Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 564



Only Noblemtl

Episode 564

Kafu Seiko.

He is currently at the peak of his career as a musician.

Her new album, ‘Faded Love’, has sold over 2 million copies.

Even in Japan, where albums are sold in large quantities, digital music is currently showing its strength. In such a situation, the sales figure of 2 million can only be described as astonishing.

Seiko Funabiki was truly a Japanese patriarch.

The greatest singer who marked the end of Heisei (Japanese era, 1989–2019) and the greatest singer who announced the beginning of Reiwa (2019–).

Her name will surely decorate a brilliant page in the history of Japanese popular music.

As expected from a musician, Seiko has been confirmed to participate in this year’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.

“hmm.”

Seiko was occupying one side of the singer management office. She looked at the ‘List of musicians participating in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen under Webex’ posted on the wall.

Among them, the name of the Girls’ League was proudly displayed.

Seiko smiled.

“Are you coming, Girls’ League?”

Seiko crossed her arms and glared at the list. An arrogant smile like that of the final boss floated across her lips.

“Finally, the red and white… … .”

That means.

“Misato Misato!”

Seiko ran to Misato, who was sitting at the top of the class. The staff had already fled down the hallway for fear of bumping into her.

“If the Girls’ League comes, Director Paku will come too?”

Seiko was not waiting for the Girls’ League because she had a new desire to take revenge on them.

It was just Seongpil coming and waiting.

“Yeah, Director Park is coming too. Of course, he’s going to the Red and White.”

Misato has become sharper since becoming the head of the headquarters. It was natural for her nerves to become more sensitive as she had to manage more people than before.

But when dealing with Seiko, he showed a warm and relaxed atmosphere like before.

“Then there is.”

Seiko had a bright face like a child.

The reason Misato goes back to the old ways in front of Seiko is partly because of Seiko’s innocence.

“The Girls’ League is using the Webex practice room for a few days, right? Like when they came this year.”

“No. I heard that the Girls’ League gets a practice room near the dorms and uses it there?”

“… … .”

Seiko escaped from the office and stormed into the idol management room 2 that Himura was in charge of. She continued to peck at him like a hawk.

“Why are you throwing away money! There are already plenty of spare rooms in Webex! Himura, aren’t you spending other people’s money too recklessly?!”

By the way, it’s not someone else’s money.

Because Himura is the son of the chairman of Webex.

“Why are you getting a separate practice room? Do you think that place will be secure? What if a stalker follows you? Himura, are you going to hire ten or a hundred bodyguards? No!”

After hearing Seiko’s story, Himura closed his eyes tightly. It wasn’t because he was touched by Seiko’s concern for the group of juniors who came from a foreign country.

‘Why are you doing this to me… … .’

I’ll tell them directly… … .

Himura didn’t dare to open his mouth to Kafu and could only shed tears in his heart.

The greatest singer who marked the end of Heisei and the greatest singer who announced the beginning of Reiwa. Even if he was the chairman’s son, he couldn’t be cruel to her.

“If you do this, you won’t be able to approach naturally!”

What on earth do you want me to do… … .

* * *

For some reason, Himura requested that the Girls’ League revise its original plan as soon as it arrived in Japan.

‘I’m worried about security. You’ve only practiced inside Webex so far. Isn’t it dangerous to suddenly go to an outside practice room?’

Seongpil thought Himura’s suggestion was plausible. The outside practice room was close to the dorms, but there were also many other people in the building.

Even though the managers of Garo Enter and Webex are with the Girls’ League, it won’t be as safe as inside Webex.

It was natural for Himura to be worried.

‘It’s embarrassing to come to Japan and change plans, but it’s true.’

Seongpil told this news to the members.

“Eek!”

Rika was the first to express her disappointment. She whined while shaking Seongpil’s wrist.

“Director, did you forget my request? I said it had to be close to the accommodation!”

“I know, I remember.”

Rika is really looking forward to appearing at this year’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.

I was so concerned about wasting time going back and forth from my accommodation to Webex that I asked to find a practice room near my accommodation.

His determination to only eat and practice stood out.

“But it was Director Himura’s suggestion.”

Seongpil repeated what Himura had said like a parrot.

“Is that so… … .”

Although Rika was disappointed, she was convinced by Himura’s logic.

At that time, Jang Ha-yang raised his hand and asked a question.

“So suddenly? Shouldn’t you have been contacted before we arrived?”

“Yes. Security issues are the first thing that comes to mind when planning management.”

“What is it?”

Shin Areum grumbled.

