Chapter 5
After writing down everything she could remember from the past seven years, an entire night had passed without her realizing it.
“If we’re talking about information I can use right now… then it has to be this.”
Se-rang tapped the large title she had written on the first page of her diary.
Project Idol.
An Imperial-produced idol survival program scheduled to air soon.
No matter how she looked at it, this was the only way for Se-rang, who currently had zero footing inside the company, to establish herself in one shot.
The problem was whether she would be allowed to participate at all.
If she could just get involved, she was confident she could make it a success.
Getting in was the hard part.
She rolled a USB between her fingers.
Inside it was the reason she had to be included in this project.
But would it actually work?
If she were still Kang I-won, this would have been a done deal.
Who was Kang I-won, after all?
The undisputed top among Imperial’s young producers.
But Yeon Se-rang?
Externally, her image might be polished.
Internally, she was nothing more than the chairman’s granddaughter.
At best, a fashion influencer on social media.
At worst, a notorious disaster.
With her track record, her standing inside the company was not zero.
It was negative.
So—
She had to use everything she could.
Se-rang glanced at the framed family photo on her desk.
Her two brothers.
Herself.
And Chairman Yeon.
No matter what she did, everything would eventually reach him.
And in the end, all decisions rested with him.
…And Chairman Yeon adored Yeon Se-rang.
That was the only card she could play.
If he were the cold-blooded tycoon she knew, he would never give someone like Se-rang a chance.
But for his granddaughter?
He might not let her join the succession battle, but he might grant her one opportunity.
And if she knew Yeon Kang-ho at all—
This would work.
After a moment of thought, Se-rang stood and headed to the dressing room.
A room overflowing with glittering clothes. Nothing that resembled office wear.
How was she supposed to pick a work outfit from this?
This was not a professional’s wardrobe.
It was an influencer’s showroom.
“No. Don’t get weak. Just go to work first. Think later.”
From now on, she was going to embody the spirit of a true Korean office worker.
Even if the world ended tomorrow—
You went to work first, then thought afterward.
Se-rang went to work wearing a pale pink suit.
It was the most subdued, office-appropriate thing in Yeon Se-rang’s closet.
The color aside—
It was unbearably uncomfortable.
Well, of course. Someone who had never worked a day in her life would not know the value of elastic-waist slacks.
Next time, I’m hitting a SPA brand and buying every basic item they’ve got.
(Translator’s Note: SPA Brand — Specialty retailer of private-label apparel, usually selling affordable basic fashion items.)
She was still swearing to herself when she stopped in front of Imperial’s building.
And felt uneasy.
Everyone entering the building was subtly avoiding her.
“…Let’s just go to the office. The office!”
Which turned out to be her private office.
On the 51st floor.
With a panoramic view of Seoul.
And filled with everything except work-related documents.
“This is insane…”
Why were bottles of whiskey lined up like trophies?
That sofa could double as a bed.
This was not an office.
It was a playground.
Se-rang clicked her tongue.
The view was spectacular, sure, but no one could work in an environment like this.
In the end, she called for her savior.
“Secretary Cha!”
“Yes, Director.”
First things first. She needed to fix how she was addressed.
“Miss” had no place inside a company.
“You said you transferred here from Imperial originally, right? Which department were you in?”
“Strategic Planning Division.”
“…You’re incredibly talented, aren’t you?”
“You flatter me.”
Her tone was mechanical, but Se-rang could not respond mechanically.
No, seriously. Why was someone like this serving as Yeon Se-rang’s personal secretary?
Imperial’s Strategic Planning Division was practically a vault of elite talent.
When Se-rang narrowed her eyes, Secretary Cha gave her a perfect business smile.
“The chairman offered triple my salary.”
Fair enough.
She would be tempted too.
Chairman Yeon’s eye for people really was sharp.
Secretary Cha was the only one who had lasted at Yeon Se-rang’s side this long.
“Secretary Cha. I want to seriously survive at Imperial. What should I do?”
“Survive…” Secretary Cha looked genuinely surprised.
She probably wondered what kind of act this was.
But instead of questioning it, she answered.
“Then you should attend the executive meeting.”
“!”
“If you go, you’ll understand a lot. And just so you know—” She checked her watch and smiled. “It’s Monday, 10 a.m. The meeting is starting right now.”
So this was it.
Straight into the battlefield.
“…With that, we’ll move on to today’s main agenda. This concerns Project Idol, an idol survival program scheduled to launch on our network, IBC. As you’re all aware, public interest in survival shows has declined recently. Therefore, this program requires special development. “Originally, the network would handle this independently. However, due to the nature of the project, significant support from headquarters is necessary. A special TF team has been formed, with cross-department collaboration already underway.”
The conference room was sleek and immaculate.
Everyone was focused on their documents and tablets.
When suddenly—
“Sorry I’m late.”
Someone entered the room.
Instantly, eyes widened around the table.
Especially—
Yeon Se-rang’s two brothers.
And Baek Do-gyeong.
Everyone clearly had something to say, but the setting forced them to hold it in.
Because—
The intruder calmly took documents from her secretary and began reading, unfazed.
“Please continue. Don’t mind me. I’ll catch up on my own.”
“…Ah. Since… Director Yeon Se-rang has joined us today… I’ll restate the agenda.” The executive leading the meeting stammered, clearly flustered.
Considering how unshakable he usually was, that alone said everything.
“No need. I’m the one who’s late. Please proceed without interruption.” Yeon Se-rang smiled leisurely and waved her hand.
It was impossible to tell who the real intruder was.
“Yes. Then I’ll continue. Project Idol is an idol survival program that gathers debut-ready male trainees from participating agencies Six companies, including our labels and affiliates, will participate. A total of thirty trainees. The top six will debut immediately as one group.”
The PPT slide flipped.
[The public and producers choose the next generation of idols.] A familiar slogan.
Se-rang nodded.
“That’s standard. However, this program’s point of differentiation is here.”
The next slide appeared.
[But in Project Idol, the idols choose the producer.]
Yes.
This was it.
Her way back.
Se-rang smiled confidently.