Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 577



Only Noblemtl

Episode 577

[Director Park?]

Ginger pressed for an answer.

Seongpil gave the answer in two sentences.

“I’m sorry, but what you asked me to do is very difficult.”

I would have readily accepted it before hearing Meyer’s terms.

If a famous group member appears as a judge at the competition, it will be helpful not only to the organizers but also to Jang Ha-yang.

Topicability is guaranteed.

[Why not?]

Ginger asked why.

‘Maybe you don’t understand why I rejected you.’

You might be thinking, ‘You don’t want to share the pie with Caius, do you?’

I wonder if a K-pop cover dance competition is worth arguing about. But the impatience in Ginger’s voice made her feel like she was being questioned by Sungpil.

Yes, Ginger is questioning Seongpil.

It seems like the thought is, ‘Isn’t there something hidden?’

‘Or maybe they were protesting by saying, ‘You appeared in a promotional video for new recruits at Garo Enter in the past, so why aren’t you doing this?’

It’s a valid complaint.

In the past, that was also one of the reasons Sungpil mentioned when he helped Erica.

The Girls’ League and Garo Enter have been receiving help from Caus and KS Enter, knowingly or unknowingly.

But that was a burden that only Sungpil felt. Until the Erika incident broke out, no one at Garo Enter realized the debt.

Rather than being ungrateful, it’s probably because I spent so much time as a rival with Caius that I didn’t think about it.

From Garo Enter’s perspective, he was hit by Caius at every important moment.

‘I feel like I’ve repaid my emotional debt by helping Erika-san… … .’

Ginger may not feel that way.

What did I do to help Erica? Is that my job?

This kind of thinking is normal… … .

[Now, do you hate me?]

A question came back that I had never expected.

It was a question that seemed to reaffirm his love for his lover, so Seongpil was confused for a moment.

[Is it because I ended the previous contact strangely? That’s… That, something happened. It has nothing to do with Director Park. I apologize if you felt offended… ]

Ginger’s voice, which had been sharp as if she was questioning him, changed in an instant. She became extremely depressed, as if she was repenting her sins.

Seongpil quickly denied it.

“No, no. I’m not rejecting you because of my personal feelings toward you, Ginger… … .”

Seongpil told Meyer the conditions he had set.

Because traffic chaos, accommodation chaos, and administrative fatigue are expected, it is hoped that the idols called as judges will have lower name recognition than the Girls’ League.

Indeed, Ginger was convinced.

[Well, if we go there, the reaction will be huge. But is K-pop famous in Russia too?]

“It’s not because we’re famous in Russia… … It’s not like that. I think a lot of people will come from other countries. Especially from Eastern Europe. Idols don’t have many opportunities to go there.”

It would be necessary to gather all the K-pop fans in Eastern Europe, including Russia, to allow each K-pop group to hold a solo concert.

But this is just an estimate.

Although album sales are said to be a standard for evaluating the size of a fandom, that is also based on advanced country standards.

For countries with lower national incomes than Korea, idol albums are a considerable luxury. Even fans generally don’t think about buying albums.

‘That’s why K-pop album sales are mainly in the US, Western Europe, and Japan.’

There was a time when a Korean person said that it was strange that the Girls’ League’s album was selling well in Russia. It was a country with a national income that was about three times lower than Korea’s.

Besides, this is a story from the time when Garo Enter had not developed a separate sales channel.

For Russians, an idol album would cost more than 60,000 won. Since it was probably exported without going through a proper route, it would have been even more expensive with a premium added.

If you were to sell the album to a Korean for 60,000 won, would it sell? No.

‘That’s why it’s so strange.’

Perhaps, surprisingly, if a K-pop concert were held in Eastern Europe, the audience could be large.

Maybe not.

There are no companies willing to spend billions on experimental concerts, so we won’t see a significant K-pop fan base in Eastern Europe for years to come.

[If the reason we can’t go is because we’re famous, we’ll humbly accept it.]

“Your speech has completely changed.”

[I thought Director Park was angry at me and was rejecting me.]

“How could I? Then what was it that upset you so much that you sent me a ‘Yes, sir’ message?”

