Chapter 12

# Chapter 012

She also knew the power that creative artists possess. She had always felt a deeper attachment to songs that her favorite idol group had composed themselves.

"Alright. I'll teach you briefly later."

Seong Pil inwardly cheered at Hong Gyu-heon's decision.

'It's important for Rika to have songwriting skills.'

There are several criteria for dividing idols, and among them are planned and autonomous groups. The boundary between the two lies in whether or not they are trained and guaranteed to have creative abilities. And the future world-class group 'WTP' was known for its unique creative ability as a success factor.

'Fans can immerse themselves more in songs and lyrics created by the idol members themselves. The same goes for the performers. The authenticity in the songs can be felt.'

However, that was not Seong Pil's only goal.

'A genius in arranging.'

The best arranger of the future, currently hiding somewhere in Seoul.

If he could bring this genius to Garo Entertainment, the songwriting skills of the idol members would shine brilliantly.

'Mr. Han was right. Even if Rika studies songwriting for a few years, she might not be as good as a professional. But what if that genius arranger is involved?'

It would be possible to create a masterpiece by preserving Rika's emotional line and roots while enhancing it with his talent.

In the future, he gained fame for his arranging skills.

"By the way, since we're talking about lessons, what about having a dedicated songwriter teach her?"

"That's really not possible. We don't know when the group will debut, and having a dedicated songwriter would be a waste of funds."

Hong Gyu-heon pointed out coldly. Seong Pil agreed but felt disappointed.

'No choice. I should start building connections from now on. It won't be too late to contact them after all the trainees are gathered.'

"Okay. I'll finalize the training list for Rika. Mr. Park, please look into the academies and trainers and report back to me."

"Understood."

* * *

For a while, there was no progress in finding trainees.

'There's no one who stands out.'

Seong Pil knew who would become successful idols in the future, but he didn't know where they were or what they were doing now.

He couldn't go to them even if he wanted to.

'Besides, I don't feel right taking away those who are supposed to succeed.'

Rika was originally scheduled to debut as a solo artist in Japan. Moreover, Seong Pil was confident that he could bring her more success than in Japan.

So, there was no significant resistance to bringing her to Garo Entertainment.

"Another failure today?"

"Yes, that's how it turned out."

Reporting to Hong Gyu-heon every day was also a chore. Although he needed to gather trainees quickly, Seong Pil only filtered candidates and kept saying 'no' when it came to making a choice.

"Well, what can you do?"

But Hong Gyu-heon understood Seong Pil.

The composition of an idol group is the alpha and omega. For the best, they could wait for weeks, even months.

Seong Pil was grateful to Hong Gyu-heon but also felt guilty.

'I thought having future knowledge would make it easy to gather trainees quickly.'

With that heavy heart, Seong Pil went to pick up Rika.

Since Hong Gyu-heon promised the trainees the best treatment, he sent Rika to a good training academy.

As soon as they entered the academy, the desk staff greeted them as if they were familiar.

"Where is Rika?"

"She's waiting in the lounge. Oh, and Rika told me not to say this, but..."

"What is it?"

The staff lowered their voice as if they were about to share a big secret.

"Rika ate half a pack of Choco Ting."

"Where did she get it?"

"She took it from the fridge in the lounge."

Seong Pil felt a surge of anger in his chest.

Choco Ting. It was a snack he also liked.

Each piece has a whopping 200 calories. Eating just three pieces is equivalent to a full meal.

'Is Rika betraying me?'

Weight management is a basic requirement for trainees.

Rika's weight and figure were perfect. It was natural, given the intensive management she received at KS Entertainment.

But lately, it seemed to be deteriorating.

"Weight management is a piece of cake. Just leave it to me! I can handle my own exercise and diet!"

Seong Pil believed her words and didn't interfere. But lately, the scale would tilt slightly to the right every time Rika stepped on it.

"Thank you for telling me."

"You shouldn't say I told you."

"Of course not."

Seong Pil, harboring a small anger, headed to the lounge.

Just as he was about to reach for the doorknob to steady his breath,

"Ouch!"

The door suddenly opened, hitting Seong Pil's forehead. He fell to the ground ungracefully.

"I'm, I'm sorry!"

Amid the flashing lights, Seong Pil thought the voice was very pleasant.

