Chapter 158
“Are your eyes shining because you know Steel Blue will be number one today?”
“Your eyes are crazy.”
“This is why I like rookies. Their fierce determination shines brightly. Good.”
“The stage is enjoyable to watch, filled with such intense energy.”
“This is why I love rookie stages. LOL.”
“Don’t lose your beginner’s spirit, please.”
“Of course, it’s Steel Blue over any other rookie group.”
“Is it real that Steel Blue is dominating both top spots?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Of course, it’s Steel Blue over any other group.”
“Congrats on Steel Blue’s first place!”
“It’s not surprising because I expected them to be number one.”
“Of course, both candidates for first place are from Steel Blue.”
“They’ve hit a career high this time.”
“Easily surpassing 500,000 initial sales!”
“I listen to their songs every day because they’re so good.”
“It’s my go-to song for work. I love the beat.”
“Anpaeppotdol~ Amyourdol~”
“└Even your off-tune singing can be heard here, sir.”
“Steel Blue is strong both in digital and physical sales.”
“Their scores in both digital and physical sales are insane.”
“The top two candidates being different title tracks from the same album is a miracle.”
“It’s because the scores for music shows overlap this week. Yes.”
“It’s really heartwarming that they’ve been taking first and second place for a week straight.”
“I thought they would naturally be number one.”
“My kid sings this song every day, so I knew they’d be number one.”
“The choices of young kids are truly accurate.”
“It’s science.”
“All the kids are singing it?”
“It’s the biggest hit of the year.”
“I also thought it would be number one when the kid downstairs started singing it. But can you please stop now?????”
“That’s right. The ears of adults don’t matter; the kids’ ears are the most accurate.”
“At this point, entertainment companies should hold listening sessions with elementary kids.”
“And they upload dance covers on TikTok? That’s a sure win for the year.”
“└LOL”
“└└It’s science… The song that kids practice dancing to during break time is the biggest hit of the year.”
Steel Blue achieved a quintuple crown in their second week on music shows.
Steel Blue effortlessly secured the number one spot.
And no one was surprised by their victory.
In fact, it would have been more surprising if they hadn’t won.
There were even music shows where all the candidates for first place were from Steel Blue.
However, there were naturally some dissatisfied reactions.
“Honestly, it’s true they’re taking advantage of an empty house.”
“I acknowledge their first place and good performance.”
“But honestly, would they have been number one if a top-tier male group had made a comeback? LOL.”
“They aimed for number one by targeting an empty house, and the exaggeration is too much.”
“LOL, it’s only possible now because no top-tier groups have made a comeback.”
“Fans bragging about dominating the number one spot are just evidence of targeting an empty house.”
“They’re acting like larvae. I wish they’d stop.”
“But doesn’t it seem like Steel Blue isn’t performing live?”
“Is it lip-syncing…? Something feels unnatural.”
“Right? I thought the same.”
“Why are they lip-syncing on their number one day?”
“They don’t deserve to hype themselves as talented idols. LOL.”
“Only Yoon Cheong seemed to sing, and the rest relied heavily on AR.”
“Yeon Juhong was known for not being good at live performances. But how did she improve so much in a few months? It’s all fake.”
Most of these comments stemmed from jealousy over Steel Blue’s overwhelming success.
Therefore, fans didn’t pay much attention to these trolls.
However.
The live performance controversy was so absurd that fans could only laugh.
But even if it was a baseless controversy, if people insisted, those unfamiliar with the facts might start to believe it.
The live performance controversy rapidly spread through the community.
“Idols who can’t even sing live despite being hyped for their skills. jpg”
(Video)
“This is Steel Blue’s stage today.”
“Unnatural. LOL.”
(Video)
“They rarely sing on encore stages, using the excuse of not having time.”
“Everyone knows this is where true skills are revealed.”
“They don’t sing because they’re afraid their lack of skill will be exposed.”
“Disappointing.”
“Even if you’re an idol, at least sing live… If you won’t sing live, drop the ‘singer’ title and just be an idol.”
“What? Wasn’t Steel Blue popular because they were good? Why don’t they sing live??”
“└다 It’s just hype. Colors is good at PR. LOL.”
“Yoon Cheong has always been the only good singer. The others were mediocre. LOL.”
▶ [Steel Blue Lip-syncing Controversy Explained]
▶ [Ten Proofs That Steel Blue Doesn’t Sing Live]
▶ [Steel Blue’s Lack of Skill Exposed LOL]
The fact that they couldn’t sing much on their first encore stage was just once.
Fans were baffled.
The members were hugging and crying on their first number one stage, and they were expected to sing perfectly?
It’s normal for rookies to cry when they win first place…!
They selectively edited out the parts where they cried and only maliciously uploaded short clips of them thanking fans after composing themselves.
If you’re going to upload, upload everything….
Moreover, Steel Blue had won number one on five different stages, meaning there were five encore stages.
But instead of showing the strong live performances, they only showed the one time they didn’t sing much on the first stage.
“I’ve been thinking this for a while, but it seems like our kids are being targeted by anti-fans.”
“And it seems like it’s a really persistent one….”
“They keep spreading ridiculous rumors…;;;”
“And are Steel Blue the only ones who couldn’t sing much because they were crying on their first number one stage? LOL.”
“Isn’t this usually when fans sympathize with the rookie tears?”
“Despite being experienced, they get criticized for everything here.”
“They criticize over the smallest things. Next, they’ll probably criticize them for breathing. It’s insane.”
