NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90
Time was momentarily turned back to yesterday, in an entertainment office in Seoul instead of the Na Ah Ah Set.
The owner of that office was a small agency called Rahiti Entertainment, which had a bit of a reputation.
There, a trainee was preparing to part ways with the company after a long contract period.
Her name was Lee Yeo-reum.
At 22, she was one of the oldest participants in Na Ah Ah alongside Lee Hye-jeong, but after ranking 81st in the second team competition, she was ultimately eliminated.
For Lee Yeo-reum, this Na Ah Ah was her last chance after 12 years of being a trainee, and with her elimination, her life as a trainee came to an end.
“Thank you for your hard work. No… I’m sorry.”
“…What’s there to be sorry about, CEO?”
As the CEO of Rahiti Entertainment bowed his head, Lee Yeo-reum waved her hands dismissively.
Rahiti Entertainment had also desperately wished for her debut.
But being a small company, they lacked the funds to give many opportunities to their trainees, and…
‘I was the one lacking skills…’
Lee Yeo-reum recalled what Han Si-woo had said during the early ranking evaluation of Na Ah Ah.
“There’s nothing particularly eye-catching about trainee Lee Yeo-reum. She’s just average but lacks a distinctive feature.”
“No matter how well she sings or dances, she doesn’t draw attention.”
Hearing that she had no talent for being an idol from one of the industry’s top authorities was painful.
While she wasn’t blaming Han Si-woo now, it still hurt.
“I couldn’t even debut at this age because I’m not good enough, so it’s not your fault, CEO.”
“Huuh…”
The CEO sighed, feeling inadequate at Lee Yeo-reum’s words.
As a small company, everyone had treated each other like family.
The CEO couldn’t forget the moment 12 years ago when he personally brought Lee Yeo-reum in…
He couldn’t help but feel sorry for not being able to take responsibility for her life.
With his head still bowed, he asked her, “Have you decided what you want to do next?”
“…Well, I don’t know.”
…Of course, she hadn’t decided.
She had lived as a trainee for 12 years since the age of 10.
Having dropped out in her first year of high school, she had no basic academic knowledge and, having never worked a part-time job, she had zero social experience.
She didn’t have any productive hobbies either…
The CEO nodded weakly, knowing this.
“Right… I guess so. I’m looking for trainer positions at vocal or dance academies, so hang in there for a bit.”
“…Thank you for your consideration.”
“If you ever need help, call me, and feel free to come by whenever you want. The kids all like you, okay?”
“…Sure.”
“Alright, then.”
As the CEO forced a smile and reached out for a handshake, it was the time for goodbye.
*
“Huuh…”
After leaving the company where she had felt at home for 12 years, Lee Yeo-reum just stayed holed up at home.
Not having any particular hobbies, she killed time scrolling through her phone due to an inexplicable lethargy.
And the videos she frequently watched were simply… other idols’ fancams.
“…”
Younger idols received people’s admiration and love in the videos.
Their names were remembered by many… they were cheered on.
That was truly the sight Lee Yeo-reum had longed for.
“Ah, why the heck am I getting all teary?”
Among countless trainees, she, coming from a small company, becoming like a top-tier idol on video was as hard as picking a star from the sky.
From the start, it was something everyone knew was tough.
But why was she crying now?
She wiped her tears and continued web surfing.
Then, at that moment…
“…Hmm?”
Lee Yeo-reum noticed that Na Ah Ah was receiving more buzz than usual.
And the one with the most mentions among them wasn’t Ha Ye-rin or Yoo Seol, but Seo Yoo-jin.
‘Why her? Ah…’
Lee Yeo-reum had been in the team led by Seo Yoo-jin during the second team competition.
She clearly remembered crashing the stage and Seo Yoo-jin’s slip of the tongue in front of the audience.
‘Looks like she’s getting slammed for that.’
What Lee Yeo-reum remembered about Seo Yoo-jin was that while she had skills, she had a nasty attitude.
Feeling a hint of satisfaction, Lee Yeo-reum began searching.
But…
“…Oh?”
Seo Yoo-jin was being criticized far worse than she had expected.
‘She couldn’t have messed up that badly…? Did some other controversy erupt?’
