Translator: Synopsis

  – Although we did create the base, it was you who finished the song. I really should have asked for permission beforehand, but there was no time, so…. I’m sorry.

  “Not at all. It’s a good opportunity. I will also go to cheer them on if I have the time.”


  After finishing the call, KangYoon turned around to Lee HyunAh who was just looking at her phone.

  “Apparently, you’re going to a competition with your song.”


  “A competition?”


  Although Lee HyunAh was doing something else, she was still listening. From the moment KangYoon was surprised too when the word ‘competition’ was mentioned, she knew that it wasn’t such a light topic.

  “Apparently, you are going to the College Pop Festival with the song you composed.”


  “…….”


  “HyunAh?”


  “…….”


  Seeing Lee HyunAh still unresponsive, KangYoon called out to her a few more times. He tried pushing her and poking her as well, however, there was still no reaction. After a blinking a few times, she…


  “EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHK????”


  Screamed out. Although there was no one around to see her, KangYoon still looked around.

  “You freaked me out.”


  “C, C, C, C, C, College Pop fest?!” (E/N: CCCCC-Combo breaker)

  “Yup. It looks like the professor liked it.”


  “We’re going there?! With my song?!”


  She felt something waving towards her heart. Confusion, panic, joy, it was hard to describe it with just one word. KangYoon tried explaining the things he heard from Professor Choi ChangYang.

  “College Pop Festival is a big competition that’s been running for over 30 years though! There will be a lot of people attending too….”


  “So what? Original composition, check, band, check. You meet the criteria though?”


  “Aah…. I don’t know what’s going on.”


  She just lowered her head and didn’t raise it back up. The coming storm wasn’t easy for her to endure. KangYoon patted her back as he consoled her.

  “The basics are the same whether you go to a big competition or a small competition. Preparation is everything. If you prepare well, there will be a possibility. I’m not sure if the Professor knows or not, but this means that your song is good. Isn’t that a good thing?”


  “…….”


  “Well, if you keep chickening out like you did today, that will all be for naught.”


  Of course, KangYoon’s consolation came with some sharp words.

  Lee HyunAh resolved herself while feeling the warmth on her back.

  ***

  “Where’s this?”


  “Wow….”


  Jung MinAh and Ailee Jung couldn’t hide their surprise after seeing the underground studio. Seo HanYu and Lee SamSoon felt the same way.

  “Young’uns….”


  Christie An poured them some cold water.

  “You’ve only come here once too. Don’t boast.”


  “How can zero and one be the same?”


  Jung MinAh and Christie An quarreled while Han JooYeon sighed. Just as the quarrel was about to become a fight for the strongest, KangYoon, Composer Loin and Producer Oh JiWan came in.

  “Hello!”


  Producer Oh JiWan replied with a smile after hearing their vivid greetings.

  “Kids sure are good.”


  “Uu, oppa. You really are…. Hey, you’re drooling.”


  “Soonie, you like the boys too.”


  “I only like the guys with abs. And hey, why are you calling me by my real name? I said call me Loin in the company.”


  Producer Oh and Composer Loin were also preparing to fight against reality. Of course, just preparing.

  Like that, everyone prepared for the song selection and the recording. The booth in the studio already had 6 microphones as well as other devices set up.

  KangYoon told the girls of the things that they were going to do and made them enter the booth.

  “Let’s start with the first one.”


  Producer Oh started setting Han JooYeon’s microphone since she was at the far right. Unlike JooAh, these girls had no preset settings so they had to set the microphones on the go.

  “Ah-ah. Mic test—My hometown –.”


  With Han JooYeon’s as the beginning, all the microphones were starting to get set. Producer Oh was satisfied, saying everyone’s voice matched each other’s well. KangYoon watched the process from behind.

  Since there were 6 of them, it took quite a long time to set. Although the setting took a long time, KangYoon put a lot of attention into it since this would eventually be recorded.

  “Shall we start?”


  Producer Oh asked KangYoon as soon as the settings were done. When KangYoon’s order came, the MR started flowing out of the speakers. Since they hadn’t separated the song into parts yet, they decided to sing it all together.

  The girls counted down the beats and started singing.

  – One day – at the park at night— playing on the white – horse rocker – –


  The first song was ‘Our Story’. KangYoon concentrated on the musical notes that came out of the girls.

  ‘It’s not bad.’


  The song progressed but there was nothing that caught his eyes. The light mood and the girls’ voices filled with vitality was creating a good mood.

