Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

First, improving job skills. That was an OJT mission, so if I trained hard, I could pass it.

 

Next, sharing secrets with the members? What on earth was that about?

 

What kind of secrets? Discussion about salary percentages? Didn’t UA have a policy against employees sharing salary information?

 

Still, since it increased the chances of a stable comeback, I should share something.

 

Worst case, I could gather everyone in the vocal practice room and tell them the 101 reasons I couldn’t get into college. Since it was something that had already happened, there shouldn’t be any penalties.

 

Then all that was left was…

 

+

 

[SYSTEM] ‘New Task’ has been assigned.

 

▷ Securing manpower for the comeback

 

▷ Reward: Increased probability of stable comeback

 

+

 

—this one.

 

By moving up the comeback date, we might be able to secure some company resources.

 

However, that was only to a certain extent, and it was hard to expect the same level of support as when we debuted.

 

‘Unless Newri’s workload decreases significantly.’

 

There were roughly three ways for this to happen.

 

First. Newri suddenly became bold and bulldozed through all the decision-making processes.

 

Second. Yoo Hansoo realized his hidden abilities and used them to his full potential.

 

Three. I took on all sorts of odd jobs at UA, which was short on staff, and minimized the time spent on Newri’s project.

 

Obviously, option three was the right answer.

 

I let out a bitter laugh.

 

Then I turned on my laptop, intending to look at Newri’s previous albums in preparation. I also planned to conduct some research along the way.

 

But my noble sacrifice for Spark quickly lost its purity and spontaneity.

 

“Would you take a look at the proposal… please?”

 

The planning team had come to me with a proposal labeled ‘(4th)’.

 

I tried not to show my reluctance and cautiously accepted the few pages of the proposal.

 

‘Why are they giving this to me?’

 

The planning team should be the professionals in this industry, so what could I possibly say?

 

It was so awkward. I swallowed a sigh and read the proposal carefully.

 

And then I found it.

 

『The Return of the Goddess, and a New Journey』

 

An annoyingly familiar, corny title.

 

‘Has Yoo Hansoo been playing some kind of game lately?’

 

These were the kind of words you’d see plastered all over the Gangnam subway ads.

 

That was fine for a game advertisement, but wasn’t it different in this case?

 

I tried hard not to frown in front of the staff member and flipped to the next page.

 

And my efforts almost fell apart within three seconds.

 

『Concept Idea

 

With the concept that portrays her as a descendant of the Sirens, who mesmerize listeners with her fatal beauty and enchanting voice, Newri returns after three years, more mature than ever…』

 

The latter part was even more amazing.

 

That person, Yoo Hansoo, must have downloaded a weird game somewhere. Did this person only know how to give sexy concepts to female singers?

 

And why did the planning team show this to me in the first place? To mess with me?

 

Or maybe they just wanted me to suffer with them because they didn’t want to be miserable alone?

 

Either way, it was painful. I quickly handed the proposal back to the staff member.

 

“I’m sorry, I’m still inexperienced, so I don’t feel qualified to give any feedback!”

 

“Wait, Iwol, hold on!”

 

The staff grabbed me as I was trying to run away. I wanted to shout at him to please just let me go.

 

Everyone at the company knew that I didn’t get along well with Yoo Hansoo, so what kind of rules were this? What could I possibly say here?

 

I was almost hoping my accumulated fatigue would break the ceiling and knock me out, when the staff member spoke again.

 

“Don’t feel pressured. Just give us your honest thoughts. We’re asking around because we’re unsure ourselves.”

 

Unsure? About what exactly?

 

Even with my eyes closed, I could tell that Yoo Hansoo would place Newri in the West Sea mudflats, film a music video, and then chroma-key a million basalt columns behind them.

 

(TL note: I have no idea what any of those words mean.)

 

The staff laughed awkwardly, perhaps sensing my disbelief.

 

“Hmm… It would be strange for us to ask for your opinion without giving any explanation, right?”

 

“If it’s confidential, you don’t need to explain anything. I’m really not concerned!”

 

“Do kids these days know the word ‘confidential’? Anyway.”

 

The staff cleared their throat.

 

“Actually, the planning team is skeptical about this project. It’s not just about the freshness of the concept—this isn’t a style Newri herself likes.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yeah. Iwol, have you seen Newri’s music video?”

 

I had. They mostly had a very energetic vibe. She was the type to spread bright energy wherever she went.

 

When I nodded, the staff continued.

 

“Newri is a ballad singer with a strong challenging spirit. The material for this new song is also unique. So…”

 

“So it doesn’t fit this concept.”

 

The staff sighed at my words. It seemed that Yoo Hansoo hadn’t looked into Newri’s previous work at all.

 

But I was still curious about one thing.

 

Why did the planning team bring this to me? Especially when they already knew something was off internally.

 

I didn’t want to risk saying anything that might come back to bite me, so I cautiously asked the staff member.

 

“Can I ask why you’re asking me about this? Seongbin knows more about the trends in the music industry, and Cheonghyeon is more creative.”

 

“You’re meticulous, Iwol.”

 

That was probably a side effect of the time I got scolded for microwaving Manager Nam’s herbal tea for ten seconds too long.

 

The staff member said to me, who didn’t respond specifically.

 

“We’re asking people outside the team because we’re worried we might be biased against PD Yoo. You know how it is—hate the person, but don’t hate the work.”

 

I wanted to ask if it wasn’t usually the other way around, but I kept quiet.

