Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 399



Only Noblemtl

Episode 399

Kyuss Kim Min-ju waited for the bathtub to fill with water.

As I blankly watched the water level rise, my wet body began to shiver more and more.

Kim Min-ju completed 30 burpees right away. Her body felt warm and the bathtub was full of water.

I groaned as I soaked my body up to my shoulders in warm water. It felt like all the muscle pain from working out was being washed away.

“… … .”

She impulsively and without thinking submerged herself in water up to her head.

Closing her eyes and feeling only the warmth of the water, her consciousness drifted into the distant past.

It was when I became a trainee after receiving a casting offer from the current head of Management Team 1.

As a fresh newbie, she performed a dance performance in front of the KS Entertainment rookie development department staff during the weekly evaluation.

‘for a moment.’

One of the staff stopped singing and called out to Kim Min-ju. His voice was more solemn than usual, and there was a reason for that.

This is because Jung Ho-hwan was present even though it was a weekly evaluation. Perhaps he was trying to appeal to his own competence, and his timing in criticizing the trainees was quicker than usual.

‘Why are you using your body so much? Don’t do it the way you were taught.’

Kim Min-joo, who had just become a trainee, answered without being intimidated.

‘I learned ballroom dancing when I was young. It was the waltz. The instructor there said that the bigger the swing, the prettier the dance would be. I actually thought so too.’

‘No… … broadcast choreography is different from social dancing.’

‘What is it?’

‘what?’

‘What’s different?’

That twisted answer was more than enough to make the new talent development department staff uncomfortable.

They knew a more effective way than pointing out Kim Min-joo’s mistakes one by one.

‘okay.’

Skip it without saying anything. As if there’s nothing more to see.

Kim Min-joo bowed and left.

‘You could have been selected for the national team.’

‘I guess they still think this is a playground.’

‘My pride has been broken a little.’

‘You have no manners.’

Character is also an important factor in selecting the debut group.

Those who have been in the new talent development department for a long time know that personality is something that cannot be changed.

People can’t be rewritten.

Perhaps, from that day on, Kim Min-ju’s chances of becoming a member of the debut group became 0.

at that time.

‘Wait a minute, Kim Min-ju… … Min-ju.’

Jeong Ho-hwan called Kim Min-ju.

Kim Min-joo, who was heading to the corner where the trainees were huddled together, returned to the center.

A look of confusion spread here and there.

Not only the rookie development department staff, but even the trainees.

‘Did the director call you?’

‘Why…?’

Jeong Ho-hwan never misses a monthly evaluation. However, he is known for not saying much.

Even if I asked for just one thing, he answered with a blank expression.

He just watched.

That Jeong Ho-hwan called Kim Min-ju.

‘yes.’

‘You have great athletic ability. You have strength, flexibility, and sense.’

‘I did the long jump.’

‘I see.’

Jeong Ho-hwan still had a blank expression. He scratched his nose and spoke blandly.

‘You probably would have been good at anything you did. If it was something that involved physical exertion, you would have been world-class in anything you tried. Is there a reason why you decided to become an idol trainee?’

‘Not really. I was about to give up long jump when I got cast, so I just gave it a try.’

That is literally the worst answer.

It’s not enough to shout, “Being an idol was my lifelong dream!” But, “I just tried it”?

It was such a disaster that even the staff of the new talent development department who had looked down on Kim Min-ju felt sorry for her.

She will not be able to make it to the debut group no matter how hard she tries because she will be disliked by Director Jeong Ho-hwan.

Her wings were broken here… … .

‘Okay, thank you.’

That was the end of what Jeong Ho-hwan said. He waved his hand and made Kim Min-ju return to the waiting area.

That day, Kim Min-ju continued to ponder the meaning of the words “thank you” that Jeong Ho-hwan had said.

It probably means, ‘You could have succeeded anywhere, you have the talent, thank you for aiming to be an idol.’

‘… … .’

Jeong Ho-hwan’s one word created a big ripple in Kim Min-ju’s heart.

Yes, Kim Min-ju had talent. However, she was not recognized by her family. If she were a family, she would have said, “I support you” at least once in her daughter’s challenge.

Jeong Ho-hwan’s ‘thank you’ was in line with the unconditional trust that Kim Min-ju had been hoping for.

It was something her father never gave her until he died.

