Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: There Are So Many Stars
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It seemed like Sa Hyeok was throwing a fit from behind, but that was none of Cha Dowon's business.
"Our Sa Hyeok drank way too much. He's in bad shape—he can't even stand properly."
"He'll be fine. He's been like this for years now."
"I never even thought to come by because of the CCTV concerns, but this is weird. Is there really no CCTV here?"
Sa Hyeok's former manager nodded.
"Yes. You saw all the scattered bottles, right? Plus, beating people up is routine around here, so they got rid of it ages ago."
"Wow. If a thief breaks in, they'd clean the place out."
"That they would."
Was it because it was a fancy apartment that even thieves stayed away? Humming to himself, Cha Dowon stepped out into the hallway with such thoughts in mind.
"Dowon, mind if I ask you something?"
"Sure. Even if I said don't, you'd ask anyway. Just go ahead."
The two shared a smile.
"What are you planning to do about Sa Hyeok?"
Cha Dowon glanced up at the ceiling for a moment before lowering his gaze again.
"Nothing."
"Why's that?"
"Because there's no need to do anything."
"Sa Hyeok's a tenacious top star."
"Wanna bet? He's in a tough spot now. Most of the public wants to see him fall. Sure, not everyone."
The third-year middle school idol stepped into the elevator and continued.
"But he acted too arrogant for his own good. Self-inflicted."
"Um, can I ask one more thing? Whatever happened to that manager who was the son of a shaman?"
"He had debts from before. The president personally tipped off the debt collectors about his whereabouts. That alone should be hell enough."
Sa Hyeok's former manager nodded. Cha Dowon chuckled and shook his head.
Maybe it was the Han River view, but a river breeze blew through. Feeling the humid wind on his face, Cha Dowon looked up at the sky again. The clear weather let a few stars peek through.
"There are so many stars."
"Yeah."
"Even top stars are a dime a dozen."
Sa Hyeok's former manager nodded. It was a pity, but true.
***
'What an unusual music video.'
I checked the scenario board and tilted my head. Even for a historical drama vibe, this felt like a full-on short drama.
'Why's the storyline so detailed?'
Would this even land well?
[Kang Min-je's Chunhyang Emotion]
[200%]
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
The music video concept had been finalized, and the numbers had gone up.
'Well, everyone loves dramas, East or West.'
I kept scanning the scenario board. No dialogue since it was a music video, but tons of scenes requiring facial expressions.
Lee Seung-jun, fresh out of the shower, wandered over and asked.
"How is it? Tough?"
"A bit. But the song turned out great. Gotta give it my all."
Lee Seung-jun smirked and plopped down on my bed again. The room wasn't that big. He could've talked from his own bed, but this guy always sat right next to me.
"Got something on your mind?"
The bear-like guy nodded.
"Sister-in-law's husband asking for money again?"
"That's par for the course."
"He's not borrowing—he's just extorting."
"Probably."
Lee Seung-jun gave a bitter smile.
"That's not the only worry."
"What then?"
"I'm sorry I can't be more help to you."
I tore my eyes from the scenario board and looked at Lee Seung-jun.
"You're thinking nonsense."
"I'm really sorry."
This guy's sincere.
"Lee Seung-jun. Personally, I'm just grateful Zenith isn't causing any scandals."
Of course, Ki Jae-yoon was always a worry.
"No matter how good the image, one crazy stunt from a member tanks the group forever. But hey, everyone's handling their solo stuff fine enough. No real complaints about the members."
"But we're still a team."
"We are. But how long do you think an idol group lasts?"
The contract was seven years, at least. Yeah, we'd be together as a group for seven years.
"Never thought about it."
"It ends eventually. Teams aren't forever. Kinda funny thinking about it in our debut year, though."
Lee Seung-jun's eyes trembled.
"I-is that so."
"Save your money, Lee Seung-jun. That's the best advice. I know you're not the type to blow it on dumb stuff like car accidents. But having cash versus not is what makes or breaks your later years."
The bear-like guy nodded solemnly. Then, out of nowhere, he covered his mouth and burst out laughing.
"Lee Seung-jun?"
"No, it's just... hilarious. Talking about your later years at your age. Sometimes you sound like an old man."
My brow furrowed on its own. I turned back to the scenario board. But his words lingered in my ear.
'Come to think of it, even before regression, people said my speech was kinda old-mannered.'
Wait, is this...
"My one flaw?"
So human of him.
"Puhahaha!"
I brushed it off, but Lee Seung-jun rolled around clutching his stomach.
'What's so funny?'
Still a kid, I guess. Everything's hilarious.
'Well, he should laugh a lot at that age.'
Lee Seung-jun went from laughing to sniffling.
"Go ahead, laugh it up."
I shook my head. He rolled around shedding tears for a good while.
That's when it happened. A sudden knock at the door.
'What?'
Who knocks on our room door? People usually just barge in.
"Yes. Come in."
The door cracked open, and the manager poked his head in.
"Kids, the president's calling."
What.
"Who screwed up?"
"Nah. I checked the portals just in case—nothing."
I asked Lee Seung-jun.
"Know anything?"
"Nope."
Then what is it?
I got up from the bed and headed to the living room. The usually dim, empty space was lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Is our Dowon here?"
"President?"
The president, whose eyes sparkled like a cow's for no reason, grinned with a bowl of popcorn.
"Been to the theater?"
"Yeah. Oh, but I didn't watch a movie. Just grabbed popcorn."
That bad for popcorn, huh.
