Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

I didn’t really know how fandom names were usually decided. The only idol I knew was Spark.

 

However, I distinctly remember how Spark’s fandom name came to be.

 

It was during a live event where they were recruiting for the first generation of the fan club and revealing the light stick… or something like that.

 

As I searched through my memory, Yoo Hansoo passionately preached about how important the relationship between Spark, the stage name, and the fandom was.

 

To summarize all of that in one sentence, he said that we should name the fan club ‘Only One’.

 

“They are the one and only existence that supports Spark and makes Spark a unique entity…”

 

Yeah, sure. ‘Only One’ sounded nice.

 

It was unique. As a Korean fandom name, it sounded pretty too.

 

If you attached it to Spark, you could even call it ‘The Only Spark’ which didn’t sound too bad.

 

But so what? I was so obsessed with the original concept that now I felt like I had just been devoured.

 

It was also unpleasant that the first letter of the fandom name was aligned with his last name, ‘Yoo’.

 

It felt like he was trying too hard to leave his mark. Was this even about the fandom?

 

The reaction we’d get when the fandom name was revealed was also obvious.

 

≫ Give it a rest already

 

Cutting off your brain should be done in moderation

 

≫ It’s disgusting that you keep pushing the ‘one-ness’ concept but still releasing 12 different photo cards, pathetic b****

 

└ True that

 

≫ Changed my Bubble Pop nickname to the Only ATM

 

└ As soon as I changed it, I got a lot of praise from the enthusiastic supporters

 

(The only ATM, are you busy right now?)

 

It sounded like they were asking to lend money…

 

└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

└ New type of scammingㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

└ Paid message leaks are prohibited. Please take down the post

 

The concept, the relationships, they were great and all.

 

But for the fandom name… Shouldn’t we at least focus more on the bond between the fans and the idols?

 

“If we emphasize that fans are an essential part of Spark’s journey, it could strengthen the fandom even more. That’s what I think.”

 

Instead of fitting it into a singular worldview like that.

 

After Yoo Hansoo’s long speech, the meeting room fell silent.

 

It was that familiar atmosphere when a project was heading in the wrong direction. It felt comforting but also uncomfortable.

 

Even if their mouths were tightly shut, the planning team’s hands were busy moving.

 

It seemed they were desperately brainstorming to somehow decide on a different fandom name.

 

Normally, I would have joined in, trying to come up with something, but this time, I didn’t need to.

 

The name existing fandom name ‘Sparkler’ was created by Spark themselves, not the company.

 

Even if I just sat still, I figured they’d come up with their own opinions.

 

Since the group name was still ‘Spark’, the fandom name shouldn’t be any different.

 

As expected, the employees who had been coming up with various ideas looked at us and asked.

 

“What do you think?”

 

It was outrageous to voice an opposing opinion in front of the person in charge who brought the proposal (note: a high-ranking official), but what else could I do? If I didn’t want to become the Only Spark in the idol market, I had to speak up assertively.

 

I pretended to think seriously and watched their movements. I was ready to applaud for the moment the name ‘Sparkler’ came up, saying it was an incredible idea.

 

I thought, ‘Think about it, you guys! Quickly mention Sparkler and then end this meeting!’

 

But something was strange.

 

Time passed, and yet none of them spoke up.

 

“PD-nim. Since the fandom name is a name that will be used with the group for a long time, it would be good to take some time to think about it…”

 

The planning team leader stepped forward, perhaps sensing the idols’ discomfort. However, Yoo Hansoo was stubborn.

 

“No. Spending too much time on things like this is a waste of resources. If we want to use our personnel efficiently, we need to cut unnecessary tasks.”

 

Did he just call the fandom name ‘things like this’ while running an idol business? Did he even know what he was talking about?

 

And if he was going to reduce unnecessary work in the first place, he should have come up with several name options.

 

If one example was eliminated, we had to come up with another example and had another meeting to decide whether to pass it. It was frustrating.

 

‘Well, he probably never even considered that his idea might get rejected.’

 

It was obvious just by looking at that confident expression and attitude.

 

This guy truly believed his idea would be accepted without question. That was why he kept babbling like that.

 

How could someone be so sure of themselves? At this point, I was starting to suspect he had a spy planted at the company.

 

Meanwhile, the silence on our side continued.

 

Someone had to say something…

 

‘What’s going on? Why is no one speaking up?’

 

For a moment, I doubted whether the past interviews where they claimed to have come up with ‘Sparklers’ themselves were true.

 

And then it hit me.

 

+

 

▷ Excessive changes to the existing schedule may result in corresponding disadvantages.

 

+

 

This was also an effect of the system.

 

For instance, let’s say Spark needed about a week to think of their fandom name.

 

Because I drastically adjusted the debut date, a character named Yoo Hansoo suddenly barged in, and all the things that had to happen in the meantime were brought forward, leaving them no time to think.

 

On top of that, I had weakened Yoo Hansoo’s position, fueling his drive even more.

 

In short, I’d turned their already limited time into ashes.

