Chapter 8

08

[Professor… It seems that burying it behind the school mountain will be faster than me graduating. Why do I even have to attend school?]

[No… And why isn’t Black Call making a comeback? Don’t you want to work for the agency??]

The graduate student, posting on social media, cursed the professor to her heart's content once again.

Late obsessions are more terrifying, she thought. Her light fandom during her student days changed after meeting Joo Sung from Black Call three years ago.

'This guy… he is handsome…'

She re-tweeted (re-jjak) a photo of Joo Sung, which was almost three months old, and shed tears.

Black Call was a male idol group that a major agency had ambitiously launched a few years ago, and they were truly top-tier idols in South Korea.

Joo Sung, known as the gateway for non-fans to become fans, had once she became immersed, turned into a hardcore fan.

She posted a complaint about the agency while harboring frustration, when a notification from Joo Sung’s star alert popped up.

"Huh…?"

Is it finally a teaser?

#Advertising #Just posting the brand name and not showing his face properly, it feels like I’m going to die from frustration.

But today, he finally posted his face!

She happily scrolled through, but then frowned at the next video that appeared.

"What is this?"

*** [Daepa Entertainment]

It had only been two days, but with so much happening, it felt like a long time since she had been there.

After visiting Joo Sung’s apartment, the company building looked even more dilapidated, making her sigh. Still, her phone contained a powerful weapon.

As she stepped into the building, she saw Jung Daejun fidgeting nervously in the lobby.

"Bro?"

"Hm."

Jung Daejun’s eyes widened, and he ran over to grab her arm.

"Hyun, why didn’t you answer my calls?"

"Um… Good diction."

"Ah, Hyun!"

Ugh, I don’t know if my ears are bleeding from all the questions. She slipped her arm away and asked,

"Are you doing well?"

"Are you doing well?"

Kang Icha appeared from the side. Kang Icha grinned like a madman and shook his head.

"It was a big deal, the last two days."

"Hyun, how much of a fuss did he make… The atmosphere was really tense. Hyun, covered it, but… No, that’s not the point. Are you finally giving up?"

"Giving up on what?"

"Huh? You didn’t come because you couldn’t get a song?"

These guys really lack faith in me.

She pressed the back of Jung Daejun’s head, who was looking up at her innocently. As he yelped in pain, she met Kang Icha’s gaze. A look of disbelief flashed in Kang Icha’s eyes.

Kang Icha, as I thought last time, is crazy but perceptive.

Kang Icha asked,

"Really?"

"Really."

She answered nonchalantly. Kang Icha still had his doubts but headed to the practice room obediently.

Inside, Kim Sung-hyun and Seung Jiwan were having a serious conversation. They both stood up when they saw her.

"You’re here?"

"……"

Kim Sung-hyun glanced at her. She could feel Seung Jiwan’s awkward gaze.

Why are their expressions so dark?

"Ho-yun."

Seung Jiwan hesitated before approaching her.

"You must have worked hard."

Huh?

"I heard that Im Hyun-soo is rough and has a sharp tongue… Did he say anything harsh to you?"

This is an unexpected turn of events.

Seung Jiwan was probably offering comfort, assuming I had failed.

"Yes."

"What… What did he say?"

"Crazy bastard, lunatic, son of a bitch… I heard it all."

Im Hyun-soo’s mouth is still as sharp as ever.

As she listed the things she had heard, the already tense atmosphere in the practice room became even more oppressive.

"Bro…."

"Oh dear…."

Jung Daejun looked like the world was ending. Kim Sung-hyun, who I thought would mock me, surprisingly kept his mouth shut, sensing my mood.

"…Good job. Don’t be too upset about not getting the song…."

"What are you talking about? When did I say I didn’t get it?"

"Huh?"

"Of course I got it. I said I would get it, didn’t I?"

Everyone looked stunned, unable to accept the reality.

She walked past them to the speakers and connected her phone. The speakers were so old, I need to buy new ones when I get paid.

She played the audio file she had received on her phone. She remembered the call when Im Hyun-soo had sent the file.

[Hey, I really… suddenly got inspired. Maybe I’m a genius?]

"Uh…."

[Are you listening to this?]

At first, it was muffled, like being underwater.

After a moment, a hissing sound cleared up, and the sound became clear. A strong electronic beat started.

[While working on it, I got excited and added a lot of stuff. There are still parts I don’t like, so I’m going to change them.]

A perfectionist, as usual. I didn’t expect him to do it, but Im Hyun-soo even sang the guide vocals. The temporary lyrics matched the concept I had conveyed.

It was a husky female voice, but it could easily be adapted to a male key.

[Let’s start again, we will come back every time. This strange déjà vu, you don’t have to be afraid. No need to be scared.]

'The lyrics fit well, too.'

Even without saying it was a Blue Tiger song, it was obvious.

Im Hyun-soo’s favorite beats, songs, concepts, and styles.

Despite his complaints, he had really nailed the beats and melody.

'You’re good, Im Hyun-soo.'

The song ended after 3 minutes and 40 seconds.

It was really well done. With more detailed planning and a story, and asking Im Hyun-soo to revise the lyrics, it would be perfect.

"How is it?"

She turned to the members with a subtly satisfied look. She expected them to jump with excitement, but they were all….

"……"

"……"

Silent.

"Why are you like this? Still doubting?"