“Phew.”

Kim Min-ju put her head out of the bathtub water and took a sharp breath.

Her lungs, longing for oxygen, cried out in joy. The bliss of breathing spread to every corner of her body.

This happiness was similar to the ‘thank you’ that Jeong Ho-hwan had said in the past. It was the happiness of someone who finally received something that was supposed to be received.

‘My life was decided by just one word.’

The beginning was light, but the process was heavy.

Kim Min-ju came out of the bathtub and stood in front of the mirror.

A body trained to the extreme for beauty was visible.

Kim Min-ju has given up a lot to become an idol and to remain an idol.

She gave up sweets, midday walks, reading in bed before going to bed, chatting with friends, a piece of birthday cake, ordinary human relationships, free time, and many other things to come this far.

It was a difficult time.

I’ve been thinking a lot about taking a break.

Even now, it is like that.

The alarm rang.

It’s time to finish bathing.

After finishing, I had to sleep without doing anything else to adjust my condition.

The thought of ‘I want to play’ came to mind, but Kim Min-ju skillfully kept that thought buried deep in her head.

Kim Min-ju put on a bathrobe and left the shower room. Jin So-yu, who had been waiting in front of the shower room, quickly went into the shower room as if she couldn’t stand it any longer.

Kim Min-ju dried her hair, put a mask pack on her face, and lay quietly on the bed.

‘I’ll wake up at 5 am tomorrow too… … .’

I have to go on with this life.

It’s painful, but it’s something that has to be done.

Kim Min-ju imagines a parallel world. There would be a truckload of medalist Kim Min-jus there. There would be mountains of successful Kim Min-jus everywhere.

I gave up all that future and became an idol.

I can’t rest even if it’s because I’m sorry.

The alarm rang.

Kim Min-ju took off her mask pack and threw it in the trash can. Then she returned to bed and lay down quietly.

‘Today I went up one more step.’

Kim Min-ju’s happiness is the daily routine of repeating the same old story like steel and the days of rising higher.

‘Shin Areum… … .’

Shin A-reum appeared against the darkness shown by her eyelids. She was a sharp cat-like woman who seemed to be glaring at people.

‘You too will have flawless days like me.’

Kim Min-joo, who has been called the greatest genius since the establishment of KS Entertainment. She has excelled in a variety of fields and has shown talent that is hard to find a rival in the company.

She is lonely, standing on the brink of extinction.

Everyone seems to see her as an oddball, so no one understands her.

But the corners of Kim Min-joo’s mouth went up.

‘And, you must have been living flawless days like me.’

Kim Min-ju was comforted by the fact that there were other people in the world like her.

And then I fell asleep.

It was 9:45 at night.

* * *

At 9:45 p.m., Shin A-reum devoured a chocolate cake that must have had at least 500 calories.

“Oh, man, I shouldn’t have eaten that. It’ll just make me feel sick.”

“Araumi is really bad!”

Rika, who was next to me, whined.

Shin A-reum was the type of person who would never give Rika a bite even if she asked for just one.

“Is that all we have between us?! I begged you so hard! I got on my knees and banged my head!”

“Yeah. If I had known this would happen, I would have just given it to you.”

“Those words hurt more!”

Rika pretended to cry and went to hug Joara.

“There’s another one in the fridge. Eat that.”

“Araumi is an angel!”

Rika took the cake out of the fridge and ran to the bedroom carrying it on her head as if it were a new product.

Shin A-reum, left alone in the living room, spent her time rocking back and forth on her chair.

‘I’m not happy at all. I wanted to eat it so much during my active period.’

What can I say, Shin A-reum has been soaking in pleasure these days.

She must have received a settlement and a vacation, she really lived each day true to her desires.

I ate as much as I wanted.

I slept as much as I wanted whenever I wanted.

I was surprised to my heart’s content when I wanted to play.

But my heart was empty. It felt like pouring water into a bottomless pit. Even if I pour water into it, it was so bottomless that it didn’t feel full at all.

Shin A-reum threw away the cake box and went back to her room. Jo A-ra and Rika were chatting away.

“Hey Shin A-reum, look at this.”

Joara showed me the Palm Tree Friends doll that was delivered today. It was almost as big as Joara’s upper body.

She hugged the doll tightly with both arms.

