Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 410



Only Noblemtl

Episode 410

Estas, a girl group affiliated with Webex Office.

The leader, Yumi, was in a good mood today.

She often took in the liveliness of the street with her pace. People were constantly coming and going between the buildings lined up on both sides, and she seemed to be at the center of it all.

Yumi looked back with a smile.

Cameras and filming crews followed them.

It was because of the filming of ‘Estas Begin Again’ planned by Himura. Today, I was planning to record Yumi’s day.

“You came to Asakusa.”

When the production team asked, Yumi smiled brightly, the smile she had been honing and polishing. And she nodded her head innocently.

“Yes! I like coming to Asakusa to play.”

It wasn’t for nothing that they came up with this strange concept.

Yumi used to come to Asakusa to play quite often.

Yumi was familiar with traditional clothing since she was young, as her grandfather was a kimono craftsman.

Asakusa is often visited by foreign tourists due to its unique traditional atmosphere. There are many places where you can try on kimonos or experience traditional Japanese makeup, so Yumi often goes to those places to change her mood.

It was a fun way to commemorate my deceased grandfather.

“how is it?”

Yumi appeared in a kimono at the store. The production staff naturally laughed at her lively atmosphere.

Since then, she has continued to browse through souvenir shops for strange sculptures and dolls, take pictures with foreigners, and impulsively buy folding fans.

The sunset has already set.

The production team said to Yumi, who was riding the subway home.

“It’s been a long time since you became an Estas. Do you still want to be an idol?”

“yes.”

Yumi answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“And you were slightly wrong.”

“yes?”

“I don’t want to become an idol, I want to continue living as an idol. I’m still an idol.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

The production team that asked the question bowed their heads awkwardly.

Yumi smiled brightly, indicating that it was okay.

“I hope I get the chance. It’s a dream.”

“Why did you want to become an idol?”

“Because of my seniors, ‘Cent.’”

The girl group ‘Sent’ was formed in the year Yumi was born. And they are still active, and have been at the top of girl group brand rankings for many years.

All members debuted in their first and second year of middle school and are still actively working.

“To me, they are really idols. Idols. When I was young, I went to a concert by seniors ‘Scent’. They wore sparkly clothes, and I’m not exaggerating; they really sparkled with LEDs! It was so cool to see them dancing in those clothes… … I thought I really wanted to be like them.”

It is currently in a long-term neglected state.

If it had been a normal agency, I would have felt abandoned and left on my own.

However, the place Yumi belonged to was Webex.

It is one of Japan’s leading large-scale planning companies.

I wouldn’t do something stupid like going out on my own. Besides, didn’t Himura promise me that he would definitely make me come back?

“I will definitely shine like my seniors.”

It’s a story that every idol has.

It’s a very common story about becoming an idol because you admired a certain senior.

But people are moved whenever they hear such stories.

Their youth is still untainted. The story of when their dreams began is always touching to hear.

After breaking up with the production team in the middle, Yumi returned home. After dinner, she sat down in front of the computer and searched for ‘Estas’ on Twitter.

‘It’s all just old tweets… … .’

It was natural since there was no activity.

Yumi was not disappointed for the first time.

‘Not anymore.’

Estas makes a comeback.

Himura has finally shown his intention to keep his promise. Today’s filming is an extension of that.

‘I will definitely become a shining idol.’

Like her idol, Sent, Yumi will forever stand at the top and become an undying flame.

The next day.

Yumi met the members at the company for the first time in a long time. Even though it was a long time, it had only been two days.

“Guys, today is the last day. Let’s try to guess.”

The members’ eyes also sparkled with the same passion as Yumi’s. They were rookies who hadn’t even graduated from high school yet. Looking at the members like that, Yumi felt a sense of responsibility.

“Estas Fighting!”

That’s how the practice began.

Today, they begin filming a full-fledged broadcast. The name of the broadcast is ‘Estas Begin Again’.

It looks like they will be broadcasting the process leading up to their comeback every week.

Today is the beginning.

‘The producer of the Girls’ League, Paku, Paku, Paku, Paku… … Mr. Park, Director Pua is coming.’

The old Yumi hated the Girls’ League because she thought they had taken Estas’ place.

But now I don’t have those feelings anymore.

Himura will keep his promise to bring back Estus.

‘It wasn’t the manager who abandoned us.’

There were times when I thought it was a lie.

‘We are not abandoned.’

But now Yumi will trust Himura completely.

‘I will not be abandoned… … .’

Yumi is an adult.

I’ll be 20 years old soon.

These days, Japanese idols consider retirement once they turn 20. No matter what anyone says, the best specification in the Japanese idol world is youth.

Of course, there are exceptions who remain active throughout their 20s, but they are exceptions.

