translation by mourningmoor
Thursday, starting with M―start, the final stage for L.I.T's album activities was announced.
In the midst of this, TVH informed us that they would be promoting the broadcast of the show through the M-start stage, which was only ten days away.
For that reason, the day before Thursday's broadcast, we were called to the TVH M&E Center, where we, along with MuteSeven and Möbius, had to prepare a special stage.
“A dance battle?”
Instead of PD Choi Chiguk, the assistant director, who took the lead, said they got the idea after watching L.I.T's fan sign video.
He suggested that how about having the eighteen rookie idols sing together and then have a dance break battle?
"I think it would be good if the song is ARCHE's regular 2nd album title track, 으로 (With), since it aligns with ARCHE's comeback as well."
Writer Kang Jihoon cautiously brought it up.
“Of course, due to scheduling, ARCHE won't appear on M-start tomorrow, but this could also serve as a preview for their M-start comeback stage next week... well, it’s killing two birds with one stone.
ARCHE, huh. An unfamiliar group with an unfamiliar song. But the excitement on the faces of the other members, except for me, is obvious.
It wasn't just the L.I.T members. Möbius and MuteSeven were the same. Even Kim Wooyoung looks so happy, not knowing what to do with his expression.
"Is it a famous group?"
I casually asked Roa.
Roa answered, looking incredulous.
"Hyung-nim, if you're a Korean citizen and you don't know ARCHE, you're a spy."
I stared at Roa for a moment, then shrugged my shoulders.
"One of two things. Either I'm not a Korean citizen, or I'm a spy."
Then recalling that there might be something wrong with my memory, Roa continued, his face full of apology.
"ARCHE is a group that's been active for 6 years and is undoubtedly the best in South Korea. Since their 4th year, they’ve swept all the year-end award ceremonies, and now they're eyeing American award shows too. They’re the best."
It was, of course, the typical mechanical briefing from Park Roa, the serious type.
Even though he gave such a mechanical answer, I could see the blush on Roa's cheeks, so it seemed like he admired those ARCHE guys after all.
It was a good thing I kept my emotional senses in check. When people around me have expressions like that, if I activate my emotional senses, I might be caught up in the commotion and lose my mind in the noise.
I’ll learn about ARCHE through media later; for now, I need to focus on learning the song and choreography. But this damn production crew didn’t even give me that chance.
"Well, everyone basically knows the song and dance, right?"
How would I know that? We’re too busy trying to learn our own songs and dances.
Just as I was about to answer "no" to the question from writer Kang J-hoon, the seventeen others, excluding me, boldly responded with, "Yes!"
"Then, let’s all put our heads together and figure out how to make the stage work well."
Watching the kids move in perfect unison to the assistant director's words, I felt a strange sense of disconnect.
What kind of group is ARCHE that makes everyone act like this?
The kids' expressions were so filled with reverence, as if ARCHE's songs and dances were sacred texts. At this rate, they might even bow deeply when ARCHE shows up.
I excused myself to go to the bathroom and quickly left the meeting room. As soon as I was out, I pulled out my phone and searched for ARCHE.
"ARCHE... A 7-member boy group from Bishop Entertainment."
They boasted the largest fan club for a boy group. Two of the seven members were international, and I read through the member names, album releases, and numerous awards.
I also came across information about their latest song, which was expected to rank high on the Billboard Hot 100, and the fact that their leader, Noah, had collaborated with the world-renowned singer Lloyd Fury.
"Wait a minute. Between you and me, that’s the one with the...?"
As I followed the text with my eyes, something I had forgotten suddenly came to mind.
It was the advertisement I had seen on a giant LED screen when I went out with the kids to buy rings.
"That day... is that the group I saw?"
I then tapped on the photo.
"Yeah, it’s them... the group from that day."
The seven members were dressed in sleek suits, staring directly at the camera with a seductive allure. It was clear that ARCHE was on a completely different level compared to the other idol groups I had studied. There was a strange aura about them, and now I understood why they were considered the best in South Korea.
And, just like that time, there was one member who stood out to me.
No, it wasn’t just standing out—he caught my eye.
Like a thorn.
"Leader, Noah."
Born in Seoul, a domestic talent, fluent in three languages, IQ of 152, main dancer, lead vocalist, songwriter, and director of Bishop Entertainment...?
As I read through his dazzling profile, my mind was completely filled with Noah's face.
"Where the hell have I seen this guy before?"
There's no way someone I know could exist in this world. Naturally, I shouldn't know Noah, the leader of ARCHE, but why does he seem so familiar? No matter how much I rummage through my memories, I've never encountered this person.
"This is driving me crazy."
But now is not the time to worry about such things.
In a hurry, I opened NewTube and searched for ARCHE's choreography video, then clicked on it.
And quietly, I activated the "Time Dilation Magic."
