Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 540



Only Noblemtl

Episode 540

“There’s something that Director Park always talks about! The joy of self-expression! But doesn’t that apply to you, Director Park? Does Director Park not have anything he wants to express through me?”

Seongpil is a producer.

There is a rule that he has consistently maintained since he first took charge of the Girls’ League: actively accepting the opinions of the members.

This is how the revolutionary concept of ‘No’ was born.

The expression of love shown through ‘Long Four’, the choreography of ‘Arabesque’, and the pinnacle of that method, ‘Our Producing Season 1’, and ‘Apple Crush’.

“Director Park has never led us from beginning to end! I’m glad that he respects us and our team members, but isn’t it okay to do it once in a while?”

Rika, who had said that, quickly revised her remarks.

“If there’s something you want to do, Director Park!”

What Seongpil wants to do.

What I want to express through the Girls’ League.

That’s been going very well so far.

There is a proposal that Seongpil submitted as soon as he entered Garo Enter, and it has now become a treasure of Garo Enter.

There, Seongpil made a declaration to everyone.

What idols of Garo Enter should show is their own dreams, love, desires, values, and artistry.

That’s what Sungpil wants to express, the power of the best idol seen from the future, and the ultimate winning strategy that will lead the Girls’ League to victory.

“Atashi (I) think it’s okay!”

The joy of self-expression that Sungpil had talked about to the members without fail. He never thought it would come back to him in this way.

‘What I want to do, you want to do?’

Seongpil washed his face with a sigh. When he roughly rubbed his face, Rika became very nervous.

Rika was anxious that she might have said something wrong or disappointed Seongpil.

Seongpil barely opened his mouth.

“Rika, as a producer, I don’t have complete control and lead everything from start to finish… … .”

At this moment, he was faced with a problem he had never faced before.

The autonomy and spontaneity of the members were one of the success formulas from the future. But why was Sungpil so obsessed with it?

It’s not that Sungpil has never been persistent in pushing forward with a certain issue. However, his basic attitude was to ‘listen to everyone’s story.’

It is very difficult to be a leader who respects his subordinates. Listening to and respecting the stories of his subordinates is only for a day or two, but if it continues, it becomes extremely stressful.

This means the so-called ideal image of a leader.

Wouldn’t many leaders in the world want to be like King Sejong? Wouldn’t they want to be leaders who respect their subordinates? It’s hard and frustrating, so they can’t do it.

The reason Seongpil is popular with many people is because he has walked that difficult path without ceasing.

Why go through all that trouble, cutting yourself down?

“So, the reason I didn’t lead the production with my own vision… … .”

Rika looked at Seongpil differently.

Seongpil must have something he wants to do, but he may be unable to do it because he is pushed by those around him.

So, someday, I would like to participate in producing that is carried out according to Seongpil’s vision.

I want to awaken Seongpil’s suppressed desire.

Rika has seen Sungpil’s leadership in that way.

“What isn’t…?”

Rika asked cautiously.

The answer that came out of Seongpil’s mouth was unexpected.

“I did that because I was afraid I would be imitated.”

“Imitation?”

Seongpil nodded.

He has memories of his past life. Naturally, he knows all the innovative groups that will appear in the future.

Even now, when I mention the title, the lyrics that will instinctively come out of my mouth fill my head. The faces of the group members who have not yet appeared are vaguely visible.

The future idols that Sungpil couldn’t stop admiring.

If Sungpil could fit all the pieces of production together from start to finish… … .

‘In the end, it will remain just an imitation.’

Or stay in an inferiority complex.

Sungpil’s opponents are not limited to the present. There are opponents in the future as well. They are groups that only exist in Sungpil’s head and that he must overcome.

Since the subject of comparison is the future, even if you make it based on the present, it won’t catch Seongpil’s eye.

However, if we try to bring in innovations that will appear in the future, it will end up being nothing more than an imitation of the future.

‘I get it now.’

The reason Seongpil listened to the stories of those around him so much was to escape the inferiority complex he felt for creating imitations.

