Chapter 169

Oh, please come in, president .

Although it was late at night, Madam Jung GilLye greeted KangYoon warmly .

When he entered with an awkward expression, Kim JiMin gave him a sitting cus.h.i.+on .

This is a nice house . They dont look uncomfortable at least .

KangYoon was relieved after looking around the house .

When her alb.u.m went well, Kim JiMin moved from the residence that KangYoon had gotten her when she was a trainee . She wanted to lessen the burden on KangYoon and the companys money .

The cla.s.sy looking curtains and the white wallpaper fit well with the cozy house and the overall atmosphere felt tidy .

Thank you .

Madam Jung GilLye brewed some tea . It was some steaming hot jujube tea . The sweet fragrance made KangYoon feel like he was being energized from the fatigue .

Sir, how was it in Jeju?

It was fun . Though, it was a pity to not have you there .

Me too . I really want to go next time .

Kim JiMin expressed her disappointment .

Due to the characteristics of an entertainment company, it wasnt easy to consider everyones schedule . In the end, Kim JiMin had to take a hit for this one . KangYoon was also aware of this and this was why he came to her residence as soon as he arrived .

When KangYoon talked about the stories that happened at Jejudo, Kim JiMin also told him about the things that happened during the past couple of days .

As KangYoon was busy with Eddios all this past while, the two conversed for quite a long time .

So I went to VVIP .

But then, when Kim JiMin told him that she visited VVIP, KangYoons eyes colored with panic .

Wait . You went to such a place?

Yes . Im very sorry . Nothing much happened though .

Visiting another company without permission was a sensitive topic . And she followed an idol of VVIP, Hw.a.n.g JooGyeom .

However, KangYoon didnt scold her much .

What did Mr . JooMyeong do?

The first thought that came into his mind was her manager .

As it was a human doing the job, he was well aware that it was absurd to stay by Kim JiMins side 24/7 . However, leaving her to her own devices when she was visiting another company? His actions definitely warranted some action on KangYoons side .

I should ask him tomorrow . And VVIP? Isnt that place famous for poaching newbies? He should have held her back .

KangYoon sighed in relief as this may have escalated into something much worse . The reality was that many rising stars switched companies due to their popularity . KangYoon was glad that he had a good eye for people .

If a rookie becomes a so-called star, it is natural for that person to get a love-call from many places . In this reality where 1 out of 100 may or may not make it big in this industry, There were many companies that focused on raising already-famous stars rather than raising new ones from scratch . Many also thought that paying the penalty fee for breaching the contract was worth more than investing in a new person .

VVIP Entertainment was infamous for such actions .

Call me next time when you want to visit another company, okay?

Yes .

Im glad that nothing happened . Although your slap to that guy tugs on my mind a li Nah, that guy deserved it . How dare he? A star should have such daringness . Im worried about strange rumors, but Ill take care of that . Well, they were in the wrong this time, so they wont be able to make a big deal out of this . Being slapped by a lady is nothing to boast about .

Kim JiMin seemed embarra.s.sed . Actually, she did feel embarra.s.sed when she thought about the actions she took back then . However, she didnt want to ignore it when someone talked bad about KangYoon who had raised her, a n.o.body, to such heights .

The jujube tea was half-gone and the hot steam had died down as well .

KangYoon put down his teacup and switched topics .

Have you heard about a program called Birth of the Masterpiece?

Kim JiMin thought about it for a moment before nodding .

Yes . Isnt that program aired Every Friday on KS TV? Its the one where they reinterpret an old cla.s.sic, right?

Yeah . Its a program where the singer gets evaluated by 555 people from ages 10 to 50 . This time, you were called for it .

Oh, that? I want to do it .

Kim JiMin was ambitious . She felt some charm from the fact that an old cla.s.sic would be reinterpreted into a modern version . Although this program was an entertainment program on the surface, its core was a music program . She felt enough charm to appear in it .

As the president, it was nice to see someone so rearing to go .

Okay then . Ill give you the materials tomorrow, so see you at the company .

Okay .

KangYoon finished the tea before leaving the house .

