Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

‘Was this music always this catchy?’

 

I rewound the three-minute track and played it again.

 

Although there were parts that felt a bit overdone, overall, it was more impressive than before.

 

“It’s good.”

 

“Really?!”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon’s face lit up at my words.

 

“I’m not someone with extensive musical knowledge, but I like it.”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon breathed a sigh of relief. However, I couldn’t relax just yet.

 

If Lee Cheonghyeon’s talent suddenly blossomed, surpassing the Cheonghyeon I knew, that would be fine.

 

But what if ‘the past Cheonghyeon had created this song’ and it was released as the version I knew after arrangement or some other process?

 

That would be problematic. Taste was a personal matter, and public reaction was something you only knew after trying.

 

In the latter case, no matter how much I said, ‘Oh, I think Lee Cheonghyeon’s version is better!’, it would be useless unless I could convince the entire company.

 

‘As someone who just joined, I can’t influence the A&R team.’

 

I desperately hoped this situation corresponded to the former case.

 

Perhaps pleased with the praise from the klutz, Lee Cheonghyeon grabbed the mouse with a more relaxed expression.

 

“Please listen to this too. This is the melody I originally thought of.”

 

The audio file Lee Cheonghyeon played was identical to the song I knew.

 

“Is there a reason you modified it from the initial version to the one you just played?”

 

“Remember when we talked about the concept with Joowoo hyung last time?”

 

You mean your crazy tastes. Of course, I remembered.

 

“I was just thinking ‘an exciting feeling would be nice~’. But then I thought maybe a more specific image would be better? So I considered various things, and the direction changed.”

 

“What specifically did you think about?”

 

“A 6-meter large metal fanfare!!”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon raised his thumb.

 

It did have an explosive feel. Though the purpose of the fanfare seemed closer to destruction than celebration.

 

‘If the song changed based on our conversation… then there’s a possibility this melody might remain as it is?’

 

Although I needed to hear other people’s evaluations, personally, I preferred the version Lee Cheonghyeon revised.

 

I patted the shoulder of Lee Cheonghyeon, who had grown so much on his own.

 

“It must have been tough making it this far. You’ve worked hard.”

 

“I still have a long way to go.”

 

True, compared to the work Lee Cheonghyeon had to do ahead, the melody was akin to preparing ingredients.

 

Still, finding such fresh ingredients was no small feat. I gladly let Lee Cheonghyeon, who had worked hard for a whole week, return to his room.

 

Probably quite tired, Lee Cheonghyeon quickly bid me goodnight and went straight to his room.

 

Until then, I didn’t know.

 

That there was someone watching our haphazard songwriting attempt.

 

* * *

 

During group practice, we would practice for 55 minutes and then have a 5-minute break.

 

I was trying to review my moves in front of the mirror when Jeong Seongbin approached me and asked,

 

“Aren’t you tired, hyung?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You and Cheonghyeon seem to do something together every night. I was worried you might not be getting enough rest.”

 

I was about to mention songwriting but quickly gave a roundabout answer.

 

“Oh, we were just talking about songs. Were we too loud in the living room and disturbed you?”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon, who was embarrassed to let others hear his songs, probably wouldn’t like us talking about him.

 

However, my worries were unfounded.

 

Lee Cheonghyeon, picking up a water bottle, solved Jeong Seongbin’s curiosity by saying, ‘We were talking about composing!’ and left the practice room.

 

If he was going to be this casual about it, why was he so nervous yesterday?

 

As I was left speechless, Jeong Seongbin asked again,

 

“Composing?”

 

“Yeah. I noticed Cheonghyeon was interested, so I encouraged him to try, and he’s been working really hard at it.”

 

“Ah, I see. But don’t overdo it, okay?”

 

Seongbin expressed concern for my health and returned to his spot.

 

Watching Seongbin’s back, I thought.

 

‘You should worry about your health first, taking care of all five of us on your own….’

 

No one else would look after your health. Especially if you didn’t have a guardian or they were far away. All the more reason to take care of yourself.

 

As I was wondering whether I should tell him that the battery of youth didn’t last forever, another person approached me.

 

This time, it was Park Joowoo.

 

“If it’s composing… is it related to the concept we talked about before?”

 

“No. Cheonghyeon is just trying to write something on his own.”

 

“Then, hyung, you…”

 

“A pacemaker with enhanced motivation features.”

 

In truth, all I did was listen and give a thumbs-up.

 

Still, since someone asked, I answered sincerely, but Park Joowoo didn’t leave after hearing the answer and continued the conversation.

 

“Um, hyung.”

 

“Yeah. What is it?”

 

“Um… I know you’re busy, but could you help me with my song selection too?”

 

“For the monthly valuation?”

 

I asked, hoping it wasn’t the case, but Park Joowoo nodded.

 

There was only a week left until the next evaluation. Even though it didn’t take long for him to learn songs, it seemed a bit late to be selecting songs now.

 

‘Has he been worrying about this all this time?’

 

Thinking that quick song selection was important, I cautiously suggested an alternative, feeling that Jeong Seongbin might be more helpful than me.

 

“Have you asked Seongbin? I think he might be more helpful than me.”

 

But Park Joowoo shook his head.

 

“…It’s a bit difficult to talk to Seongbin about this.”

 

Just then, Jeong Seongbin called us back, saying the break time was over.

 

“Shall we talk during dinner? Let’s practice first.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Park Joowoo readily agreed to my suggestion, showing no signs of anxiety about the delayed song selection.

 

After that, until dinner time, I had to endure Kang Kiyeon’s harsh instructions, trembling with anxiety.

