206 - Upki Girl

< Do You Know What This Means? > Rustle~ Rustle~ The straightforward mention of a back hug, the words, the atmosphere, the tone of voice. When you consider all of this comprehensively and objectively, Riya's recent comment wasn't something you'd typically hear between an artist and their manager. Anyone who heard it would inevitably suspect something between Riya and me. Still, perhaps because of the many tough ordeals I've managed to overcome, my mind remained as calm and concise as possible, processing things from multiple angles at once. First, ending the live broadcast holds no meaning. There are viewers who use recording programs to make recordings, so evidence will naturally remain, and ending it here would only serve as a confirmation from my end. The situation is already out in the open, so avoiding controversy entirely is impossible, but I must package it as convincingly as possible and leave some room for understanding. Additionally, preventing further misunderstandings is important, and for that, Riya needs to remove the blindfold and be informed that we're currently live. The surprise birthday party might lose some of its excitement, but even if it means ruining the party completely, addressing the current situation is the priority. With a slight hint of brusqueness, I addressed Riya, aware of the viewers watching us. "Hey now, why the sudden cheesiness? Stop joking around and just take off the blindfold." The moment I decided to remove the blindfold myself. From the stage side, Yona, who had been quietly observing the scene, gestured with an X and quickly shook her head. What’s this? Does she mean not to remove the blindfold? Yona must have her own thoughts about this, right? While I momentarily hesitated, unaware Riya launched into her second round of nonsense. "I've actually liked MyunMyun for a while." "Whoa there! Riya, you're really full of jokes today. Someone else might misunderstand, you know?" "I'm not joking." Please, shut up! We have 1,600 people watching this live, so hold your tongue! I stared intently at the back of Riya's neck hidden under her orange hair, contemplating. Where should I knock you out so you'd faint instantly? Here? Or here? My mind was so chaotic that I couldn't think rationally anymore, but Riya's behavior was noticeably different, which made me wonder. Is she really not feeling well? I’ve heard having severe panic attacks can make someone feel as though their life’s threatened, and maybe she's sharing her true feelings, thinking it’s her last chance. The chat window, which I could barely glimpse on the screen, reflected the same chaos as my mind. ―極限光: What’s this? Is it some kind of broadcast filming? ―Gamsuteu: What's going on right now?? ―Bulyang Eomuk: MyunMyun-nim, Alia seems unwell. Wouldn’t it be better to reveal it was just a prank? ―tjrlqhsh: Is this for real? ―Dal Gongpo: Tsk tsk, looks like a broadcasting accident... ―Human Humidifier: What is this... ―Baram Dingjiryu: This is amazing lolol "Jinriya. What are you saying right now?" Unable to bear it any longer, Yona finally broke her silence and revealed herself. "Oh? Yona unni?" "What did you just say? You've been liking the Chief?" Good, the opportunity is here. Deny it. Say it was just a prank to tease me. That way, we can somewhat manage the situation. An astute Riya would surely claim it was a joke, right? However, that rascal who removed the blindfold herself couldn’t even look at Yona and bowed her head like a guilty person. "Yona leader, I really like Chief MyunMyun... truly..." "Riya, let's separate personal from professional matters. We're here to film. The staff are all waiting outside. What are you doing so unprofessionally?" Damn, no way to salvage this now. With Yona adopting a stern approach, I had no choice but to end the live broadcast. Yona pressed on, overwhelmed with frustration. "Riya, were you always this thoughtless? Huh?" Her voice rose significantly. If we're not careful, the fans outside might even hear us. With a pressing gesture, I made a show of trying to calm Yona down. "Yona, lower your voice a bit. Everyone outside can hear." "Huuu..." Yona controlled her emotions with a deep sigh. "Alright, let’s just proceed with the broadcast. Collect yourself and come out to the stage. Be professional before your sister gets seriously disappointed. Got it?" "Yes..." Yona, brushing her hair back with a resigned expression, headed out to the stage first. This is driving me crazy. To think I have to carry out a surprise event in such a situation. The party prepared to boost Riya’s spirits now risks turning into a farcical disaster. "MyunMyun, did I do something wrong?" Riya, intimidated by Yona's scolding, looked to me and asked. The fortunate part is that her previously strained breathing seemed to have returned to normal. "Is your breathing okay now? Not dizzy?" "Yeah. Since removing the blindfold, I feel better. I'm fine." "That's good then. You had