Chapter 22

22

[The Listen-See Idol Tycoon is doing its best to prevent spoilers^^]

"Hah..."

"Hoyun, we've arrived."

"Ah, yes."

I got out of the car and followed the manager into the company. Whether we were doing a showcase or charting, it was still the same old building.

The manager kept talking beside me.

"Don't worry too much. About meeting the CEO, I don't think it'll be anything bad."

The manager kept worrying about me. This person, when you look closely, is really quite innocent.

"This time, your chart performance was really, really good. Maybe they're planning to push you even harder?"

...The problem was that he was too positive.

I smiled wryly and followed him into the CEO's office. The CEO was on a call, but when our eyes met, he smiled widely as if seeing a pile of rolling money.

'Is this what intra-group discrimination looks like?'

"Ah, Hoyun, you're here."

"CEO, hello."

"Just a moment, I have a call to finish. Ah, yes. I'm sorry. Right now, Seo Hoyun has just come in."

Why is he smiling so widely? Even selling my name...

I felt strangely uneasy and started to look around.

'Could it be a casting call?'

The manager, sitting beside me, was even more anxious, shaking his leg.

"Ho, Ho, Hoyun, do you want some water?"

"...Manager, calm down."

Maybe the manager was more worried than I was.

After a while, the CEO hung up, saying "Yes, yes," and then looked at me with a pleased expression.

"Hoyun, was the trip here difficult?"

'Our Hoyun?'

"Thanks to your consideration, it was fine. The manager took good care of me."

"Hahaha! You're still a smooth talker."

I subtly praised the CEO in front of him to calm the manager down. The CEO, looking very pleased, laughed and sank into the sofa opposite.

"I heard you charted."

"Yes, I was lucky."

"You guys had a stroke of luck this time. You had a strong lineup, good songs, and a decent plan... and you charted. Among them, you, Hoyun, were the best, right?"

"Hahaha."

'Get to the point already.'

I smiled robotically.

"Forget about the penalty fee now."

"Yes, that's a relief."

Even though he was openly praising me, I felt more distrust. You know, life doesn't usually flow so smoothly.

The CEO and I, hiding our true feelings, continued the conversation with smiles.

"CEO, did something good happen today?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yes."

"..."

"Quite a lot."

When I spoke honestly, the manager started sweating, but the CEO just laughed heartily.

"I have two pieces of news to share with you. Originally, I should have called all the members, but-."

Both pieces of news won't be bad.

"The first one is that your dorm has been decided."

"..."

It felt like the air had turned cold. This should have been done a year ago when the kids debuted.

"You won't have to keep coming and going anymore. Especially Lee Chae, who had to live far away and was struggling. I was really worried about him."

'You didn't care at all.'

"Da Jun is also a minor... After much consideration, we decided to provide a dorm."

'You didn't care at all.'

"That's great news. Thank you for your consideration."

I answered automatically. Thinking of Jung Da Jun, who had suffered with swollen ankles, made the CEO's smile in front of me seem even more annoying.

But I could understand. Listen-See probably didn't have the money to provide a dorm.

"At the same time, we talked with the planning team and decided to film behind-the-scenes footage of the dorm and post it on our YouTube channel. You can move into the dorm from today."

"Wow, Hoyun, this is great!"

The manager clapped his hands in joy. Meanwhile, my expression was calm, even a bit disappointed.

'I thought it was a casting call.'

"Yes, I understand. I'll tell the members separately."

"Thanks, Hoyun. It's reassuring to have you around."

Is this it?

Anyway, the behind-the-scenes footage of the music video would be released gradually, so it wasn't a big deal.

The planning team worked hard, and the CEO took all the credit.

Well, it wasn't a bad idea. I shrugged and asked.

"Is that it?"

"Oh, Hoyun, you're too impatient."

The CEO chuckled and tapped his phone.

"You've been offered a variety show appearance."

"Variety show?!"

The manager spilled water. It reminded me of a scene where orange juice spills.

"Ah, sorry."

"Manager, here."

"Our kids are already on a variety show...?"

The manager's eyes welled up with surprise. I grabbed a tissue from the table and threw it to him.

"Thanks, Hoyun."

"Yes."

The manager sniffled, but my interest was completely focused on the CEO.

"What kind of variety show?"

Weekly Star, something like that would be fine. We could create a few clips.

Variety shows are where so many stars can rise. It's a god-like domain that can suddenly make unknowns famous. That's why I was in the variety show department.

Weekly Star? Or behind-the-scenes footage? Since Deden's recognition isn't high, it's probably a cable channel...

