Chapter 54: The Shadowy Figure in the Darkness
A shadowy figure cloaked in darkness, its silhouette faintly revealed with every flicker of the stage lights. Not the PD directing the program, nor someone who cared about the CP standing beside them—this person stood there with arms crossed. No matter how I thought about it, it had to be Jung Pil-woon. No one else could pull off that arrogance.
“Still the same, old man.”
Then and now. Everyone tucked tail at the sight of Jung Pil-woon. In the Korean music industry—especially the idol scene—he was a monumental figure. Right now, a mere program CP was tiptoeing around him, but if things kept going this way... With Red Dice's global success, even broadcast station presidents might be watching his mood. Hell, I'd heard he had connections in politics too. Well, not that it'd matter in this lifetime.
Kim Seok-mun, the CP whose honeyed flattery had rolled off Jung Pil-woon's back like water, finally turned his rigid posture. His gaze, fixed on the stage, slowly shifted toward me. Jung Pil-woon tilted his head.
When was it? I couldn't remember. This image of him walking toward me with a beaming, genuine smile—like he'd unearthed an ancient treasure—felt strangely surreal.
Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. I'm Jung Pil-woon, CEO of G&X Entertainment.
“Nice to meet you. I'm Jung Pil-woon, CEO of G&X Entertainment.”
He extended his hand with the exact same greeting I'd remembered, word for word. Experience with people is such a precious, special thing.
G&X Entertainment CEO Jung Pil-woon. Those words etched on his business card had been my last lifeline, pulling me from the sewer that was my life. I'd grabbed it and climbed desperately, thinking it was my one shot out of that endless pit with no light at the end. I'd climbed so hard, believing that after the hardship came glory.
Right. After the hardship, glory did come to me. The glory of falling. I'd plummeted right back into the sewer I never wanted to face again. Unlike the desperate climb gripping that lifeline, I'd fallen faster than anyone. And the opportunity I'd thought would never come again... it had returned.
This time, I wouldn't fall again. I'd vowed it. The one falling now would be you, Jung Pil-woon.
Word that the agency CEO had arrived pulled even the managers watching the kids from backstage into a full assembly.
“Composer, what are you doing? Grab the CEO's hand quick.”
The staffer’s line came from Kim Seok-mun's mouth instead. I stared blankly at Jung Pil-woon's hand.
“I heard you're a composer, but I didn't know you were this good at producing too. You're in charge of Black Label now, right?”
“Yes.”
I had so much to say. I wanted to talk nonstop for 24 hours straight. Why'd you do that to me? Why'd you abandon me? It terrified me. What if it all burst out without warning? That single short answer was the only thing sealing my lips.
“Hyun-woo, what're you doing? Grab the CEO's hand already. You're making him uncomfortable.”
I couldn't. What if I grabbed Jung Pil-woon's hand and crushed it instead of shaking? What if I smashed his skull right then? This hand was uncontrollable. While my mouth stayed shut, his could savor my fist nonstop. A flood of violent imaginings raced through my mind, but that wasn't revenge. Not real revenge.
I finally clasped his hand late.
“Sorry. I was so nervous, I lost my head.”
“Wahahahaha! What? If that's it, just say so. What does that make me?”
Kim Seok-mun deftly changed the subject, and Jung Pil-woon, whom I'd expected to shake once or twice and pull away, gripped my hand firmly.
“Right. What's your name?”
“Seo Hyun-woo.”
The name you'd always muttered about bringing you fortune, Seo Hyun-woo.
“Seo Hyun-woo. Nice ring to it. Sounds like it'll bring in a fortune. Our composer Seo here might just hit it big. Gotta stay on your good side from now on.”
“If the CEO says that much, I might have to line up too. We'll be seeing a lot of each other, right?”
Jung Pil-woon tossed a line, and Kim Seok-mun seasoned it with MSG, steering the conversation smoothly. Of course, only the two of them found it tasty. For everyone else underneath, it was torture. Me included. My stomach churned.
Ferret-faced Kim Seok-mun was scheming for a private chat with Jung Pil-woon. Not easy. Jung Pil-woon eyed the stage. The performance where they'd thrown down their challenge was wrapping up. True to idol form, they struck their ending pose—then flinched. The Black Label staff, whom they'd expected cheers from, had all gathered in one spot. They'd just learned the agency CEO was here. But they didn't show it. All pros. No fuss over the boss showing up.
As Black Label continued the broadcast in sync with host Joo Seong-hwan, Jung Pil-woon finally turned. Not to the Black Label manager, but to me.
“...Impressive. I didn't know that Ray kid had that in her. Must be our producer's doing.”
