IJLMT 58

Chapter 58

“A Singer Is a Singer” production team was currently in a difficult situation. In fact, they had been in this predicament for quite some time.

• “What kind of ‘K-Pop Superstar’ is this? Treating seasoned singers the same as unknown rookies—does that even make sense? Getting eliminated based on votes, having to leave… I didn’t realize it would be this hard!”

The one who said this was Ji-soo Lee, a solo female singer who had dominated the 2010s. Since her agency, La Do Re Mi, went bankrupt, she had been rather irritable and on edge. She had transferred to Valhalla, but as soon as she joined, JM rose in popularity, which seemed to make her mood even worse.

The head producer, Seok-hoon Na, thought to himself:

“Then why didn’t she just not appear? Why make such a fuss? Isn’t this a system where losing means elimination? Is this the first time she’s realizing that?”

He only thought this internally. Speaking up could have meant starting a fight with Valhalla. He also understood why Ji-soo was so upset.

“She must’ve been embarrassed about losing to Lim Yoo-joo.”

Even if she had lost to Hyung-yeop Lee, Shin-han Kim, or Yoo-jin Heo, she probably wouldn’t have been this angry. These were people she could reasonably expect to lose against—all of them legends in their own right.

But what about Lim Yoo-joo? She was a 25-year-old singer-songwriter, arguably a top female star representing Korea, but at most a five-year veteran. Meanwhile, the oldest contestant, Hyung-yeop Lee, had 24 years of experience. “A Singer Is a Singer”’s concept was “Legends battling legends!”—was Lim Yoo-joo really a legendary singer?

So why had they been offering her to appear since last year? Because she was pretty! Young, pretty, and popular! Bringing Yoo-joo meant her fans would tune in to watch on TV.

The singers already confirmed for the show reacted like this when they learned Yoo-joo would appear:

• “Right, we need at least one fresh, young face. What’s the fun if it’s all old-timers?”

• “Hey now, old-timer? I’m nowhere near that yet.”

• “This pressure is insane—do you think the young ones can handle it? Shin So-mang cried and quit last year, remember?”

• “Given the system, we’ll be singing our songs… Yoo-joo might struggle, right? Her skills are strong.”

Honestly, they all underestimated Lim Yoo-joo. But she was not “just another young, pretty female singer.”

• “…I understand. I know what you mean. My father’s business failed too, and our house had red tags all over it.”

• “Mr. Park Bong-won tried to crush me, but Mr. Yoo Hyun-jae tried to lift me up. If you were a reporter, who would you respect?”

Season 2 of A Singer Is a Singer had essentially become Yoo-joo’s stage. The “Pale Moon Gate” scandal had given her some exposure, but the combination of Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae was dazzling.

Behind-the-scenes videos showing two weeks of practice with their comedian manager were especially moving for Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae. Other teams were busy tossing flowers into the audience for fun or offering perfunctory encouragement, but Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae’s conversations were deep and sincere, reflecting the emotions behind the songs. It left a lingering impression on viewers.

Just reading the viewer comments made that clear:

• “Why not just air a full episode of Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae behind-the-scenes? The network could extend the runtime and it’d be great!”

• “I never realized sadness could be thought about in so many ways. I used to think negative emotions were just… negative, but hearing them talk, it’s not always that simple. These young performers are amazing.”

These comments seemed to make up 30% of the forum, focusing solely on Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae’s chemistry, not the songs themselves.

And since she won each round with top votes, viewers couldn’t help but cheer for Yoo-joo. Seok-hoon Na often found himself nodding unconsciously while watching the broadcasts. Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae were like protagonists in a shonen manga, their behind-the-scenes struggles and victories stirring the heart.

Yes. Season 2 had effectively become a shonen manga starring Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae. Could that be a problem?

Ratings were important, but they weren’t the only concern.

For one, singers like Ji-soo were leaving upset. Losing to Yoo-joo was just part of the system, but agencies often complained through various channels, claiming the show disrespected its participants.

And then there was a bigger issue: one of the show’s sponsors, Hanwoon Daily, had already been humiliated by Yoo Hyun-jae.

