The number one playboy on the Peninsula!

Chapter 291 The Million Dollar Poster (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Ding Ding Dong~"

At 11:30 p.m., several empty Heineken beer cans were "standing" on the bedroom desk. Gong Cheng got up and opened the curtains on the balcony to ensure that the morning sun would shine into the bedroom bed as soon as it rose, to air it out and kill germs...

He had two guitars of different colors. One was brown, which he used often, and the other was a birthday gift he gave to Son Chae-young, with a sea-blue soundboard.

He put the two guitars into their cases and placed them in a dark spot in the bedroom, one large and one small, right next to each other.

Afterwards, Gong Cheng went to the bathroom to wash his face, picked up the paper he had just written on from his desk, and placed the words "The Only One" at the very top of the white paper, like the title of an essay, which was very eye-catching. He folded it a few times and stuffed the paper into his pocket.

Some things, as they're written, become melodies, lyrics...

"..."

Going downstairs, Gong Cheng took a walk alone in the sweltering night.

He had been drinking and couldn't drive, even though his mind was perfectly clear. So clear that every moment with Little Tiger seemed to flash before his eyes frame by frame. A rebellious girl with a distinct personality, whom he had bribed and slept with after giving her a set of temporary tattoos when they first met.

It happened logically, and incredibly fast.

Many wonderful firsts faded into the distance, gradually becoming shrouded in darkness in that dormitory room—Little Tiger's first time, his first time with Little Tiger… She accompanied him in doing many crazy things, stealing Mina's nightgown, rolling around on the sofa, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the study, in the car…

The girl who clamored to learn tattooing in 17 and got tattoos on her body seems to have something to say tonight, but hesitates and remains ambiguous.

Gong Cheng stood under the streetlights. The street was dimly lit and there weren't many pedestrians. He hailed a taxi, got in, and headed to JYP.

"..."

Looking at the reflection outside the window, Gong Cheng's thoughts were racing. He and Son Chae-young had been dating for a long time, and they had argued before. She was a straightforward person and would say whatever she thought, just like when Park Ji-hyo was caught dating.

She openly told herself that she wanted to go public and that she wanted to offer her blessings.

But the next day, she told herself again that she didn't want to go public, fearing it would affect the group and herself.

You never know what she's thinking next. Just like Gong Cheng, who has been thinking about it for a long time but still can't figure out why he only said half of what he was going to say...

"..."

After getting out of the taxi, Gong Cheng looked up at the JYP building, which was over ten stories high. Many departments still had their lights on. Recently, his new album and world tour, as well as TWICE's comeback and the debut project of the new girl group, were being executed intensively...

Upon arriving in the lobby, the receptionist on duty glanced at Gong Cheng's tall figure with surprise. Her usually smiling and handsome face was now expressionless as she quickly walked into the elevator.

Press the button for the composing room floor.

Gong Cheng decided to work overtime. If he wrote a song about the "only one" in his pocket, it might cheer him up a bit.

He's feeling a bit lost now, unsure how things will turn out between him and Son Chae-young...

The idea that he had everything under control vanished like a fart. He couldn't say it.

But what's hard to say is that as Gong Cheng sat on the sofa in the composing room, recalling the events of the evening, although the little tiger's questioning had plunged both sides into an unspeakable silence, it felt as if a string in his heart had snapped, and he felt much more relaxed...

This ease was something she only experienced in front of Mina, because the little penguin knew all her secrets.

Perhaps I'll be like a meticulously hidden fugitive, finally brought to justice by the police, no longer having to hide? Even if it's the death penalty, I'll hold my head high, at least I'll feel better?

Yes, a heartbreaker?

Gong Cheng smiled narcissistically, but his smile was tinged with sadness. He shook his neck, trying to clear his mind of his chaotic thoughts. He didn't want to think about it anymore. His confrontation with Caiying was only half-hearted, and the outcome was still unknown.

Why make trouble for yourself? If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it. You might experience this again in the future, but you'll probably become stronger with each setback, right? Gong Cheng!
Gong Cheng, with a touch of Ah Q spirit, put on his headphones and began what he did best: creating and arranging music on the theme of "uniqueness."

This is written for Chaeyoung, and also for myself...

It's just from a different perspective: art originates from life...

"..."

Waaaaa, I want to create a world with you in my music...

……

"Are you asleep? Tofu..."

Halfway through arranging the music, Gong Cheng couldn't resist picking up his phone and sending a message to Lieutenant Jin. Doufu replied very slowly; perhaps she was asleep? Her sleep schedule has always been very healthy.

[Lieutenant Kim]: "Are you feeling melancholy again?"

"A little... How's Chaeyoung?" Gong Cheng pursed his lips; Lieutenant Kim was really getting cocky.

[Lieutenant Kim]: "It's great. She was just telling me and Tzuyu how impressive and luxurious the villa you bought in Itaewon is. What's wrong, oppa? Did you upset her? But... she doesn't look angry..."

"Oh, it's nothing."

Gong Cheng blinked, stared at the intelligence report handed to him by Lieutenant Jin, and turned off the screen.

She then turned around and immersed herself in creating a world of whimpering sounds...

"..."

……

It was past 3 a.m.

Gong Cheng shut down the computer and the equipment in the composition room, got up and stretched. The effects of the alcohol had mostly worn off. He glanced at the papers spread out on the table, some lyrics that had been edited and revised, the paragraphs not very long...

