Damn Idol - Chapter 121: But That Doesn't Mean Sedalbaegil Can Bask in Victory.
We could enjoy it internally, but our attitude had to remain "We're bewildered this became an issue."
Externally, we didn't do anything.
We had to maintain the stance that we were simply staying still, and the quick-witted public moved on our behalf to resolve our grievances.
"So focus."
"But hyung, the comments are too funny for that."
"It's a place that could be plastered with insults about you someday. Don't get elated and dejected over every little thing."
"Wow, how can you say that?"
It's not like I'm wrong, right?
I called the members, who had been staring at their phones even during the short break, and started practice again.
The song we were singing now was the one we would perform on Color Show.
No, at this point in time, should I say it's the song we're submitting to Color Show?
But surely we won't be rejected?
The title was
The members were puzzled, asking when on earth I had made this new song, but from my perspective, this song wasn't new.
It was a song I released in most of my lives.
Personally, I think it's a much better song than Selfish.
Usually, I use Selfish as my Hot 100 debut track.
And I use Colorful Struggle as the title track for my second album.
When this happens, I receive praise for magnificently breaking the sophomore jinx.
But the problem, if there is one, is that this song demands skill.
Selfish is a song that can be a hit no matter who releases it or when, as long as they capture the vibe properly.
In contrast,
If sung well, it becomes an enormous smash hit.
To the extent that it becomes the song that stays at #1 on the Billboard chart the longest among songs I've made.
Usually, it's #1 on the Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks.
Depending on the competition, I've even done ten weeks.
But if it's sung even slightly poorly, forget seven consecutive weeks at #1—it can't even enter the top 50.
That never happened when I sang it, but there were situations where other singers performed it.
I think at its worst, it couldn't even enter the Hot 100 itself?
And then they spouted nonsense about this song not being good.
Anyway, that's why I was curious.
What kind of reaction could Sedalbaegil produce with Colorful Struggle?
Of course, it would be difficult to enter the Billboard charts immediately.
Billboard is a massive market with high walls.
It's nearly impossible for an outsider with no foundation whatsoever to chart without any promotion.
Of course, one could do it if they tried, but they'd have to promote in America for at least a year.
I can't do that in this precious period while I'm thoroughly trampling Ryan.
What I'm curious about is people's vivid reactions.
Until now, Sedalbaegil has only sung songs I tailored for them.
Seoul Town Punk, Crossroads, Sedalbaegil, Résumé.
All songs made considering the members' characteristics.
In other words, thanks to my production, there was room for them to appear better than their absolute skill level.
And since Colorful Struggle is not that kind of song, they could very well show results below expectations...
It's pretty good.
Rock-based contemporary R&B can easily become tacky if you're not careful.
"Sion?"
"Ah, yeah. That was good. But try pulling back a bit more."
"Should I bury the sound more?"
"Yeah. Rather than competing with Ion hyung's voice, think of it as 'he is who he is, and you are who you are.' You don't need to force synergy."
"Okay."
Moreover, the directing is too smooth.
Even without explaining in detail, if I just convey the feeling, they run with it on their own.
No, why is this happening.
This is originally an incredibly difficult song.
'Have I perhaps lost my objectivity?'
Could it be that the members' human sides have grown on me, making the song sound better?
That could be it.
No, to some extent, that must already be the case.
But even so, I am a cold regressor who has spent dozens of cycles, and I hold very objective standards.
If they fell short of that line, I could pour out criticism regardless of how close we are, but...
"Why do you look like that?"
"No. Ion hyung, sorry. My part is a bit small, isn't it?"
"No, it's fine. The song is so good that it's fun just listening."
"It'll get even better."
"Me? Or this song?"
"Both."
I don't know either.
For now, I should just do my best and see the results.
* * *
Today as well, Sedalbaegil's fandoms gathered online were holding a Ryan-bashing contest.
There were many points that angered them, but the two topics that came up most were:
First, whether Sedalbaegil also knew the situation during the filming of Coming Up Next.
Ryan Entertainment's explanation statement was quite infuriating from Sedalbaegil fans' perspective.
Their vague explanation was angering.
But what was more infuriating than that was the complete absence of the name 'Sedalbaegil.'
-No but seriously, did our kids do their best knowing nothing? Or did they know and stay silent?
-Either way it's infuriating, but if they didn't know, isn't that just program manipulation?
-Of course. Then it's rigged.
-I'm more furious at the situation where they knew but stayed silent. They couldn't say anything even when it was unfavorable because of pressure.
-I did a full rewatch of Coming Up Next and there's so much sketchy stuff. Especially when they announced the winner at the end, it's really weird. There are barely any cuts of Sedalbaegil.
-Right. People talked about that a lot when the program aired too.
-Could it be that they edited everything out because something was said?
To be precise about the facts, it was the part that got edited because Han Sion suddenly changed the decision to Sedalbaegil.
However, from the fans' perspective, it inevitably looked like the production team was trying to silence Sedalbaegil.
The second topic that generated the most discussion was Sedalbaegil's future.
-So is it true that Ryan let them go coolly? Why isn't that in the statement?
-Exactly! We have no idea where the kids are or what they're doing. They hit #1 on the weekly chart but can't appear on music shows, not a single article.
