Chapter 158
Translator: uly
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
# 158
Again, Writer Chapter 158
Jo Jin-gu cut straight to the chase.
He had stepped out for a moment, but he also had no desire to have a long conversation with Woo-ju, who had stormed off yelling.
Even though he now wore an expressionless face, Jo Jin-gu was human too, and his mood at the time hadn't been good at all.
So Jo Jin-gu asked in a dry tone and voice.
"It's nothing else. So. Um...."
He was polite, but that was the extent of it.
There was no trace of the friendliness from before their falling out.
Woo-ju instinctively sensed this and licked his lips.
His lips had gone dry from the tension.
"...."
Even as Woo-ju struggled to continue, Jo Jin-gu showed no particular reaction.
He simply remained still with his impassive gaze.
He had a rough idea of what Woo-ju wanted to say anyway.
"I know full well how shameless this must sound. But I'm that desperate, so I swallowed my pride and came to you. I want to return to Frontier Management."
Woo-ju squeezed his eyes shut as he spoke.
It hadn't been easy to bring it up, and it was incredibly embarrassing, but he had no choice.
This was his best option.
Yet no matter how long he waited, there was no response from Jo Jin-gu.
Whoosh.
Even after the moment for a reply had passed with no reaction, Woo-ju cracked open his tightly shut eyes.
What came into view was Jo Jin-gu's face—neither perplexed nor surprised, just as calmly composed as before.
"As far as I know, you have contracts for upcoming works with Big Hit."
"W-Well, precisely two. But given the current situation, I think they'd let me terminate if I asked. It's bitter, but I'm the writer churning out flops right now."
Woo-ju's expression turned forlorn.
He couldn't help but lament as he said it.
But it was the cold reality.
This industry had always been like that.
"Hmm. I see it a bit differently."
"Pardon?"
"Park Chan-hu, Big Hit's president—you know him too—isn't the forgiving type. Maybe in private, but when it comes to contracts? He's the type who sticks to them rigorously."
"Uh...."
Woo-ju had signed with Park Chan-hu, but they hadn't actually spent much time getting close.
They'd drunk together often, but only before the contract.
Up until then, Park Chan-hu had just been a planner and management rep they bumped into occasionally.
He called him "President" now, but back then, Park Chan-hu was just another staffer.
"They probably won't let you terminate. Even if you're not selling, from a management perspective, having content itself is a gain. They never take losses."
"But if they do let me terminate, then you'll take me back?"
Unlike the skeptical Jo Jin-gu, Woo-ju's eyes sparkled with eager hope.
Jo Jin-gu hadn't refused yet.
Woo-ju took that to mean he was at least considering it.
"That'll be tough. We've just signed a bunch of new writers. Staff numbers are growing, but everyone has their hands full, so we don't plan to add more for a while. We decided internally that forcing contracts could lead to neglect in management."
"Uh...."
Woo-ju's face darkened in an instant.
But unlike before, he couldn't lash out or raise his voice.
The situation was completely different now.
And since he was the one begging, Woo-ju could only wear a regretful expression without saying much.
"But by the time you clear those two remaining contracts, it should be fine."
"So you're certain Big Hit won't terminate."
"That's the Park Chan-hu I know. Though who knows now, of course."
"Got it. For now, I'll talk directly with President Park Chan-hu. Then I'll come see you again."
Woo-ju looked at Jo Jin-gu with pleading eyes.
Eyes begging for one more meeting, please.
Faced with that earnest gaze, Jo Jin-gu eventually nodded.
It wasn't like he was asking to sign a contract—just to meet once, which was no big deal.
'You never know what might happen later.'
Big Hit's releases could keep flopping until he switched companies and hit it big like a miracle.
There was precedent, so Jo Jin-gu considered the possibility.
Even if not, he might come back determined and deliver solid hits.
"Sorry for taking up so much of your busy time."
"It's fine. Meeting with writers is my job."
"Thank you for saying that."
The atmosphere was still awkward, but not outright bad.
So Woo-ju considered that a small mercy for now.
Compared to other writers who couldn't even greet Jo Jin-gu, he was miles ahead.
'Embarrassment is just for a moment, after all.'
They said they couldn't approach out of shame, but Woo-ju couldn't understand those writers.
When survival was on the line, you had to try every trick, every method.
Some might call it lacking pride, but Woo-ju would tell them straight: pride and a stiff neck don't produce even a single grain of rice.
"Let's head back now."
"Yes."
Jo Jin-gu returned to the banquet hall.
