The GN Entertainment employees blinked after hearing Kang Rojun’s three contract conditions. The female employee sitting in front of Rojun looked quite flustered.
“……Ah, that’s—”
There was even a hint of awkwardness mixed in. Of course, Kang Rojun had expected this much of a reaction to some extent.
‘It’s understandable they’d be surprised, especially about the training part. They probably never imagined I’d say I wanted to pass on training even after Geubaekpeu.’
Then, as the employees looked at one another, the female employee cleared her throat. The fluster that had spread across her face settled a little.
“We’ve heard your three conditions, but I think we’ll need a bit of an explanation.”
“Yes.”
Rojun had intended to brief them in detail anyway, so he started with the phone. His expression became a little more serious.
“The first of the three conditions. I don’t want any interference whatsoever with my phone usage.”
“Hmm—”
Usually, idols or idol trainees under an agency were not free to use their phones. That was only natural before debut, and even after debut, phone use was either banned or restricted for as short as a year or as long as more than a year. Of course, these days things had loosened up compared to the past, but the general system was that they handed their phones over to the company during working hours and got them back after schedules ended.
Either way, the fact remained that they couldn’t use them as they pleased.
In truth, there were broadly two reasons entertainment agencies restricted trainees’ or idols’ phones. To keep them from doing stupid things or causing trouble. Idols were generally young and inexperienced. So it was a form of keeping them in check.
But Kang Rojun was different.
‘I need to be able to use my phone freely.’
Because he had the “AI Simulation,” it would be troublesome if restrictions were placed on him. He judged that merely having a reasonable degree of freedom wouldn’t be enough; there had to be absolutely no interference at all. The same went not only for his phone, but for the smartwatch he was currently wearing. However, Rojun couldn’t talk about anything related to the “AI Simulation,” and the GN Entertainment employees showed slight difficulty.
Kang Rojun laughed inwardly.
‘Well, there’s a way.’
As if he wasn’t finished, he added an explanation.
“There are several reasons, but the core of it is that, as you all know, while my main career is aimed at being an idol, I also have side jobs. As a writer and so on. I have no intention of neglecting those side jobs even after my idol debut.”
“Ah! We agree with that as well.”
“Then all the more reason you shouldn’t interfere with my phone use. To begin with, there’s a lot saved on my phone related to those side jobs. I need to be able to check things immediately when necessary.”
“Ah-ha—”
The female employee nodded, and the male employee sitting beside her crossed his arms.
“Come to think of it… aside from us, Rojun is also under Culture Drawer, isn’t he?”
The other employees nodded slightly.
“That’s right. So as a writer, he’ll need to communicate with Culture Drawer.”
“Not only that, but for production of his works, he’ll also need smooth contact with PDs, directors, and other production staff.”
“And when you say side jobs, he’s also a lyricist and actor, isn’t he? Freedom with his phone should definitely be guaranteed.”
As he watched the flow of the conversation, Kang Rojun muttered inwardly in satisfaction.
‘Good, good. It’s going exactly as I thought.’
Then he added his final comment.
“I don’t have time to fool around on my phone or cause trouble. I don’t really use social media either. Of course, I’ll have to start now, but I’m not that interested in it.”
Little by little, the employees were being captivated by Kang Rojun.
“Second, providing a workspace. This one is simple. I just need a space where I can work, aside from writing, composing, and writing lyrics.”
“I don’t think that will be much of an issue. We have plenty of workrooms, and anyone can use them freely if they want.”
“Yes.”
Rojun nodded and moved on to the next point. It was just as important as the phone issue.
“Third, I’ll handle individual training on my own.”
“……”
This was what bothered the GN Entertainment employees the most. During Geubaekpeu, they could let it slide since the broadcast needed some buzz, but for him to pass on training even after officially joining an agency as an idol?
Regardless, Kang Rojun calmly continued.
“Usually, training means vocals, choreography, and rap as the basics, and if expanded, it includes speech, acting, foreign languages, and so on.”
“T-that’s true, but you’re saying you’ll do all of that individual training on your own……”
“Yes. I’ll handle individual training by myself. Of course, I’ll do group training the same as the others.”
