Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail - Chapter 1

Everyone dreams of standing at the top.

“You’ve waited a long time. The winner of this grand prize is-“

But there is only one peak.

“An artist who has been loved not by one generation, but loved by this era, an artist who shone this year-“

And the moment I stood at that peak –

“Baek Nokha!”

I wasn’t happy at all.

***

“Unnie! Congratulations on winning the Daesang [1] !”

“You did a great job, Nokha-ya! Thank you for mentioning us Greenies [2] !”

On the way home from the awards ceremony, fans were waiting for me in the parking lot.

People I’m grateful for. I can’t believe you’re waiting for me even though it’s cold.

I greeted the fans even though I was in the car and sent them my final thanks.

“Thank you Greenies. I’ll come and say hello again soon.”

Normally, I would have greeted them longer and thanked them more, but… I wasn’t in the mood for that today.

Actually, I couldn’t even remember how I got here.

As soon as I finished raising the window of the car, my manager turned to me.

“Good job, Nokha-ya. Seriously. I’m sure you didn’t feel right…. You did a great job without showing it at all. The acceptance speech is really… You did a good job while trembling moderately. Everyone’s saying it’s touching, and the response is good.”

My manager unnie, who had already seen me for 10 years, comforted me.

But at this moment, I couldn’t hear any such congratulations or consolation.

The daesang trophy was also placed in the next seat, and I couldn’t even see it now.

“Unnie, thank you very much, but… Let’s go to the hospital first.”

“Ah, Eung. Of course. we’ll arrive there real quick.”

“Thanks.”

The reason is,

“Mom… How is mom’s condition?”

It was because of a phone call that came right before winning the daesang.

‘Nokha-ya, don’t be too surprised and listen. Now, your mother… was caught in a fire in her house….’

The content was simple.

But it wasn’t simple at all.

A fire broke out in my mother’s house, and my mother, who was alone at home to watch my award scene, was caught in the fire.

Now the fire is under control, but my mother is in critical condition.

But I couldn’t go to the hospital right away.

In exactly five minutes, I will be given the grand prize.

The third daesang.

Daesang for 3 consecutive years.

It was a prominent title just by hearing it.

I wasn’t the only one waiting for this award, but everyone who supported me waited for this moment.

Just 30 minutes. Just accept the award and say how I feel. Then, going to the hospital immediately was the agency’s CEO’s persuasion that I couldn’t refuse.

‘Nokha-ya, I’ll go to the hospital first. I’ll tell you right away about your mother’s situation, so just stay there for a while. Ok? Just receive the award and come out immediately.’

It wasn’t for the CEO.

It also wasn’t for myself.

It was for the fans holding my slogan in the audience right behind me.

As soon as I came down from the podium after receiving the daesang, I ran out without hesitation.

The bad comments that I would have to go through because I didn’t sit in my seat until the end were already passing through my head, but it wasn’t any of my business.

“First of all, the CEO will release the article about the reason why you came out in the middle. Your mother is in critical condition-“

“Unnie. I’m fine. Really. It’s just that we… should go quickly.”

“Ah, yes, you’re right.”

The manager unnie looked forward again awkwardly.

To be honest, I couldn’t think of anything else but my mom right now.

At that moment,

Our spring will come back again-

I heard the sound of a ringtone that made my heart drop.

My song that made me win the daesang.

It was a song that I loved so much, but now it sounds so scary.

‘Foolish CEO Seo.’

The caller was Seo Changwoon, the CEO of the agency.

Someone who went to the hospital instead of me.

I answered the phone with a trembling hand,

– I’m sorry, Nokha-ya…. I’m so sorry….

I had to hear the news I never wanted to hear.

I don’t know what was on my mind at the moment.

“Unnie.”

“Eung? What did the CEO say?”

“Please stop the car.”

“Huh? We’re in the middle of the road though? I’ll go a little further and stop for you.”

“Just… just stop me anywhere quickly. I feel like I am going to vomit.”

I asked to pull over recklessly because of the nausea that keeps coming.

The manager unnie, embarrassed, pulled over to one side as quickly as possible.

As soon as the car stopped, I opened the door and threw up recklessly.

I didn’t eat properly because of my busy schedule for two days, so only a little gastric juice came out.

I just sat on the floor and laughed out of emptiness and despondency.

What’s this?

Why does God play tricks on me?

Today should be my best moment, but why make it my worst moment?

I’ve been working so hard for this day. I didn’t come running alone, but so many of my people and my fans ran with me.

Why did it turn into such a terrible moment?

The moment when all kinds of anger and injustice are mixed,

– Is it unfair?

A real… strange being appeared.

“…what are you?”

I’ve never used informal language. After my debut, I only used honorifics to everyone. Just in case I make a mistake.

But this one in front of me…

– It doesn’t matter what I am. What matters is what you want now.

