There are many things to consider when putting together an idol group, but above all, it costs a lot of money. Funding starts going in from the planning stage before trainees are even selected, and once trainees are chosen through auditions and the like, that is when the money really starts leaking out.
Dorms, meals, various lessons including vocals and choreography, foreign-language study, and more.
There are more than enough places for money to go.
《[Feature] Idols, from Trainee to Debut: A War Against Money》
Even if you roughly estimate the trainee period at only two to three years, hundreds of millions of won are the bare minimum, and it can easily run into billions. But this is only the most basic of basics. Pure investment, with no earnings. That is why entertainment agencies these days tend to select kids who already have talent from the start, in order to shorten this trainee period.
After that, once the trainees’ debut prospects begin to take shape, they have to pour in at least twice as much funding.
From producing the album to the first debut, even breathing costs money.
In this stage, tens of billions can disappear as if it were nothing. Even so, the number of teams that succeed is extremely small. If they fail, the money poured in vanishes like smoke. Idols have terrible cost-effectiveness. Proper high risk. But whether by luck or skill, if they gain even a speck of recognition, if a fandom happens to form, from there they can start rolling the snowball.
If it rolls well, recouping the investment is not that difficult.
Idols who achieve good results in Japan or overseas earn terrifying amounts of money.
That is just how enormous the idol market is: high risk, high return. This is why entertainment agencies continue to challenge the idol industry while enduring losses of tens and hundreds of billions.
Therefore, when PD U Hanseok said,
“Perhaps, in the end, the entertainment agencies gathered here will not be in the position of choosing.”
Even at his sudden remark,
“You will have to be chosen—chosen by the children of ‘Geubaekpeu.’”
The entertainment agencies that dominated the domestic market did not act offended or storm out of the conference room. Rather,
‘A survival among entertainment agencies? Is that supposed to be a big deal?’
The agencies looking at the contestants of “Geubaekpeu” could not help but drool.
No, it would be more accurate to say they were desperate.
Raw gemstones that could become jewels were strewn everywhere. And on top of that, “Geubaekpeu” was doing the polishing on its own. Without them spending a single won.
‘The contestants may only be called by numbers, but their recognition, influence, and fandoms are already on the same level as the idols who are considered top-tier right now.’
Riding on the sensation of a 25% viewership rating, they had an image of leading fads and trends, and their brand power could not be ignored either.
‘A major star like No. 1 has already emerged, and the rest of the kids have plenty of recognition too.’
Soon, seriousness settled over the faces of dozens of entertainment agency personnel. Some were glancing around, gauging the reactions of other agencies. A survival among agencies? Perhaps it had already begun. The conference room was quiet, but because everyone was busily turning over calculations in their heads, a subtle atmosphere formed. The air felt heavy.
In the middle of it, PD U Hanseok pushed up the glasses he was wearing and interjected.
“Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much agitation over the idea that you must be chosen by the children of ‘Geubaekpeu,’ or that the entertainment agencies will be competing in a survival. If you find it difficult to accept, you may leave the conference room now.”
His tone was exactly the same as when he delivered death sentences to the contestants. When eliminated contestants were announced, they had to leave “Geubaekpeu,” but the entertainment agencies gathered in this large conference room—
“……”
“……”
—kept their mouths shut and remained seated. It meant they would all accept the position of the party seeking favor, not the one holding the upper hand. PD U Hanseok, smiling faintly, tapped his tablet.
“For reference, as you all know, I’ve already laid the groundwork in Japan. From monitoring it every week, ‘Geubaekpeu’ is becoming more and more explosive on the Japanese side.”
At that moment, the agencies’ greed grew even stronger.
‘That’s right, the fact that the Japanese market has already been developed is an enormous merit.’
Whichever agency won this survival, they would only need to walk down the paved road not only in Korea, but in Japan as well. It was truly a meal already set out for them. Of course, the entertainment agencies would no doubt turn it into an even more lavish feast before serving it.
‘Just calculating up to this point, how much money are we saving?’
Around then, one of the agency personnel raised a hand.
“We fully recognize the monstrous power of ‘Geubaekpeu,’ but this survival among entertainment agencies that you mentioned, PD-nim. How exactly are you planning to run it?”
As if everyone felt the same way, their gazes fixed on PD U Hanseok. Their eyes longed for an answer. On the other hand, PD U Hanseok’s expression changed to one that said it would be no fun if he told them in advance.
