I slightly lifted the bag I was holding to show Choi Jeho and said:
“They allowed to check out the filming set, so I thought I’d express my gratitude while I’m at it. Is the shoot done?”
“Yeah. We’re on standby now, but they said we’ll shoot so sunset shots when the sun goes down.”
I heard it took two nights to shoot one music video. It really did take up an entire day.
“Okay. Then I’ll go move these bags.”
“Who told you to move those?”
“I volunteered. If I don’t work while others are working, I feel like my heart will sprout thorns.”
I was about to send Choi Jeho, who must be tired from acting, to the manager and continue moving the luggage, but Choi Jeho followed .
“Do you really need to go that far?”
Choi Jeho asked. He must be afraid that soone might hear his question.
“You might want to be careful with how you phrase that; it could be misunderstood. Besides, I’m helping out because I’ve learned sothing valuable here. Even if I can’t help much, I can still contribute.”
“You’ve learned sothing?”
“The atmosphere on set, or things like that. You should observe carefully too. That way, when we shoot our music video, you can run simulations with Kiyeon.”
“…”
“How often do you get to see experienced professionals working right next to you? You can’t buy experience even with money.”
I was basically trying to get so tips at soone else’s workplace, so carrying luggage was no big deal.
In a world where it was hard to get proper handover even at my own workplace, this special treatnt was a luxury.
I’d even run to the convenience store right now and buy drinks for everyone if soone asked to.
After hearing what I said, Choi Jeho walked quietly behind , seemingly thinking about sothing.
Then he suddenly turned back, went to the staff mbers gathered a few steps away, explained sothing enthusiastically, and ca back with a piece of luggage.
“What are you doing?”
“When I asked if there was anything else to carry, they gave this.”
“Oh. Are you sacrificing your precious break ti?”
“I don’t want to cause a controversy about my personality by resting alone while the mbers are working.”
This guy had a talent for twisting words around. Still, I decided to let it slide since he was actually thinking for once.
Maybe the sight of two young rookies trying to help out was endearing, because by the end of the shoot, we were even allowed to take a few pictures of the set with the manager’s phone, under the promise that we wouldn’t share them publicly.
I couldn’t help but hum a little at this unexpected gain. I’d organize everything as references and use them to have mock training with Kiyeon.
“Iwol, I heard you were interested in planning, but I didn’t know you were interested in directing too.”
The manager said to as I was eagerly looking through the photos in the car on the way back.
“I thought there might be so tips to share with the kids. I’m glad I ca along. Thank you for bringing .”
“It’s good to make an impression early. And it seems you should share the tips with the kids as soon as we get to the dorm tonight.”
“Huh?”
“They’ve been ssaging all afternoon. They must be really curious about how your shoot went.”
The manager then smiled, saying that the kids were getting along well.
‘I think they’re more worried than curious.’
The fact that they had been in contact with the manager all afternoon ant they had taken the laptop with the PC chat program to the practice room.
I should have at least ssaged them that Jang Junhoo wasn’t coming. I felt a bit sorry for making them worry pointlessly when they should be focusing on practice.
With this unexpectedly heartwarming news, I resolved to share the details of the shoot with my teammates as vividly as possible when we got back to the practice room.
Up until this point, I had no idea.
That I, who had been forcibly cramming the process of shooting music videos into my head, would end up planning our own content.
* * *
It all started with a single task.
[SYSTEM] ‘New task’ has been assigned.
▷ Content: Set dorm rules
▷ Reward: Exp (5)
How annoying. We had been living fine for months without rules.
Even I, who found Spark awkward to be around, hadn’t found dorm life with them particularly uncomfortable.
Despite being at an age of peak puberty, no one in the dorm raised their voice.
At most, so guys occasionally didn’t fold their laundry on ti.
Even that wasn’t a problem since I folded them when doing my own laundry.
Like now, for instance—I was folding the thirteenth communal towel that’d been sitting on the drying rack for three days.
‘But I can’t ignore the experience points they’re offering.’
I accepted everything offered to , as long as it was not work.
Maybe because I’d lived my whole life with this principle, it was hard to ignore the clear instructions from the system.
So, just as I was wondering how to bring it up…
“Hyung, what do you think about having a group discussion about our dorm life together?”
As if by fate, Jeong Seongbin brought up the topic. This guy really had the makings of a great leader.
I was so excited about the experience points falling into my lap that I almost imdiately agreed… but then,
≫ What were those clueless UA guys doing, not filming videos of those faces?
While others promote their trainees through survival shows and self-cam content before debut, we’re the only ones with a surprise debut. They keep it a secret so thoroughly that no one knows about them.
└ Did they think everything becos wild ginseng if you keep it hidden
I automatically rembered the community’s reactions.
It seed that due to my overzealous vicarious proxy fangirling, information related to Spark was engraved in my bone marrow.
“I think it’s a great idea. But could you give two weeks?”
