Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: Proposal
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“Executive Director Joo.”
“Yeah?”
“Are they still doing those kid-raising programs these days?”
They had been popular a few years back, but it was a concept you didn’t see anymore.
“Hmm? Why?”
“What if we did one? With Seungjun from our group.”
Executive Director Joo’s eyes changed.
“That brother-in-law bastard’s obviously going to attack. Saying he hasn’t given his nephew a single penny. Cold-hearted. Something like that.”
“Right?”
“But Seungjun isn’t that kind of guy.”
Executive Director Joo nodded.
“Seungjun’s a good kid.”
“Unlike me, he’s extremely kind. What if we showed that to the public?”
I smiled brightly as I said it.
“Through a parenting program.”
Executive Director Joo’s eyes sparkled.
‘She’s thinking about it.’
I added more reasons.
“Seungjun would be sincere with the kid. I know variety shows have scripts and direction. But Jennies are generally kind.”
Suddenly, Executive Director Joo’s eyes wavered. I chuckled.
“Except me.”
“Huh?”
“Our members are kind, but it hasn’t really shown. Maybe because of me.”
Executive Director Joo shook her head right away.
“No, the fans know you guys are kind.”
“It can’t just be the fans. The whole country needs to know. We were planning to go on a group variety show anyway, right?”
She nodded.
“Then let’s make it a parenting program.”
“They’ll say it’s tacky. We were aiming for something better.”
“I know. But it’s for Seungjun. I want to create evidence.”
I thought of Lee Seungjun. The guy who made weird threats and insisted we stick together for no reason.
“Even with scripts and direction, variety shows are things you can’t act perfectly in.”
Well, radio was even worse.
‘No editing, and it’s a one-hour live broadcast. That’s huge.’
Thinking about it, Kang Minje was amazing for doing that radio show every week without any image scandals.
Executive Director Joo closed her eyes and said.
“Variety shows aren’t really the issue.”
Her voice sounded pretty exhausted.
“If it can save Seungjun.”
Wow.
‘She’s more sentimental than I thought.’
Though she was just as cold when she needed to be.
“Even if we get on a parenting program, it won’t happen right away.”
“I know.”
We weren’t a broadcasting station; a new program wouldn’t just pop up.
“But I get what you’re saying. I’ve thought about it before, but Dowon, do you have a talent for planning?”
I smiled brightly and said.
“Is planning the only talent I have?”
Executive Director Joo narrowed her eyes.
“Oh, look at this kid.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Alright, Dowon. You brought it up well. What are you most confident in? As an idol, I mean.”
It was a tough question.
“Hmm, too many things.”
Executive Director Joo furrowed her brow. I smiled brightly and said.
“Honestly, I don’t think I have much. I’m good-looking and decent at acting, but Korea’s full of kids like me if you dig.”
Not that they’re common.
“Go on.”
“Well, simply put, it’s mindset.”
I’d lived twice, and I had cheats, but the most important thing was mental strength, right?
“I might be talented, but idols are manufactured too. Zenith hitting number one from debut is largely thanks to you, Executive Director Joo.”
Well, we did debut pretty shockingly.
Executive Director Joo rubbed her forehead.
“Ah, seriously. I can’t handle you.”
“An honor.”
“You’re kind, Dowon.”
What was this now?
“Cha Dowon is the busiest in Zenith. You’ve dragged up Zenith’s image by the scruff of its neck. You could just shine on your own, but here you are worrying about Seungjun and asking for schedules.”
“Schedules are nothing. We can do them. And we need a group variety show anyway.”
Executive Director Joo chuckled.
“You won’t admit it, huh?”
“Yeah. I don’t see why I need to be kind. Does it matter? In this harsh world?”
She shook her head. But the smile didn’t leave her lips.
“Dowon. One more question.”
“You can ask two more.”
“Would you do the same for Minje?”
Strange question.
“Minje hyung is super important. Who’d do the lyrics, composing, and producing without him?”
“Hmm, then what about Hajin?”
“Hajin hyung is super important too. Who’d rein in Jaeyoon without him? Leaders who handle all the annoying stuff themselves aren’t common.”
Even that Kang Minje admitted it after dealing with Jaeyoon a few times.
‘Zenith’s leader is Hajin hyung.’
No one else could fill that role.
“Got it. I see. Then Jaeyoon?”
I tried to hide my twitching expression.
‘You’re making me think.’
Would something like this even happen to Ki Jaeyoon? The guy seemed to have grown up well in a good family, unlike him.
‘Wouldn’t it be more dangerous if he caused the incident himself?’
I thought a bit and said.
“I think I would.”
“Why?”
“Well, he’s already a member.”
The company set the lineup, but noona was right. As long as I was Zenith’s Cha Dowon, the group name was attached to mine.
That’s when it happened. A weird laugh rang out.
“Puhahaha!”
“Executive Director Joo?”
“Ah, seriously. I never expected this. Puhaha!”
Her laugh was hearty. What was so funny?
She laughed for a while, wiped tears, and said.
“Dowon.”
“Yes, Executive Director Joo.”
“We’re looking into the legal side. But you’re right. It’s a problem without an answer. The root cause isn’t resolved. And Seungjun can’t raise the kid right now.”
I nodded.
“The law wouldn’t allow it either. Seungjun’s still a minor. Even as an adult, it’ll be a drawn-out fight unless they willingly hand over the family register.”
A sigh escaped me naturally.
“They won’t.”
“Right. They’ll probably try to milk it for all it’s worth.”
“We can’t just give them what they want.”
