Chapter 2: Damn Idol

The distance from the hospital in Seongnam to my parents' house wasn't very far. The taxi hadn't even gone far when the familiar apartment complex started to come into view. It was more tiring than nostalgic, though.

"Thank you, driver."

As soon as I arrived home, the first thing I did was change the password for the front door lock. Greedy relatives would soon come knocking. The fortune of someone in a vegetative state is enough to make even the most distant relatives turn their eyes. Some already have.

Beep— Beep—

What a consistent guy.

He never visits because he lives far away, but he always calls first. If I don't answer, he'll break the door lock and come in. I need to change to a security door lock that regular companies can't open.

It might sound like my relatives are being overly greedy, but it's not that simple. When someone becomes a vegetative state, their property rights go to their guardian. Sometimes the guardian is a child appointed by the family court, but...

'I'm legally a minor.'

Moreover, I'm a minor who was in a car accident with my parents and is suspected of having PTSD. The family court would never appoint me as a guardian. So, in my third life, I had to live on pocket money from adults. Even that started to dry up over time.

But there's always a way. There's always a solution, especially for someone who has experienced regression.

Beep— Beep—

I threw my ringing phone onto the sofa and headed to my parents' room. I turned on the computer and sold all the stocks my father had bought. I shouldn't manage my parents' assets, but this won't negatively impact my future. Even if it does...

-Sold.

-Sold.

-Sold.

I can't stand it. Dad, why did you buy these stocks?

The stocks I just sold were all among the biggest losers in 2017. Not just a decline, but a crash. I used the money from selling my father's stocks to buy the stocks my mother had invested in. She had bought all the stocks that would rise the most in 2017.

I think I'll have to persuade my father to live on pocket money when he wakes up, even though I might never see him again.

"Damn."

After that, I continued to check, organize, and categorize my parents' assets. I started this work with the simple idea that I could buy 200 million albums with my own money or have someone buy them on my behalf. Even though I knew it wouldn't work, I repeated it because having more money means more options.

It doesn't take long since it's a routine task. I finished everything quickly and opened the notebook I brought from the hospital. I told Uncle Hyunsu it was just doodling, but it's not. It contains a lot of information, trends in the music industry, and plans I can choose from. The problem is, they're all for Billboard.

Because of this unrealistic goal, I've been active in the U.S. Of course, when I first started regressing, I was active in Korea. I didn't have the skills or information to succeed in the U.S. But after tasting success in the U.S., I never looked back at Korea.

Billboard is the GOAT in the music industry. Even a one-hit wonder can earn enough to live off for life. But now it's time to challenge that.

I need to become an idol in Korea. Why? Because idols have potential. After the 2020s, K-POP idols will achieve global popularity, selling a huge number of albums not just in Asia but in North America and Europe as well. In some aspects, idols might have more potential than Billboard superstars...

...

Damn.

Yeah, it's a lie. K-POP idols do have potential, but they're not necessarily superior to top-tier Billboard artists. To be honest, I don't want to challenge this damn idol. I hate it so much that I don't even want to think about the reasons.

But I'm doing it because I'm desperate. GOTM was the best team made up of the most talented members. I became a superstar by using the information I gained through countless regressions. Everything that seemed like a coincidence to others was part of my plan. I don't have the confidence to create a team that's better than GOTM, musically or commercially. Yet, I only sold 70 million albums. What should I do now?

Should I admit that everything I've built so far is wrong? Should I resign myself to the fact that my dozens of regressions were all useless? I'm not sure. I could endure the infinite time because I believed I was making progress, however small. If I deny that hope, I can't guarantee I'll maintain my sanity. I don't have the confidence to start over in the U.S., avoiding all the choices I've made so far.

So, the only option left for me is to become an idol. A place where there's a slight chance of selling 200 million albums and where I don't have to admit I was wrong.

Korean idols.

I know it's a temporary escape, but I'm so exhausted that I need to rest even in my escape.

"..."

As I think, I seem to be reaching a conclusion. I don't know the Korean market or idols well. So, I'll treat this life as a throwaway card. When I first felt the limitations of being a solo Asian vocalist and decided to form a band, it was the same. After four regressions, I finally found the fastest and most accurate path to success with a band. I regressed four more times after finalizing the members.

