Chapter 52

I'll handle it.

Even though I was directly involved in the incident, everything afterward proceeded without me. Ora told me to just watch and stay back, saying that I had been pushed aside.

Pushed aside? That's an unacceptable expression. I merely held back out of consideration for Teora, but I ended up being misunderstood in a ridiculous way.

"Green and I will handle it."

Given that it's Ora who's going to 'handle' it, it doesn't seem like it will end easily. It looks like there will be a long aftermath.

Will Green be able to mediate well? To me, Green is like an all-purpose problem solver, so I can't help but think this way.

If Green were the mastermind, no one could stand up to him. The more time we spend together, the more I feel this acutely.

"Just watch."

* * *

Nam Chorok and Hong Ora walked through the Hanul Entertainment building without exchanging a word. They greeted the staff kindly whenever they met, but as soon as the staff disappeared, they returned to their expressionless faces.

"What should we do with this guy?"

"Realistically, it's awkward for the company to take action."

"I know."

Manager Choi Jun-hyun listened to Teora's story and said he would report it to the upper management. As a result, Nam Chorok and Hong Ora were sent to speak directly with the CEO.

This kind of incident had never happened before, so the company was also at a loss. Nam Chorok and Hong Ora were determined not to let it pass easily, no matter who was in charge.

"Welcome. I regret that we have to meet under such unpleasant circumstances."

As soon as Nam Chorok and Hong Ora entered the small conference room, CEO Son Jung-gi greeted them. Behind him were the head of the business management team and the head of the A&R team.

The presence of these people subtly indicated that the company was taking this matter seriously.

"We are also new to this, so it took us some time to formulate a response."

It was well known that the management of entertainment agencies was not systematic. Moreover, since this was unprecedented, the company had deliberated on who should handle it, and the CEO's involvement led to a more weighty lineup than expected.

"Is Mr. Ham I-won not attending?"

The head of the business management team asked. He was expected to lead the meeting, as his team was also involved in personnel matters.

"Even if I-won came, he wouldn't be able to speak properly, so we came on his behalf. However, we have heard the situation in detail, so there won't be any omissions."

"Understood. I've heard a rough outline, but since this is an official meeting, please recount it again."

Leader Nam Chorok spoke calmly, but his eloquence made the story engaging. The CEO, the head of the planning department, and the head of the business management team listened intently to Nam Chorok's account.

When the story ended, the CEO and the head of the business management team sighed. They didn't seem to think that Ham I-won was lying.

There would be no benefit for Ham I-won to fabricate this. Most importantly, there was a clear motive for the composer Kiba.

"If this is all true, we must also consider it a humiliation to our company. You're saying that we pushed Ham I-won's song to promote an idol group, and Kiba, who is supposedly one of our composers, is someone I've never heard of. What songs has he written? It's ridiculous."

The head of the business management team sneered at Kiba, the composer. The head of the A&R team, who had heard about the actions of a composer from his team, turned red with embarrassment.

"I-won seems to have been deeply shocked. He has to continue his activities with Teora and compose music, but I'm not sure if he'll be okay…."

This had never happened before, but Hong Ora feigned a teary, sympathetic expression.

Emotional manipulation was necessary to gain their attention. Hong Ora, who was naturally cute and could easily win people's hearts, was adept at this strategic behavior.

"Oh… When I heard I-won's song, I thought it was a hit. For a composer who can create such a song to be treated like this by one of our composers… Is he in his right mind?"

The head of the A&R team was on the verge of collapsing in despair. It was a pity that there was no CCTV in the break room, and the soundproofing was so good that a staff member who entered later didn't hear anything.

"Objectively, we can't punish someone without evidence. If the other side claims they are being framed, we can't do anything about it. You understand that, right?"

"Yes, I understand."

"…Yes."

"But we promise that this will not happen again. We will not only educate our staff but also closely monitor the composer. If he repeats this, we will find evidence and punish him."

"We were so strict about the character of our artists but neglected the character of our staff. I apologize. As a former manager, I didn't consider the artist's perspective. I apologize."

Since they had received a direct apology from the CEO, if such an unpleasant incident were to happen again, it would be dealt with decisively. The CEO's apology was not something to be taken lightly.

"I will also keep a close eye on the team. Please convey my apologies to I-won."

