When I Opened My Eyes I Was a Superstar - Chapter 68
# 68
formula (2)
Since Ara Entertainment had several singers, they tended to fix project schedules in advance for as short as 6 months or as long as 1 year to avoid confusion in the schedule of each project.
Even Man to Man was an ambitious group launched by Ara Entertainment to continue the popularity of Sabang Shinhwa.
Man to Man’s direction and concept had already been firmly established before debut, and this album was an extension of that.
For Ara Entertainment, it would be a pity that Man to Man missed out on the Rookie of the Year award due to the emergence of a mysterious character named K.K.
‘Because they won the Rookie of the Year award with a solid fan base, and then tried to make a hit with this album they released…’
Even if KK wasn’t there, ‘You’re So Pretty’ would have been the best rookie song.
In fact, although Ara Entertainment had better and more popular songs, they deliberately debuted Man to Man with an experimental song called ‘You’re So Pretty’ that was overflowing with sophistication and might be unfamiliar to the general public.
The attempt was to give Man to Man a trendy image that had never been seen before, giving them the perception that they were a special group.
It was a strategic choice. The calculation was that a really strong and popular song should be released when it has gained a certain level of popularity in order to achieve a proper synergy effect.
If you come out strong from the beginning, you have to come out even harder next time, so it was also a strategy to reduce that burden.
‘Knowing the man-to-man strategy, KK has chosen popular songs since his debut.’
Dowook was not without concerns as he released ‘Very Sorry’ right after his debut song.
‘Could there be a better song than this?’
It was not pride, but concern. However, Do-wook decided to release the song he did his best. There was no choice but to do that in order to catch man-to-man who would become more and more aggressive.
Dowook fell into deep thought while listening to the lyrics that played repeatedly in the teaser.
Man to Man’s latest album was a ‘real’ album prepared by Ara Entertainment. With this album, Man to Man grows into a singer of Ara Entertainment who can stand shoulder to shoulder with Sabang Shinhwa.
From the following year, Man to Man proudly carved their name at the top of the music industry.
“Oh, that’s cool.”
Jeong Yoon-gi commented after watching the teaser video, which must have cost a huge amount of money to produce.
Ara Entertainment’s capital power was felt from the movie-like video to the CG depicting the universe.
Hit Entertainment also had outstanding staff and executives who were practical and challenging. Thanks to this, KK was planned and Dowook’s opinions were accepted.
However, we fell behind in terms of basic capital power.
It was truly something close to force majeure.
If KK becomes a huge success, the next group will be able to receive more support than KK, just as KK was better than Monster.
“I guess I ground my teeth this time.”
Director Oh Baek-ho said with a slightly serious expression. The expression ‘gnashed my teeth’ was an accurate expression.
It may have been an album that was originally being prepared, but since Man to Man missed out on the Rookie of the Year award, they must have prepared even more.
“There will be an uproar when we come out on stage, right?”
“I know.”
At Jeong Yoon-gi’s words, Oh Baek-ho nodded with his arms crossed.
KK’s ‘To a Friend’ continued to occupy the top spot on the music charts without a single music broadcast appearance.
As a result, invitations to appear on broadcasts poured in, but Hit Entertainment made it clear that they had no plans for broadcasting activities.
The ‘To a Friend’ song itself was released suddenly due to a relationship with Seo Tae-jun.
The performance itself was unscheduled, so there was no rest period, but the company judged that the KK members would not be able to endure if they continued to promote ‘To a Friend’.
Moreover, the music alone was very popular. ‘To a Friend’ was played everywhere on the radio and on the streets. There was no need to overdo it.
KK’s schedule was tight just to prepare for the release of the ‘Very Sorry’ regular album and performance in Japan next month.
“I don’t know if all the fans are going man-to-man.”
Jeong Yoon-gi spoke out his honest anxiety as if talking to himself.
It was true that the members had some level of rivalry with Man to Man, but it was really just a general level that arose out of necessity due to location.
