Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail - Chapter 234

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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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Episode 26.

Colors Entertainment Headquarters, Elevator Lobby.

“I saw that challenge video you did with the White Noise seniors. You were really good at it, unnie.”
“Really? I guess I was just putting in some fan service. Haha.”

That day too, I was heading to the Practice Room with my members as usual.

“Oh, junior!”

At the sound of someone calling out, all my members turned around together.

‘White Noise’s… Sayoon?’

The person who called us was none other than Sayoon from White Noise.
But Sayoon wasn’t alone there.
Along with the White Noise members, there were All Colors members too.
It was practically a gathering of Colors’ senior groups, so the StillBlue members hastily bowed in greeting.
The White Noise members were constantly on overseas tours, so they weren’t actually that close with StillBlue.
But….

‘I’ve covered their songs so much that they almost feel like family now….’

We really did cover them endlessly during the Make a New Color days….
Painful memories flashed through my mind, and I bit my tongue.

“Hello, seniors!”
“Hey. You must have all been pretty shocked yesterday… are you okay?”
“We’re sturdy, so we’re fine.”

Since this kind of thing happened all the time, I laughed bitterly.
Everyone’s mental fortitude had been thoroughly tempered….
At Kim Geum’s words, Sayoon, White Noise’s main vocalist, chuckled.
Whenever Sayoon ran into me at the Company Building, she always wore that peculiar smile.

‘…It’s like she’s looking at a particularly impressive pet.’

Is it because we share the same main vocal lineage that it feels slightly more endearing…?
I couldn’t fathom Sayoon’s feelings, so I simply offered an awkward smile.

“Perfect timing. Actually, I’ve been wanting to ask you for a favor.”
“!”

Specifically me?
I looked at Sayoon with a slightly bewildered expression.
Someone of Sayoon’s caliber—practically a generational idol icon who’d transcended the typical top tier—what could they possibly need from me?

“Yes, what… might that be?”
“I’m dropping a solo album soon.”
“!”
“Would you do a featuring on one of the tracks?”

At those words, the All Colors members interjected subtly.

“Wait, Sayoon. When we offered to do a featuring, you didn’t even pretend to listen. Isn’t that too much?”
“You all are too predictable. Sorry.”
“P-Predictable…?”

Day from All Colors clutched his chest as if his heart were breaking.

“Of course I should. It’s actually an honor for me.”

At my words, all the White Noise members gathered and let out exclamations of awe.
Well, truthfully, we’re the ones who should be amazed.
Getting to feature on Sayoon’s solo track from White Noise? This was an opportunity we should be thanking her a hundred times over for.

‘White Noise is a group that always sells out whenever they tour in the United States.’

It meant they were a girl group with high recognition not just domestically, but internationally as well.
So… if I could build my recognition bit by bit through opportunities like this, that would be wonderful. I’ve stumbled upon an unexpected chance.
I felt dazed by this sudden opportunity.

“Wow, Sayoon. You’ve been eyeing this all along, and you finally did it.”
“She pulled it off.”
“She really did.”

That wasn’t the only thing that felt awkward. The members of White Noise were shaking their heads with expressions that seemed to say, “She actually pulled it off.”
I didn’t know what to do with myself under White Noise’s strange gazes.
I mean, they’re all looking at me like I’m some monkey in a zoo.

“Ah, I’m sorry, Yun Chung. That must have been uncomfortable. It’s just that the members are curious….”

Sayoon laughed with an embarrassed smile.

“We’ve been wondering who this legendary junior is who’s turned our company upside down so much. Everyone finds it fascinating.”
“!”

What does that even….
Turned… upside down…?
How exactly has my reputation spread like this? Just as my gaze wavered, Ryu Bora and Seo Baek-young chimed in.

“Our leader is quite impressive, isn’t she?”
“That’s the truth.”

Please, not this.
I hurriedly waved my hands.

“No, I haven’t done anything, really.”
“Come on. Don’t lie. You don’t know how Hong President talks about you every time he drinks?”
“?!”

What?
I just blinked in confusion.

“We’re close with Hong President, you know. We’ve known him for so long.”
“Long enough that we’re tired of seeing him now.”
“Hey, hey. You should only say things like that when it’s just us.”
“Aw, everyone in the industry knows~ it’s not a secret~”

No, I’d really appreciate it if you’d keep it a secret.
By now, the StillBlue members were just sweating nervously.

