I'M A GENIUS IDOL BUT MY PASSIVE IS SUNFISH: Chapter 65

 TL by Miru

I'm a Genius Idol but My Passive is Sunfish: Episode 65

“Uooogh~ Walking Dead?”

Chung tried to mimic a zombie, playing around, but Baekya quickly pulled his arm down.

“Yes, I know it.”

Viva was a first-generation idol group, essentially the foundation of ID. They were legendary in the idol world, with numerous hit songs. “Walking Dead” was one of their lesser-known tracks.

‘Zombies in that era...’

They were ahead of their time. However, among composers, it was often mentioned as a masterpiece.

“I’ve wanted to remake that song for a while. I think these guys could do it justice.”

Daehwan glanced at the chief and Tiger, seeking their approval.

“What do you think?”

Daehwan mentioned that the song was already prepared and only needed some adjustments in the choreography.

“I'll handle the arrangement and production myself, so it counts as a collaboration. Isn't it easier to organize the movements of six people rather than twelve?”

When Daehwan took such a proactive stance, there was usually only one response from those around him.

“Alright, I’ll inform JAMA and the A&R department.”

“You cunning punk, you came here today with this in mind, didn’t you?”

“I’m glad everyone agrees.”

Ignoring Tiger, who was clutching his neck in exasperation, Daehwan smiled at DASE.

“Let’s do our best.”

And thus, DASE’s remake project of a classic song was hastily formed. Leading it was Daehwan, with DASE as his troops. Baekya looked at Daehwan and Tiger in confusion.

‘Is it really okay to decide things so haphazardly?’

While DASE attended the meeting, they had little to no say. The only one who could raise concerns, Namkyung, cautiously raised his hand.

“But will the kids have enough time?”

This was the most critical issue. Year-end stages typically involved modifying the original song to include dance breaks or adding intro stages for a different approach. DASE already had five such stages to prepare, not even including the remake stage, making the schedule tight. But now there was yet another stage not yet included in the count.

“Why is no one considering the special stage…?”

Namkyung flipped through his notebook to find the page with his notes.

“All three broadcasters have requested a member from us.”

K Station was planning a circus-themed ‘Maknae Show’ featuring the youngest members from various groups. This was an easy decision; it had to be Chung.

Moving on quickly, M Station wanted to gather members from groups that debuted this year to cover hit songs by senior artists.

S Station planned a winter song stage with male group members who had made waves with their ending poses this year.

“Chung is confirmed for K Station. We also need to send two more for M and S Station.”

“Oh, right.” The chief clapped his hands briefly and checked his notes. “I wrote it down but forgot.”

“That's something you shouldn't forget...”

Namkyung glanced at his superior with a slightly irreverent look, asking, ‘Wasn’t this the reason they had gathered in the first place?’

“Last year it was Glassy, and this year it's DASE? Those TV station people...”

Tiger, indifferent as it wasn't directly his concern, just wanted the schedule details quickly without getting involved much.

“Is there anyone who wants to participate?”

Namkyung asked the members.

“We don't mind who goes.” Minsung shrugged his shoulders.

“But if it's about members who were popular for their ending poses, isn't it Baekya for us?” Yulmu looked at Baekya. “Wasn't it during ‘No Games’? We made a bet, and you lost, so you did the heart-bite pose. I remember it got a good reaction.”

“It was well received.” Jihan chimed in, agreeing with Yulmu.

“Why is it me again? I remember the ending shots were distributed fairly among all of us.”

Baekya felt he was about to be forced onto the special stage train. Just performing DASE's songs was overwhelming enough, and now having to learn new choreography for two more stages? It was too much. He shook his head vigorously, desperately denying that it should be him.

“Chung! How about Chung? Fans love him just standing there because he looks like a piece of art.”

Traditionally, an 'ending fairy' should exude an aura just by standing there.

Desperate, Baekya immediately suggested Chung the moment their eyes met, forgetting that Chung was already assigned to another broadcast stage.

“Are you trying to kill him, Baekya?”

Minsung gave Baekya a look, questioning his seriousness. Chung, struggling to follow a meeting conducted solely in Korean, had visibly lost focus midway. Hearing only the part where he was supposedly going to die, he perked up.

“I'm going to die? Why?”

“No, it's not that...”

“Is it about the zombie thing earlier?”

“That topic is already over.”

“Then what? Why am I going to die?”

Baekya was dying inside from Chung's endless questioning. Meanwhile, Daehwan, observing silently, asked Baekya in a flat tone.

