Chaebol Shenanigans: Secret Idol Auditions at the Company

I said I'd get my head on straight, but I never said I'd quit women. I'm not gonna spout bullshit like "I need to drain some energy to clear my mind while working moderately." Men are simply wired that way. We're coded dumb and simple to embrace women until we can't even lift a spoon to eat. In a way, maybe there's no creature more pitiful.

"Oh, you've arrived, President!"

JJ Entertainment. The building, named with zero sincerity, had just finished remodeling, boasting a decently clean interior. Idol hopefuls who used to run away in horror at the shabby exterior now felt a bit of trust. Originally a small agency scraping by on contracts with mid-tier B-list celebs, it was gaining some buzz thanks to my massive investment and overhaul.

Bluntly put, it's my agency. I just parked a reliable employee as head because managing it daily like stocks would be a hassle.

"Must've been a long trip, sir."

The middle-aged agency president I'd installed as a figurehead greeted me barefoot, rubbing his hands obsequiously. I'd told him not to grovel ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠every time, but old habits die hard.

Well, he's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gotta fawn over the guy paying his steady salary. Can't blame him.

I brushed off the thought and asked, "How's the interior? Still under construction?"

"Yes! Finishing touches now—should wrap up soon. You wanted to change even the old company name, right? We're prepping to register the new one. Got any ideas yet?"

"Hmm... I'll think about it gradually."

"Understood! Right this way to the interviewees."

"? Interview?"

"Pardon?"

We exchanged baffled looks.

"You didn't come for the interviews today? We set everything up to your tastes..."

"Oh...... right!"

I smacked my forehead. That "special interview" I'd planned before? Guess it was today. There went my plan to just grope some trainees' asses.

"Well... lead the way."

"Yes, sir!"

But interviews weren't bad in the current mood. Especially since it was a "special" one, literally.

The president swiped his keycard and led me inside. As I followed leisurely, a hiply dressed girl in an off-shoulder top (one side stretched out) and ripped oversized jeans came dashing straight at me.

"Oppa!"

She slammed into me at full sprint. I barely caught her, staggering to avoid falling backward.

"Hehe♥"

"......"

This idol trainee shamelessly giggled and acted cute in my arms, nearly snapping my back.

"Hey, Jang So-ra! What the hell are you doing to the president!?"

"Nah... it's fine."

She marks her territory every time eyes are watching.

If we were alone, I'd have flicked her forehead. This was the girl I'd taken home and fucked before.

I'm dipping my toes into the entertainment biz too. Not just because it's easy to snag young women—though that's a perk. As you see, my status window shows job-specific stats, letting me spot everyone's money-making potential like a true businessman. That's why I couldn't resist this cash cow of a business, second only to crypto.

"Heh, why? Wanna take me out again?"

"......"

Even Jang So-ra, Trainee A who looks carefree on the surface, was treasure based on those stats. Stats over 100 were rare, only for true elites.

She had solid idol potential. Yet she'd flopped two debuts. Her positive personality had warped into obsession from constant failures.

"Not the time right now."

Flick!

"Ow! ...Then?"

I finally flicked her forehead, then explained as she rubbed it.

"Gotta interview the last member for your group."

"Last member?!"

"Told you it's a five-member debut. After this, we'll finalize debut date and track."

Her eyes lit up like she'd finally hit the big time, gazing at me with starry adoration.

"You're really debuting us?!"

"You wanna train forever? Why else would I pour cash into a total revamp? Quit worrying and hit practice."

"Yeah, yeah! I will! Oppa, thanks! I won't let you down!"

"Calling the president 'oppa' again..."

"Hehehe♥ See ya later!"

She breezed past the president's scolding, waving and thanking me repeatedly over her shoulder.

Damn, shakes her tailbone like it's dislocated.

As mentioned, Jang So-ra's overflowing with talent. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠But the idol market's a bloodbath—even with those stats, she couldn't break through. Years of challenges turned to despair, giving her separation anxiety.

So here's a question: In this cutthroat reality where even gems crawl the gutter, what's the top trait for the ultimate idol?

"Shall we go, President?"

"Yeah."

Answer coming soon.

"Have a great interview."

The president left after escorting me. I was the sole judge. Solid reason: Expert opinions from industry vets meant nothing next to my status window. Plus, I wanted this "special" one solo.

"Come in."

-Y-Yes...!

-Excuse us...

Six girls entered hesitantly, keeping distance. All pre-filtered from round one. I culled the obvious rejects, advancing potential pearls from the muck. Final six, tense as hell, stood in a row with hands clasped. Idol auditions, so each dressed to their vibe.

I sat alone, scanning them. Faces revealed stats instantly.

Two meh, rest solid...

Comparing faces, one diamond shone amid the pearls—untouchable excellence.

Park Da-som. Top-tier talent who shines brightest on stage. Minus sense, overwhelming stats; looks and body already killer.

"......"

Minus the over-tension, stats were gold. Her dissatisfied frown and stiff vibe? Probably inexperience.

Or maybe, "Um, excuse me..."

Another trainee raised her hand timidly. I nodded; she glanced around before speaking.

"What’s round two? Group dance now...?"

I just smiled slyly, pretending to flip a file forward.

"No, your skills got objective review from round one tapes. (Bullshit.)"

"Th-then how will you judge...?"

"Skills and talent checked. Today, something else."

I closed the file I'd barely glanced at, grinning.

"Strip. Now."

-.......

"For detailed inspection, down to underwear's fine."

Thug move. Ordering strippers ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from idol hopefuls. But no issue—this was pre-agreed, not harassment. Only volunteers advanced. Because I wanted it.

"Just me left, so no leaks or spreads. Anyone uncomfortable? Door's open—no hard feelings."

Like egging them on. But no one bailed after the trek.

Swish... rustle...

They unbuttoned slowly, stripping tops and skirts, stacking them neatly, cheeks flushed.

"......"

Even my marked Da-som. Face twisted in humiliated fury, but she stripped to white undies, standing before me.

I smirked inwardly, satisfied.

Yeah, desperate to survive this hellhole.

I just enjoyed. Eye-fucking their self-stripping bodies. Those shy-yet-determined faces? Perfect side dish today.

Top idol trait? Luck. Luck to snag a sugar daddy backer who pushes you to the end. In other words, a whale.

These hopefuls stripping? Craving that whale ship.

Heh.

-......♥

Call me trash, but they all wanted aboard that massive vessel awaiting launch.