Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 141: Chapter 12 – Competitors (END).

After some contemplation, I answered.

“The second. I will choose to make the DJs play Girl Revolution’s songs.”

The quality of Girl Revolution was among the best in the K-pop scene. If given the chance, they would definitely rise.

And the latter method would be a huge opportunity.

“Yes, I knew you would choose that.”

Saying that, Cheon Jonghoon smirked again.

…Why is this bastard being so sly today?

The saying “you can’t spit at a smiling face” was wrong. I was confident I could spit on his face dozens of times.

He frequently caused trouble and was unlikeable, so honestly, I couldn’t stand his smile.

I wondered if he understood my feelings, but Cheon Jonghoon continued without wiping his smile.

“By the way, let me add one more condition.”

Damn, talking about conditions.

Are you seriously crazy, Jonghoon? Do you want to taste the school violence controversy?

“What more condition could you possibly add now? Do you want to watch us both go down?”

His attempt to add more conditions on top of what was already agreed upon was no different from a sleazy mobile phone salesman trying to upsell internet and cable TV packages.

I couldn’t stand that.

I was prepared to walk away from this negotiation just to stop that damn nonsense.

Perhaps sensing my seriousness, Cheon Jonghoon was slightly taken aback and spoke.

“Honestly… this is not a bad deal for you. In fact, it’s a really good one.”

“A good deal? What’s that? Don’t add unnecessary fluff, just get to the point.”

“Alright then.”

As if trying to set the mood, Cheon Jonghoon cleared his throat, lowered his voice, and spoke with an unnecessary air of importance.

“Learn production under me.”

It was a condition with no room for argument, just a given.

“I refuse.”

Cheon Jonghoon seemed greatly surprised by my response, as if he hadn’t expected it.

“No, why? Do you think opportunities like this come around often?”

“What opportunity? It’s like a leech grabbing your legs, pulling you into a pit. Do you think I’m crazy to join SS now? I have no intention of working under someone like you, so find someone else.”

I’ve seen enough ugliness to never work under someone like you.

Taken aback by my response, Cheon Jonghoon grabbed his head and said.

“Sigh… I see I may have caused some misunderstanding. To clarify, this is not a condition for you to join SS. You can continue at TwoBear. Just learn production under me.”

“What kind of nonsense is that? SS isn’t a school or a vocational training center.”

“Sure, think of it as a school. That might communicate the idea better.”

What kind of nonsense is this?

I was skeptical of Cheon Jonghoon’s strange request and spoke without thinking.

“So what you’re saying is, the condition is to come irregularly to learn composition under you, like I would go to a math class at a school?”

“If you change the term ‘irregular’ to ‘regular,’ it aligns with your understanding.”

Is this guy really crazy?

No matter how much I thought about it, the conditions seemed completely insane, but I decided to seriously consider them for now.

And after thinking it through, I spoke my conclusion.

“I refuse.”

“Why?”

Why would I?

“I’m busy just trying to survive. Do you think I’m just going to be a wage slave? I don’t have time for things like school.”

“Such a…!”

Clearly irritated, Cheon Jonghoon’s face turned red, but after a few deep breaths, he calmed down and spoke.

“Making a living is important. Despite appearances, I’m also a wage earner… So, how about working part-time, assisting me while also learning composition on the side? Naturally, I’ll pay you.”

“…How much are you going to pay me?”

“I’m not one to skimp on these things. How about this amount?”

“Hmm… Not bad.”

It was true that he wasn’t stingy. The hourly wage was really high. Even I, who received a double salary from both Cheon Aram and Gyeoul’s grandfather, thought it was impressive.

It seemed like there would be no problem thinking of it as a high-paying part-time job.

“Fine, I’ll give it a try.”

At my light acceptance, Cheon Jonghoon muttered loudly, “Why should I be humble when I, the industry’s top talent, am offering to teach for free?”

I didn’t care if Cheon Jonghoon was displeased, but seeing him like that made me wonder deeply.

“So why do you want to teach me composition? If you want a student, just pick one from the SS’s production team and train them. I’m from a different company. Why would you teach me?”

In fact, there were plenty of people with better credentials than me in SS, right? If there was no one, a job posting would bring in a crowd. So why the hell was this guy obsessed with me? It was disgusting.

In response to my question, Cheon Jonghoon gave an answer that seemed a bit off-topic.

“I’ve heard Girl Revolution’s song.”

Did this bastard actually listen to our song?

This was unimaginable for Cheon Jonghoon from my past life, who used to claim that everyone on the charts was just a minor copy of his work.

Moreover, he was the type of guy who would never listen to a rival girl group.