"We've got something to watch today."
"What?"
"Good stuff."
The president hummed over and plugged a USB into the living room TV. Meanwhile, the manager rounded up the other members.
"It's the teaser for tomorrow's documentary."
How'd he snag a teaser dropping tomorrow?
"Prepared it special so we could watch together."
Rubbing sleepy eyes—probably just woken up—Ki Jae-yoon said.
"I hate documentaries. Never watched one properly."
"You'll watch this one right. It's super thrilling."
What the hell is it?
The president plopped in the middle of the sofa and fiddled with the remote. He patted it a few times and said.
"Dowon, sit next to me."
I nodded reluctantly. As soon as I sat, he threw an arm around my shoulders.
"Prepared it for you."
Chills ran down my spine.
'Sshould I hit him?'
He's the president. The president.
Inner conflict raged. Staring at my fist, I replied.
"What is it?"
"Here we go!"
I roughly shoved his thick arm off and fixed it in place. By then, the members and manager had settled in. Some had to sit on the floor.
No subtitles yet, so we had to listen to the announcer.
-Today, we're discussing star violence. Popular star S was welcomed everywhere.
Huh.
"This Sa Hyeok?"
The president munched popcorn and said.
"Yep."
"This can air on TV?"
"Of course it should. Upholds justice, right?"
In a broad sense, maybe.
"How'd it get on air?"
"The PD pushed it for ratings."
Oh.
Justice my ass.
"Just a power struggle, right?"
"Well, Sa Hyeok's victim is now our Zenith staff—his former manager. Gotta play my cards. How about it, Dowon? Am I just, or what?"
Justice who?
"But it gives a solid pretext."
The president beamed and shoveled in popcorn.
The screen showed a reenactment of the beating. The documentary dissected Sa Hyeok from A to Z, debating his violence.
'This'll make waves.'
No idea how big, but obvious.
"He's done for."
"Well, he's got overseas gigs."
"Yeah, 'cause Asia loves has-beens who tanked in Korea."
The president chuckled through a mouthful of popcorn.
"Our Dowon knows his stuff. Wanted to tell you kids too. Overseas is great, but lose footing here and you're toast."
Kang Min-je said.
"If you're popular overseas, you can be big domestically too."
"Min-je's right. But it's like a bean-less bun. Won't last years. Plus, our fans have high standards. Unless it's a total sensation, your rep's confetti in a month."
Ki Jae-yoon grabbed a handful of the president's popcorn and asked.
"What's a sensation?"
I answered.
"North America market, right?"
The president's pointless sparkling eyes widened.
"H-how'd you know?"
"It's the only uncharted territory. Hallyu wave in Asia's old news."
The president nodded, chewing popcorn.
"Truth is, our whole industry eyes North America."
"No one's claimed it yet, right?"
"They all tried and got smacked back. Who do you think'll make it?"
I chuckled.
"Zenith, obviously."
Everyone in the living room stared at me.
"Huh, we not doing it? Thought we tailored the group for that."
"Huh?"
The president suddenly dabbed sweat with a handkerchief.
'What, we're not?'
Then why the English lessons?
I chuckled. Whatever.
"Let's make it so from now on."
The president choked on popcorn. Sa Hyeok's former manager dashed to the kitchen for water.
"Uh, Dowon."
"Not like my press conference was a mistake. It's good—climb step by step."
"Y-yeah."
"Not just me liking it? What's with everyone?"
Lee Seung-jun was blank as usual. Kang Min-je was lost in thought, Yoo Ha-jin covering his mouth and bowing his head.
Ki Jae-yoon pointed at me and muttered.
"See? Total maniac with ambitions."
"You seem comfy lately, Jae-yoon. Quit hogging the popcorn? You'll gain weight."
Yoo Ha-jin snatched the popcorn from Ki Jae-yoon and quietly pleaded with the president.
"Jae-yoon can't control his appetite, so no more snacks like this without eating them first."
"Uh, y-yeah?"
Poor Leader Brother.
Then Kang Min-je grabbed my shoulder.
"Dowon. For real, or joking?"
"You think I'd say this lightly?"
Kang Min-je shook his head, then sank back into thought. I pried his hand off my shoulder and whispered.
"So, good song, please."
Get to work, golden goose.
Kang Min-je's face twisted hearing that. Nice. That suits you. I smiled brightly and turned back to the TV.
The announcer elegantly trashed Sa Hyeok, now a relic of the past.
I looked at the president and said.
"Good work."
The pretty-eyed president grinned.
"Thanks for noticing."
"Would've been better to block it early."
"Hey, I tried!"
Oh.
Well, cutting off his lifeline at the end wasn't bad.
"Hey, Dowon. Vita's not renewing."
"All leaving?"
"Some'll stay."
"Vita's leader too?"
"Yeah, heard he's out."
Perfect. No loose ends.
"Treating the others well, but Zenith's the standout."
"Nice. Even better."
"What's better! Don't put all eggs in one basket!"
That's your problem.
'Not my concern.'
The president cleared his throat, then coughed.
"Ahem, cough!"
What now.
He downed the rest of the water and said.
"Dowon."
"Yes. Go ahead."
Don't drag it out.
"Can you deliver results worth the investment?"
"Didn't you ask something similar before?"
"Just... I'm anxious lately. Need reassurance."
So many needless worries.
The footage ended. I smiled at the president.
"Our group's Zenith, right?"
"Yeah?"
"Our slogan's 'The Peak to You,' right?"
"Right."
"I'll show you the white peak."