06

    Step Six

    :: The Conflict Part II ::

    "He seems to naturally have a lovely personality." Yeo Unche glanced back at the sofa where Wang Qi was lying with his mouth open, drooling.

    "Yes, it's a rare type," There were few people who maintained a positive mindset all the time. Although there were artists who seemed like Wang Qi, in reality, they just kept their idol personal for the fans. Offstage, their personalities changed as if they were different people.

    He was still not entirely sure if this kid was just acting or not, but his intuition told him he was not pretending... to put it simply, he was not thinking too much about anything at all.

    Jacan chatted with Yeo Unche about general topics for quite a while and didn’t seem inclined to mingle with the other trainees. Superficially it looks like he's just wasting time unproductively in other people's eyes.

    "Hey, why don't you go get some airtime for yourself?" Park Insa, who didn’t have a mic with him as usual, plops down casually next to Jacan.

    "Hello, senior," Yeo Unche and Jacan promptly stand up and bow politely following the manners of this country.

    "Hello," the older one wanted to say there's no need to be so formal, but on second thought if he did that, the viewers who would see this footage probably wouldn’t like these two juniors. Being disrespectful to seniors or juniors reflected badly.

    "So you're not going to compete for airtime like the others? This is a survival show program."

    "That's just not my style. If I do that I'll feel even more fake," Jacan gave a frank reason.

    "Is it really good to be so blunt? People could get annoyed," Don't forget there were cameras capturing footage from almost every corner of the room.

    "If you make me pretend in a way that's not me, even more people would dislike me for being fake," especially as a foreigner, even little things could easily become issues.

    "Besides," Jacan raised his eyebrows meaningfully at the older guy, "just having you sit here pulls airtime to the three of us already."

    "Three?" He only saw two people.

    "Behind the sofa, another person, my battery just died suddenly," the young man gestured toward the back of the sofa.

    Park Insa craned his neck to look and then saw a human curled up, sleeping with his mouth open, drooling without any concern for appearances.

    Or rather, because he was concerned, that was why he chose to sleep there, right?

    "Shall I guess why you decided to sit with us?" Jacan teased with a mischievous smile.

    "I might not have a clear purpose, just walked over looking for a seat."

    "You came looking for a friend to talk to, especially about artists we like," because the two of them like a band that not many in this country would know of.

    "Well, yes, it's rare to meet another Twinkle; just wanted to chat a bit," Park Insa nodded in agreement.

    Actually, his duties as a morning host had ended, and he could have gone back to rest in the guest room until his next segment in the afternoon. Seeing Jacan calmly not trying to hog airtime like other trainees, and the camera crew clustering around other large groups, he took the chance to find someone to chat with leisurely.

    "And why do you like them?" Yeo Unche, sitting next to him, moved to grab some drinks and snacks, eager to hear the backstory of the Class A brother who rarely opened up.

    "Originally, it was Mom... ah, my mother, who liked Twin K. She was a fan from when they just uploaded cover videos on YouTube. By the time I was born, I was listening to Twin K even before I could walk. Twin K inspired me to become a singer. At age five, I was lucky to be a lucky fan at one of their concerts. Seeing a sea of people waving light sticks, sparkling in the dark, was so beautiful. I thought I'd like to have a starry sea of my own, so I chose to study music from then on."

    It was unfortunate that HJ had never organized a concert. In the first three years, although somewhat famous, it wasn't enough for sponsors to be confident that tickets would sell out, so they never organized one. There were only small shows to thank the fans.

    There were plans to organize one in the fourth year, but then the company's president suddenly fell ill, causing many planned activities to be halted. By the fifth year, the group was disbanded without any farewell concerts.

    "I also followed them when they were on YouTube. George... ah, a band member, was the brother of a friend of Twin K. I got to know them through George. Initially, I liked the singing skills of the older twin, which I couldn't match at the time. Before I knew it, I was following their work up to this day."

    "I even went to a concert where Ford invited Twin K as guests. I went with Mom and Dad. It was a really fun concert."

    "Ah, it was really fun at that time," Park Insa mused, looking out the window as if recalling old memories.

    "Was that band really popular?" Yeo Unche took a sip of his drink. Listening to both men, it seemed this was no ordinary band.

    "They were popular in their own country," Park Insa said with a gentle smile. If Twin K had intended to go international, he was sure they could have gone very far. But lately, the twins had turned to behind-the-scenes work and acting, which they also excelled in, causing their music career to dwindle.

    "They are not young anymore," Jacan chuckled. "But their work is still on YouTube. If you're interested, I'll send you a link when I get my phone back."

    "Oh, please do, big brother," Yeo Unche grinned widely. Although unfamiliar and initially uninterested in the band mentioned, given both the senior's and Jacan’s praise for the music, he felt compelled to check it out.

    "What’s going on here? You two are having fun in the corner and didn't invite us," the other trainees, who had been scattered, quickly joined the conversation when they saw the senior host engaging with Jacan and Yeo Unche. Even the camera crew started to take interest.

    "Just talking about a band we like," Yeo Unche saw the senior and the host not willing to explain, just smiling knowingly at each other. He didn’t want the atmosphere to go flat, so he spoke up instead.

    "That explains it. Jacan really is talented, isn't he? Singing, dancing, and even cooking. Is there anything he can’t do?"

    "Wait and see," the young man smiled cryptically, causing all the trainees who had joined to catch some screen time to feel that his smile was rather mysterious.

    "I think someone with his level of talent should debut in his own country. The competition here is deadly," amidst the crowded circle, a voice suddenly spoke from behind.

    "Who just said that?" Park Insa, sitting beside, asked with furrowed brows.

    "..." The trainees exchanged looks, shifting uncomfortably from left to right, yet no one came forward to admit their words.

