Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 415



Only Noblemtl

Episode 415

After Sungpil left for Success Entertainment, a strange atmosphere filled the office.

It’s probably nerve-wracking.

All the staff members were on edge to see what answer Seongpil would come back with.

It would be useless to be nervous now since I had just left, but I couldn’t help it.

“Will Success Entertainment accept it?”

Public Relations Team’s Kang Ji-hye asked Son Hye-bin a question.

Son Hye-bin, who was looking over the candidates for the A&R team song selection meeting, tilted her head when she heard that question.

“Common sense would dictate that they try to avoid it. It’s probably a fight over which side will give in.”

“I give in… … .”

Sungpil and Garo Enter used all of their information networks to find out when other companies and groups would make a comeback.

I couldn’t tell for sure, but heaven help it, there were no signs of any mid-level or higher girl groups making a comeback this summer.

Except for the globe.

“Should we bend over?”

Although idols generate revenue based on their fandom, it is not without its timing.

The timing, or rather the fact that the comeback overlaps with that of a competing group, is a major variable.

For example, if smartphone companies with similar brand power release new products at the same time, one of them will inevitably suffer a loss. Even if brand loyalty is strongly established, damage cannot be avoided.

So, unless you really want to finish it this time, it’s right to adjust the timing of the new product release, because you need to maximize profits.

The same goes for idols. Especially girl groups with strong fan bases should avoid making comebacks at the same time as similar groups.

“Director Park said he would make a comeback in early June, but adjustments are inevitable, right?”

“That makes common sense, too.”

Kang Ji-hye had a question.

From earlier, Son Hye-bin only said, “That’s common sense.” So, does that mean that the negotiations between Sung-pil and Success Entertainment are not common sense?

Kang Ji-hye had a guess.

‘Director Park said that the place he was at before was called Success Enter.’

Although the employees of Garo Enter don’t know the exact details, they are vaguely aware that Seongpil has a bad relationship with Success Enter.

I wanted to ask more details, but since the executives at Garo Enter knew the inside story, I couldn’t easily open my mouth.

“I… …Director Son.”

“Our cute Jihye! Didn’t I tell you not to drag your words when I ask you something?”

Jaeho Lee of the A&R team, who was in the back, flinched even though he hadn’t been scolded.

“yes!”

Kang Ji-hye immediately followed Son Hye-bin’s advice. After giving a firm and short answer, she continued with the questions she had been planning to ask.

“I’ve always wanted to ask this. Director Park, what happened with Success Entertainment…?”

“Are you curious about that?”

“Is it really that difficult to talk about?”

“It’s not really that hard to say.”

The sound of keyboard typing that could be heard here and there across the partition suddenly decreased. Although I couldn’t see it, I could definitely feel that everyone was listening.

“Seongpil… … no, Director Park had a brother he trusted and followed a lot. Except for the short time he spent as my manager, he was someone who had been with me almost since I entered the entertainment industry. But then, a great producer from a big company suddenly got involved. The brother who had been with Director Park through thick and thin gradually began to favor Rolling Stone, and Director Park left the company. That’s about it.”

Although it was concise and difficult to know the inside story, Kang Ji-hye understood Seong-pil’s feelings.

If we try to give meaning to each word that Son Hye-bin said, it becomes a very sad story.

For a very long time, the relationship between brother and sister was shattered by a rolling stone. The older brother did not even stop his younger brother when he said he would leave.

“I can see why Director Park feels betrayed.”

Behind the always thorough Seongpil, there was such pain and sadness. Kang Jihye felt sorry for him, but then suddenly got a little excited and said.

“Director Park himself went to that place?”

“yes.”

“Tongue, is the negotiation going well? Are you just getting emotional… … .”

Sungpil may even try to get revenge on Success Entertainment by timing his comeback with Globe and Girls’ League.

I will humiliate Success Enter, who abandoned me. It is not at all strange for Sungpil to decide to do so.

“Was it okay for Director Park to go?”

“Director Park also distinguishes between public and private affairs. People tend to be emotional, so there are more times when he can’t do something, but when it comes to the Soviet Union, he’s the kind of person who will do something even if he doesn’t want to.”

