"Congratulations."
"Congratulations."
In January, I bowed my head and said hello to a senior I met in the hallway of the Gold Disc Awards.
It was one of the last awards ceremonies to wrap up the season of the year, but unfortunately, we did not receive the grand prize here.
'There was no possibility in the first place.'
It was because there were only two parts, like albums and music. There was no singer award that was different from the overall score.
Again, the result was obvious.
'Youngrin and VTIC won.'
Yes… . This bastard who greeted me right now.
Cheongryeo smiled brightly.
"From the best group to the best performance… You've won a lot of good awards. The fans must have great passion."
No matter how much he rubbed it, he meant that he didn't win the grand prize in those categories.
"Yes. I think it's because we worked hard and the fans voted passionately. Although I can't compare it to the grand prize of sunbaenim's albums."
Those who were pushed back from voting were talking a lot.
"Haha."
"Hahaha."
I had a good laugh with him. The staff in the hallway passed by watching with warm eyes.
Cheongryeo stopped laughing, changed his expression, and asked.
"Hmm… Did you organize the 'appreciation' that you would tell me when we met again?"
Oh, yes.
I decided to talk to him one more time about what I had experienced while entering the body of 'Ryu Gunwoo'.
'Both of us were busy during the season, so we didn't really have a chance.'
I stopped fighting and cleaned up.
"I have found the person I was looking for. I am going to help with what we were originally trying to do."
"Aha."
Cheongryeo's eyes narrowed.
"It would be fun to meet him once."
"When the opportunity arises."
I found 'Keundal' and seemed to understand what he meant to help me with the system.
'At this point, this would be appropriate.'
It wasn't something to talk about in an open hallway. It was enough for this bastard to not come out uncooperatively with future work.
Cheongryeo smiled.
"I wonder how I can help. Are there any other problems?"
"Problems?"
"Yes. I heard that you are setting up your own label. It's more complicated than you think."
Judging by the way he spoke, it seemed that he already knew everything about the conflict between the T1 headquarters and the company.
"It's okay. It's going well."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I am only focusing on reaping good results by working harder next year."
In the end, the goal was to clear the 'KPOP record breaking' mission.
Of course, taking away the album grand prize from those bastards was the best.
I shrugged.
Of course, if it was this bastard, he'd say something like, 'Oh… It's going to be difficult,' and he would try to provoke people again.
I looked at him, preparing to retaliate.
However, Cheongryeo only muttered with a normal face.
"Hmm… Is that so? Good luck."
"… …"
"Well… It might be a little easier this year."
What?
"Moo-Moondae!"
I heard a voice calling me from behind, but I stared at Cheongnyeo.
But he just shrugged his shoulders and turned around.
"… You're saying that it's easy?"
"Didn't you say that you were going to work hard? See you again when the time is right."
That was it.
'What kind of ulterior motive?'
Wasn't this the guy who rushed like a poisonous snake this year for records? It wasn't like he wasn't confident about his next results.
Strangely… I feel a sense of excitement.
Why was a bastard who only served half a year in the army like that? I looked at the back of his head awkwardly, then looked away.
'Should I look for some VTIC rumors behind the scenes?'
I didn't know if it was a good thing, a bad thing, or just a feeling.
"Sorry, I was saying goodbye."
"Okay, n-no."
Seon Ahyeon, who approached, looked at Cheongryeo with a slightly nervous face, but soon looked back at me and smiled.
"I-I was meeting and saying hello to Youngrin sunbaenim… !"
"Really? Let's go."
"Yes!"
I followed him down the hallway.
Turning the corner, another grand prize winner was smiling.
"Moondae-ssi."
"Sunbaenim."
At the awards ceremony, which was divided into music and album days, it was Youngrin who received the digital music award the day before.
However, at the music awards ceremony today, she received a major prize and participated. And even sang a song.
'People usually only attend one day to receive the grand prize.'
It was a rare and sincere attitude.
"Now it is really a new year. I hope TeStar will show great performance next year."
"We will do our best."
Youngrin smiled lightly, but the dancers behind her began to sob and let out a pained sound. What?
Perhaps noticing their gaze, Youngrin introduced the dancers.
"They are new friends from my agency next year. Let's say hello."
"Hello!!"
They seemed to have been used as dancers for the stage experience. It was common.
