Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 390



Only Noblemtl

Episode 390

The Girls’ League was literally speechless when they saw the unexpected amount of money.

I didn’t know what to do in this situation.

Should I laugh? Should I cry? Should I be happy? Should I be moved? If not, should I just stay still?

“I guess you’re still feeling uneasy.”

Han Gu-in said calmly.

Although he seemed to be free of any emotional disturbance, his heart was actually wavering to the same extent as the Girls’ League.

Even though I knew in advance, it was difficult to maintain composure.

“Look again and again. That is the reward for your efforts.”

compensation.

The members reacted to those words.

Until now, they have not considered idol activities as labor. Because isn’t it normal for labor to be rewarded?

The Girls’ League has been going through grueling training, performing on stage, and communicating with fans.

And yet I couldn’t get my hands on even a single 10 won coin.

They never thought that they lived as idols ‘to make money’.

“You can be as happy as you want.”

This may sound funny, but the Girls’ League has been working for its own satisfaction up until now.

I was just happy being an idol, without even imagining that one day I would receive a reward for my efforts.

When I first heard the word settlement, I never thought it would be this much money.

however…….

“This, this, this is weird!”

Joara shouted.

“There are too many!”

Her screams revealed the shock the members felt. They couldn’t understand how they could have so much money.

In an instant, hundreds of millions of won were deposited into the bank account.

I just lived day by day.

Practicing in the practice room, singing and dancing on stage, and sometimes laughing and talking on broadcasts or radio.

Was that worth a billion dollars?

Is it right for them to have an amount of money that an ordinary person would have difficulty getting even after working for decades?

In your 20s only?

“There are too many… … .”

Joara couldn’t accept this situation, but at the same time she let out a sob of joy.

I was so happy that my efforts were worth it, even though I thought the settlement amount was so generous.

Before we knew it, the sound of crying was slowly spreading throughout the conference room.

“Ms. Ara.”

Han Gu-in pressed the bridge of his nose, which was frowning, and said.

“Capitalism necessarily rewards special talents. The more irreplaceable something is, the greater the reward. Your talent is valuable and cannot be replaced by anything in the world. This is society’s reward for your talent and effort.”

A reward for making the world a more beautiful and happy place.

“I hope you are proud.”

The members could no longer hold back their tears. They hugged each other and rejoiced to their heart’s content.

* * *

Hong Gyu-heon and Han Gu-in sat facing each other at the desk in the president’s office.

Even while talking about work, the two of them didn’t show any expressions of worry for the first time in a long time. Instead, they were always happy, like children deciding where to go to play.

Because the topic of the work was hopeful.

“How much should the executive bonus be?”

It is the historical settlement day of the Girls’ League.

The profit sharing ratio between the Girls’ League and the company is 7 to 3. If each member of the Girls’ League received a settlement amount in the hundreds of millions, Garo Enter’s net profit would have been in the tens of billions.

Most of it will be used to maintain and develop the company, but some of it will have to go to executives who have contributed greatly to the growth of Garo Entertainment.

“I guess… … .”

Han Gu-in showed a side of himself that he would never normally show.

He held the tip of the ballpoint pen lightly in his mouth, and his eyes were filled with dreams, like a young man sitting down to write a love letter.

He smiled brightly like that.

“I just need to stay a little longer.”

“You’re talking like it’s pocket money.”

Anyway, even if children say, “Please give me just a little bit,” adults are quick to take out large denomination bills to save face.

Hong Gyu-heon, the big adult at Garo Enter, was also planning to do so.

“It’s a historic day. A historic layoff. You can write it in big letters to those who have suffered.”

It wasn’t just that I was going to give a lot of money because it felt good.

Those who have the ability to grow Garo Enter to this extent deserve proper compensation.

A person cannot always survive on dreams alone. He needs visible rewards for his accomplishments.

‘The performance of a subordinate can be both a blessing and a poison to his superior.’

One of the phrases that comes up a lot these days is ‘a company where I can grow.’

In times of upheaval, people no longer want to be blindly loyal and make sacrifices for their companies.

Rather than being rooted in one company, I want to build my career and go higher. And I also want the company to give me the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities.

‘If your subordinates achieve results, you should reward them accordingly. So that they can’t go somewhere else.’

In the past, it was common to be willing to sacrifice one’s life for a company, so company employees were not treated properly.

But not these days.

