Top Management

"Two, three, hello! We are Edena!"

A girl group in red hooded capes bowed at the waist.

It was just like 'the busiest days are market days'—today of all days, there was a music broadcast, and GTBN's entire building was bustling with idols and staff.

"Hello, we are Neptune!"

The Neptune members returned the greeting and waved as they were about to move on, but the Edena members, looking urgent, poked each other.

"Senior, could we possibly trouble you for a group photo······."

"Sure!"

Seo Young quickly turned around.

"Sister! Song Ha! Eljay! Hurry up and come for the photo!"

Seo Young arranged the position for a sleepy Song Ha, Eljay, and herself and took the photo happily. It was already the fifth time they had taken a photo on their way from the broadcast station lobby.

Watching the members who were shooting, a man stealthily approached.

"Thank you for the photo. I am Edena's manager!"

"And I am,"

"Manager Jung Sunwoo!"

"······Yes."

When did I no longer need to introduce myself in my life?

After taking the photo and exchanging greetings once again, they went back to the Neptune waiting room.

Even while walking, Seo Young turned back several times and said with a pinched face, "Reminds me of the old days. We used to be like that too."

"Have you debuted for about twenty years now?"

Eljay snickered.

Seo Young, pretending not to hear, stood in front of the door to the Neptune waiting room and looked back at me.

"Manager! Could you please record a video of us entering our waiting room? Tilt down from the ceiling to my back looking at the door! And follow me as I open the door and enter! You know the feel!"

"I’m not sure I do."

Seo Young's lips puckered.

With a snicker, I took out my phone.

"Look."

"Yes!"

"But why ask me? Kwan Woo and Seo Jung are here too."

"Brother, it has to be your clumsy hand to get the old vibe right!"

"······."

I did my best to film as requested.

After filming all the way inside the waiting room, I handed the phone back to Seo Young. She was quite satisfied with the result and reviewed the video contentedly.

Eljay picked up a questionnaire next to a water bottle and scoffed.

"Stop being so melodramatic, really."

"Hey! Don’t crumple that! I’m keeping it!"

Seo Young hastily snatched one of the questionnaires she had prepared for the members, rolled it up, and tied it with a hair tie before placing it in her bag.

"What are you going to do with that?"

"I’m going to scrap it. This all becomes a souvenir, you know?"

Eljay looked back at me with a truly incredulous expression.

"Are we disbanding tomorrow? Am I the only one who doesn’t know?"

"No."

I then asked Seo Young.

"Seo Young, why are you suddenly like this? Did you hear something bad?"

"Just······ I want to record everything about our activities from now on. This might be the most glamorous and glittering period of our lives. Later, when I look through these traces one by one, I’ll reminisce about this time."

With that, she looked longingly around the waiting room.

Anyone would think it was her retirement stage from her singing career today.

It was just a recording for a music show in a mini-concert format.

Even though she was always the most emotional member, this was a bit too much. Until recently, she had been on fire about a new album, concerts, and getting physically prepared because we would be busy soon.

Had she seen some unnecessary chatter while surfing SNS?

Eljay clicked his tongue.

"Why don’t you just attach an action cam to your forehead then?"

"Should I? I want to preserve even this atmosphere."

"······She’s really lost it. Is it okay to just leave her like this,"

Eljay just closed his mouth after looking at the other members.

Taeshin had already taken up one seat on the sofa and was playing a card game on his phone app. Song Ha was half-awake, laying a blanket beside him.

At that moment.

My phone vibrated in Seo Young's hand.

"Brother, you’ve got a call?"

"Who is it?"

"This madwoman······"

Oh my.

"What kind of name is that? Is it a woman?"

It was Chaeyoung.

Thank goodness it wasn’t her real name saved but a nickname. Among Neptune members, Chaeyoung was considered a mortal enemy. The kind whose family was biding their time, sharpening their knives for revenge.

If her name

 had appeared on my phone right then, recording and everything else······.

"Why is the name?"

Song Ha threw aside the blanket and came over to look at the phone screen.

Then he just snatched the phone from Seo Young's hand.

It seemed like the temperature in the waiting room dropped suddenly.

Did he know who it was?

"Um······"

The vibration stopped.

