Chapter 97
I’m translating the chapter directly into publication-ready HTML, preserving the novel’s rhythm and formatting the in-universe text where it matters. Then I’ll do a quick pass for title handling, paragraph breaks, and any special blocks that need to stay as styled HTML.CHAPTER_TITLE: Why Run Now?
I stubbed out my cigarette and went into the SBC production studio. After watching the staff bustle around for a moment, I took out my smartphone.
“Yeji, where are you?”
“Oh, Manager! You’ve arrived? We’re in waiting room three!”
“I’ll be right there. Wait for me.”
I ended the call and turned to head straight for waiting room three.
Just then, a man in a functional short-sleeve T-shirt stepped into my path.
“Manager Kwon.”
“Ah, PD Hwang?”
It was Hwang PD, the overall producer of K-Singer-Songwriter. I greeted him warmly; it had been a while since we’d seen each other.
“You’ve been well? I meant to call you, but I forgot.”
“I should have reached out too. I’ve been buried in setting up the competition schedule.”
Before heading to the waiting room, I exchanged a few brief words with Hwang PD.
“How’s Ga-eul doing?”
“I was worried she’d be nervous, but thankfully it doesn’t seem like it.”
“Oh? Even singers who can hold their own on stage often make mistakes when it’s a competition. For a rookie, that’s impressive.”
Hwang PD called my name in a low voice.
“But Manager Kwon.”
“Yes?”
“We’re about to start filming. As promised, your Baekhak promotion team will back us up, right?”
I smiled faintly as I answered.
“Of course. For now, we’ll just run a few teaser pieces, but once principal filming starts and we’re approaching next year’s broadcast season, we’ll really put our weight behind it.”
“Thank you. Just hearing that makes me feel completely reassured.”
“If you give Park Ga-eul a little extra attention, I can do even more than that.”
Lowering my head, I added in a quiet voice, “I mentioned it before, but Park Ga-eul is an artist Baekhak values very highly.”
At that, the corners of Hwang PD’s eyes curved.
“...Heh. I can’t promise favoritism, but I can promise no unfair treatment, Manager Kwon.”
“That’s enough for me.”
“Here’s the filming schedule for K-Singer-Songwriter. If anything looks off with the timing, let me know anytime.”
After greeting me with a bright smile, Hwang PD turned away.
I gave a slight bow in return, and the managers standing nearby began whispering among themselves.
“...Who’s that manager? Hwang PD’s acting all deferential to him?”
“The... K-1 manager, maybe?”
“No, I don’t think so. I heard K-1’s manager is a woman.”
Amused by their chatter, I made my way to the waiting room.
When I shoved the door open, I saw Lee Ye-ji and Park Ga-eul sitting around a folding table, eating kimbap.
“Manager!”
Ye-ji greeted me brightly and waved. Ga-eul quickly took off the glasses she’d been wearing and stood up as well.
My eyes drifted to Ga-eul.
Oh. What’s this?
She looked different today.
Maybe it was the haircut, the way she’d gone with a bob.
Park Ga-eul’s features, which had sometimes felt a little too faint to stand out at a glance, were suddenly impossible to miss. Even her styling looked carefully considered; instead of the usual dress she liked to wear, she had on an oversized black blazer and high-waisted jeans that suited her remarkably well.
Her new image looks even better than before.
Given that she was about to film a competition variety show, it was a good change.
Smiling faintly, I stopped the two of them from coming toward me with a gesture.
“Don’t come over. Eat first.”
“Do you want a roll, Manager?”
“What kind of kimbap is it?”
“Tuna kimbap and beef kimbap.”
At Ga-eul’s answer, I scratched my cheek.
“Um... does it have cucumber?”
“Huh?”
“I’m not allergic or anything, but I just can’t eat cucumber that well...”
At that, Ga-eul perked up.
“Oh, same here, Manager.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I can’t eat cucumber either.”
“Ah, really?”
“Yes. So don’t worry. This kimbap doesn’t have any cucumber.”
Good. If there was no cucumber, there was no reason to refuse.
