Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 799



Only Noblemtl

Episode 799

[PD Yoon, the car that picks us up is a Benz!]

“… … Is that so?”

While talking to Noah, Yoon Sang-yeol was tapping the armrest with his palm and expressing his boredom.

It’s not that it’s really boring, but because Choi Yu-hyun, a member of Globe, is watching from the side.

If you show too much friendliness during your conversation with Noah, you may be misunderstood.

‘Normally, I wouldn’t express excessive emotions towards this retarded person.’

Noah’s incompetence is beyond imagination.

To put it in perspective, Yoon Sang-yeol, who rarely swears, is swearing.

Yoon Sang-yeol turned his chair around and turned his back on Choi Yu-hyeon.

[Why don’t we buy a Benz van too? It’s spacious and comfortable. It’s also safe for local schedules!]

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to your local area. My current car is enough to get around Seoul.”

[Oh, and… … .]

“Enough small talk. Tell me why you’re calling.”

Get the matter out of the way.

Yoon Sang-yeol already knows Noah’s business.

Tomorrow, Noah will appear on a Japanese music show as part of the Samurai Girls.

He is the first Globe member to debut on Japanese television.

‘No, it’s not that kind of pressure.’

Yoon Sang-yeol had initially discouraged Noah from joining Samurai Girls. The reason was that Noah would get hurt…

‘I’m afraid that I’ll be caught between the stars called Rika and Erika and find my own subject again.’

Will she, who likens herself to ‘just Noah’ or ‘a shooting star that can’t even last the night and disappears’, be able to hold out between Rika and Erica?

As expected, she seems uneasy.

‘But why are you calling me?’

There’s also Choi Yu-Hyeon, who created ‘Lotus’ together.

[just…….]

“Just call? I’ll just hang up too.”

Yoon Sang-yeol is not taking his phone off his ear even though he said he was going to hang up.

[Okay, wait a minute!]

Noah hesitated and got on Yoon Sang-yeol’s nerves. Just when he was thinking of really breaking up.

[Can you repeat what you said back then, please… … .]

“Are you and I mentally connected? If you say ‘then’, should I understand? You seem to be mistaken. You and I don’t have that kind of emotional bond. If you want to ask me something, do it right.”

[The reason why I was chosen for the Globe… … .]

Yoon Sang-yeol was getting angry.

Yes, certainly Noah had asked that question. At that time, Yoon Sang-yeol said this.

‘Should I tell you that?’

Noah didn’t believe in himself, and Yoon Sang-yeol felt like it was a challenge to himself.

‘I chose it.’

I made you an idol.

If so, would you rather shout at the world with pride or just tremble?

This idiot… … .

“… …Because you sing well.”

Yoon Sang-yeol spoke as if he was chewing and spitting out words.

[Yeah, that’s what I wanted to hear.]

Noah’s voice suddenly brightened. Noah’s face, as clear as the clear blue sky, came to mind.

[I’m sorry for keeping PD Yoon, who is so busy, on hold. I’m hanging up.]

“……for a moment.”

Before he could stop her, Noah hung up the phone. Yoon Sang-yeol took the phone away from his ear in a hesitant manner.

“What do you want to say? Should I tell Noah for you?”

Yoon Sang-yeol was startled and turned his chair. Then he realized that Choi Yu-hyeon was there.

He placed his phone face down on the table nervously.

“I called because I couldn’t hear you well. You go back to what you were doing.”

“I’m done.”

Choi Yu-hyeon fell from the computer monitor. A Japanese website was floating on the monitor screen.

“You can watch Noah’s music show live here. I’ve already paid for it, so just click on it in your favorites and keep it there.”

“……okay.”

Yoon Sang-yeol tried to open the site from his favorites a few times as a test. After checking over and over again that it was working properly, he sighed.

“Go and see.”

Choi Yu-hyeon nodded and tried to leave the studio. Yoon Sang-yeol’s eyes followed her back, just before she turned the doorknob and left.

“Choi Yu-Hyeon.”

“yes?”

