Translator: Chamber

  Editor: Illidan

  ‘I’m sorry about this, Mr. KangYoon.’


  Professor Choi ChanYang apologized to Kangyoon but KangYoon waved his hand saying that it was okay.

  ‘It’s okay, but there are a lot of students here.’


  KangYoon scratched his cheeks awkwardly while looking at the lecture room that was filled to the brim with students.

  HeeYoon was watching KangYoon with interest as she wanted to know how he would solve this problem.

  ‘Let’s get this out of the way first.’


  KangYoon turned around to the students.

  “Is there an empty lecture hall nearby? I think I can proceed with the class like this.”


  When he said that, one student voiced out.

  “It’s a few minutes walk, but… room 302 of my department is currently empty. It can hold more than 100 people.”


  “Really?”


  When KangYoon turned around to Professor Choi ChanYang, he asked which department he was in. After that, he gave a call and received permission to use it.

  Having gained permission, KangYoon spoke to the students.

  “Well, then. Let’s go to room 302 of the building next door.”


  Everyone left the lecture room like a tide before KangYoon and HeeYoon got their stuff ready.

  Professor Choi ChanYang couldn’t hide his sorry feelings and spoke again.

  “I’m sorry. It looks like I was too complacent. I should have considered the fact that your reputation is completely different from before…”


  “Can I live up to their expectations? I’m rather worried.”


  Seeing KangYoon act worried, HeeYoon put his hand on her brother’s shoulders.

  “You’re still going to do well, aren’t you?”


  “Yeah, I will.”


  “Ah? Hey, you’re messing my hair.”


  KangYoon rubbed HeeYoon’s head before heading to the building next to his current one.

  When the three people entered, the students were all in their seats and were waiting for him.

  KangYoon wrote his name on the whiteboard and bowed towards the students.

  “Hello, everyone. Some of you may have seen me before, but I’m guessing this is our first meeting for most of you. I’m Lee KangYoon.”


  “Ooooooooh!”


  When the lecture started, the students started applauding.

  Muse was a composer that entered the ranks of ‘hit-song makers’ within 3 years of appearance.

  He made a forgotten star popular again and had succeeded with rookies as well.

  Above all…


  He was known as the Midas’s hand that never failed in the entertainment industry.

  As the majority of the students here had half a foot into the music entertainment industry, they were passionate about getting to know KangYoon.

  ‘Maybe this is why the musicians crave for a stage.’


  KangYoon had this rather sudden thought due to the immense eruption of cheers.

  However, he saw the eyes of a female student who was passionately staring at him in the front seats and started his lecture.

  “What is your name?”


  “My name is Jang YeonJoo.”


  The female student went stiff for a moment before replying with a crisp voice. This made all the other students focus on her.

  KangYoon had a look at the register and noticed that she entered the applied music department as a vocalist and asked.

  “What do you think ‘entertainment’ is?”


  “Entertainment? Uhm… Having…fun?”


  While some people giggled, KangYoon nodded and continued to speak.

  “You’re right. Having fun. Entertainment is about having fun. Then, what do you think is the ideal environment that musicians look for in entertainment companies?

  “A company that… uhm…does fun things?”


  The laughter became even louder.

  However, KangYoon smiled and agreed with her answer.

  “Yes. They do fun things. To be precise, they provide an environment for people to do fun things.”


  “Ahhh.”


  When the other students cheered, student Jang YeonJoo shrugged.

  While the mood was getting heated up, KangYoon asked his final question.

  “Then what do you think an entertainment company looks for in their artists?”


  “An artist…uhh… that can do fun things?”


  “You’re right. You’re rather smart. Everyone, give her a round of applause.”


  “The majority of you sitting here must be related to the entertainment industry in one way or the other. Employment, founding, and many other forms must exist. For that, you have gotten through the fierce competition to come to college, and you’re now facing the future. What I am about to tell you today are the standards that entertainment companies use to evaluate people, as well as those entertainment companies in general. I hope I can be of help.”


  KangYoon’s declaration made the students’ eyes light up with passion.

  ***

  A government facility in Sejong-city, belonging to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism(MCST).

  In the bureau of the busy facility was one person who was having a headache due to a decision about a party in the near future.

  “World, huh. Do I send it or not?”


  Senior Chief Jung ChaSoo had circled the words ‘World Entertainment personnel’, wondering about something.

  He knew that World Entertainment was a rising star in the music entertainment industry during the past 3 years, but it was a hard decision whether to invite them or not since it was rather young as a company.

  Junior Chief Min YoungChan, who was next to him, said that it was okay to invite them.

