I Decided to Become a Perfect Girl

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Why are the viewership ratings for award shows plummeting day by day?

This was the point I wanted to touch on.

“That itself is a sign that popular music is increasingly proving its lack of popularity. The frequency of challenges has skyrocketed, right? But the viewership hasn’t rebounded; why does it keep declining? Isn’t the challenge the key to building popularity right now?”

“Then, it must mean it’s not true.”

“Exactly, it’s not. It’s merely a promotional tool. So, if we think about why the award show stages are boring these days, wouldn’t it lead us to the answer? That’s what I think.”

Honestly, it was simple and obvious.

“Nothing feels new. There’s no distinguishing factor.”

I flailed my arms back and forth as if dancing.

“Watching the award shows, they’re just working hard to dance the exact choreography seen in the challenges. There’s not much difference from the stages viewed on music broadcasts, so how can it be enjoyable?”

These were opinions I could express because I was with my unnis and the director.

“Of course, I understand. These days, song structures are becoming more focused on chorus performances due to challenges, making it hard to showcase any differences in the chorus.”

They were opinions I didn’t necessarily want to voice publicly.

“But if it’s boring because of the focus on challenges, then that’s not popularity; it’s a misconception created by the imprint effect and repetition, isn’t it?”

However, at least I believed I had a clear stance.

“So now, the performance directors are working to give members special training to add something unique in the award shows.”

“The conclusion is that the artist can’t fill the stage alone, so they bring dozens of dancers to create a cluttered display. Then the singer ends up not being visible.”

“Then they try to emphasize the singer by just inserting the title beat long during the dance break, but I have no idea what the intention behind those choreographies is.”

“Feeling bored, huh? Then there will be advanced techniques used for stage effects or a ton of VCRs. Of course, the eyes won’t feel bored then. But would that make the stage suddenly more enjoyable?”

“Honestly, I think it would be fun only for the fans. In fact, I feel like the fans are only watching for the changing outfits and makeup of the members.”

“Oh, they do try musical experiments as well. Arrangements, remixes. But so what? Most of the quality is lower than the original version.”

After a while of talking, I was puzzled and took a sip from my water bottle.

“So, what should the distinguishing points between award show stages and music broadcast stages be? There is an answer. The only day last year when the viewership skyrocketed.”

And the director laughed out loud.

“Right, it was the day Do-hee played the piano.”

“You’re not trying to build up to boast again, are you?”

“Oh, come on… even Do-hee.”

“It’s just the way you are.”

“Right.”

“What do you mean by ‘the way I am?’”

Everyone had bemused expressions, but it seemed my bragging had somewhat connected to the conclusion.

What could I do if that was the thinking behind my performance?

“There’s that old tale. The story about a daughter-in-law being asked to fill a room with items. Could a few sacks of rice fill the floor? No, right? She bought candles and filled the room with light.”

“Similarly, does having dozens of dancers mean the stage will be filled? It doesn’t get filled. It’s the unique voice or attitude of the person that fills it.”

And whether I was influenced by that honesty or not.

“I honestly think I was a bit like that that day. At least it was new. A new song, a vibe never seen before, a performance that was a first. My skills might be lacking and not perfect, but it definitely held some enjoyment, right?”

At least I believed my unnis had already been pondering such things themselves.

“So what I’m saying is, even if we’ve performed the choreography for the chorus in the music broadcasts, since it’s an award show, if we’ve gathered a ton of dancers, then let them dance hard.”

“We should dance leisurely while holding handheld microphones and adding new doubling. Lead the crowd response. I always say, not the shallow responses like ‘Ay, Ay, let’s go, make some noise!’”

“It’s more about the natural hand movements, expressions, and gestures that come out, like the way we performed in California. Or create a setting that’s so well-structured it elicits genuine awe.”

Of course, nothing was as easy as it sounded.

Still.

“If we’re a group that’s going to set a new trend, I believe this is a basic requirement.”

Whether one was aware of it or not.

I thought the difference was significant.

“So, about the next regular album. Do you all have genres you want to work on?”

“Genres?”

“I’ve been thinking about what genres might suit each of your images or voices. For now, all members, including myself, plan to do solo activities before the regular album.”

“Solo?”

The declaration of solo songs made not just my unnis but also the director question me back.

Especially So-hyun, who pressed on her temples, showing an exasperated expression.

“It’s a sequence of activities before the regular album, then we’ll release the album. All five will be the title tracks for the regular album, and, of course, I plan to make MVs too.”

“Do-hee, does this mean you’re saying you’re doing all title tracks?”

“Yes, so I was a bit worried about manpower. Still, personally, I’d like each of us to release a single for our solo tracks, even if it’s just the basic lineup. If it’s hard, releasing it digitally would be fine too.”

“I’ll discuss that separately.”

“Yes, but I really want it to happen. If it’s a budget issue, we can shoot the MVs on a low budget.”

Of course, I had sufficient confidence and alternatives to persuade the director here.