I sat down beside Park Ga-eul and Lee Ye-ji, and the three of us started eating kimbap while talking.
“Manager, Manager. Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“K-1, the one who composed Busan Sunset, is joining this competition show too!”
My answer came out flat.
“Mm. I think I heard something about that.”
“Isn’t that really surprising? K-1 already has a solid fandom, so appearing on a show like this...”
“Maybe he wants to prove himself to the public again. Show them he’s a genius lyricist and composer.”
At my indifferent response, Ye-ji tilted her head.
“Do you dislike K-1, Manager?”
“Huh?”
“Well... there’s just something in your tone that makes it sound like you really don’t like him.”
Ye-ji’s words made me flinch a little.
Really? Was it that obvious?
But what could I do?
K-1, the genius singer-songwriter who’d burst onto the scene at twenty-one with his own compositions.
Except I knew that this genius composer was actually a plagiarist.
That alone was enough to ruin his image, but the singer K-1 had copied from was, unbelievably, someone under my management.
-That song was originally written by To.Any’s leader, Park Ga-eul.
Right. K-1, currently considered the strongest favorite to win among the K-Singer-Songwriter contestants.
He had stolen a song from the very singer sitting right in front of me.
Park Ga-eul, the leader of To.Any.
The so-called genius singer-songwriter K-1 had stolen a rookie singer’s song.
***
By the time I finished the kimbap, Jo PD, the assistant director for K-Singer-Songwriter, came into the waiting room.
“Filming prep is done, so please move to the studio!”
I stood up and asked, “Yeji, do you have anything else scheduled today?”
“Nothing big. I just have to stop by Daon headquarters with Chae-i and review a CF ad.”
“Oh, I see? Then I’ll handle things on this side, so you should get some rest.”
Ye-ji’s eyes went wide.
“Huh? Really, Manager? Is that okay?”
“Of course. You’ve had a rough time lately.”
“...Hehe. Then I can really clock out?”
I slowly nodded at her, as if she could hardly believe it.
“Go home for real. On a day like this, you should rest a bit.”
“Manager, you’re the best!”
Turning around, Ye-ji looked at Ga-eul and said, “Ga-eul, I’m heading off work. You can handle it, right?”
“Of course, unnie.”
“Good... I wouldn’t trust the others, but you’re our leader, so I can go home knowing you’ll be fine!”
Ye-ji hugged Ga-eul tightly, then clenched both fists.
“Fighting! Knock down K-1 and the rest of them!”
After Ye-ji left, Ga-eul and I headed to the studio. There were dozens of contestants and managers there now, along with stylists and coordinators moving around with them, all of them invisible a moment ago.
I watched the crowded set for a moment, then turned to Ga-eul and asked quietly, “Ga-eul.”
“Yes, Manager.”
“...You’re not nervous, are you?”
At my question, she turned her head. Her black eyes looked at me steadily.
“No, not at all.”
“Good. How’s the song you said you prepared?”
Ga-eul gave a little grin.
“Hmm... by my standards, I’ve prepared it perfectly.”
Perfectly, by Park Ga-eul’s standards...
At that moment, I had a strange feeling.
So she really does have talent for writing and composing?
According to the future message, Park Ga-eul’s self-composed song this time was going to become extremely popular.
Apparently K-1 even tried to steal it by plagiarizing it.
Having talent and having that talent recognized were two different things.
As proof, Youth Travel had gone to No. 1 on the charts, but there were still people who questioned Ga-eul’s songwriting and composing abilities.
But if this self-written song also hit No. 1, it would prove that it wasn’t a coincidence anymore.
It means we can push the image of her as a true genius artist.
That thought had just brought the corners of my mouth up a little when an FD approached us.
“You’re Park Ga-eul, right? It’s time to film, so please head to the studio.”
After relaying the instructions, the FD hurried off somewhere else.
Ga-eul watched her retreating back for a moment, then snapped her head toward me.
“Manager.”
“Yes?”
“I’m suddenly nervous. Can you cheer me on?”
“Park Ga-eul, fighting.”
