‘It feels so empty.’
That was the thought going through Seon-ho’s mind as he watched the singers perform on the music show stage.
Nine hours of waiting.
Five rounds of rehearsal.
An hour-long makeup session.
Tension-filled battles of pride against indistinguishable singers.
Sweat shed in the practice room when no one was watching.
All of it, for a performance that lasted less than five minutes. It felt so utterly empty.
“I can guess what you’re thinking.”
Kwon Hosan spoke as he watched Seon-ho.
“Feels empty, doesn’t it?”
“A little, yes.”
“Want to hear something even more depressing? Guess how much they pay for appearing on a music show?”
“I know it’s not much, but I’m not sure how little.”
Seon-ho recalled being surprised before at how low the appearance fee was for Hye-mi at Tomorrow K-Star.
If Hye-mi, who had been recruited as a last-minute saviour, was paid that little, regular music show fees would be even worse.
And the number that came out of Kwon Hosan’s mouth was even lower than Seon-ho had imagined.
“70,000 won.” *About 49 USD
“70,000 won per person?”
“Yeah. And that’s because it’s MOK. Other stations pay 40,000 won.” *About 27 USD
Today alone, Personal Color had spent about five million won. *About 3,470 USD
Even setting aside the managers’ wages and the opportunity cost for Personal Color, they had already lost over 4.5 million won.
“I like to think of that loss we’ll write in red ink today as an investment.”
“You mean expecting greater profits later, like performance fees once they get famous?”
“No. It’s not about cold calculations.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s the cost of the expectations we place on those kids. Money that we’re willing to spend on their voices, their dances, their sweat. Of course, the company sees it as an investment, like you said, but at least to me, it’s different.”
“……”
“But… it feels like even that expectation is almost gone now. At least within the company.”
Seon-ho didn’t open his mouth recklessly, unsure why Kwon Hosan was bringing this up.
But amidst that, he felt something.
The first boss Seon-ho had met in this industry was Team Leader Park Cha-myung.
Park Cha-myung was a kind person.
But he also knew how to restrain his kindness from overstepping his responsibilities.
That’s why, despite his goodwill, he didn’t overextend himself for Hye-mi beyond his duties.
The next person he met was Dream Team’s Team Leader Jung Chanyoung, who was methodical and calculating.
Although Seon-ho’s time with Jung Chanyoung had been brief, he could guess how thoroughly he analysed and cared for his singers.
Lastly, Kwon Hosan was a romanticist.
He was someone who tried to treat singers with his heart rather than his head.
And Seon-ho liked Kwon Hosan for that.
Because he had seen firsthand how unconditional belief could become the foundation for a miracle.
Then what kind of person am I among these three types?
As Seon-ho pondered, Kwon Hosan spoke again.
“You don’t know why I’m telling you all this, right?”
“No, honestly, I don’t.”
“Neither do I. But it feels like Hye-mi, Jung Su-rim, and Oh Hanbit know something.”
Kwon Hosan wasn’t a fool. He knew well enough that singers wouldn’t react that way just because of a good-looking face.
Even if Hye-mi and Su-rim could be somewhat excused, Oh Hanbit, a man, certainly wouldn’t be.
So Kwon Hosan intended to pass on the cost of expectations to Han Seon-ho.
“The cheapest but also most expensive thing among the costs of expectation is trust. Sometimes it’s worth nothing, and sometimes it’s worth a fortune.”
“Yes.”
“So you take over paying that expectation cost for me.”
Kwon Hosan added with a sly smile.
“If you end up taking on more responsibility and trust for the singers than I have, you deserve to take my place as their manager..”
Just then, a roar burst out from the audience.
-Waaaaah!
-Dream Girls!
Dream Girls, who were currently riding a surge in popularity, had stepped onto the stage.
Coincidentally, they were right before Personal Color.
“Those little brats.”
Kwon Hosan muttered but quickly shook his head.
It’s not their fault. Jeon Heeseong must have put them up to it.
Soon after, Dream Girls debut performance of “Deep Sleep” began, and it was actually quite good.
The song was good, and the crowd’s response was strong.
Especially notable were the fans for the two Chinese members, who had been standing idly in the waiting room earlier — They have quite a lot of fans.
Still, Seon-ho thought Personal Color had nothing to be ashamed of.
They were superior in looks.
Superior in individuality.
Superior in singing ability.
It was hard to declare a clear winner between the songs, but “Juicy” was a good track, too.
Am I already starting to pay the cost of expectation?
Seon-ho let out a faint smile.
Kwon Hosan certainly had a talent for moving people’s hearts.
So I have to do what even Kwon Hosan couldn’t?
Personal Color’s breakthrough.
The harmony among the members.
For the first time, Seon-ho truly felt a sense of challenge.
Whether it was because he felt pity seeing Personal Color’s pitiful state today, or because Kwon Hosan’s sincerity had reached him — it didn’t matter.
Either way, what was clear was that solving Personal Color’s issues would make him a better producer.
