Chapter 262: Getting to Know Each Other (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 262: Getting to Know Each Other (2)
The individual briefings began with the younger members who needed to be picked up and dropped off.
For Kang Gi-yeon, it was noted that his orthopedic and psychological therapy schedules needed to be managed regularly. For Lee Cheong-hyeon, the fact that he often left the studio late was highlighted as a specific point of interest.
“Seong-bin and Ju-woo have entrance exams in January, so once winter break starts, they’ll mostly just be commuting to the practice room. Since Seong-bin is the leader, he occasionally comes to the office to communicate with the company, but we usually talk online, so you won't see him here too often.”
The pages turned one by one. Im Chan-yeong paused for a moment on the page for Choi Je-ho, who had a rather blunt expression in his photo.
“And this friend is our team’s center, Je-ho… well.”
Compared to the other members, his list of precautions was quite dense.
“You only need to remember one thing. Do not mention his family affairs.”
“Ah, yes.”
“He uses a lot of profanity, so I’d like him to cut back… but the other members usually step in to mediate. It’s not like the kid swears all the time, so just bring it up if you feel like it’s happening too frequently.”
Pyeong Dae-yeon nodded at Im Chan-yeong’s earnest request.
“Finally, this is the member I’d like to ask you to look after most carefully, Dae-yeon.”
Im Chan-yeong pointed to Kim I-wol’s profile picture, which showed a fair and neat-looking young man.
“I-wol is a producing member, so you’ll be picking him up often for work-related reasons. He’s mature and handles social situations well, but for the time being, I’ll be the one primarily looking after him due to some ongoing matters. Still, he’s a member who recently had a health issue, so if he looks even slightly unwell to you, please contact me immediately.”
“Understood.”
Only after finishing the member descriptions did Im Chan-yeong finally take a sip of his coffee. After a mouthful of the now-cold liquid, he let out a shallow sigh.
“The company was in a bit of an uproar until recently, so the kids are generally quite guarded. Once you build rapport, they’ll warm up to you quickly. Let’s take it slow while you learn the ropes with me.”
This was similar to what Min Ju-gyeong had said. It was hard to even guess what kind of mess the company had made with these idols. Usually, isn't the company the one in the position of power?
There was plenty more to hear besides the member descriptions. Once Pyeong Dae-yeon had finished noting down the entire schedule, Im Chan-yeong stood up.
“Shall we go see the kids then?”
“Hello.”
“Hello!”
As soon as they opened the practice room door and offered a greeting, six young men scrambled to their feet to greet Pyeong Dae-yeon.
His first impression of the idols from such a close distance was…
‘They’re tall.’
…that.
The members of Spark were all a head taller than Pyeong Dae-yeon, who was of average male height. Only Kang Gi-yeon, the youngest, was roughly the same height as him.
‘And they’re really handsome.’
Even though he knew it was rude to judge people by their looks, Pyeong Dae-yeon couldn't help but be impressed. He felt like he finally understood why the public referred to idols as people from another world.
“I’m Jeong Seong-bin, Spark’s leader!”
“I’ve heard about you. I look forward to working with you.”
Pyeong Dae-yeon shook hands with Jeong Seong-bin, who was the first to reach out. Even though he had heard the boy was nineteen, there was a certain formality in his manner.
Pyeong Dae-yeon introduced himself to the other members as well.
He could feel a moderate sense of tension and distance from everyone. It was the moment he truly understood Min Ju-gyeong and Im Chan-yeong’s words about them being guarded.
The last person he greeted was Kim I-wol. Unlike the others, Kim I-wol’s demeanor was noticeably softer.
“Hello, I’m Kim I-wol. I look forward to working with you.”
Clear pronunciation and a gentle voice.
A calm gaze, and strikingly long, dark eyelashes.
Even the mild smile that formed as the corners of his thin lips curved upward was pleasant.
‘He has an aura.’
For some reason, he felt a sense of experience from the member standing before him. He felt like he was being observed for a split second, but it passed in an instant.
There was something more important than that.
‘Is his condition good right now? Or is this his average?’
Im Chan-yeong had specifically asked to be contacted if Kim I-wol looked unwell.
And the Kim I-wol before his eyes was incredibly pale. Easily the palest person Pyeong Dae-yeon had ever seen in his life.
Seeing as the other members and Im Chan-yeong didn't say anything, he wondered if this was the standard. Thus, Pyeong Dae-yeon made sure to burn Kim I-wol’s face into his memory—so he wouldn't confuse his current state with when he was actually feeling worse.
“Starting in January, I’m thinking of having you guys move in two separate vehicles. It’s for next year, but start thinking about how you want to split up.”
The members stirred at Im Chan-yeong’s words. It seemed this news hadn't been shared with them yet.
“It’s more fun when we all ride together, though. Don’t you think?”
“Yeah…”
Lee Cheong-hyeon and Park Ju-woo spoke up, sounding disappointed. Usually, people preferred riding in smaller groups for the sake of comfort.
“Won’t we just end up splitting between I-wol Hyung’s car and Je-ho Hyung’s car anyway? Our team basically requires an elder as a default option.”
“Seong-bin Hyung might go as the representative instead of Je-ho Hyung. Because Je-ho Hyung isn't trustworthy.”
Kang Gi-yeon and Lee Cheong-hyeon whispered to each other. Park Ju-woo squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stifle a laugh. Choi Je-ho, the subject of the joke, seemed completely unfazed.
‘They said they get along well, and it’s true.’
