episode_0006

“Sigh….”

As I exhaled in the car on the way back after the interview, Kang Hyungman, who was sitting next to me, asked, “Why are you sighing like that?”

“…Just wondering if I did well in the interview.”

Even in my past life, the maliciousness of the production team was well-known.

I couldn’t help but worry that the production team might edit my interview like a devil.

“I didn’t see any answers that could be a problem. Don’t worry too much.”

“If the boss says so…”

“If those people play tricks with editing, I’ll make a scene there.”

“…No, I don’t think they’ll go that far…”

“I just tried to comfort you because you seemed worried.”

“…Haha, your jokes are pretty harsh.”

Still, after listening to Kang Hyungman’s comfort, I felt a little better.

Thinking back, the production team didn’t ask as malicious questions as I had feared.

‘They were kinder than I expected.’

I thought they would ask difficult questions, but they only asked me simple questions like someone who had received a warning in advance.

‘Yeah, it’ll be fine. They probably won’t do witch hunts or devilish editing from the pre-shoot.’

With that thought, I calmed my pounding heart.

And…

“Huh? Where are we going?”

I happened to look out the window and realized that the car was not heading towards our neighborhood.

“Oh, we’re just stopping by a place before heading back.”

“Where to?”

“Our company building.”

“Oh, we have a company building?”

“Well, of course. Our company isn’t called Paper Company for nothing.”

…Well, it’s natural for a company to have a building.

‘But still… it’s probably just a small office in a small building, right?’

A company founded by Kang Hyungman, the only trainee and a former gangster.

I didn’t have high expectations for the headquarters of Brother Planning.

But…

“This is our company building…?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t close my mouth in shock after arriving at the building.

‘Is this… really our company building?’

Located in a good area on the outskirts of Seoul. A five-story building with a rooftop garden and sleek, modern glass windows.

“It used to be a design company, but the owner couldn’t pay off his debts… so I took it as collateral.”

“…It’s amazing.”

It’s truly an impressive building. No one would ever think it’s a company run by gangsters…

“Welcome-!!! Boss-!!!”

“Yes.”

…I knew it was coming, but my expectations shattered as soon as we opened the door and entered.

Dozens of men in black suits bowed 90 degrees as soon as they saw Kang Hyungman.

“There are… so many people.”

“We’re still in the process of moving. Most of the members are already here.”

As I slowly looked around at Kang Hyungman’s words, I met the stern gazes of the members.

“Even though they look like that, they’re all good guys, so don’t be too scared.”

“….”

I feel like I might faint if I bow twice…

‘But still… maybe I’m used to seeing gangsters because of my parents’ debts? Even if I see gangster uncles, I’m used to it… huh?’

But then, it happened.

As I calmly scanned the faces of the members, two people who didn’t seem to fit in with the surroundings caught my eye.

Both of them were young women with stylish and unique looks, but the surrounding seniors were trembling and hugging each other as if they were scared.

Seeing the two women who looked like they had been kidnapped to a gangster’s den, I asked Kang Hyungman, “Boss, who are those people? They seem quite scared…”

“Oh, I almost forgot to introduce them. Hey! Come over here for a moment.”

Kang Hyeong-man raised his voice and waved his hand, causing the two trembling women to glance at each other before rushing over.

“Yerin, say hello. These are the temporary trainers who will be looking after you until the broadcast.”

“…Trainers?”

“Yes, one for vocals and one for dance.”

Wait, I’m the only trainee, and now they’ve even hired trainers?

A hefty contract clause with a deposit of 50 million won. Transportation in a luxury sedan and personal trainers in a high-end mansion.

…This is practically like being an imperial trainee.

Do they really trust me that much…? I appreciate it, but the pressure is unavoidable.

“Please introduce yourselves, our trainee Ha Yerin.”

“Hello…”

“Nice to meet you…”

I hope these people weren’t actually kidnapped… Their reactions are strange…

“Yerin, do you have any plans after today?”

“Well, I don’t have any, why?”

“Instead of just saying hello, how about taking a lesson today since we’ve met. Time is tight.”

“Oh…”

I have a month until the first shoot.

I definitely needed more practice time to show a decent performance.

“I’m fine with that.”

“Then let’s all go downstairs. We’ve prepared a practice room on the basement floor.”