Seon Ahyeon looked at them with a happy face and spoke to Youngrin in a small voice.
"They must be a very, very dear hoobaenims…"
"Does it look like that? That's right. I am in charge of producing for them."
"Sunbaenim…"
The trainees, Youngrin and Seon Ahyeon were creating a very warm atmosphere. Of course, I had no intention of joining.
'If it's Youngrin producing for them, it'd be nice to have one great song.'
I sorted out the information about the prospective rookies in one place and erased the thoughts about Youngrin.
Returning to the waiting room, Seon Ahyeon touched his hand as if it were new.
"We, too, have already become sunbaenims…"
"Yes. We are no longer rookies."
As the new year approached, TeStar was already in their 5th year.
Since it had been 3 and a half years since our debut, we could say that we had taken off our rookie mask. Now we had to keep in check those who were slowly coming up.
'We have two direct juniors.'
I thought of two groups of juniors from
Although, depending on our actions in the future, whether we would continue to have 'direct juniors' attached or not would be determined.
Would we escape this agency and go directly to T1? Or would we stay and hold on?
"Hmm."
In fact, it was as if the conclusion was reached the moment Kim Raebin's opinion came out.
'There are so many members who are attached to the people of the planning team and the AR team.'
Aside from the decision makers of the company making people angry, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the hard work of the staff who had to see their faces every time.
It was even worse those at that age.
As awards season wore on, I could see the kids considering the latter.
It was the same with Bae Sejin. He seemed to be struggling with various aspects of this and that, and finally came to this conclusion during last night's practice.
-If it has the same effect, it might be right to stay. I guess that would be a better lesson.
It was a moment of unanimity. I smiled and opened my mouth.
"Seon Ahyeon."
"Yes?"
"If we stay here, who do you want to shut up first?"
"Sh-shut up… ??"
He looked bewildered. However, Seon Ahyeon soon regained his composure.
"R-rather than shutting up… I wish they could be more considerate of the people they work with and not bully them… Us, the other staff, and the idols…"
"Okay."
Do not mentally harass members. Please treat them personally.
That was right… That was a good reason.
I grinned.
"That's a good comment."
"Th-thank you… !"
A few days later, we won the only grand prize at the last awards ceremony, the 'Korea Music Awards', and reaped the beauty of the end.
And the moment we entered a short break before the tour, the company finally began to bend their backs.
The truth was, of course, different.
• * *
'These vulgar bastards… …'
The general manager was sitting at his desk, shouting inwardly a profane curse that he did not normally do.
There was only one reason.
This was because the performance was ruined at the most important timing because of the tantara bastards who did not even have blood on their heads.
(TN: In case you forgot, tantara/딴따라 is a derogatory term used to belittle celebrities, idols, etc.)
'Do they think it's thanks to them that we're selling well? It's all thanks to the product quality created by the company!'
Didn't they even receive the grand prize thanks to his numerous financial support and quick decision-making?
He was thinking of adding that grand prize performance nicely to his portfolio and stepping down for a new business!
After that, couldn't they just take care of the label or whatever?
He was just thinking of handing over the process to the next person in charge without making any gestures while he was here…
'These fucking things! I can't stand it because they don't know patience!'
It was hard to believe that he had been put in such a mess because they made such a fuss about winning their first grand prize.
Especially the guy who announced it in his acceptance speech.
Park Moondae.
'A punk who only uses tricks'
He should have known from the time he started playing tricks with additional contracts.
It was clear that he could only use such low and vulgar means because he didn't go to school properly and didn't learn. It was kind of like instigating a witch hunt.
The general manager huffed and put his hand on the Bluetooth keyboard.
Anyway, now that he fell out with the parent company because of the stupid board members, the cards he could use were limited.
But at the same time, even to that extent, hope on the contrary shimmered.
'If I settle it here, it will be a blessing in disguise.'
This was because TeStar was still dragging on the offer from T1 Headquarters instead of shouting OK.
Clearly, there was fear and reluctance to make a fresh start among themselves.
And in this situation, even if he just sat these guys at the label here, he could leave as a competent general manager in the financial statement…
'I'll stab them here!'
He abandoned his usual variety of professional English words and relaxation.
Instead, he prepared a letter to send to TeStar in a serious and candid tone.
