Chapter 84

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 84 (84/482)

“Mr. HS, what do you mean by that?”

In the thick silence, it was none other than CP Ko Hyun-deok who suddenly spoke up, as if raising a banner in defiance.

“Suddenly leaving the show?”

When he pressed the question again, HS scratched the back of his hard helmet and replied indifferently.

“If the production team has their reasons, then it’s possible to eliminate just one participant.”

“Yes, you know how it goes in the entertainment industry, right? This isn’t a small-scale production, and...”

“However, if you’re going to eliminate someone for such a trivial reason, I will leave as well.”

At HS’s added words, CP Ko Hyun-deok sprang up from his seat like a spring.

Thud, Bang!

The chair behind him slid back and hit the wall, creating a loud noise.

“Hey, you—! You’re getting too big for your britches, aren’t you? Now you’re threatening me, what is this?”

Ko Hyun-deok narrowed his eyes in displeasure and asked in a domineering tone.

“Are you indirectly saying that you never want to step foot in a broadcasting station again?”

At the final question, Manager Kim let out a silent sigh.

‘Oh, CP, you asked the wrong question.’

Since Hyun-seung originally detested stepping into broadcasting stations, such a threat wouldn’t work...

“Yes, even if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter to me.”

It was futile.

“Are you misunderstanding something? When did I ever say I wanted to appear on the show?”

“What?”

“You were the one who begged and pleaded, right? You begged, you pleaded, you asked me to appear just once...”

Hyun-seung lifted his chin slightly and retorted.

“If not for that, I wouldn’t even think about stepping into a broadcasting station, let alone look in its direction.”

Manager Kim chuckled softly and cleared his throat, pretending to check the situation.

‘My boy, you’re doing great!’

Hyun-seung, who was putting on a strong front, was a formidable figure. Ko Hyun-deok, who was known for his thick bones and strong influence at MBN, was now huffing and puffing.

Seeing Hyun-seung speak so firmly and without flinching, it was clear that Hyun-seung’s composure was truly remarkable.

Most importantly, LS Entertainment’s artists generally had strong music streaming power, and the company had a wide range of marketing channels. Losing MBN wouldn’t be a fatal blow.

Thus, Ko Hyun-deok’s words didn’t feel particularly threatening, nor did it seem like Hyun-seung had caused a major incident. CP Ko Hyun-deok must have been aware of this fact.

“Hey, Manager Kim! As someone of your standing, you should know how unreasonable this situation is, right? Don’t just stand by; help me out and mediate!”

Indeed, Ko Hyun-deok changed his target to Manager Kim, who knew the situation better and seemed more reasonable compared to Hyun-seung.

However, the reaction was not as expected.

“Help? Who? Me?”

Manager Kim pointed at himself with his finger and asked slyly, then waved his hand in refusal.

“I can’t control this guy.”

“Huh?”

“Look, does he seem like someone I can control?”

As he finished speaking, Manager Kim’s finger, tinged with mischief, pointed at the helmet Hyun-seung was wearing.

At that moment, PD Sung Kyu-jin, who had been watching, suddenly shouted, taking over for the flustered CP Ko Hyun-deok.

“Why is it coming to this over Yoon Ji?”

Sung Kyu-jin had always been looking for an opportunity to score points against Ko Hyun-deok.

“Is this a children’s game?”

To other PDs, Ko Hyun-deok was a deeply rooted presence at MBN, wielding as much power as the station’s director.

So, no matter how strong LS Entertainment’s influence was, the lifeline he needed to hold onto was not in CP Ko Hyun-deok’s hands.

This was the perfect moment.

“Hey, these guys—!”

Thinking this, Sung Kyu-jin shouted with all his might.

“Is leaving the show so easy?!”

“Are you shouting at my kid?!”

Suddenly, Manager Kim, acting like a parent, stood up and let out a firm voice.

“Then, are you not going to shout in this situation?”

“Just take responsibility for your actions.”

“Responsibility? What responsibility? Even if we sue for damages...”

Manager Kim chuckled and asked.

“Suing for damages? How many years have you been in the broadcasting industry?”

“Y-Yes...?”

“Do you not know our PD’s personality?”

He nodded at Ko Hyun-deok and asked again.

“You know CP Ko Hyun-deok, right?”

Ko Hyun-deok, who seemed to be stung by the nod, mumbled softly, “Y-Yes...”

I didn’t intend to speak in a threatening tone, but how dare a mere sub-PD touch my kid?

“Why is the CEO suddenly mentioned here?”

Sung Kyu-jin, thinking ‘Forget it, I don’t care!’, shouted again.

“Are you saying our director is a screen?”

It was hard to gauge what was happening, but once a man draws his sword, he must cut something. Determined to fully leverage the CP Ko Hyun-deok line, he couldn’t back down and lose face.

“Hey, Kyu-jin. That’s enough, stop it.”

“Senior, I have to say what I need to say.”

Just as Sung Kyu-jin was about to speak again despite Kim Young-ho’s attempts to stop him,

“Hey, Kyu-jin! Stop it! Can’t you read the room?”

