Chapter 22
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22
[Unknown Idol Tycoon is doing its best to prevent spoilers! ^^]
"Sigh..."
"Ho-yun, we're here."
"Ah, yes."
I followed the manager out of the car and into the company building. Whether we were holding a showcase or climbing the charts, the building remained as dilapidated as ever.
The manager kept talking by my side.
"Don't worry too much about meeting the CEO. I don't think it'll be anything bad."
He continued to fret over me. Looking at him, this man really was soft-hearted.
"Our performance on the charts this time was sooooo good. Maybe he's planning to give us a huge push?"
...The problem was that he was a bit too optimistic.
I let out a small smirk and followed him into the CEO's office. The CEO was on the phone with someone, but the moment our eyes met, he beamed at me as if he were looking at a giant pile of cash rolling through the door.
'Is this what they call "hating your own kind"?'
"Ah, Ho-yun, you're here."
"Hello, CEO."
"Hold on a second, let me finish this call. Ah, yes, yes. My apologies. The Dawn's Seo Ho-yun just walked in."
He was smiling way too brightly. Even using my name to show off...
A strange, unsettling feeling crept over me, and I began to read the room.
'Is it a casting offer?'
The manager sat down next to me, his legs shaking even more anxiously than before.
"Ho-ho-ho-yun. Do you want some water?"
"...Manager, please calm down."
It seemed the manager was more worried than I was.
After a short wait, the CEO finished his call with a series of "Yes, yes"es. He then turned to look at me with a look of pure satisfaction.
"Our Ho-yun, was the trip here difficult?"
'Our Ho-yun?'
"I'm fine, thanks to your consideration, CEO. The manager took great care of me as well."
"Hahaha! Still as silver-tongued as ever."
I threw the manager a bone to help settle his nerves. The CEO, seemingly in a fantastic mood, laughed repeatedly as he sank into the sofa opposite us.
"I heard you made it onto the charts."
"Yes, we were lucky."
"You guys really did have a streak of heavenly luck this time. Catching a robber, a good song, decent planning... and even charting. But out of all that, you were the highlight, Ho-yun."
"Hahaha."
'Just get to the point already.'
I gave him a robotic laugh.
"Don't even think about the contract termination fee anymore."
"Yes, that's a relief."
Even with him praising me to my face, my first instinct was distrust. You know how it is—life never flows that smoothly.
The CEO and I continued our conversation, both of us hiding our true thoughts behind smiles.
"CEO, did something good happen today?"
"Oh, is it that obvious?"
"Yes."
"..."
"Very."
When I spoke honestly, the manager started sweating bullets, but the CEO just let out a boisterous laugh.
"I have two pieces of news for you. Normally, it would have been better to call all the members of The Dawn, but—"
Neither of them sounded like bad news.
"First, your dorm has been decided."
"..."
My reaction was lukewarm at best. The group's debut was supposed to be a year ago; this was something that should have been handled back then.
"You won't have to struggle with commuting anymore. Especially Yi-chae—his house is so far away that he's been struggling living on his own. It really weighed on my mind."
'No, it didn't.'
"Da-jun is a minor, too... After much consideration, I decided to provide a dorm."
'Hey, you didn't care at all.'
"That's great news. Thank you for your consideration."
I replied automatically. When I thought of Jeong Da-jun, who had suffered with bright red, swollen ankles, the grinning CEO in front of me felt even more loathsome.
Still, I understood. He probably didn't have the money to provide a dorm for a failing idol group.
"At the same time, I spoke with the planning team, and we've decided to film behind-the-scenes footage of the dorm to upload to Nutube. You can move in starting today."
"Wow, Ho-yun, this is great!"
The manager clapped happily. Meanwhile, my expression remained stoic. If anything, I felt a bit disappointed.
'I thought it was a casting offer.'
"Yes, I understand. I'll let the members know."
"Right, I'm counting on you. I feel so reassured having you around, Ho-yun."
Was that it?
It didn't really matter since behind-the-scenes clips from the music video were going to be released gradually anyway.
The CEO was acting like he was the one being thoughtful, even though the planning team had done all the work.
Well, it wasn't a bad idea. I shrugged and asked, "Is that all?"
"Oh, Ho-yun. You shouldn't be so impatient."
The CEO smirked and tapped on his phone.
"You've received a variety show offer."
"A variety show?!"
The manager spilled his water. It was a scene straight out of that famous orange juice spit-take meme.
"Ah, ugh, I'm sorry."
"Manager, here."
"Our boys are already doing variety...?"
The surprised manager's eyes grew moist. I grabbed some tissues from the table and tossed them his way.
"Th-thanks, Ho-yun."
"Sure."
While the manager sniffled, my interest shifted entirely to the CEO.
"What kind of variety show?"
Something like Weekly Star would be fine. I could probably generate a few viral clips from that.
Variety shows—the place where so many stars are born. It's a divine realm where even a nobody can suddenly skyrocket to fame. That's exactly why I had been in the variety department.
Weekly Star? Or maybe a behind-the-scenes reality show? Given The Dawn's level of recognition, it wouldn't be a major network; it was likely a cable broadcast...
What's popular on cable right now? As I racked my brain, the CEO spoke with a smile.
