CEO Ha Seohwan. The man who founded GN Entertainment and elevated it to become one of the nation's current "Big Three"—a figure invariably counted among the legends of the entertainment industry.
Naturally, his power within the company was immense. Furthermore, he wielded considerable influence across the entertainment industry as a whole. These days, GN Entertainment might have been suffering from poor public opinion and lackluster performance, but regardless, GN Entertainment was a major corporate agency, one of the best in the country.
A face-to-face meeting with such a legendary figure.
Gang Rojun stared at CEO Ha Seohwan, who stood before him, with equal parts nervousness and curiosity. Here, the nervousness stemmed less from being intimidated by the man himself and more from the utter unfamiliarity of encountering a major corporate CEO for the first time in his life.
'It’s kind of—should I say the atmosphere is impressive? Dignified?'
He had seen him a few times in articles and heard about him from the members, but seeing him in person right before his eyes felt even more like facing Mount Tai. It felt as though a gigantic mountain had abruptly appeared in front of him.
'I thought he’d be really prickly and such, but he’s more gentlemanly than I expected?'
He was completely different from the rough middle-aged men Rojun had known in the past. Honestly, the current Gang Rojun found it impossible to evaluate CEO Ha Seohwan. That aura, that energy, that gravitas—it was all unprecedented.
Anyway.
'Hell if I know. Just shake it.'
Rojun took the hand CEO Ha Seohwan extended. For some reason, Gang Rojun pitched his voice lower than usual.
"I'm Rojun. It's an honor to meet you."
CEO Ha Seohwan smiled faintly and shook his hand slowly. Even then, he looked directly into Rojun's eyes. He was seeing something, but it was impossible to tell what.
'Pressure? Overwhelming presence? Anyway, this must be what they call a big shot.'
Would the expression "grabbing a person with one's gaze" be appropriate? Meanwhile, CEO Ha Seohwan maintained his calm smile.
"You're striking."
"Excuse me?"
"Rojun, you are several times more striking than you appeared on broadcast."
"Ah."
"Thank you once again."
CEO Ha Seohwan exchanged greetings with Rojun using proper honorifics throughout. After letting go of his hand, he immediately turned his gaze to the next in line, Sihu. Sihu shook CEO Ha Seohwan's hand while stiff as a board.
"H-H-Hello!!"
"Nice to meet you. You look much cleaner in person. Your image."
"T-T-Thank you!"
Next was Gangmin.
"A unique appearance. I'm sure the response will be good not only domestically but overseas as well."
And finally the youngest, Dogyeong.
"A raw, unpolished image. I like it."
After shaking hands with each and every one of them, CEO Ha Seohwan gestured for them to sit.
—Sshk.
He sat across from the four of them. Even so, he slowly swept his gaze around. Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong were all more pleasing than he had expected, but his eyes kept returning to Gang Rojun.
'He has composure. I can feel self-esteem in his posture and attitude. Though that's to be expected with that face. But there's also a strangely detached, transcendent quality mixed in. Profound.'
Even to CEO Ha Seohwan, who had discovered and watched countless stars, Rojun was an unfamiliar type.
'Now I understand why people call him a disruptive species.'
He had glimpsed sufficient star quality in Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong as well. However, in Gang Rojun, there was something indescribable. What was that? After thinking briefly, CEO Ha Seohwan opened his mouth again.
"It's quite late, isn't it? I'm sorry."
Sihu, who was rapidly shaking his head, immediately answered.
"Ah, no! It's fine!"
"My heart was impatient, so I couldn't help myself. Honestly, I too thought you would choose EY or Bigstar."
"Ah—well, about that."
The nervousness of Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong was obvious. CEO Ha Seohwan, who had been scanning the three, made eye contact with Gang Rojun once again.
'Reading the air, this child seems like the one who will give me the answer.'
He asked Rojun, who was sitting calmly.
"What did you see in our GN?"
To put it more simply, it meant why they had chosen GN. His tone was not one of interrogation, but of wanting to know. Soon, the eyes of the other three fixed on Gang Rojun, and unexpectedly, Rojun's answer was simple.
"I didn't see anything."
"...You saw nothing?"
Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong's eyes widened. Regardless, Gang Rojun continued what he was saying.
"Yes. Rather than choosing because we saw something... I just felt that if we went there, you'd stake your lives on us."
