Chapter 77
In a radio studio . The lights under ‘Broadcasting’ was currently red .
Jung MinAh was in this place . This programme named ‘Starry Road’ was aimed at young audiences . Next to her was the leader of DiaTeen, Kang SeGyung .
The main emcee, Kim HyoJin, asked a lot of things from Jung MinAh .
“…So even such things can happen at school . You must have had it hard . ”
“Miss MinAh . You go to school too, right?”
“yes . If I don’t have a schedule, then I always do . That’s why it’s so… . ”
The fact that Kim HyoJin’s body was facing more towards Jung MinAh showed the reputation of the two girls . However, Kang SeGyung was no easy girl . She put a lot of effort in to join the conversation and showed a humorous side as well . Thanks to that, Jung MinAh couldn’t relax during these past two hours .
Like that, time passed and the programme finished .
“Thank you for your work . ”
As she had learned from KangYoon, she politely greeted the staff .
“You too, Miss MinAh . You’re always so pretty . ”
“Thank you very much . ”
Jung MinAh left the studio with a smile . Kang SeGyung followed suit .
“…You’re good, MinAh . ”
“What’s good?”
“Just, everything . You aren’t the leader for nothing . ”
Jung MinAh and Kang SeGyung had a conversation . 22 years old, although Kang SeGyung had debuted later than her, Jung MinAh still respected her . Though, that didn’t mean she liked her… .
“You too, unni . ”
“Nah, I’m still ways off from catching you, MinAh-seonbae . Then see you later . ”
“Yes . ”
The two ended their conversation with smiles on their faces, but there was a wall between them . Jung MinAh could feel better than anyone that the members of DiaTeen were wary against them and were trying to rise using them as the foothold .
“I think I meet them in everything I do . ”
Manager Kim JiHyun clicked her tongue while watching Kang SeGyung walking away .
“It can’t he be helped . Rivals are supposed to compete against each other . But anyway, do you know what KangYoon-ahjussi is up to?”
“Do you know that you asked that 2 hours ago?”
“I’m just curious . ”
Manager Kim JiHyun clicked her tongue .
Jung MinAh’s wish for KangYoon was now well known to everyone .
***
Large Hall of Bucheon Art Center . A fancy breakdancing performance was currently taking place .
The dancing by the Battlemonsters didn’t just grab the audience with fancy techniques alone . Even their light movements were like violent waves, and the glimpse of abs and muscles on the arms caught the attention of the female audience in the front rows . The large screen installed on the right of the stage also showed their figure . The audience on the 2nd floor was very passionate in their cheers as well .
One team member, Jeon SeungJin, threw his hat into the audience before bowing down like a gentleman’s greeting . His silent gesture triggered the audience to applaud and the lights on the stage slowly turned off .
[There’s a breakdancing concert of such level in Korea?]
Oda, who was currently watching the performances in the front rows surrounded by girl fans, could not take his eyes off the marvelous breakdancing performances . The lights, sounds, and even the progression of the performances were very much to his liking .
[A picture speaks a thousand words . Well, I guess it’s a stage in this case . But anyway, that guy is really amazing . ]
Even Producer Akabashi, who heard about KangYoon to the death from JooAh, could not hide his surprise while looking at the real deal . In his and Oda’s minds, they were picturing the busy movements of the staff behind the stage .
While they were picturing such scenes, a mask appeared in the pitch-black darkness of the stage . Following that, some threads and a pair of white gloves appeared . In the darkness, they danced like pendulums before dragging out another mask from the floor .
[Whoa… . What is this now?]
Producer Akabashi widened his eyes . It was like watching some avant-garde art . A couple of hands and a couple of masks were dancing attune to the piano instrumentals . Everyone started being absorbed by their movements .
[That’s one hell of a mood… . ]
The stage started getting brighter . As the lights turned on, the figure behind the mask showed itself . The figure was being manipulated by another masked figure and was showing the suffering of being controlled by a dance . Numerous figures around that central figure manipulated the central figure, and the central figure showed suffering . The marvelous dancing and the emphasized dancing was enough to make the audience very absorbed .
The rhythm sped up and the mood heightened . Psychedelic lights flashed, and the dances started becoming more violent as well . The one manipulated struggled to escape control but was bound by threads . The snappy dancing and the flashing lights on top of accelerating bass rhythm was enough to make the audience clench their fists in nervousness . However, the one being controlled eventually collapsed onto the ground in confusion . Along with that, the surroundings darkened again .
However, it seemed the figure’s efforts had paid off .
The threads manipulating the central figure seemed to have snapped off, as that figure stood up as the lights turned back on . Along with the lights, the figure creakily moved its body like a broken puppet . However, once the figure confirmed that the threads were gone, it regained its smooth movements . Along with glee, the mask on the figure’s face was also thrown off .
