Chapter 85

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 85 (85/482)

"Thirty minutes until filming starts."

The assistant director's voice echoed through the auditorium via the loudspeaker.

At that moment,

PD Kim Young-ho clapped his hands to draw attention.

"Before filming, could the main production staff and judges please gather here for a moment?"

Since Seong Gwi-jin was also a sub-PD, he stopped his preparations and headed over to him. Kim Young-ho's expression looked very relaxed.

Yes, unlike himself...

"Today, I have a delicate request to make to the judges."

Looking at PD Kim Young-ho, who always wore a kind and gentle expression, made Seong Gwi-jin feel like he was about to burst.

Traditionally,

a main PD should control the scene and take charge, and if necessary, even play the villain to achieve high ratings...

'Too soft, really.'

Seong Gwi-jin had never liked Kim Young-ho. As a senior and the main PD of the program, he didn't show it in front of him.

Because he was far from the 'qualities' and 'dignity' that Seong Gwi-jin believed a PD should have, he never felt respect or admiration. Yes, even earlier...

'Pretending to stop me, acting like a good guy.'

In the end,

this time too, it was not Goh Hyun-deuk CP who took the lead, but PD Kim Young-ho, who was with HS.

From the way Goh Hyun-deuk CP was talking about changing the 'TOP 10' to 'TOP 11' for a more dramatic effect, it was clear.

"Here is the list of the pre-selected TOP 11 candidates."

Following Goh Hyun-deuk's words, Kim Young-ho distributed the documents and added,

"Since this is a mid-evaluation, no one will be eliminated today. However, to avoid any disconnect for the audience in tomorrow's main round, I would appreciate it if you could consider this in your evaluations."

Though phrased in a non-confrontational way, it essentially meant that the pre-selected candidates who were to be eliminated should be given the lowest rating, C.

'Why make it so complicated?'

Seong Gwi-jin, who was already annoyed, pouted his lower lip.

"But where's HS?"

Lee Young-ah, looking around, asked.

"He has some business to attend to and will be here soon."

At Kim Young-ho's response, Lee Young-ah nodded slightly.

"Such a boss, such a boss."

Hearing Seong Gwi-jin's sarcastic mutter, Lee Young-ah frowned. It was clear he was referring to HS.

'Can't say anything to HS's face, but puts on airs...'

During the main round, when HS couldn't drink the PPL water because of the helmet, Kim Young-ho had said, "Yes, it's a contract, so there's nothing we can do," and backed down.

'Really hate it...'

Lee Young-ah instinctively disliked people with a strong-weak-weak-strong (強弱弱強) attitude. Those who couldn't speak up in front but complained behind their back were no different. Yes, exactly like PD Seong Gwi-jin.

'He was so eager to build a relationship with HS...'

Though she couldn't understand why he suddenly showed resentment towards HS, she didn't really care.

What mattered now was the document in her hands.

"Ha..."

Lee Young-ah ran her hand through her hair and sighed deeply.

'Too much.'

In the previous rounds, she had been pressured to give relatively favorable evaluations to agency-affiliated trainees.

She also knew that some participants were given biased screen time and that devil's editing was used to create dramatic storylines.

Of course,

since this was a televised audition program, not a private audition, she had accepted and cooperated with some imbalances.

Yes, Lee Young-ah, with her extensive experience in the broadcasting industry, knew that all audition programs, not just K-SingerStar, were somewhat rigged.

But...

she had found this program quite enjoyable. Watching the participants grow and genuinely hoping for their success had been rewarding.

Though somewhat cold and sharp, HS's sincere and fair evaluations had inspired her, and she had felt a renewed passion.

However,

it had ultimately turned into a completely rigged game. Not just a few pre-selected candidates, but the entire TOP 11 had been decided, even changing the rules to fit.

So many requests?

Given the large scale of this K-SingerStar and its good ratings, it was no surprise that various agencies had tried to get involved.

But since she had already signed a contract, agreeing to cooperate with the production team's requests and receiving a high appearance fee per episode, she couldn't say anything.

'So dirty...'

At that moment, Goh Hyun-deuk CP rubbed his hands together and summarized,

"This mid-evaluation will require a lot of involvement, so I ask for your active cooperation."

Lee Young-ah reluctantly nodded and responded, "Yes."

"Huh?"

As she scanned the document, her gaze lingered on one name.

'Yoon Jae...'

