Translator: Chamber

  Editor: Illidan

  “Actually, I thought badly about your music at first. I’m sorry, and congratulations.”


  “…Thanks, JiMin.”


  Park SoYoung wiped away the tears rolling down on her cheeks.

  She was already aware that Kim JiMin had her doubts about her music at first. But now, she was acknowledged instead. This felt indescribable to her.

  KangYoon also made a satisfied smile when he saw that the two girls hugged each other.

  ‘We’re past one hurdle.’


  KangYoon sighed in relief thinking that one big matter was over with.

  After that, KangYoon suggested eating out. The two ladies naturally cheered, and they decided to eat out two days later.

  After finishing his business here, KangYoon left the studio and went to his office.

  When he arrived, Lee HyunJi greeted him with a joyful expression.

  “Did something good happen?”


  “Fufu, we got a reply from that email. Would you like to see?”


  “Do you mean the dinner video. What was the reply?”


  The email was sent with the company official mail and not a personal mail so Lee HyunJi was able to read it as well.

  KangYoon took off his vest and stood next to Lee HyunJi.

  Lee HyunJi opened the email saying that it would be better off for him to see it directly.

  “Hello? My name is In MoonHee and I’m a teacher at Woojin Elementary School. Oh, so she’s a teacher.”


  KangYoon was a little surprised. He did presume her job was related to education from the way other people called her in that video. However, he did not think that she was an actual teacher.

  “Continue reading.”


  KangYoon made an awkward smile and kept reading the email.

  “I found out later that a colleague teacher of mine uploaded the dinner video to your company. Although it wasn’t me, I apologize that I did not show proper effort. I am also very appreciative of the fact that you’ve given me an offer for an audition regardless. I wish to participate in the audition. Is this possible?”


  When it came to the important part, KangYoon’s eyes gleamed as he continued to read.

  “I have received an award in the 30th College Pop Festival using the name ‘Chaea’, and I’ve debuted as a singer after that. I’ve released a digital single titled ‘Love Oppa’, but the results were minuscule at best. I’ll tell you the specifics when we meet up. I am awaiting your reply.”


  When the reply looked like it was more positive than he had expected, KangYoon smiled.

  “The 30th College Pop Festival huh… wait.”


  KangYoon thought of something and searched for the awardees of the 30th College Pop Festival.

  [The 30th College Pop Festival]

  Bronze-

  Recovery – Do You Have Some Time

  Silver-

  Chaea – Time

  Gold-

  NiGulNiGul – I’m Free Today

  ‘I knew it.’


  KangYoon’s eyes turned into that of curiosity.

  The singer that received the most attention in the 30th College Pop Festival was Recovery, the band that Lee HyunAh was in. However, the other members of Recovery chose other paths as their career, and Lee HyunAh also wanted to escape the pressure from her seniors. Thanks to that, she met her current band members and created ‘The Formidables’, which now became White Moonlight.

  The attention on the silver and gold prize winners was relatively small back then. But now, he got to meet one of them here… Fate was a strange thing.

  “What is it?”


  “Nothing at all. Since she’s eager, I think we should set a schedule.”


  “Okay. Chaea, huh. I’ll gather the materials. When would be a good time?”


  There was no need to drag things out. Considering that In MoonHee already had a job, KangYoon asked Lee HyunJi to schedule the audition on a Saturday. Lee HyunJi agreed with that.

  Soon, Lee HyunJi sent a reply that they should meet on Saturday.

  “Okay. That’s done. She’s won an award in the College Pop Festival, huh. That’s surprising. No wonder she sang so well.”


  “You’re right. At that time, the focus was on HyunAh’s Recovery band. People were even asking why they only got a bronze.”


  “HyunAh was also from the College Pop Festival, wasn’t she? Perhaps they know each other. It might be good to ask her about this person.”


  KangYoon agreed with her words.

  After taking care of the audition matters, KangYoon left the office and headed to the practice room.

  ***

  GNB Entertainment’s 12-story company building was well-known for its modernity. The entire building had windows for its walls and reflected the sunlight, and the exterior was reminiscent of a ship and it was known as the best-looking buildings amongst the entertainment company buildings.

  However, in the president’s room of that very building, someone was sighing.

  “Haaa….”


  3 hours.

  President Han YoungSook had been sighing for three hours while frowning.

  ‘I’ve put so much into it, and it did nothing! Uuugh…’


  It was just a few hours ago when the 14th episode of Birth of the Masterpiece had aired.