Original ideas created with the sensibilities of modern people living in the present day cannot become imitations of the future, as Sungpil did.

‘Any work that I completely direct will never escape the influence of the future.’

Because it is a collaboration with other people, Seongpil stops at adding only one or two elements.

But if he wields full power, he will ultimately end up following some group that will exist in the future. Inevitably, it will.

It is the agony of a prophet.

The plagiarism controversy that shook the Korean music industry in the 90s.

It was once widely revealed that the hit songs of singers who were popular in the 90s were actually copycat songs from the culturally more advanced countries of the United States and Japan.

‘Those people were practically seeing the future.’

I came to Korea after seeing American and Japanese culture.

Such singers could no longer pursue originality. The originality that they had honed throughout their lives would never be able to surpass advanced artists from the United States and Japan.

There already exists an art that is far beyond oneself, so there is no reason to leave it alone and innovate oneself.

The result was a Korean cultural scene in the 1990s that was stained with plagiarism.

So to speak, Sungpil was enduring that agony alone. And he was worried and distressed in order not to become like the plagiarized singers of the 90s.

‘So the best I can do and the best I can do is to continue like this.’

As a support producer, I wholeheartedly help artists grow and develop.

We are committed to the development of cultural technology together with the talents of Garo Enter.

The 90s weren’t the only times when there were plagiarized singers.

There were many musicians who took reference from other countries’ cultures, localized them in a Korean way, and tried to take it to a higher level.

That’s what Seongpil wanted.

It means living in this era without being obsessed with the influence of the future.

‘Ah, now I get it.’

Seongpil felt relieved.

My heart, which had been upset, calmed down a little after seeing Globe’s comeback.

The gap between the present and the future that only Sungpil felt, and the pain that came with it, seemed to be washed away.

In the end, there is only one thing Seongpil can do.

‘Doing your best in the given circumstances.’

And the key is not the knowledge of the future that Seongpil possesses. It is the connection with all of Garo Enter and the power of the Girls’ League members.

‘If the future had been brought forward… … .’

The time limit for the Girls’ League to reach the top is running out, if the true 4th generation arrives sooner.

That’s good too.

Even in that situation, Sungpil will definitely create the best idol.

“If it’s an imitation, who is it?”

After a long silence, Rika asked while Seongpil was feeling relieved.

“huh?”

“I’m afraid you’ll copy me… … Rana? Who?”

Who?

Well, those are the groups that will appear in the future… … .

‘I can’t say that… … ?’

Seongpil shut his mouth. Then Rika started to press Seongpil as if she had caught him.

“Are you talking about Caius!”

Oh, this is it.

“Are you saying that since Kaiser is the ideal image that Director Park desires, if Director Park produces, it will turn out like Kaiser!”

familiar.

“So you’re saying that you don’t do the producing on your own?!”

An all too familiar pattern… … .

“You think I’m the best idol, but that’s just what you said to make me happy! I’ve known you since you became number one! If KS Entertainment offers me a job, you’ll go right away, right?”

“ah…….”

Really, I wish only future knowledge related to producing would disappear.

How many times have we suffered this kind of confusion because we confused the future with the present… … .

* * *

“Huh? Seongpil, you’re going to the resort? Didn’t you say you couldn’t go because you had to work?”

“That’s what happened.”

Son Hye-bin circled Seong-pil’s name on the list of participants, saying, “Hmm, okay, I get it.”

“But why is Rika massaging your back?”

“It’s not a massage, it’s a hit.”

“What did I do wrong again?”

“It’s not my fault, I said I’d do this until I went to the company outing. I can’t keep getting hit.”

“I’m jealous. I have a friend who hits me and asks me to go out and play.”

“We’re not just friends!”

Rika stopped massaging Seongpil’s back.

“I’m a Silvertown mate!”

“Anyway, Sungpil does whatever Rika asks him to do. Sungpil, please have some integrity. How long are you going to be dragged around like that?”

Seongpil looked at Rika with a subtle expression. As soon as Rika caught his gaze, she smiled brightly.

“How can I refuse when a kid like this asks me to do something?”