    "If you're not brave enough to stand by your words, that's fine. But listen—foreign artists are essential to our music market right now. True, some might think they're taking jobs that should belong to locals, but from a management perspective?"

    "Important factors that can propel a group to international success sometimes depend on foreign members. Instead of just thinking that they're taking away jobs, why not see it as competition? A competition that drives our country's music industry forward."

    "Whoever made that comment earlier, if you don't debut... it'll be because of your own words, not for any other reason," said the usually cheerful senior, his face now serious, furrowing his brows tightly. The situation escalated to the point where the main producer had to signal the crew to pull him out.

    If this tape went on air, it's guaranteed to stir controversy, albeit negatively. But this was good; this episode would provoke discussion in the community.

    Foreign artists had always been made uncomfortable by their agencies or anti-fans over the years. If this issue was ignited again, it would become a hot topic discussed everywhere!

    Heh, the ratings would skyrocket for sure.

    ...

    "Up to now, we still don't know who said it," Yeo Unche pursed his lips, hating those who acted but didn’t own up to the consequences. Though unknown now, once this tape aired, the viewers at home would see who it was.

    After Park Insa was pulled away by the crew, the atmosphere grew tense. Everyone dispersed to their own corners until it was time for lunch, and the cheerful chatter that had filled the air was no longer present. The mood had definitely soured.

    Some began to realize that the beliefs they held dear might not be widely accepted in a more open society. Everyone had something to ponder, casting a somber shadow over their demeanor.

    The producer, seeing the gloomy faces of the trainees resembling storm clouds, decided to halt filming temporarily. Instead, the cameras were left running in case something interesting happened to include at the end of the show.

    ...

    "Lee Sangah, Class C," Jacan mentioned casually as he ate, as if narrating an ordinary story, not naming someone involved in racial bullying.

    "You knew?" At that moment, the trainees crowded around them, almost completely enclosing them. The person who spoke was at the very back, and he couldn't even see Lee Sangah's hair from there.

    "I remember, back when we were being assessed for class promotion, he said the same thing. Though it was just to stir things up and get others involved," he did nothing more than memorize the face of the other at that time. It was only when he saw the performance that he learned the name and class.

    "Is that guy trying to self-destruct?" To criticize others in front of the camera like that?

    "It must be the pressure. When people feel cornered, they often choose the wrong path. Think about it, over half the people in Class A are foreigners. Who could stay calm under such conditions?" Or perhaps there was more to it...

    "That's true, but it's still about the skills, right?

    "Well, those people are in Class C; they don't get to move to A as easily as you."

    "Oh, please, may that become true! I'm dying to debut here," Yeo Unche clasped his hands together, tilting his head back as if praying.

    "Don't rush it; the road ahead is still long. We have the home audience voting to consider too. Being in Class A now doesn't guarantee a debut. Everything is just starting," the more seasoned trainee explained, grounding in the reality of the survival show. People in Class E could debut too if they had enough fan support.

    "You seem so calm," Yeo Unche observed, his brows furrowing. "You act like a kindergarten teacher watching over the kids, you know?"

    "..."

    "What should I say? It's like you're just watching us play in a playground, always ready to scold or praise. You act like an outsider... Yes, an outsider," Yeo Unche snapped his fingers as he coined the metaphor.

    "Are you an undercover staff member or what?" His gaze shifted to one of suspicion. Hearing this, Wang Qi paused his eating.

    "Exactly, which is it?" Jacan leaned on his elbow, listening to the young man analyze him. Outwardly he may seem calm and detached as always, but inside, his heart was racing in a way it never had before... Was he developing an ego?

    Was he thinking he was superior to everyone here because he had debuted before? Was he looking down on others?

    His grip on the chopsticks tightened, unnoticed by others. A tumult of anxiety passed through his sea-blue eyes like waves crashing against the shore.

    "Where did Wang Qi go? He wouldn’t miss lunch," Yeo Unche looked around, not spotting the younger member of the room.

    "..."

    "Brother Jacan, have you seen Wang Qi?"

    "..." No response came from the number you dialed.

    The young man furrowed his brows. It was the first time he saw the person in front of him so spaced out. Normally, the elder seemed alert at all times, ready to handle any situation.

    "Bro, bro," waving his hand in front of him.

    "Huh? What is it?" Jacan regained his composure, looking at the hand in front of him in confusion.

    "Is something wrong, bro? I've been calling you for a while."

    "It's not like there's nothing, just something small to think about. It's not a big deal. Let's keep eating, or we won't have time to gather this afternoon," the older one looked at his watch and the food in front of him before urging his roommate to hurry up. "Did you ask me something just now?"

    "I asked if you've seen Wang Qi. Since we came into the cafeteria, I haven't seen him at all."

    "Wasn't he following us?" He had seen a glimpse of that distinctive hair when they were getting their food.

    "Maybe he went to eat with someone else," it was strange. Usually, those two would stick to Jacan like glue.

    "There he is," as Yeo Unche was contemplating the possibilities, Jacan pointed out the youngster with the man bun walking meekly behind Kim Jiseong like a duckling following its mother.

    "Is something wrong? Why does he look so upset?" Jacan squinted. "No, it's Jiseong who's dragging Wang Qi along."

    Bang!

    Before Jacan could finish, Kim Jiseong, with a stressed face, walked straight to Lee Sangah's table and slammed his hand down violently, nearly tipping over the plates and bowls.

    "..." The cafeteria fell silent.

    "What's with you!" Lee Sangah looked up at Kim Jiseong and then paused slightly when he saw Wang Qi standing behind, head bowed.

    "Lee Sangah! You locked Wang Qi in the bathroom, didn't you?!"

    "!!!"