Chapter 85: Pre-meeting

The office of SBC Broadcasting Station.

Kim Yeonchae PD of 'Weekly Pocket Idol' was preparing for a meeting with the youngest writer.

She was tearing her hair out while looking over the cast profiles.

"Ugh, this is killing me."

She had only slept three hours straight every day last week, so she was in terrible shape.

Looking in the mirror, she saw that her dark circles had sunk almost to her chin, likely from exhaustion.

At this rate, it was a miracle she was even upright—must be the caffeine keeping her going.

Her heart had been racing like crazy since earlier, probably a side effect of staying up all night.

Getting older made pulling all-nighters harder than it used to be.

Kim Yeonchae PD muttered as she clutched her head.

"I need to get some sleep after this meeting…."

Just then, her half-shut eyes suddenly popped wide open.

A face like a ray of light in the dull routine of office life….

It was the rookie PD, Do Seojun, who had just joined through open recruitment.

'Wow, he's seriously good-looking.'

How could someone be newly handsome every single day?

He looked just as exhausted as she did, but while she resembled a zombie, he gave off decadent vibes.

Even in a zombie apocalypse, that face would survive….

She couldn’t just let him pass by.

She spoke to Do Seojun PD as he walked past her chair.

"How’s it going? Is the 'Boy’s Dream' prep coming along?"

"Ah."

Stopping in place, Do Seojun nodded and replied.

"Yes, we’ve almost finished casting the trainees. We should start full-scale filming the month after next."

"Oh, sounds like it's going well!"

Do Seojun PD wasn’t just a pretty face.

Even though he hadn’t been at the station long, he was already known for being good at his job.

Just one glance at the well-organized proposal he had prepared in advance said it all.

Somehow, even his documents had a clear flow and structure.

Kim Yeonchae smiled in satisfaction and gave a thumbs-up.

At that moment, Do Seojun glanced at her monitor and asked casually,

"What’s that?"

"'Weekly Pocket Idol'. These are the teams we’re shooting next week."

The screen was displaying the teams that had already been cast.

Then, his eyes widened at a familiar name he spotted by chance.

Unaware of this, Kim Yeonchae continued speaking in a cheerful tone.

"This one's Stardust, and next to it is The Core. Both are rookies who debuted this year, and from what I’ve seen, they’ve got real talent."

The Core had already appeared once on Weekly Pocket Idol.

At the time, they were still raw as rookies, but their all-out passion had earned a good response.

They had done remarkably well, so she had high hopes for them again.

And Stardust….

"I checked their Starf. This kid here."

Kim Yeonchae PD pointed at Do Seohan’s profile.

"He’s amazing at mimicking cicadas."

Cough—

Do Seojun PD suddenly cleared his throat at the unexpected name.

"You know this kid, right? The one who got first place on Starf."

"I… know him very well…."

"Total model-student type, right? Dances well, sings well. Seems pretty smart too."

Forget the model student—he’s just Mom’s son.

Kim Yeonchae didn’t notice that Do Seojun’s eyes were darting around.

Instead, she went on even more excitedly.

"He’s not the center for nothing. That kid’s already good-looking at such a young age."

"Him?"

"Sorry?"

"Ah, nothing."

His true thoughts had slipped out before he realized.

Do Seojun PD awkwardly lowered his gaze and smiled.

Do Seojun. Do Seohan.

Of all things, they had unusual surnames with shared generational characters. Anyone sharp would figure it out.

"Hmm…."

Kim Yeonchae scanned him up and down.

Had she figured it out…? But then she changed the subject.

"Anyway, we’ve got a meeting with our youngest writer today, so I’d better get going."

"Ah, yes."

"What do you think of the lineup?"

Kim Yeonchae PD asked, eyes gleaming.

"Looks fun, right?"

Do Seojun let out a soft chuckle and nodded.

"Yeah, it looks like it’ll be fun."

When I came back from the salon, I had a text waiting for me.

It was from Ray of The Core.

Ddo-Seohan

Ddo-Seohan

Are we going to the meeting together today?

It’s your first variety show, right?

Ask me anything you’re curious about hehe

"Ugh."

I groaned and silenced the alert.

Ever since he got my number, we had chatted a few times and casually dropped honorifics.

Now he’d even come up with a weird nickname for me.

His overwhelming friendliness was impressive… but I didn’t want to get tangled up just because he was from The Core.

He was my senior, so I couldn’t ignore him either. Seriously.

Just as I was grumbling and trying to figure out how to respond, a booming voice echoed from the hallway.

It was a face I’d rather not deal with in this situation.

That carrot-colored hair that always felt like an actual carrot whenever I saw him.

One guy was bouncing in place with a mischievous smile.

"Ddo-Seohan!"

"…!"

I told you I’m not Ddo-Seohan.

He even called me that on TokTok, and now he was saying it in real life?

Ha Junseo tapped my shoulder with wide eyes.

"You guys got that close already?"

It seemed to be a one-sided sense of closeness.

Ray walked over with a cheerful wave of his hand.

"Been well?"

"Yes, I’ve been well. How about you, sunbaenim?"

Since I couldn’t ignore him completely, I replied without much thought.

"Me…?"

Ray’s eyes flickered briefly.

"I… guess I’ve been well?"

What kind of half-hearted answer was that?

My startled gaze, unsure where to land, ended up on him.

But just for a moment—Ray quickly returned to smiling as if nothing had happened and nodded.

"Oh, time’s up. Let’s head in."

“…?”

"Alright everyone, let’s go in!"

Pushed along by his hand, I entered the waiting room.

.

.

.

.