It certainly wasn’t a person.

It was something like a very small cotton ball. A pinch of black cotton, floating around.

“…Am I too shocked that I’m seeing things?”

I looked for my manager out of habit. If what I’m looking at is an illusion, it means I’m out of my mind.

“Unnie, unnie?”

However, I couldn’t hear any answer that would have normally come in a second.

I managed to stand up and look into the car.

Something was strange.

Manager unnie wasn’t there.

It wasn’t just that.

There were no cars on the road, no people on the street.

“…Am I really seeing illusions?”

– I’m not an illusion

Then, the cotton ball came next to me and scratched me.

“Uwahh!”

– We don’t have time, so let’s get straight to the point.

“What the hell are you…?”

– You want to bring your mother back to life, don’t you?

“…!”

At the words of the cotton ball that pierced my heart, I froze without saying a word.

– I’ll make the worst moment into the best moment again.

The cotton ball had no face, so there was no expression.

And yet I could feel it.

That this cotton ball is smiling.

“…how?”

– It’s simple. I’ll make the fire into something that didn’t happen. You win the daesang, and your mother stays home safely watching you.

The cotton ball fluttered before my eyes.

– Then, tada! You will be able to fully enjoy your daesang, right?

“….”

Clearly, it was a perfect offer.

I’m so sure that I’m really dreaming right now, that I’m dreaming because I’m so desperate.

I just smirked. Since it’s a dream, let’s just play along a bit.

Anyways, when I wake up from this dream… It’ll be hell again.

“So, what do I have to do in exchange?”

– Ah, it’s not that simple.

The cotton ball drooped down it’s fur.

– But if it’s you, I’m sure you’ll make it.

“…If it’s me?”

What does it mean?

I looked at the cotton ball with doubtful eyes.

Is it trying to cheat the topic since it’s a dream?

– Baek Nokha. Singer-songwriter and idol who debuted for 10 years. Starting with the rookie award at the beginning of her debut, she swept the Excellence Award, the Grand Award, the Popularity Award, and the Daesang. Received the one and only daesang twice in a year. The best female soloist ever. Recognition, fandom, preference, and image are all the best. The phrases “Born to be an idol” and “Born to be top star” fit well. Of course you’re more of a hard worker than a born genius.

…Why is it praising me all of a sudden?

I’ve heard this a lot, but it was embarrassing to hear it from the mouth of this cotton ball.

– And finally today! We won the Daesang for 3 years in a row! It was meant to fulfill everyone’s wishes. Wow, that’s so cool. peaked as an idol!

It was.

I laughed bitterly.

– By the way, there is one unfortunate soul who wants to become like you.

“Wants to become like me?”

I murmured involuntarily.

– That’s right, she wants to reach the peak like you. Help that soul, and I’ll help you.

The cotton ball regained its vitality and flew around.

But I was puzzled.

“How am I supposed to help you? I may be an idol, but I’m not a god. I don’t know how to help a soul-like thing.”

– That’s why I’m here.

The cotton ball raised up its fur.

– Don’t worry about the method. Just decide whether to take my offer or not.

I couldn’t answer easily.

Even if it was a dream, it was because I had a feeling that this cotton ball was avoiding giving answers.

– If you promise to help that soul, I’ll help you too. I will completely extinguish the fire that befell your mother.

However, it was an offer that I couldn’t help but accept.

I want to bring my mother back… How can I not accept that?

“…I accept it.”

It said it would save my mom who lived for me all her life.

– That’s a great choice!

The cotton ball made a strange laugh, and grew huge in an instant.

– Ah right, Baek Nokha.

“…yes?”

I was staring blankly at a cotton ball growing insanely large when it spoke to me.

– If you could take one thing from your body to your next life, what would it be?

“…?”

– Answer me quickly.

“…my voice…?”

– As expected, an excellent choice!

The cotton bell laughed grotesquely again.

Then. it suddenly opened its huge mouth and devoured me.

Before I could escape, I was swallowed up by the darkness.

***

“Damn it.”

And I’m sure I have been swindled.

“What’s with this overworked vocal cords?”

I mumbled while sitting in the practice room, dumbfounded.

“What’s wrong with this muscleless body?”

A practice room with a mirror over one side of the room.

But it was never my agency’s practice room.

This is the practice room of ‘Colors,’ one of the largest agencies in Korea.

And I’m a trainee of that Colors-

“And this… what is all this nonsense about?”

It had become a ‘Yun Cheong’.

A girl group that debuts a year later and disbands two years later. Destined to be a member of “Still Blue”.

Ddiring!

Congratulations! You have become ‘Yun Cheong’.

From now on, you have to save the destined to fail girl group, Still Blue!

Damn it.

1. Grand prize/ Top prize, the highest prize you can get
2. Fandom name, Nokha in korean means green