Chapter 247: Innovation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 247: Innovation (1)
For the past week, the Spark rascals’ daily routine looked like this:
“Is there even any point in this being a ‘group’ practice?”
“Just be grateful we’re bringing you along, Hyung,” Kang Gi-yeon, the mastermind behind securing this practice room, retorted.
Apparently, this was where he had first learned to dance before joining UA. When he heard the director was closing the studio to retire to the countryside, he reached out and asked to rent it for a few weeks. It seemed Gi-yeon had made a habit of keeping in touch with the director over the years.
Perhaps thanks to that connection, the director told us to use the building freely since it was going on the market anyway, and he didn't charge us a dime.
As a result, despite being wanderers who had walked out on our agency, we ended up using a practice room even larger than the one at UA. It brought a tear to my eye.
The guys insisted on dragging me to this nice practice room, claiming that if I collapsed while alone, it would turn into a disaster. If they were going to be like that, they might as well have paid for a private vocal booth for me.
Jeong Seong-bin wiped away his sweat and smiled. Honestly, he was the ringleader behind this whole situation. What a stubborn guy.
Still, lying around gave me plenty of time to think, which was a plus.
I restored my negative emotion perception rate, which I had lowered to view the memory data, and pondered the abnormal state of my heart that the guys were so worried about.
I hadn't realized it when I first discovered the causal link between synchronization and cardiac arrest, but looking back, there were some lingering questions.
Activities dangerous for someone with a weak heart—like riding intense roller coasters, being startled, or consuming substances that affect heart rate—definitely affected me.
However, I had never felt a strain on my heart from intense choreography or exercise.
Isn't that strange? They say exercise is good for your health, but that depends on the person. For someone currently crawling along the floor, rehabilitation should come before a workout.
It’s just a guess, but it seems the heart-related restrictions don't trigger during physical activities necessary for becoming an idol. I have no idea just how badly this system wants me to be an idol.
So, on the first day at this practice room, I spent my time memorizing the "Precautions for Heart Disease Patients" pamphlet the hospital had printed for me, all so I could achieve my KPI without dying.
Since I wasted a whole day on that, my future self will probably struggle to memorize the formations, but I’m sure he’ll figure it out somehow.
Hang in there, Kim I-wol. It’s better than collapsing again.
I also thought about why the system didn't trigger a warning this time, unlike with Yu Han-su...
It’s likely because drinking caffeine isn't directly fatal, and more importantly, I don't have any "4 Major Insurances" left to use even if I did fall into a crisis. I already used one up when I got hit in the head with that hammer.
Taking it a step further, it seems the system encouraged me to view the memory data as a warning because it can no longer guarantee my life. It’s basically saying, “This is how you died, so watch your back.” And indeed, I’ve started paying attention to my heart now.
‘Though I still don't know what that first memory data was trying to tell me.’
I was grumbling to myself while drafting a proposal to send to the dedicated team when my phone vibrated.
One of the negotiation points Spark had presented to UA was the permission to use personal cell phones so we could be reached quickly at any time.
UA must have agreed that it was necessary, as they returned all six phones to Choi Je-ho and Jeong Seong-bin that very day.
The source of the vibration was Jeong Seong-bin.
Our diligent leader rarely let practice be interrupted by something like a ringtone.
That meant the caller was likely the company...
“Yes, I understand. Thank you.”
...Considering the grace period the company gave us, the situation they were in, and Spark’s comeback schedule.
“The company said they’ll accept all of our demands!”
“Whoo!”
Yeah, it had to turn out this way.
After many twists and turns, Spark entered the UA building once again. Manager Chan-yeong, who came to the dorm to pick us up, was speechless when he saw my state. I had even applied some ‘Nature Pink’ for a natural glow. What a shame.
“Are we going to run into that person there?” Choi Je-ho asked. It was a heavy, direct question.
“That won't happen, don't worry,” the manager promised confidently. He didn't seem to be lying.
“His termination was finalized the day before yesterday, and all his access rights to the building have been revoked. We even recovered all the car keys.”
“...Is a restraining order out of the question?” Park Ju-woo, sitting in the passenger seat, asked. The manager let out a small sigh.
“I asked the legal team, but they said it would be difficult. From our perspective, Un-seop was a problematic person for a long time, but to get a restraining order, there needs to be a record of continuous threats or something similar.”
It seemed the company had looked into various things beyond what we had requested. As long as they followed through with the damages as promised, it didn't matter.
Another condition we set was for both me and UA to file separate lawsuits for damages against Hong Un-seop. I intended to make him pay dearly for his shitty work performance.
As the car reached the parking lot, the manager called out to me.
“I-wol.”
“Yes?”
“The Representative would like to see you for a moment... When would be a good time?”
I was the one being summoned, but the Spark members flinched.
“Just him?” Choi Je-ho asked pointedly. The members stared intently at the manager.
“It’s absolutely not for anything bad! The Representative just said there are a few things he wants to ask.”
“Still, sending him alone is a bit... and there’s I-wol Hyung’s condition to consider,” Jeong Seong-bin stated his refusal politely.
“Cheong-hyeon, do you have a mirror?”
At my question, Lee Cheong-hyeon rummaged through his bag and pulled out a hand mirror. It was the yellow king-ribbon hand mirror he had received from a fan during ‘Adan-un.’
My face in the mirror was incredibly pale. It almost looked closer to how I appeared right after I stopped breathing in the memory data.
