The new year of 2021 dawned. Monday, January 4.
It was probably the same everywhere, but with the new year’s arrival, the entertainment industry was in an uproar. In broadcasting, winds of reorganization were blowing: existing programs were being canceled, and new programs that hadn’t existed before were being created. Some people lost their jobs, while others declared their ambitions and joined new shows.
The various entertainment companies were no different.
In particular, the idol market began running at full speed as soon as the new year dawned. Popular idols were making comeback after comeback, rookie idols who had prepared as if their lives depended on it were debuting, and so on.
《Idols Busy as Soon as the New Year Begins, Polaris·Essence·Luminous Announce Back-to-Back Comebacks!》
《Polaris Releases Comeback Teaser / Photos》
《“We Put a Lot of Time into This” Polaris’s 4th Album Comeback… Will They Stand at the Top in the New Year?》
Seeing each entertainment company throw itself madly into promotions and marketing, it was obvious that this year’s idol war would be fiercely intense. Even now, songs by popular idols who had already made their comebacks were lining up on the music charts.
Regrettably, as time passed, songs related to “Geubaekpeu” or Kang Rojun had settled into the mid ranks.
Whatever the case, just as a new wind was blowing through the idol market, “Big Star Entertainment,” known as one of the top three in Korea, was busy as well. Big Star Entertainment had missed out on Rojun and the members in “Geubaekpeu.” But they couldn’t keep whining about that forever.
Now that EY Enter had sunk, Big Star Entertainment’s strongest rival was GN Enter.
Above all, didn’t they have “Vanguard”?
Thanks to that, Big Star Entertainment kept a close eye on GN Enter and “Vanguard” while sharpening their own blade in their own way. Of course, Big Star Entertainment was also pouring effort into fostering rookie idols, but looking only at the current situation, there was no possibility of beating “Vanguard.”
“Vanguard” was a group with an unprecedented destructive power that might never be seen again.
They had raised their popularity through “Geubaekpeu” even before their official debut, and they even had Kang Rojun, a core member. But from Big Star Entertainment’s position, they couldn’t simply sit on their hands.
“They have monster-level popularity, so when ‘Vanguard’ debuts, the hooking will be tremendous. But if the song isn’t solid, it could end as short-lived popularity.”
“Yes, that’s right. There’s an opening.”
That was why Big Star Entertainment’s decision was to bring back one of their already popular idol teams.
“When were the ‘Neos’ kids scheduled to make their comeback?”
“We had them scheduled for around April this year.”
“April—move it up a bit.”
“Are you thinking of using ‘Neos’ to keep ‘Vanguard’ in check?”
“Yeah. We’ll have to open the lid and see, but with ‘Neos,’ they should be enough to press down the ‘Vanguard’ kids.”
The boy group “Neos” was a six-member male idol group that had debuted several years ago and gained quite impressive popularity. Now, they had considerable recognition not only in Korea but also in Japan. Their fandom was solid too.
“We still can’t clearly gauge ‘Vanguard’s’ destructive power. It could be several times larger than the current market flow. If we pick a fight for no reason, our ‘Neos’ might be the only ones who get hurt—”
“We’re not the only ones joining the battle. Several idol groups are making comebacks or debuts. And ‘Vanguard’ has been somewhat quiet since ‘Geubaekpeu.’ No matter how amazing ‘Vanguard’s’ ability to draw attention is, what can they do against a war of numbers?”
“……”
It was probably the same for every entertainment company, but the idol group that required the most caution was, of course, “Vanguard.”
“Has any information come out about when ‘Vanguard’ will debut?”
“There are many rumors circulating mainly among media companies, but nothing clear yet… GN is proceeding under strict secrecy.”
“Hmm—I suppose I’d do the same if I were them. Still, they won’t let it go past the first half of this year. They’ll want to debut them while maintaining their explosive power somehow. It’s just my guess, but probably… sometime between February and March.”
“Are you planning to match ‘Neos’ directly to ‘Vanguard’s’ debut timing?”
“No, not that. ‘Neos’ has to make their comeback before ‘Vanguard,’ no matter what. Whether by a week or a day. In a way that feels like they’re quietly joining forces with the other idols.”
Rather than openly intercepting “Vanguard” one-on-one, Big Star Entertainment chose a tactic of joining forces with other idols.
“Understood. Let’s give it a try! ‘Neos’s’ fandom firepower absolutely can’t be ignored either!”
“The key is finding out ‘Vanguard’s’ debut date. Keep digging into GN. Just in case, comb through the reporters too.”
“Understood! Ah—and ‘Pinion’ says he’ll give us a song.”
“Oh, really?”