[I never said it was a bad thing. I said it was something that happened.]

“Really? Well, is everything resolved now?”

Ginger had no answer.

Instead, I asked something else.

[Director, what do you think of our latest album and songs? I’d like to hear the fans’ opinions.]

“It was good. It was so good.”

[Is it really true? Isn’t this ‘IWY’ much different from the image that Caus has built? Caus had an orphaned image, but this time it’s light, lighthearted. The response is good, but… … I’m not sure if they really like it.]

Well, ‘IWY’ is completely different from the previous KARS. Both the musical color and the group’s concept.

I even had a feeling that maybe the producer had suddenly been replaced.

However, Caius’ transformation was successful.

“It was good.”

[Is that the end?]

“Do I have to be specific?”

[Yes, it is a helpful reference.]

“In the music video… … I liked the twintails that Ginger did. She always had straight hair.”

[… … Twintails?]

“The clothes were light and airy, and the primary colors, and the stardust on her head? That was cute.”

[That’s not what I’m saying!]

“No, what more do you want from your fans?”

[… … Are you still my fan?]

“Yes, of course.”

About 3 minutes ago, I was thinking about quitting ‘Youth’ and living as ‘Some One’s Number 1′, but I changed my mind.

Ginger smiled faintly and then asked hesitantly.

[Did you like twintails? Minju unnie kept laughing at that.]

“Oh, that… is it a live broadcast?”

It may not be surprising, but Sungpil watches Kaius’s live.

One day, Kim Min-ju did a broadcast where she looked at the album concept photos of each member of KARA one by one.

Kim Min-ju would laugh heartily whenever she saw the photos taken by the other members.

Especially when I saw the picture of Ginger’s twintails, I laughed for a minute. I even took a sip of water in the middle of the picture.

To Kim Min-ju, it’s just funny to see her co-workers living in the same house acting so cool and cute.

[They kept laughing at me on set too… … ]

I didn’t want to know this.

Seongpil became slightly depressed.

Weren’t Caius the best team that supported and relied on each other, that couldn’t live without each other?

“I wanted to compliment you, but I had nothing to say, so I guess you just laughed for no reason. I think you’re cute, as well as all 60 million youths.”

[Youth has 60 million?!]

“… … Oh, no. I was just saying.”

Seongpil broke out in a cold sweat.

The ’60 million youth’ joke is a meme used by the people.

People who have been beaten by Youth for more than three years tend to dislike not only KS Entertainment but also K-Us.

A long time ago, someone who appeared to be a KS fan posted something along the lines of, “If you don’t want to be trampled by the KS Enter fandom, then just get out and don’t show off.”

That has been ingrained among the people.

And when a post criticizing KS Entertainment is uploaded to the community of the people, they jokingly leave a comment saying, “Aren’t you afraid of the 60 million youth and KS Entertainment fandom!!!”

It’s a joke that mocks people who think the power of their fandom is their own power.

In a way, Seongpil, the leader of the people, embodied that joke without even realizing it.

Or maybe it’s because I often talk to Joara, the Internet Meme Doctor (Internet Ghost).

[Are you kidding? Are you kidding?]

Fortunately, Ginger didn’t seem to understand Seongpil’s joke.

I’m so glad.

If there was anyone around her who knew this joke, they would have thought, ‘Is she openly mocking me?’

Ginger probably didn’t like Seongpil either.

[I understand. I will trust Director Park.]

“Yes. Do you have any other business?”

[I would like to talk to you more, Director, but I am busy. I am a famous idol.]

Sungpil ended his call with the famous idol, Ginger. He wiped the cold sweat that had formed on his forehead.

‘I need to use SNS in moderation.’

Even in the real world, people say things like memes.

It’s scary because I feel like I’m becoming more and more like Joara.

* * *

“I’m sure you heard, but I told you not to.”

Ginger was on the phone in speaker mode, so Team Leader 1, who was sitting next to her, heard the entire conversation.

“Team leader?”

But Team Leader 1’s expression was not good.

“Why are you like that?”

“……no.”

Team leader swallowed his anger inside.