‘Weekly Pocket Idol’ customarily held pre-shoot meetings to draw out as much behind-the-scenes content from the cast as possible.

Since the show’s main viewers were idol fans, they preferred even small, previously unrevealed behind-the-scenes moments.

Thus began our meeting time with the youngest writer.

Everyone, still being rookies, sat awkwardly in their seats.

"……."

Perhaps they couldn’t help but be nervous—our members, too, were visibly tense in their first variety appearance.

Then, the youngest writer spoke up in a bright, clear voice.

"We’re going to ask a bunch of questions today to gather material we can use on the show!"

"Yes."

"Yeees!"

"There aren’t any cameras, so don’t be too nervous. Just talk comfortably."

Contrary to my worries, the atmosphere was surprisingly good.

Despite the VS special title, it didn’t seem like they planned to go for aggressive editing.

"Oh, are you confident in physical strength? How about we try a hanging bar challenge?"

"Hmm, yeah. I’ll keep that in mind!"

"Ooh, that sounds good!"

Rather than pitting teams against each other, they seemed more interested in the individual members.

The youngest writer took notes on each member’s specialties and appealing traits.

Before I knew it, the round of questions came to me.

"Seohan-ssi, what are you good at?"

It was a question about what I could show on the program.

Since it was my first variety show….

Hmm.

What kind of personal talent could I use to show my charm?

While I was still thinking, the other members cut in first.

"Impressions."

"He’s great at mimicking cicadas."

"Our maknae is basically a living cicada."

Shut up, you guys.

Also, cicadas are already living things!

Thinking they’d found a truly unique talent, the youngest writer’s eyes sparkled.

They really looked like they were going to make me do it.

Even after debuting, I never thought I’d have to perform that again….

"Just once, please show us."

"Ah…."

As an idol, even bizarre requests shouldn’t be refused—that was the rule.

I felt like I was going to lose my mind, but….

Just as I closed my eyes tightly, ready to give it my all, the PD interrupted.

"You don’t have to. I’ve already seen it."

"……."

"Pfft."

You saw that?

Why?

As my face drained of color, Cha Seongbin couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

"He was really good, though?"

"A-hahaha! Right? Seohan’s seriously good at it!"

"I’ll say it again—he’s a living human cicada…."

Is my idol image going to be okay?

Just imagining my crying (allegedly) cicada impersonation being used as archive footage made my head spin.

At this rate, I’d better prepare a more dignified impression talent.

"Ha…."

As I pressed my temples with a weary face, laughter erupted all around.

The youngest writer, having searched up my cicada impression from the Starf days, was laughing so hard they looked about to fall over.

MeeeEEEEhh….

"Oh, we definitely have to include this."

There was no avoiding that clip being inserted now.

Haha.

I’d kind of given up already.

As I gave in and laughed in resignation, the topic finally shifted.

The youngest writer, now crouching again, spoke up.

"We’re about out of time, so I’ll ask just one last question before we wrap up."

At long last, a question about the rivalry between the two teams appeared.

The youngest writer turned to our leader Kang Siwoo and asked,

"Is there something you think you can beat The Core at?"

"……."

"Relax! Just say whatever comes to mind!"

Kang Siwoo’s eyes rolled about nervously.

Even if the broadcasting folks laid out a soft cushion, these were questions that needed careful answers.

Even if it’s just three months, a senior is still a senior, and saying the wrong thing could spark talk of a power play.

Thankfully, Kang Siwoo deflected the question naturally.

"Growing plants…?"

That’s our leader for you.

He sold himself out to dodge a tricky question.

Jin Sehyun, who knew the story behind it, bit down on his lower lip.

"Pfft."

"Oh, so you like growing plants!"

"This hyung loves Earth!"

"Y-yeah… I… I grow cacti…."

"What kind of cacti?"

"Prickly pear… and a Stucky… they’re very cute."

Kang Siwoo’s complexion darkened.

Truly, it could only be described as a tearful sacrifice.

Touching.

For the sake of the team… he had sacrificed himself….

The youngest writer’s pen moved quickly.

They were probably writing [Stardust Leader, Kang Siwoo, hobby is growing cacti…] on that paper.

Kang Siwoo’s complexion grew even paler.

Oh no.

Now the youngest writer’s gaze turned toward The Core’s leader, Kang Ji-hyuk.

Wearing a slight smile, the writer asked brightly.

"Now, then! Leader of The Core! What’s something you’re confident you’re better at than Stardust~?"

An innocent question.

Kang Ji-hyuk opened his mouth.

"Skill."

Wow.

That didn’t seem like something you could take notes on.

"……"

"Um… uh… mm…."

The atmosphere in the waiting room turned chilly.

"They’re acting wild just because the cameras aren’t rolling."

"I noticed last time that he keeps a good poker face in front of the camera."

"That’s even worse."

After The Core had departed for the vehicle first, Kang Siwoo spoke with a scowl.

None of us had shown it during the interview, but we were all clearly uncomfortable with Kang Ji-hyuk’s comment.

Anyone could tell that was outright provocation.

Even the youngest writer, who had been jotting things down absentmindedly, suddenly looked up sharply.

A look that said, ‘Did I just hear what I think I heard?’

Kang Ji-hyuk added with a laugh.

"Our comedy skills. Our members are seriously funny."

—That added comment was the real joke.

What an insane bastard.

I sighed and clicked my tongue.

Even if I let the past go, he was someone I never wanted to get involved with again.

Let’s just get through this shoot safely.

Please….

As I turned my head with that thought, our leader’s expression stiffened.

"Wait a sec, guys."

Kang Siwoo paused and tilted his head.

Something had felt off since earlier….

"Where’s Seo Ian?"

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