Chapter 295
An agency group concert.
Usually, it was an event that could be held by a company that had at least one male and female idol group each, and even a promising rookie group.
In that sense, it might seem that this agency, which had three groups from <Idol Co>, met the minimum conditions... It was an illusion.
On my way home, I frowned as I checked the plan I had brought with me.
'I don't think anyone will like it.'
There was no unique color to this hastily made agency even if someone were to wash their eyes and look for it.
This was what was commonly referred to as the 'feeling unique to that agency'.
'For audience satisfaction, there must be a common demand between the groups.'
I didn't know why the agency had the guts to plan its own concert using the winners of an audition program and the money they made from them.
Of course, the purpose was roughly guessed.
"Hm~ I guess they're trying to show off the newly debuted kids?"
Keun Sejin shrugged and spoke.
"Look, they even gave them the composition to cover some of our songs from <Idol Co>~."
"Mmm."
And Bae Sejin, who was drinking water in the kitchen, spoke with a slightly nervous face.
"... Isn't this an attempt to change generations?"
"Generation change?"
"Well, uh, we don't have much time left on our contracts... They need something that would induce the fans to like the rookie group!"
"That... ! Are they misjudging that this group has already exhausted its potential?"
Kim Raebin was frightened as if it sounded plausible. Bae Sejin nodded his head seriously.
"... It could be."
Really.
'Did he see it on WeTube?'
After watching so many KPOP related channels, it seemed that he had some clumsy knowledge.
I smiled and shook my head.
"I don't think so. It seems like they're just trying to bring some buzz to the group."
"That, is that so?"
"Yes. Maybe the previous season didn't go as well as our season, so I think they're trying to make some gains. Don't worry too much."
We had barely built up a friendly relationship, so it was too much of a waste from the company's point of view to give up on TeStar here.
'They must be thinking that we will renew the contracts.'
The benefits attached to TeStar's weight class would continue at a high level.
'There's no great merit in splitting the belly of the goose that lays the golden eggs.'
Keun Sejin readily agreed.
"I agree! Still, it's good to be alert~ Hmm, I think hyung's words are in a good direction too."
"... Yes."
"It's a good idea."
Bae Sejin and Kim Raebin quickly discarded the conspiracy theory. And Cha Eugene intervened without hesitation.
"So when are we doing it? Let's hurry up and do it!"
"Let's see... 25 days later?"
Ryu Chungwoo pointed to the 'August rental completion' part of the plan with his finger. I paid more attention to other parts.
'It's smaller than I thought'
Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium, 11,000 people.
Although they said, 'TeStar + Mirynay + Rookie? Let's go to the stadium!' It seemed that did not figure out the demand with the same stupid fan count calculation.
This was an insight into the industry that I couldn't expect from this agency.
'The headquarters intervened.'
It seemed that T1's breath had entered.
Seeing that the concert itself was aired on TNet's channel in the first place, it seemed that T1 pushed it forward.
'Since TaKon's response was so good, it seems like they want to take another round.'
It felt like they were going to be cursed at by the fans... Well, TeStar had little to lose.
'If part of the concert stage gets airwaves, it will have a publicity effect.'
It was the second half of the contract, so if there were no problems later, it'd be the right time to go without friction with T1, so I thought that it'd be okay to accept this much without a boycott.
"We only need to prepare five songs in total."
I chuckled and tapped the plan.
'Bring some buzz.'
However, we had to take responsibility for the meaning of the topic.
Two male idol groups of a similar age from the same audition series... Even singing the same song?
It would be compared like crazy.
But we had no burdens.
"Um, we have about three and a half weeks. It's tight."
"It's similar to the theme of the last concert, so I don't think it will be too much~"
"I need to inquire about the details of whether a separate arrangement is necessary."
I called up the status window of one of the guys who was talking hard right now.
[Name: Kim Raebin]
Rap: A+ (S+)
(Singing: C+)
Dance: B+ (A+)
Appearance: A- (A+)
Talent: A (S)
Trait: Maestro (S)
Even if I looked at anyone else's stats in this group, it came out roughly that way.
Even compared to <Idol Co>, there were numerous guys whose stats had risen by at least 3 points.
'In the meantime, Kim Raebin's trait level went up.'
It might be natural for each album to be voluntarily divided into short-term works.