  – The most prominent singer, Eunha

  – Eunha, the singer that most people want to work with.

  – Yoon TaekSoo “The Father of Rock” hopes many singers will be like Eunha.

  After the episode aired, President Han YoungSook trembled while looking at the news articles that invaded the internet.

  She received help from president Kang ShiMyoung to hire those dancers, asked the TV station to allocate more time, and even did solid marketing but…


  Eunha was everywhere on the internet-

  Eunha

  2. Gye HyoMin.

  3. Eunha Gye HyoMin

  4. Eunha Birth of the Masterpiece

  5. Eunha Streetlight Orchestra

  6. Nael Flying in the Night Sky.

  Eunha took the top five search terms.

  Nael was ranked 6th.

  ‘Just how is our Nael lacking compared to her?’


  She felt bitter the more she thought about it.

  – World Entertainment, the one Eunha belongs to, is small, but powerful. They should have prepared something this time. The president there is quite capable.

  The words that president Kang ShiMyoung spoke echoed in her head.

  ‘Lee KangYoon, World! I definitely have to watch out for them.’


  Looking at the search term rankings that didn’t have any signs of change, she gritted her teeth.

  ***

  (T/N: FinesTalk will be changed to FinesTok from now on. The author uses ‘Tok’ instead…)

  Salarymen love coffee.

  Wherever they gathered, cafes always had great business. The digital city that FinesTok was in also had many cafes. These cafes were always full during rush hour and lunch hour.

  However, even popular cafes had their break time.

  It was after lunch hours.

  “I really like this time of the day, it’s quite empty.”


  President Ha SeYeon of FinesTok relaxed to the music as she drank some black coffee.

  Facing her, KangYoon spoke with a soft expression.

  “Oh my. Aren’t your employees working right now?”


  “The employees can work well when there’s no boss they have to care about.”


  “…I think you just want to laze around.”


  “You found me out, fufu.”


  The two had gotten close enough to joke around with each other.

  KangYoon stirred the sweet latte and talked about why he was here.

  “This is my reply to the investment plan I talked about with you last time.”


  “That was quick. You could have waited a little more.”


  President Ha SeYoung calmly read the file that KangYoon had given her. It was an investment plan from World Entertainment to FinesTok’s music business.

  It took a long time for her to read through them all. When her black coffee was empty, she put down the file.

  “So it begins in 2 years. 2014, huh. World is investing long-term for us. Are you absolutely sure that we can prepare the platform?”


  It was difficult to get investors when the situation was that this new business would infringe on the profits of the telecommunication companies. Many analyzed that FinesTok would lose the battle against the telecommunication companies.

  And here, KangYoon was saying that he would invest so much, so she was confused instead.

  “If there’s a platform that’s easy to sue for everyone, the telecommunication companies wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. I take this period as the transition period. Speaking from an objective standpoint, FinesTok is much easier to use than conventional phone messaging services. It would be good if we can get voice over the service as well.”


  “Oh! That’s a very good idea!”


  President Ha SeYeon clapped in realization when KangYoon said that without thinking much.

  “Transmitting voices through data communication. I think it will be doable after a bit of research. I knew it. You really are the savior of our company, president.”


  “Did that help?”


  “Don’t even mention it. I was thinking about releasing other services but voice calls huh… hahaha!”


  President Ha SeYeon laughed heartily. KangYoon also felt good seeing that she became somewhat less worried.

  ‘This is something that Sace did after FinesTok went bankrupt, but… it shouldn’t matter right?’


  KangYoon shrugged his shoulders. Sace didn’t have such a service yet. There was also the fact that they chose MG Entertainment over him.

  After that, the two stood up after enjoying some more time at the cafe.

  “I’ll visit World next time. I’m a fan of Kim JaeHoon.”


  “JaeHoon? Then tell me when you visit. I’ll try to have him stay.”


  “Wow, I’ll be looking forward to it.”


  President Ha SeYeon shook hands with KangYoon before returning to her company with light steps.

  KangYoon also headed to the HMC station in his car. Today was the recording of the ‘Dance Revolution’ where Jung MinAh would appear.

  ‘The recording starts in the evening because of the A5NS schedule, right? I wonder if everyone’s doing well.’


  (T/N: I have no idea what A5NS is…)

  While driving, KangYoon thought about Jung MinAh and her team that should be at the TV station.

  Jung MinAh had practiced a lot for this, and she was in good condition as well. Kim DaeHyun, the manager team leader, also looked after her.

  ‘Now that I think about it, MinAh that girl… How am I supposed to see this? Does she like me?’