But it was good enough to be a song, and after thinking for a while, he decided to include it in the new album.

Do you really understand the definition of "unique"?

"It's not as simple as breathing..."

Looking at the Bridge he had written down, and the song's verses, Gong Cheng sang a couple of lines in a slightly hoarse voice. The lyrics were in Chinese.

There's nothing I can do, he's just rather reserved...

"Your wavering has contributed to my wandering and hardship..."

"Awakening in death, I realize you were clever behind my back..."

"Those things I wanted to say, but didn't say..."

It hurts, it really hurts so much...

Gong Cheng's eyebrows drooped, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep and alcohol.

"Sometimes I have doubts... but I'm just a fool..."

Love is not jealous, not arrogant, and not self-demanding.

Downstairs in the company lobby, the receptionist on duty, still energetically drinking coffee at this hour, stood up with a light laugh and greeted Gong Cheng when she saw him.

Gong Cheng responded with a smile and prepared to go to sleep in his dorm...

I still have to run errands tomorrow...

The receptionist stared at his back and couldn't resist taking a picture with her phone, then sending it to the company's work group chat.

It's a bit strange, but not unusual in this country, that the picture was just posted.

Many of my colleagues who had been diving came out.

"Shouldn't Tarot be in Jiangnan at this point?"

"Why are you at the company...?"

"..."

The chatter made the receptionist smile. She took a sip of coffee and replied, "I think the floor they went to is the composition studio. They must be working on a new album. Sigh, he works so hard. No wonder he's so famous..."

[Publicity Manager]: "We've taken the images. We can put them on the official website for a marketing push..."

"..."

So, a dozen minutes later...

JYP's official website posted a new update late at night.

[Tarot is working overtime on his new album.]

With a simple caption, a picture of a figure bathed in white light appeared before the eyes of many fans. The tall figure and extremely exaggerated body proportions made him highly recognizable, even without a front view.

"The pigeon tried too hard, and it withered away..."

"Damn it! Is anyone saying that Gege is sleeping with Lim Yoona at this hour?"

"That's strange! Why didn't we go to Jiangnan?"

"Looking forward to Oppa's new album~ It would be even better if there were Chinese songs~"

"..."

……

The next day, at eight o'clock in the morning...

Gong Cheng hastily dozed off for a few hours last night before getting up and heading to the filming location of "Parasite" in Jeonju with Jin Dayu to film their scenes.

The originally relaxed schedule suddenly became tense again...

……

That evening, the latest episode of PRODUCE 48 aired.

This year's PRODUCE 48 achieved record-breaking viewership ratings across Asia. Beyond the inherent popularity of Makoto Miyamoto himself, terms like "top-tier purity," "Sakura," and "Jang Won-young" quickly went viral.

Unexpectedly, yet not so surprising to Gong Cheng, Jiang Huiyuan's earlier performance of covering BLACKPINK's rap song became the first among the trainees to receive a million views in a fancam, bringing her considerable support.

In that episode, he invited the original singer of BLACKPINK's song to remotely guide the two groups of members. Many clips of this scene circulated online, attracting a large number of viewers to watch the show.

"I laughed so hard, he's the first K-pop idol with a pure and silly personality."

"Watching Oppa go from having high hopes for first-class purity to despairing..."

"How can someone with this level of skill be a trainee?"

"Jenny and Lisa's expressions are hilarious!"

"The funniest part is that after Oppa had been busy with his schedule for so long, he came back to film and, upon seeing the first-class innocent girl, he said, 'What are you still doing here?' lol! Oppa thought she was going to be eliminated..."

"..."

The program, broadcast, received both positive and negative reviews, presented directly and bluntly to the remaining trainees.

Gong Cheng hadn't been to the recording for a while; his schedule in Europe had been too busy and hesitant. On July 25th, he arrived at the recording site in Gyeonggi Province in a Maybach. His bloodshot eyes made Kim Daewoo realize once again that the boy beside him wasn't an iron man made of steel...

The high pressure and busy schedule made his fatigue increasingly obvious. Although his handsome face and dazzling aura could cover up his tiredness, his manager and assistant, who had been busy by his side, observed it clearly.

"arrive……"

Kim Dae-woo gave a reminder to Gong Cheng, who was resting with his eyes closed behind him.

"Inside."

Gong Cheng took a sip of water before slowly getting out of the car. His tight schedule had left him no time to think about his relationship with Little Tiger. At least for now, the two of them were both aware of each other's feelings, but they remained silent and calm, just like before.

We chat on our phones, but not as frequently as before.

Was it during the Cold War?

Or something else, he simply didn't have time to pay attention to those things for the time being...

But what is clear is that he doesn't want to lose either. The nonsense about prodigal sons returning home is all lies. A prodigal son who returns home is just upgrading his methods of committing crimes.

He's not that hypocritical; he's just shameless, evil, greedy, and determined not to let the little tiger go!

But lately, I really haven't had much time...

There's not enough time...

"Take some rest, look at your eyes..."

After hugging the younger man she hadn't seen in a long time, May J Lee, the dance instructor on the show, raised her chin with concern and said...

"Yes, I've been quite busy lately."