It is a world where, even if there is a risk, capable people can confidently step aside and leave for a better future.

‘Even if it’s not like that, I feel like I want to do something more.’

Hong Gyu-heon was very happy about this situation.

It was a daily routine for him, Seongpil, and Han Guin to gather in the president’s office and eat spicy jajangmyeon for lunch.

Now that we’re talking about bonuses.

“Then how about something like this?”

Han Gu-in carefully wrote down the numbers in his notebook.

Hong Gyu-heon’s expression hardened when he saw that. Han Gu-in quickly erased the number in embarrassment.

“No. This is too much… … .”

“No, it’s okay. Do you want to get paid that much? What, maybe you want to get a sports car?”

“I’m really okay… … .”

“Okay. I’ll just give Director Han a nice car. Okay, buy as much as you want. In a few years, I’ll even open a car showroom.”

“… … .”

Hong Gyu-heon snickered at the sight of the dead Han Gu-in.

“We also need to decide on employee bonuses.”

“Are you really going to pay the amount I told you?”

“That’s an idea that one director came up with after much thought. I’ll do that.”

Han Gu-in looked at Hong Gyu-heon with concern, but was secretly delighted.

‘I finally have a new partner. Goodbye, Johanna (current car name)… … .’

Han Gu-in pictured in his mind the image of ‘Emma’, who would become his new beloved horse.

I will start a new life with her.

Let’s go see the ocean together, go to the mountains together, go to classical concerts together, and cross the strait to Japan together…

“Is this okay for this level of seniority?”

Han Gu-in woke up from his happy fantasy when he saw the bonus amount set by Hong Gyu-heon.

“It feels like a bit much. Are all employees getting the same amount?”

“We need to increase the number of people who can contribute, taking into account their contribution level. This is the basic lower limit.”

Han Gu-in’s ‘slightly more feeling’ was meant to be about Kwon Ah-in, an accountant.

The finance department is an essential department for the company to survive, but it is difficult to say that it contributed to the success of the Girls’ League, isn’t it Kwon Ah-in, the accountant?

I thought it was excessive to give her this level of bonus, especially when she was at the same level as everyone else.

‘But other people say that they calculate the contribution and increase it.’

To a Korean, Hong Gyu-heon seemed very excited. People spend money when they feel good. That saying fit Hong Gyu-heon perfectly.

“We should give them this much. Everyone worked hard. ‘Is ownership possible in Korea?’ is a hot topic in the business world. Well, I don’t think the employees will really think of Garo Enter as their own company and work there.”

Hong Gyu-heon continued to write down appropriate levels of bonuses for each employee in his notebook.

“I hope you at least think, ‘I made the right decision to work for this company.’”

Han Gu-in smiled faintly.

“Everyone will do that. Definitely. Me too.”

“What, are you flattering me?”

“no.”

“No, that’s not true. Anyway, tell the executives to come to the CEO’s office before they leave work today.”

“Would you like to give a speech to encourage and boost morale?”

“It’s not something grandiose, like a speech. It’s just to share our hard work and be moved. I’m especially looking forward to Director Park. He’s a starting member.”

“Yes. When I think back to that time… … I can’t believe it has come to this. I think it was thanks to everyone’s encouragement that I was able to come here.”

“Yes. Director Park will be even more so. He will open his own wallet in times of crisis.”

“however…….”

Han Gu-in’s lips were unnaturally stiff. Looking at him, Hong Gyu-heon spoke calmly as before.

“Director Park has real ownership of Garo Enter, so today’s moment is even more meaningful.”

A cold sweat formed on Han Gu-in’s forehead.

‘The boss knows.’

Seongpil and Han Guin know that they deceived her and invested in Garo Enter.

* * *

To Jang Ha-yang, money was like life.

If you don’t have money, you die. That thought is ingrained in her mind.

I don’t mind spending money on things that are necessary for survival, but I don’t spend money on things that I can live without.

But she wasn’t always willing to save money.

‘I want to buy it.’

Every time she walks down the street or on the internet, Jang Ha-yang thinks about something she wants to buy.

Everyone will do that.

Media and advertising are so pervasive in our daily lives that they make us think of human consumption as a virtue.

People think, “I’d like to have that,” rather than “I don’t need it.”

Jang Ha-yang was like that too, and naturally, the desire to consume would stir as if he was breathing.

‘But… … it’s expensive.’

