Chapter 29

Chapter 29

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

Episode 29: Standing On The Boss’s Head.

“Will you pay the 100 million won?”

“Of course, I have to. After showing something like that. I may be strict, but I have a conscience.”

Cheon Aram said as she lightly brushed her hair back.

“It’s been a while since I had to show my face to those stinkers… Should I buy some seasickness medicine?”

“I’m relieved. I really wanted those two to get some compensation.”

Cheon Aram said playfully, looking at the relieved Seo Soo-yeon.

“But first, let’s check what Team Leader Seon has prepared. It would be a waste after setting up all this.”

Seo Soo-yeon frowned, realizing Cheon Aram was about to stir up trouble again.

“Do we really need to participate in such noise marketing? I’m skeptical about its effectiveness.”

“Nobody can be sure… But it’s worth trying. Considering the perfection of the first song, it will surely become a big issue. They’re even filming over there.”

“…Why don’t we just pay the money directly?”

“No. I want to see what picture Team Leader Seon is drawing.”

Having failed to persuade, Seo Soo-yeon muttered softly.

“President Cheon, sometimes I feel like you have a bit of a bad personality.”

Cheon Aram smiled at her and said.

“Not just a bit; a lot.”

The performance continued for over two hours, with some interaction mixed in.

Keeping a close eye on Gaeul’s throat condition, I informed her that the next song would be the last.

Gaeul, though with a look of regret, understood that it was time to end the performance.

Thus, Gaeul, who had taken on the role of the day’s MC, and handled vocals, guitar, and more, announced the end of the busking.

“I think it’s time for the last song.”

When Gaeul announced on the microphone that this would be the last song, the audience roared in protest.

They were in an uproar, either asking for one more song or already chanting for an encore.

“…Thank you so, so much. I will never forget this moment until I die.”

Looking at such a scene, Gaeul spoke in a slightly choked voice, as if her nose was tingling.

“I’ll gift you the best song I can sing so that those of you who stayed feel rewarded.”

Gaeul whispered to me with her mouth close to the microphone.

“Team Leader Seon, I want the last song to be ‘Last Concert.’ Is that okay?”

“Of course. It’s a song perfect for the finale.”

It was a famous song known as the number one track by Lee Seunghyun, who was from a legendary band in South Korea.

It was a song known to people of all ages present here.

Gaeul’s sense of song selection was truly excellent.

Without hesitation, I started the intro of ‘Last Concert.’

As the calm piano sound echoed, Gaeul joined in with the guitar, lighting up.

And as the intro, which felt short, ended, Gaeul began to sing.

The song ended.

But the crowd didn’t disperse and continued to cheer and chant for an encore.

Gaeul, watching the scene, was holding back her overwhelming emotions.

I wanted to ask her again now.

“Miss Gaeul.”

“…Yes, Team Leader Seon.”

“You like singing, don’t you?”

It was the question I didn’t get a clear answer to at the soup restaurant back then.

Gaeul looked at me with wide eyes, as if hearing an unexpected question.

And as if that question were the trigger, Gaeul’s emotions, which had been swelling like a balloon, burst open.

“…It’s not that I like it. I love it.”

Gaeul was shedding tears.

“Truly, truly. More than anyone else in this world!”

That was Gaeul’s pure, sincere heart.

The main purpose of all this was to draw out those emotions.

Of course, I wasn’t satisfied with achieving just one goal.

“Then, how about becoming an idol together? I’ll make it so you can sing on a stage more fantastic than this.”

“I want to do it too! But I can’t.”

“Why?”

“If I chase my dream like that, Gahyeon’s dream will be shattered!”

I smiled bitterly and said.

“In the end, it’s because of money, right?”

“Yes. That’s right. It’s because of money. Because I don’t have any.”

“Then, if that money is taken care of, we can be together, right?”

Gaeul looked up at my face and spoke weakly.

“If only that could happen, I would have no other wishes.”

Approval was granted.

“Then please stick around a little longer.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s make some money.”

I shouted loudly.

“It seems like you’ve waited long enough, so please come out now, President.”

It was time to achieve the second goal.

The crowd split in half as if making a path.

And she appeared, crossing the path made by the crowd.

Beside her was a woman with a bob cut, dressed neatly in a suit, walking behind her like a secretary.

That woman was probably Seo Soo-yeon, as Cheon Aram mentioned.

I gave a brief nod to her, my future colleague, and spoke to Cheon Aram.

“How was the stage, President?”

“Hmm… To be honest, part of me wants to downplay it, given my position. But I have to give credit where it’s due.”

Cheon Aram clapped her hands and said cheerfully.

“It was excellent PR, Team Leader Seon.”

“Then, will you accept?”

“Well, let’s see how Team Leader Seon wraps it up. There must be a reason for gathering all these people, right?”

“…If we go that far, President Cheon, you’ll have to participate too. Is that alright?”

“Yes, even so, I have to see it.”

“Then, let’s do it.”

The stage turned out better than expected, but it didn’t seem easy to proceed smoothly.

