79 - Upki Girl

< "You Guys Can Have the Crown" > ―――――――――― —Comeback of 'EyeContact', "Our Goal is Always to be Number 1." Their new challenge as they've transformed from girls to ladies. On the 16th, EyeContact is set to make a comeback with their fourth mini-album 'RE:Start'. They've revealed the jacket images for the sexy version, kicking off the countdown to their comeback. On the 13th at midnight, EyeContact's agency, Karma Entertainment (represented by Kim Seok-won), shared the second jacket image for the title track 'Revenge' on their official SNS. The new album 'RE:Start' by EyeContact, as suggested by the images, is expected to unveil the group's previously hidden, fatal allure and musicality. Particularly, the team's leader, Sumi, showcased her musical prowess by participating in the lyrics writing of the title track 'Revenge', which depicts a femme fatale dreaming of revenge on a departed lover. Meanwhile, it was reported, "Although Yona, a former member, left for personal reasons, EyeContact turned that pain into an opportunity for transformation by recruiting Hyunjin as new blood, allowing a fresh start." EyeContact will host a comeback countdown broadcast with fans on the doubleU Live app at 11:20 PM on the 15th. Then, at midnight on the 16th, the fourth mini-album 'RE:Start' and the music video for the comeback title track 'Revenge' will be released. ―――――――――― Outfits reminiscent of bikinis, see-through and mesh half-stockings. Rather than sexy, it just looked cheap with blatant poses. "So, they're going down that route too," Ims mused, clicking his tongue at the EyeContact jacket photos. I, for one, was more engrossed in the article's content, which seemed to contain some hidden messages. Why does the title song 'Revenge' feel like it’s directed at Yona? Using words like 'pain', 'turning crisis into opportunity', 'instead', it's as if they are painting Yona as a traitor and themselves as victims in their image-making. Though the audio track hasn't been released yet so the exact lyrics aren't known, I suspect the lyrics described as 'revenge for a departed lover' might be an ambiguous jab at Yona. Especially, in her departure articles, it was specified as 'for health reasons' and that was the agreement with us. Yet, now it's vaguely described as 'personal issues', hinting at their intention to leave room for fan speculation. Comeback articles are usually based on press releases from agencies. Is Karma Entertainment trying to create a narrative using Yona as a scapegoat? Yona claimed she had enough discussions with the members when leaving EyeContact's shared space, but it’s plausible that she got painted as a selfish person who betrayed the team to live alone, all manipulated by Director Kim Seok-won. A move to divert the team's turbulent atmosphere toward Yona to bolster team unity. They must have seen the article about Yona's solo activities. They’re already harboring resentment, and knowing she's debuting with another company would only stir chaos. I grew curious whether I was being overly sensitive, so I sent the article link to lawyer Woo Yeontak to gauge his reaction. But, his focus was elsewhere. Me [EyeContact is making a comeback] Lawyer Woo [Coincidentally, EyeContact's fan forums are exploding right now] Me [Why?] Lawyer Woo [The last album managed a decent public reception, so fans expected a similar concept, but they took a sudden turn, leaving fans dumbfounded] Lawyer Woo [Even the sexy concept has limits, but releasing something so blatant suggests the company is willing to risk a complete image overhaul. It seems they are openly opting for performance-driven tactics, regardless of existing fandom] Lawyer Woo [With underage members involved, it's inevitably controversial. It appears they’ve opted for noise marketing right from the start] Me [You think they’ll make Yona a scapegoat?] Lawyer Woo [From the article, there's a faint hint of that intention. While they can't directly mention her, they're likely hoping the journalists or fans will create narratives themselves] Lawyer Woo [However, the core fans are too disappointed with the concept to bother with such matters. Besides, EyeContact isn’t prominent enough to have members’ departure stories become a hot topic] Sad, really. As Woo said, with minors involved, it’s too blatant. Nowadays, even barmaids wouldn't dress like this. Sure enough, most comments under the articles included words like 'bar', 'escort', employing terms from the nightlife scene. It's almost fortunate that EyeContact's low recognition resulted in fewer comments. Thinking about Director Kim Seok-won or the members who backstabbed Yona is satisfying, but since it was a group I once kept an eye on because of Yona, it stings a bit. And on another note, it's disheartening that, for a talentless idol and a lousy agency, the endgame is only 'provocative sexy'. Me [I hope Yona’s activities overlapping with theirs doesn’t cause big issues] Just as I was sending a final message imbued with a hint of hope, Ims, still scanning EyeContact articles on his tablet, chuckled as if amused. "This one auditioned for us, you know?" "Who?" "The new member. You’d remember her face if you saw it." I looked closely at the member Ims pointed out in the photo. Oh, her. Number 1? "Yeah, that's her." Contestant number 1 from the ‘Find the Dream’ audition. The new member who replaced Yona in EyeContact was the girl I nicknamed 'Cussing girl' because she ended her sentences with words like 'friggin.’ She didn’t make it past the second preliminary round, yet eventually wound up with Karma. “Ayy... why’d she end up with that company, of all places?” "The director probably sweet-talked her by promising an immediate debut." "But her face looks a bit different, don't you think?" "Yeah. Front and rear eye surgery, double eyelids, aegyo-sal fillers—they pushed her out even before the swelling went down." "Looks like the same for the others." "Forcing these young girls into a sexy image almost mandates cosmetic surgery. That girl's eye-opening is so excessive it might just seal shut. It's like one of those one-eyed monsters..." "Cyclops." "Yeah, that's it." Only after seeing EyeContact's photos did I realize. Our girls have such a natural allure. "We should probably give Yona a heads-up, right? They'll probably meet at Daese's house show anyway." "But what did she tell the members when she quit?" "Apparently, she couldn't bear to face anyone but the leader, who she told through tears she couldn't continue." "And no contact after that?" "Not sure about that." *** "Do you still stay in contact with the EyeContact members?" The other kids had gone home, and Yona remained at the company practicing alone, taking a break. I seized the opportunity to bring up the topic of EyeContact. "I sometimes talk to Sumi." "Sumi is the leader, right?" "Yeah." Yona's solo album showcase is just four days away. By some twist of fate, it's on the same day as EyeContact's comeback. Yona undoubtedly knew of EyeContact’s comeback from articles, but contrary to company worries, she didn’t seem too concerned. "Does she know you signed with us?" "I told her shortly after we signed." "What did she say?" "She just congratulated me. Said she'd like to be active on the same shows if possible. Didn't expect it to happen this soon." "You okay with that? Doesn't it bother you?" "What's there to worry about? We didn't part as enemies. It'd be nice if we both succeed." "They're going with a sexy concept this time." A hint of displeasure furrowed her brow. Apparently, the director had been angling for a sexy concept right from the start, but the investors had opposed it, causing a change in plans. Yona had seen the team's planning from the very moment the company was founded. "Initially, he suggested maid outfits with bare legs and feet. The investors thought it was inappropriate because of high school members, so then he proposed school uniforms with bare feet..." "Has a woman ever beaten him up while barefoot?" "Exactly. When the investors questioned why the obsession with bare feet, he finally dropped it and stuck with just the school uniforms." Some people are truly bizarre. If he loves bare feet so much, he should manage the legendary barefoot diva, Lee Eun-mi. As we were on the topic of feet, I glanced at Yona's ankle wrapped in a brace. "How long do you need to wear that?" "I probably don't need it anymore, but it feels safer. Physical therapy and acupuncture have helped a lot." "See? If you’d gone earlier, you could've healed quicker. Stubbornness gets you nowhere." "Geez..." "What does that 'geez' mean?" "Not even my mom nags like this. You're like a total nagging aunt these days." "Wow... it's like rescuing someone from drowning only for them to demand your luggage." She stretched her arm toward me with a cheeky grin. "Hand it over, the luggage." Wow, she can joke around now. It wasn't irritating—rather, it was heartwarming. Thinking back to when she was taking antidepressants and contemplating suicide, I should probably lift her up and dance in joy. "Why are you smiling? I said, hand over the luggage." "Just happy to see you brighter." "This is my usual personality. It was only because things were really bad when we first met." "Glad to hear that." The conversation paused. Crouching with her arms around her knees, Yona surveyed the practice room floor, then shook her head with nostalgic amusement. "Wow, it's only been three months since I met you. Feels like three years with all that’s happened." "Imagine how I feel. For others, events that happen about once a month seemed to occur every other day." Honestly, considering everything since Silver Star No.1, it does seem like three years. Yona and the others knew about