Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 391



Only Noblemtl

Episode 391

I was asked, ‘Do you need a new car?’

What is the intention?

First, we need to look at what kind of person the speaker is.

‘Ha-yang said.’

She was a young woman in her mid-20s who had just gotten her hands on several hundred million won. She asked Seongpil, “Do you need a car?”

The intention was clear.

“Hayang, I understand how you feel, but it’s okay. You don’t have to do it.”

Seongpil smiled kindly as if he had shaken off all the desires of the world.

Looking at that smile, Jang Ha-yang recalled the love-related iTube videos she had watched with Baek Seol-ha.

I told them to think carefully if the person said ‘no’ to my offer of a gift as if they were not interested.

It required careful consideration as to whether it was truly unnecessary or whether it was simply a matter of not wanting to appear materialistic.

“You’ve been driving the car for a long time, sir.”

“That’s true, but I don’t want to receive it from you.”

“yes……?”

“Hayang, no. Rikado, listen carefully. You can drink kimchi stew, but please tell the other kids what I’m saying now.”

Seongpil called the two together and spoke seriously.

“I know you’re grateful to me. I also know you want to express that gratitude with a gift. I’m happy. I’m so happy. When I think about how there are people who are reluctant to spend money on their parents even after receiving their salary, I can see how kind you are and how much you care about me.”

“Director, did you prepare what you were going to say in advance? My tongue won’t stop even once!”

“Rika, I’m talking seriously.”

Seongpil was so hurt that he lowered his voice for no reason.

In fact, Seongpil had been secretly looking forward to a day like this.

There were times when I lay in bed at night excitedly, thinking, ‘What if my kids keep giving me gifts to thank me?’

And every time that happens, I think, ‘I should say this and refuse.’

It would be embarrassing if we got caught.

“First of all, you don’t have to give me a gift. You don’t have to feel obligated to do so. Because I get paid by the company.”

It is Sungpil’s job to recruit, produce, and care for the Girls’ League.

It is work performed for a fair price.

There is no need for the Girls’ League to feel any unnecessary debt or personal gratitude towards him. To put it bluntly, Sungpil and the Girls’ League are only in a business relationship.

“That’s enough.”

“……therefore.”

Jang Ha-yang said with her face frozen like ice.

“You’re saying that since I get money from the company, I don’t need a gift… …?”

“Oh, well, that’s how it is. But that’s not the point. The point is that you don’t have to feel indebted to me… … .”

Jang Ha-yang looked at the shopping bag in Seong-pil’s hand. There was a mark of ‘Yves Saint Laurent’ engraved on it in an antique style, leaving some space.

Seongpil’s eyes also followed Jang Ha-yang’s and were fixed on the shopping bag.

“… … .”

“… … .”

“… … This is what I mean, Hayang. Rika is paying the price for her sins.”

“Sin?! Are my tears that dirty!”

“Why are you removing makeup and snot?”

“Don’t use the word ‘snot’! And Sister White!”

Rika held Jang Ha-yang’s hand and shook it up and down.

“It’s not a car, it’s a car!”

“no……?”

“Cars are extremely expensive items! They are only exchanged between family members!”

Jang Ha-yang was about to say, “Director, you are family to me,” but stopped herself. She just sighed and let her regret flow away.

“A low-priced YSL would be just right!”

“It’s a bit sad to hear it that way, Rika.”

“What do you want, sir?! Is it really tea!”

Jang Ha-yang watched Seong-pil and Rika bickering with complicated emotions.

And then she seemed to have folded her heart, her expression hardened, and spoke in a refreshing tone.

“Are you going to have dinner with Rika now, sir?”

“No, I have to go back to work.”

“Hey, weren’t you going to play with Atashi (me) all day! I thought you bought a free pass!”

“Rika, let’s eat dinner with your sister.”

“Okay! Let’s eat and go shopping! You, sir, go do some work like a boss!”

“I’m so sad… … .”

Rika clung to Jang Ha-yang and recited her wish list for today. From what I heard, it seemed like she had written down in her diary the things she wanted to buy once she got her check.

Seongpil felt proud just listening to the story.

‘Thank goodness, really.’

Even when we were recruiting members, we were worried that they might fail.

