Chapter 328
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 328
The day of the WH Entertainment corporate workshop.
“Testing, one, two. Mic test—. Hello, everyone. I am Kim Myung-hyuk, the CEO of WH Entertainment. It feels a bit embarrassing to introduce myself again at this point, haha! This year marks the 25th anniversary of WH’s founding. To celebrate, we’ve planned this workshop on a grand scale. To all of you who always work so hard—”
Chae Jeong-woo let the tedious speech go in one ear and out the other, though he didn't let it show on his face. Having mastered the art of facial expressions through years of experience in the entertainment industry, he simply maintained a gentle smile and clapped along.
Beside him, the youngest member, Lee Han-ju, who had just finished an all-night shoot, was nodding off. Jeong-woo didn't wake him; instead, he shifted his body to shield the boy from view.
Suddenly, however, the camera filming for internal promotional use began to approach.
Jeong-woo stretched his leg under the table and tapped Han-ju’s calf to wake him up.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the pillars of our company, Black Call, who have been active overseas since last year.”
“CEO! Han-ju loves you too!”
As if he hadn't been sleeping at all, Lee Han-ju snapped his eyes wide and bright, raising his arms over his head to form a heart.
A wave of warm laughter erupted from the crowd.
“…Phew. Hyung, thank you very much for waking me up. I didn't say anything weird, did I?”
“Not at all.”
“Ugh, why did he have to mention us out of nowhere…?”
Even through his heavy makeup, Han-ju’s dark circles were noticeable.
The boy, who used to be so innocent and clumsy, had developed top-tier instincts and reaction speeds after a few years as an idol. Even if Han-ju had stayed asleep, Kim Myung-hyuk would have likely doted on him even more, praising him for working so hard that he was exhausted.
In truth, WH Entertainment had been on a steady path of decline until Black Call debuted. It was true they were once a prestigious house for idol groups, but that was a story from the distant past.
Just as they were being ignored by the broadcasting world—with people scoffing, ‘Oh, WH?’—Black Call debuted and swept every number-one spot, racing toward success in an instant.
So, how could the CEO not find them precious?
Of course, to the youngest member, Kim Myung-hyuk was just a man who opened a useless workshop when he was already busy and tired enough to die.
“Jeong-woo hyung, Han-ju, hi hi~.”
Just then, a cheerful-looking young man with sharp features and hair tied back in a short ponytail approached with long strides and joined their table.
“Oh, Sae-young’s here.”
It was Jeon Sae-young, the lead dancer of Black Call.
Today, Jeong-woo, the rapper Lee Han-ju, and the lead dancer Jeon Sae-young were in attendance. Their lead vocal was currently in Japan for a fan meeting, and while Ju Woo-seong was nowhere to be seen, he was likely somewhere in Korea.
Despite arriving the latest, Jeon Sae-young acted perfectly at home, pulling a sandwich from the next table and taking a bite.
“Ahem—recently, we successfully completed a harmonious merger with Daepasung. Because of this, WH Entertainment’s actor division has become even more robust. As our independent sub-label, Daepasung…”
What was the point of calling it an independent label?
By now, no one saw The Dawn as belonging to Daepasung; they were seen as part of WH.
“…—I also want to express my thanks to The Dawn and congratulate them on successfully wrapping up their recent promotions.”
As if on cue, applause broke out.
Everyone’s gaze shifted to one spot. Turning to look, they saw the members of The Dawn.
Tossing the remaining half of his sandwich into his mouth, Jeon Sae-young let out a soft whistle.
They were wearing outfits that looked specially prepared—similar designs with different colors and accents—but Seo Ho-yun was dressed in black from head to toe.
Come to think of it, Jeong-woo had felt that Ho-yun’s aura had changed strangely of late, but it felt most prominent now. He seemed calmer, yet his inner self appeared to be burning like a blazing fire.
“Jeong-woo hyung, Sae-young hyung. Did you see The Dawn’s comeback this time? It was insane.”
“Yeah, they did quite well.”
“The lights in their practice room really never go out. They work like trainees right before their debut lineup is decided.”
