Lee Dong-Min pondered for a moment. "It does make sense... But even if they hoarded all the songs, that shouldn't stop them from giving songs to Cherry Blossom. Something isn't right."
"Maybe they're doing it to keep Cherry Blossom in check."
"Keeping Cherry Blossom in check? Why would they keep a group at the bottom of the second league in check?"
"Well, if you look at Cherry Blossom's performance alone, yes—you might think that. But consider their popularity in the last month. They've risen significantly since the year-end stage, haven't they?"
Cherry Blossom's exposure had skyrocketed since the year-end stage, thanks to the trending shoes they wore on stage.
"I-I guess that's true."
"Right? Mr. Lee, why don't we meet Composer Kim Woon-Sik directly? You're close with him, aren't you?"
Lee Dong-Min threw his empty can of Let's Bee coffee into the trash bin.
Thud!
'A perfect shot.'
A smile appeared on Lee Dong-Min's face after hearing my suggestion.
"Alright. Since Woon-Sik isn't answering my calls, let's meet him and press him for the truth."
Having made up his mind, Lee Dong-Min stood up. Although he was staggering with his weary body, he had sparkles in his eyes.
As we left the recording studio, Lee Dong-Min asked, "Don't you need to visit Yoo-Jin?"
"The urgent matters surrounding her are all settled now. I can go later."
When I mentioned Ju Kang-Yong's arrest, Lee Dong-Min patted my shoulder. "It's rewarding to see your efforts bear fruit. I felt sorry to see a good person like Yoo-Jin suffer."
Han Myung-Ho and Lee Dong-Min had not mentioned Cherry Blossom's situation to me until now as they thought that Yoo-Jin's issue was more urgent.
"Alright. Let's go."
We immediately headed to Hongdae to meet Kim Woon-Sik.
***
I called Yoo-Jin in Lee Dong-Min's car.
"How's the hotel? Is everything okay there?"
-It's really nice here! Miso is having fun and the food's great. But oppa, why is the minibar so expensive?
A bottle of water that costs 500 won outside costs over 3,000 won in the minibar. That's six times the regular price. I always wondered who would pay that much, but apparently many people don't mind paying extra.
"It's okay, don't worry about the price. The company will cover your expenditure."
-Ugh, but it feels like I'm being ripped off. I just can't do it.
Yoo-Jin complained about the unknown foreign snacks in the minibar, saying the prices made her spit out curse words.
At that moment, Miso took over the phone.
-Uncle Yoon-Ho, when are you coming?
"Hey, Miso. I'll be there in the evening. And don't worry about eating snacks from the minibar, eat whatever you want!"
-No way! It's too expensive! My teacher taught me that overspending is bad.
I found myself agreeing with Miso's firm stance. Indeed, it was hard to argue against not overspending.
'But it would be a shame to leave the hotel without trying anything since it's her first time there.'
"Then just eat one thing."
-One thing?
"Yeah. Just one. You're at a hotel, so why not enjoy it?"
-Mom~ Uncle Yoon-Ho said I can eat one thing! Can I?
I could vividly imagine the expression Miso was making at this moment.
-It's me again on the phone, oppa!
"Alright. Now that everything's sorted out, relax for one more day. We'll go home once the reporters leave."
-Thank you.
I replied with a pleased smile. "What for? It's just part of a talent agent's job."
Lee Dong-Min chuckled at my reaction while driving.
"You're really that happy, huh?"
"Ah, Mr. Lee. Haha, well..."
"If you're happy, just say so. Who wouldn't be happy seeing their celebrity succeed?"
Then, Lee Dong-Min reminisced about the first singer he managed, recalling names like Park Woon-Ki and Choi Eun-Sil—popular solo artists of his time. He felt regretful that those he had worked with had already retired.
'Why not help them with a comeback?'
However, I didn't say it out loud, seeing that Lee Dong-Min had lost a lot of confidence. I decided to bring it up another time.
Soon, we arrived at Kim Woon-Sik's studio in Hongdae. It was still daytime, so the streets weren't very crowded.
"It looks shabby."
"Yes, but he's got the inside all decked out."
Despite being wealthy and living in an expensive house in Pyeongchang-dong, this S-class composer was said to always compose his songs in the same place where he started out.
As we descended the basement stairs, the damp smell of moist cement hit my nose. An empty bowl of jjajangmyeon that appeared to be a few days old was also visible at the entrance.
Lee Dong-Min grumbled as he opened the door, "This guy, he never cleans up."
When the door opened, I was surprised by the fancy remodeled basement studio before me.
'Whoa, what's with this stark contrast?'
As soon as Lee Dong-Min entered the studio, he started nagging, "Hey! Why don't you answer your phone!?"
A man lying on an Italian leather sofa slowly raised himself. "Ugh…uh... Who is it?"
A man with bushy hair rubbed his sleepy eyes and got up. He was Kim Woon-Sik, a composer who reportedly earned over 500 million won in royalties annually.
"Dong-Min... hyung?"
"Dong-Min hyung, my ass. You're not even giving me a song. Who are you calling hyung, you asshole!"
Kim Woon-Sik scratched his head, looking apologetic. "Ah, seriously. Why are you like this? I told you all the songs I've written are already taken."
Kim Woon-Sik gulped down some lukewarm water on the table and rubbed his eyes before asking, "But why are you here again?"
"What do you mean why? We're here to get a song from you."
"Wow. How could you be so entitled?"
Kim Woon-Sik seemed upset, insisting he genuinely had no songs left.
"Then write a new one. A new song! It only takes three minutes, right?"
"How great would it be if songs just popped up like that, huh? Do I look like instant noodles to you? Done in three minutes?"
The conversation quickly escalated into an argument. Seeing no sign of a conclusion, I stepped in.
"Hello, sir. I'm Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment."
Kim Woon-Sik scratched his head irritably. "Who's this now?"
"He's our company's secret weapon."
As Lee Dong-Min spoke cheekily, Kim Woon-Sik gave me a sharp look.
"Really? He does have nice looks. Rapper? Singer? Dancer? Which one are you?"
"No, Mr. Kim. I'm just a talent agent."
Kim Woon-Sik turned his head to Lee Dong-Min. "But didn't you just say he's a secret weapon?"
Ignoring Kim Woon-Sik's words, Lee Dong-Min sprawled himself on an empty sofa. "Yoon-Ho, ask him whatever you're curious about. Wake me up when you're done."
"Wow... Am I not even human to you now? You're not going to talk to me anymore, hyung?"
"Nope. You, not human."
Kim Woon-Sik looked at me again with a ridiculous expression. "I don't know what this situation is, but you heard I don't have any songs left, right?"
"I did, sir."
"Then, that's the end of my answer. Take your director and leave, will you? I need to get more sleep."
Kim Woon-Sik snapped and began to awkwardly settle back on the sofa.
"Mr. Kim, did you happen to sign an exclusive contract with Ace Entertainment?"
At that moment, Kim Woon-Sik, who was about to lie down on the sofa, froze in place.