Chapter 87

### Chapter 87 (87/482)

The much-anticipated TOP 10 selection round.

Or rather...

The day of the TOP 11 selection round had arrived.

Park Jeonmu sat at his desk, stroking his chin.

"Contracting with LS Entertainment..."

He had just heard the news that 'Yoon Jai,' the controversial participant saved by HS through Super Pass and the exclusive composer of Team 2, had signed with Team 2.

"Hmm."

Yoon Jai possessed a voice and talent that were more than enough to warrant a contract with LS Entertainment, even from his perspective.

In a way, Yoon Jai could be considered the strongest rival to Kang Hajoon in this K-SingerStar.

However, he decided not to worry too much about it.

After all, Kang Hajoon's ultimate goal in participating in K-SingerStar was not to win but to have a 'successful debut,' right?

'Yoon Jai...'

Regardless, now that they were both part of the same family, she should also be able to finish K-SingerStar well and debut.

In such grand events, it's customary for team members to help and support each other, reaping all the benefits.

'Maybe it's better that it's Yoon Jai...'

She had already faced Kang Hajoon in the '1:1 Battle Round,' and the ratings had hit a peak at that moment.

Additionally,

On Naver TV, the clip titled 'K-SingerStar's Hottest Moments' had recorded one of the highest view counts in history.

This was proof that the public was paying attention to their match.

If their match-up were to form again in the upcoming rounds, the tension that had loosened would snap back, and they would once again become a hot topic.

This accumulated buzz would directly translate into recognition...

Ultimately, they could enjoy significant promotional effects without burning a lot of investment funds for their debut.

Moreover, if the two most talked-about participants in K-SingerStar were both debuting under LS Entertainment?

It would elevate the status of LS Entertainment, a talent agency.

'Yes, it's a good thing.'

Of course, deep down, he still hoped that Kang Hajoon would be the winner of TOP 1...

But that was a matter for later.

Park Jeonmu, lost in thought, nodded his head repeatedly.

Ding-dong.

After checking his wristwatch, he put on his coat and made a call.

"Hey, Hajoon, are you at the practice room now?"

He intended to accompany the filming today.

* * *

A studio in Ilsan was bustling with preparations for the K-SingerStar competition that day.

"PD, isn't this different from what we agreed on?"

Behind the set, PD Sung Kyujin was standing with a nervous expression, beads of sweat rolling down his face.

"I tried to contact you, but you didn't answer..."

"How can I answer every call when I'm so busy?"

The person pressing him was none other than Kim Woosuk, an internal director of JN Entertainment.

Kim Woosuk, suppressing his anger, asked calmly,

"Didn't you tell me that Yoo Ju was the last of the TOP 10?"

"Another person was added later. It was decided through an internal meeting..."

Despite Sung Kyujin's awkward appearance, Kim Woosuk showed no signs of backing down.

"If the TOP 11 system is suddenly implemented, people will surely say it's a rigged game, and there will be talk about Yoo Ju, who is contracted with JN Entertainment."

Actually, it didn't matter much. The broadcasting company's stance changes daily.

However,

Kim Woosuk had paid twice as much as others to board the K-SingerStar ship.

"If anyone could be added as a pre-selected participant, I wouldn't have put up such a large investment."

He couldn't help but feel indignant.

"Mr. Kim, please understand. You know I can't do anything about it."

Kim Woosuk, placing his hand on his waist, said arrogantly, making a dismissive gesture.

"What's the internal situation? Let's hear it."

In response, Sung Kyujin looked around and began to speak.

"Do you know the participant Yoon Jai? The one who caused a big stir..."

"Is she the eleventh pre-selected participant?"

"Yes. She recently signed with LS Entertainment."

At this, Kim Woosuk narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, due to the involvement of HS, the main judge, Yoon Jai was decided as a pre-selected participant without any lobbying, which complicated the situation."

Kim Woosuk reacted with a "Hmm?" to the mention of HS. HS was a renowned composer known as a 'hit-making guarantee' and was currently an exclusive composer for LS Entertainment.

