Chapter 168
Chapter 168
The meeting with the Chief of the Management Department was arranged immediately after a brief commotion.
There were several attempts to pry into why I specifically wanted to meet the Chief, but I managed to fend them off with the vague excuse of having "something private to discuss." It was surprisingly effective.
‘I guess TeSTAR really is bringing in the cash.’
Since we were assets with feelings, they were clearly trying their best to keep us placated. I’d even bothered to come up with a detailed excuse for nothing.
I also suspected the Management Department was secretly on edge. After all, a member who wasn't even the leader—and who hadn't shown much assertiveness regarding anything other than albums or promotion plans—had suddenly demanded a meeting out of the blue.
They were probably racking their brains trying to figure out what this sudden move meant. However, they wouldn't have much time to speculate.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
—Ah… Yes.
I had set the meeting for the very next day. It was likely unavoidable for them, as it was the only time all week I didn't have a daytime schedule.
I shrugged as I hung up the phone.
‘Hmm… I wonder what they’re guessing.’
It didn't particularly matter, but I was curious given the situation.
I found out exactly what conclusion the company had reached regarding my behavior just five minutes after entering the Chief’s office at 10:00 AM the next day.
“Ahem… Moon-dae, is there something about the group’s activities that you’re dissatisfied with?”
“……”
“You’re very talented, so I understand if things feel a bit stifling. But for the next year or so, it’s more stable to maintain this current direction.”
After the initial greetings and some small talk, that was the main point he jumped to.
‘Aha.’
I caught the nuance immediately.
‘He thinks I want a solo debut.’
It was an easy, quick conclusion to jump to. I was the first-place winner of a survival show, my recent solo variety appearances were getting great reactions, and I’d received counseling for mental instability during group activities.
‘The background is perfect for someone coming in to talk about solo activities.’
And I realized something else.
‘This guy hasn’t done this kind of talk very often.’
If I had actually been interested in a solo and came to complain about group-focused activities, he shouldn't have handled it like this. It felt like being told "we're doing this for another year" before I could even open my mouth. An idol at the peak of their ego would hardly find that convincing.
‘He should have let the artist speak first and then pretended to give it deep thought.’
Usually, someone who reaches the rank of Chief in an entertainment company is a veteran at this, but this guy clearly wasn't.
‘He really is a nepotism hire.’
Other departments, like the AR team, production, or marketing, required specialized personnel, so they were staffed with experienced professionals scouted from elsewhere. But management was apparently seen as a place where anyone could fit in, so a few people with connections had been parachuted into positions.
In reality, this field required just as much expertise.
‘Well, it makes things easier for me to talk.’
I stared at the young Chief for a moment before nodding solemnly.
“Stability is good.”
“Right?”
“But I’m worried that something disastrous might happen at this rate.”
“Pardon?”
I shrugged and dropped the bomb.
“Is it okay that someone from another agency is working two jobs here?”
“…!!”
The Chief was struck speechless, unable to respond for a moment. He eventually let out a hollow laugh and spoke.
“Ah, Moon-dae, our company doesn't allow that. It’s probably just that they recently switched jobs and their profile hasn't been taken down from the other side yet.”
He seemed to think I was just a kid who didn't know how things worked and had misunderstood. The more he thought that, the better.
I nodded obediently.
“Is that so? I must have been mistaken then. It just seemed like they kept coordinating our schedules with Golden Age.”
“What??”
“When I was filming The Past Calls this time, I heard them on the phone talking about Golden Age.”
“…! W-Who was it?”
“Um… who was it again? Just a moment.”
I pulled out my smartphone and pretended to scroll through my contacts before answering as if I’d just remembered.
“Ah, right. Assistant Manager Oh Seo-hyung from the Operations Team.”
“……!”
Do you remember him? When Lee Se-jin and Bae Se-jin fought, he was the one who put them on the same team and then told us not to be "sensitive" when we complained that it was a mistake.
Oh, did I actually hear that phone call?
‘Of course not.’
Unless he had a death wish, would he really make a call like that where his assigned artist could easily overhear? However, the suspect was clear.
‘It’s only him.’
First of all, the other departments had no reason to do it. As I mentioned, they were composed of specialized professionals scouted from elsewhere. They didn't need to resort to industrial espionage to find another job. There was no incentive for them to chase such petty gains.
But the Operations Team was different. T1, having undervalued the expertise of management, had filled the department with nepotism hires and cheap, mediocre labor already on the market instead of scouting experienced pros. Add to that some clueless rookies brought in just to fill the headcount.
In short, they were the most incompetent group in the company. They likely had many grievances and no particular attachment to the job.
‘Which means they’re much more likely to be swayed by a few crumbs.’
The next step was simple.
‘I just had to see if there was any overlap.’
Golden Age’s agency wouldn't have recruited a complete stranger out of the blue; they would have seduced someone they already knew and had worked with. So, I checked the history of Golden Age’s agency, ‘Traveler.’
Usually, when people work this well, there’s a high probability they came from a major agency. And sure enough, the evidence was all over social media.
Wonder Hall. A famous agency known for producing successful boy groups.
‘Hah, predictable.’
That was it. All that was left was to find someone in our company whose tenure and career at Wonder Hall overlapped with that CEO and his staff.
‘The internal network structure was copied from T1.’
I was just grateful for the negligence that had inadvertently given the artists high-level document access. Anyway, the results showed only one person in the Management Department with overlapping history.
[2019. 06. 01. – 2021. 01. 04. | Wonder Hall ENT | Field Assistant & Documentation]
Assistant Manager Oh Seo-hyung of the Operations Team.
Everything fit perfectly.
‘It explains why he was doing such a half-assed job.’
His heart was already elsewhere, so he was just going through the motions. That’s why there was noise surrounding everything he handled.
