Chapter 3: Damn Idol

“What? 20 billion won?”

“Yes. It’s a Korean sentiment, right? Let’s split it evenly.”

“Why should I accept that? Moreover, Mr. Han Si-on, you don’t have the authority to manage your parents’ assets.”

“That’s correct. So, my request to you, Mr. Lawyer, is to obtain that authority.”

“……”

Han Si-on extended a USB.

“It contains information on the fatal flaws of the priority guardians appointed by the family court.”

Choi Ji-won was a competent lawyer and quickly understood the client’s situation through a few words.

There was a problem with the parents.

They left behind assets that would make greedy relatives drool.

‘If it were a death, he would have used the word “inheritance.”’

Given that the family court was appointing a guardian, it seemed the parents were in a state where normal economic activity was impossible.

Post-traumatic cognitive decline, acquired permanent disability, legal incompetence, vegetative state, long-term missing person….

Several terms flashed through his mind.

Choi Ji-won, who was about to ask for more details, hesitated.

He thought he should check the USB first.

This kind of information is likely to be fake.

The chances of information gathered by a 20-year-old being genuinely useful in a legal battle are slim.

But a moment later, Choi Ji-won, in a daze, could only open his mouth.

It’s perfect.

The materials are thoroughly prepared, with all personal emotions completely excluded, and based on strict legal interpretation.

This isn’t something just anyone could gather.

Moreover, the USB contained documents proving that the 20 billion won in assets was not a lie.

It might even exceed 20 billion if left alone for a while.

“This bond is too valuable to liquidate now… Oh, I’m sorry.”

Choi Ji-won, who had just regained his composure, spoke.

“Mr. Han Si-on, what exactly do you do? How can a 20-year-old gather such materials?”

“Actually, there are more parts without physical evidence.”

“No physical evidence?”

“Yes. So, you’ll have to set it up. You’ll have to find it, steal it, and sometimes even create it.”

“……”

It’s a demand for his money’s worth.

Regardless of legality or illegality.

‘Is this the behavior of a 20-year-old?’

Choi Ji-won, feeling as if he were possessed, replied.

“Let’s write a preliminary contract. It will take effect once the contents of the USB are confirmed.”

“Of course.”

* * *

“Wow, it’s cold.”

As he stepped out of the law firm building, the harsh cold of January enveloped his entire body.

Perhaps because he had been active in California in his previous life, it felt particularly cold.

California is warm all year round.

Still, Choi Ji-won is a very consistent person.

Should I say he has no prejudice?

Regardless of the other person’s age or occupation, as long as it benefits him, he doesn’t wear colored glasses.

Usually, people would ask how I gathered such materials, but he was only interested in their authenticity.

Since he is also competent, he is the perfect transaction partner for my current situation.

I first met Choi Ji-won during my third life.

At that time, I faced a significant legal issue.

I achieved great success by actively using future knowledge, but my method of success had offended the established interests of the music industry.

I thought it was unfair at the time, but looking back now, I realize I lacked moral principles.

Anyway, while searching for a lawyer, I met Choi Ji-won, who resolved my crisis with remarkable skill.

We became friends afterward, and once, during a drinking session, we had this conversation.

“Mr. Lawyer, do you know about my parents?”

“Yes, everyone knows.”

“If I had entrusted you with my case when I was 20, could I have managed my parents’ assets?”

“Where was the family court located?”

“In Seocho District.”

“Then it’s not difficult.”

“Would you accept a 20-year-old’s request?”

“Maybe. If you offered half the assets, I might. It’s a Korean sentiment, right? Let’s split it evenly.”

So, as soon as my fourth life began, I sought out Choi Ji-won and managed my parents’ assets for the first time.

Actually, I believe I could persuade Choi Ji-won even without giving him half.

Or perhaps I could hire a few local lawyers and secure the guardianship rights on my own.

But since I decided to operate in Korea, I wanted to make a good impression on Choi Ji-won.

He is a very capable person.

Legally and illegally.

He can easily resolve issues that a 20-year-old couldn’t, even with a fortune.

Since the size of money isn’t important to a regressive, anyway.

Buzz—

While thinking about this, my phone, which I had put in my pocket, vibrated.

At first, I thought it was my uncle.

Since I had ignored his calls for a few days after being discharged from the hospital, it was about time for him to get angry.

But the caller was not my uncle.

It was a call from the United States.

“Hello?”

-Hey, Scammer.

“……”

Slightly embarrassing.

It seems HR Corporation has already figured it out.

But since they used the term “Scam” rather than “Fraud” or “Swindle,” it doesn’t seem too serious.

“You found out pretty quickly?”

-What? Why are you so confident?

“Sorry, I was in a hurry.”

-What was so urgent?

“I need to become a singer, but I don’t have any connections. Can you just laugh it off and help a desperate person? This is a personal number, by the way.”

