Episode 16: Hyun-jong, You Look Kinda Cool Today
I got out of the car and called after the new character.
“Excuse me, just a moment!”
She didn’t seem to hear, probably because she had earphones in.
She was softly humming a song, so I had no choice but to catch up to her side and try again.
“Sorry, can I talk to you for a second?”
New Character No. 1 turned her head slightly toward me, unfazed.
Her visuals were, as expected, stunning.
Mid-160s in height.
Light brown straight hair with bright highlights at the ends.
Barely any makeup, just the basics.
Wearing wide-fit jeans, a white tee tucked in casually, and Converse sneakers.
Her facial features were perfectly proportioned, almost artistic.
Double eyelids with a gentle curve matching her eyeliner.
A naturally sharp nose bridge and delicate nostrils.
Lips neither too thick nor too thin, crafted in golden ratio perfection.
She had the classic beauty that ‘Free Sense’ currently lacked.
If I weren’t a manager, I’d probably never have dared to speak to her one-on-one in my life.
But her attitude was cold and guarded.
She must’ve thought I was trying to hit on her.
Even though I called out, she didn’t stop walking or take out her earphones.
Without responding, she sped up, waving her hand irritably as if shooing a fly.
“No, you’ve got the wrong idea. It’s not like that. I just need to talk for a moment…”
Tap tap tap tap tap.
Her steps quickened.
What the heck?
Since she probably couldn’t hear me with her earphones in, I got annoyed at her attitude—like I was some creep—and raised my voice.
“Hey, I’m trying to talk to you, can you stop for a sec?”
Finally, New Character No. 1 stopped.
She pulled out one earphone and said bluntly, “No.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“I have a boyfriend. And no phone.”
“No, it’s not like that.”
“I’m married. Probably have kids too.”
“Listen, just hear me out…”
“No. Honestly, I don’t have a boyfriend or a husband, but I’m just not interested.”
What the…?!
Time out.
I got KO’d without even landing a punch?
Misunderstanding or iron wall aside, I suddenly had the urge to aim a lightning-fast low kick at the delicate inside of her knee.
But I get it.
She’s probably been hit on more times than she’s eaten meals.
Even my sister, Creation No. 2, who lives at home, complains about random guys asking for her number two or three times a week. With this girl’s looks, guys must swarm her like it’s a daily ritual.
Suppressing my crushed feelings, I forced a calm tone and continued.
“I don’t know where you get the confidence that every guy is into you, but (I totally get it) I’m not hitting on you.”
“Right.”
Yeah, exactly.
So what do I even say now?
I stopped her, but I don’t have anything concrete to offer.
I’m not a casting manager or some high-ranking exec. I can’t just tell her to join our company.
Especially since we’re only taking male trainees now, I can’t even suggest becoming a trainee…
For now, I’ll just get her contact info.
My mind went blank for a moment, but I snapped back and started building from the basics.
“Are you an idol trainee right now? Or aspiring to be an entertainer?”
“Why do you ask?”
“No, it’s just… Do you know VIP Entertainment? The company with GraceOne…”
“Yes, I know.”
New Character No. 1 answered before I could finish.
Her guarded attitude softened noticeably.
She realized I wasn’t some random guy hitting on her but someone from an agency.
“I’m currently a manager at VIP.”
“Oh… I see.”
“I’m still in my probation period, so I don’t have a business card, but I’m not lying, so you can trust me.”
“Okay.”
She nodded slowly, sizing me up.
To solidify my identity, I pointed to the Carnival van parked behind us and explained.
“I was just dropping the members off at their dorm after a schedule when I saw you passing by and followed.”
“Are you GraceOne’s manager?”
“No, not GraceOne. I manage a group called Free Sense. They’ve been with the company longer than GraceOne. I’m their road manager, Kang Hyun-jong.”
“Oh, okay…”
“May I ask your name?”
“I’m Seo Seon-yu.”
“Seo Seon-yu-ssi. Got it.”
Is it the power of GraceOne’s name?
Seon-yu finally turned her body fully toward me, giving me her full attention.
That meant she was either already in the entertainment industry or had intentions to be.
“Are you currently signed with a company?”
“I was, but I left about a month ago.”
