Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: Desperation and Arrogance
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Thanks to our swift move, we didn't miss N-Pink's comeback song rehearsal.
The faces of the N-Pink members on stage were filled with despair.
♪♬
*Ppumppara ppumppumpparappara ding-ti-king ti-king*
♪♬
The intro began to play.
It was a genre that defied description, a jumble of hyper-pop mixed with a heavy dose of cheesy trot, featuring metallic drums, a synth of unidentifiable origin, and various error sounds.
The N-Pink members, who had been scattered across the stage, suddenly formed a line and faced forward. Then came the cutesy, jarring sight of them hopping in place and doing the dog-leg dance. The gold tassels hanging all over their outfits shimmered, reminiscent of a kindergarten talent show.
"Ah..."
"Haaah..."
"What do we do..."
"This is too much..."
Short gasps of dismay escaped from my mouth and Answer's.
Overwhelmed by a momentary sense of dread, I rubbed my face and then glanced at the Answer members. As expected, their faces had gone pale. Ro-si looked like she couldn't bear to watch, covering her mouth with both hands and seemingly holding her breath.
The N-Pink members were smiling, but anyone could see they were forced smiles. Si-ah, in particular, whose eyes had met mine, couldn't hide the turmoil in her gaze. She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again to stare intently at the camera.
♪♬
*Ppumppara ppumppumpparappara ding-ti-king ti-king*
♪♬
The melody repeated without anything that could be called a chorus.
N-Pink's agency had clearly spent a fortune on marketing for their debut album and failed to recoup the costs. This song was N-Pink and their company's final, desperate struggle.
Countless people who had started agencies with big dreams had ended up going bankrupt together with the artists they tried to launch. It was an all-too-common story.
♪♬
*Ppipparippa ppipparippa ppippa kong!*
*Feeling dizzy! Feeling giddy!*
*My heart is trembling, trembling*
♪♬
It would certainly grab attention, but it was so embarrassing that even watching it made it hard to breathe.
I could see the N-Pink members' faces flushing through their makeup, not just from embarrassment but also from the sheer physical exertion that must have had their leg muscles screaming in protest.
"Even the camera director is sighing."
"...It's tough making a living, really."
Seol-ah echoed Seul-bi's words with a sigh.
♪♬
*Ppipparippa ppipparippa ppippa kong!*
*Feeling giddy! Feeling dizzy!*
*My heart is trembling, trembling*
♪♬
It wasn't that it was completely bad. New attempts like this are always necessary and important.
But I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if, instead of just aiming for shock value, they had created a killing point with a powerful vocal burst in the chorus that followed. It could have been a genuinely good song that still emphasized its B-grade vibe.
The producer's skill was lacking. Unless, of course, the plan was to grab attention with this song and then properly promote a follow-up.
I approached N-Pink's manager, who was monitoring the stage. He, too, was sighing heavily.
"..."
He looked at me with a vacant expression as I drew near.
I wanted to say, *‘It would be much better if you created a killing point with high-note vocals, excluding the two repetitive parts. You should suggest it if a remix version comes out,’* but we weren't close, and he would surely see it as overstepping.
"...Hoo. What is it?"
"The N-Pink members must have gone through a lot practicing this song."
I don't know what he expected me to say, but my question seemed to lift his spirits slightly as he nodded.
"...Yes."
"My girls in Answer and I went through similar pasts, and we developed a special bond with the N-Pink members during our missions on 'Best Idol'."
N-Pink's manager looked curious about what I would say next.
"I know it must be hard for you too, manager, but the ones having the toughest time right now are the N-Pink members, aren't they? I think a manager's role is especially important at times like this."
"..."
Overcome with emotion, I instinctively reached for my wallet.
***
"I'm about to start an amazing management business, and you're the only one I can trust. Once we make it big..."
At a friend's suggestion, I had started as a celebrity manager with high hopes.
My school senior, who was also the agency's CEO, always emphasized one thing to me.
