Chapter 31 - I'm Seeing This For the First Time
If you play a video of an outstanding player on the side and try to copy them, will you be able to shoot with the exact same form?
Impossible. If that were possible, everyone would become a shooting genius.
However, with Baek Hyeon-woo's Silhouette Ability, it's possible to correct her form so that she can throw the best shot.
‘How much more she needs to bend her knees, how much higher she needs to raise her shoulder... I can see it all.’
Each person's body type is different, their muscular strength is different, and their balance is different.
Therefore, what constitutes the best form is also bound to be different for each person.
However, Baek Hyeon-woo can see exactly what the best form is for Kim So-yeong.
If he corrects her according to the translucent shadow overlapping with Kim So-yeong's body, she will be able to shoot a free throw with the best form.
‘If someone in the sports industry had this kind of ability, they would have hit the jackpot.’
Unfortunately, Baek Hyeon-woo's ability is only activated in the entertainment industry.
The reason he can see a silhouette on Kim So-yeong right now is because this is part of her idol activities.
“So-yeong-ah, let me teach you the posture a bit.”
“Posture?”
He stuck close to the surprised Kim So-yeong and began to correct her posture.
“First, let's bend the knees this much. Because you have to put that power into the ball as you extend your knees.”
“Like this?”
“No, you shouldn't bend them that much. If you do, your body will sway too much when you throw the ball.”
It's not that Baek Hyeon-woo is a basketball expert.
However, he has expert knowledge about the movements of muscles and the skeleton.
Therefore, he could understand why what the translucent shadow was showing was good form, and he could explain it in a way that was easy for Kim So-yeong to understand.
“Yes, do that much with your arms... and let's try throwing once while being conscious of that posture.”
“Yes!”
Whoosh!
The basketball, which flew in a beautiful arc, went cleanly into the hoop.
***
While Baek Hyeon-woo was coaching Kim So-yeong, there were people watching from the side.
They were the production staff who make 'Idol Weekly'.
“That's the manager that our senior, Dong-cheol, has been calling in a lot lately, right?”
“Yes, that's right.”
There's a road manager that PD Seo Dong-cheol has been getting close with recently.
This was something that everyone belonging to the Seo Dong-cheol Division knew.
Considering Seo Dong-cheol's usual personality, it was an exceptional case, so everyone was finding it strange.
“He's correcting her free throw posture right now, isn't he?”
“It seems so.”
“Was he originally a sports person? His physique seems good too.”
They knew that he was giving Seo Dong-cheol some kind of massage, but there was no one who knew Baek Hyeon-woo's detailed career history.
What on earth did he do before coming here? Everyone watched with deep interest, making various guesses.
“The picture is good.”
“The picture?”
“That manager is tall and has a good physique too. Don't he and Kim So-yeong look good together?”
“Ah, that's true.”
This didn't particularly mean that they wished the two would date or anything like that.
It meant that if they were captured on the broadcast screen, it would make for a plausible picture.
The sight of a slender, good-looking man and woman practicing a sport together.
There would probably be quite a lot of viewers who would feel it's a feast for the eyes just by itself.
“Wasn't there a variety show in the past where an idol and a manager appeared together? I feel like if they appeared on something like that, there would be a pretty good response.”
“Shall we prepare one?”
While the production staff were seriously contemplating the broadcast item, Kim So-yeong's free throws were getting more plausible as time went on.
However, it wasn't like she was making every single shot.
There were not a few shots that missed.
“What, it's no big deal.”
Da-yeon, who had been watching for a moment, scoffed.
Her form had certainly become more plausible than at first, but in practice, Da-yeon's success rate was higher.
“Looks like I'm going to win this.”
“Oh, yeah.”
Da-yeon spoke to Team Leader Jeong Do-woon, but he was in the middle of looking at his phone and doing other work, so he answered absentmindedly.
It was a sight that was clearly comparable to Baek Hyeon-woo, who was sticking by Kim So-yeong's side and helping her practice.
“……”
Da-yeon frowned at the sight of Jeong Do-woon not paying attention to her.
His usual work handling was excellent, but there were occasional times when he made her feel bad like this.
When she was right in front of him, but he was handling other work and responded to her absentmindedly.
It couldn't be helped since he wasn't an exclusive manager in charge of only Da-yeon, but a team-leader-level manager who managed both Black D and Choux-pop.
“Da-yeon-ssi, the recording is starting again now, so please prepare...”
“I know!”
Snapping at the low-level manager, Da-yeon stood up from the simple chair.
Even though she was going to the recording, Team Leader Jeong Do-woon didn't say a single word of encouragement and was just operating his phone.
“So-yeong-ah, you'll be able to do well now. I'll be cheering for you.”
“Yes, Hyeon-woo oppa!”
Meanwhile, Kim So-yeong was receiving heartfelt encouragement from Baek Hyeon-woo.
When things were like this, she couldn't help but feel that Kim So-yeong was even more detestable.
“Ah, so annoying.”
Da-yeon frowned and muttered to herself.
Now that things had turned out this way, it seemed she would have to relieve her stress by crushing Kim So-yeong.