-Why can't we do anything, whether it's live broadcasts or pre-recordings.
-I think Ryan threw a fit because Sedalbaegil was on the verge of signing with another company.
-2222 I think that's why they dropped the tampering accusation. To prevent them from signing.
-Won't all the companies they were in contact with back out? If they even arranged accommodation, they must have been practically at the contract stage.
-Then they might have to leave the dorm too... ㅠㅠ
Granting a hundred concessions, Coming Up Next is already the past.
Since they no longer have to work with Ryan Entertainment whom they hate seeing, there are positive aspects too.
But Ryan interfering with Sedalbaegil's present is unbearable.
Because it's abnormal that they can't appear on a music show even once when they beat Drop Out and NOP to take #1 on the weekly chart.
-What should we do?
-Shouldn't we send protest trucks to Ryan at least?
-We probably have to stay still until the FTC results come out ㅠㅠㅠ
In addition, they also vented anger about the leaked Fade video and comments subtly creating controversy around Sedalbaegil members.
It was around the time such hours continued.
-Yaaaaa crazy, fucking crazy! The FTC results are out! No charges!
-Huk, already?
-So fast!!!
-Because they did nothing wrong!
The Fair Trade Commission had announced the investigation results regarding Ryan Entertainment's report.
But soon, question marks rose in the fans' heads.
At first, they only focused on the no-charge verdict, but something enormous was hidden in the investigation details.
To summarize, it was simple.
There was no need to legally interpret the contract clauses.
Because Sedalbaegil had no record of signing a management contract with another agency, nor any intention to sign one.
In other words.
-No way, an independent label?
-Was the 'independence' in Independence Diary really that meaning???
-Can a rookie be independent... is that possible?
It meant that Sedalbaegil was an independent label pursuing self-made production.
Sedalbaegil's fandom couldn't figure out what reaction to show to this unimaginable result.
They wondered if they should be happy because the kids were free, but were confused about whether this was even allowed.
There are celebrities who establish one-person agencies, but most of them are already superstars.
People for whom work comes in automatically even without particularly promoting their celebrity brand.
Moreover, even these kinds of people often went back to large agencies after running a one-person agency for a few years.
If fans couldn't grasp the situation, the general public was simply excited.
-No, wait, so you're saying they weren't idols but an indie band?? Really?
-That's what it looks like to me too? haha
-Sedalbaegil fans are bewildered haha I thought I was an idol fan but I'm an indie band fan?
-haha HipSion haha he can't hide his temperament haha
-Ah right, Han Sion's true form is HipSion.
-Hey, but has there ever been anything like this in idol history?
-There hasn't been, but I think it's kind of a stupid move. Idol activities have so many structures created by massive capital, what can they even do?
-Yeah. First variety show appearance hit 10 million views.
-Yeah. Self-produced content is just before 10 million views.
-Yeah. Beat the crap out of Drop Out NOP and took #1 on the weekly chart.
-Yeah. Advanced to the social issues section and turned the stage upside down.
-haha they've done so much haha
-But realistically, this is because of the recognition connected from Coming Up Next, and it'll get harder.
-Why are you worrying about celebrities so hard.
-They're not celebrities. They're an indie band.
-Ah, right?
-No but I watched their self-content and they seem to have fucking lots of money? Their dorm was really nice.
In this situation, even the media, no longer under Choi Daeho's influence, went crazy and ran rampant.
[Sedalbaegil Announces Establishment of Independent Agency.]
[Indie Idol Band? Is This Term Correct?]
[The History of Korean Indie Bands and Idol Bands]
There was nothing but talk of Sedalbaegil in the entire world.
Of course, the news that a rookie idol group had established an independent agency was such bewildering news.
But unlike the public showing interest, the atmosphere in the idol scene was cold.
-Do they think the idol scene is easy? Do they think other groups don't do this because they can't?
-Yeah, there's a reason they shouldn't do it, that's why they don't.
-Do they think fans break their savings to support them for no reason?
-Only the Sedalbaegil fandom has become pitiful. Forget music shows, they'll probably just roam around Hongdae haha
-Guess we'll have to watch club fancams instead of stage fancams haha
Of course, underlying this reaction was also an unpleasant feeling toward Sedalbaegil.
Because Sedalbaegil devoured every bit of noise, causing disruptions to other groups' activities.
But it was then.
[Would you become our first fan?]
A recruitment notice for the first official fanclub appeared on Sedalbaegil's official SNS, which until now had no particular activities or photo uploads.
And that, along with photos exuding a strong professional vibe.
-Crazy, look at Ion's face!
-Gu Taehwan, are you out of your mind ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Sedalbaegil's fandom couldn't come to their senses at the scent of bait they'd never encountered before, but.
-Hey haha the membership fee is 40,000 won.
-They seem to have spent all their money on photoshoots, help fill their coffers haha
-Didn't they just make an official cafe and get people promoted to fanclub status haha
-100% hahaha
The fanclub recruitment at an ambiguous timing was once again met with ridicule from the idol scene.
But.
"Urk?!"
Those who endured all sorts of ridicule to become Sedalbaegil's first fans couldn't help but gasp.
The kit had arrived...
They had tried to be happy even if it only contained photos and a signature...!
What on earth were these goods reeking of luxury?