Chapter 638
Chapter 638
Big Moon… Park Moon-dae had passed the audition for Orbit Stars Entertainment.
In other words, he was joining our company.
-Actually, I’ve been preparing for a while! But since it was my first time applying, I thought I might fail, so…
He rambled on with his explanation, but I understood what he meant. He wanted to try it on his own without my help, so he planned to tell me only after he’d secured the position himself.
-But I got in! I actually got in!
And he was clearly thrilled about his success.
Thanks to his loud, boisterous voice, the other guys nearby caught on to the situation and started chiming in.
“Wait, Gun-woo is joining our company?”
“Ohhh! Congratulations, BM!”
-Huh?? Ah, hello. Thank you!
The dance studio became noisy. At this rate, he was a "parachute" hire—no, a "connected" hire—smoothly lined up for a cushy internal position… No, that wasn't the important part.
I recalled something crucial.
It was something he had said a few months ago after being rescued from the mountain.
-I… I don’t really know what I should do, and I’m not sure what I want to do, either.
I had told him we should figure out what he wanted to do together.
Since then, I’d been hearing regular updates about his attempts to live his own life and the various things he’d tried.
Sometimes, when I got a day off during promotions, we’d meet up and hang out.
-Um… Hyung, what kind of work do administrative staff do in private companies? I mean, I was curious about how things work at your company.
He’d occasionally ask for partial advice like that, and it seemed those questions were actually leading up to him applying to our agency.
‘He tried to achieve a goal he set for himself without relying on me too much.’
He had asked for my advice on the work, but he hadn't asked for my permission. Taking initiative like this was a very positive sign.
Thinking about it that way, he was actually quite commendable.
I spoke into the smartphone with a faint smile.
“I guess I’ll be seeing you at the office soon, then.”
-Yes!
“Which team are you joining?”
Let’s see. Among the teams currently handling TeSTAR, if there was a part he’d fit into…
‘Planning would be good, or maybe Management Support.’
He probably knew enough English for Global Marketing to be an option, too. Either way, he already had experience with paperwork and public relations from his previous life.
Management usually hired younger people, but if we put in a good word, he could eventually transfer there…
-Rookie Development!
“…??”
Not the team in charge of TeSTAR…?
“Rookie Development?!”
“Aww~ You’re not going to work with us?”
At the members’ voices, the guy on the other end of the line sounded startled.
-Ahhh. Yes, well, I did think about that, but…
His voice grew smaller, as if he were averting his eyes.
-It felt like… I had too much of a personal agenda.
“……”
No way.
-What if my being a TeSTAR fan came out during a reference check! I could get fired…
“What are you talking about? You even worked as our daily manager.”
-Ah.
The voice on the other end went silent, likely remembering what he’d done when our bodies were swapped, but he quickly flared up.
-Th-that was you doing it, Hyung…!
“Even if I did it, the record remains under the name Ryu Gun-woo. And did you forget you’re Cheong-woo Hyung’s relative?”
-Huh…?
I heard a dazed sound.
‘Good grief.’
I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose before letting out a short chuckle.
Fine.
‘As long as he got in.’
Actually, it was a good choice.
In the management field, age is a major factor; it’s hard for someone in their 30s to get an entry-level job without a personal recommendation.
If he’d applied there, he might have been cut at the document screening stage while trying to get in "fairly" without my help, only to end up saying something like, “I guess this isn’t the path for me.”
As a business major, the Planning Team wasn't impossible, but I wasn't sure if his experience as a civil servant would be much help for a portfolio.
The AR team was out since it was composed entirely of specialists.
In the end, applying for Rookie Development—a somewhat unique position in this company since there were no rookies yet—was a smart move.
They likely hired people from various professional backgrounds for that team.
Usually, that department is subdivided into management, casting, and planning, just like the artist teams, but it seemed they hadn't reached that stage yet.
‘Since the agency is relatively new, they probably wanted to build it in a fresh and unique way.’
Especially since it was a new agency with no fixed artist identity but plenty of capital, they might look for factors other than industry experience and connections when hiring.
And a former Level 7 civil servant? They’d probably want to interview him just out of curiosity.
So.
