I Became the CEO of an Idol Company in a Game Chapter 33

<Episode 33>

 

The next day came, but there was still no contact from Kang Woojin.

I started to feel a little anxious.

‘Does he not have any songs suitable for Spade Joker?’

I couldn’t focus on work at all because of thoughts about the song.

“Sir, are you listening to me?”

Han Suseok asked me.

“Yeah, I’m listening. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Things have been pretty hectic lately. You didn’t even get to rest over the weekend.”

Not long ago, whenever I looked absent-minded, Han Suseok would scold me, asking if I had been drinking. Seeing him now worrying about me made me realize once again that things were going well.

“Well, it’s not just me. Ah, Spade Joker got their first advertisement offer.”

At my words, a smile spread across Han Suseok’s lips.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“What kind of ad?”

“An ion drink. You tell the members of Spade Joker.”

“Got it. An ad… Spade Joker has really come a long way.”

“You could say that. And their debut day is coming up soon, right? Prepare so they can do a live broadcast to celebrate. You know, the cake we ordered with the design and some simple decorations.”

It would’ve been better to hold a debut commemorative fan meeting, but there simply wasn’t enough time to prepare. Besides, holding a fan meeting for that reason before releasing a new song would result in a loss.

We still had company funds left, but it wasn’t that abundant, so we had to save every bit we could.

“Understood.”

“Let’s do it at the dorm. We just moved, so we should make good use of it.”

Han Suseok nodded.

“And look into renting a venue for a fan meeting. I think it’d be good to hold one a few days before the next album release and pre-release the new song.”

“I’m sure the fans will love that. Then I’ll check available dates. What size are you thinking?”

Since it was our first fan meeting, it couldn’t be too big or too small.

“Hmm… Let’s start by looking for something about the size of K University Hall.”

“Yes, understood. By the way, why did you meet actor Kang Woojin?”

“Oh. As you know, he has a great eye for picking projects.”

“That’s true.”

“So I thought it’d be good to get close to him.”

“Are you planning to push Spade Joker into acting?”

“Well… I’m just considering it. It wouldn’t hurt to teach them. Even if we don’t make them act, I could invest in dramas or films.”

Since Kang Woojin didn’t want anyone to know he was the composer ‘Maru,’ I had no choice but to give a vague answer like that.

There wasn’t really any other excuse I could give.

If there had been a scheduled music video shoot for Spade Joker or the girl group I was planning, I could’ve used casting as a good excuse… but nothing was planned at the moment.

“I heard Kang Woojin runs a one-man agency; he’s both the CEO and the only employee.”

“Yeah. So it wouldn’t hurt to stay close.”

“That makes sense. Ah, I’ll inform the members about the live broadcast right away.”

“Alright. And you sent them the light sticks, right?”

I asked because I had set aside five sample light sticks in advance to gift to Spade Joker.

“Yes.”

“Then they must be really excited right now.”

 

***

 

Sales for Spade Joker’s light stick began.

 

[What is this? I had zero expectations, so why is it pretty? Why is it actually pretty? And the brightness is insane. And what’s with the price? 25,000 won? Is this even possible? Has there ever been a price like this in idol history? (Screenshot of the sales page.)]

↳I was seriously shocked when I saw the price. Isn’t this going down in idol history?

↳The CEO must really be reflecting on himself.

 

[That Ramos Entertainment staff member who used to do Q&A got permission from the CEO and made an official account. I saw it there; they said they sold things without conscience last time, so this time they really made it without thinking about profit. It’s meant as an apology.]

↳Is that even possible? Wouldn’t other employees object?

 ↳↳Apparently, the CEO insisted strongly, so they couldn’t stop him. Maybe he pushed it through with authority.

  ↳↳↳Wow, pushing it through with authority… I’m touched. If this is how power is used, I welcome it.

 

[I seriously never thought they’d sell a light stick at such a reasonable price. What’s gotten into you guys? Does this mean we won’t get mocked anymore? I thought you’d just upload one random photo like always, but I didn’t expect detailed shots from the front, back, and sides. And even a brightness test video?]

