Chapter 455
Chapter 455
The atmosphere at T1 Stars was restless.
Having gained independence from its parent company, T1 Ent, the firm was no longer a subsidiary of a sprawling conglomerate.
On the surface, that sounded like a good thing, but in reality, it brought immense uncertainty.
While the meddling higher-ups who used to pull the strings were gone, so was the powerful backing that had once guaranteed their security.
—What do you think is going to happen?
—Assistant Manager... haha, should we start looking for other options together?
Among the working-level staff, concerns about future treatment and "jokes" about changing jobs—which were actually subtle probes—were being exchanged.
The same applied to their superiors.
In an unprecedented turn of events, the board of directors had vanished after being arrested following a political offensive. The only superiors left were the General Manager, who had been brought in as a professional CEO, and various department heads and team leaders.
Everyone was hyper-focused on their every move.
If those people were looking for an exit strategy, the employees had to move quickly too!
—The General Manager will probably just go to another company, right? lol T_T
—Is it possible he might stay?
However, there was still one thing they relied on.
—Our artist lineup is still great, isn't it?
That was it.
The source of their confidence was the artists under their wing.
There were several groups with solid fanbases that went on tours, ensuring both fame and a steady stream of fixed income.
And among them, there was one group whose name value was on an entirely different level.
—TeSTAR said they’re renewing their contracts, too.
TeSTAR!
The undisputed top idols, shining with three consecutive Grand Prizes.
Moreover, since they produced their own music, the disappearance of the higher-ups wouldn't pose much of a problem for them.
The staff, who didn't know the exact details of how the relationship between T1 and its subsidiary had soured, were convinced that as long as the company held onto TeSTAR, they would survive.
—Man, I wish I could somehow get into the TeSTAR Label.
—Even if this place goes under, the label will probably survive, right? T_T
People indulged in fervent, happy fantasies, imagining that the label might absorb more staff or even swallow the company whole.
Consequently, this was the vibe projected to the outside world.
A look at an anonymous community for office workers showed:
==========================
[To the brothers and sisters at the T1 Ent subsidiary]
Curious about the vibe lately. Is everyone happy about the independence?
==========================
—LOL
—It’s... subtle.
—I’m just going to work. No big issues so far.
Instead of venting about every little grievance, they gave vague answers. It was the kind of reaction that came precisely because there was a problem.
But amidst that subtle atmosphere where hope still lingered...
[TeSTAR Park Moon-dae: Then I will see you tomorrow.]
“...!”
The General Manager finally received a text message in his office.
TeSTAR’s Park Moon-dae was a crazy bastard.
At least, that was how he appeared to the General Manager.
Previously, the GM had thought of him as just an insolent kid, but after being practically blackmailed into signing the label contract, that evaluation had become permanent.
The kid’s timing, both in his actions and his words, was incredibly cunning and exquisite.
‘I should have realized the moment I found out about his family history.’
An orphan who managed to take first place in a survival program at that age—how hardened and shrewd must his personality be?
The GM had treated him too softly just because of his age, and that had been his mistake!
‘Who would have thought a kid like that would act that way?’
The GM tried to brush off the embarrassment of having been coerced into signing the label contract by clicking his tongue.
He had no way of guessing that the person inside Park Moon-dae’s soft appearance was actually an adult much older than him.
Anyway, time had passed since the label incident. TeSTAR had worked hard without any further outbursts, and Park Moon-dae hadn't contacted him separately.
Until now.
“I’d like you to read this.”
“......”
With stiff hands, the General Manager barely managed to pick up the stack of papers Park Moon-dae had set down.
Once again, the documents had crucial parts blacked out, exactly like during the label negotiation.
Litigation materials.
The problem was that it wasn't just about TeSTAR.
“Ah, from page seven onwards, it’s about the other groups.”
Mirinae and Spacer.
The documents for the two groups that were the next best earners after TeSTAR were neatly organized.
‘This is...’
This, too, was about unfair treatment by the agency. However, it was slightly less fatal.
In Mirinae’s case, it focused on unconsented tours and US activities, while for Spacer, it was about member neglect.
Even so, there was only one reason he would have prepared this.