The only weak point was Bae Sejin, but this seemed to have learned a strange trick these days.
-This, I just had to memorize the entire movement along with the lyrics... !
-... ??
This guy, who had become accustomed to the basic dance routine, had become much more plausible by following these tricks, focusing on reproducing movements rather than dancing with a rhythm.
'Isn't that more difficult?'
Well, I was glad he was more comfortable.
Anyway, the important thing was that opinions criticizing TeStar as a stage were now rarely seen on the Internet.
'The difficulty level of covering another song is very high.'
Already at the Rookie of the Year award, the case of Onyx, who changed the song and performed, seems to have left an impression, and the conclusion was drawn from an image on the Internet.
This was already concluded with an image on the Internet on whether the group Onyx, who changed the song and performed it at the time of the Rooke of the Year, was ingrained.
Besides, this time, the other side covered us one-sidedly
The moment there was a difference in the basic stats and the amount of practice, the result was already fixed.
So it was even more strange to worry about people in the fandom leaving with something like this.
'It's enough if they only care about the way we treat our juniors.'
Rather, what worried me was this stage that was put in to match the assortment. It just so happened that Ryu Chungwoo pointed at it with his hand.
Joint stage (Undecided) / 2 people per team
"And there is one joint stage among the five."
"Yes."
It was a joint stage where some of our members would go on stage with our juniors.
Aside from the rustic composition of everyone singing a national song at the end, this was the first and last stage where TeStar and our juniors go up together.
'It looks like someone will come out with noise soon.'
Then, Cha Eugene raised his hand again.
"I want to do it! I want to do the joint stage!"
"Haha."
I thought so.
None of the members gave a definite answer to Cha Eugene's active support. If the atmosphere here is okay, Cha Eugene would do it.
'I think it would be a bit harsh to let Cha Eugene go.'
We didn't care, but it was a matter of public opinion.
It was like sending a strategic weapon to a friendly match.
I decided to put this on hold for now as there were some corners worth thinking about.
And sooner or later, during the first group meeting and practice schedule, it became clear that this worry was worthwhile.
"This is the new setlist."
In the paper that arrived earlier than the scheduled time, the joint stage part had changed.
Joint stage (Undecided) / 2 TeStar, 2 Mirynay
'These bastards are missing.'
The new <Idol Co> debut group this time was left out of the joint stage roster.
The reason was that 'they had to prepare for their debut, so the new stage to prepare for is too much.'
"If you don't mind, I'd like to arrange a place for these guys in the form of a story telling that naturally leads to the next stage at the end of this stage."
The director's explanation was plausible, but it was quite a strategic decision to see it as a choice of the rookie group separately.
The excuse was plausible, but... The timing was exquisite.
"Hmm."
... Quite an interesting situation.
I'd pass it on for now, but I'd have to deal with what was happening right now.
I started revising the plan for this joint stage while the director was away on another call.
It wasn't long before Mirynay arrived at full speed.
Bang!
"Hello!"
They weren't too late, but it looked like they were also busy preparing for a comeback. After some greetings, preparations, and staff movement, Ryu Chungwoo kindly explained.
"It is said that there has been some change in the preliminary plan. It sounds like we're doing a joint stage together."
"Ah, yes."
Rank 2, so... Park Minha spoke with an empty face.
"Planning paper... We didn't get anything like that, sunbaenim..."
Due to the fate of the group with less time available, it seemed that Mirynay participated after receiving a one-sided notice.
'No, it's not a matter of time. Is TeStar a special case?'
The incidents overlapped and took the initiative, but it was usually time to listen to the, even if it had been four years.
'Hmm.'
Keun Sejin quickly intervened to liven up the atmosphere.
"Ah, is that initial plan important? It's important that we create a great stage now! Please take good care of us~"
"Yep. That is very true. I will work hard no matter what. I look forward to it!"
Cha Eugene cheerfully held out his hand for a handshake.
"Yeees! Please take good care of me while we're on stage together..."
"Wait a minute."
Without changing my expression, I calmly pulled Cha Eugene's shoulder.
"Eugene, you won't be 'together'."
"... ??"
"Oh, right... We're not doing that stage together."
Cha Eugene got a little sullen and put his hand back.
Yes. Cha Eugene was taken out of the joint stage due to an emergency meeting just now.
-What? I'm good at it!
-Yes, I know you are good at it. So let's do a bigger stage at the concert.
