Chapter 4

04

"Let's scrap the plan."

"What?!"

The manager jumped up at what I said when I came back. It seemed like his over-the-top reaction would be useful if he were to be a part of the audience later.

I couldn't remember the manager's name, so I gave up on thinking about it. I turned my head away from him, as I was already thinking about the broadcast.

"Let's do it again. I can't do this song."

"Hey, are you crazy? What the hell are you doing? Don't you know you just came in?"

"Manager, think about it again. Can we really succeed with this?"

"That's... that's... of course we can!"

He looked so sure of himself.

"Pop pop pop! Crunch crunch crunch like an apple!"

I looked at the hesitant manager with pity. I'll cancel the idea of putting him in the audience. If he were my subordinate, I would have fired him right away.

He couldn't handle the situation, pushing forward without understanding the reality.

"I can't be sure about this, Manager. So let's scrap it."

"Are you kidding me?"

Kim Sung-hyun, who had been quietly listening, suddenly stood up and grabbed my shoulder. It was a common occurrence, but that didn't mean I liked it.

"What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to ruin us?"

"Why?"

"Why what? We already finished talking while you were gone. If you came in suddenly, just stay quiet. Don't mess everything up."

Kim Sung-hyun has a temper.

Being threatened wasn't a good thing, but at least he was willing to do something. I looked at him.

"Have you listened to the top 40 songs on the music charts?"

"What?"

"No, let's just do a song that's on the charts. It's really hard. Have you listened to them?"

"What are you talking about?"

Kim Sung-hyun still couldn't grasp the situation. His young face was still fuming.

"Trends change and pour in every day. We need to expand beyond just Korea to reach overseas. For that, major agencies spend a lot of money to bring songs from the U.S. or the U.K."

"..."

"Or, get a genius composer in Korea."

"So, what's your point?"

He has no patience. I clicked my tongue.

"Do you think our song will be on that list? Do you think Pineapple's song can even make it to the charts?"

Kim Sung-hyun was speechless.

"This is a waste of money and time."

I pushed his hand away.

Everyone looked down at the floor with gloomy faces. Of course, we had to accept reality.

As the representative said, being an idol costs a lot more than you think. Just to appear on a music show, the makeup, hair, styling, and labor costs are enormous. Even for a lesser-known idol, it's the same.

But to do music activities with a song like this? It's just a waste of money.

Kim Sung-hyun, who knew the reality, couldn't argue back and clenched his fists.

"Then do we have a better option? We don't, right? So we just have to do it."

"Just doing it isn't enough."

I said it bluntly.

"We have to do it really well."

That's right. Just maintaining a certain level isn't enough for an idol. To be a top-tier idol, I need to make a big splash from the start.

The youngest member, Jung Da-jun, who had been fidgeting, hesitantly asked,

"Hyung, but you don't have a solution either, right...?"

"Me?"

"If what you say is true, aren't you saying we should scrap this plan and get another song? But how can we get such a song? The representative has already given up on us..."

There must be a way.

Before directly answering, I brought a chair and sat down. Unintentionally, everyone was sitting on the floor, so I was looking down at them from above. I liked the view.

"Isn't it a waste, guys?"

"What?"

"The time you spend in the practice room. The days you spend hoping for an uncertain future."

Everyone's eyes wavered. I've never been an idol or understood them, but I could pretend to know their psychology from years of participating in competition shows. I deliberately spoke harshly.

"Other people go to college, work, or do part-time jobs to earn money. You guys just waste the money of your families and the company."

"Seo Ho-yun."

Surprisingly, the most gentle-looking Sung Ji-won warned me. I looked at him.

"I know you're anxious, but don't talk so carelessly. Saying things like that won't help us."

I noted Sung Ji-won's characteristics in my mind. Seeing him get angry, it seemed he had family issues. Despite wanting to reflect, my anxiety rose, and I raised my hand.

"Listen."

"..."

"I'm saying we shouldn't live like this."

"What?"

"Look back. When you all came into the practice room, when you joined this agency, what were you thinking?"

"..."

"I bet you wanted to make a few billion and buy your parents an apartment, or be an idol that fans go wild for with just a wave of your hand, or whose every word makes headlines."

Everyone shut their mouths, as if I had hit a nerve. I understood; it was a natural human desire.

"But now, what are we doing? Just wasting time here, singing the representative's orchard song?"

"That's..."

"Don't you hate it? Can't you do it?"

