IJLMT 06

Chapter 6

The online community sites were in absolute chaos. Every forum was abuzz with talk about the ruling and opposition parties’ live debate.

In fact, those who paid some attention to politics were very interested in today’s live debate. The ruling party, led by the president, had recently introduced a new economic policy, which angered the opposition. Today was the day the president challenged the opposition to a public debate.

It was natural that the political boards were crowded.

[Seok-gu Ham really knows how to think ahead.]

• The opposition guys always criticize, saying the policies are mechanical and heartless. But Seok-gu Ham brings in some idol girl and hits them first with emotion? lol

ㄴ Stunned, right? Kim Jin-mu tried to pick a fight but couldn’t say a word?
ㄴ The timing is perfect lol. If you curse, it oddly makes you feel like an adult bullying an admirable girl.
ㄴ These kids… really… adorable and admirable… Kim Jin-mu, you idiot… try keeping up with just half of them!

The girl idol forums were even more chaotic.

[Can someone explain Nova Girls? Is their hit song “Gathering”?]
[How old is the girl who fell on her knee on the news? So cute;;]
[Have they been on variety shows? If so, link please.]
[Do you know the girls on NTV now? Are they famous?]

• Came from the political board, but I missed what Kim Seok-gu said because I was watching them;; Are these the ones who were made into idols from models back then?

ㄴ ㄴㄴ That’s another group; these ones are unknown.
ㄴ Political board infiltration? Go back, old-timer.

But it wasn’t just the newcomers talking about it.

[lol Kim Seok-gu seems to have really enjoyed the Nova Girls performance.]

• Look at his sparkling eyes lol. Seok-gu bot malfunctioned.

ㄴ He ignored VTS, but why does he look at unknown idols with such sparkling eyes? This is outrageous. The global fandom of 60 million won’t stand for this.
ㄴ The fandom is bigger than South Korea’s population?
ㄴ No matter if he’s a good man or AI, Seok-gu is still a man.

[JM guys are out of their minds.]

• Why wouldn’t they promote such an amazing idol group that even Seok-gu bot went crazy over? They formally set up the debut system but only push those with connections. Their songs are great, they look great, everything’s great, but it’s absurd that a 20-year-old hikikomori idol nerd like me didn’t know?

ㄴ Seems like your life doesn’t make sense either.
ㄴ Really, I just listened to their songs on Spookyfy and they’re amazing;; the PR team must be dealt with.

All of these reactions were being watched by PR team leader Song Geon-woo, his forehead wrinkled, while he was in a taxi.

‘We did promote them! We did!’

JM Entertainment had that kind of reputation, which was unavoidable. Until the ’90s, gangsters were actually involved in the entertainment business. But now, all gangster connections were gone, and everything was conducted systematically according to manuals. Promotion of Nova Girls was no different. There had been no discrimination—it was just bad luck. The discrimination wasn’t from JM, but from fate itself.

“Hey, Assistant Shin. I’m in a taxi. I’ll be there in five minutes. What? Who’s calling? Baekje Ilbo? Yeah, transfer the call to me.”

The entertainment section of Baekje Ilbo had a cooperative relationship with JM Entertainment. Articles were supposed to be released in consultation with JM, so it was inevitable that frustrations were building.

<Robot Politician Kim Seok-gu: “Korean economy should follow Nova Girls’ Mina.”>
<Who are the ill-fated girl group Nova Girls? Buried by record-breaking floods.>
<Opposition leader Kim Jin-mu scandal: “Is she a Nova or a servant? Part-timers now… still thinking in feudal terms?”>

The internet news boards were in a frenzy. Political and celebrity news are always interesting, but now they were combined. Even if the content was empty, just a sensational title could rake in views.

However, the media that had an agreement with JM couldn’t publish the articles, which was frustrating. The previously agreed press release only mentioned that “President Kim Seok-gu watched the Nova Girls performance at the 3rd Training Wing until the end,” but now, publishing such articles would only draw attention. Naturally, they demanded a revised press release.

“Yes, journalist. We apologize; we had no idea President Kim Seok-gu would say something like that… The press release is being rewritten by the person in charge and will be ready by this morning. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

The journalist was under heavy pressure from above, so the situation was urgent.

