Chapter 39
Chapter 39
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Hospitality Becomes Routine
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Na, Kim Young-jun PD, and An Jin-su PD were gathered in the conference room, discussing how to structure My Producer Season 1.
Kim PD, the variety show expert, would handle directing the daily life and missions of My Producer, while An Jin-su PD took charge of the stage and performance aspects.
With two famous PDs teaming up like this, the expectations—and the hospitality, no, the dreams—were sky-high.
The format was straightforward: concept stages divided into preliminaries, semifinals, and finals, with contestants dropping out along the way, of course.
That was just standard survival audition fare, nothing worth debating.
The real topic on the table was who else to add as judges and trainers.
"Kim Sung-hee and Yoo Son-jin are top-tier in dance and vocals, so they were locks from the start, and we've already secured them. But who for the other two spots?"
"Hmm... The first two are established legends, so for the back end, maybe someone with real skills who's still an idol aspiration—around thirtyish? That way, the panel won't look creepy when lined up on screen."
For reference, An PD was senior to Kim PD.
My Producer was buzzing with activity to finalize all setups before filming began.
I'd pushed it through on short notice, putting everyone in overdrive, but they were all pros, so preparations were proceeding smoothly.
"Leave the two spots to me."
"Director?"
"You have someone in mind?"
"Yeah. For idols with skills and star power who are still active with solid careers."
"Right, so who...?"
"Go with Shin Jae-hyun and Choi Yoon-jung."
Shin Jae-hyun was the guy who'd handed over hidden cam USBs, his wife, and his girlfriend to me. But objectively, he had the talent and resume to make any idol look up to him.
That's why he was still riding high in popularity.
And Choi Yoon-jung? She came from a sexy-concept girl group back in the day and was now famous as a dancing machine who choreographed and performed her own stages solo.
Kind of like Im Da-hyun's predecessor.
Either way, these two would be my pawns.
The final debut lineup would come from viewer votes and expert evaluations.
To rig the experts my way, I needed my lackeys in there.
Even I couldn't appear on My Producer myself and play expert.
I'd tweak the footage, concepts, and edits from the outside, and my pawns would cook things up inside.
That's why I tapped Shin Jae-hyun, my lackey, and his lackey—aka his fuck buddy—Choi Yoon-jung.
"Oh, those two? Perfect fit for the dynamic. I'll reach out right—"
"No, I'll handle it personally. You two focus on production prep."
And with that, I left the conference room.
"Shin Jae-hyun, you free? You know about the survival show our station's doing? Get in there as a judge-slash-trainer."
"...You mean My Producer Season 1? But why me...?"
"We'll pay you top dollar, and ratings will explode. What's the problem? You hate it?"
"N-no! I'd love to! Just... why this chance out of nowhere?"
"In exchange, you do exactly what I say. Oh, and drag along that Choi Yoon-jung who clings to you like a puppy. Hell, just date her outright—she'd say yes in a heartbeat anyway. Put Harang on hold for now."
Choi Yoon-jung was infamous in broadcasting circles as a total Shin Jae-hyun fangirl.
She was three years older than me and him, but around him, she turned into a ditzy mess.
They'd probably fucked like rabbits.
Though he seemed to see her as a walking fleshlight, while she was all pure love for him.
"......I've broken up with Harang..."
"Oh yeah? No wonder she was so easy for me back then..."
"But why my sister Yoon-jung?"
His chest must've tightened, cutting me off.
Fine, I'd cut him some slack since he'd lost Harang because of me.
"She'll join you as a judge too. I'll give you orders, you sweet-talk her into pushing who I want. Got it? And don't mention me to Choi Yoon-jung."
"So that's why the experts are 30% of the score...? Even survival shows have rigging, but..."
"I'm starting the car for Dots Patch HQ right now."
"N-no, sir! I'll convince Yoon-jung noona to join us somehow!"
"Good. See you later. Keep up the good work."
"Yes, sir!"
Perfect. Excellent.
Shin Jae-hyun was my faithful dog now.
He'd returned all the hidden cam USBs, but the fear of those backup files was burned into his brain.
