I Became the CEO of an Idol Company in a Game Chapter 20

<Episode 20>

 

The fan signing event seemed to be proceeding without any issues.

 

[The kids look seriously so pretty today. (Group photo of Spade Joker sitting on chairs at the fan signing) Plus, the CEO said we’re allowed to take photos today!]

↳ Are we allowed to take photos? That’s insane… Most agencies don’t allow any photos at fan signs.

↳ The CEO really came to his senses.

 ↳↳ I’m so glad the CEO actually reflected and got his act together.

↳ Honestly, I wish they could just leave this agency and go somewhere else, but that’s not possible. What company would take them all as a group? Even popular idols rarely move agencies together. Realistically, it can’t happen. So I’m really relieved the CEO came to his senses. If he hadn’t, our boys would’ve just suffered there until their contracts ended.

 

[After getting my autograph, I was heading back to my seat when a staff member suddenly gave me coffee and churros. They said it was a gift from CEO John Raid Lombardi. I was so surprised. It seems like they really prepared a lot this time. (Photo proof of coffee and churros)]

↳ First photos, now this? Amazing.

↳ Has any company ever prepared coffee and snacks for fans at a fan signing…?

 ↳↳ Not that I can remember.

↳ Wow… this guy should be a role model for all workplace bosses… If only my boss would learn from him. No, at least my team leader.

 

[Why are Spade Joker so sweet with their words? Are they trying to kill someone with heart failure? If someone collapses here, it’ll be because of how sweet they are. I told them I was nervous, and they said they were nervous too. They said they wanted to look cool for Clover today, so they even told the makeup staff to take good care of them. And that’s not all. I said I’m younger but want to be called “noona,” and Heeseo said if Clover wants it, he’ll be my younger brother. Since he’s forever Spade’s youngest. They must’ve all gone to some kind of speaking academy together.]

↳ Why didn’t I win the lottery to go…

↳ Sigh… this is so depressing.

↳ I should’ve been there! Why am I watching this through SNS?

 

[I got a skin treatment because I wanted to look pretty for them, but I ended up with a burn. My face got so red that I almost didn’t go to the fan sign. So I kept my head down the whole time, and Juseok asked why I wouldn’t show my pretty face. He said Clover is beautiful no matter what. He said he understands I feel upset, but just like Clover wants to see their faces, he feels the same. He said he sees Clover through “rose-colored glasses,” so it’s okay. I almost cried.]

↳ Why are they so sweet with their words?

↳ This is insane.

↳ These fan sign moments are crazy. If real-time reactions are already like this, how amazing will it be after everything’s over?

 

Updates about the fan signing were being posted in real time on SNS.

‘Snacks are obviously a bribe. A way of saying, let’s forget the past and get along from now on.’

Judging by the positive reactions, there was no need to keep watching.

“So now I need to prepare for the next comeback as soon as this promotion period ends…”

Since they were currently promoting a single album, a mini album would be better next.

“I should also make a new light stick and properly produce official merchandise.”

Originally, those should have been updated first, but the comeback schedule had been pulled forward due to appearing on ‘Reverse Perspective’, so there hadn’t been time.

‘If the light stick design had been even slightly decent, it wouldn’t feel this urgent.’

Clover’s current light stick had extremely weak brightness and a poor design.

It looked like something you could buy at a random stationery store.

It was embarrassing that they had sold it for tens of thousands of won.

‘This time too, I’ll make it properly, like in the previous timeline, and sell it with minimal profit. As a form of apology.’

The company’s image was improving, so there was no need to ruin it by raising prices for extra profit.

He began sketching a light stick design on his tablet. Since he had already created a design in a previous timeline, there was no need to hire a designer. The design itself wasn’t that complicated.

It was shaped like a four-leaf clover, with a spade symbol inside that could light up in two different modes.

“This should be recognizable enough.”

Cutting costs where possible was important, since other merchandise would require significant expenses.

‘I can’t draw those myself.’

Items like plush dolls modeled after the members or pouches based on them required professional designers.

