Episode 134
Jin Baek-ho stepped out onto the street, saying he needed a breather with Team Leader Seon, and handed him a cigarette.
“Here you go.”
But this wasn’t just any random cigarette Jin Baek-ho passed around. It was 황하서, a luxury brand well-known for its limited-edition release by Cheonbyeolseong to celebrate its 100th anniversary, costing over 5 million won per pack.
He loved the rough throat hit and that lingering sharp aroma, but since it was a limited edition, there was a cap on how much he could get, even if he had the money. So, he smoked it sparingly.
Sharing it wasn’t a trivial gesture for him. It signified a personal connection rather than just a business one.
If Jinkang’s employees understood this, they would have shivered as they accepted the cigarette, but Seon Taeyang, not being part of Jinkang, politely declined.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m actually quitting right now.”
It was something only Seon Taeyang could do, yet it embarrassed Jin Baek-ho, who responded in a slightly sulky tone.
“This is quite a rare item, you know…”
“Haha, I apologize. But as the closest adult to the kids, I really don’t want to smell like smoke. You could say I’m being a bit of a boomer.”
“A boomer, huh… Well, I suppose kids need someone like that.”
He felt a bit put off by the refusal, but he appreciated Seon Taeyang’s answer. Jin Baek-ho knew how rare it was to hear someone speak confidently like that in front of him.
“Yeah, maybe it would’ve been easier if that friend had just asked for permission to date Yeoreum instead… Not that idol facing the dreaded public opinion again.”
Thinking this, Jin Baek-ho silently lit his cigarette and savored the smoke before getting to the heart of the matter.
“The truth is, I don’t really care about my daughter’s success.”
Seon Taeyang seemed to have a lot on his mind with that comment, but he stayed silent.
Seeing that attitude, Jin Baek-ho nodded and continued.
“Success would be nice. Yeoreum would be happy. But that’s about it. Improving Jinkang’s image? The brand value that would come from it? I couldn’t care less. I didn’t invest for that.”
Jin Baek-ho loved his family, perhaps even more than his life at Jinkang.
“What’s important is Yeoreum’s happiness. Helping you with your insistence, supporting that—it’s all for Yeoreum’s happiness. Keep that in mind.”
“Well, I’m actively supporting it because I think that’s the way to make Yeoreum happy. Keep that in mind.”
“I understand. I also plan to do my best to make Yeoreum a happy idol.”
Jin Baek-ho shook his head and said.
“Knowing isn’t enough. Etch it into your bones. If Yeoreum ends up crying like she did during her rhythmic gymnastics days, I won’t forgive you.”
Having faced Jin Baek-ho’s intimidating threat, Seon Taeyang smiled slightly and replied.
“I think we share the same thoughts on that.”
“Share the same? What does that mean?”
“If that happens, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”
“….”
He wiped away the small smile that had crept onto his lips and looked at Jin Baek-ho with utmost seriousness.
“I will protect her. Absolutely.”
Jin Baek-ho, meeting that gaze, took a drag from his cigarette and slightly turned his head. He couldn’t hide the satisfaction that surged at the corners of his mouth.
Turning his back to Seon Taeyang and blowing cigarette smoke up to the sky, he thought, “Maybe it’s because Yeoreum looks like her mom, but she has a good eye for men.”
*
Time flew by in an instant.
Recording, mixing, establishing coordination, shooting the music video, packaging the album, visualizing promotional strategies, creating TwoBear’s channel and social media, commissioning articles, planning the showcase, negotiating broadcast schedules – so many little things happened that it was hard to even mention them all.
Of course, all of this was carried out with the luxurious quality that only Seon Taeyang, with his reincarnation knowledge, Jin Baek-ho’s investment capital, and Cheon Aram, who was a connection in the broadcasting community, could dream of – something a typical new agency couldn’t even imagine.
Yet amidst all that, there was still one thing undecided.
“Yeoreum, what name do you want to go by?”
“A name?”
It was Jin Yeoreum’s stage name.
Han Gyeoul, Yoo Gaeul, and Oh Yoori thought it fine to use their real names, but it couldn’t be that way for Jin Yeoreum.
Cheon Aram, who felt more strongly about this than anyone, asked her.
“Right, we will reveal it later, but for now, we can’t disclose the name Jin Yeoreum, so I think we need to come up with a stage name. Do you have any name in mind? We had some discussions among ourselves, but in the end, respecting your wishes should be the top priority.”
“The conclusion was that it had to be a priority.”
