Chapter 83

# Chapter 083

"Seongyeol."

As usual, CEO Kim Tae-hoon called out to Yoon Seong-yeol in a gentle tone.

"Areum has been with our company for a long time. She's talented and has a good look, so why do you have to do this?"

"CEO, I've been telling you all along. The problem is her look."

Shin Areum has a cat-like appearance.

Her eyes, without double eyelids, are sharp. When she doesn't smile, she looks like she's glaring.

The people at Success Entertainment don't know, but even Jo Ara, who was scared of her at first, admits that Shin Areum has a strong presence.

In the past, Seong-pil described Shin Areum's eyes as having "a charming gaze that pierces my heart."

"Her eyes are small."

To Yoon Seong-yeol, they were just small eyes.

He preferred Western beauty standards.

Or rather, most people called beautiful have big eyes.

Among the debut group he assembled at Success Entertainment, Shin Areum's appearance was unique.

Starting with the lack of double eyelids.

In the midst of such trainees, Shin Areum, in Yoon Seong-yeol's eyes, not only failed to stand out as particularly charming but also seemed to disrupt the group's uniformity.

"Harmony as a group is important, but Shin Areum stands out too much, whether it's good or bad."

[So, she should be the center to draw attention first! Didn't you see the music video concept we received before?! Areum appears first...!]

If Seong-pil were here, he would have given a passionate rebuttal.

"Do you want to take Areum, CEO?"

"Um, well, I should hear what others think too."

[What's there to think about! These people have known Areum for years! Is there anyone else who can capture people's attention like her?!]

The employees were silent.

It felt as if freedom had been suffocated.

"Does anyone have any thoughts?"

During the numerous discussions on "excluding Shin Areum," a few people had raised objections.

None of them fared well.

That's why everyone kept quiet.

"Areum."

A manager spoke up.

He was someone who usually followed Yoon Seong-yeol around, trying to earn his favor.

"To be honest..."

"Uh, uh, speak up."

"I'm not sure she'll do well even after debuting."

"Huh?"

"She has a bad attitude and often skips practice."

[Ah, that's true, but I'll handle it... Sigh, Shin Areum really owes me. Got it, okay! I admit that! I'll scold her after the meeting!]

"And the next day, she acts as if nothing happened. She's so arrogant. It's like she's advertising that she's in the debut group and won't be cut."

[I'll scold her, so stop saying that... ...And even though she skips practice, she's the most talented among the trainees, right? No, it's not that being talented means you can break the rules...]

"Uh, Moon-cheol did a good job speaking up."

Yoon Seong-yeol's approval made the manager smile widely.

He was happy to have earned more favor.

One way to live comfortably at Success Entertainment is to catch Yoon Seong-yeol's eye.

"She's not cut out to be an entertainer. Entertainers are almost like public figures, right? Think about how powerful she would become if she succeeded. CEO, do you think her demands will be normal?"

"Um..."

"What will happen later if she's like this now?"

After Seong-pil left, Shin Areum's free-spirited nature only grew stronger.

It wasn't just because her personality had twisted. It was also a rebellion against Yoon Seong-yeol.

He controlled the trainees like lab mice, never meeting their demands and forcing them to run on a hamster wheel.

Shin Areum represented the rebellion of all the trainees.

"Skill? Good. Look? It's divisive but not bad. But personality, that's really important."

[Stop badmouthing Areum and fix your own personality!]

"So, CEO, I'm against putting Areum in the debut group. I think she absolutely shouldn't be in the group."

[Ha, I can't believe it. If you had seen Areum, you would have seen her a lot. You'll really regret this later.]

"If you find it hard to decide, how about we vote?"

Yoon Seong-yeol relieved Kim Tae-hoon of his guilt. When he gave a positive sign, Yoon Seong-yeol smiled.

'Shin Areum, how dare you talk back to me and sass me.'

After returning from the Project Poyu broadcast, Shin Areum sensed the atmosphere at Success Entertainment.

Everyone was subdued in front of Yoon Seong-yeol.

Especially Min Kyung-sub.

He had been living like a dead person due to frequent conflicts with Yoon Seong-yeol.

Shin Areum was so angry that she was waiting for Yoon Seong-yeol to start yelling, and eventually, he did.

She not only talked back but also screamed at him.

Thoroughly practicing the "how to annoy Yoon Seong-yeol" method she learned from Seong-pil, Shin Areum ended up on his bad side.

'You think you're someone just because you were on TV? Just a trainee.'

She had no manners, and her looks were nothing special to Yoon Seong-yeol. She had relied on her talent, but now even that was over.

Shin Areum was no longer needed in Yoon Seong-yeol's kingdom.

After the vote, Yoon Seong-yeol confirmed the results.

"This is what the employees think, CEO. What do you want to do?"

"..."

If Seong-pil were here, this result wouldn't have happened, and there wouldn't have been a vote. Yoon Seong-yeol wouldn't have been so confident.