“Aren’t you putting off reviewing the plan because we caught the fish? Is that why the delivery was late? It’s a bit annoying.”

“I see, now that I hear it.”

Joara chimed in.

“Isn’t our contract with Webex renewed this year? If it’s this sloppy, we should review it again. Sir, how about looking elsewhere?”

“… … Do you guys hate Webex?”

Shin A-reum and Jo A-ra, who had been getting along well, kept their mouths shut as if they had planned it.

“Ah! The director’s gaze has become sharp! It’s the gaze that sees through Atashitachi (our) hearts!”

“Surely you guys… … You still don’t like Seiko-san, do you?”

“Ahaha, no.”

“right?”

“It’s not that I don’t like you, I just hope we don’t meet.”

“You don’t like it, right?!”

Seongpil looked at Baek Seol-ha as if appealing.

Then Snow White smiled vaguely.

It was as if he was saying, ‘That happened, so there’s nothing I can do about it.’ Even Baek Seol-ha felt the same way as the members, so she couldn’t say anything to Seong-pil.

‘It’s already been two years.’

Who would have thought that that incident would still linger in the members’ minds. Even though it was just a joke, who would have thought that they would reconsider renewing their contract with Webex… … .

“So where should we look for our next management company?”

Wasn’t that a joke?

Just because there’s a real Seiko?!

I can clearly picture Himura, who gave me 100 million yen, crying.

Anyway, the Girls’ League headed straight to Webex from their dorm. Himura greeted them at the entrance.

“I’m sorry I can’t pick you up at the airport.”

“I’m grateful that you even greeted me outside the building.”

“I apologize for the sudden change in schedule. I know this is not really an apology, but I will do my best to support you until the Kohaku Uta Gassen… .”

Suddenly, Himura’s expression hardened. His gaze was over Seongpil’s shoulder.

Seongpil also looked back.

Jang Ha-yang was handing Rika a 10,000 yen note.

“… … What are you guys doing?”

“I made a bet with Sister Hayang!”

Rika held 10,000 yen in her hand and shouted in joy.

“Senior Seiko is at the front door saying ‘Yes, no’! It’s my (Atashi’s) victory! The price of victory is Yukichi (Yukichi Fukuzawa, the character depicted on the Japanese 10,000 yen note)!”

10,000 yen.

It’s roughly 100,000 won in Korean currency.

They say that back in the old days, Jang Ha-yang would save up his allowance in his pillow. It’s amazing that such a child would bet 10,000 yen on such a trivial bet without hesitation.

Seongpil is worried that her sense of money has become strange…

“Damn it (Shit)… … !”

Jang Ha-yang frowned as if she was about to shed tears of blood.

It seemed like my sense of money wasn’t strange after all.

She had clearly expected Seiko to be at the Webex entrance. As it turned out, she wasn’t.

“Hayang, you seem to have a really strong mouth when you speak Japanese.”

“Ha-yang-sister doesn’t know the nuances of Japanese very well! She’s like the old Ara-chan!”

Joara, who learned Japanese incorrectly from Rika and spoke in a hooligan tone. She realized her mistake and completely corrected her Japanese speech.

But Jang Ha-yang still has traces of Rika.

“Oh, well, I guess so.”

Seongpil turned his attention away from them.

“Shall we come in?”

“Yes, yes… … .”

Himura somehow became stiff and guided Sungpil, the Girls’ League, and the staff of Garo Enter inside.

That was when.

Seiko came out as if she had been waiting at the front door.

“Director Paku, what a coincidence. The Girls’ League is there too.”

“… … .”

Rika returned 10,000 yen to Jang Ha-yang. Jang Ha-yang smiled brightly.

Seiko approached Seongpil with a leisurely pace.

As he approached, he saw Jang Ha-yang and just passed by Seong-pil.

“I have something to do.”

She kept moving forward.

“Oh, it’s true! There’s something real going on!”

So Seiko disappeared with an excuse that made no sense.

“… …Shall we go?”

Himura quickly guided the people from Garoenter into the building, as if he was embarrassed.

‘What is this?’

Himura sighed as he took the lead.

‘I don’t know if I can do it.’

This time, Seiko has a bold plan.

They say that the end of the year is the time when the most couples form. My goal is to ask Sungpil out on a date at that time and eventually get engaged.

There’s a lot missing, but that’s what it is anyway.

There must be a concert ticket in Seiko’s pocket, and it must be crumpled in her frustrated hands by now.

‘It seems impossible as long as the Girls’ League members are by my side.’

Well, cheer up, Seiko.

* * *

‘How do you attack the US market?’

