Top Girl Group Scenario Rewritten with My Own Hands - Chapter 89

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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 89
Early December, Saitama, Japan.
At last, the VMA—the awards show that would decide everything—had begun.
“Why are you playing the electric guitar so well, Seo Ji-on?”
“Practice.”
“When did you even practice?!”
“While you guys weren’t looking. I did it alone in my studio. Why?”
“It’s not fair. You didn’t even play it for us once. You were a total rock star.”
The moment we finished hair and makeup touch-ups after the opening stage and arrived at the backstage, Kang Su-ah’s effusive praise about today’s VMA opening guitar performance poured out, right on schedule.
“Oh, right. And you’re doing the acceptance speech alone if we win the Rookie Award today, yeah?”
“Who said that? Hyun Jae-yi?”
“Yeah. Jae-yi told everyone—me, Hyun-seo, and the others—that was the plan. We’re agreed on that, right?”
“Well, we did agree, but…”
“What’s with that expression? You look like you’re being blackmailed.”
“Every requested it. So I have to do it…”
“Ahahaha!”
Kang Su-ah burst out laughing at my slightly uncomfortable expression.
Since I’d never been one to seek the spotlight, I’d always had other members give acceptance speeches. Now it was coming back to bite me.
As we prepared to head out from backstage, I looked at Ashcode. They seemed much the same as before.
Since we hadn’t directly affected Ashcode in any obvious way, maybe nothing was happening with them after all.
Looking at the current atmosphere, I felt glad we’d preemptively sued Lee Da-min.
We hadn’t anticipated the tension between fandoms would escalate this far…
Well, we did prepare for it mentally.
From the start, when P.N. tried to block the collaborative live performance, we pushed forward with it anyway. And when it came to choosing our comeback timing, we didn’t let P.N.’s hesitation or anyone else’s delays sway us.
Fans could easily sense that this was all corporate infighting between companies.
It’s actually pretty funny how people try to categorize K-pop fandoms as vicious here or virtuous there, but the truth is relations can deteriorate infinitely if given the chance.
Once people get the impression that relations between companies or groups are poor, that tendency only strengthens.
On the surface, an atmosphere has formed where we say “the members are close—let’s not fight.” But log into anonymous communities and it’s an absolute mess.
The old saying that female idols have weak core fanbases and live off general popularity is outdated. These days, you need a solid core fandom to climb all the way to top-tier idol status.
So in a way, the fact that fandoms are clashing isn’t necessarily a bad sign.
“Evergreat, please stand by! Follow me to move positions!”
“Yes.”
My train of thought was cut off by a staff member’s words.
Well, fine. There’s nothing good about dwelling on it anyway.
***
For Han Jung-yeon, who couldn’t even remember how many times she’d looped back, this regression was truly something unprecedented.
She’d never gone back this far in time before, and never had such a straightforward mission—save a survival group that hadn’t done well. This was a first.
And the existence of another regressor alongside her—that was also a first.
‘I thought her mental strength was a bit weak, but I never expected she’d loop a few times and come find me first.’
From the circumstances, Seo Ji-on, who’d regressed after her debut activities ended, had come to find Han Jung-yeon first. For Han Jung-yeon, who hadn’t been certain of being a regressor, that had been fortunate, and also…
…No, let me stop thinking about that. I feel like I’ve made quite a fool of myself in various ways.
Her business partner—the one she’d become acquainted with—said the “mission” was still ongoing, making it difficult to know whether they’d succeeded or failed.
That would only become clear once December rolled around and the VMA happened, she’d said. They’d only be able to continue if they won the Rookie Award.
“Hyun-seo is really good… The Evergreat kids are doing amazingly.”
Um You-bin, sitting beside her, murmured in admiration. You-bin had always liked good dancers and was close to Go Hyun-seo, but she was also the one most delighted to see Go Hyun-seo return to the stage after her improvement.
“Ji-on really committed. The song quality is insane.”