“Why the hell would you listen to that?”

“Do you think I would do market analysis without even listening to the competition’s songs when I’m no amateur?”

…You actually did that in the past.

Then again, it seemed like Cheon Jonghoon had changed somehow, perhaps after switching the meds he had been taking.

In fact, the change was evident in the album Alcest released this time.

I had already heard the album before, but when I revisited it after the competition started, I was shocked by how much it had improved.

Alcest’s first album, “Queen in the Mirror Land,” which was already considered a masterpiece, was released with even higher quality and completeness.

Compared to the past, this crazy guy must have changed his mindset because after making a ruckus in his company, his work quality improved drastically.

But his bizarre comments didn’t stop there.

“And I heard the song you made. Listening to it, I was offended.”

“Why? Because you felt dumb for missing out on the genius Gyeoul, who made that simple song overhyped?”

“No, I’m just pissed that an amateur who makes songs like this is my competitor.”

“…”

…Damn, I feel terribly sorry for making you listen to a song by a complete beginner in composition who’s only been at it for a month.

“It seems you’ve never professionally learned mixing. How did you even release a song in that state?”

“…It’s not like I wanted it to be that way.”

“I get it. That’s why I’ll teach you. The specialized area you’re lacking.”

“…Wait, it feels like the conversation is coming full circle. Why do you want to teach me then? I’m not a composer.”

Then Cheon Jonghoon chuckled and said.

“Didn’t I say it? I was pissed that an amateur who never learned proper mixing was my competitor. So if I teach you that, I won’t have anything to get upset about, right?”

“…I’m beginning to realize, are you out of your mind?”

“Do you think you’re the only one?”

“…”

After finalizing the arrangements on the time, conditions, and agreeing to destroy the video, I stood up and spoke.

“Oh, but the part-time schedule needs to be adjusted to mine. Unlike you, I’m very busy doing both managing and producing.”

“Damn… Did you hear anything I said? Do you not understand what it means to learn from Cheon Jonghoon in a professional field?”

“What? If you’re so upset, don’t do it.”

“…”

Seeing me like that, Cheon Jonghoon laughed as if something was broken inside him and said.

“I’ll try my best to adjust the timing.”

Cheon Jonghoon personally called countless overseas DJs connected to SS and made requests.

The vast network of contacts suggested the power of SS, which was one of the three giants in the entertainment industry.

At this point, it seemed like enough to satisfy the contract with Seon Taeyang.

Seon Taeyang would probably nod in agreement. “At this level, this deal is worth it,” he would say.

But Cheon Jonghoon didn’t stop. He called DJs he personally knew, not just those connected to SS.

Switching languages one after another—French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Italian—Cheon Jonghoon made a personal request, something he had never asked for before.

“I’ll do it since it’s your request, but what’s this Girl Revolution group that’s worth all this?”

“You don’t need to know that.”

“Still as rude as ever. Fine, I’ll let it slide for today.”

Having contacted everyone in his network, Cheon Jonghoon paused for a moment before leaving one number. It was a DJ he despised intensely.

“Honestly, I don’t want to reach out to that bastard Anderson, but… leaving out someone who’s one of the top 1 or 2 DJs in the U.S. would have a huge impact.”

Cheon Jonghoon, deep in thought with his arms crossed, clicked his tongue before dialing the number.

-Who is this? Mr. Cheon, is that you?

“It’s been a while, Anderson.”

-Well, well, what brings you to me, the super DJ who’s been number one in listenership for eight consecutive weeks?

“…Play a track by Girl Revolution on your show.”

-Is that a request?

“It’s a request.”

-Pffffthahahaha. You’re asking for a favor? The Cheon Jonghoon?

Anderson scoffed for a while and then replied dismissively.

-Get lost, idiot. Hahaha.

“Before you even think about refusing, you should know that I still have your recording. The one Seo Soo-ae made at the Academy.”

-…Recording?

“Yes, a recording filled with your racist comments.”

-Just because I made a comment about Asians…

“It wasn’t just aimed at me. You made racist comments about Black people, Hispanics, Ginger people, Mexicans… all sorts of people. I didn’t even know it was this bad.”

-That’s illegal recording, you fucking chink!

“What the fuck does it matter? If you don’t want that recording to get out and ruin your DJ career, shut up and play the song! You racist bastard!”

-…

Anderson, beaten by the threat, hesitated before asking.

-I just checked, and it looks like Girl Revolution has five songs. Which one do you want me to play?

Without hesitation, Cheon Jonghoon answered immediately.

“Albatross.”

The next evening, Girl Revolution’s song echoed around the world.