Chapter 371
Chapter 371
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 371
Chapter Title: Idol Maker (9)
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After sending off the nameless actress, I caught my breath for a moment when the vice president returned. And he brought back some cake that looked absolutely delicious. Whew, Vice President... I was wondering where you'd gone, and it was for that?
I was annoyed that a pig like him had no intention of losing weight. What if he ended up with diabetes? To take care of the vice president's health, I reached out my hand.
"Oh, Gaeun, what brings you here... What's with the hand?"
"Hand it over."
"...What the hell are you talking about out of nowhere?"
"You'll gain weight if you eat that."
"I'm not an idol, so it's fine if I gain weight."
"If you gain weight, you're more prone to all sorts of complications."
"Then I'll just go to the hospital."
"You gonna keep being stubborn like that?"
"...You just want a bite?"
"Yes."
"There we go. As if you care about my health... Come on in. Oh, right. Keep it secret from Team Leader Lee, yeah?"
"Got it."
Great, now that I'd secured the vice president's health, I opened the door and smoothly offered him some water. There was definitely some fancy black tea here, right? Nice, nice. Cheesecake and black tea—coming to the vice president's office was the right call.
"So, what's up? Something you need to ask?"
"Oh, right."
Come to think of it, I'd come here for advice. I handed the vice president a cup of warm black tea, sat down, and got settled. Then, with a "thanks for the food," I grinned and savored the cheesecake. Rich people really are different. This pricey cake was insanely good.
"The reason I came by is... nom nom, Siwoo oppa gave us..."
"Gaeun, please... I told you to stop talking with your mouth full."
"Ah, sorry. It's just so good."
"I don't know what it is, but finish eating first, then talk."
"Got it... nom nom."
Hmm, but black tea wasn't the best match. Coffee would've been better here—they make great coffee. With my feedback done, I set down the teacup and dove into the consultation proper. Naturally, it was about the homework Siwoo oppa had given us.
"Dance or song... That is the question."
"Hamlet?"
"It's Shakespeare."
"You're quoting a line from Shakespeare's Hamlet."
".........Anyway, he said we have to pick one."
"Yeah? Then just pick one."
"......"
"What?"
"That's why I came—'cause I can't decide on my own. Help me out."
"Eun-a, this is something you need to decide for yourself for it to mean anything. Why do you think Team Leader Lee gave you girls this homework? It's so you can think about Citrus's direction as a group. That's it. So you gotta do that. Yeah? Don't dump it on me."
"......I see."
"Plus, knowing Team Leader Lee's personality, he's probably got you girls prepped for both to some extent. So don't stress too much—take your time thinking it over."
"......Got it."
So that's what he meant. No wonder the members thought it was too demanding. Siwoo oppa does have a sneaky side. It'd be better if he'd just explain it straight... That part bugs me.
But if that's Siwoo oppa's producing style, I guess I have to follow it?
I let out a small sigh and started pondering.
"Well... There is an obvious right answer, actually."
Then the vice president suddenly handed me the answer key.
Maybe he was tired of interruptions? I could sense annoyance and fatigue on his face. Come to think of it, he'd been super busy lately. ...At this point, for the vice president's sake, I should probably hear him out.
"Eun-a, any idols famous for their singing?"
"Yes."
"Yeah, there are. But you can count 'em on one hand, right?"
"......Pretty much."
"Now, how many hit songs are famous specifically for great vocals? Probably no more than ten, at least."
"Oh."
"This is just my take... but for idols, vocals aren't the key. Songs just need to be decently sung. Even with killer vocals, if the title track sucks, what's the point? Right?"
"Maybe..."
"On the flip side, dancing matters a ton. Eun-a, ever heard of vocal challenges?"
"Hmm... No."
"What about dance challenges?"
"Heard of tons."
"Exactly. That's how much more dancing counts. Vocal-focused tracks? Technical stuff? That's for ballad singers, not idols... Not the direction for Citrus."
"Got it."
My mind cleared right up. Thinking about it, it was a simple issue. Songs are handled by Siwoo oppa and the composer teachers—we just need to perform them well. So ditch the tough vocals and go for dance we can actually tackle.
What, it was that easy?
Another lesson learned from the vice president today. I bowed my head in thanks.
"All good? Meeting time's coming up, so scoot."
"Ah, one more thing."
"What? Spit it out."
"Among our agency's actresses, there's one with a bob cut and cat-like eyes, right? Who's that?"
"Uh... Got more details?"
"Pretty like me, but shorter and smaller-chested."
"Hmm... Anything else?"
"Bad personality."
"Ah, Jiyoung? Why are you suddenly asking about Jiyoung?"
"Ran into her in front of your office earlier. She was looking for you."
"Really?"
"Wait... Jiyoung, Han Jiyoung... Hold on, is it that Han Jiyoung?"
"Huh? Yeah, that's her. Han Jiyoung."
"What? She's my junior."
"Yep. Debuted a few months after you, I think?"
Unbelievable. Being pretty doesn't make you senior, and age doesn't either—but knowing that and still talking down to me? Entertainment world's hierarchy is debut order, doesn't she know? My good mood soured instantly.
Her name was definitely Han Jiyoung, right?
Screw it. Next time I see her, I'll get revenge for sure.
Citrus's leader, Yoo Jinhee. Out of nowhere, her assigned producer gave her homework, plunging her into deep thought. A vocal-focused track or a dance-focused one—which should she choose? For someone as average as her in both, it was no easy pick.
If she danced like Yuki, dance it would've been. If she sang like Ciel, vocals. But Yoo Jinhee lacked talent in either. Even rap like Eunha would've saved her... but sadly, her rapping was mediocre too.
So Yoo Jinhee despaired.
'I'm such a... mediocre bitch...'
She'd always known she was utterly average. But she hadn't felt it this acutely before. Thanks to Gaeun, the member worse than her. Pretty face, zero idol skills. It wasn't right, but... Yoo Jinhee had found comfort comparing herself to Gaeun.
But now... that was history.
Now she was the worse one.
Her stuck in place for over a year, while Gaeun bloomed with talent in one month. Now Citrus's dead weight was just her. That sparked her inferiority complex. Younger, prettier, and talented—what am I supposed to do? It was natural she'd envy Gaeun.
'Unlike me, Eun-a really... has it all...'
In the end, Yoo Jinhee sighed.
'If I could just get private lessons from the vice president... No, haha, that's impossible special treatment from the start. Only 'cause Eun-a's pretty, that's her value... so he gives her lessons... Compared to that, me... I'm...'
"Haa..."
'Just older, zero skills... Got leader 'cause of age, a figurehead. Even if 2nd gen succeeds, I'll get buried quick. Obvious. Fans already like me least...'
"Haaa..."
'Can someone like me survive in this industry? ...Dunno, really dunno...'
"Ahaha..."
Yoo Jinhee let out a hollow laugh that ended in tears. Normally, she'd consult the producer... but not now. Even talking felt scary, so she fled to the bathroom.
- Creak
- Thud!
"So annoying... The vice president totally plays favorites with her. She's an idol anyway... What? Making Citrus succeed is the president's dream? Wants to help his brother's dream? Pfft. Leave that to the producing team and just focus on actors!"
Then, in the bathroom stall, she overheard something unexpected. If this stranger spoke truth... the vice president giving Gaeun lessons wasn't special favoritism. It was just 'cause she was in Citrus.
'Th-then... I can get lessons too?'
No guarantee it'd change anything. But seeing Gaeun transform in a month made hope unavoidable. Half a year till comeback. If she could unearth her hidden talent like Gaeun...
Yoo Jinhee swallowed hard and clenched her fist tight.