No matter how big a fandom you build, it’s natural for it to fade with age.

Yumi was approaching that age.

‘You will succeed.’

Like the Girls’ League, Yumi and Estas will succeed.

dinner.

Yumi led the members into the practice room. There were several cameras, filming staff, and Sungpil and Rika in the practice room.

As soon as Rika saw Yumi and Estas, she waved her hands fiercely. Yumi just nodded her head while smiling awkwardly.

‘Senior… … No, we debuted first. They are much, much more famous than us, but… … .’

When the Girls’ League was active in Japan, Yumi would occasionally run into them.

At times like that, Yumi would turn around as if she had seen a ghost and run away pretending not to see anything.

Because I was embarrassed.

Whenever I see the Girls’ League, my heart sinks as if I did something wrong, even though I didn’t do anything wrong.

They perform in front of the Girls’ League.

‘No, it’s them you should be concerned about.’

Paku, Paku, Pua, Paku, Pu, Ba, Director Park.

‘Director Park.’

A producer who created the legend of Girls’ League from a small agency that had nothing.

The trilogy of albums he planned for Girls’ League became huge hits, making Girls’ League a true star in the K-pop scene.

Girls’ Generation is leading K-pop, following in the footsteps of their third-generation seniors.

‘He created that legend.’

Such a person evaluates himself.

Himura said.

Estas’ goal is said to be integrity like a K-pop group.

Due to the company’s circumstances, he debuted before he had developed his skills, and his performance was poor, so he was almost forgotten.

‘It’s not over yet.’

Estas has a chance.

Our collaboration with Garo Enter is proof of that.

“This is Estas.”

Yumi and the members bowed their heads towards Seongpil and Rika.

Seongpil nodded solemnly.

“I will see.”

Sparks flew from Yumi’s eyes.

“yes!”

At this moment, the legend of Estas begins.

* * *

“Are you sure you want to become an idol?”

Yumi couldn’t hold it back and shed tears. She saw dots pounding on the floor. The dots continued to grow.

Soon, Yumi realized that she was sobbing.

“Of course I understand. The energy, the strength, the youth that you want to convey. I believe that what idols should convey to their fans is that kind of positive power. I understand that you are worried about that. But… … .”

The words stopped.

Yumi didn’t have the courage to raise her head to see what was going on.

Perhaps he even took a breath.

It’s miserable enough as it is.

I had no intention of feeling any more miserable after seeing Seongpil’s disappointed expression.

“I don’t think there’s even the minimum requirements for an idol. Dancing and singing. An idol is just an idol in name, but it’s the same as a dance singer. At least for me, I didn’t feel any professionalism in your performances. It’s at the level of an after-school club.”

The awl stabbed Yumi’s heart again and again.

I felt like there was nowhere left to fall.

“How much do you practice?”

There was more room to fall.

Yumi had a feeling that no matter what answer she gave, she would not be able to satisfy Seongpil.

She also watched ‘Girls League Begins’. She knows that Girls League debuted after going through rigorous training.

How could a human who was accustomed to such efforts be satisfied with Estas’ training, which had become lax due to a long hiatus?

“Okay. Let’s stop. Rika.”

Seongpil passed the baton to Rika.

Yumi couldn’t help but react to that. She was curious about what kind of evaluation a fellow idol would give.

At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through Yumi’s head.

‘Hey, is this some kind of cold-hot-cold operation?’

However, Seongpil’s evaluation was too harsh.

There’s no way Estas couldn’t have done that badly.

‘Yeah, yeah. That’ll do.’

It’s a good cop bad cop operation.

In that case, Rika would evaluate Estas positively… … .

“Uhh… … Honestly, let me call it an evaluation… … There’s nothing worth evaluating… … .”

Yumi was shocked.

It was because of Rika’s expression.

Rika seemed truly, truly dumbfounded. There was no exaggeration in her words.

“There is nothing to evaluate… … That’s right.”

Rika put down the mic.

At the same time, Yumi’s heart also fell to the floor.

“I believe you will show us a better side of yourself in the future.”

That was the end of it.

* * *

Himura barely managed to calm his excitement and sat down across from Seongpil.

“really…….”

The image of Estas still shedding tears lingered in Himura’s mind. When he saw it, it felt like his stomach was turning in the opposite direction.

Even Himura was moved to tears.

He took a deep breath and regained his composure.

“You did a really good job, beyond my imagination.”

The purpose of ‘Estas Begin Again’ is to immerse fans into Estas.

The public is bound to go wild over an underdog’s rebellion. To pull that off, Estas had to fall into the abyss from the start.

“In the final episode, Estas will be evaluated in front of you again. It will be at a concert hall, not a practice room.”