“Two weeks? It’s not urgent, so that should be fine…”
Self-cam content was definitely needed to establish each mber’s image.
Moreover, the more content, the better.
For a newly debuted group, fans had extrely limited content to enjoy, so it was better to prepare as much as possible.
But that didn’t an I could do everything from filming to editing by myself.
I could if I tried, but if I did it alone, the sustainability would drastically decrease.
In the end, I needed the company’s help.
Given that all the planning resources were tied up with album preparation, it was unlikely that soone would suddenly shout, ‘Ah! Let’s film so self-cam content for our kids too!’.
So, that left with only one option—pleading. And I was quite good at begging desperately.
I imdiately thought of the three planning docunts the system had provided.
‘If I tweak the structure a bit, I can use these as content plans.’
I turned on the shared laptop, determined to stay up all night.
I was overflowing with inspiration, making feel like I’d returned to my days as an assistant manager at Hanpyeong Industry, when my mind went slightly dizzy from frequent overti work.
* * *
“This is a proposal for self-produced content?”
“Yes. Even if it doesn’t get approved, your feedback on any shortcomings would be greatly appreciated.”
I handed over the proposal I had written overnight to the planning team manager I was introduced to at a recent presentation, bowing at a 90-degree angle.
It would be nice if they introduced an electronic approval system instead of exchanging paper reports like this.
I wonder why both Hanpyeong Industry and UA were so obsessed with analog thods. I was curious, but I didn’t really want to know.
“I heard you were enthusiastic, but you’ve really outdone yourself. But it might not work out. The company doesn’t have the manpower right now…”
“If there’s a chance, please review it! I’ll co up with alternative solutions if needed!”
“Alright. You’ve worked hard.”
I already had a backup plan in mind.
If the company really couldn’t help at all, I was prepared to endure the hell of self-filming.
We could buy a tripod and set it up. Of course, if anyone moved even slightly from their fixed position, they wouldn’t appear on screen that day.
The important thing was to keep the footage, even if we couldn’t upload it right away.
Whether it was for making a docuntary later or creating content about our early debut days, we needed material to work with.
If records were needed, it was best to have as many as possible, preferably in video format.
So I emphasized this point heavily in the proposal.
I wrote about it as if discussing the importance of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty[1]The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty is a compilation of national records spanning the entirety of the Joseon Dynasty. , though I wasn’t sure how it would be received.
‘From the company’s perspective, it’s an unexpected increase in work, so it won’t be easy.’
Even the most docile employee could get upset when unexpected work ca up. I just prayed that UA would give the planning team generous bonuses.
While I was hoping my wishes would reach heaven, Lee Cheonghyeon said.
“Hyung, you really look like a human zombie.”
“It might be better to be a zombie.”
“Why? Do you like the apocalypse setting, hyung?”
“No. If I were a zombie, I wouldn’t need to sleep.”
“Wow. Are you serious?”
I am serious. If I could split myself into two, that wouldn’t be bad either.
“But hyung, your dark circles are really bad. You might get pigntation at this rate.”
“It would be troubleso for an idol to have pigntation.”
“Exactly.”
“…What are you two doing?”
As Cheonghyeon and I were seriously contemplating skin care, Choi Jeho asked from afar with a dubious expression.
This wouldn’t do. After the dormitory rules content, we should film so skincare content next.
* * *
A week later.
After a week of bowing my head and pleading with the planning team for support with the filming, the video team finally agreed to help.
As expected of UA. They might not be ahead of the curve, but their support was reliable.
UA even went as far as to ask if we needed anything else.
‘The planning team asked if we needed any props or cue cards.’
‘A small whiteboard should be enough. Since we’re not used to speaking on cara, it might be better to film in a natural atmosphere for now.’
And so, using our afternoon practice ti, we gathered in the dorm living room with just one board.
I never thought there’d be a day in my life when leaving work early would feel unsettling.
But it couldn’t be helped. I had to make sure the video team staff left on ti.
‘This is the first ti I’m being fild with such a professional cara.’
Watching the caras being set up in the corner of the dorm felt strange.
There was a ti when a filming team ca to Hanpyeong Industry for the company website renewal.
But even then, I stayed behind the scenes, communicating with the team, never stepping in front of the cara.
Jeong Seongbin, who ended up taking the lead due to his role as the leader, seed a bit nervous as well.
“Don’t be too nervous. It’s not a live broadcast.”
“Yes…!”
“But anyone who doesn’t speak more than ten tis during filming will have to have a chat with afterward.”
“What? Is that a mission?”
“Well, is an idol going to stay silent in front of the cara? I’d rather get mud in my eyes than just watch you sitting there clapping like a robot.”
I seriously refused to see Spark in their applause bot era again.
‘For the sake of the fans who gather even the smallest anecdotes to write promotional posts, do your best.’
Perhaps my sincerity got through to them, as the guys nodded with determined faces.
1. The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty is a compilation of national records spanning the entirety of the Joseon Dynasty.
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