“Hey, what is that? Are you a robot?”
Ga-eul let out a short laugh and took a quick breath. Watching her, I gave her shoulder a light pat.
“You said you weren’t nervous a minute ago, but now that filming’s actually starting, you are?”
“...Yes. Should I take some heart-soothing medicine?”
“No, forget it. Competition variety shows aren’t about some cute, playful vibe anyway, so it’s fine to be a little nervous.”
With that, I gave her a few pointers.
“Because this is a competition show, they’ll probably throw a lot of trap questions at you while trying to shape your image, so answer the way we practiced with Ye-ji.”
“Yes, Manager.”
“And...”
I paused, then let the next words fall casually.
“If possible, don’t run into K-1.”
Park Ga-eul tilted her head.
“K-1?”
“Yeah. Your image overlaps with his, so be careful not to let your activities or positioning overlap too much.”
Ga-eul nodded without the slightest suspicion.
“Okay, I understand, Manager.”
“And one last thing... Ga-eul.”
“Yes?”
“Fighting.”
At my quiet encouragement, a bright smile spread across Park Ga-eul’s lips. At the same time, assistant director Jo PD shouted, “We’re starting filming!”
With that cry, Park Ga-eul walked into the filming studio. I watched her go with my arms folded and thought,
I gave her a warning, at least...
Ga-eul’s song being plagiarized by K-1.
If I’m talking about seriousness alone, this is the worst one yet compared to the first and second future messages.
One thing was fortunate, though: I knew who the culprit was.
Because I knew who had plagiarized it, the difficulty of solving the case itself had dropped dramatically.
There are plenty of ways to bring down a piece of trash who steals other people’s work.
I was watching Ga-eul as she got ready to film, turning the problem over in my head from one angle to another, when a strange voice called my name.
“You’re Manager Kwon Chan from Baekhak Team Five, right?”
I turned slowly. A woman in her early thirties with a sharp impression and her hair tied back in a ponytail was looking at me.
“Yes, and you are?”
“I’m Kim Su-ji, Manager from SAG Team Four.”
SAG? It reminded me of the headhunter who had called me a few days ago. In the meantime, Kim Su-ji continued.
“Nice to meet you. I heard an artist managed by you is appearing on K-Singer-Songwriter, so I wanted to meet you at least once.”
That made me tilt my head.
“Why would a SAG manager want to meet me...?”
“You’re famous, aren’t you?”
“...Me?”
Kim Su-ji, who was a little shorter than me, looked up and said, “Baekhak’s flagship actress Lee Ha-eun, the Hallyu star Kwon Hyeon-bin, and on top of that, the only girl group you personally managed debuted straight at No. 1 on the digital charts.”
“...”
“I’d be surprised if there were any managers who didn’t know Manager Kwon by now.”
...My expression soured.
I’d become that well-known?
As I was thinking that, Kim Su-ji extended her hand.
“Do your best, Manager Kwon.”
“...?”
“Looks like SAG and Baekhak are going to be competing head-to-head this time.”
Kim Su-ji suddenly seemed full of competitive spirit.
I unconsciously tilted my head and asked back, “Uh... is that so?”
“Yes, that’s exactly so.”
“...”
The corners of Kim Su-ji’s eyes curved.
As if she were deliberately provoking me.
Watching her quietly, I let out a laugh to myself.
I wasn’t thinking about it at all, and now I’m suddenly fired up.
I’ve said it before: I don’t avoid fights that come walking to me.
Taking Kim Su-ji’s hand, I said, “Fine, let’s do that. But...”
I paused and asked, “Who’s your artist?”
Kim Su-ji lifted the corners of her mouth and answered, “K-1.”
At her words, my eyes widened.
In the meantime, Kim Su-ji looked at me with a smug expression, clearly proud of herself.
“The situation is a little awkward, but...”
Seeing her so confident, the corners of my own eyes curved in satisfaction too.
“So, just on the surface, Baekhak has to beat the reigning power of SAG? After all, the strongest favorite to win this competition right now is K-1.”
