Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 194

Finally, a new manager had arrived.

Kwak Sang-hyun, who had been literally drained of life by the increased personal schedules during the non-active period, happily introduced the new manager to us.

“Wow……”

Gyun Seong-ha let out a slightly surprised exclamation upon seeing the new manager.

It was because of the new manager’s extraordinary appearance.

Our new manager was tall. Incredibly tall.

‘If he straightens his shoulders and back, he’d be almost 2 meters tall? He should probably be raising our national prestige as a basketball or volleyball player, not just managing us.’

Not that the new manager had a particularly good build.

Rather, he was so skinny he looked like a skeleton.

His exceptional height alone, which seemed like he had never had to look up at anyone in his life, was enough to intimidate most people.

Moreover, the new manager’s limbs were a bit unusual.

Even considering his unusual height, his limbs, especially his arms, were so long that they looked like CGI.

On top of that, he had a gloomy and somber impression, as if he was dissatisfied with something, which made him look almost ghostly despite his fairly handsome face.

‘I bet even the sasaeng fans loitering in front of our dorm wouldn’t dare come near us if he’s around.’

Though it bothered me a bit that he was thinner than us, who were managing our weight.

The other members seemed to have similar thoughts.

I wondered where they found such a person.

“This is Lee Young-min, who will be in charge of your road management from now on. He’s twenty-three. Despite how he looks, he’s a reliable and good-natured guy, so listen to him well.”

Surprisingly, the new manager’s name was ordinary, and he was younger than he looked.

“Nice to meet you.”

“We look forward to working with you.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“But you’re really tall.”

“Can we call you hyung?”

“Yes, call me whatever you like.”

“Okay, hyung.”

But what was that smell?

It didn’t seem like cigarette smoke……

Winter smell? Smoke smell? It also smelled like burnt wood.

As I wrinkled my nose slightly and focused more on the faint smell that seemed to be there, but not quite.

“Is there a problem……?”

Lee Young-min asked me.

“What perfume do you use?”

“I don’t use any.”

“Oh, I see.”

Wondering if I was the only one who smelled it, I asked the members about it after we finished our introductions and parted ways.

“Did you smell anything when you were with Young-min hyung?”

“Smell? What smell?”

“Hmm…… like the smell of something burning? Like a winter smell. I thought it was perfume, but he said it wasn’t.”

“I didn’t notice anything.”

“Isn’t it the smell from you not washing?”

“Do you want to die, Gyun Seong-ha? I wash more often than you do.”

“You guys are so childish……”

“That guy didn’t seem to smoke, which was good. Sang-hyun hyung is great in every way, but the occasional cigarette smell isn’t.”

Ban Yo-han, who usually hated the smell of cigarettes and had seriously threatened to kick us out of the dorm if we smoked, said.

“He seems like a really unique person.”

“Honestly, I’m a bit scared. His aura……”

“Actually, me too. If I ran into him on a dark night, I think I’d be startled.”

“Guys, don’t judge people by their looks.”

At Kang Ji-woo’s strict words, Ban Yo-han replied nonchalantly.

“It’s ironic to say that when we’re in a profession where we’re judged by our looks.”

“Hey, Ban Yo-han.”

“I know, I know. I get what you mean.”

It would have been nice if it ended there.

But Ban Yo-han had to add, “But it’s true,” which led to a big argument between the two until they made a dramatic reconciliation at bedtime, thanks to my mediation.

—

The next day, we set off for Gangwon-do for a festival performance organized by the local area.

It was our first time performing at an event stage since our debut, so we were all a bit excited and slightly nervous.

Though Kwak Sang-hyun came with us, Lee Young-min took on the driving.

While checking his phone in the front seat, Ban Yo-han turned to us with a slightly grim expression.

“It’s supposed to rain later.”

At his words, Kang Ji-woo looked out the window.

“Really? The weather does seem a bit cloudy.”

“I hope it doesn’t rain……”

Hoping that it wouldn’t rain on our first event, we arrived at the venue and went up on stage for rehearsal in our casual clothes with name tags on.

“Hyung, those look like our fans over there.”

“Oh? They really are.”

We lightly waved to the familiar fans.

We knew it wasn’t good to overly acknowledge fans who had become familiar from frequent encounters.

But seeing someone we had met just a few days ago at MusicPangPang MC’s arrival in such a distant place made us genuinely happy.

‘At least there will be some response.’

On the other hand, I wondered how they managed to come here on a weekday, missing school or work, to film us.

When the actual performance started, the sky was completely dark.

Everyone could tell it was about to rain.

Event staff were busy covering the stage equipment with plastic covers.

“This doesn’t look good……”

—

Amid everyone’s concerns, the event began.

### Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer Chapter 194

It was finally Orca’s turn, following the stage of an almost unknown solo singer.

After Orca, there was another girl group scheduled to perform.

Unfortunately, by the time Orca’s stage began, it was already raining heavily.

As a result, the audience, which was supposed to be there for the local festival, mostly consisted of fans of the performing idols.

“And now, Orca’s stage! Liberation!”

Despite the bad weather, the MC introduced Orca with a bright smile and an upbeat tone.

As the lights brightened, Orca appeared in their stage outfits, and soon the intro of “Liberation” started playing.

An airy, who had set up an expensive camera in front to record Orca’s first event fancam, was immensely worried that the members might slip and fall while performing the intense choreography.

“Everyone, make sure to drink ssanghwatang when you get home today!”

“And take some cold medicine too!”

Their bright shouts, piercing through the sound of the rain, suddenly relieved the tension that had been tightening inside.

With the support of the enthusiastic fans and Seo Moon-gyeol leading the first verse, the performance began.

In the same place as yesterday

Just as it is

The moment I look at you

The first problem occurred during Ban Yo-han’s part.

As soon as he started his part, Ban Yo-han’s expression momentarily stiffened, and he moved his lips silently while tapping his headset microphone with his hand as he moved backstage to where the staff were.

‘The microphone isn’t working.’

His microphone wasn’t working at all, so only the sound of the MR (music recording) was heard during his part.

The other members on stage quickly noticed this.

Before Ban Yo-han’s part came around again, On Raon, who had gotten closer to him during the choreography, handed him his hand microphone, signaling him to use it before his own part.

Due to the stage setup, Ban Yo-han and Gyun Seong-ha were using headset microphones, while Kang Ji-woo, Seo Moon-gyeol, and On Raon were using handheld microphones.

However, On Raon didn’t get the microphone back from Ban Yo-han.

Seo Moon-gyeol, who thought it was better for him to give his microphone rather than Ban Yo-han returning it due to the part and movement, handed his microphone to On Raon.

Now empty-handed, Seo Moon-gyeol received Kang Ji-woo’s microphone, and On Raon’s microphone ended up in Kang Ji-woo’s hand.

Thus began a peculiar microphone passing game among the four.

While it might have looked like they were playing around, occasionally chuckling as they handed the microphones to each other, they still managed their choreography and singing their parts diligently, so no misunderstanding arose.

Instead, it seemed like they were thoroughly enjoying the stage despite the poor conditions.

But in reality, Orca members’ hearts were burning with anxiety every second.

They smiled and did their best because the fans stayed in their seats watching them.

Every move they made threatened to topple them over.

Every moment was a crisis.

Eventually, On Raon’s foot slipped on the wet stage towards the end, and Gyun Seong-ha, who reflexively tried to catch him, fell as well.

A groan-like scream echoed from the audience at the precarious situation.

Though they made slight grimaces from the impact of the fall, both quickly got up and continued the stage after shaking off the water.

After finishing the “Liberation” stage, the formal greeting and the talk time arrived.

Gyun Seong-ha and On Raon smiled and reassured everyone of their safety.

“We’re okay!”

“Stop raining!”

“Stop!”

Perhaps their playful yet earnest plea worked, because by the time they started their second stage, the rain, which had been pounding their faces harshly, had lightened up a bit.

In the middle of the “Dream” stage, Ban Yo-han’s microphone pack fell off again, and On Raon had to push it back in for him, but compared to falling, it was a minor issue.

“This guy needs a lot of help.”

“Well, it’s not my fault this time.”

Orca members, exhausted from the short yet strenuous 30-minute performance that included brief talks and performances, finally stepped off the stage.

Staff waiting below rushed in to wrap the members’ shivering bodies, chilled from the rain, with towels.

“Good job.”

“No one got hurt, right? Change your clothes and take some cold medicine quickly.”

Originally, there was supposed to be a brief meeting about the next album at the company, but Kwak Sang-hyun, considering the members’ condition, allowed them to go straight to the dorm to rest.

When they returned to the dorm late at night, there were still sasaengs waiting, as always.

“I really hate this.”

“They would have seen us longer if they came to the event. I don’t get why they do this here.”

Recently, the members’ stress over the sasaengs had reached its peak, with frequent complaints from residents.

“I’ll handle it.”

At that moment, instead of Kwak Sang-hyun, Lee Young-min stepped forward.

And the group that usually ignored Kwak Sang-hyun and didn’t listen to him stepped back without Lee Young-min saying a word, just by quietly staring down at them.

On Raon started to feel a little more favorable towards the new manager, who he had previously felt uneasy about.