<Episode 61>
Along with the article announcing Spade Joker’s comeback, news was also released that they were producing a film music video.
[???? A film music video? What is that? You’re not seriously making something like a short film, right? Please tell me you’re not. Huh? My heart hurts right now… and not in a good way.]
↳ My head hurts so much.
↳↳ Suddenly, all Clovers are being sent to the hospital…
↳ Seriously, all I can think of is “?” right now. I couldn’t even process what was happening.
Clovers’ SNS feeds were filled with question marks.
[Look, I can understand making a music video like a movie. Music videos are also a form of art, and if you make them sloppy, fans only watch out of loyalty. But a film music video? That’s so outdated. And it’s not like one or two idols failed to do that. Why are you trying to go down a failed path? Don’t go. Please stop. I’m begging you, stop.]
↳ Why praise them for doing well, only for them to change direction themselves?
↳ This really isn’t it. Why bring back failed examples? This album is really important. The last one did well not just because of the song and choreography, but also because their story was revealed through that show and gained attention. So the next album has to succeed for them to solidify as top-tier idols…
↳ I screamed when I saw the article, then completely deflated when I read “film music video.” This can’t be happening. I just want to deny reality.
[Excuse me, why are you suddenly taking on such a ridiculous challenge? We were doing well, weren’t we? We were happy, right? We hyped you up, saying your instincts were alive, and now suddenly they’re dead? And our boys haven’t even learned acting.]
↳ It feels like they want to make them act, but this isn’t it. They haven’t even been consistently trained in acting. Do you know what happens when you make them do something they haven’t learned? Huh? Don’t you remember the composing incident? Don’t forget that.
↳↳ That’s exactly what I wanted to say.
↳ Where did they even get the idea for a film music video?
↳ Sigh… let’s just stick to what other companies do. Don’t try new things.
Because previous examples of “film music videos” by other idols had not been successful, Clovers couldn’t help but feel anxious.
[You never know… maybe it’s not what we think, and it could actually be okay? Right?]
↳ Nice attempt at sugarcoating.
↳ I hope so, but I’m really anxious.
They tried to think positively, but it wasn’t easy.
[Let’s just accept it. It’s already in production, so they won’t scrap it now. Let’s just watch it with our fan loyalty. Can’t you even handle that? Can you still call yourself a Clover? Think about their old stages. This is nothing compared to that.]
↳ Right. We’ve seen even more cringeworthy things before! Of course, I can handle this. If it’s our boys, I’ll just find it cute.
↳ Yeah.
↳ Ha… I think I got PTSD for a moment, remembering their old stages.
↳↳ That’s understandable. I felt the same. And it’s not like we stormed the company demanding they cancel it… we just got anxious. That’s only natural.
Eventually, some even began scolding other fans.
[I suddenly found a ray of hope!! Kang Woojin! He got close to John Raid Lombardi, right? What if that’s because of the film music video? If that’s the case, then we don’t need to worry about quality!! Kang Woojin is famous for his insane eye for scripts. If someone like him is participating in the shoot? We might get an amazing masterpiece. I want to believe that.]
↳ Found it. My last hope.
↳ Thank you for reminding me of that.
↳ My anxiety just dropped a little. My hands were literally shaking when I saw the article… ha…
↳ Please… I’m begging you. Let this post become a sacred pilgrimage site.
↳ Seriously… please…
[But John Raid Lombardi’s instincts have been improving a lot lately, right? So it probably won’t be the worst. I heard he watches a lot of other idols’ videos on purpose… for reference. And he always checks fan reactions too. He says what he thinks and what fans think can be different, so he has to confirm it. That’s how you improve.]
↳ Wow, that’s impressive. He understands that his judgment might not always be right.
↳ Then maybe we can look forward to it.
↳↳ I was actually excited, but everyone’s reactions were so intense that it shocked me. Then I watched other idols’ videos and understood why. They really feel like B-grade films… I just hope it’s not that level.
↳ Just recognizing the difference between his thoughts and the fans’ thoughts already makes him a good CEO.
↳↳ LOL, but this company probably learned from failure. And not just any failure, a proper one. So of course he’d know.
↳↳↳ That’s… true. People grow through failure.
***
“CEO.”
“Yeah.”
“Florence’s profile photos have arrived. I’ve sent the files to you as well.”
“Alright.”
At Han Suseok’s words, I immediately checked the files.
“They turned out well.”
There was no excessive editing or heavy makeup; it perfectly matched the pure image I had envisioned.
“But these days, girl groups tend to go for strong and hip concepts rather than pure ones.”
It was true, pure-style rookie girl groups were rare these days.
“That’s exactly why we’re going with a pure concept.”
“Are we aiming for rarity?”
“Yeah. If you keep listening to bold, confident songs, eventually you start craving something like this too, don’t you? There will be people who want to see a pure girl group. We’ll target them.”
Han Suseok smiled faintly.
“I trust you, CEO, so I’ll follow your lead.”
“Thanks.”
That alone felt incredibly reassuring.
“Oh, and did we get approval for the fan meeting venue?”
Originally, the fan meeting was supposed to come before the album release, but the desired date wasn’t available, so it had to be postponed.
“Yes, it was approved just now.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Yes, then I’ll take my leave.”
I stopped Han Suseok as he was about to leave.
“Han Suseok.”
“Yes, CEO?”
“By any chance… actually, never mind. You can go.”
I almost brought up Kang Woojin, but quickly stopped.
Even though Han Suseok was trustworthy, I couldn’t talk about it without Woojin’s permission.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. The kids worked hard, and with what happened last time… I was thinking of giving them a gift after the promotions end.”
I could’ve asked indirectly, but Han Suseok was sharp… he might realize it was about Kang Woojin.
Even if he wouldn’t say anything, it would still feel uncomfortable.
“A gift? They’ll love that.”
“I just don’t know what to give.”
“…How about a trip?”
“A trip?”
“Yes. After going to Thailand, it seems like they discovered the joy of traveling. Maybe not overseas, but couldn’t we at least send them on a domestic trip?”
It wasn’t just an excuse; I really had been thinking about a gift.
It sounded like a good idea.
“That’s nice. I should send them on a domestic trip.”
“Shall I look into it?”
“It’s fine. I’ll handle that. You already have a lot on your plate.”
“Understood.”
Han Suseok left the office.
‘A trip… I can look into that after promotions start.’
For now, I wanted to deal with Kang Woojin first.
Now I finally understand why he wanted to join our company.
He felt uneasy on his own.
‘Wouldn’t it be enough to create a place where he can show his true self?’
At that moment, a drama came to mind.
A show that only had around 5% ratings after OTT platforms rose, but went viral on YouTube and SNS.
[Hansoo and Soohan]
A romantic comedy about fraternal twins, Hansoo and Soohan.
Both believed themselves to be perfect, but were actually full of clumsy flaws.
Among the characters, especially “Soohan” had an extremely high synchronization with Kang Woojin’s real personality.
‘If he acts in something like that, it would be much easier for him to reveal his true self.’
It was completely different from the kinds of dramas Kang Woojin had done so far.
He mainly starred in action or heavy melodrama.
Still, since he was a “box office magician,” the production team would likely welcome him.
‘But who am I to push Kang Woojin into that drama?’
Right now, we are just acquaintances.
I wasn’t his agency representative or manager, so I had no grounds to recommend him or bring in a script.
‘I don’t even have connections in the drama department or production companies.’
If I at least had an actor under my agency, there would be some connection.
But I didn’t even have that.
And going through Producer Ki would mean going through the variety department before even reaching the drama department.
‘Just getting one song from composer Maru already opened a path full of trouble…’
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