"To be precise, it's a survival competition program called Shining Star."
"A survival competition?"
I slowly clenched my fists. The CEO nodded.
"You know PD Jeong Mun-seon, right? The one famous for audition programs. It was a project he was putting a lot of effort into, but he stepped down to do another show, so they're looking for a new PD. Still, the brand recognition should be decent."
"..."
"You know, like those programs where they pick debut members from a pool of trainees. It's similar to that, but they gather boy groups with average recognition and have them compete. The winner gets their own solo variety show and can participate in the next major competition."
'Whoa...'
I must have lived a very virtuous life.
For God to grant me an opportunity like this.
I stiffened my face to suppress my satisfied expression. The CEO, perhaps worried that I might refuse, tested the waters.
"Why? Are you worried?"
"C-CEO. Wouldn't it be a bit... difficult for The Dawn to go on a show like that? Half the idols who went on a similar program last time had their images ruined."
"Ah, well, it is a bit concerning. That cable channel is... known for being quite vicious."
"Vicious doesn't even cover it! They're infamous for Devil's Editing! They're known for playing favorites with idols from big agencies and turning everyone else into nobodies. There was even a group that disbanded because their image was completely trashed after the show edited trainee clips together—!"
"Ahem, well, I think it's a good chance to raise recognition. Though, looking at it long-term, it might indeed be bad."
The manager and the CEO went back and forth in a heated debate. Seeing that the negative opinion was winning, the CEO stroked his chin and asked me.
"So, what do you want to do, Ho-yun? If you say no, I'll respect that opinion."
"No."
I slowly shook my head.
Devil's Editing? Image making?
"I'll do it."
Why would I worry about that?
When I gave a very "innocent" smile, both the CEO and the manager flinched. Plans were already stacking up perfectly in my head.
"I really, really, really want to do it. I'll make sure to persuade the members. Please let us participate in Shining Star."
"Oh, uh... really?"
"This is the first time I've seen Ho-yun ask for something like this..."
"I'll pass along a positive response for now. I'll send the project details through the manager. But make sure to check with the members."
"Yes."
"Go back and get some rest. You worked hard today."
I gave a polite bow and left the office.
All the while, I was constructing the scenario in my head, step by step.
* * *
"Woo~ pick up the card."
"..."
"A future that's becoming clearer~!"
"You're dead."
I was packing some basic necessities from home to move into the dorm.
I had finished packing and was about to head out when Seo Ho-jin started acting up, so I gave him a good smack on the head. Thwack! Ho-jin whined, complaining that it hurt.
Even as I dragged my suitcase to the front door, I continued to nag him.
"Make sure the gas is off, and turn off the AC when you're not using it. Don't just order delivery; cook for yourself once in a while."
"So much nagging..."
"Are you going to listen to me or not?"
Despite my threats, Seo Ho-jin just grinned. This brat has been a bit off lately. He said he was proud of me for debuting as an idol at first, but now he just seems to find it hilarious.
"Hyung, you've gotten pretty popular, haven't you? One of my classmates has your photo as her profile picture. She says you're handsome."
"Really?"
"That's why I can't even message her anymore. I feel like I'm talking to you. It's creepy."
Ho-jin chuckled. I looked at my pathetic younger brother and gave him one warning.
"Don't tell people I'm your brother if you can help it. It'll just be a hassle."
"As you wish."
It had always been like that. Even when I was a PD, once my face became somewhat known, I told Ho-jin to hide the fact that I was his brother. There were often people who tried to pick fights, claiming I'd used Devil's Editing (though I never thought I did).
It was especially true when he was in middle and high school.
If it was like that for a PD, it would be even worse for an idol.
"Hyung, take care. Good luck with the dorm life."
"Yeah, you idiot."
"Don't be anxious about the low odds~ There's no need, because I'll lead you, Bang!"
My expression soured. Seo Ho-jin was hiccuping as he tried to hold back his laughter. He seemed absolutely thrilled to finally have something to tease his older brother about. I crossed my arms and sneered.
"Your brother is leaving..."
"Yes, sir! The genius idol is leaving now~!"
"Aren't you going to blubber because you're sad?"
"..."
"Huh? Are you crying? You crying?"
This time, it was Seo Ho-jin's expression that soured. When I brought up how he had wailed at the hospital after I collapsed, he clutched his head as if the memory of his dark past was too much to bear. I chuckled as I stepped out.
"Don't soak your pillow just because I'm gone~"
"Just go. Get lost already."
As I thought... there's nothing like teasing a younger brother.
"Big bro is leaving now~"
"Go!"
I looked at the door that slammed shut and pulled my hat down with a satisfied smile. As I took the bus and subway toward the dorm address, a song drifted out from a shop on the street.
[Tell me once more, that this is our beginning]
Oh?! That's our song.
I stopped for a moment and looked at the shop. They were probably playing a Top 100 chart.
The fact that our song was playing in the streets meant one thing: we were still holding our spot on the charts. A smile spread across my lips.
I had a good feeling about this.
·
·
·
"Is something the matter...?"
"Heh... You!"
"Do I look like a singer who's on the charts?"
"Ugh... The light is so bright I can't see your face!"
...Right up until these idiots started acting like lunatics.