Chapter 143. A One-off Single (1)

Translator: Chamber

Editor: Illidan

To discuss Jung MinAh’s comeback stage, KangYoon made his way to SBB TV station. He was here to meet with producer Yang SangChul from Music Land.

However, Murphy’s law happened and producer Yang SangChul was absent. He had taken half the day off because of some domestic matters.

“I’m really sorry. I’ll tell the producer about it when he comes back.”

The writer of Music Land who had to turn away KangYoon empty handed couldn’t help but feel sorry. The fact that KangYoon had staged a comeback for Kim JaeHoon may have become a factor here as this writer seemed to be a fan of his.

KangYoon asked in a polite tone to transfer the message and thanked the writer for being considerate.

(T/N: The ‘writer’ of a TV program writes the general outline/direction/plot of the program.)

‘And he told me he’ll be in.’

Although he had a smile on his face, KangYoon inwardly felt annoyed. Although it couldn’t be helped since it was a matter of his family, he was still left stranded. However, nothing good would come out of it even if he decided to get angry. He had no choice but to leave and went to the lobby.

“Oi, hey!”

At that moment, a familiar voice could be heard. It was writer Song TaeJin who boasted of a chubby stature. She ran up to KangYoon and smashed, *ahem*, patted KangYoon’s back.

“Is this KangYoon I see? What’s up? Are you here to meet someone?”

“It’s been a long time, noo-nim. I was here to meet producer Yang SangChul. Though, he seemed absent… other than that, you… haven’t changed.”

Grumbling at her over-the-top affection, KangYoon made an awkward smile. However, writer Song TaeJin laughed heartily and didn’t mind it. She hadn’t changed at all.

“KangYoon got stood up? Hahaha! That’s funny. Anyway, it’s been a long time, KangYoon. I heard you were having fun running your own business now?”

“What fun? We’ve just taken our baby steps.”

Hearing KangYoon so humble, she shook her head.

“What do you mean? I’ve had my fair share of news. You got a contract with Eddios, and the rookie from your company seems to be a huge one, isn’t she? I heard everything, you know? Where’s the KangYoon that cried during his manager days? You really are quite capable.”

Writer Song TaeJin seemed happy for him and kept ‘patting’ his back. KangYoon could only laugh.

“What do you mean capable? I’m still far off.”

“Act cocky at least, will ya? You’re no fun. Anyway, have you had lunch yet?”

KangYoon looked at his watch and saw that there was not long left until lunchtime. When he said that he hadn’t, writer Song TaeJin practically dragged him onto her car.

The place she took him to was a famous noodle store in Deungchon-dong, where the TV station was. There were many people there. This was pretty rare since writer Song TaeJin was usually picky about having a quiet area for lunch.

The two got a table by the window and ordered a bowl of hot noodles each.

Writer Song TaeJin drank a cup of cold water before speaking.

“Jennie’s quite the girl recently. She’s all the rage when I meet up with the other writers in this field.”

“What do they think of her?”

“Of course, they want to do shows with her. Jennie, Lee SamSoon, *giggle*. What the hell is up with that name, SamSoon? Hahahaha”

Writer Song TaeJin covered her mouth with her hands as though SamSoon’s very name was funny to her. After a while, she pulled KangYoon towards her side and asked in a serious expression.

“KangYoon. Do you have good characters like Jennie?”

“We don’t have any actors or actresses with us….”

“It’s not me who needs it… So, it’s impossible after all?”

Writer Song TaeJin stuttered, which was very unlike her. KangYoon waited for her next words.

Then, she spoke as though she had made up her mind.

“This program, named ‘Fun with Kera’, was created 3 years ago and it’s broadcasted every day at 3 p.m. A friend of mine writes for this program. But she grumbles to me about how they can’t get a main host.”

“…….”

KangYoon became absentminded. He never imagined that he was listening to a scout for a children’s program. Although he didn’t have any people in mind, KangYoon decided to listen further.

“So you want a character that can appeal to children?”

“Yeah. Do you have anyone in mind?”

“Well, I’ll keep listening for now. There’s no way you’re offering me something strange.”

