CTFI 01

Chapter 1

“Raised on My Back”

The music that had filled the practice room came to a stop.

Click-
The lights switched on, and the room was brightly illuminated. At the same time, the silhouettes of the five-member idol group LUMIS became clear. Just like their name suggested, their faces shone brightly.

Thick beads of sweat clung to them, and as they clenched their fists and caught their breath up to their chins, the tension of performers who had just finished a stage performance was palpable.

“Hmm, not bad.”

On one side of the practice room, a tall man in a black shirt slowly straightened up from leaning against the wall. His silhouette, previously hidden in shadow, was now fully visible: sharp, deep eyes, a prominent nose, and a defined jawline. His presence was undeniable even among idols. Just standing there, he commanded attention. But what was even more striking was the overwhelming aura he exuded.

“Yeah. Just as I expected.”

The man murmured lowly as he scanned LUMIS.

“So? Not bad, right?”

Yoon Tae-jin, CEO of CLEF Entertainment, asked with a tense expression. More precisely, his face screamed: “Please tell me it’s okay!”

“Brother, you have quite the eye…”

Tae-jin wanted to say more but didn’t. He flinched under the man’s cold gaze.

“Wh-why? Not good…?”

Yoon Tae-jin asked cautiously. The man slowly lifted the corner of his lips.

“!”

Tae-jin immediately understood his expression. On the surface, it looked like a smile, but in reality, it was mockery—a sneer.

“Visuals pass, and you at least look passionate…”

He murmured and then shook his hand.

“Ah, scratch that. If you had passion, you wouldn’t be this bad.”

At his words, the bright faces of LUMIS instantly fell.

“Ah…”

Yoon Tae-jin let out a light sigh.

‘Of course, here we go again…’

Jin Do-hyun. A former idol and hit-maker whose music could make even the dead sway, now a genius producer. But the reason he was famous was another: he was brutally honest. He was sharp with both skill and looks—no, just plain ruthless! Known for his biting words, regardless of time, place, or target, he earned this nickname after leaving idol life to become a producer. Yet no one dared insult him. Every song he produced topped the charts, and every idol group he worked with made history on stage. His talent was overwhelmingly undeniable. That was Jin Do-hyun.

“Yeah, well. Enough of that.”

Jin Do-hyun waved his hand lazily.

“How about going on variety shows instead of just music programs?”

Yoon Tae-jin tilted his head.

“Variety shows at least pay. Going back and forth for 1–2 weeks of music shows—costumes, hair, makeup… it’s just a loss.”

The CLEF Entertainment staff around them gaped.

“With your current skills, stage videos wouldn’t even get views. Do they even record them?”

That wasn’t all.

“Uh… what’s it called? When the pitch drops mid-song, and they sing strangely. That suits you perfectly.”

Jin Do-hyun stared blankly at the members before glancing at Tae-jin.

“Don’t you think it’s funny? I find it hilarious.”

Despite briefly gaining attention as a “visual genius group,” their outdated concept and repeated marketing failures by the agency had drained even the loyal fans. Their nickname, “The Quintessential Failed Idol Group,” had become natural. Indifference was scarier than hate comments. They had endured the occasional nasty comment, but Jin Do-hyun’s words today were too harsh to ignore. Eventually, Baek Do-ha stepped forward.

“I understand your expertise, senior, but I think your judgment is premature.”

…!?
The CLEF staff’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You didn’t watch from the start. You only saw partway, roughly.”

Baek Do-ha spoke with a trembling voice, gathering courage. Normally, he would just bow repeatedly and say, “We’ll work hard!”

‘He’s actually the leader, huh?’

Jin Do-hyun smirked.

“What can you know coming in halfway?”

His eyes glinted.

“The first verse, the chorus—flat. That’s you, right?”

Baek Do-ha flinched.

“And who handled the second during the bridge? You don’t even know the difference between a second and third, so why try harmonies? If so, just leave it out.”

Then Jin Do-hyun suddenly moved. His long arms traced a path through the air—replicating the dance break Baek Do-ha had just performed.

“Dance break. Isn’t it supposed to be waacking? This is how it should go.”

…!
Everyone’s expressions were shocked. It was perfect. Not only did he replicate the move after seeing it once, but the execution was even more precise.

“Flat is a hobby, offbeat is a specialty. The choreography… even a kindergarten talent show would be better. What exactly are you trying to show?”

For the next ten minutes, Jin Do-hyun pinpointed LUMIS’s problems, sang, and danced to demonstrate his own skill. By the end, CLEF staff who had been grimacing now looked at him with awe.