Woo-ju silently followed behind.
Woo Ji-hyun, who had gotten up from his seat, moved to the standing area prepared for any extra guests.
It was a just-in-case setup, in anticipation of exceeding attendance.
There, Woo Ji-hyun took a spot with Nam Hee-gyu.
"How's the song?"
"It's bouncy and fits the kids perfectly."
"Since most are young, we went for a fresh, cute, juicy vibe."
"Looks like you nailed it."
As soon as the first song ended, Tiramisu launched into the second with full energy, and Woo Ji-hyun nodded.
It was far better than forcing a half-baked sexy concept.
"I think so too. The kids pulled it off better than expected."
"It's their sweet spot right now."
"Exactly. Oh, I've been hearing bits about you, Writer. That PriOs unit song that came out—amazing, right? The title track's great, but personally, I loved One Man and Two Women."
Woo Ji-hyun's identity as lyricist Cain was a secret.
So even with no one around, Nam Hee-gyu spoke softly, whispering.
"Thanks."
"I've wondered how it'd be if those lyrics went to our kids. Too intense for a title track, but perfect as a follow-up to flip the mood. And as you've heard, our girls sing well. Rap's solid too."
"I know."
"So, if you work again, please keep me in mind."
Nam Hee-gyu looked at Woo Ji-hyun with eyes blazing with passion.
If no one were around, he might've gotten on his knees.
"Will do."
"You promise?"
"Of course. Last time, I had to decline due to my circumstances. And it's not like I don't know Tiramisu."
"Hahaha! Thank you!"
Nam Hee-gyu's face lit up instantly.
Given Woo Ji-hyun's character, a firm yes meant he'd keep his word.
"Oh, one more thing."
"If it's a condition, lay it out. I'll pass it to the president."
"It's not that. It's about Elder."
"Oh, could it be?"
Nam Hee-gyu's face filled with eager anticipation.
Woo Ji-hyun smiled faintly and nodded.
"He'll meet. You two can sort out the timing."
"Thank you! Really, thank you!"
"Too early for thanks. I just made the introduction."
Woo Ji-hyun looked awkward as Nam Hee-gyu kept bowing.
He didn't deserve this level of gratitude.
"Plenty of people can't even get that meeting. Why else would our president ask you to try?"
"That guy's got a unique personality. But he gets the job done."
"I know. Not just hardworking—overflowing with talent. If we sign him, I'll treat you to a nice meal!"
"Best if all three of us go."
"I'd love that."
Nam Hee-gyu, who had brought it up, wore an expression like that'd be a dream come true.
At the same time, his mind raced.
As Woo Ji-hyun said, it was just a meeting set up for now.
To seal the deal with Elder—to get the desired outcome—thorough prep was essential.
"Oppa!"
"Our fully fledged idols are here now!"
"Missed you!"
"How've you been?"
After finishing their two songs and greeting event host Kwak Cha-won first, then exchanging warm hellos with familiar faces Yeo Woo-jin and Kang Taek-jin, Tiramisu rushed straight over.
Their peppy two-piece outfits made running effortless.
Plus, their manager Nam Hee-gyu was here.
The only issue: nearly every man's gaze followed their sprint.
"Me? Same old. Life on repeat with work."
"Not much different from us?"
"That's social life for you. You girls jumped in too early."
To Hye-jeong's response, Woo Ji-hyun replied with pity.
But leader Hye-jeong and the Tiramisu members just beamed.
"We're good with it!"
"We get to perform, have fans, hear cheers—love it!"
"Being on TV is still surreal!"
"...Yeah, if you're happy, that's what matters. As long as it satisfies you."
Seeing Tiramisu even brighter and more energetic than at Ganghwa Island, Woo Ji-hyun shrugged.
Good was good.
They might complain about the grind later when it got hectic.
"Oppa, Oppa. How were our songs?"
"Title track? Or follow-up?"
"So one of them sucked?"
Woo Ji-hyun teased back at maknae Si-ha's aegyo-laden words.
Su-ryeon pouted.
If both were good, Woo Ji-hyun would've said so or that they were fine, given his personality.
"Sharp instincts."
"We spent that intense 1-night-2-days together."
"Skip the misleading nonsense."
"Such a sharp tongue again!"
Even Jeong-in, the coolest-headed in Tiramisu, shook her head at Woo Ji-hyun's ruthlessly blunt reply.
The others, used to it, just chuckled.
"But what were you talking about with Manager Oppa?"
"Your next album?"