Top Girl Group Scenario Rewritten with My Own Hands - Chapter 3

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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 3
The next day at 12:50 PM, I arrived ten minutes early at the Music Proof building.
The headquarters looked just as I remembered it—or perhaps even a bit newer. Seeing it again gave me an odd feeling. Back when I used to come here regularly for work, they’d said there was barely anyone left from my side of things. I wondered what it would be like now.
Once I joined, I’d have to keep “our people”—those who’d already left—from walking out. Lee Su-bin from the New Artist Development Team, for instance, who’d left that casting comment on my video.
According to Kang Su-a, Lee Su-bin had single-handedly assembled the entire Evergrit lineup.
And apparently, the quality of the debut album—even though it hadn’t eaten up the budget—was largely her doing too.
The more allies we have in the company, the better.
But the fact that those allies are capable? Even better.
All right, then. Until the debut, she’ll technically be under Music Proof. After that, I need to find a way to make sure Lee Su-bin doesn’t leave the company.
Yesterday, Lee Su-bin had texted me the building’s address and said I should just wait in the lobby. I sat obediently on a sofa in the corner, waiting for her to come down.
“Are you Seo Ji-on?”
“Oh, yes. That’s me.”
At the sound of that soft voice, I reflexively stood and offered a social smile. A woman with a warm impression welcomed me with a kind expression.
“Welcome! I’m Lee Su-bin, manager of the New Artist Development Team. You’re much prettier in person than in the video, aren’t you?”
“Oh… um… thank you! I’m not great with compliments…”
Lee Su-bin let out a light laugh watching me flounder.
At least a bad first impression was worse than this, right? I’d heard so often that I came off as rude that I still didn’t know how to respond to compliments about my appearance.
“That’s a guitar, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right. I thought self-accompaniment would be better than scrambling to find a backing track. Is that all right?”
“Not at all—we prefer it, actually. It’s heavy, so let’s set it down in the audition room and take a quick tour of the company first.”
I followed Lee Su-bin into the elevator to the third floor. After leaving the guitar in the dance practice room, I went on a full tour of the Music Proof building with her, but nothing seemed particularly different from how I remembered it.
“It’s a good company for making music. You might worry about our lack of idol-launch experience, but the operations team will make sure there are no problems.”
Unfortunately, there will be problems. I think Kang Su-a had mentioned this too.
Still, I smiled as naturally as a music-loving layperson with an interest in singing would. Most people outside the industry wouldn’t know how different idol management was from regular artist management anyway. I nodded as if thinking, ‘Isn’t it all the same?’
“Manager! Over here… are you…?”
Wait—was that Su-a?
“What? Seo Ji-on, what are you doing here?!”
“You two know each other?”
“Yes! We were roommates at school this semester in the dorm!”
At that, Lee Su-bin turned to look at me in surprise.
“You go to Seo Jeong University?”
“Oh… yes. But I’m not in vocals—I’m in composition for applied music.”
This situation suddenly felt like I’d done something wrong.
I gave an awkward smile and tried to think of a way out of this uncomfortable moment.
“But why are you here?”
“I’m a trainee here. I guess I never told you?”
“Wait, seriously? You startled me.”
I acted sufficiently surprised about meeting Kang Su-a here, and then—
“I was wondering whether to mention school, but the timing felt off, so I didn’t bring it up. And since I’m not a vocalist, just a composer, it felt awkward to say anything first…”
I played up the awkwardness of having missed the moment to tell her.
“That’s all right. I was planning to explain the contract and trainee life once we finished filming, anyway, so we just found out a bit earlier.”
Lee Su-bin nodded lightly, as if she understood, and spoke in a reassuring tone.
Good—I’d handled that well.
“Su-a, can you take the kids to another floor for a bit? We need to film the audition on the third floor.”
“Sure! The kids just came back from school anyway and are still eating. I came back early on my own…”
“Then just tell them not to open the dance practice room door, and wait somewhere else.”
“Got it!”
Before bounding down the stairs with a bright smile, Kang Su-a glanced back at me and mouthed a small “see you later.” I hoped she’d stay that clear-eyed and innocent-looking in the future too.
“Shall we go film the audition video? Like I said, no need to be too nervous. It’s just a camera test.”
“Oh, yes!”
Quick, efficient movements and polite demeanor—that’s what made a first impression. I followed Lee Su-bin back to the third-floor practice room where I’d left my guitar.
***
The practice room where we filmed the audition was nothing special. Just a tripod, a camera, and another New Artist Development Team employee sitting nearby.
I’d tuned the guitar yesterday, but just to be safe, I checked the tuning one last time. E2, A, D, G, B, E4. Once I confirmed each string was perfectly in pitch, I adjusted the strap length and slung the guitar over my shoulder.
“I’m ready.”