“But I’m not worried.”
“If the kids keep doing well, these trolls will disappear eventually.”
“I’ve been thinking that maybe a new staff joined Colors because any trolling disappears in just two days.”
“Oh, I was thinking the same.”
“Maybe the departure of Kim Mokyung chased away the bad luck.”
“└Damn, LOL. But it’s not funny…”
“How can there be a controversy over Steel Blue’s skills with all the stages they’ve done?”
“Didn’t you see Yoon-bl’s live at Dear My Diva? Damn.”
“And the other members are good too.”
“Maybe it’s because the other members haven’t focused on singing content.”
“└True, they should do it once.”
“└└Let’s take this chance to hear it… Colors, give us some content.”
***
After sweeping music shows, we finally had time to rest after a long while.
…Though it was just seven hours of sleep.
While I was sleeping…
I woke up to an inexplicable chill.
‘…What is it?’
I got up and noticed that Seo Baek-young’s bed was empty.
Can it feel this cold just because one person’s warmth is gone?
I realized how much I had adapted to group activities.
Now that I think about it, I was also thirsty.
I decided to get some water and look for Seo Baek-young.
I walked cautiously, not wanting to disturb the other members’ sleep.
A light was leaking from a slightly open door.
‘…Isn’t that Kim Geum’s room?’
Why doesn’t this kid sleep at night?
With the intention of scolding her as a leader, I grabbed the doorknob.
But at that moment…
“How did… it feel… today…?”
I heard Seo Baek-young’s voice.
I froze in confusion.
“It was good to… do it… this way…”
“But… since when… exactly…”
What?
Is Yeon Juhong in there too?
Though the voices were quiet, I could clearly recognize Yeon Juhong’s voice.
“…But if Cheong finds out… surely…”
Oh, great.
They’re even mentioning my name.
I couldn’t ignore it now that my name was involved.
However, they were whispering so much that I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
Since I couldn’t hear Ryu Bo-ra’s voice, it seemed like the three of them were plotting something.
Why exclude me?
This is making me feel a bit left out.
“Maybe… later… they will understand…”
I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I opened the door and stepped in.
“Gasp.”
“Gasp.”
“…Cheong?”
The three of them looked at me with wide, surprised eyes.
I wasn’t going to let them off the hook.
“What are you all doing up?”
“…Pl-planning for the next album,”
Kim Geum, learn how to lie better.
Why is she so bad at acting?
“That, um, we were planning a surprise party for Baek-young unnie’s birthday!”
“…You were planning that with Baek-young unnie?”
“Gasp.”
“These days, MZ generation does things differently, Cheong Cheong.”
Do you even know what surprise means?
I felt a strange sense of being left out as I looked at the members who clearly had no intention of explaining.
“Is it something you can’t tell me?”
“…”
The three of them just exchanged glances.
“When did you decide to make me the leader and then exclude me from things like this…?”
This is why they say not to raise black-haired animals…
Raising small animals is useless.
“Cheong Cheong always works with the CEO and manager unnie without us!”
“Right! Cheong Cheong always leaves us out and whispers about something!”
“…”
I didn’t have a good comeback for that.
“…Then let me ask one thing. Is it something I’m better off not knowing? Is that why you’re not telling me?”
The three of them looked down at the ground with sullen faces at my question.
Then…
“Cheong.”
Seo Baek-young spoke up.
“It’s not something you’re better off not knowing… But.”
Seo Baek-young looked at me with her usual reassuring expression.
“It’s something we can handle ourselves.”
“…”
“It’s not because you’re unnecessary, but because we don’t want to burden you. Don’t you have similar things?”
I do.
Too many to count.
Her persuasive words left me with no room to show my disappointment.
I’ve done the same to them numerous times.
Much more often than they’ve done it to me.
“…Alright.”
I sighed, but what could I do?
I raised my hands in surrender.
“But it’s late now. Let’s all go to bed.”
I dragged Seo Baek-young, who was reluctant to leave, and pushed her into bed.
“Whatever it is, handle it in the morning. Sleep at night.”
“…Okay. Good night, Cheong.”
How can you tell me to sleep peacefully after making me feel bad?
I’m doomed, so you sleep well, Seo Baek-young.
Hmph.
***
Puffy eyes.
“…Why do you all look so tired? We just achieved a quintuple crown yesterday.”
The next morning.
Ryu Bo-ra came out with a fresh and lively face.
“We’re hitting career highs, so why couldn’t you all sleep?”
“Oh my, guys. We have to go to our schedule now, but why do you all look so exhausted?”
Even the manager was surprised by our pale faces.
“…We’re fine. Let’s just go to our schedule. Today’s important.”
With my words, a spark returned to the members’ eyes.
…No, maybe I should say a fierce determination.
“Some people keep doubting our live performance skills.”
“Right, there are people who claim we lip-synced after deleting our actual audio!”
Kim Geum and Yeon Juhong pounded their chests in frustration.
“Let’s think of it as a sign that we were so perfect they thought we lip-synced.”
“Right. We just have to prove ourselves today.”
With Seo Baek-young and my words, the members smiled confidently.
Yes.
We just had to prove it today.
Because today we were performing on a program known for its live performances.
“Because they’re known for not playing any AR.”
“The moment we perform, it will be proven. Let’s go!”
“Damn, I’ll show them. I’ve practiced like crazy, and there are still people who think I can’t sing live?! I can at least do my part!”
This program was special for that reason.
Yes.
Let’s go.
Let’s crush them all.