Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail - Chapter 154

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 154
.

Back on the Stage.
Two other contestants stood beside me.
From their expressions, none of them seemed particularly hopeful.
Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting much either.
My victory hinged entirely on how far PD Kim was willing to push things.
It was bitter, really.
I studied the Judges Panel first.
If they yielded to PD Kim’s pressure, I’d have no chance of winning.
But their expressions were peculiar.
Something had definitely happened behind the scenes.
More than five hours had passed since the performance ended, and the fact that they were only now announcing the voting results spoke volumes.
There had been some kind of dispute backstage.

“Now, let’s announce the audience scores first.”

Han Jae-i began hosting with an innocent expression.
Though whether that cunning fox in sheep’s clothing truly knew nothing was another question entirely.

“The audience score totals 500 points. Five hundred audience members cast their votes directly. Each person gave one precious vote to the contestants! Now then, for the finals of the first competition of 【Dear My Diva】. Who will the public choose as the champion? Let’s find out right now. Dan-ha.”
“Yes, it was truly a fierce competition. Then, let me reveal the audience scores first.”

Dan-ha pointed to the scoreboard behind with a cue card.
The three of our names appeared on the display, with three spinning numbers beneath them.
As something rolled rapidly, the numbers spun quickly as well.
And then, at some point.

Unia
Da-hwin
Yun Chung
52
224
214

The numbers stopped.
Hmm.
It’s slightly outside the expected range.
If this is how it turned out, either Moment made some concessions to me….
Or it seems PD Kim made some adjustments on their end.
Either way, this is too harsh on the remaining contestant.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Unia’s performance was quite good too.
It wasn’t a performance that should have stopped at just 55 votes.
Without Moment’s interference, honestly, she would have received a higher score.
This is exactly why I can’t get along with people who manipulate things.

“Now, we’ll announce the results of the Judges Panel vote. However, before the announcement, there’s something I’d like to say first.”

Han Jae-i spoke with a troubled expression.
…What is this?

“First, the judges wanted me to convey that the performances were so excellent that it was difficult to select just one. Is that right?”

One of the judges took the microphone in response to Han Jae-i’s question.

“Yes, well, I haven’t judged many competitions. But this was the most difficult decision of my life.”

For someone saying that, they looked rather dissatisfied.

“Therefore, regarding the announcement of the Judges Panel results for this final, we will not separately announce which contestant each judge selected. We ask for your understanding, viewers, as we conducted a secret ballot for fairer voting.”
“…!”

A secret ballot like that…!
In a situation where manipulation runs rampant like this, it doesn’t help at all?
This was a setback.
Looking at PD Kim’s expression, that mysterious look seemed to be their clever move.
They really decided to go all out.

“Now, this is a nerve-wracking moment. Each Judges Panel vote is worth 100 points. The winner will be determined by this judges’ vote. It’s truly an exciting moment, isn’t it? Don’t you agree, Dan-ha?”
“That’s right. The viewers are probably just as curious as we are. Why don’t we not delay any further and reveal it right away?”
“Sounds good!”

I’ve never seen voting results I was this unenthusiastic about.
Squeezing out a comment must be exhausting.
Anyway.
I turned around to look back as well.
The numbers on the scoreboard rolled once more….

Unia
Da-hwin
Yun Chung
100
100
200

Something strange had emerged in the results.

***

“Have they lost their minds?”

Crack.
The remote control struck the television and clattered to the ground.
Hong’s devoted fan had hurled it in uncontainable fury.
Not long ago, a fan accident had shifted her bias from Yun Chung to Yeon Ju-hong.
Yet that didn’t mean her affection for Yun Chung had cooled.
She was dutifully watching the “Dear My Diva” finals today as well.
Live broadcast, no less.
The moment Hong’s devoted fan witnessed Yun Chung’s final performance, she felt utterly satisfied.

‘This is it—there’s no question Yun Chung’s taking the crown.’

I mean, really.
Did a competition really have to lack this much suspense?
Even setting aside the fan’s bias, it had been a truly flawless performance.
Hong’s devoted fan scrolled through community reactions with a satisfied smile.