Then I’ll have to show it. The essence of my ten years of experience that lifted Flower Entertainment, a C-level agency, to an A-level one.

I grabbed the standing microphone in front of Gaeul and spoke.

“The person here is none other than the president of TwoBear Entertainment. And the kid currently handling vocals, guitar, and MC for the band is a trainee aiming to join our TwoBear.”

Establishing the characters.

“This busking was the final test for our TwoBear. Proving talent in front of all of you.”

And storytelling.

In the changed atmosphere, Cheon Aram spoke with a troubled expression.

“Isn’t this a bit unfair? I’m becoming the villain here.”

“This was the only role left. And it’s a unique PR opportunity for TwoBear Entertainment. You know it’s rare for a new agency to get a chance to make a name in front of such a large audience, right?”

If you can’t take this, quit being the president. I have no intention of sharing my fate with someone like that.

“It’s also a consideration for the President, who is sensitive to the smell of people. We should wrap up quickly and go to a place without people.”

“If you thought of that, you shouldn’t have called me to such a place in the first place.”

“As the president of an agency, you’ll have to go through such things often in the future. Consider it a practice.”

“…Seeing you again, Team Leader Seon, you really have a bad personality.”

“The smell of sweat isn’t there for no reason.”

We both chuckled softly. She and I shared a sense of humor.

But the laughter was brief. This was not a place for such smiles.

In the end, I was an employee trying to push through against the president’s will, and Cheon Aram was a president who had to stop a subordinate challenging her authority.

This conversation would establish our future relationship.

“Yes, a new company that doesn’t even try such opportunities shouldn’t be in business… Alright, let’s give it a shot.”

She looked at me and smiled provocatively.

“I trust you’re fully prepared.”

Then Cheon Aram separated the microphone from the standing mic I was holding and took it in her hand.

“You all need to know one thing. The amount of money TwoBear needs to recruit this excellent vocalist, Yoo Gaeul, is 100 million won.”

Her demeanor was so skilled, as if she had already experienced this.

But the crowd’s reaction was cold. People, enchanted by the genius vocalist Gaeul, couldn’t understand Cheon Aram for sparing that amount.

Blatant objections followed.

“I understand your feelings. I am also one of the audience who saw this stage.”

Cheon Aram spoke skillfully, as if accustomed to such situations.

“As a fan, I can confidently say that Yoo Gaeul is worth more than that amount… But as a businessperson and the representative of TwoBear Entertainment, I think differently.”

She then steered the atmosphere in her direction.

“How much does it cost to run a girl group on average?”

The sudden question caused people to start murmuring.

Cheon Aram gave the crowd a moment to ponder the question before answering it herself to prevent boredom.

“3 billion won over two years.”

The explicit figure caused the audience to stir.

“And to pay Gaeul 100 million won, we would have to carve out a significant portion from that. That’s what 100 million won means.”

That was a brutal analogy.

The 3 billion won was more for the costs of accommodation, meals, coordination, music videos, and such activities.

Just the amount Cheon Aram invested in the office building alone would far exceed that money.

But that couldn’t be pointed out.

I wasn’t here to engage in a battle of truths and hate speech with Cheon Aram.

Nor should I.

“As businesspeople, do you think it’s right to pay Gaeul that amount?”

The crowd murmured.

Hearing the actual investment costs made the weight of the 100 million won feel more direct.

Of course, there were still people who thought the money should be paid, but no one could voice it in the atmosphere Cheon Aram created.

“As a businessperson, I will say this: I think that expense is excessive. It’s not that I think Gaeul here isn’t worth it.”

Cheon Aram’s persuasive voice echoed.

“When considering the final form of a girl group, which could have up to 12 members, we cannot spend that much on just one trainee. Especially when we haven’t even decided on the number of members or the concept.”

Gathering the audience, forming public opinion, and showing her talent seemed a bit insufficient.

The opponent was a businessperson. Ultimately, the logic of money had to be overcome.

I wasn’t unaware of this. So I prepared a card to persuade that troublesome president.

That’s why from here on, it was for diversion.

“Soo-yeon.”

I spoke to Seo Soo-yeon, who was standing next to Cheon Aram.

“Please create some diversion for a moment.”

“…Diversion?”

“It’s a bit personal to tell the audience. Just say anything into the mic so they can’t hear us.”

“But how can I…?”

I didn’t wait for her answer and tossed the mic that Cheon Aram was holding.

Caught off guard, Seo Soo-yeon closed her eyes tightly and began introducing her career studying accounting.

She boasted of graduating from one of the world’s top schools and being scouted by top investment firms, but people jeered, telling her to finish the audition story.

Then, sweating nervously, she shouted as if to make everyone listen.

“With my career background! I’ll give you tips on tax evasion without breaking the law during this intermission!”

The people who had been jeering fell silent.

“If you don’t get caught, it’s tax-saving! If you get caught, it’s tax evasion! I’ll share this simple truth with you for free!”

…It was an excellent diversion.