Chapter 86

# Chapter 086

Shin Areum terminated her contract with Seccess Entertainment.

It seems that the executives of Seccess Entertainment were entirely in agreement with Yoon Sangyeol's pressure and opinions.

After all, as the head producer, the authority over producing inevitably concentrated in his hands.

Given the famous groups and songs Yoon Sangyeol has created, opposing his words would be tantamount to foolishness.

'Yoon Sangyeol, that guy isn't completely unreasonable. He did terminate the contract right away. If he wanted to torment me, he could have refused to let me go and left me hanging.'

According to Shin Areum, Yoon Sangyeol disliked her.

I can roughly understand why, but... the main reason was that her appearance didn't fit the group's image.

Being in the highest position among the debut members must have made her a thorn in his side.

'At the same time, it was an opportunity to show his power.'

Thus, Yoon Sangyeol's autocratic system solidified.

And he coolly terminated Shin Areum's contract.

Out of sympathy, or something, he didn't turn the investment in Shin Areum into a debt.

'This is good for us.'

Next, Seong Pil met with Kim Myungun.

A manager who used to work in the management department of SMS Entertainment and left to manage Poyu for 'Eum Entertainment.'

"Hello, Team Leader. Ah, now you're the CEO."

"Hey, Seong Pil, it's been a while."

Despite only meeting three years ago, Kim Myungun remembered Seong Pil.

Surprisingly, he even showed a friendly smile.

He was truly a role model for managers.

"I told the kids they could leave if they wanted to, but I didn't expect so many to stay."

The only one who left Poyu was Shin Areum.

He felt more disappointed with Shin Areum's decision to leave than surprised by the others staying.

"I thought at least three would leave. They must be desperate. By the way, Areum joined your company?"

Kim Myungun signed the documents to terminate the contract while continuing the conversation with Seong Pil.

Once these documents are signed by Shin Areum's parents, she will be completely free from Poyu.

"Yes."

"Was it 'Eum Entertainment'?"

"Huh?"

How does Kim Myungun know that?

"I heard about it."

"Did you know about 'Eum Entertainment'?"

"'Surpress' was there, right? Sorry if I'm wrong."

"No, no, that's right. It's the first time I've met someone who knows about 'Eum Entertainment'..."

"Haha, really? I guess it's possible."

Indeed, once you reach the level of a manager in the management department of SMS Entertainment, you know a lot.

"Alright, it's done. Tell Areum I don't hold any grudges and I wish her the best."

Seong Pil felt a surge of sympathy for him.

In fact, 'Eum Entertainment' was the place where his independence was realized.

SMS Entertainment had invested, and although it was just a subsidiary, it was a legitimate company under Kim Myungun's name.

"Yes, I will."

"Do you need me to see you off?"

"Why would I need the CEO to see me off? Take care."

"Haha, saying that makes me a bit sad. Well, take care."

Even though this was their last meeting after three years, Kim Myungun treated him with such warmth.

It was as if he was treating a close younger brother, making Seong Pil feel a bit awkward.

That's how good Kim Myungun's interpersonal skills were.

"CEO."

"Hmm? Is there something else?"

"You will succeed. Poyu will do well, and all the entertainers coming to 'Eum Entertainment' will do well too."

"What? Are you flattering me? I don't like that."

"It's just a feeling I have. I really have to go now."

"Alright, thanks."

This was the maximum encouragement Seong Pil could give, knowing the future.

Since he knew it wouldn't be just empty words, Seong Pil left 'Eum Entertainment' with a sense of relief.

* * *

The members sat in a circle on the floor of the practice room.

Shin Areum had just bowed deeply in front of her seniors, Baek Seolha and Jang Hayang.

"Areum! You said you'd show us what you're made of! Why did you come in like a student caught by a gang in an alley?"

"Ah, no. She said she's the same age, so we suddenly became close."

"What did you talk about? Can I join in?"

As Shin Areum approached, Jo Ara and Rika separated.

The three of them were the same age, 19.

"It's nothing."

"Why do you keep using Japanese, Rika? This is Korea. Speak Korean. If you use Japanese on TV, you might get hate comments. People might ask why you're showing a Japanese person on TV."