Jang Ha-yang had suppressed all of her desires with the single word, ‘expensive.’ It wasn’t unfair. Saving money was something she had been doing since long ago.

I’m not sad because I don’t have money.

But there is something I want to do if I have money.

Jang Ha-yang vividly remembers her school days.

Back then, when students were elected as class president, they would deliver things like pizza and hamburgers to the class.

Jang Ha-yang was more envious of the child who handed out expensive food to everyone and heard them say ‘thank you’ than of a child being elected class president.

So I imagine.

‘Thank you, Hayang!’

Be grateful to those around you for giving to them.

When he imagines the faces of the people who are happy, a smile spreads across Jang Ha-yang’s lips.

I had that dream… … often.

“Jang Ha-yang.”

“ah?”

Jang Ha-yang opened her eyes wide at the sound of CEO Hong Gyu-heon’s voice right in front of her.

He is lying down, and Hong Gyu-heon is looking down at him right in front of him.

“S, boss? Why should I… … .”

“You passed out.”

“why……?”

“You kept crying and then suddenly collapsed. Are you still feeling unwell? Judging from your muscles, I don’t think so.”

Hong Gyu-heon warmed up some yulmu tea and brought it to Jang Ha-yang.

Jang Ha-yang accepted it as if she was embarrassed. Hong Gyu-heon laughed in vain at her awkward attitude.

“What’s wrong with you today? Are you out of your mind because you just woke up?”

“Oh, no.”

In dramas, there are always characters who bow down to their bosses to an excessive degree. When Jang Ha-yang sees them, she often thinks, “Do they have no manners?”

‘But now I understand… … .’

It is only natural that you would bow down to someone who gives you money.

When Jang Ha-yang thought of ‘money’, his heart started pounding again. He couldn’t believe it…

“Hey, boss. Did I get paid today?”

Jang Ha-yang thought of the worst case scenario.

Receiving a settlement in the hundreds of millions was all a dream, and in reality, he is still living as usual.

I haven’t even used the settlement money yet, but I feel a tremendous sense of deprivation because I held it in my hands, even if only in my dreams. I really hope this isn’t a dream.

“What kind of settlement is this? You guys are still in debt.”

“Kkaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“joke.”

“… … .”

“Now you know what my joke is about, right?”

thank god.

Jang Ha-yang tried to maintain the present feeling while wiping her cheek. The coldness of her fingers touching her cheek felt good.

‘It’s reality.’

Jang Ha-yang closed her eyes quietly. She had said that she had cried a lot before she fainted. Maybe that was why she couldn’t shed any more tears.

Instead, there was only warmth filling my heart.

‘I’m finally a human being. I can make money. Thank you, Director. Thank you so much for telling me to become an idol… ‘

thanks…….

‘Director?’

Jang Ha-yang signed a contract with Sung-pil when she was a trainee.

Sungpil said that if Jang Ha-yang fails to succeed as an idol, he will compensate her with money for all the efforts she has put in up until then.

And now Jang Ha-yang has earned more money than she put in. At least, she thought so.

‘Then, the director and I will no longer… … .’

It’s not a relationship tied by money, that is, life.

The contract that was proof of Seongpil’s trust became meaningless.

No, it overachieved its meaning and disappeared.

“… … .”

“Your complexion doesn’t look so good. Don’t worry about the time and just get some rest. No one will be using the sofa in the president’s office anyway… .”

Jang Ha-yang jumped up and wrapped the coat hanging on the sofa around her shoulders.

“are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you, sir. And do you know where Director Park went?”

Jang Ha-yang thought that Seong-pil was meeting with Baek Seol-ha about ‘The Unknown Singer’.

But the answer I got was unexpected.

“I went to the department store.”

“Department store?”

“With Rika.”

“The two of us?”

“That’s right. I heard Rika soiled Director Park’s clothes. He took her there to pay for it. Well, it’s during work hours. But it seems like ignoring her when she asks for a favor is just… .”

bang!

Jang Ha-yang opened the door to the president’s office roughly and disappeared like the wind.

* * *

Seongpil came to the Yves Saint Laurent store in the department store with Rika.

“I will pay off all my debts from that day today!”

Rika said that and bought her a t-shirt so expensive it made her eyes pop out.

Seongpil wondered how expensive the T-shirt could be. Even if it was expensive, he expected it to be around 100,000 won.

‘That’s expensive too.’

