Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: Don't Say Where You Got It
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"Dowon is that kind of kid, you know. Honestly, he's amazing when it comes to talent."
No one digested a concept as well as that guy.
*Maybe Cha Dowon is what they mean by a born idol.*
He'd felt it while watching the live broadcast. This kid might even be good at hosting.
*It's rare to find someone with such well-rounded skills.*
He latched onto opportunities and didn't let go. Plus, he had a great eye.
"Honestly, he's a treasure."
But how dare they hurt a kid like that? Hey, you bastards!
Executive Director Joo barely suppressed the sudden surge of anger. Just thinking about the hit-and-run made his blood pressure skyrocket.
"Executive Director Joo?"
"Oh, sorry. I was thinking about something else. Yeah, this song is good. Let's go with it as is."
"Yes. Thank you."
"Uh, Minje."
Executive Director Joo said worriedly.
"This inspiration you got from Dowon—don't tell anyone where it came from."
Kang Minje blinked.
"Why? Is it bad for his image?"
"No, absolutely not. Minje, you haven't let it slip, have you?"
Minje turned his face away.
"Not yet."
"Don't let it slip, ever."
"Yeah, Dowon seems to think he resembles a garçon. That's how he's taking it."
"It'd be a disaster if he found out, right?"
They both nodded at the same time.
"Yeah, it's true that Dowon resembles a feline."
"Not a small, cute wildcat, but something like a cheetah or leopard."
"He ended up that way while nailing and twisting the concept."
"But will Dowon really understand that?"
Executive Director Joo and Kang Minje avoided each other's eyes.
"He'd get mad, right?"
"Insanely mad."
"He'd kill me, wouldn't he?"
"He wouldn't kill you. Unless you make him want to die from the torment."
"That's even scarier."
Executive Director Joo spoke sincerely.
"So, let's not let him find out."
"Yeah. If Dowon really goes with that image, it'd be a cheetah in an apron cooking meals."
The cute song about a garçon and a cat had suddenly turned weird.
"It's like having a bear as a pet or something."
"Oh, a bear. Seungjun said he looks like a bear."
"What does that mean?"
Kang Minje chuckled softly.
"He said that while giving me flowers. He told me I look like a fox."
Executive Director Joo understood perfectly.
"Yeah, that tracks."
"Really? I thought I was more like a wolf."
"Huh? Oh, uh, yeah?"
Minje didn't seem like a wolf, though?
Kang Minje tilted his head.
"A fox is canine too, after all."
"Uh, yeah."
"Anyway, I won't let it slip."
"Yeah, good."
Kang Minje bowed his head and stood from his seat.
"I'll get going. I have a schedule."
"Alright. Take care of yourself."
"Yes."
"Oh, Minje."
Executive Director Joo said with a smile.
"Happy birthday."
For a moment, the corners of Kang Minje's eyes trembled slightly. But he soon smiled as usual.
"Thank you. I'll be off."
Friends Entertainment's genius composer left like that. Executive Director Joo called his secretary.
"Get me some water! Ice cold!"
"Yes!"
"Whew, my stomach's burning."
He had a lot on his mind today. Executive Director Joo drank the ice water his secretary brought and slumped onto the sofa.
*Tough kids.*
Still, Zenith wasn't even a real problem—no 's' in accident. Friends Entertainment knew from raising plenty of idols.
*This is basically heaven.*
That was why his mood lifted in an instant.
*Groups are always like this: the troublemakers keep causing trouble, and the good ones stay good.*
Things might change after about ten years.
As Executive Director Joo was lost in thought, his secretary entered.
"Uh, Director."
Behind the secretary was an unexpected person. Executive Director Joo, sprawled on the sofa, just raised his eyes. Honestly, it was quite a surprise.
"Huh? What brings you here?"
The large-built man approached slowly.
"What do you want to drink? Anything you like?"
"Water's fine."
"Alright."
The secretary left. Executive Director Joo eyed the kid sitting across from him carefully.
*He's the quiet type.*
He'd caused a scene back when he was a trainee because of something bad.
*Honestly, I considered letting him go.*
But he couldn't bring himself to do it.
*If I let go even of Friends trainees, we'd really be in trouble.*
In the end, Lee Seungjun became a member of Zenith.
*This kid moves slowly, but he's solid.*
Honestly, his rapping was pretty good too. Pairing him with Yumi created nice synergy.
*His looks and physique are top-notch.*
He was meticulous about maintenance too. Word was he only worked out at the dorm. His dancing was decent enough.
*Kids like Seungjun always hold their ground.*
If he had to pick the most reliable member in Zenith, it was Seungjun.
"Alright, Seungjun. What's up?"
"I thought I should tell you in advance."
Executive Director Joo sat up straight in an instant.
*Oh no, sounds serious...*
For this kid to say something like that.
What was it? Scandal? Club? Car accident? Fraud?
