Chapter 231
Chapter 231
The emergency room was still bustling only with its primary purpose. It was thanks to the news not having reached the reporters yet.
Lee Se-jin stared at the floor, lost in thought.
‘I’ve contacted the company, so that’s over now.’
Instead of keeping his head and staying calm, he had lost his cool and shouted. Soon, the staff who realized the situation would be buzzing with all sorts of talk.
But he couldn't just do nothing… not in this situation.
Excluding the unconscious Ryu Cheong-woo, he was the only one who could contact the company, but he simply couldn't stay calm.
“……Whew.”
Lee Se-jin gripped his smartphone and tried to steady his breathing.
His hands were trembling.
Most of the members were fine. Just sprained joints or minor fractures.
They would have to check for aftereffects later, but for now, even Lee Se-jin only had light abrasions.
The person who caused all of this had been thrown from the vehicle and knocked unconscious because he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. But even that felt merciful compared to someone else.
‘He should have died.’
However, Lee Se-jin held his breath, overwhelmed by an emotion even greater than his rage toward the former manager.
It was fear.
—Is everyone okay…!
When he was checking on the members' conditions immediately after the accident.
In the very back, next to Ryu Cheong-woo, what he saw was…
‘…No, it’ll be fine.’
He must have… been so panicked that he perceived the injury as more shocking than it actually was…
Everyone else had minor injuries, and even Ryu Cheong-woo, who was closest to where the car behind them hit, only ended up with a hairline fracture in his leg. There was no way only Park Moon-dae… would be like that.
It was just because of the bleeding. He was getting a transfusion and had gone into surgery, so he would be fine.
Lee Se-jin tried to calm his mind by making assumptions about a field he knew nothing about, which was unlike him.
It was because he had almost signed Park Moon-dae’s surgery consent form just moments ago.
—The patient’s current condition is… so it’s dangerous… we need to insert a tube immediately….
He tried his best to listen, but he couldn't focus at all.
It didn't feel real.
‘We… were just performing our 2nd-anniversary concert.’
No matter how much they say accidents come without warning, how could it come like this, without any chance to prepare?
So helplessly?
Yes, this made no sense.
‘We were doing so well.’
It was so unfair. What did Park Moon-dae do wrong…?
This wasn't an industry where someone talented, sincere, and hardworking was common, so why did it have to be Park Moon-dae?
A guy whose life hadn't even been smooth to begin with.
—We need guardian consent.
—The guardian is….
There was no one. Lee Se-jin’s blood ran cold.
—Can, can’t I just sign it? Just….
—One moment.
After a quick exchange of signals, instead of taking Lee Se-jin’s signature, the medical staff re-verified the patient, held a brief meeting, and went straight into surgery.
It was possible because it was an emergency, but regardless, Lee Se-jin was left sitting there blankly, waiting for the results.
“…….”
And then he thought.
The other members, who were already in a state of panic, would have finished their treatments by now and learned of the situation.
Lee Se-jin could easily imagine the scene of them crying and falling apart.
‘Soon, eyewitness accounts will pop up… and once the articles hit, the rumors will….’
No, what did any of that matter? First, the members had to be okay.
Lee Se-jin grit his teeth and clenched his fists.
‘He’ll be fine.’
The fact that they could perform surgery meant there was a chance for recovery.
So, once Park Moon-dae wakes up soon…….
—You’re going to drop dead in your 30s at this rate!
‘Fuck, why did I have to say something like that….’
Lee Se-jin punched his knee. His vision went white.
‘He’ll wake up.’
He had to.
“…I’m Ryu Gun-woo.”
“Ah~ Yes. Nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you! I’m Lee Se-jin.”
I looked at the guy greeting me so sociably with a complicated feeling.
Even seeing him in this coma-dream, he was still the same slick bastard, but one thing was different.
‘This guy’s eyes….’
They were shot.
He was smiling brightly and acting charming, trying to seize any opportunity he could, but he couldn't hide the suspicion and wariness in his eyes.
‘…Was being forced out by rumors that much of a fatal blow?’
Moreover, he probably didn't understand why LeTi would bother bringing him in after he left due to school violence rumors, and he likely understood even less how they were able to clear his name so meticulously.
“How old are you, by the way? I’m 21~”
“I’m 21 too.”
“Oh, we’re the same age.”
He didn't even suggest speaking casually, likely judging that I, as a senior trainee, was higher in the hierarchy.
It meant his mental state was so shattered by the rumors that he couldn't even consider the recognition he had gained through Idol Inc.
I suppressed a sigh and spoke.
“Should we speak casually?”
“Ah, should we? That’d be great~”
After that, Lee Se-jin engaged in some formal small talk to dig for information before leaving to meet with a company official.
“…….”
Is this right?
I did this to gather whoever I could before Casting Call, but it left a strangely bitter taste in my mouth.