Seongpil looked proudly at Rika, who was dragging him into the department store with a smile on her face.

Isn’t this how you feel when you try to buy a gift for your daughter after she gets her first paycheck? It’s like an indescribable sense of pride fills every nook and cranny of your veins.

“My goal is a million won shirt!”

“Hey, what kind of shirt costs a million won? That thin piece of cloth… … .”

Yves Saint Laurent T-shirt 1,009,000 won.

“Really?!”

Seongpil’s lips trembled as he checked the price at the store.

This thin fabric, which would probably cost less than 10,000 won if bought at a mart, was priced at a whopping 1 million won.

“Lee, Rika, I don’t need this… … .”

“Give me this!”

Seongpil was so shocked that he grabbed the wallet Rika was holding.

“Are you crazy?! Why would you spend a million won on something like this?!”

The Yves Saint Laurent store employee laughed awkwardly when he heard the words, “This kind of thing.”

“I told you I would buy you a shirt!”

“I did, but this is ridiculous! With this money, I could buy all the shirts I’ll ever wear!”

“The director said that luxury goods have value! They have value that cannot be measured!”

“I don’t need those values!”

“You received a luxury item from designer Mahara!”

“… … It was a token of friendship.”

“I am also a token of friendship!”

The staff had this thought while watching the comedy between the man and woman.

‘How good must a man be at night work for a woman to spend money so shamelessly?’

Rika shook off Seongpil’s hand that was holding her wrist.

“Okay, let go! Oh no, I’ve already made up my mind!”

Rika, fearing that her identity would be discovered, quickly put away her signature tone and took out her card from her wallet…

“Keeeeeeeek!”

Seongpil twisted Rika’s wrist and took the wallet out of her hand. Then he quickly ran out of the store with it like an American football player.

“You’re a thief!”

Rika followed after her.

The staff bowed timidly, looking at the entrance they had exited through.

“Oh, goodbye… … .”

After a while, the two men, who looked like they had been in a fight, returned.

Rika picked out a T-shirt with a tired expression while straightening her messy hair.

It was a relatively inexpensive T-shirt worth 480,000 won. And in addition, I chose a card wallet worth around 200,000 won.

“Please calculate it!”

Rika curiously asked for the bill at the counter. Then, as if she were a noble lady, she elegantly handed over her card.

The clerk said, swiping the card with a capitalist smile.

“Sorry, your payment has not been processed.”

“Sonna (that kind of)!”

Rika checked her card, sweating profusely. An alarm went off on her phone every few seconds.

[Notice of payment request rejection.

We would like to inform you that the payment request requested by customer Ishikawa Rika has been rejected as it exceeded the registered daily payment limit.

“Director, why is it like this?”

“Oh, this. Is that your check card? I think your parents set a daily spending limit when they made this for you. Probably a few hundred thousand won.”

“… … .”

Rika smiled bashfully, as if embarrassed, and spoke to the staff.

“Do you also accept bank transfers?”

“I’m sorry, but this is a service we cannot provide at our main store.”

* * *

“Thank you, Rika.”

Seongpil spoke with a voice full of apology, holding shopping bags in both hands.

I wasn’t very happy about receiving such an expensive gift from a 12-year-old child.

‘Of course, Rika’s gift to me wasn’t just a simple favor.’

The excuse that I made my debut with a T-shirt covered in makeup, tears, and snot was just an excuse.

Rika wanted to express her gratitude to Seongpil through that incident.

‘I said thank you for finding me… … .’

Gratitude for leading me on the path to becoming an idol.

And I am so grateful that you made me a great idol. I can’t express my gratitude in words, so I express it in money.

Knowing that, Seongpil felt burdened and happy at the same time.

“But Rika, what have you been looking at like that for so long?”

Right after buying Seongpil a gift, Rika boasted about her financial power as if she was going to die.

But after a while, I was just looking at my cell phone.

“Uhh… … It’s not working very well.”

“What are you doing? I’ll help you.”

“I’m making a credit card!”

Seongpil snatched Rika’s cell phone.

The Palm Bank app that Joara had strongly recommended was turned on. It showed a very evil service that allowed you to create a credit card with just a few finger gestures.

“Ah, give it back!”

“What kind of credit card is that for a kid?”

“I’m an adult! I can’t live with a check card with a daily limit of 300,000 won anymore!”

Seongpil took a quick look at the app.

