Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Shoot
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After the company dinner, I dropped Answer off at their dorm.
“You worked hard today, too.”
The members bowed their heads deeply.
“You've all been through a lot. Get some good rest.”
*Click.*
“Yay!”
The moment I started down the stairs to the lower floor, I heard Answer's joyful screams.
*They must have had a tough time, so they should enjoy it. Soon they'll be too busy to have any fun.*
“But Hyung, what kind of work do you have that you wouldn’t drink?”
“I'm going to work on some MIDI.”
“At this hour? Can’t you do it after drinking?”
“Yeah. I can’t.”
Many people who create music hit a wall at some point.
When that happens, one of the things they turn to, hoping for a spark of inspiration, is alcohol.
But in reality, after diligently working on a track fueled by drunken inspiration, you’d look at it the next day only to be hit by a sense of futility, feeling like you’d just piled up a bunch of trash.
Choi Yoo-jun, blinking his tired, almost-drunk eyes, asked.
“Curious? Want to sleep over at my place?”
“Should I? Ah… no. I can’t because of your sister.”
I had a feeling. He was the type to bicker with his older sister, Choi Yoo-kyung, but still care for her deeply.
After dropping Choi Yoo-jun off, I went home.
I switched on the light in the dark living room.
My parents’ photo was there, but I no longer spoke to myself or to them.
I just smiled at it sometimes.
It had been an incredibly tiring day.
But, as part of my after-work routine, I had to work on some MIDI. It was tiring and a hassle, but…
When things feel like a hassle, there’s a way to jolt yourself awake. A little financial therapy.
I opened my phone.
The SJ Enter over-the-counter stocks I had shown Choi Yoo-jun were already climbing toward 150 million won, and my other investment account was nearing 30 million.
This was because as soon as I made money from my salary, bonuses, and selling sound sources on the cloud, I funneled it all into investments.
Contrary to the opinions of those who dismissed the Korean Wave as mere nationalistic hype, K-content was actually gaining global attention and would experience tremendous growth.
The K-pop of the future I had experienced wasn’t quite comparable to the endlessly gushing oil money of the desert, but it had created an image of a cultural powerhouse that one should visit at least once in their lifetime, a beautiful and vibrant country worth living in if given the chance.
I still had nearly three years left to achieve massive returns on my investments, and I planned to gather as much capital as possible to bring down Gyeon Sang-jin.
Wouldn’t I need at least ten billion won?
I was already making anywhere from 500,000 to 3 million won a month selling sound sources, and as my name, Beat Room, grew in value, the money would keep rolling in.
Considering the investment opportunities that had a long way to grow, accumulating a large sum in the tens of billions wasn't impossible.
Of course, since Gyeon Sang-jin’s SJ Enter would be starting with trillions, I would need not only vast funds but also a meticulous and grand strategy.
For the sake of the victims who would be hurt by that monster…
But tomorrow, I think I’ll flex a little.
After all, money is meant to be spent.
* * *
*Bzzz. Bzzz.*
I glared at the phone that had ruined my sweet, late morning sleep with its vibration.
A call at 8 AM?
“…Hello?”
-Hello. Is this Answer’s manager?
“Yes, it is. What is it?”
-This is the production team for *Best Idol*. The thing is, we need to film an insert video by the end of today at the latest.
“So suddenly?”
-Of course, I know you’re busy, but wouldn’t this be a good thing for Answer, too?
The production team was making an absurd request. They had clearly taken it as a given that Your Girl would win the first round and had likely only filmed insert videos for the expected second and third-place groups, ‘Yeppen Idle’ and ‘Lovely Doll.’
What would they have done if we’d had something scheduled?
-The editing plan has changed. I think we can just film something simple, like a training session or a strategy meeting concept. It should look natural, so light makeup or bare faces would be great.
A surge of anger rose in me at the production team’s long list of demands.
“Is it safe to assume that you were operating under the premise that we wouldn’t win in the first place?”
-Ah! Uh… well…
“Honestly, you’ve probably already filmed the other groups’ inserts, haven’t you? We all know how broadcasting works.”
-…I’m sorry.
The production staff, usually so haughty, finally backed down at my words.
Normally, this would have been unthinkable, but it was probably possible because it was a crucial part of creating a well-rounded composition for a major program.
I knew that much, which was why I’d decided to push back.
“We’re not just sitting around doing nothing. How can we just find time like this?”
-I apologize. But it’s a win-win for both of us, isn’t it? And as you said, we all know how broadcasting works.
A note of complaint crept into the staff member’s voice.
Whatever. It was the sly main PD, Hwang Beom-seok, who was at fault, not the production staff working under him.
Their feelings about having to call me before the workday even started were probably just as unpleasant as mine.