Seongpil, sitting in a corner of the Webex practice room, was lost in thought.

We know that Girls’ League has to penetrate overseas markets, especially the US market, to reach the top.

But I can’t think of any specific method.

‘It’s not like Garo Enter has a line in the US.’

Is there any way to break through?

SMS Enter is the only company that has actively targeted the US market. We cannot follow it because it failed.

WTP is a miracle that has occurred over and over again, making it nearly impossible to benchmark them.

In that case, we need to look at the cases of other groups… … .

‘I went there because they all called me from America.’

Appearances on popular talk shows, music programs, and major events in the United States.

Most of them went because they were called first in the United States. Of course, Seongpil doesn’t know the inside story.

There may have been systematic lobbying or contact by the agency. Seongpil just doesn’t know about it.

‘Do we have no choice but to wait?’

Or maybe you release a song or album in English… … .

Seongpil shook his head as the thought occurred to him.

‘Perfect globality targeting the US and global markets.’

This was a key strategy of Swedish pop, and it was so successful that Sweden periodically produces singers who become popular in the English-speaking world.

‘But it’s not something that K-pop idols can just grab and try.’

The reason why overseas K-pop fans like K-pop is, if I may say so, because it is ‘different.’

People who don’t like the mainstream music in their home country look for K-pop as an alternative. So if they were to make it just for the English-speaking world, the appeal of K-pop would disappear.

‘At least it’s not something worth doing right now.’

If there is a producer who actively targets foreign markets and succeeds, he should be called a genius.

Seongpil’s worries returned for the first time as if they had been marked as a turning point.

There is only one way. It is abstract, yet realistic because there is only one way.

‘Strengthening the position in the K-pop market.’

Rather than targeting other countries’ markets, they are gaining an overwhelming advantage in the already globalized K-pop market.

‘Overwhelming dominance in the K-pop market’ is also just a dream within a dream, but this time, Sungpil saw the possibility.

It was the success brought about by Joara’s automata.

‘Ranking 14th on the Billboard 200 chart means that Girls’ Generation has a significant presence in the US K-pop market.’

At least there will be only one or two girl groups that can keep up with the status of Girls’ League.

It’s a miracle that the Girls’ League has come this far.

And Seongpil thinks there is only one reason for this miracle.

‘Artistry.’

American idol fans reportedly have a certain level of resistance to idols being artificial beings.

I want to like idols, but the oppressive treatment that trainees receive and the lack of autonomy that idols have are obstacles to my fandom.

But for Girls’ League, such obstacles have almost disappeared. ‘Our producing’ gave them the name of autonomy and the title of artist.

American fans have a resistance to consuming idols born under oppressive circumstances, but they have no such resistance to fangirling over Girls’ League.

In some ways, you could say that it relieves their guilt.

‘If I say ‘eco-friendly strategy…’, it might sound a bit like that.’

If eating chickens that are raised freely in a large pasture reduces psychological guilt, rather than eating chickens that are confined in small cages and on the verge of death…

‘I’m afraid it would be rude to the kids.’

“Director.”

Seongpil suddenly came to his senses at the sound of a voice right in front of him. Jang Ha-yang’s face was very close.

Jang Ha-yang smiled gently.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

“How can you guys become the best idols?”

“Do you always think like that?”

“No, I usually just imagine you guys shining on stage.”

“I’m right in front of you. You don’t have to just imagine it. You can see it and touch it.”

“Yeah, it’s so vivid. It’s so close.”

Jang Ha-yang pulled her upper body back, which had been leaning toward Seong-pil. She shook the water bottle.

“I’ll get some water.”

“okay.”

After Jang Ha-yang left, only Seong-pil and Rika were left in the practice room.

Rika is practicing, sweating profusely. Her eyes looking into the mirror show her fighting spirit.

When night fell, all the other members returned to their dorms. However, Rika and Jang Ha-yang decided to stay and practice more.

“Rica.”

“Hi (yes).”

If it were a normal situation, Rika would have come running as soon as Sungpil called her. Instead, she just looked in the mirror and checked her ‘Apple Crush’ posture.

The songs that the Girls’ League will perform at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen are ‘Apple Crush’ and ‘Uparupa’.

“Isn’t it hard?”

“it’s hard!”

“Take a break.”

“I have to practice a little more! I’m going to the Red and White! I’m going to make it the best stage the world will ever see!”

“You like it that much?”

“You like it that much?”

Rika ran towards Seongpil at full speed. She jumped like a flying squirrel and tried to hug him, but Seongpil quickly rolled away to avoid it.

