IJLMT 02

Chapter 2 The electronic billboard shines.

At the front entrance of the JM Entertainment building, there is a huge screen. It plays scenes of their artists’ activities 24 hours a day.

“Please share a few words of thanks for your award.”

The host hands over the microphone.
The one receiving it is Im Yu-ju, holding a trophy in her arms. She is Korea’s representative singer-songwriter. The screen shows her receiving the Platinum Disk Award.

“I want to thank everyone who loves me. Some people say they were comforted by my songs, but actually, I think it’s the opposite. I am always comforted by you. A singer lives on love and attention.”

I always wondered—Im Yu-ju sings well, writes lyrics and composes well, but why is she also so pretty? Her high school yearbook photos prove she never had plastic surgery. She was just born with everything. And she’s still only 25.

Right in front of the company gate, I opened a convenience store sandwich and took a big bite. It was 2:30 p.m.—my first meal of the day. I had just returned from checking samples at an outsourcing company. Im Yu-ju lives on love and attention, but I live on a 3,300 won convenience store sandwich.

Bzzz—

As soon as I bit into the sandwich, my phone rang.

“Hello, Team Leader.”

[ Hyeon-jae, where are you right now? ]

“I’m in front of the office. I just came back from checking Im Yu-ju’s lyric book and photo card samples at Duple Shop. They turned out exactly as our team planned. I even brought one back so you can check it—”

[ Okay, got it. But now you need to head to Madyu and pick up some samples. ]

“Madyu Factory? For what…?”

[ Go pick up Im Yu-ju’s signed goods sample. It’s for her 4th debut anniversary limited album. Didn’t I tell you? ]

He hadn’t. But I didn’t argue—arguing would only waste time and worsen his mood.

“Understood. I’ll go right away.”

The Madyu Factory is right next to Duple Shop. He could’ve told me to stop there earlier. No way the sample was finished just minutes ago. Why didn’t he say so?

Because he forgot, of course. Happens all the time. Nothing to get angry about.

“Sigh…”

I shoved the sandwich into my mouth and went down to the parking lot. My phone rang again.

“Hello, this is Yu Hyeon-jae.”

[ Ah, this is Able Market. We’re the ones who took the order for Caramel Planet hoodies… ]

“Yes, yes.”

[ We need to reschedule. This is a JM order—if we use cheap fabric, we’ll get blamed. So we switched to imported fabric. But with the recent U.S. airport accident, all flights are delayed. You know, right? ]

“What? All of a sudden?”

[ Sorry about that. Our idea is: let’s go with a third option. Slightly lower quality fabric, but cheaper. ]

“Uh, wait. I’m just AMD, I don’t have the authority to decide. You’ll need to discuss with my deputy.”

[ Then please call quickly. We can’t move forward until this is decided. And we also need to process refunds for the delayed fabric. ]

“Got it.”

I quickly called Deputy Manager Kim Yu-hyeon.

“Deputy Kim, about Able Market—”

[ Hyeon-jae, I’m in a meeting. Can’t this wait? ]

“Sorry, but it’s urgent. It’s about the Caramel Planet hoodie order—”

[ Sorry, Hyeon-jae. This meeting is urgent too. I can’t step out right now. ]

“What? Deputy Kim!”

Click. The call ended.
And then came the chaos.

“Why didn’t you confirm this sooner? How are we supposed to work?”

“Hyeon-jae, I told you I’m busy. I’ll call after the meeting!”

“We need to refund this! If delivery is delayed, it’s your company’s fault.”

All I could say was the same words over and over:

“Sorry. Sorry. Sorry…”

I want to quit.

In dramas and movies, people in grief look cool. They stay in bed, wander forest paths, or scream in karaoke rooms. They honor their own sadness.

I’m sad too. My girlfriend of seven years dumped me. She even traveled with another guy wearing a Tarniers watch while still dating me. But I can’t respect my sadness. Why? Because I have no money. If I don’t work, I starve.

At outsourcing companies, I bow and smile, saying sorry for things that aren’t even my fault. Getting cursed out or not isn’t about effort, it’s just luck. That’s the life of a poor AMD. Maybe others live like this too?

I don’t know.

“A singer lives on love and attention.”

When I finally finished work and came back to the office, Im Yu-ju was on the billboard again, saying:

A singer lives on love and attention.

But I live on curses.

That’s just the way the world is.

As soon as I opened the office door, I ran into the Team Leader.

“Oh, you’re back, Hyeon-jae?”

“Yes, Team Leader. I’ll put the sample on your desk.”

“Fine. But did you check our online store inventory?”

“No, not yet.”

“It’s already 6:30! The customer team said we got several calls asking how long things will be out of stock.”

“Sorry, I’ll check right now.”

“Don’t be late next time.”

“Yes.”

I sat down at my computer immediately. Even working nonstop from 7 a.m., there’s always something to get scolded for. That’s the life of an AMD.

“You’re too harsh, Team Leader. Hyeon-jae has been working since morning without a break.”

It was Min-young. She always tries to look out for me, though she joined only a month earlier. She’s two years younger than me.

“Well, it’s always like this.”

“Did you even eat lunch? Don’t tell me you only had a sandwich again?”

Even her concern didn’t feel comforting. She looks wealthy, and she’s young and pretty. She must live so much easier than me. If she’s sad, maybe she just takes a vacation. Why am I jealous of her? Pointless.

“I’m fine, thanks for caring.”

Luminol Boys bromide—sold out. Beast Star keyring—sold out. Beast Star is really popular. I should double the order this time…

Then my eyes stopped.

Nova Girls.

Only three items of their merch. I had never once placed an order for them. Why? Because their stock never moved.