Yeah, good. Everyone is confused.

I saw my chance and lowered my eyebrows, sighed, and sweetly said,

"I feel sorry. I might have spoken harshly about wasting money and time, but it's because I feel like you're wasting your talent."

Oops, I should have said 'we' instead of 'you.'

It doesn't matter.

"Trust me. Let's scrap the plan. We can start over. I'll make your sweat in the practice room shine on stage."

Everyone wavered. The manager seemed to be thinking about how Seo Ho-yun suddenly became such a smooth talker.

And I decided to drive the point home.

"And, Jung Da-jun."

"Y-Yes?"

"When did I say I don't have a solution?"

I'm not just talking nonsense.

[You're very confident, aren't you?]

'Of course.'

The system window popped up. I glanced at it.

'Is this against the rules, overturning everything?'

[Do as you please! Listen to the Idol Tycoon respects the player's freedom.]

Respect? It was trying to ruin me with the dialogue window just a moment ago.

"What's your solution?"

"Of course, there's only one."

Everyone's eyes widened. It's natural to be drawn to a confident newcomer who's making a mess.

"Come back with a good song."

I answered, adjusting my tone to sound confident but not arrogant.

A good song is the foundation of success.

"I'll get a song from Blue Tiger."

"From Blue Tiger?!"

Everyone jumped up.

Blue Tiger. One of the most renowned composers in Korea, known for his versatility across all genres, from ballads to idol songs. He's famous for his high standards.

So, even major agencies have to pour money into it, and singers or idols have to beg and plead to get a song from Blue Tiger. It's a guarantee of success.

"Blue Tiger gave a song to the senior Joo Sung, who's in Black Cole, and it was a huge hit."

"Plus, the King of Ballads, Hyun Sung... Yeah, Blue Tiger means a hit."

The youngest member, Jung Da-jun, and the manager jumped up, but the others frowned. I prefer the realistic approach.

"What... What nonsense are you talking? You're just talking nonsense in the end?"

"Well, I understand your thoughts. Blue Tiger only gives songs to major agencies, and only to those who are already famous... How can we get a song from him?"

Yes, I knew this reaction would come.

Even in reality, it's the same. How can a half-baked idol who hasn't even properly debuted get a song from Blue Tiger?

But I'm Seo Ho-yun.

"I can get it."

"Where does your confidence come from?"

"Are you still sick?"

Thinking I was joking, the atmosphere in the practice room became tense.

But I wasn't joking. I said it again, enunciating each syllable clearly.

"I will definitely get it. I promise."

"..."

Silence filled the practice room. Everyone looked stunned. They seemed to be confused, unsure if I was a great liar or if I could really do it, overwhelmed by my confidence.

I didn't miss this silence.

"I will make... no, we will succeed."

I have a way.

The atmosphere in the practice room changed. The faces that were slack and resigned now showed subtle hope and expectation, as well as clear caution.

Good. This competitive dynamic. It's much better than the deflated look they had before.

I smiled.

"Trust me, even if it's a gamble."

I'll make it happen.

Of course, the others' reaction was cold. They seemed to be half-believing, half-doubting.

But it doesn't matter to me. I'm going to make it happen. I extended three fingers.

"Wait four days."

"Are you really going to get a song from Blue Tiger?"

Kim Sung-hyun was suspicious. I ignored him.

And I said something to deflate the mood. I wanted to avoid wasting time, even if it made me feel bad.

Fortunately, it worked, and everyone started to pay attention.

"I... I'll trust Hyung."

"Kang I-chae!"

"Just... I think it's not bad to see how far we can go, now that it's come to this?"

Kang I-chae smiled and agreed with me. From the look of it, I think he was just using it as an excuse because he didn't want to do Pineapple's song. I just added fuel to the fire.

I nodded and looked around, making eye contact with the manager.

"Manager."

"H-Hyun."

"Prepare the contract. Let's talk again."

I was in charge here. Normally, an idol trying to get back into the comeback would have to grovel and read the room, so the manager looked confused.

I didn't care.

"See you in four days."

I lightly greeted them and left. As I walked down the hallway, the system window popped up.

[Unexpected Quest: 'Get the Comeback Song!' You're talking nonsense!

Let's see if it's just bravado.

Success: +10 Charm.

Failure: Reputation drop, have to wear Pineapple's outfit and be the center.]

"...You're really enjoying this."

I muttered and quickened my pace, not wanting to wear Pineapple's outfit as a penalty.