Little Pink Starfish

The appearance of Sedalbaekil in the promotional ads for Stage Number Zero became quite a hot topic.

People speculated that Sedalbaekil would be participating in Stage Number Zero, and they believed that’s how they were able to appear on SBN’s music shows.

However, over time, opinions shifted.

The more people thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

Was Sedalbaekil the kind of group that needed to appear on an audition program?

When the ads first aired, Sedalbaekil’s only external activity was Color Show.

But what about now?

Even without mentioning music shows, the music video views were insane.

And above all, their album was about to be released.

No matter how they planned to promote the album, appearing on Stage Number Zero right before an album release felt odd.

Eventually, the public interpreted Sedalbaekil’s appearance in the promo as a mere show of support.

-The producers addicted to ratings just used them.

-If Sedalbaekil actually appeared on Stage Number Zero, it’d be cheating lol

-Probably just acquaintances or friends appearing.

Even Sedalbaekil’s comments in the promo sounded like this.

[It’d be great if they do their best.]

[If possible, I hope they win.]

And so time passed, and it was the premiere day of Stage Number Zero.

National audition shows always have a hardcore viewer base, and Stage Number Zero started with pretty solid attention.

-Hey, isn’t that guy from earlier? The one busking in Hongdae?

-Huh? Who’s that?

-The guy who was playing guitar with Han Si-on when Sedalbaekil was busking in Hongdae.

-Ohhh, I saw that video.

-Ah, Nod’s Love On Me?

-Yeah yeah yeah.

-Oh, sounds like him.

-He sings well. Has a nice vibe.

But ultimately, the success of an audition show depends on the contestants’ characters.

The producers anxiously monitored how their chosen (or already favored) contestants were being received.

At the same time…

‘The big one is coming…’

‘Just wait and see…’

They anticipated reactions to Choi Jae-sung’s appearance.

Every show cares, but for audition programs, the first episode is the most crucial.

So the producers boldly moved up Choi Jae-sung’s appearance.

During the 70-minute broadcast, he appeared around the 30-minute mark.

[Hello! I’m Choi Jae-sung.]

It was Choi Jae-sung’s appearance.

-?!?

-Wait, why is Jae-sung there?

-Who is he?

-He’s a Sedalbaekil member lol

-Whoa, really?

-Come on lol, he’s probably just there to support a friend.

But no.

[You may or may not know, but I’m a member of a team called Sedalbaekil.]

-Why’s he talking like it’s some local club lol

-He’s not wrong. It’s just a famous Korean club.

-lol they’re still number one on the charts.

-Whoa, still?

-Yep. Dropped a bit then climbed again after the music shows, climbed again after Masked Singer.

[But my hyungs are really good. Too good, honestly.]

-True. Intro genius, face genius, vocal genius.

-Goo Tae-hwan, Lee Eon, Han Si-on?

-No, Goo Tae-hwan, Lee Eon, On Sae-mi-ro.

-Then what about Han Si-on?

-Han Si-on isn’t even in the same league.

-Dude, they’re in the same group.

-Kinda makes sense.

-lololol

[So I wanted to prove myself as a soloist.]

Then the writer, whose voice was off-screen, asked if it was okay to appear on the show so freely despite being part of Sedalbaekil.

[My hyungs told me to give it a try.]

Choi Jae-sung answered coolly.

-lol seriously sounds like some club alumni lol

-Is Choi Jae-sung good?

-Dunno? He seems to dance okay.

-Isn’t he the one who did the zombie acting in State Of Mind?

-Yeah yeah yeah, that’s him.

-Singing? Eh, seems just average.

-Most idols are like that. Han Si-on and On Sae-mi-ro are exceptions.

But people didn’t have high expectations.

Originally, Choi Jae-sung, along with On Sae-mi-ro, was “that guy” in Sedalbaekil.

In terms of recognition, Goo Tae-hwan was similar, but he had core fans who adored his unique visuals.

So Choi Jae-sung’s position was a bit vague.

Lower tier for both singing and visuals.

But only because the others shined so bright—if he were in any other idol group, he’d be the ace.

Han Si-on knew this, which is why he sent Choi Jae-sung to Stage Number Zero.

If they needed to generate buzz through a program like Stage Number Zero, it could be a chance for Choi Jae-sung.

But Choi Jae-sung had once asked the members:

“Wouldn’t it be better for Sae-mi-ro hyung or Eon hyung to appear instead?”

But Han Si-on had been firm.

“If our members competed fairly in Stage Number Zero, you’d go the farthest.”

“Me? Even more than you?”

“Yeah, well, excluding me.”

Choi Jae-sung knew Han Si-on didn’t say things lightly.

So that was probably sincere, but honestly, it didn’t fully register with him.

Unlike On Sae-mi-ro, Choi Jae-sung wasn’t the type to overthink or question endlessly.

If he couldn’t make up his mind, he just dove in.

That’s why he’d run away from home to become an idol.

Choi Jae-sung just sang.

Before producers who only saw him as a ratings booster.

Before judges giving him ambiguous looks.

Before viewers at home who had no particular expectations.

And then.

-????

-Wait, he’s really good;

-Whoa, isn’t he on par with Oh Jae-hyung or Lee Hyun-wook?

-One performance and you’re saying that?