At least, Hyeong-seo Ahn’s leg was injured, which added to the discomfort.
‘If I knew that Ara Entertainment tried to interfere with the Rookie
of the Year Award…’ Looking at Jeong Yoon-gi, who didn’t seem to have any malicious intent, Manager Oh Baek-ho thought to himself and soon erased the distracting thoughts from his head.
Director Oh Baek-ho now frowns when he thinks about Man to Man or Ara Entertainment, but he had no idea how much of an uproar it would be if other KK members found out.
‘hmm. Besides, there will be more encounters at broadcasting stations in the future. There shouldn’t be any trouble.’
Director Oh thought for a moment about the rivalry between Man-to-Man and KK, which is sure to become more serious.
However, in the fight against Ara Entertainment, the most vicious of the large entertainment companies, there was nothing the KK members could do for now except to hope that nothing bad would happen.
“You guys should work harder too.”
“Brother Baekho! “What more can I do here…”
Jeong Yoon-gi, who was about to moan, soon closed his mouth. This was because Oh Baek-ho had made a strong impression. Yes, yes, I understand. Jeong Yoon-gi deliberately answered more politely.
Next, Jeong Yoon-gi muttered worriedly.
“Anyway, what should I do about that?”
“Hyung, what’s going on?”
Dowook asked.
Currently staying in the dorm are Director Oh and Jeong Yoon-gi and Do-wook. There were only three people. The remaining members had gone out to do personal business.
Taehyung Park and Jihoon Seok went to the practice room, and Hyungseo Ahn went to the salon to get hair care.
Kim Won was touring Gyeongbokgung Palace when a friend came from abroad for the first time in a long time and told him to take a look. Stories of sightings of Kim Won were popping up all over the fan cafe.
“ah. I went to a broadcasting station not long ago. “I feel like it’s going to be crazy.”
“Are you invited? “What kind of program is this?”
Jeong Yoon-gi was trying to explain to Do-wook, who showed interest.
Jung Yoon-gi was already trying to ask the members’ opinions. However, it was not a hasty decision and it was something I had put off because I was busy.
Oh Baek-ho intercepted Jeong Yoon-gi’s words.
“Do-wook, you have a test coming up, so focus on it for now. “It’s not too late to discuss Yoongi’s work after your exam.”
It wasn’t that the team members weren’t doing their jobs, but it was true that Dowook was carrying too much of a burden.
At times, it seemed like Do-wook was even doing his part. Although he didn’t show it, Oh Baek-ho was thankful and sorry at times like that.
I didn’t want to give Do-wook another problem to worry about before the exam.
In response to Oh Baek-ho’s explanation, Jeong Yoon-gi also appeared as if he had missed it.
“Don’t do that! “I guess I didn’t do it because it was right before the practical exam.”
“Ah… it’s okay.”
“Are you confident about this? Is there anything I can help you with? “Would you like to deal with me?”
Do-wook laughed at Jeong Yoon-gi, who showed enthusiasm by rolling up his sleeves.
It was Seok Ji-hoon who was providing the most help in acting practice ahead of the upcoming practical exam at Korea National University of Arts.
Seok Ji-hoon always became Do-wook’s counterpart for the practice scripts he received from teacher Lee Kang-yeon.
“I’ll join you when Jihoon comes.”
“Wow, are you ignoring me?”
“Because the role is from Seoul.”
Dowook answered clearly and stood up.
Jeong Yoon-gi fumed at the fact that Do-wook made fun of his dialect.
“I know. “I heard that if you want to broadcast more, you need to improve your dialect on a regular basis.”
Oh Baek-ho also scolded Jeong Yoon-gi for no reason and left with a hearty smile.
“I can’t live because of my injustice! This is my charm point? everyone!”
Jung Yoon-gi sat down where Do-wook was sitting and entered the fan cafe address.
I entered ‘Jung Yoon-ki’ and ‘dialect’ together as search terms.
