Devil’s Music

Geon departed China and traveled through Japan before returning to Korea.

Before leaving China, Geon met Lin and expressed his refusal to sign the contract. While Lin was deeply disappointed, she understood Geon's desire to finish his studies and let him go. She requested him to contact her first when he eventually started his entertainment career, a plea he acknowledged formally before leaving China.

Upon arriving in Japan, Geon wasn't as widely recognized as Lin had suggested. Despite his popularity in China, only female audience members who had seen Geon at the actual event venue recognized and cheered for him since his preview wasn't aired in Japan. The live footage from the event circulated on YouTube across Japan afterward, but by then, Geon had already returned home.

Back in Korea, Geon couldn't leave his house due to reporters camping outside. Similarly, Shihwa found it difficult to step out due to reporters bombarding her with questions about Geon's daily life whenever she ventured outside. When Yeongha discussed Geon's earnings, Shihwa nearly fainted upon hearing the amount. If Taewoo hadn't come home just then, she might have fainted for real.

Taewoo gathered the family for a meeting.

"Firstly, we need to solve the issue of restricted outdoor access. What do you think, dear?" Yeongha inquired.

"It's tough even going to the market. How about your shop?" Taewoo replied.

"No, the news hasn't reached the real estate yet, so I haven't been approached. Shihwa, how about you?" 

Shihwa grumbled in frustration, "I thought I'd have fun during the break, but because of Geon, I can't even leave the house! Friends keep pestering me for photos of Geon's daily life, and when I step outside, reporters even ask about the color of Geon's underwear! Ugh!"

Feeling guilty, Geon apologized, "I'm sorry, causing trouble for everyone in the family..."

Taewoo shook his head as if to say otherwise. "No, becoming famous means more contacts from friends and more attention from Dad. Don't think of it as causing trouble."

Yeongha chimed in, "That's right, our son has become famous for something good. Your mom and I are proud. Don't think you've caused trouble. Shihwa, watch your words in front of your brother!"

Shihwa rolled her eyes and exclaimed, "Still! It's vacation, but I can't even go out! And after going abroad, he just gives out peanuts from the plane and calls it a gift!! Huh?"

Suddenly noticing a white envelope poking her side, Shihwa grinned mischievously and looked at Geon. 

Geon chuckled and said, "Shihwa, it's pocket money from me, because I'm sorry."

Shihwa's face lit up upon hearing this. "Wow! This changes everything! I wonder how much our big brother put in from the money he earned overseas? Huh? If it's not over 100,000 won, it's invalid."

Geon smirked lightly. Shihwa playfully brandished the envelope, then burst into laughter as she saw a stack of 10,000 won bills inside. Overjoyed by the substantial amount, she showered Geon with dozens of kisses, something she wouldn't usually do.

Yeongha disapproved of Shihwa's behavior. "Shihwa, no more pestering your brother now that he's given you money. Got it?"

Shihwa vigorously nodded, showing no signs of relenting. Taewoo then asked Geon about his plans.

"So, what's the plan now? Vacation will end, and you need to go to school. Will you go considering the situation outside?"

Geon glanced at Yeongha and calmly said, "Actually, I'm thinking of quitting school and taking the qualification exam."

Yeongha was shocked, "What? Quitting school? Why?"

Geon calmly explained, "In this situation, going to school would affect everyone negatively. I'll finish the second semester, take the qualification exam, and plan to enter university after that. I'll be 19 when I enter college, so don't worry; I'm ahead."

Concerned, Yeongha said, "Our son is good at studying, so I'm not worried about the qualification exam, but school life creates lifelong memories. Can you think so simply about it?"

Taewoo, comforting Yeongha, said, "Dear, let's trust him. Should our son cause trouble for other kids just because he's excellent?"

Geon added, holding Yeongha's hand, "Mom, trust me. The qualification exam won't be difficult now. I received a call from the teacher; they suggested that in the second semester, I attend classes briefly like celebrities, and after the test, I plan to go to college. I realized how much trouble it would cause my friends if I continue attending school."

Yeongha stressed about Geon and Shihwa not causing trouble to others. Despite Yeongha scolding for making noise after 10 pm, Geon couldn't ignore his concern for others.

Eventually, with Yeongha's agreement, Taewoo asked Geon, "What about those reporters outside? It doesn't seem right to keep suffering from them."

Glancing at the reporters clustered outside, Geon said, "Well, Yeongseok hyung advised me anyway. If I'm going abroad for education after the qualification exam, I should show my face properly on broadcasts until then."

Taewoo questioned, "Going abroad for education? Are you considering studying overseas?"

Geon nodded, "Yes, I'd prefer famous universities in the US or UK now that it's financially viable."

Taewoo nodded and asked, "I support you going for a better education abroad rather than a Korean university. You've grown up well, unlike me. But what do you mean by 'show your face properly'?"

Geon chuckled as he raised the curtain outside, "Exactly as it sounds. Anyway, when I start broadcasting, the reporters won't bother coming here anymore because they'll see me at the broadcasting station."

Shihwa was astonished, "Brother! You're going to be on TV? I've seen your name a lot in Chinese news and portals, but never on Korean TV! Can I see you on TV now?"

Geon nodded, and Shihwa dashed to her room with her phone. 

"It's a big deal! I need to tell Joohee unnie about this! Guns & Roses will go crazy!"

As she ran into her room and closed the door, Shihwa swiftly peeked out again, "Hey, have you been in touch with Guns & Roses unnie recently? Do you know how many people are in their fan club?"

Geon hesitated, "No, I heard it's around two hundred?"

Shihwa closed the door, saying, "Two hundred? That's ancient! It's been over five thousand for a while, dummy."