[Yes, it can’t be helped. President Kim Seok-gu spoke without warning. By the way… anything else? Since it’s being published late, you should add information other outlets don’t have—like stories about members not disclosed to the media, or Mina’s daily routine President Kim mentioned. Or exclusive photos… please.]

“Yes, that can certainly be done. We’ll have it ready by morning.”

[Thanks. Oh, one more thing: how did the president happen to watch the Nova Girls performance? Was there any prior arrangement with President Kim?]

“No, it was completely by chance.”

[Right? But political reporters say he isn’t the type to enjoy that. Can you explain the background? That’s what people are most curious about.]

“…Well…”

Song Geon-woo bit his lip.

‘I don’t know… I’m curious about that too…’

But saying so would seem irresponsible.

“I’ll check with the person in charge and let you know.”

[By morning, right?]

“…Yes.”

After the call, Song Geon-woo immediately called Jo Min-su.

“Hey, are you busy?”

[Of course, are you kidding me? In this situation?]

Even so, Jo Min-su’s voice was excited. He always behaves that way—pretending to be serious, but deeply affectionate.

“We need to take some time. Baekje Ilbo is in a frenzy. Since the article is late, they want everything. Other outlets are probably going crazy too…”

[I just sent all the visual materials by email. The second file has debut stage photos, daily photos, and profile cutouts. You need to post on SNS anyway.]

“Thanks. But what Baekje Ilbo is asking is…”

Song Geon-woo asked how the president came to watch the Nova Girls’ performance. Jo Min-su gave a ridiculous answer:

“A new manager blocked the president, who urgently needed to pee, from going to the bathroom and led him to the training hall? Did you dream this?”

[It sounds absurd, but it’s true.]

“No, wait a second…”

Song Geon-woo pressed his palm to his forehead and closed his eyes. Jo Min-su was serious, so he couldn’t be lying… but still…

“Isn’t that guy from the MD team?”

[He is from MD, but not exiled. I asked the MD team; he walked there himself.]

“Why? Did he have some ulterior motive? Lusted after the girls?”

[Do you think I can’t tell that? Those guys’ eyes are different.]

“Then why? Nobody expected Nova to be like this… Did he plan it? With the president?”

[Checked that too. No. He’s just a struggling kid.]

“Then… damn it! I don’t know! That’s not important now. What do we tell the press? Saying he urgently needed to pee would embarrass the president. We need to show the president favorably without seeming sycophantic, or the opposition supporters will hate it…”

[That’s your specialty, handle it. But remember, the girls just got this chance. If you mess it up, their lives are at stake.]

“If you’re not helping, don’t add pressure. End the call!”

Song Geon-woo washed his face and bit his nails.

‘Don’t mention peeing, don’t flatter, don’t discuss politics… focus on chance. Absurd circumstances, the manager was guided by fate, wandered like a ghost and met destiny! Got it. That’s our story!’

Jo Min-su protested exaggeration, but Song Geon-woo thought differently. At times like this, exaggeration is fine as long as no one suffers.

Eventually, the article was published as:

<A Manager-Created Fateful Opportunity? Why Did the President Go to See Nova Girls?>

“Hello, Team Leader.”

I picked up the phone, immediately sensing a ‘work call.’ Actually, I had sensed it even before answering. In the 21st century, when a wise ruler mentioned Nova Girls, would the manager be left alone?

[Hey, Hyeon-jae. Do you know what’s happening?]

“Yes, I saw the news. Should I come in?”

[No, no need.]

“Not needed?”

I swallowed hard. Not needed? Isn’t this the chance for Nova Girls? Everyone related should be scrambling… Could it be the company has already…

[You have other tasks.]

Ah, I see.

“Excuse me? What’s that?”

[Go to the dorm later and buy the kids some meat. There’s a wagyu restaurant in front of the apartment behind the office. Know it?]

“Wagyu? That’ll be expensive…”

I immediately realized my mistake—why mention the price? The company would cover it anyway, and I actually have 1.5 billion won. Guess I spoke out of habit.

