Chapter 194: Joyful Wrap-Up (3) |
Numerous fans gathered to take photos of Cherry Blossom and constantly clicked their cameras in front of the main building of MBS.
Cherry Blossom members were still dressed as they were when they visited the makeup salon, but wearing clothes prepared by Korea's top stylist Lee Mi-Ri made them look like they were in a photoshoot for a magazine by merely standing there.
"Awww! Yeon-Hee, you're the best mom today and tomorrow too!"
"Eun-Bi, look over here! Moon Eun-Bi!"
"Sae-Ri, baby! Baby long legs! My baby!"
"Yoo Eun-Ah! The goddess of the galaxy!"
Fans cheered and called out the four members' nicknames. Cherry Blossom members waved awkwardly to respond to the cheers as if they were contestants in Miss Korea.
"Thank you everyone!"
"Thank you for coming today!"
Some fans giggled at Sae-Ri's attitude, but I decided to let her do what she wanted since it was all part of the experience. After all, Sae-Ri seemed genuinely happier than ever.
As I had expected, there was a swarm of reporters next to the fans who constantly flashed their cameras.
"Cherry Blossom members, please look this way too!"
"Team Lead Jung, don't just take care of the fans and consider the reporters too! We're humans too, really."
"Team Lead Jung, please! I'll be fired if I don't get a solo shot of the members today!"
Even without the 'entertainment' Lee Gi-Cheol mentioned, reporters braved the crowd to take photos of Cherry Blossom placed in the center of attention as they were on a journey to achieve a record of ten consecutive weeks at number one.
After greeting the fans, it was time for the reporters' photo session.
Seeing the joyous faces of the members made my heart swell with pride. The smiles on the hard-working girls' faces felt like a reward in itself.
***
I had instructed the staff to distribute the lunches to the fans as soon as they arrived—and this included those fans who couldn't secure tickets to enter the public hall as well.
We set a budget of 70 thousand won per person for about 150 people, including a 20 thousand won lunch box, goodies, and headbands. This reverse-fan service gift was a bit pricey, but it was well worth it since the fans would flood Instargem with photos and compliments after receiving the gifts.
Considering the promotional impact and fan loyalty these photos would generate, this was a rather profitable deal.
For this reason, I had planned to hold the same event tomorrow at both KBC and SBC.
Lee Mi-Ri had prepared the outfits upon arriving at the dressing room. When she pulled out the prepared costumes, Cherry Blossom members could not hide their astonishment.
"Wow. They're beautiful."
A pink two-piece skirt with a waistband made of silk in four different colors made it immediately clear whose outfit was whose.
"We'll step out for a moment. Go ahead and change."
The male talent agents stepped outside and left the awestruck Cherry Blossom members in the dressing room.
At that moment, the rookie idols passing by spotted us and instinctively bowed.
"Hello! We're SB18!"
"Hello! We're Peacock!"
"Hello! We're Bell-bottoms!"
"Hello! We're called Bunny Princess!"
'What did they say? Bunny Princess?' I wondered.
A four-member girl group in pink dresses and giant white bunny ear headbands greeted us cheerfully.
They were trying to stand out by an unusual concept. But with those outfits and team name, it was almost worth criticizing their agency.
I was taken aback, to be honest, but Lee Dong-Min and I acted as if nothing was wrong and gave them our encouragement.
"Oh, yes. Hello. Keep up the great work!" I cheered them on with a smile. But unfortunately, they were very unlikely to succeed in this industry.
'I remember when Cherry Blossom almost went down that path,' I thought to myself.
Just thinking about it still made me break out in cold sweats.
That's when Lee Dong-Min tapped my shoulder. "What are you thinking about so seriously?"
"Oh, it's just that…seeing them reminds me of Cherry Blossom last year," I replied.
Lee Dong-Min nodded and said, "True. Our kids were always second or third-tier...That's why no one knows how fate will turn out."
"That's true," I nodded slowly as I concurred with him.
Lee Dong-Min's words resonated deeply with me because I knew the future.
At that moment, Lee Dong-Min chuckled. "What do you mean by that? You're the one who changed their fate."
"Did I?"
"Yes. It's all thanks to you that Cherry Blossom is still here. Yoon-Ho, thank you for reaching out to our kids..."
"Not at all, Mr. Lee."
"Oh, come on. You're too modest. Anyway, we've worked hard so let's finish strong."
"Yes, sir!"
While we were talking, I heard that everyone inside had finished changing.
"Everyone, come on in," Lee Ju-Yung hollered.
We were about to enter the dressing room upon hearing Lee Ju-Yung's voice.
But then I noticed Ma Dong-Pal walking down the hallway with Gu Min-Ji of Pink Diamond. Ma Dong-Pal stopped walking and instructed the talent agent standing beside him to take Pink Diamond away somewhere.
I turned to Lee Dong-Min and said, "Mr. Lee, you should go in first."
"Why?" Lee Dong-Min asked.