[To the artist, TeStar,
I am cautious about writing because I think you must have been very hurt by the recent events.
What I can say for sure is that I've been thinking a lot about the incidents that have hurt you…
… ]
'The company lacked consideration.'
'But there are numerous communication errors and misunderstandings.'
'Please hate me and don't hate the staff.'
The 4-step apology of acknowledgment and apology for mistakes, subtle excuses, and emotional appeal worked well everywhere. He banged on the keyboard like he was going to fly.
[Of course, if you leave, this agency will take a big hit. I know it can't be helped, but the only thing is that the people at this company who worked for you had no bad intentions… ]
Until the emphasis on the working staff.
As a person with a lot of experience in various businesses, the general manager picked out TeStar's weakest psychology with surprising accuracy.
And as if responding to that wonderful stab, the reply came the very next day.
"… !"
It was a document delivered to TeStar's leader, Ryu Chungwoo.
[We read your message carefully.]
The writing that started like that consisted of uncomfortable feelings, polite refutation of his writing, and was a little melancholic.
[You didn't want to keep the contents of the contract, so how can we trust you? I do not know.]
'That's right!'
It was true that these are in conflict!
Once the reply came, there was already room for this refusal in that there was no sarcasm or personal attacks.
He wrote again himself. It felt like his head was on fire with passion.
'It's not that I didn't want to keep the contents of the contract. It's embarrassing, but it's the end of the year, so the company doesn't have enough manpower…'
A few letters came and went like that.
There was also an attempt to meet in person, but TeStar canceled the meeting on the pretext of schedule.
The general manager keenly caught that point.
'They're shaking.'
Originally, when people heard voices and face-to-face, they were bound to tell deeper stories.
It was scary. The anxiety of being persuaded!
'I'm really almost there.'
He analyzed TeStar's writings and read their desires in a fantastic way.
And he threw bait that would satisfy them in his next letter.
'Independent label staffing, okay.'
'This… I can approach it through the integrated management of the management office.'
'If I talk about organizing their direct AR team, they'll have no choice but to come over.'
Every time he sent a letter like that, TeStar's reply became more and more emotional.
'Good!'
Pass. Passing again, there was a sense of pleasure as if clearing one stage of the game.
And finally…
In the fifth letter, TeStar accepted the meeting.
"Hoo… !!"
A feat accomplished in one week.
The general manager prepared for the meeting with a clear mind, sending a message to the board of directors, saying, 'the progress is positive.'
'The moment it comes out, it's over.'
Last time, the guy who was in a coma dragged the lawsuit and all to a very low level, and it was just a problem.
To him, coaxing guys in their early and mid-twenties wasn't even an orderly thing, he thought.
"Hello."
And on that day, only the leader, Ryu Chungwoo, was present.
"I consulted with the members, but they said it would be better for me as the leader to be seen as the representative, so only I came out."
"Ah, I see."
It was better.
'It's the best setting.'
He had already told the staff that he was a guy who only used to exercise, and that he had a docile personality that didn't create unexpected situations.
A predictable model like this was the easiest to persuade, even alone.
The general manager had considered the fact that the madman would appear.
'Perhaps those guys cut it on their own line.'
He was overly impulsive and had no occasion, so he was not allowed to come to such a place where he should have a serious conversation.
'In other words, this place was considered important.'
It seemed that the highlands was already in front of him. The general manager started the conversation by offering coffee to Ryu Chungwoo, who put down his umbrella.
"A latte?"
"Thank you."
After a short conversation about taking care of himself, the main topic came out in a soft atmosphere.
Ryu Chungwoo spoke in a low voice as he grabbed the glass.
"There are many differences of opinion among us. Exactly… There are more people who want to go out, but there are members whose attitude has changed a little while talking to the general manager."
"Is that so? I'm really curious about what you like the most."
"That…"
Ryu Chungwoo seemed conflicted, but sighed several times.
'Hurry up and say it!'
And it was only when the general manager burned out that he opened his mouth again.
"Hoo, I guess there are still trust issues."
"Trust issues?"
"Yes. Youre lucky enough to make a label, but if it were other idols, they wouldn't have been able to… That kind of doubt."
Ryu Chungwoo smiled bitterly.
"This is true, but there are members who think that the general manager's explanation is nothing more than words. I am very interested in idol human rights… It's tough."
