Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: A Celebration and a New Hope
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“The harder you work, the higher our company's valuation gets.”
“...”
“So that twenty percent you own could make you a millionaire.”
For a moment, Sung-hoon’s face lit up with joy before twisting into a pout.
“...Hey, if you put it that way, you’re the one who benefits the most!”
Sung-hoon muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.
“Do you think I’m just slacking off? Do you have any idea how much profit I bring in from my involvement?”
“...”
“Plus, I’m constantly scouting new talent. You never know how much those future artists will earn.”
“Hey. No matter how you slice it, this is too unfair.”
“What’s unfair about it? If there’s a way for me to make money by appearing on a show, I’ll do it. And I might actually have to.”
In fact, my plan to complete the trap for Gyeon Sang-jin involved me personally appearing on a broadcast. Once the setup was perfectly finalized, I was even thinking of presenting a proposal through Director Lee Joo-won.
“Anyway, I’m going to add a few more things to your schedule starting next week.”
“What the hell, how can you just decide that! I told you I don’t want to!”
“If the monk doesn't like the temple, he can leave.”
“Pfft!”
The Director, who had been listening in from the side, burst out laughing.
“Sung-hoon. Let me make some money thanks to you, too.”
“Ah, Noona.”
“I have a surprisingly packed schedule, you know? You just don't realize it.”
“...This is so unfair, seriously. I’ve earned my money, so give me time to spend it.”
“Didn't you say you spent it all on a building and have none left?”
At my words, Sung-hoon’s face hardened.
“...Fine. Well, I have a stake in this too. But five days a week. I won't do a second more, even if you beat me to death.”
“Okay. I’ll take responsibility and schedule it that way.”
“You heard him too, right, Noona? Exactly five days a week.”
Even with a five-day week, if I planned his schedule well, I could make him pull an all-nighter and work him at a six-day-a-week level.
For someone like Sung-hoon who loved to drink, it was better to keep him somewhat busy to protect his health and prevent any incidents.
“Got it. This is all to help you live a long and healthy life, so just trust me.”
“...Why are you smiling? You’re making me nervous. Ah, I’m so anxious.”
Sung-hoon said with a suspicious look, as if he had read my mind.
Was I smiling? I feel like I find myself smiling without realizing it a lot these days.
“What are you two Oppas talking about? I can’t understand a thing.”
“Our company needs to build some momentum. I’m just saying we should strike while the iron is hot with Answer, Lee Yoo-ah, and Sung-hoon.”
Just as the Answer members still wore confused expressions, a call came from Choi Yoo-jun.
-Hyung, about how Sundy ended up coming with us…
Out of the blue, Choi Yoo-jun started explaining what had happened between Sundy and Seul-bi at the recording studio today. After hearing the whole story, I understood why he felt the need to tell me.
“Alright. Get up here quickly.”
-Yes. We’ll be right up.
Seul-bi entered with Sundy, and Choi Yoo-jun followed behind them.
“Whoa!”
Once again, everyone applauded for Seul-bi.
“Ah, yes! Thank you. Thank you.”
Seul-bi graciously accepted the cheers and walked in, while Sundy, wearing Seul-bi’s spare outfit tied around her waist, followed, swallowing hard.
“Huh? Isn’t that Sundy?”
“Ah! Yes, it is. Hello, CEO Park Jae-yong. And hello to Lee Sun-seonbaenim and Kim Sung-hoon-seonbaenim as well.”
When CEO Park Jae-yong recognized her first, a flustered Sundy turned in every direction, bowing politely.
“KGM Futures, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Oh, hey, welcome. You’ve got some moves.”
Stats.
[Name: Sundy (26)]
Status: Depressed
Vocal: 55/67
Dance: 83/88
Rap: 40/45
Charm: 65(-20)/79
Handicap: Lack of self-esteem
⋮
[Career Aptitude]
Dance Trainer: 87/89
Choreographer: 85/91
Idol: 82/87
⋮
Her dance skills were slightly behind Seul-bi’s. Her overall abilities were comparable to Ro-si’s, and she had more than enough talent to succeed as an idol, but she was a gem whose potential had been wasted by the wrong agency.
From what I heard from Choi Yoo-jun, her group was about to disband anyway. She had enough talent to later be hired as an in-house dance trainer or choreographer for our company.
These days, if you leverage your life story well, even a choreographer can become as much of a celebrity as an idol.
* * *
“I should just go from here. How can I join another company’s dinner?”
