Chapter 198. Everything Has Its Uses (2)

“Good!”

Writing the last quaver (⅛ note), HeeYoon stretched her arms out.
It always felt good to finish off a song. The song she wanted all the singers of World Entertainment to sing was finally finished after a few days of work.

“It will be Christmas in a month, so a carol-like feeling would be good, right? Would he like it?”

Imagining her brother in a joyful mood, HeeYoon made a smile.
She wanted the fans to feel what they felt from the video on Tune last time again with this song.
To strike the iron while it was still hot, she immediately called up KangYoon.
After a few connecting sounds, a voice could be heard over the phone.

– Yes HeeYoon. Did something happen?
“No, actually wait. Maybe something did happen.”
– WHAT?

When KangYoon’s voice rose due to the misunderstanding, HeeYoon panicked a little and explained the situation.
She had made a song from the inspiration she got from the jamming video.
When it was about the song, KangYoon calmed down a little.

-… Sheesh. And here I thought something bad happened. So something good happened. Send it over. I’ll call you back after listening to it.

HeeYoon sent the file over to KangYoon.
A while later.
KangYoon called back.

– It’s a good song. It feels like a Christmas carol too.
“Right?”

Being acknowledged by her brother, HeeYoon’s voice became a little excited.

“I made it after looking at the video on Tune last time. I thought it would be a good idea to make a group album like MG and Yerang.”
– Really? That’s a nice idea. Our artists specialize in different themes, so it would be nice to have them all singing one song.
“Right, right?”

HeeYoon felt excited since it was going so well.
However, the words from the phone were completely unexpected for her.

– HeeYoon. I’m sorry to say this, but can I use this song on something else?
“Something else? For what?”
– I want to use this for Eddios’s Christmas album. I was just about to call you up for this but I didn’t know you had such a good song.

HeeYoon was confused due to the sudden change.
It hadn’t been long since Eddios finished their activities, why would they make a comeback at Christmas?

“It hasn’t been that long since Eddios’s activities ended, hasn’t it?”
– Yeah. But something popped up on our side… I think we’ll have to do a flash appearance before resting some more.
“Really? That’s a pity. That’s not what I had in mind after all…”

(T/N: Why do you have to crush HeeYoon’s dream!!!! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ )

HeeYoon found it to be a little unfortunate since that wasn’t her original intention when she made this song. Then, KangYoon softly consoled her.

– The song is good enough to be used anywhere else. I don’t think it’s right to use it like this, but we aren’t in a good situation here. Thanks to you this time, I think we’ll be able to shorten our preparation. Thank you so much, and sorry about this.
“…It’s fine. I’m glad to hear that I can help. As for songs, I can just make more.”

It was fine as long as it helped her brother.
HeeYoon asked when KangYoon can come over to America again before ending the call.

“It’s not easy to get inspiration like that… what do I do now.”

HeeYoon turned on the TV to cool off a little.

***

After the scandal between Han JooYeon and Tae.
Many journalists and fans flocked to Eddios’s dorms in order to get a glimpse of Han JooYeon.

“Wow, that’s a lot of people.”

Ailee sighed while looking at the crowd of people outside the window.
Meanwhile, Christie, who was watching TV in the living room, spoke without much care.

“They are what they are. What’s JooYeon doing?”
“She’s lying down on her bed.”
“…Sheesh, even though we told her it was alright…”

Christie shook her head.
Han JooYeon apologized to everyone for inconveniencing them and did not leave her room. She didn’t even eat either.

“It’s not like meeting a guy is a sin or something.”
“It is.”
“…You know, I sometimes get scared when I talk to you, Ailee.”
“Heh, really?”

Just as the two quarreled, the doorbell rang.
When Christie had a look through the intercom screen, she saw manager Kim DaeHyun and KangYoon outside.
As they got notified that KangYoon would be visiting an hour ago, everyone had put on make-up and were ready.
A while later.
KangYoon and all the members of Eddios gathered around in the living room.

“I came here because I don’t think the situation allows for you to come to the company.”