***
At that same time, in a high-end sushi restaurant in Cheongdam, Lee Jae-min’s eyes widened as he followed Team Three Leader Kim Hae-chan inside.
“Huh?”
In the private room where he’d been told he was dining with Team Three Leader, there was an unfamiliar man sitting there. Confused, Jae-min looked at the team leader.
“Team Three Leader, who is that?”
“Ah, did I forget to mention it?”
“...Yes?”
A friendly smile spread across Team Three Leader Kim Hae-chan’s face.
“Say hello. This is Mr. Kim Deuk-pal, a manager from Double X.”
Jae-min’s expression turned puzzled.
Where the hell is Double X?
In the meantime, Kim Deuk-pal stood and handed him a business card.
“Manager Lee Jae-min, it’s a pleasure.”
Jae-min, who took the card on reflex, soon noticed the company name printed on it and shouted in shock.
“Wait, this guy... he’s a headhunter, isn’t he, Team Three Leader?”
Team Three Leader Kim Hae-chan nodded.
“That’s right.”
“W-why would you invite someone like that to dinner?”
“Come on, sit down first and let’s talk. The sushi here is excellent. I also ordered the good sake, so let’s have a drink and talk.”
Team Three Leader Kim Hae-chan forced Jae-min into his seat.
While Jae-min was still trying to catch up, the headhunter Kim Deuk-pal poured sake into the empty glass in front of him as if he’d been waiting for the chance.
Still dazed by the sudden situation, Jae-min lifted his glass almost automatically.
Kim Hae-chan clinked his glass against Jae-min’s and said, “Manager Lee, you mentioned you were thinking about changing jobs last time.”
“...Yes?”
“So I was talking to someone I know and suddenly thought of you, so I arranged this meeting. He told me that if Manager Lee was considering moving, he could offer very good terms. Right, Mr. Kim Deuk-pal?”
At Kim Hae-chan’s question, the headhunter Kim Deuk-pal smiled broadly.
“If it’s a manager from Baekhak, of course we should make the conditions good.”
“Haha, right? Manager Lee? What do you think? Why not hear him out?”
Still flustered and unsure what to do, Jae-min glanced at Kim Hae-chan and replied, “Uh... Team Three Leader, I only mentioned changing jobs as a joke back then, but this kind of setting is a little...”
“I know, I know. Just listen to the terms once.”
Team Three Leader Kim Hae-chan nodded toward Kim Deuk-pal. Taking the cue, the headhunter started laying out the offer.
“If Manager Lee Jae-min moves, we can guarantee you a team leader position.”
Jae-min blinked in surprise and asked, “A team leader position?”
“Yes. On top of that, we’ll add twenty million won to your current annual salary.”
“!”
“And if you bring over the artists you currently handle...”
Kim Deuk-pal shrugged with a confident look.
“We’ll also promise an additional signing bonus per artist.”
Jae-min swallowed.
What the hell... why are the terms this good?
Moving through a headhunter usually meant getting better conditions, but what was being offered now was almost absurdly generous.
Kim Hae-chan raised his glass and said, “You know I care about you, right, Manager Lee?”
Without thinking, Jae-min clinked his glass against it.
“I’ve been at Baekhak too long now, so I’m stuck either way, but you’re different, Manager Lee. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you. Why would you stay at a company like this?”
“...Yes?”
“You saw it today, didn’t you? The PR team leader favoring Manager Kwon.”
Jae-min’s shoulders jolted. Kim Hae-chan didn’t miss the opening.
“Manager Kwon is four years your junior, right? And yet he steals opportunities from you and looks down on you. Doesn’t that make you furious?”
“...”
“Sure, Manager Kwon is riding high these days. Everything he touches turns to gold. But is Manager Lee really any worse than him? I certainly don’t think so.”
Team Three Leader Kim Hae-chan said it flatly.
“Honestly, Manager Kwon keeps getting chances at Baekhak, doesn’t he?”
“...!”
“Kwon Hyeon-bin, and even Baekhak’s last girl group, To.Any... Seriously, if you get support like that, anyone could succeed, right? Don’t you think so?”
