Manager Kim Gibaek, his beard stubbly and a frail smile at the corners of his mouth, coughed once before continuing.
“Mm—of course, KBC and MBS both put up a pretty strong fight, SBC included, but in my opinion, I think it’s right to put our weight behind SBC this year. What do you think?”
He tossed the question to the members, but Sihu, Gangmin, and Dokyeong—
“······”
“······”
They only blinked, showing no reaction. It was only natural. It was a stage they had never even imagined. They were so shocked they had slightly malfunctioned. It was sudden, after all. They had known Kang Rojun would be attending the year-end awards ceremony, but they had never dreamed they themselves would be standing onstage as a congratulatory performance.
Rojun, on the other hand, was not particularly flustered.
He looked around once at the frozen members.
‘There were a few articles that came out like tabloid rumors, but they probably thought, no way the congratulatory stage would actually happen, right?’
Well, Kang Rojun himself hadn’t known for certain about the congratulatory performance either. All he had gotten was a small hint from PD Jeong Suryeong. Still, compared to the members, he was rather composed.
At that moment.
—Swoosh.
One member raised his hand. It was Sihu, his eyes round.
“Um··· Manager.”
“Yes.”
“That, um, this awards ceremony congratulatory stage······ Isn’t that something really famous singers or idol seniors usually do?”
“That’s right?”
“But we’re doing it??”
Manager Kim Gibaek gave an awkward thumbs-up.
“You’ll do it. Who else would? It may be limited to this year, but when it comes to who’s hot lately, no boy group or girl group can beat you guys.”
“Ah—”
“Like I said, we met with all three terrestrial broadcasters, and their fighting power was considerable. They said they’d do this for us, they’d put effort into future broadcast appearances, and so on.”
Manager Kim Gibaek let out a weak snicker.
“It was funny, I tell you. Usually, when you’re a rookie idol, you’re the lowest of the low. You’d be bowing just for the chance to appear. But all three terrestrial broadcasters were practically begging. The power dynamic between A and B had flipped. And we haven’t even officially debuted yet. It was my first time seeing something like this too, so it felt fresh.”
Ooh. The members let out exclamations. From this point on, their hearts began to race, and Kang Rojun once again found Manager Kim Gibaek unexpectedly impressive.
‘When did he hold meetings with all those broadcasters? He looks like he might faint any second, but he handles work insanely fast.’
That Kim Gibaek added another thumbs-up, making it a double thumbs-up.
“Anyway, the reason we decided on SBC out of the broadcasters was because I couldn’t be bothered.”
“Pardon?”
“Not really. Haha, a little drift to change the mood. Funny, right?”
“······”
“The key point is that since we’re doing it with SBC, we should put our full weight behind them. Including the fact that Rojun was invited, ‘Rental Lover’ hit a proper home run. In a situation like this, it’d be awkward to appear on KBC or MBS instead. More than anything, it’s also setting an example for the other broadcasters. If they treat us well, we’ll take care of them too. Something like that.”
Rojun and the members nodded as if they understood. Meanwhile, Manager Kim Gibaek maintained his frail smile.
“Is ‘setting an example’ too strong a way to put it? Anyway, that’s how it turned out—and usually, broadcasters’ year-end awards ceremonies have up to three parts, with one congratulatory performance between Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, for a total of three. You’ll be standing on the Part 1 congratulatory stage.”
For several minutes, Manager Kim Gibaek continued briefing them about the congratulatory performance, then informed them of the rough schedule for the month.
“This will be your first proper stage after the team was formed and an official agency was established. It’s also appropriate as a way to greet the fans who are waiting. From now on, while receiving training, you’ll also focus on the year-end awards ceremony stage. Ah, the song for the congratulatory performance will be ‘Daring,’ the final song from ‘Geubaekpeu.’ We’ve already finished talking with the ‘Geubaekpeu’ side.”
In other words, Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dokyeong’s year-end awards ceremony congratulatory stage was expected to be their first and last schedule of the year. Soon, Manager Kim Gibaek let out a small breath.
“Hoo—I think I talked a bit too much. I’m a little dizzy.”
Even as he gave the members a brief break, he called Kang Rojun separately.
“Rojun, your format is a little different from the other members. The members will each receive training, but—you said you’ll do individual training on your own?”
“Yes.”
“Since you said you’ve been doing it until now, I guess you can just handle it step by step on your own. Do as you like and spread your dreams.”