What on earth is Yun Chung…?
An idol vocal battle suddenly has South Korea’s representative vocalist appearing—isn’t this a problem?
Unia, Da-hwin: Wow, that’s insane, she sings so well
Yun Chung: ????????(speechless)
I’m a citizen of Yun Chung’s country right now
What kind of crazy idol would even think to sing a ballad like that lol so unfair
Yes, that’s our girl

Of course, the devoted fans were all showing their support.
But the general public’s reaction was equally impressive.

Colors must have accumulated some serious karma in their past lives to recruit only these kinds of talents… I’m a fan of other groups, but I was completely mesmerized
(screenshot)
Da-hwin and Unia couldn’t close their mouths the entire performance lol
└Of course, my jaw dropped too
She really is incredible, my dad’s a huge fan and he was clapping nonstop
Looking at it, Yun Chung’s taste is kind of like our mom’s—who would believe this is a 21-year-old’s preference?
└But honestly, that’s what makes it better
Yun Chung seems to have a good personality too, I mean she even promoted her uncle-like guitarist and performed together lol
└His nickname is Human Cat
└└Ah really? He must be quite the veteran…

Of course, not all reactions were positive.
Where there are fans, there are always critics.

I don’t get why she’s so good when she’s just putting on airs… I’ll admit she sings well, but…
Her taste is always so heavy…
If she’s an idol, shouldn’t she do some bright, refreshing performances too? All she does is sing gloomy songs…

There were reactions like this as well.
But they were an extreme minority, and the vast majority of people had no doubt that Yun Chung would win.
With such overwhelming positive response.
With such dominant support.

“A joint victory? That doesn’t make any sense, you lunatics…?”

Da-hwin and Yun Chung had achieved joint first place.
That’s right.
It wasn’t that Da-hwin had failed.
Even from Hong’s perspective as a devoted fan, Da-hwin had performed exceptionally well.
But Yun Chung was the one who surpassed even that.

Unia
Da-hwin
Yun Chung
100
100
200

When Hong first saw these peculiar Judges Panel scores, he was bewildered.
Isn’t the total 400 points?
Where did the remaining 100 points go?
That’s what he thought.

[Jae-yi: It seems many viewers are probably confused right now. First, the head judge will explain this.]
[Jung Yun: Yes, I’ll explain it for you.]

Up until that point, he assumed there must have been some kind of error.
But then.

[Jung Yun: The remaining 100 points were reserved because we were unable to determine a single champion.]

‘?!’

Hong’s prediction was spectacularly off the mark.

[Jung Yun: Therefore, we have decided to divide these 100 points equally between both contestants, making them tied.]

Unia
Da-hwin
Yun Chung
152
224
214

Unia
Da-hwin
Yun Chung
100
100
200
+0
+95
+5

In an instant, the scoreboard shifted once more.

[Final Scores]

Unia
Da-hwin
Yun Chung
152
419
419

“Is this seriously insane?”

Hong President couldn’t hide his bewilderment, his mouth hanging open as he stared at the screen.

[Yun Chung: First, thank you so much. For granting me such a precious victory. I’m already grateful just to have had the opportunity to stand on such a meaningful stage. And to win first place alongside Da-hwin, whom I adore—I can’t express how happy that makes me. And Unia, my senior. It was truly an honor to share the stage with you. Thank you.]

Throughout it all, Yun Chung delivered her gratitude with composed grace, as though she’d anticipated this outcome.
That only infuriated Hong President further.
Fury wasn’t confined to Hong President alone.
And yet.

[Da-hwin: I…]

A twist was unfolding.

[Da-hwin: I know my performance wasn’t worthy of first place. Because I’m aware of my shortcomings, I won’t consider this a true victory. Instead, I’ll accept it as encouragement to work harder going forward.]

Da-hwin trembled as she spoke, yet she’d said everything she needed to say.

***

It wasn’t just Hong President’s fans who thought “Dear My Diva” had gone insane.
The internet was in absolute chaos in real time.

