Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail - Chapter 179

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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 179.

“That’s not possible.”

Colors Building, President’s Office.
A confidential meeting was taking place here.

“Shouldn’t you at least hear what it is before saying no?”

I could already guess what this was about without even listening. But fine.

“You’re going to talk about an overseas tour, aren’t you?”
“!”

Sigh.
Hong President and Yeon Secretary stared at me with wide eyes.
They really are predictable people….

“It’s not possible. We haven’t even been active for a full year since debut. No matter how solid our domestic fanbase appears, we’re still rookies. We can’t go overseas while we’re in such an unstable state.”

Our fanbase hasn’t even existed for a year.
Since we came from a survival show, individual fanbases were particularly strong.
We’re only just now shifting toward a unified fanbase, and they want us to go overseas?
Do they want to watch our fanbase collapse?
Absolutely not.

“But the company has to consider the shareholders’ position too. You know as well as I do that the money we make overseas is several times what we earn domestically, right?”

I know.
Even when I was Baek Nok-ha, a solo artist with a relatively weak international fanbase, I used to bring in dozens of times the domestic revenue.

“Right now is when we need to solidify our fanbase’s core. If we focus on overseas popularity too early, our domestic fanbase will crumble in an instant.”
“We understand that, but….”

Hong President sighed.

“You know the company’s been a bit unstable since Director Kim left, right? And you understand it takes time to get full control of things.”
“Yes.”

I know.
I’ve been disappointed in Hong President, who hasn’t even fully secured his grip on power yet.
I genuinely wish we could just replace him with someone else.

“If you just show me one solid result at a time like this, it makes a huge difference. The more power I can exercise in the company, the more actively I can push for you all. You know that, right?”
“Shop Owner.”

I wasn’t particularly swayed by Hong President’s persuasion.
Why?

“You’ve already made this proposal to the senior members, haven’t you? The fact that it’s come to us means… they must have refused as well.”

Hong President’s circumstances weren’t really my concern.

“Of course, they probably refused because they’ve already done enough tours abroad. Either way, we can’t do it this year. You need to think long-term. You won’t lose money next year, will you?”

At the mention of next year, Hong President let out a sigh.
He understands what I’m saying.
He’s definitely not a fool.

“What I’m proposing is one year. Around this time next year, even if you send us on an overseas tour, we won’t refuse.”

Of course, I won’t be here by then.
But if it’s the second year… that should be fine.

“However—”
“In exchange.”

I laid down a card to Hong President, who still showed no signs of backing down.

“We can make some concessions too.”
“If it’s just some….”
“Holding domestic concerts isn’t difficult for us at all.”

Something Hong President could accept.
Something we could accept too.

***

Not long ago, College Student A, who had taken a proper hit from Seo Baek-young, began calling herself Baek-peu.
That was her new identity now.

‘I am Baek-peu. That’s who I am now.’

Only after returning from her part-time job could she finally review yesterday’s showcase video.
Today was the momentous day when Color Film Part 2 would be released.
While waiting for Color Film Part 2, she’d planned to review the showcase.

‘Ugh. They say the showcase was legendary, and here I am, unable to watch it live because of work. Seriously.’

In my next life, I’m being born rich—for our girls’ sake, if nothing else.
Then I’ll buy a million copies of StillBlue’s album.
Baek-peu found the showcase video on K-App and pressed play.
I pressed the play button.

[Do Hee-young: Every song on this album was really amazing. Which track is your personal favorite from the album?]

Faced with such a difficult question, all the members adopted thoughtful expressions.

[Ju-hong: I’d pick “Summer’s Great Triangle,” the song I participated in writing!]

Yeon Ju-hong was the first to raise her hand and answer.

[Do Hee-young: Oh, I really loved that song too. “Summer’s Great Triangle.” It’s about stars, right?]
[Ju-hong: That’s right. It’s the large triangle formed by Deneb in Cygnus, Altair in Aquila, and Vega in Lyra—that’s what we call the Summer Triangle.]
[Geum: She’s just using what she learned in school.]
[Ju-hong: Well, when else am I supposed to use what I learned in science class if not now?!]

‘That… actually makes sense!’

Our diligent middle school graduate Yeon Ju-hong…
She’s so cute…

[Ju-hong: Celebrities are usually called stars by people, right?]
[Hee-young: That’s true.]
[Ju-hong: But I think the opposite—our fans, Ever Blue, are the stars. Since ancient times, the Summer Triangle has been the brightest stars, used to find constellations in summer.]
[Hee-young: Oh.]

Yeon Ju-hong continued speaking with an excited voice, chattering away.

[Ju-hong: So I wrote the lyrics with the thought that even if I get lost, I can always find my way as long as I find the Summer Triangle.]
[Hee-young: Ah, so even if you get lost, you just need to find the fans?]
[Ju-hong: Yes!]