"E, E, sorry..."

"Areum, don't use that word. It's disrespectful to Rika and to Japanese people..."

"What word?"

"That word you used to call Rika."

"Oh, 'Wae' (倭)? I'm sorry."

Shin Areum acted cute and clung to Baek Seolha.

"We use 'Wae' (倭) in history class. Our teacher used it when talking about the Imjin War and the Japanese occupation. It's just a habit. I'm sorry, Onee-san."

"U, um, yeah..."

Baek Seolha glanced at Rika.

As the words 'Imjin War' and 'Japanese occupation' were mentioned, Rika's expression worsened.

Although she hadn't done anything wrong, her face turned pale.

Since coming to Korea and learning Korean, she naturally came into contact with the Korean community.

Perhaps it's a universal trait to want to know how one's country is perceived, so Rika searched for information about 'Japan.'

She was shocked.

The use of 'Wae' (倭) as a derogatory term was a huge shock.

"Let's not use that word..."

"What? Did I say something bad again?"

Shin Areum's voice lowered, as if she really didn't know and was genuinely sorry.

To the members who had lived with Rika for a long time, it was natural, but Shin Areum hadn't realized that mentioning the Imjin War and the Japanese occupation was disrespectful.

"No, it's fine. We'll talk about it later. Later."

"Tell me now. I'll fix it now."

"Ah..."

Baek Seolha looked at Rika with a troubled expression.

Rika nodded, saying it was okay, but her eyes were trembling.

"About the Imjin War and the Japanese occupation... let's not talk about it in front of Rika."

"Ah, yes, I understand. I'll be careful. I'm sorry, Rika."

"U, um, it's okay... Ah, it's okay."

Rika uses Japanese with people she wants to get close to or is already close to.

The more she gets close, the more she uses Japanese.

Thanks to this, Jo Ara learned to speak Japanese without studying.

However, she had a feeling that this wouldn't happen with Shin Areum.

"I want Korea and Japan to get along."

"Huh? Suddenly?"

"Just because..."

"I agree. Let's get along, Rika. Ah, are we already friends? We are friends."

"Y, yes! Friends!"

Rika's spirits lifted when Shin Areum patted her.

People can be so simple...

"By the way."

Shin Areum glanced at each member's face.

"Who's the leader?"

No one answered immediately.

Baek Seolha was the leader by default, but it hadn't been officially announced.

The 'Eum Entertainment' team implicitly recognized Baek Seolha as the leader, but she felt embarrassed to say it officially.

She had never called herself 'leader' before.

"Still no one?"

"Um, officially, no..."

"Then can I run for leader?"

Baek Seolha's expression stiffened.

"Ah, you, you?"

"Yes. You said there's no one. I was the leader at my previous agency. I handled attendance, schedules, etiquette, everything. Ah, but since you're seniors, 'etiquette' might not apply."

"..."

Shin Areum probably meant no harm.

If there was no official leader, it was natural to want to be one.

Leaders get special privileges.

'Is she crazy?'

But while Baek Seolha was accommodating, Jo Ara quickly understood Shin Areum's character.

'Is she just ignoring us?'

After living together for a long time, there were unspoken rules among the four of them.

Ignoring these rules and running for leader was essentially a challenge.

But such challenges usually happen subtly, beneath the surface.

Even Jo Ara, who wasn't familiar with such underhanded tactics, knew this.

How to indirectly provoke her, Jo Ara was thinking, when...

"Seolha Onee-san is the leader."

Jang Hayang gently threw a stone into the pond.

Without any hint of displeasure or anger, she spoke calmly.

"But you said there's no leader."

"Seolha Onee-san is the leader by default."

"If it's by default, it means it's not decided yet."

"It will be decided. It's the same as an internal decision."

"What do you mean? What's the criteria? Age at 'Eum Entertainment'? Talent at Seccess Entertainment...?"

"We also have talent."

Jang Hayang didn't back down.

She interrupted Shin Areum, blocking her sarcasm, and spoke rationally.

"Seolha Onee-san is the best choice, as decided by us and the company. It won't change unless she suddenly falls in love."

"Ah, no! I won't! I won't!"

"I know. You won't until the contract ends, right?"

