Chapter 69

# Chapter 069

"Let's start with Jung Ji-eum's song. For convenience, let's call it Song One. We should think more about bringing in Song One."

Hong Gyu-hun's judgment was enough to disappoint Seong Pil.

"I don't know much about the other songs either."

Seong Pil tried to counter her decision to change her mind.

"Instead, let's sponsor it."

But as if anticipating this, Hong Gyu-hun quickly threw out a carrot.

"Sponsorship?"

"It means giving her the opportunity to add a guide to the song. We don't know if it's good or not in the current situation. Once we see the form, we can make a choice then."

Seong Pil's face brightened, and Hong Gyu-hun chuckled.

He thought, 'He really is easy to read.'

"And by the way, what about Jung Ji-eum? Didn't you say she was a ghostwriter until recently?"

"She's looking for a part-time job."

"Let's teach Rika composition. Jung Ji-eum can take charge. Rika has more free time than the others, so it should work out. What do you all think?"

Hong Gyu-hun also believed that continuing the connection between Jung Ji-eum and Garo Entertainment would be beneficial.

Rika's composition lessons were unanimously approved.

"Choosing a song is a very important matter. I think we shouldn't be too fixated on one place. Let's continue to explore various channels for song acquisition. PD Son, Director Park, Director Han, everyone, thank you for your hard work. That's all for the meeting. Oh, Director Park, please check with Jung Ji-eum about the composition lessons."

"Understood."

Seong Pil left the meeting room.

Although the air in the corridor felt fresher, even though it was the same indoor space.

Although his opinion was not adopted, the fact that he could deepen his relationship with Jung Ji-eum was half a success.

"Director Park."

Just as he was about to go down to the first floor, Han Goo-in stopped him.

"I'm writing a production company profile for investment purposes, and I need your information."

"Me? Is my information needed for the company profile?"

"Yes. Didn't you produce idols when you were at Success Entertainment?"

"Ah, that wasn't really producing. The team was so small that my opinions were reflected."

"Still, it would be good to have at least one more line. Could you tell me about the groups and albums you produced, or any marketing or management cases?"

Seong Pil felt uncomfortable.

If Garo Entertainment had a proper producer, just mentioning his name would have been effective.

They say you borrow a cat's paw during planting season, and now they were even borrowing Seong Pil's name to attract investment...

"Sure, I can tell you. But have you received any investment so far?"

"Ha ha, it's tough since we haven't even entered the artist production stage. So far, it's been mostly..."

Han Goo-in suddenly came to his senses. This wasn't something he should be discussing with Seong Pil.

"Well, it's going smoothly."

"That's good. Can I tell you now?"

"Yes, if you're free now."

Han Goo-in sat across the table and began questioning him like an interrogator.

"What role did you play in that album?"

"Everything from design to material, photo book, and lyrics booklet."

"Almost everything was done by you, Director Park."

Han Goo-in's eyes, rapidly typing, showed an unparalleled seriousness.

Seong Pil was reminded of the past. In his previous life, he had also gone around to various investors to secure funding.

He had similar conversations with the responsible parties each time.

'Director Han said he worked at a U.S. venture capital firm.'

Han Goo-in probably dealt with entrepreneurs and business owners.

He would have coldly decided or rejected investments based on their future value.

But now, his role was reversed.

Han Goo-in had to somehow move the hearts of investors or investors to secure funds.

It couldn't be easier than what Seong Pil was doing.

Even the always positive Han Goo-in must be building up frustration and pain inside.

"You've worked hard."

"No, Director Han has worked harder."

"I just typed on the keyboard."

"Want to go out for dinner? I'll treat you."

"Sure, I won't refuse."

* * *

Jung Ji-eum returned home after finishing her labor.

After showering, she felt all the strength drain from her body. Her shoulders and back were still stiff.

'Composition... I have to do it...'

Her rundown room was her sanctuary.

Jung Ji-eum slowly crawled to the desk, the only piece of furniture in the room.

As soon as she sat in the chair, her body screamed in pain.

'Just lie down and rest!'

But she couldn't.

If she became lazy in her dreams because she was tired from work, she would never reach them.

'...Just a little rest.'

Jung Ji-eum decided to visit the SNS accounts of the Garo Entertainment members that Seong Pil had told her about.

First, it was Rika.

"What is this?"

Rika posted three posts every day.

A morning shot, a daily life shot, and an evening shot.

Morning, noon, and night repeated.

Her smile never left her face.

'No, the night shots look a bit more tired.'

The number of followers was also low. It was natural since they hadn't debuted yet.

Jung Ji-eum naturally looked at the accounts of the other members.

When she went to Garo Entertainment, she couldn't even make eye contact with them.

They were like the sun.

Looking at them would have blinded her.

But the photos were fine.

"Wow..."

It was a photo of Jang Hahyang in the practice room.

Even a brief glance revealed an inhuman proportion that captivated her. When her gaze moved to her face, she couldn't help but be amazed.

'I was that close to someone like this? Ah, I should have taken a better look at her face.'

Jung Ji-eum alternated between Jang Hahyang and Baek Seolha's photos, trying to guess who would be the center.

She couldn't decide.

Jo Ara's posts were unique.

She posted a 15-second dance video every day, most of which were skillful.

Jung Ji-eum tried to mimic just the arm movements, but she only realized how incredibly flexible Jo Ara was.

"She has an iTube channel too."

There were many videos, but each one lacked consistency in titles or thumbnails.

'A little more polishing would be good.'

Jung Ji-eum watched a few and then stopped.

"..."

Now she really had to compose.