***
Finally, the free throw showdown began.
The rule was that they would take turns shooting ten free throws each, and the side with more points would win.
Kim So-yeong had the first turn, but unfortunately, she failed from her very first attempt.
Meanwhile, Da-yeon cleanly succeeded with her first free throw and received applause.
‘It's okay, you can do it.’
Baek Hyeon-woo sent encouragement to Kim So-yeong with his mind.
But regrettably, Kim So-yeong also failed her next free throw.
Following that, Da-yeon succeeded once again, and the score became 0:2.
“Black D's Da-yeon, 2 consecutive successes!”
“At this rate, Newstarz's Kim So-yeong is at a disadvantage!”
The MCs chattered like sports casters, and the camera closed up on Da-yeon's face.
Da-yeon was making a confident expression, just like the image she usually showed on broadcasts.
‘Her condition seems good today.’
––––––––
[Da-yeon]
Vocal: A
Dance: B
Visual: A
Potential: B
Body Condition: 75%
Mental Condition: 80%
––––––––
Looking at the status window, Da-yeon was showing a good state with no particular room for criticism.
Her Mental Condition had dropped slightly earlier, but now it had gone back up to 80%.
It seemed her mood had improved as she succeeded with two consecutive free throws and took a 2-point lead.
‘However, So-yeong's condition is even better.’
––––––––
[Kim So-yeong]
Vocal: B
Dance: B
Visual: S+
Potential: A
Body Condition: 80%
Mental Condition: 90%
– Mental Condition is very good.
– A plus correction is being applied to Visual.
––––––––
Despite failing twice in a row, her Mental Condition was maintaining a very high level.
It meant she was in a state of not being psychologically shaken at all.
‘If she maintains that state, she'll be able to win.’
Whoosh, Swish!
On her third turn, Kim So-yeong succeeded with her free throw.
With this, the score became 1:2. She had caught up by one point.
Checking Kim So-yeong's form, Baek Hyeon-woo nodded his head.
On the first and second shots, perhaps because she was a little nervous, her shoulders were slightly raised, but in the free throw just now, that part was resolved.
‘Yes, just do as you practiced.’
Following that, Da-yeon attempted her third free throw.
The basketball, thrown using the power of her wrist, flew high and headed into the hoop.
However...
“Ah…!”
Clang!
It went towards the inside of the hoop, but it hit the rim and bounced out.
“Aigoo, what a shame!”
“That was just bad luck!”
Although the MCs expressed their disappointment, Da-yeon stepped back with an expression as if it were no big deal.
However, Baek Hyeon-woo could tell that Da-yeon was inwardly quite annoyed.
Because her Mental Condition, which had been 80%, dropped to around 75%.
‘However, this isn't the end of it.’
Kim So-yeong's turn, which came around again.
This time too, Kim So-yeong succeeded with her free throw.
Meanwhile... Da-yeon failed again.
“Wow, 2:2, it's a tie! It's a tie!”
“It's going to be hard to predict the result of this!”
Unlike the MCs' words, Baek Hyeon-woo could predict the result.
Because Da-yeon's form was collapsing as time went on.
‘Her form was good at first... but she can't maintain it.’
The free throw showdown proceeded just as Baek Hyeon-woo had predicted.
Kim So-yeong stably accumulated points, but Da-yeon continued to make a series of mistakes.
When the score gap widened to the point where it was difficult to catch up, PD Kim Jun-hyeok, who is in charge of 'Idol Weekly', approached Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Assistant Manager Baek, I'm asking because there's something I'm curious about.”
“What is it?”
“At first, it seemed like Da-yeon was doing well, but her success rate keeps dropping? On the other hand, So-yeong is continuously succeeding stably.”
“That's…”
“Why on earth did it turn out like that? If it's you, Assistant Manager Baek, I feel like you would know the reason why.”
“……”
As he urged him on in a low voice, as if suggesting they share a secret, Baek Hyeon-woo lowered his voice and explained.
“Da-yeon-ssi was throwing with only her wrist.”
“Her wrist?”
“After getting into a stable posture, she was throwing with only her wrist strength. If you do that, since the posture is stable, the ball will go in as long as you control your wrist well.”
At first, she succeeded with consecutive free throws.
However, the problem was what came after.
“But, can that be done with the wrist strength of a female idol?”
“Ah…!”
“It would be a different story for a basketball player, but for an idol, it's quite a difficult task. Even if it goes in well the first few times, after that, her wrist gets tired, and she can't control it as she wants.”
If you look at Da-yeon's status window now, a message was being displayed stating that there was a problem with the arm muscles related to her wrist.
These were messages that weren't there until just a while ago.
“On top of that, she even practiced several times earlier. Fatigue was bound to accumulate in her wrist.”
“Ah, so that's why she keeps failing like that...”
“Even if she tries to throw the ball with her shoulder or arm strength now... since she hasn't practiced, there's no way it would go well.”
Just now, Da-yeon failed a free throw again.
She couldn't manage her expression properly and was shaking her wrist while frowning.
“Meanwhile, So-yeong... is throwing the ball with the strength of her whole body while extending her slightly bent knees. She's using her entire body like a spring to push the ball out.”