The head of the A&R team, who bowed his head in shame for the poor management of staff, left the conference room after a brief greeting.

The CEO and the head of the business management team remained seated, exchanging glances before continuing.

"While you're here, let's discuss another matter. I wonder how I ended up handling this task, but it's about POT Entertainment's involvement."

The two members of Teora, who were crucial to the group's fate, sat up straight.

"Based on the information gathered from frontline staff, I have drawn a conclusion, which the CEO also agrees with. Sigh…"

The head of the business management team sighed deeply. The situation was too complex to summarize easily.

"Please tell us. Since it concerns us, we believe we have the right to hear it."

"At first, the CEO of POT Entertainment seemed to have a simple interest. After all, Hanul Entertainment has launched two idol groups and achieved some success, so it's understandable to be wary. The idol market is a competition over who gets the share, and the CEO of POT Entertainment aims to be the leader among the top three agencies. However, upon investigation, we found that one of our rookie idol members is Ham I-won."

"I-won?"

"Have you never heard? That Ham I-won passed the audition for POT Entertainment before joining Hanul Entertainment."

"POT Entertainment's audition? But then, why Hanul Entertainment…?"

Nam Chorok and Hong Ora were taken aback. Compared to Hanul Entertainment, POT Entertainment was overwhelmingly superior. Being a trainee at POT Entertainment alone was enough to walk with pride.

From their perspective, Ham I-won's face was the type preferred by POT. A sophisticated and handsome young man. Moreover, aside from his looks, his singing and composing skills were top-notch.

Ham I-won was the perfect idol that POT wanted. If he had slipped away and debuted with another agency?

Most people would have just felt regret. The problem was that the CEO of POT Entertainment was not an ordinary person.

"Unlike his public image, the CEO of POT Entertainment is a very petty person. He hates losing or being taken from, and he remembers such incidents for a long time. It's not surprising that he harbors resentment."

The entertainment industry is full of strange people, and sometimes a company's CEO is a talented but eccentric individual. In that sense, Hanul Entertainment was a model example.

"Moreover…"

"Moreover? Is there another connection?"

"One of the trainees who left after the debut lineup announcement joined POT Entertainment. Given his talent, it wasn't surprising that he joined POT Entertainment. Although we couldn't find the source of the rumors, they started after he joined. If we consider it as an actual experience, wouldn't it add credibility?"

"Then… that trainee intentionally defamed us?"

"…It seems so, given the circumstances."

"If that story reached the CEO, it's clear how he would react."

Given the CEO's narrow-mindedness, he wouldn't look favorably on Teora, who had spoken ill of his company. The current situation was the result of various negative emotions.

"The CEO of POT Entertainment's target is not Hanul Entertainment but Teora."

While Teora is part of Hanul Entertainment, the company will be affected, but knowing where the attack is focused can help in formulating a response.

"However, we believe that he won't exert excessive pressure, as there are eyes watching. In the past, he could wield influence without much scrutiny, but now, with the public easily accessing entertainment news, it's different."

"That's somewhat reassuring. At least there's a way out."

A long silence filled the conference room.

CEO Son Jung-gi, who faced a difficult problem, the head of the business management team, who had to investigate the incident and deal with the lingering negativity, and Nam Chorok and Hong Ora, who were pondering how to overcome the adversity, all hesitated to speak.

"Tell us. The trainee suspected of spreading the rumors. What's his name?"

"Without evidence, I can't just mention it…"

"But you said he was talented. We might meet him someday, and if I don't know, I could be at a disadvantage. Such a sinister person."

Hong Ora's point was valid. Given their sharpness, the two members would respond appropriately, considering the circumstances. The head of the business management team, after confirming the CEO's nod, spoke.

"Koo Dae-myeong."

"…Koo Dae-myeong?"

Hong Ora didn't show surprise, as if she had expected it. She only rubbed her furrowed brow.

Nam Chorok narrowed his eyes upon hearing the name. Despite the smile, a chilling aura emanated from him.

"Is it okay if I investigate further?"

The head of the business management team, recalling the past incident where a trainee was forced out due to Nam Chorok's involvement, nodded without hesitation.

Even though Nam Chorok hadn't been harmed, the trainee who had impregnated another student was pushed to terminate his contract and could never return to the industry.

Then, what about the person who directly harmed Teora?