Chapter 329
Chapter 329
“Congratulations.”
“Congratulations to you as well.”
In January, I bowed my head in greeting to a senior I met in the hallway of the Gold Disc Awards.
It was one of the final ceremonies wrapping up the year’s season, but unfortunately, we didn't take home the Grand Prize here.
‘Well, there wasn't much of a chance to begin with.’
The categories were strictly divided into two parts: Physical Album and Digital Song. There was no "Artist of the Year" award, which usually serves as the comprehensive top honor.
In a setup like this, the results are always predictable.
‘Young-rin and VTIC split them between themselves.’
Right… specifically, this bastard I just greeted.
Cheong-ryeo smiled brightly.
“Best Group and Best Performance… You’ve swept up quite a few good awards. Your fans must be incredibly passionate.”
No matter how much we hustled, the winners were cut based on raw data, which meant we didn't reach the Grand Prize. That was his point.
“Yes. I believe it’s thanks to our fans voting so passionately because we worked so hard. Though, of course, it can’t compare to your Physical Album Grand Prize, sunbae-nim.”
My point was that a has-been who lost the popular vote sure had a lot to say.
“Haha.”
“Hahaha.”
I shared a friendly laugh with the guy. Staff members passing through the hallway watched us with warm, approving eyes.
Once he stopped laughing, Cheong-ryeo’s expression shifted as he asked, “So… have you organized those ‘impressions’ you said you’d share once we met?”
Ah, right.
We had agreed to talk one more time about what I experienced while entering ‘Ryu Gun-woo’s’ body.
‘Neither of us really had the chance because the end-of-year season was so damn busy.’
I dropped the power struggle and gave him a clean summary.
“I found the person I was looking for. They’re planning to help us with what we originally intended to do.”
“Aha.”
Cheong-ryeo’s eyes narrowed.
“It might be fun to meet them together sometime.”
“If the opportunity arises.”
He seemed to understand the subtext—that I had found ‘Keun-dal’ and that he would assist in dealing with the system.
‘This much is enough for now.’
This wasn't the kind of thing to discuss in an open hallway. As long as this guy didn't turn uncooperative during the process later, it was fine.
Cheong-ryeo gave a thin smile.
“I’m curious to see what kind of help that person will provide. Other than that, are there no other issues?”
“Issues?”
“Yes. I heard you’re setting up an independent label. That’s a more complicated task than it sounds.”
Judging by his tone, this guy already knew about the conflict between T1’s headquarters and our agency.
“It’s fine. Things are progressing well.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I’m just focusing on working harder next year to achieve even better results.”
Ultimately, the main goal was to clear the ‘Break K-POP Records’ mission.
And of course, it would be best if we could snatch that Physical Album Grand Prize away from those guys.
I shrugged.
Knowing him, he’d probably try to get under my skin by saying something like, ‘Oh dear… that sounds difficult.’
I looked at him, ready to fire back.
However, Cheong-ryeo merely muttered with a casual face.
“Hmm… I see. Good luck with that.”
“…….”
“Well… this year might be a bit easy, anyway.”
What?
“M-Mun-dae!”
I heard someone calling me from behind, but I kept my eyes fixed on Cheong-ryeo.
But the guy just shrugged and turned around.
“…Easy?”
“You said you’d work hard, didn't you? Then I’ll see you again when you have time.”
That was it.
‘What is he up to?’
This was the guy who used to snap like a viper whenever the topic of this year’s results came up. It wasn't like he lacked confidence in his next performance, either.
Strangely… it felt like his enthusiasm had cooled.
Why is a guy who’s only going to the military for six months acting like that? I watched the back of his head with a lingering sense of unease before looking away.
‘Should I dig around for some VTIC rumors under the surface?’
I couldn't tell if this was a good sign, a bad sign, or just my imagination.
“Sorry, I was just saying goodbye.”
“Oh, n-no, it’s okay.”
Seon A-hyun approached, looking slightly tense as he watched Cheong-ryeo walk away, but he soon turned to me with a smile.
“Um, I was… greeting Young-rin sunbae-nim…!”
“Really? Let’s go.”
“Okay!”
I followed him down the hallway.
As we turned the corner, the other Grand Prize winner was standing there with a smile.
“Mun-dae-ssi.”
“Sunbae-nim.”
It was Young-rin, who had won the Digital Song Grand Prize the previous day in this two-day ceremony.
Even though she had won the big one yesterday, she attended today’s Physical Album portion because she had won a Bonsang (Main Prize) here as well. She even performed a song.
‘Usually, people only attend the day they receive the Grand Prize.’
It was a rare and diligent attitude.
