The Idol Training Simulation I Messed Up

Chapter 5

“Is this…?”

“It’s exactly what it looks like.”

No matter how I looked at it, the words written on the envelope were “resignation letter.”

Even when I took out the paper inside, it was clearly a resignation letter.

The neatly folded paper contained the standard reason for resignation: personal reasons.

‘I’ve just joined the company…?!’

A staff member resigning before I even started working properly—what kind of situation was this?

The first task I faced after joining Newma Entertainment was handling a resignation.

I confirmed that I wasn’t seeing things and looked up at the fan manager, Yun-hee, standing before me.

Judging by her unwavering expression and the fact that she handed it over without hesitation, it seemed she had firmly made up her mind.

Having submitted a resignation myself, I could roughly guess how she felt.

‘I had no regrets and wanted to pack up and leave immediately.’

When I submitted my resignation at my previous company, they accepted it as if they had been expecting it, perhaps even waiting for it.

However, now I need her.

“It might be uncomfortable to ask, but could you tell me why you’re leaving?”

“…Sigh. I don’t have to hold back since I’m leaving. To be honest…”

She sighed deeply and immediately continued speaking.

“Most of the artist management staff have moved to Newrain, and I don’t see any vision in staying here. You might not know, but the working environment has only gotten worse, never improved. Considering how the company has operated until now… it’s likely to remain the same in the future.”

Yun-hee fired off her words as if she had prepared them in advance.

They seemed like bottled-up feelings that couldn’t be fully expressed in just the six characters of “personal reasons.”

While I was taken aback by her unexpected attitude, she opened her mouth again, as if she hadn’t said enough.

“Can I say one more thing since we’re on the topic?”

“Yes? Uh, sure!”

Intimidated by her gaze, I answered, but if I had said no, she seemed ready to hold my head and make me listen.

She said it was one more thing, but it wasn’t just one thing.

Contrary to her small first impression, she spoke like a runaway train.

***

Newrain had split off from Newma Entertainment.

Some staff took the personnel reshuffling as a dismissal notice rather than a reorganization.

Those who had been in charge of Iris moved to Newrain, while those handling Monochrome stayed.

Borrowing the words of talkative employees, they were the ones who hadn’t been chosen by Newrain.

In this unsettling atmosphere, the new director, someone with no experience in the entertainment industry, arrived.

Not knowing what she had done before, but overseeing all of Monochrome’s affairs seemed to Yun-hee like the company had completely given up on Monochrome.

December. Year-end.

A time when any notable idol agency should be busy preparing for year-end stages.

Iris, who would be preparing for their year-end stage, had already moved to the new building’s practice room, leaving Newma Entertainment’s practice room unusually empty compared to previous years.

Yun-hee walked down the quiet hallway and opened the practice room door. As expected, Monochrome’s members were gathered inside.

They were watching and analyzing videos of a foreign dancer who had recently become a hot topic, just as usual.

Everyone knew their situation but didn’t bother to speak it out loud.

She quietly handed out drinks to recharge their energy and was about to leave.

“Yun-hee.”

As she was about to walk down the quiet hallway again, the leader, Yeo Woohyung, followed her out and called her.

Having worked together for several years and being the same age, the two were almost like friends.

“Don’t worry about others. Think about yourself.”

“…”

“No one else will live your life for you.”

When she turned around, Woohyung shrugged his shoulders and gave a light smile as if making a joke.

As if to say, don’t sacrifice your youth for them just because of your connection.

This also meant that he was aware of Monochrome’s uncertain future.

The remaining artist management staff had a similar atmosphere for almost the same reasons.

If Monochrome ceased activities, what would happen to them? Such anxiety.

This was different from their affection for the team. It was distrust based on what they had seen from the company so far.

‘Was it that obvious?’

Though she tried not to show it, it seemed like he had noticed.

What must he have thought, seeing the staff connected to them constantly worrying about the future?

Yun-hee couldn’t answer, so she forced a smile and turned her back on him.

While loyalty and attachment were important, she had to think about her own future realistically, and there was an appropriate timing for everything.

After much contemplation, she carefully folded her resignation letter with complex emotions and placed it in an envelope.

She had planned to submit her resignation on the first day of the new year, but her new boss hadn’t come to work.

And now, a day later.

“Can I say one more thing since we’re on the topic?”

“Yes? Uh, sure!”

Complaining while resigning wouldn’t benefit her. Even if she was no longer an employee here, her social life would continue.

However, she wanted to speak for those staying behind.

She might not have said anything if I hadn’t asked, but since I did, she felt compelled to speak.

Once she started, she couldn’t stop.

“As an agency, shouldn’t basic artist care be a given? We don’t keep them to make a loss, right? The company benefits from them, hence the contract renewal… Phew, the contract renewal.”

She emphasized each word when mentioning the contract renewal.

Yes. This damned renewal! Was the renewal just to keep the team and continue manipulating the members?

Yun-hee took a deep breath and continued, looking up at the ceiling as if trying to calm herself.