Do you think it’s not a Blue Tiger song? I’m seriously considering calling him for a video call to prove it, but Seung Jiwan shook his head. He understood.

"I believe you."

Then why? What’s with this silence?

"Never mind how you got it or how you know him…."

"……"

Meanwhile, Kim Sung-hyun spoke up, hesitantly.

"Is this ours?"

"Of course."

She didn’t mention that she had received it as a donation.

Kang Icha, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke.

"……The song is good."

Suddenly, Jung Daejun sniffled. Everyone was taken aback. She was the most surprised.

"Are you crying?"

"No, I’m not crying…. Damn, it’s embarrassing."

"Why are you crying?"

Usually, asking someone who’s crying why they’re crying gets no answer, but I was so baffled I had to ask.

Sniffling and pretending not to cry, Jung Daejun was comforted by Seung Jiwan, who explained for him.

"Probably because the song is so good. We really… got a song that seems like it’s from a major agency. It’s hard to believe."

"Wow…."

"Da-jun has been struggling for a year."

Ah, at least it’s not that he doesn’t like it.

Jung Daejun, still sniffling, couldn’t pull himself together as Seung Jiwan continued to comfort him.

Suddenly, Kang Icha stood up and clapped.

"Let’s all clap. Clap for us escaping the pineapple curse. Clap for Seo Ho-yun!"

The mood lightened. Kang Icha seemed to have a strong mental fortitude, which was a relief.

Everyone, though not saying it, looked grateful to her. Even Kim Sung-hyun.

"…Good job."

He didn’t say it directly, but she could tell.

'Phew…'

She quickly adjusted her image.

'These guys might be giving me too much credit….'

They’re all so innocent. She waited for the suddenly warm atmosphere to cool down. When Jung Daejun stopped sniffling, she clapped her hands.

"Alright, guys. Let’s talk."

The other members, wondering what she would say next, just looked at each other awkwardly.

Knowing they were completely unprepared, she nodded and threw a printout to them. Kang Icha, the closest, caught it easily.

"What’s this?"

"Materials."

"What kind of materials…?"

"We didn’t just get the song. We need to plan the choreography, lyrics, and overall concept. I’ve gathered all the current trends."

"So?"

Jung Daejun looked confused, while Kang Icha and Kim Sung-hyun, catching on, were already skimming through the materials.

Yes, idols need to be perceptive.

"I came up with a plan to match the song."

"Huh?"

"We can’t use the pineapple plan. I’ll tell the CEO we need to revise it completely."

Normally, we would plan first, then compose the song, write the lyrics, and start choreography, but we only have a month left.

It’s better to go all out.

Everyone seemed to be pumped up, nodding vigorously.

"I’ll work hard."

"Sure! Let’s do it!"

"It’s two o’clock, right?"

"Yep!"

She checked her phone.

"Finish by three. Then we’ll have a planning meeting."

You guys need to earn your keep.

"Unbelievable…."

"I’ll do it."

While the manager and Jung Daejun were stunned, Seung Jiwan stood up, his eyes full of determination.

I’ll leave this to you.

She gestured to the manager.

"Come with me."

"Why me?"

"Huh? Isn’t Hyun coming with us?"

No. Of course, as a PD, I could plan things with my eyes closed, but there was something more urgent.

Pointing up at Kang Icha’s question, she said,

"To meet the CEO."

Everyone’s mouths dropped open.

"Really?"

"We need to overhaul everything."

"Hyun, I’m sorry for putting you on the line."

"……"

Ding!

[…Hmm……. Uh…….]

Even the system window, which had been constantly mocking, lost its words and sighed at the overly innocent members.

"Alright."

She turned and dragged the manager to the CEO’s office.

The manager was fidgeting, but she had a job to do.

"Did you fix the contract?"

"Uh, yeah, but there’s no need to involve the CEO…."

"I need to consult about revising the entire plan."

…It’s an excuse.

I needed to have a one-on-one showdown with the CEO.

When they arrived, the CEO, who she had seen before, was still frowning and looking at documents.

"What is it?"

"Hello, I’m Seo Ho-yun."

"Oh…."

"Here to talk about the contract."

The CEO squinted.

"Yes. And to consult."

"Good grief. Next time, call first. You keep showing up unexpectedly…."

I can’t trust this damn entertainment company, which has done nothing with only a month left until the comeback.

The CEO sighed and gestured to the manager.

"Contract."

"Got it!"

The manager hurriedly brought it over. She sat down and quickly scanned the contract.

Usually, people in their early twenties, especially idols who roll around in practice rooms, sign without even knowing what they’re signing.

"Turns out there wasn’t a proper contract. So I made a standard one."

The manager explained in detail. She flipped through the 10-page document expressionlessly and asked,

"Did you tell the CEO I’m scrapping the plan?"

"Uh, yeah… I kind of mentioned it…."

Looks like he tried to gloss over it.

"Scrapping the plan? Why?"

"To save time."

She looked at the CEO’s frowning face. He probably thinks I’m just being stubborn.

Suddenly, the manager chimed in,

"Hyun isn’t just talking! He got a song from Blue Tiger!"

'Damn.'

I was saving that for a crucial moment. He’s trying to support me, but he’s clueless.

She gave the manager a cold look and turned to the CEO, who looked intrigued.

"From Blue Tiger?"