Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 414



Only Noblemtl

Episode 414

People who have been dieting for a long time are sensitive to oily foods.

Even if you eat just one stimulating meal, your weight will increase noticeably the next day.

But a person cannot stick to a diet forever. For the Girls’ League, today was that day.

The members ordered chicken to eat at their dorm with Min Kyung-seop’s permission.

“What kind of wealth and honor do I hope to have that I refuse such food and eat only bits of grass and chicken breast?”

Shin A-reum held up a chicken leg and asked a philosophical question. No one answered because everyone was focused on the chicken.

“For the best idol. Except today.”

After Shin A-reum asked herself the question, she ate the chicken so quickly that she almost cried.

Everyone was happy.

Except for Jang Ha-yang, who seemed to be happy but also guilty, eating chicken here and there.

“Hayang, I ordered enough for the number of people, so eat a lot.”

“I’m eating.”

“Here, try dipping it in the sauce.”

Baek Seol-ha pushed the sauce container closer to Jang Ha-yang. Before opening the container’s lid, Jang Ha-yang looked at the calories in the sauce.

That little blob of liquid has 150 calories. One sip would be about 30 calories?

I have to run on the treadmill for about 4 minutes. I have to run for 4 minutes just to have one bite of happiness… … .

“ruler.”

Baek Seol-ha handed Jang Ha-yang a piece of chicken dipped in sauce with a fork.

He even held the chicken with his other hand to prevent the sauce from flowing out, but Jang Ha-yang couldn’t resist it.

Baek Seol-ha took a big bite of the chicken before the sauce dripped onto her hands and made them dirty.

“Is it delicious?”

“Mahihihi… … .”

If I quit being an idol, I’ll eat delivery food every day. No, I still have to take care of myself after quitting being an idol. Oh, but it’s so delicious.

Jang Ha-yang went through a constant internal struggle. Yet, his hands moved faster and faster.

At that time, Jang Ha-yang noticed that Baek Seol-ha’s hands were slower than his.

“Teacher, aren’t you going to eat chicken legs?”

Rika asked with a lot of seasoning on her lips.

Jang Ha-yang immediately intervened.

“Rika, you are saving your sister… … .”

“No, eat Rika.”

“Sister… … .”

“Hehe, I like breast meat better.”

“Eek?! That’s a lie! If you had normal taste buds, you would never do that!”

“I’ve been saying this for a long time.”

That’s what it was.

Since ancient times, Snow White has often said that chicken breast is good for you.

“I just ate the delicious food first. I ate the chicken leg Rika.”

“Yatta (I did it)! I love you, teacher!”

When Rika tried to kiss her with her seasoned lips, Baekseol-ha was startled and pushed her away.

Jang Ha-yang watched Rika, who had obtained Baek Seol-ha’s chicken leg, with complicated feelings.

After finishing their meal, the members took turns washing up. As soon as Jang Ha-yang returned to his room, he spoke to Baek Seol-ha, who was lying on the bed.

“Sister, why do you always give up the delicious things for the kids?”

“Uh, huh?”

“You like it, right?”

Baek Seol-ha continued to make excuses, saying, “No, really, I like the breast meat better!” Then, unable to bear Jang Ha-yang’s cold gaze, she confessed.

“Well, I like watching the kids enjoy their food better.”

Then, Snow White laughed so innocently that it made me think she was an idiot.

Baek Seol-ha’s smile was so white that even Jang Ha-yang, who had been determined to exercise her rights, was speechless.

She would truly be happier seeing the members’ mouths happy than seeing her own mouth happy.

So they both went to bed.

After practicing hard, my consciousness easily faded away. At that moment, I heard a rustling sound from the bed next to me. Was Baek Seol-ha going to the bathroom?

The next day.

“My sister said so.”

Jang Ha-yang explained to Han Gu-in what happened yesterday, as well as the concessions and considerations that Baek Seol-ha had shown to the members up until now.

Han Gu-in, who was reviewing the budget for the Girls’ League Summer Season Greetings goods, put down her pen.

‘I came to the break room to avoid the noisy office because of Seol-ha’s failure in the more unknown defense battle.’

I couldn’t even concentrate on my work in the break room.

But that didn’t bother the Koreans.