Rika only hugged the empty space where Seongpil was. If Seongpil had stayed still, he would have been pushed by Rika and trapped in her limbs.

Rika took her hand off the wall she was leaning on and looked at Seongpil.

“It’s not good! I’m so pumped with adrenaline that I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep at night!”

Then Rika started explaining how great the Kōhaku Uta Gassen was. This has happened several times already.

She passionately explained to her colleagues several times the status of the Kōhaku Uta Gassen that she felt as a Japanese person.

But this time it didn’t last long.

Because Seongpil smiled bitterly.

Rika immediately shut her mouth and spoke sheepishly.

“Gomennasai (I’m sorry)… … . Are you tired of talking so much?”

Rika buried her chin inside the collar of her training suit. Then she raised her eyes as if trying to check Seongpil’s expression.

“No, Rika.”

Seongpil spoke to him in an affectionate tone.

“Even if you don’t say so, I’m proud of you.”

“… … Are you proud?”

“Yes. I also know how great of a program the Kōhaku Uta Gassen is.”

In his previous life, Sungpil was the head of management at Success Entertainment, which was much larger than it is now.

Success Entertainment’s artists have been active in Japan and naturally have a good grasp of the Japanese market. So, it is impossible not to know the status of the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

“I thought you were pushing yourself harder than usual because it’s such a great program.”

Even today, it is still like that.

Even though she is a genius at hard work, Rika declared that she would give up all her holidays and rest time to practice.

“There was a time when you overdid it and caught a cold.”

“When the director came to the dormitory to take care of Atashi (me)!”

“Yeah, when you got caught watching an adult movie.”

“I told you, it’s not a weird movie!”

“I keep thinking about that time and worrying. I’m worried that you might get sick again or something.”

So, even though Seongpil was very excited, he couldn’t show it in front of Rika.

If Sungpil shows that he is expecting too much, Rika will be even more anxious than she is now.

“I wish Rika would get some rest and do it properly.”

“… … What is it!”

Rika raised her head as if to ask when she had been hunched over. A joyful light spread across her face.

“You don’t have to worry so much! Maa (what the heck), what can I do! The lonely director can’t live without me! He can’t go a day without seeing me!”

“Not to that extent.”

“Hey, are you embarrassed?”

Rika poked Seongpil’s ribs in a subtle way.

“What did you say to me at the airport?”

“… … .”

When Seongpil heard that, he felt really embarrassed.

When Rika’s Japanese solo activities were decided, I had to leave her behind and return to Korea.

Seongpil ran to Rika like the main character in a romantic movie and said all kinds of embarrassing things to her.

“I don’t think you remember! Let me remind you!”

“No, you don’t have to do it… …!”

Am I precious to you?

“It’s precious… … .”

So much so that we can’t even be apart for a few weeks?

“uh…….”

Is that why you want to be with me?

“huh…….”

“Stop it!”

Seongpil didn’t know what to do with himself because of Rika’s poor imitation of his voice. It was such an embarrassing feeling that he wanted to bite his tongue and faint for a moment.

Even though Seongpil rolled around on the floor, Rika didn’t stop imitating his voice.

“Stay by my side… … Rika… … Kimi ga Sukida (I like you)… … .”

“Please, please stop… … .”

At that time, Seongpil was not in his right mind. He was made to listen to what he said while not in his right mind while in his right mind. There is no torture like this.

“What the heck! Could it be that everything you said back then was a lie!”

“I’m serious, I’m serious, but… … .”

“Then you shouldn’t be embarrassed! What are your true feelings, Director?”

Seongpil washed his face several times and looked at Rika. But Rika’s face was also red.

“Face yourself squarely!”

Rika proudly stood up for Seongpil. But soon her characteristically exaggerated expression disappeared, and only a carefree smile remained.

“Director, I’m in a dream. If my past self had seen it, I would have said, ‘Is this a dream?’ So, I don’t want to be embarrassed by my past self. And.”

Rika stood in front of the mirror again.

“I don’t want to be embarrassed in front of you, sir. Not ever.”

“forever?”

“In the future, the director will continue to produce many idols. I hope that among them, there will be no idols that surpass me and the Girls’ League.”

“… … .”

“Is that selfish?”

“no.”

Seongpil denied it.

“She’s so cool, I almost want to admire her. I want to be like Rika… … .”

“That’s the best compliment!”

Rika started practicing again.

“Actually, the reason I’m so absorbed in practicing is because I’m a little upset. With Hayang unnie… .”

The fact that the producer position for ‘Our Producing Season 3’ was taken away.

“I’m upset.”