novelraw Chapter 111 : Is This My Destiny?
Chapter 111 : Is This My Destiny?
Chapter 111 - Is This My Destiny?
After finishing her conversation with Baek Hyeon-woo, Yuri put down her phone and smiled.
'I'm glad I could be of help.'
Last night, Yuri had heard about BBB Production from Baek Hyeon-woo. He had mentioned being in a difficult situation because they were acting uncooperative, contrary to what had been coordinated in advance.
Remembering that conversation, Yuri contacted AA Production. Since Yuri enjoyed immense popularity in Japan, she also had connections at AA Production.
'Because the president of AA Pro is an ardent fan of mine.'
The president of AA Production was a woman who was a former singer-songwriter who had once dominated an era. She was someone with a lot of interest in Korean idols as well, and she had formed a close relationship with Yuri through a joint project between Korea and Japan.
Knowing that she usually hung out and drank all night with industry acquaintances whenever Friday came around, Yuri contacted her despite the late hour. And she had asked her to help ensure that BBB Production cooperated well with Baek Hyeon-woo.
'I can easily do at least this much for him.'
Just now, Yuri had received an expression of gratitude from Baek Hyeon-woo.
But this wasn't enough. To repay what Yuri had received from Baek Hyeon-woo, this was nowhere near enough.
“Yuri-ssi, we are leaving soon.”
“Yes, Manager Kim.”
Yuri stood up from her seat to move to the Japanese fan meeting venue. Unlike until yesterday, she could move naturally without relying on crutches.
This was entirely thanks to Baek Hyeon-woo.
‘I will never forget what Team Leader Baek did to help me.’
Making a promise to herself in her heart, Yuri began to walk on her own two legs.
......
“Haha, if there is anything you need, please tell me anything, Hyeon-woo-ssi.”
“…….”
Producer Iwata of BBB Production flattered him in clumsy Korean.
After acting uncooperative yesterday while making all sorts of excuses, his appearance had completely changed.
“I never imagined things would work out well thanks to Yuri-ssi,” Kanade said, marveling at Producer Iwata's transformation.
“Manager, did you help Yuri-ssi aiming for this on purpose?”
“No way.”
Baek Hyeon-woo shook his head.
“I didn't even know Yuri-ssi had connections with AA Pro.”
“Don't you think she made those connections when she appeared on 77 Produce?”
“77 Produce?”
“It's an audition program conducted jointly by both Korea and Japan, and Yuri-ssi appeared as a mentor for the contestants there.”
Baek Hyeon-woo had also heard of 77 Produce. It was an audition program where 77 contestants from Korea and Japan participated to form a project group.
“But didn't that not go very well?”
“That's right. The project group suspended its activities after just one year due to rights issues,” Kanade nodded and explained.
“A Korean company and a Japanese company held the rights at the same time, and controversies constantly arose because issues regarding the members' agencies also flared up. In the end, they couldn't properly sort out the various problems, so the group ended its activities early.”
“You know about it in detail.”
It was rare for Kanade to explain something in detail like this. So it felt a bit refreshing.
“Actually, before coming to Haram Entertainment, I had thought about giving it a shot over there.”
“Ah, was that so?”
“In the end, I didn't participate over there and joined Haram Entertainment instead... but I kept watching it with interest even after that.”
What would have happened if Kanade hadn't joined Haram Entertainment and had participated in 77 Produce instead?
Even if she had beaten out the other contestants and made it into the debut lineup, the group would have disbanded after just one year, leaving her in a bleak situation.
From that perspective, Kanade joining Haram Entertainment was an excellent choice.
“Then what happened to the members of that group?”
“The members from Korea became trainees again, and the members from Japan probably went back to their own agencies.”
Kanade said, tilting her head to the side.
“I think one of them is still active as an idol under BBB Production even now.”
……
TEAM STM.
They are a local idol group active mainly around Saitama, north of Tokyo.
Their main activities consist of live performances at concert venues within Saitama city and participating in local events.
