I Became the CEO of an Idol Company in a Game Chapter 31

<Episode 31> 

 

Not long after finishing filming the trainees’ segments, PD Yoo left, saying he had other work to attend to.

Before I could even say anything, he assured me on his own that he would cut out the parts that were ‘too bad’. When I asked if that wouldn’t hurt the show’s entertainment value, he simply said that making it work was the PD’s job and told me not to worry.

He really was someone I could trust.

Most of the trainees’ performances would probably be edited out. I figured it’d be best to talk to them about it tomorrow.

‘And the new girl group… that’s the biggest issue right now.’

I pulled up the profiles of the trainees who had teamed up with Kang Seoah.

The team she formed through personal connections looked more promising than any group I had put together in previous runs.

‘Mio… she’s fluent in Japanese, English, and Korean.’

A so-called language ace.

Every group needs at least one like that.

‘Their ages are perfect too.’

Each of them was just one year apart.

From twenty down to seventeen.

If I formed the group like this, Lim Hyeju would be the oldest… but it would be better for Kang Seoah to be the leader.

She had always been the core of the team in previous runs as well.

Somehow, I could already picture the image of this group in my head.

[Florence]

As I got absorbed in shaping their overall concept, I didn’t even realize how much time had passed until it was already time to leave work.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

“Sir.”

It was Han Suseok.

“Yeah.”

“It’s time to leave.”

“I’ve still got work left, so head out first. The same goes for the others.”

“Understood.”

He greeted me and left the office.

From beyond the door, I could hear employees saying goodbye to each other for the day.

Soon, the office fell silent.

But the camera was still there.

“Sir.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you usually assign work to employees, check it, and approve it?”

The writer looked at me with curious eyes.

“Normally, yes.”

That was the responsibility of someone in my position.

“But right now, if we do that, nothing gets done.”

Since they had followed me around all day and seen the company’s situation firsthand, I didn’t think further explanation was necessary.

“Do you plan to hire more people?”

“If I could, that’d be great. What more could I ask for? But not yet. There’s literally no space for more desks. For now, the best option is to distribute work based on who earns the most.”

“That’s impressive. You’re a good CEO. You really care about your employees.”

“Huh? I’m not doing this for them.”

At my answer, the writer stared at me in shock, eyes wide.

“I’m doing it for myself. If even one of my current employees quits, that’s a disaster. We’re not in a position to train new people right now.”

 

***

 

It had only been one day of filming, but with cameras following me all day, I found myself instinctively checking for cameras the moment I woke up.

‘This has side effects.’

I shook my head and got up.

‘I’m exhausted.’

Those stamina-boosting items from the in-game shop… I needed them more than the idols did.

To survive, I had to eat well, so even on an empty stomach, I downed my supplements first.

I needed to stay sharp and endure.

‘Just until we move offices. Just until then.’

Once we moved, we could hire more staff, and things would ease up.

I took out my phone and joined Kang Woo-jin’s fan café.

To check his schedule.

‘The best place to track a celebrity’s schedule is always where the fans are.’

Fortunately, Kang Woojin’s schedule was empty.

From the café posts, it seemed he was currently in Korea.

I immediately called Han Suseok.

[Yes, sir.]

“Suseok, sorry to ask this, but could you get me Kang Woojin’s number?”

[Are we managing actors now, too?]

He seemed to misunderstand.

“No. I just have something I want to propose to him. Also, once the meeting is set, let me know… I’ll need you to reserve a restaurant. I want to treat him personally.”

[Understood.]

“See you at the office.”

I could’ve asked after arriving, but it felt like that would delay things.

After finishing getting ready, I headed to work.

“Good morning, sir.”

Employees greeted me in the elevator.

[Sent you Kang Woojin’s number.]

As expected of Han Suseok.

I didn’t even know how he managed to get it so quickly.

I couldn’t help but applaud him inwardly.

“Sir.”

“Yes.”

“When does our broadcast air?”

“You’re that excited about it?”

I asked because I didn’t understand.

Normally, people don’t like having their faces shown on TV… especially while working.

“Now you’re making it sound like I’m desperate to be on camera.”

I looked at him instinctively.

Because he was the one who had done the SNS Q&A before.

“I’m not.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the elevator doors opened.

“Alright. I’ll assume you’re not.”

“Ah, seriously, I’m not! Don’t misunderstand!”

Just as I was about to enter my office, he blocked my way.

Technically insubordination… but I knew that wasn’t his intent, so I waited.

“I want to show people.”

“Show them what?”

“I want to show them. Everyone laughed at me when I said I worked here. Said it was a terrible company.”

He glanced at me nervously after saying that.

But I didn’t mind.

‘Honestly, they weren’t wrong.’

Even Spade Joker had run away from schedules before; there was no way other employees had it easy.

Too much work, low pay, no benefits.

And the CEO seemed to be living well alone.

I understood it all too well.

“Go on. You didn’t mean you wanted to show them it’s a terrible company.”

“Lately, things have been improving. Better benefits, better atmosphere, Spade Joker doing well… People kept telling me to quit, saying I didn’t understand reality.”

He rambled a bit, but his intent was clear.

“I wanted to show them. That this place isn’t like that. That I’m doing well.”

He smiled, satisfied.

“Don’t worry.”

“Sorry?”

“Don’t worry. Tell them we’ll build a new office. That you’ll get promoted and earn more.”

His face lit up.

“Yes! I’ll work really hard.”

Everyone working here now was basically a founding member.

They deserved better treatment than anyone who joined later.

As long as they didn’t quit.

“Please do.”

“Yes!”

I patted his shoulder and entered my office.

The moment I saw the pile of work on my desk, my smile vanished.

“…This is brutal.”

I sorted out what had to be done today and shoved the rest into a drawer.

Then I sent a message to Kang Woojin.

[Hello. This is John Raid Lombardi, CEO of Ramos Entertainment. I would like to request a song from Composer Maru, so I’m reaching out. I’d like to discuss this in depth… please meet me at the restaurant listed below at 7 PM today.]

‘Will he come?’

No one likes getting a same-day meeting request out of nowhere.

And I didn’t know Kang Woojin well.

This was a gamble.

‘If I can just meet him, I can fix the rest. The problem is… if he doesn’t come, there won’t be a next chance.’

If he wanted to keep his identity as “Maru” hidden, he might ignore me completely.

In the end, all I could do… was wait at the restaurant Han Suseok booked, and hope he showed up.