<Episode 99>
Florence’s debut teaser was released.
[Wow. They’re finally coming out. I seriously got hooked just from that short trainee monthly evaluation stage and have been waiting anxiously ever since. (Teaser screenshot.)]
↳Me too.
↳Wow. It’s been so long since we’ve had a pure/innocent girl group like this.
↳Pure concepts are rare now. Even idols who used to do that concept are trying other styles.
↳↳Right. Now they release albums with a more mature vibe. But I get it, you can’t stick to a pure concept forever.
[What is Florence’s teaser? Are they forest fairies or something? They’re just sitting in a flower field making flower crowns, but they look so beautiful, I just stared blankly. This isn’t human-level beauty. (Teaser GIF)]
↳I literally just stared with my mouth open. I almost drooled.
↳By any chance, what’s the name of the girl in that clip holding the flower crown… the one with bangs and long straight black hair? She’s so cute.
↳↳That’s Park Chaeha.
↳↳↳Thank you.
[Since a lot of people are asking for Florence’s names after the teaser, I’ll summarize. From left:
Long straight black hair with bangs: Park Chaeha
Long light-brown wavy hair without bangs: Lim Hyeju
Medium-length black hair without bangs: Kang Seoha
Blonde tied hair with bangs: Mio
That’s it.
(Florence profile photo.)]
↳Thank you.
↳Thank you so much.
↳LOL, Thanks for organizing it. People kept asking me too, so I just sent them this post.
↳But seriously, what is up with their visuals? A miracle from a small company.
The reaction to Florence’s debut teaser was extremely positive.
[I feel like the album goods and photos will also have a pure vibe.]
↳Like they’d smell like flowers?
↳↳Yeah, exactly that.
Many people were also showing interest in the album.
‘The response is good. So there’s still demand for the pure concept.’
All the hard work had paid off.
As I slowly scrolled through SNS reactions, the corners of my lips naturally lifted.
Now, all that was left was to successfully finish the debut showcase.
Recently, I planned to seat reporter Jo Minjun from K-Days… with whom I had been maintaining a good relationship, in the front row. He would surely write an objective yet favorable article.
I also sent Florence’s profile to PD Yoo and PD Ki.
It was natural that Florence, who hadn’t even debuted yet, hadn’t received casting calls.
Moreover, regardless of Spade Joker’s success, Ramos Entertainment’s influence in the broadcasting industry was still relatively weak.
‘At least we secured music shows.’
Thanks to Spade Joker’s strong momentum, securing music show appearances wasn’t difficult at all.
Unlike before, I didn’t have to visit PDs and beg for slots.
‘We should go on variety shows for promotion.’
Bzzzz.
[PD Ki]
Right on time, I received a call from PD Ki.
[Hello.]
“Yes, PD.”
[Florence, was it? I looked at their profile. Since they’re just debuting, they’ll need a variety show to get their name out, right?]
I had sent the profile, hoping for something like this, but I didn’t expect PD Ki to bring it up first.
“That’s actually what I’ve been worried about. Since they’re just debuting, it’s not easy to secure variety appearances.”
[Then… I have a junior PD, PD Park. How about his program? You’ve probably heard of it. It’s called ‘Let’s Go to School.’]
I knew the program.
In fact, anyone in the industry would.
The cast alone was impressive:
A late-30s male actor who started as a child actor, a male MC in his 40s who used to be an athlete, a mid-30s former girl group singer, and an early-30s actress.
They wore school uniforms and performed skits… a rare comedy talk show in a landscape dominated by observational variety shows.
It had a slightly mischievous tone, but it didn’t bully guests or push them into negative images.
It was the kind of teasing that could be dismissed as playful behavior from seniors.
“I’m familiar with it.”
[The ratings have been decent lately, so how about sending Florence there? I brought it up when I sent their profile, and their side didn’t respond negatively.]
“We’d be very grateful.”
Florence, who was just debuting, needed to appear on various shows to build recognition. Showing their faces frequently was the only way to attract new fans.
[Then I’ll pass you my junior’s contact.]
“Thank you. I’ll make sure to treat you to drinks next time.”
