Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail Chapter 16

A few days after the mentor was appointed.

 

The trainees prepared for the competition by discussing with their assigned mentors.

 

The mid-term evaluation stage was a stage where the arrangement was not completed.

 

Although this mission is called a ’Sunbae’s song cover’ it did not mean to replicate it.

 

No, actually, trying to replicate it exactly was a negative element. 

 

Can there be a cover that surpasses the original?

 

“You shouldn’t think about going beyond the original singer for the cover performance.”

 

Early in the morning, in one of the few practice rooms without cameras.

 

Seo Baekyoung said while lying on the floor of the practice room.

 

There was a long sliced carrot in her hand.

 

“You should think of it as just singing the same song on a different stage. Because no matter what happens-“

 

“There’s no way you can surpass the original artist who has practiced for hundreds of days, even years.”

 

I nodded.

 

Of course, it’s a given. If you ever thought of surpassing them from the start, you were bound to earn the hatred of the original fans. 

 

Instead of such greed, you had to approach it with a different charm in mind. 

 

It’s a remake, not about surpassing it.

 

“Yeah. My mentor told me that, too.”

 

“Who are you assigned to?”

 

“Jinhwa sunbae-nim.”

 

Ah.

 

I nodded right away.

 

Greyish’s main dancer.

 

In terms of dance, she was already called the top among idols.

 

It was perfect for Seo Baekyoung, who is the main dancer.

 

“That’s great. Are you doing well?”

 

“Yes. We’ve always known each other. Also, she’s such a talented person.”

 

That’s a relief.

 

I quickly erased my anxiety about Seo Baekyoung.

 

“By the way.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Seo Baekyoung had a complex face, as if she could not understand.

 

“Why didn’t you…… steal a mentor?”

 

I was wondering why this question didn’t appear.

 

I shrugged my shoulders.

 

“There’s no need to forcibly take it. I decided to seek help from the other trainees. Fortunately, everyone agreed to help.”

 

As soon as Director Oh and I finished our deal, Director Oh attached a camera to me.

 

And he even captured the heartwarming scene of me gaining cooperation from the other trainees.

 

…Of course, honestly, most of them helped me not out of sentiment or friendship.

 

With a camera in front of you, how could you refuse it?

 

If you had refused, it would have caused a controversy about your character.

 

“Does… does that even make sense?”

 

Sure enough, Seo Baekyoung, who has a realistic mindset, was not convinced at all.

 

“No matter how much we fly and crawl, we’re still trainees in the end. We can’t beat mentors.”

 

“I know.”

 

“Then why? Did you do that to take care of your image?”

 

Yikes!

 

That’s a painful question.

 

“I can’t say there isn’t one. To be honest, if I had stolen a mentor then, I would have been criticized.”

 

“You can endure some criticism. Everyone would have understood that it was unavoidable-“

 

“I don’t trust the broadcasting station, and I don’t trust the producer.”

 

I said firmly.

 

“If unnie also want to debut here, don’t trust anyone.”

 

“…!”

 

It’s not some other PD. It’s PD Oh. …After 7 years, there will be some celebrities who will retire because of PD Oh.

 

“No… so you’re confident in yourself? You only seek advice from the other trainees when the camera is on.”

 

“It’s because everyone is busy.”

 

“Actually, you never intended to get help from us from the beginning, did you? You just wanted to do it on your own?”

 

Did I get caught?

 

To be honest, I was used to being a producer.

 

Asking the rookies for help, that’s a bit much.

 

It might be the other way around where I subtly need to help them instead.

 

I pondered on how to answer.

 

“I’m not very comfortable with receiving help from others. I feel sorry about it.”

 

“Why should you feel sorry? Just the fact that you didn’t take away our mentors is already something.”

 

“I appreciate that you think that way, unnie. But other people might not feel the same.”

 

For example, Kim Ryeoyu.

 

Seo Baekyoung did not refute, indicating that she had read my thoughts accurately.

 

“Did you finish arranging the song?”

 

“Of course. It will have a quite different atmosphere compared to the original.”

 

It’s because it’s the upgraded version of the mid-term evaluation one.

 

I purposely didn’t show the completed stage during the mid-term evaluation.

 

You didn’t have to hide it, but then it won’t be fun.

 

“I didn’t know you could do song arrangements.”

 

“I bet no one knew.”

 

That’s right. The ability to arrange is not Yun Cheong’s, but mine, Baek Nokha.

 

However, Seo Baekyeong didn’t interpret it that way, and he seemed to feel guilty. 

 

It seemed like she had just recalled how she had treated Yun Cheong a little unfavorably until recently. 

 

I didn’t mean it in that sense. 

 

Well, let’s not bother correcting it.

 

“Aren’t you worried?”

 

Seo Baekyoung looked at me with worried eyes.

 

Even though your nose is broken, you’re worried about others. 

 

You were born to be a leader. 

 

I blinked in surprise at the unfamiliar feeling.

