Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

Live broadcasts required more work than pre-recorded performances.

 

As such, the scene was buzzing with activity. Everyone moved in perfect unison.

 

The first performance slot went to Parthe, who had won first place overall in the third competition.

 

A wise choice. In a competition that relied on text voting, it was advantageous to perform first and gather votes over a longer period.

 

Their stage stood out, decorated splendidly with members of the royal family vying for the throne, befitting the finale.

 

Spark’s costumes today were neat white hanboks with dark teal kwaeja.

 

(TL note: Kwaeja is the sleeveless outerwear in hanbok).

 

To avoid appearing too monotonous, we added embroidered details and norigae ornaments. Even if the concept was incorruptible scholars, Spark was still an idol group, after all.

 

Based on the results of watching several survival programs, attempts at oriental-style stages in the finals were relatively rare, so we decided to bet on this.

 

As predicted, many groups had already worn hanbok in the second and third rounds, while uniforms dominated the finals.

 

Especially with the audience and viewers having to sit through six performances in one go. I wanted to avoid overlapping concepts as much as possible, and thankfully, we succeeded.

 

“Your hair looks seamless.”

 

“Really?”

 

Kang Kiyeon examined my hair from side to side and nodded.

 

I usually refrained from using flashy items, but today was different.

 

First, to cover the remaining stitches above my ear, I attached a short hairpiece.

 

The stylist worked hard to make it blend naturally with my original hair.

 

And to prevent the hairpiece from flying around while dancing, I wore a silk headband over it.

 

‘Wouldn’t this make me stand out too much?’

 

‘You never know when or where the camera will zoom in.’

 

‘That’s true…’

 

As expected, medicine should be left to pharmacists, and styling to professionals. Thanks to their expertise, I ended up with a headband lined with gauze on the inside for comfort.

 

Because we focused more on aesthetics than historical accuracy, the knot left a long strip of fabric trailing down the back of my head, but since everyone said it suited me, I decided not to shorten it.

 

“Is Spark ready?”

 

“Yes!”

 

We answered in unison.

 

Spark’s concept today was historians.

 

Those who recorded history in a place where everyone dreamed of seizing the throne.

 

And today, we would redefine the very essence of this program.

 

* * *

 

Spark’s meeting scene was being broadcast on the large screen with a VCR effect. The live broadcast was likely airing the edited version for television.

 

『Spark entering in 5 minutes!』

 

The assistant director’s voice came over the radio. Staff bustled about on the darkened stage. Watching the hurrying figures, Director Han took a moment to stretch.

 

‘We really do run into each other a lot.’

 

Director Han briefly reminisced.

 

From Jang Junhoo’s music video shoot to Drinkers, this was the third consecutive time he had encountered Kim Iwol on set.

 

It would be strange not to see idols while working in music programs, but there were always some people who were particularly memorable.

 

For Director Han, Kim Iwol was one of them.

 

When they first met, he thought Kim Iwol had a very bright and friendly personality.

 

He still vividly remembered how Kim Iwol, even when it wasn’t his own shoot, came out to take care of his member and busily tried to help the passing staff, even in small ways.

 

When they met on Drinkers, the impression was a little different.

 

Director Han clearly saw the sharp glint in his polite and calm, yet mischievous eyes.

 

Unlike the other cast members who got completely wasted and stumbled around, Kim Iwol finished his drink neatly, bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, and exited gracefully.

 

That moment had been striking. So when Director Han saw Kim Iwol and his fellow members again in the IDC Audition, he had been genuinely pleased.

 

Though he hadn’t been assigned to film Spark’s meeting scenes, he had heard plenty of interesting stories from Team 2, who had covered UA’s footage.

 

That they conducted meetings like office workers, that the kids were all very articulate.

 

The writers, who were incredibly critical of celebrities due to their extensive experience, were full of praise.

 

Until then, to Director Han, Spark was a unique but kind rookie idol group.

 

However, when the IDC PD called an emergency meeting, his impression of Spark changed a little.

 

‘I heard a Spark member was assaulted?’

 

‘By PD Yoo Hansoo, is that right?’

 

‘That crazy bastard finally caused trouble. The rumors about him weren’t good, I knew he’d cause an accident someday.’

 

‘Still, how could he do such a thing?’

 

A cast member’s injury issue due to a sudden accident.

 

The repercussions were huge. The program’s name and Spark dominated real-time trends on SNS, and articles poured out.

 

‘Is Mr. Iwol alright?’

 

Director Han asked. The PD sighed and replied,

 

‘He has an eight-week recovery.’

 

‘Oh…’

 

It was a severy injury so it was only natural. But hearing it directly made him feel even worse.

 

‘Then is Spark dropping out? Or will they continue without Mr. Iwol?’

 

‘They will probably drop out, right? A simple injury is one thing, but if this happened because of a colleague from the same company, the members must be in shock. They’re all so young, too.’

