Chapter 8

8,

Knowing something and experiencing it firsthand are very different.

Han Jihyuk had just clearly felt this.

He had been aware of the situation and understood it.

He knew how busy a management company could be and how many people sought it out, as he had run a small management company himself.

"Still, at least not in front of me, right?"

He thought to himself, scratching his cheek.

While he understood, he didn't feel good about it, which, conversely, meant that even though he didn't feel good, he understood.

He knew why the team leader had that expression.

This made him even more determined.

He wanted to see shock or surprise on the team leader's face, which showed no hint of anticipation.

"Please wait here. Would you like coffee, tea, or any other beverage?"

"Just a glass of water, please."

"Sure."

Baek Kyungtae nodded with a smile and turned around.

Han Jihyuk glanced at his back for a moment, then moved his gaze to scan the office.

He wasn't sure if it was a meeting room or the original audition venue.

"Clean and tidy."

There was nothing in the room.

Just a long table and a few chairs.

That was all there was in the room.

After briefly observing the surroundings, Han Jihyuk slightly bowed his head in greeting when Baek Kyungtae returned with the water.

"Thank you."

He said this, took the water, and drank a sip.

Baek Kyungtae was looking at Han Jihyuk with sparkling eyes.

"It's really nice to see you here at the company."

"Thanks to your good impression."

Han Jihyuk was now feeling a bit uncomfortable with Baek Kyungtae's gaze.

Previously, it was just fascinating, but now it was a bit burdensome.

On the other hand, he felt good thinking, "Is my singing really that good?"

"How is your condition today?"

"It's not great, but I think I can still do the audition."

"Ah."

Baek Kyungtae nodded.

After a few awkward exchanges, the people he had seen earlier entered the room.

They naturally sat down at the table, and Han Jihyuk awkwardly stood up to look at them.

"Mr. Han Jihyuk, nice to meet you. I'm Team Leader Lee Hagyun."

The team leader he had seen earlier introduced himself.

The people on either side of him seemed to not feel the need to speak and just looked at Han Jihyuk.

Team Leader Lee Hagyun continued.

"Actually, there's no need to be too nervous. Just sing a song you're confident in. According to Kyungtae, you have talent in singing..."

At the mention of talent, Han Jihyuk inwardly flinched but nodded calmly.

"Yes, I'm not sure if I have talent, but I love music."

"Alright, please start when you're ready."

Team Leader Lee Hagyun casually replied and wrote something on the paper in front of him.

Han Jihyuk glanced at it and confirmed that his name was at the top before taking a deep breath.

Although it wasn't a special occasion just because it was an audition, he needed time to get into the right emotional state.

He also needed time to decide which song to sing.

"Ah, there's no specific accompaniment, so if you need it, you can play it on your smartphone... do as you please."

Team Leader Lee Hagyun lightly snapped his fingers, as if he had forgotten to mention it.

Han Jihyuk decided on a song to sing based on this.

A song he could sing without accompaniment.

'Anyway, the songs I've practiced a lot recently are all their songs... it should be fine.'

He thought to himself and opened his mouth.

"Yes, I'll start now."

He said this and suddenly lifted one foot, lightly tapping it on the ground.

Thud.

The floor lightly resonated with the sound.

Han Jihyuk, hearing this, looked up with a light smile at Team Leader Lee Hagyun.

Team Leader Lee Hagyun, not knowing what Han Jihyuk was doing, tilted his head but didn't say anything.

Han Jihyuk lifted his foot again.

This time, he tapped it twice in succession.

Thud thud!

And a clap.

Clap!

"Huh..."

Baek Kyungtae, who had been sitting quietly, made a small sound.

Team Leader Lee Hagyun glanced at Baek Kyungtae and then shifted his gaze back to Han Jihyuk.

A bit of curiosity appeared in his eyes, which had previously shown no anticipation.

Thud thud clap.

Thud thud clap.

The rhythm known by all.

A rhythm that anyone who hears it would say, "Oh, I know this."

-'Another Queen' shows a mysterious smile, finding it interesting.

-'The King of Pop' bursts into laughter, praising it as a performance.

-'The Invisible Artist' finds it amusing but doesn't quite understand it.

Han Jihyuk repeated the pattern of tapping his foot twice and clapping once, then opened his mouth.

It was a completely different style from the music Baek Kyungtae had seen from Han Jihyuk.

The key was the fast-paced, aggressive vocals.

"You're still a noisy boy on the street."