“Have you heard, Director Han? I don’t think Director Han is the ‘this kind of person’ that Seongpil thinks he is.”

“I know. I guess I’m a worse friend to Director Park than Ms. Rika… … .”

“Hey, Director Han, why are you saying that?”

“That’s right! Isn’t it natural that Director Park and I are closer?”

“… … .”

That day, Rika had to work very hard to cheer up Hanguin. She kept following Hanguin around, chattering, “There are no levels of friends! I was just joking!”

Anyway, Seongpil ended up participating in the outing.

* * *

“Sorry for suddenly changing the date.”

Seongpil took a seat at the table and apologized to his friends.

The three friends who had made the appointment seemed to have had a few drinks. About a fifth of the side dishes and raw meat were gone.

“I know.”

Woohyuk, a friend, said as he placed a spoon in front of Seongpil.

“Why are you asking to meet on Friday? You always say, ‘I have to work on weekdays,’ but you always ask to meet on the weekend.”

“I have to go to a company outing this weekend.”

“That’s too bad.”

Seongpil looked at the people who had gathered together for the first time in a long while while eating a piece of raw meat.

It’s all a connection from high school.

Woohyuk, Sangyeon, Heekyung.

The reason they became close was because they were in the same class every year, but also because of club activities.

When Seongpil was a student, the activities in the humanities clubs were nothing more than a way to fill the void. Whether he was a teacher or a student, he just spent his time doing club activities.

That’s what fate is all about.

“Since Seongpil is here, let’s have a proper toast.”

Sangyeon raised his glass, and soon everyone clinked their glasses and toasted.

“Cheers to the ‘Historical Figure Research Club’!”

The club they belonged to was called the ‘Historical Figure Research Club’, a name that was boring just to hear.

They believed that they would be students forever, but before they knew it, they were part of society and sharing a drink.

“I am.”

Hee-kyung’s face was already flushed, perhaps because of the five glasses of soju she had consumed before Seong-pil arrived.

“I still can’t believe she works at a planning company. Look at her body. She’s so sexy.”

“Huh? Plotting?”

“Shit. No, I really don’t believe you. Do you guys remember what he was like in high school?”

As Hee-kyung started to sing, the other friends joined in.

“This guy was really brutal.”

“What’s so brutal… … .”

“I told you it was really brutal. Ah, it’s a memory.”

Hee-kyung’s eyes were filled with a faint light as if looking into the distant past.

* * *

High school classroom.

The bell rang to signal break time. After one more period, it would be time for club activities.

That means, if they can just hold out for one more period, they can fill up the remaining time. The students spent their break in an excited mood.

Among them, there was a unique combination of students.

It was Hee-kyung, Woo-hyuk, and Sang-yeon. They were gathered around Hee-kyung’s desk, anxiously waiting for something.

At that moment, Hee-kyung suddenly turned around.

At the very back of the classroom, a boy was asleep with his head on his desk. At first glance, he had a bad vibe.

“I really can’t stand it.”

Hee-kyung jumped up from her seat and tried to approach him. But Woo-hyuk and Sang-yeon were startled and stopped her.

“Hey, don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what you told me not to do.”

“No, it’s him… … .”

“Why him? Would he even beat up a woman?”

“No… … .”

Leaving Woohyuk and Sangyeon’s anxiety behind, Hee-kyung walked towards him with brisk strides.

Contrary to her courageous words, Hee-kyung’s face was covered with fear. There was nothing she could do. She was angry and rushing towards him, but he was a person that no one in this school wanted to associate with.

“hey.”

Hee-kyung approached his desk.

She called him, but he just kept banging his head on the desk.

“hey!”

When I called out to him a little louder, he flinched his shoulders. Then he let out a moan that was full of ‘Euuum’ energy.

Hee-kyung wasn’t the only one who woke up.

The surrounding people’s eyes also turned. All the students were looking at Hee-kyung. Their eyes were filled with surprise.

“Hey, Park Sung-pil!”

Seongpil, who had his head buried in the desk, squirmed violently. Then he raised his head.

A face full of annoyance.

