Monthly Evaluation (2)
Freaking hilarious.
Everyone's lips were twitching with joy, but they couldn't just celebrate outright, so they were rolling their eyes awkwardly. And after the manager and director left, Jaehun came right in, making the atmosphere even more strained.
"Jaehun!"
"Hey, hey, what's up? What happened? Is it true you're terminating your contract and leaving?"
"...It's nothing much."
His face looked half-dead from all the stress. Jaehun, speaking in a deeply sunken voice, glanced irritably at the trainees staring at him with concern, then bowed his head curtly.
"Thanks for everything, guys. Appreciate it, hyungs."
"You're just gonna leave like this? At least have a meal! Parting like this feels too bitter."
As Jaehun started packing his stuff to go, everyone clung to him desperately. He shook his head, saying no, but when they wouldn't let up, he finally gave in.
"...I'm heading to another company."
"Huh?"
"Didn't you say you weren't quitting being an idol?"
"They're debuting a new boy group there too. Honey Enter might be top-tier, but in another company, I'll get decent treatment. I know I can't even be the tail of a dragon, so I'm aiming to be the head of a snake."
A weird vibe rippled through the trainees at Jaehun's confession.
"You know why we stuck it out at Honey Enter all this time grinding away."
"You're really going to another company? Didn't you say that stuff scares you?"
"I already steeled myself when I terminated the trainee contract. It's not some total hellhole. The company recommended the agency. They say it's a bit better there."
Honey Enter was popular because it turned male idols into global stars, but that wasn't the only reason it was every male trainee's top choice. In this world, male idols faced tons of hardships from the extreme 9:1 gender ratio.
Is Jaehun gonna end up like that idol I saw on the first day? Makes me wanna puke.
Honey Enter and a few other major agencies didn't turn male idols into women's sexual relief toys. They were idols, sure, but with a solid identity as singers—making music, crafting stages and performances. But shady companies exploited the "male" angle to rake in cash. They argued that becoming a male idol meant being prepared for that crap to some extent.
Short hot pants... shit.
I remembered guys in outfits exposing all their upper body muscles as standard, even mesh stockings on stage. Picturing Jaehun in those shocking outfits from back then nearly made me hurl. No way he'd stoop that low. Plus, it was a company the agency recommended.
The trainees' faces crumpled in unison, sharing my thoughts. Whispers spread.
"Never pegged him for that..."
"You think we stayed here because we like the hard road? If it were me, I'd quit being an idol altogether."
"Makes me sick. How'd he sink that low?"
"He cried about not improving no matter how hard he tried, and now this."
Honestly, more than half the guys who flunk debut here would transfer to other companies and debut anyway. Major agencies wouldn't just let their well-raised fish swim away freely. But the trainees despised Jaehun for making that choice before it was their turn.
What idiots.
They had no idea they were spitting in their own faces. I stepped up so Jaehun's last memory here wouldn't be trash.
"Why the sour reactions, guys? Switching companies is worth celebrating. At least Jaehun's achieving his dream. Congrats. And don't worry too much. Play it smart, and you won't end up like that. Hire a lawyer first thing when you make money. Then the company can't mess with you."
"Sniff, thanks, hyung. Honestly, I resented you a ton when you first came in, but I'll wipe the slate clean today."
"Huh? You resented me?"
"You're too damn handsome. Gave me major crisis vibes. Like, that guy's debuting for sure. Felt like you stole my spot."
My face appealed hard to women, but apparently triggered crisis mode in guys too. I got where he was coming from.
"Yeah, seeing my face can do that. I get it."
"Haha! Now it clicks. I was destined for snake head anyway, but got greedy. Letting go feels so refreshing. And you guys, I look dirty now, but remember—this spot I got is first-come, first-served."
If there were bad companies, there were also ones like Honey Enter that tried to treat trainees right. Honey Enter wasn't the only option. Jaehun quit first and snagged the best of the lesser choices.
"Some might fully give up, but plenty will choose like me. I'll hold a spot. Hit me up if you need intel later. I know it's sucker behavior, but we were teammates."
Relief washed over Jaehun's gaunt face.
"W-When did we ever...?"
"Yeah, no. Misunderstanding, Jaehun."
A bunch of guys who felt guilty at his words switched attitudes and latched onto him. Even I thought Jaehun nailed it. It reignited their drive for the monthly eval to avoid his fate, while planting doubt from his words. If it looked hopeless, picking a solid backup like him was smart.