The next day .

As Kim JiMin was on her school holiday, she didnt go to school and headed to the company . When she entered the office, Lee HyunJi greeted her warmly .

Oh, JiMin . Its been a long time .

h.e.l.lo, director .

Kim JiMin flattered Lee HyunJi after seeing that she had tanned a little . Lee HyunJi said that she was sorry that Kim JiMin had to be left behind .

After this program, your activity period will end, wont it? The president will give you leave then .

Really? Wait, I have school

Looking at the calendar, Kim JiMins expression darkened . Lee HyunJi couldnt say anything about that as well . Ditch school and go on a holiday? Neither KangYoon nor her grandmother would allow it .

Kids have it hard .

Lee HyunJi felt the tragedy of high school students and shook her head .

After they waited for a little, KangYoon came to work . His expression looked a little flushed .

Just how did he learn his job

What is it?

When Lee HyunJi asked in confusion, KangYoon shook his head and spoke .

I asked Mr . JooMyeong for a reason and he told me that he decided that it was better to follow JiMins wishes because she looked so dejected . Just how can a manager In the end, I became angry at both him and manager DaeHyun, who was in charge of teaching him . If a manager listens to every word the celebrity has to say, thats a machine, not a manager . I picked him because he had some experience but it turns out like this . I think he should be taught from the basics or something like that .

Thats unfortunate . But we should be strong in this since we almost lost a person that we painstakingly raised . What did Mr . JooMyeong say to that?

Hes repenting . He cried saying that he didnt know things would become like this . He says that this will never happen again . Hes not someone with evil intent so I think it will be alright after he learns from scratch . Since Mr . JooMyeong has to go with Eddios to learn work again, I think Ill have to take care of JiMin for now .

We cant just hire a new manager immediately either thats more work for us .

Lee HyunJi shook her head . She cheered for KangYoon .

Meanwhile, Kim JiMin was very excited .

Yes!

She always felt confident when KangYoon had her back . That feeling of being able to achieve everything she wanted to was a little hard to describe .

Soon, KangYoon explained to her about the Birth of the Masterpiece program and gave Kim JiMin some doc.u.ments that he got from them . It contained the general purpose of the program, the stage layout as well as an example .

After having a detailed look at it, Kim JiMin spoke .

A song that was popular from 1985 to 1987? Uhm, I wasnt even born back then .

As she was born in 1994, she shrugged her shoulders since every one of these songs was older than her . KangYoon also burst out laughing .

Actually, you might stumble upon something good since theres nothing you know about it . Lets choose a good one .

Okay .

The two started heading towards the studio in order to select a song . They were planning to listen to many of those songs and choose wisely .

When they entered the studio, Park SoYoung could be seen studying with thick gla.s.ses on .

SoYoung .

Oh, h.e.l.lo, president . And you too, JiMin .

h.e.l.lo, unni .

Having come earlier in the morning, Park SoYoung was wrestling with her score without standing up from her seat even once . KangYoon had a smile on his face . He was proud of her efforts .

Kim JiMins focus was on the score in her hands .

Unni, can I ask you what this song is?

Sorry, its still a secret for now . Ill tell you about it later .

uu such a pity .

Kim JiMin pouted a little before heading towards a shelf with CDs and vinyl records . That place not only had Korean music records but music records from other countries as well . These were materials that KangYoon had gathered in his free time .

Looking at Kim JiMin who was looking through those songs, Park SoYoung asked .

President, is JiMin selecting a song?

Yeah . Are you ready as well, SoYoung?

This is really too much for me .

Park SoYoung stuttered . Although she was being asked to rearrange the song that Kim JiMin chose to sing in Birth of the Masterpiece, she was feeling a lot of pressure . She was still in the stage of learning, but her work was now going to appear on TV

Im going to work on it as well . Youre not going to do everything by yourself, so you dont need to feel so much pressure .

R, right?

Have some confidence, straighten your shoulders out .

KangYoon imitated straightening his shoulders . He was gesturing to Park SoYoung to do the same . Park SoYoung spoke powerlessly .

