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Chapter 16
A few days after the mentors were assigned.
The trainees were preparing their performance stages while discussing ideas with their assigned mentors.
The mid-evaluation stage wasn’t yet finalized in terms of arrangement.
Although the mission this time was a “senior idol cover,” that didn’t mean it should be an exact imitation.
In fact, copying it exactly was considered a negative point.
Could a cover ever truly surpass the original?
“They say you shouldn’t try to surpass the original artist when doing a cover.”
It was dawn, in one of the few practice rooms without cameras.
Seo Baekyoung spoke as she lay flat on the floor.
She was holding a long-cut carrot in her hand.
“You should just think of it as performing a different stage with the same song. Because no matter what—”
“You can’t possibly surpass the original artist, who’s practiced for hundreds of days, even years.”
I nodded.
It was obvious. If you go in thinking you’ll surpass the original, you’re bound to get hate from that artist’s fans.
Instead of being greedy, it was better to approach it with a different kind of charm.
It’s a remake, not an overthrow.
“Yeah. That’s what my mentor said too.”
“Who were you assigned?”
“Senior Jinhwa.”
Ah.
I nodded right away.
Greyshe’s main dancer.
She was already considered one of the top dancers among idols.
She was a perfect match for Seo Baekyoung, whose strength was dance.
“That’s great. Is she treating you well?”
“Yeah. We already knew each other a bit. And she’s very skilled, so.”
Good.
I quickly erased any lingering concerns I had about Seo Baekyoung.
“But hey.”
“Yes?”
Seo Baekyoung had a complex expression, as if she didn’t quite understand something.
“Why didn’t you… steal a mentor?”
There it was—the question I’d been waiting for.
I shrugged.
“No need to. I’m getting help from the other trainees instead. Luckily, everyone agreed to help me.”
As soon as I wrapped up the deal with PD Oh, he assigned a camera just for me.
Then he filmed the touching scene of me getting cooperation from the other trainees.
…Of course, let’s be honest—most of them probably didn’t help me out of friendship or emotion.
How could they say no with a camera right in front of them?
If they refused, they’d be ripped apart online for having a bad personality.
“Seriously… does that even make sense?”
As expected, practical Seo Baekyoung couldn’t accept it.
“No matter how great we are, we’re still just trainees. We can’t beat the mentors.”
“I know.”
“Then why? Are you trying to protect your image?”
Ouch.
That hit a nerve.
“I can’t say that didn’t factor in. Honestly, if I had stolen a mentor, I would’ve gotten quite a bit of hate.”
“People only talk for a bit. Everyone would’ve understood—”
“I don’t trust the station. I don’t trust the PD.”
I said it firmly.
“If you want to debut here, unnie, you shouldn’t trust them either.”
“…!”
Especially not PD Oh. …In seven years, a few celebrities will even retire because of him.
“I mean… are you confident then? You only ask for help from other trainees when the camera’s on.”
“Because they’re probably busy.”
“So you never intended to rely on us from the start. You were planning to do it all yourself, weren’t you?”
Busted.
To be honest, I was more used to being the producer.
It didn’t sit right asking rookies for help.
If anything, I was more used to quietly helping others.
I thought for a moment about how to respond.
“I’m not that used to asking for help. It feels… awkward. And I feel bad.”
“There’s nothing to feel bad about. Just the fact you didn’t steal our mentor is already enough.”
“It’s nice of you to say that. But not everyone will think the same.”
Like Kim Ryeoyu, for example.
Seo Baekyoung must’ve caught my drift, because she didn’t argue.
“Did you finish the arrangement?”
“Of course. It’s going to feel pretty different from the original.”
I’d upgraded it since the mid-evaluation.
I intentionally didn’t show the completed version then.
No reason to hide it, really—but where’s the fun in that?
“I didn’t know you could arrange songs too.”
“No one did.”
That’s because the arrangement skill wasn’t Yuncheong’s—it was mine, Baek Noka’s.
But Seo Baekyoung didn’t interpret it that way and instead looked a bit guilty.
