The Way to Save the Crazy Returnees Chapter 29 - U Know (1)

 

 

It had been a while since he last contacted me, and the message he sent was basically asking to be praised for burying someone alive. Absurd, yet so typical of Seo Do-hwan.

 

I let out a short laugh and called him.

 

“Hello?”

 

―Oh, what’s this? Boss, did you call because you were worried about me?

 

“Not you, Seo Do-hwan. Yoo-seong.”

 

―Knew it.

 

Seo Do-hwan grumbled.

 

―That guy in the photo I sent you? That was Lee Yoo-seong’s doing. But forget him—you should be worried about me!

 

“Why would I?”

 

―Because Lee Yoo-seong’s stronger than me!

 

“Funny. Wasn’t it you who said you were stronger than him?”

 

―I never said that!

 

Seo Do-hwan shrieked, then asked,

 

―Is everything going well?

 

“Yeah, everything’s moving along smoothly.”

 

Ji Ye-chan had joined us, and thanks to that, public opinion had calmed down for the time being.

 

With top figures from every field supporting us, the first full-length album would proceed without a hitch—and Kang Ye-seong would finally have the chance to unleash his long-suppressed genius.

 

The real concern, however, was Seo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-seong’s side.

 

“Be careful. This is only the beginning.”

 

―Yeah, Lee Yoo-seong and I thought it was strange that only one guy showed up. We agreed to stay alert. That Kim Sang-cheol… he’s not just some random thug.

 

“He is just a random thug. But he’s got a lot of connections.”

 

If Kim Sang-cheol had relied solely on his own money to establish King, it might have been different. But no—he pulled in investments from all over, building that company.

 

Not formal investments, of course. He lured in other loan sharks and gangsters with sweet talk and extracted money from them.

 

Trouble was bound to continue.

 

At least until Victory’s comeback showcase was over, things would remain as chaotic as they were now.

 

“So stay sharp. I’ll see you in two months.”

 

―Okay.

 

The call ended without even the usual “take care.” Not that I felt any disappointment.

 

Two months. Once that time passed, we would meet again—so what was there to be wistful about?

 

I smiled and stepped out of the office, never realizing that soon, I’d have no reason to smile.

 

***

 

“CEO, are you alright?”

 

How much time had passed? Checking the calendar, I realized Victory’s comeback showcase was only a week away.

 

The days had been hectic.

 

Dealing with WF Entertainment kept me busy, and I also had to manage matters on the T.U. side. Fortunately, there hadn’t been any drug-related incidents at clubs in that area lately.

 

Once Seo Do-hwan was ready, I could hand T.U. over to him immediately.

 

As for Cheongmyeong High School—formerly Cheongha High—my grandfather had entrusted the chairman’s position to someone he praised for being highly capable.

 

“Um, CEO?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

I realized belatedly that Chris had been calling me. Pressing at the corners of my eyes, I forced a smile.

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“You don’t look fine at all,” Chris said, concern lacing his voice. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”

 

“You should be the one resting, Chris.”

 

“I’ll do that soon! Ta-da!”

 

Chris beamed and held something against a white background, decorated with plum blossoms.

 

“The boys’ first full-length album is out!”

 

Finally!

 

Crying out with joy inwardly, I received Victory’s first full-length album.

 

“From the title track to every single B-side, everything is perfect! For such a flawless album to come out in just two months—this is all thanks to your support, CEO!”

 

All I had really done was throw money at it. Still, as they say, even whales dance when praised. With Chris speaking so sincerely, as if he truly meant it, I smiled and thanked him.

 

Knock, knock.

 

With a light knock, the head of the marketing team entered.

 

“Oh, Chris. So you were here.”

 

“Hello, Team Leader Hong!”

 

Hong Ha-jin—better known simply as Team Leader Hong—was famous among fans for running the social media accounts of a major agency with flawless professionalism. Team Leader Hong was one of the talents we had scouted, along with Chris, offering twice the salary of their previous company.