A sinister, frowning expression.

A problem child that even teachers have turned a blind eye to.

“what.”

“You, you, you’re part of our club activities team! Jo, research project, huh? We have to decide on a topic!”

Hee-kyung pressed Sung-pil with a trembling voice.

She has excellent grades, is trusted by her teachers, and is even the class president. And she can’t stand anything being half-hearted.

Even if the other person is Seongpil, there is something that needs to be done… … .

“what?”

Seongpil got up, roughly dragging his chair.

“what?”

When Seongpil got up, Hee-kyung flinched because she felt a sense of pressure from him.

Behind his back, when he can’t hear, the students call him this.

A child without a parent.

Although it was a nickname that signified his personality, in reality he was also an orphan.

“What did you say?”

Park Sung-pil, 17 years old, a stormy period.

* * *

“Hey, don’t bring up your high school days because it’s embarrassing!”

Seongpil only drank one glass of alcohol. However, his face turned red and he was desperate to cover the mouths of others.

It’s so embarrassing when I think back to when I was young.

“Why are you suddenly reminiscing about the past? Are you trying to awaken or something?”

“awakening?”

“If you think back before a fight in a comic, it’s so intense.”

“I don’t know, I don’t read comics.”

Seongpil felt embarrassed again.

Unable to resist Rika’s nagging, he started reading subculture novels and comics, and in his conversations with Rika, he uses subculture knowledge as if it were a given.

That was also passed on to my friends.

Seongpil drank alcohol alone for no reason.

“But why are you late today?”

“I stopped by the department store.”

“Why are you going to a department store? Buying a gift for your girlfriend?”

“First of all, I don’t have a girlfriend, and I need to buy a swimsuit. I have a company outing.”

“Wow, what kind of company goes to the beach for a company outing?”

“Let’s go to a private resort. It’s a building that’s really separate from the beach.”

Seongpil smiled brightly and made a V sign.

Woohyuk was amazed.

“Where is the company? I’d like to come in too.”

“Enter horizontally. You’re too old to do this. And this is an executive award.”

“The executives in their 30s are truly the pride of our club.”

Hee-kyung suggested another toast.

Seongpil lifted her up.

“Are you the only one doing it? You went into the palm tree.”

“It really is the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m glad I closed my eyes and moved when the headhunter contacted me. The work is a bit boring though.”

“We also have someone from Palm Tree in our company.”

“Really? Who are you?”

“Do you know Mr. Yang Sang-heon?”

“I don’t know.”

Well, do you know how many employees there are?

Hee-kyung raised the corners of her lips proudly.

“I’m an employee of the Global IP Business Division, so I guess you don’t know someone who left the company a long time ago?”

“Isn’t Palm Tree a domestic one-tool company? Does it need a separate overseas business division?”

Hee-kyung strangled Woo-hyuk. She was only able to escape his clutches after Woo-hyuk declared, “Yamsu is the world’s best IT company!”

Seongpil looked at the scene with interest, then noticed Sangyeon absentmindedly playing with her cell phone.

Sangyeon was so busy that he was feverishly playing a mobile game.

Hee-kyung criticized Sang-yeon in an annoyed tone.

“It’s disgusting. I came out to see people’s faces and now I’m locked in a glass prison.”

“I was on auto-hunt and some kid got hit. You know what? It’s been a mess lately.”

“Terrible?”

Seongpil pricked up his ears.

As someone who always has to keep up with trends, the word ‘chaos’ could not be ignored.

“Backlight. All the iYouTubers are wearing suits and apologizing one after another.”

“Backlight… … ?”

“That’s why we advertise without displaying advertisements.”

“Is that wrong?”

Woohyuk asked back as if he knew nothing.

Sangyeon let out a hollow laugh.

“That’s wrong. We don’t even know it’s an advertisement when we see it.”

“If you look at it that way, aren’t all TV entertainment shows just advertisements?”

Television broadcasts blur and mosaic all trademarks unless they are sponsored. If a trademark name appears even once, it is a sponsored advertisement.

However, because the advertising style is so natural, viewers often overlook it and just skip over it.