CP Ko Hyun-deok shouted, and Sung Kyu-jin flinched in surprise.

‘Huh?’

What’s going on? How is this developing?

Wasn’t I scoring points just now?

The situation seems to be taking a strange turn.

As Sung Kyu-jin rolled his eyes, trying to gauge the situation, he closed his mouth.

“Let’s calm down and have a proper conversation.”

CP Ko, taking a deep breath, continued.

“Manager, let me put it bluntly. If HS leaves now, what will our position be?”

Manager Kim, regaining his composure, replied with a sheepish smile, “Yes, I understand...”

“I know HS has always refused to appear on shows. I’m truly grateful for his decision to appear, which has helped our ratings...”

Ko Hyun-deok, worried that the situation might escalate, chose his words carefully and spoke in a low tone.

“However, when running a program, internal issues inevitably arise, especially with a high-budget audition show. We’re not a charity, and we need to make ends meet.”

Manager Kim, now more relaxed, glanced at Hyun-seung.

In reality, the decision was in Hyun-seung’s hands.

From the beginning, the contract stated that he would not be forced to appear on the show.

Most importantly,

Even if Hyun-seung’s departure would cause a rift with MBN, a major broadcasting station...

‘Right, the CEO would understand Hyun-seung’s position.’

At that moment,

Hyun-seung, who had been tapping the table rhythmically with his index finger, spoke in a somewhat dry but authoritative tone.

“PD Kim Young-ho, may I ask you one question?”

Kim Young-ho nodded and replied, “Of course.”

“Why was the final lineup decided so hastily, just before the TOP 10 selection round?”

“We tried to pre-select some and fairly evaluate the rest...”

Kim Young-ho paused and then added,

“However, the agencies that signed contracts with the participants later on pressured us to secure spots in the TOP 10. Just yesterday, JN Entertainment requested that a participant be advanced to the final round.”

Manager Kim’s eyebrows twitched as he listened.

‘JN Entertainment...?’

JN Entertainment, where Kim Woo-suk, the former head of LS Entertainment, had moved to and now held a board position, had been rumored to mistreat trainees with toxic contracts and poor settlements.

‘Good thing I didn’t go there...’

No matter how good the treatment, he would never work for a place that mistreated young, promising talent.

“So...”

As Manager Kim’s thoughts lingered, Hyun-seung spoke in a somewhat dry but commanding tone.

“I understand that Kang Ha-joon didn’t receive investment from LS, but is he being advanced because of his background? To maintain a good relationship with LS Entertainment?”

“Yes, well...”

“Then, what’s the reason for advancing Kang Ha-joon but not Yoon Ji? Yoon Ji has the same background, and I’ve been grooming him.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Hyun-seung. The same background? This implies that Yoon Ji is also with LS Entertainment?

However,

Manager Kim was equally surprised. It was a complete lie. Yoon Ji hadn’t even seen a contract, let alone signed one.

“Is Yoon Ji also with LS Entertainment?”

“Yes, well...”

“When did you sign him?”

Manager Kim covered his mouth and whispered to Hyun-seung, “When?”

Hyun-seung, pointing at Manager Kim as if introducing a guest, said,

“Manager Kim will explain from here.”

Hyun-seung lifted his helmet’s visor slightly.

“Ah...”

As their eyes met, Hyun-seung winked, and Manager Kim sighed.

Ah... Another mess to clean up. This is my job.

Hyun-seung, lowering his visor, whispered in Manager Kim’s ear,

“If I see potential in someone, I said I would sign them, right?”

“Yes, but please give me a heads-up next time.”

“You always work well together. I’m counting on you again.”

“Yes, yes, I understand...”

Though they couldn’t hear the conversation, CP Ko Hyun-deok’s face showed confusion.

‘These two...’

It was reasonable to assume that a large company like LS Entertainment would follow proper procedures. Knowing the industry well, they wouldn’t make such direct requests for two trainees.

“There was a misunderstanding.”

Yes, this is all due to a misunderstanding. A large company like LS Entertainment, not getting the bid, would naturally feel aggrieved.

“Yes, a misunderstanding, that’s it.”

Meanwhile, Manager Kim sighed deeply. In this situation, he would have to pay a price to save face. Management is much like life; most problems boil down to money.

Small management companies fail to produce stars due to a lack of funds. Large companies create positions by burning through funds, so how can those without the necessary resources survive?

“Let’s start with the numbers again.”

Manager Kim, sensing the situation, asked, and CP Ko Hyun-deok adjusted his collar.

“Yes, let’s do it slowly and calmly.”

He looked like a waiter greeting a VIP.

* * *

Meanwhile,

Yoon Ji was sitting in a corner of the auditorium, looking at sheet music.

“Come to the auditorium within 10 minutes.”

“Huh? 10 minutes?”

“A mid-evaluation will be held soon.”

“Suddenly a mid-evaluation...”

The staff member, who had suddenly appeared in the dorm,