***
"Ahhhhh! Really? For real? I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Upon hearing the news that they'd be performing in the second part of Idol Dejun, Sae-Ri was overwhelmed with elation, to the point where she seemed like she could fly and break through the ceiling.
Yang Eun-Bi, who was usually indifferent and cool, also hugged Sae-Ri from behind with joy, exclaiming that it was great news.
"Sae-Ri, this performance is really important to all of us. Let's not make any mistakes today, okay?"
Han Myung-Ho watched Cherry Blossom's joyful reactions with a fatherly smile before clapping to draw everyone's attention.
"Alright! As you all know, the stage you are about to perform in the second part of the show is where you will be competing with other groups. Do you think you can win?"
A total of five girl groups would be performing their choreography on the stage today. This was not just about talent, but also about showcasing their charm and charisma.
From that point forward, things became hectic.
The makeup team rushed over and Lee Dong-Min stayed in the waiting room to make calls in every direction.
I quickly exchanged information with the company's publicity department and sent materials about Cherry Blossom to the PD.
Just like that, one event in my planner disappeared.
[Everyday V10]
[Date: December 24th, 2019]
-09:30 PM
(Deleted Schedule: Opening spot for Petite More's backstage performance collaboration.)
I had overcome one hurdle, but there was still a bigger challenge waiting for me ahead.
[Everyday V10]
[Date: December 24th, 2019]
-11:00 PM: Notification of budget cuts for Cherry Blossom's 3rd album production.
The agenda about the budget cut at 11 o'clock still hadn't disappeared.
***
"Oppa! You said securing just one backstage spot was a piece of cake! You boasted so confidently, but what is this!?"
Facing the anger of the Pink Diamonds members, their talent agent, Choi Myung-Gil, was sweating profusely.
"Hey, I only said that it's worth giving a try because our president and Choi Eun-Hyuk have a great relationship. What do you mean I boasted so confidently?"
Upon hearing the news that there was a vacancy in Petite More's backstage due to a heavy snowfall, Choi Myung-Gil immediately went to seek out Choi Eun-Hyuk. But by the time he arrived, he couldn't even muster the courage to say a word because a replacement had already been found.
"Are you sure it's not because you're incompetent?"
"That's not it! You know Team Lead Kang Hyee-Dong, the talent agent of Floren? Even he didn't stand a chance. I heard he protested but Choi Eun-Hyuk didn't even flinch."
Choi Myung-Gil animatedly described the situation with his hands.
"Well, you should have at least tried something! We're from TK Entertainment—we are the sister group of Petite More! If Pink Diamonds doesn't get that backstage spot, then who will?"
Choi Myung-Gil found himself cornered at Gu Min-Ji's sharp retort.
"Cherry Blossom."
"What? Cherry Blossom?"
Gu Min-Ji looked as if she was about to faint at any moment. She thought it was absurd for Cherry Blossom, a group ranked lower than them, to perform in the second part of the show.
"Oh my goodness, this is ridiculous! How can this be?"
Creak.
At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal entered with a frown, mentioning that he could hear the noise from outside the waiting room.
"Who's raising their voice like this? What's this all about?"
"M-Mr. Ma."
Choi Myung-Gil stood up abruptly and Pink Diamonds also rose to their feet as they bowed their heads.
"What's going on here?"
Gu Min-Ji bit her lips and began to explain the situation. After hearing the story, Ma Dong-Pal asked with an irritated look on his face.
"And?"
"I'm sorry?"
"So? What do you want me to do about it?"
"Since we're the direct hoobae of Petite More sunbae, can you speak on our behalf and…"
"Hey, Gu Min-Ji."
"Yes, Mr. Ma."
"Are you in your right mind? Don't you know how much I hate people who can't grasp the situation?"
When Ma Dong-Pal frowned, Gu Min-Ji and the rest of Pink Diamonds shivered.
Ma Dong-Pal had been in a bad mood ever since the news about Park Eun-Bin's unsuccessful transition to acting began circulating.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Ma. I was short-sighted."