It was because of the ’60 million youth’ comment that Sungpil made earlier. That was one of the memes that the people used to openly mock the youth.

I used it on Caius’s Ginger.

‘Is this blatant bullying?’

I’m so angry that I feel like my eyes are going to burst out. I didn’t know it when I only saw it on SNS, but when I heard it in person, it made me really angry.

Even write that to Ginger?!

‘This human, isn’t it because he doesn’t like us that he doesn’t let us in?’

Park Sung-pil, I personally respected him.

But now that’s over.

You are now the ‘enemy’ of ‘us’, ‘Caius’ and ‘Youth’.

“Team leader, you look like a Chihuahua shaking with anger.”

Ginger left the practice room, leaving Team Leader 1 behind, who had turned into an electric massager. There was someone she had to find.

“Sister Soyou.”

Jin So-yu, who was reading the Japanese version of ‘Vogue’ in the artist lounge, was not pleased with Ginger’s appearance.

“I’m busy right now. I’m reading a magazine.”

“Isn’t that the one where Hayang Unnie came out? I think I’ve read it over 100 times already, but how long will I keep reading it? Such unproductive work… .”

“It’s not unproductive. Beauty has value simply by existing. The act of taking in that beauty creates value simply by doing so. It makes the world I see more beautiful.”

“… … Could you give me a moment?”

Jin So-yu folded the magazine carefully and placed it on the table. Then she stared at Ginger as if telling her to speak.

Ginger sat down next to her and turned her back.

“It’s the black hair that braids my hair into twintails.”

“Are you crazy? You’re 22.”

“That’s not something a 27-year-old should say.”

Jin So-yu said that, but without much complaint, she braided Ginger’s hair. She then styled it with the curling iron and comb that were always provided in the break room.

Ginger looked in the mirror and shook her hair that hung on both sides.

“How is it?”

“You’re in the top 3 worst hairstyles you’ve ever had.”

“… … .”

Ginger’s eyes drooped gloomily.

“But your worst is much better than the average person’s best. Your face supports it. Enjoy the present. Even at your age, you’re frowning, and it’ll only get worse as you get older.”

“Do you think black and white suits go well together or not?”

“suited.”

Happiness spread across Ginger’s lips.

* * *

It takes about 10 hours from Seoul to Moscow, Russia.

5 hours have passed.

Seongpil watched as many idol stage videos and music videos as he could on his phone.

I couldn’t really sleep, but at that moment I thought about trying to close my eyes.

“Director Han, is the size of the Russian music market large because of its population?”

Jang Ha-yang, who was sitting next to him, asked Han Gu-in.

Seongpil had a feeling that this would be a time for Hanguin’s ‘useless but fun knowledge to know’. Instead of closing his eyes, he decided to listen to Hanguin’s story.

“Of course, population plays a role, but population is not the only factor. For example, China has a much larger population, but its music market is smaller than Russia’s. The Russian music market is largely due to orchestral music, commonly called classical music.”

“hmm…….”

Jang Ha-yang crossed her arms as if she was thinking about something.

“Then, in Russia, do all people, young and old, listen to classical music?”

“No. So, um… … .”

Before coming here, Han Gu-in read a report on the Russian music market compiled by Kim Deok-pal of the Overseas Business Department.

While searching through his memories to recall the content, Seongpil answered first.

“Just because the classical music industry is large doesn’t mean everyone only listens to classical music.”

“sure?”

“Do you remember which field you said took up the largest share of the music industry?”

“It’s a concert.”

It is said that on average 70% of the world’s revenue comes from performances, but in Russia it is even more extreme.

“More than 90% of our revenue comes from performances. They’re mostly orchestral performances. It could be called a country of classical music, right? But if you look at the streaming platform rankings, it’s similar to other countries. People listen to a lot of pop, rock, and electronic music. Of course, there’s classical music too.”

“Something… doesn’t quite make sense. So the remaining 10% is album and streaming revenue?”

“Streaming is almost 9%.”

“That means the album barely sold… … .”

Considering that one of the main sources of income for idols is albums, Russia may not be such an attractive market.