-Jung Yoon-gi is a really good person when it comes to using dialectㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
-11112223334444
-I wish he would keep using it without changing his dialect…ㅠㅠ
-It’s so sexy…ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
-But sometimes it’s funny when oppa’s dialect is mixed with Seoul dialect haha
-That gang ＼ /Sangdo Sa＼Lam/ Not/De＼Yo~!
-Jung Yoon-gi is a person who would be good at speaking Arabic!!!
-Even if you speak an alien language, Jung Yoon-gi will embrace it…
-The part where you get to rap in an alien language?
-Still, the part I like is
Jung Yoon-gi, who finds peace of mind by looking at the comments of fans who like him.
***
As expected, Man to Man’s comeback was successful.
The title song ‘Accelerator’ was a dance song that expressed the heart of a man running towards the woman he loves as if he were racing on the road.
Man to Man, who captured the attention of fans with a luxurious video, also captured the public’s attention with a spectacular stage featuring many back dancers.
Addictive choruses like KK’s ‘Very Sorry’ began to resonate on the streets, and even the final ending scene with Seo Kang-jun winking became famous.
Captures of Seo Kang-jun winking were uploaded to various communities.
Do-wook’s teardrop and Seo Kang-jun’s wink were posted dozens of times a day, comparing the two and asking who they would like to have as their ‘boyfriend’ more.
The confrontation between Do-wook, the face of KK, and Seo Kang-jun, the face of Man to Man, has begun in earnest.
“Did you see Seojun on Idol Camp? He’s really handsome. “Is that what flower beauty is all about?”
“But I think Seojun is too skinny. Having muscles like Kang Do-wook…”
“Does Kang Do-wook have muscles?”
“I did not know? Look at this! “Is this a lifestyle muscle developed while dancing?”
Do-wook, who got out of the car driven by Oh Baek-ho and entered the Korea National University of Arts alone, was listening to the conversation of female students comparing him and Seo-jun like on the Internet.
I heard it even if I didn’t want to hear it.
Today was the day of the practical test for which Dowook had prepared as best as he could in a short period of time.
Dowook was wearing a slightly tight white shirt and jeans. Most of the students who came to take the practical exam were wearing the same clothes according to the regulations.
The female students in front seemed to be current students. They were holding thick textbooks in one hand and showing photos of Seojun and Dowook to each other on their cell phones.
“You have muscles like this? “You have a nice body~ I thought you only had a nice face~!”
“right? Kang Do-wook is the best! I think Seojun is just okay. “It’s not my taste.”
“Tch, I like both of them.”
Dowook looked for a moment at the two female students walking away, talking excitedly, without even thinking that Dowook was right behind them.
The success of Man to Man did not mean Do-wook was uneasy. But it wasn’t just anxiety.
This was expected from the beginning anyway, and unlike before, the popularity of KK and Man to Man was on par. No, it wasn’t an exact number, but KK’s popularity was slightly higher.
It was the opposite situation. This is a situation where Man to Man must capture KK’s popularity.
‘But I have no intention of getting caught.’
Rather, I was thinking of running away. So far that I feel impatient at the thought of not being able to catch up.
Do-wook was determined to see what choice the impatience in man-to-man would make.
In any case, Do-wook’s revenge was meaningful when Seo Kang-jun fell from a certain position.
‘For that to happen, success as an actor is essential. To destroy Seo Kang-Jun’s personal success.’
Korea National University of Arts will become the foundation. Do-wook felt more nervous than ever.
As I passed through the garden with lush green leaves, the smoke department building came into view. Even though I arrived about 20 minutes ahead of time, many students who had come to take the test were already gathered in the building.
“uh?! Kang Do-wook…?”
A student who spotted Dowook standing at the entrance blurted out the thoughts in his head without realizing it.
At the same time, attention was focused on Dowook.
It wasn’t a good look. Everyone had disapproving looks. Even the eyes of the female students who would normally have liked Do-wook were not so favorable.
After checking the practical test number, Dowook sat down in his seat.
Dowook heard the sound of students whispering among themselves.