Guided by Kang Hyeong-man, we arrived at a neat practice room with mirrored walls.

“Oh.”

“It’s better to have just the three of you here rather than worrying about others. I’ll leave… oh wait, before that…”

Whisper.

“…?”

Before leaving, Kang Hyeong-man called me over and whispered in my ear.

“It won’t be easy to achieve significant results in a month. Just think of it as a good experience to build your reputation and practice comfortably.”

“…”

Did he notice that I felt pressured?

Kang Hyeong-man relieved my burden with his indifferent words.

“If you feel uncomfortable at any point, speak up.”

“I won’t, thank you as always, sir.”

“…Okay.”

Kang Hyeong-man patted my head once before calling out to the trainers and…

“Teachers, I’ll leave it to you. Until you speak, no one else will be allowed in the practice room. Goodbye then…”

With those words, he closed the door and went back upstairs.

I stared at the closed door for a while.

At first, I thought he was no different from other loan sharks, but he was truly a warm-hearted person.

However, it seemed that I was the only one who evaluated Kang Hyeong-man that way.

Thud.

After Kang Hyeong-man left, one of the trainers slumped into a chair as if exhausted.

And then…

“Waaaah-!!”

She burst into tears.

“It was scary-!! It was so scary-!! Waaaah-!!”

The other trainer didn’t shed tears, but she seemed to understand, patting the crying trainer’s shoulder.

Seeing this, I couldn’t help but have rational doubts.

“Did these people really come here willingly…?”

Kang Hyeong-man may be a kind person, but… isn’t he still a gangster or a loan shark?

Did they maybe drag the trainers here forcibly because they couldn’t find any…?

With a sense of doubt, I asked them.

“Did you… by any chance, get dragged here against your will by the two bosses?”

“Um? No… we applied after seeing the job posting…”

“Is that so? But you seemed so scared…”

“…We didn’t know it would be like this. There was a reason the pay was high…”

The trainer wiped her forehead and explained, and the crying trainer nodded, sobbing.

“Ugh… when we arrived, there were a bunch of tough-looking guys… the atmosphere was rough… they wouldn’t say a word when asked… I thought it was a black market until the students arrived…”

I see… it’s easy to misunderstand.

Pay came to see me, but all I see are gangsters? I would have suspected them of being involved in illegal activities too.

To completely dispel their misunderstanding and reassure them, I patted their shoulders.

“Don’t worry, it’s not like that. This is a legitimate entertainment agency. Despite their appearance, they are actually quite nice.”

“….”

“….”

After hearing my words, the trainer who seemed to realize his mistake sat down hesitantly, stopping his tears and getting up from his seat.

“…Phew, I’m sorry. I showed an embarrassing sight in front of the students.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry.”

Only then could I see the face of the trainer who was crying.

But this person….

‘…Why does he look familiar?’

I shook my head, thinking that I must be mistaken about knowing him. I don’t know anyone in this industry.

Since I am in a learning position, it’s appropriate to greet them first. I straightened my clothes for a moment and bowed my head to them.

“Then let me introduce myself first, nice to meet you. I’m Ha Ye-rin, a trainee from Hyungje Planning.”

“….”

The two of them looked at me and then the trainer on the right introduced himself first.

“…Yes, although temporary, I will also do my best. I am Kang Soo-hyun, who will be in charge of Ye-rin’s vocal training. I used to work at JJ Entertainment.”

“You came from JJ…?”

Where is JJ? It is one of the top 3 entertainment agencies in South Korea.

A vocal trainer from such a place came to Hyungje Planning…?

Momentarily taken aback, the trainer who was crying earlier also started introducing herself.

And upon hearing her name, I couldn’t help but be even more surprised.

“Nice to meet you too. I just came from a nameless dance academy as an instructor…, my name is Lee Ji-woo.”

“…Yes? Lee Ji-woo…, Lee Ji-woo…. Could it be that Lee Ji-woo?”

“Do you know me?”

I knew her.

Her name was Lee Ji-woo, who would later win a dance audition program and become a dancing sensation.

“I, I’m sorry…, I just have a friend with the same name.”

“Oh…, is that so.”

One from a top 3 entertainment agency as a vocal trainer, and the other a winner of a dance program a year later….

Faced with such a dazzling lineup, I couldn’t help but be amazed.