Sex Friends vs. Sex Friends + Sex Friends
"Get in the car first. Let's grab some food."
"I'm okay..."
"I'm not. What kind of conversation can I have with someone who's starving?"
A quick search turned up a 24-hour gamjatang joint not far away.
"Gamjatang sound good?"
"Yes. I love it."
If they'd met earlier in the evening, he might've found somewhere with a nicer vibe, but with midnight closing in, options were slim.
The local gamjatang spot—
It was noisy with drunks chattering away, but the lively bustle felt refreshing after so long without it.
They ordered two servings, and out came a massive pile of bones. This place must compete on sheer volume.
He wondered if it'd be too much for two people, but Sin Aram stripped the meat off those bones with ferocious speed.
In thirty minutes flat, the bone pile was cleared, and she'd polished off two bowls of rice on top, looking utterly satisfied. Had she not eaten all day?
"You sure pack it away. Should've ordered for three."
"Oh, no! But... did I stop you from eating? All the bones are just at my spot..."
"Nah, I'm good. Had dinner already."
He'd been so mesmerized by her eating show that he hadn't even ordered drinks. He'd planned to loosen up with a shot or two.
"Timing's a bit off, but wanna do a round of soju? Kinda late to switch spots now."
"Sure. Just one bottle, though..."
He'd said one round, but a full bottle arrived. Quick drinkers like her polish it off fast—and get wasted faster. Better wrap up the talk before the booze hit.
"That thing I said at the studio? I wanna scout you. Come join our company."
"JH Entertainment?"
"Ah... gave you two cards, right? Check the second one. I left JH and started a new company."
Sin Aram finally fished the card from her pocket and read it properly. Guess she hadn't looked closely before.
"Stardust...?"
"That's the company name."
"...It says manager."
"Yeah, manager. CEO's someone else."
"Uh... why are you suddenly a manager from CEO...?"
"Felt like it. If you join, you can see me hustling as your manager."
He flashed a playful grin—the kind his fuckbuddies loved. It worked its magic here too; her face flushed as she ducked her head.
"We need you for the drama OST."
"......"
"Weird to say it out of nowhere?"
"Yeah... kinda."
It had to feel random as hell from her side.
"But... you've never heard my songs. What makes you think I'm worth scouting?"
"I've heard them."
"Huh?"
"I've heard the songs you made."
She looked skeptical. Fair enough—no tracks released under Sin Aram.
"Clover Day's mini album, right before their Japan push..."
He'd seen it clear as day in the Sex Skill hint video.
"The title track—you composed that, right?"
Her name was listed as composer.
* * *
No need to hear her say it—her shocked expression told the whole story.
"H-how...?"
"Everyone knows Jang Hyunho uses ghostwriters. We've collabed with that studio for years; you think I'd miss it as the company head? That track's yours, right?"
She hesitated, picking her words carefully. He waited patiently until she spoke.
"...No."
"It is. Why deny it?"
The Sex Skill wouldn't steer him wrong.
"Not just that one. All four tracks on the mini album... mine."
Ah. That bastard Jang Hyunho stole the whole damn album.
Her face twisted in anger as she slammed back three shots in a row.
"Said after two years grinding under him, I'd get joint credit. Whole team busted ass making tracks, hoping for that..."
Endless excuses, overwork, people dropping out one by one.
"The oppa who'd been there longer than me finally said screw it and went back home last month."
"How long you been at it?"
"Four years."
"At that point, you knew there was no hope... never thought of jumping ship or going indie?"
"Tried a few places, but no one hires AR team alums. Indie... what would I even have?"
Jang Hyunho's influence was huge, but a word from Hyungpil could shut down most studios anyway.
"If I put my name out now, stations and producers won't touch me. They go on teacher's rep. Said it'd be tough short-term but promised intros later."
Talent like hers wasted here—stay put, no funny ideas, I'll make you big no matter what. She'd clung to that for four years. Textbook gaslighting.
"They pay you right?"
"Two million."
Two mil a year was minimum wage for 40-hour weeks.
"That's tight for living expenses. Must be rough."
"Four years."
Huh?
"Total for four years."
So... 500k a year?
"How the hell do you live on that!"
He got heated without realizing, slipping into casual speech.
"Tutor gigs when slow, teacher gives creation grants on hits, worst case ask family for cash."
Way worse exploitation than he'd thought.
"You gonna keep living like this? No telling when Jang Hyunho'll acknowledge you."
"What choice do I have? No one to sell to without him. Can't even get airplay!"
He'd brainwashed her by gatekeeping distribution. Knew the industry inside out, fleecing talented hacks like this. And this guy dominated K-pop composing?
"That's why work with me. I don't give a shit about Jang Hyunho. I can get your tracks on air. 500k a year? Fuck that—I'll let you compose worry-free."
No sweet talk; one hit promo drama and he could deliver.
"Not pissed about four years of abuse? Go public now, it's a quick news blip. But get famous, story changes. We expose him, bury the bastard. I'll back you. Come with me."
He extended his hand seriously. Felt more effective than a contract.
Her blank stare grew misty.
"You can really make me famous? More than teacher...?"
"I'll put you somewhere Jang Hyunho can't even glance at."
And so Stardust's fourth employee was born. Along with the revelation that Sin Aram's limit was four bottles of soju. Ugh, heartburn.
* * *
He'd planned to wrap up Bora's gig, but couldn't get a meeting with CEO Choi. Post-hospital, the guy was showing delusional symptoms and undergoing tests. Who'd believe he turned into a monster to kill him?
Thought about confronting him at the hospital, but Bora called.
"Wanna meet that fan girl of mine?"
"Soyoung? Sudden much?"
"Curious which album I made my sex friend from. You won't say no, right?"
"If I say no, you coming anyway?"
"Quit stalling. You bringing her? Or should I go?"
Zero give. Fine, show 'em both.
"Meet at Soyoung's academy. Seolhwa's there too—kill two birds."
Set the meet with Soyoung, then texted Bora the time and place. Told Soyoung there'd be a surprise; truth was, he was in for one with Bora meeting Soyoung.
Next afternoon, acting academy—
He and Bora stepped into the practice room, and the girls reacted wildly different.
"Kyaaaa! B-Bora unni!" "Ah, CEO! CEO-oppa~"
Soyoung bolted over at warp speed, grabbing Bora's hand and bouncing like mad. Pure, raw fangirl ecstasy.
Bora looked dazed, but he was stunned. Seolhwa came bounding like a kid, throwing herself into his arms.
"Haa, CEO smells so good. CEO, CEO. Teacher said my acting improved tons. Emotions too. I did good—pet my head, hehe."
He stroked her hair on reflex, and she purred like a cat. What is this adorable creature?
Suddenly Bora yanked his ear, dragging him to the corner. Her face... like that goblin roof tile from the museum.
"You fucked that girl?"
Eyes like she'd caught her uncle banging the niece. Unfair! The Seolhwa he knew wasn't like this!
Finally calmed Bora and called Soyoung over.
"Since when's she like that?"
"Like what?"
"Seolhwa! She's not that emotionally rich. That the 'surprise' you meant?"
"Oh, yeah, I said that. Since the 3P with oppa... her expressions got so varied. Even freaked me out."
No way 3P did that. The emotion stone in her drink then?
That item worked that well?
Hold up—if her emotional vessel's full, doesn't that mean she can do her own acting now, not just mimic?