And so, he was determined to do everything he could.
Around that time, Dream Girls’ stage ended, and Personal Color stepped onto the stage.
There was a significant cheer from the audience.
But the name they were shouting wasn’t Personal Color.
It was An Jia.
Or rather, “Jung Hyesoo,” the character An Jia had played in a drama.
The performance that began was, as expected, the same.
Spurred on by Dream Girls energy, it was a passionate stage, but it still lacked a sense of ownership.
First, I need to dig into that gap… What can I do right now?
Seon-ho stayed deep in thought as he watched the stage.
Then suddenly, an idea came to him.
A fifty-fifty shot, but worth trying.
Seon-ho pulled out his phone and sent a message.
[Director. Is there a singer who could use a bit of publicity right now?]
The receiver was Director Yoo Ayeon from UU Entertainment.
Seon-ho, having turned down Hye-mi’s invitation to hang out with Su-rim, headed to a café near the broadcast station.
It was almost midnight, but as a 24-hour café, it was still bustling.
After ordering two coffees and waiting for about five minutes, Yoo Ayeon arrived.
Still dressed in a stylish suit.
Female customers who had been sneaking glances at Seon-ho now subtly nodded approvingly.
Yoo Ayeon herself was not someone who could easily be overlooked in appearance.
“You’re early.”
At Seon-ho’s comment, Yoo Ayeon shook her head.
“I actually arrived earlier. I just took a walk around the block so I wouldn’t look desperate.”
“Now that you’ve said it, doesn’t it kind of ruin the whole point?”
“Nope. At least those people will think you were the one waiting for me.”
Yoo Ayeon subtly gestured to the surrounding people, and Seon-ho chuckled quietly.
She was an unpredictable woman.
“Alright, now that I’ve made my impression, shall we get straight to business? I want to wash off my makeup and get some rest.”
“Sounds good.”
“First, let’s talk about the past. What do you think Hye-mi feels about the offer from UU Entertainment?”
She was referring to the time she hinted at wanting to recruit Hye-mi during their last meeting at the broadcasting station.
Seon-ho thought for a moment before asking,
“Before that, may I ask why you made the offer?”
“Our CEO is quite interested in Hye-mi. Thinks she’s too good to be stuck under Kim Dong-han.”
“Isn’t UU Entertainment’s CEO a close friend of Kim Dong-han?”
“Well… I’ve heard that too, but honestly, I’m not sure if the word ‘close friend’ fits when you reach that level. That’s the truth.”
“Hm…”
Seon-ho took a sip of his coffee and answered the earlier question.
“Hye-mi wants to transfer. She’s pretty upset with MOK.”
“Even though the Dream Team has been formed?”
“Yes.”
“But the way you say it makes it sound like there’s some kind of problem.”
“I’m not sure. Hye-mi wants to move together with me.”
A thought had crossed his mind while talking with Manager Kwon Hosan today.
If he transferred to UU Entertainment, there was a high chance his position would be solidified as ‘Cha Hye-mi’s exclusive manager.’
But at MOK, more and more people were starting to recognize his potential.
People like Team Leader Park Cha-myung and Manager Kwon Hosan.
Besides, MOK was where Seon-ho’s secret as Prefer had the greatest impact.
That’s why he couldn’t be certain.
“I never thought everything would be decided with just a few suggestions anyway. It’s not a simple matter. Let’s take it slow.”
“Okay.”
“Now that we’ve wrapped up the past, let’s talk about the present. Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I got your text. I do think highly of you, Seon-ho, but you’re still a rookie manager, right?”
Seon-ho nodded.
“That’s true.”
“You probably have a rough idea already, but at first, I wanted to cast you as an actor. Then I got even more interested because you seemed to have musical talent.”
“I’m aware.”
“Are you not interested in acting?”
“No.”
His answer was so firm that even Yoo Ayeon was a little surprised.
“Why not?”
“The trust I received wasn’t as an actor but as a producer. I want to bear fruit from that trust.”
“Hmm. So, in other words, once you establish yourself as a producer, you might be willing to appear in something like a music video?”
Seon-ho made a baffled face at Yoo Ayeon’s comment.
“Is that how my words could be interpreted?”
“Of course. In this industry, a single comment can mortgage your next ten years.”
Yoo Ayeon took a sip of her coffee.
“Alright. That’s something we can talk about later too. Now, let’s get to the real point. What exactly is it that you want from me?”
“I want to get into a music variety show. One where I have to prepare a new song every week.”
“You want to?”
“Huh? Oh, no. Not me.”
“I was joking.”
Yoo Ayeon let out a low laugh and said,
“In short, you want to be part of a show that requires weekly music meetings, right?”
“Yes.”
Yoo Ayeon really was an impressive woman.
Seon-ho knew he was abnormally quick-witted.
Judging from his childhood, it seemed his quickness stemmed from his heightened sense of hearing.
A person’s voice carries many things.
When they’re telling the truth.
When they’re lying while pretending to be truthful.