She spoke maturely and calmly.
"Go ahead, tell me."
"Family issues are getting worse."
Oh, family stuff. Okay, not a big deal.
*Well, not entirely minor.*
Even the great Cha Dowon had struggled with family problems.
*He got out of it with a press conference, though.*
Who else could pull that off? Cha Dowon might be a genius in that regard.
"Alright, what kind of family problem? Seungjun?"
She had a rough idea of Seungjun's family situation.
*His sister passed away, and no other relatives.*
Was a relative clinging for money now that the kid was doing well? Similar to Dowon.
*Not letting this slide without a fight this time.*
At Executive Director Joo's question, Lee Seungjun answered slowly.
"My brother-in-law is demanding money."
"Your late sister's husband?"
"Yes. He's using her child for something like blackmail."
"What a fucking bastard."
Executive Director Joo cursed briefly and clamped her mouth shut.
"Oh, sorry, Seungjun."
"No."
"Threatening you with his own kid? Is he insane? What, he'll starve your nephew if you don't pay up?"
"Something like that."
"Fucking piece of shit deserves to be flushed down the toilet."
Executive Director Joo felt her blood pressure spike and pressed her forehead hard.
"When did it start?"
"Right after Zenith debuted."
"Did you give him any?"
"No cash. He told me not to."
"Who? Good call."
Lee Seungjun smiled faintly.
"Dowon."
Ah, that made sense coming from him. Executive Director Joo let out a deep sigh.
"So I got beaten a bit before debut."
"What? He hit you?"
That fucking bastard. How dare he lay a hand on this face?
"Seungjun, you should've told me right away if something like that happened. I don't care about anything else—nobody touches your face!"
"No time to tell. It healed fast in the morning. Like a miracle."
Young kids recover quick?
Executive Director Joo examined Seungjun's face closely. Not a scar in sight.
"But the threats are getting worse."
"You can't ignore it anymore."
"Well, I do send a ton of formula and clothes for the nephew."
"That's not what that bastard really wants for his kid."
Executive Director Joo nodded.
"I get the gist."
"Should I give him money if he asks?"
"Don't. It's like pouring water into a leaky jar."
"Dowon said something similar."
She sighed deeply.
"No matter how much you give, it'll never be enough for scum like that."
They were the type to blow through billions on failed businesses.
"I'm worried about my nephew."
"Yeah. Me too. Uh... is someone looking after him?"
"Can't say for sure. Doesn't seem like he's starving, but..."
Executive Director Joo pressed between her brows.
*If it's bad, that's child abuse.*
The bastard deserved to rot in a sewer.
"What should I do?"
"Hmm. Honestly, no easy answer, Seungjun."
Lee Seungjun pulled out what he'd prepared before coming to the office.
"Executive Director Joo, if I end up harming Zenith, feel free to cut me loose."
Executive Director Joo said in surprise.
"You're talking crazy."
"But it's obvious like this. He'll eventually leak it to the press."
She could guess how that would play out. Lee Seungjun hated that.
"But Seungjun, it's not your fault."
"Dowon's wasn't either. Honestly, that press conference was brutal."
It was mind-blowing, middle school kid taking verbal beatings one by one.
"That was violence."
Executive Director Joo nodded.
"You're right, Seungjun. But this isn't it."
"I don't want to burden the team, Executive Director Joo."
"It's not at that point yet. Don't jump to conclusions so fast."
Lee Seungjun wiped his dry face.
"But Executive Director Joo, it's getting worse."
"Seungjun."
Executive Director Joo sighed and said.
"I'll try every trick in the book."
"Executive Director Joo, I know your capabilities, but is there a solution?"
"There will be."
She bit her lip. She couldn't lose Seungjun here.
*Not to some fucking bastard like this.*
Her chest felt tight. She undid her cuff button.
"I can't let you go, Seungjun."
"Executive Director Joo."
"Zenith needs you."
Not just Zenith—Friends Entertainment needed Lee Seungjun too.
"I'll figure something out. Don't give up, Seungjun. Why start with surrender?"
"Executive Director Joo."
"No. I can't lose you like this. Idols flaming out in this industry? Yeah, it happens. Sometimes by choice, sometimes not."
She shook her head.
"But not like this. Not because of some worthless scum? This is straight-up blackmail, right?"
If it weren't a law-abiding country, she'd beat him senseless. Executive Director Joo ground her teeth.
"It looks bad, but it's not insurmountable. Hang in there for now, Seungjun."
The tall, handsome idol nodded.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not for you to apologize. But I have a favor to ask."
"Yes."
Executive Director Joo drank some water and said.
"For now, no violence from your end. If he swings, just take it. Protect only your face."
He got the meaning. Make himself look like the maximum victim to the public.
"Even if you've got mountains of proof you're being blackmailed, one punch from you and it's over. That's how the media works, full of bastards."