“Is it because you don't want to do the special stage?”

The sunfish’s heart nearly stopped, almost triggering the warning alert window to appear before his eyes.

“M-me?”

“Yes, it seems that way.”

“That’s not true.”

Though not as legendary as Viva, Daehwan was still a senior figure to DASE within ID. For a rookie who hadn't even debuted for a year, to admit in front of a senior that he didn't want to perform was unthinkable. Especially not to someone like Daehwan, who seemed to have hidden motives. Regardless of the truth, Baekya had to deny it with all his might.

 

[Death from getting on a senior’s bad side!]

 

He could almost see a bad ending if he got caught. Dizzy with anxiety, Baekya stammered his denial with all his might.

“I, I, I definitely want to do it. But we are a group, and... I think other members are more capable than I am—”

However, Baekya's words were cut short.

“That's not true. From what I see, you have your own excellent qualities, Baekya-ssi,” Daehwan said, looking at the other members for agreement.

“Absolutely~ What you say is true,” Yulmu responded, clasping his hands like a sycophant.

“If you want to do it, just do it. Why be concerned about other members?”

“…What?”

“Namkyung hyung, Baekya wants to do it.”

“Really? Then Baekya can go for S station.”

Namkyung looked satisfied, recalling that the stage where Baekya did the viral heart-bite pose was on the S station’s broadcast.

“Now all that's left is M station? If anyone wants to do it, just speak up quickly.”

“No, that's not what I meant...!”

Baekya couldn't let it go like this. As he struggled, looking at Namkyung and the members, Yuyeon, misunderstanding his actions, gently tapped his arm and smiled.

“Is it because you feel sorry? It's okay.”

“…”

Lost for words at the massive misunderstanding, the sunfish stood there, mouth agape.

‘What on earth do they see me as?’

Baekya’s lips moved slightly, his unease visible.

‘I’m telling you, I’m not okay...’

He had no idea how to fix this situation. With a small sigh, Baekya lowered his head. Meanwhile, the discussion about who would take the remaining spot was still ongoing.

‘Looks like today is the day to draw lots.’

Determined to make his move tonight, Baekya lifted his head with resolve.

‘But I can’t be the only one to suffer.’

The root of this mess! He knew he couldn’t outsmart Daehwan, so he reluctantly decided to drag in Yulmu, the one who had mentioned his name and started this whole thing.

‘One way or another, I’ll push Yulmu to take the M stage.’

The sunfish lifted his head with a determined expression.

 

 

* * *

 

 

- There’s talk about AIM and DASE doing something together, probably for a year-end stage.

- JAMA Top 10 & category voting starts now!

- Updated schedule for year-end award shows (schedule summary photo.jpg)

- The 3rd Division Special Stage looks promising. Didn’t quite a few boy groups debut this year? I always find the rookie joint stages the most entertaining, ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

Performing her nightly routine of a quick round on social media and confirming award show votes, Boksoong checked the voting results with a satisfied smile.

Last December 31st, there was a heated debate among fans about whether DASE, who debuted on New Year's Eve, should be eligible for this year’s Rookie of the Year award. However, DASE safely made it to the nominee list and was currently leading in votes.

 

- Vote for the legendary rookies, S.AM!

 

“Huh? The legends are our boys.”

The six-member boy group S.AM, from a mid-sized agency, debuted right after DASE finished their ‘WANT ME’ promotions. Though Boksoong lazily called them “Sam,” their official name was SIX A.M., written as ‘S.AM.’

“Ever since they debuted, it feels like Twitter’s been murky.”

Boksoong dedicated all her daily resettable votes to DASE. She clicked her tongue as she looked at the rookie group ranked second.

“Well, serves them right.”

Even without calculating, it was clear that S.AM’s votes were far behind. DASE had been active for almost a year, while S.AM had been around for barely a month. It seemed unfair to judge them on the same level, but as all rookie awards had been awarded under the same criteria, what could they do?

“If they’re upset, they should complain to T Entertainment, not take it out on DASE.”

They almost lost the Rookie of the Year award to DASE before voting even started.

Boksoong didn’t like the company that desperately wanted to link themselves with DASE, declaring themselves as rivals even before debut, nor did she like the guy named Harang, a member of that group who specifically mentioned wanting to challenge Baekya’s skills in a rookie interview.

“No matter what anyone says, the Rookie of the Year is our Peach’s.”