Chapter 63. The Result of 1 Year (2)

Translator: Synopsis

“Kyaa! It’s MinAh! MinAh-unni!”

“Ris! Ris!”

When Jung MinAh and Christie An took place in the center, the girls in uniform that held up banners screamed out. There was various text on those banners ranging from ‘MinAh Unni FTW’ and ‘Ris Ris Our Ris’.

‘Hey, it’s the ones from before.’

‘Awesome.’

Christie An agreed with Jung MinAh’s words. Those girls in uniform were the same ones that were in front of the TV station in the freezing cold. They felt curious about how they gained fans before they managed to do anything.

When everyone got into position, the sign came down and the music started flowing out. It was the title song ‘Together’. Jung MinAh and Christie An decorated the front magnificently with their steps and when they slid to the sides, Seo HanYu pushed forward to the center.

– One day – the park late at night—the white horse rocker—

Seo HanYu’s voice and even her breath rung out on the stage. She was currently wearing an ear-mic that barely covered her mouth. No, the other girls were the same. Thanks to that, they could live-perform on the stage without using AR.

Debut, live stage.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The staff had their jaws agape while watching EDDIOS’s stage. Girls with ear-mics while dancing vividly. It was a fresh shock for them.

‘They’re amazing. They can sing on a live show with such a dance routine?’

‘Kids these days are amazing.’

Whispered the male staff members that were controlling the dry ice machine from behind the stage. Thanks to their chatter, they almost missed the right time to eject the dry ice.

The stage colored in faint yellow and blue was not flamboyant. However, it was enough to emphasize the girls on stage. The spotlight enveloped all the girls and did their job.

They were releasing a strong white light right now.

‘Phew.’

When the 1st verse ended and the interlude came, KangYoon could sigh in relief. Before it was Ailee Jung’s turn, Jung MinAh’s solo dancing stage played out. The powerful snaps along with the popping dance enchanted the audience who didn’t look interested in them before.

‘MinAh definitely has the power.’

KangYoon saw that Jung MinAh’s dancing made the light stronger. KangYoon had requested the staff beforehand to take special care of the lights and other special effect machines when it was Jung MinAh’s dance. A pillar of smoke burst out while moving lights emphasized Jung MinAh in turns. This, in turn, made the light even stronger.

The interlude finished and Jung MinAh went back. Next up was another verse. Ailee’s powerful voice followed.

– When I open my eyes the fresh- sunlight—greets me – and I feel the excitement-

Although the song had a bright mood, it still contained emotions with a powerful voice. The powerful voice was essential and it instead stimulated the feelings of people.

KangYoon was breathless while watching EDDIOS’s debut stage from the back of the stage.

The performance was nearing its climax. Everyone stood in one line and started raising their voice. The tone became higher and the girls danced a lot faster as well.

Then Han JooYeon raised her voice.

– I feel there will be good things—-

The song reached its highest point. Along with an echo, her voice was emphasized and spread out a lot.

“Wowwwwww!”

The audience cheered and waved their banners after hearing Han JooYeon’s high-pitched voice. They waved glow sticks, shouted, and cheered on for EDDIOS. The name EDDIOS was engraved into all the audience.

– Let’s think about the – the good things-

The girls’ voices faded out. Along with that, the cheers from the audience could be heard louder. Along with the cheers that engulfed them, the girls finished their first stage.

“Thank you!”

“Woooooooow! Ed-di-os! Ed-di-os!” (T/N: I think I’ll stop capitalizing Eddios now)

After they finished their first stage, the girls were engulfed in the cheers of the audience shouting ‘Eddios’.

***

“You’ve done well.”

“Thanks for your work!”

In the waiting room, KangYoon greeted the girls who had finished the recording of their second song as well. He was proud of the girls that had finished their debut stage without any hiccups.

“Wow!”

The girls exclaimed after looking at the food that filled the table in the waiting room. They were surprised to see ‘normal’ food that had nothing to do with their diet.

“Can we really eat something like this?”

When Christie An asked in worry, KangYoon replied.

“Just for today.”

Flash!

At the same time, the fried chicken, pizza, , and the others all started vaporizing. Not to mention the managers, even KangYoon couldn’t find a room to get food within their ranks. They were literally hunger demons.

‘Team leader, people might think that we don’t feed them at all.’

‘Ah, my head….’

Head manager Han TaeHyung and KangYoon sighed while looking at the girls who were wiping out all the snacks.

***

Producer – Oh JiWan

Composer – Loin

Lyricist – Loin

Dance routine – Ham GiHoon

President Choo ManJi of Yoonseul entertainment wat watching Eddios’s debut stage with his arms crossed.

