clark kent

“Four members of your group made it all the way to the last episode, three of them in the top ten. Wouldn’t you be seeing benefits if they got a boost?” they pointed out. “Kiyoung is a conventionally attractive guy with a good persona, he most likely would’ve blown up on any show he was on.”

“it’s just how the industry works,” he answered. he got her frustrations, he really did, but the hissy fit was a bit much.  “it’s not fair, but it’s not changing any time soon. so figure out how to make your group individual and do what you can in between.”

“They saw an opportunity and they ran after it, most people would do the same,” Taeri said. “What’s done is done, though. Complaining openly about how they got successful isn’t going to change anything for you.  it reflects badly on you, if anything.“

“whatever. you guys getting to debut when harin’s been waiting and working for years reflects bad too,” she grumbled, rolling her eyes.

“We already barely get credit as is, so like… word. Totally a scam. Hope those kids realize what they’re getting into.”

“better pull for hoa getting in. maybe then you can at least get her to talk about you guys being an inspiration to her on variety,” liyang commented.

“no, i’m not sick. you’re safe– i won’t spread anything,” he laughed, turning a little red. “no uh….. i’ve been thinking lately and…..i really fancy you, liyang. and i just wanted to talk about it with you and see where we stand before we both get really busy.”

“you fancy me? what are you, british?” she muttered under her breath, staring at the floor as she turned redder and redder. “you’re not making fun of me, are you? like you say that to get a reaction and then go laugh to your friends?”

“okay, well, do that then. and if spite is what gets you going, use it. but don’t start shit with the girls themselves. even though they’re fortunate, they don’t deserve it. do it to prove something to yourself.”

“like i even talk to them. i didn’t even talk to somi that much before she left,” liyang answered. “i can be professional if i ever see them on the job. but i’m not going to jump to be their best friend or anything.”

“I’ll tell you what, if I make it all the way to the end of the show and then have a steady career with Liberty as someone mega-popular despite my shortcomings, then I’ll agree with you. But I really think you’re oversimplifying things a ton.”

“You’re part of Antares, right? The group that promotes in China? The minute Unity and Creed disband, they’re not really going to mean anything substantial over there. Except Chen and maybe the kids from Spotlight. It’s a long game, but I still think you’re better off than them.”

“i mean, they’re not super substantial over there anyway. but that’s totally not the point,” liyang insisted. “i’m in a chinese unit, but it’s still a kpop group. and the market is saturated enough as is-- creed and unity getting a leg up on everyone through mnet just feels cheap.”

“Don’t even get me started. Like, I’m excited to see the possibly of another co-ed group out there after this season, but if it’s more successful than Distich, and it probably will be because it’s mnet, I’m going to have a fit.”

“oh, i know! imagine if this coed group does creed and unity numbers? you guys totally paved the way, and won’t get any of the credit. it’s a scam.”

“just because you’re not doing venus numbers, doesn’t mean you’re flopping,” daewon disagreed. “you have big profit margins, and a growing fanbase. you have wins under your belt. your company is thriving. like, you’re just trying to get pity where none is needed”

sohui has learned the hard way that the career she’s chosen will never be fair. heck life isn’t even fair. “no one said things would be fair.” she was an idol for 9 years. half those years haze was on a hiatus. all her training had gone to waist. “but you have to pick yourself up and try your best. that’s all you really can do.”

“i do more than my best. i work harder than anybody,” liyang insisted bitterly. “but some lazy kids who managed to make it on a stupid show get everything they want.”

“maybe in the moment, but that doesn’t guarantee success away from it. the moment unity is gone, do you really think seyeon’s still going to be a household name? or jieun? or dokyoung?”

“jieun signed with l3thal. she’s going to be just fine,” liyang deflected. “and do you think they’d’ve even known who she was without ip?”

“i didn’t say that. i even clarified. you’re deflecting,” he pointed out, suppressing his laughter. “are you okay?  you look pretty red.”

“i! i’m just sweaty! i’m all tired because of the performance! i’m totally fine-- you should mind your own business.”

“oh? like yours did,” hoa retorted. “i guess by those metrics, your unit only did well because dita was there. must be hard being inconsequential.”

“yeah, actually, in korea? i think that’s exactly right. and it would have done even better if they’d featured her more.”

“Does it actually affect you in any way? You get to perform, that should be all that matters.”

“yeah, it does actually,” liyang retorted. “their groups do better than mine-- even if they’re not as good. and they saturate the market. and if they drown my group out, i won’t get to perform anymore.”

“i don’t think that’s a fair comparison at all– you’re omitting a lot of additional circumstances,” ahmi answered, chiding gently. “focus more on what you’re doing and less on what others are, perhaps.”

“well it’s hard focusing on myself when i work my hardest and i’m still not as good as the less talented idol project people making bank.”