Translator: Chamber

  Editor: Illidan

  “…I didn’t know I would spend new years at the company.”


  Lee HyunJi heaved a long sigh while leaving the company. She did not imagine that she would spend the end of the year at the company.

  “You could have rested at home….”


  “Well, it’s one of our own getting a prize this time. So I have to stay.”


  KangYoon was about to say something more but he stopped. He felt as though he would get a punch in the face if he said anymore. Actually, although Lee HyunJi was saying that, he knew that she was very considerate of the company. He felt sorry, and thankful, for her.

  “It’s having an effect on my old bones now. Let’s see you the day after tomorrow then.”


  “Yes, happy new year.”


  She left begging KangYoon not to call her for anything tomorrow.

  “I don’t call her that often….”


  KangYoon shrugged his shoulders. Lee HyunJi was very capable and he didn’t need to tell her anything.

  After she went home, KangYoon grabbed a taxi.

  “Please take me to XX Cathedral.”


  The taxi drove him home.

  There were a lot of people on the streets. Amidst them, the music ‘My Sweet Darling’ could be heard. The taxi that KangYoon was in drove past them.

  ‘This song sure is lasting quite a long time.’


  KangYoon thought about the girls that sang this song, DiaTeen. Today, DiaTeen had received the Grand Award. Now, they were officially top-tier artists in Korea. He could still remember the scene where their leader, Kang SeGyung, was tearing up on the stage.

  “That song lasts ages.”


  “You know it?”


  At KangYoon’s question, the taxi driver stopped and spoke.

  “Dia…something, I know it’s their song. Their dance was good, and the song was good as well.”


  “Yeah, the song was good.”


  KangYoon agreed with him. The public opinion of DiaTeen’s song was very good. It was quite something to listen to a middle-aged man in his 40s praising a girl group song.

  ‘I need to make Eddios have the same evaluation by the public.’


  That was KangYoon’s newfound resolve as he talked with the taxi driver.

  The lights changed to green and the taxi drove again. Not long later, it drove onto a bridge that crossed the Han River. The beautiful night scenery of the Han river greeted KangYoon.

  ‘Many things will happen this year. There’s JiMin and Eddios’s debut, and White Moonlight must go major. It’s time to leap forward.’


  2012.

  Expectations about the year made KangYoon’s heart flutter. Lights reflecting off the river’s surface blessed his future.

  ***

  New Years.

  Although today was a holiday, KangYoon still woke up early. Then, he headed to S hospital, which was known as the biggest hospital in Seoul. He headed to a VIP ward that not just anyone could visit.

  “Welcome.”


  He knocked before he went inside and Chairman Won JinMoon greeted him after sitting up. KangYoon approached him and grabbed his hands.

  “It has been a long time.”


  “You are busy with your business after all. You visited back in autumn, and that’s fine. This isn’t any good place.”


  Chairman Won JinMoon made a bitter expression.

  He had heard some news regarding World Entertainment through Lee HyunJi. He knew just how busy a growing company’s CEO was. He was thankful that KangYoon visited every quarter. Although KangYoon no longer belonged to MG Entertainment, the fact that someone he had once employed was growing up to be a big person gave him a sense of accomplishment.

  KangYoon peeled some fruits by the side. Although chairman Won JinMoon freaked out saying that it felt gross, he didn’t seem to hate it that much.

  “Are you feeling okay?”


  “I want to say that I am… but I’m not getting any release dates. Damn, I finally know why people say health is a priority. Just how long am I supposed to stay in this place… I feel really stuffy.”


  Chairman Won JinMoon told KangYoon to mind his health when he was still healthy. He also emphasized that alcohol and smoking were health’s two worst enemies. KangYoon nodded as though he was receiving advice from his father.

  They talked about many things – about their companies and about life in general. As someone who was stuck in bed all this time, KangYoon’s stories from the outside world was a big enjoyment to him. Listening to stories about World Entertainment from someone other than Lee HyunJi surprised him a lot.

  Their next topic was about JooAh and Min JinSeo.

  “Have you met with JooAh or JinSeo?”


  “I meet up with JooAh from time to time, and as for JinSeo… I haven’t met her since I came back to Korea. I’d love to meet her though.”


  “It won’t be easy. Meeting a goddess isn’t for mortal men.”