“Ugh, if I had to do that again, I’d just quit being an idol.”
Jeon Sae-young, who had connected with Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun through a dance program, added another comment.
“But Seong-hyeon really is a great dancer. Da-jun is pretty good, too.”
“Oh, really?”
Since the tables were spaced quite far apart, the Black Call members whispered comfortably.
“WH is entering an unprecedented golden age.”
With Min Ji-heon as an actor, and Black Call, High Five, and The Dawn as idols.
Kim Myung-hyuk’s words weren't wrong.
Especially in terms of K-pop boy groups, the level was extraordinary.
Black Call broke new records with every album, and even though they were currently on a break, they were still raking in money by the shovelful.
“Hey.”
It was late last year, on a day when they had all gathered to practice for the first time in a while.
Ju Woo-seong, his brow furrowed with dissatisfaction, had been glaring at Chae Jeong-woo for a long time before following him out to say:
“Go to the hospital.”
“Huh?”
Jeong-woo had wondered why he was acting like that out of the blue, but what do you know?
Driven by Ju Woo-seong’s uncharacteristic persistence, Jeong-woo had reluctantly gone to the hospital, only to find that something really was broken. It was vocal nodules.
After that, the decision for Black Call’s hiatus was pushed forward rapidly under Ju Woo-seong’s lead.
WH Entertainment had also been very accommodating.
“But I still don't know how Seo Ho-yun managed to make our Woo-seong hyung get his act together.”
“Woo-seong hyung really has changed a lot, hasn't he?”
As Jeon Sae-young spoke while watching The Dawn, Lee Han-ju nodded vigorously in agreement.
“The other day, he approached me all hesitantly to strike up a conversation, and I literally dropped the ice cream I was eating. He tried to hide it, but it was obvious—it seems like he’s cut ties with all those people he used to see constantly. These days, he just locks himself in the practice room… Honestly, it feels like he’s gone back to his trainee days. He doesn't seem human lately.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
The boys, who were chatting away, weren't even pretending to look forward anymore. Chae Jeong-woo kept his eyes fixed on the CEO, who was still speaking, but shifted his chair slightly to create a blind spot for them.
It might be a bit of a conceited judgment, but all the employees at WH Entertainment believed that unless Black Call made a comeback in the second half of the year, this year’s Grand Prize would go to either The Dawn or High Five.
Chae Jeong-woo felt the same.
Even without bias, it’s one of the two.
The group that included the savior who turned Ju Woo-seong into a new man, or the group with the endearing juniors he’d watched since they were rookies?
Tapping his finger on the table, Jeong-woo suddenly stopped. He realized that no matter which side he chose, it wouldn't affect the result anyway.
“…—Wait, is Woo-seong hyung not coming? Is he skipping the workshop again?”
“Who knows?”
Lee Han-ju asked as he swiped one of Jeon Sae-young’s sandwiches.
During Black Call’s first year, they had been forced to attend the workshop because they were rookies.
That experience had been so deeply etched into Ju Woo-seong’s mind that he hadn't attended a single workshop since.
“Woo-seong hyung… his grudges are scary. Was that stage really that embarrassing for him?”
“Han-ju, how would you have felt if you did it?”
“I would’ve just enjoyed the hell out of it.”
At the time, after the song was selected, the company had pressured them to decide which Black Call member would perform, so they played rock-paper-scissors. Ju Woo-seong, who lost, had turned pale. Jeon Sae-young had rolled on the floor laughing.
“Woo-seong hyung ended up taking first place, though…”
“Exactly.”
He’d thrown every tantrum imaginable, saying he couldn't do it.
But for someone who claimed that, he had prepared flawlessly—from the outfit to a long blonde wig and even false eyelashes—and perfectly pulled off a song by a foreign female singer.
Of course, as soon as he stepped off the stage, he had cursed non-stop, calling it his ‘absolute black history,’ and now he practically had a seizure at the mere mention of the word ‘workshop.’
Thinking back, he was actually quite innocent then…
Finally, the long speech came to an end, and it was time for lunch. People moved busily to get acquainted and exchange greetings.
