Chapter 2

Many windows in the building are still lit even at this hour. There are quite a few cars on the road, and people are walking on the streets. Whether they are on their way to work or heading home, everyone is walking briskly through the early morning streets. Some people are drinking canned coffee on the convenience store benches, with their ties loosely undone, their hair disheveled, and briefcases by their sides. These things might be routine for them, but to me, a newcomer in society, they seem somehow cool.

I can't tell if I'm nervous or excited; either way, I feel good. I'm no longer a student, a soldier, a part-time worker, or a job seeker. I'm a real office worker now. I go to work, come home, and during breaks, I drink coffee and chat with colleagues about the world. I'm a working man, a member of society.

I need to save up and buy a car first.

Among the similar buildings, W&U, with its distinctive exterior, stands out particularly. I check my appearance in front of the glass door. The suit my brother bought me as a graduation gift, the flashy tie and shoes my mother gave me, and the neat, likable new employee style that has been verified by my sister-in-law and niece.

I think of the middle-aged version of myself I saw in a dream. Compared to that, I must look quite inexperienced now. In the dream, I looked much more relaxed and seasoned.

A successful management company CEO. A capable man.

That is my ideal self. Well, it's a dream, so it's only natural.

I've loved movies and dramas since I was a child. And I loved the actors who brought them to life. In middle school, I filled my room with actors' bromides and postcards from both domestic and international stars. In high school and college, I filled my phone gallery with their pictures. Even in the military, my bulletin board was occupied by actresses instead of girl groups.

I loved them and envied their world.

The entertainment industry, that is.

Diving into that world was a natural choice for me.

I aimed to be a manager rather than an entertainer because of my personality. I find it more interesting to create someone who is in the spotlight rather than being in the spotlight myself. When I watch movies or dramas, I tend to empathize more with the characters behind the scenes, the ones who orchestrate the plot without being seen.

I want to cultivate top stars who will be recognized worldwide with my own hands.

Gaining practical experience in W&U's management team and eventually becoming the CEO of my own management company with my actors when I'm older. That's the me I saw in my dream.

That is my ambition.

Today, I finally take the first step.

After taking a deep breath, I opened the door and entered the lobby. No one is there. It's even dark. The lights only come on briefly as I move and then turn off immediately.

Which floor should I go to?

As I reach the elevator, I hear a woman humming from somewhere.

I jump. I almost had a heart attack. Damn, it's my ringtone. The insert song from a horror movie I watched this summer. I didn't know it could be so scary. Who the hell is calling at 3:30 in the morning?

I take out my phone, but it's an unknown number.

"Hello?"

-Is this Jung Seon-woo, who is supposed to start work today?

"Yes, that's me."

I bow reflexively.

-I'm Kim Hyun-jo, the manager of the Management 3 team. Are you on your way?

"I just arrived. Which floor should I go to?"

-There's a parking lot on the 2nd basement floor. Come there; we need to leave right away.

"Understood. I'll go right away."

I quickly get into the elevator. My face is reflected in the mirror on the door. A tense face. I need to make a good first impression.

I force a smile while looking in the mirror. A smile never hurts.

As soon as I arrive at the 2nd basement floor, a car horn sounds. A man gets out of the driver's seat of a black van. A few features stand out immediately.

He is thin and short. He looks like a student from a distance.

On the other hand, his appearance is rough. He either didn't shave or did a poor job; his chin is rough, and his dark circles extend down to his jaw. He looks like a veteran manager who has seen it all...

I didn't expect an angelic boss, but he looks like he has a bad temper.

While I was observing Kim Hyun-jo, he was scanning me.

"Is this Jung Seon-woo?"

"Yes, you can speak informally, Manager."

"Right now, this is more comfortable."

It doesn't look comfortable to me.

Moreover, the phrase "right now" sounds a bit strange.

"By the way... you're wearing a suit? You were supposed to wear something comfortable since you'll be working on-site immediately."

"…I wasn't told that."

All I was told was where and when to report for work.

I agonized over what to wear. I wanted to make a good impression on my first day. It turns out Kim Hyun-jo is wearing jeans and a thick hoodie. He even has a cap on. We are complete opposites.

I quickly untie my tie and stuff it into my bag.

Kim Hyun-jo scratches the back of his head.

