Chapter 132
Chapter 132
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Sister's Call
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In truth, Zenith had been formed for Kang Minje. Everyone at Friends thought that just emphasizing his looks and talent would propel the group to the top.
'That's why we gathered variety show characters at first.'
That's how they found the crazy maknae, too.
"But something weird got mixed in."
The guy discovered during auditions was incredibly bizarre. He was definitely the crazy maknae type.
'But that wasn't all.'
How did a guy like this pop up? Cha Dowon, who had barely trained before debuting at breakneck speed, drew in all sorts of aggro and generated massive buzz.
"It was touch-and-go when he got burned."
"Were you worried?"
"I was worried about the kid himself, but you know me. I'm just a seller hawking merchandise. What worried me more was if he'd get damaged and lose his value."
It was cold-hearted and sleazy. All true.
But the entertainment industry wasn't a charity. It was a place run purely on money.
She wasn't without affection for the kid, but she was still a manager. A packer and planner.
"The first concept was honestly a risky gamble, but it was the right call to trust and go with it."
It got slammed during reviews, of course. All broadcast networks banned it, but that made it topical. Exactly what she'd aimed for.
-This is trashy content. Should I watch?
-Wow, what a dysfunctional family.
-This is too much.
-They planned this, didn't they?
Just the reactions she'd hoped for.
'In this industry, buzz means you can do anything.'
Something had to stand out to draw hate or attention.
Executive Director Joo sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"Honestly, it went too far."
Straight to number one from the start, trendsetter after one variety appearance, then the Sa-hyuk family scandal blew up. But he navigated it all.
"I know this situation doesn't make sense. But watching Cha Dowon makes it feel less real."
There were times when it felt natural that he'd pull through. Even though it shouldn't.
"Chunhyang had an Eastern vibe concept and was experimental in many ways. We invested a lot, but there was a press conference too."
"It's scary enough for top stars in the industry, and he did it with his debut album. Dowon was unlucky in that regard."
"But his work luck is insane. Everything he touches turns to gold."
"You can see he's got great fortune."
Was he doing too well and making enemies, or was his life always this chaotic? She couldn't tell.
"The debut MV got us a ton of hate."
"We even got flak from fans who ended up stanning because of it."
"To our Jenny's members, it's an archenemy."
Executive Director Joo hung her head.
"Fair enough. Imagine your precious kid debuting like that. I'd want to string someone up."
"You knew and still did it?"
"Buzz. It worked out, but I do wonder if it had to be that way. Of course, saying this would get me more hate."
Executive Director Joo stared at the monitor.
"Vita overshadowed everything."
On the monitor, Cha Dowon was grinning away.
"Ugh, seriously."
She hung her head again.
"He needs to keep doing even better."
"The industry's changing fast."
"Yeah, Hallyu isn't special anymore. Probably because of video sites. The whole world sharing the same culture is becoming no big deal."
"We need to stay sharp. Do well, or the company's done."
"No way. What we need right now is..."
Executive Director Joo tapped the table.
"Investment, after all?"
"Didn't we recoup all of Zenith's investment?"
"Yeah. No issues on the funding side. Dowon's CF deals alone were insane."
"Other presidents were jealous as hell. Asked where I picked up a gem like that."
"It was a normal audition. Though holding one is work in itself."
She spun her chair to face her brother-in-law.
"What does Janice want to do?"
"Ask them?"
"Yeah. And check this out."
Executive Director Joo kicked off the floor with her foot. The chair glided smoothly. The president looked at the monitor.
"Chunhyang, the remaining story?"
"There were so many leftover scenes, I thought we could make another one. Fan service, basically."
Executive Director Joo played the video. On screen, the god imprisoned for her lover smiled poignantly.
"Looking like that, she's so pretty."
"Compared to her usual gaze, it's different."
"I've thought this before, but Dowon really knows how to use his face."
When with her lover, the god's form flickered. As the melancholic Chunhyang music played and the background shifted, the god lifted her head again.
"Will this get a good reaction too?"
"Already is. I want to keep using him, but from the next album, other members should take the lead."
"Who?"
"High chance it's Minje."
The president kept watching the screen, then straightened up and sat on the sofa.
"But we settled it successfully."
"It's not my planning that made it work. Dowon pushed and pulled it through."
"Janice is our company's flagship now. Sure, there's Yumi and iAngel too."
"Yeah, true."
Executive Director Joo swept back her fallen hair.
"If we do well, we might become number one. Then..."
She muttered softly.
"Maybe we could even win..."
"Sister-in-law!"
"Oh dear, my biases are showing. Anyway, yeah. Brother-in-law, head in quick. At least check on the kid sleeping."
The president started to say something but quietly stood. As the door closed, Executive Director Joo looked around the empty office. The staff had already left.
She crossed her arms and stood, gazing quietly out the window. Car headlights twinkled.
"So many things sparkling."
But only a few get the spotlight.
"Congratulations, Zenith."
She said that and bowed her head. The liquor she'd desperately cut out today tasted tempting.