For example, in a variety show, there is a restaurant where celebrities go to eat. If the restaurant’s sign is slightly exposed, viewers think, ‘They just went there to eat.’

However, if the sign is exposed even once, it is a sponsored advertisement. It is exposed without even knowing it is an advertisement.

“I said it’s a little different from that?”

“Anyway, this kid has been acting up a lot since long ago. Why is that a big deal?”

“This is a real mess! It’s all over the internet!”

Sangyeon explained the importance of the matter with blood running down his neck. Perhaps because he works in the advertising industry, he seemed sensitive to this matter.

“Do you know ‘Jjui’? He’s an iTuber with 2 million subscribers, and he keeps apologizing. All iTubers are doing the same thing.”

“Ah, I don’t know.”

“Well, what would an old man know?”

“Hey, you’re the only one here who knows him. Seongpil, do you know ‘Jjui’?”

“no.”

“Hee-kyung, you?”

“I don’t know.”

“How come you don’t know ‘Jjui’? You must have seen the video at least once.”

“You may not know, so why are you upset?”

“I heard you’re famous… … .”

“Better than the Girls’ League?”

Hee-kyung asked playfully. Sang-yeon was embarrassed.

“I don’t think he’s more famous than an idol. But he’s famous, right?”

“Oh right, I liked ‘Apple Crush’.”

“Oh, I hear that a lot too.”

As Woohyuk gently changed the subject, Sangyeon followed him.

Seongpil laughed heartily when the idol topic came up.

“Okay. Why are you talking about idols?”

“When we used to meet, all we did was spit and talk about idols.”

“You guys don’t care.”

People think that what they know, what they learn, and what they do are the most important things in the world.

The younger you are, the stronger this notion is.

In the old days, Sungpil wanted his friends to know about the wonderful culture of idols. That’s why he talked about idols a lot.

Of course, my friends would go to the extent of talking about idols.

“I’m not interested. It’s a group my friend created, so how can I not be interested?”

“……really?”

“okay.”

Seongpil changed in an instant. His eyes sparkled like stars. He asked Sangyeon in a voice full of anticipation.

“Then did you see the music video?”

“no.”

“But why do you like ‘Apple Crush’?! What did you do without even watching the music video!”

“I only heard the song. The song is good, the song is.”

“Idols are a comprehensive art form! Music videos are the essence of it! I have time to watch ‘Jjui’ but I don’t have time to watch music videos?!”

“Look at this kid’s expression change. Okay, okay, I’ll go and see.”

“But who is doing the best these days?”

Hee-kyung asked.

“I only ever watched idols from ‘Girls’ Day’ and ‘Darkest’. That was the end of it.”

“The hottest thing is… … Caius?”

“Ah, Caius. I know the name. But isn’t the song that came out recently a bit strange?”

It would probably be ‘nectar’.

“I heard a new song came out so I gave it a try. I only listened to it for about a minute.”

“music…….”

“I haven’t seen the music video.”

“… … .”

“But it’s strange. Maybe it’s because I listen to Girls’ League songs often, but I thought Girls’ League was the most popular. They’re still on the charts. When I play TOP 100, they’re still there.”

“Yeah, that’s true, but… … .”

“Is that a globe?”

Suddenly, Sangyeon spoke. His expression brightened as he succeeded in killing the player who attempted PK.

“Wasn’t Seongpil an idol at the company you were at before?”

“Oh, right. Do you know them?”

“I turned on the TV and saw a variety show.”

“There’s a lot of controversy about Globe these days. The ‘Who A’ style itself is something I’ve never seen before in K-pop… … .”

“why.”

Hee-kyung asked with her signature playful smile.

“Is it a ‘chaos’?”

Hearing that question, Seongpil’s head went cold.

“Like that back advertisement? Was it like a ‘chaos’?”

“… … .”

Seongpil pursed his lips, then immediately laughed.

“Let’s have a drink.”

* * *

Seongpil sat in the backseat of the car and watched the night scenery passing by. In the driver’s seat, the designated driver drove the car with skillful skill.

