I Became the CEO of an Idol Company in a Game Chapter 29

<Episode 29>

 

Spade Joker looked at me as if asking what all of this meant.

“Is the PD personally planning it for us?”

“Yes. If I leave it to someone else, I won’t feel at ease. Since I proposed, it’s only right that I handle it myself.”

The more I looked at him, the more I wanted him.

He was someone I had to make mine.

‘Even if I can’t scout him into the company, I can at least build a close relationship, right?’

In the future, it would be Ki PD who rose to the position of head of the variety department. That’s why I had to build connections with him.

But the longer you stay in this industry, the more you realize that those kinds of connections aren’t the only ones that matter.

Appearing on overly provocative programs exhausts not only the cast but also the viewers.

In the end, even if they don’t create massive buzz, people consistently return to warm, everyday-style programs, people like Yoo PD.

“Since you’ll need a short break anyway, shall we sit and talk briefly?”

“Yes! Oh, but… there’s nowhere to sit except the floor.”

“Then we’ll sit on the floor.”

Yoo PD said casually and immediately sat down.

‘He’s completely different from when he came to pitch the show.’

“Everyone, please sit.”

“Yes.”

We all gathered in a circle around Yoo PD.

“What I’ve planned is an overseas trip for Spade Joker.”

“An overseas trip?”

“Yes. Do you all have passports?”

The members shook their heads.

“Then you’ll need to make passports first. Also, get a travel suitcase. I can’t tell you the destination, but it’ll be a 4-night, 5-day trip to a summer country. Prepare swimsuits, short sleeves, shorts, hats, sunglasses… things like that.”

“Okay.”

It seemed Yoo PD had thoroughly prepared the concept.

“A trip needs a theme, right?”

“Yes.”

“The theme this time is cards.”

“Cards?”

“Yes. Inspired by your group name, Spade Joker. Before meals, when you want something, or before starting a tour, you’ll draw cards. Your fate will be decided by the cards. Do you understand?”

Cain cautiously raised his hand.

“Feel free to ask.”

“Then… does that mean we can’t use our own money at all?”

“Of course.”

Cain nodded in understanding.

“The filming date will be decided after coordinating with your agency. So please prepare your passports first.”

“Okay.”

“Then keep up the good practice, and I’ll see you next time.”

It seemed Yoo PD had pushed himself a bit for this.

After he left, I did a bit of background checking. Nothing major, I just contacted Ki PD and asked a few simple questions.

I’d met most of the big-name PDs, so the fact that I didn’t remember Yoo PD’s face felt strange.

‘In the end, it was just that I didn’t remember.’

My connection with Yoo PD had only been a brief encounter in my first timeline. He hadn’t left a strong impression back then, so I had forgotten him.

‘But apparently, he even went to the director’s office and passionately argued his case this time?’

Yoo PD stood up, and since I had no reason to stay in the practice room, I stood as well.

“Then we’ll be going.”

The members hurriedly stood up and bowed.

“Goodbye.”

As we left the practice room, it felt like everything had happened all at once.

‘That was a lot to take in.’

“Sir, I heard there’s a trainee monthly evaluation today?”

“Yes.”

“Did you schedule it because of the filming?”

Yoo PD nudged me playfully with his elbow.

“You could say that. I was planning to prepare a girl group anyway. It’s a good chance to see who performs well under pressure in front of cameras and staff. But Yoo PD…”

“Yes?”

“You’re very different from when we first met.”

“Ah, I was in a hurry back then. The fate of my program was on the line.”

He scratched the back of his head.

“You know how people get when they’re anxious.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

“What time does the evaluation start?”

“At two. If we do it right after lunch, the female trainees might skip meals.”

“Ah, right. Many of them avoid eating before filming.”

Many female celebrities avoided food entirely to look slimmer on camera, only eating after returning home.

“Then I’ll stay quiet now. You can continue your work.”

“That’s alright?”

“Of course. We came here to film you working, after all.”