But now I can shop to my heart’s content. I’m so touched.

‘Now I don’t have to worry about being treated like a wallet by kids.’

Spending a penny or two on each member secretly took a toll on Sungpil financially. But now that is over.

‘I can buy five or six more albums every month.’

It’s a happy day for both the Girls’ League and Seongpil.

* * *

“Shut up.”

Rika and Jang Ha-yang wiped off their sweat after putting down their shopping bags full of food in the hallway of their accommodation.

Most of it was Rika’s luggage. Jang Ha-yang’s luggage was so small that he could carry it with one hand.

The two moved their luggage to their rooms and took time to check the items they had bought.

Since Baekseolha hadn’t returned to her accommodations yet, Jang Ha-yang opened the items she had bought today in silence.

First it was the cell phone.

This is the latest model of Apple phone.

‘Take out your SIM card and put it here… … .’

After turning it off and on repeatedly, it worked.

Jang Ha-yang searched on iTube for information on how to change her plan, and changed her plan to one that was suitable for her new phone.

‘Next is… … .’

It was a smartwatch from the same company as Apple.

Jang Ha-yang put it on his wrist and turned it on. Dozens of minutes had passed by the time the initial setup was complete.

“… … .”

She changed the smartwatch wallpaper to a group photo of the Girls’ League. Jang Ha-yang smiled broadly as she looked at her watch.

And she glanced back. The door was firmly shut, and there was no sound of footsteps in the hallway.

Changed the watch background to a different picture.

It was a photo taken with Sungpil during her trainee days. Jang Ha-yang, who was staring at it from afar, felt a deep sense of shame at some point and changed the background screen.

‘And next is… … .’

It was a Bluetooth earphone from the same company as the Apple phone. I put the earphone on and played ‘Ani’ by Girls’ League.

Jang Ha-yang’s eyes lit up.

‘This, this is a 300,000 won earphone… … .’

Until now, I felt like I had been living in darkness.

Since I only used earphones that cost around 20,000 won, it was true that I was living in darkness.

‘Huh, huh?’

I can even hear sounds I couldn’t hear before.

It makes me wonder if ‘No’ was this kind of song.

‘Is the sound difference this big depending on the device?’

It wasn’t for nothing that Jung Ji-eum continued to buy audio equipment worth tens or hundreds of millions of won.

Whenever a new device was brought in, Han Gu-in would scream near the workroom of the stationary sound. Jang Ha-yang felt sorry for Han Gu-in when she saw him like that.

‘It was absolutely necessary for the quality of the song.’

Jang Ha-yang put the earphones back in the case with satisfaction.

This was Jang Ha-yang’s wish list.

With the latest digital devices all over my body, I somehow felt like I had become a member of the new generation. Now that I am a member of the new generation, I guess it would be okay to say that I have finally joined the ranks of the trendy generation.

‘It’ll be fine for about 5 years now.’

Jang Ha-yang vowed to use the item she bought today for at least five years. If she hadn’t intended to use it that long in the first place, she wouldn’t have bought it.

“ha.”

Jang Ha-yang let out a languid sigh and lay down on the floor.

‘So this is what they call financial therapy.’

Spending money makes me feel good.

But if I were to do it, I would rather see someone else’s happy face.

‘I couldn’t do the things I wanted to do.’

Before receiving their pay, the Girls’ League members were poor.

Except for Baek Seol-ha, who received a salary as the members’ vocal trainer, everyone lived on an allowance of a few hundred thousand won.

Jang Ha-yang had hoped to give something small to those members. He thought that if he had a lot of money, he would definitely do so… … .

‘Now all the members are rich.’

So, what can we do for the members now?

‘How can I express this gratitude… … .’

Jang Ha-yang still feels like a dream.

If I hadn’t become an idol, would I have ever made this much money in my life?

If I hadn’t met Sungpil, if it weren’t for the members, I would still be working part-time and starving.

Thinking about it makes my hair stand on end.

I am proud of myself for making the right choice, I am grateful to Seongpil for leading me to this choice, and I love the members who made the choice with me.

So I want to convey my feelings… … .

‘I thought money was a big part of happiness.’