"Mr. Manager!"

Rika was already by his side, helping him up.

Seong Pil wiped his forehead and looked at the cause of the attack.

"Are you okay? What do I do..."

A woman was looking at him worriedly.

Despite the pain and confusion, Seong Pil was captivated by her appearance.

'Completely like an actress. Or an anchor?'

From her appearance to her aura, she exuded a refined and neat feeling.

How could even her flustered look be so composed? The charm and beauty hidden behind that neatness were trying to break through...

"Does it hurt a lot?"

Seong Pil didn't respond, and she became even more flustered.

Only then did Seong Pil regain his composure, brushing off his clothes and standing up.

"Mr. Manager! It hurts! It's your fault! You made me like this!"

Rika's outburst left the woman at a loss, fidgeting with her hands.

"Save Mr. Manager!"

"Rika, be quiet."

"Hehe."

"I'm fine. Is the student hurt?"

The term 'student' made her flustered for a moment, but soon a faint joy escaped her lips.

"Yes, I'm fine. You're not hurt, right?"

Seong Pil touched his forehead, which was turning red, and pushed Rika away slightly, pulling out a business card from his pocket.

"Oh, you're Mr. Park Seong Pil. Rika has told me a lot about you."

"Is that so? I hope it was good things."

"Ah! Mr. Manager is hitting on her! A 10-year age gap is a crime!"

"When did I ever?!"

While pretending to scold Rika, Seong Pil calculated her age.

10-year age gap.

So, she must be 20 years old.

"My name is Baek Seol-ha. I'm teaching Rika, though I'm not very good at it."

"You must be working hard."

"Why me?!"

"No, Rika is doing great. There's almost nothing I need to teach her."

"You don't have to only praise her. Sometimes, telling the truth helps more in growth."

Baek Seol-ha smiled slightly.

Rika shot Seong Pil a look that clearly said she was not pleased. Seeing that the conversation was about to drag on, she tugged at Seong Pil's sleeve, urging him to leave.

"I'm busy. Let's go quickly."

"Huh? Oh, right. I'll be going now."

Seong Pil bowed and left, and Baek Seol-ha waved with a smile.

"Hmm."

What is this?

This fluttering in my chest.

No, Seong Pil already knew the answer.

"Do you have a finger fetish, Mr. Manager?"

"Fetish... Where did you learn that word? Do you know what it means?"

"Sekyu dokuchukudesu."

"You know difficult words."

"Huh? You understood?"

"Sexual attraction? Japanese and Korean Hanja words often sound similar, so I can understand roughly. And I don't have a finger fetish."

"Hey. You were just staring at Baek Seol-ha's fingers."

"What nonsense..."

Seong Pil recalled the moment he parted ways with Baek Seol-ha.

She waved goodbye with her thin, long fingers. The five white fingers moving as she waved...

It was like watching a pianist perform. Baek Seol-ha's fingers were deeply etched in Seong Pil's mind.

"Her fingers were really white."

"Really. Baek Seol-ha's skin is really fair."

As they stepped out of the academy, a strong wind blew.

Rika dramatically covered her ears, as if she was fed up.

"Buy me coffee, coffee. I want an iced coffee."

"You ate Choco Ting."

"No, no! I didn't eat it! I didn't eat it!"

"If I keep it a secret from the boss, will you do one favor for me?"

All kinds of thoughts passed through Rika's eyes.

After a moment, she nodded heavily.

"What is it?"

"Tell me about Baek Seol-ha."

"10 years is a crime!"

Rika slashed her hand across Seong Pil's neck.

* * *

"Ouch..."

Rika groaned as soon as she received the tumbler.

"Don't make that face. You're ignoring Mr. Han's efforts."

"It's not that I'm ignoring them... it just doesn't taste good."

"How grateful you should be? He's one of the few people in this world who truly wishes for your health."

Han Gu-in bought fruits, vegetables, and made health drinks.

They are good for the body and have a moderate calorie count, making them perfect for Rika.

"Have you tried this before?"

"No."

"It's bizarre."

"You again..."

"No! I'm not ignoring Mr. Han's efforts! I think it's sexy to see him wearing an apron and cooking in the kitchen!"

"What...?"

"But the sexy appearance hides a hellish taste! To be honest, it doesn't taste good!"