Like that, a piece was fini-
“It… . It’s JooAh!”
Since all the figures on the stage were completely clad in black, the people did not realize that at all . Although they knew that she would be appearing, they never imagined that she would be appearing in such a form . People cheered at the unexpected appearance .
And as to reply to those cheers, the music changed for the brighter, and all members of Battlemonsters threw away their masks and ran up front .
“WHOAAAAA!!!”
“JOOAH, JOOAH!”
As though to blow away the dark mood the moment before, the Large Hall was filled with cheers and passionate cries .
***
‘That’s one done . ’
Behind the stage, KangYoon was heaving a sigh of relief after seeing the scene were white light danced around . The white light became more beautiful as JooAh threw her mask away, but he was slightly disappointed that the influence of that light didn’t continue until the end .
JooAh did another piece in succession and exited the stage . Seeing her in a completely different form, the fans were all erupting in cheers . This would become a hot issue on the internet . Also, this would become a huge profit for JooAh in the long run .
“Over there . Move the first pin slightly to the right . ”
The staging room was a war zone . The lights engineer ordered the pin light manager, and people in charge of sound and special effects were all very busy in their work as well .
Since one big issue was finished, KangYoon headed to the back of the stage while being careful not to disturb them .
“Well done . ”
“Fuah . ”
Behind the stage, JooAh was literally lying on the ground while sweating from all over her body . This was quite rare for her, who had high stamina .
“Was I okay?”
KangYoon wordlessly put a thumbs up .
“Heh, I knew it . I’m awesome, aren’t I?”
“There you go again with your boasting . ”
“What? Sheesh, you really are the only one that treats me like this . Heh, but I feel good today, so I forgive you . ”
JooAh covered her exposed stomach and stood up slowly . She wiped her sweat with the towel KangYoon handed her and left the waiting room . The two headed to the audience seats to watch the remaining performances .
“Really . World class sure is different . ”
KangYoon was very satisfied with JooAh’s attitude . Although it wasn’t easy to impress her, she definitely did acknowledge this team . Even in KangYoon’s eyes, their level was beyond top-notch .
“Thanks for calling me here . ”
“It’s nothing new . ”
“It’s usually not easy since those kinds of people are all about pride . I got to experience such a thing thanks to you . Thanks . ”
KangYoon smiled, thinking that this was a good result .
The concert was now nearing its end . JooAh also went back to the stage saying that she had to be there for the final closing . On the stage, Bang SanHyuk and the others were showing off their skills one by one and the audience applauded . Finally, JooAh showed off a skill called ‘Nike’, and the cheers intensified .
Like that, the concert by Battlemonsters was finished successfully .
***
“Ho, it’s already the time for the first quarter’s audit season?”
Chairman Won JinMoon received a series of paperwork from Director Kim JinHo . On the paper, the title ‘MG Entertainment audit for Q1’ .
“Yes . The teams under Director Moon GwangShik and Director Yoo GyungTae have finished theirs . ”
“How were the results? Last time, there were parts where the budget on-paper and the actual budget did not match . ”
“There was an error in the process . I have investigated what was happening, and a vice-head of a department tampered with it . ”
“Really?”
Chairman Won JinMoon narrowed his eyes . The director talked about the details written on the documents and also handed in some papers for deduction in pay and a job suspension for the ones responsible . Chairman Won JinMoon nodded and signed the papers .
“Chairman . I have a question . ”
“Go ahead . ”
“About the General Music Team under President Lee HyunJi . ”
“Is there a problem?”
Chairman Won JinMoon asked in wonder . Then, the director heaved a deep breath before carefully mentioning this topic .
“The entirety of the General Music Team is the concert team . As you know, it’s also the team that Team Leader Lee KangYoon is in charge of, and is producing results in . ”
“It is indeed . What is it that you want to say?”
Chairman Won JinMoon asked for his intentions . Director Kim JinHo seemed to hesitate a little before seeming to have come to a decision and said it directly .
“Until now, the teams under Team Leader Lee KangYoon have not been audited even once . That is, under your specific orders, Chairman . ”
“Yes . I did order that . Is there a problem with it?”
“Team Leader Lee KangYoon is definitely capable . He is indeed worthy of your consideration . But I think that this will be unfair to the other teams if this keeps going on . ”
“Fairness, fairness, you say… . ”
This definitely was not wrong . Just because the achievements received every quarter were good, ‘continuing’ to not receive audits was definitely not a good thing .
“This time around, there’s a company-wide audit . And here comes my point . I wonder if we can do an audit this time at this opportunity . ”
“Hmm… . ”
Chairman Won JinMoon fell into contemplation . KangYoon’s team was currently just growing wings . However, as the chairman, he also had to consider the equity of the company . On one side, he was also slightly wary since the team was going on a slightly different ‘route’ from what the company strived for .