Jang Ha-yang seemed to have noticed it right away.

“But the streaming market is huge. Russia has the highest percentage of people using streaming services in the world.”

“Ahaha, now I understand why we depend on album sales and concerts.”

Even though the country has the highest percentage of people using streaming services, streaming revenue only accounts for 9% of the total.

“That’s true, but streaming prices in Russia are cheap. About a third of the global standard.”

“Because national income is low?”

“Because of competition. Streaming platforms are taking losses and charging lower fees. Right? This is a country with 150 million people.”

Once you take the lead, the benefits will last for decades.

If we can just necroticize all other competitors and drive them out of Russia, we can make exclusive profits.

That’s a whopping 150 million people. And with over 70% of them using streaming services like they breathe, the potential value is huge.

“I wanted to explain, but Director Park has already done it all.”

The Korean said with a regretful tone.

Jang Ha-yang smiled at him and asked another question. The way to please Han Gu-in is very simple. Ask him something.

“You said before that Hye-bin might have gone to study abroad in Russia. What do you think?”

“What do you think?”

“Is this a good place to live?”

“Well, I think it’s a pretty good country for studying abroad or traveling. But living there as a Russian might not be that great.”

“yes?”

“A Russian scholar once said that Russia is a country where you can’t succeed unless you have a talent that comes once every ten years or connections with the rich. Objectively, it’s not a very happy country. It means that social mobility is almost blocked.”

“… … Is that so?”

Jang Ha-yang looked around.

I was checking to see if there were any Russians. Even if there were Russians, the chances of them understanding Korean would be slim.

“Isn’t there anything like welfare? Scholarships or… .”

“That could be partly the reason. The lack of education, pensions, health care, social infrastructure. It can’t be helped, Russia is poor.”

“Isn’t the economy bigger than Korea? Oh, because there are a lot of people… … .”

Even if the economy is larger than Korea’s, the population is so large that it will not be covered institutionally.

Jang Ha-yang judged it that way.

But the Korean man shook his head again.

“That is partly true. The reason the Russian government is poor is because of the tax system. There is no inheritance tax or progressive income tax in Russia. The income tax is fixed at 13%. Since that is the main source of tax revenue, it is bound to be poor compared to other countries.”

The form of a country is divided according to the taxes collected.

Countries that collect 1-3% of national income are pre-modern countries, such as Joseon or Qing.

A country that collects more than 10% of its national income is a military-fiscal state. These are the modern European countries that existed from the 17th century to the early 20th century.

And if you collect taxes of about 25% of the national income, it is a welfare state.

Regardless of whether there is an actual welfare system, it means that there is financial capacity to implement the welfare system.

“The redistribution of wealth barely works. So Russia is… … a 19th-century country in the 21st century. Of course, things are much better than that.”

There is only a minimal role for the state.

The Soviet Union, which pursued the ideal of equality for all, collapsed and what emerged was, ironically, the most unequal country in the world.

“Even if a democratic government is established, Russia will likely not become a welfare state. No one, even the poor, wants to pay more taxes. The progressive income tax is a tax system that Western Europe was able to gradually introduce and expand only after encountering unprecedented disasters such as World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War.”

It is a system that can only be introduced when the country is on the verge of ruin or has ruined itself. Otherwise, the people will oppose it and it will not be implemented.

“I wonder if the reason Russians use streaming platforms so much and listen to so much music is because they don’t have much happiness to enjoy in real life.”

Instead of answering, Jang Ha-yang looked out the window.

The plane is flying above the clouds.

The reason I listen to a lot of music is because I don’t have much happiness to enjoy in reality…

Jang Ha-yang was like that too. When something bad happened, she would put on earphones, lie on the bed like she was dead, and just listen to music.

Because I don’t want to hear any sounds of reality.

“Sister Seol-ha said that.”

Han Gu-in, who was being scolded by Seong-pil for talking about something that would upset the child, and Seong-pil, who was scolding him, looked at Jang Ha-yang at the same time.

“That’s what my sister’s teacher, Mr. Lee In-seong, said. It was after ‘The Unknown Singer’ ended.”