[Really, brother, you should stop. I'm really getting angry.]

If Seong-pil lowered his voice and showed real anger, Yoon Seong-yeol would back down a bit.

But now, Seong-pil is gone.

Kim Tae-hoon nodded hesitantly.

"Let's observe for another week... If everyone still feels the same then..."

That's how it was decided.

[Brother Tae-hoon, stop being so unreasonable!]

Success Entertainment had changed without Seong-pil.

* * *

"Do you know how disappointed I was, thinking you had forgotten about me?"

Seong-pil asked Baek Min-jeong, a trainer and choreographer at Yoo No Dance Academy, to create a choreography.

Jo Ara had already been pestering him, saying, "How about getting choreography from Teacher Min-jeong?" and "Aiy, please do it."

He would have entrusted it to her anyway...

"Thank you!"

Baek Min-jeong looked like she was about to kiss him.

"I knew you would trust me!"

"I'm on my way back from visiting other people too."

"Really, that's too much. Do I look so untrustworthy? My self-esteem is taking a hit."

"So, how does the song sound?"

"It's good. The choreography just flows in my head as soon as I hear it. That's the feeling."

Seong-pil couldn't help but smile at her positive response.

Praise is always good to hear.

"But..."

Baek Min-jeong alternated between looking at the lyrics of "No" and the notes on the members' thoughts.

"Can I talk to the members? It would be better to hear their thoughts."

"Give me a good choreography, and I'll do anything."

Even though "No" was created based on the members' opinions, their feelings about the finished song are all different.

Baek Min-jeong wants to incorporate their thoughts into the choreography, which can also add to the creativity.

"Brother, Ara wants to observe the choreography creation process. Is that okay?"

"How long will it take?"

"Not short. I need to gather dancers equal to the number of members first."

Observing the choreography creation process would be a great help to Jo Ara.

If she hadn't become an idol, she might have become a professional dancer and then a choreographer in the future.

'I don't want Ara to just be an idol who only receives and performs.'

He wanted to foster her creativity.

Even after her career as an idol ends, the members need as diverse experiences as possible.

"I'll talk to the CEO."

"Okay. Please do. She's been looking forward to it for days."

"Got it."

After the business talk, Baek Min-jeong smiled warmly.

"I'm glad I sent Ara to you. She's much more cheerful and laughs more now than before."

"Yeah, she used to be like a needle, but now..."

"Now?"

"I don't know. I can't think of a good metaphor. Anyway, she's better."

Among the choreographers Seong-pil visited, some were famous in the present, and some would be recognized in the future.

He carefully selected and visited only those who deeply resonated with the song.

"But a four-member choreography..."

"Are you not confident?"

"Are you provoking me?"

"No, just asking."

"I've never created a four-member choreography. Why aren't you using backup dancers?"

"That's the CEO's opinion."

A debut song is special for both the idols and the company.

Hong Gyu-hyun argued that the debut song should be solely the members' creation.

Whether it's a music show or a stage, it should be filled with only the members.

"A four-member choreography won't be easy. It will look empty without being intense enough."

"I know. We considered that when the company decided on a four-member group. Hyebin also said the same. But she agreed."

"Agreed on what?"

"These kids can do it!"

Baek Min-jeong chuckled, and Seong-pil frowned.

"Why are you laughing? Do you think our kids can't do it?"

"No! Really, that Son Hyebin joined your company. I used to see her on TV when I was young. It feels strange knowing she's close by."

"Want an autograph?"

"Yes, yes! I performed her dance at a school festival. Like this, like this."

"Ah, that was good. She was the girls' idol to aspire to, sexy but not cheap."

"What? Did you just call my dance sexy? Did you just say that to me?"

"Sorry, please don't report me. I have a family to feed..."

"Who would report you? Thanks."

As Baek Min-jeong saw Seong-pil off, she seemed to still be pondering, her reactions a beat late.

A four-member dance would be a new challenge for her too.

Without backup dancers, she would have to find a way to fill the stage with just four people, which wouldn't be easy.

'Other choreographers also found it difficult.'

Only four members.

No backup dancers.

For most choreographers, creating the choreography for "No" would be a challenge.

'Hiya, four-member groups are rare. This is my first time without backup dancers.'

'Is it difficult?'

'There are only old references, which won't help much with current trends. To be honest, it will be difficult.'

'Please do your best anyway.'

'Of course. At least if there were five...'

Even a choreographer with a long career was taken aback.

It was easy to imagine how the other choreographers who received the request felt.

But the pain is theirs, and...

'What kind of choreography will come out?'

The anticipation and joy are Seong-pil's.

Seong-pil imagined the members dancing beautifully and walked briskly to his car.

He looked forward to the day the choreography would be revealed.

* * *

Shin Areum went to see Yoon Seong-yeol.

Since her participation in Project Poyu was due to Yoon Seong-yeol's recommendation, it was right to inform him that she was leaving Poyu.