At this, the secretary who had come with CEO Ha Seohwan briefly furrowed his brow. On the other hand, the big shot across from Gang Rojun had the corners of his mouth curl up even more.
"Our GN."
"Yes."
"Are you saying that if you come to GN, whose public opinion is on the decline these days, we would work as if our lives depend on it?"
"Something like that."
"Other agencies would do the same, wouldn't they? Whether it's EY or Bigstar."
"I don't think it would be the same. Because there's a difference in desperation."
"......"
CEO Ha Seohwan, who had been looking at Rojun for a few seconds, readily conceded.
"That's right. After all, desperation is the greatest motivation."
Desperation. Gang Rojun knew desperation well too. 'Please let there be work today,' and so on—there hadn't been just one or two days in the past when he had prayed with his hands clasped every single day.
'I think I wrapped that up well, right??'
But in this choice, the power of 'AI automation' had been greater than desperation. Since he couldn't say that, he had thrown together some moderately nice words, and the reaction was good. Meanwhile, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong looked at Gang Rojun internally with their mouths hanging open.
'Wow—Rojun's nerve... To think he'd have a villain moment even in front of the CEO.'
'That's amazing, Rojun hyung.'
'His form is insane. As expected of the leader.'
CEO Ha Seohwan changed the subject and briefly recited the plans going forward. After allocating about ten minutes to the briefing, he didn't forget his final promise.
"We will stake our lives on it."
Shortly after.
CEO Ha Seohwan, having finished the meeting with the four final winners, got into the waiting car. The car departed immediately. The time had already passed midnight.
"......"
His expression remained animated as he looked out the window. The secretary in the passenger seat, who had been carefully gauging the CEO's mood through the rearview mirror, cautiously threw out a question.
"...How was it, CEO?"
CEO Ha Seohwan, who had been crossing his legs, opened his mouth while keeping his gaze outside.
"That's not the kind of insight one has at that age."
"Excuse me??"
"I'm talking about that child, Rojun."
"Ah. I thought he was a bit—somewhat impertinent."
"He should be impertinent. If he's too smooth, it's no fun. Idols need a bit of an edge."
"...If that causes an incident, though."
CEO Ha Seohwan burst into a short laugh.
"I don't know why—but that child knows desperation."
"Did you sense it?"
"Yes. That's the scent he gave off. With that face and that ability, what could he possibly have lacked to be so desperate?"
Recalling Gang Rojun he had just met.
"Sihu, Gangmin, Dogyeong. They all showed potential, star power. But Rojun. That child is extraordinary."
He spat out the conclusion.
"To the extent that he will overturn and collapse the very foundation of the idol market until now."
Afterward.
Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong, who had parted ways with CEO Ha Seohwan, sent Gang Rojun thumbs-ups without hesitation.
"No, hyung, that was seriously awesome."
"Right! How can you be so composed in front of CEO Ha Seohwan??"
"I was... so scared I was stuttering like crazy. Share some of that with me, Rojun."
"Hyung, give me some too. The guts to tell the agency CEO to stake their lives on it."
"Wow—I flinched when Rojun hyung said that. Did you see the expression of the person who came with the CEO?"
"I saw, I saw. He was glaring at Rojun hyung."
Gang Rojun wondered if it was really such a big deal. It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous, but that was only at first, and surprisingly, as he kept talking, he gradually felt more comfortable.
"The CEO asked, so I just answered, that's all."
"But not just anyone can do that!"
At any rate, the four, including Rojun, returned to the hall where the meat party was being held rather than the dormitory. Fortunately, the staff were still in full swing. The members took their seats again too. Gang Rojun rubbed his hands together, stoking his combat prowess.
'Today I'm really going to eat until my stomach bursts.'
Then, around Saturday morning the next day, the media and public opinion were completely dominated by 'That 100%.' Portal sites, communities, SNS, and so on. In articles pouring out every second, starting from the tremendous viewership ratings that once again broke records for 'That 100%' and 'Rental Lover,' which had decorated last night's final episode—
Various topics flooded the scene, from what the content was like to numerous other subjects. Among them, what drew the most attention was—
It was the choice of the final winners. Naturally, there were also numerous articles fanning the flames of conflict.
