Chapter 1

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# Episode 001

Have you ever heard the story of a successful entrepreneur?

Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Ford, Rockefeller, and so on.

Their biographies are no different from modern myths.

Many people read anecdotes about entrepreneurs and marvel.

Indeed, these people are different in some way.

They have some special ability that ordinary people don't.

Park Sung-pil also agrees.

Successful entrepreneurs must have something special.

Because he has it too.

It might sound like he had a few drinks, but it was the truth.

* * *

Park Sung-pil.

He is the vice president of Success Entertainment.

He entered the industry as a manager for a celebrity right after high school and climbed to his current position through all kinds of hardships.

He is one of the founding members of Success Entertainment. And as the company's name suggests, Sung-pil has only brought success to the company.

However, his internal evaluation was not good.

“Bro, I really feel like I’m going to die.”

Min-gyu, the leader of a four-year idol group, made a sad face in front of Sung-pil.

He was ready to beg by banging his head on the floor at any moment.

“There’s no break in the schedule for six months if we don’t take a break this week.”

“What can I do? You know, popularity isn’t forever. It can burst like a bubble. If you’re out of the news for a month, people treat you like you’re dead. You need to seize the opportunities when they come.”

“That’s true, but...”

“Let’s just do this show. It’s a one-night, two-day thing. Then you can rest for a day, right?”

“B-but, bro. Our members are really struggling too.”

Min-gyu raised his voice, determined to be firm instead of pleading.

To Sung-pil, it was laughable.

“What if you collapse? Honestly, it might be better to quit...”

“Do you really mean that?”

“...”

Min-gyu couldn’t meet Sung-pil’s stern gaze.

“Want to quit? Really?”

“No, bro. You know I don’t mean that.”

“Don’t you remember your trainee days? You danced and sang until you fell asleep. You said you’d die if you got picked. Now you’re not working just because you’re making some money?”

“Huh...”

“Go ahead, take a break. I know you think I see you as just a money-making machine, but no. I want the kids in this company to succeed more than anyone. That’s why I arrange the schedules. What? Is quitting better?”

Just before Sung-pil lost his temper, Min-gyu backed down first.

“I’m sorry. I... I just...”

The heated atmosphere cooled down rapidly. Sung-pil looked at Min-gyu with a sympathetic gaze.

He patted his shoulder to comfort him.

“Sorry for raising my voice. I was wrong too.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Just hang in there a little longer. Even if you don’t renew your contract, you still have three years left. So, what do you plan to do after that?”

“Three years already...”

“You always need to think about the future. Many idols just sit around after quitting, thinking their career is over.”

“I’ll continue being an entertainer.”

“Think about other options too. Of course, I’ll support you to the end if you continue this. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

“Thank you.”

Min-gyu didn’t get the vacation he wanted. He would be scolded by his members when he returned to the dorm.

Sung-pil had overcome another challenge today.

And challenges come every day, every week.

This time, the opponent was an actor. The manager of actor Min Ji-seon came first.

“What brings you here, Manager Kang?”

“Well, it seems Ji-seon is holding a somewhat negative view about this role...”

“Doesn’t want to take it?”

“...Not entirely, but if we do the rehearsals, it might cause some issues...”

“Bring her in.”

The manager went downstairs to fetch Min Ji-seon. She scolded him.

“You said you’d handle it at your end!”

“S-Sorry. I couldn’t think of what to say when I saw the vice president.”

In the end, Min Ji-seon was brought to Sung-pil.

She was extremely nervous under Sung-pil’s penetrating gaze. But for her future, she vowed not to give up this time.

“I’ll be straightforward. The role you’ve arranged for me is a bit...”

“Our Ji-seon. You’ve become quite full of yourself after appearing in a popular drama.”

“...What?”

“Go ahead, do what you want.”

Sung-pil crossed his arms and leaned back, looking down on her.

Min Ji-seon felt more fear than anger.

She was a second-year actor with moderate popularity, but in terms of experience, she was still a rookie.

Sung-pil knew well the vague fear she had of the industry.

After all, she had started her career at Success Entertainment and had grown up like a greenhouse flower.

“Let’s see how well you can do.”

“...Can I really do it?”

“Sure, go ahead. Do you want to see all the scripts you’ve been given and decide after reading them?”

Anyone could tell he was mocking her.

The more he mocked, the more Min Ji-seon’s confidence waned.

“I’m curious to see what great project you’ll get if you turn down what I’ve arranged. I’m dying to see what our great actress Min Ji-seon will bring. So, do you have something in mind? What is it? Will you tell me?”

This mockery was almost a personal insult. But Min Ji-seon was at a loss for words.

If she fought and got on Sung-pil’s bad side, she might be completely blocked from acting in dramas.

“I’ll do it.”

“What?”

“I, I’ll do what the vice president arranged...”

“Really? Are you sure? You’re not unhappy with it?”

He thoroughly pressured her, making her feel like her decision was wrong.

Min Ji-seon succumbed to the pressure.

“Phew.”

This was what Sung-pil did.

‘Another tough day.’

It wasn’t easy for Sung-pil either. But he didn’t think he was wrong.

He believed he was working for the company, striving to increase profits.

‘Success Entertainment.’

With over 70 artists, including singers, actors, and variety show stars.

They had many side businesses, including goods, clothing, cosmetics, and dining, and were ranked within the top 100 in market capitalization on the KOSDAQ.

With annual revenue exceeding 2 trillion won, it was a source of pride for Sung-pil.

