Do You Sing Better Than Me?
"Do you sing better than me?"
"…Wow, this is insane."
The words slipped from the Foxy manager's mouth the moment Foolish Love, the theme song for Seo Ye-rin from Sweet Dream, started playing. But everyone else in the room felt the same way.
From the opening, the slow low notes gently set the mood, tugging at the heartstrings in a way that caught even him off guard. Then the song truly began. A raw, heartbreaking emotion—more poignant and desperate than anything they'd ever heard—filled the conference room.
"Wow…."
"This might be too good to waste as just an OST…?"
Oh Minseo, who had joined the meeting, spoke up with a laugh in her voice. Wherever this lucky charm had rolled in from, every track he produced was a massive hit. If she'd known he had this kind of talent back then, she would've clung to his leg for dear life. What a missed opportunity.
If she'd connected with him sooner, she could've locked down a top composer and had a steamy night buddy to cool her heated evenings. It would've been perfect….
But our company's ties with him run deep anyway….
She was already planning to offer him an exclusive contract. Discussions were underway, in fact.
Maybe tonight I'll bring it up… and see him after. Ah, damn.
Oh Minseo grimaced as she remembered her schedule. She'd been hoping to clear away some cobwebs for once… but there was no escaping this one.
"Sigh."
They'd only put her on as a nominal director in name only, so why did they pile so much work on her?
"So, we going with this song?"
"Sounds good."
At Choi Nahee's words, everyone nodded in agreement. The Foxy manager and executive director were practically bouncing with excitement. Landing a track like this would skyrocket the group up the charts and boost their promotion effortlessly.
Choi Nahee's gaze shifted to Ria.
"We're jumping straight into recording, so practice hard. It's not easy going from lows to highs while nailing the emotional delivery."
"I'll give it my all!"
Ria bowed deeply, then her eyes flicked to Jimin.
"Thank you for this amazing song! I'll work my butt off!"
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm that bordered on overwhelming. It wasn't just gratitude for a great track—there was something more personal in that gaze.
She seems to have a thing for me….
He'd played it cool earlier, but it didn't feel bad having a pretty girl show interest. Still, he needed to check with Kim Nayun first. She'd been a trainee at BOZ for years and would know the Foxy girls inside out. As long as they weren't rude bitches, it was fine.
This could be a chance….
It hit him that turning Foxy into an IP farm wouldn't be a bad idea. Shine Candy alone wasn't generating nearly enough IP. Music show appearances netted him 5 to 10 IP at best—barely enough for a box of energy drinks, let alone skills.
Bzzz!
His pocket vibrated. He glanced at his phone….
"What the hell?"
The incoming text was anything but ordinary.
* * *
"Meeting adjourned."
Choi Nahee clapped to signal the end, exhaling deeply as people filed out. What a relief. This OST mess could've tarnished not just her reputation, but BOZ's too….
This guy's a walking lucky charm, seriously.
Han Jimin stepping in had solved everything. The male lead theme they'd trashed multiple times passed instantly, and this female lead track was a sure thing too. It wasn't just good—it captured Seo Ye-rin's aching emotions perfectly. The melody still lingered, stirring her chest.
She'd produced countless songs, but nothing this soul-wrenching. No wonder Oh Minseo called it a waste.
"Wanna grab food outside? I know a great…."
She trailed off mid-sentence to Jimin. His expression as he stared at his phone was off.
Choi Nahee sidled closer, gauging his mood. "Wh-what's up?"
"Looks like trouble's brewing. You'll probably get a call from the producer soon too…."
"…Huh?"
She blinked, confused.
"Dive in Love."
"What about it? NBC greenlit it, right?"
Verbal agreement was done; just needed signatures.
"They're saying someone else should sing it?"
"What?! No way!"
Choi Nahee's voice spiked. "Who? Hong PD? That bitch. Do we look that easy to push around…?!"
Jimin's eyes met hers. Her flushed face spat curses—a far cry from her usual timid rep. She was pissed.
"Kang Do-hyun."
"Kang Do-hyun? From KM? The drama's male lead?"
"Yeah. He wants to sing it."
"…Oh."
Her mouth snapped shut. She sank into thought, piecing it together. Moments later, she muttered, "That punk still can't shake his idol habits."
"Idol habits?"
First he'd heard of it.
"Yeah. Kang Do-hyun was in a boy group. Flopped hard."
"Why?"
"Couldn't sing for shit. Atlantis or something? Never hit number one before disbanding."
"…Whoa."
Shocking. Mildly—or majorly. In a normal world, sure. But here? With his dick alone, he'd have hordes of female fans sacrificing their souls. Boy groups were cash cows on launch. Yet no number one?
"…Tone-deaf?"
"Not that bad, but pitchy as hell. Calls it his 'feel,' but anyone can tell he sucks. Thought he'd dropped the idol dream after going actor…."