“Mm—once the broadcast ends, first of all, the final winning group of four contestants will have to carry out some schedules under ‘Geubaekpeu.’ About two to three months. This hasn’t been finalized yet. But before that, all of you will come onto ‘Geubaekpeu’ and do something. Introductions, boasts, plans for the future, potential, strengths, weaknesses, and so on.”
Self-PR or a résumé was basic anywhere.
“I don’t think it matters what you put forward. It’s fine to entice them with funding too. You might even end up playing a simple game. In any case, the core point is that all of you must catch the eyes of the ‘Geubaekpeu’ kids as much as possible and be chosen by them.”
The atmosphere heated up rapidly.
The agency personnel quickly took out their phones and sent messages somewhere, while others meticulously wrote down what PD U Hanseok had just said in their diaries. PD U Hanseok, sweeping his gaze over the suddenly busy people, wrapped things up.
“For now, come watch the fourth evaluation and check the kids’ form for yourselves.”
Afterward.
By the time the entertainment agencies that PD U Hanseok had summoned dispersed, all sorts of search portals were plastered with news about “Geubaekpeu.”
《Another Record-High Viewership Rating, “Geubaekpeu” Reaches 25.8%—30% Is Not Far Off!》
“Geubaekpeu” had broken its viewership record once again.
《“Geubaekpeu” Fourth Evaluation Mission Is “Rap,” Viewers Excited by the Fourth Evaluation with an Audience Event》
Because Episode 9, which aired yesterday, had quite a few entertaining points. From the fact that the 100 contestants had been reduced to 24, to the fourth evaluation mission being rap. The fact that it was in the form of a 2-on-2 team battle also drew media attention.
《[Hot Issue] “Geubaekpeu” Attempts Its First 2-on-2 Team Battle, Netizens Say, “Could No. 1 Be Good at Rap Too?”》
On Saturday afternoon, Episode 9 was uploaded to Netflix Korea, making it even hotter. Above all, since the fourth evaluation included an audience event, public opinion was noisy.
-This episode 9 really feels like only the essence of the remaining kids is leftㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Agreed agreed, No. 58 and No. 26 are my faves....
-No. 71 is so damn cute tooㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ No. 37 is subtly random so he’s fun to watch
-Hah.... I want to get picked for the audience!!! I really want to see them all in person.....
-But why is no one talking about No. 1ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ?
-No. 1 is kind of like that, in the realm of gods
-Rightㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ No. 1 is so far above everyone else he feels like untouchable territory
-Still, there’ll be more than enough fansite masters for No. 1 at this audience event, right?
At this time, the contestants of “Geubaekpeu” were putting even more heat into practicing for the fourth evaluation. If they excluded today, there were only two days left to practice, Sunday and Monday. Therefore, the 12 teams of two practiced everywhere, and Kang Rojun and No. 26 also repeated the rap “Small Fry” in the practice room.
“No. 1, the more I listen to you, the crazier your tone is.”
“You too.”
“I’ve been doing this, so it’d be unacceptable if I were bad. But you’re… I don’t know. When I look at you, something burns inside me.”
“What burns?”
“Fighting power? Competitive spirit? Something like that. There’s nothing you can’t do. You feel distant, but like someone I want to surpass.”
Though he muttered it dryly, No. 26 was sincere. Since Kang Rojun had the base to begin with, he may already have lost in terms of face, but he felt that when it came to rap skill, he might somehow be able to hold his own.
“No. 1, I’m on a team with you, but I’m going to think of you as competition too.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. That makes me more motivated.”
If the quality goes up, then anything is fine, right? Kang Rojun, smiling faintly, nodded as if it was no big deal.
“Do whatever’s comfortable.”
Then, early Sunday morning, the next day.
Before it was even 7 o’clock, Kang Rojun quietly slipped out of Room 105. First, he had to complete the daily mission and enhance his stats. After that, he packed his laptop and moved to the lounge.
‘I have a lot to do, so I have no choice but to split my time as much as possible.’
He immediately began working on lyrics. Naturally, the goal was “Survival 100.” However, since he had added Japanese lyrics as well as the Korean version, the work had increased. Even so, he could not touch the time he needed to practice and coordinate with No. 26 for the fourth evaluation.
Whatever the case.
—Swoosh.
As he listened to “Survival 100,” Kang Rojun’s fingers moved. He had started on Friday, so today was already the third day. Countless words surged inside Rojun’s head, and he chose the ones he liked among them to complete the story. Now and then, he sang the lyrics he had made as if talking to himself.
