Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: A Flash of Insight
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“Again, again. You must have something else, right?”
“That’s right. If you have more ideas, let’s hear them.”
Seeing the genuine anticipation on the faces of the division head and the department head, even Choi Yoo-jun’s expression brightened.
“There are a lot of idols with terrible acting skills these days, so how about a spin-off like ‘Idol of Acting’ to shake things up? We could even use well-known classics…”
This idea was aimed at Ro-si, who was destined to become a great actress.
“I love it! This guy, he really thinks just like me. Hahaha!”
“He’s got an artistic sensibility. Tell us more, Min-jun.”
The division head was clearly enjoying himself, and CP Kim Soo-yeon’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Wouldn’t they be more motivated if there was a good reward on the line?”
“You mean like giving them lead or supporting roles in a drama based on their rank? Something like that?”
The division head threw out the first pitch.
My thoughts were the same.
I knew well that sometimes, letting others take credit for your ideas can lead to greater gains.
“I never would have thought of that. That’s an excellent idea, sir.”
At my humble posture, Choi Yoo-jun blinked in surprise.
*Choi Yoo-jun, this isn’t flattery; this is how you survive in the world. Watch and learn.*
“What? Hahaha! A young guy like you already knows how to play the game?”
“Hohoho.”
The division head’s hearty laugh made the CP chuckle as well.
It seemed I had scored even more points than I expected.
They listened intently to my words without interruption.
“It allows for infinite expansion, like ‘Idol of Hip-Hop,’ ‘Idol of Cooking,’ ‘Idol of Business,’ and so on.”
“Countless passionate but unpopular idols will work their fingers to the bone to perfect their craft. That struggle will become a key point of interest for viewers.”
“It would also be easy to attract genre-specific sponsors, and it would be even better if we could include elements that contribute to society.”
“From the perspective of viewers who need a little healing, a drama about the fierce struggle for success of these multi-talented kids would likely be very well-received.”
Whether it was the effect of the item or the system, the two of them responded to my opinions with great enthusiasm.
“Ssssp… Hoooo.”
Exhaling their last puff of smoke, they both bent down to stub out their cigarettes.
“If this does well, we should give Min-jun a special contribution award.”
“That’s a good idea, too.”
“I feel like I’ve already received it. Thank you.”
“Let’s head back down.”
The division head said, popping a breath mint into his mouth.
“Manager Kim, recommend someone who isn’t in the Deputy Division Head’s line.”
“All the main PDs are busy right now. Should we outsource it?”
Was it the influence of the ‘Sixth Sense’ trait?
A flood of inspiration came to me, and I couldn’t stop my mouth from moving.
“How about using a PD who hasn’t debuted yet?”
“……?”
The division head and the CP looked at me as if I were a complete mystery.
“Of course, they’d need confirmation from a team of experienced writers, but they would be relatively pure and full of passion, wouldn’t they? Even though it’s a spin-off, I think we could expect a different kind of originality. Since you’ll be testing the waters with a pilot anyway, the risk wouldn’t be that great, would it?”
“Whoa…”
Choi Yoo-jun let out a gasp of admiration at my words.
“…How does a young guy like you know so much?”
“Seriously. You talk as if you’ve directed a show before.”
The way the division head and the CP looked at me with wonder seemed to be a sign of my bright future.
* * *
“Have a safe trip, sirs.”
“Right. Let’s see each other again sometime, shall we?”
The division head and the CP, once again armed with their usual charisma, walked away.
Their private conversation drifted to my sensitive ears.
“I feel strange, as if I was bewitched.”
“You too, Manager Kim? So do I.”
“You know how they say some people just draw you in? I think this is the second time I’ve felt that, after you, sir.”
“…There’s a limit to the flattery, you know. I remember all the times you gave me hell.”
“…You should have revealed your genius earlier, then.”
As the item’s effect began to wear off, their conversation continued in a tone of amazement.
“…Hyung!”
“What?”
Choi Yoo-jun looked at me with eyes full of respect.
“Respect. We’re only a year apart, so how are you so good at this? You’re a total pro!”
It was all knowledge I already possessed, though I couldn't say it was solely due to the system's ability.
It just helped me organize those experiences more quickly.
“How does it all come out so smoothly? That was seriously awesome.”
“Really? Did I seem okay?”
“I’m telling you, it was awesome.”
For some reason, Choi Yoo-jun seemed more excited than I was.
⋮
“Great work, everyone.”