* * *
"Wow, as expected, Ichan hyungnim is a cheat character."
After a round of practice, it was a short break.
While drinking water to quench my parched thirst, Roa spoke up in a deep voice.
"What do you mean? A cheat character?"
"You said you didn't know who ARCHE was, but you know the choreography... You know it all?"
True. Why did I ask you about ARCHE?
I smacked my lips, then tossed the empty water bottle into the trash bin.
"I learned it while practicing. I just follow your movements, that's all."
At times like this, it's best to give a little praise to neutralize Roa's curiosity.
"The sample is so good, I picked it up quickly. Your choreography is really precise."
At my words, Roa's cheeks slightly reddened.
His curiosity had already diminished a lot, and instead, it seemed that embarrassment filled the space.
"Wh-what I mean is, that's why you're a cheat character. You just watch and follow, but you always do it perfectly."
Then, without me noticing, Jeongsoo raised his thumb and nodded.
"Great Kang Ichan. Whether it's singing or dancing, there's nothing he can't do. I admit, he's a cheat character."
Kim Jeongsoo, this guy, had been calling or texting me occasionally since the shoot. Recently, he'd even invited me to a strange group chat, and every night, the notification sound would go off loudly.
I'm the type who gets tired of being too close with someone, but still, he’s someone I can’t push away for the sake of "Topple MuteSeven."
That means I maintain a friendly relationship at a reasonable distance.
"Well, we've matched the whole choreography like this, so it's done. But how are you guys going to arrange your dance break? You and Roa and Jaewon are doing it, right?"
"Right?"
The whole 3-minute 20-second song was extended to 4 minutes 10 seconds.
We rearranged the dance break performance part of the original song and added three teams' dance breaks.
Each team has to create a 20-second choreography, and we need to finish practicing before tomorrow's rehearsal.
Of course, Roa will choreograph our team's part, and as with last time, the three of us will take care of the dance break.
What that means is that I already slept through the night.
"What about practice?"
"We'll roughly do it here, and then go back to the company and continue to match it, right?"
"Then, do you want to stay here for the night? It's a waste of time going back and forth, so we'll be staying up all night here."
At Jeongsoo's words, Roa's eyes sparkled brightly.
It seems that the idea of staying up all night here triggered that guy's competitive spirit.
"Hyung-nim."
His dark eyes sparkled, as if asking, ‘Hyung-nim, can't we stay up all night here too?’
It was a clear expression of intent, so clear that no mental hint was even needed.
Well, since the dance team leader had spoken, what else could I do?
I nodded, meaning "I have no choice."
"Alright. We'll stay here and practice too. Just the three of us, and Hanjoon and Siu will stay at the dorm..."
"Don't talk about the dorm."
The one who cut me off was Hanjoon.
"If you guys stay here, Siu and I will stay here too."
Hanjoon, opening a bottle of water, gulped it down quickly.
"If you're not going to practice, why are you going to stay here so uncomfortably? Just sleep at the dorm."
"But those guys are staying here all night too. MuteSeven."
Hanjoon nodded toward MuteSeven.
Apparently, all seven members of MuteSeven planned to stay up all night.
"If a fight breaks out, we need to match their numbers. Who knows what those guys might do?"
When I turned my head, MuteSeven was glaring at us, exuding a somewhat aggressive aura.
As soon as I activated my mental sense, a rebellious voice echoed loudly.
《That guy Kang Ichan, I’m going to make sure to break at least one of his legs when the opportunity comes. I will.》
《We were nice to him out of pity, and now he’s getting too cocky.》
Ha, MuteSeven. Of all the people I've met in this world, they're the dumbest.
Not only are they unable to escape a sinking ship, but they're trying to create more problems. Are they idiots or what? And they're doing this against me.
Then, I suddenly made eye contact with Kim Wooyoung.
Wooyoung, startled, quickly looked away, something he wouldn't normally do.
It seemed like he's been really deflated since that day.
Still, among their team, Kim Wooyoung was the most straightforward and genuine, which made him somewhat human in my eyes.
I sneered at MuteSeven and reassured the others.
"Don't worry. They can't do anything. There's cameras everywhere."
As soon as we decided to stay here for the night, the production team got busier.
Cameras were set up all around, and a VJ to stay with us for the filming was chosen. These VJs had become familiar faces by now, and we were starting to feel a strange sense of camaraderie.
In this situation, there was no way MuteSeven would blatantly do something.
Still, Hanjoon was worried sick.
"But I still want to stay with you guys. I can't leave just the three of you here. It's too unsettling."
Once Hanjoon gets stubborn, there's no stopping him.
If he's made up his mind, it's hard to change it.
"Fine. Then, Roa can work on the choreography, and the rest of us will work with Möbius on syncing up. If possible, let's include them too."