The Hit Song of This Life Is Revenge - Chapter 26

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

An silent, bloodless war began.
On the Screen, the four teams turned their backs on each other on the battlefield.
Because there was no movement, the sharp edge of tension filled the Studio Set even more acutely.
Each team took its place at a different corner of the square Studio Set.
It was a distance where, if one strained their ears, they could just barely catch each other’s words.
‘It would have been nice if that girl were here too.’
They had ultimately failed to recruit a Trainee to take charge of the rap part.
But since she wasn’t on Baek Song-ha’s team, it was fine.
Lee Jae-i let her gaze drift casually before locking onto Baek Song-ha’s team diagonally across from them.
‘As expected.’
They were dazzling.
It was overwhelming at first glance, as if brilliant jewels had all been gathered in one place.
A team where each member’s individuality was distinctly alive.
However, while that kind of flashiness could evoke admiration if handled well, a momentary fracture would inevitably shatter it to pieces.
Even so, the one who moved first without caution was, unsurprisingly, Baek Song-ha.
“We will choose Judge Hae-su.”
Not even a minute had passed, yet she raised her hand without hesitation.
There couldn’t possibly have been enough time to consult with her teammates.
And yet, everyone nodded as if in agreement.
A choice that perfectly suited Song-ha’s characteristic style.
Lee Jae-i did not panic.
She had no intention of choosing a choreographer as a Judge in the first place.
She opened her mouth toward her teammates.
“I think Judge Choi Du-o would be good. What do you all think?”
Yeon Eun-soo arched an eyebrow.
“Isn’t he the one who… did musicals?”
That was correct.
Choi Du-o was a stage director who had drawn significant attention with the musical ‘Emotion’.
‘Emotion’ was a strange and daring piece that connected the stories of protagonists with different emotions into a series.
Lee Jae-i believed that very directing method was exactly what their current team needed.
Moreover, Choi Du-o would later receive an offer for a global project and build an extraordinary career.
Even for the sake of the future, it was advantageous to secure a connection now.
However, Yeon Eun-soo shook her head and added her reasoning.
“Aren’t broadcast stages and musicals completely different in nature? I don’t think there’s any reason to take a risk.”
Kim Se-jin, who had been wearing a contemplative look the entire time, also lent weight to the opinion.
“I also lean away from stage directing… I think Judge Moon Jung-woo, who has survival show experience, would be better.”
Already, half of the team members had objected to Lee Jae-i’s opinion.
She could feel the Camera pressing in close.
It was a moment where even a small fracture would be etched flawlessly onto the screen.
Lee Jae-i slowly made eye contact with each of her teammates.
“Would the rest of you mind sharing your thoughts as well?”
The remaining two teammates chose Moon Jung-woo and Hae-su, respectively.
It was a safe choice.
Public recognition carried a certain level of expectation, after all.
Had she been completely clueless herself, she would have made the same choice.
Lee Jae-i was in a difficult position.
The teammates had completely excluded Judge Choi Du-o from their options.
‘What should I do?’
She couldn’t lead the team the way Baek Song-ha did.
That was merely a temporary charisma that would quickly be perceived as tyranny.
Lee Jae-i began her final persuasion.
“Eun-soo, looking only at technique, no one can match your dancing. But this has to be shown on broadcast. If the camera angles don’t follow you, it gets buried.”
She shifted her gaze toward Kim Se-jin.
“Se-jin, your voice becomes incredibly solid when emotion is poured into it. But it needs proper directing to shine brighter.”
She locked eyes with the remaining two members in turn and spoke deliberately.
“We all have different colors. If it’s Judge Choi Du-o, he can combine those colors into one. We won’t just be putting on a show; we can be complete as a team.”
As her words clipped shut with firm conviction, the teammates’ eyes wavered for a moment.
Watching Lee Jae-i’s back as she delivered her passionate speech, Song-ha let out a snort.
‘A flea can only jump so high.’
Song-ha was certain that this Mission was a Stage tailor-made for her.
There was one thing she had definitely mastered from her previous group promotions.
How to make herself stand out the most.
‘Tch. Look at her pretending to listen to opinions.’
Just looking at them, she could practically hear the whining from across the room.
Until the other teams finished designating their Judges, Lee Jae-i’s team only continued to trade endless arguments.
Idiots who knew nothing only understood when things were laid down strictly for them.
That was a Leader’s job, and it was easier for a group to function that way.