me worried." "Is it wrong for me to like MyunMyun?" "It's not wrong. I like Riya too." "As a woman?" Seriously, why is she being so persistent with these questions? It feels like I’m having a conversation with Seowon, not Riya. With a scoff, I responded jokingly. “Ha, what’s with you today? You might really be sick; should we get you checked at a hospital?” "Seems like I have lovesickness." "Yeah, enough nonsense for now. You’re really okay?" "Yeah." "Then let's go. Shoulders back. Be proud. Move, move." "I should put the blindfold back on, right?" "If you feel it's bothersome, don't." "No, I think it's okay." Just then. The quiet atmosphere outside the stage suddenly became restless, followed by shouts from men. “What are you trying to do right now?” “Did you invite the fans just to show off your romance with the manager?” “It’s not like you’re playing a joke on us!” This is a disaster... It seems rumors have already spread among the fans waiting in the audience. Or perhaps one of them was watching our live stream. It barely took two seconds for a few people's anger to escalate into collective rage. “Manager MyunMyun and Alia, come out and explain yourselves!” “Come out!” As if the angry shouts weren’t enough, I could hear the sound of plastic bottles being thrown, causing Riya to flinch in shock. “MyunMyun, what’s this…? Fans are outside?” Sudden shock could lead to acute anemia and cause her to faint. I held her shoulders to calm her. “Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll handle it. You just relax.” I said that in a calm voice, but inside, it felt like swallowing magma; my throat was burning and felt scorched. It’s as if stomach acid was rising. What do I do? What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? Lying by saying it was a joke has gone too far now. I'm worried about the members outside too. Excluding Yona, the other three probably don’t even know what’s going on. At that moment. “Stop! Don’t do it! Aaaah!” That was Yona’s scream. Without a moment to think, my body acted on its own. I ran down the L-shaped corridor and dashed straight onto the stage. However, I couldn't grasp the situation right away. The spotlight was on me, making it impossible to see anything. “Ugh...” Blinded by the glaring light, I shielded my eyes with my arm and turned my head. Huh…? I found a camera lens pointed directly at eye level with me. Uh...? It was a broadcast camera. The person holding it on their shoulder was a male VJ with a very familiar face. His face was close enough that I could somewhat recognize him, and a barely concealed smirk dangled on his lips. He was a VJ from the reality show I did with writer Um Seung-mi. Situation understood. This time, I’ve been caught. It’s the new program by Um Seung-mi’s team. The celebrity-manager observation show, “The Light of Shadow.” So, this situation is a prank cam on Riya disguised as a reverse prank cam on Manager Kim Yunho. “Wow… really! Ugh!” My head tilted back automatically, mixed feelings erupting in a gasp. The primary emotion? Relief. Thank goodness, really thank goodness. Thankful it was a prank. Overwhelming relief! Eup-tarsis! Eup-thigasm! The spotlight turned off, and the main lights on the stag and hall lit up. On the stage stood four kids, and beneath them were humming staff, including writer Um Seung-mi, the PD, and broadcasting staff, while 100 of Riya’s fans in the audience were laughing their heads off at me. “Folks, can you see Manager MyunMyun’s expression? Pwahaha!” Given that Eunbitti captured me with a live cam, it seemed this entire situation was being broadcasted live. And then, I heard a low whisper behind me from that guy’s voice. “Did you fall for it again, Myun-oh?” “Riya, you were in on this too? That today was actually a fan meeting to celebrate your birthday?” “Yep.” “So when you said it was okay that we didn’t prepare any gifts, that was all an act too?” “Of course. Whose birthday did you think it was? If really nothing were prepared, I’d have traveled to Brunei myself.” I should’ve known not to worry about her. *** “Wow, you guys… this was amazing…” “You really didn’t notice?” “Of course not. I planned Riya’s birthday party; how would I suspect anything? What if I hadn’t let anything slip?” “Then Director Yeom would have mentioned it.” “If not, there’s always Jang-woo oppa.” No wonder. The information screen should have alerted about a potential scandal, which seemed odd. Apparently, cameras had been installed along our entire route since we left the office. Everything had been orchestrated by writer Um Seung-mi and her production team, with me dancing in their palm the entire time. They say this custom prank cam was planned from the day I agreed to appear on the show, or perhaps from the moment they decided to recruit us. The experience from a previous reality show where they had figured out the dynamic between the kids and me must’ve informed their approach. Naturally, since it’s an