There’s no way Jang Ha-yang would be bothered. He’s a colleague who’s been with me through thick and thin for a long time.

“Sister Seol-ha, aren’t you actually an angel? The human world has become so murky, so you seem like an angel sent by God to regulate the density.”

“Mr. Hayang, you also felt the heat.”

Jang Ha-yang smiled meaningfully.

“Is it thanks to Director Park?”

“Certainly, I also got to know the world of Joojeop thanks to Director Park.”

“Director Han, what is genius in English?”

“Seolha.”

“What about the future?”

“Seolha.”

“What about K-pop?”

“Seolha. Isn’t she Seolha, the cute genius, the future of the music industry, and K-pop itself?”

“Ahaha.”

Jang Ha-yang’s laughter lasted only a few seconds before it suddenly stopped.

“There will come a day when you will get hurt. You will be caught by a bad guy, or be recommended an investment by a scammer, or make the wrong friends.”

“You greatly underestimate Seol-ha.”

“It’s a fair evaluation. Right? Usually, when you say a leader… … it’s okay to use authority. I’m worried that the kids might ignore you or something like that.”

“Mr. Hayang, if you approach it from an anthropological perspective.”

Another humanities lecture by a Korean citizen has begun.

“Take chimpanzees, for example. In a chimpanzee group, the leader is, unexpectedly, not the strongest.”

“sure?”

“Strength is one of the main factors, but only those who protect the weak, give equally to all, and have a generous character can become leaders and remain in power for a long time. This is because they lead the group with respect.”

“Is that really what a chimpanzee is like?”

“Isn’t it because they are the closest species to humans that they seem to have a lot in common? Humans are also animals, so their political principles probably aren’t that different.”

Even a mere beast needs consideration and character to rise to the position of leader of the herd.

however.

“Then what does the leader gain by giving everything away? If you become the leader and then give everything away, you will only lose money.”

“Uh… … That… … monopolizes most of the opportunities to leave behind descendants.”

Flash!

“So, from an anthropological perspective, is Seol-ha trying to get more chances to reproduce?”

“… … .”

Jang Ha-yang opened his hands wide.

“joke!”

Jang Ha-yang checked the time on her phone and waved to Han Gu-in.

“Thank you for the lecture today.”

“Is that what you came here for?”

“Hey, I don’t think of Director Han as a knowledge vending machine, so I wouldn’t aim for him.”

The term “knowledge vending machine” is very suspicious.

“Where did you learn all about chimpanzees?”

“There is a book called ‘Chimpanzee Politics.’ It is said to be required reading for American politicians.”

“I guess I’ll gain more knowledge. Then I’ll go.”

Jang Ha-yang left the break room.

Han Gu-in started reviewing the budget again in the silence. Unable to concentrate, he looked at the seat where Jang Ha-yang had just been sitting.

‘Mr. Hayang, you are amazing.’

It must be hard just being an idol, but you have such a strong intellectual desire.

Joara always says to Hangu-in, “I read this and that,” as if asking for praise. She calls herself the reading queen of the Girls’ League.

But Jang Ha-yang seemed to read more books than Jo A-ra. There was a sense of elegance and depth in their conversation. She seemed like a completely different person than when she first came to the company.

I find myself admiring it without realizing it.

‘She’s beautiful, has a good personality, is hard-working, and has a deep curiosity… How can there be such a person?’

I even have a terrible thought that maybe the reason the sky made Jang Ha-yang’s background so gloomy was because of a balance patch.

To that extent, Jang Ha-yang’s humanity was unparalleled.

At that moment, Seongpil came into the break room. He bowed to Hanguin, took a drink out of the fridge, and drank it down in one gulp.

“Director Han, please take a look at this.”

“What is it?”

[Girls League comeback countdown, five girls taking on producing]

[A new type in the idol world, Girls’ League. Aiming for summer.]

“These are press release texts to send to the media. Which one do you prefer?”

“uh…….”

They both look similarly gnarly and unnutritious.

“I think the first one looks okay.”

“I guess it would be better to put producing at the forefront?”

“By the way, what’s the matter?”

Seongpil, who was drinking a beverage, seemed somewhat suffocated.

“No, that’s because Seol-ha looks a little tired.”

