Chapter 457
Chapter 457
TeSTAR’s escape from T1 Stars.
And signing with a new company founded by the former label CEO who had also resigned!
The group name was preserved!
Naturally, the fans were ecstatic. It was a contract renewal season finale that felt like the best possible scenario, handpicked after peering into a thousand different futures.
Even if T1 Stars was no longer a subsidiary of T1, it didn't mean all the shady bullshit they’d pulled over the years had just vanished.
This was a dream situation: they could cut ties with that exhausting agency while keeping the label’s practical staff entirely intact.
However, the general atmosphere was to just call it ‘Orbit.’
While the fandom was in a festive mood, the problem was the media play T1 Stars had engaged in just moments before.
[The Sincerity of the Independent T1 Stars: “Returning the Name to the Artists”]
Independence from a collusive conglomerate, transferring trademark rights to the artists.
Because of this, it looked as if TeSTAR had thrown cold water on the agency just as it was trying to make a fresh start as a ‘kind company.’
Trolls worked hard to incite people who only followed the story through headlines.
They put in a tireless effort to emphasize just how much of a fatal blow TeSTAR had dealt to the company.
They even went as far as capturing desperate posts from T1 Stars employees on anonymous corporate communities.
And just as the fans of Mirinae and Spacer were about to let the chaos break out by reacting to the trolls out of anxiety and nervousness…
That was the case until this news broke shortly after.
It was a development no one had anticipated.
[“TeSTAR’s Agency” Stars Orbit Entertainment’s Bold First Move: Pursuing the Merger and Acquisition of T1 Stars]
As soon as the article went live, communities and social media platforms were flipped upside down.
However, no one knew exactly how to react. It was surprising and hilarious, but they couldn't quite grasp the situation.
Regardless, the fans of Mirinae and Spacer finally breathed a sigh of relief.
TeSTAR fans were a bit bewildered, not knowing what the benefit was, but for now, they felt a greater sense of relief and satisfaction that the trolls had been shut up.
It looked like a funny happy ending.
However, some people had this question:
Wait a minute. If the former agency, the staff, and the artists are all the same…
It was a crucial question, though it was swept away by the sensational situation.
*
A new start. A new company.
TeSTAR was now sitting in a new conference room, holding a discussion.
They had decided not to use the T1 Stars building. They wanted to draw that much of a line.
However, since they had absorbed the subsidiary that T1 had cut off, from T1's perspective, it was likely seen as the same people just swapping out their nameplate.
“We’re… still blacklisted by T1, right? Just like when we were with T1 Stars?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded.
It means our status as a kite with a severed string remains the same for T1.
At first glance, it might seem like nothing had changed except for the fact that we’d spent a massive amount of raw cash.
But here’s the thing.
“But now, we can respond however we want.”
That was the difference.
We held the decision-making power now.
This company was unlisted, and we held a significant portion of the shares.
I don’t have to waste energy trying to persuade the higher-ups anymore.
“Wooooow!!”
Cha Yu-jin let out a whistle.
It was a permanent farewell to trolling superiors.
And because they knew that, the guys looked refreshed. Bae Se-jin looked like he was almost on the verge of tears.
“…Everyone really worked hard. I… I didn't know something like this would be possible before. But I’m so glad it worked out… It’s great.”
“Se-Sejin-hyung…”
Ryu Cheong-woo also smiled and agreed.
“Really. It feels awkward and strange to call it our company, but it’s good.”
“Right? Alright, let’s keep working hard for the next five, ten years, and even longer~!”
“Yes, I feel like I need to develop an even greater sense of responsibility! I look forward to working with you!”
“Yeah!”
The atmosphere was passionate because everything had gone according to plan. I nodded.
A sense of ownership to promote well and cultivate the company—that was good.
…Of course, no matter how much the price of T1 Stars had dropped, the capital required to acquire it in such a short time didn't come entirely from us.
Since our ties with T1 were cut anyway, we had to get on a different line.
I thought of the message from that guy that would still be on my smartphone.
To be precise, the reply that came when I contacted him first.
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: You actually contacted me.]
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: As expected.]
As expected, my ass.
Naturally, I had no intention of signing with LeTi until the very end.
However, there was no reason not to use LeTi if we could stay on friendly terms and utilize them.
So… excluding everything else, we only did a money transaction.
Sunbae-nim, would you be interested in just taking the investment returns without your agency having to go through the trouble of creating a label?
In other words, LeTi provided a significant amount of the capital for the launch of this company.
Of course, it didn't exceed half. I had to prevent them from exercising majority voting rights.
However, it did mean that we were now on the same line as LeTi.
It’s easy to use platforms friendly to LeTi, but in exchange, it’s slightly difficult to refuse LeTi’s requests.
This was a good balance. Cheong-ryeo’s side would also think it was a win since they could accurately monitor a competitor’s movements and interfere if necessary.
Of course, he tried to frame it as a heavy debt.
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: It seems like you’re unilaterally receiving my help this time.]
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: What do you think?]
I knew he’d say that.
Yes. Then in exchange, I’ll give you some good information about another VTIC sunbae-nim.
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: Hmm?]
Ju-dan sunbae-nim is doing well in the military. He was asking how you were doing.