Judging that it would be hard for anyone to act aggressively toward a face like this, I handed the mirror back to Lee Cheong-hyeon.
“I’m fine. Can I go up right now?”
“Hyung.”
Kang Gi-yeon grabbed my arm from the seat next to me.
“Gi-yeon.”
“What?”
“Don't you think sitting down for an interview would be better for my well-being than going to practice dancing?”
Kang Gi-yeon couldn't argue with that. Instead, even with the manager present, he showed a fierce determination, saying, “You have your phone, right? Turn on the voice recorder before you go in.”
As expected, the Representative couldn't hide his shock the moment he saw my face. Min Ju-gyeong, who was with him, reacted the same way.
“Are you sure you don't need to be hospitalized?”
“Yes. The hospital said there isn't much they can do anyway.”
Min Ju-gyeong, who was about to ask if I wanted something to drink, hesitated. Since I had collapsed after drinking something at the company, it wasn't easy for her to offer anything.
“If it’s alright, could I have a glass of water?”
“Of course.”
Only after I had requested and received a glass of lukewarm water did the Representative begin to speak.
He asked if I was okay and suggested that perhaps I should take a hiatus this time. I firmly declined, knowing my heart would be perfectly fine once I started my idol activities.
Next came apologies and expressions of shame.
If he had tried to brush it off with a single apology like Jang Jun-hu, I would have seriously considered moving agencies as per Jeong Seong-bin’s plan.
Even if it’s an act, bowing one’s head to someone considered far below them is no easy feat. Yet, the Representative seemed sincere.
“Especially to you, I’m truly...”
I certainly had been through a lot of turmoil in this company. In terms of physical injury, it might have even surpassed Hanpyeong Industry.
But why didn't I hate UA as much as Hanpyeong Industry?
Was it simply because there was someone apologizing? Or because my tenure here was shorter?
While I was pondering this, the Representative told me something unexpected. He said the company had held serious discussions when Spark requested the termination of their exclusive contracts.
“...Were you planning to let us go?”
“If that’s what you wanted.”
I hadn't expected this turn of events.
UA had invested years into Spark. They were going to let go of their business asset just as it was starting to make money?
“Then, the reason you accepted our demands was...”
“Because it would take a long time for you to find a new agency.”
That was the very reason I had opposed Jeong Seong-bin’s opinion. The Representative was saying he had held onto Spark for the same reason.
“I know how you all must feel. That’s why, if you wanted it, the company was willing to help you do as you wished. But as adults, we concluded that we also had to consider your careers from a realistic standpoint.”
“Why...?”
“Because what we want is for you to succeed.”
It was shocking. I never expected to hear such words from someone else.
“You wrote the negotiation proposal, didn't you, I-wol?”
“Seong-bin and the members wrote the draft. I only added some comments.”
Even though it was the truth, the Representative didn't seem to believe me. He’d be surprised if he knew just how proficient Jeong Seong-bin had become with office formats.
Seeing as they had accepted that proposal with its many demands, it seemed their desire for Spark to succeed was genuine.
“You boys are quite talented. None of you seem your age.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Were you serious about wanting to go to the Department of Business Administration?”
I had mentioned my desire to major in Business Administration once during ‘Drinking.People.’ I didn't know he had watched that. It was proving to be very helpful in this conversation, though.
“Of course.”
“Right. Otherwise, kids your age wouldn't be this well-versed in the ways of the world.”
The Representative let out a hollow laugh. He had apparently interpreted me as a ‘youth who wanted to go to the Department of Business Administration so badly that he studied it on his own to nurture his dream, but ended up becoming an idol instead of going to college.’
“While you were away, the company received some management consulting. Though there weren't any firms I liked.”
Everyone had been very busy in such a short time. But I doubted that consulting was of much help.
Management consulting usually focuses on managing performance or HR indicators. For UA, which wasn't debating things like sales targets, it wouldn't have been very useful. It wasn't an HR problem that could be solved through organizational restructuring.
“On the other hand, a thought occurred to me.”
“What kind of...?”
“The negotiation proposal.”
The Representative brought up the document in question.
“If you’re at a level where you can state what you want this specifically, I wondered if you already have an ideal company in your head.”
I was just glad he didn't take it poorly. I never imagined the conversation would go this way.
“So, instead of accepting your demands bit by bit, I’m thinking of improving the system with the company you want as the goal.”
The Representative looked me straight in the eye.
“I-wol, what kind of company do you want this to be?”
It was a direct pitch.
He was asking an incredible thing of a rookie idol. If I hadn't had experience working in HR, I would have been crying on the inside.
‘It’s not that I don't have a company I personally consider ideal.’
But to speak honestly, I needed certain conditions met.
First, the other party must be ready to accept whatever I say.
Second, the other party must not hold a grudge over my words.
Third, they must not make snide remarks like, “If you’re going to do something useless, just do my work instead,” or “Do you have that much time to think?”
Based on what I had seen of the Representative so far, it was safe to say all conditions were met. Though he would likely see me as an even stranger idol after this conversation.
I toyed with my paper cup, weighing whether opening my mouth here would benefit or harm Spark. Then, I made my decision.
“Before I answer that, could I perhaps speak with you in private, Representative?”
To support the leader who had taken a strong stand for his members, I decided to go bold.
With a nod of permission, Min Ju-gyeong left the room. Only the Representative and I remained in the office.