Chapter 95
President Kang Sang-mi rested her chin on her hand and looked at Deok-su with deep eyes.
“Our Tteok-su is in quite a predicament right now, isn’t he?”
“From the company’s perspective, they poured so much money in and got nothing back… and it would be a shame to let go of him. What do you think we should do?”
“That’s a level of regret I hadn’t expected.”
“Honestly, just a year ago I would have dropped him without a second thought. He produced results, but who can really predict people, right?”
Deok-su remembered the words of Director Lee Gwang-yong before the contract renewal: push for results.
At the time he thought it was the end, when the company blocked real estate investment articles, but… it seemed like he had climbed high enough for the company to reconsider him.
“It seems President doesn’t feel the slightest regret.”
“That’s why three years. Two years watching, then one year of pulling out… No, I don’t know. What do you think?”
Deok-su felt an odd unease at President Kang’s unreadable smile.
As if it doesn’t matter what I do.
“If you’re not going to listen to my advice, I’ll take it as a sign to leave.”
“Our Tteok-su in my hands is so much fun to play with… like our Signature kids.”
“I see. Even if I give wrong orders, I have to follow them unconditionally?”
“Do I look like someone who makes mistakes?”
“You’re still human, President.”
Sparks flew between their eyes.
President Kang’s lips curved upward, but Deok-su’s face remained unchanged.
After a moment, President Kang leaned back in her chair.
“If you’ve investigated thoroughly, you already know. The celebrities who left our company rarely end up well.”
“I know. All kinds of interference using connections. I’ve heard a lot about it myself.”
“Interference? Business partnerships. But if you know that, why still do this?”
JMT Entertainment’s influence over the industry was enormous.
Out of almost every celebrity who left the company after signing a contract, very few survived in the industry.
Scandals would break out, or work would dry up.
JMT Entertainment was ruthless.
“Will you watch the fans for me?”
Deok-su, having made up his mind, picked up the exclusive contract termination form.
When Deok-su actually reached for the signature, President Kang’s eyes widened.
“Wait. You don’t even know what leaving right now means?”
“I do. I won’t be able to receive lessons at such a high level, and I’ll have to hustle for schedule work. I’ll need to find a new manager too. I’ll probably have to think I’m at the bottom.”
Deok-su had no attachment to the company, but he understood the reality.
His image had recovered quite a bit. It was improving gradually, but far from the level to leave.
If another company scouted him or his schedule suddenly became overwhelming, things would be different. But right now, it wasn’t.
Right now was the time to shine under the company’s umbrella.
President Kang knew this well.
“You know how awkward your position is right now, don’t you? Do you really think that a little drama or indie film will make you succeed in the future?”
“Why would I? If I leave, I’ll roll around happily. It’s nice to be young, isn’t it?”
Yet Deok-su stubbornly demanding his way surprised President Kang.
A silence fell between the two of them.
President Kang didn’t show it, but a headache was coming.
The plan was going wrong.
In fact, inside her, Signature’s complete version existed. If Deok-su recovered his image, it would be useful even if it took some time.
But this guy wasn’t moving as she wanted.
She had tried to intimidate him enough to hold the reins and raise him, but he still acted like a wild colt.
President Kang’s tone changed.
“Director Lee Gwang-yong said that when he extended our contract, he himself had doubts. He wouldn’t have extended it if the penalty wasn’t twenty times the amount.”
“If he had left back then, it would have ended.”
“Yeah. Who would catch an idol who was abandoned by the Signature management team? Yet that abandoned idol flipped public opinion in less than a year? You’re impossible to get rid of. Honestly, I was surprised.”
“It’s all thanks to Hui-yeong.”
President Kang shrugged.
“That sticky thing was pretty good, wasn’t she? By the way, I saw her as Signature’s manager. Our Tteok-su, you should be nervous?”
“That’s something Hui-yeong decides.”
Deok-su, having finished speaking, picked up the termination form again. President Kang suddenly looked panicked.
“Wait. You’re really going to leave?”
“Well, I’ll see the atmosphere. I’ll have to check if the conditions are met.”
President Kang pinched her temple and scrutinized him.
But the guy seemed to have almost no regret.
What was he relying on to act like this…?
“The contract period is one year. The vehicle is basic. Support staff…”
“You’re negotiating with me right now?”
“Even if I go under, it’s fine. But why do you look so flustered, President?”
“…”
“Damn it. Interesting. Keep going.”
Deok-su presented various conditions. Vehicle support, support staff, training, settlements…
President Kang tried to persuade him to extend the contract period by being gentle, but Deok-su remained firm.
