99 - Upki Girl

<What Does "Upky Girl" Mean to the Manager?> "Today's hidden camera caught both laughter and emotion. Truly, great work, Manager." Eom Seung-mi's eyes were filled with satisfaction as she looked at me. This was the exact expression I saw on the first day at Daehyun Construction, from that energetic "Ssing Ssing Girl"—though the tears carried a different sentiment this time. After filming a drama with the kids, I bashfully credited them for the success. "I didn't do much. Our kids did all the hard work." "Exactly, exactly. This attentiveness to the members first. Now I understand why the kids follow you so well." Liya was the first to agree with Eom's comment. "That's true. Our 'Poom Paeng Paeng' may be clumsy with work and broke, but she's genuinely kind." "I keep telling you, I'm not broke..." "Is the manager's nickname 'Poom Paeng Paeng'? What does it mean? Is it Thai?" Eom Seung-mi asked, directing her question at me. Every time I have to explain these things, I feel a bit of self-deprecation. "I don't know either. They just come up with whatever sticks, and it changes daily..." "No, it's not, Mong..." Liya quickly corrected herself as she almost said "Cheonga". "It's 'Monga', cute pupper. It all has meaning." I pressed for more. "Oh really? What does 'Poom Paeng Paeng' mean then?" As sure as I can bet my right hand, it means nothing. What significance could words like Kkkeok, Kkwak, Baep, Bbock, Ming Ming, Yam Yam, Mung Mung possibly have? Unless there's a self-invented language called 'Aliya Speak.' "It means 'Welcome back' in Aliya Speak." There actually was an Aliya Speak...? No way! It's got to be a spur-of-the-moment invention! "What about 'Mung Mung'?" "Come back soon." "And 'Yam Yam'?" "Not bad." "'Kkwak'?" "Poverty." They roll off her tongue effortlessly. Could she really have created her own language? Considering she's capable of five languages and came up with phrases like "Seowon is light and Yeonhong is my truth," it's possible. "The more I learn about the members, the more fascinating they become. They've got a special charm all their own." "Yes, it's not just because they're my kids; they truly are unique." While the emergency room cleanup from the prank was wrapping up, I had a separate interview with Writer Eom. The idea was to highlight the kids' personalities and appeal through those around them. She mentioned having already finished interviews with staff, stylists, and the choreography team yesterday. Given I was the one who gathered the members and planned Upky Girl, it seemed I had a lot to answer. Rather than embellishing my answers, I gave honest responses. "But as strong as their individuality is, they're also quite stubborn and have many shortcomings. Some members struggle with relationships. They're still at an immature age. It's something we're actively working on together." Each member, when seen individually, is just a rough or sharp fragment. In a different team, they might fail to adapt and be isolated (like Eunbit and Yeonhong) or end up hurt from being overly sacrificial (like Yona), or inadvertently hurt others (those guys). When I shared this, Eom emphatically agreed, saying she felt the same. She then adapted my words to define the team rather eloquently. "When they came into the framework of Upky Girl, it was like completing a large picture. The sharp and hollow parts interlock like puzzle pieces." Writers don't earn their title for nothing. To her expressive skill, my compliments. "Can I use what you just said later?" "Giggle, where would you use it?" "I think it'd be nice as a video caption during the showcase or concert." She gladly agreed. But jokingly added that if she ever hosted a program, I'd have to appear without fail. "Oh, we'd be thankful." "Did you put the group together?" What did I really do? I just added a spoon to the table Information Window set. And even that, with my wrist pinned down... Still, I should make it look like I did it. "Embarrassingly, yes." "What was the initial thought behind the team composition? They say your company had a shorter recruitment period compared to others." "I first met Eunbit at an audition and thought it'd be great to form a team around her. After that, the members just naturally came together. Oh, right. Seowon and Yona joined the team after we met at a no-duplication recording session." "Exactly. When I first heard about it, I got a sense of destiny." "Indeed. It may sound grandiose to outsiders, but that's truly how I feel. We're a community bound by fate." "You must have a special affection for your members." "It seems so. Aside from Eunbit, unlike other companies that recruit through auditions, we actually went out there and brought these kids in with our own efforts." "May I hear what the manager thinks are the members’ strengths and weaknesses?" "Could you play Shin Seung-hoon’s 'I Believe' in the background?" Eom Seung-mi laughed lightly. "We'll do that when it airs." "It's okay if it’s not too serious, right? I don't like things too corny." "Of course, Manager. Whatever you're comfortable with. After discussing with the PD, we think going with a B-side concept that suits the team vibe could work for the broadcast." "Alright then. Our beginning, Eunbit..." —Even though you aren't by my side... The kid lacks social knowledge or experience. She blindly trusts unverified online information or content meant just for laughs. She has a tendency to trust people too easily, which makes her an easy target for scams. Shin Seunghoon’s 'I Believe' plays softly in my head as I chat with Writer Eom. On variety shows, Eunbit has been learning all sorts of things, from taekkyeon during her audition to now jiu-jitsu on YouTube. I have no idea where she'll use these skills. Like how Conan always finds mysteries, Eunbit seems to attract variety show energy wherever she goes. Some day, she dreams of becoming a solo female MC. Hidden beneath that comedic exterior, she's actually a strong singer. Main vocalist honors go to Seowon, but many fans appreciate Eunbit's unique voice. She's the member that lifts the others' spirits when they're down—truly the vitamin of Upky Girl. “As for Seowon, who joined second…” —Within the passing