No matter how lazy and weak her body was, she had to run towards her dreams...

'Ah, there was also a website, right?'

She gave in to laziness.

Jung Ji-eum went to the Garo Entertainment website that Seong Pil had told her about.

The site design was simple.

Posts were uploaded by date.

[20XX Year X Month XX Day]

It was today.

Information about the members' schedules, what practices they did, and what daily lives they had.

Such simple information was there.

Curious about what kind of site this was, she scrolled down.

"Cover song?"

[20XX Year X Month XX Day, Baek Seolha's 'Going to You' Cover]

There was a link to iTube. She followed it and listened to the cover song.

Baek Seolha's face was captured from the side, and she was singing into a microphone.

'She sings well.'

The view count was just over 100.

Considering her skills and appearance, Baek Seolha could become a famous vocal iTube creator in the future.

Jung Ji-eum continued to explore the website.

The dates of the posts gradually went back in time.

From spring to winter.

And then autumn.

[20XX Year X Month XX Day, Jang Hahyang Joins (入社)!]

Summer.

[20XX Year X Month XX Day, Jo Ara Joins!]

Spring.

[Baek Seolha Joins!]

Winter.

[Ishikawa Rika Joins!]

"Huh?"

Jung Ji-eum was surprised and zoomed in on Rika's photo from when she joined.

"What, what is this?"

Did she have plastic surgery?

Rika, who now possessed a goddess-like, delicate beauty, looked like a next-door younger sister in the past photo.

Not that she was ugly, but the past Rika was cute. She had a completely different impression.

'Plastic surgery... It's possible. She's an idol.'

Jung Ji-eum couldn't imagine her growing over time.

'Is this the end of the posts?'

This website contained information about how the members had lived at Garo Entertainment.

Jung Ji-eum read all the posts from the day Rika joined.

Photos, videos, and texts written by the members themselves.

Before she knew it, she was immersed in their journey.

'They've been working hard.'

For such a long time, every day.

When she returned to the top page, Jung Ji-eum felt a strange sense of fulfillment.

It was as if she had spent a year with them.

Then, the 'Support' tab caught her eye.

[Cheer for the members!]

The support cost was 1,000 won.

There were no other options.

It seemed that by sponsoring 1,000 won, you could send a direct message of support to the members.

Surprisingly, quite a bit of money had already been collected.

Jung Ji-eum, as if in a trance, clicked the support button and typed on the keyboard.

[Cheer for you. Please debut.]

'Huh? Can you only do it once for one person?'

...Not eating a meal or anything.

Jung Ji-eum sponsored 4,000 won and sent a message of support to each member.

This time, she closed all the internet windows and opened the composition program.

A melody came to mind.

* * *

Son Hye-bin, who had been a dance singer for a long time, naturally knew quite a few composers.

Among her close friends was a famous composer named Elik.

Elik had written Son Hye-bin's debut song.

They had built a strong bond during the times when they were both at the bottom.

That bond has continued to this day...

"Hye-bin, how can I give my song to a complete newbie, especially a small company newbie!"

"Can't you? Won't you?!"

"Ah, no. I have a career, and I haven't even met them..."

"Then come and meet them!"

"I'm busy..."

"Then I'll give you their StarGraph accounts and iTube channels, so look! Look at them!"

"Ha, please, I'm asking you. They can't make it... If they're a small company, they can't market properly, can they? I don't want a flop to stain my career..."

"How do you know if you'll fail or succeed?! Are you God? Did you think I would succeed and give me your debut song?"

"At that time, I was young and..."

"Find your初心!"

Son Hye-bin used the advantage of being friends and pushed Elik relentlessly.

Sometimes she used the whip, and sometimes the carrot to move Elik's heart.

It's hard to refuse when a long-time friend pleads like this.

Especially when that friend is Son Hye-bin.

The one who usually refuses to eat a meal together and insists on Dutch pay!

She thought, 'Hye-bin is asking me to do something so strongly for the first time. Do the company's kids really impress her?'

In the end, Elik decided to have a meeting with Garo Entertainment once.

"Then, the members will come to my studio..."

"Ah, you've become so important now? Do you have room for five or six people here?"

"Ah, fine. I'll come. Is that okay?"

"Good thinking. You always said you wanted to make idols. Maybe not, but seeing Garo Entertainment might give you a good feeling."

"I won't invest in a small company..."

"Stop saying 'small company' and making people feel bad."

"...Sorry."

When Elik agreed to come to Garo Entertainment, both Hong Gyu-hun and Seong Pil were surprised.

Because he's not someone who moves easily.

It's hard enough to visit his studio once, and he's coming to Garo Entertainment?

"Hello, I'm Elik..."

Son Hye-bin was holding his arm, preventing him from running away.

Elik looked like a boyfriend who had been restrained, with all the energy drained from his face.

"Welcome."

Hong Gyu-hun came down to the first-floor hall to greet Elik.

It was the best welcome she could offer, as she rarely leaves her office.

All the employees of Garo Entertainment seemed to be ready to assist him.

Elik felt uncomfortable.

'I came because Hye-bin asked me.'

It was so annoying and tiring.

Maybe because he doesn't go out often, just being in an unfamiliar place was stressful.

He would try to find the potential of the members as a favor to a long-time friend, but would the trainees of a small company even impress the eyes of Elik, who was used to top idols?

'I should think of a response that won't hurt them when they ask me what I think.'

They all entered the practice room.

The members greeted them as they had prepared.

The moment Elik saw them, the fatigue on his face disappeared.

'They have quite a visual appeal?'