President Kang ultimately raised both hands.
“The contract period will be shortened, so the signing bonus will be reduced. It’s okay, right?”
“I’ll cover living expenses for me and my mom for about a year.”
“…”
“One year? What… Is this really Kim Deok-su I know?”
Clearly, things had changed.
I’ve felt it before, but Kim Deok-su wasn’t the delinquent I knew.
That was also why she had kept him for three years.
President Kang glared at Deok-su and signed.
The one-year extension contract was finalized. President Kang’s face relaxed.
“Leave next week’s schedule empty. I’ll tell the stick thing too.”
“Schedule?”
“Music video shoot for our cute kids. I already told the director.”
President Kang’s cute kid meant only one person.
JMT Entertainment’s rising girl group Turnshine. Their music videos had explosive power that easily surpassed a hundred million views.
“I’ll work hard, President.”
“…”
At that moment, President Kang wanted to punch Deok-su’s smug face.
“L’Vyu is planning a small fan meeting. Showcasing his cooking skills directly…”
Recently transformed into an actor, L’Vyu held a surprise fan meeting and met fans. L’Vyu rented a restaurant in Hongdae and personally cooked for the fans, enjoying a quiet encounter.
One fan at the fan meeting praised L’Vyu’s cooking skills as on par with a chef and didn’t hold back. Another fan praised his changed body… (omitted)
.
.
Articles about Deok-su’s fan meeting were uploaded with photos.
With the support team’s backing, news of Kim Deok-su’s fan meeting spread quickly between portal sites and SNS.
“…”
“This is work.”
“How tough is this kind of work.”
Lee Hui-yeong muttered, and PR and Marketing Team Leader Ha Yeong-hyeon patted her.
“You need to build connections by regularly contacting reporters too. Even if they’re vultures, they’ll eventually file complaints.”
“Yes, Team Leader.”
“Okay. But L’Vyu’s cooking… was really good?”
“Yes. I didn’t know oppa had such good cooking skills.”
“Really? Next time, call me too. I’m curious.”
Chatting, the two checked reactions to Kim Deok-su.
“I thought it was a show, but it’s intriguing.”
“The photos are well taken. Look at the arms… Sexy!”
“L’Vyu’s shoulders got so wide. I want to hug him.”
“The guy is a man, right? My legs are crossing.”
“That leg… no way…”
“Hiiik!!”
“When are we doing Signature activities? Is L’Vyu a singer or a showmaker? lol”
.
.
There were still some trolls, but many had disappeared compared to before.
The reactions to the movie Let’s Go to Your House were the same.
“I came to watch the movie to vent my anger. Kim Deok-su’s acting is crazy. But Kim Deok-su appears in my dreams… T_T I’m scared.”
“He looks good, but his face is fierce. But if it’s that face, it’s fine to hit. Men’s faces are everything after all…”
“It’s not a man hitting a woman. But L’Vyu can hit.”
“Is this a movie where women hit women?”
“At first I thought it was a casting mistake, but surprisingly L’Vyu acted well. Shin Hye-won too.”
“You should watch it together as a couple no matter what. Violence is never okay in any case. Even with L’Vyu’s face, violence is not okay.”
“L’Vyu, just be an actor.”
.
.
The movie was mostly praised.
Especially acting, which almost everyone acknowledged.
Team Leader Ha Yeong-hyeon continued calmly.
“Kim Deok-su is a natural entertainer. Whether people curse him or praise him, he always attracts attention.”
“Come to think of it, that’s true.”
“That’s something not everyone can do. Even if you’re pretty, you won’t get noticed in this industry. There’s nothing scarier than indifference for an entertainer. Many people think cursing is better than the fear of not knowing when work will come.”
“Oppa…”
“Stop getting cursed at.”
“That’s right. If this continues, it’ll be fine as long as there are no more woman problems.”
Lee Hui-yeong nodded too.
Actually, that part was the most reassuring.
Ironically, no idol had been free of woman problems as much as Kim Deok-su.
After finishing work, Lee Hui-yeong went down to the training room where Deok-su was.
It was time for the schedule.
She was about to enter when three men besides Deok-su were already there.
“…”
“It seems Gang-hyeok was right. Kim Deok-su, living comfortably?”
Shin Hyeong-wook, a man with a sharp jawline, spoke with a biting tone.
“Signature members?”
Deok-su was tense.
Because the Signature members he least wanted to meet were right in front of him.
Main vocalist Yoon Jae-sung, the highest-ranked dancer in the country Lee Min-jae, and visual member Shin Hyeong-wook—same as L’Vyu—looked at Deok-su with unfriendly eyes.
