Chapter 179
Chapter 179
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: 179. Kang Minje, How Did He Survive?
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Back then, I thought he was a refugee who had fled a warzone. Kang Minje at the time was skin and bones, with huge eyes.
"Is it just a matter of personality?"
"Pardon?"
"Or maybe it's because I'm not just some part-timer anymore—I'm Cha Dowon, the trendsetting idol."
Both were the same, so why the difference? It was truly baffling.
Was it because our positions had changed?
'Hang on, but...'
A sudden question popped into my head.
'Why did Kang Minje disappear all of a sudden?'
And when he reappeared, he was suddenly loaded with money.
Sure, the guy was a genius in music. But not to the point of driving luxury foreign cars and owning multiple houses.
"Cha Dowon-ssi?"
"I asked him why, but he never answered."
I'd asked several times before my regression too. But Kang Minje never responded, so I stopped bringing it up.
'And now?'
Would he answer if I asked now?
I crossed my arms and sank into thought. Unfortunately, this dilemma offered no answers.
Lost deep in thought, I felt the manager grab my arm.
"Dowon-ssi?"
"Oh, yeah."
"There's something I need to tell you right now. Sorry about this."
"No, it's fine."
Was there some announcement from the company?
"Kang Minje-ssi's birthday is in a few days."
I immediately furrowed my brow.
"Pardon?"
"Like at your graduation ceremony, we considered doing something but held off. We went with the president's opinion that Kang Minje-ssi doesn't like birthdays much."
"Hold on. Minje hyung's birthday?"
No way.
'Kang Minje's birthday is the same as my sister's.'
There was no way I'd forget that date.
What the hell.
'Why has his birthday changed?'
I started to say something but clamped my mouth shut.
"Cha Dowon-ssi?"
"Yeah."
I flashed a bright smile.
"I see. Something's up, huh. Anyway, it's Minje hyung's birthday—I can't just sit this one out."
"You're planning something?"
"I know what hyung likes. Can't show up empty-handed for his birthday, right?"
The manager nodded.
"Manager-nim, any free time during the shoot? I need to head somewhere."
"Where to?"
I smiled broadly as I replied.
"The luxury mall."
Kang Minje had ridiculously expensive tastes.
"What are you planning to buy? Oh, a birthday gift for Minje-ssi. Want me to pick it up?"
"No, I should go myself and choose it personally."
"Got it. I'll check for openings in the schedule."
"Thanks."
I lifted my chin and smiled faintly.
'I don't know the reason, but...'
I had to ask. And for that, I needed a thoughtful, expensive gift.
'Though for that guy, radish soup would probably work better.'
Oh, right—time to restock on that MSG-packed seasoning too.
'I'll grab that as well.'
Unlike luxury goods, that was available at any convenience store.
'Well, he did give me a kitchen knife and an iron pot...'
I'm a hotshot idol now, so I should return the favor properly.
'Why did your birthday change, Kang Minje?'
I'd let it slide before the regression, but this time, I needed answers. I let out a long breath. It felt trivial, yet like opening a complicated box.
'Feels like something weird will pop out when I lift the lid.'
Silly thought. I shook my head with a bitter smile.
***
Executive Director Joo crossed her arms. The story she'd just heard was so serious that she could only sigh.
"I never even considered it."
"Right, Executive Director Joo? Same here."
Her brother-in-law, the president, took a sip of zero cola as he spoke.
"Suspicious hit-and-runs in the industry—six or seven of them?"
"Something's off about all of them."
"If it's not coincidence but manipulation..."
Executive Director Joo ground her teeth.
"I'll grind them to dust. How dare they target our kids!"
"Calm down. Ex— I mean, Executive Director Joo."
"We got lucky! Dowon in the van and driver Manager Heo Yongdam were unharmed! But luck doesn't last forever!"
Imagining that polite yet arrogant punk wrapped in bandages sent chills down her spine.
"Our Dowon is still just a kid!"
"A trendsetting idol and the star of our company, too."