Considering the passion and love that Sungpil poured into the Girls’ League, it is impossible to think that he would make a mistake.

The problem is that things don’t always go as planned.

Even heroes who have made their mark on history have ruined countless things due to personal feelings or stubbornness, but there is no guarantee that ordinary people will not do the same.

‘I think it would have been best if Director Son had gone… … .’

Son Hye-bin spoke as if she had read Kang Ji-hye’s thoughts.

“I can’t go.”

“yes?”

“I’m not as rational as Seongpil, so I think I’d get angry if I went there.”

Didn’t you just say that Seongpil was emotional?

No, but do you think Son Hye-bin will be angry too?

“Director Son?”

Kang Ji-hye asked again because she didn’t understand.

At that, Son Hye-bin just raised the corners of her lips.

The sense of betrayal that Sungpil felt from Success Entertainment CEO Kim Taehoon is more than what most people can imagine.

Son Hye-bin could fully imagine the pain that Seong-pil must have gone through just from the story she heard from him.

Of course, how can you not know that much even after knowing Seongpil for so long?

That’s why, if Son Hye-bin had met Kim Tae-hoon or Yoon Sang-yeol at Success Entertainment, she wouldn’t even be able to control her facial expressions.

“Kyung-seop can’t do it either. He’s also from Success Entertainment. Director Han says this isn’t his area, and the CEO himself is going there. In the end, the only person who is qualified to do this job is Seong-pil.”

Kang Ji-hye stuck out her tongue.

Half of the executives at Garo Enter are those who harbor antipathy toward Success Enter.

As Son Hye-bin said, it seemed like the only person who would go there to negotiate was Seong-pil.

Kang Ji-hye looked at the schedule board hanging on the wall. The board, which must have been several meters wide, was densely written with the schedule of the Girls’ League and the work leading up to their comeback.

‘Things should work out well… … .’

In Kang Ji-hye’s opinion, the Girls’ League had its wings clipped until now.

They were unable to exert their strength in their debut, which should have been the most resilient, and in Girls’ League’s last comeback, ‘Arabesque’.

It was because of Caius.

If the comeback with Caius had not overlapped, Girls’ Generation would have also created a legend no less than Caius.

‘We must avoid overlapping with the Globe again this time.’

Above all, it was an album produced by Baek Seol-ha. If the results were not good, it was clear that the morale of all the members of the Girls’ League would be dampened.

The future of the Girls’ League rests on Sungpil’s tongue. It would not be an exaggeration to say that.

Kang Ji-hye prayed.

‘I hope Director Park does well.’

You’ve always done well, but this time, I hope you do even better.

* * *

Inside the dark studio, Yoon Sang-yeol was sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat on the floor.

It’s already been over 10 years since I started meditating.

Ten years ago, when he was still at KS Entertainment, Yoon Sang-yeol realized something.

‘I don’t feel any emotion when I listen to music.’

He used to joke around saying to others that he was ‘married to music’.

If that’s the case, then not being inspired by music would be a sign of boredom. I had no intention of giving in to this boredom and having an affair.

Yoon Sang-yeol found a way to overcome boredom.

‘Meditation.’

Yoon Sang-yeol had become desensitized to auditory stimulation because he listened to music every hour he was awake.

Whether it was Beethoven, Wagner, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Usher, Lady Gaga or Avicii, I was left feeling uninspired.

That’s why I intentionally created a comma in the day.

A time to empty himself without any stimulation. This allows Yoon Sang-yeol to face music with a new feeling.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath.

Feel the air entering your lungs through your throat. Focus on that and distracting thoughts will disappear.

A meditation master once said:

‘Once you become proficient at meditation, you will eventually be able to empty your mind without having to focus on your breathing.’

Yoon Sang-yeol reached that stage after three years of meditation. He reached a state where he could enter a state of no thoughts or thoughts just by sitting.

From that moment on, Yoon Sang-yeol overcame his boredom.

I realized how to embrace music in a new and intense way at every moment.