“Oh, I see. Were you a trainee?”
“Yes.”
Alright, we’ve reached the point of civilized conversation.
Now’s the time to ask for her contact info.
“If you’re looking for a company…”
Mid-sentence, Seon-yu’s gaze shifted behind me.
“Oppa.”
It was Seung-ah.
She must’ve been waiting after I bolted out of the car during our serious, tear-filled conversation and came looking for me.
“Oh, Seung-ah.”
“What’re you doing?”
“Uh, well… she’s a trainee from another company, and I heard she’s looking for a new one…”
“I didn’t say I was looking for a company…”
“Oh, right, my bad. Anyway, just a unique trainee passing by.”
“I’m not that common…”
A prideful type, huh?
Catching onto my obvious joke?
Well, with a face like that, it’d be weird if she didn’t have pride.
I corrected myself.
“My apologies, a uniquely stunning trainee.”
Normally, people would respond humbly to that, but she just accepted it without a word.
Seung-ah nodded, seeming to grasp the situation, and greeted her first.
“Hello!”
Not sure if Seon-yu knew Free Sense, but she bowed politely, treating Seung-ah like a senior.
“Hello.”
“Oh, yes, yes!”
Seung-ah returned the bow and stood back up.
To assert my authority as a manager, I introduced Seung-ah to Seon-yu.
Not sure if she knew Free Sense, but…
“This is Seung-ah, the leader of Free Sense.”
Surprisingly, Seon-yu responded readily.
“Yes, I know.”
Seung-ah flinched, more surprised herself.
“Huh? You know us? We’re not famous…”
“Yeah, I saw an article recently. The one about drawing on that man’s cast after his accident…”
“Oh, you saw that!”
Nice! That episode did have some impact.
Seung-ah’s face, still red from crying, brightened up.
“Are you scouting her for our company?”
“Uh… just trying to get her contact info.”
“But we don’t have a trainee system anymore…”
Yeah, because she’s going to join your team.
I answered internally and went straight for Seon-yu.
“Can you give me your contact info?”
“Huh? She just said you don’t have a trainee system…”
“Hey, manager oppa? You’re not trying to hit on her, are you…?”
“No way, it’s not like that! What do you take me for?”
Ugh, so frustrating.
What’s the point of knowing the future if I don’t have the power to do anything about it?
For now, I’ll just make up an excuse and explain to Seung-ah later.
“Team Leader told me to get contact info if I come across someone promising.”
“Oh, I see…”
The goal is to secure a phone number to keep the connection alive.
I handed Seon-yu my phone and added, “Put in your number. Our company’s really solid, so if you’re ever interested, give me a call later.”
“Is VIP starting a new girl group?”
Seon-yu asked as she typed in her number.
I glanced at Seung-ah before answering.
“No plans yet, but it doesn’t hurt to make connections. From your perspective, isn’t it good to explore options? If the conditions are right, you can make a move…”
“Well, I guess…”
I called the number she entered to share mine and saved her contact.
“What was your name again?”
“Kang Hyun-jong.”
“Right.”
“How old are you, Seon-yu-ssi?”
“I’m eighteen.”
“Oh, you’re a student.”
Huh, she looked over twenty…
Not in an old way, just not the typical youthful high school vibe.
“I’ll reach out. Sorry for bothering you today.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Since things unfolded this way, I have no choice.
I need to at least give Free Sense a heads-up.
After sending Seon-yu off, I walked toward the dorm with Seung-ah and said, “Seung-ah, can we talk for a sec?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Actually, it’d be better with all the members.”
“Then let’s head to the dorm.”
“Alright, I’ll drop the car off at the company and come back.”
***
When I returned to the dorm after stopping by the company, a drinking setup was waiting in the living room.
A pack of beer, a bottle of soju, and a bag of snacks.
Jin-ah was sprawled on the sofa, munching on snacks and scrolling through her phone.
Under the sofa was a can of PineBud, the ultimate king of disgusting drinks.
Talk about taste.
“What’s this? You guys drinking?”
“Oh, the capable man has arrived,”
Ah-hyun teased, narrowing her eyes with a smirk as I entered.
“I heard from unnie you got a pretty girl’s number?”
“No, it’s not like that.”