But no matter how much she looked, it didn’t seem like there was another controversy.
Curious about this strange phenomenon, Lee Yeo-reum turned on the rerun of episode 5 of Na Ah Ah.
After all, she hadn’t deliberately monitored episode 5 since she had failed the stage and would soon quit being a trainee. This was her first time watching it.
And…
“…What?”
She could see that Seo Yoo-jin had been edited in a very malicious way.
The Seo Yoo-jin she remembered was rude but hadn’t been like this at all.
‘Haa… how many times has this happened?! You’re making the same mistake for the fourth time, unnie!’
‘S-sorry…’
‘Huuh… let me teach you again.’
Seo Yoo-jin kept teaching her while angrily pointing out consecutive mistakes Lee Yeo-reum had made.
There were moments when that tsundere side of her seemed cute, but this was…
“…This is too much.”
With a frown, Lee Yeo-reum finished watching episode 5.
Then, she looked at the public reaction again.
Finally, Lee Yeo-reum understood the public’s response.
Seo Yoo-jin on the broadcast truly appeared as a villain that left people astonished.
Of course, all of this was a fabricated image.
“Those damn producers…”
Among the trainees, Shin PD and his crew already had a reputation for being notorious.
Those who made money off the trainees for higher viewership, those bastards.
Still, the trainees who were harmed couldn’t call them out or touch them.
Since Shin PD’s crew had great connections and cleverly chose only those they could handle.
‘But this time, they hit SAV… can they really stand on top of the three big agencies now?’
After cursing the Na Ah Ah production team, Lee Yeo-reum lay on her bed.
In fact, the Na Ah Ah production team hadn’t harmed Lee Yeo-reum at all.
No… they didn’t even give her a second thought.
To them, Lee Yeo-reum must have been a participant not worth malicious editing or attention. Thanks to that, she had barely any screen time in Na Ah Ah.
But…
“…Now that I think about it, it’s infuriating.”
Lee Yeo-reum couldn’t hold back the surge of anger.
Those bastards, filthy scum.
Everyone who participated in Na Ah Ah and countless idol shows created by them sincerely chased their dreams.
They wanted to debut. They wanted to be idols recognized by the public.
And the Na Ah Ah production team wielded their unchallenged power, taking those dreams of the participants hostage.
They tormented the participants and instigated witch hunts.
While doing such things fearlessly… they must have felt assured that the participants couldn’t do anything to them.
If they were touched, they’d have a hard time surviving in this industry.
But…
“…I’m not a trainee anymore.”
She was already no longer a trainee… she was a discarded soldier cut from the ranks.
She stood up and compared the actual shoot with Na Ah Ah episode 5 while typing on her keyboard.
Of course, while writing, the confidentiality clause from the Na Ah Ah participation contract crossed her mind, making her pause briefly.
What if they tried to sue her using that clause…
“Eh~ if I die, it’s no big deal.”
Having already given up the dream she had nurtured for over half her life, fear no longer haunted her… and after two hours of devoted effort, she completed a lengthy post.
Inside was a critique against Seo Yoo-jin, as well as Lee Hye-jeong who had been unfairly ranked, and the Na Ah Ah production team.
Lee Yeo-reum had no close relationship with Seo Yoo-jin or Lee Hye-jeong.
Her current exposure was a mix of her various emotions.
Empathy towards the trainees who had no choice but to witness the tyranny of the production team, and anger directed at the producers who mocked and deceived them.
And…
A venting of frustration over having spent 12 years training without any payoff.
Thus, the article filled with malice and madness aimed at the Na Ah Ah production team…
Thud.
…Was dropped onto a large community board.
[I’m a participant from Na Ah Ah. Since I’m quitting idol life, I’m going to confess my conscience.]
[My name is Lee Yeo-reum. I started appearing on Na Ah Ah last month…]
With the yearning to make herself known to the public after enduring for 12 years, it was in that last moment that she engraved her name in the minds of the audience.
It was Yeo-reum.
*
Crash!
Shin PD, reading the slanderous post against Seo Yoo-jin and Lee Hye-jeong, slammed his desk.
“This crazy girl!”
Sprinkling ashes on the meal that had been perfectly cooked was an understatement!