I don’t even like Yun Chung, but this crossed the line lolol
SWC is seriously washed up
Ugh, I had a bad feeling the moment they didn’t do text voting
If you’re gonna do this, don’t even bother with a competition show lol
Just shut it down, shut it down

Every single comment was attacking SWC’s fairness.
It wasn’t about actually liking or supporting Yun Chung.
This was a matter of integrity.
That’s precisely why it became such a massive controversy.
Perhaps if they’d given Yun Chung the sole championship, everyone would have been satisfied.
Da-hwin hadn’t even performed on Stage.
But PD Kim had reached an agreement with Moment, so he had no choice but to award Da-hwin the championship, even if it meant a joint victory.
And this was the result.
Fortunately, Da-hwin wasn’t receiving nearly as much backlash as expected.

Da-hwin is just pitiful

She even said she didn’t deserve the win… it just seems like SWC was being ridiculous trying to appease Moment
Moment’s parent company is TMM anyway
They’re just catering to a major corporation, what else
And everyone knows the SWC president is married into TMM lololol

Yeah… I thought the same thing
Da-hwin herself is just pitiful, but Moment and SWC are unforgivable
★
Real-time trending search terms
#Moment_Apologize
#DiMadi_Yun_Chung_Sole_Champion

However.
There was still one place that hadn’t come to their senses.

Da-hwin

The Company actually likes that and is just sitting back?
Yes…

It was Moment.

Da-hwin

And I thought they’d scold me for it…

But they praised me instead…

From now on, only the Company will take the heat

And I’ll just make even more money for them…

They said a little criticism like that doesn’t bother them at all…

These people are truly not your average lunatics.

Da-hwin

I really…

If I hadn’t spoken up like that back then…

Thinking about how I would’ve shouldered all the disgrace instead of the Company…

I really made my resolve

I simply listened to Da-hwin’s story with a sympathetic heart.
After all, I understood that frustration she felt.

Da-hwin

I’ll definitely find evidence of hoarding

and escape this Company..!!!

Right.
It’s better to steel yourself while you still can turn things around.

Da-hwin

Yes

If there’s anything I can help with, I’ll help with anything

Don’t lose heart
Yes!!

Thank you so much, senior..

Don’t thank me.

Da-hwin

Da-hwin

You have nothing to thank me for

I haven’t done anything

It’s all been your work

So I really hope you won’t despair too much and that you’ll overcome this well.
I closed my phone and stepped into the living room.
The members flinched and looked at me.

“…A basin of bibimbap?”
“W-wait, Yun Chung. You didn’t sleep?!”

These people, I swear.

“Everyone. We have our showcase tomorrow. The music video drops tomorrow. It’s two in the morning right now—how can you eat with so much gochujang piled on like that? Your faces are going to swell up completely.”
“Whine…”
“I mean, Ju-hong is no surprise. But Seo Baek-young, Kim Geum, Bora—you’re all eating this?”

All four of them looked at me with gochujang smeared all around their mouths.
…I have nothing to say.

“Well… Ju-hong made it and it looked so delicious…. Haha.”

Even you, Seo Baek-young—the one I trusted—have betrayed me.

“I’m not saying don’t eat it. I’m saying don’t eat it in the middle of the night.”

I huffed to myself for a moment, then stopped.
Forget it….
I’m always the one nagging.

“Never mind. Everyone finish up quickly and apply your sheet masks before bed. It’s the showcase tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
“Tomorrow morning when you wake up, drink some tea to reduce the swelling and get a massage. Okay?”
“Okay!”

Sigh.
Such is my fate.
Just as I turned to head to bed.

“Yun Chung.”

Kim Geum called out and stopped me.

“Why?”
“Congratulations on your win. I wanted to say it again—I mentioned it on the day of filming too, but I really wanted to tell you once more. I saw the internet reactions earlier, and everyone’s recognizing our Yun Chung’s true worth.”
“That’s right. I’m working hard to boost the view count on OTube right now.”
“…Congratulations.”
“Our Yun Chung. You’ve worked so hard. From now on, let’s focus on activities together with us.”

Seriously.
Did they think this would soften my heart?

“Wipe the chili paste off your mouth properly. Turn on the heater and get some sleep.”
“Yes!”

…Maybe it did soften a little.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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