***
Schedules were packed starting from the second number one. The manager kept getting calls, and honestly, sleep was in short supply.
I looked around the van. Everyone was sprawled out.
'I'm fine, but without cheats, the members would struggle.'
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[Zenith Condition Recovery]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: Dizziness for 5 seconds in 3 seconds.]
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
At least recovery had mild side effects.
As soon as I used the cheat, Lee Seungjun stirred next to me.
"Tired?"
"A bit. Body feels heavy. Want to hit the gym."
"Didn't you get a personal schedule?"
"Yumi sunbaenim asked for a rap feature."
I nodded. Come to think of it, in my past life, a Zenith member had featured on Yumi sunbaenim's track.
'Is it shifting to Lee Seungjun now?'
I quietly recalled the past. Strangely, a lot had changed, but sometimes it felt unchanged.
"We have a joint schedule too."
"Oh, that liberal arts one..."
"It's been a while since we did something good."
That's when my smartphone buzzed after a long time. I checked the caller and swiped to answer.
-Cha Dowon, you alive?
The familiar voice felt good. I replied right away.
"Alive and kicking, Noona."
-You're popping up everywhere lately?
"Second album promotions."
-You eating properly?
Honestly, I couldn't say three square meals. Even without broadcasts, event schedules were jammed. It was more like squeezing in food when time allowed.
'Sleep matters more.'
I glanced at the members. All except Lee Seungjun were deep asleep.
"Not starving."
-That means not eating right.
"Well, promotions."
-Even ghosts who die from overeating look good. Still, take care of yourself.
"How about you, Noona? Eating and sleeping well?"
-Me? Surviving floods of memorization every day, but eating and sleeping fine.
Just her voice was nice. I smiled and looked out the window.
"Studies going okay?"
-Tough, but it's what I wanted.
"Noona."
The van bumped slightly.
"I have a lot of money now."
-Oho. And?
"Want anything?"
-Nothing, you punk. How can I, your noona, ask you to buy stuff? Save up and buy a house! Somewhere with good subway access!
"I'm already looking."
-For real? House prices in Seoul are insane.
"I made a ton."
I thought of my noona from before regression. Both of us scraping by. Never starved, but couldn't afford luxuries.
'Now I could buy most things she wanted.'
What did noona want?
Objects didn't stick in my memory.
'She always wanted to buy me suits.'
Not for herself. Of course, I always wanted her in nice clothes and food too. Looking back, we always wanted to give to each other.
'Come to think of it, what noona wanted most was her medical license.'
I chuckled. Her voice continued from the phone.
-Cha Dowon. Don't go throwing around blank checks just 'cause you have money. Value it. Yeah, idols make bank. But how long?
"I think pretty long."
-You control that? Anyway, entertainers have short shelf lives. Actors maybe not, but idols are tops for quick cash and out. Save enough for retirement and grandkids in a few years. So work your ass off. Little bro.
"Got it, Noona."
I recalled the settlement money I'd received.
'The amount a normal salaryman saves in a lifetime...'
Might as well get a pension insurance. What's the return now? Sucked in 10 years, but okay currently? Should ask Uncle about this.
-You look healthy, so I'll hang up. And if money's overflowing, help the needy! Plenty dying penniless.
"True."
-Save it! Bye! Stay alive!
Call ended. I shrugged. Her last words lingered.
'With spare time, helping others isn't bad.'
But how? Who? Needed thought.
Then Lee Seungjun spoke.
"Your noona?"
"Yeah."
I kept it short on purpose. Better be cautious about noona talk in front of him.
'Pain's probably not gone yet.'
Knowing or not, he smiled.
"It's fine to talk about noona casually."
I narrowed my eyes. Something was up with this guy.
"Still hung up? That brother-in-law asshole."
"Hmm, apparently losing hair lately, hitting a hair loss clinic."
Oof, very unfortunate. Whoever did it, good job.
"Still texting for money."
"Crazy bastard."
"Just sending formula, baby clothes, supplements, diapers. That stuff."
"Man, he's deranged. It's his kid."
"Was decent before marrying noona."
Lee Seungjun sighed deeply.
"Was noona blind, or did he change?"
I patted his shoulder.
"Neither?"
"Yeah..."
No answer there. Just in case, I pulled out my smartphone.
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
[Lee Seungjun's noona's kid, grow well.]
[Value inaccurate.]
Damn.
'This?'
[Lee Seungjun's noona's kid, no starving.]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: Extreme hunger for 4 hours starting in 4 minutes.]
[Cheat Mode 3/3]
I quickly rummaged in the van. Lots of food for on-the-go meals. I unwrapped a protein bar.
"Hungry?"
"Yeah. Will be soon."
I said carefully to him.
"Nephew okay?"
"Dunno. Haven't seen since birth."
"Sends photos, right?"
"Seen photos."
Lee Seungjun looked out the window.
"Birth is fuzzy too. Was a mess."
Sigh escaped me.
Why hasn't he seen the face yet.
'He'd answer if asked, but...'
The answer might hurt him.
I quietly bit into the protein bar and changed topics.
"What's our next schedule?"