  KangYoon felt restless thinking about what happened back then in the practice room. He was no idiot. A lady such as Jung MinAh was a beauty like no other. Such a pretty girl hugged him and even kissed him on the cheeks. Although he had watched her while she was still a teen, skin-to-skin contact like that was enough to shake even a buddha like him.

  Turning the handle, KangYoon sighed.

  ‘It’s not like there’s no romance between a celebrity and his or her manager, but… No! this is not right. Get yourself together, KangYoon. This is MinAh we’re talking about here!’


  KangYoon tried his best to shake off his thoughts until he arrived at HMC station.

  Having arrived, KangYoon immediately headed to the studio where the recording would take place. The studio was undergoing its final check, and the celebrities that would appear today were all waiting in their waiting rooms.

  “Huh? P… resident.”


  When KangYoon entered, Jung MinAh cheerfu… well, greeted him. The usual vitality of hers seems to have died down a little.

  “Ah, hi. Where’s Mr. DaeHyun?”


  “DaeHyun-oppa went to the ba, bathroom.”


  She blushed as she talked with KangYoon. It seemed like just conversing with him was taxing her mind and she could not meet his eyes.

  “MinAh.”


  “…Yes!?”


  Even KangYoon’s normal callout made her raise her voice.

  ‘Ah! Why am I like this! It’s like I’m showing him I’m conscious of it!’


  She was having regrets in her heart, but she tried her best to treat KangYoon as normally as possible. However, emotions couldn’t just be controlled on a whim.

  Just as she was wavering, a savior appeared. A man and a woman entered through the door.

  “Well, well. President Lee. It’s been a while.”


  It was the man with a skinny stature and a big nose, president Choo ManJi. He looked glad to see KangYoon and extended his hand.

  KangYoon was also delighted and shook hands with him.

  “President Choo. It’s been a long time.”


  “You’re looking great. Well, I guess you have to be since Eunha and Eddios did so well! Haha.”


  President Choo ManJi laughed heartily and acted friendly towards him.

  Although DiaTeen and Eddios were rivals, KangYoon did not hesitate to give DiaTeen a song. He gave them a great song as well. Naturally, president Choo ManJi liked him.

  “As you said, president. I’m having fun these days. Everyone is showing great results. Oh, I heard that DiaTeen was doing great in Japan.”


  “We’re still far from perfect. Not compared to how you were able to send JooAH over.”


  “Hahaha, you don’t have to say it like that. I already know that DiaTeen is the 5th on the Oricon charts.”


  “I wish we took first at least once though. We’re still far from that. Hahaha.”


  KangYoon and president Choo ManJi complimented each other.

  While the two were talking about the artists of their respective companies, a lady approached Jung MinAh.

  “MinAh-seonbae. Hello.”


  “Miss SeGyung? It’s been a long time.”


  It was Kang SeGyung. She strained her eyes as she smiled.

  Although they greeted each other, they weren’t close like KangYoon and Choo ManJi were. They were like oil and water.

  Despite the fact that Kang SeGyung was older, she called Jung MinAh ‘seonbae’, and Jung MinAh likewise treated the other like she would someone older.

  Jung MinAh asked normally.

  “Have you prepared a lot for this?”


  Kang SeGyung also replied normally.

  “I wasn’t able to do that much. I had too much scheduled.”


  “Really? I’m still worried though. You have your way with dancing, after all, Miss SeGyung, ugh…”


  When Jung MinAh acted like she was scared, Kang SeGyung also grinned.

  “Not at all, How could I be a match for you, MinAh-seonbae?”


  The eyes of these two ladies spat out flames in this placid conversation.

  At that time, a group of people entered through the door. It was a group of about 8 men.

  “Oh, you’re here.”


  President Choo ManJi seemed to know these people. KangYoon asked in curiosity.

  “Who are they?”


  “Oh.”


  He lined the 8 men by his side and introduced them to Jung MinAh and KangYoon.

  “Boys, say hello. President, these are trainees from our company. They’ll participate in the recording today with SeGyung.”


  “Hello, sir!”


  Loud noises filled the waiting room.

  Being greeted by these trainees that were going to appear along with SeGyung on this program, Jung MinAh became dumbfounded.

  ‘What? AND you didn’t prepare a lot?’


  Jung MinAh snorted inwardly.

  9 vs 1

  Despite what she said, Kang SeGyung had prepared meticulously for this.

  Jung MinAh’s heart started burning with a fighting spirit.