Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: A Dancing Band
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The manager, who had been staring into space for a while, seemingly imagining a dancing band, looked at me.
“…Why do you make jokes with such a straight face?”
“It’s not a joke.”
“Right. PD Min-jun has never been one for jokes.”
Manager Ji and the others tried to imagine it again. But their heads drooped once more.
“No matter how I think about it, I just can’t picture a dancing band. They headbang with their guitars, they don’t dance, do they?”
Silence fell over the planning office again.
Min-jun thought that at this point, the CEO should be able to understand.
“Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!”
As the expressionless Min-jun rhythmically inhaled and exhaled, CEO Park Jae-yong’s eyes twitched, soon filling with astonishment.
And soon, Park Jae-yong began to make the same sound as Min-jun.
“Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!”
“Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!”
Everyone in the conference room, unable to comprehend the situation, glanced back and forth between the expressionless Min-jun and the excitedly flushed face of Park Jae-yong.
“A crazy bastard stumbles to work last night!”
“Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!”
As Min-jun and Park Jae-yong muttered the same lyrics, one by one, the older staff members like Manager Ji and Team Leader Choi began to realize something, their eyes widening in shock.
“Open the door you f—, that damn bastard Genghis Khan!”
“Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Pwahaha!”
Park Jae-yong couldn’t finish the line and burst out laughing, doubling over.
It was the song ‘Genghis Khan’ by ‘Moskau,’ the bizarre and chaotic European band that had taken the 80s by storm.
“Hahahahat! You guys don't know this song? Moskau, Moskau, my stomach hurts, dying, sister's foot!”
As Park Jae-yong cackled, the others, finally realizing the connection, started nodding one by one.
But their faces still screamed, ‘So what?’
“I mean… production isn’t a joke. This is really going a bit too far.”
Manager Ji, unable to get truly angry at Min-jun who had consistently pointed them in the direction of success, said with a stiff expression.
At that, CEO Park Jae-yong shook his head, vehemently disagreeing.
“No! This is a jackpot! Why didn't I think of this? It's perfect! A dark horse band that will bring a ray of laughter and joy to the bleak music industry!”
Just as Min-jun had expected, CEO Park Jae-yong, a lover of all things retro, had abruptly switched to the affirmative.
“CEO-nim, haa… To be honest, PD Min-jun has been right about everything so far, so I’m scared to oppose him. I’m afraid he’ll be right again. But… this can’t be it. This week, Answer is on the verge of their first number-one win, and Lee Yoo-ah is on the fast track to stardom. I'm worried this will just throw a wrench in the works.”
Unlike Min-jun, who was certain of this concept's success with his extreme intuition, it was a concern that a typical producer like Manager Ji would naturally have.
Producers who poured hundreds of millions, even billions, into promoting an album only to have it flop wouldn't have done so if they had known their own bleak futures.
Moreover, Manager Ji’s anxiety was amplified by past experiences where the CEO’s conviction of success had usually led to failure.
“No, no, no. That’s not it. Have you already forgotten that Lee Yoo-ah succeeded in her overseas expansion, just as I predicted?”
“How is that thanks to you, sir? I heard PD Min-jun set up the concept from the start and even negotiated the contract terms.”
Park Jae-yong flinched for a moment but continued.
“My opinion was the same as Min-jun’s. And you just made my point. The thing you opposed, Manager Ji, ended up going exactly as Min-jun said it would. So you should trust him this time, too.”
Park Jae-yong was excessively praising Min-jun, but not a single person objected.
Team Leader Lee, who had been quiet, spoke up with a resolute expression.
“How about we listen to PD Min-jun’s opinion a little more? Honestly, as the CEO said, PD Min-jun hasn't been wrong about a single thing so far.”
Coming from Team Leader Lee, who had disliked Min-jun more than anyone, even Manager Ji was stunned into silence.
Min-jun played a related video and spoke again.
“The equipment setup issue you pointed out as a drawback for bands will be eliminated. The plan is for them to only carry a guitar or bass that they can hold in their arms, and the other two members will be focused on performance during events.”