  KangYoon only laughed when he heard the word ‘goddess’. Min JinSeo was definitely worthy of that word. After all, the internet would sometimes associate her with that word. Despite her young age, she was called a goddess more than she was called a little sister.

  Chairman Won JinMoon no longer talked about Min JinSeo. No, he couldn’t. That was because he didn’t know that much about her, despite his position. He only knew that she was stuck in China. The important information was cut off to him.

  After Min JinSeo was Eddios. Chairman Won JinMoon felt a myriad of emotions when he heard that Eddios had entered a contract with World Entertainment.

  “I wondered what was going on when I read that news. Damned idiots. We saw years into the future when we created Eddios. And they just let go of it just like that. No, perhaps this is better. Whether it’s for the girls, or for the company.”


  KangYoon had a bitter expression when looking at chairman Won JinMoon. He did nothing wrong, but his emotions felt very complicated.

  As though knowing what he felt, chairman Won JinMoon gave KangYoon a pat on the shoulder.

  “You walk your path. Thanks to that, Eddios has returned to the right track, no?”


  “Chairman.”


  “You once told me while drinking that you wanted to help those that wanted to sing, sing.”


  KangYoon nodded his head. This was when he approached the chairman regarding Min JinSeo’s debut. Apparently, he still remembered those words.

  “It’s not easy to maintain your mindset from when you’ve begun. I want you to keep that mindset until the very end. Although our roads may differ, I wish you luck on your path.”


  KangYoon grabbed chairman Won JinMoon’s hands with both of his hands. It was his sign of respect for the grandmaster of the industry.

  First day of the year.

  Those words from chairman Won JinMoon encouraged KangYoon a lot.

  ***

  [Top search results]-

  Kim JaeHoon’s kowtow.

  2. Kim JaeHoon

  3. Kim JaeHoon’s president

  4. Lee ChangYeon won’t write (Author’s name)

  5. fried dumplings

  “A kowtow on the floor? That’s some undignified strategy.”


  President Kang ShiMyoung clicked his tongue while looking at the popular search terms list.

  Many had thanked other people in the award ceremonies. However, no one had given someone else a big kowtow on the stage. To him, this was all viral marketing.

  “Secretary Yoon.”


  Calling for his secretary, president Kang ShiMyoung ordered some iced coffee. He needed something that would wash his frustration. Soon, a female secretary entered with a mug of coffee. Although it was winter, he needed some ice to cool down.

  “Thanks.”


  Drinking the coffee, president Kang ShiMyoung had a look at the comments section.

  – Kim JaeHoon is so cool. I’m so touched T~T

  – The runner-up award is not enough. Shouldn’t he get the grand prize?

  – It was good to see a strong bond between men

  – All hail bromance!

  – Real_bromance.jpg

  – Is it forbidden lo…. lo… sorry.

  – Do you see that, other companies?

  These days, there were many news articles about conflicts between musicians and the company they belonged to. And many comments said that it was good to see something different.

  Though… some, if not a lot, were having other ideas.

  President Kang ShiMyoung closed his browser and took out some papers. It was regarding Lunas.

  ‘After the Christmas event, the reservations increased? It’s more expensive compared to other places, but due to the better equipment and good advertising, it’s considered a premium option amongst the bands and many are willing to invest!?’


  It was as though hot oil was poured all over his efforts. He shouted out loud.

  “God dammit!”


  Then he threw the paper in anger.

  His ‘support funds’ were becoming ‘donations’ to the venues in Hongdae. Lunas was now considered a ‘premium’ option, getting more reservations in the process, and the other venues were just leeching off him for money.

  “Urgh.”


  President Kang ShiMyoung trembled.

  He planned to step on a weed that had yet to grow but had come out with big losses instead.

  ***

  Incheon International Airport.

  LAX – ICN

  ‘It’s about time.’


  KangYoon was waiting for his sister in front of the arrivals gate. In front of him were several people that had arrived in Korea with heavy luggage.

  After a group of them passed, he could see a lady who was waving at him.

  “Oppa!”


  It was his sister, HeeYoon. As soon as she saw him, she ran up to him and into his arms. KangYoon held his sister despite her having gained some weight and gave her a big hug.

  “Have you been well?”


  “Sure, I have. How about you?”


  Although it had barely been a month since they last saw each other, the two’s reunion was still warm. HeeYoon especially didn’t seem to want to let go of her brother.

