Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 338



Only Noblemtl

Episode 338

“Ah, hello! It’s been a while!”

Seongpil spoke in a tone that sounded both welcoming and businesslike.

It was a thorough improvisation.

As Sungpil pointed into the room, the members entered one by one, keeping silence so as not to disturb him.

“Why are you calling?”

[… … Ah, um.]

Seongpil completely separated his sense of sight and hearing. He followed the members with his eyes and focused on Ginger with his ears.

First of all, the members showed no signs of suspicion. Rather, they felt sympathy for Sungpil, thinking that he was receiving work calls even on holidays.

And ginger.

[What happened… … .]

Regret overflowed from every corner and space of his voice.

Although he was happy to see me, it was clear that he was disappointed by Seongpil’s businesslike tone.

[I am…….]

“Excuse me, just a moment.”

Seongpil put his cell phone on mute mode.

“Guys, I’ll make a quick call. Get settled in.”

“It’s a shame about Sa-chuk… … .”

“Rika, I’m not a slave, I’m a voluntary and positive worker. I’m the ideal worker that the post-Fordist generation wants.”

“I recommend you a movie called ‘Martians Conquer Earth’!”

After finishing his chat with Rika, Seongpil came out of the house.

* * *

In the room that Seongpil left, the members sat in a circle, occupying the beds, floor, and chairs.

“All the real Caius bromides are gone.”

Joara looked around Seongpil’s room with a curious look in her eyes.

In the room of Sungpil, an idol fanatic, there were only Girls’ League posters and bromides.

The most noticeable thing was on the bed.

“That’s… … a little sobering.”

A bromide that was part of the Girls’ League’s ‘Ani’ era was stuck to the ceiling above the bed.

Every time Sungpil lies down in bed to sleep, he will see the members.

“No, it’s not that it’s breaking, it’s just a little creepy. Doesn’t everyone feel strange?”

“what?”

Jang Ha-yang asked back in an innocent tone.

“No, someone we know has our picture on the wall.”

“You’re Director Park.”

“That’s true, but… … .”

“I’m glad you care about us.”

As she said that, Jang Ha-yang looked up at the ceiling above her bed and smiled proudly.

In the past, when she came to Sungpil’s house alone to watch an idol concert Blu-ray, she persuaded Sungpil to change the positions of the bromides.

The position at that time has not changed even now.

“… … Hmm.”

Joara looked around as if she didn’t like something.

Then Rika suddenly got up.

Everyone focused on her actions.

Rika suddenly turned on Seongpil’s computer.

“Rica?!”

Snow White sat up in surprise.

“Hey, what if I touch Director Park’s stuff without permission…?”

“I suddenly have an idea for a search!”

“You have a smartphone… … .”

“I want to see it on a big screen!”

It was obvious to me that it was a lie.

“Rika, stop it… … .”

“Aren’t you curious, teacher?”

“huh?”

“What’s on Director Park’s computer desktop? Wait a minute, just a minute, I’m just going to look at the desktop and turn it off!”

What’s inside Seongpil’s computer?

I’m certainly curious.

Isn’t this a familiar cliché even in youth dramas?

The female protagonist happens to go to the male protagonist’s house and looks at the contents of his computer.

‘curious…….’

Especially since it is a computer in a house where he lives alone, there will be no pretense on Seongpil’s desktop.

Snow White was torn between curiosity and morality. No, she stayed still, hoping someone would stop Rika.

But there was no one to stop him.

“Haha, everyone agrees!”

Rika smiled and turned her eyes back to the monitor.

“to?”

There is a password lock.

“Son-na (what)! It’s a computer I use at home alone, and it requires a password!”

“You’re really careful, sir. There must be something unusual inside.”

What do you do if you hear something out of the ordinary?

If it’s password protected, you can’t even see it.

“Hey, is that enough now?”

Snow White thought it was fortunate that there was a password.

If it had been left on as is, Snow White would have been unable to overcome her curiosity and would have gone over to the monitor.

“Director Park might be here, so turn it off quickly… … .”

“Wait a minute, I have a number you’re looking at.”

Everyone saw Shin Areum.

She walked confidently over to the computer and placed her hands on the keyboard.

Joara asked with a suspicious tone.