When she entered the studio, Yoon Seong-yeol gave her a less-than-friendly look.

"Sit. Why are you here?"

Shin Areum told him what Kim Myung-woon, the Poyu coordinator, had said.

"He said those who want to leave should leave?"

"Yes. The prospects are unclear."

"Huh. That guy is in a tough spot. So what?"

"I think it's better for me to leave too."

"Stay."

"Why?"

"Just to see if you can gain some recognition by enduring."

"No, the Poyu coordinator said it's going to fail. What's the point of staying there? It's better to leave."

"So, are there others who want to leave?"

No.

"They're desperate. They're all with bad agencies. Debuting is uncertain. So they stay."

"What about you?"

From his words, Shin Areum sensed a hostile atmosphere.

"Success Entertainment is a small company, but we have successful seniors. I'm better off than them."

"Hah. Is living there uncomfortable? Do you want to leave? Well, the company is comfortable for you. Stop talking and stay with Poyu."

"Just come back to Success Entertainment and practice. The debut was delayed for over a year because of Poyu, right? It's good for the company to save money by debuting quickly. Just prepare for the debut from now on..."

Yoon Seong-yeol chuckled.

Shin Areum stopped talking and looked at him.

No matter how she looked, Yoon Seong-yeol couldn't stop laughing.

"Is it funny that someone wants to work hard?"

"Yeah, it's funny."

"..."

"Follow me."

Yoon Seong-yeol roughly grabbed Shin Areum's wrist and led her to the practice room.

"It hurts!"

But Yoon Seong-yeol didn't seem to want to let go of her wrist.

He even quickened his pace, as if going to a festival.

He roughly opened the practice room door.

The female debut group and other female trainees were practicing.

The debut group can change based on weekly and monthly evaluations.

They all practice together to instill a sense of urgency in the debut group and motivation in the regular trainees.

This way, there was no need to gather them separately.

"Everyone, pay attention!"

To the trainees, Yoon Seong-yeol is a terrifying figure.

A single word from him can decide their debut or dismissal.

The debut group's composition has changed many times to keep the trainees on edge.

From the company's perspective, it was just a management strategy, but for the trainees, it was a brutal ordeal.

"Current debut group, step forward."

Six trainees hesitantly stood in front of Yoon Seong-yeol.

Yoon Seong-yeol finally released Shin Areum's wrist.

Shin Areum roughly pushed his hand away and rubbed her wrist.

"Effort is rewarded."

Everyone was confused about the situation.

Twelve eyes rolled around, but no one knew what was happening.

"Effort must be rewarded."

Somin, a trainee often called clueless, looked at Shin Areum.

Somin often relied on Shin Areum.

'Shush!'

Shin Areum frowned, indicating she would scold her.

To avoid getting on Yoon Seong-yeol's bad side, Somin flinched and turned her gaze back to him.

"Thus, those who do not put in effort, those who lack the will to do so, and those who do not improve, do not deserve to be rewarded. They should not be rewarded."

Finally, the situation was clear.

At this moment, one of the debut group members would be cut.

Tears welled up in Somin's eyes, thinking she would be excluded because she was often called slow.

Trainees are beings who reveal their deepest emotions with just a word.

Every day, every hour, every minute, they fight for their future.

And finally, the verdict from the god who decides the trainees' fate was announced.

"This is the result of the full meeting. Shin Areum is excluded from the debut group."

The shock was brief.

The horror was immediate.

Shin Areum, with her overwhelming talent, who had never been cut from the debut group, was now excluded.

The faces of the debut group and the trainees behind them were filled with confusion.

But no one was more confused than Shin Areum.

"I believe everyone knows how Shin Areum has been. That's why. No further explanation is needed. Rah-hee!"

The trainee called Rah-hee stepped forward, looking bewildered.

Yoon Seong-yeol placed her next to the debut group.

"You will take Areum's place."

Now, with Shin Areum excluded, the debut group was back to seven. They looked at Shin Areum.

Shin Areum, dazed, looked back at them.

Rah-hee, who had just joined the debut group, trembled, as if she couldn't believe she had pushed Shin Areum out.

It was really, really unbelievable...

"Alright, everyone."

Reading the atmosphere, Yoon Seong-yeol delivered the final death sentence.

"Clap."

Silence.

"Clap!"

Like the sound of a broken monkey toy, like the sound of a primary school student playing a drum, irregular and creaky applause filled the practice room.

The applause continued until Yoon Seong-yeol stopped it.

He closed his eyes as if listening to a hymn, continuing to hear the awkward clapping.

Finally, he waved his hand to stop it and looked at Shin Areum.

"And Areum..."

Shin Areum couldn't hear anything.

But the other trainees could.

For Yoon Seong-yeol, that was enough.

"It will be confusing, so go home today."

He could have said "go home," but he didn't.

He said "go out of the company," as if he really