Three comebacks per year, plus being main producer… Yeo Eun-jae muttered.
Since Yeo Eun-jae was ambitious about composition, she probably found Seo Ji-on more impressive. In fact, it seemed she’d been inspired lately—she’d gotten a studio from the company and was holed up there whenever she had time.
“Ji-on studied composition, so you’d probably be good at it too, right? Maybe…”
“What do you mean ‘maybe’?”
“Because I haven’t tried yet…”
There was no need to mention that before the regression, she’d given up on producing and composition.
Before regressing, she’d abandoned production and composition, instead directing focus toward vocal skills, so Yeo Eun-jae had never actually released any original compositions. Han Jung-yeon couldn’t give her a straight answer.
“My goodness, our Jung-yeon really doesn’t tell empty lies.”
“Why ‘really’? I’ve never lied since DragonGirlfriend!”
“But you’re good at buttering people up, so why?”
“Ugh, that. I only needed your approval back then!”
I can barely remember the DragonGirlfriend days.
It feels like something from ten years ago…
Hearing about my past self from my fellow members, I couldn’t quite connect with who I used to be. There’s this strange sense of distance that Han Jung-yeon has developed.
“Was the youngest close with that group’s members?”
“Oh, yes. She’s friends with that Jae-yi. Hyun Jae-yi’s been in her own world lately.”
“I see…”
“She said she felt relieved after catching that weird hater. But after bringing that up, she came back and did so well…”
Han Jung-yeon listened to the members’ conversation while keeping her gaze fixed on the stage.
The stage performance was nearly over, and the hook of the new song—which they said sampled an English nursery rhyme—repeated and heated up the venue.
One more time!
Red and Yellow and Pink and Green
That’s so colorful, we shine
That’s so wonderful, we shine
Six members bounded energetically about, then lined up in a row for the ending.
A huge roar erupted from the excited audience seating.
Their album sales had been good. For this comeback, Evergreat had a slight edge over Ashcode.
Moreover, their digital track “Now’s the Time” had been such a massive hit, and this new song “Colorful” was also doing quite well. The addictive hook probably helped a lot, but you could actually see the digital rankings climb every time the award show aired.
Of course, this result was partly because we’d altered the situation.
Looking at just this moment, Seo Ji-on’s worry about winning the Rookie Award was completely incomprehensible—they were overwhelmingly dominant.
***
“I think it’s about time we released our own light stick.”
“Right?! Every is always bringing those temporary light sticks, and… it makes us feel so sorry!”
Is it just that we notice once we’re used to it? Those colorful light sticks were everywhere, and somehow I kept noticing those tiny, delicate temporary ones among them all.
I heard Ashcode had recently started taking preorders for their light stick.
Right now, we and they are probably on equal footing, but since we don’t want to fall further behind, we should propose releasing our own light stick soon too.
Having safely finished our VMA stage performance, we climbed toward the artist seating.
I deliberately tried not to think about the Rookie Award. There was nothing more I could do from here—thinking about it would only make me tense.
“You’re supposed to win an award today, right?”
“Can I even say that? There are so many people watching.”
“They can’t hear us from here. Anyway, hang in there.”
“There’s nothing I can do, so hanging in feels weird…”
Brushing aside Han Jung-yeon’s words—whether they were comfort, worry, or teasing, I couldn’t tell—we settled into our seats, and the Global Star Award, which was decided entirely by audience voting, was presented.
And then came the Rookie Award.
The presenter was a familiar enough actor that I came to recognize him well (even though I don’t watch dramas much and don’t know current actors), since I’d been to this event so many times. Well, only three times, so I can’t say much, but still.
We absolutely had to win the Rookie Award this time.
I couldn’t guarantee there would be another chance if we didn’t…
“Hey, Seo Ji-on.”
“What.”
“It doesn’t look like you’ll lose, but I’m saying it just in case.”
“Yeah, I’m listening.”