The members were already gazing at Yeon Ju-hong with warm expressions.

‘Yun Chung’s smile is almost maternal….’

[Yun Chung: I composed that song. Ju-hong said she really wanted to participate in writing the lyrics too, so I told her to give it a try…. And in just one day, she came back with incredibly good lyrics.]
[Hee-young: Wow.]
[Yun Chung: As we refined it together, a really wonderful song came together just like that. I hope our fans enjoy listening to it.]
[Hee-young: I’m also a fan of yours, and I really enjoyed listening to it. I don’t think you need to worry.]

Yeon Ju-hong wore a satisfied expression, while Yun Chung smiled with serene composure.
The conversation wrapped up in this warm atmosphere.

[Hee-young: Personally, I think Summer Solstice was my favorite.]
[Geum: I composed that one! Ryu Bora helped with the lyrics.]
[Hee-young: Really? I knew Geum was good at composing, but I didn’t know Bora was this talented at writing lyrics.]

Do Hee-young’s face showed genuine surprise.
And for good reason.
The Ryu Bora she’d seen at Make a New Color seemed lethargic and disinterested in worldly matters.
Though of course, she wasn’t like that in front of the camera.
Do Hee-young glanced at Yun Chung.
Even back at Make a New Color, she’d thought there was something extraordinary about her….

[Hee-young: You’re all truly remarkable.]

Do Hee-young spoke with a gentle smile.

[Hee-young: Each member is discovering new talents and continuing to grow. That’s truly not an easy thing to do.]

Do Hee-young knew this because she had walked the same path herself.
It was an industry where merely breathing was a struggle.
Even within such an atmosphere, to never stop, never rest, and always push forward.
She understood how impossibly difficult that truly was.
Do Hee-young lingered in her thoughts for a moment before returning to the present.

[Hee-young: Could you explain the song for us?]
[Bora: Summer Solstice refers to the longest day of the year. The concept came from wondering—on the longest day, wouldn’t one be able to take the longest nap?]
[Geum: Actually, this song came about when I heard Bora’s idea and the melody just came to me! Because of that, I think you’ll really feel the harmony between the two of us.]

All the members nodded in agreement.

[Baek-young: You have no idea how much those two fought while making that song….]
[Ju-hong: I seriously thought we were disbanding. They fought so intensely.]

Seo Baek-young, Yeon Ju-hong, and Yun Chung all nodded vigorously in agreement.

[Hee-young: Gasp.]
[Bora: I told you not to bring that up.]
[Geum: We didn’t fight. It was a difference of opinion.]
[Hee-young: What on earth were you fighting about?]

Ryu Bora and Kim Geum glanced at each other, then laughed softly.

[Bora: I wanted to focus on the longest day.]
[Geum: But I wanted to focus on the shortest night.]

Kim Geum said this and raised both hands.

[Geum: But Bora won. I can never beat Ryu Bora.]
[Baek-young: None of us can beat her….]
[Yun Chung: That’s right….]

‘So Bora really is the one in charge!’

Baek-peu chuckled to herself.
The theory that Ryu Bora held the real power was already the most popular one among EVEL fans.

[Hee-young: Then we absolutely have to listen. Five summer fairies singing Summer Solstice. Shall we play it now?]

As Do Hee-young took the stage, a flood of spotlight illuminated StillBlue.
The five members, each holding a handheld microphone, immersed themselves in the song.

Oh, my daydream
On the day with the longest daylight
I could take the longest nap
You’ll appear in that dream

The first verse belonged to Seo Baek-young, her voice languid and dreamy.

‘Ah, that voice from the teaser…! It was Baek-young’s voice.’

She could produce a voice like that.
My girl is amazing. Perfect. Lovely.

Pitter-patter, I go out to meet you
Thump-thump, you come from far away
I cry out
Oh, my daydream
You’re the one who makes me dream
You’re the one who makes my heart race

Then came the chorus.
All five members sang with radiant smiles on their faces.
Tender lyrics. Hopeful melody.

Like a first love everyone carries
Like a long summer everyone experiences
You are my daydream

Then came Yun Chung’s climax.
True to StillBlue’s main vocalist, she executed the soaring high notes flawlessly.

‘Kim Geum composed this trusting her main vocalist, I heard.’

It was true.
That octave leap couldn’t have been pulled off without absolute faith in the main vocalist.

The longest night of the year
Come find me
Whisper to me
That it took you so long to find me
That this isn’t a dream

***

“…So.”

Seo Baek-young, Kim Geum, Ryu Bora, Yeon Ju-hong.
The four of them were now—

“What if we held a concert?”

staring at me.

“U-uh….”

Were they all too exhausted?
It really does seem too premature—

“Of course. We absolutely should. Why are you even asking?”
“I love it!!!!!”
“Where’s the venue? How many can it hold? What’s the date?”
“Let’s start by putting together a setlist.”

….
I’d worried for nothing….

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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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