the dramatic journey that led me to meet them. She chuckled, then asked, "What was the hardest part for you?" Obviously, when Silver Star No.1 died, but let's skip that. Next up would be, "Getting you away from that director was the toughest. Without Lawyer Woo, who knows what could've happened." "I figured." "Han Seowon was no joke either. Remember the day you came to audition and her dad barged in?" "Oh, right, that happened." "Yoo Eun-bit's police case, Hong-yi’s current diet, Alia still nuts. Just thinking of tagging along with Alia to broadcasting stations gives me ulcers. I plan to buy a leash and muzzle for her." "Hehehe." "So you can be proud of yourself. Winning despite all those stellar brats around you." "Ah yes. What an honor." "Weren’t you shocked back then?" "When?" "The first time we met in that karaoke bar. Looking back, it was a complete stranger approaching—" I've finally unlocked the box of stories I'd been too embarrassed to open. I felt a special connection, a poignant excitement when meeting each of the other bright ones, but with Yona, it was especially intense. But for her too, reacting that way to a stranger was unusual. Normally, she should have been startled when I suddenly hugged her as a stranger, fan or not. Even if she was completely broken down mentally, it’s not a realistic reaction. —The irony of me discussing reality isn’t lost on me— "Hmm... how do I even explain it?" Yona scratched her cheek and began to speak. "I guess I should start from when I saw you at the broadcasting station. You were there during a brief fan meeting after the radio show, weren't you?" "Yeah, when Eun-bit was recording for No Due." "There was a beam of light just shining on you, like a spotlight. You don't have to believe me." "Oh no, I believe you." "And when we met at the karaoke, the words you said to me really resonated." "What did I say? Honestly, I can't quite remember..." "You told me not to worry about anything and that you’d make sure I could just focus on singing... so I shouldn’t give up, but live." Did I really say that? It feels like my limbs are getting sucked into a chamber of embarrassment. I feel like I want to hide behind Piccolo’s antennas out of sheer awkwardness. "But it wasn't just me. The other girls said they felt something similar when they first met you." "Oh, really?" "Eun-bit said you reminded her of Jesus or something. Seowon said meeting you felt like a rescue team was coming when she was drowning. Honghong said it was like being given a warm steamed bun on a cold winter day." "Maybe Hong-yi just wanted to eat a steamed bun." "Hey, why are you picking on Hong-yi?" "What about Riya? What was her impression? I'm most curious about her." "I feel like she might scold me if I tell you." "Oh, come on, tell me! Just let me know if it was good or bad." "Well... when I heard it..." *** "Hello everyone, and welcome to Yona's first solo album 'Open' showcase. I'm comedian and host Cha Woong-kyung! Delighted to see you all!" Yona’s showcase stage opened at an art hall filled with journalists and fans. The album had been released just prior, and as anticipated, it didn’t cause much of a stir. Even with a paid top banner ad on the distributor's site for a day, Kim Sang-in expected it was fortunate if it entered the top 100. And his prediction wasn’t far off. Reporters who attended the showcase wrote favorable articles beyond the press releases, impressed by Yona's stage presence and performance. However, that alone wasn't enough to create any dramatic buzz or get her trending. The buzz that came, however, was for EyeContact, who released their album and held their showcase the same day. Their track entered the rankings at 75th within six hours of release and astonishingly soared to 18th by the following day. It marked EyeContact’s best performance to date and their first time seizing the number one spot on search rankings. While it caught attention, no one was envious. "This was definitely calculated." "Absolutely, they didn’t even ask to take down the materials." "Seriously, can’t deny it. This is top-tier noise marketing!" Kim Sang-in and Ims applauded, acknowledging the articles keeping them in the top ranks all day. 1. EyeContact 2. Sumi 3. EyeContact showcase video I, too, clapped with satisfaction while scrolling through their unedited videos spreading on social media. This is, in fact, applause as a man. ――――――― —EyeContact leader Sumi's inadvertent skirt exposure during showcase Karma Entertainment stated, "Sumi seemed overwhelmed by the pressure of the comeback and forgot to wear her safety shorts." They added, "The company suggested she take a break, but she refused, not wanting to let the team down. We hope fans will support Sumi, who displayed leadership and grace under such personal embarrassment." ――――――― Let them take the throne. < "You Guys Can Have the Crown" > End