In other words, GOTM was a band created after nine regressions. I think I'll have to do the same this time. I'll debut as an idol as soon as possible. I won't think about the future; I'll just do everything I can. Gradually, useful information will accumulate, and with each regression, things will improve. Maybe I can gather members who can succeed in the U.S. market and conquer both K-POP and Billboard.

'Let's go all out.'

With my mind made up, I checked the dozens of phone numbers written on the first page of my notebook. These numbers are very useful, so I always memorize them. This time...

"HR Corporation."

Yes, this seems like the best choice.

* * *

BVB Entertainment, a major Korean entertainment agency. The head of the company received a report from the 1st team leader not long after starting work.

"HR Corporation wants to talk to us?"

"Yes."

"Did we get scammed? Or did HR set up a branch in Korea without us knowing?"

"Neither. It's a message from the headquarters. I've confirmed it."

The head and the 1st team leader, who usually get along well, looked at each other blankly.

"Why would they?"

"I'm not sure..."

It's not unusual for a Korean entertainment agency to receive a call from an overseas distributor, given the success of K-POP abroad. But this is limited to Asia. As of 2017, K-POP hasn't reached the mecca of the music industry, Billboard. HR Corporation, on the other hand, is a major player in the U.S. music industry, controlling over 15% of the music distribution market.

'Do they have an artist they're interested in? Maybe NOP?'

The head, thinking about the company's flagship boy group, picked up the phone after checking the contact information.

"Hello. I'm the general manager of BVB Entertainment."

The call wasn't long. As soon as it ended, the 1st team leader, who had been listening, asked quickly.

"What was it about? It seemed like they were talking about sending staff."

"It's nothing much."

"What do you mean?"

"There's a staff member interested in K-POP in Korea, and they want to visit for an interview."

"That's a good thing, right? HR is sending staff because they're interested."

"They're not sending staff."

"Then what?"

"They're on vacation in Korea because they're Korean. They seem to have a personal interest."

"Oh..."

They also ask their subordinates to check the local atmosphere when they go to China or Japan. What posters of which idols are up in the cosmetic shops that handle Korean cosmetics, which songs are played the most, and which albums are selling well in record shops. It's a personal request for small details when sending staff on a business trip. HR Corporation is at this level.

"1st team leader. Who's the expatriate in the A&R team?"

"Seo Seung-hyun?"

"Yeah, that's him. Ask him to do the interview nicely. After all, it's HR."

"Understood. When and who is coming?"

"Tomorrow at 3 PM, his name is Han Si-on."

"I'll let him know."

* * *

At the same time that BVB Entertainment received a call from HR Corporation, Han Si-on was sitting across from Choi Ji-woon, a lawyer at the largest law firm in Korea. They weren't personal friends, just a client-attorney relationship.

'He's only twenty now?'

But to Choi Ji-woon, who charges millions in legal fees, he was too young to be a client.

'Is he a third-generation chaebol?'

But third-generation chaebols don't come to law firms alone. They call the lawyer to their home. Moreover, his clothes were too ordinary. Still, Choi Ji-woon felt that the boy in front of him was different in some way, though he couldn't pinpoint what.

"Han Si-on."

"Yes."

"I heard from the front desk that you only want to discuss your case with me?"

"Yes."

"Let me be clear, I manage my win rate at the law firm. If I don't feel confident, I might refuse."

"Yes. I understand. I know you're a great lawyer."

Of course, that greatness was partly due to his father, who was a prosecutor, and his maternal grandfather, who was a Supreme Court justice, but no one doubted Choi Ji-woon's abilities. In the professional world, connections are also a form of ability.

"Right. I know my consultation fees are quite high... What brings you here?"

"My real estate has appreciated, and I expect to get about 1.2 billion won when I sell it."

"Really?"

"Plus, if I recover my investments and add the insurance money I'll receive in the future, it will be about 2 billion won."

"What are you talking about?"

"My parents' assets. Including the ones that are hard to liquidate, it could be even more."

Choi Ji-woon looked bewildered. 2 billion won is a lot of money, but why is he boasting about it? Is he saying, 'Don't look down on me because my parents are rich'?

Then Han Si-on spoke.

"Let's split it fifty-fifty."