I Became the CEO of an Idol Company in a Game Chapter 111

<Episode 111>

 

The next day, Florence’s official teaser was released.

A 3-minute video using the guide track had already been revealed, but this time, a separate 30-second video was uploaded.

Since the video had already been produced, there was no reason to let it go to waste. Moreover, its concept was entirely different from the rushed guide-track teaser that had been quickly made and uploaded.

I picked up my phone and checked the released teaser.

[Florence Debut Teaser – DREAMING]

Instead of Florence’s face, the thumbnail was filled with purple flowers. I tapped it and played the teaser.

Purple flowers filled the screen, and a gentle melody played along with the sound of a soft breeze.

Florence appeared on screen, but no shots focused on the members’ faces. Instead, it simply showed them dancing in a flower field in full shots.

Even though it was only a short 30-second video, the overall concept and atmosphere were clearly conveyed. It was filled with delicate visual direction hinting at the movements they would show on stage, the music, and the album’s concept.

After the video ended, I let out a deep breath once more.

This teaser had been filmed with a completely different strategy from the leaked version.

Instead of emphasizing visuals and showing off, it aimed to plant anticipation and curiosity.

That had been the original purpose of the debut teaser.

However, to deal with the leak incident, an additional teaser had to be filmed in a hurry, and through that version, they ended up excessively showcasing the members’ visuals.

So now, it was time to use the originally filmed teaser to draw fans’ attention toward their album and stage.

‘How will the comments react?’

 

↳ Looks like they’re planning to show the members’ skills this time.

↳ This is insane. First, they showed off visuals with a 3-minute video, and now they’re showing skills with a 30-second one? That’s really smart.

↳ Once again, I bow to the CEO’s insight.

↳ Wow. This teaser is seriously crazy.

 

The public was reacting exactly the way I had hoped.

Thanks to that, I felt reassured.

‘Looks like I’ll finally be able to rest this weekend.’

The tension that had stiffened my shoulders slowly eased.

Bzzzz.

At that moment, my phone vibrated.

It was Kang Woojin.

[Hyung, I saw the teaser! I’ve been busy filming, so I’m only texting now. The reaction seems amazing. Congratulations.]

Come to think of it, I had meant to thank Kang Woojin but forgot.

If he hadn’t suggested releasing Florence’s leaked track first, we wouldn’t have gotten this level of response… and instead of solving the issue, we might have ended up in serious trouble.

[It’s all thanks to your idea, Mr. Kang Woojin. I’ll treat you to a proper meal next time. Let’s meet when your filming ends.]

I sent the reply.

Not long after, a response came right away.

[Really? I’m going to eat something expensive!]

It almost felt like I could hear his excited voice.

Bzzzz.

My phone vibrated again.

I thought it was another message from Kang Woojin, but it wasn’t.

It was a call from Park Juchan.

“Hello.”

[CEO.]

Park Juchan spoke almost at the same time as I did.

“Yes.”

[I’ve been checking SNS continuously. I saw that the IP tracking succeeded… and that the hacker might be caught soon. Isn’t it really Chairman Joo Youngjun behind this?]

It seemed he wanted confirmation.

“On what basis are you thinking that?”

[No concrete basis. Just a strange feeling. That person has a history of stirring things up like this before. No matter what we do, he always interferes from behind…]

His words trailed off.

It seemed memories of Joo Youngjun’s past misconduct had come to mind.

“I understand why you’d think that. But nothing is certain yet.”

I answered as firmly as possible.

[Understood. If you ever need our help, please contact us. You helped us too, after all. I’ll be waiting.]

I could feel sincerity in his voice.

“Alright.”

I didn’t refuse that part.

No matter how many times I refused, A-Pen would bring it up again anyway.

Besides, no one knew what the future held… There might come a time when I would need their help.

“Then I’ll hang up now.”

[Yes.]

The call ended.

After Park Juchan’s call, my phone didn’t ring again.

“Ha…”

 sigh escaped, as if proving that all the tension had finally been released.

‘I should rest properly on Sunday too. Just relax.’

Thinking that, I leaned back into the sofa.

 

***

 

The Spade Joker members arrived at the travel destination that CEO John Raid Lombardi had promised before their comeback.

Just a few days ago, they had been worried… whether the fan meeting would go smoothly, whether it was okay for them to go on a trip while the company was unstable, but thankfully, everything had been resolved, allowing them to enjoy some leisure.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen the sea.”

Sora said while looking at the ocean.

