In the 1940s, Blue Sun Entertainment was renowned as one of the five major entertainment companies in the Republic of Korea.
However, in recent years, due to a series of misfortunes and the failure of many rookie idols, it was widely regarded as nearing the end of its life as an idol agency.
But, like they say, “a rich man can go bankrupt but still last for three years,” they managed to hold on by the skin of their teeth with intense restructuring.
Then, an opportunity arose.
With NV’s agency being reported to the prosecution and revealed to be involved with financial gangsters, the group was on the verge of being blown apart.
The world-star idol Che-na, who ended her life at a flower-like age; compared to her, it was CEO Kang Ji-hoon of Blue Sun Entertainment who took in the relatively less-known Hayan, Rani, and Yuju.
The executives all criticized CEO Kang Ji-hoon for his decision, saying how could he properly run the business with members who would be mentally devastated?
Idols must be perfect beings to be worshipped after all.
However, CEO Kang Ji-hoon stubbornly stood his ground.
“Able kids who rank on the Billboard chart as easily as eating rice are about to be thrown out in the streets unpaid. Is that the way of the world? Ignoring it would be the right thing to do?”
“You know as well as I do that business isn’t done with emotions. And the famous one was Che-na, not the NV kids. If this fails again, we might really have to liquidate the company. We should worry about our livelihoods first.”
“Anyway, let’s contact their parents and split the contracts. Let’s debut with White too.”
“That absolutely cannot happen! How could you treat a trainee you’ve raised with such care like that!”
CEO Kang Ji-hoon enforced his opinion by agreeing to transfer the CEO position to someone else.
Then he lowered himself to General Producer, taking on the resurrection project of NV on his shoulders.
He first produced a tribute song for Che-na.
Tribute songs are unsuitable for performances; especially if it’s done by idols, even more so.
However, even at the cost of the company’s deficit, the re-debut song became a massive hit in the United States.
The fame led to even greater fame, and the follow-up albums were successful one after another.
CEO Kang Ji-hoon shook off the title of an outdated producer and in just three years transformed NV into a top-level idol with nine Triple Crowns.
“Still not enough.”
Compared to the international fame of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and BTS, NV’s popularity is a drop in the bucket.
Director Kang Ji-hoon murmured as he watched the rough cut of NV’s fourth single ‘Hostage’ music video.
He paused the video on a scene where a young child, rendered as a 3D VR avatar, was being held hostage.
Since it was a collaboration of Korea’s top music producers, success in Korea was guaranteed.
However, he remained skeptical about global success.
Hundreds of thousands of complex causes were summarized into the word “luck,” making it impossible for humans to predict the future.
“Do your best and leave the rest to fate.”
In the end, there was nothing to do but wait for heaven’s decree after fulfilling human duties.
Knock knock
“Director Kang! Director Kang! Big news! NoName is making a cameo in our music video!”
“Phew…”
Director Kang Ji-hoon clasped his hands, briefly closing his eyes to take a breath.
“Director Kang…?”
“Aja aja nice! The heavens have not abandoned me!”
“Wow, that startled me.”
He clenched his fist and roared.
Using influencers was a valid strategy not only in the industry but across entertainment.
*
[NoName]
[Just Chatting – Visit to Blue Sun Entertainment]
It was a bright spring day with cherry blossoms fluttering.
The next day, I visited Blue Sun Entertainment, holding hands with Yuna.
I had a hummingbird drone hovering nearby, automatically applying facial mosaic to passing pedestrians.
[Mosaic (Seo Yu-na) – OFF]
[Mosaic (Seo Yu-na) – ON]
[Mosaic (Seo Yu-na) – OFF]
[Mosaic (Seo Yu-na) – ON]
Click click click click
“Wow! The mosaic is following me!”
Yuna seemed fascinated by the mosaic feature, bouncing around uncontrollably.
[‘fraction’ donated 10,000 KRW!]
– Wow, it’s chaotic, lol!
“Chaotic? You’re chaotic, for real! It’s a fickle weather, huh? From wind to sunshine! Woo-yeah.”
Suddenly, Seo Yu-na began humming a tune while dancing to the rhythm.
While walking, she was also matching her upper body with the choreography.
Just as she tripped over a stone, I admonished her.
“Can’t you please walk quietly on the street?”
– Hahaha!
– You brat!!!
– Wow, this song is coming out now, lol!
– Honorary Doctor of NV Academy, confirmed!