“It might sound cruel, but there’s no solution yet. We need time. At least they don’t seem to be starving the daughter.”
I tilted my head.
“How do you know?”
“I stalked their SNS.”
Oh.
“It’s public, so it’s not really stalking.”
“Well, true. They’re even feeding her baby food properly.”
“At least they’re doing the bare minimum as parents. Though feeding isn’t everything.”
Executive Director Joo nodded.
“They’re the type using the kid to squeeze money out.”
“Standard trash.”
“If we convince the public, a solution might appear.”
The problem was that was the hardest part.
‘Even politicians struggle with public persuasion...’
And we’re just idols.
“Please book the schedule. I’ll make it work somehow.”
“You’ll be busy with the drama?”
“Even if it overlaps, no choice. You know my stamina’s good.”
Executive Director Joo stretched her legs on the sofa and said.
“Fine. But it won’t resolve quickly.”
“I know.”
“Go on.”
I stood, bowed politely.
“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
As I closed the office door, I saw the secretary. She nodded, but a mutter leaked through the crack.
-Cute, so cute.
What?
‘Well, Executive Director Joo calls even rolling dust bunnies cute sometimes.’
Praise? Probably praise. I’m like her son’s age anyway.
“Dowon-ssi. Leaving?”
“Yes. See you next time.”
“Off to filming?”
I glanced at the wall clock and nodded.
“Yeah. Time to go.”
“Good luck with the drama!”
“Thanks.”
I walked slowly toward the door. I heard more muttering from Executive Director Joo behind me, but I ignored it.
‘Good luck. No...’
I moved forward.
‘My life’s on the line, so I’ll make it work if it doesn’t.’
I pulled out my smartphone from my pocket. Quietly switched back to cheat mode.
[Cheat Mode 0/3]
[Extend public broadcast planning meeting time by 3 hours for one week]
[Changed. Side effect: Headache for 3 minutes starting 3 seconds later.]
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
Huh.
‘I meant to delay the side effect, but it’s lighter than expected?’
Weird.
‘Well, good is good.’
I smiled and kept walking. A 3-minute headache was nothing.
***
Filming for ‘The Saga of Melody’ continued. In an empty spot, I did squats while memorizing the script.
‘Should I go softer on this part?’
I ran a simulation in my head. It wasn’t bad, but ambiguous.
That’s when it happened. A high voice came from behind.
“Looks like you’re busy?”
I turned. It was the drama’s female lead, ‘Bitna.’ I smiled, bowed, and looked up.
“The shoots are packed.”
“No all-nighter tonight?”
“Yeah.”
“You look fresh.”
“Still young.”
Bitna sat down with a grumpy expression.
‘Does she have business with me?’
I was busy, but the female lead had plenty of scenes too.
“Isn’t the script too centered on Iryul?”
Oh.
‘She’d be upset.’
Jeremy and Bitna were the clear leads. I apologized quickly.
“Sorry.”
“A bit annoyed.”
“Yes.”
“But... well. If Jeremy’s scenes increase, it annoys me too.”
Bitna sighed.
‘Huh, something up?’
Was Jeremy even troubling the female lead?
“He’s throwing tantrums, delaying shoots.”
Oh.
“So relatively, Iryul’s parts get done quicker.”
Ah, so that’s why I’m pulling the all-nighter.
“I don’t mind.”
“I do! I’m tired!”
She’s working hard.
‘Come to think of it, something’s off.’
Looking at the script, I said.
“Sunbae has a lot of scenes with Jeremy, right?”
“Female lead.”
“Mine keep getting cut.”
I smiled brightly.
“Is it consideration for smooth filming, or coincidence?”
“Isn’t it just for the drama’s quality?”
New perspective.
“Honestly, Jeremy’s scenes will tank ratings.”
She said it confidently.
“He sold the rights to Japan, a national hero. How can you treat him like that?”
“He did his part, so he can leave now.”
She really resents him.
“Shoots keep dragging, and I hate watching his tantrums.”
Her reasons were too valid; I had nothing to say.
“You’re working hard.”
“Everyone’s whispering. Better if Cha Dowon was the lead.”
I smiled brightly.
“But I already am.”
At my words, her eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Am I wrong?”
“Wow, you’re no joke.”
“What, like it’s new.”
Bitna narrowed her eyes, then smiled a little.
“One was right. Good but annoying, she said...”
“Thanks for the praise.”
She ended up chuckling.
“One cursed after.”
“I see.”
“Not curious?”
“I trust One sunbae. She wouldn’t say anything harsh.”
Bitna shook her head looking at me.
“Ugh, really annoying. Yeah, she praised you honestly. Wants to collab again.”
Oh.
“Real honor.”
“You know One’s been doing well since the Zenith collab?”
Of course I didn’t.
“I see.”
“Then she suddenly started composing, and now she’s doing this drama’s OST.”
She had talent there after all.
“Contract ends, she’ll be a singer-songwriter.”
“Suits her. One sunbae.”
“Really?”
Bitna suddenly shut her mouth and stared. I smiled brightly in response.
“She’s always worked hard, so of course.”
“Is the industry a place that rewards hard work?”
Why so prickly? Bitna sunbae.
“Did I say too many nice things?”
She suddenly clamped her mouth. Then sighed.
“Well, can’t not try.”
“Something tough?”
“Tired. Because of Jeremy.”
She sighed deeply.
“Sorry. Took it out on you. One looks happy lately.”
I smiled a little.
“It’s fine, sunbae.”
“But you. What’s your relation to that person?”
That person?
I looked where Bitna nodded her chin. There was Yoo Miho’s back.
“No relation at all.”