“What? Why?”
“No, it’s just…”

After everyone left, only Jin Do-hyun and Yoon Tae-jin remained in the practice room. Tae-jin moved his lips but said nothing. The reason he had called Jin Do-hyun here was simple: to see the potential for LUMIS to make a comeback under the eyes of the country’s top producer. At first, he expected only light advice. But facing Jin Do-hyun’s skill, he realized just how incredible he truly was. A new desire arose.

‘I want him!’

Not Jin Do-hyun the person, but Jin Do-hyun the producer.

‘…Impossible.’

The country’s top producer, for the worst failed idol group? Even with money, CLEF couldn’t compete.

‘There’s no choice…’

Friendship aside, this was business.

“Phew…”

As Tae-jin sighed, Jin Do-hyun ran his long finger across his lips.

“I’ll do it.”

“…Huh?”
“You heard me. I’ll produce LUMIS. Isn’t that what you called me for?”
“R-Really?”

Tae-jin lit up.

“…Wait! Why? Why are you doing this?”
“Because it’s fun.”

The corner of Jin Do-hyun’s mouth lifted.

“Taking a failed idol group, abandoned by everyone, and bringing them to the top! Something so difficult… Jin Do-hyun can do it!”

He snapped his fingers and grinned like a child.

“….”
Ah, he had forgotten—this guy lived for his own brilliance.

A few days later, a van carrying Jin Do-hyun stopped in front of CLEF’s building.

“Producer, we’ve arrived.”

Jin Do-hyun opened his eyes at the manager’s voice.

‘…Already?’

He hadn’t realized he’d fallen asleep. He must have been more tired than he thought.

“I’ll take the luggage inside.”
“Thanks.”

As he stepped out, his legs wobbled.

‘Still half asleep…’

He stretched lightly, loosened his shoulders, and walked steadily into the building.

“Hmm.”

Once again, he marveled at the building—it was impressive.

“No money, yet how did they build this?”

From the cafeteria to the lounge, recording rooms, and individual artist studios. They didn’t have much, but they had everything necessary.

‘I need to make them earn a lot.’

He smiled faintly and walked on. Soon, he tilted his head.

‘…Is there an event today?’

Everyone was dressed casually, but they stood out—some weren’t especially model-like, yet something seemed off.

“Oh my.”
“Who is that?”

Whispers reached him. Jin Do-hyun looked, and the unease he felt deepened.

‘What the…?’

Normally, such looks would be a mix of admiration and fear, but today it was different. Crescent-shaped eyes, smiles tucked near ears, some waving joyfully.

‘Damn it. Another article?’

He quickly reached for his phone.

‘Ah, my phone!’

It was in his bag… he’d grab it soon enough.

“Ugh.”

Shaking his head, he headed to the elevator.

‘…?’

A distance that should’ve been short felt unusually long. The walk felt strange and uncomfortable. Reaching for the button, his hand paused in midair. Another uneasy feeling.

“…?”

The button seemed higher than usual. Why did he have to stretch to reach it?

Then:

“Oh my, who are you?”

A young woman’s voice from behind.

‘You?’

Frowning, Jin Do-hyun turned his head. Slowly, his gaze rose.

“…!”

“So cute!”
“Wow~ why is he so handsome?”
“Whoa~ you’re really good-looking. Want to be a trainee at our company?”

People had gathered, surrounding him and looking down with smiles.

‘I-Is this a dream?’

Everyone seemed enormous.

Ding-dong-
The elevator doors opened.

“Uh? Uh…”

People rushed in, pushing him inside.

“Whoa! Kid, what floor?”

A man’s voice accompanied his body being lifted into the air. The elevator mirror revealed a harsh truth.

“Uh… uh?”
“First time seeing a mirror?”

The man teased. …First time?

“You’re really handsome. Is he the manager’s son? Doesn’t look like him at all.”

A female employee exclaimed.

“No…”
“No, he’s not!”

Jin Do-hyun’s and the man’s eyes met.

“You didn’t need to say it that way…”

The man looked hurt.

“…S-sorry.”

The woman apologized.

‘We’ll talk later.’

Jin Do-hyun huffed and looked at the mirror again. He was shocked. In the reflection, the Jin Do-hyun he knew no longer existed. Chubby cheeks, a round face, bright eyes. The jawline barely maintained a V-shape, but that wasn’t the point.

‘W-what is this!’

Swinging his arms wildly, the man holding him staggered.

“Hey, you’ll get hurt!”

People’s warnings didn’t matter. In the mirror, swinging arms belonged not to Jin Do-hyun but to a child, no older than five.

“Ah… ah…”

He touched his face with trembling hands, feeling warm skin.

‘F-Fuck!’

“Aaah-!”

In the elevator, the child screamed. In the mirror, the wide-eyed child resembled a movie protagonist guarding the house alone every Christmas, clutching his cheeks in shock.