‘She’s already getting swayed, and she calls herself a Leader.’
Song-ha was relaxed.
Although two love letters had already piled up for the choreographer Hae-su, it didn’t matter.
‘Just pick Judge Hae-su.’
Baek Song-ha secretly hoped Lee Jae-i would choose Hae-su instead.
Because it would be the perfect opportunity to overturn the humiliation from earlier.
“The allotted time is drawing to a close. Leader Lee Jae-i, have you finished coordinating with your teammates?”
The host’s voice cut through the tension.
Instead of answering, Lee Jae-i looked into the eyes of each person.
A silence fell.
The teammates’ expressions froze all at once, and the Camera did not miss that chaos.
It zoomed in on Lee Jae-i’s team before switching to the relatively peaceful side of Baek Song-ha.
Song-ha stared intently at Lee Jae-i, unbothered by the lens.
The host’s urging echoed again.
“Leader Lee Jae-i, please state your choice.”
Amidst the heavy atmosphere, Yeon Eun-soo cast a hurried glance.
The other members’ pupils also shook with anxiety.
Everyone craved a ‘safe choice’.
“I am certain. If anyone holds an opinion that absolutely disagrees, I will respect it, so please speak up.”
Lee Jae-i threw out her final question.
There was something carried within her steady voice that made trust begin to sprout.
The teammates’ spines straightened.
Their wandering eyes stopped and fixed entirely on Lee Jae-i.
Those eyes were too hasty to be called faith, and too lacking to be called reliance.
However, it was by no means a look of suspicion.
The teammates gave a small nod toward Lee Jae-i.
She turned her body toward the host.
“Our team chooses Judge Choi Du-o.”
From somewhere, a voice blurted out, “Seriously?”
Confused expressions poured in from their surroundings.
Even though she knew the Camera was rolling, Baek Song-ha could not hide her fleeting smile.
‘Who?’
She might have felt tense if it had been Moon Jung-woo.
‘But, Choi Du-o?’
From Baek Song-ha’s perspective, he was the Judge she wanted to avoid the most.
Musicals and broadcast stages were entirely different.
First playing at friendship, and now she wanted to play the hero?
Short of a pioneer spirit, what could she possibly be thinking to make such a choice?
This wasn’t a self-composed song Mission, so a composer Judge was not an option.
It was obvious that the votes would flood toward Hae-su and Moon Jung-woo.
‘Was she scared of getting rejected, then?’
Baek Song-ha felt the excitement drain instantly.
A team that was already a ragtag bunch to begin with.
On top of that, the touch of a director with zero broadcast experience.
‘How boring.’
In the midst of that, her determined expression looked even more ridiculous.
Baek Song-ha crossed her legs and leaned back leisurely.
“All teams have made their choices. Judges, please deliberate carefully and decide on your teams.”
The Judges’ Seats were also astir.
Hae-su curled her lips slightly into a smile and cast her eyes down.
Since she had received the choices of two teams, it was naturally a reaction of delight.
Moon Jung-woo stroked his chin briefly, looking disappointed.
It seemed he wanted to leave a trace of ‘regret’ toward the teams that hadn’t chosen him.
However, the one showing the least agitation was the very person shaking up the playing field.
Choi Du-o merely looked down at the Stage with an expressionless face.
That gaze locked onto Lee Jae-i, who was facing straight ahead.
It was the distinct look of a director who had pressured countless performers on stage.
“Let’s start with the person who has the most to agonize over.”
Choi Du-o handed the microphone over to Hae-su.
With a brief comment of gratitude, Hae-su chose Baek Song-ha’s team.
No one was surprised.
Because no one in that room had anticipated any other option.
Judge Moon Jung-woo also delivered a short greeting to the team that had chosen him.
And then, Choi Du-o received the microphone.
“I have one question.”
His gaze went precisely to Lee Jae-i.
“Is there a specific reason you formed a team with those members?”
“I searched for voices that could harmonize beautifully together. I believed that if Judge your directing power was added to that, our potential would multiply.”
Lee Jae-i did not just answer the question; she added her reason for choosing him.
The teammates’ eyes locked onto Lee Jae-i’s back simultaneously.
Yeon Eun-soo pressed her lips firmly together, and Kim Se-jin leaned her body slightly forward.
The Camera swept past, capturing Lee Jae-i’s team.
Choi Du-o jutted out his lower lip and nodded.
“It is intriguing.”
It was not a simple agreement.
Choi Du-o let out a voice genuinely filled with curiosity.
He pointed the tip of the microphone toward the team.
“First of all, I am grateful that you chose me.”
At that moment, the Camera pulled in sharply, capturing Choi Du-o as he looked down at the Stage.

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