“I don’t know why they kept them here, but since Iris is gone now, please don’t discriminate and just do the agency’s job. Don’t just make empty promises like the company has always done. They aren’t kids to be treated poorly.”

She held herself back from adding ‘before I expose the company’s misconduct online.’

Seeing her speaking with fervor and looking ahead, I realized she was looking at me with wide eyes.

Yun-hee only now seemed to notice the person in front of her. The new director, not much older than herself.

‘Sigh. What fault could she have?’

She just started here and had nothing to do with the past wrongdoings.

Still, as the daughter of the former CEO, deeply tied to the company, and now in charge of Monochrome, she was someone to address these concerns to.

After saying everything she wanted, Yun-hee regained her composure.

The new director, having recovered from her surprise, looked at her calmly.

“You knew saying all this wouldn’t be beneficial for you, yet you still said it?”

What was she going to say?

Was that her reaction after hearing all this?

‘What, are you going to put me on some industry blacklist or something?’

Yun-hee almost let out a hollow laugh at the lukewarm response from the other party.

“And?”

Yun-hee replied with a frown, her displeasure rising.

“Have you secured a new job?”

“No. I’m planning to take a break for a while.”

Was she planning to threaten her by calling the company she was moving to?

Yun-hee answered more curtly, not even bothering to hide her expression.

She really did intend to rest. Whether she rested or found a new job, it wasn’t something she should be concerned about.

However, the other party spoke with a meaningful expression.

“You’re… truly a necessary talent.”

***

At first, I was surprised by her rapid-fire speech, but as I listened closely, everything she said made sense.

It was liberating to hear her articulate the frustrations I couldn’t express because I was the root cause.

After listening, I almost wanted to applaud.

“Don’t leave.”

“Pardon…?”

As I suddenly started pleading, Yun-hee’s curt expression turned into one of discomfort.

But that was really all I wanted to say. Don’t leave, stay by my side!

It wasn’t about needing a new person who worked well. It was about needing someone who had worked with Monochrome.

It was an unreasonable request, but one of the things to avoid when quitting a job was to vent all your grievances.

This was to avoid issues with networking and industry rumors.

Still, seeing her pour out her grievances for Monochrome showed how much she genuinely cared about them.

If it wasn’t her, there wouldn’t be another talent like her. I desperately wanted to hold on to her.

“Let’s renegotiate your salary.”

“Excuse me. Did you hear what I just said?”

Even if I had to spend my own money, I wanted to work with her.

I didn’t know how much money I had in this world, but once I got a salary, I’d figure it out somehow.

Yun-hee looked at me as if to say, ‘Who does this girl think she is?’ It was a natural reaction since I was ignoring the resignation letter she had resolved to submit.

“Monochrome needs you.”

“……”

Her resolute eyes wavered at the mention of Monochrome.

“I may be unreliable and lacking, but I want to bring Monochrome to a glory incomparable to before.”

“……”

“I fully acknowledge the company’s faults. It’s late, but we plan to give full support to make up for it. Until you reach a position where you feel a sense of accomplishment.”

Although it was still daunting, I spoke while envisioning the end of this path in my mind.

We hadn’t talked for long, but because she spoke candidly, I could clearly understand her thoughts.

What I was imagining was probably what she also wanted. She must have given up because she thought it was something that could never be achieved.

“If I were you, Ms. Yun-hee, I’d want to go through that process together. What do you think?”

A mix of complex emotions spread across Yun-hee’s face, which had been full of complaints until just now.

It was only natural that it was hard to believe such words from someone she had just met.

Hadn’t she just scolded me for only making things sound plausible? This company seemed to have a history of luring and retaining people with sweet talk.

So, it would be even harder for her to trust now.

But if I missed this chance, it wouldn’t come again.

I folded her resignation letter neatly and placed it back in the envelope, handing it to her.

“Give me a chance to give Monochrome an opportunity. If it still doesn’t work out, you can resubmit this then.”

Yun-hee quietly stared at the resignation letter that had been returned to her.

Fortunately, it didn’t take her long to decide.

“…I’ll stay until you keep your word.”

***

The next day.

I gathered Monochrome once again.

I felt sorry to say this, but it was easy to gather them since, except for some schedules, they had almost none.

It also helped that the members, even when they didn’t have work, were always at the company’s practice room or studio.

This was something I had heard from Yun-hee.

“Good morning, Director.”

The leader greeted first again, and the rest of the members followed suit, bowing their heads together.

Perhaps because our first meeting had ended on a sour note, their expressions weren’t bright.

During the one-on-one interview with the leader, I had told him to do whatever he wanted and had said nice things.

‘Come to think of it, it might have sounded like absurd nonsense.’

This time, Yun-hee and the person who seemed to be the manager were with us.

Yun-hee made eye contact with Woohyung as he came in and gave a sheepish smile.

I could roughly guess what that smile meant.

‘They must have already talked about her resignation since they had worked together for years.’

But not only was her resignation canceled, she was now standing right next to the director.

It might be a little awkward, but it was definitely good news for all of us.

Anyway, I had a different reason for calling the Monochrome members again.

This was the first step toward change for Monochrome.

“Let’s retake your profile photos.”