Chapter 295: First Full Album (31)

Ji Byeok-San appeared to be scheming to feature his beloved connections in the upcoming music video. Although YMM had a scant roster of active artists, Ji Byeok-San had a certain connection with all of them except Chronos as this was our first encounter.

Allure, Yeong-Yee, Kun-Ho, and even Producer Do were likely to get along well with him as they had all been indebted to him through his programs at least once.

“Let’s see who’s around at the company right now."

I decided to lend my active support since Ji Byeok-San seemed to have no intent to create a music video solely with the Chronos members and team Slacker. “Maybe we should reach out to Allure?"

Imagining the rival team’s grumblings— "Ah, they even brought Allure! Had we known, we would have called someone too!" —and our actors’ witty responses brought a smirk to my face. It promised to be an entertaining scenario.

Ji Byeok-San nodded approvingly at the idea of making a call, and his voice carried a note of firm resolve. “But remember, no matter who we bring in, the main stars are Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo. Let’s keep that in mind."

“Yes, of course.”

“Let’s ensure their faces are prominently featured for two-thirds of the music video. It’s like in those dramas. Chronos are the protagonists while Slackers and the YMM family make impactful cameos. Wow..."

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

I had learned that it was crucial to wholly embrace the insights of seasoned professionals in the world of variety shows. Those adept at generating laughter were worth their weight in gold and guided us halfway to success. Joo-Han seemed to agree as he listened intently to Ji Byeok-San's strategies.

I took out my phone in the presence of everyone, dialed Da-Win, switched to speaker mode, and placed it near the microphone. Da-Win answered quickly. His voice was thick with sleep.

- Uh, Hyun-Woo. What's up?

His drowsy tone made me chuckle.

“Oops, it looks like we woke you up," Ji Byeok-San expressed his apologies with a look of regret.

I nodded empathetically and asked, “Senior, were you asleep?"

- ...Hmm?

Da-Win was caught off guard by the sudden formal address and became momentarily speechless, but he quickly grasped that this was for a broadcast and adjusted his tone. His voice became clearer.

- Are you filming right now?

“Yes... We are shooting

Slacker Number One.

"

- ...Oh.

As soon as I revealed that we were filming, the reactions around me became awkward. That was when I realized my mistake. Why did I admit so quickly that we were filming? It was obvious that I really lacked a sense for variety shows.

“Hyun-Woo, could I have a word with him?"

“Ah, yes."

Ji Byeok-San gestured to me, and I quickly handed him the phone.

“Hello, Da-Win~"

- Ah, who is it? Ah, Ji Byeok-San hyung?

“Hey, Da-Win. Sorry for the sudden call, but what are you up to?"

Given the level of familiarity between them as evidenced by their recent phone conversation, their dialogue flowed effortlessly.

“We are at YMM right now, can you come out for a bit?"

- Why are you at our company? Well, if you call, then I must answer. Sae-Yeon might be there too.

“Oh? Is Sae-Yeon here too? It would be great if he could also join us."

- I will ask Sae-Yeon. He might be working, but I will come right now.

Da-Win immediately adjusted his voice to match the tension of the shoot and agreed to the sudden request. Ji Byeok-San hung up the call and smiled brightly, “See? Da-Win and the guys from Allure are so nice to come here to help us."

“Hyung, is it really okay to just call top stars like this? Oh, gosh."

- Hey! I'm a top star too!

The cast continued their lively banter. Soon after, a somewhat tired-looking Sae-Yeon and a neatly dressed Da-Win arrived at the location.

***

As Allure made their entrance, the conversation naturally pivoted to their recent endeavors. The cast arranged for Da-Win and Sae-Yeon to sit in the middle of the couch, probing them about how they had been and their decisions to appear on the show while also touching briefly on the details of the shoot.

“So, how are Allure and Chronos getting along these days?" Ji Byeok-San steered the conversation, allowing the cast members to interject with spontaneous questions here and there.

Kim Do-Rim’s question prompted Da-Win to nod affirmatively. “We get along really well. Our paths as trainees even overlapped with these two members in particular."

“Ah, I recall Joo-Han mentioning that earlier. Then, how long were Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo trainees for?" On Jeong-Woo interjected.

Joo-Han gestured toward me. "Hyun-Woo was a trainee for ten years, and I for eight years.”

“Heck, that’s a long time... How did you manage ten years?"

“We might have spent the longest training since we started when we were really little."

Da-Win lowered his hands below his knees and described how small Joo-Han and I were back then. Despite his exaggeration, I wondered if any nine-year-old could indeed be shorter than a human knee.

Sure enough, Kim Do-Rim chuckled skeptically. “Ah, Da-Win. You do exaggerate quite a bit."

“Well, Da-Win's storytelling may be exaggerated, but we really were quite small,” Sae-Yeon said. “Hyun-Woo and Joo-Han were just elementary students back then."

“Wow, you were trainees from elementary school?"

The Allure members naturally shifted the conversation's focus to Joo-Han and me.

I nodded and chimed in. “Being the youngest and an elementary schooler, I received a lot of affection from the older trainees."