“You’re good at playing the guitar. Have you ever wanted to try it at a concert? I think your fans would like it.”

“I won’t do it. It’s just a hobby.”

Choi Yu-hyeon left, leaving a cold answer.

Yoon Sang-yeol was alone again. He thought deeply about what Choi Yu-hyeon had said.

‘I don’t do it because it’s just a hobby, so… ‘

Yoon Sang-yeol’s suggestion just now came out as a ‘thank you’. He was bothered by the fact that he had just told Choi Yu-hyeon, who had helped him, to ‘go’ without even a word of thanks.

But it wasn’t an empty promise.

‘If it’s not perfect, we don’t put it on stage.’

Yoon Sang-yeol thought back to what he had done to Globe in the past. He had continued to instill his perfectionism in Globe.

Perhaps what Choi Yu-hyeon said was a result of the influence he received from Yoon Sang-yeol.

Thinking about it that way made me feel satisfied, but the image of Choi Yu-hyeon playing the guitar did not leave my mind.

‘it’s okay.’

Anyway, Choi Yu-hyeon’s story is correct.

by the way.

‘Appearing on a Japanese music program.’

It’s a project that started out as a mixtape, and it’s quite full-fledged even though the capabilities of Garo, KS, and Success Entertainment weren’t heavily invested.

‘Samurai Girls is mediocre.’

In fact, it could be seen as something that was born from a club meeting. Even though all the talented people of the time gathered together, the scale was small compared to the official projects carried out by companies.

‘And yet, they are making me appear on television with high expectations?’

I knew it was because of the pink-haired Waypercent guy, but it’s probably the result of KS Enter’s power.

When Sang-yeol Yoon heard the story of the KS Entertainment shareholders’ meeting, Spinner Music naturally came to mind.

‘Kaius signed a global management contract with Spinner Music, one of the top three distributors this year.’

Spinner Music’s largest stake is held by a Japanese company.

‘Did KS Entertainment use the power of Spinner Music to get media appearances?’

Yoon Hee-yeon also seems very confident.

‘I haven’t been able to use KS Entertainment’s power much, but now that I’ve got my hands on it, does that mean it’s bound to succeed?’

I guess it’s okay.

‘It’s just a minor event anyway.’

* * *

[Dong-Hyeon oppa, you have to watch it live. You understand, right?]

“Yeah, I know.”

[I say this again, thank you.]

Kang Dong-hyun held his phone between his shoulder and cheek and opened the coffee stick. Then, he completed his own coffee using milk, ginger, etc.

“I told you, you don’t have to thank me. We all created the Samurai Girls together.”

[Not that one. I mean the ‘blue shirt.’]

“……iced coffee.”

What is that?

‘Shouldn’t I be the one being thankful?’

After Yoon Hee-yeon took over as general producer, Kang Dong-hyun was kicked out as senior producer. He ended up using a small room in the company that he didn’t even know existed as his workroom.

Kang Dong-hyun was destined to wither and wither like a plant that had lost the sun. What brought light to him was Erica’s solo debut project.

‘Thanks to you, I was able to imprint my significance on the company.’

After a short week of music show activities, Erika went straight to Japan.

How much time did you have to prepare? Only a week? Some people might think so… … .

‘It doesn’t really matter. The owner was only active for two weeks… … .’

These days, idols are gradually reducing their music show activity period. If they go full-out, their activity period will be shortened to 6 weeks, then 5 weeks, then 4 weeks.

‘Come to think of it, I think the Girls’ League had a 4-week period of activity 3 years ago. If I remember correctly, it was when Long Four was released.’

At the time, I wondered how he had the guts to do that, but now I can guess why.

Kang Dong-hyun thinks that the reason for the decrease in his active period is the expansion of promotional channels. There is no longer a need to risk one’s life to appear on music shows.

The so-called situation where the period of activity is shortened while keeping an eye on the broadcasting station.

New media is making a solid victory over legacy media, and this is especially evident in the K-pop scene, which is the first beneficiary of new media.