Jin Yeoreum knew about how TwoBear would promote her, having heard a lot from Seon Taeyang. So she was aware of the need for a stage name and had already thought of one.
“…Sunny.”
She said that name.
“I’ll go with Sunny.”
It had become her favorite name.
*
Choi Jungwoo, who had come to the press showcase of Girl Revolution, the first girl group of the newly established agency TwoBear, was subtly looking around, hoping he wouldn’t run into someone he knew. Honestly, he didn’t want to be spotted here.
“Phew, thankfully no one knows me…”
“Oh, aren’t you Jungwoo sunbae?”
“…Yeah, of course not. This place is so small.”
But despite his hopes, someone recognized him. It was Jeong Da-eun, his university junior and a member of the school broadcasting station.
“Long time no see, Da-eun.”
“Wow, I guessed right. You were wearing a hat pulled low and a mask, so I was wondering if it was you or not. Haha, looks like you didn’t want to run into someone you know.”
“…If you knew that, could you have pretended not to recognize me?”
Da-eun easily brushed aside Jungwoo’s words and asked.
“By the way, isn’t it unusual for Jungwoo sunbae to come to a showcase for a new agency? I mean, I know you haven’t been in the field long, but I’ve heard you’ve been making waves and getting a lot of recognition in the company for your groundbreaking scoops?”
“…That’s true.”
Indeed. Jungwoo graduated quickly and got hired as a reporter for an online entertainment media outlet, where he was considered an important asset. He wouldn’t typically waste his time on something like this. His presence here was not for the company’s orders.
The reason he came was Seon Taeyang.
After all, he owed Seon Taeyang from high school. At a time when he had quarreled with his parents over his future and had run away from home, Seon Taeyang had suggested living together without hesitation, while Seon Dalrae had always looked out for his needs, throwing small things his way, even when he acted disinterested. Those times were a significant debt in Jungwoo’s heart. He could freely agree to do such legwork.
However, he didn’t want to divulge the details of that sentimental backstory, so he just lumped it together and said,
“Just, it happened that way.”
“Well… I see. To be honest, I didn’t expect you to tell me.”
“….”
Da-eun, nodding in acknowledgment of his words, changed the subject.
“Oh, right. This is a new company, but it’s a bit unique.”
“Is it because Han Gyeoul and Oh Yoori are members from Girl 100? Both have succeeded in making quite a buzz. It is strange that they chose a company with a name I’ve never heard before, even though there must have been additional recruitment offers.”
“Not just that, but the main vocalist Yoo Gaeul is a celebrity who achieved 13 million views with just a busking video. You could say it feels like they’ve gathered all the hot kids lately?”
“…Gathering people just for the buzz usually doesn’t end well.”
While the two chatted casually, the members took the stage for the showcase and began their greetings.
“…Doesn’t seem like they just gathered for the buzz. All four of them could easily be the visual center anywhere they go. They really managed to assemble such impressive kids.”
Han Gyeoul, with her cool yet aloof charm, looked chic and stylish.
Yoo Gaeul, radiating a pure and gentle vibe, reminded one of first love.
Oh Yoori exuded a cute and lively energy that made her irresistibly adorable.
Lastly, there was Sunny, who possessed an elegance reminiscent of luxury brands.
With the combination of expert makeup and styling, they carried an allure that would have them considered visual centers anywhere.
“Wow… The girl standing at the end on the left is so pretty, isn’t she? Even as a woman, I feel fluttery looking at her.”
“You mean the girl they introduced as Sunny? Definitely, they all have outstanding visuals, but while the others feel like girls, she feels like a woman, and it gives off a different vibe. It’s more fitting to describe her as beautiful rather than just pretty… and she’s only 16.”
While the visuals were the most important aspect, it wasn’t just the visuals of the Girl Revolution members that caught the eye.
The demeanor during the broadcast, smooth-flowing conversations, and the natural chemistry between the members felt appealing in its own right.
As soon as I entered the showcase venue, I sensed that Seon Taeyang’s company was receiving significant investment for a new company. However, I didn’t have high expectations. Typically, even with a lot of money, there’s a certain roughness that new agencies have. But this showcase felt completely devoid of such shortcomings. In fact, it was close to perfect.
Before I knew it, forgetting that I was in a somewhat formal setting, I started my thorough analysis as a journalist. Then Yoo Gaeul, holding the microphone, spoke.
“Then, let us present to you the title track of our Girl Revolution, ‘Traitor.’”
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