Because Saitama is close to Tokyo, they occasionally participate in events held in Tokyo as well.
The current number of members is 12.
Like most local idols, they are working hard with the goal of making a major debut and becoming a nationwide idol group.
‘Though it's a goal with an infinitely low probability of realization.’
Shiratani Alice, a member of TEAM STM, felt a bitter sensation.
Currently, TEAM STM was in the middle of holding a handshake event at an underground venue.
A handshake event is a system unique to the Japanese idol industry, an event where fans can directly shake hands and converse with an idol using a handshake ticket that comes with a CD.
Local idols or underground idols like TEAM STM sell CDs at performance venues to encourage fans to participate in handshake events.
Since it is a system where buying multiple CDs increases the amount of time one can directly interact with the idol by that much, fans end up purchasing CDs in bulk to talk with their favorite idol for a long time.
Small-to-medium idol agencies like BBB Production can only maintain their management by squeezing money out of fans in this manner.
For that reason, they also instruct their affiliated idols to play up all kinds of charms to encourage fans to participate in the handshake events.
Because looking at how long the fans line up at the handshake event reveals the disparity in the members' popularity at a single glance, everyone desperately tries to play up their charms to the fans.
When that happens... naturally, singing and dancing take a backseat.
‘The atmosphere is completely different from Korea.’
Until two years ago, Alice was in Korea.
This was because she had ranked high in the survival audition '77 Produce' and was selected as a member of the project group '7STAR'.
Alice had been active in Saitama as a part of TEAM STM since before, but upon being selected as a 7STAR member, Korea became her main stage of activity.
Acting as a K-POP idol in Korea was stimulating.
She had to receive professional training to hone her skills, and she had to endure ruthless competition while being constantly compared to others.
Compared to the days when she was active as a local idol in Japan, it was a much harsher and cold-hearted world, but there was a corresponding sense of accomplishment.
‘Although trying hard didn't necessarily bring good results... at least it was a place where putting in effort was meaningful.’
However, Alice's life in Korea did not last long.
Because 7STAR ended its activities in less than a year.
‘If only the negotiations between the companies had gone well back then, I could have stayed in Korea longer.’
The members of 7STAR all had existing agencies.
It was a contract to participate and be active in 7STAR for a limited period, but trouble arose due to complex rights relationships.
As the final negotiations among the involved parties fell through, 7STAR ultimately ended its activities earlier than originally scheduled.
Alice returned to Japan and went back to TEAM STM.
Although she felt a sense of resistance about returning as a local idol, she came back obediently because Producer Iwata promised, 'I will utilize your experience from 7STAR to push for major activities under AA Production.'
‘That promise fizzled out before I knew it.’
Even though two years of time had passed, there was no progress whatsoever.
Even when she brought it up to Producer Iwata, the only response that returned was to wait.
‘So I tried to do something about it with my own power, but...’
Alice tried to grow TEAM STM into a nationwide idol group by spreading her experiences from her 7STAR days to the other members.
However, the response of the other members was lukewarm.
There were many members who thought that it was better to put effort into communicating with fans rather than practicing and sweating hard... Many members thought that way.
‘There were members who showed a somewhat motivated appearance, but in the end, they hit the wall of reality and gave up.’
Not a single like-minded member remained currently.
Some members got a job at a company, and some members married an enthusiastic fan.
Therefore, Alice was currently isolated from 7STAR.
The only person in the group who thought about captivating people's hearts with singing and dancing to rise to a higher level... was Alice alone.
‘Is this my destiny?’
To end as a local idol without achieving her dream, was that her destiny?
Swept up in such thoughts, Alice felt depressed.
......
“Manager, you said the longer the line, the more popular they are, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Baek Hyeon-woo watched TEAM STM's handshake event while conversing with Kanade.
The twelve members making up TEAM STM were shaking hands with many fans one by one.
‘Seeing earlier, there was even someone buying 50 CDs all at once... I don't know if this is right.’