On top of that, they had even obtained the famous composer “Pinion,” whom they had wanted, so Big Star Entertainment’s combat power rose.
“Then give ‘Pinion’s’ song to ‘Neos.’”
Meanwhile, at GN Enter.
Kang Rojun could be found in the studio. In a place crowded with laptops, tablets, and the like, Rojun was.
“……”
He was typing away on a laptop with an intensely focused expression. From time to time, he wrote something in the practice notebook placed beside him. From the earphones plugged into his ears—
-♬♪
A song was playing.
What song could it be? It was Sihu’s song, which had been confirmed as “Vanguard’s” debut track this time. Once Sihu’s ended, he intended to move straight on to Song Mingeun’s song. Kang Rojun was currently working on the lyrics for the songs. GN Enter had already begun hiring the choreography team, music video team, and so on, but the first thing that had to be done was completing the songs.
In other words, only after Kang Rojun finished all the lyrics could they move on to the next step.
Rojun was not unaware of that.
Kang Rojun’s fingers moved even faster. But he wasn’t being sloppy or doing it half-heartedly. He carefully organized what came to mind and wrote the lyrics line by line, by member and by part.
“…This lyric tone would suit Sihu hyung after all.”
Sihu’s song once again rose in Rojun’s ears. An intro that began with a drum solo. For reference, the song titles had also been confirmed. Kang Rojun’s was “Greenbi,” Sihu’s was “Windveil,” and Song Mingeun’s was “Flying Bell.”
“Greenbi,” “Windveil,” “Flying Bell.”
These three songs were the tracks for “Vanguard’s” first mini album.
And a few hours later, at night.
-Swish.
Kang Rojun, who had been typing on the laptop without even noticing the passage of time, let out a small breath.
“‘Windveil’ is done.”
It meant that the lyrics for Sihu’s song “Windveil” were finished. But Rojun did not rest. He immediately started writing the lyrics for the next song, Song Mingeun’s “Flying Bell.”
The lyric work continued on the 5th after a day had passed, and again on the 6th after another day had passed. His concentration was so high that—
-Creak.
When Team Leader Kim Gibaek slightly opened the studio door around afternoon to check on the situation, Rojun didn’t even notice.
Then the sun rose again the next day.
Thursday, the 7th.
It was around noon when Kang Rojun let out a light breath similar to before.
“Phew—”
Because he had finished writing the lyrics for Song Mingeun’s song, “Flying Bell,” as well. In just a few weeks, Kang Rojun had completed the lyrics for no less than three songs.
“I was being meticulous, so it took… a little while?”
It had not. It was more than fast enough. In fact, when Team Leader Kim Gibaek visited the studio about an hour later, he let out a drained exclamation.
“Huh…… The lyrics for all three songs are already done?”
“Yes. I’m satisfied with them.”
“That’s incredible.”
Every time he looked, Team Leader Kim Gibaek’s face changed into one of astonishment. Right now, his common sense was being lightly trampled. Then, while looking over the results Kang Rojun had completed, Team Leader Kim Gibaek opened his mouth again.
“I’ll call a meeting right away.”
Since the lyrics were finished, not only the various teams but also the executives, and above all CEO Ha Seohwan, needed to give final confirmation. Team Leader Kim Gibaek, who had taken out his phone, paused.
“Ah—and you know ‘Kaleidoscopic,’ right? The negotiations regarding Rojun-nim’s appearance have finished.”
At the mention of Netflix Japan’s “Kaleidoscopic,” Kang Rojun’s ears perked up.
“Did it go well?”
Team Leader Kim Gibaek showed a feeble thumbs-up.
“When I checked, ‘Kaleidoscopic’ currently has both the production company and the directing producer confirmed. Right now, the producer should be making the storyboard based on the script, and they’ll also be casting actors at the same time. Since it’s a script Rojun-nim wrote, you’d know well, but ‘Kaleidoscopic’ is omnibus-style, so the actor lineup alone seems like it’ll be quite substantial. In any case, Rojun-nim, you have a leading role in Part 1 of ‘Kaleidoscopic.’”
Team Leader Kim Gibaek briefed him on the conditions regarding the confirmed role.
“The appearance fee was matched with Rojun-nim’s writer side. On top of that, Netflix Japan will handle everything needed during the filming of ‘Kaleidoscopic,’ including transportation, lodging, and so on.”
Kang Rojun thought that having an agency certainly made things convenient, and Team Leader Kim Gibaek, who had opened his diary at some point, smiled faintly.
“‘Vanguard’ hasn’t even debuted yet, but my diary is already filling up with Rojun-nim’s schedule. Uh—the filming schedule for ‘Kaleidoscopic’ will be adjusted to fit ‘Vanguard’ as much as possible, so until the time comes, Rojun-nim, you just need to practice acting whenever you have spare time… You’ll still do it alone, won’t you?”