“Ah, that’s…”
“It doesn’t matter. We weren’t close friends anyway.”
Especially in Shin Hyeong-wook’s tone, hostility dripped.
Lee Min-jae spoke flatly.
“Don’t take it that way. Ryu Gang-hyeok told us to come because L’Vyu’s face needs improvement. If rumors of division spread, it’ll be tiring.”
Yoon Jae-sung wouldn’t even meet Deok-su’s eyes.
The members’ visit was unexpected, but Deok-su stayed calm.
“If it’s Gang-hyeok, that makes sense. Maybe I can loosen up a bit?”
“Don’t put on airs. Just hold on for five minutes, then I’ll go.”
Deok-su guessed why the members hated him.
Every time the group was about to rise, Kim Deok-su kept getting tangled in accidents. To them, Kim Deok-su was closer to an enemy than a member.
While the standoff continued, Lee Hui-yeong cautiously entered.
The first to react was Lee Min-jae.
“Oh, so you’re the manager who created Kim Deok-su?”
“Yes? Ah, hello.”
“I’m the manager of Signature. I heard the rumors. You suffered a lot making Kim Deok-su successful.”
“Oppa worked hard. I wasn’t particularly…”
Despite her caution, Lee Min-jae continued trying to talk.
Yoon Jae-sung chimed in.
“You shouldn’t have come to our team. Director Lee was very sorry. If this manager comes to us, we’d welcome him anytime…”
Ignoring Deok-su, they were trying to pull Lee Hui-yeong into their team.
Deok-su was dumbfounded.
He knew Director Lee Gwang-yong had assigned Hui-yeong to the Signature team. But he hadn’t expected the members to push this hard.
Deok-su stepped between the uncomfortable Hui-yeong and the Signature members.
“Don’t make me laugh.”
“What? Hey, Kim Deok-su. Think about what you did to us during that time. This is…”
“That’s up to Hui-yeong to decide. Don’t force your opinions.”
The Signature members sneered, but Deok-su remained firm.
Rather, Hui-yeong was surprised by Deok-su’s behavior.
“…Oppa needs me too.”
Actually, she hadn’t been sure.
Perhaps because of newcomer’s complacency. That’s why she worked harder, but there was always anxiety in her heart.
But Deok-su’s actions now completely dispelled her anxiety.
Hui-yeong gently pushed Deok-su aside and stepped forward.
“I’m sorry, but I’m happy right now. Thank you for the offer…”
“This manager. I heard you’re smart and ambitious, working hard without complaint. Don’t say no. Think it over again. Traveling around the world…”
“It’s fine. I can make oppa like that.”
The Signature members and Deok-su both widened their eyes.
There was no more room for persuasion.
At that moment, the door opened and Ryu Gang-hyeok entered.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Ryu Gang-hyeok grabbed the members.
“Everyone out. President is calling.”
The members left, looking back at Hui-yeong several times.
When only the two remained, Deok-su let out a long sigh.
“What time is the filming later?”
“You need to leave in thirty minutes. The clothes are all ready.”
As Deok-su turned to leave quickly, Hui-yeong spoke.
“Oppa, can you become even more famous than them?”
An abrupt question.
But Deok-su’s answer had no hesitation.
“Of course.”
JMT Entertainment had two famous idol groups.
One was the male idol group Signature, the other the girl group Turnshine.
A four-member group with powerful performances and elegance, popular in Southeast Asia and North America.
Because Turnshine had a large fanbase in North America, they put a lot of effort into their music videos.
“Ah, hello! Senior!”
When Deok-su appeared on the set, all Turnshine members bowed 90 degrees.
Their voices were so loud the surrounding staff startled.
“No need to do this much…”
“It’s fine, senior.”
Turnshine’s leader Kang Min-ji had high spirits.
“This is… like girl power.”
Seeing the juniors with high spirits and even serious faces, Deok-su let out a sigh.
Still, seeing beautiful juniors made him feel fresh.
The Turnshine members were a girl group that deserved the nickname “beautiful and beautiful” next to each other.
Leader Kang Min-ji was a Korean beauty, Han Na-kyung was elegant with various expressions.
Emily Jung had a rigid face as expected from the nickname “ice princess.”
When the three members finished makeup and prepared for filming, Deok-su was changing clothes and getting makeup too.
“Sunbae. Sunbae.”
When Deok-su looked up, a smiling woman greeted him.
“Name… Yuina, right?”
“Yes. Hello?”
The slightly awkward pronunciation and cute vibe belonged to Takami Yuina, Turnshine’s visual member.