There were no KakaoTalk logs after that. It was because the guy called me and burst into laughter.
Well, whatever.
Isn't a joke better for the KakaoTalk records than saying, ‘Why are you pretending to give unilateral help when you’re going to take a healthy profit while scrutinizing this company’s finances and schedule?’
I opened my smartphone and scrolled past the chat logs with him. Then, messages from the other guys that had arrived just before also popped up.
‘Hmm.’
The members of the other groups from T1 Stars, whom I had helped find an escape route by even creating a group chat.
When I told them I could now terminate their contracts… this was the kind of reply I got.
This was Spacer’s Kwon Hee-seung, also known as Gold 2.
This was Mirinae’s Park Min-ha.
“……Hmm.”
I crossed my arms.
Actually… I did expect Mirinae to stay.
Since the <Be My Girls> side couldn't promote properly due to their controversy anyway, there were no female idols in this agency to compete with for their position.
And I figured they wouldn't kick away a situation where the staff they worked well with were still there.
But is Spacer… okay? I have no intention of yielding if their promotion schedule overlaps with TeSTAR’s.
I looked into my smartphone and briefly anticipated the public opinion damage we would take in that situation.
“…….”
Should I make sure to adjust things so that neither side loses out?
Since it’s come to this, should I try to re-position Spacer too…?
In a direction that doesn't overlap with TeSTAR.
Faced with a situation where I suddenly had to think about another group’s positioning, I pressed my brow.
“Moondae-moondae, what’s wrong? Is something up?”
“No. It’s not that. …The other groups say they want to stay.”
“…!”
“Didn't they want to leave?”
I briefly explained the situation.
Then, most of them nodded readily. They were the same guys who had agreed to salvage the other groups because they felt uncomfortable about letting them sink with the agency.
“Right. It’s good to go together.”
“Yes, the staff are staying too… I think I would have felt the same way.”
To summarize, it was a ‘Oh, I see’ reaction.
However, Keun Se-jin shrugged his shoulders.
He didn't seem very pleased, but since we had already acquired the company, he didn't seem to want to create variables by interfering with other groups’ contracts.
He did say this, though.
“Right. We can just do things as we always have, as always~”
It meant that if they crossed the line or coveted our resources, we’d cut them off.
Fine by me.
That’s settled then.
I sent a reply to Kwon Hee-seung and Park Min-ha to the effect of ‘Then I’ll take it that you’re staying.’
With that, all the talk about the complicated company and others was over.
“Good work, everyone!”
“Good job~!”
After the headache-inducing talk passed, the members grinned in the relaxed atmosphere.
And the topic they had originally wanted to discuss finally came up.
“Then… shall we hurry up and prepare for our new album!”
That’s right.
These guys, thirsty for activities, only thought about making an album regardless of the environment.
“That’s a great idea!”
“We only promoted for a little bit! Let’s make it fast this time and do more!”
“…Wait, we’re moving our dorm too…, ugh, ah, I don’t know. Fine! Let’s work hard!”
“Oooooh!”
With even Bae Se-jin, who had tried to pull the brakes, joining in, the conference room was in an uproar.
Me?
“I think it would be best to start picking songs right away.”
“Ayy, Moondae~”
“I’ll contact the AR team!”
We had pulled off ‘Magical Boy’ in a month from scratch, so what was the problem?
What’s there that we can’t do here?
We just had to do it.
Short on money? If worst came to worst, I could just pour in all my remaining settlement money. I could handle an album or two.
…Of course, it’s not like there isn't anything weighing on my mind.
I’d find out eventually, so I’d leave it for now.
Instead of being a buzzkill for no reason, I looked around the conference room with a smile.
It was then.
Vibrate—
A reply came to the KakaoTalk I had sent earlier.
‘Kwon Hee-seung.’
I figured you’d send something like that.
However, the next KakaoTalk was a bit unexpected.
Good grief.
Even if you didn't use a wish coupon, I’ve already poured so much of my money into this company that I won't be cutting it off easily.
I chuckled and typed a reply saying ‘Fine.’
It was then.
[‘Fragment of ■■■’ Holder Confirmed!]
[<Wish> Registered]
…The status window appeared.
I reflexively stood up from my seat.
“Moondae?”
“…Catch him right now!”
The pop-ups continued.
[Using ‘Item: ■■■ (ver. Beta)’]
“…!”
No.
That’s the fucking System.
My mind felt like it was going blank. Even in that state, I instinctively connected the pop-up with what Kwon Hee-seung had just said.
‘Wish coupon.’
…The System tries to grant wishes. If so.
Don’t tell me, to Kwon Hee-seung?
No.
Why is it being used at will when it’s supposed to be my bound item!
“Cancel!”
But at the same time as I shouted, the text in the pop-up had already changed.
It was…
[Searching for target….]
[Target: Stars Orbit Ent]
Huh?
[Company Name: Stars Orbit]
Recognition: C+
Results: (-)
Revenue: (-)
Artists: TeSTAR (★★★★★), Mirinae (★★★★), Spacer (★★★) ….
Overall Evaluation: D+
Above that, a single pop-up floated lazily, as if it were just hanging around.
…Quite nonchalantly.
[Do you wish to cancel the use of ‘Item: ■■■ (ver. Beta)’?]
“…….”
What is this?