“It’s truly the New Year now. I hope TeSTAR shows even more wonderful activities next year.”
“We will strive even harder.”
Young-rin gave a simple smile, but the dancers behind her suddenly started groaning and swaying. What was this?
Noticing my gaze, Young-rin introduced the dancers.
“These are the kids debuting from my agency next year. Say hello.”
“HELLO!!”
It seemed she was using them as dancers to give them stage experience. It was a common practice.
Seon A-hyun watched them with a warm expression before speaking to Young-rin in a small voice.
“You must… really cherish your hoobaes….”
“Does it look that way? You’re right. It’s because I’m in charge of their producing.”
“Sunbae-nim….”
The trainees, Young-rin, and Seon A-hyun were creating an incredibly heartwarming atmosphere. Of course, I had no intention of joining in.
‘If Young-rin is producing, the songs will be damn good.’
I filed away the information about the upcoming rookies in a corner of my mind and parted ways with Young-rin.
As we headed back to the waiting room, Seon A-hyun rubbed his hands as if the realization had just hit him.
“We’ve… already become seniors….”
“That’s right. We’re not rookies anymore.”
With the New Year, TeSTAR was already entering its fifth year.
Since we’d completed three and a half years since debut, we could say we’d shed the rookie label. Now, we had to keep an eye on the guys climbing up from below.
‘We even have two direct hoobae groups.’
I thought of the two groups that came after us on Aju-sa.
Though, whether they’d keep that ‘direct’ label or not would depend on our actions from here on out.
Would we escape this agency and go straight to T1, or stay and beat them into shape?
“Hmm.”
Actually, the conclusion had pretty much been reached the moment Kim Rae-bin gave his opinion.
‘There are so many members who have grown attached to the people in the planning and AR teams.’
Regardless of how much the agency’s decision-makers pissed us off, it was hard not to feel bad for the working-level staff we saw every day.
It would be even worse for guys in their age group.
As the awards season passed, I could see the kids leaning toward the latter option.
Bae Se-jin was the same. After appearing to agonize over various aspects, he finally reached a conclusion during practice last night.
—If the effect is the same, staying might be the right choice. It feels like it would be a better lesson.
That was the moment it became a de facto unanimous decision. I let out a short laugh and spoke.
“Seon A-hyun.”
“Yeah?”
“If you stay here, who’s the first person you want to shut up?”
“S-Shut up…??”
He looked flustered. But Seon A-hyun soon regained his composure.
“Rather than… shutting them up… I want them to be more considerate of the people working here and stop making their lives miserable…. For us, and for the other staff members and idols….”
“I see.”
Don't mentally harass the members. Treat them with human dignity.
Well… that’s a fine justification.
I smirked.
“Good point.”
“T-Thanks…!”
A few days later, we ended the season on a high note by winning the single Grand Prize at the ‘Korean Music Awards,’ the final ceremony of the year.
And the moment we entered a short break before our tour, the agency finally began to bow its head.
Though their inner thoughts were likely quite different.
‘Those vulgar upstarts…….’
The General Manager sat at his desk, screaming crude insults in his head that he would never say aloud.
There was only one reason.
Because those bratty entertainers, who still had wet ears, were about to ruin his performance metrics at the most critical timing.
‘Do you think you sell well because of yourselves? It’s all thanks to the marketability created by the corporation!’
Hadn't they won a Grand Prize thanks to all that financial support and his quick decision-making?
He had planned to gracefully step down for a new business venture after adding that Grand Prize achievement to his portfolio!
After that, they could have done whatever they wanted with a label or whatever.
He had simply intended to pass the mess cleanly to his successor without making any gestures while he was still in this position….
‘God damn it! They couldn't even wait that long because they don't know the meaning of patience!’
He couldn't believe he was backed into this corner just because they threw a fit after winning their first Grand Prize.
Especially that guy who blew everything up during the acceptance speech.
Park Moon-dae.
‘That little thug who only knows how to play dirty.’
He should have known from the moment the kid started playing tricks with the supplemental contract.
He clearly used such lowly and vulgar methods because he was uneducated and hadn't even finished school properly. Resorting to witch-hunt-style incitement and all that.
The General Manager huffed as he placed his hands on his Bluetooth keyboard.
Regardless, with his relationship with the parent company soured thanks to the stupid board of directors, the cards he could play were limited.
But at the same time, a glimmer of hope sparked precisely because things had gone that far.
‘If I fix this here, I can turn this misfortune into a blessing.’
TeSTAR hadn't immediately said yes to T1 headquarters’ offer; they were still dragging their feet.
There was clearly a sense of fear and hesitation among them about starting fresh on their own.