[You better keep that promise.]
As expected of a heavy drinker, his voice brightened at the mention of alcohol.
‘That’s one thing solved thanks to connections. This is why it’s important to stay close with PD Ki.’
Since we secured a well-known variety show, it would be good to also appear on YouTube.
‘These days, YouTube is more accessible and gets better views than traditional variety shows.’
I logged into YouTube and started browsing channels to consider for collaboration.
I excluded channels that used excessive profanity or made sexual jokes at others’ expense. As a result, only a few channels remained.
Should I be thankful that it saved me the trouble of checking them one by one…?
‘Why are there so many controversies?’
In the end, the remaining candidates were:
A channel run by a dancer who became famous through broadcasting, doing situational skits, and A channel where a comedienne chats with guests over tea.
The latter didn’t seem likely to accept Florence. Since they had just debuted, their answers would be limited, making it hard to generate humor or buzz.
‘The former is better. What Florence needs most right now is buzz.’
The only concern was that its format was very similar to the program suggested by PD Ki.
‘If this goes well, variety show offers will pour in. But if we mess up, it could ruin the atmosphere entirely.’
Just in case, it would be better to prepare a script to some extent and coordinate with the production team.
‘There’s no harm in being prepared. I should discuss it properly with the PR team.’
***
The Spade Joker members, having finished their official promotions, were preparing return gifts for their fan meeting.
As a result, the dorm was filled with Polaroid cameras, countless photos, pens, and memo papers scattered everywhere.
“Hyung, look at this.”
Zen took a picture of Cain.
“Huh? My eyes are closed in this one.”
“Still, if we decorate it well, wouldn’t it be okay? Clover might like it.”
At Sora’s words, Cain picked up colorful pens. It was clear he was trying to salvage the photo somehow.
Scratch, scratch.
The sound of pens moving filled the dorm.
“I think we’re writing more diligently than when we were in school.”
“Seriously.”
Holding a Polaroid, Zen took pictures of the members like that.
“Let’s upload this to SNS later. I think Clover will like it.”
“Okay.”
Zen also set down his Polaroid and began writing.
[Let’s stay together from now on as well.]
To make sure fans could read it clearly, he slowly moved his hand, writing as neatly as possible.
Because of that, it was taking twice as long.
“Hyung, let’s rest a bit and then continue.”
“Tired?”
“Yeah.”
They were taking Polaroid photos for fans and writing signatures and messages on each one.
“Then let’s take a break.”
They put down their pens.
“Wow. This isn’t easy.”
“Can we even finish all of this?”
Sora looked at the pile of Polaroids stacked in one corner of the dorm.
“Jawook hyung asked if this would be too hard, but we said we wanted to do it. So we should finish it.”
At Zen’s words, the other members nodded.
“And we still have some time. If we do it bit by bit, we can finish.”
They wanted to see it through to the end since they had already started.
“But how many people are coming to the fan meeting?”
“Jawook hyung said the venue can hold up to 7,000 people.”
At Kain’s answer, Heeseo swallowed dryly.
“7,000? Will that many people really come?”
Hearing the number again made Heeseo worry whether that many would actually attend.
“They will. And even if it’s not 7,000, so what? We’ll just have a great time with the Clovers who come.”
“Right. And the CEO said before that even that wouldn’t be enough seats. Since it’s only one day, it’ll definitely fill up.”
“Huh? Lee Joo, when did you talk to the CEO?”
“Oh, yesterday. Because of the drama.”
Leejoo was working hard, memorizing his script repeatedly in preparation for filming. By now, if someone nudged him, lines from his youngest disciple’s character would spill out effortlessly.
Even the acting teacher assigned by the company was so impressed by Leejoo’s passion that they were eager to teach him even more.
Thanks to that, Leejoo’s acting skills were improving rapidly.
“But when is your article coming out?”
“I don’t know.”
At Sora’s question, Leejoo shook his head.
“Well, it’ll come out eventually.”
“Alright, if we’re done resting, let’s get back to signing.”
“Okay.”
It was past midnight, yet no one complained of being tired or said they wanted to sleep.
They quietly poured their hearts into something for their fans.
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