Little Pink Starfish

Most people judge most situations based on their own standards.

This applies even when they witness something greater than they can personally measure.

So the public’s evaluation of the singer “Han Si-on” was inevitably an understatement.

Since his appearance on Coming Up Next, Han Si-on had never failed even once.

Every song he composed was excellent, every song he sang was superb, and every performance he delivered was polished.

But no one thought, “Han Si-on is the best musician in the world.”

Not even his fans.

There are countless singers who climb the Billboard charts like a neighborhood hill and artists who sell albums in quantities unimaginable in Korea.

Thus, Han Si-on’s talent was evaluated as “the best among idols.”

Or “the best among young singers.”

It was in this context that The First Day was released.

The success of the album itself wasn’t surprising.

The fact that it surpassed a million sales in an instant was shocking, but few had expected Sedalbaekil’s album to fail.

What astonished the public was the process of making the album.

Han Si-on had a chance to present his music to masters through Chris Edwards, and surprisingly, all of them liked Han Si-on’s music.

They composed using Han Si-on’s material, and Han Si-on rearranged those compositions to fit Sedalbaekil.

The result was Sedalbaekil’s first full album, TFD.

At this point, the public began to upgrade their evaluation of Han Si-on.

They realized Han Si-on was far more talented than they had imagined.

However…

Even this evaluation was still based on the public’s standards.

The truth was different.

Han Si-on possessed talent and capabilities beyond public comprehension.

He was inherently gifted (even though he believed he had little talent in his first life), and he cultivated that talent within a closed timeline.

It wasn’t sweet or enjoyable, but no one had poured more time into music than Han Si-on.

Thus, Han Si-on’s ability at this moment was the best in the world, and among the greatest in all of pop music history.

But even if Han Si-on continued succeeding from here, it would take a very long time for public opinion to catch up to his actual skill.

At least ten years.

This was partly due to the public’s bias toward idols as of 2017.

The shadow of first-generation idols who prioritized appearance and charm over skill still lingered before the pandemic.

But now.

-Wait;;; is this for real?

-Seriously? They actually landed the ad?

-Is this a joke?

-Han Si-on’s not crazy enough to lie about this. It’ll be exposed within a year.

-Right? Then they really landed the ad…

-It’s not Apple Korea but global Apple, right?

-Apple Korea doesn’t have an I Branding team; that’s a headquarters team responsible for branding products they make.

-I’m experiencing severe cognitive dissonance right now.

-Why is everyone so surprised? Isn’t Han Si-on skilled enough to make ad music?

-It’s not about skill, it’s about intent. The music was made specifically to land the ad. And they actually did.

-Exactly; it’s not like the song happened to be chosen by coincidence—it was deliberately made to secure the contract.

-Wow, I already thought Han Si-on was insanely talented, but at this level, isn’t he the best in Korea?

-In terms of composing, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

Ironically, it was one company that finally gave the public a glimpse of Han Si-on’s true abilities.

Apple, the company with the world’s most loyal product fanbase.

Naturally, Self Made’s buzz skyrocketed.

Or more precisely, Self Made was being swallowed up by Han Si-on’s buzz.

The rewatch ratings inside M Show were shocking, and VOD purchase rates were through the roof.

“Huh, wow.”

The variety show director who had partnered with Kang Seok-woo during Coming Up Next chuckled at the data flooding in.

The director’s reason for laughing was simple.

Coming Up Next came to mind.

Coming Up Next was never meant to make Sedalbaekil the protagonist.

Take Scene was supposed to be the lead, with Sedalbaekil supporting them to highlight the main act.

But if the supporting cast was too weak, the spotlight on the lead would dim, so Sedalbaekil was given a bit of strength.

Han Si-on took that tiny bit of strength and devoured the entire program.

What else could explain how a show that would’ve been considered a success at 3% viewership hit nearly 20%?

It was thanks to Han Si-on.

Back then, it was a headache and even led to internal factional fights within M Show.

But now things were different.

Self Made was a show with Sedalbaekil as the protagonists, and the bigger the buzz, the better.

Yet this buzz was enormous—far too enormous.

As evidenced by how the director, even after being briefed, kept asking Kang Seok-woo if they had truly landed the ad contract.

After checking California’s time zone, the director picked up his smartphone.

Then he called Kang Seok-woo.

After a few rings, the call connected.

[Yes, sir.]

Since joining the political faction, Kang Seok-woo now referred to him as “senior” instead of “director.”

But this was the one time where that title felt wonderful.

Sedalbaekil had chosen M Show not because of M Show itself but because of Kang Seok-woo.

In other words, the group shaking up Korea was close with Kang Seok-woo, and Kang Seok-woo was close with him.