My head is spinning.

It was cold at the same time.

‘What’s the fuss?’

The question Hee-kyung asked keeps lingering in my mind.

The conversation he had with his friends today helped Sungpil see more clearly what he had seen in the future and what had been going on since ancient times.

‘Advances in media technology, globalization, and increased cultural exchange.’

This drastic change, which has occurred in just a few years, has completely transformed the world.

Instant connection between worlds.

Diversification and expansion of media platforms.

A new generation emerges as a leading player in society.

Regarding these technological and cultural developments, scholars of the past predicted as follows:

‘Humanity will become more deeply and strongly connected as one. Humanity will become truly one.’

But the world flows completely differently.

People live in their own world.

Whether it’s iTubers being caught up in a controversy over backlighting, Globe bringing about changes to the K-pop scene, or a party having a primary election scandal, it’s a story about a world that only they live in.

Rather than being connected as one, human interests, tastes, and cultures are becoming more diverse and fragmented.

Seongpil let out a deep, long sigh, as if trying to get rid of the alcohol.

‘Dissolution of the center.’

American pop.

American pop maintained its impregnable power with various innovations such as the emergence of popular culture such as jazz in the 20s, the rise of rock and roll in the 50s, and the rise of party club culture in the 80s.

America is the cultural center of the world.

was the center.

They can no longer be the center. As technology advances, the center is torn apart and scattered across the world.

J-pop, which was popular in the past, Swedish pop and Latin pop, which are still going strong today, and K-pop, the surrounding culture that is most directly compared to them.

The development of media and the disintegration of the center played a major role in allowing regional music cultures to receive global attention.

‘No more… … .’

Humanity can no longer go back to the old days.

A powerful center called pop music dominates the world, almost culturally colonizing other regions.

The overwhelming majority of people share the same tastes through television and radio.

A world where humans are culturally integrated will never return. It will never come again.

‘A world where the vast majority share the same interests.’

In other words, idols that enjoy mass popularity no longer exist.

‘The word ‘popularity’ has become an illusion.’

The innovation shown in Globe’s comeback song. A timeless song and concept that cannot exist today.

Seongpil felt terrified when he saw it.

It was thought that the time limit for the Girls’ League to reach the top had been brought forward.

So I thought I should convey the music of the Girls’ League to at least one more person. I wondered if Joara’s ‘Automata’ would be the solution…

‘no.’

There is no need to worry.

The days of thinking about whether the public will like it are over.

You have to think about ‘would the fans like it?’

An ambiguous period spanning the 3rd and 4th generations. A time when popularity and artistry competed with a sharp gap. A time when many groups emerged and disappeared amidst the ambiguity.

While everyone else is hesitating, Sungpil, fatally, holds the answer.

‘The globe is right.’

It must have its own color.

You have to gain the unwavering loyalty of your fandom.

‘and.’

Joara is right.

The world of Joara, which she is trying to unfold through ‘Automata’, hopes to break away from the legacy of a bygone past.

Joa is trying to take idol performance to the next level.

Joara said this about dancing.

‘It was said that being curious is a virtue in itself.’

The ‘Automata’ performance will provide plenty of novelty to K-pop fans.

Girls’ League will lead the scene with performance dynamics and stage presence that cannot be compared to other idols.

The 4th generation idols have focused on choreography optimized for the media platform called smartphones, so that they can become trends on iTube and ‘Clark’.

In return, the virtues of the third generation were fading away.

‘The realism of the performance.’

A dynamism and power that is truly overwhelming to see.

The aura that artists emit on a real stage.

The Girls’ League of ‘Automata’ will hone the virtues of the third generation to the limit and face the fourth generation that will appear soon.

And there is a country where such virtues can prevail.

No, there is a country that must be reached.

Seongpil hummed softly, holding his dream in his heart.

“USA…….”

Girls’ League, currently in its third year.

Next year, or the year after.

Seongpil aims for America.

Ranked 1st in K-pop consumption.

* * *

“Do you have any concerns?”

A Korean man asked.