  “They satisfy all the conditions for the invitation. The scale of their company, the number of artists in their possession, as well as others. What they lack are time and reputation. I think that it’s alright to invite them…”


  “Yeah, time is the most troublesome thing. The so-called ‘3 big’ entertainment companies are all at least 10 years old or older. Won’t they say something if we invite a company that was only founded 3 years ago? The entire premise of this party is to listen to the noble opinions of those that have quite a large influence over the Korean culture.”


  “But considering the things World’s CEO, Lee KangYoon has achieved now…”


  “That’s why it’s even more troublesome. Lee KangYoon? It’s not that I don’t know about him. I’ve read the report already. We’re okay with him, but would the others be?”


  Just as Senior Chief Jung ChaSoo was sighing because he couldn’t make a decision, a man with a balding head entered his office after knocking.

  “V, vice-minister!”


  The two men abruptly stood up from their seats.

  Vice-minister Han YoungGwan gestured to them to sit down and spoke about his matter.

  “I’ve read the report. You’re wondering about one person?”


  “Yes, sir. I’m worried that other people may…”


  “You have a lot of work to do so don’t take any more time on this. Send it.”


  “What?”


  When Vice-minister Han YoungGwan approved it with ease, Senior Chief Jung ChaSoo was rather dumbfounded.

  “We can’t be inviting the same people over and over again. Let’s invite some new people this time. Send them the invitation. Let’s see how those other CEOs react. They always say that they have an ‘open attitude’ so let’s see if it’s true or not.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  “Looks like this party will be a fun one.”


  Vice-minister Han YoungGwan signed the papers on the spot.

  The two others smiled as well.

  ***

  Back to the lecture.

  You can make a comeback in life by becoming a star through enormous effort?

  Such hopeful words didn’t exit KangYoon’s mouth.

  “Everyone knows that the gate to this industry is a small one. Out of 1000 trainees, maybe around 100 people will have their debut. One out of those hundred may or may not become a star. If I told you you can become that one person, then I’d only be giving you false hope. Everyone here has stepped into a cruel, merciless league.”


  KangYoon’s pragmatic words made the students halt their breath.

  He was incredibly realistic and told them the cold hard truth.

  It was also words that KangYoon could speak since he had once lost everything.

  “Here, everyone becomes desperate. That’s why there are a lot of traps as well. I will make you into a star, but I need X amount of money to do that. If you sleep with this guy… fuu. These kinds of dirty behind-the-scenes exchanges are commonplace as well.”


  “……”


  Everyone became silent.

  They thought that KangYoon would be somewhat different.

  They thought that KangYoon would try to give hope to the youths.

  The students looked down in dejection.

  At that moment.

  “However, you can’t see it, but there is a path. Let me say that again. It’s not that a path doesn’t exist. It’s that you can’t see it. What you need to do is to find that path. I don’t know if what I’m about to tell you is the correct path, but I hope I can be of help.”


  The sudden twist made everyone raise their heads.

  Having attracted attention, KangYoon spoke calmly.

  “Singers and composers have different strategies. Likewise, other fields have different strategies as well. Since the majority of you here are aspiring vocalists, I’ll focus on this part. First, the way to become a singer, and among them, I’ll focus on trainees.”


  Even the students that were absent-minded until now raised their pens up.

  “I believe you all know that there are traits that companies prefer. To put things simply, MG prefers trainees with a solid foundation and good looks, while Yerang looks for something rather unique, whether it be your voice or your dancing or your looks. YoonSeul is a little different. Their preferences differ according to the season, and… ah, I guess telling you this might get me a scolding from President Choo.”


  “Hahahaha.”


  The students laughed as they loosened up a little.

  KangYoon also continued his speech in a lightened tone.

  “Your individual traits are the most important there, but their standards are rather abstract. This is the most difficult part. The standard of ‘individual traits’ differs by year. You’ll be better off solidifying your foundations. YoonSeul is the company with the strongest influence over their artists. If you strive towards entering it, then you’ll naturally be preparing for other companies as well.

  At that moment, one student, a girl, raised her hand.

  “What does World look for then?”


  Hearing that, the other student all agreed and started asking.

  “I want to know as well.

  “World, world!”


  When the students erupted into chatter, KangYoon raised his hand to quieten them down and spoke calmly.

  “World? Hm…How should I put this… someone to my liking?”


  “What? That can’t be right.”


  “You’re an evil boss.”


  “Hahaha.”


  The rather abstract words made everyone complain, but KangYoon smiled as he continued.

  “Hahaha. This might sound a bit difficult, but… the motif of my company is to ‘let singers sing the song they want’. My role is to judge whether that song will appeal to the public or not. To sum things up, I want people that can make other people enjoy themselves with their own color of music.”


  “…..”


  “…That’s hard.”


  “That’s the most difficult one!”


  The students complained, but they understood why World was able to succeed.