“That guy’s name sure doesn’t appear very easily. Though, they sure are good.”

After the debut stage, President Choo ManJi immediately turned off the TV. After looking at the credits for the music, he seemed to have thought up of Lee KangYoon, who he had seen in the showcase and seemed to have felt that any information about him was hidden.

Edddios was definitely a big hit on the debut stage. The figures of the fan club that could be seen throughout and the cheers from the audience was enough for him to feel the passion at the scene. Thinking about KangYoon who created such a stage without showing himself, he felt quite a complex range of emotions.

“SeGyung, what do you think?”

President Choo ManJi asked the five girls sitting in front of him. The girl called SeGyun was the one closest to him.

“They’re amazing.”

“Yes, they are indeed. So, do you think you can win against them?”

This was his point. Can you five win against those six? He was blatantly asking that.

“Yes.”

Joo YeAh answered with confidence. She had a sharp demeanor just like her eyes. The girls sitting there were all thinking the same thing.

However, President Choo asked again.

“We’re not filming a youth drama. Those girls, they aren’t going to be easy to beat. They prepared for a long time.”

“Yes. We know. But we aren’t that easy to beat either. I have the confidence.”

The youngest member of the team, Kim JiSook, put the icing on the cake.

Hearing her words, President Choo gave them some papers.”

“Good. Then I shall believe that you have already decided. Sign.”

“Yes!”

With a vigorous answer, everyone signed the paper in front of them. It was a contract for them to act as singers officially.

After signing and exchanging the papers, President Choo said one more line.

“It’s next month. Get ready.”

“Yes!”

President Choo’s office was filled with strong voices from five women.

***

After their first debut stage, Eddios went around a few TV stations to perform a few more times. They sang the same songs, but they showed different stage costumes each time. However, unlike K Cable station, they only sang once in other TV stations.

Evening.

Han JooYeon had returned to the dorms early after an interview at O TV station. Normally, Seo HanYu would greet her at the door, but she was covering her face in front of the computer. No, everyone was discussing whatever it was on the screen.

“I’m back. What are you doing?”

When Han JooYeon went to see them to see what they were up to, everyone was watching the feedback on a music chart website.

Eddiosnice – I’m trying to vote and it doesn’t work… T_T Good luck Eddie

Yoon SeolHwa – Itsthebestimustbuyit

Park GeuRyeong – I feel like my ears are purified… so it’s on 1st after all. ?

Jang JaeJoon – I’m running out to buy CD because this isn’t enough… ah dammit, it’s twelve right now, isn’t it?

…

Han JooYeon, who pushed everyone out the way and stood in front of the monitor made a smile after looking at the positive feedback. She felt like her fatigue had blown away.

“So, it feels like this.”

“Isn’t it good?”

When Lee SamSoon asked excitedly, she agreed strongly. None of the girls left the computer. The song had stabilized in the top five. It was 1st when it came up and then 3rd, and had now stabilized.

“Par’y?” (T/N: Party with a silent ‘t’)

Everyone’s eyes shined when Jung MinAh suggested that.

“Par’y! Yeaaaah!”

The girls took out various food from the fridge and enjoyed their night.

Though, they were scolded by manager Han TaeHyung the next day for overeating….

***

While the girls were popping champagne, KangYoon was checking various work from the liaison team.

‘The first work is the most important….’

KangYoon knew better than anyone that the first impression lasted longer than anything and so considered each work with caution. There were many entertainment programs and events but he had to be careful in his choice.

‘The immediate profit is important, but first….’

KangYoon judged that stabilization came first. If he wished to, they could earn money while running events right now. However, it was a foolish thing to throw away the future just because of a chance to get a petty sum now. Having come to a decision, KangYoon pushed aside the various events. He selected large-scale events where they could stand in front of many people, and sorted the TV programs that came for each member.

‘SBB Actors Award Ceremony?’

There was something that entered his eyes. It was an invitation to the SBB TV station’s Actors Aware Ceremony.

‘This seems good. But rather than deciding right now….’

KangYoon was cautious. Rather than signing the document right away, he decided to consider it a little more and put the papers on the side.

He also referred to the list that the liaison team and the planning team had made that suggested places where they should go to. He also gathered some information from the internet and the fan café. It wasn’t easy to decide their appearances. (T/N: Fan café is an online fan community, not an actual coffee shop. Just in case you didn’t know)

Only the ticking of the clock could be heard in his room. However, along with a few knocks, someone quietly opened the door.

“JinSeo?”

“Hello.”