“Alright, I understand for now. I’ll check if we can adjust our schedule and get back to you right away.”
-Thank you. Answer needs to look good, so please help us out.
I hung up and closed my eyes again.
There was no need to check Answer’s schedule separately. I had it all in my head. I was just making a minimal strategic move.
I opened the group chat with Answer.
-We have to film an insert video for *Best Idol* today, so don’t go anywhere and don’t eat. We’ll eat with the production team. We’re having baekban at a drivers’ diner.
One, two, three…
*Ping. Ping. Ping.*
-Yay! I want the octopus and cheonggukjang!
-I’ll have the soft tofu baekban.
-Spicy pork and doenjang set for me…
The messages flooded in almost before I could finish counting to three.
It seemed like Answer was overeating a bit yesterday and today, but I thought it would make for a great insert video for the broadcast.
I called Manager Ji.
-Yeah. What’s up so early in the morning?
“Good morning, Siljang-nim. I think we need to add a schedule for Answer today.”
-Isn’t today their day off?
“Yes. The *Best Idol* production team just contacted me. They said they need to film an insert video urgently.”
-Those bastards. So they had no intention of letting Answer win, huh?
“That might be the case.”
-Anyway, I’ll keep that in mind. Good work yesterday.
“Not at all. I’ll report back on the schedule as it progresses. The location is the company. We plan to arrive around 12, so the film crew will probably get there earlier.”
-Got it. I’ll handle the film crew, so you just bring Answer.
“Thank you.”
After the conversation with Manager Ji at the seafood restaurant and the incident with Team Leader Lee, I had done a lot of thinking.
To build a company with a proper system, I needed to establish a standard reporting structure first.
Jumping over Manager Ji just because I was close to the executives could create massive confusion in our workflow.
It would also cause less trouble if Manager Ji was clearly aware of my performance evaluation.
This time, I texted the production team.
I could have called, but this was to avoid any confusion with an important appointment involving a time commitment.
-It looks like we’ll have time from around 12 to 3. How about we proceed while having a meal together at the company?
-Yes, that sounds great. We’ll get there before 11 to check out the filming route. Thank you for your cooperation. We’ll make a beautiful insert.
A small smile played on my lips at the production team’s now-submissive attitude.
*I pushed them, so I should treat them well to make sure they don’t hold a grudge.*
I quickly got up and headed for the shower.
* * *
I was on my way to the company with Answer.
A pleased smile formed on my face as I looked at the members of Answer, looking natural with their light makeup.
Our eyes met through the rearview mirror, and Seol-ah gave me a bright smile.
*Huh? Seol-ah?*
*Bzzz.*
It was a call from Choi Yoo-jun.
-Aren’t you picking me up?
“You should rest.”
-What! Our artists are going in, why are you leaving me out…
“Just take the day off. Why would I schedule two people for a measly insert video shoot?”
-Hyuuung. It’s not about the money, you know.
A small laugh escaped me at Choi Yoo-jun’s innocent sincerity.
Having lived once before, I had a principle of always getting fair compensation for my hard work, but he was still at an age brimming with passion.
“If you really want to, I’ll call you later, and you can help out for a bit.”
-Yes, sir! Just give the word.
*You’re lucky you met me, kid. This world is full of people who would unfairly exploit you.*
“Yoo-jun oppa is really dedicated.”
Yi-na said, looking at her phone.
As I was about to enter the company parking lot, a member of the security team, who was on the phone, waved for me to stop.
“Hello.”
“Yes, hello. They’re waiting for the film crew, so they said to park in the CEO’s spot.”
“Okay. Thank you for your hard work.”
As I drove in, I saw two members of the production team filming us with a handycam.
They looked exhausted, as if they had been dragged here against their will.
“They’re filming now, so get out naturally and look pretty.”
“Oppa, when have we ever not been pretty?”
At Yi-na’s words, the Answer members giggled and opened the doors.
“Oh! Hellooo.”
“Yes, hello. Are you here for practice today?”
We all knew the truth, but both sides acted their parts skillfully.
The filming continued for several minutes, even though the footage would probably only air for a few seconds.
“Cut. Let’s move to the next location.”
I spoke to the crew as they turned off the camera.
“Is it just the two of you?”
“Yes.”
“If you haven’t eaten, let’s eat first. There’s a place that’s practically our agency’s cafeteria, so I think it will make for a good shot.”
“That would be great for us.”
“But we’ll need permission to film…”
“I already arranged for it on my way here.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
The male VJ holding the handycam and the female PD, who had looked so tired just a moment ago, nodded cheerfully.
There was a reason for feeding them before starting.
If they started filming in a good mood, we were more likely to get an extra good shot.
