Episode 3
I woke up early in the morning and contacted Lee Yuri, arranging to visit SU Entertainment right away.
“My d*mn life……. Nothing ever goes smoothly.”
The conclusion I drew from yesterday’s events was that Han Seung-beom’s family was truly dysfunctional. I needed to escape from this place as soon as possible.
I couldn’t figure out why this family was so strange. Han Seung-beom didn’t leave any traces behind.
But it was okay. Once I sign the trainee contract and enter the dorm, I would be able to escape this suffocating environment.
“If only I had a status window, it would be easy to know.”
After trying various things, I realized that the status window simply won’t appear, no matter what. I was foolish to hope for it even for a moment.
“…Kang Hyuk-woo.”
Despite being far away yesterday, I could still hear his voice. It was the same now.
– Yesterday, I saw a guy with a good face passing by, so I tried to bring him in, but he disappeared. He’s already been picked up by SU. Is our company going downhill now?
– Well, we’re in big trouble, so it’s understandable that he’s going to another castings right away.
– That’s true. What about that person?
– Can’t reach him anymore. Seems like he’s been wandering around everywhere these days.
– Damn, these rich kids are relentless.
After enduring the hellish mealtime and experimenting until I was exhausted, I discovered a special ability bestowed upon me: the ability to hear someone’s voice. But it came with certain conditions.
Firstly, I had to think of the person’s name and face in my mind.
Secondly, what I heard only lasted a few seconds, and it consumed a significant amount of energy, so I couldn’t overuse it.
The third condition is that the closer the distance between me and the person, the louder their voices are heard, and I cannot hear the words of someone who is too far away.
To figure out these conditions, I didn’t know how much I tortured myself yesterday. It felt like going on an overseas tour.
I stretched my sore body and checked the date on my phone.
[November 15th. Saturday]
The unfortunate part was that Han Seung-beom is still in his third year of high school, so he has to attend school, and the fortunate part was that today is Saturday.
‘It’s a relief that I can meet Lee Yuri again.’
I felt uneasy about Han Seung-beom being a student, but I couldn’t do anything about it.
‘Seung-beom, I’m sorry. I’ve never tried studying at school.’
I only have a middle school education. Since studying was out of the question, I planned to debut as soon as possible and flatten Kang Hyeok-woo’s nose. Even if I started trainee life right now, it would be too late.
With textbooks filled with alien language neatly tucked away, I put on my hat and left the house.
***
As I arrived at SU Entertainment’s main gate by public transportation, Lee Yuri spotted me and ran over.
“Seung-beom! Thank you for coming.”
“Hello.”
I took off my hat, bowed my head, and greeted her. Lee Yuri waved her hand nervously, as there are many fans of affiliated celebrities in this area, so trainees prefer to avoid exposure.
Putting my hat back on, Lee Yuri led me towards the back gate. Large-scale entertainment agencies have separate passages for affiliated celebrities and staff, which seemed a bit different.
‘D*mn RH…………….’
RH Entertainment didn’t have such a back gate. Memories of being interrogated by reporters every time I went to the company after the scandal broke came to mind, making me grit my teeth.
“Sorry for making you come back and forth on a holiday. I couldn’t get away from work.”
“It’s okay.”
As we exited the hidden corridor, I saw a door. Lee Yuri, who swiped her ID card and unlocked the door, opened it, leading directly into the company’s interior. The clean interior exuded the smell of money.
Lee Yuri, briskly leading the way, entered an empty conference room and pulled out a chair for me. Then, she walked to the other side and took out a business card.
“I’ve already given you one, but I’ll give it to you officially again. I’m Lee Yuri, working at SU Entertainment. I’m in the rookie development team, and if you join our company, you’ll probably be under my supervision.”
“Thank you. Uh, I’m still a student…”
Taking the business card and intentionally trailing off, I was about to speak when Lee Yuri clapped her hands.
“Oh, it’s okay. It’s quite common to give without receiving anything in return in this world. Celebrities don’t make business cards! Haha! Sit down, Seung-beom!”
Lee Yuri mixed in jokes to keep me at ease and gestured towards the chair. As I sat down, she spread out some documents in front of us and asked a few simple questions.
“Seung-beom, how old are you?”
“I’m turning nineteen this year. My birthday is on January 2nd, so I’ll soon be 19 years old. I didn’t take early admission.”
“You’re in your final year of high school! How’s your preparation for the college entrance exam?”
“It’s okay. I’m trying my best with the goal of debuting.”
“What about university?”
“I haven’t seriously considered it yet.”
“But you should definitely think about it seriously.”
There probably aren’t any trainees in this company who attend university or focus on college entrance exams. Those aiming for a debut pursue their dream relentlessly without looking back. Balancing both was nearly impossible from the start. I chuckled slightly at the words I knew already.
“Anyway, isn’t it difficult to juggle trainee life and university? Especially since I’m joining a bit late?”
“That’s true. But I just wanted to mention it, so you won’t regret it later.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m okay.”
‘You need to have a study-oriented mindset to regret not going to university. Not everyone goes to university.’