“We’ll discuss the genre we want later, but first, let’s talk about the trends.”

“That’s the talk, huh? The star that the times desire, right?”

“Uh? Huh…”

It seemed Seo-yoon unni had also thought quite seriously about my words, considering how precise her response was.

“But my thoughts have changed slightly from before; I’ve come to wonder if we’re entering an era where idols are admired.”

The one thing that had changed was just this.

“The influence I’ve had is greater than I thought.”

“Oh, here we go again. Is this just to irritate us, huh?”

“Really.”

“Now it’s no longer surprising.”

“Guys, Do-hee genuinely thinks that way. We should understand. What can we do?”

As I sighed deeply, I set my eyes on the director, whose expression was rather complicated.

“They probably know we behave like this regularly.”

Still, he was probably pleased seeing our camaraderie.

“······”

See, he’s sipping hot coffee over and over again.

He hasn’t even glanced this way.

Hmm, is that a good thing?

“Okay, anyway, you’ve said everything you want to say, right? If so, let’s wrap up and go party quickly.”

“Because of what you just said, add 5 minutes. I’m having a meltdown!”

“Shut up. I’m getting up.”

“Ah, why? Seriously, I still have one more thing to say. Just one, one.”

What a hastily temperamental unni.

The genre of the solo song I was mentioning had to be addressed.

“Well, as I mentioned earlier, the main title for the regular album is confirmed as a band, and each of our solo tracks will differ in genre, and we could also include one title that distinctly gives off that idol vibe, you know? Just keep that in mind.”

So ultimately, the most important agenda now is the solo songs.

I want to highlight the charm of my unnis through those songs.

“Now, let’s go around and discuss what genres we want. I’ll reflect that.”

After all, whatever comes out, it’s under my control—

“Oh, then I want trot!!”

“Get lost.”

In that moment, I flared up but quickly calmed myself down.

“Ah, come on. I’m being serious.”

“Let’s save that for the self-content? I’ll let you do it separately.”

“Promise?”

“Would I promise that?”

“Ah, why.”

“Seo-yoon, if this person continues to throw a tantrum, she might not go home today.”

“Aah! What are you doing, Kim Seo-yoon!”

While Seo-yoon unni was flipping Chiyo unni’s hoodie over, suppressing her clumsy face in a corner of the conference room, Na-eun unni spoke slowly.

“I thought that unni’s voice suits an R&B vibe with hip-hop very well. What do you think, Do-hee?”

“Oh, I thought the same way completely.”

“Good. That sounds great. Or, since you’re the leader and the eldest this time, I think a mature feel would work too. You know, not the sexy kind but something that’s really internally mature…”

“Magical girl?”

“……”

I guess they weren’t satisfied with something in this album.

“Then, I’m also considering something a little indie or Latin? Or maybe Spanish? I have some thoughts on that too. I’ll think about those first.”

“Yeah, I trust you, unni. Do you really believe it?”

“Of course, of course.”

I didn’t plan to include such concepts even in the solo songs.

“What about Woo-ah unni?”

“Hmm… Let’s decide on my song later. I also need to study electric guitar for some people.”

“Ahh.”

If Woo-ah unni says that, I can let it slide.

She’s not the type to say unnecessary things even when she circumlocutes.

Then, that leaves those two troublemakers.

“Seo-yoon, I can’t breathe properly.”

“Well, since you’re speaking well, you’re fine.”

“Ugh, why.”

Chiyo unni sprawled on the floor while Seo-yoon unni had climbed on top of her, pinning her down.

“Anyway, Chiyo unni will go for a rap song. Whether it’s jazz hip-hop, Latin, house, trap, or whatever. I’ll make a beat and show you later.”

“Ehhh?”

Well, she answered nicely.

“And me?”

“Hmm…”

I had something I wanted to ask Seo-yoon unni.

“Hey, since I have a two-month vacation coming up.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“So I was wondering if it would be okay for you to start solo activities first so the fans won’t be bored.”

Seo-yoon unni hesitated, lightly biting her lip with her pale finger.

I turned my head slightly away from her, who seemed to be contemplating her schedule.

“Do-hee.”

The question just came from So-hyun, who had been silently sipping her coffee.

“Next month?”

Though her tone was calm, the coffee cup she held was trembling slightly.

“Uh, yeah. Well… you’re busy, but you, unni…”

“Sure, I’m fine. If Seo-yoon is okay with it.”

In fact, I was planning to ask if Seo-yoon unni could use the track that So-hyun unni certainly had stocked for this solo song.

“Seo-yoon’s personal schedule should still be fine, right?”

“Yeah, somewhat, but…”

For now, I chose to keep silent.

“Okay. We’ll need to bolster our manpower next month. We might need to use more outsourcing. It’s fine, it’s fine. The budget is sufficient.”

The director’s voice had an oddly wavering feel to it.

“Do-hee’s vacation isn’t going to just be for fun; it’ll be for studying, right?”