“What are you going to do? It’s your birthday, sir?”

“It’s my birthday?”

“Poohahaha!”

Joara laughed and made the world go away.

It wasn’t to tease Shin Areum, but because it was a really surprising answer.

yak.

Why is that funny?

“Does that make sense? How pretty are you that you set your birthday as your password?”

“her.”

Shin A-reum also burst into laughter.

Because she herself knew that what she was saying was nonsense.

So I answered playfully.

“That could be the case.”

“If your password is your birthday, it should be your family.”

Shin A-reum entered her birthday without paying any attention to Jo A-ra’s tackle.

“Or maybe a girlfriend… … .”

“uh?”

Shin Areum flinched with a look of bewilderment.

Everyone quickly gathered in front of the monitor.

“… … What is it?”

It opened.

The members looked at Shin A-reum.

Shin A-reum’s face turned so red that she couldn’t see any more.

* * *

The steps up the stairs to the rooftop were hurried. I didn’t realize it myself, but I realized it when I heard the sound of footsteps in the stairwell, which was louder than usual.

‘I guess I’m really that surprised.’

I never expected to get a call from Ginger right at the time the members arrived.

I got a call right after the members entered the building, so I thought it was a call asking me to open the door.

‘Well, if you were in front of my house, I would have rang the doorbell or knocked. Why would I call you?’

Anyway, why did Ginger suddenly call?

Seongpil, who had come up to the rooftop, looked at his cell phone screen. Then, a tingling sensation ran down his spine.

‘It’s not mute, it’s on speakerphone mode, right?’

That means Ginger knew that Seongpil and the members were together.

I felt a little embarrassed because I thought I showed too much of myself to the idol in charge.

“Mr. Ginger?”

[Are you done talking?]

“Yes… … . I’m sorry for speaking so harshly at first. I was really surprised.”

[No, I don’t care.]

Ginger, who said she didn’t care, was full of pissed off tea.

It is not easy to keep in touch with people. It requires constant attention and constant meetings and conversations.

‘Maybe Mr. Ginger contacted you in that context too.’

However, when you finally make up your mind to contact someone and they reply in a businesslike tone, it can be upsetting.

Seongpil quickly tried to recover.

“As you know, I’m a big fan of KARA. Haha, it’s funny. As someone who produces idols, I get caught by the idols I’m in charge of that likes other groups. So, my kids are a bit… … Ugh… … .”

Seongpil searched his head for words to replace ‘dislike’ and ‘rejection.’

“I tend to get jealous… … As soon as I get a call from Ginger, my kids show up, and if they find out, I could really die haha… … .”

[… … Is that so?]

There were signs of persuasion. Seongpil breathed more life into his voice.

“Yes, yes! In fact, fandom isn’t something that can be hidden even if you try to hide it, right? I write that I care, but I think my secret love for Caius keeps showing. That’s why the kids are a bit sensitive for no reason… … .”

[Are you jealous?]

Seongpil realized that his choice of words was not appropriate.

‘Jealousy’ was no better than ‘dislike’ and ‘rejection’.

But I couldn’t take back my words.

“……yes.”

[Okay, I understand.]

Ginger’s voice returned to normal. Sungpil felt relieved at that.

I could barely get over the thought of hurting someone’s feelings by contacting them after a long time.

‘She’s the one who appeared on the Girls’ League’s own entertainment show at my request.’

Ginger willingly appeared in the new recruiting promotional video for Garo Enter.

Even without her having to tell him, Sungpil could tell how much thought and consideration went into a top-tier idol appearing in another company’s video.

‘It’s a big debt.’

And Seongpil is only grateful to Ginger who willingly took on the debt.

I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable in any way.

“But it’s nice to hear your voice after such a long time. How have you been?”

[I’m a little tired.]

“Yes? Why?”

[It’s a secret, but we are preparing for a comeback.]

Is that a secret?

With Kai’s hiatus reaching nine months, it’s no surprise that they’re gearing up for a comeback.

Within the Youth fandom of Keus, the ‘Keus 1-year cycle theory’ is spreading.

‘The hypothesis is that Caius makes a comeback every year.’

It took exactly one year for ‘Gaia’ to come out following their debut song ‘Chaos’.