Before I finished speaking, the person on the other end of the line burst into laughter.

“You laughed? Now you can just let it go.”

-BVB Entertainment, right? Can you keep it a secret?

“Then I’d be extremely grateful. I’ll definitely repay you if I succeed.”

-Good. It’s interesting. Why do you want to become a singer?

“I need to sell 200 million physical albums.”

-What? 200 million? Do you think it’s the 80s? Modern computers don’t even have CD-ROMs.

“I can’t accept the reality.”

The person laughed again.

-Haha. Good, good. It’s a completely different reaction from what I expected, but it’s amusing. If you answer one question honestly, I might help you.

I know what he’s going to ask, even without him asking.

I have the experience of a regressive.

“About how you deceived the staff and sent the email? Using various internal information?”

-Exactly.

The United States is more generous in forming relationships than Korea.

Koreans, in a small country, try to figure out the age, university, and background of the person they meet to find a connection, but Americans don’t.

If they find evidence they can trust, they believe more easily.

That’s why characters like Anna Sorokin, who pretended to be an heiress in the New York upper class, exist.

The real model for Netflix’s “Inventing Anna.”

-Scammer. How did you know?

I know through regression, but I can’t say that.

Let’s throw a more tempting bait.

“Your intranet’s security has been breached.”

-Did you hack it?

“No. I just put your intranet address into Google Translate and followed the links that appeared in the translation results. It opens the admin page in a non-English language.”

-What? Are you serious?

“Why would I lie when I’d be caught in a few seconds? Try it.”

The sound of urgent typing came from the other end of the line.

This actually happened by chance about two years later.

Thanks to this, the salaries of celebrities were openly compared and spread.

-Oh my god!

“Did you check?”

-Did you see it on an internet community? Is it a widely known method?

“No. I discovered it by chance.”

To be honest, the information I used went beyond what could be found on the intranet.

That’s why I could deceive the staff of HR Corporation, a giant in the show business.

But the person on the other end of the line, seemingly shocked, didn’t question it further.

-Should I thank you for this?

“What if we exchange favors? Or I could give you more.”

-What?

“It’s not just for HR.”

The person on the other end of the line fell silent, understanding my words.

I don’t know what level the caller is, but if they are in a high position, it could be useful.

“By the way, I have a very tight lip.”

-Good. Little-mouthed friend. What’s your name?

“Si-on. My last name is HAN.”

-If you come to the U.S., contact this number. Whether you become a singer or not.

“What’s your name?”

-Andrew Bryant.

“What? CEO?”

-What are you talking about? Do you think CEOs have that much free time?

“In movies, the person who has such conversations is always the CEO.”

-Haha. That’s a movie. I work in the marketing department. Don’t worry, I’m not a low-level employee, so come visit.

It’s a bit confusing.

Andrew Bryant will eventually become the CEO of HR Corporation.

But I don’t know if the person I’m talking to now is him.

There are more people with the same name in the U.S., and I’ve made mistakes due to this before.

-It was a pleasant call, Scammer. I hope you become a successful singer. I need to think about how to handle this information.

The call ended.

I hesitated while thinking about ways to track whether Andrew Bryant would become the CEO of HR Corporation in the future.

I could find out if I wanted to.

But thinking about it, it’s meaningless.

After all, this life is a disposable one.

If I’m unlucky, I might regress within 1-2 years.

I might just memorize the number.

I might use it someday.

Still, it wasn’t a waste.

Since I got HR’s approval, I can visit BVB tomorrow with more confidence.

The reason I’m visiting BVB is simple.

I don’t know much about the Korean idol industry, but I know a bit about the company.

BVB Entertainment is a good company.

It will produce a K-pop world star, “Prime Time,” in about 7 years.

So, I plan to debut through BVB Entertainment.

* * *

Seo Seung-hyun, the head of A&R Team 1 at BVB Entertainment, had heard from the department head yesterday that a guest from HR Corporation was coming.

The guest wasn’t coming for business, but he was told to treat the HR staff well.

‘He said he’s a Korean-American. Does he speak Korean?’

He naturally thought of the second-generation immigrants he met during his time at New York University.

As the scheduled time approached.

When Seo Seung-hyun entered the meeting room, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

The HR staff looked too young.

If it weren’t for the fixed appointment through the department head, he wouldn’t have thought the person was an adult.

“I’m Seo Seung-hyun, head of A&R Team 1.”

“I’m Han Si-on. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“You speak Korean well?”

“I’ve spent more time in Korea than in the U.S., so feel free to speak casually.”

“Oh, I can’t do that.”

HR Corporation is a giant in the Billboard industry.

Even though BVB Entertainment is a major Korean agency, the difference in scale is too large.

So, it didn’t feel bad that the employee from such a place was being polite.

Oh.