Gong Cheng didn't argue. He smiled and nodded. He had no reason to refuse the concern and goodwill of others. After greeting the mentors, including Li Hongji, Pei Yunjing, and Zhaoyou, he took today's recording schedule from director Li Huanzhi and glanced at it.

"Junior brother, do you think it's possible that after the show ends and the debut lineup is finalized, we could have them appear in your music video?"

In the recording studio, Lee Hwanji glanced at the thirty-odd trainees below him. The recording had progressed to a point where, soon, the debut lineup would be finalized next month. The 12 trainees who secured debut spots would then participate in activities for two and a half years as artists under the limited-time group [IZ*ONE] and Off The Record…

And this junior in front of us, as everyone knows, is preparing a brand new album and looking forward to his comeback. Not long ago, Girls' Generation's Yoona appeared in the teaser for his music video behind-the-scenes video, which has already gone viral in Europe and Asia...

Im Yoona's fan base and recent popularity have remained consistently high.

It's fair to say that for female celebrities today, the quickest way to gain traffic and attention, besides taking nude photos, is to get in touch with the boy in front of them, appear in his music video, or have a rumored relationship with him. Tarot, Tarot, and more Tarot!

Maybe if you post nude photos, since you're not in good shape, nobody will even look at them? There's absolutely no insurance against riding on this junior's coattails...

"MV?"

Upon hearing this, Gong Cheng chuckled softly and glanced at the thirty-odd trainees not far away. Clearly, the trainees were listening intently to the conversation between the two, and when they heard that it involved their potential debut and collaboration with Tarot, they immediately stared at him with burning eyes.

Does he seem to be looking forward to future collaborations?

"Difficult to do?"

Li Huanzhi asked with a smile. He wasn't pressing anyone; he was just asking on behalf of someone else. Honestly, looking at the trainees in front of him, regardless of who ultimately debuts, what will their future hold?
But it's hard to imagine how far this junior has gone in his career. Besides, he's only been in the industry for three years now, so it's difficult to tell.
Just like his alma mater, Yonsei University, they practically want to show their support for this junior on their official website every day.

"Asking on behalf of Off The Record?"

Gong Cheng didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked at Li Huanzhi with a smile. This senior brother was in charge of directing the program. To be honest, how well the trainees developed after their debut had nothing to do with this senior brother...

The members who debut will operate under the label of Off The Record. This was something that the investors behind the scenes had discussed before the show was recorded, and he knew this. Therefore, he guessed that Li Huanzhi was testing the waters for others.

"Inside."

Li Huanzhi nodded while sitting in the chair, "But you don't need to worry about me. Just asking for a friend, I have a good relationship with the president of their company, but not as close as ours..."

He added with a smile that although they were both students from Yonsei University, he was a director—a variety show director—and wanted to produce dramas or movies to reach even greater heights. Even though a hierarchy of disdain existed within the entertainment industry in this country, with film actors generally considered superior to television actors… and so on…

Variety show personalities are only slightly higher in status than idols, which shows that idols don't have a high, or even low, status, but popular groups are not included in this category. The same applies to the directing industry.

However, currently, Netflix, which is able to compete with local television stations, almost entirely relies on the production teams of this junior colleague. The country is small, and the industry circles are even smaller. While there may seem to be all sorts of people working in cinematography and screenwriting, there are only a few circles, making it difficult to break into...

"That makes things easier, senior. Just have them follow the normal procedure and send a collaboration invitation to JYP. Let's wait for their response."

Gong Cheng smiled smugly. Damn it, these days, all the major entertainment agencies need to spend real money to send someone to participate in his music video! What's the big deal about just having someone talk the talk? Even though he's a mentor to these trainees...

But in the end, they're just colleagues. It's not like Huang Lizhi, who at least has a good liking for him. They've known each other for a long time, and Huang Lizhi is the company's star trainee. It's only right that he helps her out. He also quite likes that girl.

For artists like Im Yoon-ah and Kim Tae-yeon, it would be good for both sides to collaborate. As for IZ*ONE, whose debut members will be selected soon...

To be honest, there's nothing worth cooperating with him on. Let him develop his skills further...

Perhaps they'll have a bright future? But right now, it's not enough... Yet in the future, perhaps he'll still be far ahead of the competition...

"understood."

Li Huanzhi understood his implied meaning but wasn't angry, thinking it was reasonable.

"Aigoo, top-notch purity, congratulations, you're getting closer and closer to your debut, huh?"

Gong Cheng glanced at Jiang Huiyuan, who was nearsighted, not far away, squinted, and even twitched his ears. Was he eavesdropping on other conversations?! However, his conversation with Li Huanzhi was neither too loud nor too soft; as long as the venue quieted down a little, many people could hear it.

The show hadn't started filming yet, so he didn't mind chatting with the trainees he hadn't seen in a long time. There were only about thirty people left, more than half fewer than the first recording.

"Teacher, are you really going to cooperate with us?"

Jiang Huiyuan was very bold and walked up to ask a question as if they were old friends. She was accompanied by Miyawaki Sakura, Kim Minju, and Jang Wonyoung. However, the others looked a little awkward when they looked at Gong Cheng.

"??"

"When did I say we'd collaborate?" Gong Cheng asked, taking a sip of water with a puzzled look on his face. He then rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Besides, are you really that sure you can debut?"

Goodness, are they already slated for debut?

"Didn't you just say that we should send out cooperation invitations according to the normal procedure?"