It seems that Rika couldn’t make a card right away because she’s a foreigner. That’s really fortunate.

‘The world has become a better place.’

I didn’t know banking apps had this feature.

Doesn’t that mean that people of similar age to Rica can easily get a credit card?

How many children are there who, blinded by past desires, use credit cards indiscriminately?

“You should get some financial advice from Director Han.”

“Oh, that’s right! I have to manage my money now too!”

Seongpil couldn’t simply say, ‘Leave it to your parents.’

How many celebrities have trusted their parents for a long time and entrusted them with money, only to experience bitter betrayal?

It’s not that Seongpil distrusts the Ishikawa family, who he has met in person several times, but even among family members, money matters need to be handled with caution.

Seongpil handed his cell phone to Rika.

“Director.”

“Why again.”

“Aren’t you happy?”

“huh?”

Now I see that Rika is closely observing Seongpil’s complexion.

‘Oh, I see.’

Even if Rika suddenly had hundreds of millions of won in her hands, she wouldn’t feel comfortable spending hundreds of thousands of won.

From Rika’s perspective, it was a really big decision.

But since Seongpil’s reaction was so ambiguous, it was clear that Rika would be embarrassed.

“I’m happy. Why wouldn’t I be happy? But I’m not happy because I received something expensive. I would have been happy even if Rika had bought me oden from a nearby street food stall.”

“Don’t lie! The boss said money is the heart! Odeng and YSL are not the same!”

“That’s true… … But if I may make an excuse, Rika.”

I’m glad you thought of a gift for me. I’m glad you thought about what to buy and came all the way here with me. And I’m glad you were able to buy me a gift.

“I’m even happier knowing the effort you put into earning this money. Thank you for sharing your efforts with me.”

“to…….”

On rare occasions, Rika felt genuinely embarrassed.

At first, I just thought, ‘If I buy him something expensive, the CEO will probably like it.’ I hoped he would react appropriately to the amount of money I paid.

But what Seongpil said touched my heart much more than being surprised by just money.

Seongpil saw the time, effort, and tears that Rika had put in to receive the settlement. Seongpil was happy that she had spent the money she had earned through that pain on him.

“Uh, um, maa (what)… … .”

Of course, Sungpil always recognizes the efforts of the Girls’ League. He understands their suffering better than anyone else.

Still, hearing it directly like this gives a completely different impression.

I’m glad you noticed.

“I’m glad you know! From now on, when you wear that T-shirt and use that wallet, remember Atashi’s (my) hardships!”

“Of course. Then shall I take you to your lodgings now?”

“Already? Since we’re already here, there’s more!”

“I’m a working person. I should probably go… … .”

“Director.”

A familiar voice came from ahead.

It was Jang Ha-yang. Even though it was winter, sweat was running down her face. She ran her hand through the hair that was stuck to her cheeks because of the sweat, and approached Seong-pil.

“Hayang? How is it here… … .”

“I heard it from the boss.”

“ah…….”

Seongpil took out his phone and checked to see if Jang Ha-yang had contacted him. Judging from Jang Ha-yang’s appearance, she seemed to have sweated quite a bit trying to find him.

‘I’m sorry, Hayang. Did I put it on mute?’

No it wasn’t.

In order to receive work-related contacts anytime, anywhere, Seongpil never sets his cell phone to silent mode.

If Jang Ha-yang had contacted me, I couldn’t have missed it. And I didn’t receive a single text message or message from Jang Ha-yang. Of course, I didn’t receive a phone call either.

“Hayang. How did you find me?”

“While wandering around.”

“Why didn’t you contact me?”

Jang Ha-yang took out his cell phone from his pocket.

The liquid crystal display was fragmented like a spider web.

It was shattered when Baek Seol-ha checked the settlement amount instead of Jang Ha-yang. It seemed like the touch didn’t work because of that.

“This doesn’t press well.”

“So you were looking for us?”

In such a large department store… … ?

What kind of obsession is that?

Perhaps Jang Ha-yang had a special reason for seeking her out. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have endured such hardships.

“Oh, Hayang, so… … .”

Before Seongpil could ask Jang Hayang what was going on, Rika interrupted him.

“Sister, are you feeling better now?”

“Yeah. I’m all better.”

“Sister, let’s eat together… …!”

“Sir, don’t you need a car? I need a new one.”

Park Sung-pil, Rika, shocking!