‘This trend will accelerate further.’

In just one or two more years, it may become common for people to be active for about two weeks like Jin So-yu.

‘Something’s been changing since Caius and the Girls’ League achieved million-seller success.’

Kang Dong-hyun feels the changing times firsthand. He is also afraid that he might be swallowed up by the times one day.

If Jung Ho-hwan was by my side, I wouldn’t have felt this anxious.

[… … Hey, buddy? Are you listening?]

“Uh, yeah?”

Kang Dong-hyun hurriedly fixed his phone.

“Sorry, I was so focused on making coffee… … .”

[Really, are you going to do that while we’re having a serious conversation?]

“Sorry. Uh, what did I say?”

[I wouldn’t have been able to endure it if it weren’t for my brother. At first, I was depressed because I was assigned to only one brother, thinking, ‘Oh no, I’m in big trouble’… ]

“… … .”

[Looking back, I feel grateful to Director Yoon Hee-yeon. If I had received all the support like Soyou, the process of my own exploration would have been greatly reduced. Dong-hyun oppa wouldn’t have stuck with me like he does now.]

“What, what, Director Yoon is a nice person just for not canceling your project… … .”

Kang Dong-hyun, who was not used to being praised, passed the credit to Yoon Hee-yeon. However, he smiled faintly and happily accepted Erica’s compliments.

[Director Jeong Ho-hwan is watching, right?]

Kang Dong-hyun’s expression, which had been smiling faintly, quickly hardened.

[The requiem we offer… … .]

“… … Yeah. I’m sure he’s listening from far away.”

Kang Dong-hyun swallowed his sigh so that Erica wouldn’t hear. The more he thought of Jung Ho-hwan, the more sadness piled up in his heart.

“You weren’t the type of person to go like that… … .”

[… … To be honest, it breaks down.]

“What kind?”

[The company is still doing well even after Director Jeong Ho-hwan left. And everything is going well. If it were up to me, I would have ruined everything, whether it was the solo project or the Samurai Girls.]

“Hey hey, words have become seeds… … .”

[I want to let you know that without Director Jeong Ho-hwan, everything would be ruined. But, as expected, everything is going well… … .]

“… … That too.”

Kang Dong-hyun couldn’t hold back his sigh this time.

“It’s Director Jeong Ho-hwan’s fault. One of Director Jeong Ho-hwan’s dreams was to create a system that doesn’t require a single hero. You should be happy about it. Director Jeong Ho-hwan would be happy about that too.”

[… … I guess so.]

Erica’s voice regained its strength.

[I’m sure it’ll be a success in Japan too. You have to watch it tomorrow. It’s a song that you worked on too.]

“Yeah, I get it. Oh, right. Did you hear that? That since your ‘Blue Shirt’ came out, the number of men wearing blue shirts has increased.”

[Really?]

“It’s a bit like a meme. There was content like ‘Becoming Erica’s Ideal Type,’ and there was content that criticized that, and there was content that did something with that. Photos of actors and idols wearing blue shirts were also being unearthed.”

[That’s interesting.]

“I, I asked you this a lot in the past too… … .”

[I told you. There is no one who is a motif. It’s my personal taste. Just like how Dong-hyun oppa likes maid outfits.]

“… … .”

Kang Dong-hyun tried to correct the misunderstanding several times, but it didn’t work. In the end, he just admitted it.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll definitely watch the broadcast.”

[Okay, go in. Fighting!]

“Go for it…….”

Kang Dong-hyun left the bathroom weakly, holding coffee in his hand. He muttered weakly.

“A maid outfit… … I’ve never seen one in person in my life… … .”

I was just reading a comic book that Jeong Ji-eum recommended, but how did this happen?

What if rumors spread within KS Entertainment? Kang Dong-hyun’s heart, which had not wavered even after being kicked out to a small room, might finally break.

Especially if it gets known to Minji from the A&R team… … .

“Is that a maid outfit?”

Kang Dong-hyun looked back in surprise.

“Hey, Director Yoon Hee-yeon!”