‘It’s about time.’

Sung-pil had a dream.

Although he held the title of management director, he wanted to become a producer.

He was tired of managing artists and now wanted to produce.

Not as an actor, but as a singer.

And it was currently in full swing.

“I’ll be in charge of producing the next idol group for Success Entertainment!”

A year ago, Sung-pil was appointed as the chief producer of the idol production project.

Under his leadership, everything from selecting trainees to collecting songs was being produced.

It felt like he was living in a dream.

“Let’s give this project to Sang-yeol.”

That woke him up from his dream.

Another vice president, Yun Sang-yeol.

Yun Sang-yeol’s eyes widened in disbelief when the CEO said this.

“Oh, this, well, suddenly...”

Yun Sang-yeol bowed deeply, standing up from his seat.

Sung-pil gritted his teeth at the sight.

“Sung-pil, focus on Idolish Academy.”

Idolish Academy.

A survival program that has become common and lost its appeal, gathering trainees and putting them through a survival challenge.

Success Entertainment had decided to take on the girl group born from this program, and the management rights were given to Sung-pil.

“CEO! I can handle both this and the new idol production!”

“It’s true, but Sang-yeol has more experience in production.”

“But you said this time it would be me!”

“Just wait a little longer. We have to produce a boy group in two years, right? I’ll really give it to you then. Our performance this quarter isn’t good. I also want to reassure the shareholders with Sang-yeol’s name. Sorry.”

CEO Kim Tae-hoon.

A kind-looking uncle.

There was a 12-year age gap between him and Sung-pil.

Despite this, they had worked hard together, so there wasn’t much of a hierarchy between them.

“Man, what can I do? I’m sorry.”

Yun Sang-yeol smiled apologetically.

Something snapped in Sung-pil’s mind. His vision turned white as anger surged.

Sung-pil already disliked Yun Sang-yeol.

Sung-pil dealt with artists with a heart of steel, saying what was bad was bad.

Then Yun Sang-yeol would worm his way in.

“Sung-pil is like that. He’s a bit stubborn. Don’t be too upset.”

To Min-gyu, who had recently had his vacation taken away.

“Really? You really wanted that role. What can I do? I’ll talk to Sung-pil. Don’t get your hopes up. What’s there to be grateful for? I’m just saying it.”

And to Min Ji-seon, who had been rejected for a role.

Yun Sang-yeol monopolized the good roles.

This wasn’t a good cop, bad cop strategy. It was just making Sung-pil the bad guy and letting Yun Sang-yeol be the good guy.

This inevitably damaged Sung-pil’s reputation.

The vice president, who could be considered a manager, not only didn’t support Sung-pil but also pushed him into a bad light.

“What can I do? There’s a lot of talk both inside and outside the company. I feel bad taking it from you...”

It wasn’t just a feeling of taking it; it was really taking it. Yun Sang-yeol didn’t want Sung-pil to enter his territory.

He wanted Sung-pil to continue managing artists.

This incident was undoubtedly due to Yun Sang-yeol’s persistent scheming.

“You’re also in charge of the idol academy, right? You’re good at management. The CEO trusts you.”

Survival auditions were popular in the past.

The tears and efforts of trainees had lost their appeal.

Now, even tears weren’t enough, and even if they debuted, there wasn’t much interest.

In other words, Yun Sang-yeol had swapped a gem for a stone.

“Sorry.”

Yun Sang-yeol patted Sung-pil’s shoulder as if to comfort him.

That was the last straw for Sung-pil’s rationality.

“If you’re sorry, at least look sorry!”

Sung-pil punched Yun Sang-yeol in the face.

The sound of a slap echoed as Yun Sang-yeol fell over.

Chairs and desks toppled over, and the people in the meeting room quickly backed away in shock.

Sung-pil didn’t stop. He climbed on top of Yun Sang-yeol and swung his fists.

Yun Sang-yeol, shocked by the first punch, couldn’t fight back properly.

Soon, he was bleeding from the nose and lost consciousness.

“Are you crazy, Sung-pil?!”

“Stop him! Grab him from behind!”

Someone grabbed Sung-pil from behind. Sung-pil, still fuming, swung his fists wildly.

“What the hell! How long have I been holding back to produce! I’ve been saying this for years!”

“S-Sung-pil, calm down...”

“Bro, you’re the same! I’ve been saying it since the first time we met! Producing was my dream! How can you treat me like this? What the hell!”

“No, it’s not like that...”

“Do you trust Yun Sang-yeol more than me, who started from the bottom with you? Damn it, if you two want to suck each other’s blood for the rest of your lives...!”

* * *

“Sorry.”

Yun Sang-yeol patted Sung-pil’s shoulder as if to comfort him.

Sung-pil, on the verge of losing his rationality, took a deep breath to regain his composure.

“No, it’s okay.”

“Let’s move on to the next agenda.”

Sung-pil silently took notes in his notebook.

That’s right, this was the strange power Sung-pil possessed.

The ability to see actions he would regret in the future.

Cutting short the short vacation for Min-gyu’s group and deciding the role for actor Min Ji-seon.

All these decisions were made after seeing the future.

A blessing that no one else had, and a power that no one else could understand.

He had overcome many crises with this and would continue to do so.

Snap.

The pencil in Sung-pil’s hand broke from the force.

His hand holding the pencil trembled.

“No, damn it, I can’t take it anymore.”

Sung-pil kicked Yun Sang-yeol in the side.