translation by mourningmoor
—I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Korea’s idol training programs.
Ichan began speaking in a calm voice, explaining the idol mass-production system.
He talked about how the current three major entertainment companies grew their idol businesses, the changes that occurred along the way, and how agencies now train their artists.
He explained it all clearly, without any unnecessary examples.
Then, he drew his own conclusion.
—You call it mass-produced, factory-made, but have countries like Japan or China, which imported our system, produced groups like ours? If the same system produces the same results, then you can call it mass-produced or factory-made.
The camera zoomed in on Aki, who was biting her lip.
—I think it’s not mass-produced or factory-made, but rather a masterful training program that hones exceptional skills. In other words, anyone can start, but the results depend on the trainee’s attitude.
He also added that different agencies produce different results based on their training methods.
Aki’s expression twisted.
Her slightly clenched fist trembled.
—So, Ichan, do you think you’re a master with exceptional skills?
Her sarcastic tone was blatant.
Ichan smiled faintly as he looked at Aki.
—I’m only a rookie in my first year. If I had to say, I’m more like an apprentice striving to become a master.
—An, an apprentice? That’s like…
—An apprentice is someone who learns skills under a master to become a master themselves.
—I, I know what an apprentice is.
The live chat was flooded with “ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ”.
LMAOㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Did Aki think of sushi rolls when he heard “apprentice”?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
OMGㅋㅋㅋㅋ Did you see Kang Ichan’s face when he said “apprentice”? This is what happens when you don’t study and just talk nonsense on variety shows.
Kang Ichan straight-up threw shadeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Ah, so refreshing. This is what we call “cider” (a satisfying moment)ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Did you see Kim Jeongsoo next to him? He was clenching his fist and quietly cheeringㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋNot just Kim Jeongsooㅋㅋㅋㅋ Did you see Rena from Miss.Dal trying not to laugh?
After that, Aki tried to trip up Ichan several more times, but Ichan didn’t give him an inch.
Wow. L.I.T’s Kang Ichan is amazing. I heard from the staff that he talks back to seniors, but this is something else.
Poor Aki. She must be getting old. Ignorant and immature, but Kang Ichan really put her in her placeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋWell, he deserved it.
Aki was acting weird, and Kang Ichan was right, but it doesn’t look good for a rookie less than a year into their career to talk back to a senior like that. The staff was right. He seems arrogant and unpleasant.
A senior should act like a senior. What kind of senior is Aki?
Stop stirring up weird drama here and leave. If it weren’t for Kang Ichan today, all the idols would’ve been made to look like fools.
Get lost. ARCHE’s 7 million fans are about to sue Aki.
Yeah, exactly. How dare she say ARCHE’s makeup and outfits are so outrageous that they’re called a “gay group” overseas? Disgusting.
The overall atmosphere was like this.
Today, Aki and one other panelist who blindly sided with her used the discussion as an excuse to verbally attack the idols.
The problem was that the level of verbal abuse was excessive.
They even disparaged top-tier idols, including ARCHE. The live chat exploded, and KBC’s message board was flooded with complaints.
But Ichan, maintaining his default expression throughout, stood alone against Aki and delivered some satisfying comebacks.
There were seven topics in total, and by the end, Aki was left in tatters.
The MC’s final remark was the cherry on top.
—Today, we had the chance to meet and talk with the idols directly. As idols, who are emerging as a future industry and becoming the center of the cultural renaissance, I believe the future is bright because of all of you.
Some panelists commented that it was impressive how nine active idols of different seniority levels came together to lead the discussion.
They even said that the idols were smart and talented, perhaps because of their apprenticeship-style training.
On the other hand, the comments from the three idol trainees were either edited out or barely shown.
In the occasional shots, the three trainees just stared blankly as the senior singers passionately shared their opinions.
And so, the chaotic anniversary special program came to an end.
* * *
Jaewon jumped up from his seat and clapped.
Roa also clapped and stood up.
Siu gave a thumbs up, and Hanjoon boldly patted my back.
My phone’s messenger was also buzzing with notifications.
Möbius/Jeongsoo:
Ichan, that was a whole bowl of cider. Well done.
Dinaple/Yuna:
Hey, I feel so refreshed.
Möbius/Jeongsoo:
Honestly, it was even worse, but the producers gave Aki a lot of leeway ㅉㅉ
Colpis/Kangyu:
Our maknae is the best, as expectedㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’ll treat you to a meal, Ichan.
Dinaple/Yuna:
You really did well. It feels like the frustration from last year has finally been released.
