-Isn't Cold Night good?
-I listen to it every day.
-If this were translated into English and released, it would probably work on Melboard.
-This song's insane.
-For real, Kim Beom-shin made this song?
-He wanted to escape ballads, and I think he actually did it this time.
-Kim Beom-shin's voice isn't dead yet.
-Why don't people add titles like King, J, or God to Kim Beom-shin's name like they do for other talented people?
-That's... because he's already Kim Beom-"Shin."
-His fan club's called Kim BeomGOD, lol.
-The fangirls' naming sense is god-tier, lololol.
-Most of them are in their 40s and 50s now—they're basically your moms.
-LMAO, insult god-tier fangirls and you'll catch a mom diss.
-But the reactions are suspicious. Isn't this chart manipulation?
-How does washed-up Kim Beom-shin suddenly climb Mango charts? Makes sense?
-LOL don't you know chart manipulation's impossible?
-Chart manipulation's impossible, but those god-tier fangirls might be streaming like crazy.
-There's solid proof—check the streaming demographics. Even 20-somethings are listening loads.
-It's just rising because the song's good.
The past-his-prime Kim Beom-shin was dominating the music charts.
It might've started with his god-tier fangirls, but now his daily streams kept pushing the song between 5th and 10th on real-time charts.
Ranking high in real-time naturally boosted daily charts too, now fluctuating between 5th-10th.
"What's the big deal about 5th-10th? It's not even 1st."
Every song above Kim Beom-shin's was by idols.
This was the era of 5th-gen idols dominating charts.
Surviving their reign as a solo artist? Nearly impossible.
"Congratulations, CEO!!"
BSK buzzed with celebration.
No artist except Daydream had achieved this—and the CEO did it himself.
"Yep, thanks."
"Congrats!!"
"Hmph, right."
Kim Beom-shin's ego skyrocketed.
"From now on, call me the MZ generation's beloved singer."
"...That's pushing it."
"Calling you an MZ darling over one song seems excessive."
"Manager Jung, your sass is so cute I could cut it off."
"Hahaha, flattery won't save you. Keep me employed longer."
Despite occasional missteps, every day felt surreal to Kim Beom-shin.
Gone was his "has-been" mindset.
I'm not dead yet. Seriously.
He started believing it.
A positive change.
But his overzealousness tired everyone.
"What should we name the new group?"
"How about BSK Girls? Like Kim Beom-shin's kids."
"That doesn't feel right..."
"Why not? Launching as Mango Chart's 5th-ranked artist's progeny gives instant cred."
"Then shouldn't we just use Daydream Girls...?"
"Huh? Not bad."
Only the co-CEO could counter the CEO's loan-funded group sabotage.
But co-CEO Park Sang-chul sat frozen, phone in hand.
"Co-CEO Park, do something..."
A veteran employee jabbed his ribs, whispering.
Park Sang-chul slowly turned.
"What's wrong?"
"Everyone check Mango."
Staff instinctively opened the industry-mandatory app.
Cold Night [Kim Beom-shin]
Holy shit.
"A glitch?"
Even Kim Beom-shin denied reality.
Hourly-updated charts showed his song dethroning 5th-gen idols.
A no-promo digital single topping charts? Unprecedented in five years.
If 10th→5th was shocking, this was apocalyptic.
"It's crazy!!"
"Ahhh!! Do we promote this?!"
"Should we at least post a thank-you message on SNS for hitting real-time number one?"
Of course, the entire BSK staff was in a frenzy. No one knew how to handle this unbelievable situation, and panic was setting in.
In the midst of it all, only one person, Park Sang-cheol, calmly assessed the situation and spoke up.
"Contact Shin Ji-young right now."
"Huh?"
"Not just contact her, but send gifts too—like gift cards or something. To both Shin Ji-young and the composer Yoo In."
"???"
"If we keep a good relationship, they’ll give us songs first in the future, right?!"
"Ah!! I’ll send them right away!!"
Upon hearing this, Kim Beom-shin chimed in.
"Send all kinds of coffee and even some beef!! Wait, no—I’ll send them myself."
From BSK’s perspective, this was both natural and a wise move.
People have a sense of gratitude and loyalty; they don’t easily forget those who gave them their first break.
Like Shin Ji-young, for example.
Even though Shin Ji-young had offers from a major agency like Taein, she still met with BSK first and ended up giving them the song.
But just because they gave her an opportunity doesn’t mean the relationship will stay strong if it fades.
That’s why Ellis left Taein and swore never to work with them again, right?
There’s no guarantee this composer will keep succeeding, but it doesn’t hurt to stay on good terms.
BSK wasn’t fully aware, but at this point, many agencies were starting to take notice of the name Yoo In after seeing Kim Beom-shin’s new song climb to real-time number one on the Mango Chart.
Rumors were already swirling that Shin Ji-young had been promoting Yoo In’s songs everywhere, with over eight agencies taking notice. Now, the same composer had taken Kim Beom-shin—who was considered washed up—to number one. It was impossible not to take notice.
There was no way to get Yoo In’s contact info, and with Shin Ji-young as the go-between, her phone was probably blowing up from all sides.
But that was their problem.
BSK, now that Kim Beom-shin had hit it big for the first time in six years and things were about to take off, needed to act fast.
Row? If they could go faster, they’d strap on a motor.
Park Sang-cheol was someone who acted swiftly in situations like this.
"And contact Ellis—tell her not to worry about us and just do her thing. Even if the kids’ names end up sounding ridiculous, let her handle everything—from the group name down to the smallest details. Oh, and if she needs anything—whether it’s people or materials—tell her to call us right away. If she calls, we’ll handle it and get it delivered ASAP! But tell her to move fast!!"
