December 29, SBS Gayo Daejeon.
Backstage, MCs Lee Hwi-jae and Lee Hyori greeted performers.
"Hyori sunbae."
"Sunbae."
This year's lineup dazzled, headlined by Shinhwa.
Plus, Baek Ji-young, reborn from a low point, winning love and respect as a powerhouse.
The hottest rookie group, envied by peers and seniors: Girls' Generation.
Sexy queen, Korea's top female solo, Lee Hyori.
Epik High, F.T. Island, Wonder Girls, BIGBANG, HAHA, and more.
Arms crossed, Lee Jin-woo marveled from the audience. "Wow, epic, so epic."
Seeing two of K-pop's big three second-gen girl groups at once—lucky or what?
Nine girls bounced on stage, legs flashing, dizzying the crowd, minds hazy.
"How's it feel?" He glanced at Yoon Hye-na, seeking her take.
Her face was grim, eyes brimming with envy. The nine's stage presence was rock-solid.
SM's ambition paid off. Girls' Generation, Girls' Generation…
They might just spark a new girl group era.
"Here comes JYP's ambition."
The wild pony lived up to her electric nickname. Once the music hit, Wonder Girls was all her.
The other four? Mere backup dancers.
Jin-woo suddenly felt those "rumors" in his memory weren't all made up.
With a teammate shining so bright, hogging the spotlight, when would the others get their shot?
"Hye-na."
"Ne."
"After their set, hit backstage, give her this."
He slipped a card into her hand, pointing at the radiant wild pony.
This gap was his to claim.
"Ne… President, Ji-eun's up."
"Aigoo, our Ji-eun's so cute, right?"
"Ne~" Yoon Hye-na stifled a laugh.
To him, no one topped Ji-eun's cuteness.
"President, I'm off."
Wonder Girls were leaving the stage. She had to hurry.
"Mm." Distracted, he stared at the stage.
Ji-eun's performance was explosive.
Not just steady—she was on fire, burning with 200% energy, stunning the crowd.
Even Lee Hyori and Shinhwa, prepping backstage, glanced at the tiny figure with curious awe.
Aish~
What got into this kid, going so hard?
She's making seniors sweat!
Thinking Ji-eun's full-throttle set was the peak, Lee Hyori's Toc Toc Toc hit.
Jin-woo could only say: she earned her title as Korea's sexy queen, dance icon.
Aish~
How could a woman be so sultry? Foul play, total foul!
If Hyori maxed out sexiness, BIGBANG's set showed why boy groups ruled.
Lie, their breakout hit.
The intro alone unleashed a frenzy of screams.
Glancing back, Jin-woo saw fangirls flushed, teary, ready to die for their oppas.
With fans like that, how could boy groups not dominate?
Universal truth: women's money spends easiest.
BIGBANG still had some restraint now. Once they fully let loose…
"Ah~~"
Ear-piercing shrieks made him wonder if they'd pass out from lack of air.
But Lie was undeniably strong. If he'd started two years earlier, GD would've been a goldmine.
"Oppa!" Ji-eun returned, bending to sit beside him.
"Oh, our Ji-eun worked hard. Killer performance."
"Really?" His praise lit her eyes.
He nodded firmly. "Oh, our Ji-eun was epic today."
"Haha~" Covering her mouth, she giggled, itching to dance.
Good thing he didn't know, or he'd tell her to chill.
"Dance genius" title aside, she should know her limits.
"Oppa, dinner tonight?"
With eyes on the stage, she whispered, avoiding "President" for intimacy.
She preferred "oppa."
It felt closer.
Checking his gold watch, he mused, "Too late. Others are swamped. How about a team-building before New Year?"
New Year loomed, workloads doubling.
Not just IU at SBS and MBC's Gayo Daejeons—others were buried in schedules.
Forcing a meet now was tough.
With 14–18-hour days, they'd nap standing. Who'd have energy for bonding?
"Oh, okay." Ji-eun's face fell, then brightened.
Big-hearted girl, always sunny.
"Oppa, who'll take first today?" She held a sliver of hope.
Only SBS kept the "first place" ranking.
MBC and KBS dropped rankings, treating Gayo Daejeons as top-tier galas, pure spectacles.
Just with elite, powerhouse guests.
Korea's star-making was unmatched.
Entertainment as a national strategy—resources, markets, policies—outclassed regular industries.
Hence, despite brutal trainee systems, thousands still fought to join yearly.
"Annyeonghaseyo!"
"Annyeonghaseyo~"
Guests returned to the audience. To Jin-woo's surprise, Lee Hyori sat next to him.
"Annyeonghaseyo." Sweaty neck and collarbone glistening, she nodded, curious.
His nameplate read: Zy Plus Entertainment President, Lee Jin-woo.
What was Zy Plus?
Why was he in the front row, reserved for big agency bosses?
"Lee Hyori-ssi, your stage was unreal. Worth the trip."
"Kamsahamnida, President Lee-ssi. Who's Zy Plus here with?"
"Right there."
He pointed left. Ji-eun tilted her head, waving. "Annyeonghaseyo, Lee Hyori sunbae-nim!"
"Oh, IU, right? You're Zy Plus's artist. Your set was amazing, epic."
Off-stage, Hyori was bold, like a brash Northern gal.
Her laugh, wide and toothy, hid nothing.
That damn charm—how to resist?
[New Task Triggered: Follow Your Heart: What the boss wants, he gets.]
[Win Lee Hyori's heart and body. Rewards based on completion.]
Seeing the task arrive, his smile grew brighter.
Meanwhile, Shinhwa, the finale, took the stage. "Aaaah~~~"
Screams turned the event into a concert.
BIGBANG, fresh from backstage, watched their seniors shine, eyes full of envy.
Though rising stars, they were still green.
Shinhwa remained a towering peak.
Who'd guess one day, juniors would gaze at BIGBANG with the same awe?
Aish, such a pity.
Jin-woo felt regret. If he'd started seven years earlier, pre-millennium…
"President Lee-ssi, who made IU's 'Good Day'? Can you share?"
Hyori had been pondering this. As a solo legend carrying K-pop's female solo scene, her burden never eased.
Meeting a composer could mean a new hit.
She loved musical, songwriting talent.
Inner gifts trumped looks.
Or she wouldn't have married that "beast," breaking fans' hearts.
Male fans' inner cry: "What am I missing, shibal~"
"Hyori want to meet him?" She nodded. He grinned, "He's here. After, I'll introduce you."
"Really? Kamsahamnida, kamsahamnida, President Lee-ssi, you're a good guy!"
"Of course, I'm a big Hyori-ssi fan!"
"Really? Aigoo, kamsahamnida, such an honor."
Covering her mouth, she giggled.
Being liked, especially by a young, handsome, successful president like him—any woman would beam.
"Ne, after, grab the composer, let's drink!"
"Ah~"
Hyori hesitated, but her thirst for great work overrode doubts.
"Sweet, see you." Removing her modesty blanket, she strutted to the stage, sexy and mesmerizing.
Even as MC, she'd be the best—pro and sultry.
(End of Chapter)