NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18
Kim Jin-woo, although he isn’t with one of the big four entertainment companies, is the Team Leader of the rookie development team for a major agency that you might have heard of at least once.
He visited a practical music academy in Seoul with his subordinate.
Across the country, various practical music academies regularly hold internal auditions where agencies pay visits.
He participated as a judge in today’s internal audition to scout for talent.
“There’s really no one worth picking this time.”
“Isn’t that one a bit decent?”
A sigh escaped him at his subordinate Young-ho’s comment, pointing to a contestant.
“Hey, if they’re just decent, it’s meaningless, right? They have to really catch your eye. An idol needs that ‘love at first sight’ feeling.”
“Come on, my standards have already risen so high; do you think there’s anyone who could catch my eye?”
“I’m telling you, there are some who could make you gasp with their allure! When you see them, it’s like ‘Wow, this person has potential!’”
“If they had that, they’d already be cast somewhere.”
“Well, that’s true… sigh.”
After all the auditions wrapped up, they were about to leave when the academy’s Principal approached to greet them.
“Team Leader, you’ve worked hard! Our kids did well, right?”
“Yeah… sure.”
“Please give them a fair consideration. They’re all bursting with talent. They’ll learn well at your company!”
You could see they had certainly put in a solid effort. They weren’t lacking in looks either.
However, there was plenty of time until the next girl group launch, so there was no need to rush into picking someone imperfect.
The key was to find the core members.
“Alright. I’ll discuss it positively with the Director at the company and let you know about their acceptance status.”
“Understood. Thank you for your efforts during the auditions.”
After finishing the formal conversation with the music academy’s Principal, they headed out.
“Hey, Young-ho, let’s grab some food.”
Under the guise of casting, his joy was stopping by famous restaurants or cafes to eat using the corporate card.
Stopping by a famous soup restaurant nearby, Team Leader Kim Jin-woo said,
“Hey Young-ho, when is Pastel Love’s contract officially ending?”
“Can we not talk business while we eat? I’ll get indigestion.”
“Even so, since we’re eating with the corporate card, you should at least discuss it. Ugh.”
His subordinate, Young-ho, chuckled as he answered.
“They probably have about 3 years and 5 months left.”
“Then if we play our cards right, that gives us about 6 years until the next girl group launch.”
“By the way, Team Leader, there’s this café nearby that I’ve been to a few times with my girlfriend; it’s pretty nice. Let’s check it out.”
“Are you only thinking about eating on the corporate card? Get a grip, man.”
“Come on, Team Leader, you waste company funds all the time!”
“Alright, I’ll just tell the Director I’m leaving work early, so let’s go to the café and chit-chat.”
“Got it!”
Even though the rookie development team gets fewer bonuses, the frequent early departures make it worthwhile.
After grabbing a meal, they walked to the café to help with digestion.
“Team Leader, can I get some cake too?”
“Stop eating so much!”
While Kim Jin-woo looked around the café as his subordinate placed an order, he thought,
“Wow, the decor is really nice. Looks like girls will come here taking photos for their ‘aesthetic’ or whatever…”
“The kids are coming here to take pictures with their emotions and all…”
While exploring the café, Kim Jin-woo’s eyes were glued to one spot.
He nudged an employee who was taking orders and said,
“Hey, Young-ho. It’s performance pay.”
“Excuse me?”
“Hey. Check that out.”
Kim Jin-woo was pointing at a female student.
If she doesn’t undergo a makeover, she could totally be a visual member in any girl group.
More than that, she had a unique aura.
How do I describe it? It’s like she has this playful yet mature vibe, even though she’s young?
She’s definitely a sure thing.
“Oh…”
“Feel that sensual admiration?”
“Yeah…”
“We absolutely must cast her. Wait here.”
“Got it.”
…
“Hello, student.”
I opened my eyes at the sound directed at me and found a stranger uncle looking at me.
“Me?”
‘What the heck, is he a lolicon?’
“Yes, student, are you interested in dancing or singing?”
Ah, it turns out he’s just a lolicon.
A normal street casting after all?
Wow… I can’t escape street casting with my beauty.
Even I would fall for myself, what can a guy do?
“I’m not really interested.”
“It’s okay if you aren’t. So, how about becoming a celebrity?”
“Not really…”
I was so sure I’d get cast someday that I could respond in a calm tone despite my excitement.
On the other hand, the future couple next to me was more excited than I was, practically shouting.
“Wow, I’ve never seen this before!”
“Teacher, I thought Do-hee would get street cast! She’s so pretty and cute; even as a teacher, they would’ve cast her!”
If someone overheard, they’d think they were the ones getting cast.
“I thought I would be cast, too.”
“Haha.”
The teacher laughed, thinking my comment was a joke.
It wasn’t a joke though.
This is called self-objectification.
I am undoubtedly an S-class beauty in the region.
“So, are you going to become a celebrity now?”
“If I was going to, I would’ve just continued as a child actor.”
The casting manager, who was eavesdropping on our conversation, asked,
“Were you a child actor?”
“I just filmed a commercial once before.”
That memory is why I don’t want to be a celebrity.
My dark history…
“Oh, so you don’t have an agency?”
“No, but I don’t really want to be a celebrity.”
“How old are you?”
The casting manager just kept asking their questions.
“I’m 11 years old. But seriously, I don’t want to…”
“Here, take my business card.”
I received the card from the casting manager.
