Chapter 89: The Techniques of an Idol Who Never Fails

I received a phone call.

"Yes."

Then, Lee Yongmin from the TYT Music Content Department said,

— I heard you're working on Big Blue's songs these days?

"Uh..."

— Oh, I see. It seems I shouldn't ask about it yet. Anyway, it seems there were some issues in the communication process with Manager Park Joon-woon.

...Did this guy tell him to leak it?

— Whether it was a leak or not, I never said a word about it. Manager Park Joon-woon admitted it. I just tried to scout him, but he seemed to misunderstand and think he had to do something.

"..."

— Still, it seems there was some damage, so I'll take responsibility and apologize.

Even if he said that, Manager Park Joon-woon must have had a good reason to risk his job and take my demo. Even if he didn't explicitly tell him to leak it, there must have been some hint.

I'm frustrated on many levels, but at the same time, I can't help but think that Big Blue's influence is truly remarkable. At least, it's not a threatening call, which is a relief.

— So, I hope you can let it go.

Or is it? Is this a subtle threat to let it go, and I just didn't notice...

Instead of answering, I asked a question.

"Manager Joon-woon?"

— Ah, Joon-woon. I did suggest a job change...

His answer is vague. Leaking my demo to impress VMC is one thing, but leaking a song for Big Blue is a whole different level of problem.

I asked,

"Did you scout him to VVV Entertainment?"

— Yes.

The top dog in the entertainment industry. VVV Entertainment is practically the predecessor of VMC. Currently, whether it's the American market or the popularity in Asia, VVV Entertainment is at the top, regardless of girl or boy groups.

Big Blue is the only team that can rival VVV Entertainment. Since Big Blue's album isn't coming out...

From Manager Park Joon-woon's perspective, who once wanted to start his own entertainment company, it must have been hard to pass up the opportunity to join VVV Entertainment.

Since I didn't say anything, Lee Yongmin asked,

— But, don't you think the Big Blue members would also feel that way, Haewon?

It seems that my answer will determine whether Manager Park Joon-woon gets a better job or becomes unemployed. Conversely, if I don't agree, Lee Yongmin will use my answer as an excuse.

I thought I could get some useful information from him if he joined that company. From his expression when he apologized to me, I thought he would be willing to share.

For example, if we ever enter the Japanese market, knowing VVV's schedule there would be very helpful.

...But am I overestimating Manager Park Joon-woon's ability to leak information? No, how could he figure out such a complex password just by watching my movements?

Most importantly, I don't want to make more enemies. The betrayal stings like a thorn in my heart, but I still need allies. Allies spread across various genres, like Big Blue.

Besides, I'm frustrated that I can't gain anything from this situation.

"Just give him a position at VVV."

— ...Hmm?

"Even though I'm angry, he helped me a lot when I was struggling."

— ...

"Please decide quickly before he changes his mind. After all, people need to make a living..."

I said something that sounded mature, and Lee Yongmin seemed a bit moved.

— I'll look into it, but I can't promise anything.

"That's fine. I'll pretend nothing happened and hang up."

— Yes, let's do that.

I hung up the phone. Unexpectedly, Manager Kang Young-ho, who was driving, said with a red and flushed face,

"Once a betrayer, always a betrayer. If you let this slide, he'll betray everyone and go to VVV, which pays well!"

"Bro, why are you saying that? Betray everyone?"

"How can you forgive someone who leaked your demo? Does that make sense?"

He's usually so quiet, but now he's suddenly very angry.

After a moment, I said,

"Oh, so you also got an offer?"

— ...

He's more transparent than I thought, and he's silent. I chuckled and, while tearing open the sandwich he bought for me, said,

"Bro."

"What?"

"Thanks."

He just sighed. I continued,

"Bro, joining us is definitely a win in the long run. Really."

Manager Kang Young-ho glanced at me and said,

"That's why I stayed."

"Really?"

"From the beginning, our job is to work with artists. If Manager Joon-woon works like that, no artist will trust him."

Manager Kang Young-ho must have stayed because of that belief. I hope that belief is right in the long run, as he said.

I'll make it happen.

* * *

As expected, Manager Park Joon-woon sent a long text message that evening. It was something like, "I'm sorry, thank you, tell me what you want," and so on.

So, I immediately set up a meeting and met with Manager Park Joon-woon. I learned from movies that the best way to avoid leaving evidence is to meet in person and talk.

When I asked him to tell me about VVV's Japan tour schedule and the survival show VMC is preparing, he said he would let me know as soon as he found out.

I immediately informed Lee Jun-hee of Big Blue about the situation. Fortunately, Lee Jun-hee said that since my demo had spread and affected my image, it was up to me to decide what to do about Manager Park Joon-woon.

The next day, I had a counseling session. The counseling center affiliated with TRV is a hospital-based center with separate doctors and counselors.

I avoided answering as usual, and the counselor, who had never raised his voice before, finally did.

"Anxiety manifesting as physical symptoms is not something that can be brushed off."

