Episode 68: Finishing Touch
With E-GIS leaving for rehearsal, Bong Cheol-jin returned just in time, reassuring us that it was no big deal before bursting into laughter.
“Such a thing happened? Hahahaha!”
It was just that kind of minor incident.
Lee Ha-on’s slip-up was real, but his pale, world-crashing expression made it clear it wasn’t intentional.
The E-GIS manager’s response was appropriate, and with the whole group apologizing in unison, it was something everyone could laugh off.
Perhaps that’s why Bong Cheol-jin brushed it off lightly.
“Truth is, if anyone’s getting Rookie of the Year, it’s probably those kids rather than you, Yujin-ssi.”
“What?!”
Suhyuk sprang up, raising his voice at Bong Cheol-jin’s remark, but I fully agreed.
“What’s with that tiny temper, not even knowing friend from foe?”
“Oh, sorry.”
“I’m just saying this so Yujin-ssi won’t be disappointed later—don’t take it too hard. The Rookie award might be… well, pretty tough.”
“Yes, I know.”
Unaware of the playful tone in Bong Cheol-jin’s voice, Suhyuk backed down, and I patted his shoulder while responding.
“In the last decade, non-idols winning Rookie of the Year haven’t been that common.”
If my memory serves, only three non-idols have taken the award: Blind Singer Season 2 winner Bae Mu-ryeol, trot audition star Min Eui-ri who led the Tropé craze, and the experimental sibling duo One Year.
Three in ten years might seem like a lot, but with multiple award ceremonies—Golden Disc, Seoul Music Awards, and Music On’s MAMA (Music On Artist Music Awards)—it’s a different story.
That’s three ceremonies, totaling 30 Rookie awards, with only three going to non-idols.
Unlike those, the Korean Music Awards, which prioritizes musicality over popularity or sales, has a higher non-idol representation, but it gets less attention as a result.
Bong Cheol-jin’s point was clear: even with great skill, idols are more likely to snag the award, so don’t get your hopes up and risk disappointment—treat it like a surprise gift if it happens.
“It’s fine. I’m not really expecting much anyway.”
Bong Cheol-jin gave a wry smile at my answer, but it was the truth.
‘Honestly, it’s tough.’
Even as the first East Asian to win a Grammy main field, this is Korea—the global hub of idol culture—where even someone like me could lose to an idol.
Maybe that’s why I never seriously considered the award.
Part of me wanted to write “Rookie of the Year Fighting!” for them, but that’d prick my conscience regarding MyWay’s future debut acts, and with E-GIS’s manager glaring daggers, I couldn’t.
Of course, I’m not immune to wanting the award.
But it’s less about the prize itself and more about imagining how thrilled Zia would be.
Seeing her joy over my Blind Singer win, I can’t fathom how she’d react to a once-in-a-lifetime award.
‘So, I’ll just do my best.’
One thing’s certain: even if I don’t win, E-GIS’s chances are slim.
The only world where E-GIS might take it could be one where their agency, Pallas Entertainment, becomes a MyWay subsidiary.
‘That might actually be more likely.’
Pallas is a new agency with E-GIS as its first launch, lacking notable output since.
Rumors about its CEO and the manager I met suggest good people, but they lack the capacity to fully nurture E-GIS’s talent.
‘If that happens, I could genuinely help.’
Then E-GIS and the group debuting with Tae-oh could split the odds 1:2.
If things go well, a joint win among the three might push it to 2:2.
Korean Music Awards? That might be my lane.
“Yujin-ssi, they’ve signaled the dry run’s starting. They’ll record the rehearsal too, so Na-hee-ssi, please check.”
“Yes.”
Bong Cheol-jin’s voice snapped me back from my musings.
‘Where did my thoughts wander?’
Dreaming of awards and stable company management without a plan—gulping down kimchi soup by the pot.
‘Really, Han Yujin, you’re something else.’
Logically, I don’t need to feel guilty toward E-GIS.
In this industry with a fixed pie, surviving means taking from others—it’s an unavoidable reality.
And it’s not like E-GIS suffered only losses.
Their nicknames, though derogatory, also shaped their identity as a character, an undeniable fact.
‘Besides.’
