Extremely Shameless
Bae Sol, who had crossed into her forties, had lived as an artist for over twenty years. In this industry that changed by the minute, she was someone who never got weeded out, always charging at the forefront of trends. There was one phrase she always repeated to herself.
'There's no such thing as sublime artistry, and at the same time, no such thing as vulgar artistry.'
It was a mantra born from reflecting on her own pathetic twenties, when she'd starved rather than give up that damn 'noble artistry' despite having no money.
When she was young, Bae Sol had etched into her heart the words of someone she admired.
'Those who work with their hands are laborers. Those who work with hands and brain are craftsmen. But those who work with hands, brain, and heart are artists.'
Back then, she thought artists were sublime beings. She dismissed those topping the charts as sellouts who'd traded their artist's soul for money.
"What a load of crap."
But as time passed, her financial struggles worsened to an unbearable degree. In the winter of her twenty-first year, Bae Sol gritted her teeth and abandoned her artistic purity.
She started churning out songs exactly as others ordered, exactly as they wanted.
And when her tracks claimed the top three spots on the charts, she realized that 'pure artistry' was an illusion.
Popular songs weren't vulgar. You could top the charts while infusing your emotions and thoughts as an artist—fully, completely.
'How could the masses understand a genius?'
From that moment, Bae Sol attained enlightenment and truly began to soar.
Yeah, so that's why.
It had taken her about four years to fully awaken her abilities and recognize her unique strengths that set her apart from others.
And it was the same for the artists around her. Every artist went through a period of wandering.
But...
"To think a seventeen-year-old has already figured it out."
Jeong Jisul seemed to have ended his artistic wandering at the tender age of seventeen. His pursuit of artistry was consistent, and he'd already mastered how to melt it into the public's ears.
"He hasn't even uploaded a single official track under his own name yet."
It might sound arrogant, but Bae Sol considered herself a genius.
Yet every time she listened to Jisul's work, she sometimes flinched.
Composers usually fell into two categories: trend followers and trend makers.
And Jeong Jisul...
"He's definitely going to be a trendsetter."
She had an ironclad intuition that he belonged to the latter. It was inevitable.
"He'll need a bit more growth right away, though."
She didn't expect him to become a trendsetter the moment he debuted.
But he could devour the charts from day one.
"How long will it take?"
The enlightenment she'd gained after four years, Jisul had grasped in less than a month.
So how long until he became a trendsetter?
"If he's really a monster..."
Within a year, she muttered to herself. Spotting the conference room door open, Bae Sol stood from her seat.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Bae Sol, CEO of HS Entertainment."
...She really doesn't photograph well. With a face like that, he could eat up even the top active idols, not just trainees.
Though inwardly stunned by Jisul's real-life appearance, she finished the greeting without batting an eye and guided Jisul and his father to their seats.
With that, the meeting began.
...
The meeting, which lasted about an hour, went incredibly smoothly. There wasn't a single point of disagreement; it proceeded in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
"We'll give you plenty of time to review the contract before proceeding. That'll be two weeks from now."
The result was, predictably, a contract offer to Jisul.
If work less than a month old was already this good, what kind of monster would emerge if she mentored him personally?
Bae Sol was dying to find out.
Besides, now was the cheapest time to sign him.
If we drag our feet even a little, a rival could snatch him up.
Flashing a bright smile, Bae Sol wrapped up with some final cautions.
"If we sign, as noted in the contract, Jisul-ssi will operate under a stage name without any public exposure."
It was a shame to hide that face, but unavoidable. They'd consider media exposure only after he turned nineteen at least.
"Additionally, you'll need to stop managing your music accounts. This is to protect you as a minor, so please understand it's non-negotiable."
"Got it."
Bae Sol stood first and offered handshakes to the two across from her.
"Thanks for a great meeting. Looking forward to good news."
The next day.
"Boss."
It was Sunday, my all-day shift.
"Yeah?"
"No matter how much time passes, I'll never forget the grace you've shown me."
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"Even if I end up quitting, I'll always shout out Monolog on SNS."
"What the... Huh? Wait, Jisul, are you quitting?! No?!"
Choi Mina asked, her eyes three times wider than usual in shock.
"Did it work out? That thing with Haein-unnie last time? Are you set now, no need for part-time?"
"Nah, not yet."
"Not yet... I see."
"And I have no plans to quit midway. Gotta finish the contract period properly."
"...Your contract ends April 1st."
"You're the one who offered a two-month term..."