But today, that wasn’t possible.

“Tsk.”

When he couldn’t concentrate, he bent his back, which had been straight. He uncrossed his uncomfortable cross-legged position and sat down comfortably, looking at the black floor.

‘Seongpil will be here soon.’

Why did you insist on asking me to come?

The moment he heard the team leader’s report, he made up his mind.

Yoon Sang-yeol hates wasting time.

Even unconsciously, there is no way he would have made a decision like, ‘I just wanted to see Park Sung-pil’s face.’

‘I see.’

Because Yoon Sang-yeol’s answer might change, he called Seong-pil to his studio.

There was an answer I wanted to hear from Seongpil.

Suddenly, Yoon Sang-yeol bent his waist. He twisted his body and let out meaningless groans as if he was remembering the dark history of his childhood.

‘Park Sung-pil will be here soon.’

He wants to overcome his fear.

Fear from the mysterious truth.

‘How did you make the Girls’ League a success?’

Yoon Sang-yeol often said this to Seong-pil.

Idol planning is a job that requires professional knowledge, insight, and talent.

Without that, they’re no different from the keyboard warriors who point out idols’ hemeconas, songs, and concepts on the internet.

It’s so stupid to think that you can draw just by looking at a painting over someone’s shoulder.

Knowing that Sungpil wanted the producer position, Yoon Sangyeol said that with a hint of contempt.

‘But how did you… … .’

Did you create the Girls’ League?

Could it be a combination of coincidence and luck?

Then there is no need to be afraid.

Why have I been reluctant to see Seongpil until now?

At that time, the gazes of the Globe members looking at her flashed through her mind. Every time the Girls’ League’s initial sales figures were revealed, the Globe members’ gazes became more and more impudent.

‘I manage all the artists under Success Entertainment… … .’

In comparison, the only group produced by Sungpil is Girls’ League.

‘How dare you look at me like that… … .’

How can you be so arrogant and ignorant of your own shortcomings?

So you guys… … .

‘Okay.’

Yoon Sang-yeol got up from his seat and rolled up his mat. After placing the mat in a corner, he sat down on a chair and waited for the door to open.

Soon a knock was heard.

The door opened, and Team Leader 1 and Seongpil appeared.

Yoon Sang-yeol waved his hand and sent Team Leader 1 away.

Two people faced each other in a dark workshop.

Yoon Sang-yeol sitting on a chair.

Seongpil stands by the door and looks down at him.

In the suffocating air.

“Sit down.”

Yoon Sang-yeol pointed to the chair with a friendly smile.

* * *

Seongpil sat in front of him.

I thought it had probably been five years since we sat face to face like this.

Yoon Sang-yeol smiled. The wrinkles around his eyes had become deeper and more numerous than before. Yes, time has passed so quickly.

Seongpil didn’t lose himself in new emotions. He nodded lightly.

“Producer Yoon Sang-yeol, the reason I came to see you today was none other than… … .”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, but you’re really drawing the line. Is this PD Yoon Sang-yeol? Is that right, Director Park?”

Seongpil let out a hollow laugh. And then he realized something.

I thought I had hated Yoon Sang-yeol ever since I left Success Entertainment. But it seems it wasn’t enough.

‘I get it when I hear that sarcastic tone.’

By now, Seongpil’s hatred had cooled down considerably.

But as soon as I heard Yoon Sang-yeol’s sarcasm, I felt a rage that felt like it would pierce my heart.

I even thought that I should meet with Yoon Sang-yeol periodically to nurture my desire for revenge, like sharpening a knife on a whetstone.

“Don’t act childishly. Even if it ended badly, we’ve seen all sorts of things while drinking together. Right?”

“Who was it that did this first?”

Seongpil also took off his mask.

“When Globe and the Girls’ League shared a waiting room, you used to sit next to me and link arms like a little kid?”

“Oh my, you still have that habit of being sarcastic when things go wrong.”

“Let’s stop, I think you’ll get hurt if I say more.”

“I thought it was so natural, but since when have you been speaking informally to me?”

