<Episode 26>
Han Youngjoo plays the song with a nervous expression.
‘Huh?’
It’s a song I’ve never heard before.
A track with flashy EDM and a strong bass emphasis.
‘Did Han Youngjoo ever have a song like this?’
In the previous run, I clearly checked all of her songs. I didn’t miss a single track she composed before her debut as a composer.
‘Where did this variable come from?’
The lyrics haven’t been added yet.
‘For now… it sounds good on first listen.’
I’m not someone with deep musical expertise, but after countless regressions and nearly 30 years as the CEO of an entertainment company, I’ve developed a certain instinct.
And I’m sure of it.
This song will work.
‘But this isn’t Han Youngjoo’s style.’
Just like writers and painters have their own genres, composers have their own styles.
Han Youngjoo usually creates refreshing songs. Occasionally dreamy ones, but something this flashy and intense is a first.
‘Did something change in her mindset?’
Before I can think further, the song ends.
“What do you think?”
“It’s good.”
Her shoulders tremble slightly.
“But has the title been decided?”
“Yes. It’s ‘POKER.’”
[POKER].
Even the title feels unfamiliar.
‘In a way, this song is full of variables.’
“It feels quite different from the last song.”
“Ah, this one was made specifically for Spade Joker.”
“Pardon?”
“When you hear the group name Spade Joker, you think of card games, right? I made the song based on that concept.”
“I see.”
Han Youngjoo carefully watches my expression.
“Do you not like it?”
Maybe because my face stiffened while thinking about her change in style, she asks anxiously.
“I just had a lot on my mind. The song is really good. As someone running a business, I don’t lie and say I like something I don’t. If I release an album like that, I’d only be hurting myself.”
“Ah… that’s true.”
She lets out an awkward laugh.
“I guess I kept checking because I was worried.”
“That’s understandable. So, this song… you’re giving it to Spade Joker?”
“Of course. That’s why I made it.”
I need to completely rethink the comeback direction.
“Thank you. Then I’ll carefully consider what concept to use for the release.”
“Yes. Then I’ll be going.”
Han Youngjoo gives a slight bow and leaves the CEO’s office.
“Ha…”
I need time to organize my thoughts.
Naturally, I had expected the next song to be [CLOSE].
It was the second song she created for Spade Joker in the previous run, characterized by a strong jazz vibe.
‘I even planned everything so the piano could stand out as a key point.’
I stare briefly at the prepared documents, then place them into the desk drawer.
‘Game… a game concept…’
I search my memories for a reference song.
‘Hmm…’
Only one comes to mind.
A song whose music video was set in a casino.
[Casino]
To be honest, a card game concept isn’t particularly unique.
However, what made that song and its music video special was the storytelling and color palette.
‘This is beyond my capabilities. I’ll have to invest capital.’
There’s no one in the company capable of handling that kind of work.
And with the current manpower shortage, I can’t divide the workload any further.
‘I should’ve checked who directed that music video.’
I regret brushing it off back then just because it didn’t match the style of idols I produced.
‘I’ll have Han Suseok look into it.’
I feel a bit sorry since he’s already busy, but that’s what a chief team leader is for.
Bzzz.
At that moment, my phone vibrates.
[JM CEO – Joo Youngjun]
‘Why is he messaging me… This feels ominous.’
Joo Youngjun.
Not once has anything gone smoothly when this man contacts me.
Just seeing his name is enough to raise my blood pressure.
[It’s been a while. Shall we have a meal sometime when you’re free?]
Just imagining sitting across from him and eating makes my stomach churn.
This man deliberately overlapped Spade Joker’s comeback with A-Pen’s—and even copied the styling of our main rapper, Heeseo.
Some might say outfits and hairstyles are bound to overlap, but absolutely not.
Heeseo has an exotic, languid image, often experimenting with unique styling unlike the other members.
Purple-blue gradient hair, green contact lenses, heavy smoky makeup… styles that aren’t easily attempted.
If only one or two elements overlapped, it might have been a coincidence.