memories… As viewers know from broadcasts, Seowon spent two years confined to her room due to past traumas. She struggles with social interactions, which is a personal concern for her. This means fans can sometimes find her aloof at fan signings. Ironically, some fans love her for that darker, mysterious side. Apologies to Seowon's fans, but thanks to her efforts and the support of her team, she’s grown noticeably brighter lately. While she can snap when upset—she only bites the members and me, so fans need not worry. Her challenging past has imbued her music with emotional depth and resonance. Though not the best dancer, her long limbs and beautiful figure create stunning lines on stage. Surprisingly, she’s into gaming. Despite putting it aside for debut preparations, her appearance on a gaming show reignited her interest. She’s eager to explore e-sports broadcasts, so any opportunities would be welcome. “Our leader, Yona…” —You didn't cry as much as I did… It’s hard to picture Yona as anything but an entertainer; she seems born to be a star. She may not excel at singing or dancing, but she always stands out on stage. Her charisma and professionalism are unparalleled among the members. It’s her relentless practice that makes this possible. Yona’s unique talent is her dedication; skipping even a day of rehearsals feels unbearable for her. With empty schedules, the members steer clear of her, though they eventually all end up in the practice room together. Having debuted before, Yona acts as a senior in the industry to her peers. While the company worries she might be pigeonholed as a veteran rookie, Yona embraces it as part of her history, not something to hide. Her experience is a huge asset to the team; her know-how in front of the camera is invaluable. While Upky Girl hasn’t fully appeared on broadcasts yet, I’m sure their potential will shine through, especially with Yona’s expertise. Leading isn't easy, but Yona willingly steps up, prioritizing the members and keeping the team’s best interest in mind. She's both a grateful and regretful member to me. “Next, our Hong…” —I believe you couldn't weep, fearing my pain… Hong has a great love for food. When she was in school, she reportedly refilled her lunch bowl twice in 18 minutes, earning her the nickname "Shibpalse-gi" (Eighteen Meals). When she started dieting, she developed an eating disorder but managed to overcome it and regain her natural appetite. It’s heartbreaking because I can't fully satisfy that hunger. Her trainer suggested she eat to her heart's content once a week, but she only tried it once and never again. When asked why, she said she felt like she'd become someone else. She even broke down in tears while eating, not from joy, but because watching her food disappear made her sad. I'd love for her to be a regular on a mukbang show—it would be a great excuse to indulge her once a week. Mukbang producers and writers, please consider giving our "Shibpalse-gi" a spot, even if it’s unpaid. In terms of her musical talents, her potential hasn’t fully blossomed yet. She’s exceptionally talented, yet her role as the team’s rapper doesn't allow her much spotlight—though she is physically the largest presence. This week marks the start of her participation in a female rapper audition program. Given she hasn't been rapping long, she isn’t focused on rankings, but I believe she’ll make a significant impression. I hope Hong gains a little more confidence; she's already quite admirable and beautiful as she is. “Lastly, our Riya…” —Knowing you’ll come back someday, I have faith… "To be honest, she was initially chosen for her visuals. But unexpectedly, she displayed a talent for dance..." “What are you doing over there, Manager!” Seowon, laughing with the members, spotted me interviewing Writer Eom and shouted. "I'm in an interview. Why?" "Oh, I just wanted to make sure you hadn’t run off somewhere. Now that I see you’re with us, continue on.” “Sorry about that. Let’s start again. Ahem.” “Hehe, it’s fine. Speak freely.” "To be honest, Aliya was picked for her looks, but…” Just as I sought Eom’s permission to restart, “Poom Paeng Paeng! Now that the big sisters Poom Paeng Paeng are back, the team’s vibe is up again!” Riya interjected. “I feel the same way! It's like the atmosphere comes alive, just like when I first caught that giant sea bream!” Eunbit suddenly appeared glum. “Hey, I was doing fine forgetting about that, so why bring up the sea bream again? Please don’t talk about that… it’s a sore spot.” “Oh right, I’m sorry, unnie. Aliya made a slip of the tongue. Even thinking about that makes Aliya sad.” Why on earth are they bringing up a giant sea bream here? “Sigh… kids, can I just finish the interview?” “Oops, sorry.” Writer Eom chuckled softly, and Eunbit shouted towards her. “Unnie! When introducing our team, make sure to include that we’re a six-member, coed group!” Hong, nicknamed "Shibpalse-gi," added, “Wow, good idea. Manager Kim Yoon-ho is practically one of our members.” These kids, having said everything they wanted, clearly didn’t care about my interview. I felt like the lowest-ranking parent, like one beneath the family pet. Only after Yona intervened was I able to wrap up the interview. “Riya doesn’t actually have to do anything.” Because she’s the investor. “I believe that idol groups slightly differ from regular musicians. Apart from singing and dancing, they can hold value through their character and presence on stage and TV. Just like members selected for their variety show prowess or visuals, simply having Riya in the team completes the picture. Her unexpected talent for dance is just the cherry on top.” Even if it sounds forced, it makes sense, doesn’t it? Fans experience love at first sight with Riya just standing blankly at fan signings, so it’s not entirely wrong, is it? “Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to the members?” “Hmm…” I felt like I’d been too playful, so I wanted to end on a more sincere note. Being apart from them for just a day made me realize something I wanted to share. My closing message was used as the final scene in episode 2 of “My Idol Group: Raised with Love.” <What Does "Upky Girl" Mean to the Manager?> End