“Still, you applied well to a place where you’re competitive.”
-R-really?
“Yeah. That’s why you got in. Congratulations.”
-Yes!!
I rubbed my chin as I listened to his bright voice.
Besides…
‘It’s better if he doesn’t get too entangled with TeSTAR.’
He had finally found something he wanted to do for himself.
If he worked directly with us, it would be harder for him to vent if he ran into difficulties at work later on.
Turning TeSTAR content—which he used to relieve stress and enjoy as a hobby—into his actual job didn't seem like a great idea.
Especially for someone who had just started building his own life.
“Yeah, getting in is an achievement in itself!”
“Congratulations, seriously!”
-Th-thank you.
Amidst the congratulations, Ryu Cheong-woo added a word in a gentle tone.
“So you’ll be raising our rival group.”
…?
-……Pardon?
“Whoa, that’s true! Wow, then later you might show up with the rookies and say, ‘Our kids need to debut this quarter, so TeSTAR’s comeback? Postpone it!’”
-No! That’s not it!
“Hahaha! I’m just kidding!”
A burst of laughter and voices echoed through the practice room. I could see Big Moon sounding relieved that his break time had been extended, but I decided to look the other way.
Anyway, greetings were exchanged with the new employee in a warm atmosphere.
“Um, when we see each other at the company… I hope we can say hi and talk…!”
“Of course~ We have a history together!”
-Th-thank you…….
Like the guy who had even applied for a fan signing event, Big Moon seemed moved by TeSTAR’s reaction. What a funny guy.
I watched the scene with a smirk when a certain fact suddenly occurred to me.
This guy was currently employed.
“What about your civil service job?”
-I have to resign!
“……”
That was a position he’d studied his head off for because of a status effect that would have killed him if he didn't pass.
It had incredible benefits like self-development leave, it was a permanent "iron rice bowl" job where he’d never get fired, and it was a fixed post in Seoul.
Quitting a Level 7 Seoul municipal civil service job to join a mid-sized entertainment agency…
‘Well, as long as he’s happy.’
He was living his own life happily. He had money, so he’d be fine. If things got tough, I could even buy him a house or something.
I nodded without any unnecessary comments.
“Right. Wrap things up well there.”
-Yes, sir!
Answering in an excited voice, he seemed to realize he was taking up too much of our time and hurriedly started his closing remarks.
-Then, if we run into each other at the office, please… Oh, right!
Hm?
He suddenly hesitated, his voice dropping.
-Hyung, I mean… since I got into the company. It’s a good thing, right?
“Ah, is there something you want as a gift?”
-…….
‘Oh.’
I expected him to scream that he didn't want anything, but surprisingly, there was something.
I spoke coolly to the silent, hesitating guy.
Knowing his personality, it was probably something like having a meal together.
“Just say it. What is it?”
-Then, could I…
His voice became extremely quiet.
-C-could I get a ticket for the upcoming TeSTAR concert?
“……”
-I… I failed at ticketing. I couldn't even grab a canceled ticket because I was busy preparing for the documents and interviews……. Sob.
His voice was desperate.
“…I’ll send you one.”
-Aaaagh, thank you!
I decided to give him one of the invitation tickets allocated to me.
With Big Moon’s shouts of gratitude and cheers like a mantra in the background, the members looked at my face with warm expressions.
“…?”
“No, it’s just nice to see.”
Seon A-hyun spoke with a smile.
“I think… this is the first time I’ve seen Moon-dae give away an invitation ticket.”
Ah.
‘Usually, people give them to their families.’
That was probably it. The members usually gave theirs to their parents, siblings, or even grandparents, who would often come to the waiting room after the concert.
As for me… well, I didn't really have anyone to give them to, so I usually returned them to the company or gave them to the staff.
I found myself looking at my smartphone anew.
I didn't realize it had taken me several years since debut to finally use one of these.
“Should I send you four?”
-Huh?? No?! Just one is fine…
“Okay.”
I’d just send him two.
-Thank you. Thank you, Hyung!
“It’s nothing.”
I should send him some in the future whenever I get the chance. I hung up the call.
“Moon-dae looks like he’s in a good mood.”