-What's the bigger one?
-Well...
... Let me just say that I used a lot of carrots. And the reason why I did this was different from what I initially considered.
'This guy is too friendly, so we can't.'
At the same time, there were no qualms. We would perform without hesitation and create an image that suited the stage, so if we messed up, the fans would cross the line.
'There are so many things to consider when it comes to one-on-one male and female idol group performances, so it's difficult.'
In a situation like this, it was safest to only use those who know how to use their brains.
So there was only one answer.
"That's... You're in a rush!"
"Yes. yes~"
Keun Sejin smiled and put his arm around my shoulder.
"I think I will be doing the joint stage with Moondae~ Please take good care of us!"
That was what happened.
If we do this, even in the worst case, we'd just hear that it was out of place and funny.
"Oh, really! Is it okay if I actively express my opinion? I hope we do something cool!"
"Yulgi- ackkkkk."
"Uh, why? Is it a little weird?"
At Mirynay's Rank 1's remarks, the members around her clung to her while lowering their heads while making strange noises.
Rank 2 nodded quietly with a face that gave up everything.
"Yes. It will be Yulgi unnie and me."
Rank 1 and Rank 2 side by side.
It meant that we wouldn't lose momentum... It was probably a lineup created by Rank 2.
'Did she guess that TeStar would try to win, whether it was mixed or not?'
Was it because we were all from an audition program? This was also a unique situation.
If this continued, we would keep each other in check, just like the audition program team battle, but then there would be noise in the process.
"Wow, that's reassuring~ Let's do our best!"
Besides, even the guy who would normally say things like 'Let's make a slogan, let's create a group chat' was just doing his job, so he showed a rough idea of how things would go.
'If I had to choose a good quality guy here...'
So, this was it.
I naturally left only one of the stage concept candidates and excluded the rest.
And I ran the simulation a few times in my head so that the flow of the meeting could flow as naturally as possible.
* * *
After the director returned and a few important announcements and discussions were all over...
Additional meetings were held separately for the members to prepare for the joint stage.
Starting with the things that couldn't be easily changed later... stage equipment.
'As expected.'
In addition, as this joint stage was added to the existing stages of each group, the devices used in the front and back stages were already preoccupied.
"Director, you said that it's better not to overlap like this, right?"
"Yes, yes."
Hmm.
Then, the wires were disconnected. In addition, confetti and the lift were also used in the back stage, so they are excluded.
"Water can be difficult. After all, the next stage is our title song, so it would be a bit like a direct comparison, right?"
"Yes, yes."
Keun Sejin naturally erased the things TeStar was trying to use on the main stage. He was good.
However, Mirynay's Rank 1 was a bit frustrating.
"Why don't we start by choosing a song like we usually do? Now that we're only saying things that we can't do, let's try cheering up a little more!"
"Oh, unnie!"
"That's right."
It was just in time.
"What do you want to do?"
"Ah! First of all, I like hip-hop too..."
I waited for Mirynay to tell me as many songs as they wanted in advance.
Until all kinds of candidates came to mind with excitement.
'Looking at her personality, she's the type to want to learn a lot.'
And as she was talking, I was sure the songs that I was also considering would pop out.
"If you look at it that way, 'Attack' is also..."
Yes, it popped out.
In this way, it would be like she chose the song.
After a while, I gave a signal to Keun Sejin and intervened.
"Come to think of it, you said earlier that you wanted to do something cool."
"Yes, yes!"
"Then, about the song you just mentioned... How about this concept?"
I wrote lines and letters on the paper.
Concept, expected effect, the direction of arrangement...
I was brainstorming in moderation to make it look like I came up with it on the fly.
"Like this."
As I wrote less, she became interested in it since it looked spontaneous and natural.
I hit the paper once and looked up.
Mirynay's Rank 1's eyes were shining.
It worked.
"I like it!"
"Me too... No, yes. I think you gave us a really good opinion!"
Good. It may have been a mix of social life, but it was sincere.
Then, this was the perfect timing for the next build-up.
"Ah~ Everyone's hearts are going in this direction. Then, the stage element is also easy, right? I think it would be perfect to use this!"
After listening to the two of them, Keun Sejin naturally pointed to one of the remaining stage sets with his finger.
-Laser
In this way, the picture was completed without wasting time due to checks.