As Kang Dong-hyun bent down, coffee spilled out of the cup he was holding. Kang Dong-hyun was shocked when the floor was covered in coffee.

“I’m sorry, I’ll clean it up. There’s nothing to clean up, ah, I’ll clean it up with my clothes… … .”

“Tell the facilities management team.”

“Oh, but I spilled it… … .”

“What the hell… … .”

Yoon Hee-yeon pushed Kang Dong-hyun’s shoulder hard.

“Go, go! Everyone has their own work to do. Do you know where the cleaning tools are?”

“Yes, yes… … .”

“You know… … ?”

“Oh, no, I meant I understood, yes… … .”

And so began the awkward companionship.

Kang Dong-hyun had a sad look on his face.

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have quickly made myself a cup of coffee and left instead of thinking about other things while we were talking… ‘

Then we wouldn’t have met.

No, let’s change the way we think.

‘Anyway, Director Yoon is my boss. If I can please him, I might be able to escape this life in the closet.’

You said you would stay in your position until Jung Ho-hwan returns, but do you know when he will return? It is good to be loyal to him, but isn’t it also important to please Yoon Hee-yeon and get back your original position?

Kang Dong-hyun decided to use his lack of social skills to flatter her.

“By the way, you got the Samurai Girls on TV, right? Wow, you’re amazing. You’re really great… … .”

“Huh? I didn’t do that.”

“… … Yes? Then who?”

“It must have been Garo Enter. The Girls’ League is pretty famous in Japan. They probably got it by selling the name Rika.”

“ah…….”

Is that possible?

Korean music shows also fix their schedules a few months in advance, but Japanese music shows, which have far more musicians…

‘Samurai Girls is a very sudden project. Can KS Entertainment schedule a music show without using the power of Spinner Music?’

Kang Dong-hyun immediately felt something was strange. But Yoon Hee-yeon didn’t seem to feel that way.

‘Does it look like the director is the kind of person who can leave a music show right away if he wants to?’

There’s no way that’s possible.

Yoon Hee-yeon has been with KS Entertainment since the second generation of idols. She must have seen the days when KS Entertainment was a hole-in-the-wall store, so she knows how strict the broadcast schedule is.

“Oh, it seems like the Girls’ League has some power in Japan. Haha… … .”

“That’s true, and there’s also KARA. They’ve been consistently selling 100,000 copies in Japan since their debut. It’s just that their growth is slow, but their fandom is definitely not small. Since they’re linked with the Girls’ League, the broadcasting stations must be drooling.”

“iced coffee…….”

The conversation was interrupted.

Kang Dong-hyun forced himself to come up with a topic.

“Do you watch the Samurai Girls broadcast?”

“Yes, you should see it. I made it.”

But still, people do have feelings. It seems like they do care.

Kang Dong-hyun decided to take a step further. It was something that had been on his mind all along.

“Since Garo Enter is doing its best, wouldn’t it be better for us to do something about it too?”

“Why are you doing such a thing? It’s just a short-term, flashy project anyway. It’s fine as long as it shines to the extent that it’s popular. Me too… … .”

Yun Hee-yeon stretched out in relief.

“Now I’ve satisfied all my desires. I’m going to just focus on the results and stop worrying about them.”

“ah…….”

“There’s a more important event. The year-end awards ceremony.”

A fork in the hallway appeared.

Yun Hee-yeon finished her story by turning to the left.

“Compared to that, Samurai Girls is pretty good no matter what.”

Kang Dong-hyun bowed his head toward Yoon Hee-yeon, who suddenly turned around and disappeared. When he raised his head, she was already out of sight.

‘Samurai Girls are good no matter what happens… … .’

He is a person who really doesn’t look back. He is a person who, once he has burned something, doesn’t care about the ashes.

There is a world of difference between Kang Dong-hyun, who is eagerly awaiting the activities of Samurai Girls, and me.

Still, Kang Dong-hyun understood Yoon Hee-yeon.

‘This is the first year-end awards ceremony since taking office as executive producer.’

