80 - Upki Girl

< Double Transformation: Our Hong > Tomorrow is a crucial day for our Upkick Girl in many ways. It's the public broadcast debut of Yona's solo song "Open," and it's also the day when the "complete Upkick Girl" will appear before fans and the press for the first time. We're all going to the broadcasting station to celebrate Yona’s first broadcast commute together. Indeed. All five members will be present—the complete ensemble. Despite being a legitimate member, Hong, who had been living in near-solitude under the guise of a "secret weapon" due to self-imposed obesity, will finally be joining us. To cut to the chase, Hong's diet was a success. Her journey was a masterpiece that perfectly aligned exercise, diet, treatment, and sheer willpower. Since the cookie brawl incident with Seowon, where red bloomed like a battlefield, Hong miraculously didn't lose her self-control again. Instead, she developed a slight eating disorder due to obsessive tendencies, treating food with disdain. Despite our hopes for a showdown between hardcore Hong and her trainer John Yoon, they surprisingly got along without conflict. Although there was a bit of disappointment, Hong succeeded in losing not only the target 30kg in two months presented by the info board but even an additional 1.3kg, now weighing 62.7kg. Following her first transformation where she shed 15kg in less than a month, her second transformation was as shocking as a Frieza-style "second transformation," with a dramatic surge in beauty. Of course, since it wasn’t a sudden, overnight change, those of us who saw Hong daily gradually became numb to her transformation and naturally adapted to her more defined facial features. However, when she had her first video call with her family after moving to the capital, they initially thought we were playing a prank due to her transformation. After repeatedly assuring them it was indeed Hong, her mother shed tears of joy. The goal I had hoped for was already achieved, and now Hong’s final target is to enter the 50kg range before Upkick Girl's formal debut. With Upkick Girl's debut album and Yona’s solo album progressing nearly simultaneously, it leaves us with barely a fortnight. But considering that Hong is now utilizing medical support, it's expected that she'll achieve this with relative ease. A heartening aspect is that Hong's self-esteem, which had been the lowest among the members, has considerably risen. Although it hasn't changed overnight due to her past experiences, at least when she's with the members, she can laugh, chat, and joke like other friends her age. She especially gets along with Eunbi, Upkick Girl's representative beagle, and when they converse, it feels like a comedy duo. I've dubbed the group from our Muse TV cohort the "BJ line." After Hong's successful diet, Yeom confessed to me: "There were two times when I was in total confusion. Once when you said you were adding Yeonhong and Alia to the team. I understood Alia since she was a face and an investor, but when you brought Hong, I thought you were out of your mind." With my resignation money on the line, the office had nearly given up on the idea, and even Hyundong couldn't back me up at that time. However, like the ground hardening after rain, those doubts transformed into stronger belief in me after Hong's success. And with Alia, whom many thought was just filler, revealing her potential, the office started half-jokingly, half-seriously calling me "Shaman Kim" and attributing the success to shamanistic powers. Of course, I merely facilitated, but ultimately, it was the kids’ effort and talent that brought these results. It was evident that people working on what they loved had a different level of efficiency and effectiveness. Over the past month, the Upkick Girl members have been preparing for their debut on just four hours of sleep on average. Even though they spent more than half of that time goofing off with each other, their skills and chemistry have improved remarkably. I learned from them that having fun is also part of work. "Make sure to get some early sleep today. While it’s fine for you all to stay up, Yona needs to maintain her condition." As expected, Eunbi hardly paid attention. All five of them sat side by side with face masks on, watching TV and murmuring. "Just let us finish watching this." "Yonna unnie won’t get sleepy anyway. Unnie, do you feel sleepy?" "No, I don't think so." "See, she said she's not sleepy." "Sleepy? Eunbi unnie, what does that even mean? Alia doesn’t get it." Alia, snuggled beside Yona and stroking her side, asked. Since yesterday, Eunbi and Our Hong had been enamored with the language style known as 'school meal slang' from TV. Exchanging glances with mischievous smiles, they seemed intent on teasing Alia. "You don't need to know these things, Alia-chan. Right, Honghong unnie?" "Oh, absolutely, all good. Alia doesn't need to know nonsense like oozing, freezing, and refrigerator school meal slang." "Come on, what is it? Teach me. Alia wants to learn too." "Wow, Alia is real Eva-tuna. Eva-tuna, Dongwon tuna, Sajo tuna level." "Hey, I still don't get why you're using that way of speaking. Please