Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols - Chapter 25



Only Krnovel

| Episode 25. Debut Evaluation (1)

‘This is awesome.’

It was an indecent choice of words for a full-fledged adult, let alone a working adult.

But only these words could express my feelings at that moment.

The Spark guys who tore up my February evaluation into small pieces like my resignation letter flew around like they were on a survival audition show.

There’s no need to say anything else about Choi Je-ho and Lee Cheong-hyeon, since they were originally good.

The growth of Jeong Seong-bin and Kang Ki-yeon was remarkable.

First of all, Jeong Seong-bin got extra points for looking more confident than usual.

Since he was originally good at both singing and dancing, I could feel his skills just by showing off what he had prepared.

And Kang Ki-yeon.

Although he still had the habit of shaking his hands and stiffening his expression during interviews, he didn’t make a single mistake during today’s evaluation.

There was no hesitation, especially when it came to dancing, which was his specialty.

It was a worthwhile demonstration that had me rolling around in the practice room until the moon was shining brightly. The dance teacher’s eyes were already moist.

Even though you don’t know the result until you see it, I knew this even without seeing it.

This bastard Kang Ki-yeon, he hit Jung-bak.

Meanwhile, Park Joo-woo, who had chosen the song to be evaluated a week ago, even heard the vocal teacher say, “Now, there is nothing you lack.”

‘Should I like this or not?’

My original goal was to show potential for growth by narrowing the gap with Spark members even a little bit. I had to show potential to prove my usefulness.

But my challenge was ruined before it even started because these guys pole vaulted right as I was taking a step forward.

“Brother, fighting!”

When it was my turn, Lee Cheong-hyeon, who was sitting next to me, whispered softly.

Thank you for your support. I don’t know if I’ll be able to survive because you guys are good at singing, dancing, and singing.

* * *

‘It’s already February’s turn.’

Min Joo-kyung, a member of the artist management team at the management headquarters, checked the remaining profiles and February evaluation sheet for the last time.

Although he was the last trainee to enter UA and had only been there for two months, Kim Yi-wol was secretly recognized among the other trainees for his diligence as the friend who turned off the lights in the practice room every day.

An honest person is also liked by his attitude.

Minju Kyung thought that Kim Yi-wol was someone who deserved support not only because he was a trainee she had brought, but also because of the attitude he had shown so far.

‘I hope it goes well.’

The existing trainees were members who had been trainees for at least a year longer than Kim Yi-wol.

That’s why the company was looking at the ratio of Kim Yi-wol joining the debut group and joining the next group at around 4:6.

‘It would be easier for me to build up my skills and then debut, but… … no one knows when the next group will come out.’

Considering the idol market where young age can be a weapon, Min Joo-kyung wanted to debut Kim Yi-wol as soon as possible.

If Kim Il-wol had taken on the role of just one vocalist, it wouldn’t have been an entirely impossible story.

‘I just need to be able to do sub vocals… … !’

Minju Kyung looked at Kim Yi-wol, who was standing upright as he had been last month, and cheered inwardly.

Oh Eun-i, who was sitting next to Min Ju-gyeong, asked Kim I-wol.

“You chose the same song for both singing and dancing?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Minjukyung checked the song list after Kim Iwol’s answer.

It was a song by a famous male idol group. However, the title was unfamiliar.

‘Is this a track?’

I thought Minjoo Kyung was a pretty good choice.

If the image of the original song is strong, no matter how well the cover is chosen, it is easy for it to be buried in the original song. This is especially true if the subject is a trainee.

Kim Il-wol has always made good choices in the few evaluations he has had.

Then, I recall what Eun Oh, one of the evaluators at the past meeting, said.

‘I think he has some sense. He works hard too.’

Minju Kyung could also agree with that statement.

Even idol groups need so-called intelligent characters, whether in fan service or entertainment.

‘If Lee Wol-i could do that job, our children would have less to worry about.’

Although his career was short, his age as the eldest brother and his own upright attitude made Minju-kyung think that it would be a waste to let him rot away for a few more years.

However, the time that Minju Kyung could indulge in sentimentality was not long.

“Then, should we dance and sing together?”

In previous evaluations, singing and dancing were evaluated separately and scored, but the CEO gave an unprecedented mission, saying, “If it’s the same song anyway.”

UA naturally wanted to create an idol group that could perform live, but in order to sing while dancing, things were required that were completely different from when they just stood up and sang.

‘There are so many things to worry about, including breathing!’

Minju Kyung was shocked.

There probably isn’t a trainee like that, but this was a really important moment for Kim Yi-wol.

Accordingly, Kim Yi-wol, who had practiced hard for a whole month, should have been given the same opportunity as the other trainees.

As Min Joo-kyung was feeling embarrassed as to why this had to happen during Kim Yi-wol’s turn, a wall clock hanging in the corner of the practice room came into view.

There were only about ten minutes left until the meeting scheduled to launch a new idol group.

In a project where multiple people need to collaborate, even one missed meeting can be quite frustrating.