observational variety show, the actual broadcast would package it as a prank orchestrated by the kids rather than the production team. The main PD for “The Light of Shadow” was Jang Seung-ok, famous for a hit travel show centered on celebrities and their families. She envisioned us taking a certain direction going forward: “Not so much a manager and artist relationship, but more like mischievous nieces and nephews pranking and relying on their old bachelor uncle.” She needn't have mentioned it; we’ve lived that dynamic well enough. When it comes to pranks and dependency on me, these kids are world-class. The dream team. “Does it have to include the old bachelor angle though?” “Oh, hahaha. The chief is surprisingly so neat; it's a concern. We wanted the members to provoke that aspect a bit.” “Ah, then you don't have to worry. Teasing me is pretty much their life’s entertainment. They’re practically at the taser level.” “Hahaha! Chief, you have such a way with words. We’re really looking forward to this.” I refrained from saying how it makes me anxious rather than excited. Although there's one thing worth being thankful for. With Riya leading the prank by confessing to me, going forward, any interactions between the members and me that seem romantic in nature can be easily dismissed by viewers and fans as just playful teasing. “They always have fun like that,” or, “It’s all just a joke,” would be typical remarks. Even the fans who joined my previous live broadcast knew it was a prank, not Riya’s genuine confession. All of Upkey Girl’s broadcasts go out on the dedicated MuuzeTV channel, where I, Jang-woo, and all five members are registered as managers. During a secret transmission, Eunbitti logged in to inform viewers, excluding me, about the prank while Riya and I went to the waiting room. The 100 fans who gathered for Riya’s birthday party were initially unaware, but were informed about the filming content upon entering the venue. After the prank, we continued with Riya’s scheduled birthday party fan meeting as planned. Though the surprise element was somewhat lost, Riya, who wasn’t in on the event details, quickly became the focal point, igniting the atmosphere. The event, titled “Riya Reigns Supreme,” lasted for an hour and a half, co-hosted by Eunbitti and Hongi as MCs, and was broadcast live online. Following the adapted song “You Were Born To Be Loved” into “Riya Song,” a healing video dedicated to Riya played on the screen. Like a groom proposing to his bride, snapshots and stills from Upkey Girl’s activities were displayed alongside a soft piano melody, causing the members’ eyes to glisten with emotion. Meanwhile, Riya, the star of the show, was clapping like a happy seal. Towards the end of the four-minute video, congratulatory messages from cast members and staff, along with video letters from the Upkey Girl members and our staff, were shared. While Riya’s potential withdrawal to Brunei was not directly mentioned, the core message pertained to that chapter, and Riya seemed reflective, tears eventually brimming in her eyes. However, the heartfelt moment didn’t last long. All thanks to my video message, designed with Riya’s prank in mind. ―“Hey Riya, greetings from Emperor God MyunMyun. Surprised much? Kukuku. Did you really think we’d let Princess’s birthday pass unnoticed? I was worried you might catch on midway, but it seems you didn’t, so that’s a relief. This must be why pranking is so fun.” I want to strangle that version of me on the screen. Cackles erupted from the audience. I want to punch the wall. ―“You know, I like it best when you’re being Riya. Wherever you are, whatever situation you’re in, I hope you always remain true to yourself. Of course, even if you aren’t quite yourself, we’ll always support and love you. Now, play your role as the youngest, trust your sisters and our company family, and lean on us when times get tough. You get what I mean, right?” Yes. There’ll be no need for leaning. Given she could probably sell her bags and watches to raise a building, well… ―“I love you lots, and thank you for being with us. Happy birthday, our youngest.” Ugh... maybe I should’ve skipped the finger hearts. The kids made me do it, but it was so awkward. My expression looks like a constipated clown, just awkwardly grinning with my mouth... The members were seated in the front row, and I stood at the edge, watching the video, unable to lift my head due to embarrassment. Maybe I should pretend to visit the restroom and hide out at the Mokdong house for a day... While seriously contemplating this escape, a message notification buzzed on my phone. It was from Riya. Al Princess [Our Myun pupper worked so hard with his cuteness today. Alia will remember this and when I turn twenty and those cuffs come off, I’ll give you a special treat. You get what I mean, right?] Honestly. Just what is she planning when she turns twenty? She’s just a little runt, making me unnecessarily anticipate...