“Right. So two sing, and two dance. Does that even make sense in this day and age?”
Manager Ji asked, his face looking like he was about to cry.
There was no need to answer. Park Jae-yong, who was on board, chimed in excitedly.
“Since they’re a band, they’ll write their own songs, right?”
“Yes. And they’ll play their own instruments. Of course, I’ll be directing the overall vision.”
“…Haa, this is confusing. I don’t even have a clue how we’d market this.”
Manager Ji voiced his concern once more, but Min-jun knew it wasn't opposition for opposition's sake and fully understood. In fact, he was even pleased to see his effort to lead the company down the right path.
“The title track will be ‘Chaotic Performance,’ and the B-sides will be ‘Authentic Band.’ We’re going with a two-track strategy. It’s the ‘loser hiding their true power’ concept.”
A few people nodded, their expressions suggesting, ‘That might actually be a good strategy.’
“It would definitely create a buzz. A rock band that’s busy dancing.”
Manager Ji said, now laughing as if he’d lost his mind.
“I believe it will be good for initial buzz and long-term firepower. And they might even earn appearance fees comparable to Answer.”
“Really? How is that possible?”
Park Jae-yong asked excitedly.
“Unlike typical groups with a limited fanbase, they will be able to get the biggest response from audiences of all ages. Younger people will cheer for their unique appearance, while older people will be captivated by their hidden, true skills. And above all, the foundation of every event is ‘unleashing exciting energy.’”
“Haha. Right, right! If you can picture it clearly in your head, that means the probability of success is high.”
CEO Park Jae-yong looked more excited than ever.
Manager Ji thought it was a case of wishful interpretation but couldn't object any further. There had been too many times his pride had been wounded after opposing Min-jun.
“And I’ll make sure the marketing costs you’re worried about won’t be that high either.”
“How can you be so sure about that?”
Manager Ji asked, as if resigned.
“From the public's perspective, dozens, even hundreds of groups debut and disappear each year. They probably all look the same. They’re just divided into girl groups and boy groups. But this band with its unique concept will be deeply ingrained in their minds after just a single exposure. It will make them feel an irreplaceable aura.”
Min-jun pictured the four-member band, adorned in flashy sequined outfits and exaggerated props, and let out a small smile to himself.
‘It’ll be a sensation the moment they debut.’
“The costume production costs and preparation time will be substantial, then.”
“Surprisingly, it might be at a normal level. I think a cheesy concept will work better than a high-end one.”
“Haha… I really don’t know anymore.”
Manager Ji seemed completely unable to picture it.
“They’ll be here soon, right?”
Lee Sun, who had already been briefed, asked while looking at her watch. It was a hint to wrap up the meeting.
“Yes. It’s almost time for our meeting.”
“Good. Alright, let’s dismiss. This year, your bonuses are going to be hefty. Let’s do our best.”
Manager Ji stood up with the other employees.
“I’ll be heading out too. I have to meet PD Lee Gwan-yong.”
“Have a good trip, Manager Ji. Don’t worry.”
“You’re the reason I’m worried, CEO-nim.”
Manager Ji grumbled as he left the planning office.
“I’ll be coaching the kids’ dancing for the first time in a while, so when Earl Grey? arrives, bring them over.”
Lee Sun and Min-jun shared a wry smile at Park Jae-yong’s desire to show off to the newcomers.
Min-jun handed over a document he had prepared.
“I’ve drafted a contract proposal. Please review it.”
“…You probably did a good job anyway.”
CEO Park Jae-yong casually slipped away.
Beside him, Lee Sun, with a face full of trust, quickly flipped through the document Min-jun handed her, then paused at the profit distribution section.
“…This isn’t how you treat a rookie group.”
“No. They’re people who deserve this much.”
“Are they that commercially viable?”
“Yes. The band I’m planning can only succeed if they are truly nerds hiding their power. Since not just anyone can do it, the appearance fees will come rolling in.”