"It might not be anxiety causing the physical symptoms."

Oh.

Even I think that's a frustrating answer.

"I'm sorry. I know it's a frustrating answer. You're the expert, and of course, you're right."

"..."

"Are you angry?"

I asked with a sweet tone and expression, and the counselor sighed and said,

"Once a seizure occurs, it can happen again even without a specific situation."

"I just fainted from being tired."

"Then, you're not worried about seizures at all?"

Not really.

"If I'm worried, I'll sit down and rest. It gets better that way."

"If you keep answering like that, you'll just waste money without making any progress."

Last time, the counselor told me to record the moments when I felt anxious. But I don't even know when I feel anxious. Maybe anxiety has disappeared.

But the members and the counselor don't believe me.

The counselor continued,

"And if treatment is delayed, the anxious situations will only increase, and you'll end up back in the room."

"..."

I'm hearing a lot of harsh words today.

Since I didn't answer, the counselor frowned and continued,

"You don't want that, do you? Why would I say such things?"

I don't like taking medication because it makes me feel dazed. I don't want to explain the medication if I get caught during overseas activities. Honestly, I don't even understand why I'm getting counseling when I'm fine.

Compared to when I was with Kukseon-a, my situation is much better in every way. I'm working with people I like, and when I stand on stage, more and more fans love me. There are occasionally annoying people, but ultimately, I believe we have a bright future ahead.

I will never go back, and I have no intention of stopping at any point. I want to go as far as I can, even if it means drowning from exhaustion along the way.

So, I can't take a break for any reason.

"I'm really getting better."

"Even if you're getting better, you forgave the person who leaked your music?"

"Who said that?"

"I can't say."

No, which member is so loose-lipped?

"It's because I need him."

Ah, I can't explain the whole situation. I really need him...

But without an explanation, he didn't look convinced.

Anyway, I dragged out the time with various off-topic comments. As the session was almost over, I quickly got up.

"I'm done, so I'll go. Have a good day."

Thinking he might try to keep me for a few more minutes, I headed out. The counselor said,

"Absolutely no alcohol."

"Huh?"

No...

I quit smoking, and now no alcohol...

Well, it's the easiest thing the counselor has asked me to do.

But if I fall again, I might not be able to avoid hospital treatment, so I need to be careful.

* * *

After that, we had a meeting with the members, so I moved to room 304, which the company gave us. An Ju-won, who forced us to schedule the counseling, asked,

"Did the counseling go well?"

An Ju-won asked, so I nodded and sat down.

"Yeah, it was normal."

"You sound normal."

An Ju-won swore, but I pretended not to hear.

Recently, everyone's schedule has been so packed that we've only been able to communicate through group chats. It's been a while since we had a proper meeting. We've been pushing to release the album as soon as possible, so we finally set a schedule and started preparing.

We also needed to decide on a name for the fan meeting, which was to start immediately after our mini-tour. The meeting was urgent. Han Hyo-seok, who is the best at organizing and has the best handwriting, was tasked with writing down the members' opinions. An employee who brought the whiteboard said,

"Firstlight's oldest member is 21, so why do you guys love analog so much?"

I replied,

"I've always wondered that too. Why are they like this?"

"Right?"

The employee chuckled and left room 304. Park Seon-jae, born in 2007, said,

"I don't really like machines."

Hwang Saegil, sitting next to him, also nodded. It seems they're all just old souls.

Anyway, we started by discussing the name for the fan meeting. Firstlight's first official fan meeting. I raised my hand first, but Han Hyo-seok pretended not to see me.

"Hyo-seok, me."

"Please share your opinions."

"Hey."

"Bro, please don't come up with names."

"I sometimes have good ideas."

"Like what?"

"A round sun has risen. Isn't it good?"

"Members, please share your opinions."

"Can you at least write it on the whiteboard?"

Since I asked, he sighed and wrote it down. Shin Ji-woon, sitting next to him, said,

"Still, I'll give you credit for trying."

"No, I don't want credit from you."

"Really, I'm lucky to be born just half a year earlier than you."

Hehe. Lucky.

After that, many opinions were shared, but we couldn't narrow down the choices, so we moved on to the next agenda. We went through the suggestions for the mini-album structure and then Han Hyo-seok said,

"And now we have a schedule for the fan meeting before the mini-album release."

I thought it was a fan meeting discussion, but Han Hyo-seok said,

"We need to quickly come up with a strategy for the game with Aino's team before the shoot."

The members had already moved on to discussing the baseball variety show they were scheduled to appear on during the Lunar New Year holiday. I went along with it to some extent, as it was a good opportunity to be exposed on a public channel during the holiday.

But that's not the priority.

"Members, we need to discuss the fan meeting first."

Fortunately, the members came back to their senses. Ha, what's so special about baseball?

We then discussed the fan meeting and the mini-album structure. After that, Han Hyo-seok said,

"And now we have a schedule for the fan meeting before the mini-album release."