Apparently not. Jimin got the sentiment, but it wasn't his problem. Dive in Love was his first pick to sing himself—his vocal essence, timed with his rising composer fame.
Hand that to some other guy? Hell no.
Kang Do-hyun was just an actor anyway.
"This could get messy."
"Why?"
"KM's why he's so bold. They dominate male actors here…."
"……."
And wielded massive drama and film influence.
"Doesn't concern me. If not that drama…."
"……."
"Just drop it as a digital single."
"True, but…."
"You'll handle it, right?"
"Ugh…."
Choi Nahee clutched her throbbing head. OST? Expendable. Han Jimin? Not a chance.
"Fine, we'll do it."
His composing was god-given, no exaggeration.
After her reply, I fired off the text to NBC's Hong PD.
Annoying as hell. I'd planned to build fame with Dive in Love, then expand slowly. But this snag right out the gate.
Women fixed moods like this. And conveniently, one was right here, ripe for the taking.
"When do you get off?"
"…Off? After six, probably. Why?"
Choi Nahee checked the time before answering. I smiled at her.
"I'll swing by your place tonight. Get ready."
"…Huh? Wha?"
She stammered at my dominant tone, eyes rolling dumbly. Adorably funny. Tempted to bend her over right there….
But too many eyes.
"Hey, Director!"
"What?!"
"Just hit Gangbyeon North Road!"
"You bastard! Standby in 50 minutes! Get here or else—floor it!"
Too bad.
"Eek?!"
Still, he dodged the crowd to grope her massive tits. The charismatic face from moments ago plummeted in ecstasy.
So much for relieving stress with Choi Nahee tonight….
"Hello, Kang Do-hyun."
Instead, he ended up in a room with some random dude.
* * *
NBC's Hong PD had sent those. He'd debated skipping, but curiosity won—what were they after? First time meeting a drama PD, good for networking.
But a drunk asshole greeted him.
"Han Jimin. Thought Hong PD called me?"
"Ah, our PD?"
The flushed-faced guy glanced sideways. How much did he drink?
Two empty whiskey bottles on the table. Following his gaze, a disheveled woman bowed awkwardly. Must be NBC's Hong PD….
What the hell happened here?
Hair messy, clothes askew. Looked like they'd fucked right there. She was fixing her bra strap now.
What was it Choi Nahee said?
KM, Kang Do-hyun's agency, had insane power? Seemed legit. Drama PDs had clout, but she was fawning over an actor. Mid-30s maybe—men were rare, so hunger won.
Kang Do-hyun had probably pushed, and she folded. Reversed world or not, guys weren't all eunuchs. Choi Nahee proved that.
Makes you see the downsides of this world.
With more male actors, would KM pull this? They'd be gone for crossing lines. But here, they exploited scarcity ruthlessly.
"Thought you just composed. Hic. Handsome too. Could act."
"Planning to try later."
"Y-yeah?"
His casual reply cracked the facade. Meanwhile,
"Thinking acting? KM's the place. Here's my card. Call anytime—we'll take you."
The oblivious KM exec shoved a business card. Loved Jimin's looks, apparently. Missed Kang Do-hyun's chilling vibe.
Explained using Hong PD to lure him….
"Dive in Love. I wanna sing it."
"……."
Spot on. Amused, Jimin smirked slyly.
"What if I say no?"
"Ah! Before we talk… let's set the mood? Where's Seo-yun?"
KM exec yelled instantly. Not clueless after all. A sultry girl entered on cue. Hong PD slipped out discreetly.
No more NBC gigs. Rude as fuck.
"Actress Lee Seoyeon… know her?"
Not really, but he nodded. She scooted close. Citrus scent eased his irritation slightly.
"Let me pour you one."
Lee Seoyeon smiled, grabbing the bottle. Truth was, she hated being dragged here. Busy as a drama lead building fame—not a rookie for hostess duty. Almost refused, but for Kang Do-hyun, she caved. Fellow ex-idol, subpar skills but decent face. Owed him one anyway.
But….
Holy shit, he's gorgeous.
A god-tier face dwarfing Kang Do-hyun. Talented too, from the chatter. Tempted to hook him….
"Sorry, no."
"Don't say that…."
"Drop the OST or he quits. Don't care. I'll go digital single."
Frustrated—talks weren't going well. But pissed? Sexy as hell.
She stared dreamily till the exec winked frantically. She speared fruit with a fork.
"Try this." Aegyo laced with feeling.
Young guys melt for that, and her looks sealed it. Sure enough, his eyes grazed her face, then chest.
Damn, should've worn something lower-cut….
Pride made her conservative. Mistake.
Kang Do-hyun swallowed whiskey. "Like her? Let me sing, and tonight…."
"Hey!"
"Do-hyun!"
KM exec and Lee Seoyeon shot up. Jimin leaned back casually, watching the trio with keen interest.
Fight, fight.