And Jin-seong actually had the backups, anyway.
With half the expert panel as my pawns and me dictating the production angles, I could shape the debut lineup to some degree.
Not that I'd go full wish-list. Just my expert eye.
Main vocal, sub-vocal, center, main dancer, leader... I'd balance the combo right.
Viewer votes alone, pure no rigging? The balance would suck, and the group would flop.
Everything I was doing was for the greater good...
I returned to my office.
Hit the intercom.
"Secretary Shin! Coffee!"
"..."
Hmm... No response again.
Weirdly, Secretary Shin had been like this since morning.
We'd gone to check out the new building together. It was a former agency space, so with some interior work, it'd be move-in ready.
Things progressed smoothly, and I'd happily secured the dorm for My Producer's debut group.
But Secretary Shin had been sulky all day, barely speaking, like something was eating at her.
She looked exhausted too, like she hadn't slept—her already pale skin verging on ghostly.
Sick? On her period?
But she'd never acted like this before.
As I pondered, she finally came in with the coffee.
She set the cup down on the desk with a sharp clink, like she was pissed.
"Secretary Shin, you okay? If you're not feeling well, head home early today."
"I'm fine."
She shook her head curtly, voice icy.
Got it. She was mad at me.
"Secretary Shin, what's bothering you? Spill it—let's clear the air between us."
"? What 'us'? You're the director, I'm the secretary, right?"
"Well, yeah, but... why say it like that? Sounds hurt."
"Like what? This is what you wanted, isn't it, Director?"
"If it feels like I'm slapping you around, I'm a pacifist at heart."
"Hmph."
I'd tried lightening the mood with a joke, but she snorted and stormed out.
Slamming the door like, deal with it, I'm mad.
Firing her? Not a chance. But why was she like this? When she used to stalk me because she liked me...
Women were a species that muddled a man's mind.
I didn't think I'd done anything wrong... She wouldn't flip like this just because I didn't accept her confession.
I wasn't emotionless toward her—it gnawed at me a bit.
But for now, I shelved it and made a call. To Sua.
"Hello...?"
"Sua-ya."
"Ah, yes, Director!"
"Director?"
"I mean, oppa."
Guess I wasn't close enough yet.
She wasn't fawning enough. Time to fix that today.
"Ceria's music show airs today, right?"
"Ah, yes... We're all planning to watch together!"
"Too bad. Should've watched when you came for recording, but I was swamped."
"No, it's fine! We'll come say hi next time!"
"Sure, but... sigh... Wanna watch Sua take the stage at my place tonight?"
"Ah..."
Her voice trembled—she'd sounded anxious since picking up.
For sexual hospitality, I'd thought our night went well, but we still had distance to close.
Time to bridge it.
"Who made it so Ceria could hit Music In Us—and next week, the week after?"
"Thanks to you, Oppa Director..."
"Oh yeah, I slotted you into a variety show. No call yet?"
"Ah! I heard. It's one I've always wanted to do... Thank you..."
"Hmm... Not enough gratitude over the phone, is it?"
"...But I promised to watch with the members..."
"Sua-ya, didn't catch my drift? I hinted we'd watch together next week and the week after too."
"Ah... Okay, I'll come alone, not with Manager Yoon's car... Pretend it's personal business."
"No. I'll pick you up, Sua-ya. Dorm's near the station, right? Head to Culture Street now."
"......Yes..."
Sua probably wanted to link arms with her members in joy, but I'd ruined that.
Then again, for a low-tier group like Ceria to land Music In Us—I'd even pulled strings to bump their slot right before the top acts.
She'd want to share that sweat-and-tears moment with the team.
But my craving to see Sua's face overrode it.
The other three members would probably be thrilled, thinking their dreams and passion had finally paid off.
The truth? Sua's virgin blood between her thighs had made it shine.
Here I was, talking about the girl group I'm sucking up like this. What a trash heap I was.
A twinge of bitterness hit, but thoughts of Sua perked me right up.
"Kuhuhu..."
I cackled wickedly and clocked out.