Actually, I expected that the preparation for the second album would go smoothly.

It was because the company staff, who had tasted hell while preparing for the debut album, tried to start preparing for the next album early.

We have almost filled the candidates for the songs, and within this pool, we plan to select and organize them according to the album concept. The rest will be taken out or dropped into the next album.

Yes.

The only problem was that the director couldnt abandon the self-made concept.

Since we have plenty of time this time, please discuss the title track thoroughly and tell us.

Thank you.

All right!

This time, he passionately delayed the production of the title track.

Is it caused by the success of the debut album?

It was clear that he thought his ideas worked well in the entertainment industry.

But it was fortunate that we had plenty of time this time. The deadline was set for more than two months, and the song was almost already out.

Thanks to that, the members complexion looked good.

Lets pick a good song this time, too.

Im already looking forward to Raebins arrangement.

Thank you.

Even if the concept was still undecided and we had to pick three songs out of twenty songs for the title track, a hopeful atmosphere was created.

However, after a few days, I came to think that self-production was better.

* * *

A collab?

Yes, that!

I thought it was weird from the moment the director suddenly call us, but I didnt know such a bomb would come out.

What May I ask what kind of collaboration youre talking about?

Now, look.

The director held out a document with a confident look.

The big letters caught my eye first.

[New business proposal]

[Mobile game]

[T1 Place Co., Ltd.]

?

Its a game developed by a start-up that T1 acquired as an affiliate, and I think it fits just right. The timing is perfect. If they collaborate with our Testar, you can see that there will be synergy. Yeah? Its a game, so its easy to grasp the concept, isnt it nice?

Pouring out one line after another, the director added the last sentence with a pleased face.

This is the internal document, I show it to you because I believe in our Testar. Stop talking, just look here.

That kind of thing didnt f*cking matter anyway.

Mobile games?

Please, I wished someone would tell me it was a dream.

From next to me, Ryu Chungwoo asked back in a voice as calm as possible. It seemed he was less shocked because he wasnt familiar with mobile games.

By any chance, what kind of collaboration do you have in mind?

Now, think about it. Youre going to make a comeback together with the release of the game. And if you go with the image that promotes each other, the interest will double, right?

I didnt know where this dogsh*t idea came from. Does his pituitary produce saliva instead of hormones?

What are you expecting from a mobile game

Or did he get favors from that side?

No, unless you were an advertising model, very few people would welcome the release of an idol album that was deeply intertwined like this.

Because it will eat up the idol image.

If the game were to be released in two months, it would already be almost finished, then they were going to insert content promoting unfamiliar idols? It was a perfect mess.

If they push this from that side, it means theyre really trying to get money from Testars fans and resigned to it

The future of Testars brand image was as good as dead.

Mass-produced sh*t game meme will stick.

No, how could you ask us to add game promotion content to the album in the first place?

A mobile game at that too.

I didnt know if the director was being tricked or pressured. Either way, we were f*cked. It felt like this bastard was just making lame attempts.

Ive set up a meeting with them on Friday afternoon., so prepare yourself.

Director, is it already decided?

Ive already told everything to the higher-ups, so Ive got it all sorted out. Our Testar just has to work hard.

I understand.

It was a confirmed kill. This meant that even if we said we wouldnt do it, we would only have an emotional fight with the company and suck it up.

Its real sh*t

Should I prepare the next album in advance and get a confirmation? It was driving me crazy.

On my way out after the meeting with the director. I checked to see if anyone had a good understanding of the situation.

Except for the two Lee Sejin, theyre all wiped out.

I could understand Keun Sejin, but Lee Sejin was unexpected.

Do you have a hobby of playing games?

Anyway, the other fours moods were, Im a bit taken aback, but Ill try my best.

It seemed they had anticipated similar hardships as the debut album. Lets just leave it alone for now.

Theyll notice it if we go to the meeting on Friday anyway.

At that moment, Keun Sejin tapped my elbow from next to me.

Hey, what do you think?

Were screwed.

Haha.

Keun Sejin laughed slowly, and eventually, an annoyed look passed across his face.

This time, its for real. Right? Its not something that can be solved with effort.

Youre right.

Its too much, really

Keun Sejin tried to say something, but he just shut his mouth, realizing that his voice had gotten a little louder.

Its a wise choice.

I checked Lee Sejins reaction instead. Lee Sejin was walking with a pale face.

Is it because of the situation? It was a distressed look that I had never seen before even during <Idol Inc.>.

Sure enough, Cha Eugene, who was right next to him, slapped Lee Sejin on the back.

Hyung! Are you sick?

! No, I am fine.

Easy for him to say.

Should I dig it up?

I pondered for a moment, then I gave up. He wasnt a kid, he could take care of it.

Right now Coming up with a solution to this damn situation was more urgent.

With one bonus track, use it as the games theme song

It wouldnt work for the director. Damn it.

I racked my brain all the way back to the dorm, but couldnt find any solution (of course).