“Well, next month. Or the month after that at the latest, we plan to file a class-action lawsuit.”
“...!”
It was a bolt from the blue.
Furthermore, this was a total breach of business ethics! Especially for TeSTAR.
The GM barely managed to calm his surging sense of crisis. He skillfully shook his head.
“No... even if you show me something like this.”
The General Manager tapped the paper and forced a smile.
He intentionally let a hint of suppressed anger show.
“TeSTAR, you already used this to add a label contract last time. If you do this again, it makes things very difficult for the company. Who would want to work with TeSTAR if you make proposals in such an unprincipled way?”
It was true.
And it was also a subtle threat that if they sued, he would find a way to drag the label story into the mud and blow the whole thing up.
“And the other groups... honestly, this isn't enough for a lawsuit. You’re just nitpicking mistakes that anyone could make while working. Judges aren't fools.”
This was also half-true.
However... Park Moon-dae remained composed.
“Winning isn't the important part.”
What?
“The important thing is what happens to this company the moment these three groups stop working together.”
“......!!”
“The funds will stop flowing in.”
That was the core of the issue.
The moment a lawsuit was filed... activities would cease.
And sales of albums and other merchandise would plummet. The fans wouldn't buy them.
Reflexively, the General Manager imagined that scenario.
‘If this small-to-medium entertainment agency, which isn't even a T1 subsidiary anymore, has its funding cut off...’
It would be the end.
The longer the lawsuit dragged on, the longer they would fail to generate revenue, while fixed costs like building maintenance would continue to pile up.
But T1, which had provided the capital, had already cut ties with this company, so they couldn't pull in any more money.
Other investors wouldn't want to touch the company the moment the three most successful groups joined forces to sue.
In that case...
“Whether it takes a short time or a long time, it’s bankruptcy,” Park Moon-dae declared.
“And since the company will be gone, we’ll naturally become free agents.”
“......”
A chill ran down the GM's spine.
It was that strong premonition that only comes when hearing a truth—a highly accurate prediction of the future.
One that could be summarized as: ‘I’m screwed.’
These kids could ruin the company just by filing the lawsuit.
‘You little...’
The General Manager swallowed a few curses and tried to change the subject as calmly as possible.
For now, he had to pretend it wasn't a big deal and soothe him.
“That’s a very leap-of-logic way of thinking. Haha. Well, can’t TeSTAR just leave if you don't renew your contract? I really don't know why you’re trying to take the difficult path.”
Park Moon-dae, who brilliantly caught the subtext—please just ask for better renewal terms instead of doing this—tilted his head.
“I want to help the other groups. As their senior.”
These crazy bastards!
They had made so much money until now; what kind of grudge did they have to pull something like this?
‘The moment you say you won't renew, your reputation is over.’
The General Manager, who had picked up enough about the flow of the entertainment business, resolved to use public opinion to finish them off if it came to that.
He was about to lay out a warning while pretending not to.
“That’s why I’m telling you this first, General Manager.”
Park Moon-dae paused before adding softly.
“You were good to us during the label incident, too.”
His voice sounded somewhat well-intentioned.
“I’m telling you this so you can escape first.”
“......”
“Before we file the lawsuit.”
The General Manager was momentarily flustered.
There was no particular sign of contempt or arrogance in Park Moon-dae.
He sounded like someone who had agonized over whether to say it, knowing it might be a disadvantage to himself, but had decided to speak up anyway.
‘...Right.’
If he had such a plan, telling a company official like himself was a risk.
The fact that he took that risk to tell him... it might really be out of goodwill!
No matter how much money he had made, he was still just a young man starting out in society. The GM imagined a scenario where the kid felt guilty toward the adult he had once tricked with an additional contract.
......Of course, that wasn't the truth.
‘He took the bait.’
That was what Park Moon-dae was thinking as he looked at the General Manager.
He never had any intention of filing a lawsuit in the first place!
As the TeSTAR members had discussed before, suing the company would cause massive damage to the artists' image. In industry terms, they would be "blacklisted."
However, the General Manager, who wasn't originally from the entertainment business, failed to catch those details that required experience.