A faint smile appeared on Min-jun’s face as he thought about how he would manage those guys, whose heads were full of nothing but bravado.
* * *
Guided by Min-jun, the members of Earl Grey entered JD Enter, their faces filled with wonder.
Having never been to a proper agency, even JD Enter, which was barely hanging on in the industry’s TOP 10, looked magnificent to them for the sole reason that it occupied an entire three-story building.
But the leader and guitarist, So Joong-han, was not pleased with his bandmates’ reactions.
‘To think I was making music with such spineless guys… no wonder we never succeeded.’
Min-jun, reading So Joong-han’s thoughts from his expression, gave a bitter smile.
“I’ll give you a brief tour starting from the first floor.”
Min-jun kindly started with the studio and headed towards the trainees’ dance floor. From Min-jun’s perspective, the scale was embarrassingly small, but the Earl Grey members just looked fascinated.
“Ooh. There are two dance practice rooms.”
“It’s small, right? We’ll be getting a new building within the year. Answer and Kim Sung-hoon are active, and with Lee Yoo-ah’s recent overseas expansion, we should have more than enough to afford it.”
“Ooooh.”
“Talk is cheap. At this rate, I’ll be a superstar this year too.”
So Joong-han grumbled just loud enough for Min-jun to hear, but Min-jun pretended not to notice.
In one corner, CEO Park Jae-yong could be seen coaching the trainees. It seemed to be a novel sight for the Earl Grey members as well.
“Wow. He really does train them in dancing. What an amazing person.”
“But the trainees’ posture is a bit awkward, isn’t it? What’s with them? If CEO Park Jae-yong is training them personally, shouldn’t they be working harder?”
The sight of CEO Park Jae-yong, whom they had only seen on screen, seemed to give the Earl Grey members even greater hope.
“When he was on that band audition show back in the day, he seemed to have a good understanding of bands, too.”
“Right. At first, I honestly thought it was scripted. But watching him talk, you could feel his sincerity.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too much. We’re just here for a meeting.”
At the sight of So Joong-han, who was still radiating vigilance and discontent, Min-jun smiled faintly. In Min-jun’s eyes, he was nothing more than a talented but immature brat.
“Chief Producer-nim. The band Earl Grey has arrived.”
“Oh, I’ll be right there. Go on ahead to the planning office first.”
“Ooh. He looks cool.”
The Earl Grey members, oblivious to Min-jun’s inner thoughts, followed him with cheerful faces.
“Director-nim, Earl Grey is here.”
But Lee Sun didn’t even turn her gaze, her eyes fixed on the monitor as she spoke.
“Oh. Go wait in the planning office. I’ll be there after I review this proposal.”
The Earl Grey members were taken aback by Lee Sun’s beauty.
“Why is she so pretty?”
“Isn’t she over thirty?”
“She looks ten years younger.”
“A celebrity, for sure.”
“Hah. We’re celebrities too, you know?”
Min-jun, listening to their whispers, gave a wry smile.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“If you’re offering, we’ll gladly take it!”
So Joong-han’s face soured at the vocalist’s polite response to Min-jun.
As Min-jun headed to the break room, he overheard their whispers.
“Hey. I told you not to be so deferential. We have the upper hand, remember? They’re the ones who reached out to us after seeing our skills.”
“Even so, being here is a bit… and they have an artist who expanded overseas.”
“Hah. You’re being so naive. I’ll handle the contract negotiations, so you guys just nod along. We have the upper hand.”
Min-jun, who was making coffee, shook his head and chuckled at the guitarist’s words.
“Director-nim, would you like some coffee?”
“Thank you.”
Min-jun entered with the coffee, and soon Park Jae-yong and Lee Sun came in together.
“Hello!”
Even the guitarist, who had claimed they had the upper hand, shot up from his seat and bowed politely to the industry veterans.
“Yeah. I heard the gist of it from PD Min-jun.”
“P-PD?”
Although Min-jun had clearly stated that he also did producing, the members of Earl Grey hadn't paid much attention to the words of someone younger than them.