Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Episode 18. Debut Right Around the Corner (4)
For a rookie just about to debut, there’s no such thing as a “rival.”
In the first place, everyone is an opponent with overwhelming firepower.
They have to compete with top-tier celebrities who already have tens of thousands of fans, despite having no recognition at all.
In entertainment companies with capital, the gap with top-tier celebrities can be bridged by pouring in money, but Starlight didn’t have that kind of budget.
In such cases, when looking for rivals, it usually ends up being B-grade groups that failed to make a big splash and end up splitting the audience pie.
Of course, Neon Heart, the band being raised by Park Si-woo, was a bit different.
His Neon Heart was already being evaluated in the industry as an idol-level act that an S-tier entertainment company would debut in full force.
That was solely because of the name value of Guitar Hero.
[It seems Chromehite is also debuting next month. They’re an idol band from JYT.]
JYT.
Undeniably the best entertainment company in Korea.
Naturally, the idols they produce are backed by overwhelming capital, with promotional videos flooding the media.
In other words, it would not be easy for Neon Heart, with comparatively less capital, to win against them.
“Ha.”
Park Si-woo took out a cigarette from his pocket after a long time.
A first hurdle had appeared in the smoothly progressing Neon Heart.
‘I never thought there wouldn’t be any problems.’
Park Si-woo calmed himself.
‘Let’s do what we can.’
If they prepare perfectly, they can win.
Park Si-woo had that much confidence in his music.
“Let’s go.”
He placed the cigarette into a portable ashtray and walked into the company.
ASA.
Short for artist photos.
It’s a kind of profile photo that every band member must have.
Neon Heart went to a studio today to take their artist photos.
“Is ash pink okay?”
When the stylist asked, Park Si-woo nodded.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Alright, I’ll take good care of it.”
A salon in Cheongdam-dong.
While the Neon Heart members headed to the studio, Park Si-woo and Seol A-yeon stopped by the salon.
Her concept photos were set to feature dreamy pink hair and a white dress.
“A-yeon, please call me when you’re done.”
“Ah, yes.”
After saying that, Park Si-woo headed to the counter.
He intended to pay in advance.
“43,000 won.”
“Hmm.”
He knew it was expensive, but still.
It was indeed a price that made your jaw drop.
Just dyeing and cutting cost 430,000 won.
‘Well, it’s not my money.’
Park Si-woo handed over the card given by Cha Ye-seung.
—beep.
“Payment completed.”
Park Si-woo put the card away and headed to the car.
He didn’t own a car, but this time the company provided one.
And not just any car.
‘They even lent me a German one.’
Since it was a corporate vehicle, he could drive it freely.
Park Si-woo reclined the seat and leaned back.
The reason he came to the car was simple.
‘Didn’t they say dyeing looks ugly?’
His ex-wife had told him that, but he didn’t think Seol A-yeon would be any different.
Park Si-woo leaned fully into the seat.
Then he took out his phone and casually browsed entertainment news to pass the time.
About four hours passed like that.
—knock knock.
A knocking sound.
As he got up, the car door opened.
Seol A-yeon stepped in with a somewhat shy expression.
Since it was broad daylight, her face was clearly visible even in the relatively dim interior of the car.
And upon closer look, she looked like a piece of art.
‘It suits her perfectly.’
The light pink hair, reminiscent of the skin of a ripe peach, blended with her fair complexion to create an overwhelming synergy.
At that moment, she looked like a personification of the word “pure and fragile” crafted by a god.
“H-how is it?”
She asked, her face flushed.
Park Si-woo silently gave a thumbs up.
“Ah!”
Seol A-yeon exclaimed.
For some reason, her face was filled with a bright smile.
It was a smile that naturally lifted the mood of those who saw it.
‘She really is an attractive character.’
Park Si-woo chuckled slightly and started the car.
“We’ll head to the studio.”
By now, the photo shoot had probably already begun.
Park Si-woo turned on the navigation and headed to the studio.
After about ten minutes of driving, they arrived.
As expected, filming was already in full swing inside the studio.
“Ah, Chief Producer.”
The general producer, Lee Seung-woo, who had been waiting, spotted him and approached.
“We’re almost done. I think we just need to shoot A-yeon.”
“Let’s proceed right away. A-yeon, you’re ready, right?”
“Yes.”
Unlike when they were alone, her expression turned cold again.
“Then, to the dressing room.”
At Park Si-woo’s words, a makeup team rushed over and escorted her to the dressing room.
Since she had to change clothes and redo her makeup, it would take some time.
“You’re quite a young producer.”
Lee Seung-woo struck up a conversation, perhaps trying to get acquainted during the wait.
Park Si-woo smiled faintly and replied.
“I ended up like this somehow.”
“Is this your first time in this field?”
“If we’re talking about producing, yes, it is.”
At that, Lee Seung-woo’s gaze changed.
As if he had been waiting for this, he began speaking rapidly.