  ‘What is the reason that this failed in my previous life?’


  As the song reached its climax, KangYoon was wondering about this. The white light was in no way, weak, and the musical notes from the girls weren’t strange either. It was literally just, ‘not bad’.

  “Wow, this is a good one.”


  “Of course, it’s Team leader’s request after all.”


  Composer Loin smiled after hearing Producer Oh JiWan’s words. She seemed satisfied about the praise.

  Like that, the first song ended without a hitch.

  – Team leader, was our song okay?

  Han JooYeon asked from inside the booth. KangYoon answered to her through the microphone.

  “It’s not bad. I think your voices fit well too. Shall we go over the next one then?”


  – Yes.

  The girls were in great condition as well. Everyone seemed to be full of energy. When the next song was prepared, Producer Oh gave a signal and the girls prepared to sing.

  The second song ‘Together’ began.

  – When I open my eyes the fresh – sunlight—greets me – and the expectation—for today—


  This was the same as well. Although the vividness was completely different from the previous song, the light wasn’t that different. The white light was constant until the very end. Both Producer Oh JiWan and Composer Loin listened to the girls’ voices until the end with their eyes closed.

  After the 3-minute song ended and the girls left the booth, KangYoon gathered them.

  “Let’s do it by parts this time.”


  “What?”


  Parts so suddenly? Everyone was confused at KangYoon’s words.

  “With all of you singing together, it feels like a choir instead. I can’t get the exact feeling. Let’s do it by parts this time. Miss Loin wrote the parts right?”


  “Yes.”


  “So HanYu will be up first. Let’s….”


  KangYoon distributed parts to the girls just as Composer Loin had intended to. The parts where he thought that it didn’t fit, he changed or put two together at once. After distributing the parts for both songs while listening to the girls’ opinions as well, he sent the girls inside the booth again.

  “Start.”


  With KangYoon’s signal, the song started again. This time, Seo HanYu’s voice flowed out first.

  – One day – at the park at night— playing on the white – horse rocker – –


  Seeing that the notes were different from the first time, KangYoon focused a little more. Seo HanYu was generating a yellow musical note and the light was slightly stronger than before. This was because the song had to have a softer start but was too strong with the six girls singing together.

  After Seo HanYu’s verse ended, Lee SamSoon caught it next.

  – If my feelings are indeed – love – Please cherish – this me as well—


  Lee SamSoon’s voice was neither high nor low but had power. She was the perfect one to raise the mood. Thanks to her influence, the white light started being strengthened after her musical note was mixed into it. KangYoon recorded it down and kept watching the girls.

  ‘Our story’ was a good piece. He even wondered why this song failed in his previous life. Although the members had changed, he didn’t know that this song would fit them so well.

  The song ended, and while Composer Loin and Producer Oh JiWan were high-fiving each other, KangYoon urged them onto the next song.

  “Yes, yes.”


  Producer Oh JiWan played the MR for the next song ‘Together’ next. This time, the first verse was taken by Ailee Jung.

  – When I open my eyes the fresh – sunlight—greets me – and the expectation—for today—


  Since the start of this piece was low-pitched, her low voice was emphasized. Even the other girls were surprised. Producer Oh also seemed to be surprised after seeing the number of bars represented on the machine.

  ‘Ailee definitely has a good low voice.’


  KangYoon was satisfied with the low voice that was a little like jazz. It was worth it to specialize their characteristics until now. With good results being shown off, he felt quite good.

  The next off was Han JooYeon.

  – The smile that makes me shy – without me knowing – I think there will be good things –


  Han JooYeon did well in the high-pitch but also did well in raising a low verse to high. However, KangYoon also thought it was slightly disappointing. He thought about how it would be if Jung MinAh did that part. He was worried about the other members if Han JooYeon was being too emphasized. It was a bit like balancing the dance so that Jung MinAh wouldn’t crush them all.

  The light from the girls was strong. The white light from ‘Our Story’ was quite strong as well. And this song was on par with it too. When Christie An emphasized the climax, the brightening white light made KangYoon fall into a dilemma.

  – Let us think about – the good things-

  The song finished with everyone singing together. The strong light eventually faded and KangYoon told the girls to come out while saying that they did well.

  “Wow, Soonie. Both are great.”


  “Yep, though, I did have to wrack my brains for these two. But the rewards are worth it if it’s this team. And hey, did you just call me Soonie again? Do you want to fight?”


  “Lol. Looks like we’ll get some pretty money this time.”


