Chapter 63 - A Very Good Opportunity

A lounge cafe in a high-rise hotel.

It wasn't on the first floor but on a high floor, so the Han River could be seen at a glance, and it was also a good space to talk away from people's eyes.

‘This is the first time I've come to a place like this.’

Astonished by the price of the coffee, which was several times more expensive than at a regular cafe, Baek Hyeon-woo turned his gaze to Seong Hae-won in front of him.

Director Seong Soo-ho had received an urgent call and left his seat, so now only Seong Hae-won was sitting there.

“Hyeon-woo-ssi, it seems you're really loved by the Newstarz kids.”

Under the dim lighting, Seong Hae-won abruptly brought up the topic.

For reference, Seong Hae-won was currently wearing a hat to prevent others from recognizing her.

“Na-eun also showed immense jealousy every time I talked about you, Hyeon-woo-ssi.”

“Jealousy?”

“She was glaring fiercely earlier too, wasn't she?”

Seong Hae-won placed a hand on her chest as if her heart had been hurt.

“It seems she hates the very fact that I'm showing interest in you, Hyeon-woo-ssi. Even if they were lovers, she wouldn't be that jealous. It seems Na-eun really likes you, Hyeon-woo-ssi.”

“Well. Wasn't there probably a reason for it?”

Baek Hyeon-woo answered calmly.

“Because Seo Na-eun is not a person who would show an aggressive attitude toward someone for no reason.”

“Ooh… a 300-point answer.”

What was so funny, Seong Hae-won covered her mouth and laughed.

“If Na-eun had heard that answer just now, she would have been incredibly moved.”

“……”

It was a remark that indirectly criticized Seong Hae-won, but she herself didn't seem to care at all.

“I'm asking just in case, but you're not in a special relationship with Na-eun, are you?”

“I'm not sure what you mean by a special relationship.”

“Ayy, you know what I mean.”

“Idol and manager, nothing more, nothing less.”

“It's a relationship of nothing more, nothing less, but she's that wary?”

“As I said before, someone must have provided a reason.”

“Hmm, anyway, it's true that there's nothing between you, right?”

Seong Hae-won lifted the hat that was covering her face and looked at him with a provocative gaze.

“Then there'd be no problem if I asked you out on a date, Hyeon-woo-ssi?”

“……”

Seeing her stretch one leg straight out as if to provoke him, Baek Hyeon-woo was silent for a moment.

“At DP Entertainment, do you also permit idols to date?”

“For us, it's permitted after 3 years since debut.”

Seong Hae-won answered immediately.

“There's an internal regulation. It's absolutely not allowed for kids who haven't reached 3 years since their debut, but after 3 years, they're permitted to date whoever. Instead, they must notify the company.”

“I didn't know there was such an internal regulation.”

“Because it's easier to tame people that way.”

Seong Hae-won explained, interlocking her fingers.

“If you just unconditionally say no, everyone dates in secret. However, if you tell them, 'Just endure for 3 years,' then everyone can grit their teeth and endure, thinking let's just hold on for 3 years.”

“……”

“If you get used to enduring like that, your 'dating cells' themselves wither, so you can't date easily. Even if you do end up dating, you're used to being controlled, so you promptly inform the company.”

Baek Hyeon-woo stared at Seong Hae-won with his mouth shut.

The image Seong Hae-won usually shows on broadcasts was that of a flawless idol.

However, what she was showing in front of Baek Hyeon-woo now was her chillingly cold true nature.

“In the end, it becomes easier for the company to manage. It's a regulation for the company, not for the idols.”

“I see.”

DP Entertainment, as expected.

It seemed they had a unique expertise in managing things thoroughly.

“However, there is one problem.”

Baek Hyeon-woo said calmly.

“You haven't reached 3 years yet, Hae-won-ssi.”

“Ah, you caught me.”

Because Choux-pop debuted a few months later than Newstarz, it was still a long way until their 3rd debut anniversary.

“We can just keep it a secret from the company and date.”

“What becomes of the story you were just telling me?”

“Don't you know that stolen fruit is the sweetest?”

Seong Hae-won said with a laugh.

“Do you like an obedient kid who is well-controlled, Hyeon-woo-ssi? Wouldn't it be no fun to date a kid like that?”

In front of the silent Baek Hyeon-woo, Seong Hae-won narrowed her eyes and said in a whisper-like voice.

“I'm confident I can be more fun than Na-eun.”

“……”

He had an unsettling feeling since he first met her, but he had no idea she was this much of a handful.

He was newly reminded of how good and gentle the Newstarz kids were.

