Chapter 89: Job Competency Improvement Training (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 89: Job Competency Improvement Training (3)
First, job competency improvement. I can just practice hard for the OJT missions, so I’ll pass on worrying about that for now.
Next, sharing secret stories with the members? I wonder what on earth that’s supposed to be.
What kind of secrets? Am I supposed to talk about settlement ratios and stuff? Does UA not stop employees from sharing salary information?
Still, it says it increases the probability of a stable comeback, so I guess I have to share something.
If worst comes to worst, I’ll shove them all into a vocal practice room and tell them the 101 reasons why I couldn't go to college. It’s something that already happened, so there shouldn't be any penalty.
That leaves...
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[SYSTEM] A ‘New Task’ has been assigned.
▷ Secure manpower for the comeback
▷ Reward: Increased probability of a stable comeback
+
This is the one.
If we move up the comeback date, we might be able to secure some of the company’s manpower.
However, that would only be to a certain extent; it was hard to expect the same level of push we received during our debut.
‘Unless the workload for that person named Nyuri decreases significantly.’
There were roughly three ways to make that happen.
One: Nyuri suddenly becomes bold and bulldozes through every decision-making process.
Two: Yu Han-su realizes and unleashes some hidden talent he hasn't been aware of until now.
Three: In UA, where they never hire enough people, I take on all sorts of odd jobs to minimize the time Nyuri has to spend on them.
Anyone could see that number three was the only realistic answer.
I let out a bitter smile.
I turned on my laptop, intending to look over Nyuri’s previous albums. I figured I might as well do some background research while I was at it.
However, my sacrifice for Spark soon lost its purity and spontaneity.
“You want me to... read the proposal?”
Someone from the Planning Team had come to find me, holding a proposal labeled ‘(4th Draft).’
Trying my best not to look reluctant, I cautiously took the few pages of the proposal.
‘Why are they giving this to me?’
The Planning Team were the pros in this industry; what could I possibly have to say?
This was incredibly awkward. I swallowed a sigh and read through the proposal carefully.
And then I saw it.
『The Goddess’s Return, and a New Journey』
A tacky title that was irritatingly familiar.
‘Is Yu Han-su playing some kind of game lately?’
These were words I felt like I’d seen at least a few times in subway advertisements at Gangnam Station.
That’s fine for a game ad, but isn't this a slightly different field?
I tried my best not to scowl in front of the staff member as I turned the page.
My efforts nearly went up in smoke within three seconds.
『Planning Intent
With a concept of being a descendant of a Siren who enchant listeners with fatal beauty and a captivating voice, we seek a change in image for Nyuri, who returns after three years with a more mature look...』
The rest was even more of a spectacle.
That man, Yu Han-su, must have definitely downloaded some weird game. Can this guy only give female singers sexy concepts?
In the first place, why is the Planning Team showing me this? To screw with me?
Or is it because they didn't want to be the only ones with their mental state shattered, so they wanted me to share the pain?
Either way, it was painful. I quickly gathered the proposal and handed it back to the staff member.
“I’m sorry. I’m still too inexperienced to even know what to say!”
“I-wol, wait a second!”
The staff member hurriedly caught me as I tried to flee. I desperately wanted to scream for them to let me go.
Everyone in the company knows I’m on bad terms with Yu Han-su, so what kind of protocol is this? What could I possibly say here!
I was just about to wish I’d collapse from my cumulative fatigue level hitting the ceiling when the staff member spoke.
“Don’t feel pressured; just tell us honestly. We’re feeling a bit uncertain ourselves, so we’re going around asking for opinions.”
Uncertain? About what exactly?
Even with my eyes closed, I could see Yu Han-su standing Nyuri in the middle of a mudflat on the west coast, filming a music video, and then compositing a million basalt columns over it with chroma key.
Perhaps my distrust was evident, as the staff member laughed awkwardly.
“Um... it would be a bit much to ask for your opinion without giving any explanation, right?”
“If it’s confidential, you don’t have to tell me. I don’t mind at all!”
“Do kids these days even use the word ‘confidential’? Anyway.”
The staff member cleared their throat a couple of times.
“Actually, the Planning Team is skeptical about this case. Even before the freshness of the plan, the image itself isn't the style Nyuri likes.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. I-wol, have you seen any of Nyuri’s music videos?”
I had. They generally had a very high-energy feel. She was the type to spread bright energy to those around her, too.
When I nodded, the staff member continued.
“Nyuri is the type to be quite adventurous, even among ballad singers. The subject matter of this new song is unique, too. So...”
“So it doesn't fit this kind of concept.”
At my words, the staff member sighed. It seemed Yu Han-su hadn't looked into Nyuri’s previous work at all.
But a question still remained.
Why did the Planning Team bring this to me? Especially when they already knew internally what was wrong with it.
I had no intention of getting framed for running my mouth carelessly, so I cautiously asked the staff member.
“But may I ask why you’re asking me? Seong-bin knows the music industry trends better than I do, and Cheong-hyeon has better creativity.”
“How are you so meticulous for your age?”
I think I became this way after getting blasted for heating Department Head Nam’s ssanghwa tea in the microwave for an extra ten seconds, but I didn't say that.
Since I didn't give a specific answer, the staff member continued.