“I don’t know. If you were uncomfortable, you should have accepted it when I was being polite.”

Yoon Sang-yeol didn’t answer. Was he upset? Judging from his calm face, it didn’t seem like that at all.

To him, each of these conversations passed by without any meaning.

Since it has no meaning, there is no need to feel this way or that way.

“her.”

Suddenly, Yoon Sang-yeol laughed briefly.

When Seongpil asked with his eyes as if asking why, he shook his head and said it was nothing.

And yet, Yoon Sang-yeol remained silent.

‘I guess he’s waiting for me to speak first.’

Yoon Sang-yeol already knows what Sung-pil wants. He must have already decided on the answer.

Still, the reason why he wanted Sungpil to speak first was probably because he wanted to make it look like he was asking for a favor. That’s what Sungpil thought.

I don’t know what Yoon Sang-yeol’s true intentions are, but I decided to go along with his style for now.

“I heard Globe is also planning a comeback in the summer.”

“I don’t know what kind of cheap-mouthed person was spreading that.”

“You know it’s not hidden for the sake of hiding.”

Seongpil added a few words in a hurry, fearing that someone might get offended.

“You can easily tell just by looking at which dance team received choreography at which time, which studio was booked for which time, and which instrumental session was booked. If you go a few steps further, you can also find out which company it is connected to.”

“… … Ah, so that’s what it was like.”

Yoon Sang-yeol seemed not to know.

Well, I’m a person who has no experience in the field.

Perhaps he thought that the leaks of artists’ comeback schedules from entertainment agencies were just employees’ mistakes.

Seongpil became angry again.

It’s a noble lineage that has been in charge of producing from the beginning…

“I don’t want the timing of the Globe and the comeback to overlap.”

Seongpil wanted to ask back, “What about hyung?”, but he didn’t feel like calling him “hyung.”

Now, isn’t it time for even Kim Tae-hoon to call him “CEO Kim”? Only Yoon Sang-yeol calls him “hyung”.

But ‘PD Yoon?’ is also strange… … .

“you.”

Yoon Sang-yeol opened his mouth.

“Still, though?”

“……what.”

“You often say things that seem like they’re loose ends. Like, you want to create a girl group that can produce itself. You want to create a group where all the members are full of creative desires and have artistic qualities. Do you still do that these days?”

“Really, you don’t seem to care about the Girls’ League. You don’t even subscribe to the official channel? I subscribe to the Globe channel.”

“‘Our producing’?”

Seongpil looked surprised and surprised.

“Wasn’t that all planned out?”

“What? No!”

Seongpil was so shocked that he denied it, as if the judge of the underworld had asked him about his crime.

Yoon Sang-yeol’s face became increasingly filled with doubt.

“So, the actual group members are in charge of producing?”

“okay.”

“really…….”

Seongpil was even more surprised than before when he saw Yoon Sangyeol’s expression. Yoon Sangyeol was feeling sorry for Seongpil.

“Do you know what’s convenient about managing a girl group? It’s that girls don’t have the same excessive desire for recognition as boys. Even to me, a fellow man, it’s disgusting to see how those bastards act like they have no brains and just act like they don’t care.”

“……what?”

“When other people support them, they think they’re something. Then, they say they’re artists and try producing. Then, when the fans cheer them on, they get more motivated and think they’re great artists. Girls are a little different. They’re usually satisfied with being supported. They don’t have the unfortunate events that men have… … .”

Yoon Sang-yeol crossed his legs comfortably.

“That’s the great thing about girl groups, but you’re throwing it away.”

Seongpil opened his mouth in embarrassment.

It wasn’t because of his sexist comments.

It was because Yoon Sang-yeol’s remarks were contradictory.

“What, no, but, there are also boy groups affiliated with Success Entertainment that self-produce… … .”

“It’s all made up. Do you think anyone in this industry would believe that outright like the fans do?”

Those eyes.

That expression.

this speech.

I have seen and heard of Seongpil before.

It’s from Jeong Ho-hwan.

The artistry of idols is also all embellished, and it is enough to just show enough to appeal to fans.

