Chapter 68

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 68 (68/482)

"Manager Oh, what the hell is going on here?"

Park Jeonmu immediately turned to Manager Oh, pressing him for an answer. He then quickly scanned the surroundings, adding sarcastically,

"There’s no one here to welcome us, so why are the manager of Team 2 and a composer here?"

"Well, Team 2 suddenly came over and started making strange noises…"

Manager Oh couldn’t bring himself to continue and tightly pursed his lips.

However,

Park Jeonmu didn’t really need an answer. He had already grasped the general situation from the snippets of conversation and the atmosphere in the room. Even if he didn’t know everything, it was clear that there was a serious issue that needed to be addressed.

But,

why would Team 2, a rival team, come to Team 1, which he was in charge of, and start questioning things unilaterally? If he just stood by, it would make it seem like Team 1 had done something wrong.

That couldn’t be allowed.

"Manager Kim, what are you doing here, meddling in someone else’s territory like this?"

More importantly, touching his protégé was like touching him personally.

"And you, young composer."

Park Jeonmu took a step toward Hyunseung, baring his teeth.

"Do you think this company is a place where anyone can just run around and do as they please because you and I are popular these days?"

"Director, we seem to be meeting quite often lately?"

"Don’t try to divert the issue. This doesn’t seem like a situation where we can exchange pleasantries."

"Is that so? Then since you’re here, let’s get straight to the point."

Hyunseung’s eyes, unwavering, shone as he continued.

"I had given Manager Kim a USB with a song I created for the spring season. Whether it was a mistake or intentional, the USB has gone missing."

"And?"

"But when I later tried to hand over the completed recording to the distribution company, I found out that Team 1 had just submitted a song to the distribution company that was very similar to the one I created."

"Hey, kid. Do you have any evidence that our team took that USB?"

"No, I don’t have any evidence. But isn’t the timing a bit too coincidental to be a mere coincidence?"

He added in a flat tone,

"And the key point here is plagiarism."

Park Jeonmu’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Plagiarism was a very sensitive issue, and if Team 1 had really plagiarized, it would be a significant problem and a major issue.

"You’re throwing around the word ‘plagiarism’ too easily. In an industry where hundreds of songs are released every day, a few similar lines don’t make it plagiarism. If we were to take that seriously, all art would be imitation and plagiarism."

"That’s true. But I believe someone of your caliber, Director Park, would be able to tell if it’s plagiarism just by listening. Would you like to compare and listen?"

Suddenly, Park Jeonmu shouted in an agitated tone,

"Enough! It’s not necessary! For all we know, your team could have plagiarized our song!"

"Yes, that’s true. As someone who oversees Team 1, it’s natural for you to think that way."

Hyunseung closed his eyes and nodded, genuinely empathizing and understanding.

"I don’t think it’s bad that Director Park looks out for his team and protects his own interests. Sometimes, I even find it admirable."

And then,

he suddenly narrowed his eyes and spoke in a high-handed manner.

"But I can’t just stand by and watch someone try to take what’s mine."

Hyunseung’s emotional response wasn’t simply because copyright or money was important. In fact, losing one song wouldn’t significantly impact his life or cause any major issues.

But,

this song was the result of Je Arin’s tireless efforts to gain his recognition. After a year of hard work, she had finally made significant progress, and he couldn’t let it be taken away.

So,

when this song was officially registered with the copyright association, Je Arin’s name should be on it.

Hyunseung relaxed his sharp gaze and spread out his palm.

"Can you really hide the sky with your hand? I hope you make the right judgment and resolve this quickly."

After a moment,

"Director, you always tell us to help each other and work together. I don’t want to see us end up in a legal battle just because we eat in the same cafeteria."

He left the room, leaving behind a sarcastic but pointed message.

* * *

A cold wind blew through the 1st Team office after Hyunseung’s departure.

"Damn, that brat."

Park Jeonmu loosened his tie and sighed deeply.

"First, is the song that Team 2 claims is plagiarized ‘Spring Ending’?"

In response, Hyuntae, the exclusive composer of Team 1 and the creator of ‘Spring Ending,’ answered in a meek voice.

"Yes, it is…."

Park Jeonmu’s expression grew complicated as he looked at Hyuntae. It was clear that Hyuntae was uneasy, with his head bowed and shoulders slumped.

Most importantly, although Min Hyunseung had always seemed reckless, he had never been the one to initiate confrontations. Even when Park Jeonmu had interfered with Je Arin or Man Records, Hyunseung had always remained calm and indifferent.

For him to come to Team 1 this time and confront them directly, this might be Min Hyunseung’s final warning.

Indeed, the Hyunseung he knew was a sharp and composed individual, not someone who would act out of emotion. He must have been certain before taking action.

