Peninsula: I created the golden age of girl groups

Over the next few days, Jiang Yuhe's life returned to its usual routine.

Apart from recording one episode of "X-MAN" in between, there are no other plans for the time being.

Lee Sung-soo would occasionally send messages, asking increasingly in-depth questions.

Clearly, Kang Woo-hyuk has taken to heart his assessment of Seoul Records and is working to finalize the relevant matters.

However, during a break from filming "X-MAN", someone leaked the news that he had auditioned for a new MBC drama and it started to circulate.

When they met, his seniors and colleagues would often tease and joke with him.

Even behind-the-scenes staff who weren't particularly close to him would smile and nod when they bumped into him, offering encouragement and support.

"Oh, so our Woo-hyuk is going to become an actor? I'm afraid he won't have time to participate in TV show recordings anymore, right?" Kang Ho-dong winked and gestured exaggeratedly.

"Wuhe, you're great! Remember to get a few autographed photos for Unnie, they'll be hard to come by once you become famous." Caiyan patted his shoulder with a smile.

Although the words were somewhat sarcastic, they were mostly words of encouragement and blessings.

This circle is realistic.

However, most people are happy to see those who truly seize opportunities through their own efforts, as long as they don't flaunt it too much.

Jiang Yuhe happens to be just that kind of person—low-key, down-to-earth, and always well-liked.

During a break in filming, Yoo Jae-suk approached him to inquire about the interview process and see if he could offer any assistance. He also shared the latest developments regarding the new variety show.

The main thing is to tell him not to rush.

This is, after all, a brand new outdoor reality show, and SBS is taking it very seriously.

Meanwhile, MBC's "Infinite Challenge," as a leader in the outdoor reality show field, has emerged from its initial low ratings and is showing signs of a breakout.

This prompted SBS executives to make the decision to shift their focus to outdoor reality shows.

However, attaching importance to it does not mean that it will be rushed into implementation.

Because every step of creating a variety show, from establishing the concept to refining the plan, including budget approval and setting up the filming team, takes time.

In particular, the core ideas and program framework need to be repeatedly refined to ensure novelty before considering filling the framework with suitable permanent members.

In Yoo Jae-suk's words: It's like building a house. The foundation and blueprints are the most important. The members are like bricks and tiles, playing a more decorative role.

In the end, he simply told Jiang Yuhe to rest assured, focus on the present, and let him know when there was definite news.

Jiang Yuhe naturally understood this principle, so he could only suppress his anxiety and continue to be patient.

Soon, Friday arrived.

So-yeon finally called.

"Oppa..."

Her voice was soft, but it carried a sense of relief that everything had been settled. "The time is set for tomorrow night. I'll leave after everyone finishes practicing and goes home. The time is... around six o'clock. My things are all packed."

"Okay, then I'll be there on time tomorrow night," Jiang Yuhe said softly.

"Yes, thank you, Oppa."

Soyeon paused for a moment, then added somewhat embarrassedly, "Um... there might be... a lot of stuff. It's been all over the years, bits and pieces..."

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

After ending the call, Kang Woo-hyuk thought for a moment and then dialed Lee Sung-soo's number.

The call was answered quickly, but the background noise was a bit loud.

"President-nim, it's me, Woo-hyuk."

"Oh, Woo-hyuk, what's wrong?" Lee Sung-soo asked.

"I have some personal business to attend to tomorrow evening and would like to borrow your car for about tonight. I'll return it on Sunday. Is that convenient for you?"

"Sure, no problem."

Lee Sung-soo readily agreed, "The key is in the usual place, the left drawer of my office, you know. Just take it yourself, and open it carefully."

"Thank you, President." Jiang Yuhe was about to hang up the phone.

"etc!"

Lee Sung-soo spoke again, lowering his voice even further, "By the way, about that matter from last time, I think I have some leads on the matter. I might need your help to take a closer look at it later."

"Yes, President!"

"Okay, that's settled then. I'll get back to work now."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yuhe breathed a sigh of relief.

Having a car will naturally make things much more convenient.

Although it's not too far from Seoul to Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, where he and Soyeon live.

However, considering that she is a girl carrying all the belongings she accumulated during her years as a trainee, it is indeed inconvenient for her to squeeze onto the subway and buses with so many bags.

Let her take her time on her way home.

……

On Saturday evening, Jiang Yuhe composed himself and went to the company again to pick up his car keys.

Lee Sung-soo's car is a well-maintained black Hyundai Azera, not flashy, but respectable enough.

After driving away, he didn't head directly to the vicinity of SM. Instead, he parked his car on the side of a relatively quiet street in the Apgujeong area of ​​Gangnam, then got out and walked to the place where he had arranged to meet Soyeon.

That old SM dormitory area, which he was actually quite familiar with.

As night falls, the neon lights of Gangnam District illuminate one after another, outlining its bustling cityscape.

He walked with his hands in his pockets, taking his time.

This wasn't the first time he'd walked this road, but tonight, his feelings were particularly complicated.

This place once held the dreams of countless young men and women, and Su-yeon was one of them.

Now, however, this is where things come to an end.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

After all, that's Girls' Generation!

The future empress ruled an entire era of Korean entertainment, and at its peak, the group was even called a legendary symbol of the entire country.

Soyeon was originally only one step away from that position.

What would happen if she stayed?

What magnificent and turbulent journey will we experience? What storms will we face?

The thought had just surfaced when he forcibly suppressed it with reason.

No if.

This was a decision Soyeon made after careful consideration.

As Soyeon's most trusted friend, all he could do at that moment was respect her decision.

And then... on that future path he knew, a path equally thorny, he would protect her as she walked.

As my thoughts drifted, the outline of that old building from my memory slowly came into view.

Jiang Yuhe didn't go any further. He simply stopped in the shade of a roadside tree as usual, took out his phone, and waited quietly.

That was, after all, the female trainees' dormitory. Getting too close would inevitably attract attention, and it wouldn't be good for Soyeon, who was about to leave.

While waiting, his thoughts drifted aimlessly once again.

Perhaps it was because of the place I was in, or perhaps it was my state of mind, but a familiar melody suddenly came to mind.

As if possessed, he began to hum a tune.

전해주고싶어슬픈시간이…

(I want to tell you about this time of sadness...)

다흩어진후에야들리지만…

(Although you can only hear it after everything has dispersed...)

……

It was that song, "A World Reunited".

Kang Woo-hyuk is not a SONE, and his understanding of Girls' Generation mostly comes from the information bombardment he received later.

But this song... and the power it contains are so profound that they have long transcended the scope of a pop single!

Even Jiang Yuhe could hum it word for word.

After all, this song is hailed as South Korea's second national anthem.

In a sense, its existence has long transcended that of a typical debut song; it is more like a spiritual symbol of an era!

He hummed softly, and without realizing it, he sang out the final, perfect version from his memory, a version that had been refined and tested on stage countless times.

사랑해널이느낌이대로……

(This is what it feels like to love you...)

그려왔던헤매임의끝……

(Finally, I no longer need to wander aimlessly in longing...)

이세상속에서반복되는……

(The endless cycle of sorrow in this world...)

슬픔이젠안녕……

(This will not happen again...)

……

As night deepened, the streetlights cast a long shadow of him.

He had his eyes half-closed, almost completely immersed in the melody.

Until... a woman's voice, clearly hesitant, slowly sounded from behind him.

"Um... excuse me..."