Chapter 21

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 21 (21/482)

As soon as the sky brightened, Manager Kim took Hyun-seung to the executive office.

"Let's go in."

After finishing his sentence, Manager Kim knocked on the door carefully...

Knock knock.

Hyun-seung glanced at the nameplate on the tightly closed door.

- Executive Vice President Jin-sik Choi

How long had it been?

"Come in."

At the deep voice from the other side of the door, Manager Kim slowly opened it.

"Vice President."

As the door slowly opened, the scenery of the 'executive office' began to come into view...

"Manager Kim, what brings you here?"

Vice President Jin-sik Choi, who was currently serving as an executive, greeted Manager Kim warmly.

While the two exchanged greetings and handshakes with evident warmth, Hyun-seung, standing a few steps away, scanned Vice President Choi from head to toe.

Vice President Jin-sik Choi.

Despite his gentle eyes and deep wrinkles that hinted at a history of smiling, giving a warm impression... his neatly combed hair, wrinkle-free shirt, thin silver-rimmed glasses, and even his confident posture and gait suggested that he was not someone to be underestimated.

How should I put it?

Unlike Executive Director Park, he exuded a sense of *outer gentleness and inner strength (*外柔內剛).

"Take a seat first."

Eventually, Vice President Choi pointed to the guest sofa in the center of the office...

"By the way, who is this young man?"

He asked, looking at Hyun-seung.

"It's an honor to meet you. My name is Min Hyun-seung."

At this, Vice President Choi smiled and asked in return.

"Ah, so you're the composer I've heard so much about?"

"Me?"

"I've heard a lot about you."

Vice President Choi added, "Sit down, sit down," and continued, "Rumors say you're exceptionally talented."

After sitting in the seat of honor, he asked Manager Kim again.

"So, why did you bring this young man here?"

"Well, actually..."

"It looks like you need some help."

After a moment of hesitation, Manager Kim immediately agreed.

"Yes, I need your help, Vice President."

In LS Entertainment, Vice President Choi was the only person Manager Kim could rely on.

Not only was he a former mentor, but also a solid senior who had risen to the executive level, sometimes even like a parent figure.

Indeed, Manager Kim's rise to prominence within the company was largely due to Vice President Choi's direct assistance.

"Help...?"

Vice President Choi stroked his chin and added softly.

"Let's hear it. I'm quite curious to know what situation has led Manager Kim to earnestly seek help."

Taking a deep breath, Manager Kim cautiously began.

"Actually, it's related to the Executive Director."

At this, Vice President Choi narrowed his eyes and asked.

"Executive Director Park?"

"Yes."

"Why? What's going on?"

Manager Kim then began to explain the entire situation from beginning to end, and for a long time, Vice President Choi interjected with exclamations of "Oh," "Ah," and "Wow." After organizing his thoughts, he asked.

"So, Executive Director Park secretly prepared KOK's comeback album in Japan?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"And he moved up the debut stage of my newbies to give KOK the last slot on the music show."

Vice President Choi, who had taken out a cigarette from his shirt pocket, tilted his head and muttered.

"Executive Director Park is a guy who can do anything, but..."

After lighting the cigarette and exhaling a puff of smoke, he asked again.

"Something doesn't add up. Why would he go to such lengths to sabotage Team 2 unless he was deliberately trying to undermine them?"

Vice President Choi, who had been rivals with Executive Director Park for a long time, was confident that he had "seen the bottom" of him.

Before they both held executive titles, they had engaged in all sorts of underhanded dealings, hadn't they?

However, even if they were in a 'competitive relationship,' it was rare for him to deliberately sabotage in such a way.

If it was just about maximizing his own achievements and results through various despicable and cowardly choices, that would be one thing...

But why would he go so far as to sabotage his own colleagues?

"It seems to be because of Hyun-seung."

For a moment, Vice President Choi's lips stopped drawing on the cigarette, and smoke escaped through the gaps.

"Would he do this much for a new composer?"

He then looked at Hyun-seung with a puzzled expression and asked again.

"Did you offend Executive Director Park in any way?"

"No, not really."

"Well, you don't even cross paths, do you...?"

At this, Manager Kim cautiously interjected.

"Actually, a while ago, Executive Director Park suddenly proposed to Hyun-seung to have a drink outside the company. It seems he had his eye on Hyun-seung, but given Hyun-seung's personality, he's not interested in anything outside of work..."

Vice President Choi hummed and slowly organized his thoughts.

"So, he naturally refused..."

Although Hyun-seung was a new composer, he was the one who had given a second golden age to a washed-up singer whose contract renewal was uncertain.

While more evaluation was needed, he could be considered a talent worth keeping an eye on.

'But since he drew the line...'

Considering Executive Director Park's tendency to think in black and white, it was highly likely that he had categorized Hyun-seung as an enemy, part of the so-called 'Choi Line.'

"Quite reasonable..."

He murmured, as if confirming his thoughts.

"Executive Director Park would do even more than that."