What's popular on cable channels these days? As I thought, the CEO smiled and said.

"Specifically, it's a survival competition show called 'Shining Star.'"

"Survival competition?"

I slowly clenched my fist. The CEO nodded.

"You know PD Jung Moon-sun, right? He's famous for audition competition shows. This is a show he's been working on, but he's looking for a new PD for a different variety show. Still, the recognition won't be bad."

"..."

"Why, it's like a show where debut members are chosen from trainees. It's similar to that, but they gather boy groups with average recognition and have them compete. The winner gets their own variety show and can participate in the next major competition."

'Wow...'

Maybe I've been living a good life.

God is giving me such an opportunity.

I tried to maintain a pleasant expression, but the CEO, worried that I might say no, probed me.

"Why, are you worried?"

"CEO, wouldn't it be difficult for Deden to appear on such a show? The idol group that appeared on a similar show last time, half of them had their image ruined."

"Ah, I am a bit worried. Usually, that cable channel... is quite malicious."

"It's not just malicious! They're famous for their devilish editing! They boost their own idols to please big entertainment companies and ruin the image of others. There are even groups that disbanded because their trainees' clips were edited to ruin their image!"

"Hmm, I think it's a good opportunity to boost recognition. Of course, it might not be good in the long run."

The manager and CEO had a heated discussion. As the negative opinions became more dominant, the CEO stroked his chin and asked me.

"So, what do you think, Hoyun? I'll respect your opinion if you say no."

"No."

I slowly nodded.

Devilish editing? Image making?

"I want to do it."

Why should I worry about that?

I smiled very kindly, and both the CEO and the manager flinched. Plans were already forming in my head.

"I really, really, really want to do it. I'll definitely convince the members. Please let us participate in Shining Star."

"Oh, that... That's a first to see you beg like this, Hoyun."

"I'll pass it on positively. I'll also inform the planning team and the manager. But I'll check with the members too."

"Yes."

"Go rest. You've worked hard today."

I bowed and left.

In my head, I was already building a plan.

***

"Ooh, pick up the card."

"..."

"A clearer future~!"

"Back off."

I was packing essentials for the dorm life at home.

After finishing packing and getting ready to go to the dorm, Seo Hojin was being too annoying, so I gave him a headbutt. It made a loud thud, and Seo Hojin whined in pain.

I dragged my suitcase to the front door and kept giving him endless instructions.

"Turn off the gas, and if you're not using the air conditioner, turn it off too. Don't just order food; cook a bit."

"Complaining...?"

"Are you not going to listen to me?"

Seo Hojin smiled despite my threats. This kid has lost his edge. At first, he was proud of my debut, but now he finds it funny.

"Bro, you're getting popular? One of my classmates has you as their profile picture. They say you're handsome."

"Is that so?"

"Because of that, I can't send messages to them anymore. I feel like I'm talking to you. It's scary."

Seo Hojin chuckled. I looked at my pathetic brother and gave one last instruction.

"Try not to tell people I'm your brother, it'll just be a hassle."

"I'll follow your orders."

That's how it's always been. Even when I was a PD, I told Seo Hojin to keep it a secret that I was his brother. People often picked fights with me, saying I was a villain (though I didn't think I was).

Especially when he was in middle or high school.

If it was that way for a PD, it would be even worse for an idol.

"Bro, take care. Live well in the dorm."

"Sure, idiot."

"Low probability, you're worried~ But don't worry, I'll lead you, taang!"

My expression soured. Seo Hojin was trying to hold back his laughter, clearly excited to have a new way to tease me. I crossed my arms and sneered.

"Bro is leaving..."

"Yep, the genius idol is leaving now~!"

"Are you not going to cry?"

"..."

"Huh? Crying? Crying?"

This time, Seo Hojin's expression soured. When I mentioned the time I collapsed and cried in the hospital, Seo Hojin seemed to be embarrassed by his past. I chuckled and left.

"Don't wet the pillow without me~"

"Just go. Get lost."

Indeed... There's a special satisfaction in having a younger brother with a significant age gap.

"Bye~"

"Go!"

I smiled and adjusted my cap as I looked at the door that slammed shut. As I took the bus or subway to the dorm address, a song played on the street.

[Let's say it again, this is the beginning, we are]

What?! It's our song.

I stopped and looked at the store. It seemed to be playing the top 100 from a music site.

Hearing our song on the street means this: We're still charting. A smile spread across my face.

It felt good.

·

·

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"Why are you doing that...?"

"Hey... You!"

"Do I look like a charting artist to you?"

"Kuk... The light is so bright, I can't see your face!"

Before these guys start their nonsense.