<Episode 16>
[Spade Joker – everyone worked really hard, so I hope they get good results.]
[Spade Joker completely changed after appearing on ‘Reverse Perspective’ will they finally achieve success?]
[CEO John Raid Lombardi finally comes to his senses.]
Articles about Spade Joker began pouring out.
[What? Spade Joker’s song is actually good? I guess it was true that their CEO came to his senses.]
↳ I thought he was just saying whatever to get on TV, but I guess not.
↳ It’s rare for an agency to wake up this late. Interesting.
↳↳ Maybe he was just blinded by success. You know how sometimes people get so focused on what’s in front of them that they can’t see anything else. Whatever happened, at least he’s trying now.
↳↳ That alone is impressive. Most people refuse to admit their mistakes.
↳↳↳ True. There are so many like that… Maybe that’s why seeing someone honestly admit fault and reflect makes you want to root for them.
[I wish my team leader would admit their mistakes too. They seriously have no idea what they do wrong. Everything is always someone else’s fault. Like, you told me to do it that way… what authority do I even have?]
↳ LOL, that’s so true. What authority do I even have to proceed?
↳ Typical boss behavior.
↳ LOL, but seriously, what happened to that CEO all of a sudden?
[I work at Ramos Entertainment, ask me anything. (Employee ID verified photo)]
↳ Did the CEO really come to his senses?
↳↳ Yeah. Until recently, he walked around looking lifeless, but suddenly, he came in with bright, energetic eyes. His voice used to be cold, too… like he had no emotions. We even joked he was a machine. But he changed overnight. No idea what happened.
↳ What about Spade Joker?
↳↳ They’re just… really kind. So kind that everyone at the company wanted them to succeed. That’s why everyone’s working hard now.
↳ Is the CEO really handsome?
↳↳ Before, his style was so flashy that it didn’t show… he wore full red suits and Hawaiian shirts… who would think that’s handsome? But recently he toned it down, and that helped. His features are honestly good. He’s tall and has a great build.
↳↳↳ Tall and well-built, huh…
↳ Has he ever thought about becoming a celebrity?
↳↳ Probably not. He doesn’t even use social media and doesn’t like being in the spotlight.
Once the employee posted the Q&A, comments flooded in nonstop.
↳ What’s the CEO’s hobby?
↳↳ I heard from the general manager that he used to like surfing back in the U.S. Not sure about anything else.
↳ Does he have a girlfriend?
↳↳ I think he doesn’t.
↳↳↳ Then what’s his ideal type?
↳↳↳↳ How would I know that? What kind of employee knows their CEO’s love life? That’d be weird.
Strangely, people seemed more interested in the CEO than Spade Joker.
↳ Then what’s his favorite food?
↳↳ Not sure, but he doesn’t seem picky. He eats everything well. By the way, don’t you have any questions about Spade Joker?
Unable to stand it anymore, the employee tried to steer the conversation back to Spade Joker.
↳↳ Sorry, but Spade Joker are celebrities… you can find info about them easily. But since John Raid Lombardi is a businessman, there’s barely any information about him online.
***
Spade Joker was still riding the high from the cheers they received on stage.
“How was our performance?”
“I recorded it, want to watch?”
At manager Kim Jawook’s question, the members nodded vigorously.
“Let’s head to the waiting room first.”
“Okay.”
Their steps toward the waiting room were unusually quick.
Kim Jawook considered telling them to slow down, but decided against it… this wasn’t a bad thing.
“Please show us quickly.”
At Sora’s urging, he played the video on his phone.
All six members crowded around the small screen.
“Wow.”
“Is that really us?”
Watching their own performance, they looked like excited high schoolers… bright and innocent.
“We look like idols.”
“We ‘are’ idols! We’ve always been idols!”
Their voices grew louder the more they watched.
Kim Jawook chuckled softly at the sight.
“Manager hyung… can we read the comments?”
Cain asked cautiously.
“Comments?”
“Yes. Before, the CEO and the general manager told us not to.”
Kim Jawook hesitated.
‘There must’ve been a reason they said not to. Celebrities suffering from malicious comments are well-known…’
“I’ll ask first.”
“Okay.”
Thinking it wasn’t serious enough to call the CEO, he called Han Suseok instead.
“Hello, team leader.”
[Yes, what is it?]
“The stage went well, and the audience reaction was good. It’s not urgent, but the members want to read comments… should I let them?”
[Comments? Hmm… I’ll ask the CEO.]
Through the phone, he could hear Han Suseok asking the CEO.
[…He said it’s okay. But if their expressions turn bad, take it away immediately. No need to read negative things.]
“Understood.”
[Good work.]
As soon as the call ended, Spade Joker looked at him with sparkling eyes.
“You can read them.”
“Wow!”
They grabbed the phone eagerly.
***
After their comeback stage, Spade Joker’s schedule became nonstop.
“Sir, I’ve gathered all the incoming proposals.”
Han Suseok brought a neatly organized stack.
“Good work.”
He immediately began reviewing them.
[Secret Friend – Platform: YouTube
A program where participants talk via calls with hidden identities.]
‘Nope. Absolutely not.’
On paper, it sounded like a show about making friends… but in reality, it was closer to a fake romance program.
The partner wasn’t the same gender, but the opposite, and the editing added hearts and pink tones to make it feel like a dating show.
‘There’s nothing good about sending idols to something like this.’
He crossed it out with a black pen.
[Agency Battle – B Broadcasting Station
A variety show where similarly sized agencies compete.]
He didn’t even need to read further.
He crossed it out repeatedly until the text became unreadable.
‘No way. If we go there, those rivals will show up again.’
JM Entertainment
Just thinking about that troublesome CEO made him sick.
‘Let’s move on.’
There weren’t many worthwhile offers.
‘Is this all we’re getting for now?’
After narrowing it down, only things like an educational cooking show or low-tier idol programs remained.
Then…
[Please Accept My Transfer – Y Broadcasting Station
A variety show where celebrities wear school uniforms and act like students.]
“This is it.”
Finally, something usable.
A popular show where members could showcase their variety skills and gain attention on their own.
A smile spread across his face.
“Right. There should be at least one decent option. Though ads are still quiet… maybe they’ll come after we get first place on a music show.”
He flipped to the last page.
[Variety Show Proposal for John Raid Lombardi]
“What is this?”
His brows furrowed.
“Why am I getting proposals?”
And they were all observational variety shows.
No need to even cross them out.
He would reject them all.
‘If they’re going to send offers, send them to Spade Joker. Why send them to me? And all of them are observation shows… I can already see what they’re thinking.’
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