↳Not just that… they even uploaded an unboxing video and said they’ll replace anything defective. They’ve really changed a lot.

↳It would’ve been nice if it had launched on the comeback day, but the CEO probably didn’t have time.

 ↳↳Right. They must’ve been busy preparing the comeback with limited staff.

↳They even included a video… They’ve finally realized we’re not just consumers who blindly pay.

 

Not long ago, the fandom atmosphere on social media had been filled with criticism toward John Raid Lombardi, but now it had clearly changed.

They were acknowledging his efforts.

 

[I bought two light sticks. One to display and one to carry around.]

↳LOL, you bought two even before it’s released? You must be really excited.

 ↳↳Honestly, I only bought the previous one because I was worried the members might think they weren’t getting any response on stage. Whether it was on or off didn’t make much difference.

↳I kind of want to buy another one later, too. The design this time is really pretty… the green has a slightly transparent glass-like feel, so it doesn’t look cheap.

 

[??? Guys, Spade Joker is going live. What’s going on today?]

↳I’m going right now.

↳What?

↳Wow. They must be really busy these days, but they’re trying to go live often and post photos and messages on social media. I’m so grateful.

 

Before, there had been a rule banning live broadcasts, so even when they had time, Spade Joker couldn’t go live.

That’s why fans now find it unfamiliar yet joyful to see them so often.

 

***

 

The members of Spade Joker greeted their fans with bright smiles.

In their hands, swaying side to side, were the newly made light sticks.

[Huh?]

[It’s a light stick!]

[You already got them?]

[Wow… Spade Joker holding light sticks. I never imagined this.]

After checking the fans’ reactions, Cain spoke up as the representative.

“We received them as a gift from our CEO today. What do you think?”

[They’re so pretty.]

[I can’t wait to get mine.]

“Now I think we’ll be able to find Clovers even better.”

[Sniff.]

[Cain…]

[So you guys knew too. Well, of course you would.]

[Our old light stick wasn’t that bad. I mean… since it was plastic, it was light, so it didn’t hurt your wrist, and it was small, so it was portable!]

Seeing fans desperately trying to come up with advantages, the Spade Joker members gave bitter smiles.

“That won’t happen anymore.”

[Don’t make that sad face.]

[We’re happy now, right? Instead, show us the light stick!]

[I want to see it up close.]

[Please show it off properly.]

The Clovers quickly changed the topic because they wanted to see Spade Joker smiling.

“Then, as requested, we’ll show you the light stick in detail.”

Juseok brought the light stick closer to the camera.

“If you look here, there’s a small Spade Joker card symbol drawn on it.”

Thanks to the members, who had already examined the light stick in detail, the fans felt like they were watching a home shopping show.

[The show host is very handsome.]

[So how much is it? What? It’s cheaper than 39,900 won?]

[Wow, it’s already almost sold out?]

[Good thing I managed to buy it in time. I almost had to wait for the next batch.]

“Seeing how well the light stick turned out makes me really happy.”

[We feel the same.]

“And we have some good news.”

[Good news?]

[What is it?]

[Ah, there’s been so much good news lately, I’m already excited.]

“We’re going to film our first advertisement.”

[Wow.]

[Guys, we’re ready. Whatever ad you do, we’re prepared to buy the product by the box!]

[Finally… our kids are filming an ad. I’m so emotional.]

[Congratulations! So many good things keep happening.]

“I’m sorry, but we can’t tell you what kind of ad it is yet.”

[That’s okay. We’ll try to guess among ourselves.]

[We’ll have fun figuring out what it is. Don’t feel sorry. You have nothing to apologize for.]

[So you came to tell us about the light stick and the ad shoot. That’s so cute.]

“From now on, whenever something good happens, we’ll share it with Clovers first.”

[Sora, I’m touched.]

[Our kids speak so sweetly.]

[Please share the bad things too. We’re not just here for the good times.]

“Thank you. We’ll try to come and see you more often.”