We returned to the CEO’s office.

With cameras running 24/7, it was far from comfortable.

To handle company work, I had to use the knowledge I possessed. But with filming ongoing, I had to be extremely cautious.

‘I can’t accidentally reveal future information that only I know.’

That would mean losing one of my biggest advantages.

I had to stay sharp.

‘No wonder my work feels slower than usual.’

Fatigue suddenly washed over me, and I pressed my fingers against my eyes.

At this point, I almost wished it would just be 2 PM already.

 

***

 

When the clock hit 1:50, Han Suseok came into the office.

“Sir.”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

I organized the documents I was reviewing and stood up.

“What about Spade Joker? Are they observing?”

I had asked Han Suseok to tell them they could attend the trainee evaluation if they wanted. I’d meant to say it directly earlier, but had completely forgotten.

“Yes. I’ve prepared chairs so they can watch together.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

This would naturally increase their screen time, and they could also show their professionalism.

‘And it’s a good opportunity for the trainees too. They can hear real experience directly from their seniors.’

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the practice room.

“Please go in.”

“Yeah.”

Han Suseok opened the door, revealing trainees standing in a straight line with stiff posture.

Across from them, the Spade Joker members sat awkwardly, only moving their eyes around.

“Sir!”

As if they’d seen a savior, their faces lit up.

The trainees, who had their backs to the door, turned and bowed only then.

From a glance, it seemed they had followed my instructions… no heavy makeup, no styled hair, no flashy outfits.

“Did you practice well?”

“Yes…”

Their voices were weak.

They were clearly nervous.

“Don’t be too nervous. Even if you make a mistake, just stay focused and continue. No one goes their whole career without mistakes on stage. What matters is how you handle unexpected situations. Got it?”

“Yes.”

Still no strength in their voices.

It didn’t seem like anything I said would help much, so I stayed quiet and sat down with Han Suseok.

“How did you decide the order?”

“We played rock-paper-scissors.”

Fair enough.

“Alright. First team, come forward.”

Four male trainees stepped forward hesitantly.

Their posture alone told me not to expect much.

“Aren’t you going to greet us?”

Greeting was the most basic rule… not just for idols, but for any professional setting.

“Hello.”

Even their greeting was disorganized.

Some barely nodded, others bent awkwardly.

‘How is their basic etiquette this bad? If they’re like this on camera, what are they like normally?’

If there weren’t cameras here, I might not have even watched their performance.

In a way, they were lucky.

“We’ll begin.”

I gestured impatiently.

As expected, the performance was nothing special.

“That’s all we prepared.”

They stood there nervously, waiting for feedback.

“Straighten your shoulders and back. Unless you plan to go on a broadcast looking like that.”

Only then did they fix their posture.

“To dance properly, your posture needs to be right. And if your greeting is this poor, what am I supposed to expect? Spade Joker, what do you think?”

“I think they were a bit underprepared. Their breathing wasn’t in sync, and their vocalization was unstable. And as you said, posture is important.”

Cain spoke calmly.

“I know you’re nervous, but this is a bit much.”

“We’re sorry. We’ll fix it next time.”

Since the first group received harsh criticism, the atmosphere among the trainees turned tense.

“Next group.”

Three female trainees stepped forward.

Perhaps because of the earlier criticism, their shoulders were stiff with tension.

“Three, two, one.”

“Hello, we are Tris.”

They even had a group name.

I almost chuckled, but their performance lacked impact.

“Good job. But you need to learn how to stand out. Harmony is important, but when you’re in the center, you also need to shine.”

“Yes. We’ll work hard.”

They seemed relieved just to avoid harsh criticism.

“Next.”

The next group was a duo of male trainees.

They performed a ballad, but it was difficult to sit through.

Watching them made me feel grateful for Spade Joker.

‘At least those guys are skilled.’

Maybe my memory was outdated, but the trainees’ overall skill level felt worse than before.

‘This is serious…’