KangYoon pointed at the people outside.
When he did, Han JooYeon looked down. Her eyes had swollen up due to all the tears.
Jung MinAh hugged Han JooYeon and asked.

“President, those people are inconveniencing us to no end. Both the front and back doors are blocked. So I have to cross the fence to go to practice. Ugh…”
“We got a new car yesterday, and it’s been tinted as well. You can go to practice using that. In the meantime, team leader DaeHyun will take care of you girls. It will be uncomfortable for a week or so, so you’ll have to get used to that.”
“Okay. Ah, those damned useless people….”

Jung MinAh grumbled.
As always, she was direct about her opinion. Some of the members giggled.
KangYoon also chuckled and continued to speak.

“But still, we’re gradually clearing up. JooYeon uploaded an apology to the fan cafe as well. Although many people still have their doubts, you’ll have to undertake that risk since you were the source of the problem. Be careful for a while. Don’t take any actions that may cause trouble.”
“Yes.”

When everyone replied in unison, KangYoon started talking about the album. This was the reason he was here today.
He played the song he got from HeeYoon with the speakers in the living room.
The wonderful piano sounds as well as other instruments rang out in the living room and the members of Eddios concentrated on listening.

‘A carol?’

It was a piano song, but they felt like just adding bell sounds would turn this into a Christmas carol.
The song passed by in a flash.

“How is it?”

KangYoon asked after the song ended, and Christie An replied.

“Is this a Christmas song?”
“Yes. How does it feel?”
“It feels good. I think it will be really good if the ups and downs are a little more distinct.”

KangYoon agreed to her words.

“That’s what I think as well. I’m going to rearrange this song. You girls are going to have a busy time starting December, so you have to prepare for it, okay?”
“Yes.”

The meeting didn’t last long.
KangYoon told Jung MinAh to take good care of Han JooYeon before turning around to Seo HanYu.

“Can I have a word with you, HanYu?”
“Yes.”

KangYoon entered a room with her. It was the room that was revamped into the music room last time.
He had a look at the machines before speaking.

“I want you to do the mastering this time.”
“Me? I don’t think I’m up to par yet…”

Seo HanYu shook her head.
Mastering required good ears and experience. She did not believe that she had enough experience and asked back.
When she did, KangYoon replied with a smile.

“Of course, we’re doing this together. I’m not letting you do this alone so don’t worry about that.”
“Oh really?”
“I’m going to advertise that you participated in the mastering this time. That’s what I need.”
“Does such a thing have an effect?”

KangYoon patted on Seo HanYu’s shoulders as though it was obvious.

“Of course. To strive to learn something new. This is why people like the ‘SeoYu’ of Eddios. It’s also why you have the least number of breakaway fans.”
“That’s… true, I guess.”

Seo HanYu blushed as she was a little proud of that fact.

“Keep practicing until you are able to produce music on your own later. Who knows? You might become a prominent producer in the future.”
“No way. That can’t happen.”
“Oh? I think you can.”

Seo HanYu waved her hands saying that it won’t be easy, but KangYoon encouraged her.

***

KangYoon headed to his next appointment after leaving Eddios’s dorms.
Although the time was early evening, the high-class bar, the place he was appointed to meet at, was ready to receive guests.

“Welcome.”

The employee greeted KangYoon politely and took him to the other guest who was waiting already.

“President Lee.”

The one waiting for him was none other than President Choo ManJi.
His cheeks were rather skinny due to all the hardships he had recently with the scandal
After a handshake, they started talking over a glass of wine.

“…I’m sorry for not keeping my people in check.”

President Choo ManJi spoke bitterly while pouring KangYoon a glass.
KangYoon also poured Choo ManJi one and replied bitterly.

“I’m sorry instead. I know I can’t help the feelings between men and women, the responsibility goes to us after all.”
“…Would you like to smoke?”

KangYoon accepted the cigarette that Choo ManJi gave him. KangYoon spoke while lighting Choo ManJi’s cigarette.

“What happened happened, so I think the problem here is how we clean up. Didn’t you release an album in Japan?”
“…That’s the problem right now. Heroy’s fanbase is mostly made up of teens and people in their 20s and it came as a huge shock to them. Moreover, I wasn’t able to prevent the article from going up this time. Although I can’t do anything about the first article, I tried to prevent other people from writing about the same thing, but it seems like someone had their hands in this and I couldn’t stop them at all.”

