Chapter 159
Translator: uly
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
This is a work of fiction and has no relation to any real names, events, organizations, place names, or persons.
Chapter 56: From Today?
Not only Hye-jeong, who had been asked the question, but the eyes of the other members changed as well.
The mention of the next album brought one particular guess to mind.
“No way?”
“You’re participating this time too, oppa?”
“For real?”
“Really?”
Woo Ji-hyun didn’t panic at the barrage of simultaneous questions.
He was used to situations like this by now.
Besides, these kids were the type who chatted nonstop as a matter of course.
“If the timing works out.”
“Aww, so it’s not confirmed.”
“But the preliminary lineup isn’t bad. The meeting with Elder is set. Of course, the contract is a separate issue.”
“Really?”
This time, all five of them were shocked.
They’d hoped they might meet him, but they hadn’t been sure. Hearing that the meeting with Elder was actually happening made their eyes go wide like rabbits.
“Yeah, Woo Ji-hyun Writer gave the go-ahead. For now, just the meeting. The rest is up to our company.”
“Wow!”
“If Elder and Ji-hyun oppa team up, it’ll be like an Avengers album.”
“Don’t start chugging kimchi soup already.”
Even though nothing was set in stone, A-jin and Si-ha were already gulping down whole bowls of kimchi soup. Nam Hee-gyu put on a stern expression.
Nothing was properly decided yet, and if they went blabbing and it turned into an article, it’d be a disaster.
After all, marketing required strategy.
“Manager oppa’s right. Everyone, calm down. And watch what you say.”
“Gasp!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
At Hye-jeong’s firm words, the younger members clamped their mouths shut with both hands or gave awkward salutes.
But their determination was all the same.
“Hey, everyone!”
“Belated congrats on your debut!”
While most of the men in the banquet hall just stared at Tiramisu without approaching, four people sidled up.
They were the ones who’d shot the promo video with them in Ganghwa-do, timing their approach and joining subtly.
“Oppa, it’s been a while!”
“How’ve you all been?”
“We’re the same as Ji-hyun hyung.”
“Work, home. Work, home. Infinite loop, you know.”
Unlike the others who hesitated to approach, Lee Jang-su, Park Seong-il, Kang Woo-hyuk, and Kim Seon-woo treated Tiramisu much more casually.
They’d spent a full day and two nights filming together, after all.
“Writers have it tough too, huh.”
“Making a living is always hard. At least we’ve got it better than most.”
“You oppas make good money. Not everyone in your age group drives a foreign car.”
“Hahaha. We’ve worked hard. We’ve all got houses, even if they’re on lease.”
Lee Jang-su subtly showed off his wealth.
They were definitely ahead of their peers.
And Lee Jang-su hadn’t given up yet.
In just half a year, Su-ryun and A-rin would turn twenty.
“That’s amazing!”
“You girls blow up, and you’ll own buildings. Don’t compare yourselves to us—it’s laughable.”
Tiramisu clapped with sparkling eyes, drawing a wry smile from Woo Ji-hyun.
Even if it was just talk, if he and Elder joined Tiramisu’s next album, blowing up didn’t seem so far-fetched.
Of course, he wasn’t overestimating himself.
But if they worked properly on it—and Elder joined in—Woo Ji-hyun figured the odds of success were pretty high.
‘If YU&MI blows up like that, it’d be a huge hit.’
After Hit Night, One Man, and Two Women, YU&MI—following Beanie—was hitting every event on the schedule.
Not sleeping in the car levels of busy, but barely getting four hours a night.
That gave Woo Ji-hyun a bit of confidence as a lyricist now.
“But blowing up is rare. It’s tough for most.”
“Life’s about that one big break, but it doesn’t come for everyone.”
“That’s why we need you, oppa!”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Tiramisu grabbed his hands prayerfully, staring intensely—like they were gazing at a cross in church.
But that made Lee Jang-su and the others tilt their heads.
There was no reason for girl group members to ask a web novel writer for anything.
“Uh, well, you see…”
“It’s because of Elder. Woo Ji-hyun Writer set up the meeting. We don’t know if a contract will happen, but we’re hoping he’ll join.”
“Ahh.”
As the still-young Tiramisu members floundered in surprise, Nam Hee-gyu jumped in at the right moment.
He revealed just enough to deflect the writers’ attention.
“Come to think of it, you and Elder are friends, right, Ji-hyun hyung?”
“You say it like he’s your friend.”
“Hey, he’s not here. And it’s not an insult—even a three-year-old calls him Elder in private.”
Park Seong-il cheekily replied.
It wasn’t wrong, so Woo Ji-hyun had nothing to say.
“But would a three-year-old even know a rapper named Elder?”
“Probably not? Might think it’s a cartoon character.”
Park Seong-il grinned at Lee Jang-su’s question.
He’d just used it as an example, not that a kid would actually know.
“Anyway, I’m jealous. You live in a whole different world.”