Jae-min’s eyes wavered uneasily.
Kim Hae-chan kept feeding that unease in a low voice.
“I can’t stand it. I just can’t watch someone I care about being treated differently because of the company’s favoritism. But do I have any power? Any backing? So I made a place like this, at least.”
Kim Hae-chan poured more drink and said, “Talk it over carefully. Opportunities like this don’t come often. It’s the best I can do for our Manager Lee...”
Kim Hae-chan’s words broke off midway.
“Uh... Team Three Leader, I appreciate you looking out for me, but...”
Jae-min suddenly got to his feet.
As Kim Deuk-pal and Kim Hae-chan stared at him in surprise, Jae-min continued awkwardly, “I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear any of this today. I’m sorry.”
With that, he tried to leave the room, but Kim Hae-chan hurriedly grabbed his shoulder.
“Hey, Manager Lee! Where are you going?”
“...I don’t think this is my place to be, so let’s have dinner another time, Team Three Leader.”
Kim Hae-chan let out a dry laugh.
“What, I’m not even telling you to switch jobs. I’m just saying let’s talk for a minute. Is that really so hard?”
“...”
“What’s the problem? Is the offer not good enough? Or did I do something wrong?”
Jae-min answered slowly.
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it? Why won’t you even talk?”
“...I have no intention of leaving Baekhak, Team Three Leader.”
Kim Hae-chan’s brow furrowed.
“No, listen. Even after what happened today, you still want to stay at Baekhak?”
He started trying to persuade him again.
“Haven’t you felt it while working here? These Baekhak guys only give opportunities and push people who suit their taste. That’s true anywhere, sure, but here they don’t even treat experience properly. And you still want to stay?”
Then he brought up Manager Kwon again.
“At this rate, Manager Kwon will take the team leader spot too.”
“!”
“Can you really sit there and watch that? A team leader position stolen by a junior four years younger than you?”
Team Three Leader kept needling him by dragging Manager Kwon into everything, and Jae-min’s expression gradually grew complicated.
Noticing the change, Kim Hae-chan threw an arm over Jae-min’s shoulder and said, “Come on, calm down first and sit back...”
“...I can’t take it.”
“What?”
“I can’t stand Manager Kwon taking the team leader position either. But, Team Three Leader...”
Jae-min shut his eyes tightly and answered, “If I run away from here, isn’t it over?”
“...?”
“If I switch companies because of Manager Kwon, that’s just dropping my tail and running away!”
“!”
“I hate that more. I’d rather stay and make Manager Kwon eat dirt.”
Jae-min answered in a firm voice.
“So today’s meeting never happened. Thank you for looking out for me, Team Three Leader.”
With that, he turned back again and reached for the door. Kim Hae-chan, who had been staring blankly at his retreating back, finally came to his senses and tried to stop him.
“Manager Lee! Wait a second! If you walk out of here now, you and I are done-”
At that moment, a voice came from the room next door. It was unfamiliar, but somehow also familiar.
“A flower bloomed under the trash.”
At those words, all three people in the room froze.
Especially Kim Hae-chan. His face locked up as though he’d seen a ghost.
......What?
Why was that voice coming from the next room?
It made no sense.
But it wasn’t an illusion or a hallucination.
After ten years of coming to work at Baekhak, that familiar sensation of his spine going rigid every time he heard that voice returned vividly once more.
Then the flower-patterned wallpaper that had looked like a wall began rolling upward.
Jae-min shouted in shock, “D-Director!”
A woman in a black suit sat upright and quietly drank her sake.
Slowly, she lifted the sake bottle embroidered with flowers and refilled the empty glass.
Kim Hae-chan’s mouth flapped open like a fool at the sight of her, so strange it seemed to stand somewhere between reality and unreality.
Then CEO Baek Ji-won turned her head and looked at Kim Hae-chan.
“You have something to say, Team Three Leader?”
In Baek Ji-won’s brown eyes, embers flared bright red.
“Think carefully before you speak. It’ll be the last thing you ever say as a Baekhak team leader.”
---