[Expensive or not, five people, 1.5 million won worth is fine. The company will cover. Go and manage the kids’ morale. Their schedule will be packed from tomorrow, and they’re probably anxious. Make sure they rest properly. Tell them not to post on SNS. They got the president’s favor, but don’t create an image of ‘ruling party-supporting idols.’ Got it?]

“Yes, understood.”

[And go to HR tomorrow morning. You’ll rewrite the contracts.]

“What? Rewrite contracts?”

[Employment contract.]

I didn’t understand immediately. The contract was rewritten less than a week ago, and I had been managing the team for under a week.

The updated contract included: salary 3,500, guarantees for return to previous duties if Nova Girls failed, and performance bonuses proportional to company revenue from Nova Girls. And yet, another rewrite?

[Don’t know why? From the company’s perspective, if you leave now, it looks bad. The article “A manager-created fateful opportunity” came out. If the manager leaves, it seems the girls’ luck is gone. And the company failed to give the manager due treatment.]

“I won’t leave.”

[I know. But from above, your spot was temporary. They’re worried you might quit. In short: more money, so just accept it.]

When I first joined, my salary was 3,200. For inexperienced AMD newcomers, that’s normal. Raise rates were low. After one year: 3,300, after two: 3,500.

The updated contract from the team leader was remarkable.

“Salary 4,500?”

[Yes. You’ll also get a special bonus for holding onto the president. About 10 million won.]

“Wow…”

[Don’t tell anyone, and don’t be satisfied yet. Once the girls succeed, you’ll have daily bonus parties.]

“You mean don’t leave? I won’t leave.”

[Yes, let’s do our best. Really, let’s do well.]

Team leader Jo Min-su spoke solemnly.

“Kim Seok-gu really knows how to speak, point by point.”

“Look at him. How much he must have suffered… endured just to make a living…”

“Kim Jin-mu? I knew that brat. Just whining well, yet he became the opposition leader!”

That morning, Sora’s parents were pointing at the TV in the living room, getting worked up. Sora didn’t care at first; she wasn’t interested in politics.

But her parents were still watching news in the afternoon. This time the news was different. Sora’s face stiffened. The screen showed President Kim Seok-gu watching Nova Girls’ performance, along with a photo of their manager.

“That young manager has a noble face. Bright forehead, clear eyes, the type that fortune follows.”

Sora’s father was into physiognomy. Sora frowned—why always bring up pseudoscience?

“He’s bowing to Kim Seok-gu to save his kids. You can tell his character from that… But why does his face look so familiar?”

“They’ll become famous, right? Kim Seok-gu mentioned them, so they won’t fail.”

“Will he get something too? The manager?”

“Probably. Those VTS kids get cars, houses, performance bonuses. Won’t he?”

“But his face… hmm… where did I see him?”

Sora quickly got up.

“I’m not hungry. Thank you for the meal.”

“Already? But Sora, your boyfriend—”

“I’ll have dinner late tonight. See you tomorrow.”

Sora didn’t respond to her mother and went to her room.

‘Why is Hyeon-jae managing idols? Wasn’t he MD?’

Hyeon-jae was a good person, kind and caring. Everyone knew that. Sora, having dated him for seven years, knew too.

But kindness doesn’t guarantee happiness. Sora wasn’t particularly picky; she was just honest.

Happiness requires money. Even if Hyeon-jae succeeds at work, MD roles have modest ceilings. Exceptions exist, but expecting him to be one would be unrealistic. He was also poor; any money earned might easily slip away.

Sora judged realistically. Better to live in a Royal floor apartment with a view of Seoul than shivering in a one-room with a kind guy. Common sense.

‘Forget it. Don’t care. He’s just an unknown idol manager. President mentioning them doesn’t change anything.’

“Uh… unnie, Davin unnie!”

Nari shouted.

“Did you see Spookyfy?”

“Yes. But calm, Nari. We must stay calm. Humble and calm. Don’t get too excited or something might happen. Always the same, right? Calm…”

“Unnie, you seem the least calm…”

“……”

At that moment, a phone vibrated. Mina shouted.

“Davin unnie! Phone! Wing Tiger? Who is it?”

“Ah.”

Davin picked up the phone.

“Yes, Hyeon-jae oppa?”