Jung Pil-woon asked,
“Composer, is there anything you need? As long as it doesn't violate program fairness, G&X will support you fully.”
Help me? How much regret are you planning to feel? Time to test it. See how G&X crumbles when I pull the reins.
I glanced at Kim Seok-mun, then said casually,
“I'd like some reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements?”
“Yes.”
The buzz-machine Supreme Beat Contest. Snet's top program right now, but before it could strut, it was already on the chopping block. Even if internal meetings locked in Season 2, could it match Season 1's hype? Doubtful. Right when Kim Seok-mun was dripping regret, as CP, he'd crave a ratings explosion. That's what I'd target.
“Yes. Better instruments would be great. We need top backup dancers. But that might violate fairness, like you said. Black Label wouldn't want that either.”
Hard. Keeping face and heart aligned is tough. My mouth said the opposite of my inner chant. Fairness? Who cares? Screw fairness. Take all the support you can. In this brutal reality, not everyone fights with the same weapons. If you can paywall, you should. That's how others eat too.
I swallowed words that could skin Jung Pil-woon alive. This was revenge in its own way—a solid hit.
“Yes. Something big for Black Label. It'd be great if actress Cha Se-hee or G&X boy group members made a special guest appearance.”
Jung Pil-woon looked shocked at my reply, while Kim Seok-mun trembled. Probably exactly what he wanted. Shove G&X's hot celebs in as face cards. Even as CP, singling out stars was rude. Even as agency CEO, demanding cameos was a stretch. Especially big names.
But if a clueless rookie composer asked? Might not be rude. Just bold guts from an ignorant kid. The Black Label rookie dev Team 2 rep, who'd been quietly hyping the mood, was stunned. Only Jung Pil-woon laughed heartily.
I'd braced for a tough no, but it came easy.
“If our composer asks, how can I refuse? I'll pass the word if schedules allow. Not sure about Se-hee, but for idols, it could be good motivation.”
Kim Seok-mun, shivering with uncontainable joy, pounced like a hyena.
“Then, CEO, mind if we set up a separate meeting?”
“Sure, go ahead. I'll make the promise, whatever happens.”
Lip service that could've slid by as courtesy turned into a firm commitment.
“Perfect. Especially Se-hee—she's been resting post-drama, worried fans might forget her. This is a subtle chance to show her face without pressure.”
Jung Pil-woon sincerely backed my request, then asked,
“But is that enough?”
So I answered. Not much, but plenty. Who knows what life brings? Sometimes a tiny pebble rolls into an unstoppable snowball.
“Again. No, not there.”
Jo Young-soo's hand gestured frantically. His right hand, clutching a pen, clicked like a mouse on the screen.
“From the start. Black Label stage, from the very beginning.”
In his haste, he hadn't even gone to the editing bay. After rehearsals ended, Jo Young-soo and a few directors checked the footage. Everyone was solemn. Deadly serious, breaths synced like clockwork. Anyone daring a deep breath would've drawn stones. Every footstep grated nerves. Kim Seok-mun.
“Hey, hey, Young-soo. Your hyung here scored big time.”
Headphones on. Jo Young-soo didn't hear. Too immersed in the monitor to snap out.
“Hey, Young-soo.”
Kim Seok-mun pressed his shoulder; Jo Young-soo spun, startled.
“Whoa! What?”
“Aigoo, you scared me too. Hey, don't yell.”
“What? You're here?”
“That's how you greet a senior you haven't seen in a week?”
Kim Seok-mun peeked.
“What're you watching? So zoned you missed me?”
“I'd have seen you if you came. Mid-check today. You saw it too, right? Black Label.”
“Black Label? Yeah, saw 'em. Killer. Insane. For real.”
Jo Young-soo beamed.
“You think so too? Beyond expectations. For a sec, I thought we were filming Show Me, not Supreme Beat...”
“Huh? What're you talking about?”
“Huh? What about you? Weren't you talking about Ray's stage?”
“For real. Kid. Without your hyung...”
Kim Seok-mun's hand, rubbing Jo Young-soo's shoulder, stopped. Then it wasn't patting—it was pounding wildly.
“G&X CEO Jung Pil-woon showed up.”
“Suddenly?”
“Suddenly my ass... You're totally zoned. Would've missed him without me. Close call. He said he'd get idol members and Cha Se-hee for special appearances.”
“Whoa? For real? Unexpected.”
“Totally. Shocked me too. Didn't know Jung Pil-woon listened to composers like that.”
“Who?”
“That Black Label composer. Falcon. The guy asked personally.”