"Understood!"
Ellis, after getting Park Sang-cheol’s call, also felt a sense of urgency.
As BSK had said, now that Kim Beom-shin was gaining traction, she needed to jump on his bandwagon fast.
A legendary singer making a comeback paired with an idol produced by Ellis—this combo would be more effective than any marketing campaign, even YouTube.
Plus, it would cut down on marketing costs and let her pour more into improving the idol’s quality.
"First off—for outfits and concept—BSK has experience with Daydream; we’ll leave that part to them. As for choreography… I’ll hand that over to Release."
Team Release was one of Korea’s top dance teams, even handling choreography for big names like Taein.
They were a busy team, but the leader of Release owed their success partly to Ellis.
So, if Ellis asked for help, they would prioritize her work, and she had already secured a tentative agreement by asking them to clear their schedule.
But she couldn’t just expect them to drop everything for her.
There was something that had to be done first.
Recording the title track.
You can’t exactly choreograph without a song, right?
"Then… I’ll call our trainees and start with the recording."
There might be an elaborate guide track, and the recording shouldn’t take too long, so she hurried to set up the schedule.
"Ah, wait."
Wouldn’t it actually be better to get the original composer’s input?
Moreover, Yoo In, the original composer, was the one who had listened to Kim Beom-shin’s voice and pulled out a song that could take him to real-time number one.
If that’s the case, Yoo In might actually offer valuable input during the recording and create synergy.
"Watching the recording might be fascinating and fun. How adorable would that be?"
…It wasn't just because she wanted to see Yoo In’s cuteness again.
Smiling as she thought of Yoo In, Ellis quickly called Ji-young, realizing this wasn’t the time for such thoughts.
-"Yes, Ms. Ellis! What’s the matter?"
"Ji-young sunbaenim! Can you and Composer Yoo In come on the day we’re recording with our trainees? I’d like to incorporate the composer’s feedback during the vocals."
-"Oh, really? Well, Yoo In has a schedule, so I’ll need to check the timing."
Yoo In has a schedule?
Does a six-year-old have a schedule?
"Ah, well… in the afternoon. Around 6 PM."
-"Oh, that should work."
"But sunbaenim, what’s the schedule?"
-"Ah, hahaha. It’s nothing. Yeon-woo has daycare."
"Ah…."
Ellis was at a loss for words.
Right, daycare.
It’s important, after all.
* * *
“Yeon-woo, you’ll do well, right?”
Yeon-woo, wearing his daycare uniform—a sky-blue polo shirt and navy shorts—nodded with a solemn, resolute expression as he met his father’s serious gaze.
“Yes, I can do it.”
“Good. And don’t fight with your friends.”
“Okay.”
Jiyeong, who had been eavesdropping from behind, suddenly interjected.
“Yeon-woo! Even if someone hits you, don’t just stand there! Fight back!!”
“Hey!! Can’t you stay quiet?”
“What? So you’re saying he should grow up letting people walk all over him?”
“These days, kids get in serious trouble if they throw punches for no reason. Yeon-woo, ignore your aunt.”
“Okay.”
Yeon-woo nodded as if this were obvious.
Just as Jiyeong, feeling dismissed, began to bristle, Heo-ok took Yeonu’s hand.
Jihun glanced at Heo-ok, perplexed.
“You need to get to work. I’ll take Yeon-woo.”
“You, Mom? But Yeon-woo’s daycare isn’t on the way. You’ll have to walk him the whole distance.”
“I know.”
Heo-ok smiled faintly at Yeon-woo, and he grinned back at his grandmother.
Watching them, Jihun checked the time.
After dropping off Yeon-woo, traffic would start building up—time was tight.
“Then, Mom, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Of course. Yeonu, ready to go with Grandma?”
“Yes!!”
Yeon-woo took Heo-ok’s hand and stepped outside.
The summer morning greeted them with oppressive heat and humidity.
“Yeon-woo, aren’t you hot?”
“I’m okay.”
Yeon-woo loved summer now.
In the past, he’d been trapped in a cramped, coop-like room—stifling, damp, and miserable. But after escaping that place, summer had become a wonderland.
On the path to the daycare, cutting through the apartment complex, the well-tended trees and grass exuded the rich scent of greenery and soil.
Yeonu breathed in deeply, savoring it.
But the moment passed quickly.
At the end of the path stood the daycare.
Children clung to their parents’ hands, transferring them to teachers before waving goodbye. Some wailed, terrified of being left behind.
“You’re six now, Yeon-woo. You won’t cry like that, will you?”
Yeon-woo nodded firmly at his grandmother’s question.
“Nope. Boys don’t cry.”
“Who taught you that?”
Heo-ok laughed, ruffling his hair.
“But if today feels too overwhelming, ask the teacher to send you home. They will.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But Grandma hopes you’ll make friends instead.”
“Okay…”
This was Yeon-woos first time seeing so many children his age.
Excitement tangled with fear. What if they didn’t like him?
“Hello! You must be Yeon-woo, the new student?”
Someone approached as Yeon-woo’s mind raced.
He ducked behind Heo-ok, peeking out cautiously.
The woman was shorter than his grandmother and aunt (both around 170 cm) and even smaller than Alice.
In short, she was the tiniest adult Yeon-woo had ever seen—and she was smiling down at him.
“Hello, are you Yeon-woo's grandmother?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m Chae Hayeon, the teacher for Yeon-woo’s class.”
“Ah, his teacher! Yeon-woo, where are your manners? Greet her.”
Ignoring his grandmother, Yeonu stared at Teacher Chae Hayeon.
A few faint blue fairies hovered around her, glowing softly.