But every time Heeseo’s styling is finalized, A-Pen members soon appear with nearly identical looks.
If all of that is a coincidence, then Joo Youngjun and I must be sharing the same brain.
“Ha…”
An irritated sigh escapes as I think it over.
‘I can’t just ignore this.’
I can’t completely ignore the message.
In business, personal feelings and work must be separated.
There’s no benefit in making unnecessary enemies.
‘I’ll at least pretend to be on good terms.’
After steadying my breathing, I send a reply.
[It’s been a while, CEO. Have you been well? As you suggested, let’s have a meal sometime.]
Bzzz.
As if he were waiting, a reply comes immediately.
[How about tonight at 8? I know a good Chinese restaurant.]
‘Tonight… my stomach is definitely going to suffer.’
[Sounds good. Please let me know the restaurant name.]
“What kind of nonsense is he planning to spout this time?”
It feels like I should take digestive medicine in advance.
***
While preparing an album concept to match Han Youngjoo’s new song, it soon becomes time for dinner with Joo Youngjun, and I head to the Chinese restaurant with Han Suseok.
“Secretary Han, it might take a while, so don’t wait… have dinner separately.”
Normally, I would call him by name… but not here.
Joo Youngjun’s secretary is waiting outside the restaurant.
“Understood, sir.”
The secretary approaches us.
“Hello. I’m Kwak Haebin, CEO Joo Youngjun’s secretary. I’ve been asked to guide you.”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Following the secretary, we walk to a private room at the far end of the restaurant.
“Here it is.”
“Thank you. You may go.”
“Yes.”
After the secretary bows and leaves, I open the door and step inside.
“Well, well, if it isn’t CEO John Raid Lombardi. It’s been a while.”
He’s acting unusually friendly.
“It has been. You seem to be in better condition than before. Something good happened?”
There’s no way Joo Youngjun could be in good condition.
Both A-Pen and Cherish are performing terribly right now.
‘Of course, I say that knowing it full well.’
It’s a disguised jab.
“Ha ha.”
Joo Youngjun’s smile twitches slightly.
Seeing that, I almost break into a grin myself, barely restraining my expression.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Yes.”
Once we’re seated, the staff begin serving dishes. It’s quite a large spread for just two people.
There’s also a bottle of strong baijiu.
‘He’s even buying alcohol?’
That makes me wary.
Joo Youngjun has gone around telling other CEOs that I’m just a clueless kid who started a company thanks to wealthy parents.
For someone like that to host such a lavish dinner… It’s suspicious.
‘What is he trying to say?’
Joo Youngjun doesn’t get to the point right away.
As a businessman, he knows when to speak.
Instead, he starts with small talk.
“You must be feeling good these days. Spade Joker is doing well.”
“I’ve just been lucky.”
I feign humility.
“Luck is also a kind of skill, isn’t it?”
Coming from the man who once mocked me, saying I only survived on luck without skill, it’s absurd.
“Thank you for saying so.”
“I hear you’re currently the number one non-celebrity in demand for variety shows.”
“That’s just temporary, thanks to the program.”
“Well, you do look like an actor. How about trying acting? I could train you well. What do you say, sign with our agency?”
It sounds like a joke, but it feels unpleasant.
If someone else had said it, it might’ve been fine.
But coming from him, it can’t help but feel sharp.
“You don’t have a good eye for actors, CEO. How could I possibly act?”
I shoot back in the same joking tone.
“Acting can be learned. That’s part of being an entertainer, isn’t it?”
We’re both smiling, but every word carries an edge.
One slip, and the other will land a blow.
“How about a drink?”
“Sure.”
Joo Youngjun pours me a glass of baijiu.
It’s finally time to hear why I was called here.
“I’ll pour you one as well.”
“Please.”
I pour him a drink.
We clink glasses lightly and down the alcohol in one go.
I can practically trace its path down my esophagus.
“CEO.”
“Yes?”
“Didn’t you also receive that proposal? The program called ‘Rival Agencies’?”
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