Chapter 67

Chapter 67

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

Episode 67: Devilish Talent.

While handling miscellaneous tasks at the cafe where I experienced my regression, sipping on a green tea frappuccino, I had to witness Jinkang’s manager, Seok Hyun-woo, bowing his head as if he were about to kneel.

“Please, Team Leader Seon! Take me into TwoBear!”

“But why would you leave Jinkang where you were doing well? What’s the reason?”

How many places treat their employees better than a large company’s planning department? Why would he want to change jobs? This man…

“…I want to help Jin Yeoreum. But since she started her trainee life, that has become difficult. My secretarial duties have completely changed to planning and finance. This means I can’t assist her.”

Of course, since Jin Yeoreum was living in a dorm as a trainee, they couldn’t assign a secretary to her, so Seok Hyun-woo’s duties must have changed accordingly.

I asked with a hint of concern,

“Should we consider this a demotion?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s more like a promotion. I’ve been given the title of deputy manager this time.”

“…Congratulations.”

…I worried for nothing.

For a conservative company like Jinkang to give a deputy manager position to someone in his early 30s was remarkable. Of course, he must be competent, but it seemed Jinkang highly valued his long-time assistance to Jin Yeoreum.

Considering this unusual promotion speed, it was fair to say his future was looking bright.

“That’s great. The new job won’t be easy, but I believe Deputy Manager Seok will do well. Then, I’ll be on my way…”

“Team Leader Seon! I’ve realized that what’s important to me is not a slightly better salary or treatment!”

“Then what is important to you?”

Was there anything more important than that when choosing a job?

“Protecting Jin Yeoreum.”

“…I think the bodyguards will protect her. Our company doesn’t skimp on safety.”

With the investment we’d received, if we skimped on safety, Jin Baek-ho might really put us in a drum.

TwoBear wasn’t a company that would lose the big picture to save small amounts.

“I’m not talking about that kind of safety. This is about emotions.”

“Emotions?”

Seok Hyun-woo looked at me with earnest eyes and said,

“I am worried about the difficult future that delicate girl will have to face. Becoming an idol means she will have to confront the public opinion she has been avoiding so far.”

With straightforward honesty, he revealed his true feelings.

“I believe I should be by her side during those hardest moments. My support may be weak, but I think even that weak support will help her endure better.”

His heart was similar to a father’s heart, just as he had said before.

Seok Hyun-woo was truly a good person, to the point where it was a bit frustrating to watch him.

…But I liked people like that.

“I understand what you’re saying, Deputy Manager Seok. Personally, I appreciate such a heart. I’d like to work with you.”

This was my personal preference. I liked people like Seok Hyun-woo who didn’t seem likely to betray.

But there was one thing he overlooked.

“But why are you asking me for a job recommendation? It seems you overlooked that I’ve been at TwoBear for less than two months. I’ve been through so much that even I sometimes forget, but I’m a new employee, Deputy Manager Seok.”

“If you really want a job, come through the regular route. You’re more than capable of doing that, aren’t you?”

As far as I knew, his qualifications were far superior to mine, a high school graduate with no job. Plus, he had years of experience in Jinkang’s planning department, so he could easily switch to most jobs if he wanted to.

I couldn’t understand why he was clinging to me.

Deputy Manager Seok, I have a lot of work lately, so I’m a bit wary. Please understand.

“I would like to, but TwoBear Entertainment isn’t hiring at all.”

“…?”

Wait, we’re short on staff right now, and I’m doing the work of three people alone, but we’re not hiring?

Our boss has lost her mind…

…but on second thought, it’s not her mind that’s gone—it’s her sense of smell.

Lee Hyerin was also connected through indirect connections.

Song Johan was someone I just brought in.

None of it was through regular hiring.

The company, already suffering from a staff shortage, relied only on referrals, making me feel suddenly hopeless.

“Please! Take me into TwoBear!”

Seok Hyun-woo appeared again.

He wasn’t just asking for a job; he was a savior who would share my shattered workload.

He was almost elite in terms of ability, so there was no one better.

I grabbed his shoulders and said,

“I understand your sincerity, Deputy Manager Seok. As a man, I can’t ignore such feelings!”

“…Team Leader Seon! So?”

“But I want to see a bit of your determination, Deputy Manager Seok.”

“Determination?”

I didn’t think he was that kind of person, but I needed to check if he wouldn’t run away.

“Your salary will be significantly less than what you’re getting now. You’ll probably have to take on the role of road manager to protect Yeoreum closely.”

“I don’t mind at all. I don’t have much to spend money on.”

“The schedule might be much tougher than your current job. Once activities start, you should forget about work-life balance.”

“Since Yeoreum has to handle such a schedule, I should naturally do the same. It’s actually what I want.”