That's how his song began.

Without any blessings or help from anyone, purely through his own efforts.

It was a showcase of the results of his intense practice over the past week.

Although he still had a lot to improve, he sang with all his sincerity and best effort!

He sang about going out to fight the world, to roll and overcome hardships.

Like a rolling rock, he encouraged them to move forward, even if they got hurt or scarred.

As his vocals quickly and aggressively followed the rhythm, Team Leader Lee Hagyun's expression changed again.

Curiosity turned to interest, and a bit of anticipation.

Han Jihyuk had made it happen.

Han Jihyuk's fast-paced vocals slowed down for a moment.

The well-known highlight part.

"We will shake you."

When he sang this part, Baek Kyungtae unconsciously tapped his foot twice to the beat.

And then clapped once.

Han Jihyuk noticed this and smiled.

It wasn't just Baek Kyungtae.

He had just started, but the people on either side of Team Leader Lee Hagyun glanced at each other and began to tap their feet and clap to the beat.

Han Jihyuk continued singing.

Exactly 2 minutes and 2 seconds.

He perfectly matched the rhythm and controlled the speed.

Although he couldn't fully convey the deep emotions of a song that spoke about a boy, a man, and an old man, Han Jihyuk did his best.

This was his best.

After finishing the song, he could smile.

Han Jihyuk was confident that he had thoroughly shaken Team Leader Lee Hagyun, just as the lyrics of the song he had just sung.

Team Leader Lee Hagyun looked at Han Jihyuk as if he were looking at a gold nugget.

"Mr. Han Jihyuk... right?"

"Yes, Team Leader Lee."

Han Jihyuk nodded and replied.

"Let's write up a contract."

Team Leader Lee Hagyun slightly stood up and said.

"Here is our contract."

As he said this, he handed the contract to Han Jihyuk.

He didn't show any of the annoyance he had felt when he first saw Han Jihyuk.

He genuinely believed that Han Jihyuk had talent and could succeed.

'The first step is a success.'

Just going through a formal audition wasn't Han Jihyuk's goal.

When it came to managing himself and creating opportunities, there was no room for formality or carelessness.

"Please read it over and let me know if you have any questions."

As he said this, Lee Hagyun folded his hands on his knees.

"Yes, thank you."

Although he said this, Han Jihyuk had no intention of asking Lee Hagyun any questions.

He had seen many contracts before.

He knew which parts were the most important.

Han Jihyuk carefully examined the contract.

'No signing bonus, and nothing I have to pay.'

The contract period was 5 years.

The profit-sharing ratio was 50-50.

He seemed to really like the number 5.

Han Jihyuk confirmed the important contract terms and made up his mind.

Or rather, he had expected this from the beginning.

He knew what conditions typical management companies offered to new talent.

The contract terms offered by 〈1 Entertainment were average.

The average contract terms for new talent.

Not particularly good, nor particularly bad.

Since Han Jihyuk didn't say anything, Lee Hagyun, perhaps feeling anxious, spoke first.

"Actually, the contract terms aren't particularly impressive. They are similar to other places. The most important parts are the exclusive contract for 5 years and the profit-sharing ratio of 50-50."

"Yes, I see."

Not wanting to seem unresponsive, Han Jihyuk lightly replied.

Lee Hagyun pointed to the contract with his finger and continued.

"The contract states there is no signing bonus... but if you want, we can offer around 1 to 2 million won."

"Ah..."

"Here's the important part."

He pointed to the 〈3 Entertainment logo as he said this.

"This is a contract with 〈IX Entertainment. We will take care of you better than any other place."

Lee Hagyun explained the advantages of 〈IX Entertainment.

In fact, there were many advantages.

〈3 Entertainment was one of the largest and most influential entertainment companies, which naturally gave them a lot of leverage.

Team Leader Lee Hagyun emphasized these points.

Han Jihyuk also knew these advantages well, which is why he decided to sign with 〈IX Entertainment.

"Please join us."

Lee Hagyun said this with emphasis.

Han Jihyuk looked at him and opened his mouth.

"Sorry, I think it will be difficult to sign the contract."

"Yes— then, shall we sign here... huh?"

Lee Hagyun, who had been about to take out a pen as if it were a given, was taken aback and looked at Han Jihyuk with wide eyes.

But Han Jihyuk's expression remained unchanged.

He did his best in the audition to make the other party have high expectations for him.

This was his first move.

...Not signing the contract.

This was his second move.

Oh.