When they themselves aren’t sure if they’re speaking the truth or lying.
Their voices all change.
And Seon-ho could intuitively distinguish these differences.
It wasn’t something he could do when he was young and lacked experience with people.
But as he grew older and accumulated experience, he learned to sense these little details.
It also helped that he had grown up in an environment where he constantly had to read the room.
Of course, it wasn’t some absolute ability with 100% accuracy.
Sometimes he was wrong, and sometimes he got confused. That’s why he called it quick-wittedness, not a skill.
Still, he could certainly read the atmosphere to an abnormal degree.
And Yoo Ayeon was no less capable.
The fact that she immediately linked “music variety show” to “weekly music meetings” impressed him.
Seon-ho’s reason for wanting a music variety show was simple.
Personal Color needed something that would push them to their limits, something that would bring out their true selves without leaving room for pretense.
And the only way he could exert influence during that process was through a music variety show.
The three major broadcasting networks aired five music programs, and including cable, there were more than twelve.
He didn’t necessarily expect Yoo Ayeon to make it happen, but since he had resolved to give his best, it was something worth aiming for.
Besides, from what he had learned, Yoo Ayeon was even more remarkable than he had first thought.
Sure enough, Yoo Ayeon nodded.
“There’s a pilot program being rushed at KBM Broadcasting. The program might be called ‘Ajuninsu.’”
“Ajuninsu?”
“It’s short for ‘Idol War! Popularity Defense!’”
“…….”
“The CP in charge has a really old-school vibe. But don’t worry, it’ll probably end up being called ‘Idol War’ officially.”
Yoo Ayeon lowered her voice.
“It’s going to air Wednesdays at 11 PM for eight weeks. Their usual show at that time, Chicken Race, ran into some problems.”
“Is it okay if I ask what kind of problems?”
Chicken Race was a survival variety show where idol groups known for being athletic competed in extreme sports.
For a weekday variety show, it was quite popular.
Even though Seon-ho didn’t know much about variety shows, it didn’t seem like the right time for Chicken Race to end.
“There’s about to be a scandal. The male and female MCs, who both had squeaky-clean images and were married, fell for each other during the show.”
“Is it alright for you to tell me that?”
“Anyone who’s anyone already knows. There have been rumors floating around, and it’s just a matter of timing now.”
Seon-ho thought for a moment before asking,
“So Idol War is a program where idols compete through singing?”
“Exactly. It’s a typical format, but if the casting is good, it’ll be successful too.”
“Are there any open spots?”
“About three. The PD was trying to reserve them for top idols, but it looks like one team will make it, and two spots will probably stay open.”
“Do you think we can take one of those top spots?”
At his question, Yoo Ayeon smiled.
If someone took a photo of her now, it would be titled Confident.
“About a month ago, the PD contacted me. Said if he couldn’t get top idols, he wanted fresh faces and asked for help.”
“And?”
“I recommended Dream Girls. They exploded in popularity over the past month, so they’re not exactly fresh anymore, but the PD was actually happy about that.”
“So there’s one spot left?”
“Exactly.”
“Is it possible?”
At his question, Yoo Ayeon shrugged.
“For someone like Hye-mi, it’s more than possible. Honestly, I don’t understand why you’re so worried.”
“……Hye-mi?”
“Yeah. After the Dream Team formed, you’re trying to secure a position of influence for her, right?”
For the first time, Seon-ho caught a slip-up from Yoo Ayeon.
Or rather, her information was just a bit outdated.
When Seon-ho explained about the team transfer, Yoo Ayeon made a complicated face.
“Personal Color, huh… It’s tricky. Other than An Jia, there’s not much buzz. Not exactly fresh either. They’re in their third year, right?”
“Second year. Though they’ve nearly completed three years of activity.”
Yoo Ayeon played with the straw in her coffee and said,
“I’ve laid all my cards on the table. There weren’t any big secrets, but I think I showed enough goodwill.”
“Thank you.”
“Honestly, I thought this was all about Hye-mi.”
She chuckled and pulled out her phone.
On it was the message Seon-ho had sent her a few hours earlier.
[Director. Is there a singer who could use a bit of publicity right now?]
“Honestly, I’m really curious. What’s the hot topic? From what I’ve seen, you’re not the type to throw around uncertain ideas.”
“Is there a singer at UU Entertainment in urgent need of a hot topic?”
“You’d be quicker asking if there’s any singer who doesn’t need one. It’s always needed. The real question is how much buzz it creates, and whether it causes trouble.”
“It’ll create a decent buzz. And it won’t cause trouble.”
“Stop keeping me in suspense.”
At her prompting, Seon-ho handed over his phone.
The screen he pulled up was familiar to Yoo Ayeon.
“Why this?”
“You know about this post?”
“Of course. Nothing’s stirred up the A&R scene more lately. Both Drake and Jang Sang-won mentioned it.”
“Good. Then—”
Seon-ho grinned.
“I’m giving you this song.”
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