And in this situation, if he could just get them to settle as a label here, he could leave being evaluated as a competent General Manager on the financial statements….
‘I’ll strike here!’
He abandoned his usual array of professional English buzzwords and relaxed demeanor.
Instead, he prepared a written statement to send to TeSTAR in a grave and candid tone.
[To the artists of TeSTAR.
I am hesitant to even write this, as I imagine your hearts must be heavy due to the various recent events.
What I can say for certain is that I have agonized countless times over the incidents that have hurt you…
…]
‘The company lacked consideration.’
‘But within that, there were numerous communication errors and misunderstandings.’
‘Please hate me, but do not hate the working-level staff.’
The four-step apology—acknowledgment of wrongdoing, an apology, a subtle excuse, and an emotional appeal—worked well everywhere. He tapped away at the keyboard as if his fingers were flying.
[Of course, if you leave, this agency will suffer a massive blow. While I know it may be unavoidable, I hope you know that the employees of this company who worked for you never had bad intentions…]
He even emphasized the working staff.
Like someone seasoned in various businesses, the General Manager pinpointed TeSTAR’s weakest psychological point with startling accuracy.
And as if responding to that brilliant strike, a reply came the very next day.
“…!”
It was a document delivered through TeSTAR’s leader, Ryu Cheong-woo.
[We have read your message well.]
The writing, which began that way, consisted of uncomfortable feelings, polite rebuttals to his message, and a hint of gloom.
[You didn't even intend to keep the terms of the contract, so how can we trust you further? We aren't sure.]
‘Gotcha!’
They really were conflicted!
The fact that a reply came at all, and that it lacked sarcasm or personal attacks, meant there was already room in this rejection.
He sat down to draft another response himself. His head felt like it was on fire with passion.
‘It was never our intention not to keep the contract terms. It’s embarrassing to admit, but due to it being the end of the year, the company lacked available manpower….’
Several documents were exchanged in this manner.
There were attempts to meet in person, but TeSTAR canceled the meetings using their schedule as an excuse.
The General Manager picked up on that sharply.
‘They’re wavering.’
Naturally, people tend to open up more when they hear a voice and see a face in person.
They were afraid of that. The anxiety that they might be persuaded!
‘I’m almost there.’
He analyzed TeSTAR’s documents and read their desires with uncanny precision.
Then, in the next document, he threw a bait that would satisfy them.
‘Expanding independent label personnel, okay.’
‘I can approach this as integrated management by the Management Department.’
‘If I frame it as forming a direct AR team, they’ll have no choice but to come over.’
Every time he sent a document, TeSTAR’s replies became increasingly emotional.
‘Yes!’
Passed. Passed again. There was a thrill to it, like clearing stages in a game.
And finally.
In the fifth document, TeSTAR accepted a meeting.
“Phew…!!”
A feat achieved in just one week.
The General Manager sent a message to the board saying things were ‘progressing positively’ and prepared for the meeting with a clear mind.
‘The moment they show up, it’s over.’
Last time, the problem was that the guy who had been in a coma dragged things down to a disgusting level with talk of lawsuits and whatnot.
To him, coaxing guys in their early to mid-twenties was nothing. Or so he thought.
“Hello.”
On the day of the meeting, only the leader, Ryu Cheong-woo, showed up.
“I discussed it with the members, and we decided it would be best for me, as the leader, to represent the group, so I came alone.”
“Ah, I see.”
Even better.
‘This is the perfect setup.’
He had already heard from the staff that this guy was just an athlete and had a gentle personality that avoided creating unexpected situations.
A predictable model like this was the easiest to persuade, and he was even alone.
The General Manager had even considered the possibility of that crazy guy showing up.
‘They probably filtered him out themselves.’
Since he was excessively impulsive and lacked manners, they must have kept him from coming to a place where serious conversation was required.
‘Which means they take this meeting seriously.’
The goal felt like it was right before his eyes. The General Manager offered coffee to Ryu Cheong-woo as he set down his umbrella, beginning the conversation.
“A latte?”
“Thank you.”
After a brief round of small talk, the main topic emerged in a soft atmosphere.
Ryu Cheong-woo gripped his cup and spoke in a low voice.
“Opinions are very divided among us. To be precise… there are more who want to leave, but some members changed their minds after exchanging messages with you, General Manager.”
“I see. I’m very curious to know what’s weighing on your minds the most.”
“That is….”
Ryu Cheong-woo seemed to struggle, sighing a few times.
‘Just open up already!’
Only when the General Manager was about to burst with impatience did he speak again.
“Sigh, ultimately, there’s still a trust issue.”
“Trust.”
“Yes. We were lucky enough to be able to create a label, but if it were any other idol, they wouldn't have been able to. That’s… the kind of suspicion we have.”