 

“You seem to be wondering why we’re not asking people with meaningful industry experience, but any issues they would point out should have already been addressed within the team. If that’s not happening, it means the team isn’t functioning properly.”

 

“…”

 

“Furthermore, the reason I asked you, a young person, was because I thought we might be missing out on the current trends. No matter how sensitive the entertainment industry is to trends, it’s hard to keep up with the younger generation. PD Yoo’s proposal might not appeal to us, but maybe it’ll resonate with your generation.”

 

The staff scratched their head and laughed.

 

I was surprised. I didn’t expect UA would have such a strong sense of professionalism.

 

It made me wonder how a company with a team like this could have ever come up with a cyborg warrior concept.

 

And I felt ashamed.

 

These people were earnestly focused on their work, while I was busy thinking about my conflict with Yoo Hansoo.

 

Let’s reflect. And learn from it. I resolved to myself.

 

“Oh, right, Iwol.”

 

Just when I thought the conversation was over, the staff member called out to me again.

 

“You asked earlier. Why did I ask you instead of Seongbin or Cheonghyeon?”

 

“Oh, right.”

 

“There are many reasons, but the biggest one is that we think you have great instincts.”

 

That was hard for me to understand. It had been years since my brain started feeling sluggish. There couldn’t be any worthwhile instincts left in me.

 

As if the staff noticed my thoughts, they patted my shoulder.

 

“You’ve got good instincts. It’s surprising, really. At least, that’s what our team thinks.”

 

* * *

 

“So, you got carried away by the praise from the planning team that you searched for ideas for Newri sunbaenim until dawn yesterday?”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon approached me during break time and asked.

 

“Cheonghyeon, if you put it that way, I might start crying.”

 

Even as I answered, my fingers didn’t stop moving.

 

I had to quickly send the attached file, add a formal greeting, and throw in a laughing emoji—all within ten minutes.

 

Despite my disregard, Lee Cheonghyeon didn’t back down.

 

“Didn’t you say before that your eyes were so dry that tears were about to come out but then went back in?”

 

“How is it that every word you say is so logical?”

 

Ignoring his rapid-fire remarks, I hit send on the email to the planning team.

 

I couldn’t help it.  As a fellow office worker, I couldn’t just leave my colleagues struggling.

 

“Hyung, you’re so sleep-deprived. You seem overly confident just because your growth phase is over.” 

 

Cheonghyeon pointed out, and Park Joowoo nodded in agreement behind him.

 

“So what? Are you going to take over my schedule management from now on?”

 

“Shall I? Then forward me everything.”

 

Look at this kid. Just a few all-nighters together, and he had already got the hang of things.

 

“Forget it. I was just kidding.”

 

Saying that, I got up from the floor. Lee Cheonghyeon grumbled, ‘Who made a joke with such a serious tone?’ but I pretended not to hear it.

 

When I checked the time, there were about 2 minutes left until practice resumed.

 

In the meantime, I secretly went to the corner of the practice room and opened the system to check the progress of my work.

 

+

 

[SYSTEM] Job Skills Enhancement Program Progress

 

▷ Kim Iwol

 

Dance (1) ■■■■■□□

 

Dance (2) ■■■■□□□

 

Vocal ■■■■■□□

 

▷ Choi Jeho

 

Dance ■■■■■□□

 

Vocal ■■■■■□□

 

.

 

.

 

+

 

On the fifth day, all the members were steadily completing their practice hours without any issues.

 

What was left for me was to push hard for the next two days, making up for my incomplete hours by tonight, and finally finishing the dance (2) module with a perfect score.

 

If I could just succeed in this… 

 

≫ I’m tired of just turning a blind eye, you sh*tty excuse of a dancer

 

Iwol, practice a bit more… aren’t you embarrassed in front of the members…?

 

≫ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The eldest but the least skilled

 

Why did this a**hole have to join at the last minuteㅠㅠ So annoyingㅠㅠㅠㅠ

 

≫ This guy just isn’t cut out to be an idol

 

No matter how hard he practices, if this is the skill level he’s showing the public, it’s clear he’s not suited for this career path.

 

…Maybe, I could bring some comfort to the five-member supporters who were probably agonizing over me.

 

I’m sorry. I’ll try to stay out of sight as much as possible.

 

“Hyung, our break is over!”

 

As soon as I finished checking my progress, Jeong Seongbin called out to me

 

“Yeah, I’m coming.”

 

I got up from the corner as naturally as possible.

 

At that moment, I felt something warm under my nose and something dripped down. I quickly covered my nose and mouth with my hand.

 

‘What is it? Is it snot?’

 

How embarrassing. A grown man, unable to blow his nose properly and now dripping snot—this was enough to make Spark’s six-member supporters instantly become five-member supporters.

 

“Hyung, why are you doing that…?”

 

Park Joowoo asked.

 

I waved my hand so that the members wouldn’t come near me, who was in the ugliest state.

 

“Sorry. I must look really gross right now. Could one of you bring me some tissues and pretend you didn’t see this?”

 

“H-Hyung! Hyung, you’re bleeding!”

 

As I was reaching out my hand pitifully, Lee Cheonghyeon shouted.

 

Bleeding?

 

At that moment, a familiar metallic scent hit my nose. Something I had been desperately trying not to swallow seeped through my lips.

 

I slowly lowered my hand from my nose. My palm was soaked with dark red blood.