Echoes of Asael: A Manager's Second Chance

Secrets and Shadows

"Cut!"

“Wow! I was really nervous; I tried to keep myself from looking so awkward. Did you see my hand shaking so hard earlier?" shouted Youngji, the fifth member to shoot her intro videos . I could see Youngji's forehead, shiny from afar due to the sweat that wet her skin.

I simply instructed them to introduce themselves first, then share a bit about their lives and offer words of encouragement as self-introduction in the last minute of the video.

In my previous experience, I was instructed by my superiors to begin the first shooting with a dance practice, and it ended disastrously.

The main issue was that some members of ASAEL lacked basic dance skills, as well as other talents. Consequently, viewers who watched it on YouTube left numerous negative comments, doubting the group's potential with the talent they displayed at that time. It was one of ASAEL's initial weaknesses before their debut.

I vowed never to repeat that mistake. Today, I directly sent the daily schedule to PD Oh, ensuring that other superiors wouldn't have the authority to direct me like before.

Last month, I conducted a communication exercise. I had to intervene during their break, and if it hadn't been for almost forgetting about the issue, I would have instructed them to prepare earlier.

I don't expect perfection from them, but I believe in their potential.

"You did well earlier; I'm really impressed," I praised them, offering a reassuring smile to ease their nerves.

"If it weren't for the manager's advice to practice talking in front of the mirror every day, I wouldn't have been able to do it. It's the first time I've felt so nervous because I've never spoken in front of a camera," Rei admitted with a smile, bowing her head.

“Yes! I feel the same. But I was more surprised by Han. She's even shyer than us, yet when she spoke in front of the camera earlier, she appeared calm and composed, as if she were used to it."

Han blushed upon hearing the praise from her teammate. It seems the advice I gave her really paid off.

…

[Last month, public speaking practice]

"Han, can I speak with you for a moment?"

Han, who was with Hyo at the time, turned her head toward me and then glanced at Hyo.

Hyo seemed to understand Han's hesitation. "I'll wait at the counter outside."

"At our third meeting, I informed you all that the company would conduct the first shoot to make the initial post on our group's YouTube account. Do you understand what that entails?"

Han looked at me for a while before nodding. I knew Han was extremely shy, different from the others. I anticipated she'd struggle when speaking in front of the camera later.

Because in my previous experience, Han was genuinely terrified, and she was one of the members who made numerous mistakes in front of the camera. Despite my pleas to the editor to edit out those parts, there were so many errors that the footage featuring Han had to be significantly cut down to just 1.65 minutes.

I almost forgot about that memory. I needed to do something to help her overcome her fear. I gently took her hand and suggested she sit on a bench in a quieter part of the room.

"Han, how about asking your father for help? I'm sure he can assist you in overcoming your nervousness in front of the camera.”

Han looked at me with surprise. She whispered, "Does Soojin Unnie know my father's job?"