“Whoa… … This is crazy… … .”

“Ara-chan is cute!”

“What are you crazy about? You’re crazy? I know that.”

“No, this is really amazing. Something, something… … .”

Joara was so excited that she even stuttered.

“I never knew that holding something could feel this good… … .”

Shin A-reum’s expression was filled with contempt.

“They say that if you don’t date at your age, you’ll be ruined, and I guess that’s true. I’ve never seen anyone hug a doll and feel vicariously satisfied… Really… .”

“You try it too.”

Joara threw the doll at Shin Areum. Shin Areum slapped the flying doll away with her palm.

A palm tree friends doll with a radish motif was rolling around awkwardly on the floor.

“Danmu (palm tree friends character name)yaaaaaaa!”

“If you like it that way, then hug Ricana.”

“This guy is tough!”

“I don’t think it’s right to call a girl ‘stiff’!”

Rika suddenly stopped moving and repeated what she had said earlier, slightly changing the words.

“I don’t think it’s right to call an adult woman strict!”

“Why are you doing this to such a cute kid… … .”

“Eh, Atashi (me)?”

Joara ignored Rika and picked up the scattered radish in the corner and held it in her arms.

Rika scratched her head awkwardly.

“What the heck, dolls are cute!”

“I’m going to sleep with him from now on, so Rika, go to your bed and sleep.”

“I’m going to burn that aaaaaaaaaa!”

Jo Ara hugged Danmu and even kissed him. Shin A-reum honestly found it hard to see Jo Ara like that.

You usually act all tough, so why are you acting like that to a doll?

No, did the person change?

You haven’t held a man’s hand (except for Sungpil, Han Guin, and dance partners) in 22 years, so have you lost your taste for it?

“This is really a big deal. As soon as the dating ban is lifted, meet a man right away. If you stay like this any longer, you’ll go crazy, right?”

“You worry about yourself. You’re the one who went crazy because you couldn’t meet a man, not me. You’re the one who’s causing all the hysteria.”

“What am I… … .”

“You’ve never even kissed before.”

Shin A-reum was speechless.

Suddenly, I remember what happened at the company outing.

Shin A-reum hit Min Kyung-seop in the face with her fist while teasing him by saying, “You haven’t been in a relationship in 21 years!”

It was a joke, but Shin A-reum had unexpected strength. Certainly, the fact that she had never kissed before despite being 22 years old was a sore spot for Shin A-reum.

No, it was a sore spot for everyone over the age of 20.

“You’re the one who’s ruined because you couldn’t date at my age.”

Joara smiled brightly, sensing victory.

Rika was stuck between the two, munching on the cake she received from Shin A-reum with a fork like it was popcorn.

Shin Areum suddenly laughed and said.

“I don’t really need it.”

“’Ttaakhee Piryuupneunde’.”

“I’ve never even thought about meeting a man.”

“‘Neuamja meunneugeu spoon seunggeuk haveun eopgo’.”

“Right now, I want to focus on work, and… … I just need my family.”

“……family?”

Joara stopped imitating Shin Areum’s voice and asked back.

“Come to think of it, you said you were going on a trip with your mother and uncle in two days.”

“Right. I’m just happy taking care of my family. Why should I give my love and heart to other people anyway?”

“You too will marry someone else later.”

“No, absolutely not, Team Leader. You can never get married. You can live with me and Mom forever.”

“I feel bad for the director… … .”

“How can people’s hearts be blocked just because you try to stop them?”

“Yeah, I’ll stop them. I’ll kick out all the people dating the team leader. They’ll never be able to leave me again.”

“What sin did you commit in your past life to get involved with someone like this?”

“Then, Director Park, you’ll be single for the rest of your life? That’s too much!”

“Isn’t the purpose of marriage to have children anyway? Why get married when you have children?”

Suddenly there was silence in the room.

Then they all started laughing together.

Shin A-reum’s banter with no words inevitably made everyone laugh.

Joara laughed while shedding tears.

“You, you… … What are you going to do to your lover and break up with her while throwing money at her? This is driving me crazy… … .”

“Oh, that’s okay? Should I really try it? Oh, I regret not being able to do that to the team leader’s ex-girlfriend.”

“Atashi (I) saw him in person and he looked so energetic! Aram must have lost!”

The laughter slowly died down.

