The Liu Wei I once knew was someone moderately popular as a talented member who showed outstanding ability in his assigned position, also called the 'Beijing Ice Fairy'.
Unparalleled dance skills befitting a main dancer, and a cool, refreshing appearance that's sharp as ice.
[Siberian Ice Wind @FNASPOJA2294
Ah f*ck, if only Trash Rex wasn't here, our Liuliu ♡ would get more dance break parts. I'm beyond pissed. That useless nuisance Trash Rex, seriously, can't he quit already? Die die f*ck]
…Furthermore, my attitude of a troublemaker was another factor that led Liu Wei to gain more fans.
Anyway, until his withdrawal, Liu Wei would speak in slightly broken Korean, to the point his fans called him 'the Beijing Ice Fairy who's like a puppy whenever he opens his mouth'…
"What a waste of time."
He speaks it quite well, actually.
My image of the former Liu Wei quickly shattered into pieces, making me focus harder on their conversation.
"Alright. Very well. I'll listen to what you have to say now, Liu Wei, since you're speaking Korean in Korea."
At Gao Yan's bold remark, Liu Wei, who had been fidgeting with a slight look of discomfort, slowly opened his mouth.
"…Gao Yan. I have to make my debut in this country through this program."
"What nonsense are you spouting? So do I, you idiot."
"No, you're probably on the 'want to do it' side. I have to. There are quite a few people involved in my debut."
Liu Wei's words echoed softly in the emergency stairwell. That voice, both solemn and composed, carried many motives.
"…The guy backing me will handle it, but I don't like that. Instead, I intend to make a good offer to you, a Chinese."
"Stop dragging it out and get to the point, Liu Wei."
"I want you to ruin the image of those two trainees when it's necessary. I'll let you know how to do it if you accept the offer. The target is,"
"I want you to ruin the image of these two trainees. I'll tell you how if you accept the offer. The targets are,"
Your roommates, Logan Lee and…
Kim Chunyong.
"…Kkgh—"
Given that I was eavesdropping, I was so nervous I thought I'd misheard.
My name came up so suddenly?
I couldn't believe it even after hearing it.
As if Gao Yan shared the same thought, he asked back bewilderedly.
"…Chunyong hyung and Logan? Ruining their image? Liu Wei, what on earth are you talking about?"
"I need someone in their circle to help me actively tarnish their reputation. For my stable debut. Since Li Ming Shen isn't in the same room as those guys, you're the perfect fit."
Chills ran down my spine.
Liu Wei, already in a stable position for debut due to plently good performances on stage, proposing a devious check on Gao Yan? To a fellow trainee?
Above all.
… Doesn't he already have enough backing?
Regardless of what I thought, Liu Wei continued without hesitation, believing that only he and Gao Yan were present.
"Of course, I'm not asking you to do it unconditionally. I will help you debut after this survival show. Plus, my parents could help your family's business in Hong Kong. Isn't that a pretty good deal?"
"I can debut without your help, Liu Wei!"
Gao Yan, furious at Liu Wei's words, let out a shout.
"…Then what about your family?"
Liu Wei, standing before him, was still cold.
The conversation between them was like ice clashing with fire.
"Is it really okay for your family not to set foot on Chinese soil? Well, it must be difficult with your main accounts frozen. Even for a wealthy business family."
"Are you threatening my family like a coward?"
"I told you. It's not a threat. It's a proposal."
Liu Wei answered in perfect, robotic Korean, then muttered bitterly.
"It doesn't really matter if you don't accept. However, I brought this up with you is… because I valued the fact that you are Chinese and that we have known each other before. I hope you understand that."
"Liu Wei, why are you going to such lengths? You're already doing well! All you have to do is show off your skills on stage, so why?"
"…This is just a stepping stone."
Stepping stone.
The moment I heard that word come out of Liu Wei's mouth, I gritted my teeth as a memory flashed through my mind.
[Arrows' Liu Wei Announces Withdrawal. 'I can't go into detail, but it is due to health issues']
[Will Liu Wei, who left Korea due to illness, rise again on the mainland? Cast as male lead in Chinese romance drama 'Under the Peach Blossoms'!]
[Chinese Star Liu Wei, Interview Controversy… 'I Was Too Big for Korea to Handle']
A crunching sound seemed to echo in the hallway.
Fortunately, the loudness of Gao Yan's baffled voice drowned it out.
"…What did you just say?"
"I said that my debut in this country was merely a stepping stone for a triumphant return to China. A small stepping stone isn't enough. I intend to go higher."
The meaning behind his words was clear. While the Arrows members were struggling because of me, Liu Wei had returned to China.
…He was thinking of leaving even before his debut.
My palms became sweaty against the wall. I felt like I was about to go sick with nausea.
"…I will absolutely never accept it, you bastard. Logan and Chunyong hyung are my friends. And the investment? My family runs a smooth business without any dirty money, chī xiàn*! This is a survival show, I'll debut fairly with my own skills!"
[*痴線* - Cantonese slang meaning crazy/insane]
"…你的回答我听清楚了,香港人." (I heard your answer clearly, Hong Konger)
Listening to Gao Yan's firm refusal and Liu Wei's fading Chinese, I quickly left the staircase and returned to where I left my suitcase earlier.
And loitering around my luggage was the main writer, Lee Hyeon-jeong.
"Oh my, trainee Kim Chunyong. Is this your luggage? It's been here for a while, so I was thinking of taking it…"
"Ah! I- It's mine. Yes. I'm going to take it home."
"…You look pale. Are you okay? Is something wrong?"
Perhaps it's because she's been monitoring me through the cameras the whole time, she quickly noticed my expression. I chose my words carefully for Lee Hyeon-jeong's lighthearted question.
