I Became the CEO of an Idol Company in a Game Chapter 43

<Episode 43>

 

This song was perfect… not for Spade Joker, but as Florence’s debut track.

[I only looked at you

As I whispered love

That day]

Was it because of the lyrics that occasionally popped out? Florence’s stage vividly unfolded in my mind.

‘It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this song was made for Florence.’

If we styled her with long braided hair draped to one side, adorned with flowers, and dressed her in a voluminous gown, it would be perfect for teaser photos.

‘If we transpose it to a female key, it might give off a more wistful feeling too.’

[Secret conversations

Entering your heart]

I began to calmly listen to the song.

It seemed like only minor tweaks would be needed for the existing lyrics.

[Sometimes I

Still wander

Through unstable dreams]

I liked the chorus as well.

‘This is definitely Florence’s debut title track.’

For some reason, I had a strong feeling this would turn out really well.

‘I can’t believe a song like this was buried.’

The corners of my lips curved upward into a smile.

[Red moon

Blue night sky

Calm air]

Choi Minjun glanced at me.

That expression overlapped strangely with the one Han Youngjoo had when I first met her.

‘Why has no one recognized someone this talented? Well, I’m grateful.’

The song ended.

“How is it?”

“Composer.”

“Yes.”

“I’d like to make you a proposal.”

“A proposal… what kind…?”

He asked cautiously.

“Although it hasn’t been officially announced yet, I’m preparing to launch a girl group. I’d like to use this song as their debut title track.”

“…What?”

“Would it be okay to change it to a female key and have it sung that way?”

“A female key?”

Choi Minjun’s eyes moved quickly as if organizing his thoughts.

“I don’t mind it being sung in a female key, but… You really want to use my song as a title track?”

“Yes.”

“Wow…”

He placed a hand on his chest and let out an exclamation.

“This isn’t a dream, right?”

“It’s not.”

Judging by his reaction, he seemed to be in a situation no different from Han Youngjoo’s before I approached her.

“Wow… I’m really glad I took a day off from work to come here.”

“You have a job?”

“Yes. I work at a game company. I’m more interested in K-pop, but there was a lot of opposition from people around me. So I had no choice but to work at a game company while making music.”

It seemed he had been allowed to major in composition, but ultimately followed his family’s wishes to earn a stable income.

It was something commonly seen among people pursuing the arts.

Wasn’t Han Youngjoo the same?

“I was grateful that I could at least do music like this. But I’m really glad I listened to Youngjoo. Thanks to her, I can do what I wanted.”

“Couldn’t you keep composing while working at a company?”

There were quite a few people like that.

Some lyricists worked as ordinary office workers, using pseudonyms to continue their activities.

It was possible since they didn’t have to reveal their faces.

Wasn’t Kang Woojin the same?

“When Youngjoo first entered our department, I felt a sense of inferiority. I thought, ‘Art really is about talent.’”

That was understandable.

Han Youngjoo had exceptional instincts.

On top of that, her working speed was incredibly fast.

From the perspective of a fellow student, seeing someone like that would inevitably lead to self-doubt.

“I ended up giving up, thinking, ‘If even someone like her struggles, how could I possibly succeed?’ Plus, I’m really slow when it comes to working. I listen over and over, revise, delete… that kind of style. The difference was obvious.”

“Doesn’t that just mean you’re meticulous?”

Choi Minjun blinked in surprise.

“…Thank you.”

There was no downside to getting close to a composer like this.

‘And he’s someone who has no ties to any other agency yet.’

If I could build an image where people immediately thought of Florence when they heard “a song by composer Choi Minjun,” that would be ideal.

“Since you’re here, why don’t you go see composer Han Youngjoo as well?”

“Is Youngjoo here right now?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? I didn’t see her when I came in.”

It seemed he had looked around for her when entering the company.

“She has a separate studio in the basement. It seemed better that way.”

“Wow. She achieved her dream first.”

“Her dream?”

“Becoming a composer and having a personal studio. That was our dream.”