Song TaeJin’s eyes colored in joy hearing KangYoon’s words.

“Now that’s my KangYoon!”

KangYoon asked about the program while trying to hold her back from abruptly standing up. She calmed down and elaborated about the program.

“After the end of contracts this time, both the male and female hosts are changing. The male host has been cast already, but the female host is the problem.”

“Who’s the male host?”

“Tayo.”

“What? Tayo? Do you mean Kim ChanSung?”

“Right.”

KangYoon blinked several times in surprise. From what he knew, Tayo was a celebrity who had a high price on his body due to being so good at many entertainment programs across many TV stations. He was appearing on a children’s program? This was unthinkable considering the usual budget of children’s programs.

Seemingly understanding what KangYoon was curious about, writer Song TaeJin spoke on.

“Tayo is becoming a father soon so he’s trying to learn to take care of children through this program. That’s why he’s doing this program practically for free. Their team is quite the work alright. This is a scam if you look at it closely.”

“Well, he should be able to take away something from it. But they’re amazing, both Tayo and the staff.”

After being elaborated on the program, KangYoon fell into contemplation. What would he be gaining from a children’s TV show? What about the most important thing, recognition, and popularity?

‘This is the best in being ‘special’.’

His mind was complex because he hadn’t expected this at all. However, he didn’t think that it was so bad. Doing a TV show aimed at children not only meant gaining popularity among children but amongst their parent’s generation as well. Moreover, there was also gaining the image of someone who’s pure-hearted, so it wasn’t bad at all.

Above all…

‘A connection with Tayo is an enormous treasure.’

Tayo’s other nickname was the know-all of the entertainment industry. Having a connection with him meant that he would be able to get his connections to many other places. This was very profitable.

It won’t be easy since they had to shoot 5 days worth of programs in one day. The pay won’t be high either. However, it was public TV, and there would be an addition of gaining popularity from children and their parents.

In conclusion, it was a profit.

KangYoon’s eyes shone.

“Noo-nim. I have a good person in mind.”

“Really? What kind of girl is she?”

“She’s 22 this year and…”

“Really? That’s perfect. An idol perhaps?”

Writer Song TaeJin became very interested and listened to KangYoon’s words.

***

“The reservation rates of the venues we’re supporting in H… hongdae has decreased by around 20%. Meanwhile, the re… reservation rates of Lunas has….”

The secretary lady stopped speaking after reading down the report. It wasn’t because it was hard to pronounce. It was that she couldn’t read properly due to how scary president Kang ShiMyoung’s gaze was.

“Continue.”

“I.. it’s….”

“Continue.”

When president Kang ShiMyoung urged her on, she spoke in a trembling voice.

“It, it’s… risen by more than 20 pe.. percent and the number of locals using the pla… place is also on the rise….”

Bam!

President Kang ShiMyoung smashed down on the table. Hearing that, the lady secretary screamed momentarily and closed her eyes in fear. However, president Kang ShiMyoung bit his lips and didn’t seem to mind.

“…So we threw away our money for nothing. What happened to the person that suggested this move?”

“A… as you ordered, sir, he was demoted to an ordinary employee and he’s been dispatched to the countryside.”

Hearing her words, president Kang ShiMyoung had a smile on his face.

“Incompetence is sin. Tell this to everyone properly.”

“Y… yes, sir.”

The lady secretary replied in a trembling voice and hurriedly left the office.

Inside the room, president Kang ShiMyoung clenched his fist and trembled.

“I started off lightly, but since it’s like this, I can’t stop. Let’s see where we go with this.”

His lips curved into a smirk.

***

“Annnnd. That’s it. The vote is over. Let’s check. Who’s in the first place? Please show us!”

Song TaeYoung, host of Music Land in SBB, shouted in an excited expression.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

On the screen, the 1st place was about to show up after combining points from the music charts, sales, and general TV show points.

“And adding live message vote points, today’s first place is…!”

Psychedelic lights blinked several times on stage. The candidates that were mentioned all waited for the results with excitement.

Soon, the results came out from Song TaeYoung’s mouth.

“1st place for the 1st week of March. Congratulations to Eunha!”