Suddenly, Joara lost all her strength and fell to the floor. Then, she hugged the danmu doll and rolled around.

“There are only two more weeks of vacation left.”

“Ara-chan, Ara-ya, do you want to go play with Atashi (me) tomorrow?”

“no.”

“In one stroke?! What the heck, Ara-chan! What are you planning to do tomorrow!”

“Go to work and dance a little.”

“Then let’s dance and eat!”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Yatta (I did it)! Where’s Arami?”

“I’ll go too. Joara, do you want to practice duo dancing with me for the first time in a while?”

“Then Rika will be jealous.”

“It’s okay! I can lend it to you sometimes!”

“What am I… … .”

* * *

Seongpil heard that Jo Ara and Shin A-reum were having lunch in the break room.

Since they had just finished eating, Seongpil went to the break room to check on the members who were enjoying their vacation.

As soon as I entered, the strong smell of tteokbokki hit my nose.

As soon as Sungpil appeared, Jo Ara and Shin A-reum, who were busily inhaling the rose tteokbokki, suddenly stopped.

“… … .”

Seongpil glanced at the table.

Judging by the number of boxes, it looks like they ordered them very full, with fried food and sundae as the basics, plus a lot more.

“Oh, eat eat. It’s vacation. Don’t worry about it. I just came to see your face.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Jo Ara and Shin A-reum had no reason to feel guilty, but Seong-pil’s appearance alone made them feel like they were committing a sin.

But since they had already almost finished eating, they couldn’t stop, so they ate everything on the table without leaving a single bit behind.

Seongpil, who had been silently sitting next to Shin A-reum on the same sofa, opened his mouth.

“Have a nice vacation, you guys… … .”

Suddenly, Seongpil’s expression became serious.

“How much do you weigh?”

“Ask me straight? Excuse me, excuse me. Don’t you even know basic social etiquette? Asking someone’s weight is… … .”

“Joara, I’m so scared of this kid, I haven’t tried it once since the vacation started.”

“You didn’t measure it either!”

“I see, that’s right… … .”

Seongpil nodded with a serious face.

“Well, it’s okay, it’s okay. It’s vacation. You should have fun and eat as much as you want.”

Seongpil laughed as if it was no big deal.

“so…….”

And then his expression became serious again.

“Do you want to weigh yourself?”

“Why me?”

“Here’s a scale.”

Manager Ahn Sang-sang, who was quietly enjoying his coffee in another seat in the break room, pointed to the scale under the table.

Manager Kim Soo-hee, sitting next to me, asked with a puzzled look.

“Why is this here?”

“Not long ago, there were male trainees hanging around here looking for something to eat. When I told Junseong about that, he brought it here as motivation. He told me to get on the scale whenever I felt tempted.”

Shin Jun-seong was an employee of the new talent development team.

When I heard the story of Shin A-reum and Jo A-ra that reminded me of their trainee days, I felt depressed as I remembered the hardships of that day.

“That’s right.”

Seongpil nodded toward the scale.

“I won’t do it. Do you want me to reveal my weight in front of other people?”

“I know, right?”

“me too.”

Joara glared at the two managers.

The managers did not dare to go against the pillars of the horizontal enter and turned a blind eye.

“Sir, pressuring someone like this in front of others is a violation of human rights.”

“That’s right, everyone.”

“Hi (yes)!”

Manager Ahn Sang-sang and Kim Soo-hee left the break room in a hurry.

“Okay?”

“Wow, now I know you’re a tall man. But I still won’t do it.”

“I can’t help it… … because it’s vacation… … .”

“Don’t look at my belly.”

“I understand… … .”

“If it snows more there, I’ll get a disciplinary action letter from the doctor.”

“Ah, just try it once. Why are you rejecting me like this?”

Shin A-reum brought the scale and stood in front of it as if it was nothing special. She took off her shoes and got on the scale… … .

“Just sleep.”

Shin A-reum took off her socks. And then she went up… … .

“Just sleep.”

Shin A-reum took off her earrings and even her sweater.

And then it went up… … .

“The real last.”

Shin A-reum took out her wallet and cell phone from her pocket and got on the scale.

Seongpil looked at the scale anxiously.

“… … Phew.”

“I only gained 3kg. If I take off all my clothes, it’s 2kg? Did you see that, Team Leader? I manage myself professionally even during vacations.”