Ryu Cheong-woo gave a bitter smile.
“It might sound strange, but some members think your explanations are just words. One of them is very interested in idol human rights… and he’s being firm.”
It was a thought typical of kids with big dreams.
‘These guys making tens of billions are talking like they’ve got full bellies. Honestly.’
While thinking it was pathetic, the General Manager racked his brain for an appropriate answer.
It seemed they wanted some kind of ethical gesture to satisfy their moral vanity, rather than just profit.
‘Other idols can’t do it, huh.’
“…!”
At that moment, a brilliant idea struck the General Manager. ‘This costs me nothing!’
Smiling inwardly while maintaining a somber expression on the outside, he spoke.
“In that case….”
“I got it.”
“Oooooh!”
“You really worked hard in this rain!”
Returning from the meeting, Ryu Cheong-woo shared a photo of a document in the group chat with a smile.
[Artists of T1 Stars may sign with a subsidiary label upon contract renewal, and this shall be agreed upon prior to the renewal.]
It was the certification that ‘anyone can go to a label upon renewal.’
“He actually gave it to us.”
“I know.”
Ryu Cheong-woo shrugged.
“To be honest, I didn't expect to get so many ‘okays’ even through the documents.”
“Right!”
“Mun-dae hyung is a magician!”
What are they talking about? We all wrote them together.
“It’s just because we’re the ones in power. I just made the work a bit smoother.”
Since everything would disappear anyway if we left the company, wouldn't they obviously do that if they could keep us by raising our treatment?
I just wanted it to take the form of the company voluntarily offering it, rather than us asking for it.
‘That way, they can’t say anything else later.’
But the guys next to me were snickering.
“Ooh~ so humble~”
Whatever. I just shook my head and laughed.
“Cheong-woo hyung is more impressive. You got almost exactly what we discussed.”
“I don't know. He just kind of gave it to me…?”
However, Bae Se-jin also raised a hand.
“…Excellent!”
“Um, thanks.”
He seemed deeply impressed by the fact that we had changed the company’s policy. ‘I did it!’ was written all over his face.
‘It is surprising.’
Mandatory label choice upon renewal? Most big agencies wouldn't do that.
‘It was probably possible because of this agency’s unique nature.’
Since their structure is based on filling and rotating the hottest kids from audition programs every season.
TeSTAR is just a special case, and the board probably said okay thinking they’d just replace the kids after using them well for five years until the sweetness is gone.
After all, the revenue is still recorded even if they go to a label.
‘Idiots.’
To put it the other way, if a group envisions themselves still being successful five years later, whose lead would they follow in the company?
The label that houses the most successful top-tier idols.
‘And once the idols set the atmosphere, the working-level staff will follow suit.’
Ultimately, it was a matter of influence. I swiped away the revised plan on the screen.
‘I’ll pick them off one by one.’
As this continues, the label will eventually grow, and the agency will be left as nothing but an empty shell.
I finally gave a wide smile and spoke.
“I’m glad it ended well. Everyone worked hard.”
“Good job, everyone!”
“Ah~ let’s hurry up and decide on a label name!”
High-fives and laughter filled the living room. How heartwarming.
Now then, before we do something fun with this label…
“There’s something we need to do first.”
“Huh?”
“The preparation plan for the next album.”
Kim Rae-bin tilted his head.
“Wasn't that supposed to be worked on during the tour…?”
“Right.”
I smiled and crossed my arms.
“About that plan, you know how we used to spend time in the same room once a week during the tour?”
Cha Yu-jin’s eyes sparkled. He probably remembered it immediately since it was a tradition born from his own runaway incident.
“That’s right. We do!”
“…Ryu Cheong-woo made a good suggestion.”
“Haha.”
Ryu Cheong-woo looked a bit proud. Keun Se-jin jumped in.
“Ooh~ should we gather like that again to prepare our album? Like that composition camp back then?”
“W-Wow.”
“I’m in favor!”
The harmonious guys smiled and looked at each other. I also smiled as I spoke.
“My suggestion is a bit different, though.”
“Yeah?”
“Not once a week, but for three days.”
“…….”
“The tour schedule is loose enough to allow it. And there’s one more difference.”
“W-What is it?”
I looked at Bae Se-jin and smiled.
“It’s an album, so we have to work ourselves to death.”
“…!”
“This won't be a hobby camp; it’s going to be an overtime camp.”
CRACK-BOOM!!
Right on cue, a bolt of lightning struck, casting shadows over the faces of the guys whose mouths were hanging open.
And so, the proposal for ‘K-POP Hell Camp - TeSTAR ver.’ was announced.