Choi Minjun smiled contentedly.

He didn’t seem to feel any jealousy that his junior had achieved what he hadn’t.

‘Is it because thanks to Youngjoo, he was able to achieve his dream too?’

“I should go congratulate her… and get congratulated too.”

“Shall I guide you?”

“It’s okay. I’ll go on my own.”

“It’s the innermost room in the basement.”

“Got it, thank you. Then I’ll come back next time after finishing the song.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Choi Minjun gave a light greeting and left the CEO’s office.

‘Unexpectedly, even Florence’s debut title track has been solved.’

Now the remaining problem was Spade Joker’s mini album.

There were currently three songs secured.

One more was needed to release a mini-album.

‘Judging by Choi Minjun’s reaction, it doesn’t seem like he has any other songs.’

Knock knock.

“Yes.”

The door opened slightly, but no one came in.

When I looked up, it was Kang Woojin.

“Why are you standing there instead of coming in?”

Kang Woojin looked me up and down.

“What’s the matter? Come in.”

Only then did he step inside.

“CEO.”

“Yes.”

“After working here for a bit, I’ve become even more certain.”

I didn’t know what he had become certain about.

More precisely, I didn’t want to know.

I felt uneasy, worried that it might be exactly what I was thinking.

When I didn’t respond, Kang Woojin glared at me.

It was as if he was telling me to react somehow.

“Yes. What have you become certain about?”

“I really have to join this company.”

“What? What about this small company made you think that?”

“The employees.”

“What about them?”

“They all work really hard.”

“If there’s an outsider present, wouldn’t it make less sense for them to slack off? Besides, they have a heavy workload, so they have no choice but to work hard. Who enjoys overtime?”

Originally, the employees were quite focused during work hours.

But right now, I had to frame it as if it were because Kang Woojin was here.

At this moment, I needed to deny everything he said.

“Just from watching you talk with your employees, I can see the company atmosphere at a glance. I really like a company like this.”

“There’s nothing good about it besides that.”

“There are plenty of good things.”

“I’m grateful you see it that way, but there really isn’t anything worth praising.”

Fatigue suddenly washed over me.

“Actor Kang Woojin.”

“Yes.”

“A month is quite a long time. So take it slow. Think it through carefully.”

Please.

I was being sincere.

If I could, I would grab him and beg.

“Alright. I didn’t come here to act like a stubborn kid anyway.”

That was pleasant to hear.

“I came to show you just how valuable an actor Kang Woojin is.”

I already knew very well how valuable he was.

The reason I was refusing him was that I had no know-how or experience in managing actors, only idols.

‘His value is exactly the problem.’

“By the way, there’s no cafeteria here?”

“No.”

“Then how do you eat lunch?”

“We get meal allowances, so everyone just buys their own food.”

“I see. What about you, CEO?”

“I eat separately. What employee would want to eat with the CEO? It’s more considerate to eat separately.”

There weren’t many benefits, so at least they should be able to eat comfortably.

“Then today, let’s go eat somewhere with lots of office workers.”

“Let’s order delivery.”

I rarely ordered delivery at the company.

I usually preferred grabbing something simple from a convenience store instead.

Ordering delivery created too much to clean up afterward.

But today, I had to insist on delivery no matter what.

‘There are plenty of reporters around here looking for any scoop, especially since there are so many entertainment companies nearby.’

If they got spotted, an article would come out immediately.

“Delivery?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Then, when is that Secretary Han coming?”

“How do you know about Secretary Han?”

“I had some small talk with the employees.”

“He’ll come in the afternoon. He went to meet the short film director you introduced yesterday.”

“Ah, I see.”

Kang Woojin hummed to himself, tilting his head side to side as if lost in thought.

“Aren’t you going out?”

After that, he stayed in the CEO’s office without leaving.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“I can’t say I’m not.”

I answered honestly.

Otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t leave.

“I’ll just stay quiet.”

“…Do as you like.”

It was too troublesome to stop him, so I decided to leave him be.

‘He’ll leave when he feels like it.’