However, at that moment, the game collaboration grew like a snowball due to another unexpected accident.

It wasnt just Testar who was divided by this.

* * *

The first time it happened, T1 Stars Ent was finally registered on Job Universe and was able to write company reviews.

Having left the company after getting burnout during the debut album preparation, several staff members wrote scathing reviews.

[Pros: The singers work hard, the food is delicious.]

[Cons: Unsystematic structure, the stupid mess from the higher-ups who have no entertainment experience, and unreasonable schedules that erase work-life balance.]

[Overall rating: Only those who move to another company will survive. I hope the singers will change company too.]

This was the most recent review. One star.

Since the review of the employees from famous agencies received quite a bit of attention, this screenshot was also passed around in various communities.

They change people too in here I think its rather severe because its an affiliate of a large company, its like they keep installing stupid people above me

Save Testar

Huft I can only sigh

The fans didnt do that all-out attack for no reason

Isnt that the reason why the work-life balance is gone?

Theres no mention of the fans here, so why do you keep thinking about them?

Theyre suddenly grabbing the fans hair;;

You guys are like this, thats why it wasnt written down

Because Testars debut activity was successful, everyone was rather talkative.

And this screenshot even entered the anonymous web portal for office workers.

[Entertainment must be really hard]: I am looking into changing jobs because I am interested, but Im scared. I dont have a relative in that field so its going to be hard What are the opinions of people who actually go there? (screenshot) @Entertainment

To be honest, its not something I would do with this salary (MS Entertainment)

Its the same everywhere (LeTi Entertainment)

They give me just enough to keep me from starving to death, but the work is worth it. But this also feels stupid (Treasure Entertainment)

Somehow, the lamentations continued. However, just before this article disappeared from the front page, the person in question suddenly appeared.

Our company. Never come here, stay (T1 Stars Entertainment)

Heol, you made it

Was it really difficult?

Yes (T1 Stars Entertainment)

Aigoo

Tell me everything

The short and bold answer contained a lot.

People hung around and asked questions, and eventually, the employee was angry and spilled a lot of things.

First of all, there are a lot of weird people at the top. Ive met all kinds of people, but it was the first time I met someone that weird. He almost ruined the debut album. How could he come up with such a weird concept

He was going to bring in something weird, but it was already confirmed so I thought I had to do it To be honest, I feel sorry for the singers

Though it was nice to see, I felt bad seeing them going through so much trouble trying to convince the higher-ups during their debut I felt so bad for them. Running around here

Everyones thinking the same thing, so I dont think anyone will figure out who said this at least I am so pissed off, Ill just stop here. Never move to our company! (T1 Stars Entertainment)

Soon after, this comment was deleted after it was posted on the Hot article, but this time, the screenshot remained and was passed around.

Naturally, the fans who were waiting for the next album with excitement suddenly felt like being doused in cold water.

What are they saying?

Is this real?

Its legit, its a site where you need to verify with your company mail.

Ah Im going crazy

Fans who were suddenly in pain rushed to watch the second episode of the reality show.

And they started to get a strange feeling from the second episode and its behind-the-scenes videos that looked like a heartwarming production journal filled with passion.

On the reality show, did the higher-ups try to bring in something weird and the kids tried to convince them with a presentation?

It seems the guy who brought it is the director. The man sitting in the middle. They were doing the presentation while looking at him.

Looking at it, they left the title track Magical Boy to the kids while the company worked on the High-Five. But Raebin was involved in the High-Fives arrangement.

It seemed they really persuaded the higher-ups for High-Five

Then, they reworked both songs from this point on? Less than a month left?

The kids did two songs, including the concept, music video, and choreography, within a month? Are they out of their mind? Did they let the kids sleep?

When I thought it was just Magical Boy, I was mad, but now I was twice as madAh

The fans who were on fire soon had chills running down their spine due to worries about the future.

The commenter said hes bringing in a weird concept this time too, but its already confirmed.

Ah, no way

Sigh.

Please give the kids plenty of time and let them do it.

Frightened fans called and e-mailed the company. The question was, There is a talk on the Internet that the concept of Testars 2nd album, which just start being prepared recently, has already been decided. Is it true?

At first, a consistent answer came back as if they had run an answering machine, but soon, the content and format became more polite in response to the quantity that poured out.

[This is T1 Stars Entertainment.

First of all, we would like to apologize for not being able to answer your inquiry because it is a confidential matter within the company.

However, we are preparing a lot of things for Testars new album, and we respect the artists opinion]

Of course, it wasnt reassuring. If the album concept was undecided or Testar took charge of it, that part would have already been confirmed.

I guess the content of the screenshot is correct

Ah what should I do

Give the company to Testa, thatd be better

Fans eventually started taking a bit more extreme action.

Kwak Shinkyun is the director that came out on the reality show, right? I think youll get feedback if you go directly to that person.

And this choice produced tremendous results.