Furthermore, Seon A-hyun’s side… still hasn't responded to the agency.
…After watching the Idol Inc. broadcast, I can see why.
‘Fuck.’
My head throbbed.
…Should I have participated in Idol Inc. no matter what excuse I had to use?
Actually, for a company like LeTi, kicking out one participant and slotting in their own trainee in a failing program like that would be child's play.
The problem was that the agency adamantly refused.
—Idol Inc.? Why there….
‘…They saw absolutely no benefit in it.’
Adding two or three guys as trainees wasn't even a debut, so it was possible through Cheong-ryeo’s influence.
But they couldn't have an unproven trainee go out on a low-quality program with this agency’s name attached to him.
Back then, everyone thought Idol Inc. Season 3 would be a spectacular flop.
‘Persuasion didn't work.’
I felt like I could have pushed Cheong-ryeo a bit more using future knowledge as bait, but with the first filming of Idol Inc. right around the corner, it was physically impossible.
‘This sucks.’
The only positive was that this agency treated me quite well.
—Gun-woo, have you really never taken lessons before? Really?
I’d been a trainee for about two or three months now, and after they gauged my skills during the first two weeks, their attitude became incredibly soft.
It made sense. The experience of a main vocal in his third year since debut didn't just disappear.
‘It seems like they’re even planning to include me in the debut lineup.’
I’d like to tell them to scrap that debut lineup since there won't be any news of a debut even three years from now.
“……Sigh.”
I sat down in front of the practice room mirror. My familiar face of 29 years stared back at me.
…To be honest, the process itself was much easier.
My stats were already nearly complete, the company was smart, and the treatment was good. Plus, I already knew what kind of songs and concepts we should debut with.
If I could just gather members with proven skills, we would definitely soar after debut.
And since I couldn't see the status window, bringing in the guys I’d already worked with would be best.
‘…It’s only a matter of time before Seon A-hyun gets in touch.’
It would be perfect if I could snag a few more guys through Casting Call and debut. If necessary, I could even include one of the existing trainees.
So, even though this was much smoother than the reality where I went through all sorts of hell in Idol Inc.…
Strangely, I didn't feel up to it.
“…It’s only because this isn't reality.”
I ended my thoughts, telling myself it couldn't be helped since my goal was to wake up.
“Not reality?”
“……!”
Turning my head, I saw Cheong-ryeo walking in through the back door of the practice room.
‘Does this bastard not know how to knock?’
I replied half-heartedly.
“It was just something I said.”
“Hmm, I suppose it’s about time you started thinking that.”
“…….”
“But it is reality, so don't think like that. It’s a waste of time.”
Sorry to break it to you, but it is a dream, you punk.
I just nodded silently. Cheong-ryeo continued with a smile.
“Ah, you said you’d follow me to Casting Call. The filming is in three days.”
“…….”
“You can't appear on the broadcast. I’m just taking you along.”
“That’s enough for me.”
Did you think I actually wanted to be on it?
Anyway, the guy who had become eerily kind after my future knowledge was verified a few times readily agreed to manipulate Casting Call.
“Hmm… so these questions will come up?”
“Yes.”
We were going to exploit the method where ‘you receive a transfer offer from the agency whose answers to the given questions are most similar to yours.’
I knew Kim Rae-bin would receive an offer from LeTi even if things proceeded as they were.
And I also knew that Cha Yu-jin and Ryu Cheong-woo… were not the type of guys who would be swayed by this kind of scheme no matter what I did.
So, I planned to catch the one remaining guy.
“Since I’ve told him, he’ll probably do exactly that.”
Bae Se-jin.
If done right, he was the easiest guy to hook at this point.
And a few days later, at the Idol Inc. filming set.
“Move this first!”
I checked the situation while running errands for LeTi, dressed similarly to the staff.
‘…The probability is high.’
First, I confirmed that the agency had contacted the two members before Casting Call and talked to them.
‘Kim Rae-bin and Bae Se-jin.’
It was through advice from Cheong-ryeo, who was acting on my instructions.
Since Idol Inc. was at its peak popularity, they were more than happy to pull this kind of stunt.
I advised them on the deals in a way that would be most enticing to both.
‘For Kim Rae-bin, focus on production support.’
—Among domestic entertainment companies, we invest the largest budget in production-related facilities.
This agency’s AR work was incredibly systematic. Moreover, Kim Rae-bin was a guy who was curious about the recording programs VTIC used, so it was quite possible.
And considering his moral character, I didn't even mention the leaked questions.
I only emphasized that all of this was through ‘official methods.’
—It would be a great pleasure if we could meet through the program’s official transfer method.
I did add that he could even persuade Cha Yu-jin to come along if necessary.
‘Cha Yu-jin is a guy who reads the room when he needs to.’