The Korean popular music awards ceremony is a festival for K-pop fans around the world. Every year, foreigners who come to Korea for the awards ceremony are like pilgrims.

Along with KCON, it is one of the most globally popular K-pop events.

Compared to that, Samurai Girls… … .

‘It’s true that it’s nothing… … .’

Kang Dong-hyun headed to his room alone with his shoulders slumped.

* * *

“Wow, it’s the first snow!”

lunch.

Jihye Kang from the public relations team and Ain Kwon from the finance team met eyes, laughing out loud like children.

Even though he had just finished eating, he was walking around so energetically that anyone who saw him would think he was a high school student.

They were walking around in front of Garo Enter, enjoying the snow, and eventually, with all their strength, they sat down on a terrace chair. Even though they were freezing to death, they were drinking iced Americano.

Kwon Ah-in looked up at the sky where the first snow was falling, and opened her mouth as if a thought suddenly occurred to her.

“Sister.”

“huh?”

“Don’t you think it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Director Park?”

“It’s not ‘not the same’, it’s been a really long time. About two months.”

“Now that the bug bug thing is over, aren’t you coming back?”

“I can’t come because of the Samurai Girls.”

“Oh, so you’re going with Caius and Globe?”

“huh.”

“Right, I just remembered that you’re going to the HPT Music Awards. I heard the PR team talking about it this morning.”

“I guess so.”

Kang Ji-hye emptied her iced Americano and shivered. Still, she didn’t go inside the building because she wanted to keep seeing the snow.

“This year’s HPT Music Awards is being held in Japan, so I heard they’re going to have a special stage or something.”

“… … .”

Kwon Ah-in looked down at her feet with pride.

Kang Ji-hye asked teasingly.

“Why do you miss Director Park so much?”

“no.”

“What is a knife?”

“That’s because Director Han looks sad.”

Seongpil and Han Guin are friends. They are probably friends. They use formal language, but they are still friends.

Perhaps that is why Han Gu-in, who had lost his friend for two months, seemed to be gradually losing his vitality in life.

“Was it? It was the same.”

“I feel it when I work with you.”

“You feel it because it’s you.”

“… … Isn’t that exactly what I said?”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right.”

“… … ?”

Kwon Ah-in kicked her feet together and shook off the snow that had accumulated on her instep.

“Even if the Bug Bug work inevitably requires me to stay in Japan, it’s not Director Park’s job to do anything about Samurai Girls. I sometimes think like this.”

“What do you think?”

“Isn’t it that you don’t want to come back to work… … . Why, like a married man who doesn’t want to go home.”

Kang Ji-hye laughed out loud. She pretended to be serious and told Kwon Ah-in to listen.

“Isn’t that right, sis? When the Girls’ League first went to Japan, oh, I admit it. It’s necessary for Director Park to make immediate decisions to control the Girls’ League’s media activities. But it’s really strange that you’re still here even after the ‘Girls’ League X Bugbug Invasion!’ is over.”

“It’s important, so do it.”

“Samurai Girls?”

“Japan.”

Kwon Ah-in tilted her head. Kang Ji-hye began to talk seriously while closing her coat.

“I’m here, I’m glad you came to Garo Enter.”

“Please talk about that in front of the directors, not me. I’m not the type of person to shower people with compliments like Jeon Seo-gu.”

“I’ve been feeling this lately. Horizontal Enter is going to get bigger.”

“Well… … That’s true. It actually grew bigger every day.”

Kang Ji-hye shook her head.

“It’s more than that. I’m on the PR team. That’s why I know.”

“Something… … cash flow?”

“Director Park’s painting.”

“What picture is it?”

“Ain, let’s say there’s a strong martial artist. But how do you know he’s strong?”

“… … Show me?”

“That’s right, you have to show it. You have to show that you’re strong by sticking with others. Then you can put the sponsor’s mark on your uniform and go out. That’s what Director Park is trying to do now.”

Showing it.

“Being in Japan… … shows the strength of Garo Enter?”