Minju Kyung didn’t know that either… … .

For a trainee who still had a bright future ahead of him, it seemed like at least this important opportunity should be guaranteed.

At the very moment when Min-Jung Min was about to stand in front of her employer and say, ‘That doesn’t seem right!’

Kim Il-wol struck first.

“All right.”

… … he said.

And Minju Kyung realized four minutes later that she had been worrying for nothing.

* * *

After the demonstration that seemed like an eternity, there was only one thought on my mind.

‘This works.’

The reason for choosing a song by a famous group was clear: UA was pursuing the ‘classic idol image’.

This could be seen from the fact that Park Joo-woo was particularly requested to sing a song with a strong K-pop flavor, and that his debut album had a youth concept, which is typical for a new group.

If I had focused only on not getting deducted points and had chosen songs that only I knew, there was a high possibility that I would have been evaluated as lacking the passion and drive that a new employee should have.

Instead, I chose songs with more relaxed vocals rather than titles with high highlights and lots of intense songs.

Just so that I look like I’m suited for the position of sub vocalist.

The song’s lack of recognition could be compensated for by the group’s fame.

‘If it’s a song that’s only been performed once or twice in a concert or music show, there’s almost no way to compare it to the original.’

It was a method of just living off the name value and then running away.

There were other benefits to the included songs besides this.

Since they often appear on special stages, the choreography is often easier than the title track.

If this had been covered as a group, there would have been criticism that it was a waste of time.

But if you sing from beginning to end alone, it’s a different story.

The fact that he could sing a song that a large group would sing together on his own was an undeniable advantage in terms of his individual abilities.

In order to show that he can do both dancing and singing on his own, he had to show off his dancing and vocals at the same time. And in a dramatic way.

For example… … a method where the evaluation songs that were supposed to be shown separately are shown together due to a sudden suggestion.

It’s the turn of a trainee who has been training for two months and is preparing to become an idol for the first time.

At this point, what would it be like to have to listen to a song that doesn’t seem too difficult and has a tempo that doesn’t seem too difficult to dance to twice?

What if there is not much time left for a meeting with many people?

People who think time is money—especially executives—think like this.

‘Can’t we just look at it all at once?’

If there is a difference, you can just say that you will consider evaluating it in a different way.

If you do it well, it’s even better.

This development could have been predicted to some extent by recalling UA’s decision-making method that the Spark guys have talked about on the air.

I also confirmed all of UA’s conference room reservations for this week through people around me, such as the manager and Minju Kyung.

Because all of this came together so well, the evaluation went in the best direction among the cases we had anticipated.

Thank goodness I don’t have to write the ‘Operation 21: Eliciting Sympathy Through Story Selling and Self-Slave Contract’ scenario.

‘I rolled around like crazy until I succeeded in both singing and dancing… … .’

Since completion was a prerequisite, the difficult path could not be avoided.

This time too, I had no choice but to hope that I would receive bonus points by receiving attendance management compensation.

‘Now, just show the right image and get out of here.’

Balance is important when rolling your head.

If there is no hint of it, it will not be appealing, and if you show the design drawings from start to finish, it will give the impression that you are toying with the other person.

‘The best thing would be to not realize that a reaction has been induced and to be evaluated as having chosen a good song.’

I quickly glanced at the judges. The expressions on the faces of the staff members who were whispering among themselves and marking their marks on the paper looked undeniably satisfied.

It was the moment when my small and precious leap ended successfully.

* * *

“Adolescence is scary. Last month was different from this month.”

All those who attended the month-end evaluation agreed with UA’s representative, Yoon Hyun-joo’s words.

“This time, the kids did particularly well. Is it because I told you about the debut group?”

“When you’re motivated, you can focus more.”

“I was really surprised that Kiyeon did so well. I was worried that she would get more nervous under pressure.”

Dance trainer Song Jun-hwan, who always treated Kang Ki-yeon like a sore thumb, had an expression on his face like he had thrown off a burden from his heart.

“I heard you practiced with Yiwol every night.”

Manager Chanyoung, who was checking the trainees’ arrival and departure times, said.

“really?”

“Giyeon has a wicked spirit. Oh, by the way, did you listen to the music that Joo-kyung sent?”

“Yes. Is it okay?”

“Right? I heard you took that to the A&R team too.”

In an environment where long-term trainee life can easily lead to complacency, it was a great thing for the trainees to find new motivation.

Although the members were already hard workers, the recent trainees have been so active in practicing that even the staff and trainers can sense it.

When Yoon Hyun-joo realized that not only she but everyone else was thinking the same thing, she began to think seriously.

What is improving the mood of the trainees?

From the company’s standpoint, we needed to know a clear reason.

And I had to hold on to that reason so that the current good flow could be maintained.

Yoon Hyun-joo asked the excited employees while neatly organizing the six evaluation forms.

“What do you think was the decisive factor that changed the atmosphere among our trainees?”

Starting with the representative’s question, a brainstorming session lasting a full two hours was held in the conference room.