Jiang Huiyuan looked up at Gong Cheng blankly, blinked her not-so-bright eyes, and then took out a piece of paper-wrapped gummy candy from her pocket and handed it to Gong Cheng, sharing her little snack.

These words made Zhang Yuanying and Miyawaki Sakura even more embarrassed. They thought to themselves, "Thank goodness we haven't started recording yet, otherwise it would be even more awkward after it's recorded and broadcast." The two of them turned to look at Jiang Huiyuan, who still looked innocent and foolish. How could this person be...

Can't understand sarcasm?
"Yes, I did say that..."

"However, whether we can cooperate depends on my mood, right?"

Gong Cheng smiled, unwrapped the candy, and popped the gummies into his mouth; they were a little sticky. He didn't care what the trainees in front of him thought, or what they might say behind his back about him being heartless or something; he was just telling the truth…

"The candy is quite sweet, thanks!"

He smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling into a charming boy-next-door smile, which made Zhang Yuanying and Miyawaki Sakura feel uneasy. To put it simply, they felt that this guy didn't care about them at all, even after so much time had passed since the show started filming.

You always feel like we'd be closer, right? At least there's a teacher-student relationship, isn't there? After all, you taught us so earnestly back then.
Were the things I said to the director just now a bit too blunt and cold?

Zhang Yuanying and Miyawaki Sakura once again clearly realized the distance between them and the boy in front of them. It was invisible and intangible, like a transparent barrier blocking their way. They wanted to get closer, but it was difficult to approach. A deep sense of loss overwhelmed them...

"I'm leaving now. Everyone, please be alert during the recording, okay?"

Gong Cheng stretched and reminded the trainees in front of him that today's recording was nothing more than teaching the trainees some dance moves for the songs they had chosen and correcting their singing styles. After all, this was how the final debut spots were determined through a series of competitions.

"..."

Gong Cheng walked out of the recording hall.

Jang Won-young patted Kang Hye-won on the shoulder and asked with a hint of dejection and helplessness, "Unnie, did you really not understand what Oppa meant?"

"What do you mean?" Jiang Huiyuan took out two more candies from his pocket and put them into the hands of Miyawaki Sakura and Zhang Yuanying respectively, his face full of warm and hospitable smiles.

Sakura Miyawaki's Korean has improved a lot recently. After thinking for a moment, she explained with her delicate face, "What the teacher said about the normal process and collaboration invitations means that he won't be collaborating. Those invitations will all disappear without a trace; neither JYP nor the teacher will reply..."

This kind of thing happens often. For an artist of Tarot's stature, collaborations are usually negotiated privately, and they just sign contracts directly. There's no need for such a formal invitation.

"what?"

Is that what you mean?

Jiang Huiyuan stared in surprise, her smile instantly freezing on her face. "But what if? What if the teacher doesn't mean it that way? Isn't it normal to follow the normal procedures for cooperation?"

She stubbornly added, then picked up another gummy candy with the same flavor as the one she had just given Gong Cheng, peeled off the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth, chewing away! After a few chews, she frowned, her expression turning somewhat ferocious, and glanced at the candy wrapper, declaring it "weird flavor candy"...

It seems that the candy Tarot was given earlier was the exact same one?
"It's so sour, where's the sweetness?"

Jiang Huiyuan grinned, feeling the sour and bitter taste sticking to her gums, and muttered something.

……

What flavor is it?

"It tastes awful..."

Gong Cheng sat in the lounge, rinsing his mouth with a bottle of mineral water. He even wondered if Jiang Huiyuan was deliberately playing a prank on him.

Why would you prank yourself with such a weird-tasting candy?
Luckily, he was quick-witted and clever; he didn't know if the guy had fallen for it...

……

As evening fell, the setting sun bathed Gyeonggi Province in its golden light, and the recording continued for an entire afternoon.

Li Huanzhi called for a short break, but Gong Cheng's work continued...

Holding the coffee that Kim Dae-woo had ordered, he walked through the villa complex of Longhu Mountain, found a stone bench and sat down. These buildings and warehouses in the inner part of the estate had been rented by the program several months ago for filming.

Beside Gong Cheng, accompanied by several cameramen from the show, they were going to conduct some follow-up interviews with the boy in front of them. After all, they had interviewed so many trainees and mentors, and this representative's interviews were pitifully few in the program.

In the shot, Gong Cheng holds a coffee, yawns casually, a faded denim baseball cap sits on his head, and a few stray strands of hair peek out from under the brim, swaying gently as he drinks his coffee...

The wind lifted the corners of his simple, clean black T-shirt, highlighting his well-proportioned figure.

He seemed a little bored, but his expression showed he was enjoying the orange glow of the sunset spreading across his cheeks beneath his hat brim, creating rich layers of warm hues...

"Tarot, the battle for debut spots among the trainees is drawing ever closer..."

"Mentors Zhaoyou and the others have all made predictions. Do you have any trainees you particularly favor?"

The VJ's voice was transmitted through the camera, speaking in a soft, gentle broadcasting tone.

"Prediction?"

Gong Cheng lifted his leather jacket, glanced at the lens of his glasses, and seemed to be thinking seriously. After a long silence, he looked up and smiled broadly, "It's hard for me to say. Although I've been very busy lately and haven't paid much attention to them..."