“We picked Hyun-Woo up after school until he graduated elementary school because he had trouble finding his way."

“It’s almost like Allure raised him, to that extent."

“Joo-Han insisted not to be treated like a child, so we didn't do quite the same with him, but we've watched over him from a young age with pride."

“We practically raised them," Sae-Yeon confidently stated.

For the record, Sae-Yeon had joined after I graduated from elementary school, so he didn’t really have a hand in raising me. I was even the one who taught him some basic moves when he joined. However, it wasn’t necessary to correct him openly, so I just nodded.

As the chatting session wrapped up, the discussion about the music video concept began. Most ideas came from Ji Byeok-San. The MV had to be entertaining, even more entertaining than it already was! Any mediocre fun ideas from the cast were immediately rejected. The only ideas that made it through were my suggestion of a B-grade aesthetic and the karaoke-style subtitles.

Kim Do-Rim, who had been struggling to make a significant impact, eagerly pitched in. “I will write the script! Let’s write it together, Byeok-San hyung."

“Okay! Of course! Just wait a bit, everyone. We will come up with a brilliant script."

This was ultimately what Ji Byeok-San had been leading us toward.

“Would I ever get another chance to direct a music video with these popular idols as I please?"

It seemed he wanted to make the most of having Allure and Chronos at his disposal to create a music video that maximized our variety appeal through concept, setting, and script he controlled.

“Ah, I'm looking forward to it, Senior." Joo-Han and I promptly nodded in agreement and let him proceed. Since we’d agreed to appear on the variety show, we were determined to make it as entertaining as possible. Responding to a comedy script written by a comedian-turned-host was as fun as it could be.

***

The music video started not with a narration but with a scenario.

“Cue!" Ji Byeok-San had taken on the role of director, and gave the cue. Today’s protagonist, Joo-Han, clutched his head.

We had rented Producer Do’s music studio for a few hours.

“Ah... No way." Joo-Han ruffled his hair in distress. “I have put so much effort into these pieces... Argh..."

- Joo-Han lamenting the loss of the song's file, gripping his hair in anguish.

Joo-Han was dutifully acting according to the spontaneous script Ji Byeok-San had created.

Hmm, but was it acting?

While other cast members and the Allure members praised Joo-Han's acting, it seemed more like he was genuinely annoyed by the memory rather than acting.

Anyway...

“Hyun-Woo, get ready."

“Yes, Senior," I whispered back to Ji Byeok-San and prepared to enter the frame. The production team handed me a plate of fruit.

My task was simple. It was to attempt to deliver this plate to Joo-Han, witness his anguish, and react with sympathy.

“Hyun-Woo, go! Go!"

Directed by Ji Byeok-San, I walked toward the studio.

“Ugh... I lost all of them... I can't recover from this..."

I stood at the door and watched Joo-Han suffer with concern. Then, I hid behind the wall and made sure Joo-Han didn’t notice me.

“...How. To. Comfort. Joo-Han," I muttered softly.

“Ahaha, Cut! Wait, wait a moment."

“Yes?"

Ji Byeok-San raised his arms to form an 'X' and urgently halted the filming. I was surprised and looked around at the cast.

“...”

Everyone seemed bewildered, which made me feel quite embarrassed.

“...Um. Ahem." Da-Win covered his mouth with the back of his hand and laughed. Sae-Yeon turned away with his hands on his hips. It was evident that he was trying to suppress his laughter.

“Why..."

As Ji Byeok-San approached me with a smile full of laughter and grabbed my shoulder, I realized something.

“Hyun-Woo, I don’t usually say this, but..."

Right now, I didn't have Yoon-Chan to comfort me.

“You suck at acting, aren’t you?”

At Ji Byeok-San’s candid question, everyone—staff and cast alike—burst into hearty laughter. I smiled as nonchalantly as possible. “...Yes.”

No matter how much I tried to appear unaffected, I couldn’t stop my eyes from trembling. Without Yoon-Chan, no one could cover for my acting. All I could do was dance and sing.

Without Yoon-Chan, this was the limit of my acting ability.

“Ah, I didn't know. Chronos are human after all! Look how adorable! Everything is perfect except for the acting! Ah, this also adds a touch of humanity, right?" Ji Byeok-San playfully teased me and prompted laughter from the cast. He then kindly said, “Just take it easy, relax."

“Okay. I will try my best."

In truth, I had already been trying hard.

‘Is there any way to comfort Joo-Han? How to comfort Joo-Han...'

I silently rehearsed the lines while looking around. Da-Win and Sae-Yeon were done laughing, and they were recording me with their phones like adults watching a school play.

Far away, On Jeong-Woo, who was playing the role of Goh Yoo-Joon, was wearing a wig on his bald head. After looking at him, I thought, ‘

My poor acting doesn't really matter.’

The reshoot started, and I recited my lines with the cue sign.

“How... to... comfort... Joo-Han..."

Shortly after the cut sign, the set erupted in laughter.

‘

Whatever.’

The clip would probably circulate on

UTube

or on the personal channels of Rings for a while. Since my variety show image had been ruined since the Cha Cha days, I decided to give up and focus on performing well on stage later.