Save a Failed Idol’s Life

Translator: MarcTempest

Editor: NicoleTempest

Chapter 22 Dead End (2)

I understand that you want to get rid of the internal stock for the idol group that will be useless next year.

‘But it’s a different story if I’m the one being pushed out.’

This was also the last project that I had to prepare.

For them, it was just a budget cut, but for me, it was a revenge that I staked my life on. I couldn’t compromise on something that I had to do for myself.

“Excuse me, but did you have any prior discussion about the first proposal?”

They looked embarrassed, as if they didn’t expect me to resist so strongly.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that the quality of the first one is the best.”

The manager who was in charge of mediating the situation waved his hand frantically, trying to lighten the mood.

“Then let’s go with the third one.”

The quality could be improved by arranging and recording.

The team leader answered with a troubled expression, as if he was annoyed by my strong reaction.

“Ise, actually, we found a perfect place for the concept art and the music video set. If we go with the first proposal, we can reduce the preparation time as much as possible and it would be great… Do you really have to do the third one?”

At this point, I was sure that what I had vaguely imagined in my head was true.

They had already booked a place for another group, but they rejected it, so they were trying to pass it on to us.

It might have been a decent offer if it was summer.

‘The quality must be good. They must have put more effort into it than the one they prepared for the climax.’

But it’s October, October!

Coming back with a summer concept in October was the last challenge.

I couldn’t accept it.

“Then how about this? We’ll go with the third one, but we’ll do the planning, arranging, and writing parts with our own team or my own budget, excluding the staff hiring. We’ll make sure that no additional costs or personnel fees are incurred.”

“What?”

Kyunghwa’s eyes widened at my unexpected offer.

“What are you talking about?”

Kyunghwa, who was flustered, tried to fix the situation.

“Just a moment, let’s talk among ourselves…”

“No need. And since I’m investing my own money, I’d like you to adjust the revenue share ratio for this activity.”

As things didn’t go as they planned, the two executives looked awkward and embarrassed.

“Uh… That’s…”

“We’ll have to talk to the director and get approval for that.”

At that moment, the team leader quickly calculated in his head and smiled broadly.

“I’m sure the director will agree. Then let’s do that.”

“Yes?”

From the company’s perspective, it was a group that didn’t make any money. They had no reason to stop a rich kid who wanted to spend his money for the last time.

While Kyunghwa and the manager were panicking and stomping their feet, I calmly sorted out the situation.

“Then I’ll take it as we’re going with the third proposal.”

“Yes…”

The atmosphere that had been frozen for a while finally loosened up.

“You said you wanted to plan the concept yourself within the team. What are you thinking?”

As soon as the confrontation was over, the team leader asked me with a smile on his face, as if he wanted to see how much I could do.

His mouth was curved, but his eyes were not smiling.

It was as if he was challenging me to prove how great my idea was, since I didn’t follow his suggestion.

I didn’t hesitate to pull out the USB that contained the presentation file that I had made at the officetel.

“Can I use the beam projector?”

I wished I had a laser pointer or a clicker, but I didn’t ask for too much.

[2019-2020 Fall Male Idol Concept Analysis and Planning Proposal]

Design is also a skill.

They were all surprised by the presentation that had a simple design that emphasized readability and restraint.

“I’ll start the presentation.”

As an idol, my ability was only slightly better than an average person, as the stats proved.

But as a businessman, and even as a strategist and negotiator? It was just a waste of words to say it twice.

From the analysis of the loyalty group (fandom) and the non-loyalty group (general) reactions, to the graph of the popularity.

I presented the data that I had analyzed thoroughly from the investor’s perspective, and everyone in the conference room was speechless.

‘Of course it’s perfect. I analyzed it as if I was investing 30 billion won of my own money.’

Of course, to be honest, I was not the kind of person who would invest in such an uncertain industry.

I was the type who valued stability too much to invest in a business that could be ruined by one accident of a member.

“The third sound source would go well with the concept of Day After’s third album and Peak’s debut single.”

Day After’s third album was a concept of rebellious young people who gathered in an abandoned factory.

Peak’s debut single was a concept that added a futuristic feel to that and brought out the SF sense.

It seemed like a good idea to adjust the intensity so that Seong-won’s decadent voice and Yi-jun’s rough rapping could go well.

“Wow…”

“Se-jun, did you see? This is how you make an analysis report.”

The team leader, who was the first to come to his senses, scolded the staff.

“Ise wasn’t kidding when he strongly recommended the third one.”

And then he wrapped it up as if it was a good thing.

“We really wanted to push for the first one, so… Haha. I’m not saying I’m not disappointed. But since you prepared so reliably, I’ll trust you and leave the rest to you.”

Huh?

I asked reflexively at the ominous ending.

“Yes?”

Then the team leader smiled with a polite but unfriendly smile and added.

“Didn’t you say you would do your best with your own team? That’s good. A single that shows the best of the members after a year and a half of hard work. The fans will love it, right?”

This… Is he mocking me?

I thought he was convinced by the presentation, but he only acknowledged my skill.

He still seemed to hold a grudge for not being able to use the internal stock.