 

‘F*ck, they meant it when they said they spent a lot of time thinking about it!’

 

I thought they came up with it on the spot, like a flash of inspiration. Now, I almost felt like crying at their sincerity.

 

Whether the fandom name ended up being Sparkler, Only One, or something else didn’t concern me.

 

It didn’t concern me, but…

 

‘You know we exist because you Sparklers exist, right?’

 

≫ They say they can shine because we exist

 

My babies, why are your words so beautiful…

 

└ That’s why I love the name Sparklerㅠㅠ It makes me feel proud

 

≫ It’s Spark-Sparkler, what a cute name

 

Actually, isn’t it fireworks and firecrackers?

 

Sounds like it came from a fireworks company

 

but I like the strong vibe.

 

└ I actually like it

 

Memories of what I’d accidentally learned from Spark’s fans surfaced in my mind.

 

‘Please write ~Your Sparkler, always lighting up your way~ on the bottom right! Please take care of us this time too!’

 

Even the email that Director Nam’s daughter had sent.

 

I held back the sigh that was about to come out reflexively and spoke up.

 

“I-I talked with the members about the group name recently, and we came up with a name.”

 

Making sure not to take all the credit, I added the mention of the members.

 

“How about… Sparkler?”

 

Since I’ve been on the receiving end, I’ll help you guys just this once.

 

The meeting wrapped up in the best possible way, even if it wasn’t satisfactory.

 

The stage names were put on hold, and the fandom name was settled as ‘Sparkler’.

 

Yoo Hansoo glared at me like he was going to kill me, but it wasn’t my problem.

 

Outside the meeting room, Lee Cheonghyeon, looking relieved, called to me in a quiet voice.

 

“Hyung.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Can’t you just be in charge of our activities from now on, hyung?”

 

“Are you telling me not to debut and to switch to being a producer? Are you picking on hyung right now, Cheonghyeon?”

 

“That won’t work… But can’t you do both?”

 

No way. Would the fans like it if a member who left the group were to produce?

 

And besides, it wouldn’t be good for them to be stuck with an amateur producer.

 

“My mom always told me society runs on merit. But these days, it doesn’t seem true.”

 

“It’s merit-based, but age comes before ability.”

 

“Aha.”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon quickly accepted my explanation. I felt bitter that I had already shown the bitterness of society to a boy who was still a high school student.

 

Jeong Seongbin, who overheard our conversation, chimed in:

 

“Still, he might be able to help in other ways, so don’t be too negative.”

 

It was the kind of cautious remark I always emphasized, something safe to say even if someone else overheard.

 

But this time, we needed to be a little more extreme.

 

In my opinion, that person needed to go.

 

There were people in the world who only created more work. It would be better if such people did not exist.

 

“I’ll… have a lot to talk about with PD-nim.”

 

Hearing my words, Jeong Seongbin and Lee Cheonghyeon looked at me.

 

Even if they didn’t say anything, I could read their gazes. They were looking at me with pity.

 

If I ever suddenly leave the group, I hope you guys remember at least some of my efforts.

 

* * *

 

While there were tasks being hotly debated between the company and Yoo Hansoo, there were also tasks that progressed smoothly.

 

Recording and music video shoots, where all the planning had already been decided, were examples of this.

 

The planning team must have been working tirelessly day and night to achieve this. I truly respected them.

 

Among all the tasks, the recording went exceptionally well.

 

Everyone miraculously finished recording in one take without a single NG… It would have been cool and nice if it had been like that.

 

But even though it didn’t go perfectly like that, everyone did their part excellently.

 

In fact, even though Jeong Seongbin and Park Joowoo received OK signs on their first takes, they still insisted on doing additional takes. Their dedication was impressive.

 

How fortunate that I was able to be included in this ‘everyone’.

 

 It was pure luck that I didn’t end up stuck in the recording booth all night, unable to get out.

 

And now, with the audio track completed, the moment had finally arrived.

 

Spark’s first music video shoot!

 

My condition was also perfect.

 

I had been getting eight hours of sleep each night thanks to Jeong Seongbin’s constant monitoring, making sure I kept my dark circles in check.

 

Lee Cheonghyun, who also had been under strict surveillance, spoke in an excited voice.

 

“Hyung, this is my first time wearing such heavy makeup! What do you think? Is it too much?”

 

“It’ll all wash out under the lights anyway. And with your face, you’d still look fine even if you painted with ink, so don’t worry.”

 

“Wow, I’m touched!”

 

“But don’t paint it with ink. Don’t put anything on your face.”

 

“Of course. Skin troubles caused by neglect are one of the seven deadly sins for idols…”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon walked away, his eyes suddenly looking empty. As expected, he was good at memorizing things.

 

More importantly, now was not the time to worry about Lee Cheonghyeon’s makeup.

 

That was the most important thing, of course, but since the staff must’ve put their heart and soul into Cheonghyeon’s makeup, I wasn’t too concerned…

 

The real problem was somewhere else.

 

Specifically, on my face.