These lewd things are idols?: Episode 57

Episode: 57

“Guseok Pig”

At the pork soup restaurant right next to the company, I looked at the steaming pork soup placed on the table and urged Yoon Won-seok to eat.

"Go ahead, eat. Eat comfortably."

"Team Leader Kim, are you really replacing the jokbal (pig's trotters) you promised with pork soup?"

I was adding radish kimchi juice and salted shrimp to the pork soup when I coughed lightly, not having eaten anything yet.

"No, you idiot. There's a meeting at 11 o'clock. Also, I drank a bit too much yesterday."

"Ah, who did you drink with?"

"Friends. And, well, the 'Always' kids too."

"Gasp!"

I raised my spoon, pretending to hit Yoon Won-seok.

"What's with the gasp? What's there to gasp about?"

"But is that okay? They're idol trainees."

"They're all adults. What kind of times do we live in? It's okay to drink a little. It's not like we're doing anything we can't."

"Is that so? Still, there are probably some who would disagree."

"Enough of that. I don't care about such things."

Slurp.

"Ah, this is refreshing. It's killer."

Yoon Won-seok looked at me with a strange expression.

"What? Why?"

"No, I was just wondering if you've always been like this, or if you've started acting more bold after becoming a team leader."

"Seems like you're about to spill your guts in front of me too."

"Just kidding, just kidding. Haha."

"I was kidding too."

Sigh.

I'm tired of this adult talk.

"Won-seok, let's stop messing around and get straight to the point."

"Yes, sir."

As Yoon Won-seok aggressively added kimchi to his pork soup, he said,

"Well, Team Leader Kim, you've been in this industry for a few years, so you must know about the three strikes rule, right?"

"Three strikes? What, like baseball? The WBC?"

"..."

"I'm kidding, man. I know, the three strikes rule. When you've given someone a few chances, but they keep messing up, they're out."

"Whew. You had me worried there for a second. I thought you actually didn't know."

This guy. Does he usually see me as a fool?

Slurp.

"So, what you're saying is that Team Leader Park has been screwing up continuously, getting strikes from the CEO, and the current situation isn't looking good either?"

"Exactly."

Neither of us was really looking at each other while we talked. We were more focused on our pork soup.

The pork soup here is pretty good.

"That guy, 'Nampo-dong Iron Fist,' or whatever. I don't like how he looks, but I heard he's got real talent. Someone told me before that they received a one-minute sample track from him, and it was good. Can't remember who though."

"Wasn't that me who told you? Well, it was fine up to that point. The problem is that it ended there."

"Hmm?"

"Remember when the CEO gave him more time to prepare for the debut? That was already a strike against him, right?"

"True. But that wasn't the fault of the Oasis kids. It was Team Leader Park's fault for making a guy wear a skirt and dance."

"I don't know about that."

Crunch.

Chewing on a crisp yet tender piece of radish kimchi, our conversation continued.

"Since that one-minute sample track, there's been no sign of the song being completed. No one's asking for a full album. We're talking about Oasis's debut, right? This is supposed to be their first mini-album. One or two highlight tracks, and about four songs in total."

If you're not in the industry, terms like full album, mini-album, and pre-single might be confusing. But it all comes down to the number of songs.

"These days, hardly anyone debuts with a full album. It's all about mini-albums. You make the songs, shoot the music video, and all that costs money. And if a full album fails, that's a huge loss."

Now that I said that, I wonder if making five songs already puts us at risk of falling out of favor with the CEO. 

We've already got three title tracks, and now we have to schedule three separate music video shoots.

"The problem is, it might not even end with just three title tracks."

For some reason, my throat feels parched just thinking about it.

Slurp.

Drinking the refreshing pork soup broth, I glanced at Yoon Won-seok. 

“Ugh, so not a single song has been completed yet?”

Yoon Won-seok nodded.

“Yeah, that's right. It’s not just that the details are unfinished; there’s been no progress at all since that 1-minute sampling they sent before.”

“Wow, man, that's messed up. They still need to choreograph, practice, shoot the music video, and promote both the new song and the debut members. Can they handle all that?”

“That’s what I’m saying! Exactly my point!”

Managers get each other. Even without saying much, I could practically see how the hourglass for Oasis was quickly running out.

“This is bad. The company’s already on the decline, and the atmosphere’s not great.”

“Decline... Come on, Team Leader, even if things are rough, you shouldn’t say that about the company you’re working for.”

“It was just a figure of speech, man. Relax.”

[No matter who says it, they both react the same way.]

That’s why they say people are all the same.

“Anyway, to sum it up, things weren’t going well with Park Team Leader recently, and now the situation has worsened, leaving him in hot water?”

“Not Park Team Leader. 'Team Leader Kim' is right here in front of you. And yes, that’s basically it. Good summary. The atmosphere in Park Team Leader’s office is reportedly terrible these days.”

“Are you even allowed to tell me this? Oh, wait, you’re out?”

“Yeah, I’m working with the acting team now. Lately, Han Hye-eun has been doing well, so some of the idol team staff were moved over to the acting side.”

This is exactly how small companies operate. You never know what you’ll end up doing. One day, you're on the idol team, and the next, you could be on the acting team, or vice versa.

“Congrats, at least the acting team seems more manageable.”

“Ah, there are still some old-school attitudes, but as long as you show basic respect, it’s better than working under Park Team Leader.”

Tung tung.

After a bit of chatting, we both realized our bowls of pork soup were already empty.

“Should I go get some sikhye?”

“Yeah, go ahead. Wow, you’ve become more polite since joining the acting team.”