Yes .

Your answer is too small .

Yes . Okay, but you know, president .

However, KangYoon didnt even listen to her and went to where Kim JiMin was .

Uuugh, can I really do this?

Watching Kim JiMin and KangYoon go through songs, Park SoYoung became nervous .

***

Were past the break-even point at least .

President Han YoungSook of GNB Entertainment sighed while looking at the reports regarding Naels activities .

She picked Yoo NaYoon from the trainees and invested money in her, and even made her debut date around the same date . However, Nael was being compared by the public with Eunha from World Entertainment and was dubbed the 2nd place .

Although Naels appearance was much more pleasing, she was strangely unable to overtake Eunha on stage . In the end, she had to switch routes to general entertainment programs, and thankfully, she was able to gain a footing there . Using that as her basis, she was able to spread her name wide using various events and was barely able to overtake the breakeven point .

President Han YoungSook put down the cooled coffee and stood up from her seat . She took out a cigarette and lit it up . White smoke filled the office .

Fuu . The activity period will be over after the Birth of the Masterpiece . Thats good .

On her desk was a file t.i.tled Liaison request for KS TV Birth of the Masterpiece . Her seal was already on those papers .

After smoking the entire cigarette, president Han YoungSook called her secretary using an internal bell .

Call NaYoon over .

-Yes, maam .

President Han YoungSook opened the window in order to ventilate the air for Yoo NaYoon .

Not long later, the internet was filled with Naels news of appearing in KS TVs Birth of the Masterpiece .

***

After the summer holiday, the employees of World Entertainment became closer to each other .

The entertainers became closer to each other, while the employees were the same . Moreover, everyone created a connection to the superstar Min JinSeo this time, so their little sense of belonging to the company was erased .

Moreover, everyone now knew that the company was trying its best for them .

A new employee entered World Entertainment at that time .

h.e.l.lo . Im Yoo JungMin . I graduated this year from XX University . Im 28 this year and

Morning conference with all the employees of World Entertainment .

A man with an ordinary face wearing a suit greeted everyone . He introduced himself nervously and turned around to see everyone .

E, Eddios, Eunha, and White Moonl whoa . .

Although he had an interest in entertainment companies, now that he saw them for real, they all looked like dolls to him . Female celebrities with light make-up looked like different species to the women outside .

After he finished introducing himself, KangYoon stepped up .

We have a new person in our office . Everyone, give him a round of applause .

Everyone clapped . Yoo JungMin took a light bow .

KangYoon spoke with a calm tone .

You can sit next to Miss HyeJin from now on . Miss HyeJin, you should teach him about the work that is done around here .

Yes, president .

Dont bully your new junior, okay?

Hahahaha .

Everyone laughed at KangYoons words .

As this was one of the rare occasions where everyone gathered, KangYoon briefly talked about how things worked around here . When he thanked everyone for doing their jobs splendidly, everyone applauded him .

The last one to speak was Lee HyunJi .

Summer is nearing its end . Soon, Eunhas activity will be over . Please take care of our youngest member, since she couldnt even go on the trip . I hope you can give her a present each .

Yes~ .

Kim JiMin said that they didnt need to but when Lee HyunAh hooked her arm around her shoulders and imitated counting money, her face changed . She liked money after all . Seeing that, everyone started laughing .

The brief introduction / morning conference ended in a good mood and everyone scattered .

When KangYoon was about to go to the rooftop, Lee HyunJi stopped him .

President, wait a moment . Can I take a bit of your time?

Yes . Is there something on your mind?

Lee HyunJi followed KangYoon to the rooftop as though this topic wasnt something to be said in the office . She even locked the rooftop door and spoke carefully after seeing that no one else was around .

I think its about time .

About time to what?

When KangYoon asked, Lee HyunJi replied with a smile .

(T/N: This could be a great April fools chapter LEE HYUN JI CONFESSING?)

(E/N: We already did that)

We need trainees .

Ah, trainees . So its that time already .

KangYoon clapped in realization .

She was talking about the future of an entertainment company, its trainees .