Jeong Ho-hwan, who had said so, overlapped with Yoon Sang-yeol.

“The moment an idol fails is when the idol forgets their duty. An idol is a thoroughly planned entertainment product. There is no room for excuses. There can be people who have everything from looks, dancing and singing skills to fan service. No.”

Such a human being can be created.

“But creativity isn’t something you can make. You can only make it look like you have creativity.”

“… … Are you giving me advice right now?”

Or do you just want to bring down Seongpil?

Yoon Sang-yeol didn’t answer. So Seong-pil suppressed his anger and responded to the advice that seemed like it was advice, but wasn’t really advice.

“I know.”

“You know?”

“I know, but what I’ve collected are real stars. No, they’re real stars. A miracle that only happens once in a lifetime is right in front of me.”

“So the Globe kids were fake stars?”

Seongpil got angry.

“You were screaming at me not to get involved, and here you are, hanging up your gloves?”

“The globe is a fake star. It is a flower that will never bloom.”

“what?”

“But I make it real. I make it look like a pin. That’s what a planner does.”

Seongpil was dumbfounded.

How can someone scratch so deeply inside?

“That whole debut group was decided by me and my hyung in a meeting! But what? Fake stars? Don’t talk nonsense! All of them, all of them… …!”

It’s a real star.

A piece of the dream that Seongpil left behind.

On top of that, you’re saying that it’s a fake star and a flower that won’t bloom?

‘If only I, if only you weren’t here, if only you hadn’t come here… … !’

Somin.

Sarah.

Noah.

Jiyu.

Diligence.

Yoohyun.

These stars are still by Seongpil’s side… … .

“……ah.”

Seongpil put his slightly raised butt back on the chair because of his excitement.

Suddenly, my head went cold. As I recalled the names of the Globe members one by one, the Girls’ League also came to mind.

‘I came here to negotiate.’

What are you going to do by arguing with Yoon Sang-yeol?

‘And this man must have sat down with me to negotiate. Why is he only picking on me?’

Seongpil was able to infer the reason. It was because of his experience with Yoon Sangyeol in his past life.

‘This kid, he’s already decided on the answer?’

So, he spouted out rude language without caring about Seongpil’s feelings.

‘So no matter what I do, I can’t change the timing of Globe’s comeback? I don’t know if it will overlap with the Girls’ League or not, but if I can’t change it in the end… … .’

Seongpil laughed like Yoon Sangyeol.

“From what I see, it seems like it’s probably a problem with the producer’s qualifications. A fake star? A flower that can’t bloom? Seriously.”

Anyway, if Yoon Sang-yeol had made up his mind, there was no need for Seong-pil to please him.

Since I’m here, I’ll have to scratch his mentality. Just like what Yoon Sang-yeol did.

“That’s what incompetent cooks often say. They say the ingredients are weird. You’re exactly like that. You’re… … Oh, that’s right.”

Seongpil leaned his upper body toward him as if telling him a secret. Then he spoke in a whisper.

“Is this company okay? It’s not going to fail, is it? After I’m gone, the building is all shiny and shiny, but the inside is just a sponge full of holes? Even a genius producer can’t stop a company from failing? How can you come to our company when you’re on the streets later?”

As if a sore spot had been touched, a look of discomfort appeared on Yoon Sang-yeol’s face for the first time.

‘This kid, are you provoking me?’

How can a human not grow for five years?

It was no different from when Kim Tae-hoon would secretly take Yoon Sang-yeol’s side and stick out his lips and show that he was upset.

A sneer appeared at the corner of Yoon Sang-yeol’s mouth.

‘I’m not a kid, so I don’t think I’d get emotional after hearing something like that… … .’

“Hey, no. Our boss wouldn’t like it if we hired people who don’t have any skills. Sorry. Of course, I created the Girls’ League, so why would I hire a chef who only blames the ingredients?”

‘I thought I’d get emotional… … .’

“Didn’t you come out of KS Entertainment on your own initiative, but because you lost your sense of humor and were noticed?”

“This fucking kid!”