“Her entire body…”
“Throwing the ball with just wrist strength, and throwing the ball using the entire body... if you compare the two, the latter is bound to be much more comfortable. That's why her form doesn't collapse even if she keeps throwing the ball.”
Whoosh!
In the middle of him speaking, So-yeong succeeded with another free throw.
Watching that natural form, Kim Jun-hyeok was amazed.
“Then was it you, Assistant Manager Baek, who taught So-yeong the form to do that earlier?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“Wow, this is really… amazing.”
Kim Jun-hyeok was in awe.
“So this is why our senior, Dong-cheol, is so into Assistant Manager Baek. What on earth did you do before becoming a manager?”
“I just worked as a physical therapist.”
“A physical therapist? Can all physical therapists do this?”
“I've studied some things separately, so...”
While he was having that conversation with Kim Jun-hyeok, the free throw showdown came to an end.
“With this, the game is over!”
“The final score is 7:4! It's Newstarz's Kim So-yeong's victory!”
The result was Kim So-yeong's complete victory.
Until she failed twice in a row at the beginning, many people had expected Kim So-yeong's defeat, but she achieved a truly surprising comeback victory.
“So-yeong-ssi shot ten times, succeeded seven times, and failed three times. 70% is a success rate on the level of pro athletes.”
“Ah, is it that much?”
“So you really did well, So-yeong-ssi.”
The distance to the hoop was closer than in a real basketball game, and it's not like she was shooting free throws after running in a game, so a direct comparison can't be made... but still, doing well is doing well.
“Da-yeon-ssi also did well, but it's a bit of a shame, haha.”
“……”
Meanwhile, Da-yeon couldn't properly manage her expression.
It was to the point where they were worried if it was okay to capture it on camera.
She was even repeatedly shaking her hand, as if to appeal that her wrist was uncomfortable.
Seeing that, Kim Jun-hyeok asked cautiously.
“Today's free throw showdown... was it a bit of a burdensome game for the idols?”
“It would seem so.”
Baek Hyeon-woo answered honestly.
“Making them throw a heavy ball like a basketball ten times in a row is a big burden. It would be better to use a lighter ball or reduce the number of throws.”
“Hmm... I thought it would make for a good picture to show tall idols playing basketball.”
Kim Jun-hyeok scratched his head.
“This is our mistake. I'm sorry.”
“We're fine.”
“Next time we do something like this, I'll have to get some advice from Assistant Manager Baek. We can't make this kind of mistake again.”
“If you need an opinion, please contact me anytime.”
“Haha, then I guess I'll have to prepare a separate consultation fee for you.”
Of course, he can't repay him with money.
However, as a broadcasting station PD, he would be able to repay him in tangible and intangible ways.
“Let's talk often, Assistant Manager Baek.”
“Yes, I look forward to working with you in the future.”
Meanwhile, the atmosphere on DP Entertainment's side was not good.
Team Leader Jeong Do-woon was making an openly dissatisfied expression.
Losing to Kim So-yeong, who has a similar image to Da-yeon, was bad enough, but since it seemed her wrist had gotten worse too, she was bound to be angry.
On top of that, it was a situation where PD Kim Jun-hyeok was only having a friendly conversation with Baek Hyeon-woo...
“Alright, everyone worked hard!”
“You've gone through a lot of trouble!”
As the recording ended, the performers and staff exchanged greetings.
Kim So-yeong also greeted Da-yeon, who had appeared as a guest with her.
“You worked hard. Your wrist seems to be bothering you, are you okay?”
“……”
From Kim So-yeong's perspective, it was a greeting made without much thought.
Rather, it was her showing proper manners to a junior in the entertainment industry.
However... Da-yeon was properly triggered.
“Fucking hell!”
Scowling as much as she could, she spat out in a vicious voice.
“Stop your bullshit and fuck off!”
“What's wrong?”
Kim So-yeong made a surprised expression.
She had seen Da-yeon abusing her power on her manager earlier, but she hadn't expected her to act this way towards her, a senior in the entertainment industry.
“You, who can't sing and have no popularity, stop acting all high-and-mighty and get lost!”
“……!”
Kim So-yeong and Da-yeon both hold the main vocalist position and have similar images.
However, Da-yeon's vocal ability is far superior. The popularity of her group and her popularity as an individual idol are also ahead.
It was a malicious remark that brought up those points, and it was a comment that went way over the line.
Kim So-yeong was shocked and her eyes widened.
The people around also looked on with surprised expressions.
Just how shitty must her personality be to say such things so openly. Everyone was completely caught off guard, unable to say anything and just stood there with their mouths agape.
Even in that situation, Da-yeon was still glaring at Kim So-yeong with a vicious gaze.
Just as Da-yeon opened her mouth with an expression that said she had a few more things to say.
Baek Hyeon-woo cut her off and said a word.
“I'm seeing an idol who swears like that just because she lost at basketball for the first time in my life.”
“……!”
At Baek Hyeon-woo's single remark, Da-yeon's face turned bright red, and laughter burst out from the surroundings.