Wow, I really like him.

“I understand your determination. Then I’ll do my best to get you into TwoBear.”

Seok Hyun-woo bowed his head with a grateful look and said,

“Thank you! Team Leader Seon!”

No, thank you. I’m the grateful one.

Welcome. My slave.

“How does he smell?”

Considering Seok Hyun-woo’s usual character, I thought he would naturally pass the scent test of the detection dog, Cheon Aram, but I was a bit anxious.

Because I’ve realized that my judgment of people has been a bit off in this lifetime. She might smell something bad from Seok Hyun-woo.

Cheon Aram, who had been admiring me with a bit of tension, said,

“Wow, Team Leader Seon, where did you find this person?”

“Does he smell bad?”

“No? He doesn’t smell at all. He’s on Soo-yeon’s level.”

Cheon Aram continued to exclaim in admiration.

“I’ve lived a long time, but I’ve never smelled someone this clean. He’s an amazing guy.”

It seemed like he had completely passed Cheon Aram’s scent test.

I was very satisfied.

“He worked at Jinkang for eight years and got promoted to deputy manager? Why would someone like him want to be a road manager? It’s not exactly a well-paying job, is it?”

“He seems to consider Yeoreum like a daughter. So he said he wants to take on a job where he can protect her closely, even if it means giving up his job and benefits.”

“Hmm, he has a really good mindset.”

Nodding her head, Cheon Aram said,

“I won’t treat him as just a simple road manager; I’ll give him good treatment. It won’t be as good as his previous job, but it won’t be disappointing… He seems like someone who could grow with us. I’d like to see him stay for a long time.”

“That’s the best decision, President Cheon!”

As I happily tried to relay the news to Seok Hyun-woo, Cheon Aram stopped me.

“Wait, Team Leader Seon, I have something to say.”

“Yes, please speak freely.”

“Remember we decided to send Gyeoul to ‘Girl 100’? The PD wants to see her. Can you handle this?”

“I’ll do it if you ask, but are you okay with this?”

Since this was connected through Cheon Aram’s connections, I thought it would be right for her to handle it.

“Yes, it’s fine. I told you I’d hand over the scheduling to you. The timing just came a bit sooner than expected. Just stick to the plan we set in the meeting, so don’t think too hard about it.”

“Don’t worry. Not thinking too hard is what I do best.”

“…I’m suddenly starting to regret this.”

“I’m Seon Taeyang, a team leader at TwoBear Entertainment.”

As I handed over my business card and greeted her, the woman said,

“I’m Kim Seon-ye. Just call me PD Kim.”

“Yes, it’s an honor to meet you, PD Kim Seon-ye.”

“Well, it must be an honor for you. I’m here in person, not an AD.”

“…”

As I just smiled at Kim Seon-ye’s somewhat rude reaction, she scoffed and got to the point.

“We don’t have much time, so let’s get to the point… I made time for this, but I don’t have high expectations for your company. It’s a new agency that hasn’t debuted anyone, right? The level is obvious. If it weren’t for a recommendation from someone I know, I wouldn’t have even looked at your agency. What amazing thing could I possibly expect?”

From her perspective, it was a truly objective judgment.

Of course, if you look inside, the company was filled with three of the greatest geniuses ever.

“Still, considering the sincerity of the person who contacted me, I’ll be blunt. The trainees we’re looking for here aren’t those with talent or charm.”

“Then what kind of trainees are you looking for?”

“We need supporting actors to highlight the kids who should rise. If you say you’ll send a kid who steals the spotlight, I’ll look for another agency.”

Kim Seon-ye said while looking at her smartphone as if she were bored.

“You get what I’m saying, right?”

Of course, I get it. You’ve already decided who will rise, so you want me to send someone who will just blend in, right?

I have a video you’d love to death.

I smiled pleasantly and said,

“Yes, I understand what you’re saying. You want someone who is a subtle supporter, right?”

“For someone at a new agency, you catch on quickly.”

“Haha, I have to be quick to survive. I happen to have a suitable trainee; what do you think of this one?”

I showed her the video of Gyeoul the Devil, the bad habit I had shown Cheon Junghoon before. The time when she was being gaslighted by Yeji.

Kim Seon-ye watched the video for a moment, then sneered and said,

“Pfft, it’s funny. This level can get you about three minutes of airtime on a variety show. It’s just the cheapness I expected. It will have a decent impact on the ratings.”

“Thank you. I’ll show you more than you expect.”

“No need to thank me. I’m not expecting much anyway.”

No, this is definitely something to be thankful for.

You’ve just planted the seed that will overturn the broadcast with your own hands.

I’ll show you the devilish talent of Gyeoul, who will outshine the eleven predetermined winners.

Time passed, and the first recording day of ‘Girl 100’ arrived.