 

“You know that this performance is important. Of course, every stage is important, but… this is the first mission.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Although I was an idol, I’ve never been part of an idol group.

 

Since I debuted as a soloist from the beginning.

 

Considering that many solo idols emerge after being active as part of a group, it wasn’t a very common situation. 

 

Maybe that’s why I didn’t really understand what group activities were like.

 

Due to my friends who were former idol group members around me, I had indirectly felt what it was like.

 

I can’t say I’ve never been jealous of them. 

 

Being alone was always a lonely and anxious thing. 

 

The relationship of ‘members’ in an idol group seemed like a very special one.

 

Comrades, fellow soldiers, friends, colleagues. 

 

Something that combined all of that. That strong bond was definitely something to envy. They say two heads are better than one, after all. 

 

Of course, I had also witnessed an entire group collapse due to the mistake of just one member. 

 

So, I had no complaints about being a solo artist.

 

But-

 

“I won’t make you worry.”

 

It’s not so bad to have someone worrying about me like this.

 

***

 

The day of the performance was drawing near.

 

As usual, I practiced until 2 a.m. and got ready to go home.

 

The moment I clean the practice room, lock the door, and come out–

 

“Hello.”

 

I heard a gentle voice. 

 

A voice with good vocalization and a pleasant resonance.

 

This is….

 

“Hi.”

 

It was Ryu Bora.

 

That’s a perfect voice for an actress. a powerful yet firm voice.

 

It was more of a voice with depth rather than a coquettish voice like a Jigglypuff’s.

 

“Are you going home now?”

 

“Yeah, you too?”

 

“Yes, me too.”

 

To still be here at this hour.

 

You’re working quite hard, aren’t you? I nodded my head.

 

“You… have Sayoon sunbae-nim as your mentor, right?”

 

“Yes. I’m doing a cover of Sayoon sunbae-nim’s solo song.”

 

Sayoon, a member of White Noise.

 

As an all-rounder member, she did not have a special main position, but she was one of the best members in White Noise.

 

And she was the only member who released a solo album.

 

That album was a huge success. It seems like you don’t find it burdensome, do you?

 

You must be more courageous than you look.

 

Like a baby deer, she looks like she could collapse at the slightest poke.

 

“Yeah, good work. See you next time.”

 

The moment I say goodbye and leave,

 

“Unnie.”

 

Ryu Bora caught me.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Geum said she wanted to be close to you.”

 

If it’s Geum…. you are referring to Kim Geum, right?

 

Talking about Kim Geum all of a sudden?

 

I couldn’t respond to the abrupt change of topic.

 

“The rumor that you’re good at arranging is already spreading. The producer also listened to your arrangement and sent it without touching it.”

 

Well that’s….

 

I shrugged my shoulders.

 

“Thanks for the compliment.”

 

“I guess that’s why Geum seems like she’s getting greedy.”

 

“Greedy?”

 

“She said if we debut together, we can make a song together. It’s more comfortable with two rather than one.”

 

Kim Geum and Ryu Bora.

 

Both of them were strong candidates who I want to debut with.

 

There was nothing to say about Kim Geum’s ability. Thanks to her talent, Kim Geum was not ruined even after Still Blue was ruined.

 

Rather, she continued to thrive and succeed even more. 

 

It’s not that she was good ‘for former idols,’ she was just plain good at it.

 

But Ryu Bora….

 

“How about you?”

 

didn’t debut as an idol.

 

However, she did not act again.

 

Ryu Bora retired from the entertainment industry as if she had just evaporated.

 

“Pardon?”

 

Ryu Bora’s eyes shook slightly.

 

“Do you want to debut with me?”

 

“…Of course. Certainly.”

 

Ryu Bora immediately smiled politely, as if she had a mask on her face.

 

“Debuting with someone as talented as you, like unnie, is something anyone would welcome.”

 

It sounded very sincere, but I could sense that it wasn’t genuine.

 

Actress-like, flawless acting skills. Beautiful, really disgustingly beautiful. 

 

I muttered to myself silently.

 

How did you live a normal life with that face?

 

“Anyway, please take a look at Geum when she practices next time. While she looks lik that, she is kind..”

 

“I will.”

 

Well, it wasn’t a bad thing to get closer to Kim Geum. 

 

It was unexpected that Kim Geum and Ryu Bora were friends. 

 

Well, they were the same age, after all. being 18 years old. 

 

“Alright, then please go in.’

 

Ryu Bora said so and bowed her head.

 

She’s polite and well-mannered.

 

…Although I feel a huge wall.

 

Ryu Bora didn’t wait for my reply, and turned right away.

 

“Bora-ya.”

 

I called that Ryu Bora.

 

“Other than Geum, do you need any help with practice?”

 

Ryu Bora stood still without turning around,

 

then she replied, 

 

“No, I’m okay. Thank you for caring.”

 

Um.

 

As expected, I felt a wall.