“It’s just the basics.”

As I took a sip of the sikhye Yoon Won-seok brought back in a paper cup, I said, “You remember I mentioned that 11 a.m. meeting? We’ll probably get to see Park Team Leader’s face sour there.”

“Oh, is today the midterm report?”

“Yeah.”

“By the way, is everything okay on your end?”

“We’re almost too okay, to the point that it’s a problem. We’ve already got nearly five songs ready, and today the kids are recording the second and third tracks in the studio.”

“Wow, you guys are moving too fast! But man, this sikhye is great. I’m going to get some more.”

“Ahem.”

When I handed him my empty cup, Yoon Won-seok hesitated for a moment. I just nodded slightly at him.

“Come on, Team Leader.”

Sigh.

He quietly grumbled to himself, but Yoon Won-seok went and got more sikhye for me. Watching him, I laughed and said, “Hey, relax, I was just joking. Don’t take it so seriously. I’ll cover the bill here, and next time, I’ll treat you to some pork hocks and drinks. Look at you, getting all serious.”

“Haha, it’s only because I’m comfortable around you, Team Leader.”

When he returned with sikhye and toothpicks, he hesitantly asked, “But, seriously...”

“Yeah?”

“But, really...”

“What?”

“The acting team might be able to gather some information, but in that meeting today... The CEO will be there too, right?”

“Of course. Like I said earlier, the company’s struggling. The idol groups Park Team Leader and I are managing are essentially the company’s last hope. The CEO might try to act calm, but I’m sure he’s really feeling the pressure. Although, even if the company goes under, he’ll probably still live well.”

“In a meeting like that, Park Team Leader wouldn’t lie or make stuff up, right?”

At that moment, I nearly poked my gums with the toothpick.

“Come on, no way. As messed up as Park Team Leader might be, he wouldn’t do that. He’s been in the workforce for more than a day or two. He knows better than anyone what happens when you lie in a report. We’ve been burned by that a few times ourselves.”

“Yeah, I still remember. That time when we got slapped... Damn.”

“I get it.”

I nodded.

But Yoon Won-seok seemed reluctant to let it go.

“Still... just in case?”

I gave a wry smile as I tossed the used toothpick into the trash.

“Well, if that happens, we’ll probably get to witness the CEO blow a fuse for the first time today.”

“The CEO blowing a fuse... Honestly, it’s hard to imagine. He’s always so polite, even to lowly managers like us.”

“Yeah, and that’s what makes it even scarier, right? If he just talked down to us, it would be easier to handle. But every time he says, ‘Team Leader Kim, don’t you agree?’ I can barely breathe.”

“Same here. Moments like those really make me feel like we’re still on the bottom rung.”

I playfully kicked Yoon Won-seok’s behind and laughed.

“Hey, man, I’m going up soon.”

“Ow, that hurt!”

“Coffee? Iced Americano?”

“Sure. Ah, let me get the coffee this time. After all, you paid for lunch.”

“Alright.”

Even if I had complained about his face earlier, eating together like this and chatting was actually pretty enjoyable.

This is what life is all about, right?

"I'll see the Oasis kids later anyway."

Muttering this to myself, I headed up to the meeting room on the 4th floor.

Then, I got a phone call.

"Yes, hello?"

"Team Leader, when are you coming?!"

"Huh? I haven't even started the meeting yet. Why? Is there a problem? Did Minseo suddenly get sick, or are the others not feeling well?"

"They’re not sick, but... sigh. It’s just... without you here, well..."

"Well?"

"It feels like everything is moving slower. People are starting to bump into each other a bit too."

"I’ll be there soon. The meeting won't take as long as you think. As the oldest, try to take care of the others in the meantime, okay?"

"Alright... fine."

"Okay, should I bring something to eat on my way back?"

"Just get here quickly!"

Click.

"...Why are they so mad?"

Anyone listening would think I'm just lazing around.

I'm working here too, you know.

Even in the middle of this, I asked if I should bring them something to eat on the way back.

But suddenly, they snapped at me, and now I feel a bit hurt.

[How about asserting your authority?]

[These girls are out of control! They think you’re their mom? Maybe a little spanking will set them straight!]

"Nobel."

[Yes?]

"You're just as bad, you brat."

[...]

And honestly, what good would it do now to try to scare those kids into respecting me?

It's too late for that.

[Yeah, I guess you're right.]

Ding.

Riding the elevator up to the 4th floor, I could definitely feel that a meeting was about to happen.

Usually, the atmosphere is pretty cool, but today, people were bustling back and forth in the hallway, setting up for the meeting.

"Ugh, this dense office air... It’s been a while since I felt it. I hate it."

I almost forgot what it was like since I've been spending every day surrounded by cute young idols, enjoying the banter.

"Hello."

"Hello, Team Leader Kim."

As I entered the room, two female managers who were once at the same level as me were quietly setting out chocolates and coffee at each seat, waiting patiently.

They probably aren’t my subordinates.

This must be Park Joo-yong’s team.

‘Joo-yong, is this really okay?’

I heard that there hasn’t been any progress since that one-minute sampling.

Judging by the way they're setting up for the meeting, it looks like they plan to say something.

‘If it were me, I would have contacted the boss in advance and explained that our team couldn't attend today’s meeting, then begged for a little more time.’

That’s actually how I was taught to handle these situations.

"This is the right file, right?"

"Yeah, that’s it."

But why do I feel this way?

Watching them prepare a pointless PPT presentation feels kind of strange.

I’m starting to get goosebumps.

It can’t be, right?

No way.

It couldn’t be.

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