It was a time when Seongpil was with Baek Seol-ha.

Perhaps, he said this.

‘I’ve been busy traveling around the world. A lot has happened, I’ve heard a lot, I’ve seen a lot. There are wars going on around the world, children holding guns, old people starving, young people dying. I’ve heard and seen that.’

‘And yet, I was just singing. What meaning could there be? While people were dying miserably and suffering, what meaning could there be in my singing? What meaning could there be? Even though I suffered and worried for a long time, I could not let go of singing.’

‘But now I know.’

‘So that the future, our descendants, do not remember the present only as a dark place. We must make music. So that our times are not engraved with only scars… ‘

“We must sing so that the scars engraved in history will be remembered as constellations.”

Jang Ha-yang, who said that, took a deep breath. Then, he smiled as usual.

“I’m not a politician, a businessman, or a member of a civic group, so I can’t say anything grandiose about changing or healing the world. All I can do is dance and sing, so I’m helpless in the face of huge problems, but still.”

Could we make the world a little happier? Or at least turn a few people’s wounds into constellations?

“… … .”

Seongpil and Han Guin looked at each other and smiled.

Seongpil said.

“Hayang, you made at least two people happy.”

“Huh? Who are you?”

“Director Han and I.”

“Yes. When I hear Mr. Hayang’s words, my heart melts.”

“I feel that way just by looking at Ha-yang’s face.”

Soon, the two began a drinking contest. Jang Ha-yang blushed as she listened to it, but her lips were filled with happiness rather than embarrassment.

A few hours later the plane arrived at the airport.

A cold north wind greeted the three people.

Jang Ha-yang scanned the scenery while holding onto her hair blowing in the wind.

‘russia.’

An unknown land for K-pop.

The Girls’ League set foot there.

* * *

Moscow K-pop cover dance contest participants preliminary round.

“One, two, three, let’s do our best!”

A K-pop cover dance club at a high school.

The four girls there put their hands together and cheered.

They were wearing disco pants and tank tops, the style of K-pop idol backup dancers, and they kept sniffling.

Even though I was wearing a coat and padding, it wasn’t the kind of clothes I would wear in this winter. The building wasn’t heated, so it was even colder.

“Ugh, when is it our turn?”

“There’s still a long way to go.”

One student looked around and sighed deeply. There were far more people there than he had expected.

Everyone is laying out mats or cloths in the hallway and waiting patiently for their turn.

“Oh please hurry! I’m going to die!”

A student put his hands in his pockets and jumped in place, trying to cool down his body.

As I was running like that, my balance suddenly wavered.

“ah.”

I barely managed to keep my balance, but I was pushed back a few steps in that awkward position.

Bam.

The student felt resistance on his back. He had bumped into someone. It was clearly a person, but he was surprisingly unmoving. He was like a wall.

“I’m sorry.”

The student immediately looked at him and apologized.

“what?”

The student froze like ice.

The person he bumped into was a man with a muscular body and a fierce appearance. His camouflage pants and a nasi t-shirt that didn’t care about the weather caught his attention.

The bulging tendons on his arms looked like whips, giving him an intimidating look as if he was about to strike his opponent at any moment.

“What’s going on? What is it?”

A group of muscular men, who appeared to be his colleagues, swarmed in.

Soon the student was surrounded by rough men.

“uh?!”

I fainted.

The man who had been hit helped up the unconscious student.

Seeing that sight, the student’s fellow club members did not dare to approach or move.

“Hygiene is so annoying!”

The man who was supporting my friend seemed to be out of his mind. I didn’t know what would happen to me if I approached him.

That was when.

“Plekhanov, what are you doing?”

A model-like woman approached the men. Then something amazing happened.

The men were divided into groups, each submitting to her. It was a clearly defined hierarchy.

Students who saw it were convinced.

‘It’s the mafia… … ‘

And that woman is the daughter of a mafia boss.

I don’t know why the mafia is in the preliminary judging room of a K-pop cover dance contest, but it’s dangerous.

‘Hey friend… … .’

Students from the K-pop cover dance club shed tears as they mourned their friend.