stop." "Seowon unnie is seriously stern." "Sure, Han Seowon seriously stern, undeniable unflinching, verbal gin to verbal sandals level. Fact-check, and Sam Okyere would sneeze in surprise and say achu, oozing an edgy vibe." "Ugh, Alia really can’t understand a single thing. Why does 'Verbal sandals' come up in that context? Is this some kind of code? Is this even Korean?" "Right? Totally ah then." "Uh...?" Alia was bewildered. Even for someone like me who has lived in Korea for 35 years, it’s a cultural shock, so there’s no way Alia can easily catch on. But Alia can manage in five languages, you know. “Yona unni, do you understand?” Alia asked Yona, who had been silently observing. Nodding indifferently, Yona began explaining. “I understand. It’s called ‘school meal slang’, used by middle and high school students these days. Personally, I don’t like it much. It’s a bit ‘Eva-tuna’-ish. Yeoen Eunbi, do you agree?” “Wow, Yona unni's wit just hit the roof. I totally agree. Fun times, right Honghong unni?” “Yes, I agree. Yona, you’re the best. Ang.” With Yona joining in, Alia searched for the slang on her phone while Seowon sighed deeply and covered her ears. The BJ Line didn't stop there; they laughed for over ten minutes while singing their debut song "Hold Me" in the school meal slang. “Holding vibes, holding vibes, holding vibes, holding vibes, unbelievably tight holding vibes.” “Puhahaha! Yeoen Eunbi, you’re totally crazy!” The more I listened, the more I got addicted to it—just like how it oozed, froze, and let go. Mimicking the way kids talk these days somehow makes me feel a bit younger. But unfortunately, not young enough in terms of energy, so it’s time to sleep. “I’m heading to bed. Yona, try to get some rest. What if your voice gets strained?” “Yeah, I’ll head in after watching this. Sleep well.” “Goodnight.” “Sleep well and dream of me.” “If you appear in the dream, wouldn't it be a nightmare?” “Yeoen Eunbi, you’re dead meat.” “Ang, the best.” “Manager Kkak, sleep tight vibes! Is this how you use it, unni?” “No, no, Manager Kkak sleeps killer vibes. That's how it’s done.” “Does that mean to sleep until I wet myself? Anyway, hope Manager Kkak sleeps killer vibes!” “Listen, if you talk like that in front of your fans, you’ll scare all your male fans away,” At Seowon’s words, Eunbi shook her head, feigning ignorance. “You have no idea how much guys love this stuff. Guys are like kids; they love it when you align to their level.” “Who would like that kind of thing?” “It’s true! Right, Honghong unni? Guys like this, don’t they?” Honestly, asking Hong about guys shows a blatant lack of tact. Unsurprisingly, our Hong started to shrink under Eunbi's question looking for validation. “Umm... I'm sorry, Bbit. I don't really know guys... I’ve only always fought them as final bosses in dungeons...” “Oh... I’m sorry, unni...” “No, it’s okay. It’s all in the past.” Suddenly, a sad story emerged. Man, you all were really harsh to call a sensitive young woman the final boss of a dungeon. Just wait a bit longer. When you see our Hong on TV, you’ll be pounding the ground with regret. Or maybe they won’t recognize her at all...? Leaving the chatter behind them, I lay down in my room upstairs and wrapped up the day by checking Yona’s info board. ―――Version 3――― ―Title/Name: Singer Lee Yona ―Date of Birth: December 18, 1998 ―Height/Weight: 167cm/50kg ―Blood Type: O ―Group: Upkick Girl ―Agency: Hum Hum Sound, YH Label ―Vocal Ability: 63/75 [Vocal Cord Status: Normal] ―Rap: 47/80 ―Dance: 79/90 [Waist and Joint Status: Normal] ―Stage Presence: 84/100 ―Crisis Management Ability: 86/100 ―Entertainment Sense: 23/40 ―Acting Skill: 67/90 ―――――――――― Yona has been quite a complete talent since I first saw her, so her growth wasn't as vast compared to the others. But for Yona, that didn’t matter much. She just needed her condition to be good, so her recovery from the worst to normal was a blessing. *** The main live broadcast for the popular music show was scheduled for 4 PM. Two rehearsals were held—a dry run to check sound and lights, and a camera rehearsal conducted under actual broadcast conditions. Being second among about 20 teams, Yona needed to report to work by 8 AM. When the 6 AM alarm woke me, Yona was already up, showered, and drying her hair. “Did you sleep well?” “Yes, a strong and powerful morning. Did you get some sleep?” “Yes, about three hours.” “Well done. Are the others gone?” “Yes, Jangwoo oppa came to pick them up before I went to bed.” “So they went without any sleep?” “Yeah.” “Amazing.” “Pfft.” Even though Yona had already experienced showcases and a high school festival, a public live broadcast felt different due to its pressure. Despite it being an unofficial event to support Yona's appearance, journalists and fans would be waiting outside the broadcasting station to document the artists’ arrivals. Therefore, the kids were planning to receive full makeup at the salon before heading out. Yona would get her makeup done after the dry rehearsal. After my shower, I dressed in clothes that I’d thought of the night before—comfortable yet not too informal. When I went downstairs, Yona was ready and waiting for me. “You