Regardless, the important point was that due to Executive Director Park's underhanded dealings, Manager Kim, Min Hyun-seung, and even Jung Ah-rin, who was about to debut, were all in trouble, and they were all part of Team 2.

It was unlikely that he would take such a provocative action unless he was looking down on him, and most importantly, he couldn't ignore the fact that he had targeted Manager Kim, with whom he had a close relationship.

'Min Hyun-seung...'

Vice President Choi shifted his gaze to Hyun-seung, who was sitting on the sofa, looking bored and uninterested in the ongoing situation.

'The CEO himself described him as a goose that might lay golden eggs...'

Since Executive Director Park had heard the same thing from the same position, it wasn't surprising that he had his eye on him.

'But will he really lay golden eggs...?'

To confirm whether Min Hyun-seung, the composer, was truly valuable, time was needed.

If the flower is trampled before it blooms, there's no chance to appreciate its beauty.

"Let's solve this step by step."

At this, Manager Kim swallowed hard and asked.

"Is there a way?"

A moment of silence.

"It might be difficult to solve it directly..."

Vice President Choi, trailing off, cautiously brought up the main point.

"We need to borrow the power from above."

At this, Manager Kim asked with a tone filled with anxiety.

"Is it impossible to solve it by talking to the CEO...?"

Wasn't he the one who shuddered at the internal power struggles within the company?

If he found out that there was a conflict among colleagues over resources...

Not only would mediation be impossible, but everyone involved would be in a difficult position.

"No, even higher."

"Excuse me?"

"Let's try it first."

How many people could be considered 'even higher' than CEO Jeon Nam-il in the entertainment industry?

Manager Kim, with a puzzled expression, stared at Vice President Choi.

Vice President Choi immediately took out his smartphone and started making a call...

"Hello, sir, how are you? Yes, it's me, Jin-sik. It's been a while since I last contacted you..."

During this time, Manager Kim could only look at Vice President Choi, who was speaking on the phone with utmost respect, with a blank expression.

'Who is it?'

It was difficult to identify who Vice President Choi was speaking to so respectfully, calling them 'sir.'

"Yes, I'll visit your house this evening..."

The call ended, and Vice President Choi let out a long breath.

"Phew."

After looking at Manager Kim and Hyun-seung, he asked.

"Do you two have any plans for tonight?"

"Probably not..."

"If you do, cancel them. Let's go have dinner."

Thus, the dinner appointment with the unknown 'sir' was confirmed.

* * *

A high-end German sedan was speeding down the highway.

In the sedan, Vice President Choi and his driver, as well as Manager Kim and Hyun-seung, were seated.

"Vice President, sir."

Manager Kim asked cautiously.

"Who is the person we are going to meet...?"

Hyun-seung, sitting in the front seat, also turned his head slightly, seemingly curious.

"Sir? You might have heard of him..."

Just as Manager Kim's curiosity deepened,

"He's like the patriarch of the entertainment industry."

"Really? The patriarch?"

"You can consider him the CEO's father."

Vice President Choi continued with a smile.

"He was a legendary figure when he was active. He has been in the entertainment industry since the first color TVs were introduced in South Korea."

"Really...?"

"He was the CEO's former mentor and the one who provided the most help when the CEO first established LS Entertainment."

After finishing his explanation, Vice President Choi added,

"Yes, former Executive Director Doo-seok. In fact, he was practically a co-CEO even back then. Manager Kim, you must have heard a few stories about Mr. Doo-seok, right?"

Manager Kim nodded.

"Yes, I've heard some stories. I heard that he sold all his shares in LS Entertainment and retired long before I joined the company..."

Vice President Choi replied, "That's right," and added,

"Even though he retired over 10 years ago, in the entertainment industry, a director, general manager, or PD would drop dead if Mr. Doo-seok said a word. Even our great CEO turns to him first when he's at a loss."

After this explanation, Vice President Choi smiled and asked softly,

"So, you need to do your best, right?"

Manager Kim, with a tense expression, nodded.

'Mr. Doo-seok...'

Although he only knew him from rumors, he was a remarkable person.

Being above the CEO, who seemed as high as the sky to him...

To put it mildly, he was like a figure from another universe to him.

'I'm nervous...'

Manager Kim then looked at Hyun-seung with a worried expression.

'That guy...'

He was sure he would be nervous this time.

Soon,

Manager Kim, worried, leaned forward...

'Hmm?'

He saw Hyun-seung, sitting in the passenger seat, fiddling with his smartphone.

'Is he searching for something?'

Manager Kim, narrowing his eyes slightly, looked at the search query Hyun-seung had typed into the search engine...

'Let's see...'

Before long, he had to narrow his eyes.

'Good spots for catching mackerel?'

Even in the midst of a life-or-death crisis, on the way to meet a legend in the entertainment industry for help...

'What is this guy...?'

How could he be searching for fishing-related things at a time like this?

'Incredible...'

The more he knew, the more incredible this person became.