I Became the Manager of an Idol Who Provides Sexual Favors

*Sigh… Manager Jeon.*

The president seated at the head of the table kept puffing away at his cigarette. It was already his third one.

I sat beside him, inhaling the smoke as if I were some kind of convict.

*”I know you prepared well for this comeback. I also know how hard you worked, Manager Jeon.”*

*“Yes.”*

*“But with these results… I don’t have a choice. You know how much money we poured into this album.”*

*“Yes. I’m aware.”*

We even brought in established composers and lyricists, and the music video was lavishly produced.

I hadn’t gone over the detailed expenses yet, but I knew it had easily cost upwards of hundreds of millions.

*“What was the peak ranking?”*

*“87th.”*

*“No, no. That was the first week. What about now?”*

It had been three weeks since the release.

*“…They’ve left the charts.”*

*“And music show appearances?”*

*“…None.”*

*“We spent a decent amount on marketing, didn’t we?”*

*“Well, we did put some into YouTube…”*

*“And this is the result?”*

*“……”*

Words failed me.

This album was the culmination of six months of relentless effort—from my team, but most importantly, from *our girls*.

SEPIA’s fourth mini-album.

I knew better than anyone how many sleepless nights the staff had poured into it, how many late-night dance practices the members had endured, how many times they had pushed themselves until they collapsed.

The president ground his third cigarette into the ashtray with a sigh.

*“SEPIA’s time is… probably coming to an end.”*

*“President, they still have loyal fans. There’s always a chance for a reverse—”*

*“How much longer do you expect me to wait on that ‘reverse surge’? A group with fans falls off the charts in just three weeks?”*

*“But the girls are still young. There’s still—”*

*“The youngest—what’s her name again? Se-ah? Even she’s been around the block by idol standards.”*

Se-ah was twenty.

*“That’s hardly—”*

*“She debuted in middle school. In the idol world, that’s seniority. How many groups have debuted since then?”*

He wasn’t wrong.

Se-ah, the youngest, had debuted at sixteen. Back then, the eldest and leader, Harin, was only nineteen. But four years had already passed since then.

A new generation of girl groups had risen, and countless rookies younger than SEPIA had climbed past them.

The leader of the most popular girl group right now was the same age as Se-ah…

At most, these girls were twenty, twenty-three. But unlike other professions, the idol industry was brutal.

For girl groups—where lifespans were short and turnovers merciless—time was the most fatal blow.

*“I know how attached you’ve grown to them since their trainee days. I watched their debut too. But it’s time to let go. They had their moment. Be content with that.”*

The president exhaled deeply while staring at the ceiling.

As he said, SEPIA had soared in popularity with their second mini-album.

Eunchae, the member with the strongest visuals, had gone viral overnight thanks to a single candid photo, becoming an overnight sensation.

It earned them a solid fandom, and at the very least, they weren’t *unknown* anymore.

But nothing lasts forever. Now, apart from a few diehard fans, most had moved on.

In the end, failing to sustain that momentum was entirely my fault—my failure as a producer.

The only reason we could pour so much money into this fourth comeback was *because* of that past success.

Otherwise, they’d have long faded into obscurity like any other nugu group.

*“SEPIA… It’s about time to wrap things up.”*

*“President.”*

*Please.*

I looked at him desperately, knees nearly trembling, but the president didn’t spare me a glance.

From the company’s perspective, they had already suffered massive losses. They’d given more than enough support—anything further would be meaningless.

But still.

Six years—from their trainee days to now.