  Composer Loin imitated counting money like an evil man before acting like she would attack Producer Oh JiWan.

  Both Producer Oh JiWan and Composer Loin had a good feeling about this project.

  “You did two songs. How were they?”


  When KangYoon asked the girls, everyone answered in the same voice.

  “They were both great.”


  They seemed to still be deluded about ‘their own song’ and they seemed to like both. KangYoon understood how they felt but still cool-headedly told them.

  “We need to set on a title song. In the showcase, we’ll do both, but we do need to choose one for the cover piece. Which song do you think is better?”


  “Hmm….”


  However, no one chose easily. They liked both. It felt like they finally wore clothes that fit them after wearing someone else’s for all this time.

  While everyone looked at each other and were indecisive, KangYoon was thinking about it himself as well.

  ‘Is it because the team members have changed from my previous life? Our Story isn’t bad either.’


  KangYoon predicted that ‘Our Story’ would be clearly bad and ‘Together’ would be clearly good. However, they were actually neck-and-neck. With that being the case, deciding after considering the dance routine, the lighting, and the theme of the debut was one way to decide this.

  “Girls.”


  When KangYoon called out to them, everyone focused.

  “Let’s do it this way. Let’s practice both, and decide on the title song later. Practicing both will be advantageous for events later too. What do you think?”


  “Okay.”


  Jung MinAh answered first. The others replied as well.

  “Then let’s go into recording after a little bit of rest. Producer Oh, shall we rest a little?”


  “Okay.”


  With KangYoon’s words, everyone turned into laundry and hung themselves on chairs and sofas. In fact, the girls had built up a lot of fatigue.

  ***

  The girls were finally all revealed. All the members were revealed in different ways, and the reactions were different as well. Even though they hadn’t debuted yet, a fan club was made, and with various news articles coming out on the internet, reactions started appearing. A fan club for trainees was something unexpected by everyone.

  Of course, they had anti-fans as well. The anti-fans made various rumors saying that they didn’t like this girl for this reason and that girl for that reason. However, the company meticulously managed their personal lives and practically forbid any social network activities, the source of all rumors. Most of the rumors were baseless as well. Any photos of them were from TV programs or their everyday life at school or their graduation album so the rumors didn’t last long. KangYoon’s contribution to this was big since he managed all of this.

  The day Jung MinAh won the dance competition, Jung MinAh was revealed in the MG Entertainment home page and the profiles of all 6 girls were tied into one. And the 6 girls were officially named ‘EDDIOS’. There was a link to the fan café as well where photos about their practice rooms and other simple things were being uploaded. The fans started advertising the group known as EDDIOS by themselves while the anti-fans also started a war with a few set of materials. Everyone was busy making popcorn to watch, while the media wanted their own share of interviews and articles as well. It was literally becoming a hot issue.

  KangYoon successfully made the girls into a hot topic as he had intended and put a lot of mind into the PR team.

  “….Then please watch the internet like you’re doing now.”


  “Yes.”


  “You do know that today’s work ends early right?”


  “Don’t worry.”


  After the meeting with the PR team, KangYoon headed to the roof. Working all day made his body crave for some nicotine. However, when he arrived at the roof, his phone started ringing instead. Since it was an unknown number, KangYoon thought of rejecting it but received it anyway.

  “Yes, Lee KangYoon here.”


  – KangYoon-oppa? It’s me, Lee HyunAh.

  “HyunAh?”


  It was Lee HyunAh from the band. He didn’t tell her his number, though, KangYoon was confused.

  – I asked for your number from the professor. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have done this….

  “What’s up?”


  Professor Choi wasn’t someone that would tell others his number so easily. So, if he did, there had to be a good reason for it.

  – We passed the preliminaries for College Pop fest. I called you since I wanted to tell you quickly.

  “Really? Congratulations. Did you really pass the preliminaries?”


  KangYoon was honestly surprised. College Pop Festival was a competition where all sorts of talented young musicians competed from all over the country. There should have been numerous teams from all over the country, but they still passed. KangYoon was really surprised.

  – I still can’t believe it. We were going to tell you if you came last week, but you didn’t. So, I thought I should give you a call.

  “Really? Thanks for telling me. The finals…. Congratulations.”


  – Thank you. I heard you were busy nowadays. But still, please make some time for the actual performance.

  KangYoon said okay and finished the call.

  ‘That’s great. The finals, eh?’


  A slight help resulted in the finals of the College Pop festival. KangYoon felt weird the more he thought about it.