If he liked the proposal, he would sense the way things were going and pick the answers Kim Rae-bin would likely give. The possibility was very low, though.
‘And for Bae Se-jin… safety.’
—We have a full legal team, and we actively work with major law firms to protect our artists.
With a subtle nuance that they were strong in agency disputes and the like, they contacted him directly with the answers to the questions.
He was already someone who would be tempted, so this should be enough.
And in this process, Cheong-ryeo surprisingly performed his role of externally egging on the agency on my behalf quite faithfully.
‘It was a good idea to trade using the composer as bait.’
So now it was time to see the results.
I continued to act as a staff member and checked the filming set.
First… Kim Rae-bin.
[That… um, I’m sorry. Since I’ve appeared on the show, I want to do my best in my work here.]
He deliberated more than he did in reality, but in the end, he refused.
‘I figured as much.’
But the important part was what came after.
[Here.]
[Ah, yes! Thank you.]
He took the business card.
In other words, if an unfortunate accident… caused this program to fall apart or if he left the show, he would contact LeTi.
And you never know what might happen in life.
‘This is enough.’
I’ve watched this production team for three years; I could come up with three or four ways for Idol Inc. to get wrecked starting right now.
Furthermore, after the filming ended, even Ryu Cheong-woo took a business card from a LeTi official who approached him amidst the confusion.
The results were better than I imagined.
‘If I can just do something about Cha Yu-jin… I might be able to gather everyone and debut just like that.’
A sudden thrill ran through me.
I swallowed hard.
However, things couldn't always go as expected.
[…No. It’s okay.]
“……!”
Bae Se-jin… refused.
He didn't even take the business card.
‘Is he crazy?’
Why was he kicking away a lifeline? I knew for a fact that he had agonized over this like hell in reality.
[Yes. I wish you the best of luck.]
But the result didn't change.
Bae Se-jin’s stay in Idol Inc. was confirmed.
“…….”
I walked away with my mouth shut.
‘It feels like I’ve been slapped.’
I was planning to just filter out the guys who didn't work out anyway, but I didn't know why I felt like this.
Vroom.
I walked into the staff restroom roughly, intending to splash some cold water on my face.
“…!!”
“…!”
And I locked eyes with Bae Se-jin.
He looked clearly flustered, as if he had been sobbing with the water running.
‘If you’re going to be like that, why did you refuse?’
Unable to suppress my irritation, I spoke impulsively.
“Why don't you accept even now?”
“What?”
Bae Se-jin replied blankly.
“LeTi is a decent agency.”
“…….”
Bae Se-jin’s face turned blue, then red, and finally, he went pale.
‘Did I poke him too directly?’
“What… you, LeTi….”
“Yes. I’m a staff member there.”
Bae Se-jin looked at me with a lost expression, then suddenly his face became extremely defensive.
And he replied sharply.
“Do you guys… go this far to poach celebrities?”
“……!”
“Contacting me in advance… leaking the questions.”
‘Fuck.’
Is this where it went wrong?
The guy was scared.
Sending the questions and mentioning the legal team beforehand.
To Bae Se-jin, it must have felt similar to what his current agency was doing.
“…….”
Slam.
Bae Se-jin ran out of the restroom as if escaping.
And I had no choice but to admit my mistake.
In the car on the way back.
I crossed my arms, trying to organize my thoughts.
‘Let’s just act like it never happened.’
Still, I felt like crap.
Cheong-ryeo, sitting across from me, checked to make sure the member next to him was fast asleep before opening his mouth.
“Junior?”
“Yes.”
“No, I just don't understand. I’m asking because he didn't join anyway.”
“…….”
“That former actor at the end wasn't even a good participant, so why did you try so hard to bring him? If it were me, I would have taken this chance to cut him.”
“……What?”
“He’s not cooperative, and he seems pretty useless.”
“…!!”
It felt like I’d been hit over the head.
Why did I try to bring him?
‘That’s because….’
It was because I was subconsciously aware.
That if we debuted as we were here, Bae Se-jin would be framed with drug rumors and his career would be ruined.
‘His life…, fuck.’
I grit my teeth.
Actually, I knew.
This wasn't even reality, so what did it matter if Bae Se-jin was framed for drugs or died here?
I didn't know why the hell I was caring this much, damn it.
“Don't bother caring about past relationships for no reason. It’s a loss.”
“…….”
“Anyway, since they only took business cards and the lineup isn't confirmed, instead of that, how about this?”
“What?”
Cheong-ryeo smiled.
“Hmm, how about joining VTIC?”
“……!!”
What kind of crazy talk was this now?
‘Is it a trap?’
Adding a new member to a top-tier group that had already passed its contract renewal season; he had a unique way of telling me to commit suicide.
“No, listen carefully.”
And then, surprisingly, the guy began to describe a fairly plausible route.