‘A manager has to have their artists wrapped around their finger. You have to be an object of fear so they don't step out of line. You need to have so much gravitas that they find it hard to even speak to you.’
Following my senior's advice, I tried my best to become a fearsome and undeniable figure to all the N-Pink members I managed.
It was difficult, but I think I overdid it, thinking that if I just worked hard and succeeded, both the girls I managed and I would do well.
I berated them harshly for small mistakes, and there were times I didn't give them the provided lunch boxes, worried they might look bloated on screen, even when they were starving after a long shoot.
That's when I met that slick-looking manager from Answer. Absurdly enough, someone younger than me yelled at me for not giving my own artist a lunch box.
I was furious, but I held it in, thinking that someone who acted all high and mighty with that kind of misplaced sympathy would surely ruin the artist they were in charge of.
But what was the result?
Answer's young manager succeeded, while N-Pink and I failed. Even after receiving help from Answer's manager, getting highlighted on a good program, and having favorable articles written about us, we couldn't even get close to the break-even point.
As a last resort, we chose aggro marketing. We shot N-Pink's music video in one shabby location, with one set of outfits, in a single take.
The dance was ridiculous and physically draining, and the N-Pink members were exhausted. The music video's reactions were a mix of 'pitiful' and 'embarrassing,' and the members were already drained before their comeback stage even began.
‘Our company will probably go under soon, too.’
It seemed the CEO had no more money to pull from, as he was already pondering ways to make the N-Pink members pay back the unrecouped investment.
And today. Watching N-Pink's rehearsal stage, my heart grew heavy. Just then, Answer's manager, who had been watching from a distance, approached me.
I wondered what kind of useless lecture he was about to give me, but his words held a genuine concern and a sense of camaraderie that was different from simple pity.
"I know it must be hard for you too, manager, but the ones having the toughest time right now are the N-Pink members, aren't they? I think a manager's role is especially important at times like this."
As he spoke, he started to pull out his wallet, but then hesitated and put it away.
Answer must be doing well these days, so he probably got a hefty incentive. From his perspective, he was clearly trying to be considerate of my feelings.
Suddenly, I felt a deep sense of doubt about the way I had lived my life.
"Their calves and thighs must be incredibly sore. You might not be able to give them leg massages, but you should at least get them some ice packs. Sorry for the unsolicited advice. Keep up the good work."
Answer's manager started to return to his spot.
"Excuse me, Timjang-nim?"
"?"
At the N-Pink manager's call, Min-jun turned around.
"If you were thinking of making a contribution to the N-Pink members, I would gratefully accept it."
A slow smile spread across Min-jun's face at the N-Pink manager's words, which sounded as if he had let go of something heavy.
***
The Answer members hugged the N-Pink members one by one as they came down from their rehearsal.
"You worked hard. You need to loosen up those leg muscles."
At Seol-ah's words, the N-Pink members' eyes welled up, but they didn't cry.
"Our Producer Min-jun said that the strong are those who can smile and survive through tough times. Let's survive."
"Yes, Unni. Thank you for the kind words."
Having regained a bit of their strength, N-Pink and their manager returned to their waiting room.
Watching their retreating figures, Seul-bi spoke with a bitter expression.
"Will they be able to survive?"
"I hope so, for Si-ah's sake if nothing else."
It was now time for the somber Seol-ah and her members to rehearse.
♪♬
As Min-jun was monitoring Answer's rehearsal, someone approached him.
"You're Answer's chief, right?"
Already in a bad mood because of N-Pink and Si-ah, Min-jun stared blankly at the person who was speaking to him so informally.
He was a man in his mid-to-late thirties, dressed in a casual suit that struck a fine balance between style and comfort.
"How much do you make at JD?"
Min-jun gave a wry smile at the stranger's question.
"Ah. You're wary because I haven't introduced myself? Ten years of management experience. Currently the CEO of KGM Futures, Jeong Sang-hoon."
Jeong Sang-hoon swaggered and extended his hand. But contrary to his expectation that Min-jun would shake it warmly, Min-jun's face grew even colder.