Should I say it? That Liu Wei is trying to eliminate me by using another trainee?
But Liu Wei is just a trainee too, isn't he? How am I supposed to prove anything?
Besides, what if the production team of
A sea of possibilities formed, and I, who had been opening and closing my mouth like a fish…
"…I guess it's because I have an upset stomach! Maybe I was too nervous for the performance today, haha."
For now, I'll keep my mouth shut.
"Really? There's an infirmary next to practice room 106 on the first floor. You should be able to get some digestive medicine there."
"Ah, thank you for letting me know. I'll see you in two days, Writer!"
"It's nothing, get some rest. Enjoy the first episode, we worked hard on the editing to show the trainees in their best light, too."
After my conversation with Lee Hyeon,jeong, I quickly dragged my suitcase out of the building.
Liu Wei, Arrows. Withdrawal, me, the malicious member. The newly debuting Arrows.
A jumble of words in my mind soon formed a single sentence.
For me, and Arrows, to become the greatest K-pop idols in history.
…We must do something about Liu Wei, who is steadily planning his return to his country.
* * *
"Phew…"
Since it's my first time being buried in the bed and pillow at my parents' house in a long while, my body felt lighter than ever, though my eyes were heavy, as if attached to weights.
I couldn't sleep a wink because I overheard Liu Wei's bombshell of a remark yesterday before the excitement from the second competition had even died down.
Sleeping sounds like a joke.
My former member declared their plan to return to China in
On top of that, that guy even implied that he was keeping on eye on me.
I couldn't tell if it was like this befoe, or if they're only now concerned since my rank is rising so steadily, but that wasn't important.
As I pulled up the blanket that had jumbled at my feet, I retraced the conversation I had with X on the way home yesterday.
- Kim Chunyong: Hey, X
- Kim Chunyong: Let me ask you just one thing
- X: Huh? What is it? Whoa, I don't know what, but I'm kind of excited ><
- Kim Chunyong: Ugh, too cutesy ㅡㅡ
- X: Don't criticize my character; just continue what you were saying earlier.
- Kim Chunyong: ;;
- Kim Chunyong: Anyway
- Kim Chunyong: I mean the contract condition between you and me: becoming the 'K-pop idol of all time'.
- Kim Chunyong: … Is it okay if the members change by any chance?
I was on edge when I sent the message, but the reply from X arrived very quickly.
- X: Huh? You're asking if it's okay for the members to change?
- X: Of course! The condition is that you become the greatest K-pop idol in history, so yeah, a member change is nothing lol
- X: But it's not allowed if you can't debut in
- X: Remember? It's written in the current goal lol. The final 6 targeting stars @.@
It doesn't matter if the members change.
However, I must debut as one of the final six contestants in this survival show.
This was the condition X set forth.
As I read the reply, I recalled what Liu Wei said and the contract condition.
If I debut with Liu Wei, the initial momentum won't be bad.
Liu Wei's talent is already guaranteed, and the power of his global fandom is considerable.
Still, it's nearly impossible for an idol group to become the greatest in K-pop history if one member leaves for dubious reasons.
So, 're-debuting with Liu Wei' is like a one-way ticket to failure.
It was inevitable that I would get criticized for daring to sideline someone when I too had a hand in the team's downfall, and asking how I planned my own atonement.
Because it was my role this time to accept that criticism and do what had to be done.
Along with that resolution, I stayed up all night thinking of two things.
Eliminating Liu Wei from
"Eliminating Liu Wei…"
It wasn't that there was absolutely no way.
It's just a bit complicated right now.
Maybe it could've been easier during my days as a malicious member with firm connections from drinking, but I could still find a way.
'Let's take our time preparing for that...'
The second most urgent matter right now was finding another trainee to replace Liu Wei.
The most suitable person would be 'that guy', who is currently ranked higher than me, after I somehow deal with Liu Wei.
The one currently under Liu Wei's insidious surveillance alongside me.
A British man who certainly would've debuted in Arrows instead of me had he not withdrawn.
"Have a good time, Bro!"
"…Logan."
Logan, a year after returning to the UK, reappeared on his country's hottest audition program at the time and confidently dominated the charts in first place.
So, he's not just an ordinary nice guy.
Plus, the producing ability that the previous Arrows members lacked.
This was definitely going to help fulfill the contract condition; to be 'the greatest K-pop idol in history'.
Because to aim for the overseas market, they needed the title of 'idol capable of songwriting and composition.'
Thinking about it this way, Logan is perfect, and it seems like he could debut even without much help from me right now, but...
"…he's leaving soon."
Logan's departure is a problem…
Ah, just when things are going well, it always happens!
I tossed and turned in my bed and kicked the blankets hard. Just when things seem to be going well, I suddenly hit a wall.
Should I prevent him from leaving? But what if my attempt fails?
Judging by the nuance of what Liu Wei said, it's clear that he was involved in Logan's previous departure.
"…Still, I guess it's better than nothing."
For now, since Logan will leave
"How do I find out?"
On top of that, what if I get completely off track in the process? If all of this fails...
If I were to go back to the time when I was urgently arrested.
"Hey, Kim Chunyong! Aren't you going to watch the first episode? Mom and Dad even bought your favorite snacks. You're so ill-mannered, making the adults move around like this."
"Ah, eh?!"
Just as I was getting lost in my head, feeling like coming home was useless, my older sister suddenly burst into my room and made all my gloom disappear with her sharp voice.
I jumped out of bed in an instant.
"Sorry, I'm going! By the way, what snacks did you get?"
"Come and see for yourself, you rude brat. I really want to smack you on the back."
"Ah, ow. It hurts!"
Alright.
Figurng out the next step with go as I continue with the survival, but for now…
… It was time to check my appearance in the first episode.