Rika made a pained face and downed the health drink in one go. Her lips turned green.

Seong Pil couldn't help but frown at the strong vegetable smell.

"See! You don't even like the smell, yet you're telling me to appreciate Mr. Han's efforts? I think this is abuse!"

"It's because you didn't follow your diet."

"..."

Rika closed her mouth and looked out the window. Seong Pil followed her gaze.

Inside, Baek Seol-ha was enthusiastically teaching a student.

"Name: Baek Seol-ha. Age: 21."

"You said she's 10 years older than me."

"9 or 10, it's the same."

"Man, that's a big difference..."

"She debuted as an idol and was active for two years, but the company suddenly went bankrupt. Now she works as a vocal trainer."

"How is her ability?"

It's natural not to trust a failed idol group member as a vocal trainer.

Wasn't she a failure because she lacked talent? That's what one might think.

"Really sucks."

"Don't use that word."

"Ah, sorry."

But Baek Seol-ha seems to have quite remarkable vocal skills.

So remarkable that she was able to work as a temporary trainer at a famous vocal academy at just 20.

"She read a lot of books about singing on her own when she was a trainee. Baek Seol-ha really knows a lot."

"She learned on her own? Impressive."

Especially since she is a trainer at this academy.

Among many vocal academies, this one is quite well-known.

In the past, when audition programs were popular and practical music and vocal departments sprang up like mushrooms,

many graduates became vocal academy trainers or opened their own academies.

"The competition must have been intense."

"It was. But not anymore."

While the supply of trainers increased, most of them were not very skilled.

As the vocal market overheated, lesson fees naturally dropped. Hiring just anyone for cheap often led to trainees picking up bad habits.

"We were also affected. That's why we sent our trainees to this academy to correct their habits. Once a bad habit is formed, it takes a long time to fix."

"Our trainees?"

"No, the old company. Anyway, this academy has always been selective, even during the boom. Even as a temporary trainer, it's a big deal for Baek Seol-ha to work here."

"Hmm. Come to think of it, Baek Seol-ha was a trainee for over 7 years."

Rika had a complex expression.

"To be honest, I don't know."

"What don't you know?"

"Why the group Baek Seol-ha was in failed. She's pretty, sings well, and is cute."

"Those are overlapping strengths."

"I don't like saying this, but there are also members who lead the group. Someone who can carry the group. Baek Seol-ha would have been popular, I think."

Seong Pil had also searched for the group Baek Seol-ha was in. Unfortunately, there wasn't much information.

There were signs of effort from the agency, but it didn't seem to have taken off.

And even for someone as knowledgeable about the industry as Seong Pil, the memory was not clear.

"A good member doesn't guarantee the success of a group. Support from the company is also important."

Rika slowly turned her eyes to Seong Pil.

She seemed to want to ask something but was hesitant to speak.

Seong Pil smiled.

"Don't worry. The boss and I will definitely make you a star. You just need to work hard."

"Really?"

"Yes. Drink the health drink Mr. Han made. If you mess up your diet again, I'll send you to the gym."

Seong Pil decided to trust Rika.

At KS Entertainment, she must have learned a lot about diet management and exercise. If she has the will, she can do it on her own.

But if her willpower is lacking, there will be no choice but to entrust her to a professional.

"I won't even look at a piece of candy again..."

"I believe you. And the most important thing, did you ask Baek Seol-ha?"

"Yes. I asked if she wants to be an idol again."

"And?"

"She doesn't want to."

Seong Pil sighed.

Baek Seol-ha was perfect in terms of external conditions.

She was the most appealing person he had seen recently.

"Why?"

"Just... she's satisfied with her current life? And at 21, it's a bit late to debut if it's not immediate."

"That's true."

"And if she were to debut again, she wouldn't want to be an idol. She wants to be a singer. Her dream is to release an album."

Seong Pil sighed softly.

Actually, the reason Baek Seol-ha caught his eye was not just because of her outstanding external qualities.

'Now I'm sure.'

Eight years later, the national audition fever that had died down would return.

He knew trends come and go, but he was still surprised when it happened.

He thought audition programs had run their course and had nothing left to offer.

Anyway, Baek Seol-ha was undoubtedly the runner-up in that program.

'She debuted as a solo artist and was quite successful.'

She must have continued