Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

Lee Cheonghyeon’s rap style was typical K-pop.

 

No profanity, no harsh or jarring sounds, just a brief punch in and out during a song’s interlude.

 

Rather than standing out aggressively, he focused on blending naturally with the music.

 

At least, the Lee Cheonghyeon I knew had never rapped in any other style.

 

He didn’t release mixtapes like other idol rappers, nor did he experiment with new styles.

 

So, Lee Cheonghyeon rapping in an all-black slim-fit jumpsuit with a harness and a muzzle?

 

Honestly, I couldn’t picture it. I was more worried that he might end up doing something unappealing as an idol.

 

‘Did I not pay enough attention, thinking he’s good at everything?’

 

I couldn’t drag him off the stage now that he was already up there. My unease grew deeper.

 

Lee Cheonghyeon’s words, promising to tear up the stage, echoed in my ears like a last will and testament.

 

Mercilessly, the performance began, leaving me in my anxious state.

 

Red smoke billowed from the pitch-black LED screen.

 

From the front of the stage, Lee Cheonghyeon crawled out across the floor, his crimson eyes glinting as he lifted his head.

 

『Can you hear? The sound of my barking

 

Bowwow, wow!』

 

The moment I heard that line, I realized the concept of this performance.

 

Cerberus.

 

The three-headed watchdog guarding the gates of hell ruled by Hades.

 

‘Did he really choose Cerberus, the three-headed dog, because there are three of them?’

 

I couldn’t tell if this was overly simple or brilliantly intuitive. Either way, this wasn’t tearing up the stage—it was barking on it.

 

『I only aim for one

 

They say I’m a badass

 

What can I do, I was born this way』

 

Compared to the impact of the external performance, the lyrics, while manic, seemed like typical rap.

 

『Give up and turn around

 

Escape? Screw that

 

This is how this game works』

 

…Okay, maybe it was a bit more intense than I thought.

 

If they had given this part to the underage Lee Cheonghyeon, I’d have stormed the stage, thrown myself in the middle, and caused a scene—broadcast or not.

 

Then, he’d probably yell at me to get out of his way and finish the stage anyway. Fortunately, no such disaster unfolded.

 

The bigger problem was that the overlapping concept, those simple yet direct lyrics… pointed strangely at one specific target.

 

Of all myths, why choose a creature from Greek mythology, singing about hunting down just one enemy?

 

Anyone could see this was a direct jab at Parthe’s team.

 

Furthermore, targeting only one team when there were two opponents?

 

It could be interpreted as completely disregarding the other team. A perfect ‘hitting two birds with one stone’ was unfolding before my eyes.

 

Is this the world of rap? Is this… what competition means?

 

Thrown into the unfamiliar realm of hip-hop, I was at a loss.

 

Leaving me in chaos, Lee Cheonghyeon threw off his muzzle.

 

『Stop barking nonsense and speak with your mouth

 

Only I can truly bark

 

This dog’s howl is mine alone

 

Don’t covet the stage

 

Only I can tear it up

 

Wowed everyone!』

 

Rapid and clear rap poured from the speakers on the wall.

 

As the room froze in shock at Lee Cheonghyeon’s unexpected transformation, cheers erupted from the waiting rooms on either side.

 

Someone in the next waiting room kept shouting, ‘He’s killing it!’

 

It seemed Lee Cheonghyeon did tear something up. Not the stage, but a sack of chili peppers.

 

My ears were burning. For the first time since becoming an idol, I dreaded monitoring the performance.

 

***

 

“How was I?!”

 

“I thought you were a native of the underworld.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon was deeply moved by my words.

 

“You were really cool, Cheonghyeon. I was so surprised.”

 

Jeong Seongbin also praised him with a smile.

 

That was how you should give compliments. I should learn from that.

 

Perhaps feeling immensely relieved, Lee Cheonghyeon even hugged each of the members in turn.

 

His body felt very warm. Endorphins must be coursing through him.

