DREAM STAGE

TORINNER, the popular K-pop group that created a sensation

right after their debut in Korea

has arrived in Japan to make their debut

and capture the hearts of Japanese ladies.

- Congratulations! - Congratulations!

Yes! I got the last autographed one!

- Gosh! - First of all.

Ryo is so handsome that I'm overwhelmed.

His existence is a miracle, and he's precious!

TORINNER, congratulations on your debut in Japan!

Ms. Park Ji-soo is our goddess!

- Rich agencies sure are flashy. - You gave us a reason to live!

Why are you talking like it's none of your concern, idiot?

MUST GET FIRST PLACE IN DEBUT SONG RANKING

According to my research

the groups that can't get first place

in the debut ranking

only have a survival rate of 18%!

Which means I can't pay off my debt unless we get first place!

My debt is five billion won.

That's about 500 million yen.

There's no way I can pay that off!

In any case, do everything it takes to defeat TORINNER

and get us first place, or my life will be over!

Japanese fans have more love and respect for artists

- than anyone else in the world. - Ouch.

That's why I believe that.

Japan should be the first choice in their worldwide debut.

- She doesn't think that. - Please root for them.

That darn woman!

I'm going out for coffee.

She makes a lot of noise.

They're getting on my nerves!

Are they debt collectors?

Let's sort it out first.

To survive, I need to pay off the 500 million yen debt.

That means NAZE's debut song

must rank first.

In other words

they must defeat TORINNER.

For that to happen, I need a promotional budget

bigger than TORINNER's.

But I have no money!

That means I'm doomed!

What should I do?

How tasteless.

We successfully made a big splash in Japan, thanks to you. Thank...

I heard that Azuma's group

achieved great success at that event.

No, the streaming numbers for our group are overwhelmingly...

People are talking about it in Korea, too.

They want to know about the group that suddenly appeared in Japan.

I am sorry.

But a minor agency like that could never manage a large-scale promotion.

No need to worry...

You lied to me.

Do you remember what you promised?

You said you would

crush Azuma's group before their debut.

Yes. Certainly, sir.

It's a huge gathering of handsome idols!

Welcome to the Mid-winter Sports Day!

HOT IDOLS ASSEMBLE! MID-WINTER SPORTS DAY

We have TORINNER, the up-and-coming rookies

and 4orce, the talk of the town

as well as other groups on the verge of their next big break

who will be engaging in heated battles!

Cut! Okay!

Everyone, please run through the rehearsal.

- Yes! - Yes!

Go!

- All right. - I'm scared!

Guys! This is our chance to make NAZE's name known!

Make sure you promote yourselves well!

Why are we having a sports day when it's freezing?

- The short sleeves are killing me. - Don't complain!

You need to be seen as much as possible before you debut.

Get your game faces on.

I will crush you this time.

Good morning, Ms. Tomiko!

- Good morning! - Morning.

It's cold, so don't push yourselves too hard.

I am going to make you all into stars.

- Thank you! - Thank you!

- Continue. - Let's begin with

the inter-group dodge ball tournament!

Okay, let the game begin!

NAZE has been hit again!

- That lady looks intimidating. - Go!

That's Kira Tomiko, the chairwoman of Kira Production.

She's the Empress of Japanese Showbiz.

Good!

Gosh. So, she's powerful?

She has produced many famous and popular actors and celebrities

in the past 20 years.

Twenty years?

Hang on.

Do you mean that Japanese Empress is promoting that new group?

This is bad! They're strong rivals!

Don't get started on that. Everyone here is our rival.

So, they are all rivals getting in my way of paying off my debt?

Guys! Promote yourselves harder!

- Ms. Nam! - Okay!

Mr. Azuma, please stop her!

Ms. Nam.

You're doing well today.

My, Ms. Park!

Thank you for the live performance the other day.

To show my appreciation...

There you go.

TRAITOR

Poverty

makes one poor in the heart, too.

- It's unpleasant. - What did you say?

Forgive me.

I transferred TORINNER to Bouquet Music

to provide the members with support worthy of their talents.

A poor agency would make their future uncertain.

Are you picking a fight? You betrayed me!

Shouldn't you apologize for your betrayal first?

People should support each other

- like this! - Ms. Nam! They're recording!

We're recording. Please be quiet!

I am so sorry!

Isn't she the CEO of NAZE that the gossip magazine wrote about?

"CEO of NAZE's agency Causes a Scene at the Airport!"

Film her. It's funny.

Very well, then.

In that case, let's settle this fairly through work.

Bring it on!

Money is the only thing you can rely on.

I won't be defeated by someone like you!

Well, then...

Let's compete on the number

of social media followers that TORINNER and NAZE have.

We'll compare the results in two weeks.

The loser will grant a wish to the winner.

Anything.

Excellent! Challenge accepted!

Hey... What are you talking about?

No, Ms. Nam! Please take it back.

Well then, let's both fight fair.

Take that back.

- It's not too late yet. - Nice!

Isn't this turning out to be a very realistic reality show?

Right?

She's hopelessly stupid.

This is the best content I could ever wish for.

Please let us announce the results on our show.

My pleasure.

By the way, what will you do if you win?

Well, for now...

I'll do my best to win this contest.

- I'll be rooting for you. - Thank you.

- What? - Look at this.

- What's this? - NAZE's sticker old hag

picked a fight with Ms. Park this time.

NAZE's live performance was good, but...

We have to root for TORINNER, right?

Ladies, contact everyone you know!

- Yes! - Okay!

Are you stupid?

TORINNER already made their debut in Korea

and they have over a million followers!

On the other hand, we have less than 100,000.

How do we even compete?

But it got on my nerves when she said that.

Even so, how could you promise to do anything she says?

You fell right into her trap!

She might tell us to retire right away.

I am really sorry!

I'm done with this!

Hey, don't just stand there. Go to practice.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Hello, this is Nam Entertainment.

I'm Kira Tomiko from Kira Production.

Kira Pro... What?

That huge talent agency?

Are you Ms. Nam?

The row between you and Ms. Park the other day

must've been rough for you.

Why don't you and I be friends?

- One, two, three, four... - One, two, three, four...

What will happen to us if we really lose?

There's nothing we can do if our boss is such a fool.

Besides, it's already all over the internet.

There's no way we can win!

To make things worse, we're going up against that conniving Ms. Park.

She'll definitely tell us to retire at once.

If that happens, the boys will be left stranded.

Is there a secret way

to make their follower count skyrocket?

Or is the "genius" in your title just for show?

You know, you're starting to sound like Nam lately.

I wouldn't be racking my brains here if I had a secret plan.

There's nothing I can do this time.

- One, two, three, four, five, six. - One, two, three, four, five, six

- seven, eight. One, two, three... - I need to do something for them.

I didn't expect you to visit in person.

I'm sorry for dropping in.