Additionally,

He was a direct junior to Kim Woohyun, the former head of LS Entertainment.

Kim Woosuk clenched his teeth so hard that a grinding sound could be heard.

He was reminded of the time he had made a scouting offer to Kim Woohyun.

When they met after a long time,

Kim Woohyun had shown signs of wavering, and Kim Woosuk was confident he would accept.

Although he couldn't bring HS, he thought that recruiting Kim Woohyun would solidify his position in the company.

However,

In their second meeting, Kim Woohyun firmly rejected the offer and left.

So...

He had boasted that he would recruit both Kim Woohyun and HS to JN Entertainment, hearing rumors that they were close.

'Not only HS, but even Kim Woohyun rejected my offer, which was a huge blow to my pride.'

In fact, he still couldn't understand Kim Woohyun's rejection.

No, it was a choice he couldn't forgive.

"Mr. Kim, as you know, the influence of the main PD, Kim Young-ho, is strong, so I couldn't do anything. I apologize."

Sung Kyujin, bowing repeatedly, wasn't the one he was angry at.

The real source of his frustration was...

HS, who had let Yoon Jai ride for free.

Or rather,

Kim Woohyun, who had nurtured HS?

Whatever it was, the pent-up resentment was boiling over.

"By the way..."

As the saying goes, 'If you talk about a tiger, it will appear.'

"There they are."

In Kim Woosuk's field of vision, a man wearing a helmet, presumed to be Kim Woohyun and HS, appeared.

---

"It brings back old memories."

It had been a long time since Park Jeonmu had accompanied the filming, and he looked around the studio where the competition would take place, lost in nostalgia.

Now, only the bloody battle to determine the winner remained, and the atmosphere in the venue was heavy.

Numerous staff members were running around frantically, and people presumed to be from talent agencies were constantly exchanging pleasantries with PDs.

"They're trying to get directly involved now, aren't they?"

It wasn't just them.

Park Jeonmu also believed that for important filming days like today, a senior executive should accompany the team, not just a road manager.

Since he had no important schedule today, he had postponed all his private matters and came with Kang Hajoon.

"Hello, I'm Kim Byung-gyu, the head of SE Entertainment. This time, we have a participant, Lee Jun-hyuk, who has signed with us..."

"PD Sung, it's been a while. You know I've been appointed as an internal director of WD Label, right?"

"Ah, PD Kim! I used to see you often when you were hosting 'Infinite Challenge,' but I haven't greeted you in a while."

On the surface, it seemed like a harmonious atmosphere, but ultimately, it was a relationship built on mutual interests and coexistence.

If you looked closely,

Everyone was fighting a fierce battle, using power and connections to achieve their goals.

"Hmm..."

After observing them for a while, Park Jeonmu rubbed his hands together and said,

"Hajoon, there's still some time before filming, so let's take a tour."

Kang Hajoon, not quite understanding what 'tour' meant, replied, "Yes," and followed.

Park Jeonmu, looking around, seemed to have spotted his target and moved forward with a smile.

"Hey, CP Go, it's been a while. How have you been?"

He greeted Go Hyun-deok, the highest commander and director of the current scene.

Talking to minor production staff wouldn't be as effective as saying a word to this person.

Of course,

Only someone of Park Jeonmu's status could directly and informally speak to a CP.

"Mr. Park! It's been a long time since I greeted you. How have you been?"

"Yeah, we used to see each other often when I was a head."

"These days, you don't come to the scene much, do you?"

After replying, "That's right," Park Jeonmu put his arm around Kang Hajoon's shoulder and continued.

"You know Hajoon, right? He was so disappointed when he was eliminated in the one-on-one match."

"That, that was..."

"No, it's a joke. It was an inevitable result at the time. Anyway, it's good that he was called back."

He then patted Go Hyun-deok's shoulder and added,

"Thanks to the title of a miraculously revived participant, he'll become even more of a hot topic, right?"

It was a question with a hint of pressure, a subtle demand to ensure it would happen as he said.

Go Hyun-deok, a person of his caliber, couldn't have missed Park Jeonmu's intentions.

"Please do your best."

"Of course."