Shin A-reum clenched her fist as if she had done it. Then she gave Sung-pil a high five of joy.

When I saw that, I felt courageous.

‘He snacks more than me. Does that mean I gained less weight?’

good.

“I’ll do it too.”

“Your strangely confident expression is annoying.”

Joara snorted as she took off her shoes. Then she confidently stood up… … .

“Just sleep.”

Joara took off her socks, padding, hood, and even pants.

“What are you doing? Why are you taking off your pants?!”

Seongpil covered his eyes with his palm.

“I’m wearing training leggings inside.”

“He’s wearing underwear in his room.”

“Oh, why are you saying that!”

Midwinter break room.

Joara, dressed in a tank top and leggings, got on the scale. She was a little nervous, but since there was also Shin A-reum’s example, she got on the scale without fear.

The scale jumped sharply to the right.

“… … .”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Silence of three people.

Seongpil avoided eye contact as if embarrassed and spoke in a much more cheerful tone than before.

“It’s vacation!”

“… … .”

“What, what… … I can lose about 7kg quickly. It’s still a long way to go until the album promotion period, so let’s lose it slowly.”

“… … .”

“Ugh, you guys, you can do that Stairway to Heaven thing at the gym for 30 or 40 minutes every day. It’s no big deal.”

“… … .”

“Somehow, our Ara has been overflowing with healthy beauty lately! If our society becomes a little more tolerant of idol bodies, our Ara’s popularity will skyrocket… …!”

Joara hit Sungpil hard on the shoulder. Sungpil curled up like a caterpillar and accepted her attack without saying a word.

Shin A-reum still didn’t look away from the scale as if she couldn’t believe it.

“It’s true that alcohol makes you gain weight. I shouldn’t even touch it anymore.”

“Isn’t that Ara? Does Ara drink alcohol often at the dorm?”

“Once every two or three days? I drink a can of beer before going to bed.”

“Once every two or three days wouldn’t be a big problem… … .”

“Four cans each of the plump ones.”

“Ara, are you crazy?!”

Joara smiled shyly and gave a thumbs up.

“Because it’s vacation!”

“At the producer’s discretion, Girls’ League member Jo Ara’s vacation ends today.”

“Do whatever you want.”

“Really? Go exercise right now.”

“Hey, Shin A-reum, it’s because of you!”

“What are you talking about? You came up here and did it.”

Jo Ara and Shin A Reum were bickering. In the middle of it, Jo Ara stopped and took a wet tissue from the table. Then she wiped Shin A Reum’s mouth.

Shin A-reum was so surprised that she slapped Jo A-ra’s hand away.

“What are you doing?”

“I have tteokbokki sauce on my mouth.”

“Then why don’t you tell me why you’re wiping it!”

“What does he say even if you do him a favor?”

“Team Leader, she’s really acting strange these days. She thinks she’s my mom. She takes care of me like an older sister, but I think she ate something wrong.”

“It’s better if Ara takes care of it, why are you like that?”

“You just saw what he did!”

Shin A-reum snatched the wet tissue from Jo A-ra’s hand and shook it as if it were evidence to be submitted to court.

“I told you, you do this without any hesitation!”

“Even if you treat him well, it’s of no use. I will never do it again.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Oh, you’re getting wet. Hey, you have more on you. Come here so I can wipe it off.”

Joara clung to Shin Areum and played a prank. Shin Areum seemed really annoyed and tried to get away.

The appearance was just like Rika and Joara’s early days.

Seongpil looked at it with pleasure.

The sight of the two being close is much more special to Seongpil than to others.

‘It’s really different from my previous life.’

thank god.

really…….

* * *

Past life.

Success Enter Reception Room.

Joara and Shin Areum looked at each other.

Shin A-reum crossed her arms and glared at Jo A-ra, then snapped her words at her like arrows.

“What kind of girl are you?”

Joara’s eyebrows twitched.

“What?”

“Are you trying to catch the team leader and get your life on track?”

“Why is my brother the team leader… … .”

“Oppa? Oh, really. If you want to be on TV, practice acting more and don’t try to seduce men. It’s obvious that you’re trying to suck up to old men. Is that all you can do to waste your youth?”

The face of the old man Seongpil sitting next to Joara was infinitely gloomy.