"That's true, but... Ugh, I'd love to chew these bastards up."
The president sighed deeply.
"Hearing this makes me more convinced."
The round-faced man spoke cautiously.
"That girl group with Yumi in it."
Executive Director Joo bit her lip and nodded.
"Was that just an accident? Or manipulated like the hit-and-run on Dowon?"
She clenched her fist tight. Thinking back made her dizzy. That incident led to the group's disbandment, and all members except Yumi quit showbiz entirely.
"They were on the verge of blowing up back then."
"Yeah, great song, solid concept."
"Yumi was starting to get attention."
The president whispered.
"Their rival back then—the company with VIP."
Executive Director Joo forced her fist open. Yeah, that was true.
"Just a hypothesis?"
"I hope so. But it's too suspicious."
Her gut was churning. She exhaled slowly.
"If you say it's suspicious, President, then it is."
"Exactly. You know this, sis-in-law—I mean, Executive Director Joo. I'm the youngest from a family that's eaten off the nation's payroll for generations."
She nodded. Her round-faced brother-in-law was ridiculously from a law enforcement family.
'Though now he's an entertainment agency president.'
He had oddly strong connections in legal circles.
"I'll discuss with my brothers."
"Can we punish them? VIP's still huge."
"Need to check the dynamics. Things aren't like before—even gangsters get taken down if they back the wrong horse."
"Did VIP back the wrong one?"
"Seems like it? They got cocky under the previous administration, sucking up subsidies for VIP's Japan push by category. The current government's gunning for that."
Just needed a spark to blow up.
"I'd love for the hit-and-runs to be the fuse. These guys are pure evil."
"Seriously. Thinking of Yumi and the kids suffering because of it... Yumi's insomnia just cleared up recently. Poor girl barely slept."
"I know. How could I not."
Executive Director Joo looked up.
"Please, President."
"I'll do my best. Can't let it slide."
"They might pull something weird on Zenith—no, on Dowon again."
The president nodded.
"Our Dowon's killing it, so too many jealous punks out there."
"He's the trendsetter."
"Honestly, watching him perform, he's a born idol. Feels like he practiced in the womb."
Executive Director Joo smiled faintly. Her brother-in-law's joke to lighten her mood.
"So we have to protect him. Can't let scum like this hurt him and bring him down. Dowon's already been through enough—the burn scars are just barely fading."
Even if they looked kinda cool, a scar was a scar.
"Shouldn't have happened in the first place."
"True."
"Please, President. No more. Zenith can't get hurt by VIP wannabes. They're already amazing, but they'll be even bigger. Maybe even world-famous."
Overseas reactions were already popping up on video sites. Even in Japan, where VIP held sway.
'Time to step out soon.'
One more push, and they'd claim the top spot domestically.
"I get it, Executive Director Joo. Your feelings."
"We have to clear the thorns in their path."
"Right. I'll dig more."
"Yes, please."
The president patted his chest reassuringly and left. As the door closed, Executive Director Joo sighed as if the ground would cave in. Unease gnawed at her for some reason.
'No, seriously hate this.'
What kind of bastards are out there? Orchestrating hit-and-runs. So gangster-like.
'I know law, politics, and shadowy forces stick together, but this is too much.'
She didn't expect righteous justice, but at least the kids needed protecting.
As Executive Director Joo was lost in thought, her secretary entered.
"Director, it's Minje-ssi."
"Minje? He's busy with activities, isn't he?"
She gestured him in. Soon, Kang Minje entered the office with flushed cheeks.
"Come in, Minje."
"Had to tell you right now."
Executive Director Joo smiled brightly. She was oddly used to this side of Kang Minje.
'Must've made a killer track.'
Lately, he'd barge in like this with self-composed songs. And hilariously, they were hit potentials.
'The kind that blows up.'
Even geniuses couldn't churn out hits nonstop. But Minje's recent batting average was insane.
'He was always talented, but lately it's like he sold his soul to the music god.'