 

On the other hand, Choi Jeho, who should be getting ready to go out, had a decidedly frosty expression.

 

I had threatened to make him sleep by the front door if he didn’t smile when the cameras were on, so he was making an effort to look lively, but having watched him for years, I could tell.

 

That b*tch wanted to go back to the dorm more than anyone right now.

 

It was surprising to see someone like him, who didn’t care much about the stage, act this way.

 

Now, I was starting to get curious about what kind of amazing show All Over was going to put on.

 

***

 

Choi Jeho’s unit was up next.

 

It came after Sticky and Parthe had received a great reaction to their intense pair dance performance.

 

If the previous stage had drawn attention in the beginning with only a few original members and showcased an amazing number of backup dancers with great choreography in the latter half, Choi Jeho’s team chose to fill the stage solely with the members.

 

And this was by no means a good choice.

 

There was nothing to see until the end. The balance was a mess.

 

Even within Spark, Choi Jeho was famous for grabbing attention once and holding it until the end of the performance.

 

What would happen if someone couldn’t even pull their own weight while standing next to him?

 

There was only one answer. Only Choi Jeho would be visible to everyone.

 

Even I, completely ignorant about dancing, could understand the comments about Choi Jeho’s amazing control of dynamics.

 

But if he monopolized the attention even when he stepped aside and reduced his energy, how could the stage be fully appreciated like that?

 

I had anticipated this to some extent when Choi Jeho said he’d just focus on doing his part.

 

‘But still, this is too much…’

 

The atmosphere, which Lee Cheonghyeon had worked so hard to build up, was sinking uncontrollably.

 

The Spark members, who were familiar with Choi Jeho’s skills, must be even more frustrated by this situation.

 

Fortunately, Choi Jeho returned with a refreshed expression after finishing the completely unbalanced performance.

 

Must have been a sh*tty time performing together, huh? Don’t worry, we’ll never see each other again.

 

***

 

“Wow, my throat feels so dry…!”

 

“Have some water, Cheonghyeon.”

 

As the recording dragged on, one by one, people began to lose their voices. Lee Cheonghyeon also quenched his thirst with the water bottle offered by Jeong Seongbin.

 

‘The vocal performers must be having a hard time.’

 

Just then, Kim Iwol had just left the waiting room. Lee Cheonghyeon’s gaze automatically turned toward the door.

 

“I wonder what song he’ll sing.”

 

“I know, right?”

 

Agreeing with Kang Kiyeon, Lee Cheonghyeon also took an empty chair.

 

“Has anyone heard which song Iwol hyung picked?”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon asked, but no one raised their hand.

 

He kept saying confidential this, confidential that. He was really tight-lipped.

 

“Still, I’m looking forward to it. Hyung has been practicing a lot.”

 

Jeong Seongbin said with a smile.

 

Indeed, among the three members participating in the third competition, Kim Iwol had the longest practice hours.

 

He’d come in just before dawn, saying, ‘It’s nice that Greenline’s practice rooms are open 24/7’, then took a quick nap before heading to UA for individual practice. That had been Kim Iwol’s routine recently.

 

It would be great if people acknowledged how dedicated he was.

 

Lee Cheonghyeon always felt a little regretful about this.

 

Though, his fierce determination was proven in unexpected ways, like through his college entrance exam scores.

 

Their conversation, which had been buzzing with anticipation for Kim Iwol’s performance, briefly subsided as the vocal position performances began.

 

Kim Iwol and Berion, who had the first turn, appeared on the screen.

 

“Every time I monitor, I feel like Iwol hyung always stands so upright.”

 

“He does.”

 

Choi Jeho nodded at Lee Cheonghyeon’s words.

 

Kim Iwol always maintained a perfect posture.

 

Despite living together for over a year, none of the members had ever seen him sit with his legs crossed or slouch.

 

Perhaps because of this, Kim Iwol always stood out when standing among multiple people.