"It seems Director Ma has something to discuss with me."
"Hmm. But wouldn't it be better to stay together?"
"I'll be fine," I assured Lee Dong-Min.
After sending Lee Dong-Min and Han Myung-Ho inside, I greeted Ma Dong-Pal. "Hello, sir. How have you been?"
"Oh you know, just the usual. But today is the final broadcast for Cherry Blossom, right?" Ma Dong-Pal responded.
I nodded and replied, "Yes, that's right."
At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal smirked meaningfully. "Oh, dear. What a shame! Pink Diamond girls got a good song this time. It would be a shame to leave without competing with them, wouldn't it?"
Since Petite More was no longer around, TK Entertainment was pushing for Pink Diamond.
Currently, Pink Diamond was ranked tenth in the music shows with their song released three weeks ago. But now, they have received a new song to compete against Cherry Blossom.
"What song did they get?" I asked.
"Kid, you seem curious. Hmm. Don't be shocked. They got it from the famous American composer Rich Devils..." Ma Dong-Pal replied with a smirk.
At that moment, I suddenly remembered the song 'Golden Shower' that Petite More got from Rich Devils in my past life.
'Is he talking about that same song even Petite More couldn't save that they had to end their promotion activity within just a week?' I wondered.
I boldly said to Ma Dong-Pal who was bragging, "That won't work."
"What?" said Ma Dong-Pal who appeared shocked.
Even Ma Dong-Pal knew that people in the industry were starting to call me the 'Star Jung the Fortune Teller.'
Then he added, "No way...Are you saying…"
"Yes. I have a feeling—a strong feeling. That song won't work. I bet it's going to be a huge flop," I responded confidently.
Ma Dong-Pal's face suddenly contorted.
As soon as I saw the change in his expression, I quickly headed into the dressing room.
"Take care then~."
"Hey! Jung Yoon-Ho! Why, you little bastard...Trying to jinx us before it even starts, huh? Hey! You better come back here!"
I could hear Ma Dong-Pal fuming through the closing door of the dressing room.
***
Just before Cherry Blossom went on stage for the music show and to attempt to achieve ten consecutive weeks at number one, everyone had gathered in the dressing room—from Do Ran-Hee to Jung Sang-Bong who had been managing the fans outside the main building.
Lee Dong-Min looked at everyone and said, "Alright. Shall we chant our slogan before going up?"
At Lee Dong-Min's instruction, we all gathered in the middle of the dressing room and reached out our hands.
"Have you seen the music rankings of our competitors?" Lee Dong-Min asked.
"Yes."
"Then you know this is an easy win for us, right?"
"Yes!"
"But still, let's do our best until the end. That's what Cherry Blossom is all about, right?"
"Yes!"
Lee Dong-Min struggled to control his emotions as he spoke up. "And also…thanks for all the hard work..."
At that moment, everyone in the dressing room had faces brimming with emotion.
That's when the AD's prompt came from outside the door. "Cherry Blossom, it's time to go up."
We were suddenly pulled back to reality.
"Alright, shall we head up then?" Lee Dong-Min asked with a smile.
Everyone was ready to chant their slogan at Lee Dong-Min's cue.
"Are you ready, Yeon-Hee?"
Woo Yeon-Hee took a deep breath and started the chant. "Forever~"
"Cherry Blossom~~~!"
Everyone except Woo Yeon-Hee shouted the slogan in a loud voice as if to lift the roof of the dressing room.
And just like that, the curtain rose on Cherry Blossom's final stage.
***
At the stage of the MBS Show! Music Center, Cherry Blossom performed their sharp choreography under the spotlight with microphones in their hands.
Their pink flare skirts fluttered continuously just like blossoming flowers.
Then as the song came to the chorus, Cherry Blossom recited the lyrics and extended their microphones toward the audience.
『Hands up~』
"Hurry Up~," the audience shouted.
The four girls from Hongseong Girls' High School at the front of the audience loudly followed the chorus. And each time, Cherry Blossom's dance and song began to fill with more energy.
After all, nothing fueled performers like the support of their fans.
But it was during the second verse that the consequences of their ten-week marathon began to show.
'Hang in there, girls,' I cheered silently.
Sweat beaded on the foreheads of the members.
'What should I do?' I wondered anxiously.
Today's broadcast was a delayed live show with about ten minutes behind.
In the worst-case scenario, we could cut the broadcast. However, there was no time to edit the footage so the stage would just end with only the first verse going on air.
'Should I have the girls come down?' I thought to myself.
My heart started racing with anxiety as I immediately turned to Lee Dong-Min and said, "Mr. Lee, the kids don’t look too good."
Lee Dong-Min standing beside me also noticed the members' conditions and let out a deep sigh.
"Yeah, I see it. They look worse than before. Sigh..."
Sweat was dripping down to the earlobes of the four members. Yet even in that state, all four of them were smiling brightly.