The certainty of plagiarism.

Park Jeonmu, lost in thought, finally spoke.

"Hyuntae, let’s be frank. One question."

He placed his hands on Hyuntae’s shoulders and asked,

"Is ‘Spring Ending’ a song you created on your own?"

"That…."

"You have no reason to plagiarize, right?"

Hyuntae’s lips remained tightly sealed, showing no sign of opening. The longer the silence, the more anxiety washed over Park Jeonmu like a wave.

"Why aren’t you answering? There’s no reason for a brat like you, who’s just starting to make a name, to plagiarize another male composer’s song, right?"

Park Jeonmu, his hands trembling slightly, grabbed Hyuntae’s shoulders and urged him.

"Hyuntae, just say one word. You didn’t plagiarize, right? Answer quickly."

Hyuntae’s body shook like a piece of paper under Park Jeonmu’s grip.

"If you say you didn’t plagiarize, I’ll go to Team 2 and clear your name, despite the reputation you’ve built."

Hyuntae’s head drooped weakly.

"Really…."

He murmured, his lips trembling.

"I’m sorry…."

His voice was so soft it was like a whisper, but everyone in the room could hear it. The shock was doubled because it was something that should never have come from his mouth.

"Really, really sorry…."

But that was all he could say.

"You, you little—!"

Manager Oh suddenly lunged at Hyuntae.

"How could you even think of plagiarizing? And from another male composer, no less!"

He grabbed Hyuntae by the collar and demanded,

"Can you even call yourself an exclusive composer? Do you know how sensitive LS is to copyright issues?"

"I really didn’t know it was that composer’s song! I found a USB in the bathroom and, out of curiosity, checked it. The file name was ‘Untitled,’ and the guide was just humming, so I thought it was a demo. I didn’t intentionally plagiarize…."

Manager Oh, his face red with anger, scowled.

"Are you making excuses? Do you think it’s okay to plagiarize a demo? That’s not something a creator should say!"

"You know, I’ve been in a slump for the past year and couldn’t create a single decent song. With Team 1’s performance not being good, I wanted to help the team, and I guess I lost my judgment for a moment…."

Thud!

Manager Oh, slamming his hand on the table, stood up and approached Hyuntae, his veins bulging.

"Don’t make excuses for the team! You just wanted to make a comeback, didn’t you!"

Just as Manager Oh’s fist was about to strike,

"Manager Oh, stop."

Park Jeonmu intervened.

"What? Director, this is a serious issue. We need to punish him and hold him accountable…."

"Even if we scold and punish him, it won’t change what has already happened."

Manager Oh looked at Park Jeonmu, whose expression was unusually calm. He knew Park Jeonmu as someone who looked out for his team, but not as someone particularly considerate.

Moreover, just a moment ago, Park Jeonmu had shown clear signs of anxiety and unease when confirming the plagiarism with Hyuntae. Now, he seemed inexplicably calm, which was confusing.

Furthermore,

LS Entertainment was extremely sensitive about copyright issues. Even for a demo worth a few hundred thousand won, they went through a legal process with the legal team. They also had a history of terminating contracts with exclusive composers involved in plagiarism disputes, suspending royalty payments, and demanding explanations.

So,

for an exclusive composer to plagiarize another’s song within LS Entertainment, which handled copyright issues so seriously, was like a theft occurring inside a police station.

"Everyone knows how sensitive LS is to plagiarism! If this gets to the higher-ups, everyone involved in the ‘Spring Ending’ project in Team 1 could be held responsible."

"Kim Manager will likely report this to Lee Director or the CEO. I’ll try to handle it, but Manager Oh, contact the distribution company and cancel the release date."

Manager Oh’s deep thoughts were cut short by these few words. Is it really that simple to just cancel it? Looking into Park Jeonmu’s tired eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to ask more questions.

Thud, thud—

Park Jeonmu turned and walked toward the door without another word.

Thud, thud—

Just as he reached the door, he stopped as if hitting the brakes.

"Team 1."

Without turning around or looking back,

"Please, let’s all compete based on our abilities."

He just looked at the door and spoke.

"I’m disappointed, to say the least, and it’s really disheartening."

After a moment,

Park Jeonmu left, closing the door behind him.

.

.

.

"Those guys…."

Park Jeonmu stood in the empty corridor, a bitter smile on his face.

"Hey, it’s not like Director Park would say something like ‘let’s compete based on our abilities,’ right?"

"Everyone knows about the official document you diverted from HS, but no one says anything…."

"Compete based on your abilities. It’s like a dog with shit on its tail criticizing another dog with chaff. Why would he suddenly say something so out of character? And he’s not disappointed, he’s embarrassed."

He mulled over the words that had leaked out of the 1st Team office a moment ago.