“Good. Once the camera starts, just say your name, age, and the song title, and you can begin.”
“We’re starting the recording.”
At their words, I felt a slight tension settle in. It had been a while since I’d sung formally in front of someone like this. But then I thought—it’s a casting, and unless I really messed up badly, I wouldn’t fail. That eased the knot in my chest a bit.
The camera powered on. From this moment on, everything would be recorded.
“Hello, I’m Seo Ji-on, twenty years old. The song I’ve prepared is ‘yourself’ by Chloe Vinz.”
Exhale.
One, two, three, and.
A bright guitar melody flowed from my fingertips—one I’d played so often, so many times, that I could do it with my eyes closed.
***
The audition seemed to go well. They asked if I had any ballad or rock songs I could perform, so I sang a couple more, and the manager seemed to really enjoy them.
“So… if you debut with us, we’d like to offer you the main vocal position.”
I didn’t think I was an exceptionally good singer, but hearing them say this surprised me.
I’d always thought of my voice as more “liked” than “good,” but this was genuinely unexpected.
“At twenty, you’re technically an adult, so parental consent isn’t strictly necessary, but it might be better to discuss this with your parents before making a final decision.”
You can’t just rush into a contract like this.
Lee Su-bin chuckled good-naturedly.
Parents… parents.
Hearing that word made me think of my parents for a moment, but no—that wasn’t it. Instead, I remembered a certain professor who always emphasized the importance of contracts during lectures.
One careless contract could cost you your entire copyright!
An adult who rushes you to sign a contract is a very bad adult!!
Every contract must be read carefully, checked for unreasonable clauses, considered once more, and only then signed!!!
It was the professor of harmony at Seo Jeong University’s applied music program—his famous series of reminders: “Did you think before you signed?”
The professor told us every day: always be careful with contracts. Contracts are like word games, and if you get scammed, it’s infuriating…
He said stress and cardiac stress were actually things to watch out for in life. His voice reminding us to read contracts carefully rang especially clear to me today.
Lee Su-bin was definitely a good person. Contracts should always be read carefully, thought through at length, and signed only then…
I received Lee Su-bin’s personal contact, a business card, and a copy of the contract, then politely said I’d reach out within a few days before leaving the Music Proof building.
Oh, right—I’d asked if there was trainee housing, and she said I could move in if I wanted. That should solve my housing situation soon! A dorm is infinitely better than a goshiwon anyway…
[▷ Tutorial Quest: Get hired at the agency ‘Music Proof’. (Days remaining: D-8)]
I stared at the text on the translucent panel. I still had about a week, so I’d take my time thinking and then reach out.
– Seo Jeong 2N Vocal Kang Su-a: don’t go
– Seo Jeong 2N Vocal Kang Su-a: seriously wait
– Seo Jeong 2N Vocal Kang Su-a: i’ll buy you dinner!!!
– Seo Jeong 2N Vocal Kang Su-a: (rabbit bowing emoji)
As soon as I opened my messenger, Kang Su-a’s messages came pouring in one after another. Had she sent them in a rush before practice? The urgent tone made me let out a small laugh.
lol –
k –
starbucks next to the building –
i’ll be there lol –
With her being this eager, there was no real reason to brush her off. And besides, I needed to maintain good relations with her going forward anyway…
Plus, I’d get a free dinner out of it.
***
“Hello. Su-a said she’d buy us dinner, so I tagged along, but she didn’t mention she had a friend…”
“She’s a trainee at our company. You don’t mind if she joins us, right?”
This was a scenario I hadn’t anticipated.
A trainee with a noticeably taller frame—at least five centimeters more than Kang Su-a—with a carefully maintained figure and a face so strikingly handsome she must’ve been told “you’re so handsome” her whole life. She stood beside Kang Su-a.
If Kang Su-a gave off the vibe of “wow, she’s really pretty!”, this girl was more “you’re really handsome!” Her sharp features—more angular than curved—gave her a distinctly striking appearance.
The face wasn’t unfamiliar. Go Hyun-seo—was she a year younger than me? I hadn’t seen her as much as the other members, but it’s a face you don’t forget once you’ve seen it.
“I’m fine with it, but give me a heads-up if there’s someone extra at the meeting place, okay? I’m Seo Ji-on—her friend, her university roommate.”
“Just roommate? Don’t you have a closer way to call each other? It sounds too business-like.”
“You are my roommate, though. What else?”
“Wow… I bet you saved my number as ‘Seo Jeong Kang Su-a’ didn’t you? You have no warmth, seriously, no warmth!”
“Actually, I have you as ‘Seo Jeong 2N Vocal Kang Su-a.'”
“…Are you a T?”
“Why are you asking me that out of nowhere?”
Go Hyun-seo watched our banter silently, then let out a quiet laugh.
