indifferent? Don't you ask me?

Hoyun: I don't really want to hear it.

Ichae: (Pissed off) Can I call the instructor's name~? ^^!!!

Hoyu: (Equally pissed off) I'll call Noeul before I cause a broadcast accident.

Kang Ichae, who was going on and on, suddenly called the leader's name and jumped.

Ichae: I love Seonghyun~~!!!!

Seonghyun eating ice cream: ....?????

Dawn' guys: ?????

Staff: ??????

Kim Seonghyun, who was exempted from the bungee jump penalty and was eating ice cream, was suddenly caught off guard.

Seonghyun: ... Is this my penalty?

Really, he must have hated it so much. He confirmed several times whether it was his penalty to hear Kang Ichae call his name and say she loves him. Ah, I don't know where these guys will go...

Ah, it's still funny to think about it.

Guys, look at these lunatics..

These days, I'm also carrying the Dawn' guys....

└They've been producing a lot of great content since they got a lot of hate last time. It's really a small and medium-sized business, how do they do it?

  └└I heard they hired a lot of people for the planning team after getting hate. And there's a great talent here.

  └└Oh... That's interesting. Is the feedback fast?

   └└... That... doesn't seem to be the case.....

["I'm honestly just okay with watching idol shows here and there, but I'm fine with The Dawn idol segment."]

["Even among fans lately, The Dawn idols are quite famous... maybe because they're so explosive..."]

"...He's kinda crazy."

Having read all of it, Kim Heeyoung scratched her cheek.

The assistant director added, still holding onto the popularity of the Japanese debut showcase video and Seo Hoyun's legendary Japanese fancams.

"That's right. Their popularity has really, really soared lately. They're even considered a rising pick among domestic fans. It's not the same The Dawn as when we first cast them, right?"

"Hmm."

"The Dawn is confirmed, but considering the rising profile of some idol groups, we can't predict what will happen. Still, for balance, we should consider selecting other groups as well..."

If most of the Season 1 Shining Star contestants were rookies with 1-2 years of experience, this time it was different.

On average, 3-4 years of experience.

They planned to gather not only solid idol groups domestically but also internationally.

Although most major agencies hesitated when asked to send one group each, they eventually complied.

"Those guys just boast about building their pride."

"Pardon?"

"You don't know about last season's highest ratings? It was the highest among cable competition programs. Haven't you seen The Dawn Season 1 posters still hanging in front of the broadcasting station?"

"Well, that's true but..."

"Anyway, if they're at a level where they might miss a good opportunity to rise, it's better for us not to accept them."

If they were just casually wandering around with an entertainer's syndrome, it wouldn't be good for them nor for the program.

Even groups that had established themselves as idols couldn't guarantee their title would shine every time. Despite pouring in capital, they might still fail to win the public's favor.

In the end, the most certain way to raise their profile while confirming public preference was through survival programs.

'The sense of crisis that says 'If I don't pick them, they'll fall.''

That sense of crisis leads to 'protecting my own' and the voting becomes somewhat frenzied.

So, this was a program that was quite appropriate for South Korea, which had become accustomed to the taste of bitterness.

Existing fandoms would probably hate it, though.

"...I'm sorry."

Kim Heeyoung was still a PD who followed the ratings.

"Hey, I'd want to call for a black call if only my heart agreed."

"...Are you insane??"

"Of course, it's just a joke... Are you really going to do it?"

After a quiet period except for sporadic appearances on variety shows, Black Call, who released the title track Kings at the end of last year, rose to the top of the first division and widened the gap with other first division groups.

Now, they were so prominent that broadcasters couldn't easily request their appearance anymore, and even if they did, agencies wouldn't allow Black Call to appear on such a survival program.

Having failed with the joke, Kim Heeyoung scratched her nose awkwardly and said, "So, it's asking for others, right?"

"Hmm...."

"Why?"

Kim Heeyoung asked, noticing the subtle expression on the assistant director's face.

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just a bit worried about The Dawn."

"What?"

Frowning at the unexpected remark, Kim Heeyoung, the assistant director, shrugged.

