Chapter 99: The Techniques of an Idol Who Never Fails

The number one in Korea's entertainment industry.

Structurally, VVV Entertainment is one of VMC's subsidiaries, but VVV Entertainment was established first, and VMC was created as the business expanded.

Regardless of the details, it's clear that VVV and VMC are one entity...

I've seen many cases where subsidiaries compete and have bad relationships, but I'm not sure how this situation will play out.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I contacted a traitor working at VVV Entertainment. As soon as Park Jung-un, the former manager, answered the phone, I asked,

"Brother, are VVV Entertainment and VMC on good terms?"

Park Jung-un, the former manager, replied,

-Not really.

"Why?"

-VMC thinks they are the main company, but VVV thinks they are the original.

"Neither of them is entirely wrong."

-That's true... Anyway, the executives are cautious because they don't know which side the CEO will recognize as the real one.

It seems they don't get along well.

So, when VMC tried to tear apart the six boys from First Light, is VVV Entertainment going to take the opposite approach?

Both sides seem equally sinister, but the one trying to maintain First Light is better for me.

-Why is that?

"Oh, VVV Entertainment sent a congratulatory text for the daily chart number one and a kind message to First Light. Did you give them my number?"

-VVV Entertainment wouldn't know your number, Kukseon-a. I didn't leak everything...

"I see. I'll hang up."

-You're not even asking how I am?

"Why would I ask a traitor how they are?"

-...Anyway, who contacted you? Even if you did, VMC has a policy, so who would send a kind message to First Light?

"A&R team member, Kang Hyo-jun."

-Ah... I heard he's the team leader and the CEO's nephew.

"Brother, you're actually doing well at that company, aren't you? You know everything."

-No, it's tough... I've been eating alone since I started...

"Okay, but you're working hard. Really, I'll hang up."

-Okay. It's still cold, so dress warmly...

"Thanks, you've worked hard."

The conversation was getting tedious, so I hung up. It seems he's having a hard time at his company. Well, that's why someone might have pushed him to betray...

After hanging up, I pondered and decided to reply to VVV Entertainment's A&R.

[Thank you for your congratulations. I also wish VVV Entertainment a smooth journey.]

...Is this okay?

Sometimes, the enemy of your enemy can be your ally.

Even if TRV is acquired by VMC, the remaining contract period is only one year.

But it will be difficult to reject the offer from VMC, which has become a large corporation beyond the entertainment industry.

Renewal. Can I do it?

Can I trust my members?

These complex thoughts made my heart race. To calm down, I picked up my acoustic guitar again.

* * *

After eating and playing soccer to burn off their energy, the cast drank a shot of soju like medicine and fell asleep.

I wanted to talk to the members in the early morning, but they fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows, and I couldn't wake them up. It's a shame...

The next morning, when I woke up, only Big Blue's Choi Jung-min, who drinks coffee to keep the caffeine flowing through his veins, was up, chatting and laughing with the now close main PD.

I greeted the awake people and asked Choi Jung-min,

"Brother, you're already up?"

"Hey, Hae-won."

I was impressed by his early rise, but Choi Jung-min looked at me curiously and said,

"How are you already up?"

"Brother, you're up too."

"I know the set and everyone here. The guests expend more energy."

I sipped coffee while listening to Choi Jung-min. In the middle of our small talk, I commented on the eco-friendly paint placed to be visible for the sponsor.

"Really, they do everything from start to finish."

"Exactly! It would be better if they hired some part-timers."

Choi Jung-min grumbled to the main PD,

"Listen to me, you."

"Ah, the show needs authenticity."

"That's what I mean, it's too much."

Despite their constant bickering, I could sense a deep trust between them.

After everyone woke up, we started painting. The place still felt shabby after just cleaning, but the atmosphere changed completely after painting. Under An Ju-won's lead, the flower market team decorated with indoor ornaments they bought.