"But judging from their performance and practice this afternoon, they all deserve to debut, they all deserve the support of the national producers, and they are all working hard to practice."

VJ nodded in agreement, then pressed on, "But there are only 12 spots available. They'll need to eliminate most of the remaining contestants to debut..."

"Arasso, but a spot doesn't mean everything. Even if they didn't debut, no one can deny their value. That's why I said they've done enough. Let the national producers choose the debut spots. At least in my eyes as their teacher, they're all very good. I wouldn't be surprised who debuts." Gong Cheng took a sip of coffee, narrowed his eyes, and smiled softly...

With the debut battle just around the corner, the atmosphere at the recording studio was honestly a bit oppressive. The trainees' ambitions were being revealed step by step during the current recording.

During this afternoon's recording, even though Jiang Huiyuan stumbled her way to this point, she was still practicing diligently. So it's hard to say, but at least she showed the right attitude. Gong Cheng doesn't really care about their abilities because it's none of his business.

Whether they debut or not doesn't matter, but from another perspective, as their mentor, he genuinely felt that everyone did a great job, including the top-tier pure and innocent ones.

At least during the time he wasn't recording, he didn't slack off and stubbornly and inexplicably made it to this point.

"Supporter, are you aware of a rumor circulating among the trainees?"

"It's about representing you..."

VJ moved on from the topic and then asked another question.

"Tell me?"

Gong Cheng chuckled softly, took off his baseball cap, and gazed at the sunset behind the photographer, the sky ablaze with golden hues.

Honestly, this recording session was quite enjoyable. For someone with such a busy schedule, it was a chance to relax. Like a spokesperson, he simply chatted about the trainees, a welcome respite from his hectic schedule.

"Ahem, trainee Miyawaki Sakura mentioned that you said something to her." The VJ for the interview didn't keep them in suspense, speaking softly and quietly, "You said: The tears shed on stage are more precious than the blood, sweat, and tears shed in the practice room."

"Yes, I said..."

"But I don't think that's right now, because I don't think that way anymore. Maybe it should be the other way around. I used to value the result, but now I value the process more, so I think it wouldn't be surprising if any of them debuted."

"People always have phases of thought, and I'm no exception."

Gong Cheng's eyes showed a thoughtful expression. He did say those words. It was during the theme song rehearsal that he happened to see Miyawaki Sakura hiding in the interview room and secretly crying. He told that little Sakura. Actually, it was just something he made up on the spot because he was annoyed by her crying!

As far as I can remember, ever since Miyawaki Sakura participated in this program, she cried during mentor evaluations, she cried during practice, she cried all the time.

But everyone vents differently, so he subtly lied to her and comforted her...

“During filming last month, trainee Jang Won-young was criticized for her performance and cried. In fact, it wasn't just Jang Won-young; after the show aired, many trainees were driven to the brink of collapse by the high pressure and external comments…”

“Miyawaki Sakura told them what you said, and the trainees were greatly encouraged.”

"We later discovered during the editing that whenever Miyawaki Sakura was criticized or complained about not doing well enough during the subsequent recordings, she was holding back her tears. It's clear that she took your words to heart. During the theme song rehearsal, you told her to save all her tears for the debut night..."

"She also mentioned this in a later interview..."

“Like Zhang Yuanying, she unanimously agreed that your songs are very powerful. In the interview, we asked her if she had a favorite lyric?”

"What lyrics?"

Gong Cheng looked at the camera with surprise and asked curiously. He didn't expect that his casual words of comfort to Miyawaki Sakura would be spread by her to the entire group of trainees. It seemed that they were quite pleased with it.

When did I acquire the skill of verbal sparring?
"The tears you once shed will one day turn into diamonds..."

VJ was deeply impressed by this lyric, not because it came from Jang Won-young's mouth, but because this song, in the boy's debut album and among his current songs, is quite obscure, yet it still has a considerable number of local hip-hop fans listening to it on repeat.

"I guess what they're doing now is just like the lyrics say, trying to turn the blood, sweat, and tears of their years as trainees into dazzling diamonds under the spotlight." The VJ said with a touch of melancholy. As a staff member who accompanied the entire recording of the show, she not only used the camera in her hand as a digital lens, but also her own eyes to observe the girls' efforts...

"I have high hopes for them..."

Gong Cheng smiled and raised his eyebrows, his eyes full of sincerity and recognition. Then, as if he had opened a floodgate, he recalled the summer of his debut: "Actually, in the pursuit of the stage, they are better than me, really."

"That spring when I signed with JYP, I didn't have a clear plan for my career as a singer, until..."

"Until what?" VJ was happy to chat with the boy in front of him about some untold stories, which were exactly what fans and viewers loved to hear.

Despite the boy's global fame, Grammy win, controversial actions, and constant presence in the spotlight, his past and present are widely known, yet he remains "mysterious" to his fans—a mystery that feels like a strong sense of distance.

People only know what happened and his brilliant results now, but rarely do they know the journey behind that brilliance, whether it was muddy or arduous...

"Until YDP ignited my passion across the country."

Gong Cheng smiled brightly in the setting sun, seemingly unconcerned about bringing up the matter. "Actually, my first real fire was that one, which made me known to everyone in the area, albeit with a bad reputation..."

"Watching my album get thrown into the fire was a hard feeling to describe. I tossed and turned all night during that time. My mom and dad wanted me to stop making music and go back to Yonsei University..."