• “There’s no misunderstanding regarding the SERF negotiation. They said they eat dumplings with soy sauce. We just didn’t agree.”

After Yoo Hyun-jae’s public statement, Hanwoon Daily looked foolish. Did they really want to see JM’s Yoo Hyun-jae and Lim Yoo-joo succeed?

[“A Singer Is a Singer” turning into JM’s promotional stage? Excessive focus on Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae]

So the media wrote such articles, declaring they wouldn’t sponsor the next season.

But an even bigger problem arose:

“PD Na, are you going to continue like this?”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“Are you just going to let the enemies do whatever they want?”
“Enemies?”
“Don’t play dumb.”

It was Director Seomin Seok who spoke.

“Am I the only one left struggling? Both hosts are on our side, but Pale Moon ruined everything. You know the main host, Ji-hoon Oh? Nephew of the foundation chairman? Don’t you? We’re working for their money, yet you boost the two who became famous through Pale Moon? Give them solo stages and trophies? Is that right?”
“Boosting…?”

Seok-hoon felt a sudden wave of reality. If the two who rose because of Pale Moon were enemies, did that make the criminals involved his allies? How did he end up on the same side as criminals?

“Korea is rotten. How can people connected to illegal clubs be so deeply embedded everywhere?”

“Enough, enough. Got it?”
“…Got it, but what can I do? How can we influence the audience scoring?”

“Lim Yoo-joo and Yoo Hyun-jae’s chemistry is entertaining and Yoo-joo sings well. What can we do about it?”

Seok-hoon thought:

“Can’t this be controlled? Rankings are subjective. There are many factors affecting opinion. If the PD manipulates it well, why can’t it work?”
“People’s hearts… that’s not easy.”

“Try it yourself, buddy.”

“The results must be predetermined. Otherwise, there won’t be a next season. Your career could be at stake. Don’t you know the heaviest crime in this country is upsetting someone’s mood?”
“There’s no method, sir….”
“Argh, fine! If there’s no way, then rig it!”
“Excuse me? That’s…”
“That’s ‘that’? If you don’t want to, fine. But you’ll take responsibility.”

How to prevent Yoo-joo from winning… what could they do? Tamper with the sound system? Bribe the audience? But Yoo-joo sang so well, her voice resonated in the heart, not just the ears.

Preventing her from winning?

“Damn, this is supposed to be an entertaining show, why am I worrying about this?”

But life is about following the people who pay.

So he thought of this: prepare a fraudulent ballot box for switching votes. Everyone is busy before the broadcast—they check props, but not the contents of the box.

“Ha… disgusting. Planned a deathmatch for legendary singers, but they whine when they lose, higher-ups throw a fit when unexpected people win. Isn’t it more fun when an underdog wins? What’s fun about prearranged winners and losers?”

He glanced at the ballot box a couple of times… and then the impossible happened. Yoo Hyun-jae kicked the ballot box.

“What’s this?”

Votes spilled out of the overturned box. Seok-hoon’s face went pale.

“What? How did he know?”

He had heard Yoo Hyun-jae was a genius at reading situations and people’s minds.

“Did he notice with just one glance? That we prepared a fraudulent box?”

Chills ran down his spine. Sherlock? Conan?

“Manager, can we… talk for a moment?”
“Talk? Sure. But help with the counting, please. You need to know what this box is for. Don’t touch PD Na.”

Yoo Hyun-jae called some JM staff and began counting. Despite Seok-hoon’s attempts, he continued filming the box while revealing the rigged votes…

“Crap.”

Seok-hoon’s heart sank.

“Hyung-yeop Lee: 270 votes, Lim Yoo-joo: 230… you prepared the results for Lee to win?”
“Th-that’s…”
“Isn’t this supposed to be based on skill? This is cheating. Has this been happening all along?”
“No, this is the first time.”
“Then why?”

What could he even say? The situation was hopeless.

“At least Yoo Hyun-jae is reasonable. Right? And Yoo-joo…”

Seok-hoon knelt and said:

“Just… just once, please? It’s complicated. There are many people who don’t want you two to win.”
“Who?”

Reasonable… really? Yoo Hyun-jae’s voice sounded like steel.