Everyone was going wild.
I thought about pretending not to notice and brushing it off, but I decided against it.
Now that I’m back with L.I.T, there’s no point in making enemies with these people.
“Thank you.”
I replied briefly.
Then, my nose twitched.
DAS17/Woogi:
So, should we meet up tomorrow? It’s been a while since we’ve all gotten together.
Dinaple/Yuna:
Tomorrow works. Ichan’s schedule is free in the afternoon. He’s going to Japan the day after.
This Ga Yuna… Anyway, she’s not helpful.
Möbius/Jeongsoo:
Alright, let’s do it tomorrow evening. Everyone, suggest what you want to eat.
I turned off my phone and put it face down.
This was the moment I deeply regretted coming back to this life.
* * *
The next day, we had a radio schedule in the morning.
After that, we had a fitting for the stage outfits we’d wear in Japan and a schedule review meeting.
In the late afternoon, we did a quick performance practice and wrapped up the official schedule for the day.
When I went down to the company parking lot, Kim Jeongsoo was waiting.
At 23, Jeongsoo had become an owner-driver and had come to pick me up in his car.
“Hyung, I have to go to Japan tomorrow, so I can’t.”
“Just show your face for a bit. Everyone wants to see you.”
It had been a while since the online gatherings of the “Loots” had turned into offline meetups.
Probably since the Gyeongju K-Pop concert last summer.
Since then, they’ve been meeting monthly, but I hadn’t attended even once.
Part of it was because of my busy schedule, but mostly, I didn’t feel like mingling with them.
I could tolerate Jeongsoo, but the others… Well, I just didn’t feel like it.
But I couldn’t keep up this attitude anymore.
I’m here to compete in the idol industry.
To survive in this harsh world, I need running mates—people who can support each other and sometimes compete.
So, I reluctantly followed Jeongsoo.
I didn’t bother dressing up.
I wore my usual style of clothes and went bare-faced to the Japanese restaurant where we were meeting. But to my surprise, the Loots were all dolled up in full makeup.
“What, are we shooting a photoshoot?”
As soon as I walked in, my first words made the Loots members look at me in disbelief.
“Hey, Kang Ichan.”
Ga Yuna spoke up as the representative.
“Is this your first time at our offline meetup?”
“Yeah?”
“If the maknae shows up to a meetup, you should at least greet everyone nicely. What’s this? ‘Are we shooting a photoshoot?’ You’re out of line.”
At Ga Yuna’s words, the other members also grumbled in agreement.
But no one was actually mad.
If anything, they found it cute.
These guys all have a soft spot for me.
As long as they don’t outright insult me to my face, that fondness won’t waver. And even if they did, it might not waver.
That’s just the kind of person I am.
Especially when they see my face in person, the effect is multiplied.
So, I have to be a bit cold with these guys.
If I’m too nice, they’ll cling to me like Jeongsoo, and that’s a problem.
“No, do you all lack confidence in your bare faces? Why are you wearing makeup to a private gathering? It’s uncomfortable.”
“Hey, it’s because we’re idols… We have to manage our image.”
“You can say that because you have good skin. If you were me, you wouldn’t be able to go out bare-faced.”
“Kang Ichan, are you really not wearing any BB cream?”
“Why would I wear BB cream? Let’s save makeup for official schedules, okay?”
Still, since we’d been in the same group chat for over half a year, the meeting itself wasn’t uncomfortable.
We exchanged light jokes as I sat down and glanced at the menu Ga Yuna handed me.
Jeongsoo, who had finished parking, came in a bit late and grumbled.
“Hey, Ichan’s going to Japan tomorrow, so why did we have to pick a Japanese restaurant?”
“Yeah, Ga Yuna. Reflect on that.”
DAS 17’s Woogi immediately agreed with Jeongsoo.
Ga Yuna, however, raised her head even more shamelessly.
“We picked a Japanese restaurant because Ichan’s going to Japan.”
As he poured water into the empty teacup in front of me, Ga Yuna continued.
“To realize that Korean Japanese food is better than the original, you have to try it here first.”
“That’s true. Our Japanese food is better than the original.”
“Hey, isn’t that a bit too much national pride?”
As they exchanged silly jokes, I noticed something strange.
There are twelve members in the Loots.
But there were thirteen people sitting in this room.
There was one extra.
And it was someone I recognized.
“Ha.”
As I picked up the teacup on the table, I stared at him and slightly tilted the corner of my mouth.