Gong Chengying's handsome face showed a hint of reminiscence, but the smile remained: "I wavered, but I was not quite willing to give up. During those sleepless nights, I became more and more certain that I wanted to stand in the spotlight, for the spotlight to beckon me again. Later, I went and formed Bombardment Meteor..."

"My schedule is getting busier and busier, and my money, reputation, everything is going in a good direction."

"I don't need to lie to Mom and Dad anymore. I'm doing really well, and everything is going smoothly."

"But what truly solidified my belief that I was a singer was at a fan meeting, where the Akanas stood in the crowd holding up support signs and told me, 'Thank you for being a singer, thank you for being Tarot...'"

VJ's gaze faltered for a moment as she stared at the boy sitting in the sunset. She was certain this post-interview would break the show's ratings records again. Steadying herself, and seeing that Gong Cheng remained silent but smiled calmly, she continued her questioning:
"The last one wasn't a question prepared by the production team..."

"The trainees asked me to inquire..."

"Among the trainees, those who remain have mentioned in interviews more than once that they wanted you to attend their debut night. I remember one trainee asked you about it, but the CEO's schedule was too busy, and they were a little worried..."

"So, will you come to witness the moment when the children's tears become brighter than diamonds?"

Upon hearing the question, Gong Cheng hesitated for a moment, pondering. His schedule was difficult to answer precisely, but after listening to the VJ's roundabout explanation, he stood up, put on his baseball cap, and softly said, "He'll come, won't he..."

As he spoke, he looked up, smiled slightly at the camera, and waved, "Okay, that's the last question. I should go now."

Not far away, Kim Dae-woo stood in front of the Maybach, carrying Gong Cheng's shoulder bag and holding car keys. Clearly, they were rushing to their next destination; the filming of "Parasite" was still ongoing, and they needed to get to Jeonju immediately…

"Will the representative really come?"

The VJ held up the camera, watching the tall figure in the video. He casually took the shoulder bag from the agent's hand. He looked like a college student full of energy, handsome and unrestrained. But this representative was too busy. Even she could hear the lack of confidence in his voice.

If they couldn't witness the trainees' debut night in person, both the representative and the trainees would feel regretful, right?

VJ's hesitant question made Gong Cheng pause. He opened the car door, suddenly turned around, stared at VJ, and chuckled softly: "Tell them I mean what I say, so focus on your practice..."

……

The following day, Gong Cheng fully immersed himself in the role of Kim Ki-woo in "Parasite".

It must be said that the script's dialogue is quite well-crafted, and some of the lines seem poised to leave a lasting impression after the film's release.

"Crash..."

In a scene depicting a downpour.

Large raindrops began to fall without warning, instantly turning the night sky into a chaotic mess. The Kim family members, who had just been reveling wildly in the Park family mansion, now fled like stray dogs…

Gong Cheng's character, Kim Ki-woo, wore a suit that exuded an air of embarrassment, which was soaked through by the rain. His unkempt, messy hair hung wetly over his forehead, and the rolling water droplets constantly blurred his vision.

He wiped his face hard, trying to see the winding downhill road beneath his feet. Rainwater streamed down his face, dripping onto the puddled ground and splashing up murky droplets.

The silent Jin family members, their desolate figures fleeing, were only broken by the rapid breathing and the pattering of raindrops in the darkness and downpour. They trudged down the slope step by step, each step feeling like a struggle in the mud...

In Bong Joon-ho's lens, behind them, on the distant mountaintop, the Park family's brightly lit mansion still loomed high, radiating a cold light in the rain, a stark contrast to their current disheveled state.

As the figures of the group gradually disappeared into the distance, their silhouettes grew increasingly blurred in the wind and rain. The downhill path leading to the semi-basement seemed endless, and darkness, with its gaping maw, awaited to devour them once more…

"Crack!"

Bong Joon-ho, wearing a raincoat, shouted, and then the main actors, soaking wet, came in front of the camera to watch the scene they had just witnessed. They realized it wasn't so much about acting skills, though acting was necessary, but rather about the visual impact of the shots…

This contrasts the Kim family's parasitic lifestyle with their eventual humiliating retreat to a semi-underground existence. The scene of descending the slope versus the mansion atop the hill, captured during a downpour, subtly highlights their stark social status and changing roles...

"..."

……

Have you ever seen Seoul at 4 AM, man?
Gong Cheng sat in the Maybach and returned to Seoul. He and Kim Dae-woo had a casual late-night snack near Gangdong District and hurriedly drank two glasses.

"Aigoo, finally I can relax a bit tomorrow..."

"Sehun asked you to go for a stroll in Jeju Island, why didn't you go?"

Inside the soon-to-be-closed barbecue restaurant, only Gong Cheng's grill was still steaming hot. The waiters were cleaning up the mess left by the other customers, surprised by Tarot's arrival...

But Tarot and his agent came to this restaurant so often that the owner and staff got used to it. Plus, they usually came around midnight, so it was obvious they had just finished work and were there for a late-night snack, so they didn't bother them too much...

I'd already asked for autographs and photos on my first visit, and the photos were even framed and displayed prominently on the wall in the lobby. The "celebrity effect," combined with the restaurant's good reputation and the truly excellent food and ambiance, caused their customer traffic to surge dramatically...