I had a huge amount of money in my hands that people would envy, but I didn’t feel much excitement.

I always thought that money was life and an essential element of life. So I thought that the more I had it, the happier I would be.

‘It feels like my eyes are opening. The world is getting brighter, and I don’t have to hide in the darkness anymore… … .’

I thought I would develop that kind of omnipotence.

No, at least I expected to feel truly free.

Jang Ha-yang knows how much of a burden it can be to not have money. All of her thoughts are directly connected to money, and she lives a life where she never has a day of peace because she worries about money every minute and every second.

‘Nothing has changed. Didn’t I need money? What do I want more than money…?’

Jang Ha-yang rolled over onto his side.

While she was pondering, she suddenly remembered something and picked up her phone. Then, she searched for something she had been curious about since leaving the department store.

“What do you think, Sister?”

Suddenly Rika came into the room.

Jang Ha-yang was so shocked that she dropped the phone she was holding on the floor. She looked at Rika with eyes that were as big as a pot lid.

It was Rica, wearing clothes from various luxury brands in rags.

Although Jang Ha-yang had not studied fashion in particular, she could tell that her appearance, with all the brand marks exposed here and there, was not very good.

“This is the human luxury brand Rica!”

“Oh, yeah, that’s cool.”

“The reaction is lukewarm.”

“Are you going to wear it right away without washing it?”

“What if it gets damaged when I put it in the washing machine?”

“Then you won’t suck it?”

“I’m going to wear it once and throw it away!”

“Rika… … .”

Jang Ha-yang laughed hollowly.

When I looked at her with eyes that said, ‘It’s not real, is it?’, Rika smiled bashfully.

“Just kidding! Just because you have money doesn’t mean you’ll start spending it all! I’ve already looked up all the laundry instructions on the Internet!”

“I was wondering if I should confiscate Rika’s bank account.”

“Hehe, huh?”

Rika found Jang Ha-yang’s cell phone on the floor. It had rolled all the way to Rika’s feet.

“How long has it been since you bought it and you’re already dropping it!”

“I dropped it because I was surprised by you… … .”

Rika picked up Jang Ha-yang’s phone. The content Jang Ha-yang had searched for just a moment was displayed on it.

[Manager Contract.

A and B, based on mutual good faith, have entered into the following contract… … .]

“Hey, are you going to hire a separate manager for your sister?!”

Jang Ha-yang hurriedly snatched the phone from Rika’s hand.

“I searched because I was curious.”

“If you have any complaints, tell oppa Gyeongseop!”

“Hahaha, that’s not it.”

Rika left the room with a suspicious look on her face. Jang Ha-yang waved her hand until she left, but as soon as she was left alone in the room, she focused on her phone again.

“A one-man agency… … .”

The celebrity establishes the company himself, becomes its CEO, and appoints a manager.

In fact, it is a one-man team consisting of only a manager and a celebrity. In the case of famous celebrities, it seems that they sometimes have groups of ten managers.

‘One-on-one contract.’

Someday, the Girls’ League will also be disbanded.

When that time comes, Sungpil will naturally be in charge of another idol group. Then, won’t the connection between Sungpil and Girls’ League disappear?

Even if the members of Girls’ League were to pursue individual activities, management and production would likely be handled by other professionals from Garo Entertainment.

Because Sungpil’s specialty is idol groups.

“contract.”

Jang Ha-yang spoke softly.

“One-on-one contract… … .”

Jang Ha-yang, who was looking for more information, suddenly threw her cell phone onto the bed in annoyance.

‘no!’

I was about to throw it, but then carefully put it back down.

I can’t treat a phone I just bought roughly.

And Jang Ha-yang herself climbed onto the bed like a phone. She lay there and stared at the ceiling.

I received the settlement.

He got his hands on a huge amount of money.

but.

‘I feel empty.’

A token of trust that Seongpil sends to himself.

If the idol fails to make as much money as expected, Sungpil will compensate for the effort he put in with money. That is the contract.

There was such a contract.

It doesn’t exist anymore.

‘It’s disconnected… … .’

Now there is nothing between Seongpil and Jang Hayang.

To be exact, it’s no different from other people.

