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"What's wrong with us winning the 'Rookie Group of the Year' award?"

I have an idea of ​ ​ what this article will talk about, but I opened it to read it anyway.

Just as I imagined.

"I was expecting this kind of reaction."

Isn't that similar to what you said when our debut promotions crossed paths with VTIC's latest album? They said we destroyed the musical ecosystem.

Well, it's understandable.

"This is due to 'Icorpo'."

Since we are a group that debuted thanks to participating in a survival and audition program, it is not strange to see comments saying that we are a product of the tyranny of a TV station that is part of a large corporation.

However, all the contestants suffered terribly while filming that show, it was even believed that the third season would fail due to the problems that the previous season had, so I consider it a bit unfair to be blindly criticized.

"Fortunately, public opinion is not strong enough to change the trend of support for us."

Looking at the comments, it was embarrassing to say that we were fighting, as it was a practically one-sided atmosphere.

What are you talking about? That show was an audition for them to become idols;

L Isn't that show more like a cheat or trick to debut as an idol...?

L Cheat? Are you saying that idol auditions and survival shows should be illegal? Hahaha

Oh, I read thinking that it would be a long post that would talk about a serious topic, but this is a simple aggro

There are so many idol groups that debuted by winning these kinds of shows. Should we treat them all as fraudulent debuts? Hahaha I think TeSTAR is doing so well that they start to come up with weird arguments to try to attack them

If you like a group that was denied a chance to win the “Rookie of the Year” award, just keep supporting them. Fighting!

I also think that Icorpo is a malicious program, but that does not mean that TeSTAR does not have enough qualifications to win the “Rookie of the Year” award.

Your opinion has already gone too far.

The last few comments were almost a mockery of the post's writer.

"Hmm, this atmosphere is not good."

It is true that this article has an aggro purpose, but there were also some comments that ridiculed the fact that we applied for that award.

They are people who are obviously not fans of TeSTAR and they enjoy making fun of others.

Well, among the groups that debuted this year, this group that had "the highest sales rate for a rookie group" sold only 80,000 albums... haha

L Hahaha they are not at the level of other idol groups

L Don't you think it's a waste that they win that award? Hahahaha I get it ㅠㅠ

“These kinds of posts are not good for fans of a new group that debuted this year.”

It's annoying to see this article, but it's not a big deal.

It wasn't a particularly popular publication, and TeSTAR's ratings weren't so bad that most would reject us getting that award.

I didn't care and went on to read another article.

I didn't bother looking for publications related to that award again until the following week, when we were preparing for the year-end presentations.

* * *

The mirror in the dance practice room was damp.

—Let's rest... and then... practice again~

—Huuuh…

—I'm dead.

I think Cha YooJin explained the condition of the other guys who had stayed silent.

"YooJin... probably has the most difficult role."

This is because YooJin is in charge of a long choreographic solo in the song that we are currently practicing.

NT: “Solo” is a part of the song performed by one person. It can be singing or dancing.

I think his solo will be a hit because he will have a special move in the air… The problem is that, even for him, it was very difficult to do it.

—Do you want to drink?

—Yes…

I threw a bottle of water at YooJin.

—...Me too, please.

—Same with me, please have mercy on me.

I also handed bottles of water to the two SeJin who were far away. The practice room was temporarily silent as we drank.

After a long while, Seon AhHyun looked around and spoke.

—I-I think… everything will be great.

—Yes.

—If the cameras focus on us correctly, it will be a wonderful presentation.

Hearing Kim RaeBin's words, there was an explosion of laughter. Puzzled, RaeBin didn't understand why we were laughing.

"He's a fun guy."

I chuckled and pulled out my phone. He planned to use the break to check on the progress of the “Rookie of the Year” award voting; however, when the manager came into the practice room with lots of drinks, I put it away again.

—Hyung!

—Coffee!

—Thank you so much for bringing iced coffee…

The manager delivered the drinks and then asked us.

—Guys... How's your practice going?

—Very well! If we keep our internship schedule like this, I think we will do well at the award ceremony.

—Hmm, that's good! But guys, sit down for a minute.

—...?

Ryu CheongWoo, who was passing on the progress as the leader, was a little embarrassed, but he soon calmly gathered us together.

—Why?

—...Do we have to do a new job?

—No, it's not like that. hmm…

The manager had a worried face. After hesitating a few times, he soon spoke seriously.

—Tomorrow… negative articles related to Icorpo are likely to come out.

—...!

—Tnet tried to block it as much as possible, but it doesn't seem to work. We're also preparing an article in response, so don't worry too much.

—...What is the article about?

—Hmm… Rumors are circulating about your participation in Icorpo, but since we already have all the material to refute, it will be fine… Apparently, they want to take Ryu CheongWoo down, but don't worry.

I managed not to spit out the water he was drinking.

“Did that bomb have to explode now?”

I was 100% sure that the scandal was about the relationship between CheongWoo and the show's editor.

"She didn't say anything about it, so I thought nothing would happen for at least our first year."

TeSTAR is doing its activities very well, so it seems that there are many guys looking into our past to harm us.

Ryu CheongWoo also guessed, he had a gloomy face, but he didn't seem fazed.