“Yes. By myself.”
Team Leader Kim Gibaek scratched his head.
“It’s the first time this has happened, so I can’t get used to it. For now, understood. Well, you probably know roughly, but drama filming doesn’t necessarily go in order from Part 1, so there’s no rush.”
In other words, the filming for “Kaleidoscopic” might start from Part 10 and end with Part 1, or it might start from the middle, Part 5. The schedule changed depending on the filming team’s circumstances and environment. Then Team Leader Kim Gibaek turned one more page in his diary.
“Additionally—the film scenario. Ah, ‘Blood Hunt.’ Like I told you last time, an offer did indeed come from ‘BG Pictures.’ It’s a casting offer, and the meeting hasn’t been set yet.”
Before he could even finish, Kang Rojun answered immediately.
“I’ll do that too.”
“…Without even hearing what role it is?”
“I can more or less guess what it is. But it doesn’t matter what it is. I’ll do ‘Blood Hunt’ too.”
Team Leader Kim Gibaek looked at Rojun for a moment, then spoke quite seriously.
“Work is work, but Rojun-nim’s health comes first. You know that, right?”
“Yes. I’m taking good care of myself.”
Team Leader Kim Gibaek slowly nodded, closed his diary, and smiled weakly.
“Before your debut, you’ve already been cast in no less than two works as an actor.”
The next day, Friday morning, the 8th.
The location was GN Entertainment’s conference room. Around a U-shaped table, many familiar figures could be seen. CEO Ha Seohwan, of course, as well as Team Leader Kim Gibaek, the A&R team, and others. The roughly thirty-plus people were all looking down at tablets. To be precise, they were looking at the lyrics displayed on the tablet screens.
Naturally, the lyrics were for “Vanguard’s” debut songs: “Greenbi,” “Windveil,” and “Flying Bell.”
They were the lyrics that lyricist Kang Rojun had completed yesterday, and CEO Ha Seohwan’s decision—
‘He even wrote them while considering each member’s personality. This level of quality in just a few days—his composition is one thing, but he’s especially monstrous when it comes to lyrics.’
Did not take long.
“They’re as good as they could possibly be. We’ll adopt all the lyrics. Turn the guides around right away and start recording the songs.”
No one objected. Of course.
‘Un…believable. Making lyrics for three songs this quickly—is that even possible?’
‘He wrote them so easily it’s like he was treating the concerns the executives had before as bullshit, and the quality is killer too.’
Because the lyrics were perfect.
Then, just as the meeting was about to end, one of the executives raised an agenda item.
“CEO, recently, entertainment companies everywhere have been very interested in ‘Vanguard’s’ debut date.”
Other executives joined in as well.
“Of course they would be. They’re probably thinking of figuring out the debut date and moving to keep us in check.”
“If idol debuts and comebacks are concentrated around ‘Vanguard’s’ debut… it could sap some of our strength.”
“How about leaking a slightly false debut date to reporters to cause confusion?”
“That’s not bad.”
“Something like, they probably won’t be able to debut until the second half of this year. CEO, what do you think?”
CEO Ha Seohwan crossed his arms.
“Hmm.”
From the management team side, Team Leader Kim Gibaek stealthily raised his hand.
“Um—”
Starting with CEO Ha Seohwan, everyone’s gaze stuck to him, and Team Leader Kim Gibaek murmured in a slightly drained tone.
“What the executives said is more or less correct, and several entertainment companies are keeping a close watch on us. Among them, the one paying the most attention right now seems to be Big Star.”
“Big Star?”
“Yes. But from the feel of it, I don’t think Big Star will come at us with rookies—and if we’re talking about weight class, they’ll probably try to rub up against us with a ‘Neos’ comeback.”
One executive clicked his tongue.
“‘Neos,’ huh…… That’ll be a little annoying. As expected, we should spread a false debut date first.”
At this point, Team Leader Kim Gibaek, who had been stroking his rough, stubbly chin, shrugged at CEO Ha Seohwan.
“Rather than trying all sorts of methods, I recommend letting them roast and boil among themselves as they please, then simply crushing them all with ‘Vanguard’s’ physical power.”
CEO Ha Seohwan smiled faintly and pointed at Team Leader Kim Gibaek with his index finger.
“We’ll adopt that.”
Team Leader Kim Gibaek abruptly changed the subject.
“And what do you think about Gocheok Dome for ‘Vanguard’s’ showcase?”
“……Gocheok Dome?”
Gocheok Dome had a capacity of over twenty thousand seats.