“No, you’re preparing for the future. The stadium is the HPT Music Awards, the biggest award ceremony in K-pop. The year before last, when Girls’ League won the main prize, it was held in Korea. Last year, when Girls’ League won the performance award, it was held in Hong Kong. And this year.”

It takes place in Japan.

“Ain, are you very busy these days?”

“Yes? Oh, that’s right. I’m preparing for the IPO with Director Han. It’s not like we’re doing anything directly, but we’re just preparing a lot… … .”

“For a martial artist, being listed means being able to stick sponsor marks all over your body. To do that, you have to prove your ability and popularity.”

It’s not just about proving strength.

The most important thing is the ticket power and name recognition that can gather the audience. Sponsors are more interested in popularity than the player’s own strength.

“Director Park is preparing the best stage to promote Garo Enter before going public.”

By that time, Kwon Ah-in had also come to a realization.

“The biggest festival in K-pop is taking place in Japan, and Girls’ Generation… … .”

“They are more popular in Japan than any other K-pop group.”

It’s not just about being popular.

They have become a unique presence in Japan, with a positioning that is completely different from that of other K-pop idols.

It happened just a little while ago.

“But that’s not enough. I need to show it clearly to those who are going to invest in Garo Enter.”

“As a martial artist, by knocking down your opponent?”

“huh.”

To do that, you first need to put an opponent of the same weight class in the ring.

“Keiras, and KS Enter.”

Compared to KS Enter, Garo Enter is a puppy. But in one place in the world, the story works differently.

“That’s what Samurai Girls is for. A trailer for the HPT Music Awards, showing a battlefield that is overwhelmingly advantageous to the Girls’ League. Announcing that a big match is about to take place!”

“Hmm… … Is that really it? Is the Girls’ League really that overwhelmingly popular in Japan? The Girls’ League is the only one that’s listed as popular in Japan… … .”

“Our Ain is good at calculating numbers, but she’s not good at this kind of thing.”

“It’s clicking, clicking, clicking, ra… … .”

“Don’t you get it? This year’s HPT Music Awards is just a street entertainment festival!”

Trailer, Samurai Girls.

Main story, Girls’ League.

Special appearance, bug bug.

“Bugbug isn’t affiliated with Garo Enter.”

“Yeah. But people know who made Bugbug. So just by Bugbug standing on stage, he can say things like, “Garo Enter… .”

No.

“If Director Park puts his mind to it, it wouldn’t be a big deal to create idols like this in Japan.”

So, I’m telling you to shut up and invest in Garo Enter.

As Kang Ji-hye spoke, her face was filled with deep excitement and joy.

“A free presentation for Garo Enter. I feel sorry for KS Enter, but we’re going to grab them by the collar and drag them into our house and beat them up like dogs!”

That would be a powerful promotion, more than anything.

On the topic of small and medium-sized entertainment companies, they stand on the same level as KS Entertainment, the emperor of K-pop.

“If this works out, we’ll be employees of a large corporation!”

“Sister, getting listed isn’t that quick and easy.”

“The incentive is copied! Still, don’t you praise Director Park? Wow, it’s so poisonous!”

“Unnie, please stop the social media… …. You should learn something from what Soohyun is going through… ….”

Now that I look at it, it seems that Kang Ji-hye is not happy at first sight, but rather happy at the thought of becoming an employee of a large corporation.

Anyway, Kwon Ah-in wasn’t unexcited either. The reason she didn’t go crazy like Kang Ji-hye was because of her surprise rather than excitement.

‘We’re going to call KS Entertainment into the ring and beat them up like dogs? Is that what Director Park drew? And is it all in time for the IPO?’

I don’t have a good feeling about it.

Wasn’t it just something that was made to fit in the first place?

I feel like it just happened somehow… … .

‘If Director Park had planned it that way, the company wouldn’t be in this situation.’

Kwon Ah-in, Han Gu-in’s right-hand man, knows that Garo Enter is bleeding profusely. He is barely holding on while being stabbed with the opponent’s sword.