“Why are you looking at them?” Min-young asked.

“I noticed their stock never decreases.”

“Ah… yeah. They’re not popular.”

“Why not? They’re so pretty. And really tall too.”

“Some say that’s the problem. They’re all tall, so people feel intimidated. Fans like approachable idols.”

“Really?”

“Who knows? It’s just rumors. People talk a lot about why such pretty girls don’t succeed. But honestly, success is mostly luck. I watched a scientist on YouTube yesterday who said the biggest factor in life is luck.”

“…That sounds true.”

I suddenly felt drawn to Nova Girls. Do you lack luck too? I do. Even beauty is useless without luck. Nice to meet you, unlucky comrades.

Life is luck, huh… Come to think of it, didn’t I buy a lottery ticket recently? Where did I put it? In my wallet? I’ll check when I go to the bathroom.

“Where are you going? Dinner…?”

“The bathroom.”

I stood up, phone in hand.

“Uh…”

My hands trembled.

“W-what…?”

I scanned the QR code on the lottery ticket. I thought, even winning 5,000 won would be nice—I could order a more expensive delivery meal. But instead…

“Gasp…”

I carefully folded the ticket, afraid to drop it in the toilet, and placed it in my wallet. Then I checked the prize amount.

First prize: 12 winners. Each receives… 2,257,842,157 won?

2 billion? No, 1st prize can’t be that low. Then… 22 billion? 22 billion won?!

After tax, the payout is 1,545,754,245 won. They take 7 billion in tax. Insane. Still, more than 15 billion remains.

What? What do I do? What do I mean, what do I do? This is amazing!

Sora’s face flashed in my mind. What if I had won before she broke up with me? Would she have stayed? …No. Useless thought. She was already seeing the guy with the Tarniers watch.

So maybe it’s better this way.

I splashed water on my face. I must control my expression. No one can know.

Back at the office, Min-young asked:

“When will you get off work? Want to grab dinner if the time matches?”

“No, I’ll be here late. You go ahead.”

“Oh, okay…”

I couldn’t trust myself to hide my expression around others. My heart was pounding. While working, I kept thinking of the onion. The onion gave me the winning numbers. I’m sure of it. That onion is not normal.

“That it rolled into your hands means your fate already held it, and now is the time for you to receive it.”

What was that old man? A yokai? An immortal? Will the onion disappear after revealing the numbers? Onion! My onion…

I worked for two more hours, then rushed home. As soon as I opened the door, I looked for it.

The onion was still on the windowsill. But it had changed. A red flower had bloomed on its top. It looked like it was congratulating me. The face I had drawn on it even seemed to smile.

“Onion… no, Master Yang!”

After making sure it was safe, I ran out and bought the most expensive plant nutrient.

“That’s a pretty glass jar. It really brightens your desk. What made you bring it in suddenly?”

Min-young asked.

“Ah… thanks. I heard onions are good for blocking electromagnetic waves…”

“Onion?”

She seemed surprised to notice there was actually an onion inside.

I thought it was disrespectful to keep Master Yang crammed in a cut plastic bottle, so I bought a fancy glass jar. I was going to leave it at home, but what if he gave me another revelation when I wasn’t there?

“Onion…? Anyway, the office feels unusually restless today. Something going on?”

“Not sure.”

She didn’t care about the onion at all.

The company was extremely busy. Every morning, my heart pounded—wondering what uncontrollable variable would appear to get me scolded again.

But today was different. Why? Because I am now a man with 15 billion won cash!

Wait—if I have 15 billion, do I need to do this job? Can’t I do anything I want?

I had once thought of opening a café when I got older. Sitting in my shop all day, smelling coffee, without running around. But why wait? I can do it now. I have 15 billion.

Just then—

Ugh, what is that smell?!

It smelled like concentrated rotten garlic.

“What’s that smell?”

“What smell? I don’t smell anything.” Min-young tilted her head. Others looked fine too.

So only I could smell it. I looked at the onion. The face I drew was distorted, and thorns sprouted from its top.

What? Master Yang, you’re saying don’t quit and open a café? Okay, fine. I’ll keep working. Is that okay?

The smell vanished. I swallowed hard. Can this onion read my mind?

Just then, the Team Leader clapped his hands.

“Everyone here? I’ve got a proposal. Mainly for AMDs—I want to ask about department transfers.”

A peppery scent drew my attention. Again, the onion. Its expression looked solemn.

You want me to hear this?

“You all know Nova Girls, right? Their road manager quit yesterday. They need at least one manager, but right now there’s none. We’re looking for freelancers, but since they’re unpopular… you get it.”

He looked around awkwardly. He knew no one would want this.

“Of course, the company will support you. This is JM—we won’t blame anyone if they flop, and you won’t get fired. Worst case, you come back here. If by chance they succeed, you’ll get bonuses based on sales. The contract terms are generous… just passing down instructions from above…”

He scratched his head. After all, who would want to manage a failing idol group? Even if there’s no blame, those years would be seen as a blank spot in your career. As an AMD, you need to grind 2–3 years to promote to MD. If you leave, promotion is delayed.

But then—

The onion released an unbelievably sweet fragrance. It stared at me with bright eyes.

You want me to do this? Really?

Is the onion saying Nova Girls, two years after debut, could still succeed?

“Yeah… unrealistic, right? Okay, everyone back to work. I’ll just report we’ll find a freelancer—”

The Team Leader’s eyes fixed on me. He looked puzzled.

“Hyeon-jae, did you just raise your hand? Not stretching?”

“Yes.”

“Seriously? You really want to do it?”

“…Yes.”

At that moment, a red flower bloomed on the onion’s head.

Whatever. Even if they flop, I still have 15 billion.