  Finishing his last cigarette, KangYoon headed not to his office but to L Hotel. This was the day he was going to showcase the girls in front of the company people and other related personnel.

  “Welcome.”


  Having arrived at the hotel, KangYoon was guided politely to the Crystal Room where the showcase would occur. There were already round tables for customers, and there was also a stage for the girls to perform on. Since it wasn’t time yet, there was no food on the table.

  KangYoon headed to the waiting room where the girls were at.

  “Huh? It’s ahju…. –der.”


  “What the hell does that mean.”


  Jung MinAh greeted KangYoon first. The girls were busy undergoing makeup. Since there were so many girls, they had called outside external makeup artists as well as bringing their own. From their hair to their costume, they were undergoing a full transformation. Next to them were high-heeled shoes that were asking to be worn.

  “Ah, I’m nervous….”


  When Seo HanYu spoke out, Christie An replied in a chic voice.

  “That’s so not like you.”


  “Sheesh, unni. Even I get nervous.”


  “Lies, that invincible Seo HanYu gets nervous?”


  The practice room was very noisy, but there was a strange tension in the air. KangYoon grabbed everyone’s attention and spoke calmly.

  “We’re finally in orbit now. You’ve practiced hard until now, didn’t you?”


  “Yes….”


  “There will be a lot of people. From the people from our company to news reporters. Today’s matters will be sent out and many people will start talking about you.”


  “…….”


  Everyone became nervous after KangYoon said that. Being talked about by other people was a scary thing. Ailee Jung especially seemed to be scared as she was shivering slightly.

  “We haven’t even debut yet, so it might be a little hard on you with many things going around. You may feel it’s a little cruel. Why are they saying such things when we haven’t even had our debut yet? You might want to swear at them. But from this moment onwards, it’s real. I want you girls to accept reality as it is.”


  “…….”


  The girls all nodded their heads. The noisy atmosphere of before was completely gone. The heavy atmosphere pressured their shoulders.

  At that time, Jung MinAh spoke.

  “You’ll always be on our side, won’t you, ahjussi?”


  “…….”


  “Right?”


  Jung MinAh stared at KangYoon. No, it wasn’t just her. Everyone was asking that with their eyes as well.

  “Why are you asking the obvious?”


  “Then that’s fine. I know that you’re stronger than a million anti-fans, ahjussi.”


  “How does that work? And stop calling me that.”


  “Ugh….”


  The girls giggled thanks to Jung MinAh. Thanks to that the heavy atmosphere lightened in an instant. KangYoon was surprised to see such a side to Jung MinAh but was proud of her nonetheless. Though….

  “Ouch!”


  He did give her a smack.

  ***

  “Oh my, Chairman.”


  “It’s been a while, President Kang.”


  Calm music faintly flowed in the background, and Chairman Won JinMoon was greeting a big man. He was President Kang ShiMyoung of Yerang Entertainment, one of the four big management companies in Korea. Unlike Chairman Won JinMoon in his suit, he was wearing ripped jeans and a sleeveless T-shirt.

  “Did you say it was EDDIOS? It seems like there’s a big interest in the kids this time. The fan club is considerably big even though they didn’t debut yet.”


  “Hahaha. Let’s sit down first.”


  Chairman Won JinMoon lead President Kang ShiMyoung to the seats. With the two seating together, not many people could approach them. However, there was someone who did.

  “Haha, welcome. President Choo.”


  President Choo ManJi politely greeted Chairman Won JinMoon and sat next to him. He was the president of yet another one of the four big management companies, Yoonseul. Unlike President Kang ShiMyoung, he had a skinny figure.

  With three bigshots on one table, not many people tried to approach them. The vice-president of the final one of the 4 big management companies, GNB Entertainment, approached them and told them that the president was currently overseas and couldn’t attend this event and sat down and the atmosphere became even heavier.

  With the tables being filled and the atmosphere running to its climax, the broadcast sounded out.

  [Dear esteemed guests. The showcase of the new girl group, EDDIOS, from MG Entertainment will happen soon. Please be seated. I repeat….]

  President Choo, who was conversing all this time, raised the glass of white wine.

  “Chairman. I have high expectations for today.”


  President Kang also spoke with a smile.

  “I’m also looking forward to it. What kind of kids are they?”


  Chairman Won JinMoon replied with a benevolent smile.

  “Let’s not do this. Hey, it’s beginning.”


  With his words, the surroundings darkened and the lights on the stage started being turned on one by one.