“By the way, Oh Yi-jun is famous for producing his own songs. That’s great. I’ll give you the sound source, so why don’t you try to make a demo with lyrics?”

Suddenly?

While I was holding back my words because of the unexpected progress, Kyunghwa, who had been stiff, intervened.

“Yes. I’ll try.”

No, weren’t you usually the one who stopped him when this happened?

I was quite puzzled by Ryu Kyunghwa, who kept acting out of my expectations today.

“Good, you look very confident.”

I swallowed a dry saliva at the sentence that made me doubt if it was a pure compliment.

***

“Ha…”

As soon as I got into the taxi after finishing the first concept meeting, Kyunghwa let out a long sigh of relief.

“Why did you say you would try it there?”

When I asked him with a bewildered expression, Kyunghwa answered right away.

“How could I say no when you prepared so hard there?”

“Excuses.”

When I retorted briefly, Kyunghwa lowered his head.

“It’s not an excuse. You gotta see it again. I also thought I should reflect and get my mind straight. I was so nervous because it was my first time going there.”

“Did you get nervous?”

“Yes. I’m used to being on stage now, so it’s okay. But I get nervous in situations I haven’t experienced before.”

It was natural that he was surprised.

I didn’t expect Cheon Ise to be able to do such a professional level of analysis presentation.

Cheon Ise was originally not good at this area, so there was no prejudice.

“Don’t flatter me. There’s nothing to gain from flying me.”

It was a joke, but I caught a glimpse of Kyunghwa’s body flinching for a moment.

It was very brief, so a normal person wouldn’t have noticed.

“It’s not flying you. I was honestly surprised when you said you wanted to go to the meeting.”

“What’s there to be surprised about?”

He was like a son to me in terms of mental age, but on the surface, he was the same age as me.

That meant. I could have a relatively equal conversation with him, unlike the other guys I had to take care of as a brother.

“I wondered if I could go to that kind of place.”

I snapped back.

“Why do you think that? We’re the ones who sing and dance on stage. We should be able to see and decide what we want to do.”

“That’s…”

Kyunghwa paused for a moment, then answered with a sigh.

“You have a different background from us.”

He was right.

I might as well tell him since I was being blunt. I crossed my arms and leaned back on the seat.

“Use it if you know.”

“What?”

“Use it. Whether it’s the manager or the planning team leader, if they say something that doesn’t seem possible, do something else, do this. If they keep pushing something that’s bound to fail, use me as an excuse and refuse.”

Kyunghwa didn’t answer right away.

“I can’t do this because Cheon Ise will go crazy, whether it’s an excuse or a pretext, I’ll take care of it. You just think about what can succeed.”

“…”

As he didn’t answer, I added one more thing.

“Do you know why I said I would come with you today?”

Then Kyunghwa finally opened his mouth.

“No. Honestly, I don’t understand. Rather than me, Oh Yi-jun…”

“He can’t.”

“Why?”

I saw Kyunghwa’s eyes shaking in the rearview mirror.

“He doesn’t have an objective eye to see what can succeed. He’s happy if he’s having fun. He’ll think it’s the group that failed, not him, even if our group fails.”

To be honest, it was a harsh comment that made me feel a little sorry for Oh Yi-jun. But it was the truth.

“That’s why it’s you. You’re like someone who makes a bowl out of broken pieces of morale when the kids fight. You feel responsible and try to solve it even if you don’t know what to do.”

“What does that have to do with this?”

Kyunghwa frowned at the ambiguous remark that was neither angry nor complimentary.

“It means that I needed your opinion as the most desperate and practical leader to prevent this group from failing.”

“Speak clearly.”

As we talked, familiar scenery spread out outside the car window. It was time to get off in front of the dorm.

“I trust you.”

Of course, it was a lie.

I still didn’t have confidence in my idol work, so I needed him as a reference.

If I succeeded in this comeback, I wouldn’t have to cling to him like this anymore.

Kyunghwa’s face looked thoughtful for a moment, then changed to a determined one.

“I said I would reflect and get my mind straight, right? Go and help me persuade Oh Yi-jun and Son Seong-won.”

They would both yell at me for how it happened, why we decided it by ourselves, and what happened. They would make a lot of noise.

Seonwoo would… He had a sore spot, so he would say okay! He wouldn’t be able to say anything else.

“Let’s ask Oh Yi-jun for the arrangement first. For the lyrics, let’s listen to the music that was sent by email and decide on the parts, and write them separately.”

I agreed with him. If there was a problem with the parts, he would be a buffer between Oh Yi-jun and Seong-won.

I nodded and pointed to the alley across the street to the taxi driver.

“Driver, please drop me off over there.”

As soon as I paid and got out, the weather was stuffy as if the rainy season was coming.

Raindrops fell to the ground with a thud as soon as I got out of the taxi.

“It’s raining.”

“My hair will fall out. Let’s go in quickly.”

I had a strangely ominous feeling that wouldn’t go away.

Now it was time to deliver the contents of the meeting to these trash.

I had barely gotten over one, and now I was walking into the eye of another storm.