“Hyun-jong-ssi, you can’t be cheating on us. You need to focus on us during this critical time,” Jin-ah piped up.
“Why do you keep getting more informal, Jin-ah?”
“‘Cause we’re close now.”
“Then I don’t want to get close.”
“Aw, shy guy. Cute. Pfft.”
“Anyway, come down here. I’ve got something to say.”
The four of us sat around the table, facing north, south, east, and west.
Before diving into the big news, I figured I’d warm up with some casual talk.
“Do you two drink often?”
“Nah, just every now and then?”
“On days like today, we have to drink. We’re feeling down,” Ah-hyun said.
“Just to check, Jin-ah, you don’t drink, right?”
“It tastes bad, so no. Why do people even drink this stuff?”
As she said that, she took a sip of PineBud, making Seung-ah and Ah-hyun grimace in unison.
“Ugh, that’s even worse than soju.”
“I hate soju because it’s bitter, but I’d rather drink that than PineBud.”
“Want a glass, oppa?” Seung-ah asked.
I grabbed a new cup from the kitchen.
I didn’t tell Team Leader, but one drink should be fine.
“Cheers.”
After clinking glasses, I chugged a mug full of beer in one go.
Ah-hyun tossed a potato chip into my mouth like she was feeding a dog and asked,
“Serious talk, huh?”
“It’s cliché, but I’ve got one piece of bad news and one piece of good news.”
“Giving us the disease before the cure?”
“The cure’s gonna work wonders. The problem is it hasn’t been clinically tested yet…”
“Then give us the disease first.”
“Before that, what I’m about to say is a secret just between the four of us. You can’t tell the company, your parents, or even close friends.”
“Okay.”
“Got it.”
“Okie-dokie. Lips sealed.”
“Seriously, promise.”
“Ugh, fine, I get it.”
With their attention locked on me, I started.
“First, the company has no plans to release another album for you guys.”
I laid out the problem they already suspected.
Seung-ah and Jin-ah pursed their lips, while Ah-hyun scratched her ear in frustration.
“Ugh, I knew it…”
I quickly continued.
“But, here’s the thing. If things go well, you might just get that album.”
“Are you gonna fund it, oppa? Got a lot of money or something?”
Seung-ah lightly tapped Ah-hyun’s thigh, who was taking it as a joke, and asked with serious eyes, “How?”
“You need to bring in new members.”
“Oh… so that’s why earlier…”
“Yeah, exactly. I lied about Team Leader telling me to do it. I was building up to recruit her for our team. So, you can’t tell anyone I got Seon-yu’s number either.”
“But how are you so sure, oppa? Did the company say they’d do that?”
“No, it’s a secret from the company.”
“What? Then what’s the plan?”
Seung-ah was the only one grasping my intentions so far.
Looking at her, I said confidently,
“If you reorganize as a five-member group and release an album, you’ll at least chart. Maybe not number one, but you’ll hit what fans call Tier 2. Minimum Tier 2.”
“Wait, so you’re saying we just need to get new members behind the company’s back? How are we supposed to do that?”
“Honestly, I don’t know the full details yet. What I’m sure of is that, in the end, Free Sense as a five-member group is the key to blowing up.”
“What? I could say stuff like that too. ‘Oppa, if we get two billion won in funding, we can release an album.’ How’s that any different?”
I shot back coldly at Ah-hyun’s persistent pessimism.
“So you’re just gonna let the group disband? If we do nothing, Free Sense is done.”
“Then how are you so sure about this?”
“The truck accident we avoided. The hospital visit to that man. Who made those happen?”
“You did…”
“Want me to make another prediction?”
“What?”
“The alumni event we did today? It’s gonna be as big as the hospital visit. Maybe bigger.”
“No way… it was just a regular event…”
“Wanna bet?”
“Okay, let’s say you’re right.”
“So what do we need to do?”
Ah-hyun backed down, and Seung-ah leaned forward, asking proactively.
Resting my elbows on the table, I clasped my hands as if in prayer and declared firmly,
“From now on, no matter how absurd my requests sound, trust me and follow my lead.”
“Wow, Hyun-jong-ssi. You’re kinda cool today. If you get just a bit cooler, I might actually fall for you.”