“First, the reason we’re asking people outside the team is because we’re worried we might have a prejudice against PD Yu. You know, you should hate the person, not the work, right?”
I wanted to ask if it wasn't usually the other way around, but I held back.
“You seem to find it strange that we aren't asking people with significant industry experience, but the problems those people would catch should have already been pointed out within the team of experienced professionals. If that’s not happening, the team has already lost its function.”
“...”
“Furthermore, the reason I asked someone young like you was that I wondered if we were missing out on current trends. No matter how sensitive the entertainment industry is to trends, it’s hard to keep up with the younger generation themselves. PD Yu’s plan might look bad to us, but it might work for your generation.”
The staff member scratched their head and laughed.
I was surprised. I didn't think UA would have such a strong professional ethics.
I was almost curious how a "Cyborg Warrior" concept could come out of a company with a team like this.
Next, I felt ashamed.
These people were looking seriously at the work itself, while I was only thinking about how to handle myself around Yu Han-su.
Let’s reflect. And let’s learn a lot, I reminded myself internally.
“Oh, right, I-wol.”
I thought the conversation was over, but the staff member called me back again.
“You asked earlier. Why I asked you instead of Seong-bin or Cheong-hyeon.”
“Ah, that.”
“There are many reasons, but the biggest reason I specifically asked for you is that you have good sense.”
It was a bit hard to understand. It had been years since my brain had stiffened up. There was no way I had any usable sense left.
As if noticing my thoughts, the staff member patted my shoulder.
“You have good instincts. Surprisingly so. At least, that’s what the people on our team think.”
“So, you got totally swayed by the Planning Team’s praise and stayed up until dawn looking for items for Nyuri-sunbaenim?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon, who had approached me during our break, asked.
“Cheong-hyeon, I’m going to cry if you put it like that.”
Even as I answered, my fingers didn't stop moving.
I had to move diligently if I wanted to send the attachment, a formal greeting, and a smiley face emoticon within ten minutes.
Despite my neglect, Lee Cheong-hyeon didn't back down.
“Didn't you say your eyes were so dry that tears try to come out but just go back in?”
“How is every single word you say so logical?”
I ignored Lee Cheong-hyeon’s rapid-fire remarks and pressed the send button on the email to the Planning Team.
What else could I do? As a fellow office worker, I couldn't just leave a struggling colleague alone.
“Hyung, you’re seriously lacking sleep. You have a tendency to be way too careless just because your growth period is over.”
As Lee Cheong-hyeon spoke, Park Ju-woo nodded from behind.
“So? Are you saying you’ll handle the schedule coordination for me starting today, Cheong-hyeon?”
“Should I? Then please forward them to me.”
Look at this guy. Having pulled a few all-nighters with me, he’s already got a sharp grasp of the ecosystem.
“Forget it. I’m joking.”
Saying that, I got up from the floor. Lee Cheong-hyeon grumbled about who makes jokes with such a straight face, but I pretended not to hear that either.
Checking the time, there were about two minutes left until practice resumed.
I secretly went to the corner of the practice room and opened the System to check my work progress.
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[SYSTEM] Job Competency Improvement Program Progress
▷ Kim I-wol
Dance (1) ■■■■■□□
Dance (2) ■■■■□□□
Vocal ■■■■■□□
▷ Choi Je-ho
Dance ■■■■■□□
Vocal ■■■■■□□
.
.
.
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On this fifth day, all the members were sailing smoothly, successfully filling their practice hours.
All that was left was for me to finish the remaining practice time tonight to get a full attendance stamp for the Dance (2) category, and then run hard for the remaining two days.
If I succeed in this, then...
≫ Fucking tired of turning a blind eye to this clumsy dancer
I-wol, please practice... Aren't you embarrassed in front of the members...?
≫ LOL he’s the oldest but his skills are at the bottom
Fucking hell, why did he have to join at the last minute ㅠㅠ so annoying ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
≫ This guy just isn't cut out to be an idol
What’s the point of the members appealing that he practices hard all day? The skill the public sees is exactly at this level
If he’s like this after practicing, then this path just isn't for him in the first place
...I might be able to slightly soothe the hearts of the OT5 supporters who are suffering like this.
I’m sorry, I’ll try to be as inconspicuous as possible.
“Hyung, our break is over!”
As soon as I finished checking the progress, Jeong Seong-bin called me.
“Yeah, I’m coming.”
I stood up from the corner as naturally as possible.
At that moment, the area under my nose felt hot, and something began to trickle down. I hurriedly covered my nose and mouth with my hand.
‘What is this? A runny nose?’
How embarrassing. A grown man can't even blow his nose in time and has it running down his face; even someone who supported Spark as six members would turn into an OT5 supporter immediately.
“Hyung, what’s wrong...?”
Park Ju-woo asked.
I waved my hand to keep them from coming near me in my most pathetic state and said, “Sorry. I think I look pretty gross right now. Could you just pretend you didn't see and bring me some tissues?”
“Hy-Hyung! Hyung, you’re bleeding!”
While I was piteously reaching out my hand, Lee Cheong-hyeon screamed.
Bleeding?
Just then, I smelled that familiar scent of iron. Something I had been desperately trying not to swallow, thinking it was snot, seeped between my lips.
I slowly looked down at the hand that had been covering my nose. My hand was soaked with dark red blood.