Just like a large-scale survival program, Estas was scheduled to be evaluated by Sungpil and Rika again in front of a concert hall filled with hundreds of spectators.

It would be a splendid finale to ‘Estas Begin Again’ and a signal to announce Estas’ comeback.

“It’s a burning sensation when someone you initially ignored later acknowledges you!”

Rika responded positively to the plan that Himura had laid out.

Himura found it hard to believe that this girl was the same person who had so coldly said earlier that she was ‘not worth evaluating’.

“Me, but.”

Seongpil asked cautiously.

“I don’t know if it would have been okay for someone like me to be a judge.”

“… … ?”

Himura asked, embarrassed.

“Someone like Director Park… … What does that mean?”

“There are famous producers in Japan too. People with a strong presence in the music industry.”

“If you are a producer for the Girls’ League, you are more than qualified.”

“Uh, is that so?”

“Director Park, have confidence! Director Park is the producer of the Girls’ League! Now, look at my idolism and engrave it in your head again!”

Rika put her face in front of Seongpil and turned her head this way and that. It seemed like she was asking him to look at her face from different angles.

Seongpil moved her face to the side and focused on his conversation with Himura again.

“I appreciate it if you say so. And also, are you all okay, Estas?”

Seongpil didn’t see it until after the judging and before filming.

Himura smiled weakly.

“I cried a lot.”

That was the scene they had originally intended to film. They took turns being interviewed, but not all of them were burning with the passion for challenge and revenge.

“It’s the first time they’ve been evaluated so directly, so I think some kids might feel discouraged.”

There were members who had been satisfied with the title of idol until now. But when they suddenly received a barrage of criticism from Sungpil, it was natural for them to shout that they no longer wanted to be idols.

“Then it’s a big problem!”

“Are you serious?”

“It could be true… … .”

“I had a deep conversation with each of them separately.”

“… …Is that so?”

Seongpil thought that Himura would have figured it out on his own.

Now that I think about it, I wouldn’t have given up on my dream of becoming an idol that I’d held onto for years just because of the criticism of someone I barely knew.

The member who shouted that he didn’t want to be an idol was probably just throwing a tantrum.

It wasn’t hard to understand since they were all minors except for Yumi.

“I ask for your continued support in the future.”

Sungpil left Webex after receiving a greeting from Himura. As he said, if Estas’ comeback is in sight, the collaboration with Garo Enter will gain momentum.

‘Maybe it’ll coincide with the Girls’ League’s comeback in Japan.’

The reason Garo Enter grew in size was also to collaborate with Webex.

Webex is in charge of Girls’ League’s Japanese management, and in return for paying 100 million yen, they have been requesting collaborations with Girls’ League’s music producers.

‘Ji-eum will be busier.’

At that moment, Rika grabbed Seongpil’s sleeve.

“Rika, don’t call me that. We’re about the same height, so why do you have to pull on my sleeve?”

“Then how about this!”

Rika’s slender fingers made Seongpil turn his head towards her.

Seongpil was startled and slapped her hand away.

“Just call my name!”

“Seongpil?”

Seongpil was more surprised than when she touched his chin.

“what?”

“You told me to call your name! I called your name!”

“Ishikawa.”

“Eek?!”

“A child who doesn’t have manners doesn’t deserve to be my friend.”

“Sonna (that kind of)!”

“Ishikawa, let’s go.”

“Stop it!”

“Ishikawa, come quickly.”

“Stop it!”

“Ishikawa, I’m busy, so hurry up. I have to go to Korea.”

“Stop it!”

Seongpil, who had been laughing and walking ahead while teasing Rika, was startled by her angry cry.

Looking back, Rika was glaring at Seongpil, grumbling in anger.

She approached Seongpil with brisk strides.

“Don’t call me Ishikawa!”

“Uh, uh uh… … .”

Seongpil couldn’t understand why she was so angry. But seeing Rika angry made him think that he must have done something wrong, so he couldn’t help but lower his head.

“sorry.”

“……joy!”

Rika turned her head away and made a face.

“Hey, Rika, what’s wrong? I said I’m sorry.”

Seongpil rubbed his hands and bowed to her.

“joy!”

Then Rika turned her head to the other side again.

“Sorry, ah! Should we get some ice cream? Let’s order a pint and eat until we’re full!”

“No!”

You turn down ice cream?

Is it such a big mistake to call him Ishikawa?

“I’m making a comeback soon! I need to manage my weight!”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“Don’t you know that as a producer! You can’t just give me whatever I want to cheer me up!”

For some reason, Seongpil was getting scolded by Rika again.

weird.

Usually, everyone likes it when you offer to buy them ice cream. But there are people in the world who refuse ice cream.

“Don’t listen to Ara-chan when she asks you to buy her dessert or food!”

