Little Pink Starfish

Unlike Korea, the United States doesn’t have music shows.

Of course, there are channels that specialize in music, like MTV or MUCH MUSIC.

But considering the nature of Korean music programs, famous talk shows or morning shows like GMA, or radio broadcasts, serve a more similar role.

However, there is almost no place for rookies in these programs.

Because it’s related to ratings, already famous people appear.

That’s why the Color Show was special.

It was content watched by many in the Western world, and it rarely allowed rookies to appear.

Of course, looking at the lineup, famous singers made up more than 70%, but even 30% was a huge figure.

Some Koreans who enjoyed overseas pop discovered new artists through the Color Show.

For Sedalbaekil to appear on such a Color Show was astonishing.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ wow, I can’t even say they’re appearing thanks to marketing.

-Why? It could just be marketing.

-They don’t even have a companyㅋㅋㅋㅋ what marketingㅋㅋㅋ

-Are they that good? How did they even get confirmed?

-Any Sedalbaekil fans here???

-Would there be idol fans in a foreign pop board

-ㅅㅂ I’m too curious. I’m going to join the fan club.

-ㄱㄱ if you pull a good photocard, you’ll earn back the membership fee.

-What does that mean?

-(link) If you pull 1997 or a special cut, don’t throw it away.

-This guy suspiciously knows a lot.

-Aren’t you already a fan club member?

-No… I’m just a music major who confessed to his crush with a photocard and got rejected….

-Aaaah….

-Cease fire, he’s an ally!

-Still, I like Sedalbaekil… they’re good… fan club activities are fun… the official site is well made….

-Don’t cry, just tell us.

Thanks to this, the ripple effect was significant.

One of the most effective marketing techniques many companies choose is awareness marketing.

When a famous person uses something, people think it must be good.

Sedalbaekil’s path was similar.

Since a famous content picked them, people naturally thought they must be good singers.

Even those who first heard of the Color Show found this convincing.

Looking at the artists who had appeared so far on the Color Show channel, the lineup was impressive.

While the general public focused on Sedalbaekil’s achievements, those living in idol culture saw things differently.

-Suspect they released it to match the Take Scene teaser, no?

-Feels like it. The Take Scene teaser got totally buried.

-So petty….

-Isn’t that overanalyzing?

-But the upload time matches exactly to the minute;

-It was obvious they’d drop the Lion teaser.

They figured out Sedalbaekil’s intention.

People in the showbiz industry thought the same.

“Why is it such a fierce battle between Lion and Sedalbaekil?”

“Exactly. CEO Choi is going to feel embarrassed.”

“Wow, but these guys are blessed. The timing of releases from the manipulation scandal to the Color Show is perfect.”

“Choi Daeho must be frustrated.”

But what they didn’t know was that it wasn’t luck.

It was Han Siwon’s doing.

Meanwhile, Lion Entertainment mobilized their PR team, desperately trying to create buzz for Take Scene.

But Sedalbaekil’s self-produced content completely buried it.

[Sedalbaekil Independence Journal Episode 3 ┃ Fanclub, Fan Kit, Color Show Behind-the-Scenes?! (Feat. Chris Edwards)]

Compared to Episode 1, which hit nearly ten million views thanks to Downfall Detector and Drop Out, Episode 2 didn’t generate much buzz.

But Episode 3 blew up again.

With public curiosity pouring in, views skyrocketed.

The episode followed the timeline faithfully.

First, the members discussed functions for the website and picked goods for the fan kit.

During this, Han Siwon got rejected for choosing a CD player.

-He was like this in Downfall Detector too, why’s he so serious about albums?

-What else would an indie band be serious about besides albumsㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Right. They were an indie bandㅋㅋㅋ

-Confusing.

-When’s the Color Show story coming?

Next was the photoshoot, where they picked outfits for the special cut with a 0.1% chance.

[Let’s strip boldly.]

[……Are you crazy?]

[You’ve been working out hard lately.]

Han Siwon tried to take off Lee Ion’s shirt but was stopped by the members.

Then it was Choi Jaesung’s turn to pick Han Siwon’s outfit.

[Ion hyung, should I get revenge for you?]

[Revenge?]

[I know what would make Siwon hyung the most uncomfortable. Oh, but not just for revenge. The fans will love it.]

[You… what are you trying to do?]

The screen shifted behind Han Siwon’s uneasy face, revealing the outfit.

A ridiculously cute animal onesie.

With cat ears.

Han Siwon, whose expression rarely changed, was visibly embarrassed.

Even his speech slowed.

[This… isn’t this… not suitable for me?]

[We agreed the members would choose.]

[My choice got rejected.]

[You didn’t choose; you tried to strip him.]

[Pick something else.]

