Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols Chapter 25 - Debut Evaluation (1)

]‘This is so lit.’

 

It was a word choice that was too undignified for a proper adult, let alone a working adult, to use.

 

But it was the only word that could describe my current feelings.

 

The Spark members, who had torn apart the February evaluation like I did my resignation letter, were now flying around as if they were on a survival audition program.

 

Choi Jeho and Lee Cheonghyeon were already good to begin with, so there was no need to say more.

 

Jeong Seongbin and Kang Kiyeon’s growth was remarkable.

 

First of all, Jeong Seongbin earned extra points for appearing more confident than usual.

 

Since he was originally good at both singing and dancing, just smoothly showing what he had prepared was good enough to demonstrate his skills.

 

And then there was Kang Kiyeon.

 

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

 

He showed no hesitation, especially in dancing, which was his specialty.

 

It was a demonstration that proved all those nights of practice in the rehearsal room were worth it. The dance instructor’s eyes were already watery.

 

No matter how much you’d claim you won’t know the result until you see it, this was something I could tell without even looking.

 

Kang Kiyeon, that guy, definitely did well.

 

Meanwhile, Park Joowoo, who had chosen his evaluation song a week ago, was even told by the vocal instructor that he ‘no longer had any weak points’.

 

‘Should I be happy about this or not?’

 

My original goal was to narrow the gap with the Spark members, even if just a little, to show potential for improvement. After all, I needed to prove my worth by showing future promise.

 

However, while I was making a small leap, these guys were pole vaulting, causing my challenge to fail before it even began.

 

“Hyung, fighting!”

 

When it was my turn, Lee Cheonghyeon, who was sitting next to me, whispered softly.

 

Thanks for the support. But I’m not sure if I can survive, given that you guys prepared the songs, danced well, and sang excellently.

 

* * *

 

‘It’s already Iwol’s turn.’

 

Min Jukyung, who belonged to the Artist Management Team in the Management Division, checked the last remaining profile and Iwol’s evaluation sheet.

 

Although Kim Iwol was the latest trainee to join UA just two months ago, having only been there for two months, he was quietly acknowledged among the diligent trainees for being the last to leave the practice room every day.

 

A diligent person could earn goodwill through their attitude alone.

 

Min Jukyung believed that Kim Iwol deserved support not just because he was a trainee he had brought in, but because of the dedication he had consistently shown.

 

‘I hope he does well.’

 

The existing trainees had been training for at least a year longer than Kim Iwol.

 

Because of this, the company was considering Kim Iwol’s chances of joining the debut group versus the next group at about a 4:6 ratio.

 

‘It would be easier for him to debut after building up his skills, but… No one knows when the next group will come out.’

 

Considering young age was an asset in the idol market, Min Jukyung wanted to debut Kim Iwol as soon as possible.

 

It wasn’t an impossible prospect if Kim Iwol could just handle one person’s vocal part.

 

‘If he could just be a decent sub-vocal…!’

 

Rooting for him internally, Min Jukyung looked at Kim Iwol standing upright, just as he had been the previous month.

 

Oh Eun, who was sitting next to Min Jukyung, asked Kim Iwol.

 

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

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

At Kim Iwol’s answer, Min Jukyung checked the song selection list.

 

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

 

‘Is it a B-side track?’

 

Min Jukyung thought it was a pretty good choice.

 

If the original song’s image was too strong, even a well-done cover could easily be overshadowed. Especially if the performer was a trainee.

 

Kim Iwol had always made good choices in the few evaluations he’d had.

 

This brought to mind what Oh Eun, one of the evaluators in past meetings, had said:

 

‘He seems to have a good sense. And he works hard too.’

 

Min Jukyung agreed with that statement.

 

An idol group needed the so-called ‘intelligent character’, whether for fan service or variety shows.

 

‘If Iwol could play that role, our kids wouldn’t worry as much.’

 

Despite his short experience, his age as the oldest member and his reliable demeanor made Min Jukyung think it would be a waste to make him wait for a few more years.

 

However, Min Jukyung didn’t have much time to dwell on these thoughts.

 

“Then, shall we have you sing while dancing?”

 

In past evaluations, singing and dancing were assessed separately, but the CEO gave an unprecedented mission, saying, ‘If it’s the same song anyway’.

 

UA naturally aimed to produce idol groups that could perform live, but singing while dancing required a different set of skills compared to just standing and singing.

 

‘There’s so much to consider, including breathing!’

 

Min Jukyung was shocked.

 

This was a crucial moment for Kim Iwol, as it would be for any trainee.

 

As such, Kim Iwol, who had surely practiced diligently for a whole month, deserved the same opportunity as other trainees.

 

As Min Jukyung was feeling perplexed about why this was happening during Kim Iwol’s turn, his eyes fell on the wall clock in the corner of the practice room.

 

There were only about 10 minutes left until the meeting scheduled for the launch of the new idol group.

 

In projects requiring collaboration among many people, even one delayed meeting could cause considerable trouble.