The members were between the ages of 16 to 22. While their peers were enjoying their youth while being engrossed in street food like tteokbokki and sundae, Cherry Blossom was on stage enduring the pain and persevering through it all.
Once on stage, they had to be professionals.
'Sae-Ri... hang in there!' I silently cheered her on.
I wanted to run up and hug her to give her a shoulder to lean on. But all I could do was silently cheer them on until the stage was over.
But at that moment, the voices of the four girls from Hoengseong Girls High School thundered through the hall like the roar of a pterosaur.
"The best in the universe! Woo Yeon-Hee!"
"Sexy Moon! Yang Eun-Bi!"
"Goddess of the Galaxy! Yoo Eun-Ah!"
"Baby Center! Kim Sae-Ri!"
It seemed like the girls from Hoengseong Girls High School noticed what I had seen as well.
When Sung Ji-Yeon led the chants, the other three followed her. Then the rest of the fan club members shouted with all their might, pouring energy into their voices.
At that moment, the power surged through Cherry Blossom's dance. The waist-up dance was filled with vigor and their hands holding the microphones stretched out more forcefully.
『Hands up~ Hurry Up!』
'Thank you, girls,' I silently thanked the girls from Hoengseong Girls High School.
Thanks to the fans, Cherry Blossom was able to finish the stage without any disruption. As the last note of 'Hurry Up!' played, the four members helplessly dropped their heads in their ending positions.
When I saw the members trying to hide their trembling arms and legs, I immediately ran with Lee Dong-Min toward AD Choi In-Seok. "Mr. Choi."
Choi In-Seok seemed surprised by us running toward him. "Yes?"
"Could we possibly start the first-place announcement stage just about five minutes later?" I asked.
"There's a ten-minute delay in the live broadcast so we can cut out five minutes... but why?" Choi In-Seok replied looking puzzled.
I quickly pointed toward the members on the stage and said, "The members are about to collapse and it'll cause a broadcasting accident if we continue. All we need is just five minutes. Give us just that and I'll get their spirits up and bring them over."
"Uh, um…okay. Just a moment," said Choi In-Seok who then hastily shouted into the wireless intercom with a flustered expression.
"Mr. PD, Hoop Entertainment is asking for a five-minute delay. The members are about to collapse!"
Shortly after, Choi In-Seok nodded in approval.
He added, "We'll cut for five minutes, so you get the members ready in the dressing room and bring them over. At most, you have seven minutes. In the worst case scenario, Mr. Lee might have to come up to the stage and receive the award on behalf of Cherry Blossom."
"Okay! Thank you so much!" I thanked Choi In-Seok and ran down to the stage.
"Sang-bong, Ran-hee! Hurry! Mr. Han! Ms. Lee, you too!" I yelled.
A moment later, all the lights on the stage went out.
As I gestured for them to hurry down, Cherry Blossom started walking slowly toward the back of the stage while leaning on each other.
I wanted to run up on stage and carry them down. But since the audience was still watching, they had to make it to the stairs leading down from our side of the stage on their own.
'Hang in there!' I silently urged them.
My heart felt like it would burst as the four moved slowly. Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi, who had more energy compared to the other two, encouraged Eun-ah and Sae-Ri who were struggling the most.
Despite their exhaustion, the youngest Sae-Ri and weakest Eun-Ah nodded their heads while mustering the strength to keep going.
The talent agents clenched their fists so tightly it seemed they might stop blood flow. "Hang in there, kids."
There were only 2 meters left now.
"Just a little more..."
That's when I spoke softly to the kids. "Girls, I'll grant each of you a wish!"
At that moment, Cherry Blossom's eyes suddenly lit up. Like fire reigniting in dying embers, the four found the strength to walk faster.
When they finally reached the stairs leading down from the stage, we went halfway up the stairs and caught them as they collapsed into our arms.
Han Myung-Ho caught Woo Yeon-Hee, Lee Ju-Yung caught Yang Eun-Bi, Do Ran-Hee caught Yoo Eun-Ah, and I caught Sae-Ri.
Sae-Ri, so thin she was almost just bones, clung to me and giggled with her face soaked with sweat. "Yoon-Ho oppa…you promised a wish. Right?"
"Yes. I'll grant whatever I can."
"He he he. Yay! But Yoon-Ho oppa, I'm so sleepy," Sae-Ri continued.
"That's because you've used up too much energy. Just close your eyes for a bit. I'll carry you to the dressing room," I said to her.
"Okay."
"Lean on my back like this."
Sae-Ri silently closed her eyes and reached out her arms.
Carrying the nearly unconscious members, we ran straight to the dressing room.
I looked at them and thought to myself, 'Well done, girls.'
But the performance wasn't completely over just yet.
With 4 minutes and 30 seconds left, I somehow needed to get Cherry Blossom ready for the final ranking stage by any means.
Ristretto's Thoughts
Smh. They wouldn't have been that bad if they had at least eaten properly. The Korean entertainment industry be real toxic.
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