It was the Idea of a bastard with a lot of dreams.
'Those who make hundreds of billions of dollars are saying that they are full. Anyway.'
Even though he thought it was worth it, the general manager rolled his head and thought of an appropriate answer.
It seemed they wanted him to show them some kind of ethical gesture that would satisfy their moral vanity rather than profit.
'Other idols can't.'
"… !"
At that moment, an amazing idea popped into the general manager's head. 'With this, nothing is given away!'
He laughed inwardly, and opened his mouth with a calm expression on the outside.
"Then…"
• * *
"I got it."
"Ohhh!"
"It was raining, but you worked really hard!"
Ryu Chungwoo, who returned from the meeting, smiled and shared the documents he had taken in the group chat room.
[T1 Stars artists can sign contracts with affiliated labels when renewing contracts, and agree on this before renewing contracts.]
It was the certification of 'Anyone can go to the label when renewing the contract'.
"You really did."
"I know."
Ryu Chungwoo shrugged.
"Actually, I didn't expect to get so many 'okays'."
"That's right!"
"Moondae hyung is a wizard!"
What was he talking about after writing it all together?
"It's because we are at the top. It just made things a little bit easier."
If we could hold onto it by raising the treatment at a time when all the companies would disappear anyway, of course we'd do that.
It was just that we didn't ask for it, we just wanted to do it in the form that the company voluntarily put out.
'So they can't say anything else later.'
But the guys next to me giggled.
"Oh~ humble~"
It was done. I shook my head and laughed.
"Chungwoo hyung is more amazing. You received almost exactly what we said."
"Well. They just gave it to me on their own… ?"
However, Bae Sejin also raised his hand.
"… It's great!"
"Um, thank you."
It seemed that he had been greatly impressed by the change in company guidelines. He had 'We did it!' written on his face.
'It's amazing.'
When renewing a contract, could we unconditionally choose an affiliated label? This kind of thing didn't do any large.
'It must have been possible because of the uniqueness of this agency.'
It was an audition program anyway, so it was a structure that ran with the hottest kids this season.
The board of directors must have been okay with the thought that TeStar was just a special case, and that the later guys would be replaced after 5 years of good use when they ran out of sweet water.
Even if we went to a label, we'd get sales anyway.
'Stupid bastards.'
Conversely, who in the company would notice those guys who painted a picture that their group would do well even after 5 years?
It was a label that the most popular first-tier idols belonged to.
'And when the idols create the atmosphere, the working staff also agrees with it.'
In the end, it was a matter of influence. I swiped the amendment floating on the screen.
'I'll skip them one by one.'
If it went on, eventually the label would grow and the agency would remain only a shell in name.
I finally smiled and opened my mouth.
"It's nice that it ended well. Everyone has worked hard."
"You worked hard!"
"Ah~ Let's quickly decide on a label name!"
High fives and laughter filled the living room. How heartwarming.
Now, we could do something fun with this label… But we had something to do before that.
"Before that, we have something to do first."
"Yes?"
"I plan to prepare for the next album."
Kim Raebin tilted his head.
"Wasn't it parallel work during the tour… ?"
"That's right."
I smiled and crossed my arms.
"Speaking of that plan, during our tour we spent one night in the same room once a week, right?"
Cha Eugene's eyes lit up. I think he remembered it right away because it was a tradition that came about because of his escape.
"That's right. There is!"
"… Ryu Chungwoo made a good suggestion."
"Haha."
Ryu Chungwoo looked a little proud. Between them, Keun Sejin intervened.
"Oh~ Shall we gather like that this time to prepare for our album? Like composition camp back then?"
"Whoa, whoa."
"I am in favor!"
The friendly guys looked at each other with a smile. I also smiled and opened my mouth.
"There is something different about my proposal."
"Huh?"
"Not once a week, but three days."
"… …"
"I think it could be done because the tour schedule is ample. And one more difference."
"What, what is it?"
I looked at Bae Sejin and laughed.
"It's an album, so we'll have to die."
"… !"
"This will be an overnight camp, not a hobby camp."
Kwagwawang!!
Just in time, lightning struck, casting shadows on the faces of those with open mouths.
That was how the 'KPOP Hell Camp – TeStar ver' draft was announced.