– Woo-yeah! Melt the cold heart~~
– NoName’s friend is so adorable, hehe!
– NoName meeting NV is enviable; NV meeting NoName is also envious…
– How can a classmate be NoName, like for real, so blessed.
– NV still has a lot of popularity among those elementary kids?
– Yeah, my little brother can’t get enough!
I briefly explained the schedule to the viewers.
“We’ll stop by the Blue Sun headquarters to sign the employment contract and then move with the staff to the music video shooting location. We can’t bring cameras inside the shooting area, so we’ll broadcast only until then.”
I looked up at the towering building reminiscent of the Parthenon Shrine.
It seemed that the entire building was Blue Sun’s headquarters.
Occasionally, celebrity-looking figures glanced our way while entering and exiting the building.
Then a man hurriedly came running towards us, fixing his hair.
“Oh, did you wait a lot, NoName! We should have come to greet you first, I’m so sorry!”
“It’s okay, we just arrived too.”
“Is that so? Welcome to your friend as well! You’re an NV fan, right? Do you know who this uncle is?”
“Uh, umm… well…”
“Haha, it’s okay if you don’t know. Just ask NoName; he’ll let you know.”
“NoName, who is this uncle?”
I slyly diverted my gaze.
To be honest, I also had no idea who this person was.
He seemed like a company official, but looking at his face, it didn’t seem like he was a celebrity.
– Wow, I can recognize him just by his voice, lol!
– No mosaic effect whatsoever, lol!
– JHK has appeared!
– Please remove the mosaic and reveal your identity~
– Wow, only NoName could have the company CEO come personally; that’s insane.
– Kim Jeong-hun! Whoa!
“Oh, he’s the CEO of Blue Sun?”
“Cough! N-no! NoName, where did you hear that?”
The man’s cough suggested a question rather than an answer.
It seemed too late to pretend I didn’t know now.
“Sorry, I honestly don’t know. I just said it based on the chat window.”
“Oh dear, people have been awful. I’m the General Producer Kang Ji-hoon. I’ve been out of the CEO position for quite some time now, but it seems people still don’t know.”
I glared at the viewers, frowning.
This was an awkward first meeting because of you guys.
“Manager, find that guy from earlier and ban him.”
– The one who wrote Kim Jeong-hun can hit the road, lol!
– Of all the nicknames, he had to mention that one, lol!
– The first meeting isn’t easy, is it?
– Why is he called Kim Jeong-hun?
– He looked like Kim Jong-un when he was overweight with a two-block haircut a long time ago, 0.5 seconds, lol.
– Yikes!
Producer Kang Ji-hoon proudly explained the Blue Sun headquarters.
He listed off various details—some buildings made with eco-friendly materials, some with carbon-neutral materials, and what’s on each floor.
While riding the elevator, Producer Kang asked me.
“NoName, isn’t this almost your first activity since returning to Korea? You arrived last evening, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“The invitation must have come from a ton of places other than us.”
“Did it? Yeah, it was quite a few. I didn’t count them all, but taking out the spam, it was around 500 places.”
“Yikes! What on earth was our competition rate? 0.5%?”
That was only the mail I received after my flight news spread.
“Arithmetically, it’s 0.2%.”
“Aha, my bad, 0.2%. By the way, NoName, is there a special reason why you chose Blue Sun? I thought you might go to a clan or a popular variety show first.”
“There’s no grand reason. My friend is an NV fan.”
I lightly patted Yuna’s back as I said this.
Really, it was mostly Yuna’s request, but it was also because of Kariri.
Since that incident, the members all changed their phones, and I hadn’t been able to contact them.
Yuna lowered her head shyly.
Producer Kang’s sincere gaze was filled with gratitude.
“How many family members does your friend have?”
“Uh, just us four…”
“I’ll prepare four VIP tickets for the NV concert later. Make sure to take them, okay?”
“Wow! Really? Thank you so, so much!”
Yuna accepted Producer Kang’s gift without denying it once.
– JHK, please bow 100 times to Yuna from today!
– Is this the networking chance?
– He’s a ferocious warrior during broadcasts, but why so shy in front of people, lol?
– That’s a typical elementary kid trait, so cute! Lol!
He guided us into an empty conference room.
“When it’s all done, leave the papers there and come down to the first basement floor.”
There were a few sheets of white paper on the desk.
I settled into my seat and started filling out the forms.
Yuna sat next to me, shaking her legs with intrigue as she watched.
“Hurry up and let’s get to the shooting site. I want to meet the NV sisters.”
