The Lucky Charm Behind the Glasses
SJB Entertainment.
"One last time, let's go over it once more!"
The voice of A-Star's leader, Lee Ju-hee, echoed through the practice room. The other members synchronized their breaths and launched into the choreography. Sweat beaded on their foreheads from the grueling rehearsal, but not a single one showed any sign of complaint. Tomorrow was the group's comeback stage. There was no room for even the slightest mistake. With that mindset, every member threw herself into the practice with all she had.
"Aren't you guys going in? What are you doing?"
"Shh! The seniors are practicing."
The trainee hopefuls watched quietly from outside the door. A-Star was the company's first second-tier girl group, practically idols to the trainees under the same label. Their gazes brimmed with admiration. Of course, quite a few held a hint of personal ulterior motives.
Those eyes were mostly fixed on the maknae, Ruti.
♪ She moved with effortless grace, her dance lines flowing perfectly to the music. Every gesture, every breath synced flawlessly with the beat. There wasn't a single flaw. Even the way her hair cascaded with each motion seemed meticulously calculated.
"...Wow."
A junior trainee let out an involuntary gasp of awe. It wasn't the face of someone who'd learned something new—it was pure overwhelm at the sight before her.
"Hey, isn't Ruti unnie's dance line insanely pretty?"
"Unnie? Ruti sunbae is two years younger than you."
"Doesn't matter. If she's better than me, she's unnie."
That was when the trainees were milling about outside the door. A dark shadow fell over their backs.
"Eek!"
A female trainee glanced back on instinct and let out a small scream. A massive man had appeared behind her without a sound.
And he wasn't just big. His hair was slicked back in a delinquent style, his beard grew down to his ears, a knife scar etched across his right eye—hidden behind sunglasses. He looked like he could have boiled ten people alive in that intimidating vibe.
The identity of this ferocious-looking man was none other than the CEO of the agency: Kim Baek-ho of SJB Entertainment.
"It's late, so everyone head in now."
His heavy voice settled over them like a weight, and the trainees scattered like frightened animals. With the trainees dispersed, Kim Baek-ho strode naturally into the practice room.
Click.
The music cut off, plunging the room into brief silence. The members all turned to stare at Kim Baek-ho without a word. Among them, the maknae Ruti stepped forward with steady thuds to face the CEO.
Ruti was fairly tall for a girl at 169cm, but before the towering 193cm CEO, she looked like nothing more than a child. The two stood in wordless confrontation for a moment.
Ruti broke the silence first.
"I told you not to come in during practice—it breaks our flow."
She planted her hands on her hips, laying down the law. Kim Baek-ho let out a low groan, scratching the back of his head—looking thoroughly embarrassed.
"Sorry. You all looked like you'd sweated a ton, so I brought these."
He rummaged and handed over bottled water and cooling towels he'd brought just for them. Ruti wiped the sweat from her neck with the towel. Kim Baek-ho watched the scene with a pleased smile.
SJB Entertainment was so small it was almost embarrassing to call it an agency. No big-name celebrities, and the idol groups they'd painstakingly debuted had all fizzled out without much impact. In that atmosphere, A-Star's birth felt like the company's final hope. The CEO had spared no support, thinking this was his last shot.
But contrary to those expectations, A-Star's early results weren't great. They held their own compared to past groups, but it wasn't enough to revive the sinking company. Just as anxiety mounted that this group might fade away too, Ruti—the trainee at the time—joined.
From that moment, A-Star shot up an unbelievable growth curve. Now, tens of thousands of fans were eagerly awaiting their comeback stage. The turning point had been none other than Ruti's arrival.
In Kim Baek-ho's eyes, Ruti was a walking good-luck charm that had rolled right into his lap.
...Good thing I grabbed her back then. What if I'd just sent her away?
His first meeting with Ruti hadn't been smooth. Their interests hadn't aligned, and the contract nearly fell through. He still had nightmares about what if he hadn't secured her.
Thinking back to that time...
Kim Baek-ho gave a wry smile. Memories of their first encounter flooded his mind.
Casting manager Lee Su-ah burst into the CEO's office, her face flushed with excitement.
"CEO!"
"W-what? What's going on!?"
"It's huge!"
"So what is it?"
"I was walking down the street and met this girl student, and oh my god, she's insanely pretty!"
"Ho ho."
Lee Su-ah was a seasoned casting manager in the industry. She'd met plenty of promising teens. For her to get this worked up meant it was no ordinary find. Kim Baek-ho's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"So, how'd the casting go?"
"Who do you think I am? Nailed it, of course. She had time, so I brought her here. Should I call her in?"
"Of course!"
Moments later, a girl with glasses entered the office. Kim Baek-ho, brimming with expectation, paused at the sight of her face.
Average. The kind of common face you'd see if you turned your head on any street. Her outdated clothes looked disheveled. She seemed like a runaway, carrying some heavy backstory.
Kim Baek-ho glanced silently at Lee Su-ah.
Has my eyesight gone bad...?Nothing special about this utterly ordinary girl. Where was the "huge" part? His doubtful look prompted a meaningful smile from Lee Su-ah.
"CEO, don't be shocked now?"
She smoothly removed the girl's glasses. What unfolded was unbelievable.
Just taking off the glasses changed everything—not just her impression, but like a whole new person.
"W-what!?"
"I was shocked too when I first saw it."
He rubbed his eyes and looked again, but the sight didn't change. Lee Su-ah explained while he gawked.
"Glasses Syndrome? There's a disease like that?"
"It's a rare condition. No issues with daily life."
"Ho ho."
Kim Baek-ho stroked his chin, scrutinizing the girl. Even just sitting there quietly, she seemed to glow. With that face, she could pull off any concept.
"Miss."
"Yes."
"Ever thought about becoming an idol? If you want, we can get you started as a trainee tomorrow."
The girl showed no reaction, just fidgeting with her fingers under the desk. Then, in a flat voice:
"If I stay here, do I get meals on time?"
"Well, once dorm life starts, yes, but why...?"
"Then I'll start dorm life today."
"Pardon? B-but..."
"I have nowhere else to go anyway. And I want to keep going to school—no problem, right?"
"...Hmm. Trainees are fine, but post-debut, no school. How old are you?"
"16."
16 meant third-year middle school. Even rushing trainee life, debut would be next year—meaning no high school.
"If you want to be an idol, give up academics. We'll support you with the GED if needed."
Debuted idols focus solely on their career. That was the agency's iron rule—no exceptions.
The girl sipped the tea on the table, then stood abruptly without a hint of regret.
"Then forget I said anything. I really want to go to school. Thanks for the tea anyway."
"...H-huh?"
She headed for the door. Kim Baek-ho jumped up and grabbed her wrist. Letting her go now would mean eternal regret. His CEO instincts screamed to hold on.
"...Alright. We'll make arrangements for school even after debut. It's not our policy to make exceptions, but..."
The raw gem before him was too precious to lose. The girl accepted immediately.
"Got it."
"Phew."
"So, am I a trainee starting today?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Then one favor?"
He nodded, and she asked softly, rubbing her stomach.
"Can I get some food? Haven't eaten in three days."
Kim Baek-ho let out a hollow chuckle.
I always wanted a trainee with that hungry spirit...
But the girl before him was starving in a whole different way.