Chapter 53: Collaborating with a Human Disaster (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 53: Collaborating with a Human Disaster (3)
The beginning of the meeting was a total comedy sketch.
Yu Han-su smoothly explained the materials I’d spent all night researching as if they were his own. His explanation didn't deviate a single inch from the script-like notes I had written for him.
Ideas I’d racked my brain to come up with became Yu Han-su’s original planning in an instant, thanks to a few choice words. The man was a regular silver-tongued alchemist.
I couldn't help but marvel at his audacity—it went beyond mere confidence; his acting was so natural it was almost impressive.
‘No wonder the employee reviews said he stole everyone’s items.’
I was just glad my current job was being an idol. If I were on a team with Yu Han-su, my stomach would have been in knots by now.
The atmosphere shifted the moment the Representative interrupted the presentation to ask a question.
“Can the graph really look like that? Is the highest portion really from the year before last?”
Yu Han-su was visibly flustered by the question.
“The specific figures might be missing, but the graph itself should be correct, Representative.”
No, it wasn't. That graph was completely wrong.
It happened because Yu Han-su had focused on the wrong point entirely.
‘PD-nim, creating the data you’re asking for requires a full-scale census, which is realistically impossible. Unless we’re a statistical agency, it’s hard to survey every single idol who has debuted in Korea.’
‘Just inflate the numbers a bit. Leave out the units and the specific figures on the graph.’
I knew it would come to this the moment he started spouting that nonsense.
In the idol market, where trends change by the season, multiplying a few figures isn't going to yield meaningful data. If you don't know what you're doing, at least don't try to scam people.
If this had been Hanpyeong Industry, I would have stayed up all night or pleaded with Yu Han-su until I could present decent data. Even if I got chewed out by Department Head Nam, as long as it passed the executives, I’d at least get yelled at a little less for the rest of the day.
But this time, I had no intention of doing that.
The moment he ignored the chance I gave him, I was certain I couldn't work with this man.
Sitting at the far end of the conference room, I watched to see just how cornered Yu Han-su would get.
Then, our eyes met.
Upon spotting me, Yu Han-su suddenly put on a stern expression and spoke.
“I-wol, did you verify these numbers?”
Oh. So he was going to shift the blame like that?
It wasn't an unexpected move. Department Head Nam was a pro at slipping away like this, after all. Thanks to him, I’d had a very thorough taste of the bitterness of society.
In this situation…
‘Ah, yes. I did exactly as you instructed, PD-nim…’
If I said that, Yu Han-su would surely play innocent.
‘When did I—? Sigh. I’m sorry, Representative. There must have been a mistake. I-wol, let’s have a talk later.’
He’d act as if he’d never given such an instruction.
Stay calm.
“Ah… I’m sorry. I think I put it in wrong.”
Don't panic; just calmly act like a rookie who realized their mistake and got flustered.
“There were some changes, and I failed to reflect all of them. I’ll correct it.”
I made sure to include a phrase that gave him plenty of room to nitpick.
Ideally, one shouldn't make mistakes. But as long as you're human, they happen. Furthermore, on the outside, I was a twenty-year-old who hadn't even started his professional life. My mistakes could be tolerated to some extent.
But what about Yu Han-su? He was roughly twenty years older than me, had been in the industry for a long time, was in a position to manage me, and was the one who brought the item and was giving the presentation.
“Right. I-wol, fix the data after the meeting. PD Han-su.”
“Yes, Representative.”
“You can keep going as long as you explain the general flow, right? Continue.”
“Pardon?”
There was no way he could. Yu Han-su wouldn't have been able to draw any meaningful conclusions from the raw data. If he had actually read the data, he never would have come up with that garbage argument.
‘He can’t read the files I give him, he rejects the ideas I offer, and he doesn't even review the materials I make…’
As a superior, he was a zero. A total zero.
I watched with interest as Yu Han-su broke into a cold sweat.
“What are you doing? Keep going.”
“I’m sorry. The numbers just got jumbled in my head all of a sudden…”
He was a magnificent liar, not even blinking an eye. His head was probably completely empty.
The Representative rested his chin on his hand and tapped the desk a few times with his finger.
“Hmm…”
A hellish silence descended upon the meeting room.
After a few seconds had passed, the Representative, who had been watching Yu Han-su silently flip through the materials, called my name.
“I-wol.”
“Yes.”
“Do you roughly remember the data that’s supposed to go in here?”
At the same time, Yu Han-su’s gaze shifted toward me.
Don't worry. I have no intention of acting like a brilliant genius trainee with an incredible memory here. I’m not that good of an actor anyway.
“I don’t remember it exactly, but I brought all the files I used when creating the materials.”
“Good job. Let me see those.”
The Representative reached out toward me.
I immediately walked over and handed him the printed Excel documents.
The Representative flipped through the pages and asked, “Why is there an ‘Approx.’ in front of the summary count here?”
“I put it there because… it’s an estimate.”
I answered in a tone that suggested I was being extra cautious because I was worried about the mistake I’d just made.
“An estimate? Didn't you say it was a full-scale survey?”
“That’s…”
When I hesitated, the Representative looked confused.
I tried my best not to look at Yu Han-su, who was turning pale behind the Representative’s shoulder. Then, keeping my lips from curling into a smile, I spoke.
“Since I arbitrarily scaled up the sample survey values, I marked it that way so the PD-nim could verify it.”
“Arbitrarily? Is that how statistics are usually done?”
“…”
The Representative’s brow furrowed.
I didn't even have to turn around to know that the atmosphere in the room was becoming chaotic.
It was up to the Representative to decide who to skin alive. Even if it looked like I had inflated the data on my own, it would still leave the impression of: ‘Did PD Yu Han-su not even check the content of his own project?’ I was satisfied with that.