-But thinking about On Sae-mi-ro, it’s not impossible lol

-If not for Masked Singer, saying On Sae-mi-ro > Lee Hyun-wook would’ve gotten you flamed.

-True lol

-Wow, seriously good.

-Damn that Hip-Si-on bastard. His eye for talent is legit lol

-Didn’t Han Si-on pick the members?

-Han Si-on would kick you out in a heartbeat if you weren’t good lol

The public cheered.

Afterward, Sedalbaekil appeared in the program too.

They were shown supporting Choi Jae-sung—the same scene shown in the promos.

[Sedalbaekil appears on Stage Number Zero?]

[Sedalbaekil member challenges Stage Number Zero.]

Clickbait articles without specifying the subject flooded the real-time news.

Only Han Si-on knew that Stage Number Zero was always going to succeed anyway.

But the media loved to exaggerate.

After the show ended, more articles came pouring out.

This time, all centered on Choi Jae-sung.

[Stage Number Zero starts strong at 4.2%.]

[Shock appearance by Sedalbaekil reaches 5.1% peak.]

[Is Sedalbaekil’s Choi Jae-sung the key man of Stage Number Zero?]

-Who the hell are Sedalbaekil? Why is this guy so good too?

-Looks like Han Si-on’s the real villain here.

-Suddenly?

-On Sae-mi-ro and Choi Jae-sung sing this well, but they’re overshadowed because of Han Si-on.

-As a Hip-Si-on fan, I can’t deny that logic.

-Now that you mention it lol. Except for Goo Tae-hwan who always gets the intro, everyone else gets compared to Han Si-on lol

-My mom watched the show and said she wants Choi Jae-sung as her son-in-law lol

-We should hear Jae-sung’s opinion too.

-Surprisingly, my mom has three sons.

-;; Yeah, we definitely need more context.

While On Sae-mi-ro and Choi Jae-sung were driving the buzz, Sedalbaekil uploaded new content on their YouTube channel for the first time in a while.

[State Of Mind MV┃ Sedalbaekil’s Complete Breakdown!]

Because of Han Si-on’s parents’ issue, the MV hadn’t fully capitalized on its momentum, but it was still steadily racking up views as a well-made video.

Naturally, there was much discussion about its meaning.

[The masks symbolize artificiality and anonymity—a device to hide one’s true self.]

[When someone lives by pure instinct, they inevitably disappear from their societal position.]

[Thus, when people with differing ideologies see each other’s bare faces, they either destroy each other or, like Choi Jae-sung’s faction, lose control.]

Han Si-on’s interpretation aligned with the mainstream analysis.

What surprised people were the detailed elements incorporated to convey those meanings.

[If you look at the arrowheads of the hunters here, you’ll see they’re coated with green poison. Green often symbolizes money.]

[They represent predatory capitalism. And if you closely examine where they gather…]

-When artists direct their own MVs, it usually comes off as cringey lol

-Yeah lol, they get slammed and hand it off to professionals after that.

-Han Si-on wrote the entire storyboard and script?

[For those curious about Lee Eon’s setting…]

They even addressed the intro that Titi was most curious about.

At the beginning of the MV, it looks like Lee Eon deliberately triggers events during the festival.

But he quickly regains composure and advises the members to focus on their state of mind.

At the final clearing, Lee Eon was the first to remove his mask, risking danger.

Titi speculated that this continued from Coming Up Next’s setup.

In Coming Up Next, Lee Eon’s pocket watch was a different color.

This was because he secretly wanted to monopolize time travel, making him a hidden villain.

This setup was originally added because Lee Eon’s tone didn’t blend well with the others.

But now it’s different.

Through intense effort, Lee Eon became Han Si-on’s instrument. He might not have a lot of parts, but he was used at key moments.

Thus, the new setting was…

[He has two personalities.]

However, Sedalbaekil didn’t elaborate much here.

They said they’d explain it in future content.

With the content ending, Titi was satisfied.

Partly with the content itself, but more with the public reaction.

There weren’t many talking about Han Si-on’s parents anymore.

Instead, most real-time chats were about On Sae-mi-ro’s Masked Singer appearance or Choi Jae-sung’s Stage Number Zero.

Now all that remained…

‘The album release.’

‘If this blows up, their popularity and value will skyrocket!’

Today was Saturday.

Tomorrow was Sunday.

At midnight between Sunday and Monday, Sedalbaekil’s first full album, The First Day, would drop on music platforms.

-Wonder what our boys are up to right now.

-Normally they’d be doing interviews, photoshoots, variety promos…

-Sedalbaekil’s probably just playing together lol. Probably making music.

-Right lol. But I’m kinda used to it now, and I like it.

-It feels distinct.

Fans were curious what Sedalbaekil was doing a day before the album release.

They chatted on the official site, and Choi Jae-sung even posted a photo of the dorm.

-But where’s Si-on? He’s not in the photo!

[Si-on hyung went out for a bit! He’ll be back soon!]

Choi Jae-sung said so, but…

Han Si-on hadn’t gone out for something casual.

“It’s been a while.”

“…Sit.”

Han Si-on was in the CEO’s office at Lion Entertainment.

Alone with Choi Dae-ho.

And this meeting had been arranged by Choi Dae-ho himself.