It wasn't easy for kids this age to live together 24/7 and remain on such good terms. Though the things they said sounded like children, it was clear from just a brief observation that their attitudes were mature.
Perhaps all of them were more mature than Pyeong Dae-yeon’s own peers. Just recently at a class reunion, hadn't several guys started shouting and challenging each other to "step outside"?
He hoped he would adjust well. Both for himself and for the members. The first meeting concluded just as that thought crossed his mind.
Pyeong Dae-yeon was put into actual field work three days later.
“Picking up I-wol?”
“Yes. I’ll sit in the passenger seat, so just drive comfortably as if you’re practicing the route from the company to the dorm.”
Im Chan-yeong spoke after having already sent the other members home.
When they went to the editing room, Kim I-wol was packing his things. Im Chan-yeong took Kim I-wol’s bag for him and asked, “Did you check it thoroughly? Do you like it?”
“Yes. I think Cheong-hyeon really is a genius.”
He had mentioned staying behind for a final check on the comeback track. It was past midnight, yet his passion was remarkable.
“You could have just done the check at the dorm. Aren't you tired?”
“It feels different listening through speakers versus earphones. I should go and listen to it on my personal devices now.”
“Listen to it just once and go to sleep. Your dark circles are coming back.”
Kim I-wol laughed at Im Chan-yeong’s stern warning. Just as Im Chan-yeong said, there were faint shadows under Kim I-wol’s eyes.
As the three of them headed down to the parking lot, a phone rang. It was Im Chan-yeong’s.
“Excuse me, I need to take this.”
Pyeong Dae-yeon and Kim I-wol nodded as Im Chan-yeong asked for their understanding.
As the elevator descended, Im Chan-yeong’s conversation grew more serious.
“Yeah, I get the situation… but I’m working right now. I’ll call you back after I’m off.”
Im Chan-yeong hung up hurriedly. It seemed something had happened. However, he didn't elaborate.
‘Should I tell him to head home first?’
Pyeong Dae-yeon hesitated. But since the celebrity he was in charge of hadn't said anything, he felt it wasn't his place to intervene while still in his probationary period.
It was then that Pyeong Dae-yeon and Kim I-wol’s eyes met.
“Manager.”
Kim I-wol called out to Im Chan-yeong.
“If it’s urgent, please head home first. If Manager Dae-yeon is okay with it, I’ll go with him.”
“Huh? No, it’s not like that.”
Im Chan-yeong waved his hand.
“It’s just going to the dorm, not a schedule. Would that be alright, Manager?”
“Of course,” Pyeong Dae-yeon replied. There was no reason it wouldn't be alright. He was planning to do the driving today anyway.
After a bit of back-and-forth, Kim I-wol succeeded in sending Im Chan-yeong off. Only the two of them remained in the parking lot.
When the car door opened, Kim I-wol naturally climbed into the passenger seat.
“Wouldn't the back seat be more comfortable?”
“Haha, how could I do that when you’re the one driving!”
At Pyeong Dae-yeon’s suggestion, Kim I-wol laughed affably and buckled his seatbelt. He spoke with a natural ease that sounded like something an older man might say. It was clear why people said he was socially savvy.
As Pyeong Dae-yeon started the engine, he asked, “I was thinking of taking the main road past the post office. Is there a specific route you usually take?”
“Pardon?”
Kim I-wol, who had been opening a diary, looked up with wide eyes. It was the first time Pyeong Dae-yeon thought, ‘Right. I-wol is twenty-one.’
Blinking a couple of times, Kim I-wol smiled and replied, “Please go whichever way is most comfortable for you, Manager.”
Pyeong Dae-yeon asked if he wanted to listen to music, but Kim I-wol declined. Instead, he told the manager to play whatever he wanted to hear.
‘His ears might be tired after listening to music all day.’
So, Pyeong Dae-yeon didn't play any music. The main road was quiet, with no one honking.
Thanks to the dorm being located not far from the agency, they arrived quickly. Once the car was parked, Kim I-wol began gathering his things.
Watching him, Pyeong Dae-yeon remembered something he had briefly forgotten.
“Um, I-wol.”
“Yes?”
Pyeong Dae-yeon pulled a thin notebook from his inner jacket pocket.
“I heard that, well, you can’t have caffeine.”
“Ah, yes.”
“So I did a little research…”
Pyeong Dae-yeon found the page where he had written something down and carefully tore it out.
“The foods people tell you to be careful of vary a bit. This is what I’ve found so far, but is there a specific website that would be good for me to check?”
Looking surprised, Kim I-wol took the paper and slowly read Pyeong Dae-yeon’s notes. After turning the paper over once, he handed it back to Pyeong Dae-yeon.
“I’m only avoiding about this much as well. If there’s anything suspicious, I check it myself before eating, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
Was he worried that Pyeong Dae-yeon might feel embarrassed? Kim I-wol offered a kind smile and expressed his gratitude.
The way he thanked him for the drive, the way he didn't slam the car door too hard, his upright posture, and his concern about what time the manager would get home—it was all very polite.
‘He’s mature, but more than that… he just has a truly kind nature.’
Being consistently considerate of others is a trait that isn't easily learned. Especially at such a young age.
He had heard that Kim I-wol hadn't been a trainee for very long, yet he was remarkably good-hearted. That fact touched the heart of Pyeong Dae-yeon, who had seen all sorts of people while working in the real world.
‘I really hope these kids succeed.’
Pyeong Dae-yeon, who didn't yet realize that Spark had already survived quite well in the flood of idols, found himself rooting for their success nonetheless.