After a long period of contemplation, he opened his mouth .
“The breakdancing concert will be over soon, so you can carry it out then . Do it on a small scale . So that there won’t be anything about it . Do you get what I mean?”
“Understood, sir . ”
Director Kim JinHo bid goodbye to the chairman and left the chairman’s office .
‘Finally… . ’
Director Kim JinHo thought back to the past when he came up with the project to send JooAh to Japan, but was rejected . He was the first one to think that up in the company, but the one who succeeded in the project was some random guy from the outside – KangYoon .
Thinking about that time, Director Kim JinHo gritted his teeth .
***
During the past few years, a new ‘word’ was coined in Hongdae (Hongik university district) .
Hongdae goddess!
Originally, indie bands in Hongdae were very rare and were treated like precious guests . This being the case, the original term was ‘Hongdae girl singer’ . But with the looks to top it off, the ‘girl singer’ changed to ‘goddess’ . Currently, there were quite a few ‘goddesses’ in Hongdae… .
“… and I’m one of them?”
Lee HyunAh almost burst out laughing after hearing Kim JinDae say that . Then, Jung ChanGyu also chimed in .
“Well . They would never say that if they saw you picking your nose during practice . ”
“When did I pick my nose? Did you see? Huh?”
“I did, that’s why I’m saying it . ”
“Bullsh*t!”
Lee HyunAh attacked Jung ChanGyu . But he had already hidden behind Lee ChaHee . When the two growled, Lee ChaHee slowly stood up from her seat and tried to mediate .
“It’s because we became more popular after our stage last time . If you become the Hongdae goddess, it will be better for our popularity . And you, ChanGyu . You shouldn’t mention picking noses in front of ladies . ”
“…Tch . ”
The two eventually just grumbled and ended on that note . After it became a bit quieter, she sat back down again and started replacing the strings on her bass guitar .
Kim JinDae continued to speak .
“Since she’s the Hongdae goddess now, more people will come to our performance, right?”
“Ah, that gives me the shivers… . ”
***
Although KangYoon almost never came to the company and went to Battlemonsters’ studio directly in Onsu-dong recently due to work, it was now time to go back .
Having come to the company, KangYoon organized a few documents in ready for reporting . He was very excited to tell that the work was a success and to give bonuses out to the employees .
But along with a knock, a few company employees entered his office .
“What is it?”
The fact that they entered without waiting for a reply, and their arrogant expressions made KangYoon wary of them . They showed him their company employer’s cards and approached KangYoon .
“We are from the audit team . ”
“The audit team?”
KangYoon finally remembered that it was the season for audits for the 1st quarter .
“Oh, it’s the audit season . ”
KangYoon took out the documents he had prepared all the time . A USB, paperwork, external hard drives – the amount of materials KangYoon took out was immense . Even though Chairman Won JinMoon put an exception on him, he thought that something may happen . And just as he had thought, such a thing happened today .
When KangYoon obediently complied and gave them the materials, they were confused instead .
“Isn’t there more?”
“Sorry?”
“Please give us the papers regarding the concert team you did in the past . ”
KangYoon found this absurd . This was before the first quarter of this year . Why were they doing this now?
“Isn’t this the audit for the 1st quarter? And moreover, I’m in charge of the general music team and not the concert team . ”
“I apologize, but we are only moving as we were ordered to . ”
The man in the suit was firm in his actions .
“Please wait a moment . ”
KangYoon didn’t try to force this . This kind of problem was supposed to be taken care of by someone higher than him . He took out papers regarding last year’s concert team along with an external hard drive . They were literally the important documents of the concert team .
“Are there any more?”
Even after taking out everything, they tried to force their way into KangYoon’s drawers . KangYoon finally exploded at their actions .
“From the concert team, Eddios, and even JooAh’s entrance to Japan – everything’s there . What more do you need from my department? Is there something lacking? What the hell do you think you are doing?”
“…… . ”
“Is this how the audit team works?”
“We are only following orders… . ”
“I don’t care about those orders . Is rummaging through other people’s offices how your work, audit team?”
The audit team had nothing to say about that . Although they sometimes looked through offices under permission, this place was definitely not one of them . Moreover, they couldn’t say anything since KangYoon didn’t leave anything out .
“I gave you everything so please return . I will not sit by in this matter . ”
“Well, then… . ”
The staff of the audit team left the office rather toned down . Even they could not force KangYoon since he received the complete faith from the chairman with his achievements alone .
KangYoon was angry himself . No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t make sense to him that those people were trying to rummage through his office .
‘Fuu… . ’
But he still had to calm down . After settling down, KangYoon took the papers required to report and headed to the chairman’s office .