"It's true that their popularity has risen a lot, but if they compete with the groups we've listed, they could be at a big disadvantage... We're used to getting criticized, but still, The Dawn is the champion of Shining Star."

"The Dawn will handle that themselves."

The indifferent response from Kim Heeyoung made the assistant director inwardly roll his eyes.

'Even if they're like that, they must have developed some affection. Don't they feel guilty?'

The assistant director saw Kim Heeyoung as cold-hearted, but in reality, she was giving quite objective evaluations.

"Well, since The Dawn has just finished their activities in Japan, we'll be able to adjust their schedule soon. I'll contact Daepaseong Production again..."

Listening to the staff reporting something next to her, Kim Heeyoung got lost in thought.

She knew The Dawn well.

No, more precisely, she knew Seo Hoyun.

'He's really something.'

Among idols?

No, just in terms of human nature, he was extraordinary.

Even in situations filled with adversity, his ability to find solutions with extraordinary methods and mental strength was distinctly different from others.

Thinking about Seo Hoyun, Kim Heeyoung buried her back in the chair.

'What is he really?'

His face was exceptionally handsome, but his skills were somewhat lacking.

However, he was brave and didn't care about others' opinions.

When he pushed today to the end of hell, Seo Hoyun had given a faint smile in response to her question.

"Do you think others can't have such thoughts? It's not because they lack thoughts, but because they have a conscience."

"...What about you?"

Just as he noticed me, he waved his hand lightly.

As the other members nodded their heads, the woman next to him also smiled slightly and returned the greeting.

She was a fairly well-known actress who gained fame three years ago through a youth drama.

"Goodbye."

"Yeah, goodbye, Mr. Woosung~."

As we approached, he gave a light smile and quickly left.

He's someone famous, so it's natural to know him, but...

'...What was it?'

There was something.

As I pondered, feeling like something was about to come to mind, I heard Kim Seonghyun's excited voice from beside me as he looked at Joo woosung.

"Senior! I watched the concert clip from last time!"

"Oh, has that video already been released?"

"Yes!!"

Joo woosung replied by lightly patting Kim Seonghyun's shoulder.

"Hey, are you still mad at him?"

"...Huh?"

"He forgot about this guy."

As I tilted my head, it suddenly came to me.

Right, when I was in Japan and struggling, I received a call from Joo woosung.

Woosung looked at me in disbelief.

"I got cursed out by my junior for the first time. What a jerk."

"Sounds like a great experience in life."

As I chuckled, Joo woosung looked at me with a cold gaze.

After sending the members off first, I turned to Joo woosung.

"So, you mentioned mentoring for Shining Star?"

I wish he had gone to the military sooner.

"Hmm. I'll probably get cursed out a lot."

Muttering like that, Joo woosung scratched his cheek lightly.

"Well, it doesn't matter now...."

"...?"

What's wrong with being a mentor?

Of course, there could be a mention about Woosung's appearance group and his seniority being not much different, but in terms of skill, he couldn't be underestimated.

More than that, resolving a slight discomfort and curiosity was more important to me, so I glanced around and asked.

"...Did you work with that person before?"

"Huh? Oh."

No matter how much I thought about it, there was no connection between Joo woosung and the actress.

Perhaps because there was no one around, Joo woosung just rolled his eyes once and said casually.

"Ah, my ex-girlfriend."

"..."

How calmly he says it.

[Shining Star Season 2, seize the 1st place!

A comeback of the survival program after a long time!

Win the 1st place in Shining Star Season 2.

Success: Vocal stats greatly increase Failure: Seo Hoyun's secrets leaked]

"This is insane..."

As soon as I saw it, curses spilled out.

The quests were always tough, but as someone with a lot to hide, this penalty was the worst.

Even if I tried to hold him back and coax him sweetly, he would just persist in his ignorance and run away after throwing the quest at me.

'Ugh....'

Just before facing 'Kim PD of Shining Star Season 2', I was trying to calm my mind.

"Wow! It's the start of our Season 2!!"

I came to the broadcasting station because of the pre-meeting for Shining Star Season 2. Despite forcing myself to take each step because I really didn't want to go, when I was turning around the entrance, I saw Joo Woosoong talking to some woman near the smoking room, where people rarely came.

"Oh."

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