Dreams, even? Kang Rojun couldn’t hold back a small laugh. As if he liked that, Manager Kim Gibaek laughed too.
“That’s how you should smile at the awards ceremony. Charm everyone—the reporters, the audience, even the actors. Uh—but of course, you have to attend group training.”
“I know.”
“Mm, and you have side jobs too, right? For lyric writing, quite a few offers have come in since Park Hyeonjeong, so I’ll organize them later and let you know. As for the writer side, ‘Culture Drawer’ is the main thing, but I’m also keeping a close eye on it. The scripts you handed over to PD Jeong Suryeong’s side are still on hold, right?”
“Yes, for now.”
Manager Kim Gibaek nodded languidly.
“They’re probably working on things somewhere, but since it’s the end of the year, they won’t push too hard. Mm—achoo! Ah, sorry. How are you looking at the acting side?”
“What do you mean by looking at it?”
“I’m asking whether you plan to just dip your toe in with ‘Lover No. 4’ and stop.”
“No. I do intend to continue acting too.”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your main job.”
“Yes.”
Team Leader Kim Gibaek stroked his chin, where a fine stubble had grown, and lowered his voice.
“Including what ‘Culture Drawer’ passed along and what came into GN, there are quite a few projects that have come in for you as an actor. I skimmed through them, and they ranged from films to dramas to web dramas—but if possible, I think it would be better for you to appear only in works you wrote for a while.”
“Do you think so?”
“Uh—appearing as an actor in a work you wrote yourself. Since there’s no precedent for it, the impact and synergy are tremendous. When there’s a flower path right there, there’s no need to go out of your way onto another road.”
Kang Rojun, who listened seriously, felt similarly.
‘Appearing in a work I wrote makes me more comfortable too. Character analysis is easier as well.’
Then Manager Kim Gibaek spoke again.
“The things currently moving are Netflix Japan, ‘BG Pictures,’ and PD Jeong Suryeong’s side. The only one you brought up acting with was Netflix Japan, right? But there’s a high chance the other places will offer you acting appearances too.”
“Even the film side?”
“Probably? It’s just a guess, but if I were Director Yu Jiheon—I think I’d create a cameo role that didn’t exist just to put you in. The scenario written by you alone would draw attention, but if you went in as an actor too, the difference in buzz would be several times greater.”
Manager Kim Gibaek coughed again and, even while taking out a handkerchief, asked Rojun.
“First, have you decided on Netflix Japan’s ‘Strange as a Kaleidoscope’?”
Kang Rojun answered immediately.
“Yes. I’m going to do it.”
Manager Kim Gibaek made a circle with his thumb and index finger.
“Okay. Leave the rest to me.”
After that.
Kang Rojun and the members exchanged greetings with trainers for vocals, choreography, foreign languages, and more. The other members were more nervous than Rojun, who would be doing his individual training alone. Their heads were probably filled less with the unfamiliarity of the present and more with the year-end awards ceremony congratulatory stage ahead.
‘Today is the 3rd. They said the SBC Drama Awards will be held on the 18th—so there are roughly two weeks left.’
There was not much time.
Two weeks later, Kang Rojun and the members would have to stand before hundreds of reporters, thousands of audience members, and some of the country’s most prominent actors. They had experience with reporters and audiences, so that was one thing, but what made the members nervous was, without question, the prospect of meeting actors packed with top stars.
“W-we’re standing on the Drama Awards congratulatory stage?? Ugh—I already feel nauseous.”
“Me too. I’ve only ever watched it on TV. I never thought I’d be standing there······”
“And that’s a live broadcast of the Drama Awards, isn’t it?”
Watching the members groan, Rojun chuckled.
“What are you so scared of? We did live broadcasts on ‘Geubaekpeu’ too.”
“Hey! Th-that’s not the same! This is the year-end awards ceremony!”
“What’s so different? Just think of it as the same and do it. So what if you make a few mistakes? You won’t die.”
News of them was announced the next morning.
《[Official] Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dokyeong to Take the Stage for SBC Drama Awards Congratulatory Performance!》
The source was, naturally, SBC, with the corners of its mouth stretched to its ears, and within seconds, other media outlets also began releasing articles with the same content.
The public quickly swarmed in.
—Hulllllllllll this year-end awards ceremony is confirmed to be SBC!
—Rojun’s attending as a writer and we get to see the guys perform too? No way I can miss this!!