“Unni, don’t say that, just come in. I was the one who invited you, and our PD-nim insisted you come too.”
The thought of going to a company dinner full of strangers felt miserable to Sundy, yet there was an inexplicable pull.
Once her team disbanded, she’d have to worry about making a living. A small part of her thought that if she was lucky, she might be able to form a connection with JD Enter.
Yura and Amy from her group were managing to earn some money, but it was almost certain that the other four members, including herself, were on the chopping block.
‘Even if they don’t welcome me, isn’t it my position to go in? I need to at least make an impression…’
Sundy recalled the final moments of many of her seniors who had faded away before her.
Some ended up in prison, another became a little-known sexy BJ, and the rest vanished without a trace.
“I hope I’m not an uninvited guest.”
“Don’t worry and let’s go.”
Having already experienced the brink of disbandment, Seul-bi completely understood how Sundy was feeling and what worries were on her mind.
Sundy went up to the second floor with Seul-bi.
“Whoa!”
Sundy was incredibly envious as she watched the JD Enter staff welcome Seul-bi with a round of applause.
“Ah, yes! Thank you. Thank you.”
Sundy followed behind the affable Seul-bi.
She saw Min-jun, currently the most famous manager of all, and next to him, the still-valuable Kim Sung-hoon, Director Lee Sun, Answer, and CEO Park Jae-yong.
‘How should I introduce myself? If I say my name, will they even recognize me?’
While Sundy was lost in thought, CEO Park Jae-yong spoke first.
“Huh? Isn’t that Sundy?”
“Ah! Yes, it is. Hello, CEO Park Jae-yong. And hello to Lee Sun-seonbaenim and Kim Sung-hoon-seonbaenim as well.”
Many people chuckled at Sundy’s frantic greeting.
“KGM Futures, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hey, good to see you. But why call them Seonbaenim and just call me CEO? I’m not dead yet, you know. Call me PD-nim or something.”
“Ah… Yes! I’m sorry.”
Sundy felt some of her tension melt away as they recognized her, contrary to her worries.
“Sundy, come sit here, over here. You should at least know what this gathering is for.”
“Ah… yes.”
Park Jae-yong sent the new employee who had been sitting in front of him back to his original seat and had Sundy sit down.
“Today, we gathered to celebrate our artist Lee Yoo-ah landing an overseas advancement contract…”
“Yes, yes.”
“I have experience with overseas promotions from back in the day, you know…”
“Yes.”
“The executive in charge of the contract was like, ‘Aren’t you Jay, the K-Pop Star Maker?’ He was so happy to see me. Turns out we became friends during an old overseas schedule.”
Watching CEO Park Jae-yong repeat the same story he’d told the new hire, just slightly altered, everyone around Min-jun looked utterly exasperated.
“How did you end up bringing Sundy-unni here?”
Seul-bi briefly explained in response to Yi-na’s question.
“Good job. It was really sad to watch. But that agency is too much. How could they just leave her behind like that?”
“There are more bad people in this industry than you think. We should be grateful.”
Seol-ah comforted a fuming Yi-na.
“So, do you think Sundy-unni’s ears will start bleeding or not?”
“Ah, but seriously, listening to the CEO talk doesn’t make your ears bleed, but it does make them super itchy. I think the sound waves from his voice tickle the eardrums.”
Seeing Sundy trapped by the CEO, listening intently with an awkward posture, Min-jun’s table snickered.
However, contrary to Answer’s concerns, Sundy felt a gratitude so profound it brought tears to her eyes for CEO Park Jae-yong, who was endlessly spouting useless chatter at her. Not once, even when her group had a brief moment of fame, had she ever received warm treatment from her own agency.
“Musician Lee Yoo-ah has arrived!”
“Woooooah!”
At Team Leader Lee’s announcement from the elevator, everyone stood up.
“Lee Yoo-ah! Lee Yoo-ah! Lee Yoo-ah!”
Wearing a pink floral dress with flared puff sleeves, Lee Yoo-ah walked over, covering her mouth with both hands, her face filled with emotion. The cheers from people chanting her name were both delightful and incredibly unfamiliar.
“Billboard! Billboard! Billboard!”
At the crowd’s playful shouts, Lee Yoo-ah’s face turned red, and she didn’t know what to do. Min-jun’s expression was that of a proud older brother watching his lovely younger sister’s success, a warm smile on his face.
The commotion died down as Park Jae-yong stood up.