Fans too were clamoring non-stop with questions like 'Why GN Entertainment, of all places?' Communities were burning up more than ever. 'That 100%' had ended yesterday, but seeing this firepower, the atmosphere didn't feel like it had ended at all. Still, quite a few fans were facing reality.
-No matter if it's GN or anywhere else, I don't careㅠㅠㅜㅠ Please get the kids ready and debut them quickly!!
-I'm already dizzy.... To think That 100% is over.... When do we wait for the kids' debut
-I'm going crazy lololololol That 100% ended yesterday and I'm already having withdrawal symptoms
-Waiting it out while watching YouTube.....
-GN!! Since you've already taken the kids under your wing, prepare properly and debut them for real!!!
This atmosphere grew several times more intense by Sunday, a day later. Around Sunday noon, the 'That 100%' team began withdrawing from the campus. Staff members were collecting small cameras installed here and there, equipment, and so on. It was a natural procedure since the broadcast had ended, but.
"...The withdrawal is incredibly fast."
"So is it really just us left now?"
"They said no. Apparently they're leaving a few staff members behind."
Gang Rojun and the members left on the campus were free, but they felt somewhat wistful. However, they had to accept it. The full rights to these four now belonged to GN Entertainment, not 'That 100%'.
"Now that it's happening, it really feels real. That That 100% is over."
"But it was so rushed, so—"
"The PD said they're hurrying because it's almost the end of the year."
"Ah, the award ceremonies and such—does the broadcasting world get busier at year-end?"
"They have reorganizations and bloodbaths."
"Scary as hell."
Gang Rojun, listening to the conversation, felt that time was passing terribly fast.
'Is it already year-end??'
Today was November 22nd. In a week, December would arrive. As the kids said, when year-end came, the broadcasting world, agencies, and the entertainment industry as a whole grew busy. It was to the extent that GN Entertainment's CEO Ha Seohwan had mentioned it too. In reality, the three major terrestrial broadcasters were already beginning preparations for the award ceremonies they held every year.
And so, after Sunday ended, the weekdays began again.
As Monday dawned, following the staff's withdrawal from the 'That 100%' campus.
"Hyungs, I'm heading out first."
The final winners began moving too. As PD Woo Hanseok had instructed, they were leaving for home for a vacation and time to reorganize. The period was roughly a week. The youngest, Dogyeong, started first, and next was Gangmin.
"My mom's here! Text me, text."
Now only Gang Rojun and Sihu remained on campus. The two sat side by side in the lounge. Of course, Sihu had finished packing too. He was waiting for his parents to arrive. Here, Sihu, with his baby perm, glanced at Gang Rojun for some reason.
"...Rojun."
He spoke with difficulty.
"Why haven't you packed??"
The reason Sihu had been watching Rojun carefully was simple. Rojun hadn't packed. He was dressed in his usual sportswear. And he was even wearing a headband. Such a Rojun shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"I'm going to stay here."
"Huh?? You're not going home?"
"Yeah. It's annoying, going back and forth."
It wasn't a lie. However, Gang Rojun didn't bother to say what he really meant.
'If I go home, there's no one there anyway, so it's more comfortable here. Everything I need is here too.'
A home with no one to welcome him was nothing but desolate. He had brought almost everything he needed when he came here, so he had nothing to replace. If he went, he'd just scratch his belly and eat instant noodles. Rather, staying on campus was much better since there was a practice room and the environment was superior.
Not that Gang Rojun was sad or anything.
"Go and come back. Don't worry about me."
"...O-okay."
Sihu sensed something but didn't particularly bring it up.
'Should I invite him over to my house for a meal? No... would that be awkward?'
Rojun noticed his gaze and smiled with his eyes.
"When you get back, listen to the song I'm working on. I probably won't be able to finish it, though."
"Yeah, yeah! Okay!"
Just then, Sihu's phone rang. Listening to the call, it seemed his parents had arrived. Seeing Sihu gather his luggage, Gang Rojun stood up too. Soon the two left the lounge.
"By the way, Rojun."
Sihu suddenly stopped.
"We were talking about the broadcast stations' year-end award ceremonies yesterday, and it got me thinking. There will be super famous people gathering, but—"
Turning to Gang Rojun, he recited what had come to mind.
"Wouldn't you get invited too? You're the writer of 'Rental Lover.'"