“Are you talking about Seol-ha?”

“I feel like I’m under a lot of pressure.”

“Isn’t that so? Since you’re preparing an album with your name on it.”

“Even though I know that they will grow beyond that point, it’s hard to just watch from the sidelines. There’s also a limit to how much I can encourage them with words.”

Seongpil sat across from Han Guin. But he didn’t look at Han Guin.

Seongpil looked to the side and scanned the empty space with a hazy look.

“I wonder if I’ve burdened someone who already has a hard time as a leader from the beginning… … When I see him bravely doing his job, I feel proud, and I also want to lean on him without realizing it, so it’s complicated in many ways.”

“Seol-ha is quite mature.”

“Because she’s so kind, I think she has a hard time pushing other members around.”

I felt an unparalleled affection for Seongpil.

I sympathize with Baek Seol-ha’s sincerity and the tasks she carries.

Was it like that in the past? Baek Seol-ha was closer to him and more affectionate than the other members. Not only because they had the smallest age difference, but… … .

‘hmm?’

I remembered the joke Jang Ha-yang told.

‘From an anthropological perspective… … .’

Han Gu-in observed Seong-pil’s expression.

His eyes, which worry about Baek Seol-ha, seem to drip with sincere honey made of affection.

“Director Han?”

“Oh, yes. But it’s growing pains, right? Seol-ha will overcome it. Just like she always has.”

The Korean shook his head.

‘Have I been infected by Hayang? Director Park is talking about something serious, but I’m just thinking of some silly joke.’

“Of course. Seol-ha will overcome it.”

Seongpil, who sympathized with Han Gu-in’s story, suddenly spoke innocently like a child looking for candy.

“Director Han, do you have any interesting stories?”

“……yes?”

“It’s useless knowledge, but it’s fun to know.”

“… … .”

Han Gu-in seriously considered whether he had really become a knowledge vending machine.

* * *

At night, Snow White opened her eyes.

2 a.m.

This is already the fifth time tonight. This is already the fifth time I’ve woken up without being able to sleep.

Snow White quietly got up, pushing the blanket away so as not to wake Jang Ha-yang. Then she quietly left the room and went to the bathroom.

He held onto the sink and lowered his head.

“Ugh… … .”

I feel unwell.

It doesn’t seem like there’s anything physically wrong.

This heavy feeling in my stomach is clearly connected to my soul, not my body.

It’s not that I’m feeling bad, it’s that my heart is feeling bad.

Still, Snow White held onto the sink and kept making a squeaking sound. It seemed like she couldn’t bear it without pretending to vomit something.

“Ugh… … .”

I looked in the mirror.

I saw myself reflected in the mirror.

He is grimacing in pain.

‘How many more months will I have to spend nights like this?’

There’s still a long way to go until full-blown summer.

Until then, I have to live every day with this feeling. Failure and success are in my own hands, a freedom that is too burdensome to hold in my hands.

No, it’s not just failure and success.

‘The success and failure of the Girls’ League… … .’

Every time I enter a meeting, I want to run away.

Every time I hear that I have to make a decision, I want to faint.

I want to close my eyes and say, ‘Please do whatever you want.’ But I can’t.

‘I don’t know, I don’t know. I don’t know which songs will be hits and which songs will be flops, I don’t know anything about that… … .’

What kind of costumes will fans like? No, beyond what fans like, what will be universally appealing to the general public?

I don’t know.

Which dance team should I commission a choreography from? What should I choose when I receive a choreography draft? Which one will be the most talked about?

I don’t know.

How many songs should I include in the album? It would be better to focus on the development and conclusion of the songs, but should I include extra songs to enrich the volume? Will that be an attractive point for the fans?

I don’t know.

What should I storyboard the music video with? What concept should I use? I don’t know, I have no idea what will move people’s hearts.

‘Director Park, have you been like this every day, every year? Have the president, Director Han, and Director Son made this decision at every executive meeting? What kind of confidence did they have?’

Seongpil said.

It’s hard to describe the thrill of seeing your choice proven right and the market reacting to it.

But I think I’ll get crushed to death before that.

I don’t know.

What people will like… … .

No, that’s not the problem.

‘Will people like what I like, the direction I set?’