Min JinSeo, who seemed to have gotten back from a recording and looked tired, quietly entered his room. KangYoon gave her a cup of warm tea.

“Thank you.”

“What’s up? It’s time for you to go home right now.”

“Nothing, I guess.”

She lightly passed that question and handed KangYoon a paper bag she had brought. When KangYoon received it, it was some midnight snacks.

“Hey, why did you bring such…”

“It’s my payday today. Although I give all my pay to my parents. I… tried buying some.”

“I was just getting hungry. I’ll gladly take it.”

Since KangYoon was just getting hungry, her gift was like a sweet rain in a drought. Although he offered her to eat as well, she declined saying that she was full. She also talked about how she had a backlash from shooting eating footage all day.

Min JinSeo passionately talked about her recording story. Her conversation with KangYoon was fun. Although she didn’t talk a lot in front of others, she was always a chatterbox in front of KangYoon.

“…So, the camera director and the PD fought today.”

“Their fight was intense. Probably more so because the producer was someone new.”

“Camera directors are usually veterans with over ten years of experience. They know what kind of footage would be used in the actual broadcast so it’s no wonder for someone like that to get upset when he’s ordered to film at a strange angle.”

“Aah, I also had a hard time filming the same scene repeatedly. It’s good that they are motivated but….”

After talking about the rookie PD, she switched topics.

“I was invited to an Award Ceremony this time.”

“I heard. Wasn’t it the Youth Actor/Actress reward?”

“Yes. I can’t sleep when I think about it. I can still remember when I was a trainee….”

“It’s because you did well that you’re being given an award. Don’t you think?”

“Hahaha.”

“It must be hard to choose a dress. I’ll say this now, but I don’t recommend a low-cut dress.”

“…Don’t I have a pretty good bodyline?”

Min JinSeo’s reaction was slightly weird. Thin waists with ample chest and hips – she had a ‘wannabe’ body figure that anyone would be envious about. She was slightly dissatisfied with KangYoon’s words. However, KangYoon gave her a smack instead.

“Ouch!”

“Do you want the ‘slutty’ tag on you already? Do that after you’re in your twenties. You’re just a teen….”

“Ah, sir. I’m also a grown up now.”

“Forget it, what grown up….”

How was that grown up, KangYoon felt absurd about the age-talk but laughed anyway. A child actress with a low-cut dress? KangYoon’s reactions were natural.

“Do you want to hear that you’re a child that wants to act like a grown up? Forget about it. Don’t persuade the weak-hearted manager into this either. Okay?”

“…Yees. I shouldn’t have come here….”

“Pfft.”

KangYoon burst out into laughter at her last words.

“Well…. I guess that’s the dress. My real worry is something else.”

“Real worry?”

When her expression became serious, KangYoon also changed his attitude.

“I got a request from SBB’s Award Ceremony. Asking me whether I want to put a singer in the interlude.”

“So what did you do?”

“I asked the Chairman about it…….”

“And?”

“He said to ask you.”

“……”

KangYoon was at a loss for words. Chairman Won JinMoon had definitely sent her his way on purpose.

“I think I need to do it…. The PD for the Acting Award Ceremony has a great amount of influence apparently. I think it will be difficult to reject.”

“It’s a difficult problem. Who did you decide to do it with?”

“I haven’t decided yet. Actually, they said it would be fine if I just appeared….”

The Award Ceremony itself was a worry, but a stage in the interlude? No wonder she was worried. However, at that moment, a good idea came to KangYoon’s mind.

“It will be better with many than going solo, right?”

“That’s true. It’s a lot more pressure too… I don’t have any stage experience other than the time I went to the Angel’s House with you. And this time, it’s in front of actors and actresses…. Uu, it will definitely be better with more people.”

“Then why don’t we do it with Eddios?”

“Sorry?”

Min JinSeo’s eyes widened.

“Eddios was also invited this time. Since it came to this, why don’t you go up together with them? I think it will be a good topic for the media.”

“I’m all for it!”

Min JinSeo was okay with that. She would go up to the stage with six other people around her age. They were also colleagues of the same company too. It would lessen the burden on her.

“Okay, then…. Looks like I’ll have to sign that one as well. Instead, you must practice with Eddios as well so let’s make some schedule adjustments.”

“Yes, don’t worry about that. I knew you could solve every one of my problems. Thank you.”

“Nah, not every one of them.”

It always ended like this. Min JinSeo’s eyes would shine and KangYoon would feel awkward. The gaze of an admiring girl was delightful, but it always came with some pressure.

“Then I’ll get going, sir.”

“See you later.”

After Min JinSeo left, KangYoon called the managers to reschedule each team’s plan a little.