Kim Seon-woo eyed Woo Ji-hyun enviously.
He was a successful writer himself, with an annual salary well over 100 million won, but he couldn’t compare to Woo Ji-hyun.
Kim Seon-woo had just hit eight figures, while Woo Ji-hyun had been there five years ago.
And rumors said his income nearly doubled every year.
“Different world? It’s all the same world. Shitting and farting’s universal.”
“Eww.”
“That was too crude.”
“What? I think it’s honest and nice.”
“No personal opinions here?”
As the chatter threatened to veer into risky territory again, Hye-jeong locked eyes with her members, her face stern.
She looked at each one in turn, making Tiramisu members flinch and shut up.
“Hey, hyung, poop talk is too much.”
“Big boy talk in front of a girl group.”
“Ugh, I’m embarrassed just hearing it.”
“Then I’ll leave—the one who said the dirty word. Enjoy yourselves.”
Woo Ji-hyun chuckled at their disgust and greeted Nam Hee-gyu.
He’d said his piece, and his seniors were calling him back to the table.
“See you next time.”
“I’ll let you know once the date’s set. Thanks, Woo Ji-hyun Writer.”
“No problem. We’re all helping each other out.”
“Hahaha.”
Nam Hee-gyu laughed at Woo Ji-hyun’s words.
But he didn’t chime in.
He knew, consciously or not, how much Woo Ji-hyun had done for them.
* * *
“Nice vibe.”
“They only spent one night and two days together, but they look super close.”
“One night two days is short if short, long if long.”
Meanwhile, among those watching Woo Ji-hyun and Tiramisu were people from Frontier Management.
Not envious like the others, but curious onlookers.
Min A-rang’s gaze was the sharpest.
Seeing him chat casually with a girl group irked her for some reason.
“But idols are idols. They glow even standing still.”
“Handpicked and trained like crazy, of course. They get insane management too. Though as rookies, they might get less support.”
“But they’re young—that’s the issue. If they were all over twenty, every male writer here would pounce.”
“It’s already intense.”
Jo Jin-gu chuckled.
The heat in the room was no joke.
Give them the slightest opening, and they’d all swarm.
Clomp, clomp.
Even now, those connected to Woo Ji-hyun or other writers were inching closer.
Once the ice broke, it’d flow smoothly.
“They’re thrilled.”
“Not that much? Other writers, maybe.”
“But isn’t it a little weird?”
“What?”
“Tiramisu and that manager guy—they’re all weirdly deferential to oppa.”
Jo Jin-gu tilted his head, scrutinizing the seven.
But nothing seemed off.
They just looked friendly—nice to see.
“Dunno what you mean.”
“Hmm.”
“Min Deputy overreacting? Jealousy, maybe. Ow!”
Yeom Tae-seong yelped as he butted in.
Min A-rang’s finger had silently dug into his side.
She pinched without mercy, making him grimace and rub it with his palm.
“Watch your words, Yeom Section Chief.”
“Haha, sorry, sorry. I went too far.”
“Hmph.”
The short, sharp pain made Yeom Tae-seong back down fast.
Min A-rang wasn’t a green newbie anymore.
She was a key figure handling Frontier Management’s internal affairs.
So Jo Jin-gu stayed quiet.
“You get called everywhere.”
“Better than jealousy and envy, right? Used to have seniors picking fights, spreading rumors like it was nothing.”
“Plenty of petty types around.”
Jo Jin-gu clicked his tongue at Yeom Tae-seong’s words.
This industry was full of all sorts.
Some even came from rough backgrounds.
But the mood had shifted now.
“Not overdoing it today? You’ve got reserves stocked, but.”
“I’d love to get wasted and crash on a day like this. Haven’t properly rested once since serializing.”
“Huh, true.”
“Burnout wouldn’t be weird. No matter how strong your mind, you’re not a machine. I’d rather you take a break. Good writing comes from a healthy mind. And you’re not behind on updates.”
Jo Jin-gu watched Woo Ji-hyun get dragged around, drinking.
He didn’t want to lose a great writer like him.
Not as Frontier Management’s CEO, but as a planner and fan.
“Doesn’t seem to travel much. Goes out often, though.”
“Still, keep an eye. Writers never know when a slump hits.”
Jo Jin-gu glanced at Min A-rang as he spoke.
Silent pressure: as his handler, watch that too.
But she smiled back at his look.
“That’s my job.”
“Don’t overdo it.”
“I’m no amateur, hehe!”
Min A-rang laughed confidently.
Jo Jin-gu and Yeom Tae-seong both chuckled.
They trusted her.
“Let’s eat. Gotta check the food.”
“Follow me. I’ve already scouted it all.”
“Guess I’ll trust you.”
“I’ll go see oppa first.”
Jo Jin-gu and Yeom Tae-seong stood, eyeing the webtoon team that had already raided the food.
Min A-rang headed for Woo Ji-hyun.