Instead, he caught the signal Park Moon-dae was sending.
—I don't want to hurt other people, especially those I know.
That kind of... soft-hearted, immature side that hadn't been fully tainted by society yet.
So, the General Manager interpreted the situation like this:
Logically, if TeSTAR didn't have much to gain from a lawsuit...
‘Did he get talked into it by the other groups and end up taking the lead, and now he feels like he has no choice?’
Since he stepped up for others, he started worrying about the "other person" who would be harmed by it!
Because he saw an opening, his voice reflexively became stronger.
“I mean, changing jobs isn't child's play... Moon-dae, do you think moving companies happens overnight?”
He intended to push through and get TeSTAR to drop the lawsuit.
Park Moon-dae blinked.
“Is it difficult?”
“It’s logically impossible. No, first, tell me when you’re planning to sue.”
“Hmm.”
Park Moon-dae remained silent long enough to make the GM anxious before speaking slowly.
He threw out a lifeline.
“Now that I think about it... what if we did this instead of a lawsuit?”
“...!”
“How about this?”
Park Moon-dae frowned as if he had just thought of it, throwing out a few words as if deducing a solution.
In that moment, the General Manager’s mind snapped to attention.
If they did that!
“...This way, you’d buy time, and there wouldn't be any issues with your portfolio when you move to another company.”
Park Moon-dae finished his sentence and looked straight at the General Manager.
“You know it too, General Manager. This company has no vision anyway.”
Because T1 had let go.
Yes, it was a fact the General Manager already knew.
He had been wondering if he could milk it a bit longer since he had TeSTAR, but since things had turned out like this...
‘...Right. All business is about timing.’
The one who strikes first loses the least and gains the most.
The General Manager made his decision and opened his mouth.
Park Moon-dae smiled faintly.
The following evening.
“Hyung~ what did they say?”
Ryu Cheong-woo hung up the direct call from the company’s higher-ups and grinned.
It was a smile filled with surprise and refreshment.
“The company... wants to talk about the group name. It looks like they’re going to sell us the trademark rights.”
“...!”
“R-really...?”
“Yeah.”
“WOW!!”
At the signal that the operation was a success, the living room was soon filled with excited noise. Bae Se-jin waved his arms in excitement.
“That actually worked?”
“Yes.”
I told you it would.
I smirked, recalling the conversation with that General Manager guy.
‘That selfish bastard.’
I knew he’d take the money and run.
It wasn't like I made some grand proposal. It was basically this:
‘The company is going to fail anyway, so make one last killing before it does.’
—The trademark rights will probably go up for auction after bankruptcy anyway. Instead of letting that happen, why not sell the trademarks to the groups for a fee before then?
If the company went bankrupt, we could buy the trademarks at auction. But I was giving the General Manager a chance to sell them first and make a run for it.
I suggested he milk it for all it was worth—showing a short-term surplus and building an image as a "beautiful agency" that gave its singers their names.
Then, the General Manager could perfectly complete the last page of his portfolio before the company collapsed and bail.
Us? I had made the excuse that it benefited us this much:
—Wouldn't the other groups feel safe staying with the company if they had that? It means even if the company fails, they can take their names and go elsewhere.
—And rather than waiting and pushing until the company goes bankrupt, it’s better for us to just buy them now.
It meant everyone gained something.
“...In that case?”
“Yes.”
I grinned.
“We don't need to sue.”
“...!”
“Oh!”
“Then we can leave amicably without renewing our contracts!”
“Okay~ this is the best!”
While everyone started high-fiving randomly, saying all they needed now was a new company, Seon A-hyun tentatively raised his hand.
“U-um, but then... what about the other groups? Are they staying with this company...? If we can't sue?”
“...!”
I smirked.
I remembered Gold 2, who had shouted for us to go for it but had been so anxious throughout the process he looked like he was going to bite his nails off.
—Hyung, you’re going to save us, right?? You wouldn't just take TeSTAR and leave us behind, would you...?? T_T
“No.”
I said I’d get them out. If I didn't, that would be a scam.
“It’ll happen step by step.”
The Great Agency Escape.
Now, all that was left was to wait.