Doesn't affect me anyway.
I'd just quietly reap the benefits amid these guys betting everything on the monthly eval. Debut felt so close now.
"The trainees' monthly eval is soon, right?"
"Yes, are you planning to go too, Director Jo?"
"I heard the CEO's hyped about the idol group debuting this time. Can't just sit this out."
"The CEO must feel so secure with you around. You just got back from a business trip, and now tending to the new boy group launch."
Jo Yeonju handled overseas affairs. Without her, Honey Enter wouldn't have gone global. She personally oversaw the blockbuster concert for their flagship group Leo. She was way above newbie boy groups—only established stars expanding abroad matched her level.
"It's what I used to do. Had to drop it when overseas work piled up."
"True. Such a shame. The school violence scandals blowing up now? You said skip that one back then. Everyone was worried, but if you're checking, the A&R team will breathe easy."
"That kid gave me bad vibes at first sight. If the CEO hadn't okayed him, I wouldn't have let it slide."
"The CEO obsesses over visuals too much. No matter how handsome, you can't coddle problem kids. Right?"
"......"
Jo Yeonju couldn't readily agree with her secretary. She still didn't understand her own screw-up. Memories of that night were fuzzy. Like possessed, she'd slept with a male trainee. He'd boldly demanded a debut spot. Become an idol. Normally, she'd scoff. But she'd gone mad and done it.
Crazy bitch.
She skipped meals from work stress, but accepting that? Still, it happened, and that night was insanely satisfying. She still thought about it often.
No, not often—every damn day. It's a problem.
That brat was lewd as hell! Heading to the monthly eval had some personal motive. She'd recommended him herself, so she needed to check if he was doing well—convincing herself forcibly.
What do I say when I see him?
Jo Yeonju snapped out of recalling that pleasure, slapping her cheek hard.
Slap!
"D-Director Jo?!"
You lunatic! Don't waver. He's 13 years younger. Why are you so pathetic now, Jo Yeonju?
The secretary's eyes widened at the sudden slap. Jo Yeonju lied coolly.
"Got too sleepy all of a sudden. Just waking myself up. Don't mind."
"You scared me."
Jo Yeonju was 33 this year. He was 20. She needed to recall her founding passion with the CEO for Honey Enter.
I can't betray Jiyun in heaven!
Her old charge as manager had suicided. Forced sponsor sex by the company. Shattered, she'd tried quitting the industry. But the CEO stopped her. Build power to protect our artists. Let's make that agency. Don't run scared. She fell for it and built Honey Enter that way—shielding kids from sleazy sponsor offers.
Pathetic bitch! Why'd you fall like this?
Yet desire sprouted in her heart. A beauty that could topple nations. Her Honey Enter empire teetered from obsession with a trainee who'd offered his body shamelessly for debut.
No second chances! Stay strong, Jo Yeonju!
She'd apologize, scold him harshly so he'd never try again. Fix the mistake. That was why Director Jo Yeonju was attending the monthly eval.
Rumors of who was attending this monthly eval spread like wildfire among trainees. Not just Honey Enter's CEO, but "Jo Yeonju Director," the Midas touch who turned picks into stars.
Jo Yeonju? Rings a bell.
The name nagged, but "director" clicked it. The first woman I'd hooked up with in this world. She was coming here for the eval—where I was.
I hadn't expected to cross paths again, so it felt surreal.
A major agency director must be swamped. Probably forgot all about me.
Guys like me weren't one-offs. Odds she'd remember were slim. I figured her visit coincided with official business. Brushed it off.
Afterward, during personal practice breaks, I snuck off to see Jua noona. Ten hours of practice paled next to one meet-up with her. But with eval nearing, carving out time got tougher. Couldn't bail on promises when the weakest guy was grinding around me.
"To improve, I need Jua noona time, but no time to meet. Screwed. Tsk, any way around?"
If she'd stayed a trainee, it'd be easier.
Hm?
Flash! An idea hit.
If leaving the company was hard, do it inside? Major agency perks: unused spots, soundproof rooms galore. Time it right—totally doable. New desire budded.
Who'd be the target? Fellow trainee? Ew, gross!
Female trainees were too young. Few early-20s among Honey Enter's girls; mostly underage teens chirping like baby birds. No thanks.
So, staff or someone I'd tasted: Rose vocal trainer.
Rose sensei easiest, but she needs time.
Waiting passively felt weak, though. Prep fresh bait—why not?