Woo Hyo-min, Waypercent, Chaotic Energy, Girls’ League. They made an album by spending money like water in one year.

There, the Girls’ League, which was supposed to be a filial daughter in Japan, only did the bare minimum of profitable schedules, and was caught by a group of bugs or insects, and only filmed television broadcasts.

All that crazy shit that year was just for a pre-IPO presentation?

It is impossible for a human being to run like this without looking back, and in a situation like this, shouldn’t he look back at least a little?

The Sungpil that Kwon Ahin knows is very cool and rational. Kang Jihye just seems to have a crush on Sungpil.

In the first place.

‘There’s no way we’d be overwhelmingly superior to KS Entertainment… … .’

As expected, the only rational people in this company are myself and Han Gu-in.

Kwon Ah-in, 23, felt her shoulders become heavy.

* * *

In Japan, like in Korea, there is a culture of waiting for celebrities on their way to work or on their schedules.

It is called Demachi (出待ち), and it is strictly prohibited by entertainment agencies, especially for idol fans, but it is rare for it to be completely observed.

The same thing happened to Samurai Girls.

Fans lined the road as they tried to enter the broadcasting station. Erica and Noah were surprised and happy, so they rolled down their car windows and tried to wave.

It was a great welcome from his hometown. He tried to respond to the fans’ support with all his might.

however.

“Rika, look this way!”

“I love youoooooo!”

“Please work hard!”

“Rika! Rika! Are you there?!”

“Please show me your face just once!”

“Whoa, I think I saw Rika!”

As if it were a trick, he only calls Rika.

Surely Erica and Noah’s names were in the pre-promotion too.

Erica and Noah were stunned. They felt like intruders and even the thought of waving disappeared.

The cries of countless humans weighed down on Erica and Noah with overwhelming force. They even felt like they were no longer needed here.

The sidewalks on both sides from the broadcasting station entrance to the parking barrier are crowded together like a single mass of people.

The whole mass only calls out Rika’s name.

Superstar. That’s the only way to describe his popularity.

Even after entering the parking lot, the fans’ screams did not stop. As I got out of the car, the noise became even louder.

“Eri-chan, Noah-chan.”

Rika dug between Erica and Noah, who were standing in the distance. Then she linked arms with them on both sides and smiled bashfully.

“Let’s go quickly! I want to see the stage in advance!”

“… … Uh, yeah.”

Erica, who came to her senses late, slowly walked into the broadcasting station, dragged by Rika.

Noah had a blank expression even as he was dragged by Rika’s arm. The sound of the voice shouting ‘Rika’ did not disappear from his ears. Soon, a familiar emotion began to appear in her eyes.

‘In the end, it’s just a side dish… … I, again… … .’

The emotion in Noah’s eyes was fear.

And so did Erica.

‘That doesn’t make sense.’

Is this the extent of the difference?

‘In my hometown… … .’

The difference is this big… … .

“Okay, is this your first time here? Don’t be afraid, I’ll show you around!”

Rika moved lively between the stiff two, so much so that it looked like a stuffed animal was pulling a scarecrow.

With the same smile as always, the corners of Rika’s lips twitched in joy.

‘Eri-chan, this is my stage.’

A place where I can shine brighter than you.

A place where I can definitely shine brighter than you.

A place where she can definitely win against Sakuraba Erika, not as Erika from Caius, but as Ishikawa Rika, not as Rika from the Girls’ League.

so.

‘I am the main character.’

This is my garden, where cherry blossoms fall and pear blossoms bear fruit.

* * *

Sungpil has been targeting KS Entertainment since the beginning when he produced Girls’ League.

They have been openly saying that they will beat them.

The stage is finally set.

The next time the Girls’ League defeats Kaius and becomes the best idol, it will be with the strongest album that will bring the world to its knees.

So, this stage is meaningful as a place to announce to the world that Garo Enter is qualified to stand on the same level as KS Enter.

It is an ideal situation where everything is in place, and it is time for Sungpil to achieve his stated goal for this year.