* * *

After work hours, executives from Garo Entertainment gathered in the president’s office and stood in a row.

Seongpil, Han Guin, Son Hyebin, Min Kyeongseop, and Jeong Ji-eum.

“Am I really here… …?”

Jeong Ji-eum trembled in fear like a small dog entering a large dog cage.

Not only the people gathered here, but the space itself, the president’s office, made Jeong Ji-eum feel intimidated.

Not only is Jeong Ji-eum unfamiliar with the president’s office, she also has little contact with the president, Hong Gyu-heon. In the first place, it is rare for them to meet, so seeing her is burdensome.

“Why are you like this?”

Min Kyung-seop put his arm around Jeong Ji-eum’s shoulder and reassured her.

“At the drinking party, he only talks well with the boss.”

“That’s because of the power of alcohol. No, no matter how you look at it, this is what we gathered today… … .”

Net profit conversion of horizontal enter.

To commemorate that historic year, the executives were called in. But there… … .

“A mere music producer coming… … .”

“Hey, Ji-eum.”

Min Kyung-seop put his arm around her shoulder and Son Hye-bin’s arm also went up. Jeong Ji-eum shrank even further, sandwiched between the two.

“Do you know what our male trainees are talking about?”

“yes……?”

“If you call me to your studio, your debut is confirmed.”

I couldn’t understand the stop sound, so I just blinked.

“What did you say… … ?”

“You’re the producer of Garo Enter Music. In fact, all music goes through your hands. In the eyes of the trainees, you’re the one who holds the key to their debut.”

“Uh, uh? No, if you call me to my studio, my debut is confirmed? T-That’s the song Samuel sang before, right? That was just sung for a moment because we needed a male vocalist… …!”

“I guess it looks different to the kids. No, it looks the same to everyone at work.”

Those gathered here treat Jeong Ji-eum like a cute little sister, but the other employees are not like that at all.

A music producer who is crazy about music and always lives like a hermit in his studio.

An unprecedented genius who has produced a series of hit songs for Girls’ League and a pillar of Garo Entertainment.

No one takes the stop sound lightly.

Min Kyung-seop patted Jeong Ji-eum on the shoulder as if he was proud.

“So, don’t go around frowning like that… … No. Just go around frowning. Don’t even look at the sun. You look more attractive when you’re shabby.”

“Right? Is it because he’s tall and skinny that he secretly has a decadent charm…?”

As soon as the door opened, everyone stopped chatting and stood up straight.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

Hong Gyu-heon stood in front of his subordinates with hurried steps.

At that moment, Seongpil smiled broadly and clapped his hands.

“Congratulations, boss!”

At the same time, everyone applauded as if they had been smitten. Hong Gyu-heon accepted the applause in a daze, then blushed and waved his hand.

“Okay, stop it.”

Min Kyung-seop livened up the party by whistling.

“Beautiful CEO of an entertainment agency! A billionaire!”

“Oh really, stop it… … .”

Even though he told her to stop, Hong Gyu-heon couldn’t hide his joy. It seemed like he didn’t feel bad about being praised so openly.

“Hong Gyu-heon is simply amazing!”

Son Hye-bin jumped up and down like a cheerleader cheering on a baseball player.

“I love you, Iron-Blooded President Hong Gyu-heon, forever!”

“I’m seriously going crazy… … .”

Hong Gyu-heon could no longer look at this sight with his bare eyes. He covered his eyes with his palm and tried to hide his foolish laughter.

Still, her ears turned red, showing that she was happy.

Hong Gyu-heon’s daughter, Han Gu-in, could not miss this opportunity.

“The most youthful beauty who looks like she’s in her 20s even though she’s 30… …!”

The man fell to the floor, holding his stomach.

“Stop it.”

Everyone kept their mouths shut and stood guard like soldiers.

After Han Gu-in got up and sat down again, Hong Gyu-heon calmly observed the people standing in front of him.

And he clapped his hands as if to lighten the mood.

“Yeah, we finally made it this far. Everyone worked hard.”

Hong Gyu-heon took out five envelopes from the drawer in the president’s office. She stood in front of Jeong Ji-eum and handed the envelopes directly into her hand.