Song Ha handed the phone back to me.

"It’s hung up."

"Ah, it’s fine."

He doesn’t know.

I took a deep breath and was about to put the phone back in my back pocket when I hesitated.

Something felt off.

There had been a missed call from Chaeyoung not long ago too.

Why keep calling?

Was there some important matter?

"Just a moment, I’m resting."

After hesitating, I finally took the phone and stepped outside the waiting room.

I found an empty emergency staircase and walked down a few steps while dialing the number.

The ringing stopped quickly.

-It’s me.

Even hearing the voice was enough to cause arrhythmia.

Despite it being quite a while, it felt as fresh as if I had heard it yesterday.

-It’s me.

"I know."

-You know, so why don’t you answer the phone? If you’re not going to answer, why carry a phone at all?

"I was busy······ why did you call?"

-It’s been noisy lately. I thought I’d give you a piece of life advice.

I almost stumbled down the stairs.

I stopped walking and found a safe spot on the stair landing.

"Advice? From you, to me?"

Of course, my life has been rather colorful lately.

But even so.

I hadn’t fallen so low as to need life advice from Chaeyoung.

-From what I’ve seen, you’ve got the concept wrong from the start.

Concept?

-How long are you going to keep pretending? Isn’t it frustrating, being inherently bad-tempered? If you’re going to continue in this line of work, might as well have a freak show at this point. It’s better than looking foolish and vulnerable.

People,

Looking foolish and vulnerable?

Those words nailed themselves into my ears like stakes.

-And while you’re at it, work with me.

"······I thought I declined that already. Several times."

-Three years is enough time for opinions to change.

Chaeyoung’s voice was strangely mixed with laughter.

-Isn’t that how it goes with work or love? The first time is like a trial and error, and the real thing starts the second time.

"······I still don’t plan to. Then."

I abruptly hung up the phone.

Somehow, if I kept listening, I might start to find some sense in Chaeyoung’s crazy talk.

And gradually get used to it step by step until one day.

I might end up living in the same dumpster with Chaeyoung.

Just the thought was chilling.

Lee Songha, having shaken off her phone that seemed tainted, returned to Neptune's dressing room. The others were taking breaks, busy with their tasks, but she stood lost in thought at the same place.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm calculating."

Lee Songha responded.

"Calculating what?"

"What am I saved as in your phone?"

"Huh?"

Instead of answering, Lee Songha asked unexpectedly.

"What's my name in your phone?"

"Lee Songha."

"Ah, I see."

Her eyes narrowed.

Im Seoyoung, who had joined in suddenly, asked, "And me? What am I saved as?"

"Im Seoyoung."

"And him?"

"Eljay."

"And her?"

"Itaehui."

Im Seoyoung, who had elicited a string of answers from me, also narrowed her eyes.

"There's not a speck of affection to be found."

"So, what have you saved me as?"

"Python?"

"..."

"Why, it's a nickname we made up among ourselves! It contains our affection and memories! I even set it as a speed dial, number 8!"

Thanks a lot.

The conversation having come up, I too looked at Lee Songha curiously.

"What have you saved me as?"

"..."

"Why can't you speak,"

Her phone vibrated again just then.

Hopefully, it wasn't Son Chaeyoung, I thought as I checked it. It was a message from the director of GTBN's variety department, who was already waiting in the conference room and urging me about my whereabouts.

Checking the time, I realized the appointment was just moments away.

"Everyone, rest until it's time for the standby. I'm heading up for a meeting."

Leaving the dressing room, I headed straight to the variety department.

GTBN was preparing to launch a new program that would greatly benefit Neptune, which is why they were persistently dangling it before me. I decided to attend the meeting to hear more about it.

As it turned out, there was a recording scheduled today as well, which worked out.

Upon reaching the floor of the variety department, a young-faced PD approached.

"Have you arrived? The others are already in the conference room."

"The others?"

The only person I was scheduled to meet today was Director Jeon Jongho.

As I entered the indicated conference room, the people seated around a long table all turned to look at me. It was a full house. This was more than just the main and secondary; even the supporting members of the program were gathered.

Director Jeon, sitting at the head of the table, waved his hand.