—Lmaoooo among the terrestrial channels, only SBC’s ratings are gonna explode this time
—MBS and KBC sobbing lolololololololololol
—Isn’t this a first? A boy group standing on an awards ceremony congratulatory stage before even officially debuting
—Is Rojun attending as a writer and then going up for the congratulatory stage too? lololololol busy, so busy
Around this time, Kang Rojun and the members had already gone to work at GN Entertainment. From early morning, they had gathered in the practice room and were in the middle of moving their bodies.
—♬♪
The song was “Daring.” They were carrying out group practice in preparation for the awards ceremony congratulatory stage, and by around noon, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dokyeong began individual training according to their arranged schedules.
Of course, Kang Rojun was left out.
‘First, I’ll complete the mission.’
With his environment changed, his routine inevitably had to change a little as well. Today’s workout began at lunch, and the place was the company gym. Since it was lunchtime, there were quite a lot of employees, and a few even spoke to Kang Rojun, but he paid it no mind.
After checking his coins and strengthening his stats, Rojun—
—Swoosh.
Headed straight to the practice room.
He practiced vocals, choreography, and rap in succession. Whether he had learned it or not, he absorbed everything that came his way. Next was the workroom. It was more fully equipped than he had expected. It even had a recording booth.
‘Compared to the lounge on the “Geubaekpeu” campus, the quality of the facilities here is really good.’
He began with composing. He thought about a new dance track he would make. Rojun played the guitar and wrote things down in his notebook, and it was several hours later when he left the workroom. Rojun met up with the members again and ate dinner, then—
“Sihu hyung, how was training?”
“I got completely scolded······”
“You guys too?”
“Yeah··· ‘Geubaekpeu’ was seriously heaven.”
They began group practice again. Practice ended late at night. Rojun and the members, utterly exhausted, passed out as soon as they arrived at the dorm.
This forced march repeated for several days.
Kang Rojun’s schedule, in particular, was even tighter. While completing his daily mission every day, he somehow managed idol-related training on his own, and also got through his studies and tasks as a writer, lyricist, and composer.
He also added acting studies.
He tried acting out the performances and lines of other actors’ roles from “Rental Lover” without learning them first. His scene partner was himself reflected in the practice room mirror.
There were also various meetings in between.
With Manager Kim Gibaek of the management team, it was about schedules; with the A&R team, it was in the format of an interview; and the PR and marketing team even requested photos to show the fans.
With things like this, several days melted away in an instant.
And before he knew it.
《SBC Drama Awards to Be Held Next Week, Venue Changed to the Larger SBS Prism Tower in Sangam / Photo》
The SBC Drama Awards were next week.
Wednesday the 9th, GN Entertainment’s large conference room.
In the large conference room, team leaders and executives from each department, as well as CEO Ha Seohwan, had gathered. Seated behind the ㄷ-shaped table, CEO Ha Seohwan was exuding his usual presence today as he looked toward the front of the conference room.
“These are the group name candidates we have so far.”
A laptop screen was being projected onto the screen, and an employee from the A&R team was in the middle of briefing them. Soon, various words appeared on the screen.
—[Vanguard: Meaning the front line, pioneer, and so on, emphasizing an image of leading new trends]
—[Zenith: Implies reaching the highest point, the peak]
—[NovaK: A coined term meaning a group that emits strong light]
·
·
·
·
Aside from those, more than twenty words were listed, including Ascend, Momentum, Xenox, Zephyr, and so on. What else could they be? They were candidate group names, the kind that gave any entertainment company a headache. Of course, the protagonists were Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dokyeong. They would soon be standing on a year-end awards ceremony congratulatory stage, and they couldn’t keep being called the final winners of “Geubaekpeu.”
That was why CEO Ha Seohwan had instructed them to finalize the group name before anything else.
At the very end of the candidates, there was a familiar one too.
—[Geurinbi: Previously recommended by member Rojun. A pure Korean word meaning a man one longs for]
After the overall explanation of the candidate group names ended, the conference room grew quite noisy. The executives and team-leader-level staff began voicing their thoughts.
At this, CEO Ha Seohwan—
“······”
Only listened in silence. Then he turned his gaze once more to the candidate group names being projected at the front.
‘Unique, unprecedented, the first of its kind. Considering the boys’ color, Vanguard suits them well.’
Thinking of Kang Rojun and the members’ faces, he slowly opened his mouth.
“Are the kids in the company right now?”
“Yes, CEO. They’re in the practice room.”
He gave an instruction in a heavy tone.
“Bring them here. We should hear what the kids think too. Even better if they decide.”