“Even if we don’t win the award, we’re doing really well. That doesn’t change.”
“I know.”
“So relax. You were amazing—really. All year long.”
“You’re cursing with cameras rolling?”
“I-I corrected myself!”
“I keep telling you to use prettier language, but you can’t help yourself, can you, Su-ah?”
“Even when I say something nice, you make a scene!”
“Who told you to use bad language?”
“Ugh… I really have nothing to say!”
Kang Su-ah, who’d been trying to be serious for once, finally crumbled under my teasing.
Honestly, right now I’d prefer she keep joking around. Serious Kang Su-ah is somehow a bit scary, and it makes the situation feel too heavy…
“Now I’ll announce the winner.”
In the meantime, the presenter had finished his opening remarks.
“The 202X VMA Best New Female Artist Award.”
Logically, I was already certain we’d won, but my heart couldn’t help racing until it was official.
I’m sure anyone would feel the same way.
“The winner is,”
The camera panned to Ashcode first, then swiveled toward us.
That brief moment of announcement felt impossibly long…
“Evergreat. Congratulations!”
Cheers erupted around us, and the members sprang to their feet.
I slowly rose from my seat, carefully managing my expression.
Finally done with this annoying Rookie Award mission.
I don’t even remember how I walked up to the stage. The tension had drained away, leaving me feeling weak—my only concern was not tripping.
I received the Rookie Award Trophy from the presenter, and the members pushed me toward the microphone.
This was something we’d agreed on beforehand, but I honestly hadn’t prepared an acceptance speech…
It’s embarrassing to admit, but I was afraid if I got my hopes up, I’d only be disappointed.
What should I say first?
Right, a greeting.
I looked around at the members and then toward the camera as I spoke.
“First, please allow us to greet you. One, two, three.”
“Hello, we are Evergreat!”
A wave of cheers rolled through the packed audience seating. There probably weren’t many people who’d come specifically to see us, but in that moment, it struck me that all these people were congratulating Evergreat on our Rookie Award win.
“First… to be honest, I wasn’t confident we’d win the Rookie Award at the VMA, so I didn’t prepare my speech properly. I apologize for that and ask your understanding.”
And then I heard laughter from people relatively close by.
Who laughed? I’m definitely going to watch the broadcast when I get back to the dorm and identify them.
“It’s truly an honor to receive an award at such a major awards ceremony—an award that can only be won once, during a rookie year. This award isn’t something we could have earned through our effort alone. I think we received it because our fans, Every, have always believed in us and loved us.”
K-pop award shows are popularity contests, after all.
We could never have won this award without our fans.
“Despite still being rookies, we’re receiving so much love, and I truly want to express my gratitude to Every. Thank you so much for always supporting us. Really, truly.”
Cheers erupted from the audience again. You could feel the passion of fans who’d supported us even at overseas awards shows—a gratitude that words alone couldn’t express.
“We will never forget the love you’ve given us, and we promise to become an Evergreat that can repay you with even better performances. Thank you.”
I’m not usually one who tears up easily, but I felt something catch in my throat.
Because of that, I ended up leaving the rest of the speech to Go Hyun-seo.
Well… normally I’d do it, but I figured delegating it tonight was okay.
As I walked back to the artist seating amid applause,
[▷ Mission: Win the Best New Female Artist Award at the VMA!]
[……]
[▷ Mission Clear!]
[▷ Rookie Award Acquisition Complete!]
[▷ Mission Clear Reward Provided. (Check Details)]
Finally cleared this.
It took far too long.
Rewriting the Top Girl Group Scenario in My Own Hands
Author
: Nam Seo-rang
Production Date
: May 21, 2026
Publisher
: AcesMedia
Editor
: AcesMedia Editorial Team
Address
: 4F Urban Bench Building, 325 Teheran-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul
Email
: [email protected]
※ This work is published by AcesMedia in accordance with the copyright holder’s contract,
and its contents may not be used in any form or by any means 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

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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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