"Suit and shoes... you'll be running around all day and sometimes waiting in the car all night. It's hard to work in a suit. From tomorrow, wear something comfortable. But not too sloppy. Got it?"

"Yes, I understand..."

"Look, that guy is dressed properly."

Kim Hyun-jo gestures behind me. I turn around to see a man about my age walking quickly from the elevator. He has a kind face, the kind that would answer questions politely if asked. He even has dimples. Damn.

He is wearing a thick shirt and a cardigan, jeans. Damn, damn.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Choi Geun-yeong."

"I'm Jung Seon-woo. Hello."

"Nice to meet you."

After the handshake, Kim Hyun-jo looks between me and Choi Geun-yeong.

"I heard one of you has experience. It's you, Geun-yeong, right?"

Choi Geun-yeong nods.

"Call me informally, Manager. It's a bit embarrassing to call it experience. I worked part-time for three months under a manager at Blackout. I drove, ran errands, and prevented people from taking photos. That's about it."

"That's not bad. Oh, then you know Ho-jun, right? Manager Ho-jun."

"I've met him a few times."

Kim Hyun-jo's attitude is friendly.

Blackout. I remember it. W&U's golden boy group, the top idol. Their name is Blackout. So, the company where he worked part-time for three months is here.

Damn. It feels like things are off to a rocky start. The carefully chosen clothes I agonized over are now a mess, and my new colleague, who started on the same day, has three months of experience.

If I'm not careful, he'll be seen as a sharp and sensible new employee, while I'll be labeled as a clueless and naive one.

"Both of you, get in the car. We need to pick up the kids and go to the shop, then head to the music show rehearsal by 7. We'll talk more on the way."

I was too distracted to notice anything strange in his words.

Kim Hyun-jo naturally took the driver's seat, and Choi Geun-yeong sat in the passenger seat. As soon as I got into the back seat, I quickly moved. I took off my jacket and stuffed it into my bag, unbuttoned my shirt, and rolled up my sleeves to just below my elbows. Only then did I feel comfortable.

As the van entered the road, Kim Hyun-jo started talking.

He said something that made my ears perk up.

"Geun-yeong and Seon-woo, the group you'll be managing from today is Neptune. They're a four-member girl group that debuted early last year. Have you heard of them?"

"Yes, I heard their recent single."

Choi Geun-yeong answered immediately.

"The response wasn't bad, right?"

"Not bad? They dropped off the charts immediately and are nowhere to be seen."

"But their visuals are good. They are often mentioned in the communities I frequent."

"Is that so? The girls are pretty. We originally managed only actors, so when we planned the girl group, we chose them based on actor-like visuals. That doesn't mean their skills are lacking. Most of them have been trainees for a long time at other agencies. They are fluent in foreign languages and were planned for the international market. They have the basics, so if they can make a big hit, they can have a long career. But the big hit hasn't come in two years. Is it bad luck, or is our planning lacking...?"

I couldn't interject a word into the conversation in the front seat. I was completely distracted.

Neptune, a two-year-old girl group. I'm managing a girl group, not actors.

The story I heard in my dream is actually happening, just as it was. Is this what they call a premonition?

"Seon-woo, what about you? Is this the first time you've heard of them?"

Our eyes met in the rearview mirror.

"Ah... yes."

I answered a bit late, and Kim Hyun-jo clicked his tongue.

"Check the index file in the back; there are the girls' profiles. Take one. It's about a 15-minute drive to the dorm, so take a look. Or search the internet. You need to know their names and faces, right?"

"Yes, I understand."

I flipped through the index file and saw several thick profiles. I took one out. I was still in shock, but my hands moved mechanically.

"Geun-yeong, what's your family like?"

"I have an older brother and a younger brother. I'm the middle child."

"Ah, I'm the middle child too. Middle children tend to be resourceful and perceptive. Those are the most important qualities for this job. You'll be with four young girls all day, which is not an easy task. Seon-woo, do you have any siblings?"

"Yes, I have one older brother."

"You're the youngest? I see."

I see?

I snap back to reality.

What am I doing? This is not the time to worry about premonitions or dreams. Kim Hyun-jo is starting to see me as useless. I need to fix my first impression right now, or I'll have a hard time in the future.

I have a foreboding that my suffering will begin from the first day.

© Jang Woo-san

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