His speed was fast.
Compared to the time with “Witch,” his fingers were moving twice as quickly. Kang Rojun was aware of it too.
‘It feels like the answers are coming to me one after another.’
Was it because his senses were being stimulated? Or perhaps because, faint as it was, he had accumulated experience. It might have been because his talent had caught the flow, and the increase in his “Lyrics” stat must have played a part too. All of it came together to grant Kang Rojun monstrous power.
As if racing down an unobstructed highway, Rojun continued working on the lyrics.
He was so focused that he even skipped breakfast.
Before long, when the time pointed to noon, Kang Rojun stretched out his arms and muttered,
“Whew—at least the Korean version is done.”
Early Monday morning, the 14th. Gimpo Airport.
Even though it was Monday morning, the airport lobby was quite bustling. Amid that, the doors of the arrival hall opened, and a group pulling suitcases appeared. Among the group of about five people, four were East Asian, but only the person in the lead was a blue-eyed foreigner.
It was Tom Cavill, the executive director of Netflix Japan.
In short, this group was the Netflix Japan team.
Soon, Tom Cavill asked the female employee beside him in Japanese,
“Has the meeting schedule been confirmed?”
The female employee nodded.
“Yes. First, we will meet with the ‘Geubaekpeu’ team around noon today and talk with them. After that, the meeting with the ‘Rental Lover’ team is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday afternoon.”
“So the schedule is about three days.”
“That’s correct.”
Executive Director Tom Cavill smiled as he left the airport.
“Let’s produce good results.”
The Netflix Japan team had entered Korea.
Meanwhile, at the “Geubaekpeu” campus in Paju.
PD U Hanseok could be found in the hall with the stage. He was among dozens of staff members, in the middle of directing the final stages of construction.
“PD-nim!! Please check the stage over here!”
“Just a moment!!”
“You need to check the lighting too!”
“I’m coming!”
The inside of the hall, chaotic beyond description, had changed quite a lot. First of all, the stage, decorated with numerous structures, monitors, and the like, had grown larger and more splendid. Monitors that would display the stage had been installed on the ceiling with the lighting, and standing areas had been prepared around the stage. There was a path leading to the main stage, with the areas set up on both sides of it.
The several hundred seats separately prepared on the right side of the stage stood out.
A place where already invited figures would sit.
From dozens of entertainment agencies to the “Rental Lover” team, and so on.
The audience seats encircling the stage had also been properly made. Thousands of audience members would gather there, and in front of them, the “Geubaekpeu” contestants would carry out the fourth evaluation. Since the scale was enormous, PD U Hanseok was pouring passion into the inspection, along with the sets.
Had about an hour passed like that?
“Whew—good.”
Standing on the stage, PD U Hanseok swept his gaze over the entire hall. It meant inspection and preparation were complete. From now on, they had to receive the rap tracks from Team 1 and Team 2 and do rehearsals.
“We can start right after lunch.”
The contestants would have to stake their lives on rehearsal, but PD U Hanseok and the entire “Geubaekpeu” staff had to pour everything into the fourth evaluation on Tuesday. Thousands of guests were scheduled to come. If an accident happened, it would be a disaster. Thanks to that, they had even received more than a hundred reinforcements from the broadcasting center.
It was then.
“PD-nim.”
Someone called PD U Hanseok on the stage. When he looked below the stage, Kang Rojun was standing there. PD U Hanseok was slightly surprised. It was not because Rojun had suddenly appeared. It was because a light that happened to brush across him made Kang Rojun’s face shine.
‘It feels new every time, but his visuals really are terrifying.’
How would the audience react when they saw that absurd face right in front of them? The corners of PD U Hanseok’s mouth rose as he came down from the stage and approached Rojun.
“Oh, you’re here? What did you want to say?”
As if he had contacted him in advance before coming, Rojun got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
“I finished writing the lyrics for ‘Survival 100.’”
PD U Hanseok let out a disbelieving laugh.
“The lyrics… already?”
“Yes.”
“You were busy practicing, weren’t you? When on earth did you find the time?”
“Just here and there?”
“Haha, I don’t know whether to call that amazing or frightening.”
As PD U Hanseok shook his head, Kang Rojun added,
“I finished the Japanese lyrics too.”
“Huh?”
PD U Hanseok’s brow furrowed, and his face abruptly shifted into one of complete confusion.
“…What did you say you finished?”