 

“CEO, Victory’s official YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter accounts have all been launched. At exactly 5 p.m., the individual teasers and profile pictures for Lee Nak-hwa and Shin Yoo-soo will be posted.”

 

“Good. I’ll check them.”

 

“And here are the photo cards we received from the printing company. I picked them up on the way.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

The first ones that caught my eye were the pair cards: Lee Nak-hwa with Shin Yoo-soo, Cheong-ryang with Haneul, and Kang Ye-seong with Ji Ye-chan.

 

“They were taken with two different concepts for each member individually, and two members were paired together with a single concept each.”

 

A total of fifteen cards.

 

“As for the full group photo shoot, we should see the final results by tomorrow.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Um, but CEO…”

 

Uncharacteristically, Team Leader Hong chose their words carefully.

 

“Speak freely.”

 

At my words, Team Leader Hong seemed to make up their mind and spoke.

 

“Is it really true that there will be no changes to the album lineup?”

 

So that’s what had been worrying them—the lineup for Victory’s first full-length album. I gave a faint smile and reassured them.

 

“Yes, there won’t be any changes. And if, by some chance, the album runs at a loss, just let me know. I’ll cover it myself.”

 

But that wasn’t going to happen. Even if only their existing fans pre-ordered the album, the moment the title track’s MV dropped, it would sell like wildfire until completely sold out.

 

“Oh, it’s already 5 p.m.”

 

Just as Team Leader Hong had said, Victory’s official accounts now featured the profile photos of Lee Nak-hwa and Shin Yoo-soo.

 

The two of them, smiling as they shared popcorn, instantly lifted anyone’s mood at a glance.

 

“Next will be Cheong-ryang and Haneul—their photos go up in two days. Muse and Sol will be last.”

 

“And finally, the full-group photo.”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

The reactions were bound to explode.

 

I leaned back, eyes scanning as the comments on the new photos began to flood in.

 

[BigdolForever (@ILOVE_Victor_)]

What’s going on with their visualsㅠ? How can a picture capture them exactly as they are in real life? This is insane, seriouslyㅠㅠㅠ

 

The same reactions were popping up everywhere. People all over were going crazy for Victory.

 

“…I like it.”

 

I truly felt happy.

 

Strange, though—I’d been through moments like this before, and it wasn’t even directed at me. Yet the joy was just as intense.

 

If I felt this way, what must Victory themselves be feeling? Their emotions… I would never fully understand.

 

***

 

It started on Monday with Lee Nak-hwa and Shin Yoo-soo’s photos. Wednesday brought Cheong-ryang and Haneul. Friday featured Muse and Sol. And today, Sunday, the full-group photo dropped, along with the official teaser for the title track MV.

 

The full MV would be released at midnight, and tomorrow was Victory’s comeback showcase.

 

The fan community was buzzing nonstop. Longtime fans treated the forums like their daily hangout, while newly joined “Nikes” posted just as fervently. As midnight approached, posting became frantic.

 

[Guys, holy sh*t, did you notice this?]

If you line up the members’ profile photos, they connect into one giant image. Look!

 

(Image: Nak-hwa & Yoo-soo | Cheong-ryang & Haneul | Muse & Sol)

 

WTF, this is insaneㅠㅠㅠ

 

?[OurBoysAreInTheMainLineup]: Omg; f** I literally just realized;;*

 

?[LetsSucceedBigdol]: Same, I’m smacking my forehead rnㅠㅠ

 

?[NewbieNike]: Wait… does this mean the MV concept is like a movie theater?

 

?[DoYouNotKnow]: Yeah, looks like itㅇㅇ

 

?[BigdolMajorShareholder]: Yup, the background’s clearly a movie theater lol wtf

 

Speculations about the title track’s MV ran wild.

 

[Not that either?]