“huh…….”

“Even if Sister Hayang says that her Blu-ray player is broken and wants to go to Director Park’s house, you should refuse!”

“Yeah… … yeah… … ?”

“You shouldn’t carry A-reum just anywhere she asks you to carry her! I’m not saying you shouldn’t carry her, but you especially shouldn’t hug her from the front!”

“Hmm… … ?”

“If the teacher says he can’t remember the lyrics well and drags me to the living room, I can’t go!”

“That has to go.”

“finally!”

Rika, who had been frowning like a kindergartener, suddenly relaxed her expression and smiled bashfully.

“You shouldn’t call me Ishikawa! Director Park has been calling me Rika since the first time we met!”

“Now that I think about it, was that rude?”

“Maa (what), in Korea everyone calls me Rika! It would be rude in Japan!”

“Wouldn’t it be better to call me Ishikawa instead, since it seems more polite?”

“no!”

Rika declared.

“Atashi (I) am Rika! Please call me Rika from now on!”

“Okay. So why were you angry?”

“You apologized without even knowing that! It’s light! There’s no delicacy!”

“So tell me.”

“It’s homework!”

Seongpil thought about it, but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with a reason.

‘I should ask Director Han.’

“Okay, let’s go get some ice cream!”

“You said you weren’t going to eat it.”

“I was just trying to show off! If you just forget about Director Park, this will all be forgotten! Oh, but I think pints are too much, so please buy me a single cone!”

“Should I buy it?”

“It’s a bee!”

okay.

I still don’t know what I did so wrong, but since Rika got mad, it must be my fault.

“I’ll buy you anything if you let go of Rika’s anger.”

“I’ll give you a special treat! Let’s go!”

The two headed to the ice cream shop together.

“Director Park! I recently watched a senior idol’s V live, and he was talking to the CEO of the company! There’s an age difference of over 10 years! He seemed like a friend!”

“Oh, I know that CEO too. But what I understand is that idol built the company from the roots to the pillars. They became friends who transcended time while going through thick and thin together.”

“Hey Seongpil! Let’s go get some ice cream!”

“But we’re not there yet.”

“Sonna!”

Huh? Something feels empty… … .

ah!

“Sonna (that kind of)!”

“Why did you tell me twice?”

“Then when can I openly call you Seongpil!”

“If you build a new building for Garo Enter.”

“Leave it to me! I’ll make sure we all move into a shiny new building within three years!”

“… … Rika.”

“Hi (yes)?”

“Can you speak informally again like you did earlier?”

“Oh, so that’s your taste? There’s nothing I can’t do for you! Hey, Seongpil! Let’s go get some ice cream!”

Seongpil laughed heartily.

Rika was so excited that she kept using informal language.

“Hey Seongpil! Give me food! Give me a house! Take me to work! I like soybean paste stew in the morning!”

Seongpil burst out laughing so loudly that the street echoed. Rika also smiled happily.

Unfortunately, Seongpil was thinking of someone else.

‘It reminds me of Noah.’

Globe member Noah.

Her speech was similar to Rika’s now.

‘Hey Team Leader Park! Where’s the water!’

Of course, she was much more awkward than Rica.

‘someday…….’

We will meet again as members of the same company.

No, it will definitely be like that.

‘I’ll make it happen.’

* * *

“Director Park, I’m stuck on writing lyrics. Could you help me out for a moment?”

“of course.”

Seongpil readily accepted Baekseolha’s request. As he was about to go to the reception room with her, he felt eyes on him nearby.

There was Rika, holding a bottle of water and heading to the practice room. She was looking at Sungpil.

“Rica?”

“They say words become seeds, and it’s true.”

Rika headed to the practice room with an exaggerated sigh. I wondered why, but it seemed to be because of what she had said when she had been to Japan before.

He used the members as examples of things he shouldn’t do, telling people not to call him Ishikawa.

Among them was ‘Don’t follow Baek Seol-ha when she asks to go to the living room to help her write lyrics.’

Seongpil saw Baek Seol-ha.

When Snow White met his gaze, she blinked her large eyes several times. Then, when their gazes continued, she smiled shyly and avoided his gaze.

“Why, why are you doing that… … ?”

“No. Let’s go. Where is the blockage?”

“That’s right, the concept I decided on for the album is love… … .”

“brother!”

At that moment, Min Kyung-seop came running towards Seong-pil. He was out of breath as if he had just run at full speed.

He held out his cell phone.

“Hey, did you see this article?”

“What’s going on? Naver or Yajasoo taking over KS Entertainment… … .”

Shock was reflected in Seongpil’s eyes.

[Success Entertainment’s Red Light? Contract renewal refusal for successive artists and actors. Is the reason poor management?]