It had the following written on it:
Kim Jin-woo, Head of Rookie Development Team at Topist Entertainment.
‘First I’ve heard of it.’
“Do-hee, show it to your teacher!”
The teacher tilted her head and leaned towards me.
When I turned the card to show her, she seemed to recognize it.
“Oh, Do-hee, I think I’ve heard of this place!”
“Do-hee, I feel like I’ve heard that name before?”
“Yes, we’re kind of a famous entertainment agency. First off, your name is Do-hee, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know whose song is currently playing?”
The café was playing a song frequently heard on the streets lately.
“I’ve heard it a few times while walking, but whose is it?”
“It’s a song that topped the charts; you really have no interest? It’s by a group called Pastel Love, which is signed under our agency.”
“Oh, Pastel Love. I’ve heard of them…”
I’ve watched a couple of their videos on YouTube.
“Our agency doesn’t just have girl groups; we have boy groups too, and not just idols, but top actors are part of it as well.”
“Oh, okay.”
“For example, there’s the handsome actor Kim Dong-jun, and the ten-million viewer actor…”
The uncle enthusiastically introduces the celebrities from his agency.
It’s clear that it’s a well-sized and recognized agency.
“It’s a big company.”
“That’s right. If you join us, we can definitely support you.”
“Hmm…”
“You’re eleven now, which is the perfect age to be a trainee and debut.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Then could you give me your phone number?”
“Sure, here you go.”
I called the uncle’s number written on the business card and gave him my number.
“Anyway, I really hope you come visit us. You can come with a friend, too. If you do, I’ll show you the building and introduce you to the celebrities.”
“Yeah. I’ll think about it.”
“Make sure to contact me!”
After the casting manager left, the teacher spoke up.
“So, Do-hee, are you going to go?”
“I need to talk to my mom. I’m curious about what the celebrity agency looks like.”
“If you become a celebrity, I’ll have a celebrity student, right?”
The uncle standing next said,
“Yeon-ji, should we delay our marriage a bit?”
“What?”
“Let’s get married after Do-hee becomes a celebrity. She’d have to sing at our wedding.”
“Ah, what are you talking about~”
… Seriously.
Suddenly, they’re all lovey-dovey.
Even when I go home, my mom and dad are like that too, it’s a pain to watch.
The whole world is just couples.
“Ha… but is it okay if I become a celebrity, teacher?”
“Why?”
“You wanted me to be a pianist.”
“Well, I didn’t exactly want that; I just thought it’d be a waste of talent.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“But if Do-hee becomes a pianist and can’t be a celebrity, that’d be a waste too.”
“That’s true.”
“Haha, so head home and have a good talk with your family.”
“Okay.”
But now I think I should wrap up the talk about becoming a celebrity and congratulate the teacher on their marriage.
Even though I act like a kid, not congratulating on their marriage wouldn’t be gentlemanly.
“And by the way, teacher…”
“Yeah?”
“Congratulations on your marriage. And you too, uncle.”
“Thanks, Do-hee.” “Yeah, thanks.”
I tried to smile and congratulate them, but I couldn’t quite manage my expression.
But I can’t manage my expression well.
The teacher hugged me and said.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t have class with Do-hee. But you know that I really love you, right?”
“Yes. I hope you are happy too.”
“Yeah, we love you, Do-hee.”
“…Yes.”
.
.
.
After parting with the teacher, I returned home.
“I’m back~”
Mom comes out to greet me.
“Did our princess have a good day?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Did you have fun?”
“It was okay. By the way, Mom, look at this.”
I handed my mom a business card with a chic expression.
“What? Did you get street-cast?”
“Ah, this is a street casting that you couldn’t get.”
Before I knew it, I got a playful whack on the head.
“Ouch, that hurts.”
“Serves you right.”
“But… if I don’t mess with you, I won’t be able to forget the melancholy of parting with the teacher, okay?”
Sigh “So tell me about the street casting. I’m curious.”
“Hehe… Okay… It happened while I was resting in a café.”
“Speak properly before you get hit again.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I don’t want to get hit.
After talking to Mom, she asked,
“So what do you want to do?”
“I don’t really know.”
Honestly, I wanted to be an idol in my past life too.
Why does everyone write down entertainer as their future dream when they are young?
I felt the same way.
I just didn’t want to be an actor.
I wanted to be someone who was seen by an audience and could hear their cheers, rather than an actor performing behind the screen.
I guess I’ve always been a bit attention-seeking.
But being an idol isn’t for just anyone.
Now that I’m a girl, I can be an idol, but as a girl idol… I’m not so sure.
“How about the piano?”
“What do you mean? I just need to keep participating in competitions. I really don’t want to break my record.”
Speaking of which, I was disappointed at the piano competition when I was 8 because there was no applause after finishing.
What’s the point of winning if you don’t get applause after you play?
The middle and high school competitions allow you to finish the entire piece and get applause, unlike the elementary level, which is fast-paced.
But will the applause be as loud as the cheers idols get on stage?
Admitting that I’m attention-seeking makes it clear why I didn’t actively stop my mom from posting about me on social media.
Honestly, I liked it too.
But being a girl idol…
“Ah~ I don’t know.”
“Do-hee, how about we visit the agency together?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, you can try everything and decide.”
“Alright.”
I’m grateful that my mom is always seriously worried about my future.
“Hehe, I want to get Kim Dong-jun’s autograph~”
Oh.