“Sorry about that. It was a call from overseas.”

Fortunately, Seong Soo-ho returned to his seat.

Thanks to that, the strange atmosphere that had been flowing between him and Seong Hae-won was immediately resolved.

“The Choux-pop world tour is currently in preparation.”

Seong Soo-ho, who had sat on the sofa, brought up the topic abruptly without even being asked.

“Starting with Japan, we're planning on holding concerts and fan meetings in 6 cities across 4 countries.”

“That's amazing.”

“There's nothing amazing about it.”

Seong Soo-ho answered in a calm voice.

“Because for our DP Entertainment, this much is a matter of course. For a group with the status of Choux-pop, you have to provide them a stage to be this active.”

DP Entertainment is one of the top 3 entertainment agencies in South Korea.

They can probably hold an overseas event on their own without a sponsor.

“I'm envious.”

Baek Hyeon-woo answered honestly.

A world tour that goes around 4 countries, it was a project that Haram Entertainment wouldn't even dare to attempt.

It's something they could consider if Newstarz becomes a more popular group than now, but at least at the current point in time, it was impossible.

“If you're envious, then follow.”

“Pardon?”

“The world tour, I'm telling you to follow.”

Seong Soo-ho said again, meeting Baek Hyeon-woo's eyes.

“Can't you just follow?”

“I also have the desire to observe, but I think it would be difficult because of my manager duties.”

“I'm not telling you to follow to observe.”

“……”

Baek Hyeon-woo shut his mouth for a moment.

At this point, he could figure out for what purpose Seong Soo-ho had called him out.

“I believe you said you had something you wanted to discuss regarding 'The Idol'.”

“It's a matter that's related to 'The Idol' as well.”

Seong Soo-ho said with a composed expression.

“Team Leader Jeong Do-woon, who is currently in charge of Choux-pop, is scheduled to move to another team soon. So the team leader position will become vacant, and then a setback will occur in the progress of 'The Idol'.”

“……”

“So we need a new team leader. I was hoping you would come, Assistant Manager Baek.”

Saying that, Seong Soo-ho put a hand inside his jacket.

And he held out a gleaming business card.

“DP Entertainment Team Leader Baek Hyeon-woo, how about it?”

“……”

Surprisingly, Baek Hyeon-woo's name was really engraved on the business card.

The job title of Team Leader was also clearly printed.

“As you probably know, to get treated as a team leader in this industry, you have to struggle as a road manager for 5 years. Because you do the team leader's work based on that experience.”

“……”

“You too, Assistant Manager Baek, must have your own greed and ambition. You must have started your life as a manager because you had the thought of wanting to succeed in the entertainment industry.”

Seong Soo-ho was wearing an expensive-looking suit.

The watch on his wrist was also a luxury watch that boasted a price higher than Baek Hyeon-woo's annual salary.

Something like that isn't purchased simply with the salary of a director-level manager.

Starting with the performance bonuses received through the achievements of the celebrities under his charge, it's because there is income that comes into his pocket through various routes that he can adorn his body with such things.

It was the image of a man who had reached success after working as a manager at a large agency for over ten years.

“I'm saying I'll shorten the time it takes to succeed by 5 years. It's a very good opportunity.”

“……”

Baek Hyeon-woo stared at the business card.

He didn't know how much it cost to print, but from its very quality, it was different from the Assistant Manager Baek Hyeon-woo business card that was printed on the spot at the neighborhood print shop.

“I don't know how much of a salary Haram Entertainment gives you, but it's probably similar to the minimum wage. However, if you receive team-leader-level treatment at DP Entertainment, your salary will rise greatly. Above all, you'll also be able to receive performance bonuses according to Choux-pop's activities.”

“……”

“I'm thinking of setting your performance bonus higher than the other team leaders'. As it is, for a popular group like Choux-pop, the performance bonuses that come in are large, and I'm saying you can receive even more than that.”

In front of Seong Soo-ho, who was promising to give him a lot of money as well, Baek Hyeon-woo slowly opened his mouth.

“I don't understand why you're trying to give me such preferential treatment.”

“I'm giving you preferential treatment because I believe you can perform to that extent.”

“I don't think I'm that amazing a person.”

“Don't be modest. The reason Newstarz was able to rise like this, I know it's all due to your skill, Assistant Manager Baek.”

Seong Soo-ho's attitude was adamant.

It seemed he had come here, having completely made up his mind to persuade Baek Hyeon-woo.