"Ah, Chief Jung is here? Sit down. What would you like? Coffee?"

"Water, please. But if the other meetings haven't finished yet..."

"No, we originally called just the main people, but when they heard you were meeting with Chief Jung, everyone got curious and just came in. After all, these are the faces you'll be seeing for the next few months."

Ah.

So I'm today's spectacle?

I'm not some zoo monkey.

Actually, monkeys are treated better than this; they at least get an admission fee.

Resisting the urge to flip the table, I sat down.

Still, this person was the head of the variety department.

They say if you endure three times, you can even avoid murder. Let's count this as one endurance.

As soon as we exchanged greetings, Director Jeon Jongho eagerly asked.

"Did Chief Jung watch 'Hong Gil-dong'?"

"No."

"Was it really because World Art Pictures gave something for Chief Jung to promote it? I heard such rumors."

"No."

"Well, even if they gave you something, it wouldn't be profitable. Just the fact that Chief Jung's image has become laughable because of 'Hong Gil-dong'. It's fortunate you're not a celebrity. If a celebrity's image gets tarnished, they lose expensive advertisement deals."

Enough about patience and trumpets.

At this point, would it even be self-defense if I killed him?

While I was being tempted, the conversation moved on to the main topic.

"A project group?"

"More precisely, a member-changing project group. You know, with so many fresh new groups debuting every year, groups that are 5 or 6 years old are considered past their prime?"

Hopefully, they're not talking about Neptune.

Hopefully.

"So, we're thinking of making member-changing project groups by recruiting three girl groups and swapping their members. Like a new Neptune, a fresh Neptune."

What nonsense is this.

"The members can escape their mannerisms and find their original intentions, while showing a rookie-like appearance to the public again and attracting new fans. How about it, the format's good, right?"

"..."

"Of course, once the project group is formed, they'll all release albums and perform activities together. The broadcasting station will fully support it..."

Are you sane?

You've come up with such a ridiculous idea and even made

 a proposal?

And it passed and moved on to the casting stage?

I felt my own intelligence dropping as I took a sip of the cold water placed in front of me.

"You're talking about gathering active idol groups, swapping their members, and then releasing albums in that state? Didn't anyone think it would lead to a viewers' brawl?"

I could only imagine the torrent of reactions that would ensue.

The groups appearing on the show would be dissected based on their years, popularity, and ranks.

It's openly instigating a fight among the fans, that's what this is.

Fans only? It might even lead to a fight among the agencies.

Kids' fights always turn into adults' battles.

The PD, with a snort, said.

"The hotter the reaction, the better. We're already discussing positively with Pine Tree Entertainment and HE. Highday and Strawberry Night are almost confirmed; we just need to adjust the schedules. They all said it was fine?"

So.

Since others are sending their kids, you'd better send yours without fuss?

"If Lee Songha can't make the schedule, then just Lee Songha, Itaehui, and Im Seoyoung, the three of them are fine to come out. Of course, it's best if Lee Songha can join too."

As soon as the PD mentioned the kids' names.

The grip on my paper cup tightened.

Director Jeon Jongho, who had been quietly watching, chimed in.

"We did 'Next K-pop Star' with TVL before. It's time we did something with you too. If we owe you for this, we'll keep our mouths shut, right?"

His tone was nearly threatening.

"Neptune and Pretty Girl will continue their activities, and the W&U actors will keep entering new dramas from our side. We'll definitely support you and settle everything. It's good to give and take with a good feeling."

Is this some kind of threat?

If we reject this casting, will they penalize us?

"..."

Instead of responding, I downed the remaining cold water. It didn't help much.

Rather, a warm sensation rushed up to the nape of my neck.

If we recklessly oppose a broadcaster like GTBN, it would be troublesome.

I've endured as much as I can.

When will I not need to endure anymore?

How much more do I need to succeed to not hear such nonsense?

What kind of person do I need to become,

to tell off that shameless face to stop talking nonsense and drink cold water instead?

If it were Representative Baek Hansung instead,

could they call him like a spectacle and spout such nonsense?

Ah.

Sometimes, Son Chaeyoung does say something right.

I decided, crushing the empty paper cup in my hand.

It's time to start some trouble.

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