But all of this happens during the day, and the owner and staff don't want to tell the fans that the "Tarot" they're looking for only comes here at night...

"No, I've been too busy lately. Besides, what's the point of going with him?"

Gong Cheng took a sip of his drink. Wu Shixun had called that afternoon, inviting him to go to Jeju Island for a day trip, to have a few drinks, and then visit the horse farm to see how the horse they had bought last year was doing. However, he declined, saying that it wouldn't be fun just the two of them going...

Secondly, he's been really busy lately and hasn't had time. He's turned down all the drinking parties that Jennie and Taeyeon have invited him to recently, not to mention Sehun and Jay Park.

However, Jay Park and Jackson Wang have been quite busy lately...

I don't know how Oh Sehun manages to get by in SM Entertainment? He seems to be bored out of his mind all the time...

"The company will release promotional posters for the world tour tomorrow..."

Kim Daewoo poured himself a glass of wine. Tomorrow's schedule wasn't busy, so he could take a short break and decided to have a couple of drinks before hiring a driver to go home. As for the brat sitting across from him, he didn't need to worry; his dorm was just a short walk away.

This is also why they often come here for late-night snacks...

"Hey, let's not talk about work while drinking, bro, it's giving me a headache."

Gong Cheng quickly raised his glass and clinked it with his, saying they would talk about tomorrow's matter tomorrow.

"Okay, let's drink then, and get a good night's sleep tomorrow..."

Kim Daewoo squinted and said with concern that he really hoped the kid would go to Jeju Island with that brat Oh Sehun. After all, the kid had been too tired lately. These guys were really good at having fun, young and rich!

It's always good to relax...

"..."

After the late-night snack, Gong Cheng waved his hand and declined Jin Dayu's offer to take him back to his dormitory. Firstly, it was only a short walk from the dormitory, and secondly, he wanted to give the guy some drinks.

In the private room, wiping away tears, she recounted the journey she had taken over the past two years...

After helping Kim Dayu into the car and giving the address to the designated driver, Gong Cheng took out his phone and called Kim Dayu's wife. He made two calls before she finally answered. The voice on the other end sounded surprised, "What's wrong, Xiao Cheng? It's so late?"

He was quite familiar with Kim Dae-woo's family, having eaten together a few times. After all, he was Kim's manager, whom he knew well, so it was inevitable that he would interact with his family. He chuckled and greeted them, "Mi-nee, sister-in-law, sorry to bother you so late..."

"Da Yu drank a bit tonight and can't drive, so I called a designated driver for him. Could you please come downstairs and pick him up in the company car? I'm worried he might be dizzy and get lost..."

"It should only take about ten minutes to get to the apartment building..."

……

Having resolved Jin Dayu's matter, Gong Cheng took a breath of fresh air. He glanced at the streetlights, which were all off, and saw that only a few 24-hour convenience stores were twinkling in the darkness. He walked back to his dormitory alone...

Take off your clothes, take a shower, and lie in bed.

Gong Cheng couldn't sleep. He thought about his female relatives and slowly began to feel sleepy.

Before falling asleep, he increasingly thought about spending time with his female relatives next year. Oh well, he'd add that little puppy to the list too; he'd need it to guard the house later. Right now, it just calls everyone "Mom"...

……

The next day, at 10 a.m....

JYP Entertainment released posters for Makoto Miyamoto's world tour in the second half of the year, surprising many fans who had been eagerly waiting.

#Tarot World Tour【Cashflow】Poster Released#
#The most awesome world tour trailer ever!#
The hashtags #Tarot#, #WorldTour#, and #AmazingPhoto# quickly gained traction.

"Oppa, do you know how long I've waited for this world tour? Waaaaah~"

"Let's get started, I can't wait!"

"I cried while watching the trailer, sob sob sob. Let's go sing in the Bird's Nest and the world's largest stadium, Oppa..."

"..."

The newly released world tour teaser video was filmed on location, but Tarot, the protagonist of the world tour, did not appear in the footage. However, his image appears throughout the entire teaser video.

Within the impactful lens, the background is a weathered, old wall, its gray surface cracked, adorned with faint traces of brightly colored graffiti: [YDP], [Tarot]...

The graffiti immediately caught the eye of sharp-eyed fans, who recognized the wall as the abandoned factory where Gong Cheng filmed the music video for his debut album. It has since become a popular photo spot in Seoul for the past two years, with many fans leaving messages of support on the wall.

[We'll always support you], [Thank you for becoming a singer, Tarot]

[You, playing on repeat in my headphones, are the closest lover of my adolescence], [Keep singing!]

[One day I will stand in the Bird's Nest - December 21, 2016. When you stand in the Bird's Nest, Oppa, I will come to Seoul again, and come here again.]

JYP with its grooves

Many of the graffiti, though faded, remain vibrant on the walls, seemingly radiating warmth. The texts are in various languages, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, English, French, and Spanish, to the point that the walls seem insufficient to bear the weight of these blessings and sentiments.

As a result, more text appeared on the concrete floor in front of the wall, with a particularly eye-catching graffiti drawing that seemed to have drawn the camera's attention...

The camera slowly pans over to the ground—a ball of fire is painted in red spray paint, the flames surge across the ground, the flames cluster high, and album graffiti burns in the flames, with the album title "YDP" outlined in black graffiti on the CD cover.