At the bottom of the list, the name 'Yoon Jae' was hastily written in pen.

'He's also signed with an agency?'

Even without a request, he had the qualifications to be in the TOP.

Somehow, she felt betrayed.

Why?

Was it because she thought he cared more about how he sounded than how he looked on TV? Because she believed he aspired to be a singer, not a star?

Eventually,

Lee Young-ah let out a bitter smile.

'Of course, it's a natural choice for him.'

Yes, from the participant's perspective, it was a natural choice.

* * *

Meanwhile,

the business room was quiet.

"Um, there..."

Yoon Jae alternated his gaze between HS, who was wearing a helmet, and a well-built man he had never seen before, and spoke.

"Why am I here..."

His cautious question was left unfinished.

"Why did you bring me here?"

HS finished the sentence for him.

"Yes..."

Yoon Jae nodded and stared at HS, who was wearing a helmet.

"Actually, you don't necessarily have to pass, and you don't have to sign with LS Entertainment."

"What? What are you talking about..."

"But it's a bit hard to watch someone with the qualifications to stay being eliminated for some trivial reason."

HS, who had been speaking in a way that was hard to understand, scratched the back of his helmet as if he was tired of explaining.

Then,

he added firmly,

"In short, you're going to be eliminated from the TOP 10. That's the decision."

"Ah..."

"But don't worry. It's changed. You're going to sign with LS Entertainment."

HS, who had paused, pushed the stack of documents he had received from Manager Kim towards Yoon Jae.

"You've got a chance for the TOP 11."

"Me...?"

"Of course, if you mess up the stage, you'll be eliminated."

Seeing HS's cold eyes through the helmet, Yoon Jae shivered and bowed his head.

Yes,

when he first applied, it was just to broaden his experience and challenge himself to move forward.

He had already faced the hurdle of elimination in the final preliminaries.

But now, he was on the verge of reaching the summit. To not tarnish the reputation of the judge in front of him and to seize the opportunity, he had poured his heart into each round.

'Elimination...'

Suddenly, the word 'elimination' crept into his heart and settled there.

'Right, I had forgotten that I could be eliminated...'

He thought he had taken a step forward from the deep darkness and self-loathing.

He felt he had become a vibrant and shining person, and that he might become a good singer.

Had he been too self-assured?

The two syllables of 'elimination' brought him back to reality, weighing heavily on his chest.

"Hey."

At that moment, HS, who had been watching Yoon Jae, who looked like a drenched puppy, called out to him.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Ah, well..."

"Are you not going to sign?"

"No, I will."

He then tapped the contract on the table impatiently.

"Read it carefully and sign it."

Yoon Jae shook his head to clear his thoughts and picked up the pen.

"Hey, are you going to sign without reading the contract?"

"Um? It's LS Entertainment, after all..."

HS, flipping through the contract page by page, pressed on.

"Shouldn't you check for any toxic clauses and see if the conditions meet your expectations before signing?"

Of course, there were no toxic clauses, and the contract offered the highest standard rates and advance payment for a new artist.

Rustle, rustle—

As Yoon Jae carefully flipped through each page, he suddenly stopped.

"What?"

His gaze lingered on the advance payment.

"This is..."

Though he didn't know much about standard contract terms...

"It's unbelievable..."

The amount was something he had never imagined he could earn in his life.

A while ago,

he had been selected as a model for a clothing brand and received an advance payment. At the time, he was thrilled because it would cover his overdue bills and rent for the year.

Now,

he had enough to rent a fully furnished apartment and even have a place to wash his face and brush his teeth.

Not to mention,

other aspiring artists considered joining LS Entertainment a 'success,' making it a true life-changing opportunity.

"Why? Are the contract terms bad?"

"No, not at all!"

Shaking his head at HS's question, Yoon Jae looked at the contract in disbelief and muttered.

"Just, just..."

The two syllables of 'elimination' had been erased from his heart, replaced by the word 'hope.'

He resolved not to disappoint the person who had given him hope and added,

"It feels like my life has changed all at once."

Yes, it felt like a well-paved shortcut had appeared on the steep slope of his life.

"Something I never dared to imagine..."

HS, noticing Yoon Jae's trembling hand, said indifferently,

"Life is like that."

After a pause, he added softly,

"Opportunities can appear even in the midst of despair."

His words, though indifferent,

were sincere advice from his own experiences.

"From what I've seen in my life, that's how it is."