[Nop.]

[I’ll give you a solo song. A really (edited) good one.]

The edited part had cut out his desperate plea: ‘So good it’ll make Drop Out or NOP’s songs seem like trash.’

Watching Han Siwon flustered was fun, but that line could’ve caused trouble.

Normally, such content appeals to fandoms but not the general public.

However, since Han Siwon was genuinely embarrassed, it felt like a variety show punishment costume.

The general public enjoyed it too.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ you can see Hip Siwon trying to suppress his rebellious instinctsㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Look at how embarrassed he isㅋㅋㅋ

-The members are loving itㅋㅋㅋ must’ve had a lot bottled up

-I’m a guy but I kind of like these guys nowㅋㅋㅋ

-This is the healthiest Han Siwon has ever looked. Look at his facial blood circulation.

Then an ad break rolled in behind Han Siwon’s flustered face.

Sedalbaekil Independence Journal’s soulless ads had become a meme.

Episode 1 advertised water and air. Episode 2 advertised light that brightens the world and vivid sound.

In other words, no product placements.

But Episode 3 was different.

-Oh!!!!!!!! PPL!!

-What is it?

-Proteinㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-The fitness market’s booming.

-Come to think of it, Sedalbaekil’s bodies are nice. They seem to work out a lot.

-Han Siwon’s shoulders are getting broader.

-If you’re that good-looking, don’t work outㅡㅡ

-Yeah. Thinking about it pisses me off.

Surprisingly, the PPL had great authenticity.

They weren’t acting; they genuinely pushed themselves to the limit during workouts, then drank protein shakes.

And they showed body composition changes.

From the beginning, under Han Siwon’s guidance, they had been taking that product since starting workouts. The company only came in afterward.

The actual drink scene was filmed recently, but Sedalbaekil’s muscle gain genuinely involved that product.

This was also shown in subtitles.

-Watching these perfect guys work out while grabbing my belly fat. Damn, the self-loathing.

-Want to be like us? You can do it! Try XI Protein Booster!

-Get lostㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Want your fat to get lost? You can do it! XI Protein Booster!

Thanks to the Color Show buzz, Sedalbaekil’s self-produced content had a high percentage of general public viewers.

So the live chat mixed fandom and general reactions in a confusing blend.

Advertisers naturally started paying attention.

After that came a Q&A session with questions from the official site, and finally the Color Show story.

It began with Han Siwon receiving a call from Chris Edwards.

-Wow, Edwards’ attitude in Coming Up Next must’ve been real.

-They were still in contact??

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ God Siwon is truly a geniusㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

There was dramatization.

Eddie, seeing slight interest from Color Show staff, advised them to create a portfolio.

Han Siwon quickly made a song, and Sedalbaekil started practicing immediately.

Their speed startled even viewers.

It wasn’t a “let’s try and give up if it doesn’t work” attitude.

It was as if this was their final chance.

Even though nothing was confirmed, they didn’t hesitate.

There was determination and desperation.

The chat slowed, but not in a bad way.

Watching someone so focused is attractive.

People stared in a trance.

-Wow… they’re working so hard.

-Though we know the outcome, at this point nothing was decided.

-Look at their determination.

Because of the slower chat, hate comments stood out more.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ since they have no schedules, this is all they can do~

-No one’s calling them, so they have plenty of timeㅋㅋㅋ

But no one was swayed.

That level of effort wasn’t something you could mock.

-Have you ever tried that hard at anything besides writing hate comments?

That’s why, when Sedalbaekil finally got picked for the Color Show, the viewers felt vicarious satisfaction.

The idea that hard work pays off may be hollow, but people still want to believe it.

-ㅊㅋㅊㅋㅊㅋ

-When will the Color Show be released?

-Depends on the scheduleㅋㅋㅋ sometimes no teaser at all.

-Hope it comes out soonㅋㅋㅋ

-Not the final version, but the song sounds good.

After the preview stream ended, tons of articles came out.

Journalists wrote as if the Color Show was as prestigious as Billboard or the Grammys, painting Sedalbaekil as elevating Korea’s music status.

The Color Show wasn’t that prestigious, but it didn’t matter.

National pride always sells.

Some reporters even desperately sought exclusive interviews.

But it was pointless.

Sedalbaekil was in America.

---

Paul, chief manager of Colors Media, rarely visited filming sites.

Selecting musicians, deciding concepts, scheduling — those were the editor team’s job. Filming was the media team’s.

But he visited Sedalbaekil’s shoot.

Because he was curious.

What kind of presence would these five boys from Asia show?

Were their skills real or fabricated?

They were real.

“Thank you for today.”

After finishing in two takes, they greeted every staff member.

These kids were the real deal.

Soon, they would be playing in the big leagues.