That was beyond his ability.

“Let’s produce the light stick first. That company should be the best choice.”

The current contractor offered nothing but low prices.

A perfect example of “you get what you pay for.”

It would be better to sign a new contract with the company he had worked with during his 8th regression.

“I’ll leave this to Han Suseok.”

He wrote the company name next to the sketch.

‘What else do I need to prepare…’

“Sir.”

While he was busy reviewing documents, Han Suseok entered.

“What is it?”

“Someone is here to see you.”

“Who?”

“They say they’re a broadcasting station PD.”

“What? Isn’t that a scam? Why would a PD come all the way here?”

It didn’t make sense.

PDs didn’t visit small agencies like theirs, barely even qualifying as mid-sized.

Agencies usually sent people to them to get idols cast.

“I was suspicious too, so I asked for a business card.”

Han Suseok handed it over.

“I searched the name, and it seems he really is a PD.”

He wouldn’t be able to fake portal site listings.

“Then why is he here?”

“He says he came to see you.”

“Me?”

That was very strange.

If it were about casting, talking to Han Suseok would have been enough.

His title was executive secretary and general team leader.

‘He got Suseok’s card, yet still insists on seeing me? That’s odd. What does he want?’

It felt unsettling.

“What should we do?”

“Wait.”

He needed to organize his thoughts.

‘This is giving me a headache.’

As an entertainment CEO, it was better to stay on good terms with PDs.

But the issue was why the PD had specifically come to see him.

“Let’s meet him for now. Bring him in.”

“Yes.”

He quickly put all the documents into a drawer.

After the previous incident where someone had infiltrated as a manager and stolen confidential files, this had become a habit.

Soon, Han Suseok returned with the man claiming to be a PD.

“Nice to meet you.”

He offered a handshake first.

The man accepted.

“Nice to meet you. I’m PD Yoo Jeongho.”

After a brief handshake, he gestured for him to sit.

‘Not a familiar face.’

Despite nine regressions, he didn’t recognize him.

“Would you like coffee, tea, or a drink?”

“Coffee for me, please.”

“Coffee for me as well.”

“Yes.”

Han Suseok stepped out to prepare the drinks.

“I was quite surprised to hear that PD Yoo came all the way here.”

He spoke with a slight smile.

He couldn’t openly say it was inappropriate, so he phrased it indirectly.

“I’m sorry. I was in a bit of a hurry.”

“I didn’t mean to blame you.”

At that moment, Han Suseok returned with two cups of coffee.

“Please.”

“Thank you.”

After a slight bow, Han Suseok left the office again.

“So, what brings you to our company, PD Yoo? I have a backlog of work, so I’d like to get straight to the point, if that’s alright.”

“Of course. I’m grateful you’re even meeting me after I showed up unannounced.”

PD Yoo handed over a document he had been holding.

“Please take a look.”

[Let’s Take a Look Together]

It was a familiar title.

“Did you come to propose Spade Joker’s appearance? If so, you could have just sent a proposal or called.”

Though Spade Joker’s popularity was rising, there was no need to visit in person.

“I actually came to propose an appearance to you, not them.”

No wonder the title felt familiar; it was the same program that had previously offered him an appearance.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll decline. I believe I already made my position clear before. I don’t want to appear in front of the public or reveal my private life.”

He refused firmly but politely.

‘What a waste of time.’

There was no benefit in exposing himself further.

Attention is needed to stay on Spade Joker.

If he appeared on broadcasts, it would only divide attention and invite criticism.

‘At this point, there’s nothing to gain… only to lose.’

“I gave up right after hearing that before. But then I saw your interview. I contacted your company, but they kept saying you declined. I really wanted to propose again, so I came here even though I knew I shouldn’t…”

Something didn’t make sense.

‘An interview?’

PD Yoo had just said he saw his interview.

But he had never done one.

“Sorry, let me interrupt. What do you mean, I did an interview?”

“There was an article. An exclusive interview with CEO John Raid Lombardi.”