 

Min Jukyung knew this, but…

 

He felt that at least such an important opportunity should be guaranteed for a trainee with a bright future ahead.

 

Just as Min Jukyung was about to stand in front of his employer and say, ‘I don’t think this is right!’, Kim Iwol beat him to it.

 

“I understand.”

 

…He said.

 

And four minutes later, Min Jukyung realized that he had been worrying for nothing.

 

* * *

 

After the demonstration that felt like an eternity, there was only one thought in my head.

 

‘This actually works.’

 

The reason I chose a song from a famous group was obvious. It was because UA was pursuing the ‘standard idol image.’

 

This was evident from how they demanded songs with strong K-pop flavors from Park Joowoo, and how they released the debut album with the classic rookie group concept of youth.

 

If I had been obsessed with not getting points deducted and had chosen songs that only I knew, I most likely would have been criticized for lacking the passion and spirit a new recruit should have.

 

Instead of title tracks with high and intense highlights, I chose a B-side track with more relaxed vocals.

 

This was to make me appear suitable for the sub-vocal position.

 

The lower popularity of the song itself could be compensated by the group’s fame.

 

‘If it’s a song performed only once or twice in concerts or music shows, there’s little chance of being compared to the original.’

 

It was a method of riding on the group’s reputation.

 

There was another advantage to B-side tracks.

 

Since they were often performed for special stages, their choreography tended to be easier than title tracks.

 

If a group covered this, they might be criticized for taking the easy way out.

 

But it was a different story if one person sang it from start to finish.

 

Being able to handle a song meant for a group alone was an undeniable advantage in terms of individual capability.

 

To demonstrate that I could handle both singing and dancing alone, I needed to present them simultaneously, in a dramatic way.

 

For example… performing what should have been separate song and dance evaluation together, in response to a sudden proposal.

 

It was now the turn of a trainee who had only been with the company for two months, preparing for an idol debut for the first time.

 

At this point, how would it look if they had to listen to a song that didn’t seem too difficult to sing, with choreography that didn’t look too challenging, twice?

 

Especially when there was not much time left before a meeting with several people?

 

People who valued time as money—especially those executive types—tended to think.

 

‘Can’t we just see it all at once?’

 

They could easily claim they would consider the different evaluation methods if necessary.

 

If it turned out well, even better.

 

This development could be anticipated based on the decision-making patterns of UA discussed by the Spark members on the broadcast.

 

I had also confirmed all of UA’s meeting room reservations for this week through people around me, like the manager and Min Jukyung.

 

Thanks to everything falling into place, the evaluation went in the best direction among the cases I had anticipated.

 

Thank goodness I didn’t have to resort to ‘Operation 21: Inducing Sympathy through Storytelling and Voluntary Slavery Contract’ scenario.

 

‘I did practice singing and dancing to death until I could succeed at both…’

 

Since completing the performance was a prerequisite, I couldn’t avoid the path of hardship.

 

Once again, I could only hope for bonus points from attendance management adjustment.

 

‘Now I just need to present the right image and step back.’

 

Balance was important when strategizing.

 

If you had nothing to show, it wouldn’t be appealing, but if you showed everything from A to Z, you gave the impression of playing tricks on the other person.

 

‘The best outcome is for them to think I made a good song choice without realizing that I was deliberately inducing their reaction.’

 

I quickly observed the judges’ reactions. The executives whispering among themselves and marking papers looked genuinely satisfied.

 

It was the moment when my small but precious leap succeeded.

 

* * *

 

“Teenage years are really something. There’s a big difference between last month and this month.”

 

Everyone who attended the monthly evaluation agreed with UA’s CEO, Yoon Hyunjoo.

 

“The kids did exceptionally well this time. Is it because we mentioned selecting the debut group?”

 

“Motivation can certainly help you focus more.”

 

“Kiyeon doing well was a real surprise. I was worried he might get more nervous under pressure.”

 

Dance trainer Song Junhwan, who always considered Kang Kiyeon a bit of a delicate case, looked visibly relieved.

 

“I heard he practiced with Iwol every night.”

 

Manager Chanyoung, who monitored the trainees’ attendance, chimed in.

 

“Really?”

 

“Kiyeon has a tenacious spirit. Oh, by the way, Jukyung, did you listen to the audio file Cheonghyeon sent?”

 

“Yes, it was pretty good.”

 

“Right? I heard he even took it to the A&R team.”

 

In an environment where long-term trainee life could lead to complacency, the renewed enthusiasm among the trainees was a very positive development.

 

Although the members had always been diligent, recently, the trainees had been so dedicated in their practice that even the staff and trainers could feel the difference.

 

Realizing that everyone shared the same observation, Yoon Hyunjoo began to ponder seriously.

 

What was improving the trainees’ morale?

 

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

 

They needed to hold onto that reason tightly. That was how they could maintain this positive momentum.

 

While neatly organizing the six evaluation forms, Yoon Hyunjoo asked the excited staff.

 

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

 

With this question from the CEO, a two-hour brainstorming session began in the meeting room.