didn’t put on makeup? The paparazzi with their big cameras are waiting.” “I’ll have to redo it after the rehearsal anyway. I just put on a bit of BB cream.” Wearing leggings and an oversized T-shirt. Not only did she skip the makeup, but she also dressed comfortably as if heading to a practice studio. “Clearly, you seem strangely seasoned even though today’s your first broadcast. Like a girl group member who quit after a year or so.” “No, I’m a complete rookie. I’m going to a broadcasting station for the first time.” “Heh, did you bring everything? Your phone?” “Yes, I have it.” “Oh, sorry. I forgot to bring mine. Just a minute.” Even though we’d done showcases and a school festival, the tension of a public live broadcast was different. I realized I hadn’t brought the car keys either after heading back upstairs to grab my phone. Along with the phone on the desk, I picked up the two sets of car keys. Since I only have a Category 2 driver’s license, I can’t drive the 11-seater van. The 9-seater Carnival won’t be ready until next week, so today I’ll be driving Yona in one of these: “Choose—Maybach or Rolls-Royce?” “Um… isn’t it a bit much for a rookie?” “Well, we can't exactly take a taxi.” “I think that might actually be better…” “What about the stylist and outfits?” “True. Between the two, which is cheaper?” I pointed to the Maybach. “This one.” “Then let’s take this…” “Don’t sit up front, sit in the back.” “Okay.” As I headed the car towards Sinsa-dong, where the wardrobe team’s office was, I playfully teased Yona. “Yona, I might get lost once we reach the broadcasting station. Make sure you keep an eye on me.” “Why are you saying stuff like that, Manager?” “Wait till you reach my age. You have to learn when you’re young—can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Sighing deeply, Yona recounted the instructions she got from Manager Kim Sang-in yesterday. “When you're at the broadcasting station, greet everyone because you won't know who’s who. Say, ‘I’m Kim Yuno, manager of singer Yona. I look forward to working with you.’” “I’m secretly a bit shy, not good at that kind of thing. It’s intimidating.” “Ugh... then just follow me around. I'll handle it.” Yona’s charisma is no joke. It was just a joke, but it still felt reassuring. “Oh, did you pack the signed CDs? The ones for the other artists?” “Oh no! The CDs!” “Gosh, turn the car around quickly.” “…just kidding. Jangwoo packed them.” “That’s a fakeout right there.” “Hey, don’t use that slang. Leaders should be more composed.” “No way. I’m using school meal slang too. You agree? Right? Agree?” I couldn't tell if Yona was just relaxed or trying to loosen up. She was a couple of notches more upbeat than usual. With the stylist on board, we arrived outside the broadcasting station. Despite the early hour, journalists, photographers, and fans of various artists were crowding beyond the fence, waiting to catch a glimpse of their idols heading to work. Among them were likely personal fans of Yona and some of the core fans of "Eye Contact," who still had some time before their comeback. “What’s that?” Mumbling upon noticing a crowd on the single-lane road leading to the parking lot, the stylist chimed in with the answer. “It’s a fan service event.” “Oh.” Then I saw the food truck concealed by the crowd. It was what the agency had prepared as a small snack or drink gesture, often referred to as fan service or "reverse support." We had something prepared as well. “Is that ours?” “No, it seems it’s from Eye Contact.” The mention of "Eye Contact" changed the air inside the car. As we drew closer, a banner saying “Today Eye Contact treats you!” became visible on top of the truck. Members were handing out snack boxes and drink cups while greeting people. Ah, it’s you guys. The ones who had promised us fair play, yet aimed their lyrics and interviews at Yona with pointed remarks. “How can you abandon me when you’re struggling? You’ll surely be punished…” “A friend told me you’re already seeing someone else. That’s why you abandoned me…” “The person you’re with is just as bad. I’ll never forgive. No, I won’t…” “Yo, you think you’ll live well? No, no, that’s impossible…” To the general public, it might sound like getting revenge on a cheating lover, but it was unmistakably directed at Yona and me with double meanings. The chorus’s repetition of “Yo, you” was made to sound like “Yona.” In a newspaper interview a few days ago, they even openly commented about feeling a bit disappointed when they heard Yona signed with another company. If that’s how they felt, they shouldn’t have congratulated her in the first place. They’re world champions of two-facedness. Having better rankings and media coverage than Yona, they must feel they’ve avenged themselves. Though neither Yona, the members, nor anyone in the office mentioned it, Yona’s mental state couldn’t have been unaffected. But then, surprisingly: “Manager, could you stop the car for a moment?” “Why?” “I want to greet the members before we go.” “I think it’d be better if we just go.” “It’s alright. We’re bound to meet again, and pretending not to know them would be more awkward.” < Double Transformation: Our Hong > End