Do your tastes match the public’s tastes?

Even if it is produced to suit the public, can it really move the market?

‘Am I sure?’

The A&R team’s final song selection meeting is coming up soon.

Then the A&R team brings the results of the employee vote.

Thinking about that, Snow White snapped out of her daze. Unable to overcome the nausea rising in her throat, she opened her mouth and drooled profusely.

Snow White washed her face.

I went back to my room and lay down on the bed.

I have to sleep.

“Sister.”

At that moment, Jang Ha-yang’s voice was heard right next to her. Baek Seol-ha was startled because she hadn’t heard anyone approaching.

Jang Ha-yang came into Baek Seol-ha’s bed.

“Let’s sleep together.”

“Huh, huh?”

“I can’t sleep.”

Jang Ha-yang, who had said that, put his hand on Baek Seol-ha’s stomach without warning. Then, he stroked it gently as if a mother were stroking it.

What is this? Before Baek Seol-ha could even think, tears flowed from her eyes. Baek Seol-ha buried her head in Jang Ha-yang’s chest.

“Whitey… … .”

“Yes, sister.”

“I’m scared… … .”

* * *

What Sungpil was most concerned about while preparing for ‘Our Producing’ was none other than the comeback schedules of other groups.

I met with people from other agencies every week and secretly got to know them.

“Hey, you’re really not coming back in the summer? Why?”

Sungpil didn’t want to time Girls’ League’s comeback with other groups’ comebacks as much as possible.

It’s okay for other artists to be pushed out of the music charts. It’s okay for them to be pushed out by idols who have built an iron fortress on the charts.

But that won’t work for idols who made a comeback at the same time. We can’t lose to them.

‘I don’t want to see Seol-ha disappointed.’

It wasn’t just that I didn’t want to see her disappointed.

I didn’t want to see Baek Seol-ha and other members of the Girls’ League lose their confidence. I absolutely couldn’t stand to see them fearing, ‘Maybe it’s because of me that they’re failing.’

To do that, you need to know the comeback schedules of other groups inside out.

‘I want to leave at least a three week gap between the two.’

First, Sungpil proudly revealed it to the staff of the agency that had a group smaller than Girls’ League.

“I think our kids will come back in the summer.”

So most reactions were like this.

“Oh, really? You should never send me out in the summer.”

Summer is a particularly strong season for girl groups.

Those in charge of boy groups expressed their discomfort, and those in charge of girl groups sighed deeply at the news that Girls’ League would make a comeback.

There were exceptions.

“Our Hyomin… … .”

It was Kim Myeong-un, the CEO of Eim Enter.

As soon as he started drinking with Sungpil, he started talking about Woo Hyo-min, who debuted as a solo singer, like a father bragging about his daughter.

“I was thinking of going for Summer Queen. Haha, I hope it goes well. She’s also the first artist to be produced by our company.”

“… … .”

Seongpil didn’t bring up the words, “Girls League is making a comeback in the summer” until the end of the drinking party that day.

Because it was obvious that Kim Myeong-un would despair.

They were both quite tipsy, and it was only when it was time to part ways that Seongpil blurted out the words.

“I think we might make a comeback in the summer too… … .”

“Oh, really? We’ll be seeing each other often at the broadcasting station!”

Kim Myeong-un was so drunk that he couldn’t even sense the seriousness of the situation. Seong-pil felt complicated and sent him home in a taxi.

Anyway, Sungpil’s work went smoothly. Surprisingly, many groups were not planning a summer comeback.

‘If this continues, won’t our kids have a monopoly?’

The remaining task was to find out the schedules of the major agencies. That wasn’t difficult, but the biggest obstacle was KS Entertainment.

Seongpil tried to find out KS Entertainment’s schedule by mobilizing all his contacts.

I contacted everyone at the broadcasting station and KS Entertainment and even tried to meet them, but no one opened their mouth.

This is one of two cases.

‘There’s a considerable amount of time until the comeback, so the plans haven’t been set yet. So I really don’t know when the comeback will be. Or… … .’

The company is reluctant to leak information even to industry insiders.

A comeback schedule has been set, but that means it could change.