– Me too!ㅠㅠㅠ
– NoName’s comeback alongside NV’s? This is heaven!
– If they’re still filming the music video, when will the comeback be?
– Can’t you just make NoName an idol as well?
– Wouldn’t the sasaeng fans tear each other apart, whoa?
– Industry reward!
“By the way, Yuna, you need to fill this out too.”
“What is it?”
“Non-disclosure agreement. It’s a promise that you won’t say anything you see at the shooting site to anyone.”
“Ooh, of course, I’ll write it. NoName, lend me your pen after you’re done.”
“Okay!”
I had to call Professor Cheon to get an electronic signature for the parental consent as well.
In the meantime, Yuna seemed bored, resting her arms on her folded head.
Woosh
“?”
As the conference room door began to open slowly, a woman with a face as small as a fist peeked in, balancing on her heels with her eyes wide open.
I immediately realized this person was an idol.
– Wow, omg!
– It’s Hayan!
– It’s Hayan, whoah!
– Seriously beautiful!
– Is she even a human? Her face is so tiny!
– Wow, goddess in real life!
– Whoa, so pretty!
[Wow, hello! Shoosh~]
She put her finger to her mouth.
I understood her intentions and nodded slightly.
I pushed Yuna’s head down to keep her from noticing the opposite side.
“Hmm? What’s going on?”
“I’ll be right back for a moment. Yuna, stay here.”
“Okay.”
I slightly pushed back my chair and swapped places with Hayan.
I pretended to leave the conference room and then pretended to open and close the door.
Hayan cackled with delight, pointing at Yuna who was squirming beside her, trying to suppress her laughter.
I crossed my arms, wondering how long it would take before she found out.
As Yuna continued unresponsive, I opened the door again.
Squeak
Hayan also stood up from her chair before sitting again.
Sensing something was off, Yuna suddenly placed her palm on the desk and spread her fingers widely.
Hayan placed her hand on top of Yuna’s.
“Oof, NoName, your hands are surprisingly big.”
“Pfft.”
I shook my head, disapprovingly.
Someone who was participating in the Academy Competition annually shouldn’t be that unaware, tsk tsk.
– Not sensing this is legendary, lol!
– How can you not know this, lol?
– How much have you missed your unnis! This is definitely not staged!
– Haha!
– Look to your right! She’s right next to you, friend!
“Huh? Did you get your nails painted? They look pretty!”
“Thank you!”
“…? Why does your voice sound like that?”
Yuna sensed something was off and slowly lifted her head.
Her gaze traveled up the woman’s wrist.
Understanding that I was not beside her but that Hayan was instead, her expression dramatically changed.
Hayan raised their hands, which were intertwined with Yuna’s.
“Hi Yuna!”
“Ahhh! Hayan unni! How do you know my name? Is it okay to hold hands like this?”
“Of course, it’s totally fine.”
“Wahh, you scared me…! Hehe.”
“Haha.”
“Wahhh…”
Suddenly, tears began streaming down Yuna’s face.
Hayan, anxiously, was busy comforting her beside.
Someone being my fan brings such emotions along.
A heavy feeling that made my heart tighten, leaving me overwhelmed.
*
“Oh my, are you going to cry there?”
“What can I do if the tears come out…”
I wiped Yuna’s tears in the bathroom and returned her to a pristine state.
We boarded a van usually only for celebrities heading to the shooting site.
“I’m a fan of NoName! Please give me your autograph!”
The NV leader Hayan handed me a special autograph paper.
– Wowwwwww!
– This is the world-class of world-class!
– NoName! NoName! NoName!
– Hayan from NV asking NoName for her signature, my heart is grand.
– Honestly, NoName’s signature should be a national treasure!
– That bread cat’s signature is always so cute, lol!
“Do I just write Hayan?”
“Yeah! My real name is Hayan too. My last name is Ha, first name is Yan.”
“That’s a unique name.”
“People say that often, haha. Our members watch your V-tube quite a bit when traveling, you know.”
“Could you name one of your recent videos?”
“We haven’t uploaded anything recently… The most recent would be the VR capsule donation?”
Oh, so you really are aware. I thought that was just lip service.
“It’s true…! I watch the Academy Competition highlights and the aegyo compilation constantly.”
“The aegyo compilation shouldn’t be on my channel.”
“Good things are good, right? Anyway, it’s cute!”
Just how far has that spread?
Now I had a great excuse to tease Cheon Saetbyeol when I got home.