The Black Call members, who had been wearing their public-facing smiles and nodding politely, finally relaxed their expressions when they came face-to-face with The Dawn.
“Oh, Kim Seong-hyeon, Jeong Da-jun~.”
“Hello, sunbae-nim.”
“I told you to call me hyung! Hi to the rest of you, too.”
While Jeon Sae-young acted friendly by putting his arm around Kim Seong-hyeon’s neck and Lee Han-ju chatted with the other members, Chae Jeong-woo locked eyes with Seo Ho-yun.
Seo Ho-yun was the first to approach with a smile.
“Hello, Chae Jeong-woo sunbae-nim.”
Jeong-woo liked Seo Ho-yun quite a bit.
So, he responded with a genuine, eye-crinkling smile.
“Seo Ho-yun, how have you been?”
“Very well.”
After glancing around, Ho-yun lowered his voice and whispered.
“Sunbae-nim, I have something to ask you.”
“Sure, anything.”
“I heard you’re the MC for the talent show tonight.”
How did he find that out?
Jeong-woo maintained his smile and answered calmly.
“That’s right. How did you know?”
“Then, do you happen to know the list of performers?”
“No, it hasn't been handed to me yet. They’ll probably give it to me right before it starts.”
“Hmm…….”
“Why? Are you performing, Seo Ho-yun?”
At that moment, Seo Ho-yun made a face like a seven-year-old prankster plotting something.
“Who knows?”
What on earth was he planning?
The Seo Ho-yun that Jeong-woo knew was a bit unique, but he wasn't the type to do anything reckless.
However, Kang Yeon-hu, who saw Ho-yun’s expression from afar, was breaking into a cold sweat for some reason, looking anxious.
*
After enduring the procedures and customs of this completely—useless—workshop with a smiling face, evening had arrived.
The auditorium attached to the building the company had rented out was already set up for the talent show.
This is my U-U Bank for today.
I confidently slung my arm over Jeong Da-jun’s shoulder.
Da-jun, whose cheeks looked even rounder after eating eight plates of the buffet dinner, tilted his head.
“Hyung, you seem to be in a good mood today.”
“Ah, of course.”
I wonder if our Yi-chae will appreciate my touching devotion.
However, I hadn't informed the members that I was participating in the talent show. I thought the emotional impact would be doubled if I presented it as a surprise.
But why isn't he here yet, that brat?
It was almost time to start, but Ju Woo-seong was still nowhere to be seen.
“Oh, hyung, hyung! Did you see the prizes this time?! Travel vouchers, resort stays, department store gift cards… it’s insane. Except for that weird second-place prize, the CD. I don't know where that suddenly came from.”
How could a normie understand the tastes of a stan?
And that weird second-place prize is exactly what I want.
I glanced back. I saw Kang Yi-chae giggling with Seong Ji-won.
“Oh, right! I heard that usually, managers or directors participate in the workshop talent show, but the lineup this time is incredible!”
“What? You heard?”
“I didn't hear the details… just a glimpse.”
While Jeong Da-jun chattered on, the seats filled up, and the lights came on.
“Hello, I’m Chae Jeong-woo~.”
“Wooooo! Chae Jeong-woo! Chae Jeong-woo!”
“World Class! World Class!”
If Ju Woo-seong was the person who built half of the WH Entertainment building, Chae Jeong-woo was said to be the one who charmed half the citizens of South Korea.
The employees, who were quite tipsy from the wine and champagne provided throughout the day, gave him a wild ovation.
“Now, today has been an especially long day, hasn't it? You’ve all worked so hard. Now, it’s time to see something fun, right~?”
I took out my phone and sent a text to Ju Woo-seong.
[Me: When are you coming, hyung? lol]
[Me: I miss you.]
Still no reply.
So you’re going to ignore me, huh?
I closed my phone and looked forward again. A man with a neat appearance and slightly reddened ears was standing on the stage.
“Hello, I am Kang Yeon-hu from High Five.”
A rival had appeared.