‘If K-pop group or their senior group said they would make a comeback in the summer and the schedule hadn’t been leaked to the industry yet, would there be any internal opposition?’

‘B.I.S.’ has often released summer concept songs, so there is no way there would be opposition within the group.

‘Then, Caius.’

Can Kairos sing a seasonal song?

At least it wasn’t like that in his previous life. However, Seongpil’s current situation was too distorted to be based on his previous life.

‘I’m not sure yet, but is Caius really aiming for summer? Or fall? Or winter?’

Summer is the worst.

But the chances are slim.

‘KAUS is a complete group that has been created by pouring in all of the know-how of Director Jeong Ho-hwan and KS Entertainment. It is a group that has been put in a lot of effort to the point that all the girl groups before KAUS were test projects.’

But are you going to abandon the art concept of Kaius and go with a seasonal song that follows the times?

‘Based on the personality of Director Jeong Ho-hwan that I know, it’s not something he would do.’

Okay, let’s rule that out.

In that case, there is only one girl group that Sungpil would care about.

‘Globe.’

Summer was going to be a showdown with Success Enter Globe. Of course, Sungpil had no intention of facing Globe head-on.

Agencies with similar levels sometimes adjust their comeback schedules in advance.

Although Horizontal Enter and Success Enter are not in the same weight class… … .

‘If we look at it as a group, Girls’ League is more influential than Globe.’

So there is room to negotiate with Success Entertainment.

The day after the conclusion, Seongpil called the team leaders of all the teams and adjusted the schedule one last time.

“The comeback is finally in June. Let’s aim for a comeback in the first or second week of June. Let’s decide on that and I will negotiate with Success Entertainment.”

All the teams disappeared following Seongpil’s orders.

The remaining Seongpil did several stretches in the conference room. After putting on his jacket, he left the company with heavy steps.

On a day when the cold spring weather still lingered, Sungpil headed to Success Entertainment.

‘The goal is to avoid overlapping the main comeback activities of Globe and Girls’ League. There needs to be at least a three-week gap.’

* * *

Seongpil contacted me using Success Entertainment’s past contact network.

The head of Management Team 1 expressed his discomfort after hearing Seongpil’s request.

It wasn’t that I was offended by the fact that a small and medium-sized agency like Garo Enter would dare to negotiate with a company as big as Success Enter.

‘Is the Girls’ League also making a summer comeback?’

I was worried about him.

Judging solely by album sales, Globe has a weaker fandom than Girls’ League. If they were to confront them head-on, they would likely be crushed.

‘I’m actually grateful that you contacted me first. But… … .’

First of all, it would be better to hear Seongpil’s opinion before he comes. He is the brains behind Success Entertainment and the head of the production department.

Team leader 1 headed to the producer’s office.

A room filled with audio interfaces and sound equipment, perhaps similar in size to the CEO’s office.

Team leader 1 reported the relevant facts to the producer who had turned his back.

The producer took off the headphones he was wearing and turned around.

“Who is coming?”

“Team Park, no, Director Park Seong-pil… … .”

Director Park Seong-pil of Garo Enter is coming.

Yoon Sang-yeol frowned.

“Park Sung-pil is coming?”

“Yes, I think I got the schedule for our Globe’s comeback somewhere… … .”

Yoon Sang-yeol is the head of the producing department and is also deeply involved in management.

Except for minor things, the Globe could not carry out any schedule without his permission.

Yoon Sang-yeol never accepts anything that does not fit with the image of the Globe brand that he has in mind. He had no choice but to get involved in management because he does not want something like that to happen, even by mistake.

That is, this agenda also had to be reported to him first.

“What should I do… … .”

“Call.”

“yes?”

Yoon Sang-yeol frowned.

Team Leader 1 lowered his head in shock. Yoon Sang-yeol hates questions the most.

“Yes, yes, when you come, I will take you this way.”

“Did I tell you to bring it?”

“… … .”

“Did I tell you to bring Park Sung-pil?”

Team Leader 1’s lips trembled, but he soon realized his mistake.

“Hey, come this way and I’ll bring it over.”

Yoon Sang-yeol turned his back.

In the room where Team Leader 1 had left, he put on his headphones again. His face, illuminated by the pale electronic light, was covered in dark circles and fatigue.