To think they’d throw dirt on Na Ah Ah, which was cruising smoothly as their top-performing show!
Shin PD scrolled down with his trembling fingers. The lengthy post was nearing its conclusion.
And…
[…I conclude my expose on the truths of my Idol Academia production team. Below are some brief post-scripts, so please be sure to read them.]
[Postscript 1. To the Shin PD who must be reading this. Go ahead and sue me. Just be aware that if you do, I’ll just kill myself.]
[Postscript 2. Shin PD, I’m looking to work part-time at a convenience store to become a cashier. If you get kicked out of the broadcast station, please come in as my successor.]
[Postscript 3. Shin PD, sorry, but your hair transplant is super obvious. Of course, it’s also worth mentioning that your head is still quite empty. Like your conscience.]
[Postscript 4. That said, Shin PD, don’t think the reason you never got married at your age is due to your hair loss. You’re just ugly, so no one wants you.]
[Postscript 5. And don’t live your life like that, production team members of Shin PD. You guys are just as scummy.]
[That’s it. You bald vulture. Why don’t you go get a hair transplant for 5000 won each strand?]
Crash—!!
“Freaking bitch—!!”
After reading all the post-scripts, Shin PD slammed the desk once more.
Then, barely suppressing his rage, he turned to the dispatched legal team leader and asked.
“Huuh… Team Leader, this is the situation. Can we handle this without any issues?”
Lee Yeo-reum had thought that no one had ever dared challenge the authority of the Na Ah Ah production team…, but that wasn’t true.
Even earthworms wriggle when stepped on…, many trainees who left the idol industry had exposed and denounced Shin PD’s crew.
But every time, Shin PD’s crew had used their corporate connections to cover things up.
Shin PD thought he could sweep this under the rug again…
“Yes, it’s a violation of our confidentiality clauses in the contract, so the legal issue lies with the whistleblower. We haven’t violated any broadcasting regulations. However….”
“What… is the problem?”
“It seems that SAV is doing some media play on this.”
Unlike before when they dealt with just any random small company, this time the opponent was SAV.
For a small agency, competing with Shin PD’s crew would make it sensible to just let go of one trainee.
But SAV seemed intent on giving Shin PD and Nnet a slice of humble pie.
Feeling a headache coming on, Shin PD turned to his team members and asked.
“…What’s the public opinion? How does it look?”
“…If we must categorize it, it’s half and half. There are still people criticizing Seo Yoo-jin… while others are blaming us.”
Damn it.
Finally, the arrows of blame were pointed at the production team too.
All because of one damn trainee.
Shin PD felt a surge of irritation and turned to the legal team leader.
“Team Leader, can’t we accuse this disrespectful girl for defamation or something? Let’s ruin her life completely.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. That’s more of a company issue… For factually false defamation claims, it’s better to consult through a personal attorney…”
“Factually false… factually false, you say!!”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
Though the legal team leader apologized, he couldn’t help but chuckle as he glanced at Shin PD’s paid-for hair.
Seeing him in disbelief, Shin PD felt incredulous, but being of a higher rank, he couldn’t lash out.
As Shin PD contained his anger, trembling in frustration, a junior writer attempted to comfort him.
“Sir, us being criticized isn’t new, right? This time we’re just being criticized a bit more than usual. We’re not public figures…, and in time, the public will forget about it.”
“……”
The public forgets in time.
Shin PD thought so too.
But what his junior didn’t know was Shin PD’s unique dilemma.
He was currently undergoing assessment for promotion to Nnet’s Vice President.
To secure his position as Vice President, Shin PD needed to peak his career in this Na Ah Ah.
Thus, he had made a risky choice to mess with a trainee from SAV, and it had returned with severe consequences.
Bzzz.
Shin PD felt regret wash over him, thinking he had poked a hornet’s nest.
Bzzz.
Was it an illusion?
The buzzing of bees seemed to echo in his ears…
“Sir, you have a call.”
“…Huh.”
It wasn’t an illusion; the vibrating sound in his ears was coming from his cell phone.
As Shin PD held his aching head and picked up the phone.
And the moment he saw the name on the screen…
[Director.]
“…Hahaha, damn it.”
He thought it would be better to be stung by an actual bee.