Lee Yuri nodded understandingly at my polite refusal and continued the conversation smoothly. She explained various aspects of the trainee contract, life as a trainee, and the rules.
“Well, we’ve covered the basics. Shall we get to the main point now?”
Lee Yuri pushed the documents aside, leaned her arms on the table, and leaned forward.
‘The main point?’
I thought we were about to wrap up the conversation, but hearing about the main point intrigued me.
“I heard you declined a casting offer from RH Entertainment. Is that correct? They even offered a dignity maintenance fee, but you turned it down.”
“You’re quite well-informed.”
“I’m not just quick with news, but also with reading between the lines. I’m the one who finds and polishes the pillars of this company. You get a sense about people. How much money they can bring to our company, how shrewd they are, how intimidating they can be.”
I dislike foolish people and quite like competent ones. From what I can tell, this person in front of me seemed quite clever and capable.
“I don’t think you chose our company solely based on its size. Am I wrong?”
“….”
RH Entertainment was like a dung heap filled with mediocre staff who were more eager for money than offering any help and worked without a clue.
“Haha.”
Finally. Finally, I met someone with intellect who could catch on.
“To be honest, Seung-beom, your appearance is exceptional. I’ve never seen anyone surpassing celebrity standards without even getting a camera massage and full makeup. You’re aware of your own worth, right?”
“….”
“What do you want?”
“…To be sent to the survival debut project for the idol group starting filming next year. Please send me there.”
I gathered information about the entertainment industry as if my life depended on it, more out of compulsion than planning.
According to the information, filming for a survival debut program for an idol group would start early next year. That was my goal. As I stated what I wanted, Lee Yuri softened her gaze.
“You’re well-informed. The media probably hasn’t even hinted at it yet, so how did an ordinary high school student like you find out?”
“I’m not just quick with news, but also with reading between the lines.”
Taking her words in stride, Lee Yuri laughed out loud.
“In that case, you probably know how many trainees are waiting for their chance in our company’s basement. I need justification. I trust Seung-beom’s potential, but the company doesn’t.”
“You said it as if you would grant everything I would ask for.”
It was something I had already expected. But I decided to tell a joke.
“Sorry, the higher-ups are a bit strict. I’ll accommodate the rest. But, Seung-beom, with your quick wit, you must have a plan, right? You have extraordinary materials.”
Lee Yuri seemed to know it was a joke as she raised her eyebrows and jokingly covered my face. Since I had a good-looking face, she meant to think of some justification. I immediately responded.
“I want a reporter. Please make some time for me in two days. It would be great if they’re as competent as the manager. And also, I’ll need accommodation.”
“Okay. But why a reporter?”
“There’s a big event in two days, isn’t it?”
“No way.”
I nodded in agreement to Lee Yuri’s incredulous laughter. Then Lee Yuri closed her eyes tightly.
“Seung-beom, you look like a real angel, but I don’t think your inner self matches.”
“If I succeed, the manager’s evaluation will go up.”
“Seung-beom, do more! Hurry up! I’m rooting for you.”
Lee Yuri quickly changed her attitude and searched her phone contacts with a frantic gesture.
***
After finishing the conversation with Lee Yuri and to keep my appointment with ‘Auntie,’ I began to move again. The location of the shop ‘Auntie’ had sent me via text wasn’t far from the SU Entertainment building.
“No need to take public transportation.”
It was only a 20-minute walk away. Considering that Cheongdam-dong is an expensive area, running a shop here meant business was probably booming.
“Turn right here, then go straight from the convenience store…”
As I checked the map and walked steadily, I realized I could arrive sooner than I thought. Upon reaching the address written in the text, I almost turned back, thinking I had come to the wrong place.
“Auntie’s shop, could it be…”
In disbelief, I looked up at the sign.
[Sueun’s Story Cheong-dam Main Store.]
“The most popular makeup shop in Cheongdam-dong.”
Sueun’s Story was a top-class makeup shop rumored to be frequented by top-tier celebrities in the industry, with rumors swirling that the owner had divine hands.
“Who would call such a large-scale makeup shop ‘Auntie’s shop’?”
I never imagined coming here with such a light heart, thinking it was just a hole-in-the-wall shop in the neighborhood.
As I cautiously opened the door and stepped inside, the staff greeted me with wide smiles.
“Seung-beom is here! Long time no see. The owner is in the VIP room! You can go in.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh my! You’re getting more handsome by the day. Are you really not going to be a celebrity?”
I will.
“Hello.”
I hurriedly responded to the pouring words and made my way to the VIP room. Inside the VIP room, there was a table with drinks prepared and one woman.
“Auntie?”
As I closed the door and called her “Auntie,” the woman looked up.
“Oh, you’re here? Have a seat.”
This woman was Auntie.
“Yes.”
As soon as I sat down at the table, the woman chuckled and smiled broadly, then spoke up.
“So. Who are you?”
…Huh?
“I’m Seung-beom.”
Your nephew.
“Don’t lie.”
The woman slammed her fist on the table.
“…”
There was no way out.
I got caught in just two days. Life is indeed tough.
One obstacle after another.
Life is indeed tough.