Everyone felt proud and took many photos. Kang Dae-hyung said,

"Wow, this is the best work we've done so far."

"Definitely, with so many people, we finished it in one day."

Choi Jung-min agreed and said to us,

"If we need more hands next time, come over."

As soon as he finished, Han Hyo-seok, who fit the show's style well, replied,

"I'll come if you call me."

"Really? You're promising on camera?"

"Yes, of course."

We made plans for the next time, and the filming ended.

After filming, the group chat was lively as we returned to Seoul.

[Min-jo: Hae-won, get us another show!]

[No, I didn't get it, it just happened.]

[An Ju-won: Why not, it's fine.]

Everyone was busy boasting about their contributions to weeding, cooking, cleaning, and interior design. I chuckled at the excited members and hoped the show would turn out well.

* * *

A few days later, we had a music video shoot.

This music video had a lot of CG scenes. Since we usually had fewer CG scenes, the members had trouble adapting to acting in front of the chroma key screen.

However, the crew explained the music video in detail to each member, and they soon got into character.

My turn was approaching, so I got my makeup done and received a white uniform similar to the members'. The silver decorations on the costume didn't seem cheap at all.

I was curious about how the company, which seemed reluctant to invest in us, managed to afford the costumes, so I asked the stylist, Lee Ye-young.

"Big sister, didn't these costumes cost a lot?"

"There were a lot of sponsorships, and we made the parts that exceeded the budget ourselves."

"Really?"

"They have to look good, don't they?"

I pretended to cry, moved by her words, and she said,

"What are you moved about? Your style is my business card."

"Even that is touching."

Thanks to that, our costumes didn't smell cheap.

After finishing preparations early, I called home while waiting for my turn. My mother answered, and I could tell it was noisy around her.

"Mom, do you have guests?"

-Yes, everyone came to watch 'Visiting Workers'! Grandma and my aunts are here too...

Previously, the survival shows I appeared in weren't very interesting to adults, and I didn't show a good image on TV, so people stopped gathering to watch. Seeing the relatives gathered like it was a holiday today, it seemed the pain in my parents' hearts had eased. Thinking about it, I felt relieved.

"We did a lot of work there."

-Did you? You're not just pretending, right?

"No, we really did everything from start to finish."

I complained to my mother for a while, then hung up and headed to the shoot.

The title track was playing at the shoot.

I made last-minute changes to the song even after the mixing was done.

Many people, including the members, were involved in the revision, but they joined in without saying they were sorry. The number of people who should receive royalties from 'Let's Meet This Year' is increasing.

During the revision, I felt my senses were more acute than usual. It must be the 'Creator's Sensitive S' trait.

The heightened sensitivity was definitely good for creation. I didn't feel any side effects during the trial period, so I thought it was okay to continue using it.

Thinking that, I went to the waiting room and watched Shin Ji-won filming in front of the chroma key screen. Noticing my presence, Shin Ji-won said,

"Stop watching, it's distracting."

"Why? I'm not the only one watching."

"It's different when a member is watching."

"Focus and act, don't worry about it."

I stood there, trying to tease him. I didn't think he would be watching during my turn...

When my part started, Shin Ji-won not only watched but also called the other members.

"Hae-won is acting."

"Wow, I want to watch."

"Isn't Hae-won the only one who hasn't studied acting among us?"

Han Hyo-seok said, and I replied,

"I've studied, you fool."

"Really?"

"Of course. For about three hours... But are you all going to watch?"

"Focus. Don't look at me."

Shin Ji-won gestured for me to turn my head.

This is what they mean by 'giving and taking.' Haha.

OIN Studio, which worked on 'Turn On the Light,' was in charge of this music video. Director Hong, who directed us last time, had a refreshing expression throughout the shoot.

I heard he fought with TRV staff to include good scenes of me, regardless of my image at the time.

My image was really at rock bottom then, and it's surprising to learn that someone was on my side without me knowing.