It was funny, wasn’t it—the older sister who brought her out to buy her dinner ends up saying things like “Are you a T?” to her friend…
“My older sister asks me that all the time too. Anyway, I’m Go Hyun-seo. I’m nineteen, and you can speak comfortably to me if you’d like.”
“Is that okay even though we’re meeting for the first time?”
“You’re older than me, right? If that’s the case, casual speech is easier for me.”
This girl—whether now or in the future—was talented at steering conversations however she wanted. I gave a small smile and said I’d speak comfortably too.
“So what are we eating?”
“I know a place! Just follow me.”
“Are you going there again? Didn’t you go yesterday?”
“…Hyun-seo, I’m asking if you could please just follow your older sister…”
“Do you like sushi, Ji-on? Su-a has a favorite Japanese restaurant.”
“Yeah, I like Japanese food.”
“Then that settles it.”
“…Why is everyone treating me like this?! You two are too much, seriously…”
Seeing Kang Su-a a little deflated, I couldn’t help but laugh. Yeah, you being a little foolish like that actually suits you better.
“You’re laughing?!”
“Yeah, it’s funny.”
Making some whiny sounds, Kang Su-a eventually relented, and the three of us arrived at the restaurant.
Was this the Japanese restaurant? A good place nearby had closed down, I’d heard. I’d wanted to try it once, but I never imagined I’d come here like this.
So this was when Go Hyun-seo was still with Music Proof.
In my previous timeline, I’d first met Go Hyun-seo much later, around when I started handling the producing for Evergrit, when she’d stopped by the company area to visit the members.
“Honestly, as you’d understand, the company… it was just hard to keep chasing dreams. I felt like I’d given it my all.”
Kang Su-a had shown me videos of Go Hyun-seo’s practice, calling her incredible, and when I asked why she quit, that’s what she said. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly when she left, so I couldn’t be certain, but if she still had no intention of quitting now, I absolutely had to keep her.
Evergrit’s leader was Kang Su-a, but she’d said she only took the role out of necessity as the oldest. And there had been another trainee who was originally supposed to be leader—based on the situation, that had to be Go Hyun-seo.
“Hyun-seo’s famous. She made it to the survival show finals, right?”
“Well… I actually got put into the show because I didn’t make the original company debut lineup.”
I just nodded along as I listened to their back-and-forth conversation. It was my way of showing I was paying attention.
“But honestly, if you don’t make the debut lineup, there’s not much difference.”
“Who says there’s no difference?! Who said that? Tell me their name and I’ll go scold them!”
“…No, that’s just what I think. You’d scold me?”
“Well… that’s not… right.”
Watching Kang Su-a’s fighting spirit deflate so quickly, I let out a small giggle.
Give it up—even when you mature, you won’t win in a war of words against Hyun-seo.
“By the way, that survival show… was it ? On V.net? I was in third year so I didn’t watch it, just heard the juniors talking about it.”
“Yeah, . It’s not a super high-profile program, so I figured you might not know about it.”
I played innocent, as if I’d just taken a lucky guess, my expression showing surprise. But of course, I’d already heard all about this before.
Go Hyun-seo was a trainee who’d made it into the final eighteen of V.net’s girl group survival audition .
More than that, she was also a member of the legendary first-round cover song mission—.
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[Exclusive/Vertical Cam] Go Hyun-seo oneN:D ♬Bad problem_Team 2 @Battle Mission #DreamGirlsProject
View count 810K · 1 year ago @V.net TV
[Episode 4] ‘I’m confident in first place’ The First │oneN:D ♬Bad problem_Team 2 @Battle Mission #DreamGirlsProject
View count 8.44M · 1 year ago @V.net TV
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To put it in perspective: her individual fancam from the first competition had the highest view count among all individual fancams of the entire competition—an incredible dancer whose dancing alone wouldn’t lose even against the main dancer of an active girl group.
The stage control and charisma of someone who truly understood the hit song from a second-generation top male group oneN:D, making it completely her own—even though others’ covers of had drawn lukewarm responses.
The future is uncertain, but this much I’m certain of: if she joins, Go Hyun-seo will absolutely be an asset to the team throughout its activities.
This is the second reason I must bring Go Hyun-seo to debut.
Rewriting the Top Girl Group Scenario by My Hand
Author
: Nam Seo-rang
Production Date
: January 5, 2026
Publisher
: Acis Media Corporation
Editor
: Acis Media Editorial Team
Address
: 4F, Urban Bench Building, 325 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Email
: [email protected]
※ This work has been published by Acis Media Corporation in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder,
and the contents may not be used in any form or manner without permission from the company and author.
This e-book is protected by copyright law, and unauthorized reproduction or copying may result in legal liability.
UCI
: G720:N+A129-20260102083.0003

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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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