“You might not be keen on it because it feels like betraying Haram Entertainment. However, we also have no intention of becoming enemies with Haram Entertainment. I'm thinking of showing our sincerity so that CEO Baek Yeon-ah won't be disappointed.”

“……”

“So all you have to do is make up your mind, Assistant Manager Baek.”

Next to Seong Soo-ho, who was speaking like that, Seong Hae-won opened her mouth.

“Hyeon-woo-ssi, if you come to Choux-pop, I'll cooperate a lot so you can get a firm grip on the kids.”

“……”

“Let's do well together. It will definitely be fun.”

Seong Hae-won narrowed her eyes and smiled.

It was the same expression as when she had asked Baek Hyeon-woo for a date earlier.

“Thank you for the good offer.”

Baek Hyeon-woo slowly opened his mouth.

“There is one thing I'd like to ask, if that's okay?”

“What is it?”

“If I enter DP Entertainment, will I be following your instructions from now on, Director Seong?”

“Well, of course.”

Seong Soo-ho nodded.

“I won't be instructing you on every single trivial thing, but basically, you just have to do as I say.”

“I see.”

After hearing the answer, Baek Hyeon-woo stated his own thoughts.

“Then I don't think I will be able to enter DP Entertainment.”

“What did you say?”

Seong Soo-ho's eyes widened.

“Hey, what do you mean by that?”

“Please don't misunderstand. It's not that I'm refusing because I have any personal ill feelings toward you, Director Seong.”

He looked like a gangster and was a little scary, but he didn't have any particular hateful feelings.

“However, if I were to work under you, Director Seong, I don't think I would be able to do as I please.”

“As you please?”

“I've mentioned it to Team Leader Jeong before, but it seems you haven't heard.”

Baek Hyeon-woo said in a clear voice.

“The reason I left the medical field and came to the entertainment industry is because I wanted to do as I please without compromising anymore.”

“What…?”

“However, I don't think it would be easy to do so under you, Director Seong. Even with a team leader's authority.”

Saying that, Baek Hyeon-woo glanced at Seong Hae-won.

“DP Entertainment is a company with a proper system in place. If I tried to do as I please in a place like that, the brakes would surely be put on.”

“……”

Just a moment ago, Seong Hae-won had informed him that there were even detailed internal regulations for an idol's dating life.

In a company that has strictly regulated everything one by one like that, it's not easy for Baek Hyeon-woo to freely act on his own will.

“Assistant Manager Baek…”

Seong Soo-ho glared at Baek Hyeon-woo.

Veins were popping out to a visible degree.

Creating an atmosphere as if he would grab him by the collar and beat him to a pulp at any moment, Seong Soo-ho spoke.

“Then are you saying you can do as you please at Haram Entertainment? That they just let you do whatever you want, Assistant Manager Baek?”

“At least, that's how they've been doing it so far.”

Saying that, Baek Hyeon-woo turned his head.

“Isn't that right, Director Choi?”

A seat that was right nearby, but was hidden by a lounge pillar and not easily visible.

From there, a middle-aged man with a thin build stood up.

“D-Director Choi?”

“We meet again, Director Seong.”

Director Choi Tae-hyung of Haram Entertainment.

He greeted the flustered Seong Soo-ho.

“Why is Director Choi here...”

“Because I had something to discuss with Assistant Manager Baek.”

Choi Tae-hyung looked at Baek Hyeon-woo.

“He said he had a meeting with DP Entertainment, so I was waiting until it was over.”

“……!”

When leaving the TVX broadcasting station, Baek Hyeon-woo had contacted Choi Tae-hyung.

Because they had already been planning to meet nearby for a meeting after the recording was over anyway.

Choi Tae-hyung had hurriedly followed, and had come all the way to this hotel lounge and had been eavesdropping the whole time.

“And as I did, I unintentionally overheard your conversation. It seemed you were trying to forcefully snatch away our company's employee... This is just absurd.”

“Director Choi, that's...”

“And.”

Choi Tae-hyung turned his gaze to Seong Hae-won.

“It seems your idol was flirting with our manager... isn't this a bit of a problem? I heard her say some crap about how she would be more fun.”

“……!”

“The atmosphere was so suggestive... I'm telling you, I thought they were about to go straight to a hotel room!”

Seong Soo-ho held his breath and looked at Seong Hae-won.

Though Seong Hae-won herself was smiling with an expression that seemed to say, 'I've been caught.'

“Perhaps there might be a picture of the two of them together on my phone. If this were to leak to the media, it would be a huge problem...”

“Hey, Director Choi!”

Seong Soo-ho's angular face flushed bright red.