The Talent to Enchant People (3)

JK Entertainment CEO's office. CEO Kang Jungi let out a deep sigh as he looked at Ji Soeun sitting across from him.

"Soeun-ah."

"Yes, CEO."

Ji Soeun sat there with the most innocent expression in the world, but Kang Jungi wasn't fooled anymore. He knew exactly what schemes were brewing inside that pretty little head of hers.

"You've seen the reactions online, right? The fans are all pushing Kang Saero."

Kang Jungi mentioned the recent internet trends in a scolding tone.

"It's not like they're doing it to protect you. These days, even fans know what happens when you go on a show, drop a guy's name, and start getting shipped. It never ends."

"Yes...."

Fortunately, Ji Soeun's face fell into a sullen pout. Good. At least she gets it when I lay it out like this. Seizing the moment, Kang Jungi began his calm advice.

"I'm all for you debuting as a solo artist. Idols? You don't have to do it. I think you could make it big as a solo act just fine."

This was based on the report ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from the pale rookie development team lead, Park, laced with concern for her future.

"But don't treat a solo debut like some free pass to date whoever you want. That's a problem."

"I know you're at that age where you're crushing on boys and all that. Of course I do. From my position as CEO, I see it all and feel bad sometimes—like maybe I'm being too harsh on kids chasing their dreams when they're still so young. But Soeun-ah."

"Kids who act on impulse and cause scandals? They all regret it later."

Solo debut? He had no issue with that—in fact, he'd welcome it with open arms. From the company's perspective, they had idol auditions coming up around year-end, and pushing Ji Soeun as an idol would overlap positions.

"I want to take care of all our trainees and debut them properly. But company schedules get backed up sometimes. Things slip through the cracks inevitably. That's on me, and I should apologize for it."

He was directly expressing regret to Ji Soeun, who had been a neglected trainee until now, from none other than JK Ent's Kang Jungi himself. But a no-go was still a no-go.

"You want to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠make it in this industry too, right? You've got dreams of being a singer."

"These days, singers have long careers. Stack up some years, get a bit older, establish yourself, and fans will quietly look the other way on dating."

"By then, you won't even remember Kim Seryeon. Right now, it feels like you'd give up your life for love, but those feelings don't last forever."

Kang "Grandpa's" lecture was spot-on, every word. Ji Soeun bowed her head deeply and replied.

"Hiiing."

"Don't try to cute your way out of this. Answer seriously."

"I'm sorry. I must've messed up my judgment for a second. I've always wanted to go solo, but somehow getting tangled up with Seryeon sunbae kept mixing my ambitions with my feelings."

She looked every bit the sullen girl. Faced with that, even Kang Jungi, who had meant to be stern, softened a little.

"Well, you got through this one okay, so just be more careful from now on."

"Got it."

"Good. Prep hard for the audition. Let's get a great result. Fighting!"

"Yes. Gotta win it. Might as well go all in. Hehe."

Ji Soeun gave her docile reply and left the CEO's office. But inside, she was thinking something entirely different.

Nah, that's not it. Just keep kiting him?

Honestly, rushing to confess to Kim Seryeon right now would be a bad move. She knew that. So, time to tweak the strategy.

During her active career, she'd concede the "official girlfriend" spot to Kang Saero. Scatter the aggro that way, then position herself as his musical muse, soul partner, true bestie girl—scooping up the real benefits.

Trade songs with Kim Seryeon to keep the connection alive, drop a retirement announcement in my mid-to-late 20s, and go public then. Perfect, right?

And if she thought about it, yeah, she'd still want him then. She'd keep seeing him, so her feelings wouldn't fade. By then, Kim Seryeon would be even more amazing, so she'd nurture it until she could claim him.

Honestly, if fans or the CEO knew their fave idol had this mindset, they'd feel mega betrayed.

Ji Soeun knew it deep ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠down.

Sue me.

But whatever.

As long as it's fun while it lasts, right?

She even had post-retirement plans.

Antis after I retire? What're they gonna do?

Like a webnovel author yelling "How you gonna drop this after the finale?!"

So the fandom flow right now wasn't bad per her plan. Playing ping-pong with Kang Saero kept the tightrope balanced.

Perfect.

His name was Ji Minseong. Practically uncle-age with their big gap. A working doctor at a Gangnam dermatology clinic. On his way home from work, he insisted on swinging by to see their parents and drop her off.

Ji Soeun greeted her older family member warmly.

"What's with this triple combo."

"He's offering a late-night ride home—don't be like that."

"I'd rather take the bus."

"She wasn't like this as a kid. How'd she turn so spoiled?"

"You raised her too soft."

"I carried her on my back when she was little. My heart's breaking. Breaking."

Ji Minseong played it cool as he expertly navigated Gangnam's tangled roads. Then, at a red light, he glanced at his sister via the rearview and got to the point.

"But weren't you never into guys before? Why's your head turning now that you're a trainee?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Even Triple Combo surfs the net, Soeun-ah."

"......Does it really look that bad?"

"If you're grateful, say it privately—not on live TV. That's an accident. A massive one."

Ji Minseong sighed.

"Your CEO's gotta have a headache. A pre-debut kid confessing love to a guy on air."

"It wasn't a love confession—just respect. You wouldn't get it; you don't know love."

"I'm married."

"......"

"Anyway, that's how it looks to everyone. Keep it up without caution, and your debut's toast."

Her brother's nagging continued, but it went in one ear and out the other for Ji Soeun. Instead, she slouched sideways in the back seat and started scrolling her smartphone.

The communities were still buzzing about Star's Birth.

"Tch."

Ji Soeun's brow furrowed. It was going to plan, but she couldn't help the bad mood. Her thumb tapped the screen with a tick.

[Dislike]

A petty revenge. She went to hit another on the next comment when her brother caught her eye in the rearview.

"Hey. Ji Soeun. You listening?"

"Yeah, yeah. Don't cause accidents."

Ji Soeun pouted and turned to the window. Just watch. The one laughing last wins.

Same time. On Kang Saero's bed in her room.

Kang Saero locked the door, pulled the covers over her head, and secretly peeked at her smartphone.

Her thumb tapped the screen—upvote gained.

Upvote.

Massive upvote.

"Hehehehehe."

This is it. This is what real fans get.

Happy Kang Saero. Truth be told, when Ji Soeun dropped Kim Seryeon's name on air, she thought the world was ending.

What did she even say again?

— Seryeon sunbae! I really really like you! Love you! (slightly distorted memory)

She didn't remember exactly, but it sounded crazy. And objectively, Ji Soeun was pretty, bright, the type guys liked. Boobs too.... way bigger than hers. Not that hers were small. Ji Soeun was just weird. Were they picking idols by cup size these days?

More than that, a pre-debut trainee going that bold? No chance, right? She barely slept that night fretting.

But public opinion swung this way. Ironically, Ji Soeun's fans became Kang Saero's staunchest allies.

Roughly that logic. Ji Soeun fans wanted to shield their girl from scandal—meaning rumors with Kim Seryeon. So they desperately shoved her forward as the shield.

Not bad?

The motives were sticky and annoying, but their goals aligned for now. Temporary alliance it was.

Kang Saero's finger, enchanted, hit the heart.

Another lavish like. She genuinely loved it.

"Hauuuu!"

Kang Saero couldn't hold back and kicked the blanket off. Her legs flailed in the air, the cool summer fabric rustling crisply. Her face burned, but her lips kept creeping up to her ears.

Kang Saero smashed massive upvote again. This time, deploying Thor and her burner account to send that post to the shadow realm for good.