The next comeback was also expected to take about a year, and this turned out to be true.

‘It was shorter than a year in my previous life… … .’

The comeback cycle after ‘Chaos’ should have been 9 months.

However, as if Sungpil himself had changed something, KARS’s comeback cycle was pushed back and even their comeback song was changed.

[Every day is so hard preparing for the comeback.]

“You must have had a hard time.”

[But it’s not hard because there are fans waiting for me.]

“Is it hard or not?”

[It’s complicated. Even though I feel like I’m going to die, I feel strong when I think of my fans. It’s so nice to know that there are people waiting for me… ]

“……energy?”

[Oh, it’s so joyful… ]

Seongpil recalled the first time he met Ginger.

A practice room I visited without thinking while drunk.

There, Seongpil was able to hear the inner thoughts of Ginger, who was his lover in his previous life.

‘Ms. Ginger must have felt a lot of pressure.’

She almost perceived her fans as enemies.

She harbored deep anger and resentment, knowing that she was the cause, no, the culprit, of all the hardships she had to endure.

But now, he can gain strength thanks to his fans. Sungpil couldn’t help but smile.

[Is Director Park looking forward to it too?]

“Yes. I check the KAIST SNS every day.”

[I think I know why the Girls’ League members are saying this to Director Park.]

“Haha, that’s right. But I’m not very good at hiding it.”

Because the heart that loves something completely cannot be hidden by hiding it.

Maybe instead of dating, Sungpil is channeling his love into idols.

[Director Park.]

After the friendly conversation, Ginger lowered her tone slightly.

[I heard you were in a car accident in Japan.]

“Is it a traffic accident?”

It was my first time hearing about Seongpil.

[You even had a cast… … .]

Oh, I’m talking about the Seiko era.

“Yes, that’s right. How hard it was to walk with a cane that had no connection to me… .”

[Why didn’t you tell me?]

“yes?”

[Something big happened, why didn’t you tell me?]

“Uh, no… … .”

Because it’s not really something worth telling.

Seongpil wasn’t the type to go around telling everyone in the neighborhood that he was sick.

Unless you have regular contact with someone and can tell them what’s going on, telling them you’re sick is basically pressuring them to come visit you.

“I don’t think it’s something I need to tell you.”

[… … Is that so?]

Seongpil realized that Ginger was upset, very upset.

Anyone would know.

[Director Park… … You may think that what I said to you in the past was just a show of respect… … or something I just said… … .]

Ginger seemed to be squeezing dry grass to extract the water. She squeezed the grass until her hands were sore, and finally she made it into a drop of water called her voice.

[It was true that I told you that you were my benefactor. I kept telling you, over and over again… … . But… … .]

“Jian Dao Ni Wo Ye Hun Gao Xing (It was nice meeting you too).”

[… … Seanmer (yes)? Oh, no, yes?]

“Ihou zaijian (See you later). Siwang jingchang jian dao ni (I hope we meet often).”

[Huh, huh?]

Seongpil laughed quietly.

“I remember. It’s what Ginger said to me when she saw me off at dawn when I was leaving for America.”

[You know how to speak Mandarin?]

“No. I kept thinking about it in my mind, and then I asked a director at our company. Then I wrote it down and kept memorizing it.”

[… … .]

“Honestly… … Yes. I took Ginger’s words about me being your benefactor lightly.”

People meet many benefactors throughout their lives.

But it is rare for that favor to be repaid or for that favor to be remembered for a long time.

While reminiscing about my school days and happily talking about my friends and homeroom teacher, I feel like I’ve never met them on Teacher’s Day.

A benefactor is bound to be forgotten in memories.

Seongpil thought that Ginger’s feelings were along similar lines.

“Rather, I thought that if I took Ginger’s words seriously, Ginger would eventually feel burdened.”

[No, that’s not it, not at all… … .]

“Yes. But since you contacted me today, I think I can think about it more seriously, right?”

[yes!]

“Then, let’s meet often.”

Seongpil returned Ginger’s farewell greeting in Korean.

“Thank you for your concern.”

[Director Park, you should also worry about me if I get hurt.]

“Well, as a youth, I always worry.”

Seongpil checked his wristwatch.

Twenty minutes had already passed.

“Mr. Ginger, this is also a secret.”