“The star of the hour, artist Lee Yoo-ah, has arrived.”
“Whoa!”
“Yoo-ah, would you like to say a word?”
At Park Jae-yong’s suggestion, Lee Yoo-ah shook her head vehemently.
“Alright. We’ll hear from Lee Yoo-ah in a moment. But first, our JD Enter’s cornerstone, who played the second biggest role in today’s contract after me, Chief Producer Min-jun, will make an announcement about the contract. A round of applause!”
“Wooooah!”
“Since when were you the Chief Producer?”
“Besides the CEO, I’m the only professional producer here. What’s the point of calling me chief?”
“That’s why I’m saying it.”
Min-jun stood up, sharing a lighthearted exchange with Kim Sung-hoon.
“I am Chief Producer Min-jun.”
“Hahaha!”
Laughter erupted as Min-jun bowed with a serious face, and a warm sense of elation filled everyone’s expressions.
“First, would artist Lee Yoo-ah please take a seat?”
“Unni!”
Lee Yoo-ah smiled brightly and, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, went to sit next to Ro-si.
“Unni, your dress is so cute!”
“Thank you.”
Lee Yoo-ah said, rolling her tongue quite like a native speaker.
Min-jun began his speech.
“As you’ve heard, the contract will take effect in three days, but for all practical purposes, the negotiations concluded successfully today. Starting today, musician Lee Yoo-ah will walk the path of a global star alongside pop stars like Della, Orient, and Veil Smith.”
“Woooooah!”
The crowd cheered with genuine excitement. Even the guest, Sundy, looked on with sincere envy and congratulated her.
“We will receive 18% of the profits from Lee Yoo-ah’s overseas activities, and likewise, Billboard Holdings will take 18% of the profits from her domestic activities.”
“...Wow.”
The crowd’s gasps were missing the real substance.
“It doesn’t feel real yet when I put it like that, does it? There have been bad precedents in Korea where contracts were just for show and fell through, so to ensure there’s momentum for her activities, we’ve also secured a signing bonus of $3 million, about 3.8 billion won.”
“Wooooah.”
Only then did the crowd begin to cheer with true fervor, and even Lee Yoo-ah looked stunned.
“Now that we have a minimum safety net, it seems all that’s left is to hit it big.”
“Whoa! Lee Yoo-ah! Lee Yoo-ah!”
Her name was chanted once again. Min-jun gestured for Lee Yoo-ah to stand up and then took his seat.
Left with no choice, Lee Yoo-ah was clearing her throat when President Gu appeared with a karaoke-capable amplifier.
Min-jun was reminded of last year’s company dinner, feeling a sense of nostalgia at how much had changed in just one year.
The microphone was passed to Lee Yoo-ah.
Tap, tap.
Lee Yoo-ah tapped the microphone with her fingernail before speaking.
-Thank you. Thanks to the help of so many people, I’ve unexpectedly gotten the chance to have an overseas schedule… To be honest, I’ve never even been on a plane before, so I’m a little scared.
“Haha.”
People chuckled softly at Lee Yoo-ah’s down-to-earth comment.
-I’m saying this so you don’t misunderstand, I’m not scared the plane will crash. I’m worried about things like immigration clearance or finding the departure gate.
“Hahaha.”
-But I know a chance like this won’t come again, so I’ll work hard. I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude to PD Min-jun for polishing my album so beautifully. Honestly, I feel like Min-jun-oppa did half the work. He connected the awkward parts and gave me great ideas.
“Ooooh.”
The crowd cheered, looking at Min-jun.
-As I’ve said before, besides the musical help, he also saved me. I will never forget PD Min-jun’s kindness.
“Wooooo.”
A subtle sound, somewhere between a cheer and a jeer, spread through the room.
-Ah, of course, thank you to the CEO, the Director, the General Manager, the Team Leader, and everyone else. I believe the me of today wouldn’t exist without JD Enter. Please look forward to it and watch over me.
“Wooooah! Lee Yoo-ah! Billboard! Lee Yoo-ah! Billboard!”
Min-jun carefully recorded everything from the moment Lee Yoo-ah stood up, her speech, and the cheering crowd on video.
He thought her family would be overjoyed to see this moment.
Sundy, who had been cast aside like an outcast with a bleak future, absorbed the new energy and felt a sense of hope. The Answer members were also in high spirits, seeing Lee Yoo-ah gain fame following their own success. It was a joyous time for everyone.