It wasn’t summer, so they couldn’t swim, but just seeing the sea was enough.

He took off his shoes and began walking on the sand.

The autumn breeze was quite chilly, but he didn’t mind.

“This is relaxing.”

There were no roaring cheers from fans, no sparkling light sticks.

Only the sea and themselves.

“It feels so good to travel like this, just us, without cameras.”

This was the first time they had traveled together like this.

Since their debut, they had been constantly busy with schedules, and even when they had free time, they didn’t have enough money to go on trips.

The first trip all members had taken together as Spade Joker had been a reality show planned by Producer Yoo.

Even then, while it was fun, cameras followed them constantly, and due to the program’s concept, they had to draw cards for everything they did… swinging between heaven and hell depending on the results, so they couldn’t fully enjoy it.

As a variety show, they had to worry about ratings and their image, leaving them little freedom.

“There’s really no one here.”

Whether it was because it was autumn or because they had driven far, the beach was empty. Thanks to that, they could take off their suffocating hats and masks and enjoy freely.

“What should we eat tonight?”

“Let’s have meat.”

“Meat? Sounds good.”

They chose their dinner menu while looking at the sea.

The sun was slowly setting.

“Let’s take a picture and show Clover we’re on a trip.”

Cain suggested brightly.

“Sounds good. But we don’t have a tripod… how do we take a group photo?”

They needed a tripod for a group photo, but none of them had one. Usually, managers or staff would take photos, so they hadn’t thought of it.

“Should we just take a shadow photo first?”

At Zen’s suggestion, the members nodded and took pictures of their long shadows on the sand.

Then Sora looked around and spoke.

“What if we put the phone on those stairs and set a timer?”

“Oh, that could work.”

Leejoo placed the phone on the stairs and set a 30-second timer.

“Yeah, if you stand right there, it should look good. I’m pressing it, okay?”

He pressed the shutter and ran over. The moment he stood beside the members, the photo was taken.

They checked it together.

“Looks good.”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s upload it as is.”

With everyone agreeing, Kain quickly moved his fingers.

[#Clover, are you watching? #We’re doing well]

As soon as the photo was uploaded, comments from fans poured in.

 

↳ Are you really resting? It’s so nice to see.

↳ Everyone looks so relaxed.

↳ Please upload photos like this more often.

 

***

 

Monday morning.

For the first time in a while, the company hallway was quiet.

Most of the monitors that had been on all weekend were turned off, and only the steady sound of the coffee machine’s steam filled the air.

As the elevator doors opened, several employees stepped out at once and greeted me.

“Good morning, CEO.”

“Yes. Did everyone have a good weekend?”

“Yes. We finally got some rest.”

I never thought the word “rest” would sound so unfamiliar.

On the desk in my office, where I returned with coffee in hand, there was a report on the reaction to Florence’s new teaser.

Comment analysis, views, and traffic graphs.

Everything was stable.

For the first time since the leak issue, the numbers in the report felt like they were comforting me.

Then a new email arrived from the IT consultant.

[Interim report on IP tracking – 3 external intrusions, no identical user.]

As soon as I read it, I closed my eyes briefly.

‘When will we finally catch them?’

“CEO, the morning meeting is ready.”

Han Suseok’s voice came from outside the door.

“Alright. I’ll be there.”

When I entered the meeting room, the PR team leader stood up first.

Just a few days ago, dark circles had been deeply set under his eyes, but now they seemed lighter after a proper weekend’s rest.

“Florence’s response is good. As for the leak issue, fan reactions have calmed down. Also, the photo uploaded by Spade Joker members has gained quite a bit of attention.”

“Is that so?”

I checked the materials he handed over. SNS posts from the weekend had been turned into articles.

[Spade Joker, proof of long-awaited rest. ‘Youth that shines even off stage’]

“That’s good. What about preparations for Florence’s debut showcase?”

“Wednesday at 7 PM, auditorium. Rehearsal starts tomorrow morning.”

I nodded at Han Suseok’s response.

“Lighting setup was completed yesterday, and sound rehearsal is currently being tested. So far, there are no issues. However, we’ve adjusted the entry routes. Fan seating sections have also been separated.”

“Good. What about the press seats?”

“We’ve confirmed 50 people on a first-come basis. However, some media outlets have inquired about exclusive video rights.”

The atmosphere in the meeting room was calm.

The chaos from last week had vanished as if it had been a lie, and everyone was quietly focused on their work.

Now, once the debut showcase was completed, the rise of the group Florence would truly begin.