***

“Cheers!”

KangYoon shouted to the members of World Entertainment. He was in a better mood than when Kim JiMin’s song topped the Heaven Charts. This was something that was achieved a little more than a month from her debut.

Although KangYoon usually smiled faintly, he was laughing his heart out today. He seemed truly happy.

“…Ahjussi, a fly may fly into your mouth.”

“Hahahahaha! It’s fine, it’s fine.”

Jung MinAh joked, but KangYoon just laughed it over.

“JiMin. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, JaeHoon-oppa.”

Kim JiMin smiled happily after being congratulated by Kim JaeHoon. As she had said most of what needed to be said at the award ceremony, she was calm right now.

After Kim JaeHoon, many others, like Lee HyunAh congratulated her as well. Being congratulated by everyone present made Kim JiMin feel like crying again.

The atmosphere was obviously great. The usual pork was gone and beef decorated the table. With great marbling, it melted into everyone’s mouths and gave them the taste of ecstasy.

Other than Jung MinAh, who was on a diet, and Kim JiMin, a minor, they all drank some alcohol as well.

“Ahjussi, you aren’t drinking?”

Finding KangYoon’s empty glass, Jung MinAh asked when KangYoon shook his head.

“It’s fine.”

“Why? You should drink some….”

KangYoon only smiled at her words.

Actually, he didn’t drink after the first glass since Jung MinAh and Kim JiMin weren’t drinking. With the boss not drinking much, the others didn’t push themselves either.

The party went on like that.

KangYoon had left briefly to take a call, and Jung MinAh sat there absent-minded. It was then that Lee HyunAh approached her with a bottle of soju.

“U.. unni?”

“Want a drink?”

“Sure. But no alcohol….”

“Just receive one then.”

Lee HyunAh filled a glass for Jung MinAh. MinAh poured one back to her. After a clang of the glass, Lee HyunAh drank it in one sip and Jung MinAh didn’t drink.

“You must be nervous.”

“Yeah. This is the first time I’ll be on stage by myself.”

Although they did spend some time together, they were still on awkward terms. The two had clashed time and time again with KangYoon in the middle.

Though, the power of alcohol was quite scary indeed. The two started talking about what they really felt. The elder, Lee HyunAh, spoke first.

“Going alone on stage is quite a big deal. Having someone on my side with me and having no one else by my side is quite the difference.”

“Right? Although the back dancers will be with me, they’re more like cooperators than allies.”

“Oh? I think I know that feeling. I feel like that when I stand with other singers on stage.”

When the two talked about the stage, something common to both of them, they could sympathize with each other. Artists were artists alright. Although there was a difference between dance-centric artists and vocalists, they were, in the end, singers. The two spoke about various episodes that happened on stage.

Lee ChaHee and Seo HanYu, who had become close, whispered to each other.

“And here I thought they were at each other’s throats.”

“My words exactly.”

Seemingly not hearing them, Lee HyunAh and Jung MinAh’s laughs became louder.

“Hahaha! No way, did a water truck really sprinkle water everywhere?”

“Don’t get me started on it. I never imagined he would bring a friggin’ truck to a place like that. I thought I was performing at a pool.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The power of alcohol was great. The two were already on close terms with one another.

The people that were worried about the relationship between the two of them clicked their tongues saying that they were ‘simple girls’.

They got to the point where they fed each other.

“…This damned producer just has to call me late at night.”

KangYoon sighed a little and came in. The late-night call with producer Yang SangChul made him tired.

When he returned to his seat, a seat next to Lee HyunAh was empty. KangYoon took off his shoes to get into the room.

At that moment, Jung MinAh moved towards the head seat (The seat at the end of the table) and made her own seat empty.

“Ahjussi. This way.”

“Huh?”

Lee HyunAh’s eyes started spouting lasers seeing those actions.

“…Miss MinAh. Do you really have to do this?”

“Eh? Do what?”

Lee HyunAh was triggered by Jung MinAh’s nonchalant attitude. The two’s eyes started sparking again.

‘Ah, my head.’

KangYoon grabbed his aching head and sat next to the quiet Seo HanYu.