“……”
Ryu Cheong-woo patted my back and walked back to the center of the practice room.
Funny guys.
“Alright, we had a long~ break thanks to Moon-dae-Moon-dae, right? Back to formation!”
“Yes…”
We took our positions accordingly.
As the opening music for the concert rang out, the scene naturally played out in my mind.
Maybe it was because we just talked about concert tickets.
“Moon-dae, left foot forward!”
I quickly corrected my position.
“That’s it!”
As I followed the breathless, intense choreography of the dance break, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
Even after sending two to Big Moon, I still had two tickets left.
“……”
Normally, I would have just returned them to the company…
During the next break, I pondered for a moment before sending a text message.
I attached a photo of the concert tickets.
[Come if you’re coming.]
After the hot summer came the autumn of harvest.
TeSTAR finally entered the harvest of this promotion: the concert.
A few days before the concert.
“O-oh my god.”
It was a real ticket!
Malangstar, an all-fan, trembled as she held the TeSTAR concert ticket that had arrived by courier.
Surprisingly, it was a ticket transferred to her by an SNS friend.
That day, that SNS friend, who had briefly set their account to private, had posted this:
-Is there anyone who still hasn't gotten a ticket for TeSTAR's concert..? ㅠㅠ
The moment she saw it, she thought they were just looking for someone to lament with. Since this person also lived a busy life, they hadn't been able to log into SNS for a while!
‘They said they failed at ticketing…’
She figured they’d set it to private because they were so upset. Thinking that, she had also left a tearful comment.
-Me... Me.. ㅠㅠ
Let’s lament together, cheer each other up, shake it off, and watch the online live stream!
That was the kind of conversation she expected to follow.
But then, a DM suddenly arrived.
[Um, Malangstar-nim. I happened to get an extra ticket this time… If you’re free for the first concert on Friday, I’ll send it to you!]
This was insane.
The TeSTAR all-fan held her breath and tapped her smartphone keyboard like crazy. Her fingers were shaking, but thanks to her state of arousal, there were no typos.
[Heeeeeek, thank you so much! I don’t even know what to say. Is this real? Where should I send the payment?]
[Haha, you don’t have to send any money.]
“Ugh??”
[It’s an invitation ticket!]
And an invitation ticket really did arrive.
‘I even checked the ID a few times in case it was a scam to get my address…’
Her SNS fan friend had given her such a gift, making her feel guilty for even doubting.
They could have posted it publicly and transferred it to someone else while receiving shares and pleas from countless people.
‘Seriously, I really want to give them something back…’
Maybe they were sitting in the next seat? She wanted to muster the courage to talk to them and maybe grab a late-night snack together after the concert. Or at least give them some snacks!
‘I should pack some!’
But on the day of the concert.
She stood dazed as she found her seat in the concert hall.
“The, the seat is…”
It was a seat on the first floor, close to the center console.
She’d thought so since checking the section on the ticket, but the location was truly incredible.
However.
‘No lightsticks, no slogans…?’
The people sitting around her seemed ready to enjoy and cheer for the concert, but they had a strangely "Muggle" vibe.
And what’s more.
‘The person next to me…’
Next to her was a tall man with his hat pulled down low.
Even a glimpse of his jawline in the shadows suggested he was handsome, almost like a celebrity…
Sitting in her seat, the all-fan stared intently at the front of the stage, where the advertisement VCRs hadn't even started yet, feeling like she wanted to squeeze her eyes shut.
She couldn't bring herself to turn her head.
‘This is the staff section. Right here!’
She was happy, but the pressure was so immense her heart felt like it would explode.
‘Where are you, Big Moon-nim!’
Where on earth did you get this ticket!
For the record, the man in the next seat, Ryu Gun-woo, wasn't in a much different situation.
‘She was a high school student!’
That’s right.
The SNS friend who had received Big Moon’s extra invitation ticket—the TeSTAR all-fan who said she’d become a fan after seeing Magical Boy—was… a high school student.
Calculating back, she must have been in elementary school at the time.
‘But Idol Inc. was rated for ages 15 and up?!’
…Amidst such internal screams, they began to wait for the opening of the concert.
For the massive festival that would blow all these thoughts away.