KGM Futures was Sundy's agency, the one invited to Lee Yoo-ah's overseas debut party. He had heard about its CEO, Jeong Sang-hoon, who was then a schedule manager, from Seul-bi.
Min-jun took his outstretched hand.
"...Ugh!"
As Min-jun's immense strength felt like it would crush his hand, the startled Jeong Sang-hoon quickly pulled it away.
*‘What the hell is this guy that the chairman himself is telling me to recruit him? The arrogant bastard.’*
Contrary to his inner thoughts, Jeong Sang-hoon plastered a smile on his face and said.
"...Ha, haha. You've perfected the first quality of a manager, haven't you? You're stronger than you look."
Min-jun ignored him as if he didn't care whether he spoke or not, his eyes fixed on Answer's stage.
"That's a bit cold, considering I came with a good offer."
"..."
"I heard you put in a lot of work raising Answer. I'll give you a 30% raise. Let's work together."
In his ten years in the industry, Jeong Sang-hoon had never seen anyone turn down a 30% pay increase, so he spoke with confidence.
However, Min-jun, who had been ignoring him the whole time, chuckled as if trying to hold back laughter, before finally letting it burst out.
"Hahaha. Thirty percent?"
It was a mocking laugh, but Jeong Sang-hoon took it as a positive response and beamed.
"Pfft. I knew it. That's why you should always hear people out. KGM is planning to form another group with the trainees we've selected. I'd like you to take charge, Team Leader Min."
Jeong Sang-hoon spoke confidently, as if Min-jun were already his subordinate. Min-jun let out a bitter smile and opened his mouth.
"Ah. So KGM Futures is KGM's leftover disposal team?"
For a moment, Jeong Sang-hoon's expression hardened at Min-jun's words, but he tried his best not to show it. In this industry, foul-mouthed managers were a dime a dozen.
"Leftover disposal? We're a legitimate subsidiary of KGM. You know what a subsidiary is, right?"
"Hmm... But can a subsidiary match my salary?"
"Puhaha! You think we'd pay less than JD Enter? We're not just any subsidiary, you know."
*‘Of course you're not a typical subsidiary. You're probably a front for KGM to illegally embezzle money.’*
"You'll give me 30% more, you say?"
Min-jun smirked, pulled up his bank account, and showed him the red deposit notification from JD Enter.
Jeong Sang-hoon grinned and glanced at the account.
*‘3.8 million... after taxes, that's about the level of a department head at a decent agency. Not bad.’*
"Good thinking. Still, 3.8 million won in take-home pay is pretty good."
"Try not to miss a zero. Look carefully."
At Min-jun's mocking words, Jeong Sang-hoon looked at the account again, and his eyes widened.
*‘It's not a 3.8 million won deposit from JD Enter, it's 38 million won? Of course, that must include incentives... but this is the salary of a general director at the parent company, KGM. This is beyond what I can handle.’*
"First CEO Gyeon from SJ Enter, and now you. A lot of people seem to want to recruit me."
"..."
"One hundred thirty percent of 38 million is 49.4 million won, isn't it? Is that possible? Annually, that's almost 600 million won. No, wait, since this is after taxes, it's closer to 700 million, right?"
Dumbfounded, Jeong Sang-hoon was at a loss for words.
Min-jun scoffed and said.
"Instead of thinking about the new kids you're going to raise, you should try showing some loyalty to the artists who worked hard for you for years. The whole industry is talking about it. How the CEO-slash-manager abandoned Sundy in the middle of nowhere and came back alone."
*‘Damn it. How humiliating.’*
Realizing that staying any longer would only lead to more insults, Jeong Sang-hoon quickly fled the scene.
*‘Why did they give me this damn task and make me look like a fool!’*
With a smirk, Min-jun turned his attention back to Answer's stage. Verse 2 was already passing.
"Hah... Why are so many flies buzzing around today?"
Min-jun felt a prickling sensation that someone else was watching him from behind.