 

So that’s why dance teachers always tell us to stand up straight with shoulders back, Lee Cheonghyeon thought to himself.

 

The four people on screen cheerfully finished their interview with Yur and prepared for their stage.

 

As the four of them stood in a line, holding hand microphones, a white light flashed on the big screen.

 

At the same time, the accompaniment, a melody everyone in the waiting room had heard at least once, began to play.

 

『The blowing wind

 

Beckons to me

 

Saying it’s time for an adventure』

 

“It’s the ‘New World’ song.”

 

Kang Kiyeon murmured the title of the once-popular animated film.

 

Now that he mentioned it, the characters’ outfits had a similar feel. Realizing this belatedly, Lee Cheonghyeon snapped his fingers and exclaimed, ‘Ah, I get it now!’

 

The simple and cheerful drum beat and rhythm guitar accompaniment were almost identical to the original song.

 

‘Did they intentionally keep the arrangement almost the same?’

 

It was the complete opposite direction from the second competition, where they drastically rearranged the song. Lee Cheonghyeon, who had been sitting, leaned forward.

 

Kim Iwol wasn’t the type to do things lazily.

 

So there must be a reason for this choice!

 

And finding that answer was both homework and a game for Lee Cheonghyeon.

 

‘What’s the reason? To emphasize the harmony? Or…’

 

While Lee Cheonghyeon pondered, the song continued.

 

The parts kept changing, but there were no jarring moments. Although the original song was sung by one singer, now four people were sharing one song, yet there were no feelings of dissonance.

 

Following Yeo Seongchan’s bright opening, Kim Iwol seamlessly carried the rising energy towards the climax.

 

Cha Sehan took the spotlight for the sing-along highlight.

 

Moon Yeongyu’s presence wasn’t prominent until the first verse, but from the second verse onwards, the harmonies and ad-libs gradually enriched, showcasing his presence.

 

Moon Yeongyu’s ad-libs particularly shone in the chorus of the third verse.

 

However, Kim Iwol still stood out the most.

 

Although he didn’t like to stand out, it was evident that he had taken on various parts as the number of vocalists decreased and his teammates’ capabilities fell short.

 

『In my heart

 

There seems to be a map

 

A map leading to my dreams

 

My heart guides me

 

Making me run without a moment to rest』

 

Moreover, Kim Iwol’s firm yet gentle voice had a knack for evoking the OSTs from that time.

 

Even though Kim Iwol didn’t take the lead, the mere presence of his harmonies brought the original song’s feeling to life.

 

At the same time, Lee Cheonghyeon realized why Kim Iwol had staged the performance close to the original and why he willingly accepted his parts despite the less-than-ideal circumstances.

 

It was for the audience who wished the memories would stay the same.

 

In other words, it was about respecting the emotion the original song gave.

 

The costumes and the song aligned with the story of the animation they watched back then.

 

Rather than showing something new, they focused on evoking the nostalgia of the past.

 

The singing style and tone were also close to the original. This created a form that felt the least unfamiliar.

 

So that the listeners wouldn’t be disturbed while reminiscing as they listened to the song.

 

‘It would be absurd if the song suddenly changed while you’re preparing for an internal high note.’

 

Lee Cheonghyeon chuckled to himself.

 

If they had simply copied the original, they might have been criticized for being no different from a karaoke booth.

 

But they didn’t stop there—Kim Iwol’s team maximized the strengths of the original song.

 

In the part that originally came with flashy animation, the four of them stacked the harmonies to make the music richer. In the solo electric guitar part, which many people considered the heart-pounding moment, they amplified the guitar sound even more, leaving a stronger impression.

 

『Let me dive in

 

Into the heart-pounding

 

New world』

 

Within that, the members sang as plainly as, or even more so than, the original.

 

They didn’t try to overlay something on top of the memories; instead, they served as a channel to recall those memories.

 

“He really put on a performance that’s just like him.”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon grinned, resting his chin on his hand.