  At that moment, a blond lady approached them. When KangYoon asked if she was someone she knew, HeeYoon nodded his head.

  “Here. This is Reina, a friend of mine.”


  KangYoon was very happy to find out she had brought a friend. This was the first time HeeYoon introduced someone other than JooAh as a friend.

  “Hello. I’m Lee KangYoon.”


  “Hewwo. Reina Park. Nice meet you.”


  Hee Yoon explained her weird Korean speech.

  “She’s a third generation Korean American. So her Korean is a little clumsy.”


  After a brief introduction, KangYoon led the ladies to the car. Lee HyunJi had lent him her car since she had heard that HeeYoon’s friend was coming. Though, he did get an earful from her about how he hadn’t purchased a car yet.

  Heading home, KangYoon talked about a lot of things with HeeYoon and Reina. KangYoon told Reina that a singer called Kim JaeHoon was currently staying at his house and that he would find her a hotel to live in for the duration if she found it uncomfortable. However, Reina said that it felt like living at a guest house and she liked it instead.

  They arrived home. KangYoon gave the two ladies his own room. HeeYoon felt sorry and said that they would book a guest house or something, but KangYoon prevented them from doing so.

  Seeing the two unpack their luggage, KangYoon left the house. At that moment,

  “Oppa, can I go to the company too?”


  HeeYoon, who had just changed her clothes, grabbed him.

  “The company? Aren’t you tired?”


  “It’s fine. I slept a lot on the flight.”


  She didn’t seem tired at all, and in fact, she seemed rather enthusiastic about meeting the singers that had sung her songs. KangYoon knew how she felt and did not hold her back. Reina decided to tag along as well.

  The three headed to the company.

  When they went to the office, Lee HyunJi and Jung HyeJin greeted them.

  “Have you had a good time taking them home… oh.”


  Lee HyunJi stood up after seeing HeeYoon behind KangYoon. She immediately knew that she was KangYoon’s sister. Although they didn’t look alike, they had a similar atmosphere about them.

  “Hello, I’m Lee HeeYoon.”


  “Hello? I’m Lee HyunJi. I heard a lot about you from your brother.”


  The two important figures of World Entertainment had met for the first time. Lee HyunJi had never met HeeYoon before despite having visited America several times. Despite that, though, the two conversed very well as though this wasn’t the first time they met each other.

  “Wow, you’re so pretty.”


  “Thanks. You’re beautiful too, miss HeeYoon.”


  “Thank you.”


  After that, Reina and Jung HyeJin joined the greetings as well, and they started having a girls-only talk. The office became immediately noisy.

  KangYoon, who was excluded from the conversation, sat down on his seat.

  ‘They’ve become close quickly.’


  Under Lee HyunJi’s lead, everyone had become chatterboxes. They became unnis and little sisters immediately. Her leadership shone through here.

  At that moment, Kim JiMin entered with a knock. She widened her eyes after seeing some unfamiliar people at the office. She eventually found out that HeeYoon was the composer part of Muse and that she was KangYoon’s younger sister.

  “Eeeh?”


  There was an ear-piercing high pitched noise. Everyone laughed at her plentiful voice.

  The ladies became closer while chatting.

  ***

  To introduce the other half of Muse, and the exclusive composer for World Entertainment, KangYoon called upon all members. From Eddios, who had now started practicing in the recently finished practice room, to White Moonlight who were immersed in their own practice room, as well as Kim JaeHoon who had just returned from an event. Everyone gathered around at the basement studio.

  HeeYoon waved her hand at Christie before standing in front of everyone.

  “Hello, everyone. I’m Lee HeeYoon, the composer half of Muse. I’ll do my best in the future so please take care of me.”


  Everyone gave her a round of applause. The claps from men were especially loud. Kim JaeHoon, Kim JinDae, and Jung ChanGyu welcomed HeeYoon, who had a delicate figure with pale skin.

  After the introduction, KangYoon spoke to everyone.

  “She’ll stay in Korea for the time being, so I want you to get along with her. Especially JiMin and Eddios. Okay?”


  “Yes.”


  Since HeeYoon was here, KangYoon suggested that they should eat out. Albeit sudden, eating out made everyone dance on the spot. They even talked about what they should do for a 2nd round and 3rd round.

  ‘This looks like a fun place.’


  HeeYoon started joining in on the fun and cheerful mood that was World Entertainment.