It would be best if he concluded that it was still a bit too early to give PD Yu Han-su full authority.
And while the rumors were spreading through the company, it would be even better if they reached the vocal teacher’s ears. That teacher had been keeping a close eye on me in every class ever since I’d used my brain a bit during the monthly evaluation.
He seemed to want to guess just how far ahead I was looking…
I hoped that if he heard the embarrassing story of my self-inflicted mistake, he’d think, ‘That I-wol. Making such a rookie mistake, he really is just a kid.’
Anyway.
I put on my most apologetic face and waited for the Representative’s next words.
“I-wol.”
“…Yes.”
“Why don't you leave the materials and head out first? The employees will continue the meeting.”
On the surface, it was a dismissal, but it was practically an acquittal. It meant: ‘You can go, we’re going to grill Yu Han-su now!’
There couldn't have been a more satisfying verdict.
Smiling only in my heart, I said in a low, dejected voice, “Yes, I understand. I’ll be careful not to let this happen again.”
I quietly left the conference room and fully savored the feeling of relief washing over me from head to toe. It felt like the dark circles I’d gained because of Yu Han-su were being washed away all the way down to the basement practice room.
Not long after the meeting ended, I was called up to the rooftop.
The atmosphere was not much different from the days I used to be called into the breakroom, so I stood straight with my hands folded politely.
Yu Han-su made me stand there while he lit his second cigarette. He took a deep drag.
“Hey.”
“Yes.”
“You’re certainly good at answering, aren't you?”
‘Assistant Manager Kim.’
‘…Yes.’
‘Our Assistant Manager Kim is so good at answering. Isn't he?’
How do these older guys have the exact same repertoire?
The only difference was that back at Hanpyeong Industry, I was called to the breakroom instead of the rooftop; the conversation followed the same script. Next, he’d probably say, ‘Assistant Manager Kim… no, Kim I-wol, did you plan this just to screw me over?’
“I-wol, do you realize you almost completely screwed me over?”
See?
What is the System doing? Why doesn't it give me a hidden quest like ‘Guess your boss’s psychology!’?
I was halfway expecting it, but the System didn't show its face.
“That wasn't my intention. I’m sorry.”
I wasn't sorry at all, but whatever. Since I had technically embarrassed him in front of others, I gave a polite apology.
Yu Han-su flicked his cigarette ash right in front of my shoes. I suppose I should be grateful he didn't blow the smoke in my face.
“You might not know this because you’re still young, but when someone asks you for a favor, you have to check it thoroughly before handing it over. Understand?”
He was right. But did he even pretend to listen to my suggestions?
Did he have any idea how much I’d agonized over making an intentional mistake—me, who had never made a single error in reviewing during my short time at Hanpyeong Industry? I’d overcome my instinct to reject stupid work and did exactly what he asked, yet he still had so much to say.
“Aren't you going to answer?”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Look at this. Good at answering again.”
He gets mad if I answer, and mad if I don't. I’ve thought this for a long time, but I really don't know what people like him want from me.
“If I hadn't fixed it, you would have been seriously screwed. Be grateful.”
I almost clapped at the claim that he had ‘fixed’ it. He really was something else. I was genuinely curious how he’d managed to wiggle out of that disaster.
‘Even so, it feels like he got off too easy.’
Knowing he was a man who had maintained his career solely through political maneuvering, I figured he’d found a way out, but a part of me still felt uneasy.
Whether I was lost in thought or not, Yu Han-su kept puffing away at his cigarette.
“The Representative likes you, so I’ll let it slide this time, but there won't be a next time if you mess up again. If you don't want to lose your support, keep your head on straight.”
“Yes.”
I wanted to argue against the part about the Representative liking me. It wasn't so much that he liked me as it was that I’d gained a tiny bit of trust—about as much as the salary raise I’d received last year.
Seeing me with my head bowed must have pleased him, because Yu Han-su added, “If you can’t handle both, you should just back off early.”
I didn't even have to look to know. That bastard’s lips were probably twitching with a smirk.
I snapped my head up as if I’d been whipped into shape.
Sure enough, I saw the corners of Yu Han-su’s mouth trembling.
“Yes, PD-nim. I’ll work hard!”
“Right. Take it to heart, and now go down and practice.”
Yu Han-su patted my shoulder twice as if encouraging me, then gripped it hard.
This level of grip strength was laughable. I was someone who had watched Choi Je-ho crack walnuts with his bare hands on a live stream.
After giving Yu Han-su a pitying look—he clearly hoped this intimidation was working—I left the rooftop with a light heart.
A few days later.
I threw open the practice room door, carrying the fresh news I’d received from the planning team.
“We’re sticking with our current concept!”
“Really?!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon went wild behind Jeong Seong-bin, who had shouted louder than usual. I didn't really feel like stopping Cheong-hyeon.
+
[SYSTEM] ‘Quest’ completed.
▷ Reward: Experience (20)
▷ Cumulative Experience: 20
▷ Cumulative Points: 0
+
As long as my experience points came in properly, that was all that mattered.
I was enjoying my satisfied mood when Lee Cheong-hyeon approached me.
“That was a really close call, wasn't it?”
“I wouldn't say it was that close.”
You guys disbanded after seven years, not ten. Who are you kidding?
“It was a close call. Now that the debut team is confirmed, when I go home this time, my mom is going to ask how the debut preparations are going… Ugh, I could never have told her with a straight face that things were going well with that concept.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon looked disgusted at the thought.
“It’s confidential anyway, so you wouldn't have been able to tell her much.”
“Still, it’s the principle of the thing!”
Then Lee Cheong-hyeon started grinning. He seemed genuinely thrilled.
“More importantly, you’re going home? When?”
“What do you mean when? It’s Chuseok the week after next.”
Chuseok.
When did… time fly by like that?