Geon stood there, stunned, gazing at the closed door, frozen.

Geon promptly contacted Lin in China.

His inquiry aimed to discuss the possibility of starting broadcasts in Korea and the potential for a contract lasting less than six months. Lin, considering the need to sustain the relationship with the future star Geon, offered an unconventional contract with a production support fee of 30% without any upfront payment.

After consulting with Yeongseok, Geon accepted Lin's proposal, and the contract was arranged through Fantasio. Right from Geon and Lin's first conversation, Fantasio had already acknowledged Geon's terms as a matter of fact and dispatched their team to Korea the day after the acceptance call.

Geon found himself seated with Fantasio representatives in a nearby café, engaging in discussions.

The team sent by Fantasio comprised one manager, one coordinator, and one hair designer.

The manager, Byungjoon, was a young man just three years older than Geon. Fantasio considered their need for close communication with Geon and thus sent an all-Korean team. Byungjoon stood at around 173cm, well-built, with a slightly dark complexion, sporting a short Mohawk hairstyle and dressed in a suit.

The coordinator, Sangmi, was a woman in her early twenties, petite at around 160cm, with a healthy dark complexion.

The hair designer, Yeonju, was a petite woman standing around 155cm, exuding a charming and bright smile. All three had childhood roots in China, where their families had immigrated and they studied.

Handing Geon the contract, Byungjoon politely said, "Mr. Geon Kim, here's our contract from Fantasio. You might have been briefed earlier, but our fee stands at 30%. While you might not need it for a short activity, please read through the publicity rights carefully and sign."

Geon meticulously read through the contract handed to him by Byungjoon and signed it.

Seeing Geon, Yeonju, with shining eyes, pulled out her phone from her chest pocket and asked, "Um... Mr. Geon, since we've now signed the contract and will be working together, could I ask a favor?"

Geon chuckled, looking at Yeonju. "Oh? Yes, of course. What's your request?"

Rising from her seat on the café's sofa and sitting next to Geon, Yeonju asked, "Actually... My friends in China won't believe that I'm working as your team member. Could we take a picture together? It's for authentication."

Smiling at Yeonju's request, Geon replied, "Haha, sure, as many as you want. Take a hundred if you'd like, haha."

As Yeonju started taking photos, Sangmi blushed slightly and joined in. "Um... over there! Me too, me too!"

"Ah, no, wait! Let me take one first, then you, and then the gentleman. Step back a bit, you two need to be in frame. Come on, quickly! Move aside!"

As Sangmi and Yeonju chattered, Byungjoon interjected seriously, "Hey, Yeonju, Sangmi, it's our first meeting, mind your manners?"

Though Sangmi gave a disapproving look, seeing Geon smiling, she rolled her eyes and then started taking pictures after Yeonju. After snapping more than thirty photos with different angles, she finally took a picture of Sangmi and Geon, then proceeded to take one with Byungjoon and Geon. Despite only taking two pictures, Byungjoon seemed content.

"Ahem... send me those, right now."

Yeonju giggled, teasingly, "Hehe, acting so dignified when you wanted to take pictures too, hehe."

Geon chuckled and said to Byungjoon, "You three seem close. Have you been working together for long?"

The relatively calm Sangmi replied, "It's been about a year. As you can see, we're all in our early twenties and started working not too long ago. Both Byungjoon and Yeonju joined around the same time. Although this task is related to you, we decided without hesitation to come to Korea as Byungjoon and Yeonju are close."

Nodding in agreement, Geon turned to Byungjoon, "Then, we should start planning the schedule in earnest. Shouldn't we establish the direction first? I'm known as a singer, but without any albums and just one released song, it might be difficult to function as a singer."

Acknowledging Geon, Byungjoon nodded and took out a notebook. "You're correct. Even our headquarters initially pondered on that. However, we're Fantasio. We have the best manager, Jin, and an analysis team. Plus, we have the financial capability. We've drafted a plan tailored to your situation. We've already met with stakeholders before meeting you. And after discussions with PDs who are strongly interested in your appearance, it was concluded that we should engage in a program that allows for extensive storytelling to boost interest and dispel the reporters lingering outside your home."

Taking a sip from his iced Americano, Byungjoon continued, "Firstly, there's a PD, Kim Yeongseok, from TVN. I've heard he has a personal rapport with you. After our preliminary investigation, we confirmed that the ongoing show, 'Chuno,' has 24 episodes, and only six are left to air, ending in three weeks. Directly after that, a new variety show begins recording. It's a pilot program, but it's led by star PD Kim Yeongseok, so I believe participating won't be detrimental."

Geon queried, "Oh, really? Working with Yeongseok hyung would be comfortable. What kind of program is it?"

Scrutinizing his notebook, Byungjoon furrowed his brow. "The program's title is undecided... It's about living self-sufficiently on a remote island far away. We might have to eat and sleep on the island for two weeks. I don't quite understand. Will this be really enjoyable?"

Geon chuckled, "Wow, I've never been to an island; it might be fun. But surely, it's not an uninhabited island?"

Byungjoon nodded, "Yes, there are around 100 residents."

Relieved, Geon nodded, but Byungjoon added with a meaningful tone, "Actually, there's another agenda for participating in this program."

Curious, Geon asked for clarification.

"It's for the next show we'll participate in: 'My Little Television.' Do you know about it? It's a program related to internet broadcasting, running a personal broadcasting station."

Understanding, Geon nodded, and Byungjoon's eyes glinted as he continued, "It's part of the preparations for that program. For the island program, actors Cha Seungwon and Yoo Haejin are the main participants, and you'll be a guest. But there's one more guest: Ham Chunho."