The debut of the Samurai Girls, the precursor to this battle, is just around the corner.

however.

‘It’s empty.’

Sungpil was looking down at the parking lot from the window on the second floor of the broadcasting station. There, he could see the members of Samurai Girls approaching the broadcasting station entrance.

What Seongpil had in mind was Erica.

‘The cause of this emptiness is probably… … .’

Because the human reflected behind Erica is not Jeong Ho-hwan.

And, because the Samurai Girls project itself would never have been possible if Jeong Ho-hwan had been there.

Sungpil has not only targeted KS Entertainment. He is not just aiming to defeat the company.

We must go beyond the symbolic figure, Jeong Ho-hwan.

But he is not with KS Entertainment at the moment.

‘KS Entertainment is a temple without idols.’

On the altar where there should be a golden calf, there is a silver calf. The temple has the same appearance, but it is different from what Seongpil has seen.

Seongpil stared at Erika and Noah as they entered the broadcasting station, arm in arm with Rika. It was obvious that they were both shaking.

It was painful to look at, so I closed my eyes.

Then, the one who appears against the darkness is Caius. No, it should be Jeong Ho-hwan behind him.

‘Yoon Hee-yeon.’

When she comes to mind, this thought comes to mind reflexively.

‘That’s not your place.’

Sungpil felt like everything was fate. After Jung Hohwan left, it was as if the world was telling Sungpil to ‘win and fix it.’

The world is helping to realize that revelation.

Samurai Girls was the first manifestation of revelation. Something that would never have happened if Jung Ho-hwan had been there, but happened because Yoon Hee-yeon was there.

“Director.”

Seongpil opened his closed eyes. The Samurai Girls were no longer visible under the car window.

Looking back, Yubin was seen pale with tension.

Seongpil immediately smiled.

“Hey, Yubin. Why?”

“No, nothing’s wrong.”

Yubin kept making strange sounds like ‘Eww’, then smiled hollowly and expressed her thanks countless times.

“Samurai Girls, Director Park, it was a really ridiculous plan. But you allowed it, helped me, and supported me without sparing me. It was like my dream… … No, it’s not a dream anymore because it’s come true. Oh, or is it? I haven’t achieved my goal yet. Uh, uh… … Thank you.”

“… … .”

Seongpil tightly and viciously grabbed Yubin’s nape.

“Ahhh! Oh!”

“Relax, man. And I told you to stop thanking me for this. You seem to be secretly passing the buck to me.”

“That, that’s absolutely not the case… … .”

As a final word of encouragement, Seongpil patted Yubin on the back.

“I should be thankful too.”

“yes?”

“Because you gave me a step towards my dream.”

“Is this a dream?”

“Yeah, just.”

Seongpil did not give a clear answer and headed towards where the Samurai Girls were. Flames rose up in the void carved into his heart.

‘Director Jeong Ho-hwan, I didn’t have the heart to bid you farewell. Instead, I held you back in an ugly way. I held you back in an ugly way, giving you a position that didn’t suit you. Instead, I will give you the greatest welcome when you return.’

By the end of this year, KS Entertainment will be dragged out in front of the entire world and beaten up like a dog. It will be a disgrace to be compared to ‘a small and medium-sized entertainment company’.

The stage is here, Japan. It is the battlefield of Garo Enter, which Seongpil worked on for three years and finally completed a few days ago.

However, Seongpil’s efforts were in vain because the opponent he put on the battlefield was Yun Heeyeon.

That is why Sungpil’s state of mind was not one of satisfaction at finally being ready to face KS Entertainment. The music he prepared was also far from joyful.

‘Everything I’ve prepared so that the world will know that they need Director Jeong Ho-hwan… ‘

It will be a requiem dedicated to Yun Hee-yeon.

‘Thank you, Yun Hee-yeon.’

For helping the samurai girls.

‘I guess there’s nowhere to go now.’

If there is a gap between Rika and Erika even though they are on equal footing, I wonder what the KS Entertainment board of directors will say.

Even though your hand touched it.