“This is a letter I wrote myself and a gift filled with my heart.”

“how much is this?”

Jeong Ji-eum joked lightly, as if it were all a lie that she had said that Hong Gyu-heon was difficult to deal with.

A faint smile spread.

“Want to see it now?”

“Yes? Is that okay?”

“look.”

Jeong Ji-eum opened the envelope. Inside was a neatly folded letter and a check.

After seeing the amount, Jeong Ji-eum staggered with his legs shaking. Min Kyung-seop, who was next to him, supported him.

“Hey, how much is it! Tell me how much and then fall over!”

“I don’t know, I don’t know anything… … .”

“Jung Ji-eum, why are you like that?”

Hong Gyu-heon grabbed Jeong Ji-eum’s hand tightly and stood her up. Of course, since Jeong Ji-eum was much taller, it was more like pulling her than standing her up.

“I made hundreds of millions through music.”

Jung Ji-eum, whose name is on most of the credits of Girls’ League’s music, earned a lot of money from music sources and album sales.

But the billion won that Jeong Ji-eum earned was something that had been accumulated little by little. He had never received such a large sum of money all at once.

“I, I didn’t see things wrong, did I… … ?”

“Seeing you happy makes me feel good too. Jeong Ji-eum.”

Hong Gyu-heon grabbed Jeong Ji-eum’s hand.

Hong Gyu-heon’s hands were cold. But her eyes were warm.

“If an idol’s visuals are their body, then music is their soul. You are the soul of the Girls’ League itself.”

“president…….”

“It was a great fortune for you to come to our company. For me and for the kids. You stayed even after receiving a job offer from KS Entertainment. You didn’t do much for me. The money I’m giving you now is nothing compared to what KS Entertainment wanted to give you, but I hope it’s at least a little bit of compensation.”

Jeong Ji-eum’s eyes welled up with tears as she recalled the years she had spent at Garo Enter. Hong Gyu-heon held her hand tightly for the last time and let her go in relief.

“I look forward to the music you make in the future.”

Next, Hong Gyu-heon stood in front of Min Gyeong-seop. He handed him an envelope and held his hand.

“Our management team leader.”

“Yes, I am the head of the management team. When are you going to make me the director?”

“Director Park’s enemy, a person who turned his back on Success Entertainment.”

“Yes, I am Min Kyung-seop, the traitor.”

“Thank you for coming. You must have had a hard time.”

It was exactly as he said.

Min Kyung-seop often sighed when looking at the schedule of the Girls’ League. It wasn’t because he was busy, but because he had plenty of time.

When Girls’ League started working on an album, Garo Enter refused all scheduled activities and demanded that the members focus solely on their work.

Min Kyung-seop, who had been in the industry for a long time, thought it was inefficient. If he had broken down the schedule of the Girls’ League into minutes and seconds, he would have been able to do both work and money-making work.

Many agencies do that.

Then, the net profit conversion of Garo Enter and the settlement of members may have also been accelerated.

“I know you must have had a lot of frustrating times, but you endured it well.”

“It comes first that our children do well in music.”

“But when you hit it, you hit it well.”

Min Kyung-seop was in charge of the management of the Girls’ League.

Management is not simply about managing the state of the Girls’ League, but also about creating an efficient schedule for them to generate revenue.

The Girls’ League is managed by taking into account numerous factors such as the members’ condition and ability, optimal route, and the image of the Girls’ League.

“It’s thanks to Team Leader Min that our kids have never fallen over.”

Management is not a flashy job.

It is taken for granted that the Girls’ League is functioning normally. However, if it is not functioning normally, the arrows will be pointed at the management team.

Management is something where only the stigma becomes yours.

Things done well are not recognized by others.

“great job.”

But Hong Gyu-heon knew Min Gyeong-seop. That’s why he called him to such an important position.

Min Kyung-seop let out a wet breath.

“No, what did I… … .”

“But it was a bit too much to complete the overseas tour in just one month. The kids were all exhausted.”

“No, that’s because Director Han pressured us to align with the fiscal year!”

“Are you tripping me up here… … .”

“Oh, I see there was some strife between the finance team and the management team.”

“Oh, no, I was joking. I did take that into account though.”