On the side of the flame in this spray paint mural, the fan who created the graffiti left a blessing: "Orators made in China must not lose." At the end of the message, a very rock-and-roll hand gesture was painted!
The video progress bar flowed, and the camera moved silently...

"Rockstar," "Shape of You," "Peaches," "Paris in the Rain," "Psycho," "Lemon," and other song titles left by fans are displayed in the video.

Then, enhanced by special effects, these song titles seemed to transform into a torrent of code, and virtual data chains, with a futuristic, silvery sheen, danced wildly through the abandoned warehouse, rapidly circulating and recording the number of listeners and the sales figures for each song…

"..."

The scene shifts again, and these virtual data seem to be frantically being monetized. The previously silent video is now filled with the buzzing sound of a money counting machine, seeping into your eardrums like a venomous snake spitting its tongue.

The torrent of code was monetized, and dark green US dollars poured down like a torrential rain, the dark green waves washing over the faded graffiti wall.

The torrent of banknotes flooded every inch of the warehouse floor, piling up like a living tower. They climbed the walls, covering the graffiti, and with countless banknotes flipped and pieced together, the enormous portrait of "Tarot" gradually took shape—a cold, stern face, handsome features, and even the hair was cleverly outlined by the edges of banknotes.

As the last banknote, enhanced by special effects, slowly adheres to Tarot's lips, the portrait of "Tarot," cast in US dollars, shines brightly on the visually stunning high wall. Even the corners of his mouth, drawn with US dollars, are slightly upturned, giving his originally cold face an aura of laughter and wealth...

The countless graffiti left by fans on the ground have merged into a brand new graffiti – [Cashflow].

"Damn it, this is insane!"

"These US dollars can't be real, can they? Although there are traces of special effects, they look like they were piled up by hand. Props, I guess..."

"【Cash Flow】Wow, that's too flamboyant! But this guy's commercial value is indeed top-notch, and the speed at which he makes money is terrifying."

"The last frame must be the source of the promotional poster; it's really eye-catching!"

"Nonsense! If I gave you millions of dollars to create a portrait, you'd be eye-catching too!"

"A teaser photo worth a million dollars! My goodness!"

"Awesome! Oppa!"

……

The number of trainees remaining in PRODUCE 48's dormitory is dwindling. The once bustling dormitory area, which was noisy when filming first started, is now rather deserted.

As the morning sunlight streams through the windows of each dormitory room…

A trainee sat on the edge of the bed, staring intently at the screen of his phone.

The other trainees, still asleep, were getting a little annoyed by the noise. After all, it was a rare day off, and everyone could relax and unwind without the cameras and practice. As the show progressed, the production team became more lenient with the trainees' phones.

This allows them to see external evaluations and news about themselves, and those comments may have a positive or negative impact on them, but it is a necessary step for any debuting artist.

Zhang Yuanying rubbed her eyes, crawled out of bed, and looked around in a daze at Ahn Yoo-jin sitting on the edge of the bed like a madwoman, not knowing what she was doing.
Shouting and yelling!
"Wonyoung, look! Tarot's world tour teaser poster and video are amazing!" Ahn Yoo-jin swallowed hard, shook her sleepy friend, and handed her the phone...

The poster image frozen on the screen, taken from the final scene of the trailer, shows a superstar's face sculpted with dollars, his eyes cold and indifferent. Although there's a slight smile playing on his lips, it's still incredibly unsettling...

When Zhang Yuanying saw this face, she instantly woke up from her drowsiness.

She flipped through the trailer and watched it from beginning to end, finally realizing just how far apart she felt from that oppa...

She looked up at the blue and white sky outside the window, which seemed to stretch as far as the sky.
Zhang Yuanying sighed with a sigh, her innocent face looking unhappy, but she quickly put on a smile, thinking that she would also debut!

I'm so young, so young, so young!

Oppa, you smell so good... and now you smell even better...

"..."

In no time, news of Tarot's latest world tour teaser video spread like wildfire through the trainees' dormitories, with screams from the girls piercing the villa complex.

"Aigoo! It's really going to be a world tour, sir!"

"Didn't the representative say that we would be invited to watch the Seoul station show?"

"Yes, yes!"

"..."

……

In Jiangdong District, Gong Cheng lay in his dormitory until noon before waking up.

After washing up, he went downstairs to the refrigerator to see if there were any ingredients to cook something and enrich his life...

But then I saw May curled up on the carpet in the living room, playing with a ball of yarn.

He picked up his phone and glanced at the message list.

TWICE group chat:

Lieutenant Kim: "Oppa, we're going to Jeju Island to film today. I heard you're in Seoul today. (Picture) May is in your dorm, take good care of it!"

Chou Tzu-yu: "I've put out all the dog food for you, hyung, remember..."

Lim Na-yeon: "The doctor said that it's at the age where it's full of energy, so remember to take it out for a walk!"

"..."

Yu Dingyan: "..."

"Alaso..." The members were all talking at once, which gave him a headache. Gong Cheng yawned and replied, then squatted down and picked up May.

I also have to carry it to work...

He said he was taking a break, but he still had to go to the company to record a song today; "The Only One" needed to be finished first...

Then I'll think about other songs.

If I'm walking the dog? If I walk to work and bring May along, does that count as walking the dog?

(End of this chapter)