That counted as connections in the broadcast world.

“Seok-woo, you must be busy so I’ll keep it short.”

[Yes.]

“Film everything you can while you’re in America. Don’t worry about budget. Spend what you need, I’ll approve everything afterward.”

[Hmm…]

“Don’t worry about the format either. Extend Season 2 to 10 episodes if you want. Or go to Spain and film Season 3 if Sedalbaekil agrees.”

Every journalist in Korea was looking for Sedalbaekil, but they were currently filming Self Made Season 2 with M Show.

That fact alone was already tremendous advertising.

But what if they delayed their return?

With no sources for reporters while public curiosity peaked, all content would funnel into M Show’s variety show.

The director was even tempted to let them film until Season 5.

“You don’t need to read into my words or be cautious. I’m being 100% sincere—use the budget freely.”

As the director finished his desperate plea for Sedalbaekil to spend M Show’s money, Kang Seok-woo spoke up.

[Um, senior.]

“Yes?”

[Sedalbaekil wants to return to Korea tomorrow…]

“What?! Why?!”

In the director’s memory, Season 2 filming had been scheduled with some flexibility.

Since Sedalbaekil had earned a lot, there was a vacation aspect, and the format was relaxed.

While he didn’t know the exact schedule, they were supposed to stay in the U.S. for at least another week or two.

But Kang Seok-woo’s next words shocked him.

“Are you sure? How’s the footage?”

[As always. Perfect.]

“Ha. They really are monsters.”

After a brief silence, the director spoke.

“Let’s have a meeting with Sedalbaekil as soon as they return.”

[For what purpose?]

In show business, people with great popularity are called stars.

But when you think about it, the word “star” is incredibly grand.

It means an actual star—a celestial body.

Yet it feels appropriate because true stars have that level of influence.

Not just a fancy title given to anyone, but real stars.

To the director, Sedalbaekil were real stars.

So he reached his conclusion.

“We don’t propose what we want. We should ask what they want to propose.”

Thanks to Kang Seok-woo, M Show would always be the first to know Sedalbaekil’s plans.

So they had to ride the mainstream wave.

The director grinned.

Not long ago, Sedalbaekil had been pressured by the mainstream. Now they were the mainstream.

[I’ll relay the message.]

“Good, I’m counting on you.”

The director hung up and began pondering just how much M Show could offer Sedalbaekil.

---

Sedalbaekil’s return to Korea was quiet.

Not intentionally, but the earlier-than-expected return confused those tracking their schedule.

After all, people who were supposed to be in America suddenly showed up at Incheon Airport.

Upon returning, Sedalbaekil stayed inactive for about four days.

The members wanted to livestream and share stories about their U.S. trip, but M Show begged them not to.

They asked if they could pretend to still be in America until Self Made Season 1 Episode 4 aired.

That’s how immense Sedalbaekil’s popularity was right now.

Even OTT platforms competing with cable variety shows were bending over backwards to distribute Self Madesimultaneously.

M Show had even aired a six-hour marathon of Episodes 1 through 3 on weekdays, and the ratings were astounding.

So from the channel’s perspective, it was a hundred times more profitable for Episode 4 to air before the members did any livestreams.

Of course, Sedalbaekil didn’t particularly care about M Show’s success…

“Seriously, they’re going this far?”

“The director’s in a frenzy.”

“At this rate, we might as well call them M Show’s golden boys.”

Hearing M Show’s proposal, the members nodded.

Thus, they stayed hidden for four days, but it wasn’t all rest.

“Lee I-on, Goo Tae-hwan.”

“Our turn?”

“Yes.”

They were still recording and working with Han Si-on.

Those four days flew by, and finally, Episode 4, the conclusion of Season 1, aired.

---

Episode 4 began with a solo scene of Han Si-on.

In front of the camera, he smiled while tweaking the songs the members had made.

This was a flashback from before he received Apple’s contract.

[They turned out well, right? I’m even more pleased than I expected.]

The viewers didn’t know, but it was extremely rare for results to exceed Han Si-on’s expectations.

His assessments of singers and songs were almost never wrong.

That meant Sedalbaekil’s members had grown significantly.

While showing off the finished songs, Han Si-on suddenly opened Google Maps and entered street view.

[This is Apple’s headquarters. I’m going to email every café owner in this area.]

[I’m even considering sending someone to the U.S. or going myself.]

[I want to take this great result the members produced and give it a shot.]

Han Si-on started writing emails and making phone calls.

Of course, most were ignored, and his plan failed.

But Han Si-on was unfazed.

[I’ll call again tomorrow.]

The opening of Episode 4 tackled the question viewers were dying to know:

How exactly did they land the ad deal?

But no one could have imagined this approach.