“…May I ask why?”
Why? Because the “AI Simulation” was way more incredible than any trainer. And the owner of that “AI Simulation” was Kang Rojun. What trainer would he need?
‘At times like this, the villain character really comes in handy.’
Rojun adjusted his answer appropriately. As a bonus, there was an upright, razor-sharp moment to it.
“It’s better for me to do it alone. In terms of efficiency and everything else.”
“……”
“You saw it during Geubaekpeu too, but even before that, and up until now, I’ve done it alone. That’s enough. As for foreign languages, my English and Japanese are already at native level, so I don’t need to study them.”
It was tremendous confidence—or self-esteem. The female employee who met Rojun’s eyes exclaimed inwardly.
‘Combined with that insane visual, you just get sucked right in.’
Soon, several people came to mind. Across the entertainment industry, there were a few artists in the genius category who didn’t particularly need training. Before even turning twenty, those few could create songs and choreography, serve as their team’s producer, and whip up an entire album.
‘Just looking at Geubaekpeu, he does fall into that genius category.’
Honestly, if he grew on his own, it would be convenient for the agency. Nevertheless, the reason GN’s employees were troubled was because they weren’t in a position to simply leave him alone. Also, they had no experience with a disruptive species like Kang Rojun. Unfamiliarity sometimes turned into fear.
But Kang Rojun was composed.
“That’s all. I think those three things just need to be added to the contract.”
His confidence pierced the sky.
“If that’s difficult, I’ll have to think a bit more about the contract.”
A few hours later.
Kang Rojun, along with Sihu, Gangmin, Dogyeong, and their parents, finished their meetings and left. The employees who had met with them were gathered in GN Entertainment’s large conference room. Of course, in that conference room now were GN Entertainment’s executives, as well as CEO Ha Seohwan, who gave off the aura of a big shot.
The U-shaped table was full.
Then the staff members who had held the meetings with Rojun and the members began reporting to the executives and CEO Ha Seohwan at the head seat.
“I met with Sihu and his parents. Sihu’s conditions were……”
Starting with Sihu, the order moved on to Gangmin and Dogyeong. Since things were mostly smooth, the executives nodded. Last was Kang Rojun’s turn. The female employee who had met with him stood up.
“I spoke with Rojun, and—there were a total of three things he wanted.”
She listed the conditions she had heard from Kang Rojun. Soon, the surrounding executives reacted differently than they had with the other members.
“…Freedom with his phone and a workspace are one thing, but the part about doing individual training alone bothers me.”
“He did well on Geubaekpeu, sure—but he’s saying he’ll keep doing that until his official debut? Huh—”
They all showed a big reaction to the condition of doing individual training alone.
“He’s certainly unusual compared to the other kids. No, should I say exceptional?”
“Still, we have to acknowledge his genius. No matter what anyone says, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that kid carried Geubaekpeu.”
“Mm, that’s true. He even managed to handle all his side jobs as a writer, lyricist, and so on in the middle of the chaos of Geubaekpeu.”
“But I can’t say there’s nothing to worry about. He’s someone with no debut experience, isn’t he?”
Positive and negative opinions were fairly divided. At that point, the female employee conveyed Rojun’s final words.
“He said that if these conditions are difficult, he would think a bit more about the contract……”
The executives’ faces darkened.
“So if we don’t accept them, he won’t sign.”
“Looks like we’ll be dragged around from the start.”
“S-still, surely he wouldn’t blow up such a huge opportunity completely, would he?”
CEO Ha Seohwan, who had been listening quietly the whole time, opened his mouth. His tone was low and heavy.
“He’d break it without hesitation.”
“Pardon?”
CEO Ha Seohwan recalled Rojun’s face as he had casually spoken of life-or-death stakes and desperation before him.
“Rojun. If that kid doesn’t like something, he’ll just flip the table whether the stakes are big or not.”
“……”
“He has nothing to lose. If he becomes free again, do you think other agencies will leave him alone?”
Watching the executives fall silent all at once, CEO Ha Seohwan slowly crossed his legs.
“We’re the ones who are desperate. We didn’t obtain those kids through our own skill—it was luck. Then we have to stake everything.”
