Second Try Idol

Chapter 18: Survival Show - Cover Song (3)

Our hour-long meeting was on the verge of being rendered futile.

“Control your expressions,” Joo-Han whispered. All of us tried hard to relax our faces, but the tension was palpable. Also, it seemed like the broadcast team was specifically aiming to capture this very reaction from us.

“Do you think they are trying to kick us out?” whispered Goh Yoo-Joon as he leaned toward me.

I nodded in agreement. “Exactly. There are many other agencies, but why did they choose ours?”

If their intention was to choose a quality song, there were numerous options available from major agencies. Yet, they chose a song from our agency, which only had “Goblin” as a notable hit. It seemed as if they deliberately targeted us, deeming us as the most vulnerable group.

“It looks like they’re planning to get through this competition unfairly. What a malicious agenda.”

I wasn't the only one sharing this sentiment. Reina was caught off guard as well and proceeded to confront the leader of Air Senior. "Why did you choose ‘Goblin?’"

"Just because we like it," the leader replied casually, promptly returning to his seat.

‘What do they mean by like?’

Of course, “Goblin” was good, but there were many other famous songs. Major agencies consistently showcased tracks with dedicated fan bases, and even some smaller agencies had crafted hit songs and successful boy groups.

However, our one and only popular artist was Allure. Beyond them, our roster mainly featured mid-tier ballad singers. They seemed to be deliberately targeting us because we looked like the easiest prey.

Reina glanced at us and asked the director, "What should we do now? Two groups have selected the same song."

It would be unfair if we could claim the song just because we were from the same agency, so the director couldn’t necessarily take our side. Please visit fr𝐞𝐞w𝒏.𝒸𝑜𝔪 website to read fastest update

After a brief discussion with the staff, the director called for a break. “Let’s discuss this. Someone should have chosen their song more wisely. Take a 30-minute break!”

Even as he spoke, he shot a meaningful glance at Air Senior. With tense expressions, we swiftly exited the practice room to talk with our manager.

“That’s really underhanded. They obviously know about our internal situation,” grumbled Lee Jin-Sung.

“Let’s just calm down and think this through.” Joo-Han calmed the grumbling Lee Jin-Sung and led us to a corner table in the lobby.

"I spoke to UNET yesterday about steering clear of emotional conflicts for the sake of our image, but I guess some low-quality agencies don’t have brains,” snapped our manager.

Goh Yoo-Joon and I couldn’t help but interject, trying to calm our frustrated manager. Once the atmosphere had settled a bit, I spoke up, “We need to avoid emotional conflicts as much as possible and try to handle this situation with a clear head. The director will also be seeking a fair solution.”

“But what if they end up taking our song after we’ve spent an hour deciding on it?”

“They targeted us because they think we’re the weakest one here.”

Confronting a disruption to our carefully laid plans wasn’t easy. Even as an adult[1], I felt frustrated. Hence, the younger members likely found it challenging to grasp and accept the situation.

Having been silent the whole time, Joo-Han finally opened his mouth. "I’ve thought about it."

"About what?"

"Let's give up on ‘Goblin,’" suggested Joo-Han.

A momentary silence instantly descended.

"Why should we?" Goh Yoo-Joon retorted.

"Hyung, we don't necessarily have to give up," said Lee Jin-Sung.

Following that, Joo-Han leaned in closer and said, "I've given it some thought. ‘Goblin’ is a good song, but it might be hard to get a great reaction from it."

"Why?"

I was surprised that Joo-Han was contemplating the same thing. Despite having suggested the idea, something kept bugging me the entire time.

I answered, "It's a song dear to Allure's fans, so it would be hard to appeal to both them and the public that’s familiar with the original. Moreover, considering that we haven't even debuted yet, it’s almost impossible for us to do a better cover than the original."

I could imagine all the hate comments that would pop out if we performed using that song.

“Huh? Seriously?” Reina was indeed a professional. Even though she was caught off guard by the unexpected answer, she immediately regained her composure.

To answer her question, we all nodded, and I added, “Our seniors sang many other good songs besides ‘Goblin,’ so it's okay."

‘Where in the world would you find such a gentle and kind response?’

Internally, both I and the other members were gritting our teeth in frustration. However, outwardly, we presented a resigned demeanor with kind faces, echoing my statement. As a result, our tense facial muscles completely relaxed, allowing us to act as well as seasoned actors in front of cameras.

"Oh dear..." Reina eventually loosened her formal expression and let out a regretful sigh.

'How can there be such innocent kids...'

It seemed as if we could hear Reina's inner thoughts. She gazed at us for a moment before flipping through her cue sheet.

"Then, Air Senior will cover ‘Goblin’ as Chronos yielded it to them. Chronos, please write your song on the board up front."

Following Reina's instruction, Joo-Han stepped up and wrote our new cover song.

[Chronos - Allure, ‘Moon Sea’]

We had a week to practice. Considering it was a captivating song that had mesmerized many, we would need to practice hard.

***

The filming came to a close. Following YMM’s training, we made it a point to bid farewell to each staff member loudly and clearly, ensuring no one was left out. Aside from the evident rivalry, there wasn’t much interaction today.

The trainees exchanged polite farewells and quickly dispersed. After the majority had left, as expected, we could hear the loud voices of High Tension fans from outside the building.

Besides our group, Air Senior was the last to leave the practice room. They were the group that had openly challenged us earlier, and as they left, their members shot us irritated glares.

Our members were also in a considerably sour mood, so when we stared back, their leader stepped forward and bowed slightly, mirroring the gesture of the other trainees. "Thank you for giving in. We appreciate it."

Responding to the Air Senior leader's greeting, Joo-Han stepped forward with a polite smile. "You're welcome."

"We were just greedy for the song, no hard feelings."

"We know. We seem to be around the same age, so let’s maintain a good relationship moving forward. See you at the next shoot.”

Just as we were about to leave, one of their members asked, "Hyung, aren't you leaving soon?"

"I will be right behind you. I just need to have a quick smoke."

"Hey, let's go together."

The other members from Air Senior quickly exited the practice room, leaving their leader here. We were surprised, watching them take out cigarettes from their pockets before making their departure.

"...Haha. See you at the next shoot."

Their leader quickly followed his members with a slightly embarrassed smile, while we just stood dumbfounded for a while.

‘What just happened?’ At YMM, such behavior would have been unimaginable. Not just me, but all the members looked quite flustered.

"Did you see them take out cigarettes from their pockets?"

"How can a trainee smoke? And aren't they underage?"

"It's shocking.."

"Hey, did you see? None of them even said bye to us except for the leader. Does their agency not teach manners?"

All of us were throwing comments, staring at the door they had just exited.

"Let’s not dwell on it. There is a chance we will encounter others like them." Joo-Han stopped the members from commenting further and looked around cautiously. When we left the building, frustration enveloped us, and suppressed anger simmered beneath the surface. Personally, I felt a surge of frustration, having been at odds with one of the Air Senior members throughout the day.

'Stupid bastards.'

They claimed they had no hard feelings about taking our song, yet the behavior of the Air Senior members—particularly those standing behind their leader earlier—suggested otherwise.

I couldn’t fathom why they seemed to harbor such disdain toward us. However, if they thought snagging our title track would guarantee them victory in this competition, they were sorely mistaken. From the moment we donned those red capes, we were prepared for anything. After all, we knew we couldn't compete on an even playing field against a group with an already-established fanbase.

1. Although he is now 19 years old as he went back in time, he still considers himself an adult. ?

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