  KangYoon’s awkward expression made HeeYoon giggle, while Professor Choi ChanYang smiled without a word.

  After summarizing the companies, KangYoon talked about compositions, concerts as well as other things that were related to the industry. The students focused on his words as KangYoon talked about the majority of fields related to the music industry.

  Like that, two hours flashed by without a single moment of rest.

  “And that’s it from me today. Does anyone have any questions?”


  A girl with braided hair raised her hand.

  “I’m Moon JinHee from the applied music department. I’m preparing to become an idol singer trainee while studying. Am I perhaps… too late?”


  “How old are you?”


  “I’m 22 this year.”


  KangYoon heaved a short sigh.

  “It won’t be easy. Oh, I don’t mean that it’s difficult.”


  “……”


  “Let me put this simply. What you’re saying means that you will have to compete with teens, and that means that you need to have something competitive about you, Miss JinHee. A female idol will have male fans. And to do that… being young is actually quite advantageous. Or, you will have to have a weapon of your own.”


  “A weapon… of my own?”


  “The dancing skills of Eddios’s MinAh is an example.”


  “Ugh…”


  The student turned pale with fright.

  JooAh and MinAh’s dancing skills were ranked in the top 3 of all the female artists in Korea.

  She appealed to KangYoon, asking if there were any other methods.

  Seeing her expression, KangYoon replied calmly.

  “…I’ll be a bit blunt about this. Miss, you’re quite a beauty. However, there are plenty more like you in this industry. That’s reality.”


  “Th, then, I’m no good after all…?”


  She became teary-faced.

  Even her teary face was rather pretty and it looked like she must have had a lot of guys fall for her. Her tears contained the words ‘Can’t I do something at World?’ in them.

  KangYoon spoke calmly while ignoring her actions.

  “I’ll be honest here. You are quite eye-catching.”


  “Eye…catching?”


  “Yes. That’s a big advantage you have. Some people have a hard time getting attention no matter what they do, but you’re eye-catching even when you stay still. But right now… that’s all you have.”


  While everyone watched with bated breaths, KangYoon stood in front of her.

  “People are bound to have expectations for people who catch their eyes. The fans are no different. As long as you have something that can fulfill their expectations, you will have become a person that you want without you knowing it.”


  “…..”


  KangYoon took out a pen and wrote something down on her notebook which was on her desk.

  – Being coy won’t get you anywhere in this field.

  Having read KangYoon’s message, her face became beet-red.

  Having returned to his podium, KangYoon declared with a calm tone.

  “That marks the end of today’s lecture.”


  “Waaaa—!”


  KangYoon finished his lecture amidst the cheers of the students.

  ***

  After that, Professor Choi ChanYang offered to treat KangYoon and HeeYoon to a meal and they headed to a nearby restaurant.

  Professor Choi ChanYang went as far as to order some high-class wine to thank KangYoon for handling more than a hundred students.

  While the three of them were having a meal, Lee HyunJi, who was given a call beforehand, entered their room.

  “Director-unni.”


  “You’re here.”


  KangYoon and HeeYoon greeted them while Professor Choi ChanYang waved his hand at her.

  The four of them talked about today’s matters.

  Lee HyunJi listened to the advice that KangYoon gave to the students.

  “…I’m worried that they might spread it on social media as some secret sauce.”


  “At most, it’ll be just some advice. There’s no guarantee that they’ll pass with that alone.”


  “That’s true. But the students are right on one thing. World’s conditions are the hardest to satisfy. They have to do ‘well’ in what they want, right?”


  “…Haha.”


  When even Lee HyunJi agreed with the students, KangYoon smiled awkwardly.

  He felt like he was the university admissions officer of some prestigious university.

  They talked for a while before Lee HyunJi took out an envelope from her bag and gave it to KangYoon.

  “What’s this?”


  “An invitation.”


  “An invitation?”


  When KangYoon opened it, he got an invitation that was wrapped in a rather luxurious-looking string.

  – We cordially invite you to the party hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for influential figures of the music entertainment industry.

  Date:…


  (omitted)

  “Influential figures? Did the MCST hold such a thing?”


  When KangYoon wondered about the ‘influential figure’ part, Lee HyunJi explained about the party.

  “As the Korean wave became bigger, the MCST started inviting the big names of the entertainment industry in order to solidify their relationship with the entertainment people. The presidents of big companies like MG and YoonSeul will all be attending. Being invited to this party means that we are accepted as a big company.”


  “This, it looks like I can’t miss it.”


  “Yes. It means that we’re given acknowledgment. A total of three people are invited, two from management and one celebrity. Usually, the most popular celebrity.”


  “Hm… it will be somewhat wrong to bring JinSeo since she has just joined us… who should I take…”


  Thanks to the invitation, KangYoon started wondering about who to take to the party.