The voices of the Answer members could be heard, and then the door to Production Team 2 opened.
Our members walked out backwards.
“We’ll get it sorted out and let you know as soon as possible. We’re counting on you.”
It seemed the production staff had requested something from Seol-ah.
The writers nodded with smiles at the Answer members’ farewells, but PD Hwang Beom-seok’s face was still etched with irritation.
*‘Asshole.’*
PD Hwang Beom-seok’s lips moved as his eyes met mine.
*If you cause even the slightest trouble for my members…*
*I don’t care if you’re a popular PD or not, I won’t let it slide.*
“Wow! I’m still nervous.”
Yi-na said, rubbing her hands on her clothes as we headed to the parking lot.
“What did you talk about?”
“They just asked if we had any special talents besides what’s on our profiles, things like that.”
A hint of worry clouded Seol-ah’s face as she answered my question.
“But why did they ask you Unnis to write the continuity script?”
“Haaah…”
Seul-bi, letting out a worried sigh, seemed to have been given the same homework as Seol-ah.
“What? They asked Seol-ah-noonim to write the continuity script?”
Yoo-jun exclaimed in disbelief at Yi-na’s words.
Seol-ah hesitated for a moment, looking at Choi Yoo-jun.
I had a gut feeling that the word ‘noonim’ bothered her.
“Yoo-jun.”
“Yes! Timjang-nim!”
“Call her Seol-ah-ssi.”
Choi Yoo-jun’s eyes widened.
“Huh? Wouldn’t that seem arrogant?”
“People might misunderstand and think Seol-ah-ssi is much older. You’re only a year apart.”
“Ah! Ah… right. I’m sorry!”
A subtle smile touched Seol-ah’s lips.
At 21, she was still in her prime, but Seol-ah was still insecure about her age.
“And in a situation like this, you should see it as them wanting to create a scene that highlights your special talents and gets you screen time, rather than them being too lazy to write the continuity script themselves. Just like people who’ve made music write songs, how can they understand someone else’s talent well enough to write a script for it?”
“That makes sense. You know your own talents best.”
Choi Yoo-jun nodded at my explanation.
“Have you come up with anything?”
At my question, Seol-ah paused for a moment before speaking.
“No. I’ve been wracking my brain since I have to give them an answer by the end of this week. They can’t just want me to sing…”
“This is driving me crazy. Singing is one thing, but what kind of continuity script am I supposed to write for dancing? A dance is a dance.”
Following Seol-ah, Seul-bi also grumbled.
“Let’s have a meeting about the continuity script.”
As we were heading back to the company in the car, I got a call from the Isa-nim.
“Yes, Isa-nim. Go ahead.”
-How was the pre-meeting?
The Isa-nim’s voice was calm, but I could tell she had been very expectant.
“I’m a bit worried about being involved with SJ Enter, but other than that, it went smoothly.”
-That’s a relief.
“But they’ve asked Seol-ah and Seul-bi to come up with continuity scripts for their vocal and dance segments.”
-…They’re rookies, so it can’t be helped. Do they both have no ideas?
“No.”
-…Alright, just come to the office for now.
Various ideas came to mind on the way to the company, but none were sensational enough to create a buzz for the Answer members, who were practically unknown.
Forget creating a buzz; we needed a script that would at least secure them some basic screen time.
“Yoo-jun, you got anything?”
“…About what? Oh! The continuity script?”
I let out a bitter laugh, feeling like our deep contemplation had been for nothing.
Choi Yoo-jun was a kid with a lot of potential, but I couldn’t expect a high level of artistic sense from him right away. That was why I was making him experience things from the ground up.
We arrived at the company.
I saw Team Leader Lee, the one in charge of the company’s cash cow, artist Kim Sung-hoon.
“Hello…”
The moment I bowed to greet him, Team Leader Lee deliberately slammed his shoulder into mine as he passed.
“……”
“What? What’s his problem?”
Choi Yoo-jun said loudly enough for him to hear.
“Don’t.”
Was he upset about my quick promotion?
He was always a prickly person, so I decided to let it go.
Most of the employees had already left the office, and only Section Chief Ji and Isa-nim Lee Sun remained.
“You all worked hard today. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
At the Isa-nim’s question, I could almost hear the sound of Choi Yoo-jun and the Answer members swallowing.
“I owed Min-jun a meal. Should I treat you all today?”
“Me?”
Did the Isa-nim owe me a meal? I had no memory of it.