“Anyway, we were curious. Who is this rookie idol who scolds our Hong President?”
“Cough.”
“Now that Hong President is back… you’ll give him a good scolding, right? It’s just that no one around him gives him honest feedback like that, so it’s always been a bit of an issue. Haha.”

Sayoon laughed boldly as if nothing was amiss, but I couldn’t bring myself to smile.
Then.
A familiar voice suddenly cut through the air.

“What, talking about me right now?”
“!!”

From down the hallway, sporting flashy burgundy sunglasses—

“Which idol gossips about their president inside the company building?”

Hong President stood there with a crooked smile.

***

After sending the members to the Practice Room first.
I quietly followed Hong President into the President’s Office.

“Talking about me so openly like that.”
“I didn’t say a word, sir.”

Though I’d certainly cursed plenty in my head.
I trailed off appropriately.

“Aren’t you being ungrateful? Regardless of anything else, I helped you this time, didn’t I?”
“You helped me, sir?”

Wasn’t it me who helped you instead?
What about the fact that I saved the company right before it was about to collapse spectacularly?
Crackle—our eyes locked, and the very air between us split taut with tension.

“It’s certainly true that you played a role in this matter.”
“Thank you for acknowledging that.”
“But you’re gaining something from it too, aren’t you?”
“….”

I didn’t answer that question.
And for good reason—
I hadn’t received any concrete promises yet.

“Regarding Representative Choi Han-jin, we haven’t received any news about that yet.”

Choi Han-jin.
A person Baek Ju-ha had brought in—originally intended to be positioned as the overall representative of Colors.

“He only got his appointment a week ago. You should know to be patient.”

When Hong President, who had been managing the United States subsidiary, came to South Korea, he was automatically reassigned as the representative of the U.S. branch.

“Anyway, I don’t understand your true intentions.”
“….”
“You’re pushing for U.S. chart entry and performing at Coachella, yet you don’t seem focused on it at all. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m not saying I won’t focus on it. I was simply suggesting that domestic activities should form the foundation.”

I had reluctantly accepted it because of the deal with that Cotton Ball Entity….
I was generally skeptical about U.S. activities.
It’s not that I dislike U.S. activities. It’s simply too early for that.

‘StillBlue is only in their third year now. We need to solidify our position domestically before moving forward.’

Like BurnAsh, the standard approach was to begin international expansion around the fifth year.
Or even later wouldn’t be too late.

“Ah. You want to solidify a full album release domestically first, and then expand overseas?”
“Yes.”

At my words, Hong President let out a knowing laugh. His expression suggested he had some ulterior motive.

“I actually wanted to discuss this too. You saw the news about Nam Director’s situation, right?”
“Ah, yes. I did.”

Hong President had clearly said he would ensure this matter didn’t leak to the outside….

[Internal Conflict at Colors? Discord Between Label 1 and Labels 2, 3… Even a Reverse Viral Campaign?]
[Colors’ Nam Director Dismissed—Is It Related to This Reverse Viral Incident?]
[Colors States: “We Cannot Disclose Internal Company Matters”… A De Facto Admission?]

For some reason, this incident had become thoroughly publicized. As a result, Colors’ stock price had plummeted dramatically. Yun Chung laughed bitterly.
There was only one reason I had hoped this wouldn’t become public.
Because when this became public, there was nothing good for the artists.
Only the rumors Nam Director had created would resurface once more.

“The shareholders are absolutely furious because of that. You must have anticipated it to some degree.”
“…Yes.”

What was he trying to say?
Yun Chung quietly observed Hong President’s expression.

“It seems we need a countermove to quell that anger.”
“…?”
“One month.”

One month?
At the sudden timeframe, my brow furrowed.

“Within one month, StillBlue will make a comeback with a full-length album.”
“!”

The moment I opened my mouth to protest immediately.

“In return, Colors will provide unprecedented support. Money, personnel—everything. All the personnel from Label 3 and Label 1 will work solely for StillBlue.”

Hong President had presented an offer I absolutely couldn’t refuse.

“The U.S. branch will also stake everything and push the promotion.”
“!”
“So you can achieve the chart entry you desire.”

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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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