“The higher-ups…”
“Were you told to do this by them?”
“…Please, Mr. Hyun-jae. This scene is beautiful. Yoo-joo coming this far is remarkable. Losing to Hyung-yeop Lee isn’t shameful.”
“……”
“Honestly, how many people are mad at you two? Programs shut down because of Pale Moon, agencies sent main entertainers to jail, who would be happy to see you take the trophy? Hanwoon Daily is seriously…”
“Hmm…”

Yoo Hyun-jae looked at the back of his hand, deep in thought.

“Right? Worth thinking about. Industry awareness matters.”

Then he said:

“So you’re saying this was all done because of those who lost out due to Hanwoon Daily and Pale Moon Gate. Recording complete.”
“Recording? N-no… Why increase enemies in the industry? We should carefully navigate….”
“Why worry about that when we have money and skill? We’ll handle it ourselves.”

Seok-hoon felt uneasy. Yoo Hyun-jae’s demeanor had changed drastically. Initially, he had been polite and bowed to every staff member. Now… he was terrifying. Even Director Seomin didn’t compare.

The gaze… it seemed like he could bury Seok-hoon anywhere in secret… Rumor had it he was connected to the underworld. Maybe…

“What’s going on here?”

At that moment, another “tiger” entered: Hyung-yeop Lee. With JM staff in tow, it seemed Yoo Hyun-jae had summoned him.

Seok-hoon swallowed hard.

“He’s deliberately trying to kill me…”

Lee looked around, assessed the situation, and his face flushed. He had a fiery temper beneath his calm exterior.

“PD Na, you were sure I would lose, weren’t you? If you thought I’d win, you wouldn’t have needed this prank?”

The usually polite Lee began speaking informally. PD Na felt like crying. Two tigers glared at him with deadly eyes.

“If I win, it’s my win. If I lose, it’s my loss! Anything earned through effort, practice, and sweat is meaningful! But who are you to dirty our stage?!”

Lee grabbed Seok-hoon by the collar.

“Wait.”

Before Yoo-joo went on stage, I grabbed her wrist.

Had she guessed it was the ballot box? A voice echoed in my head:

“I’m angry. I want to grab them all and just hit them.”

It was Yoo-joo’s voice—her boiling emotions.

“Why?”

Yoo-joo knew about the backstage manipulation but still had to perform. The audience had won tickets through a competitive lottery to see her and Lee perform. They couldn’t be disappointed.

“You’re really angry, right?”
“Do I look like I’m not? Perfect timing. It’s ideal for singing ‘Ulbun’ [Wrath]. Just don’t go overboard…”
“Why are you angry?”
“Well… I wanted to show my brother the coolest version of myself, but almost lost the chance unfairly. I want to get back at those giving him trouble, but all I can do is sing, which is frustrating…”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“And I thank you. I almost sang with just vague anger.”

Yoo-joo stepped on stage. I then approached PD Na again. He trembled as if seeing the Grim Reaper.

“You’re going to be reported for fraud and obstruction of business. Understand?”
“…Yes.”
“And our company will file a civil suit too. You’re aware of that, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Though I feel a little sympathetic. If it was ordered by higher-ups, you might be taking the fall…”
“Yes… yes?”

Hope appeared in PD Na’s eyes. Perhaps the civil suit might be dropped. But there was no reason to do that for him.

“Upload the video and audio files to your account. Your official SNS and YouTube channel. Separately from KBC.”
“Uh… that’s…”

PD Na’s face stiffened.

“Then let’s go after the bad guys. I’ll support you. They ordered it, right? Obviously, the executor (PD Na) bears some responsibility, but the ones who ordered it should suffer more. Right?”
“…I was mistaken.”

PD Na bowed deeply.

“I thought only higher-ups were scary. I didn’t know you, Mr. Hyun-jae, were terrifying. If I had known, I’d never have done this…”
“This contest will go online as soon as it airs. Understood?”

I spoke, watching Yoo-joo greet the audience on stage like an angel. Her character and talent were real. A manager’s job was to ensure the real ones don’t lose their shine to fakes.

“…Understood…”

PD Na whispered reluctantly.