 

The sound director said regretfully. He had been keeping an eye on Lee Cheonghyeon, who was in charge of composing and arranging for Spark, since the second competition.

 

‘But this is… ha.’

 

The PD ruffled his hair. He seemed to have something on his mind, hesitating before finally speaking.

 

‘I know I might sound like a psychopath saying this, but it’s such a waste.’

 

‘What is?’

 

‘Their final stage. I heard the plan from Team 2’s maknae. And their stage is basically the condensed version of their entire journey. If they don’t get to show this, they’ll just be remembered as kids who performed a decent stage and withdrew midway.’

 

The main writer, who had been glaring at the PD, intervened.

 

‘Let’s be honest with each other since we all know what’s going on. You just don’t want to lose them, right, PD?’

 

Spark had something that a music program PD would consider a waste to miss out?

 

It was puzzling. Director Han also knew  knew all too well how stubborn people in this industry could be.

 

But as if to prove the main writer’s words, the PD started tearing at his hair with both hands.

 

‘Yes, I don’t want to lose them! It’s such a waste! Don’t you feel the same?’

 

‘It is. That stage is like a summary of IDC.’

 

‘So, Director Han.’

 

The PD’s gaze turned to Director Han.

 

‘Would it be too much to ask Spark to reconsider performing in the finals?’

 

‘Are you serious? You’ll really be called a psychopath.’

 

He had wondered why he and the sound director, who weren’t involved in planning, were called, and now he knew.

 

Director Han knew IDC was performing better than expected. Still, weren’t there lines people shouldn’t cross?

 

Even on ‘Drinkers’, Kim Iwol’s face lit up whenever he talked about his members. Someone who cherished and loved his members like that couldn’t possibly have a bad relationship with them.

 

And now, after what had happened to Kim Iwol, how could Spark possibly feel okay? It was something he couldn’t bring himself to suggest, as a decent human being.

 

‘I don’t think that’s right either.’

 

The sound director also waved his hand dismissively.

 

Just as Director Han was about to get up, thinking the conversation was over, the maknae writer knocked and opened the meeting room door.

 

‘PD-nim! Spark isn’t withdrawing!’

 

The PD cheered, and the rest, including the main writer, were dumbfounded.

 

But their shock only lasted a moment.

 

Someone who had been watching Spark closely for months muttered,

 

‘They’re really tough…’

 

Although calling them ‘tough’ almost felt like an insult, Director Han couldn’t deny it.

 

* * *

 

‘Back then, I was just shocked that Spark was going ahead with the performance.’

 

The surprises didn’t end there. Kim Iwol appeared at the broadcasting station wearing a cap.

 

The production crew, who initially thought he came to support the members, were shocked to see Kim Iwol wearing a name tag during rehearsals.

 

Kim Iwol himself was unfazed. From the start of rehearsals, he smiled as usual and meticulously checked the backup dancers’ entrance and exit routes, as well as the sound setup.

 

‘With an injured member, the stage quality won’t be as good as before.’

 

Still, their determination to stand on stage together was conveyed. Director Han thought they were fresh and passionate.

 

That was—until the rehearsal actually started.

 

He should have expected it when the large-scale backup dancers and various sets, different from Spark’s previous stages, appeared.

 

Spark was a group that didn’t waver, even when their eldest member was injured. A group that refused to compromise, even when one of them was badly hurt.

 

‘I know you’ll do a great job, Director Han, but make sure you capture Spark’s performance well this time.’

 

‘Spark?’

 

On the day Spark announced they wouldn’t be dropping out, the PD had patted Director Han’s shoulder after the meeting.

 

‘I am counting on you.’

 

‘Well, I’ll do my best since it’s my job…’

 

Seeing Director Han’s hesitant expression, the PD said,

 

‘I think they’re going to do really well. Let’s create an amazing stage together.’

 

The PD’s eyes held conviction.

 

Director Han couldn’t understand it back then, but now, after checking the proposal, camera work, set, and rehearsals, he understood.

 

Spark could create an incredible stage.

 

* * *

 

Spark chose Lee Cheonghyeon’s self-composed song, 『Chronicles of the Royal City』 , for their final stage.

 

Before any music played, Jeong Seongbin walked to the center of the stage.

 

With the rustling sound of paper in the background, Jeong Seongbin recited,

 

『Someone came here to ascend to the throne.』

 

Director Han remembered seeing it in the performance plan. It was a quote from the first volume of the Annals of King Taejo, ‘Taejo ascended to the throne in Suchang Palace (太祖卽位于壽昌宮)’.

 

Jeong Seongbin turned and walked towards the other members, lined up with their backs to the audience.

 

『This is a story

 

A record of countless souls who have passed through this land.』

 

Jeong Seongbin’s voice faded away like a whisper.

 

The song began from here.

 

Among the members turning around one by one, Park Joowoo, who had been walking with his eyes covered by the back of his hand, swept his hand across his eyes.

 

Park Joowoo’s eyes, illuminated by the spotlight, shone with a deep gray light.