“Yes. Please continue to work hard so that our children can stay healthy. Use this money to buy a new house.”

“……thank you.”

Next, Hong Gyu-heon stood in front of Son Hye-bin.

“Director Son.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Sister.”

“yes?!”

“What, you’re right, Unnie. Don’t you mind that I keep speaking informally to you?”

“Hey, it feels like my cute little brother is acting cute.”

“… … .”

“Hahaha, just kidding!”

“Jang Ha-yang is the problem. Everyone jokes around so casually. What the… … .”

Hong Gyu-heon put an envelope in Son Hye-bin’s hand and held her hand warmly.

“Director Son is really passionate. He went to Russia and Japan alone, and traveled all over the country, working really hard.”

When Son Hye-bin gets hooked on something, she doesn’t look back.

I even went to Russia to personally recruit for the ‘Arabesque’ music video shoot. I also stayed in Japan for a long time to recruit Yuuto.

There was a time when I traveled around the country working on album design and visual parts.

“I also teach the kids dance from time to time. Director Park said that. Director Son sees things that Director Park can’t. He compared them with both eyes.”

“Haha, it’s embarrassing even when I think about it now.”

“At first, I was going to assign her only design work. Now that I think about it, I was a bit narrow-minded back then. When I actually gave her assignments, she was good at everything. She’s a jack-of-all-trades.”

“Do you know now that you are beautiful?”

“Producer Son.”

This time, Son Hye-bin couldn’t hold back her laughter.

I wasn’t used to this kind of public address, but when I received the extravagant title of producer, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

I was embarrassed.

“Am I a producer? It’s true that I do some producing work.”

“You’ve done well so far, and I believe you’ll do well in the future. No matter what anyone says, Director Son is the one who created the visuals and body of the Girls’ League. You can go around bragging about it and saying, ‘I’m the Girls’ League producer.’ Thank you, really.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Son Hye-bin fiddled with the hand she was holding, Hong Gyu-heon.

It was something I did because I had nothing to say.

“Thank you, yes… … .”

“I didn’t give Director Son a bonus because he must have a lot of money.”

“Oh, that’s not it!”

“Hahaha, just kidding.”

“I think Hayang is the problem.”

Next, Hong Gyu-heon stood in front of Han Gu-in.

Hanguin, who had been with her through thick and thin for a long time, was already ready to shed tears.

Han Gu-in held out his hand as if asking for someone to take it. Hong Gyu-heon placed an envelope in his hand and only patted Han Gu-in on the shoulder.

“Director Han, do you know my heart well?”

“yes……?”

“I won’t say anything else.”

“That (Sonna)!”

“Do you all know how much hardship a director goes through?”

A unanimous answer came out: ‘Yes!’

“He just glares at his subordinates, saying that his job was stolen. He seems like someone who was born to work.”

“that…….”

The Korean stopped talking.

Hong Gyu-heon tilted his head down and kept gasping for breath. His breath was wet like rain on a summer day, mixed with tears.

Han Gu-in has spent a long time with Hong Gyu-heon. He has been with her through her failures and her current success.

It was the same for Hong Gyu-heon. That’s why, at that moment, when I saw Han Gu-in, I had a hard time holding back my emotional changes.

I almost felt like I was going to cry.

So we don’t do things like hold hands.

“Thank you, Director Han. For not leaving me that time.”

“… … No. Garo Enter is my home, where would I go?”

“okay.”

Hong Gyu-heon patted Han Gu-in on the shoulder and quickly moved on.

Next, to Seongpil.

Seongpil smiled brightly and held out both hands like a child asking for pocket money.

Hong Gyu-heon smiled and put an envelope in his hand.

“Can I open it now?”

“of course.”

Seongpil was confident that he would be truly surprised. Much more so than Jeong Ji-eum.

That was the idea to save Hong Gyu-heon’s pride.

“I have a lot to say to Director Park.”

Seongpil opened the envelope with a proud smile. There was no check, only a letter.

“There are many things to be thankful for, and many things to be sorry about.”

Seongpil took out the letter.

“So much that it can’t be expressed in just a few minutes.”

Seongpil opened the letter.

[Stay after finishing.]

That’s all that was written.