Chapter 128

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 128

Chapter Title: Idol Recruitment and Hidden Talents

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"...Idols?"

"Yeah, idols. I'm planning to form an idol group, and I think you'd be perfect to join the team, Ye-jin."

"...Me? An idol? I've never even considered it. I don't know if I'd be any good at it."

"Take your time thinking about it. If you're interested, just give me a call. In my eyes, you've got real idol potential, Ye-jin. The makings of a star."

"I've got potential?"

"Yeah, more than enough. You're beautiful, you've got great proportions, and above all, those clear, sparkling eyes of yours are incredibly charming."

"Got it. I'll think about it positively. I'll talk it over with Grandma too."

Seo Ye-jin's eyes curved into gentle half-moons. A soft smile graced her lips.

The idol proposal had caught her off guard, but the compliments on her looks made her feel wonderful.

"What about me?"

His gaze shifted to the blonde girl.

"Don't I have idol potential?"

"You want to be an idol?"

"Yes. I do."

"Hmm..."

Jin-seong fell deep into thought.

Kim Ji-a definitely had idol talent. She had gifts for YouTuber or influencer work too. Her talents were nothing short of genius.

But there was a problem. Kim Ji-a was a runaway. She projected more of a troubled delinquent image than a wholesome one. She looked like a street tough.

'Hmm... Do I really need to take on the risk of a runaway...? Why shoulder a problem child when there are safer options...?'

Honestly, no. The world was vast, full of people—including plenty of good talent. There was no reason to take on unnecessary risks.

"You know where YSP Entertainment's office is, right? Come by later. I'll decide after an interview."

"Got it."

He put off the decision.

Saying 'no way!' felt harsh when her eyes pleaded so desperately. He'd hear her story first before deciding.

"Eaten yet?"

"Not yet. I was on my way to grab some toast."

"Eating toast every day will ruin your health. Come on, let's eat. My treat."

He took the girls to a barbecue spot.

He grilled the meat diligently for them.

'They really pack it away.'

The growing girls devoured the meat the moment it sizzled golden-brown. Watching them eat so heartily was pure joy.

"I think we're moving soon."

"Oh? Nice."

"Yeah. Our current place is too rundown, so we're moving to a nicer one."

"Oh?! That's great."

"It's all thanks to you, Ajusshi. Thank you so much."

Thanks to Jin-seong, Grandma had landed a job at Halmae Tteok. With the better income, they could afford to move.

First round: pork ribs.

Second round: he treated them to bingsu.

The girls proved they had separate stomachs for meals and desserts.

'My assets...'

He reviewed his finances.

He had 22 billion KRW in liquid cash. He planned to invest it all soon.

The YSP Building loan was fully paid off.

The apartments were bought outright with cash.

He figured he could secure at least 15 billion KRW in collateral loans.

These were investments and operating funds for the businesses.

'Halmae Tteok...'

Halmae Tteok.

Stores 1 and 2 were booming, but they were pouring investments into franchising.

The initial 5 billion KRW injection was long spent, and they were now using the second round of 5 billion KRW.

'YSP Entertainment...'

YSP Entertainment.

Revenue was surging thanks to the YouTuber team.

But expanding the YouTubers, launching an actor team, and prepping an idol group meant they were in the red.

Deficits would likely continue for at least 6 months to 2 years max. More funding injections were needed.

'YSP Pharma...'

They'd changed the name from Seonjin Pharmaceuticals to YSP Pharma.

Hired staff for admin, production, and R&D teams.

Seonjin Pharma had lacked two things:

1. Staff

2. Promotion

They'd solved the staffing risk by hiring top talent.

Mi-yeon was lined up as CF model, with TV ads in planning.

Affiliate YouTubers were pushing vitamin sales hard.

TV home shopping, 1+1 events, and online promo were all underway.

'YSP Health...'

The only profitable business right now was YSP Health. Operating profits were growing daily.

Ha-yeon and Jeong Ah-reum were bringing in male members; Jeong-hoon and Jang Su-hyeon were pulling in females.

'Should open a YSP Health #2 in Cheongju for staff welfare.'

'If #2 does well too, time to think chain expansion.'

Next, he pondered the Cheongju operations.

'Should I shut down Cheongju ops? Merge into YSP Building? Merging seems efficient...'

'Nah. You never know where genius might pop up. Best to keep doors open for talent.'

Kim Ji-a showed up at the office.

"Drink? Mango juice?"

"Yes, please."

"Snacks? Pepero?"

"I'm good. Still full from all that meat earlier."

He seated Kim Ji-a in the conference room.

Poured her a cup of mango juice.

"Good at school?"

"Nope."

"English?"

"English I'm good at. Mom's American. Lived in the States as a kid before coming to Korea."

Kim Ji-a was mixed-race. Korean dad, American mom. Fluent in both languages.

"Ji-a, mind if I ask why you ran away?"

He asked carefully.

"......"

Kim Ji-a clammed up instantly. Wariness and chill entered her gaze.

"Ji-a, you know how much it costs to train one idol group? Tens of billions at minimum."

"......"

"Know how many people it takes to make one idol group succeed? At least ten."

"......"

Training an idol group required serious capital and manpower.

"I'm the company head. I have a duty to lead the idol team to success. That means minimizing risks."

"......"

"I need to know who you are, your situation, and any risks involved. That's why I'm asking."

"......"

Kim Ji-a fiddled with her cup.

"How'd you know I ran away? Did Ye-jin tell you?"

"Just look at you. It's obvious. Your face might as well say 'I'm a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠runaway.'"

"Ye-jin didn't tell you?"

"Nope. I'm pretty busy, y'know. Not like I chat with her all the time."

Kim Ji-a was sharp.

She instinctively knew he was telling the truth.

"...They got divorced."

"Your parents?"

"Yeah. When I was in elementary school. Mom abandoned me and went back to America. Dad..."

Jin-seong scratched his cheek with his index finger.

'Sorry.'

He'd misunderstood her all this time.

Jin-seong listened quietly to her story.

"Alright. Let's sign the contract."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

No risks—he decided to sign her.

'But there's an issue.'

Kim Ji-a was a minor. Contracts needed parental consent.

Would parents who disliked her even agree? He'd have to meet them soon, persuade, and get it done.

"Here."

Jin-seong handed her a paper.

"What's this?"

"Address to my old one-room. Haven't cleared out yet—move in. Send utilities via text."

He also gave her his business card and 300,000 KRW.

"Emergency? Call the number on the card. Buy yourself treats with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this pocket money. Need more, just say."

"...Why? Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?"

"You're family now, right? Who else is gonna look after my people if not me? Looking forward to working with you."

Truth was, it was simple goodwill. He pitied the homeless girl and wanted to help.

"...Thank you."

Jin-seong sat on a bench outside the YSP Building. Legs crossed, he sipped his iced Americano, leisurely people-watching.

The world was wide, people diverse.

Bad ones, good ones.

'Huh?'

A student's profile startled him.

Found her. Talent found!

He shot up from his seat.

"Hey!"

He called urgently to the girl.

Unfortunately, her earphones drowned him out.

The girl entered Twosome Place.

Jin-seong hurriedly followed.

"......?"

As he approached her...

His eyes narrowed involuntarily.

'What's up with that guy's status?'

The part-timer—known for 'incidents and accidents'—had something off. It read 'drugs'.