“The Assistant Manager might have thought it was efficient to share good variety shows, but I thought it would be better to focus on one place.”
The important thing here was to never let it look like an artist throwing a tantrum. I wouldn't give him the chance to rationalize it as "the artist is overthinking things." He had to develop his own suspicions and realize the gravity of the situation. I was just speaking out of "ignorance."
“Now that I think about it, we seem to overlap with Golden Age a lot. I wondered if he was just working for the sake of cost-effectiveness.”
“The schedules overlap?”
“Yes, it seemed that way. And they often appear together in articles or posts online… I thought maybe he was just working on them together because it was less of a hassle, and it felt a bit off.”
“…….”
If you can't realize the seriousness behind those words after I’ve said this much, you’re not just a nepotism hire; you’re a complete idiot.
Fortunately, the Chief’s face turned bright red, then pale, then back again. It meant a realization and a surge of anger were warring inside him.
“I see… Hmm, right. I’ll… I’ll have a proper talk with that Assistant Manager. I’ve noted your concerns, Moon-dae.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Of course, I didn't expect him to suddenly grow a brain and handle it cleanly. Just watch.
“Moon-dae. Since this could become an issue later, it would be best if you didn't mention this to anyone else until it’s resolved.”
I knew it. This guy is terrified his own reputation will take a hit. It made sense. The moment this leaked, it was the kind of thing that would bring protest trucks from TeSTAR fans.
I nodded obediently.
“Of course.”
For the record, that was also a lie.
“Good thinking.”
The Chief didn't even bother to ask more about why I’d requested the meeting; he practically ushered me out.
‘He’s lost his mind.’
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I headed to the recording studio under the pretext of "handling some recording since I was already at the office." An AR team staff member, who had been asked to adjust the audio, had just finished chatting with our Second Manager, who had arrived early.
The manager spoke to me first.
“Moon-dae, you’re here! Did the talk go well?”
“Yes, it was fine.”
“What did you talk about?”
“Um… he asked me to keep it a secret.”
“Huh?”
I wouldn't have been surprised if the AR staff member’s ears had doubled in size while he fiddled with the equipment.
‘They must be curious.’
The Second Manager was no different; he lowered his voice and asked me.
“Why, why? Did he say he’d let you go solo?”
“Ah, it wasn't about that……”
“Then what was it??”
“Well… since you’re in the Management Department, I guess it’s okay for you to hear.”
“What is it? What??”
Alright, the hint that it was about the Management Department had been dropped. The AR staff member surely picked it up too. I hesitated for a moment on purpose, then just shook my head.
“I don't know. He just asked me to stay quiet until it’s resolved somehow.”
“Ah~ I’m dying of curiosity!”
“I’m sorry. I don't think I should say.”
“Aww, alright!”
There, I’d also dropped the nuance that a fairly big problem had occurred.
The AR staff member would likely go back and say exactly what I expected once this schedule was over.
‘Something big must have happened in the Management Department!’
Isn't that a fun bit of gossip for a boring corporate life? Once the Management Department started showing signs of damage control, people would naturally dig in to find out what was going on. It wouldn't take long for the rumors to spread throughout the company.
‘I’ll bet a thousand won it reaches the General Manager’s ears by the end of the week.’
And that’s exactly what happened.
Three days later, news broke that the General Manager was fuming and hunting for more accomplices and evidence.
“Moon-dae, Moon-dae, did you hear?”
“What?”
“Someone in the Operations Team was selling our information to another agency! Oh my god~ it’s terrifying, seriously.”
Keun Se-jin made a fuss as he sat on the living room sofa. He probably felt refreshed that the bastard had been caught, despite his words.
I let out a small laugh.
“I see. Did they catch him?”
“Yeah. But… they said one of our members found out and reported it.”
“……Really?”
“Yeah. Just saying.”
Keun Se-jin grinned.
“And this is also just something I’m saying, but you’ve worked hard, Moon-dae~”
Keun Se-jin patted my back and went into his room.
‘Did he figure it out?’
He was a convenient guy who didn't pry unnecessarily.
On the other hand, there was someone who came and blabbered every little detail.
“Wow~ the atmosphere at the company is insane!”
It was the Second Manager.
In the middle of a solo schedule, he excitedly spilled all the company’s business, asking if "this was what I was going to say before."
“How is it?”
“The General Manager is personally contacting that other agency! Ah, Assistant Manager Oh has already been summoned!”
It was only natural. The Approval Bot had intended to just serve his time quietly and leave, so he was bound to be furious when such a massive problem erupted under the surface. Moreover, once a rumor like this spreads, there’s only one way to regain control of the atmosphere. The Approval Bot, who came from T1, would know this well.
A public execution.
‘Though it’ll be limited to inside the company.’
So, while keeping the industrial spy pinned down, they would be pressuring Golden Age’s agency over whether or not to sue and make the matter public. The outcome was almost certainly going to be unconditional surrender.
‘It was over the moment they were caught.’
Maybe if it were after Golden Age had become a top-tier group, but right now, they couldn't win in terms of size or public opinion. It was a direct power struggle between a major corporate subsidiary backed by a broadcasting station and a small-to-medium agency—and the corporate giant even had the moral high ground because the fault lay with the smaller agency.
‘With the evidence secured, they have no way out.’
No matter how clever or competent Golden Age’s agency was, if they wanted to keep operating, they had no choice but to bow down and watch their step.
‘They’ll be muzzled for a while.’
They’d have to tactfully stop the media play and viral marketing that linked them with TeSTAR.
And what that meant was that Golden Age would have to keep their mouths shut regarding the public reaction to The Past Calls, which was about to air.
‘That makes things much easier.’
I leaned back against the sofa.
All the preparations were complete. The weekend the program would air was just around the corner.