[What is it?]

“Our kids are preparing for a concert. It will be held soon, so if you have time, come see it.”

[Ah, the concert! It’s so sweet! I’ll go!]

Ginger seems to be a fan of Joara.

Well then, I definitely want to see it.

“Yes. I’m also looking forward to the KAIST album.”

[It’s a full album! There are so many songs in it! Also, there are my solo songs, so please listen to them and tell me what you think!]

After finishing his phone call with her, Seongpil went down the stairs. He found himself humming a tune as he walked along without realizing it.

The downward steps became faster and faster, eventually turning into a running pace.

I feel so good that I can’t control my energy.

Seongpil stood in front of the door, his breathing slightly ragged, his voice thumping.

I quickly pressed the door lock password and forcefully rushed into the house.

“Guys, I’m here… … !”

Boom boom boom!

The members were seen gathered in front of Sungpil’s computer and then dispersed here and there.

Everyone ran away, but Jang Ha-yang, who was sitting on a chair and holding a mouse, could not get away in time.

Jang Ha-yang turned her head anxiously and looked at Seong-pil.

“……what.”

Seongpil went into the room.

“Why is the password unlocked? Oh, no, how did you unlock it?!”

As Sungpil looked around at the members, Shin A-reum smiled awkwardly and said.

“It’s, it’s my birthday… … .”

“… … .”

Seongpil looked at the monitor again.

What floated there was Seongpil’s treasure.

A gif of Keus Erica.

She tilted her head up at the perfect angle as she struck her ending pose, sparkling flower petals fluttering around her.

“… … .”

Seongpil stared at the monitor in confusion.

Then the members started making excuses even though I didn’t say anything.

First was Jang Ha-yang.

“Rika said to turn it on first. She said that when you come to a man’s house, you have to check the computer.”

Rika made an excuse.

“Everyone agreed! You didn’t just ask me to look at it! Hey, I was going to give up because there was a password in the first place! Arami said she had a guess!”

Shin A-reum responded fiercely.

“I didn’t know it was my birthday either! Team leader, it’s true! I just typed it in as a joke and it opened! But, this is Team leader’s fault!”

Shin A-reum’s face turned bright red.

“I set my password to something like my birthday so anyone can hack into it! Who, who knew? Oh my! Why did you make it my birthday when other people don’t know it… … . And also, and also Joara told me to look it up!”

Joara started making excuses.

“I really didn’t want to go this far. I thought it would be too cruel to look at Internet search history, so I said I would only look at the internal files!”

“Ara-chan, that’s bad enough!”

“You shut up… … ! Oh, no, when you click on file explorer, it shows you recently opened folders, right? I, I glanced over it briefly and there was a folder called ‘GIF’… … Well… … I was a little curious… … . I really had no intention of using this to find a weak point in you and ask you to dance or wear a suit! I was just going to look at the file list and take it to my grave, but Teacher! Teacher, you gave me such a scientific reason… … !”

“that’s right.”

When Baek Seol-ha confidently nodded, all the members opened their eyes wide.

“I was curious about the ‘Cause’ folder. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of images and movements Director Park would get inspiration from. I ordered them all.”

Snow White’s eyes burned with a determined will.

“therefore…….”

Baek Seol-ha knelt down and apologized.

“I’m sorry! I couldn’t stand it anymore! I didn’t even think to stop them! I’m really, really sorry! I was just trying to get you to look at a few files! I was just trying to get you to look at a few pictures and gifs! I just couldn’t hold back my curiosity!”

“… … .”

As Sungpil remained silent, the members also knelt down next to Baek Seol-ha one by one and bowed their heads.

‘… …Still, that’s fortunate.’

Seongpil has been studying video editing programs in his spare time.

In order to develop that ability, I made a fan video by collecting Keus live broadcasts and media broadcasts, even though my skills were lacking.

A collection of dozens of gigabytes worth of edited, heartwarming and smile-inducing scenes produced by the members of KAIST.

It’s a good thing it didn’t get caught…

“I really didn’t want to watch ‘True Love Moments♥’ and ‘Member Chemistry Highlights♥’ and ‘Our Kerrangers♥’… … ”

“Invasion of privacy aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Park Sung-pil, fainted.