Still, I asked cautiously.

—...Won't they play other topics?

—To my knowledge, no… Give me a moment.

Puzzled, the manager left the room to make a call.

And, of course, the atmosphere of the remaining members fell. This was because the adrenaline, which compensated for the tiredness of practice, had just worn off after hearing the news.

Keun SeJin seriously asked.

—Hyung-nim, you must be tired, but could you give us a brief explanation of what's going on?

—...Sure.

CheongWoo told the same story that he confessed to me after drinking alcohol at our last celebration.

In short, the editor, a distant relative whom he had never seen before, contacted him about being on the show.

Most of the guys were relieved because it seemed like it wouldn't become a big deal if a good explanation was given.

—Hmm, so you don't have any close relationship.

—That's right... I don't think it will get too complicated if we explain it well.

But CheongWoo had a sour expression on his face.

—I am sorry to have caused a useless controversy at such an important time.

—I-it’s okay! D-don't worry too much...

—Well, what can we do with something that has already happened~? We just have to figure it out!

Bae Sejin, who hadn't said anything before, spoke up this time.

—...If Ryu CheongWoo had done something wrong earlier, then he would have been long gone by now.

—...!

Just now, this guy came up with a joke, but it was effective because YooJin replied cheerfully.

—It's true!

—Ya!

—Hahaha!

What Sejin said was so funny that he ended up relaxing the atmosphere.

—There's nothing to worry about~ Shall we continue with the rehearsal?

—Yes, it is a wise decision.

At the end of the call, the manager returned feeling embarrassed, but seeing us practice, he left more calm.

And the next morning, after a few hours' sleep, a few articles were published.

It was precisely what he expected.

Comments quickly increased on some articles posted on social media, not in entertainment communities.

—Don't read the comments.

—...Okay.

Cheongwoo looked worried.

—...The fans must be going through a tough time.

—...

Fortunately, the rebuttal articles appeared immediately.

NT: To determine the degree of kinship between two people, the number of steps is counted. The degree of kinship between "cousins" (degree of collateral kinship), must be raised to the common trunk that relates them (grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, etc.) and then lowered to the person with whom the kinship is to be determined. On a fifteen degree scale, it is understood that they had a common ancestor seven or eight generations ago.

Generally, these types of articles did not receive much attention from the public.

However, the response was immediately given in such a short time, and since CheongWoo's existing image was very good, he was able to rise to the top of news on all portals and entertainment communities.

Of course, it's all due to the great effort of the fans.

I guess the editor just used “relationship” as an excuse to get in touch with Ryu CheongWoo? This editor won a jackpot, she must have tricked him by telling him that the program was going to fail hahaha (▲11026 ▼1501)

Up to 9 degrees could be considered distant cousins, but if they are 15 degrees apart… they could be enemies (▲8490 ▼422)

15 degrees? That accusation of the scandal is too touchy. If she was an editor who graduated from a good university, she would also choose him and convince him to be on the show! (▲6178 ▼759)

Most TeSTAR fans were convinced and public opinion began to pick up quickly.

The agency's press and public relations team also contacted CheongWoo separately.

—It doesn't seem to be a big problem. But you'd better refrain from social media for a while, CheongWoo.

—...Yes, thanks.

He expressed his relief, but seemed quite upset that he couldn't post anything, not even an apology or thanks to fans.

I contained a sigh.

"...I don't think I can say the same."

In fact, it has been confirmed that public opinion has not been fully recovered in some communities.

I wonder too

No, when Ryu CheongWoo was cast, he was told that the 3rd season would fail… Isn't it amazing that he still accepted?

L Ryu CheongWoo's footage was consistently good even after his success in Icorpo. Honestly, isn't it weird that he was the leader on all the teams that had dramatic problems?

Can't help but suspect

Since the scandal broke, Ryu CheongWoo has been quiet

They called him for a casting… lol and told him that at some point he would be disqualified from the show. It's annoying. I didn't get enough focus filming any of my favorite contestants, but did Ryu CheongWoo debut? hahahahahaha

Suspicion and criticism of CheongWoo grew stronger, and eventually the arrow was directed at all of TeSTAR.

To be honest, the other members… Haha hmm, I won't say more because I'm scared of their fans

L Hahaha, I'll say it in your place! Do you think it was just CheongWoo~? In fact, all the members who debuted had the benefit of the edit~

L Hahahahahahaha nice of you to say it

L This will make their fans have a heart attack

L Question: Who got a bad edit? → Those who did not appear long on screen

L Hahahaha you’re smart

L His fans were blindfolded so as not to notice all the bad edits that the other contestants received. I really don't want to see them...

Of course, this atmosphere wasn't normal, so it didn't last long and subsided to a certain extent.

It's because the people who got tired of us not doing anything, took over in the second half of the problem.

The agency thought these comments would change quickly if another issue arose, so they postponed responding to them as they prioritized controlling the mainstream media.

Therefore, the public opinion that doubted the legitimacy of TeSTAR did not disappear immediately, but remained, making everyone feel uncomfortable.

And after a while, this story resurfaced.

Unlike the first such post, this one had quite a few comments that agreed with whoever wrote that article.