It wasn’t just a competing team….

He had overheard the raw thoughts of the people in the management team he led.

True, no one likes a boss, but actually hearing their true thoughts wasn’t a pleasant experience.

However,

Park Jeonmu didn’t turn the doorknob, didn’t turn back, and didn’t look around.

Thud, thud—

He just walked alone down the empty corridor.

* * *

Feeling troubled, Park Jeonmu often visited a bar in Cheongdam-dong.

"The VIP room is set up for you as usual."

As he entered the familiar interior, the manager rushed out to greet him. Following the manager, he found the secluded VIP room.

Inside, a table large enough for five adult men to lie on comfortably was placed in the center, with expensive whiskey and fruit platters beautifully arranged on it.

It was a space perfect for greedy transactions and requests.

Indeed, it took him 30 years to reach the point where he could sit in the center of such a luxurious VIP room and drink alone. It had been a hard-fought life.

Born into a poor family, poverty had always controlled his life, from making friends to studying peacefully.

This environment constantly pushed him, a person with a strong competitive spirit and pride, into a corner of inferiority. But he couldn’t be consumed by mere inferiority.

So, he grew by feeding on that inferiority.

He dropped out of higher education to make money and entered the entertainment industry because it seemed glamorous. But once inside, it was no different from a jungle where one had to survive alone.

No one taught him the ropes, and no senior shared their experience. Everyone around him was a competitor. He had to find his own way by being observant.

Moreover, in smaller entertainment companies, departments were not clearly separated, and he had to handle everything on his own, without any support.

He couldn’t even complain about how hard it was.

Indeed, that’s how it was.

Seeing people in the industry complain about how exhausting and difficult it was, he resolved not to be like them.

He believed that saying the same things as them meant losing.

When he occasionally expressed his feelings, people around him would worry and advise him not to push himself too hard.

As he rose higher, even the pretense of concern disappeared. They called him a ruthless, prideful person, only interested in his own interests.

So what?

Why did they criticize him for working like a dog to escape poverty and secure his livelihood? It was probably their own inferiority complex masquerading as hypocrisy.

Unlike them, he had overcome his inferiority, risen, and worked like a dog to have the financial freedom to drink expensive alcohol alone.

Indeed, he had worked like a dog.

"Phew…."

The alcohol, consumed in deep thought, tasted unusually bitter. Or was it? The more he tasted, the more a faint sweetness lingered on his tongue.

Suddenly,

at the age of 50, he wondered, "Is this the taste of life?"

Bitter, but with a faint sweetness at the end.

Wasn’t enduring a long, bitter taste to savor a faint sweetness just like life?

'So, what is the taste of my life now?'

It felt like he was passing through a very lonely and bitter tunnel.

"Bad guys…."

He had been there at the start of LS Entertainment and had built Team 1, a crucial internal control tower, with his own hands.

But,

was it a shoddy construction? A small pebble had caused a crack, and it was gradually spreading.

"Hey, it’s not like Director Park would say something like ‘let’s compete based on our abilities,’ right?"

Even if he couldn’t be a warm or friendly manager, he had tried hard to be a practical one who took care of his team.

Indeed,

he had no mentor, senior, or manager to guide him.

"Everyone knows about the official document you diverted from HS, but no one says anything…."

He had done everything to protect even a single grain of rice for Team 1, which he had built. He knew it was wrong, but he had tried to give his team a little more by taking from others.

"Compete based on your abilities. It’s like a dog with shit on its tail criticizing another dog with chaff."

He had believed his team would understand him, but was that just wishful thinking?

"Why would he suddenly say something so out of character? And he’s not disappointed, he’s embarrassed."

A massive, indescribable sense of disappointment washed over him, but it felt like his own karma.

"Hyuntae, why did you learn only the bad things first…."

Park Jeonmu raised his glass with a bitter smile.

"Especially with Team 1’s performance not being good, I wanted to help the team, and I guess I lost my judgment for a moment…."

Hyuntae’s words kept echoing in his mind. Was he a good manager? Where did it all go wrong? He already knew the answer.

It must have started last year.

When Team 2’s performance first surpassed Team 1’s.

It was just that Team 2 was doing well and working hard, but he felt Team 1 was lacking. More specifically, he thought it was because Team 1 didn’t have someone like ‘HS.’

From that moment, everything went wrong.

His pure wish for Team 1 to do better had turned into a wrong desire.

Clang!

The sound of ice in the glass was clear and crisp.

"Hmm."

He poured more alcohol, swirled it, and a small whirlpool formed in the glass.

Despite having a large VIP room, a glass, and expensive whiskey,

it was truly empty without someone to clink glasses with.

"Ha, my life is really…."

It was a night that felt utterly meaningless.