 

* * *

 

The first-floor lobby was very quiet during dinner time.

 

Most of the staff had already left for the day.

 

Thanks to arranging to eat separately, tonight’s dinner group consisted of just me and Park Joowoo.

 

I sat down at the table, unwrapping my salad, and waited for Park Joowoo to speak first.

 

Park Joowo set aside the oriental sauce from the plastic container like usual and spoke.

 

“…Last time, I mentioned I wanted to do a strong concept.”

 

“You did.”

 

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot since then… but no matter how many songs I listen to, nothing feels quite right.”

 

“Finding a song that matches your taste isn’t easy.”

 

“In the end, I even got confused about what I was looking for.”

 

It seemed Park Joowoo had given deep thought to the topic we briefly discussed a few days ago.

 

However, something felt odd.

 

‘Was he always this particular about his preferences?’

 

If anything, the image Park Joowoo had shown since debut was closer to ‘this or that, it doesn’t matter.’

 

Unlike most members who resembled what I knew of them, the current Park Joowoo felt a bit unfamiliar.

 

“What’s your biggest concern in selecting a song right now?”

 

“…I don’t know.”

 

“1. You couldn’t find a song you liked. 2. You couldn’t find a song that could reflect the feedback from the last evaluation. 3. Other reasons. Pick one.”

 

“3… maybe?”

 

Not good. In that case, I had no choice but to play a guessing game.

 

I pondered hard on factors that might have recently unsettled Park Joowoo.

 

The biggest change would be my presence, UA’s most uncontrollable klutz.

 

I didn’t think Choi Jeho and Kang Kiyeon’s fight would have affected him much.

 

That left only one thing.

 

Lee Cheonghyeon’s composing.

 

‘Park Joowoo was definitely there when we were talking about it.’

 

Not knowing the exact cause and effect, I asked a question hoping it would hit the mark.

 

“Did watching Cheonghyeon compose make you feel something?”

 

After some thought, Park Joowoo reluctantly answered.

 

“…I think so.”

 

At that moment, a soap opera scenario based on the current situation flashed through my mind.

 

Lee Cheonghyeon, inspired by a few shallow compliments, pouring his soul into composing late into the night despite being a minor, and…

 

Park Joowoo, frustrated, thinking, ‘I can’t even sing the songs I want to sing while you get to find yourself?’ —A failed soap opera.

 

Ha ha, it would be fortunate if this didn’t ruin their debut and everything else.

 

Park Joowoo carefully added a word in front of me, whose face must have turned pale.

 

“Cheonghyeon is good at trying different genres of music… I think I’m the only one who hasn’t found my direction.”

 

Then Park Joowoo lowered his gaze. He seemed to think his worries were trivial compared to Lee Cheonghyeon, who used to do only classical music but was now writing pop songs.

 

I unwrapped the fork for Park Joowoo, who hadn’t touched his salad, and asked,

 

“Are you feeling anxious?”

 

“…I guess so. I started to feel like I was being too complacent… And I feel ashamed.”

 

It was indeed a commendable mindset.

 

I had never once questioned whether I was being too complacent during my time at Hanpyeong Industry.

 

‘It’s not even your debut song, just a song for a vocal test.’

 

Honestly, I thought he could just choose any song for the evaluation.

 

But knowing that dedication to song selection and serious attitudes had led them toward debuting, I couldn’t dismiss it lightly.

 

Instead, emphasizing that my statement was purely a personal suggestion, I said to Park Joowoo.

 

“How about thinking about other strengths of the songs you like, besides their message or concept?”

 

“Strengths…?”

 

“In one song, it could be the guitar riff you like; in another, it might be the drums.”

 

“…That’s true.”

 

“As you increase the elements you like, it might become easier to find songs that match your taste.”

 

“…That makes sense.”

 

Though I couldn’t find any strong points of Manager Nam despite using this method.

 

“Who knows? Maybe there’s an idol song written by a rock music enthusiast.”

 

I threw in a light-hearted joke, and Park Joowoo finally smiled.

 

With a lighter heart, I asked Park Joowoo.

 

“By the way, can I ask why you couldn’t talk to Seongbin about this?”

 

“Ah, that…”

 

I was worried I might have touched on a sensitive aspect of teenage friendship, but fortunately, Park Joowoo answered with a calm face.

 

“When Seongbin asked if I’d consider becoming an idol, I changed my career path to idol trainee because of him.”

 

I knew that. Park Joowoo initially prepared to be a solo singer when he first joined UA.

 

“I enjoy preparing for debut with the members, and I don’t regret deciding to become an idol after much thought… But when I listen to rock music, Seongbin becomes self-conscious.”

 

“So our Seongbin feels guilty for dragging a friend along, huh…”

 

Park Joowoo nodded. He seemed to feel bad that his friend was being considerate of him.

 

‘No wonder he couldn’t talk about his song selection issues.’

 

Still, it seemed nice to have such a friend in the group. Wasn’t it heartwarming to have friends who were considerate of each other’s positions?

 

Of course, I didn’t really have any friends, so I couldn’t relate.

 

I suddenly felt like I might have wasted my life a bit.

 

* * *

 

March passed by really quickly.

 

I baked bread, experienced recording sessions.

 

Resolved disputes among the members, encouraged them to work hard on their songs, helped them relax by conducting mock evaluations, and gave song selection advice.

 

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[SYSTEM] ‘New task’ has been assigned.

 

▷ Join the debut group

 

▷ Reward: Exp (20)

 

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After such a fulfilling month, the March monthly evaluation, which would determine Spark’s debut group, began.