Today, Baek Hyeon-woo and Kanade explored Japanese local idol culture under the guidance of Producer Iwata.
While there were enviable aspects like the performance infrastructure or the connection with local broadcasting, there were also many elements that made him tilt his head, such as the profit structure.
“Ugh, I don't think I could endure something like that.”
“Since the gap in popularity among members is clearly revealed, the stress must be severe.”
“No, I mean, my hands would hurt from shaking hands with people one by one...”
“…….”
In fact, Kanade's words also made sense.
Having to make physical contact with fans one by one carries risks in many ways.
He heard there was even a weapon incident in the past.
“Team Leader Baek, I think we can end today's filming with this. Thank you for your hard work.”
While conversing with Kanade, PD Yoon Young-chan, judging that they had filmed enough footage, wrapped up the shoot.
“I don't know if it was okay. We just chattered away like usual, Kanade and I.”
“Haha, you don't need to worry. It was plenty fun.”
Yoon Young-chan and the staff began preparing to withdraw, and Kanade also left her seat to go to the restroom.
Left alone, Baek Hyeon-woo looked around the venue where the live performance had been held earlier once more.
‘There certainly are many parts different from Korea.’
This exploration was also to study how live performances in Japan operate.
Although he was scheduled to hold separate meetings with Japanese entertainment industry officials, apart from that, he wanted to tour the site in detail.
“Hyeon-woo-ssi, you don't have any separate schedule after today's filming is over, right?”
As he was looking around the venue alone, Producer Iwata approached and whispered in an insinuating voice.
“If it's alright with you, we would like to arrange a nice spot for you.”
“A nice spot?”
“Yes, for you, Hyeon-woo-ssi.”
“…….”
Iwata seemed to be under the misconception that Baek Hyeon-woo was a big shot with considerable power.
Since direct instructions came down from the president of AA Production, it was understandable to misunderstand, but...
‘It's Yuri-ssi who has the influence; I'm nothing more than a manager of a small-to-medium agency.’
Just because he curries favor with Baek Hyeon-woo doesn't mean any crumbs will fall.
Without knowing that, Iwata was eagerly trying to entertain Baek Hyeon-woo.
“By any chance, is there a girl you like among the members?”
“Pardon?”
“How about Yume-chan, the center? If you just say the word, I will call her right away.”
“…….”
Did he mean having her pour drinks for him?
Or did it mean something more than that?
Either way, from Baek Hyeon-woo's perspective, it was a conversation that could only make him frown.
'If it's Yume, is she the girl with the twintails over there?'
Baek Hyeon-woo directed his gaze toward the member with the longest handshake event line.
The girl with the twintails was smiling radiantly, holding a fan's hand tightly with both hands while chatting warmly.
———
[Yume]
Vocal: D
Dance: D
Visual: B
Potential: B
Body Condition: 75%
Mental Condition: 50%
———
Even if it was a foreign idol, the status window was displayed perfectly fine.
They were stats that seemed far too lacking for a girl group center.
‘The potential looks decent enough, but to think her vocals and dance are only at that level.’
Did the company not train her properly, or did she neglect her own practice?
In fact, the other members were much the same.
It seemed Producer Iwata didn't have much interest in drawing out the members' potential.
‘However...’
Baek Hyeon-woo scanned the TEAM STM members in the middle of the handshake event and spoke.
“By any chance, can we call a member other than Yume-ssi?”
“Ah, did you find a girl you like?”
Iwata asked with a sly smile.
“Which girl is it?”
“Over there at the very end.”
Baek Hyeon-woo raised his finger and pointed at the member in the furthest corner slot.
Compared to the other members, she was a tall, slender woman with a pure style.
Her handshake event line was on the shorter side compared to the others.
But Baek Hyeon-woo had been keeping an eye on her for a while.
“I'd like to talk with Alice-ssi.”
“Pardon?”
Why her of all people?
With that kind of expression, Iwata looked troubled.