Seongpil was sitting on an exotic chair, staring seriously into space. However, he was shaken from his thoughts when he heard Han Gu-in’s voice.

“No, just.”

“I see. You don’t have to think about work until the weekend.”

“I drank alcohol yesterday.”

“I brought you some hangover cure. Would you like some?”

“Okay.”

Seongpil took the remedy from him. He felt a little more clear-headed.

Han Gu-in went inside the compartment and changed into a swimsuit. She was wearing aqua leggings, trunks, and a rash guard on top of that.

In comparison, Seongpil was dressed simply in slippers and swimming trunks.

“Oh, Director Han is stylish, isn’t he?”

“I have no affinity for water, so I asked the boss to coordinate my outfit. I didn’t know you could wear so many different outfits to swimming.”

“I should have asked the boss for a recommendation.”

“You’re still handsome, so why are you doing this?”

At that moment, Han Gu-in started staring at Seong-pil. Seong-pil smiled in embarrassment.

“Why are you like that?”

“Director Park, is that by any chance… … .”

Han Gu-in quickly approached Seong-pil, bent down, and examined the area around his ribs closely.

“Is this the serratus anterior muscle?”

Anterior cingulate.

These are the muscles in the rib area.

This is a muscle that most people may not even know exists, and may not even be able to feel until they die. This is because it is a muscle that only performs very limited movements.

The fact that there are few things to feel in daily life means that it is difficult to train.

“yes.”

Seongpil rubbed his ribs with an embarrassed expression.

“It’s pretty much in shape, right?”

“This is my first time observing something like this directly.”

Observation? I feel like I’ve become some kind of rare animal.

Han Gu-in felt as if he could touch Seong-pil’s penis at any moment if he were even allowed to.

“You work hard. Isn’t it hard every day?”

“Exercise is hard, but it’s fun. It honestly pays off.”

“Well, our work isn’t honest.”

The entertainment industry is all about persuading the market. And the market and the public are fickle.

No matter how hard you work, you may not even get any attention. Sometimes, the elements you put so much effort into may not be noticed.

The effort put in and the reaction are not proportional.

‘As people in our industry like to say.’

You never know who’s going to win. This isn’t sports, it’s art.

Art is an ambiguous area.

“Our job is to work hard and still be confident. Even when we reach the end of a project, we still have to be anxious.”

In comparison, exercise is honest.

I’ll give you back what you’ve given me.

There may be differences in talent, but that doesn’t mean that people without talent don’t get rewarded. In any case, you get back as much as you put in.

“It relieves stress.”

“You think similarly to me. That’s why I read. The more I read, the more it stays in my head.”

“That’s also in the same vein.”

Seongpil got up from his seat and picked up the tanning cream that was on the table.

“Are you thinking of getting a tan in this weather?”

“Wouldn’t it be possible? Luckily, it’s in the upper 20s. And there are no clouds.”

“The sunlight is quite strong here. Maybe it’s because it’s in the south.”

october.

It is a season with extreme daily temperature differences.

During the day, the temperature is in the mid to high 20s, but at night it drops to the mid 10s.

Seongpil brought tanning cream because he thought he might be able to get a tan if the sun shined brightly. He didn’t really plan on swimming, though.

“When you go out, would you like me to put some on your back?”

“This is truly an unimaginable event.”

“You can’t ask the kids or the boss to do it for you.”

If you ask the members, it could be considered power-based sexual harassment. If you ask Hong Gyu-heon, it could be considered subordination or intense courtship.

Either way is inappropriate.

“All right.”

“Okay, then.”

Seongpil opened the door to the dormitory forcefully.

As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by the blazing sunlight and the curved swimming pool.

The swimming pool in the center of the D-shaped building was blocked from any outside view.

“Let’s have fun… …!”

“Ah, you finally came out!”

Seongpil’s mouth was frozen. Han Guin, who was following him, froze completely.

A person caught their eye.

“Come swimming quickly!”

Rika shouted something in front, but I couldn’t see her.

Seongpil pursed his lips and barely managed to utter a word.

“Seol-ha, hey… … .”