She must’ve recalled how she’d been critical of Yuncheong until recently.
That’s not what I meant to imply.
But… no need to correct her.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
Seo Baekyoung looked at me with genuine concern.
Even though she had her own troubles, she was worried about someone else.
You’re a natural-born leader.
I blinked at the unfamiliar feeling.
“You know how important this stage is. Sure, every performance is important, but… this is the first mission.”
“That’s true.”
I was an idol, but I’d never been part of a group.
I debuted as a soloist from the start.
Most solo idols start off in groups and then go solo later, so my case was rare.
Maybe that’s why I didn’t really understand what group activities were like.
Everything I knew came from my friends who’d been in idol groups.
I can’t say I never envied them.
Being alone is always lonely—and uncertain.
The relationship between idol group members is special.
Comrades, teammates, friends, allies.
It’s all of that rolled into one.
That tight bond… I did envy it. Many hands make light work, after all.
Of course, I’d also seen entire groups collapse because of one person’s mistake.
So I had no complaints about being solo.
Still—
“I won’t make you worry.”
Having someone worry about me like this—it’s not so bad.
The day of the performance was getting closer.
As usual, I practiced until 2 a.m., then got ready to head out.
After cleaning up the practice room and locking the door—
“Hello.”
A soft voice spoke.
It had strength and resonance. A good voice for acting.
“Hi.”
It was Ryu Bora.
A voice perfect for an actress. Not like a chirpy songbird—more like something deep and grounded.
“Are you heading home now?”
“Yeah, you too?”
“Yes, me too.”
Still here at this hour?
She must be working hard. I nodded.
“Your mentor was… Senior Sayoon, right?”
“Yes. I’m covering one of her solo songs.”
Sayoon from White Noise.
An all-rounder without a fixed position, but known for her strong charisma.
She was also the only member to release a solo album.
That album was a huge success. Isn’t it overwhelming?
I guess she’s braver than she looks.
She looks like she’d collapse if you poked her—like a baby deer.
“Yeah, well done. See you around.”
I was about to leave after a quick goodbye when—
“Unnie.”
Ryu Bora stopped me.
“Yeah?”
“Geum said she wants to get close to you.”
Geum… as in Kim Geum?
Suddenly Kim Geum?
I couldn’t respond to the out-of-the-blue comment.
“Word’s already spread that you’re good at arranging. The producer heard your arrangement and sent it through without even touching it.”
Well…
I shrugged.
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“That’s why Geum is interested. She thinks if she debuts with you, she might get to work on songs together. Two heads are better than one, after all.”
Kim Geum and Ryu Bora.
They were both strong candidates to debut.
Kim Geum’s skills were undeniable. Even after Steel Blue flopped, she survived thanks to her talent.
If anything, she only got more successful.
Not “good for an idol”—just straight-up good.
But Ryu Bora…
“What about you?”
She doesn’t debut as an idol.
Nor did she return to acting.
It was like Ryu Bora just disappeared from the industry.
“Pardon?”
Her eyes wavered slightly.
“Do you want to debut with me?”
“…Of course. Definitely.”
Her smile appeared as if she had put on a perfect mask.
“Debuting with someone as talented as you—it’d be a blessing for anyone.”
It sounded sincere, but I could tell it wasn’t.
Actress-level, flawless acting.
She really is stunningly pretty. I muttered inwardly.
How did she ever live as a normal person with that face?
“Anyway, please keep an eye on Geum when she practices next time. She may look rough, but she’s a good kid.”
“Sure.”
It wouldn’t hurt me to get close to Kim Geum.
I was surprised Ryu Bora and Kim Geum were close.
Well, they are both 18.
“Alright then, take care.”
Ryu Bora gave a polite bow.
Very respectful and courteous.
…But I definitely felt a wall.
She didn’t wait for me to respond and turned to leave.
“Bora.”
I called out to her.
“Instead of Geum, do you need help with practice?”
Ryu Bora stood still, not turning around.
Then she answered.
“No, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”
Hmm.
Yup. Still felt that wall.