Then, as he made eye contact with each executive one by one, he put a chill into his voice.
“So put your necks on the line.”
It was pressure. A command to struggle desperately and produce results. If not, their necks would fly. In any case, after letting a quiet ferocity flow from him, CEO Ha Seohwan declared to all the employees.
“Accept all of his conditions. State them clearly in the contract.”
Afterward.
Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong gathered at GN Entertainment again the next morning. Once again, they met GN staff in their respective meeting rooms and received the revised contracts based on their meetings.
Kang Rojun, who had been carefully reading through the contract, smiled faintly in satisfaction.
‘Okay, this seems good enough.’
Not only Kang Rojun, but all the members signed their contracts.
With that, Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong—
“We look forward to working with you.”
“We’re the ones who look forward to working with you, Rojun!”
—officially became affiliated with GN Entertainment.
The news was fired out into the world around lunchtime that same day.
《[Official] Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong Complete Official Contracts with GN Entertainment》
《No Longer Geubaekpeu—Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong Now Under GN Entertainment》
《GN Entertainment: “We Plan to Properly Support Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong and Present Them to the Fans”》
Naturally, GN Entertainment had released it. It was also a message thrown at other agencies. Don’t even think about hoping for a chance.
Regardless, the fans were excited.
-Ha… finally…
-GN, you’d better do a really good job, okay??
-Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, Dogyeong!! I’ll support you!!
-Hurry… GN… please hurry up and debut the boys… please
-Ahㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I was kinda nervous because of EY, but this turned out so well!!
-Open the boys’ YouTube and Insta right now!!!
-Still, Rojun’s going to appear at the year-end award ceremony, so I’m looking forward to itㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-I never watch film festivals or award ceremonies at all, but I’m watching SBC this timeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I can’t resist Rojun in a tuxedo
Around lunchtime, Kang Rojun and the members returned to the Geubaekpeu campus for the time being. GN had told them that they would move into prepared dorms within a few days and that a management team would be assigned to them. Before that, the members had to organize their belongings at the campus.
Then a day passed. November ended and December began. Tuesday, December 1st. Around then, Kang Rojun—
-Swish.
—had experienced many changes, but the start of his daily routine was still running.
“Hmm—this view is ending now too.”
The scenery of the campus, to which he had grown somewhat attached while exercising, was nearing its end.
‘They said GN has a huge gym, so I’ll probably use that a lot from now on.’
In any case, Kang Rojun completed his daily mission through exercise. Perhaps feeling regretful, he ran more than usual and did strength training longer as well. It was now December. The weather had grown cold, but Rojun, drenched in sweat, moved to take a shower.
Kang Rojun, shirtless, stood in front of the mirror.
“Hmm.”
His muscles had definitely become more distinct. His chest, abs, and so on. On top of that, he had lost just the right amount of weight, making his body look even more sharply defined.
“My skin seems somehow a bit clearer too? Shinier? Anyway, it feels like it’s improved.”
Feeling a strange, subtle sense of incongruity, he opened the “AI Simulation” app before showering.
-[User: Kang Rojun / Age: 24 / Height: 185.1 / Desired Occupation: Idol / Coins Held: 976]
-[Passive: Intimidation]
-[Titles: Side-Job Tycoon +3 / (Awakened) World Star / Global Genius +2 / Instrument Master +1]
-[Side Jobs: [1] Screenwriter, [2] Actor, [3] Lyricist]
-[Global Languages: [1] Japanese, [2] English]
-[Instrument: [1] Acoustic Guitar]
At that, Rojun tilted his head slightly.
‘Wait, why did I get taller?’
He had definitely been around 182, but he had grown 3 centimeters to 185. He had thought his clothes seemed a little shorter. So it had been because he had gotten taller. Rojun examined himself in the mirror for the moment, then moved on. He opened his stats for enhancement. The interesting thing was that this time, too, Rojun was quite shocked.
“Huh?”
What he was looking at was his Appearance stat, which had been 100 from the start.
-[Appearance (150/150)]
It had broken through 100 points and reached 150.
“I… got even more handsome?”