We arrived at the restaurant, a one-minute walk away.
“It’s a drivers’ diner?”
“Yes. It’s like our cafeteria.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
The inside of the restaurant was rather quiet.
“Hello, Imo-nim.”
“Welcome. Sit wherever you’re comfortable.”
The two crew members conferred, then set up a tripod and checked the angle.
“The stir-fried octopus here is delicious. It comes with cheonggukjang.”
“Okay. We’ll have that, then.”
“Imo-nim! Four octopus, three soft tofu, and one spicy pork, please.”
“You got it. I’ll make it delicious for you. With plenty of sesame oil.”
The PD looked at me quizzically before speaking.
“…I think you ordered one extra dish? There are seven of you, but you ordered eight.”
“Ah, our member Seul-bi here eats quite a lot.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Must be her concept.”
I clearly heard the two crew members whisper to each other with a laugh.
“Our Seul-bi has an incredibly high basal metabolic rate. She doesn’t gain weight easily even when she eats a lot, and she’s very strong.”
“Ah… I see.”
They obviously didn’t believe me.
*They’ll see soon enough.*
“By the way, Manager-nim, how old are you?”
I was a bit flustered by the unexpected question.
*How old am I right now? Is international age the official standard these days?*
I’ll just go with my international age.
“Twenty… one, I think.”
“What? Heh. You mean, internationally, right?”
“Yes, my international age.”
*Right, this was still a time when people used both international and Korean ages.*
“It’s just that you call her ‘Imo-nim’ so naturally. I thought you might be older than you look.”
A bitter smile I couldn’t quite hide appeared on my face.
“It’s quiet now, but this place is quite a popular spot that gets packed during lunch.”
I changed the subject without realizing it.
The female PD smiled faintly and spoke.
“Oh, I know all about it. I once did a story on taxi drivers, and they said their customers don’t take taxis during lunchtime because they’re all eating too. So the drivers always stick to their lunch breaks.”
“Ah, I see.”
“I never knew that.”
The Answer members said, looking intrigued.
Their reactions were great, as if they were all getting more and more used to being on camera.
Soon, a small commotion came from the kitchen, and the food began to arrive on square trays.
“The table’s a bit small, so I couldn’t put out too many side dishes. Let me know if you need more. You can just grab some yourself, too.”
“Yes! Thank you for the food.”
Spicy and sweet octopus bibimbap with savory cheonggukjang stew, soft tofu stew, and spicy pork with doenjang stew were served.
When I was younger, I didn’t like this smell, but now the scent of cheonggukjang is more fragrant than any delicacy.
“Don’t younger people usually dislike menus like this?”
“PD-nim, you should try living on salads as a trainee. We’d eat this in a heartbeat if we could!”
Yi-na answered, a look of relief on her face.
It was a realistic answer that would help cement her down-to-earth image.
“Kuh!”
Seul-bi, after taking a spoonful of the cheonggukjang stew, made a sound like an old man downing a shot of soju. Then she stopped the production crew, who were about to just dig into their rice.
“Ah! PD-nim! You can’t just eat it like that. You have to mix in the bean sprouts and radish strips. It’s crunchy and delicious that way.”
“Ah. So that’s why these are served separately.”
“Yep, yep!”
The director, who had mixed his rice with the stir-fried octopus just like Seul-bi, took a spoonful.
“…Mmm! It’s a little spicy, but it’s really delicious!”
“Right, right! Have a bite of the cheonggukjang, too.”
“…Wow. This is seriously good.”
“Tha-at’s why! We at JD Enter eat here all the time.”
Everyone was startled by the sudden appearance of CEO Park Jae-yong. To the point where even I, with my system-enhanced senses, hadn’t noticed him.
*What a strange man.*
“CEO Park Jae-yong?”
“This food isn't just delicious. I consider health just as important as taste. You see other restaurants boiling stews in dented nickel-silver pots or stir-frying meat on aluminum foil, right? That might seem fine for now, but from a long-term perspective, it's ex-tremely dangerous. The heavy metals that accumulate in your body block the blood vessels in your brain and…”
The handycam, filled with a bitter smile, was pointed at CEO Park Jae-yong, who had launched into his speech without a proper greeting.
“But look here. The stew is in a stone pot, and the stir-fry is in a stainless steel pan.”
“W-well, that’s true, but…”
“Do you know how hard it is to use a stainless steel pan? Food sticks easily when you cook, so you have to keep moving it, and since it sticks, cleaning it is a pain too. People who haven’t cooked don’t know…”
Answer and I let out a sigh and started eating. It might have been a bewildering situation for the production crew, but for us, it was a common sight.
The combination of octopus bibimbap and cheonggukjang seemed especially delicious today.
Plump and tender.