Breathing the smoke out, president Choo fell into contemplation.

“…I think I’ll have to bear with the hit on the album this time. Eddios is better off in that regard since they’re in their rest period. Oh, the tag will be a problem. We’re giving out explanations as well, but journalists these days are trash. They can only write provocative things. XX’s man, XX’s girl, these tags will not disappear easily.”

KangYoon rubbed the cigarette in the ashtray to put it out and spoke over a glass of wine.

“It won’t be easy, but I’m planning for a frontal breakthrough this time.”
“What do you mean, a frontal breakthrough?”
“I was originally planning an album for spring next year, but I pulled it ahead to Christmas.”

Hearing that, President Choo ManJi’s eyes widened.

“Whoa, there. Are you aiming for a noise marketing strategy?”
“There’s that too.”
“Hahaha.”

Something seemed to have flashed in President Choo ManJi’s mind and he laughed heartily.

“Wow, it really is a frontal breakthrough. That’s just like you, President Lee. I think we should continue our activities as though nothing happened. After all, it’s not true!”
“For that to happen, I believe that we should apologize to the fans first. In any case, it’s our fault for breaking the fantasies of our fans. I think we’ll only have an effect if we come out straight about it and say sorry.”
“Hahaha. Looks like I’m learning from you today. But is it really alright to tell me something like that?”

When President Choo ManJi said that, KangYoon smiled as he replied.

“No way, you aren’t planning to eat and run are you?”
“Hahahahahaha! Eat and run, you say!”

The cheap words made President Choo ManJi laugh even more.

“Well, I’m not that cheap. Unlike Yera… Oh, have you heard about that rumor?”
“Which rumor are you talking about?”

President Choo ManJi spoke quietly.

“Kang ShiMyoung from Yerang secretly met with the directors at MG. I don’t know what went between them, but I feel like they would have done something.”
“Is that so?”

Yerang and MG Entertainment companies.
KangYoon didn’t have very good feelings towards either of them.
President Choo ManJi seemed to be the same as he spoke with a stiff expression.

“In my opinion, this scandal happened at just the right, I mean, wrong time… and there’s a group in Yerang that’s active in Japan right now, and I heard that there’s a group similar to Eddios coming out soon too. Moreover, MG and you have had a bad relationship for a long time… am I overspeculating things?”
“That’s quite complex.”

KangYoon’s words had a lot of complex emotions in them.

***

A little past 2 in the afternoon.
Lee HyunJi looked at the new desk in the office with a smile.

“So it’s today.”
“It’s about time.”

KangYoon also felt a little excited as he looked at the time.
The employees were notified as well so they just kept on working as usual.
Not long later, the door to the office opened and a rather chubby man entered.

“Welcome, Mr. GiJoon.”

KangYoon stood up from his seat and gave him a light hug.

“Hello, President.”

It was a short, chubby man wearing a suit.
He was Kang GiJoon of (former) Keyode Entertainment. He had officially come to World Entertainment after dealing with his former company.
Lee HyunJi also greeted him with a handshake.

“Hello, President Kang. I mean, you’re a team leader now. It might be a little awkward but let’s get along together.”
“Not at all, Director. I should get used to this in the future.”

When Kang GiJoon asked where his seat was, Jung HyeJin quickly came and guided him to his place. He took a liking to his desk and put his luggage on the desk.
After unpacking, he headed towards the rooftop with KangYoon.

“Do you smoke?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Okay.”

KangYoon was about to pull his pack of cigarettes out but pushed them back in before speaking.

“We’re going to work properly starting tomorrow. Please write up a guideline for raising actors with the knowledge you had at Keyode Entertainment.
“Understood.”
“And also…”

KangYoon calmly continued.

“Next year, Min JinSeo will come to our company. It won’t take long, so please get ready to support her in ways that do not lose out to MG Entertainment.”

Kang GiJoon gulped in nervousness as he was still in disbelief about this.