"W, well, that's not true... After the no-dating rule ends..."

"Anyway, Seolha Onee-san is the leader."

"...Ah, okay."

Isn't being the leader a hassle?

Yes.

It's a hassle, but there are benefits.

The company inevitably chooses someone to spotlight in the group.

If there's an opportunity, it goes to the leader.

The person the company wants to highlight the most, who has the highest exposure and the best talent and leadership.

That's why the leader must have talent. Trainees strive to become leaders to get the company's push and benefits.

Shin Areum's desire for the leader position wasn't strange at all.

"Um, I see. Then should I call you 'leader'?"

"Ah, not yet. Just call me Onee-san..."

"But you said it's an internal decision. So, you're the leader, right?"

Jo Ara clicked her tongue.

'She's just provoking people. She clearly sees the CEO is embarrassed.'

How can she be so good at this?

If this is done without malice, it's already an art form.

Jo Ara, burning with a sense of mission to protect Baek Seolha, tried to find a flaw in Shin Areum.

Rika, who could have helped, was already out of it, so Jo Ara had to step up.

But she couldn't think of anything appropriate.

She couldn't just tell her to shut up.

"Should we ask the team leader? Can I call you 'leader'? Should I get permission?"

"Ah, um..."

"Then I'll go ask now..."

"Areum, it's not the team leader, it's the manager."

Jang Hayang interrupted Shin Areum.

Even if she heard this suddenly, Shin Areum quickly countered.

"What? To me, it's the team leader."

Rika flinched.

This was a topic she had lost before.

If she said, "To me, it's the team leader," there was no counter.

"It's the manager, the manager..."

Rika felt uncomfortable when she heard Shin Areum call Seong Pil 'team leader,' as if it made him seem distant.

"No, Park Manager is the manager."

"Ah, okay, I'll call him the manager..."

"Areum, why are you doing this? Why are you using the wrong term?"

"Um?"

"You understand, right? Are you pretending not to know?"

"What, what?"

"The manager is the manager. The team leader is from the old company. It's not a matter of personal preference; it's wrong. There's a correct term and an incorrect term. Why are you insisting on the wrong term? If you really don't know, I can tell you."

"Um, yes. It's wrong. But Ara calls Park Seong Pil 'uncle,' and you don't say anything about it?"

Now the topic was about titles.

Jo Ara couldn't find a counter to this.

But Jang Hayang was different.

"The manager is 'uncle,' right?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"It's not the team leader. Is that clear?"

"Um, yes, it's clear."

Shin Areum realized.

'This girl is not ordinary.'

To put it more bluntly, she's crazy.

A crazy person on the same level as herself.

If she tried to take control, she'd end up losing.

With this judgment, Shin Areum put on a smile.

"You're right. He's the manager. Park Manager. I'll call him that from now on."

"Thank you for understanding."

Jang Hayang smiled too.

Watching this, Baek Seolha thought.

'Is Hayang usually like this?'

She seems more aggressive today.

* * *

"Is the leader really decided?"

"Yes, only Seolha. It has to be Seolha. No one else can be the leader. The world belongs to Seolha."

"Ah, that's too much! I came here with high hopes, and now I'm the only one left out!"

Seong Pil and Shin Areum were climbing a steep hill, carrying groceries from the mart. Shin Areum, finding the load heavy, occasionally had to stop and readjust.

"Just give it all to me."

"Lee, you're so full of yourself. Do you want to show off your strength in front of me just because I'm a girl?"

"Take more of my load too."

"Aah! It's heavy! Give it to me quickly!"

"It's not strange to delegate tasks to subordinates."

"I'm not an employee! I don't even get paid!"

"Hey, you're still strong. Take more."

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Give it to me! There are eggs in here! They'll break!"

"What was the first condition for joining 'Eum Entertainment'?"

"Absolute obedience!"

"To whom?"

"To the team leader!"

Seong Pil took her load.

Shin Areum stumbled and glared at Seong Pil.

"I'll report you to the Ministry of Employment and Labor..."

"It's the Ministry of Employment and Labor, not just 'Employment.' Which country are you from?"

"You can forget the name."

Shin Areum adjusted the load to her chest, making her