“I said I’d buy you one when you recorded the AR for Ro-si’s live performance.”
“…I remember now.”
All she had done was casually ask, ‘Should I buy you a meal?’, and I had declined, saying I had to carry Ro-si’s things.
It seemed she had kept even such a small thing in mind.
* * *
JD Enter’s studio.
CEO Park Jae-yong was lost in thought, his fingers pressing the keyboard.
He was impressed by the song from the young Min-jun he had once dismissed, but the more impressed he was, the more he felt a sense of self-loathing.
He was happy about Min-jun’s genius, but at the same time, he was constantly worried about being dismissed as an old has-been.
*‘Follow the trend. Cherish the old, but forget the past… This is good. Should I use it as lyrics?’*
A grin spread across Park Jae-yong’s face as he keyed in the melody that had popped into his head.
“Heh… A hook! Welcome~.”
He layered the newly synthesized bass chorus part over the preset beat.
♪♬
*Doo-doo-doong doo-doong doong-doong*
♪♬
“This kind of thing is best when you listen to it together, right?”
Satisfied with the result, Park Jae-yong went up to the office.
But the office light, illuminating the dark hallway, seemed lonely.
“Isa Sun. Siljang Ji?”
“……”
“What? They were here just a moment ago.”
Park Jae-yong called Lee Sun.
-Daepyo-nim, what is it?
“Where are you?”
-I left work. I’m about to eat.
“What?”
-I was curious about the results of today’s pre-meeting, and we need to have a meeting about the production team’s request.
“Hey, you should have told me to come with you!”
-…I didn’t want to interfere with the mega-hit you’ve been working on for 10 years.
A deep sense of betrayal washed over Park Jae-yong’s face.
“…My dear Sun… why have you changed so much.”
-Come if you’re hungry. We’re at the sashimi place in front of the company.
* * *
“Are you disappointed it’s not a high-end sashimi restaurant?”
“Not at all! On the contrary, I believe the real hidden gems are among the neighborhood sashimi places!”
Seul-bi answered the Isa-nim’s question as she wiped her hands with a wet towel.
It was a small neighborhood sashimi place, but it had a private room with chairs, so we didn’t have to take off our shoes.
It was a comfortable spot even for those wearing skirts and boots.
“How would you like it, Isa-nim?”
A man in his 50s who seemed to be the owner asked in a friendly tone.
“Give us enough for eight people. And four bottles of beer.”
“Got it.”
“And please leave out the fried side dishes. The kids can’t gain weight.”
“Oh my! Where’s the fat to gain…”
The owner said, looking at the members with pity.
I had never seen an order placed like that in my life.
What was the standard for ‘enough for eight people’?
I imagined a table set with the most expensive items on the menu and chuckled.
If I were the owner, I would never do that.
Not unless I planned on closing shop after one night.
I would put together a cost-effective set that didn’t exceed the mid-range price.
While Seol-ah was explaining the pre-meeting, the side dishes began to arrive.
Corn cheese, grilled fish, whelks, quail eggs, sea squirt, and sea pineapple were placed on the table, and the faces of Answer and Choi Yoo-jun lit up.
“We’ll eat well!”
“Right. Eat a lot. And then let’s diet like crazy.”
As Seol-ah and Yi-na sucked in a breath and straightened their backs, a flustered Ro-si instinctively pulled in her stomach as well.
*Isa-nim. If you were going to be like this, why did you even treat us…*
⋮
A plate of thick, glistening flounder sashimi arrived.
It was clear that the fish had been properly aged after being filleted to remove moisture.
Freshly cut sashimi without aging is often watery and limp.
“Ahh! Thick, aged sashimi, I love it!”
The flounder, sliced thick like at a fish market restaurant, looked incredibly appetizing.
It was the first time I’d had sashimi since starting my second life.
It was one of those foods I rarely ate alone.
I picked up a thick piece of flounder, dipped it in the makjang sauce fragrant with sesame oil, and put it in my mouth.
The soybean paste-based makjang sauce caught even the slightest hint of fishiness, doubling the flavor of the chewy flounder.
The sweet taste of the flounder that spread with each chew sent a wave of satisfaction from my mouth throughout my entire body.
“This is delicious.”
Just as Seul-bi smiled happily, a voice rang out.
“How could you leave this think tank out of an important meeting?”
It was CEO Park Jae-yong, with headphones around his neck and a small keyboard the size of a melodica in his hand.