"...Right, our customers are picky about certifications. I made it short in case you didn't get it, planning to renew later..."
"I got it quick."
"...I didn't expect you'd nail it in four days."
Choi Mina let out a deep sigh.
"So, you're leaving without renewing?"
"Dunno yet. They haven't set a start date for work."
I really didn't. Even if I joined HS, there might be no gigs. Sure, I'd make my own album regardless, but still.
"At least take a firm stance so I can relax. You get that, right?"
"Yep."
"Then say it. What's the chance you won't renew?"
"...90 percent?"
"Knew it."
Choi Mina smirked and continued.
"Hand over your duties before you go. That's work too. You can handle that, right?"
"Of course."
"Good, then let's do it now. Got a newbie starting."
"...Pardon?"
"What."
Choi Mina grinned like she'd landed a solid hit.
...She's 28, right? The one I know.
"Hey, get out here. You need money, don't you? Hourly? Minimum wage. You don't even have a cert anyway. Be grateful I'm giving you work."
She called someone, hanging up irritably.
"At this rate, she'll say I'm ripping out her liver and gall."
"Sounds like the newbie's close to you."
"Not at all. Blood's the only tie."
"...Got it."
I swear I saw murderous intent in her eyes just now... Why hire her if they get along that badly?
Well, boss does have a bit of a tsundere vibe.
Her words and actions are rough around the edges, but she's got a good heart.
As we worked, the newbie showed up—a girl with yellow hair in a ponytail, striding confidently into the cafe.
"...Choi Saeron?"
I'd wondered who Mina resembled, but it was Saeron.
I saw their faces almost daily but never connected the dots.
"Huh, what. You work here?"
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah, school friends."
"...This complicates things a bit."
Mina muttered, and Saeron, clearly displeased, fired back.
"What does?"
"I was gonna use Jisul's looks to lure you into working."
"...What?"
"Working with a hot guy is fun. It was for me, anyway."
"......"
"Anyway... this won't work. You won't stick around."
"...I will."
"Like hell. You're just here to earn Okiid concert tickets, you brat."
"......"
Saeron flinched, hit right on the mark.
"No more two-week gigs. Jisul's out in April anyway, so you fill his spot starting then."
Saeron glanced at me after hearing that. A gaze I could only call pitiful. Like, what can I say...
She's so cat-like.
"...You're really quitting in April?"
"That's the plan."
"Can't you keep working?"
Hah, is she nuts?
If there was some huge reason, maybe I'd consider, but this? Asking me to stay longer for her short-term gigs.
"You're really shameless."
"...What?"
...I thought I'd only thought it.
Guess it slipped out. Mina doubled over laughing.
"Ah... I'm dying. First time seeing Jisul like this."
She wiped tears from laughing so hard. I awkwardly apologized to Saeron.
"Ahem... Sorry. You treated me so casually, I got too comfortable."
"Casual and shameless aren't the same?"
"Then asking me to work more for your gigs?"
"...Fair enough."
"Fair's fair."
I knew Saeron was always straightforward, no pretense. It didn't bother me. That little back-and-forth was kinda fun, actually.
Then Mina chimed in.
"Ahem, Choi Saeron."
"...Yeah?"
"Your big sis has a proposal."
"......"
"20,000 won an hour. Minimum three months. Get certified too."
"......20,000 won?"
Saeron perked up at the number.
But...
That's the standard rate here.
Does she not know?
"Ten... no, three seconds. 3, 2, 1..."
"Wait, okay, fine! I'll do it!"
"Deal. Get parental consent from Mom by next week."
"...You really pay 20,000?"
"Would I scam you over this?"
"You totally would."
"...What'd you say."
Watching them trade sassy jabs, it hit me—they're definitely sisters.
...
"Seola's coming too, you really not going?"
"Why would I crash your hangout?"
"Friends, dude. Friends."
I'd finished handing off to Saeron, and my shift ended at 6 p.m.
Not super late, but training someone drains your brain, and all I could think was home.
"The pic's weird anyway. Me, you, Kwon Dain, Yoon Seola—what're we even doing?"
"Karaoke?"
But why won't she let me go home?
"And dinner after!"
I locked eyes with super-excited Saeron.
"Genuinely curious."
"Yeah?"
Her face said spill it. I didn't hesitate.
"Was sending me home ever an option?"
"Obviously not."
"......"
Saeron answered without a flicker.
This was bad. I'd hooked a stubborn one.