Though inspiration came and went erratically.
Kang Minje played the track on his laptop. Executive Director Joo listened, then jolted in surprise.
'Whoa...'
It hit instantly. This was a winner.
The minute-plus flew by.
"Just the intro and chorus so far. Needs polishing—more effects too."
"Minje..."
She swallowed hard.
"This is seriously good."
"Right? Director! I felt it the moment inspiration struck—this one's a hit!"
The kid was excited. He was usually so calm.
"Inspiration hit during schedule. Holding it in was torture."
"I-I see."
She almost nagged but stopped. She knew from this business: protect the artist's muse.
"Inspiration again?"
"Yeah. Didn't expect it mid-activity."
"What triggered it?"
Kang Minje's eyes sparkled.
"When Dowon tossed the confetti—it hit me."
Again?
'Minje, is Dowon your muse or what?'
Well, good influence from a member wasn't bad. Problem was how often.
'Fine if it was various members...'
Why only Dowon? Though the kid was quirky.
'Can't discourage it, though.'
Results were too stellar. No clue how many times, but Dowon-inspired tracks were all strikes minimum.
"Loves the grandeur."
"Yeah. Working title's 'Crown'."
"Crown... Nice. Hits hard. Replay it?"
She closed her eyes, immersing. How would Zenith sound on this?
Visions filled her head. Eyes snapping open, she grabbed paper and scribbled furiously.
"Got a killer concept."
"What is it?"
"Later, Minje. This'll eat big. Not just Korea—global. Not saying your others aren't, but this especially. Wow, love it."
She talked fast when hyped. Kang Minje smiled. This meant solid concepts incoming.
'Director Joo catches inspiration well too.'
Pretending nonchalance, though she'd freak if she knew.
"Reminds you of a kingdom from stories, right?"
"Yeah. K-pop fusion vibe."
"As expected of you, Director. Felt the same."
She nodded rapidly. Outfits flooded her mind.
"Designer collab could work. Zenith kids have great builds anyway."
"Except Jaeyoon."
"He's under special care now. Manager tails him for diet control?"
"Not now—always."
Eyes met briefly. Then both looked away.
"True."
"Can't be helped."
"But he slims down when pushed, so that's good."
"Hajin keeps watch at the dorm too."
Eyes met again. Slight nods, then averted gazes.
"Hajin works hard."
"Leader life is tough. And he's perfect for it."
Kang Minje smiled as he spoke.
"I feel it every time—composing keeps me swamped."
Executive Director Joo chuckled. The greedy kid finally content after letting go.
"That was Dowon's push, right?"
"Our maknae knows me too well."
Kang Minje whispered with a sigh.
"But I barely know the maknae."
He looked oddly pleased saying it.
'Come to think of it, Minje's stabilized since Zenith.'
Who'd think a sensitive kid like him would mellow.
'Maybe 'cause there's an even sharper, perceptive one.'
"Minje."
"Yes, Director Joo."
"Like Zenith?"
He smiled angelically. Having known him since kid days, he felt like a nephew sometimes.
"Love it. Without these members, it'd be dicey."
She smiled too. Life threw pleasant surprises.
"What do you like most?"
"Tons."
"Pick one."
"Our maknae, obviously."
She smiled. Knew him forever, and he really adores the kid.
'But Dowon doesn't feel that strongly.'
Seemed slightly annoyed even.
'D-don't let it slip, Dowon.'
Minje would be heartbroken.
"Our maknae covers my slip-ups. Did so in reality too."
"Oh, debut track?"
"Yeah. Never dreamed Typhoon would bail me out."
Sticking to original concept would've tanked midway. She nodded sincerely.
"Good we went Faust."
"Dowon has great instincts."
Kang Minje sat on the sofa, beaming.
"Knew then: even if I mess up, it'll be fine."
"Not leaning too hard?"
"Am I?"
She jotted notes as she said.
"But it works. You're obsessive. Normal in this biz, but still worried."
"I see."
It was true.