Gu Min-Ji bit her lips and bowed her head. Asking Ma Dong-Pal to speak on their behalf meant pleading for assistance to the high-ups. Requesting Ma Dong-Pal, the company's second-in-command, to intercede with the PD for their benefit was clearly crossing the line.
Ma Dong-Pal looked at the Pink Diamonds members frozen on the spot and spoke in a calm voice.
Ma Dong-Pal was someone who employed a carrot and stick approach in training idols.
"Tsk. You know that I'm not trying to destroy your confidence or anything, right? If you had told me about this situation earlier, I would have been able to help you out!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Min-Ji hesitantly lifted her head and asked.
"That means…"
"What can I do when they've already made a decision on their end?"
Gu Min-Ji bit her lips. However, Ma Dong-Pal's focus had now shifted elsewhere.
"And you—Choi Myung-Gil."
"Y-yes? Yes, sir!""
"What on earth were you doing?"
As soon as he said that, Ma Dong-Pal kicked Choi Myung-Gil in the shin.
Thud!
"What were you doing as a talent agent such that this happened?"
"Ke heuk! I-I'm sorry."
Seeing Choi Myung-Gil overwhelmed by the pain in his shin and bowing his head continuously, Gu Min-Ji's face relaxed slightly, as if her irritation was being eased.
"Did you find out who the replacement is?"
"I-I heard that Cherry Blossom is the replacement."
"Cherry Blossom? That four-member girl group from Hoop Entertainment?"
"Yes, sir. I clearly heard that Cherry Blossom is the replacement."
Ma Dong-Pal's eyebrows twitched in anger.
"That's so annoying. Why do we keep getting entangled with Hoop Entertainment?"
With a frown, Ma Dong-Pal hurriedly set out to find Choi Eun-Hyuk. Despite telling Gu Min-Ji that there was little he could do, he still intended to give it a try. However, he did so not because he was looking out for Pink Diamonds.
'Jung Yoo-Jin fucked up Park Eun-Bin, and now it's Cherry Blossom's turn?'
Ma Dong-Pal had a bad hunch about repeatedly getting entangled with Hoop Entertainment. He clenched his teeth as he planned to intervene in Hoop Entertainment's plans this time.
***
As I waited for Cherry Blossom to come down after recording the first part of their stage, I saw Ma Dong-Pal approaching Choi Eun-Hyuk.
Seeing him engaged in an intense conversation with Choi Eun-Hyuk. It seemed like he was plotting something.
"Mr. Lee, don't you think that guy's trying to do something?"
But Lee Dong-Min simply smirked as he watched what was happening.
"Don't you worry. Even though Eun-Hyuk may seem naive, he's a tough cookie who wouldn't flinch even if you pricked him with a needle. Bribery, my ass. If he throws money at Eun-Hyuk, he will only get irritated."
'Is he actually confident or is he bluffing again? It would be a real problem if Choi Eun-Hyuk ends up being convinced and switches sides.'
However, as the conversation continued, the laughter between the two disappeared and Ma Dong-Pal's expression became distorted.
"See? I told you. I bet Ma Dong-Pal irritated him real good."
Lee Dong-Min let out a sigh of relief with sweaty palms.
'Yep. He was totally bluffing.'
But I pretended not to notice how nervous he was.
Watching Ma Dong-Pal storm off, Lee Dong-Min looked at me and said in a serious tone.
"Yoon-Ho."
"Yes, Mr. Lee. It really turned out just as you said. You're amazing."
When I gave him a thumbs up, Lee Dong-Min said.
"That's not it. Do you want to join Singer Division 2 by any chance?"
For a moment, my mind buzzed with the unexpected proposal.
It felt like I had used up my entire lifetime's worth of luck today, considering that I was receiving all sorts of incredible proposals.
'From Yoo-Jin's advertisement proposal, Kim Soll-Ip's role proposal, and now a scouting proposal from Singer Division 2?'
I politely declined Lee Dong-Min's offer, but he advised me to think it over and not turn him down immediately.
"I think Cherry Blossom really needs someone like you right now. If you join Singer Division 2, I'll make sure to nurture and guide you as much as possible."
Staring into Lee Dong-Min's sincere face, I could not find a single trace of deceit.
'Hm. What should I do about this?'