All the profile photocards that were just uploaded are included in the album? Seriously? I know the individual photos are randomized for each album, but still—this is insane TT

 

They even said each member’s individual photocard comes in two versions TT … damn, how is this so different from Gaechul’s stuff? That’s crazy.

 

?[LoveNakHwaYooSoo]: No, but even if their company is AMA, it feels like they don’t know how to make money lol.

 

?[CheongRyangMyMan]: Isn’t that a good thing?

 

?[LoveNakHwaYooSoo]: Yeah, it’s way too goodㅠ Please stay clueless money-making fools foreverㅠㅠ

 

The album was the topic of discussion everywhere.

 

[This is so ridiculous lol]

Even if they threw money at them, they’d still be doomed idols. I don’t get why people are praising them, lol.

 

Of course, the trolls appeared too.

 

?[BigdolLet’sHitItBig]: Look in the mirror.

 

The Nikes responded wisely. But some fans voiced concerns about the pace of Victory’s activities.

 

[But hey, guys]
Aren’t you worried? It’s only been two months since their second mini-album, and now a full album TT I’m nervous TT

 

?[OurBoysAreInTheMainLineup]: That’s true, but honestly, anything’s better than Micho Macho.

 

?[BigdolMajorShareholder]: Ahem, rookie, that song doesn’t exist ^^

 

[I’m worried about that too]

I’m afraid if this album really blows up, trolls will come in… especially dredging up the songs they promoted back when they were with King TT

 

?[DaebakMuseExists]: Damn it, those King-era songs weren’t chosen by our boys TT It was that bastard Gaechul who forced them TT

 

?[LoveMyBoys]: Exactly TT It was that bastard Gaechul who picked them TT

 

?[BigdolLet’sHitItBig]: But even then, it’s because of our boys that those songs came to life TT

 

?[Let’sSucceedBigdol]: True.

 

And then, all those voices went silent when a new post appeared.

 

[Holy sh*t, the MV just dropped]

Let’s go~

https://www.ritube.com/watch?v=voctoryRh8GAE

 

AM 00:00

 

Victory’s first full-length album title track music video was finally live.

 

***

 

(The Music Video)

 

Shoooosh―

 

The projector whirred to life, and the blank screen flickered.

 

Yes! We Are Victory!

Seize the victory!

Yes! Catch My Victory!

I’ll give you this victory!

So be mine! My woman!

Crazy macho! Macho crazy!

If you’re a man, take her! Someone else’s woman!

Yes! We Are Victory!

Seize the victory!

Yes! Catch My Victory!

 

It was the stage video for <Micho Macho Micho>, the title track from Victory’s second mini-album.

 

Victory, now completely different, watched themselves on the screen.

 

They giggled, tossing popcorn at each other, joking around. Even though it was their own stage, they acted like casual spectators.

 

But their playful smiles froze when the video changed.

 

The title track from their first mini-album, <Doraidormi>.

 

Their debut song, <We’re Here>.

 

The ones who had been laughing moments ago fell silent, absorbed in their earliest performances.

 

“Hello! We Get Victory! From now on, we’ll only show you great performances! Please look after us!”

 

Shooosh—

 

As the projector ground to a halt, the ending credits started to appear on the screen.

 

[Lee Nak-hwa]

[Shin Yoo-soo]

[Cheong-ryang]

[Haneul]

[Sol]

[Muse]

 

The six names appeared one by one, then faded. Soon, white text appeared on a black screen:

 

[Re:Make]

 

The text changed again.

 

[We start again.]

 

Then it vanished completely.

 

The screen remained black. When the camera panned to the audience seats, they were empty.

 

Startled, the camera shifted back—and a soft, lyrical melody began to play from the blackened screen.

 

―♩♬♪

 

The screen brightened again.

 

A single member of Victory came into view.

 

Not Kang Ye-seong—Muse.

 

Alone, shackled in chains against a backdrop of broken clocks.