“Then you probably don’t know much about this field. That works out well. I’ve got over ten years of experience, so if you follow my lead, things will generally go smoothly.”
Park Si-woo’s eyebrows twitched.
Who does he think he is, acting like he can take over?
Neon Heart clearly belonged to Park Si-woo.
It was a band he had raised and agreed to create himself.
To conceal his identity, he held the title of general producer, but originally, he should have been the chief producer.
‘This is probably….’
A battle of nerves.
A petty struggle for control.
In the entertainment industry, this was a common occurrence.
The reason Park Si-woo had risen to a team leader at a young age was because he rarely lost these battles of nerves.
Park Si-woo spoke quietly.
“It seems you weren’t properly informed by the CEO.”
“What do you mean?”
“That I’m in charge of Neon Heart’s operations.”
Lee Seung-woo curled the corner of his lips.
It was clearly a mocking smile.
“Right. Since the general producer lacks experience and perspective, I’ve been brought in to support you. So for now, please follow my lead—”
“A-yeon is ready.”
At that moment, a staff member’s voice rang out, cutting him off.
Naturally, both Park Si-woo and Lee Seung-woo turned their gazes toward the side.
At the same time, Park Si-woo couldn’t help but frown.
The outfit Seol A-yeon had been supposed to wear was a neat white dress.
A pure outfit that revealed only from the shoulders to the collarbone.
But what she was wearing now was far from pure.
“……”
A cropped white cotton T-shirt exposing her navel.
A black bra clearly visible underneath, with deep cleavage fully exposed.
Skin-tight jeans that emphasized sensuality rather than innocence.
Seol A-yeon, her face flushed red, pulled down the short crop top with her hands and spoke.
“P-Producer Park… is this… right…?”
Tears were visibly forming in her eyes—something rare for her, as she usually showed almost no expression in front of others.
Park Si-woo clenched his teeth and turned his head.
“Was this changed by the general producer?”
Lee Seung-woo replied casually.
“The responsibility producer may not know this yet, but this is how the idol world works.”
“What do you mean?”
“Those without a solid foundation have to rely on sex appeal to survive. How are you supposed to attract men with a pure image like that?”
At those words, Seol A-yeon’s eyes widened.
Tears the size of beans rolled down from her large eyes.
Then Lee Seung-woo muttered under his breath.
“People who don’t even know anything keep talking….”
Bang!
Park Si-woo stomped his foot, cutting him off.
The sound was so loud it was almost like a gunshot.
Lee Seung-woo looked up at him with wide eyes.
“General producer.”
Park Si-woo, much taller than him, stared down with a hardened expression.
Lee Seung-woo’s eyebrows trembled as he froze, unable to speak.
Seeing him like that, Park Si-woo let out a faint smile.
Then he whispered softly.
“Let’s act according to our position, shall we? If you do that, things like this won’t happen….”
He tapped Lee Seung-woo’s shoulder.
Each tap made his body tremble uncontrollably.
What a worthless guy.
Park Si-woo said.
“Apologize to A-yeon.”
Whether it was pride or not, Lee Seung-woo kept his mouth shut.
But under Park Si-woo’s increasingly cold gaze, he eventually spoke.
“...I’m sorry.”
“Why stir up unnecessary trouble like this? Let’s work together properly, shall we?”
Park Si-woo extended his hand.
Faced with what felt like a coercive handshake, Lee Seung-woo instinctively took it.
Swaying their hands back and forth twice, Park Si-woo chuckled and turned away.
Then he approached Seol A-yeon.
“A-yeon, are you alright?”
The oppressive atmosphere that had felt like it could kill someone was gone without a trace.
Seol A-yeon, having forgotten even to cry, looked up at him with wide, round eyes like a full moon.
Tears that hadn’t yet fallen slowly rolled down her cheeks.
Park Si-woo took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped her eyes.
Then he spoke softly.
“A-yeon is absolutely not without foundation. You’re the best vocalist I’ve chosen as Guitar Hero.”
“...Thank you.”
“We’ll continue the shoot tomorrow. I’ll inform the Neon Heart members in advance. Don’t worry, and take some time to compose yourself.”
He lightly patted both her cheeks to wipe away the tears.
But then—
“P-Producer.”
Seol A-yeon grabbed his hand tightly.
He tried to pull away from the sudden contact but soon stopped himself.
It was because Seol A-yeon spoke out strongly.
“I can shoot now.”
“You don’t need to push yourself.”
“It’s not pushing myself. At first it did hurt, but after hearing your words, I feel better. I’ll become the best vocalist worthy of your choice. To the point where no one can ever look down on me.”
She smiled brightly.
“Thank you so much for choosing me…!”
Her smile was so beautiful that the staff around them all cheered.
Heh.
Park Si-woo looked at her and raised one corner of his lips.
“Alright. Let’s give it a try. But if the eye makeup doesn’t hold, we’ll have to reshoot tomorrow.”
“Okay!”
Nodding firmly, Seol A-yeon quickly ran back to the makeup team.
The artist photo shoot began once again.