After finishing his words, he immediately turned and left.

"Hmm."

Park Jeonmu, looking for his next target, scanned the surroundings.

"Isn't that Kim Director and the young composer?"

Kang Hajoon followed his gaze and muttered the name of the person who came into view.

"Ah, Mr. HS..."

"Yeah, since he's going to give Hajoon a song, we should at least greet him."

Park Jeonmu nodded and walked over to where they were standing.

Thud, thud.

Although he couldn't hear what Kim Director was discussing with the man, he could sense the tension.

"It's not a good feeling when someone pays a high price and someone else rides for free."

"At least, if they provided as much help as they lobbied for the program, it can't be called riding for free, right?"

From Kim Director's expression, it seemed the other party wasn't pleased.

"Uhyeon, if you continue in this industry, how many times will we inevitably meet?"

"That's true."

"But if HS is doing well and you come out like this, how will our relationship be?"

As they got closer, the tension between them became more apparent.

"Is this because of the proposal you rejected last time?"

As they approached, Park Jeonmu heard Kim Director's clear words and narrowed his eyes.

'Proposal?'

Given that they were in the same industry, the only proposal Kim Director could have received was a scouting offer.

However,

Without being sure and not knowing the other party, he couldn't just rush over and confront them.

"Hey, Kim Director—"

Park Jeonmu adjusted his expression and deliberately called out to Kim Director to make a noise.

"Mr. Park—!"

Kim Director immediately bowed respectfully,

"Hello."

Hyun-seung also bowed lightly and greeted Park Jeonmu.

"It's been a while since I saw you at the filming. What brings you here today?"

"I came to manage Hajoon. I should come more often when I have time. It's cozy and nice."

Park Jeonmu gestured for Kang Hajoon, who was following him, to greet.

The scene reminded him of an overzealous mother introducing her son to a tutor.

"Hello, Director Kim! It's my first formal greeting. I'm Kang Hajoon, a trainee of Team 1."

"Yes, this is our first actual meeting."

"I've heard a lot about your great abilities. Although we're on different teams, please take care of me."

Before greeting Kang Hajoon, Kim Director had thought he looked like a well-bred young man or a prince, but now he seemed to have a high level of social skills.

"Hello, Mr. Composer..."

"Hi."

However, for some reason, the confident Kang Hajoon seemed shy in front of Hyun-seung, like a primary school student on the first day of school.

'What is this...?'

Kim Director, looking at Kang Hajoon with a puzzled expression,

"By the way, I heard you signed Yoon Jai from Team 2. Did you come to manage her?"

"It's not just for Yoon Jai. I also came to manage Hyun-seung."

Park Jeonmu, after nodding, noticed someone he had momentarily forgotten and showed a surprised expression.

"Hmm? Who's this? Isn't it Kim Woosuk?"

"Mr. Park, it's been a while."

Park Jeonmu, not particularly pleased to see Kim Woosuk, scanned him from head to toe and asked,

"You left your nest, but you look more distinguished?"

"Yes, I found a good place in my next nest."

Park Jeonmu, examining the business card Kim Woosuk offered, chuckled.

"An internal director? You've advanced. Congratulations."

His tone was sarcastic, but he added a congratulatory gesture and put the card in his pocket.

Park Jeonmu wasn't the kind of person to genuinely congratulate someone who had left his nest.

"Are you two catching up after a long time? Did I interrupt?"

He placed his thick hands on the shoulders of Kim Director and Kim Woosuk and asked in a friendly manner.

"Not at all, not at all."

"Absolutely not."

As Park Jeonmu looked at their faces, his expression gradually hardened.

"But why is the atmosphere like this?"

His cold question intensified the tension in the air.

'I need to check this out.'

From Kim Director's earlier words, it seemed Kim Woosuk was being difficult because he had rejected a scouting offer.

"Kim Director, what were you two talking about?"

"Mr. Park, it's just that..."

"Or, Kim Woosuk, do you want to tell me?"

The studio was quite cool due to the air conditioning, but...

"Talking about what with our busy people."

Cold sweat trickled down Kim Woosuk's back.