To E-GIS, Polaris was a friend they could open up to and a goal to strive for.
I can’t say I had no role in their ability to enjoy the stage.
‘In that sense, I might be a bit too relaxed.’
What’s the word—desperation?
Without a rival that feels out of reach, I feel looser than before my regression.
‘That won’t do. This is no place for that.’
This is a wild where a moment’s lapse gets you devoured by the up-and-comers.
‘Hmm. Should I show them once?’
I can’t keep reminding myself of it every time, but showing it today might fuel me until Tae-oh debuts.
With that resolve, I steel myself.
Having made up my mind, this rehearsal must serve as a warm-up to unleash my full sincerity.
Luckily, regaining my inner calm isn’t hard.
I have someone whose mere thought scatters peace throughout my heart.
‘Ah, I miss her.’
Just picturing Zia’s face completes my preparation to sing Shooting star.
“Yujin-ssi, you’re thinking about your girlfriend again, aren’t you?”
Of course, my softened expression earns a playful jab from Yoon Na-hee.
“Ha, being single must be so miserable.”
Well, it’s just another laughable moment, isn’t it?
***
A phrase suddenly comes to mind.
‘Everyone has a solid plan… until they get hit.’
I’ve been properly struck.
Not physically, but—
““Hello, sunbae!””
Seeing E-GIS greet me with bright faces makes my head throb.
After ‘On Stage,’ through ‘Music Square’ and ‘Song for You,’ and now today at the final schedule, ‘Live Music Center,’ I’ve had to share a waiting room with them.
The reason?
‘Damn, I didn’t expect them to be the only ones sharing the space…’
All the active low-seniority idols are girl groups.
Though I’ve openly acknowledged my relationship, the broadcasters aren’t cruel enough to pair a male singer with a girl group in one room.
The problem?
“Looking forward to today too, sunbae!”
“Sunbae, you’re done next week after today, right?”
“Ah… such a shame…”
Their eyes are too sparkling.
‘Did I overdo it?’
I gave it my all, like when I duetted with Lee Ahjeong at her concert.
‘I didn’t expect them to get this fired up.’
Even if they seem like kids to me now, having grown men stare at me with shining eyes isn’t entirely comfortable.
‘Maybe I should’ve held back a bit…?’
It’s not all bad, though.
In fact, it’s mostly good news pouring in.
“Congrats, sunbae!”
“You’re just one step from first place, right?”
“Wow… I’m jealous… When will we ever get a first place?”
Shooting star, which had stalled at 6th, kicked off a reverse run again after ‘On Stage’ aired.
With Lee Ahjeong’s shorts and reels echoing her claim that “my songs must be heard live” already flooding YouTube and SNS, the live performance on ‘On Stage’ breathed oxygen into the fading embers, fueled by other idol fans’ testimonials.
As evidence, the rehearsal and stage straight cams from ‘On Stage,’ ‘Music Square,’ and ‘Song for You’—even an MR-removed version by a skeptic—poured oil on the revived fire.
The MR prepared for this stage included only bass, synthesizer, and drums, proving 100% live.
Now, I’m one step from first place.
Is this a domino effect?
Zia’s intel just arrived: Hylliy views my song very positively.
‘It was originally for someone else.’
Unlike other MyWay artists with strong veto power, Highly lacks that leverage.
Tailored to their vibe, I never expected resistance, but their enthusiasm versus reluctance makes a world of difference in production ease.
As I inwardly smile at this string of good fortune,
“Yujin-ssi!”
The door swings open, my name echoing loudly through the waiting room and hallway.
“Bong Manager?”
The voice belongs to Bong Cheol-jin.
“Oh my. E-GIS is here too. Sorry about that. It’s just urgent news.”
His smile, unwavering even as he apologizes to E-GIS, is dazzling.
“What’s got you so excited?”
Even with a hunch of what he might say, I ask,
“Yujin-ssi, you’re a first-place candidate on Music Center today?! Congrats, Yujin-ssi!”
“Wow! Amazing!”
“First-place candidate?! Congrats, sunbae!”
“Hyung! Buy some flowers on your way back! Yujin sunbae’s a first-place candidate!!”
As expected, the answer brings the crowning touch of Shooting star’s journey right to my doorstep.