Chapter 219. An Unexpected Attack (1)

“I understand. So it’s hard to get permission to do business, am I right?”

Lee HyunJi was putting her hand on the keyboard with her cell phone between her neck and shoulders. She showed her marvelous skills of giving instructions to Jung HyeJin and Yoo JungMin by alternating her glances between them and the shelf.
Unlike Yoo JungMin, who had no clue what to do, Jung HyeJin brought exactly the documents Lee HyunJi wanted.
Yoo JungMin’s eyes gleamed in amazement.

“Seonbae, how did you know that the director wanted those documents?”

Jung HyeJin felt proud hearing that.
“…It works once you get used to it.”
“Maybe I’m not used to the job. I don’t understand anything when the director is like that.”

When Yoo JungMin made a teary expression, a man’s voice could be heard from behind.

“Maybe you’ll be able to guess when you consider what kind of work the director is doing?”
“President.”

It was KangYoon who came down from the rooftop.
It was kinda their fault for leaving the door open for ventilation and not noticing his arrival.
KangYoon smiled as he spoke.

“Miss HyeJin had a hard time at first working with the director. It’s always difficult when you first start. You’re doing fine as you are now, so you’ll become better sooner or later.”

After encouraging the two, KangYoon walked to Lee HyunJi who had just finished her call.
She relayed what she talked about over the phone.

“FinesTok gave me a call. They told me that it won’t be easy to get permission to do business.”
“I did expect that but still… It’s because of the companies that are already there, isn’t it?”
“I think so, yes.”

Lee HyunJi sighed before speaking.

“It won’t be easy getting into a market dominated by a few companies. President Ha SeYeon also seemed to be preparing for a long fight.”
“I should have a meeting with her soon. I have a couple of ideas in my mind so I think we’ll get something good out of a conversation.”

After speaking, KangYoon returned to his seat and turned on his PC.
KangYoon was looking over the account of Kim JaeHoon’s concert before turning around to Lee HyunJi.

“Director. Don’t you think it’s about time we set up an intranet system?”
“An intranet?”

Lee HyunJi tilted her head at KangYoon’s words.

“Shouldn’t we invest in getting trainees or doing albums with the money rather than setting up an intranet system? We aren’t big enough to warrant an intranet, and also… you know that MG is the only place with an intranet. I don’t think it’s necessary.”

She usually didn’t object to KangYoon’s ideas, but she had her doubts this time.
However, KangYoon voiced his opinion calmly.

“Maybe we don’t need it right now. But if we set up the intranet right now, we’ll be able to work more efficiently when the company grows. Moreover, we are going to expand in the acting performance department starting with Min JinSeo. So I think an intranet will become a must in at least 2 years.”
“2 years, huh…”

Lee HyunJi contemplated.
In reality, having their own intranet would make work much easier. They would have a clear plan to work towards and reports would become easier, saving time.
The problem was the initial cost.
Since they had to consider security, it would cost a lot.
It would cost as much as a release of one album if they decide to use money. This was why she was having a hard time agreeing.
Noticing her worries, KangYoon continued to speak.

“Saving time is the same as saving money. I feel that it’s worth investing.”
“…Well, I guess you’re right if we consider the future.”
“If you think that now is not the right time, we can do it later. I want to set up an intranet sooner or later. After all, you’re more knowledgeable when it comes to taking care of the company’s internal matters… I’ll leave that to you.”
“Okay. Oh, I almost forgot.”

Lee HyunJi clapped as though she remembered something.

“You do know that we have a dinner appointment tonight, right?”
“You mean the one with President Choo? Yes. I remember that.”
“I’m not that enthusiastic about it though… President Choo is quite a shrewd man.”

KangYoon burst out laughing when she said that.
When it became evening, KangYoon and Lee HyunJi headed to a high-class Japanese restaurant where President Choo ManJi was waiting.
This place was known as the holy grail for those talking business, so it was hard to eat here.
Guided by an employee, they were led to a room where President Choo ManJi and Joo YeAh, from DiaTeen, were waiting.

“Welcome. Oh, HyunJi!”

President Choo ManJi seemed glad to see Lee HyunJi and was about to give her a hug but was firmly rejected by her so he made an embarrassed expression.

“Hey, it’s between us.”
“….There’s a young girl here, please be formal, president.”

When Lee HyunJi pointed at Joo YeAh, President Choo ManJi instead burst out laughing.

“It’s fine. She already knows what there is to know.”
“…..”

Lee HyunJi snorted before sitting down.
When KangYoon shrugged his shoulders and looked at President Choo ManJi, he also looked back with a leisurely attitude.

“I said it back then but you were really impressive at the party. The guys from my company could do nothing but cry at the actions of the government, but you decided to go and give them a lesson…. Hahaha, It actually made me feel really good.”

KangYoon smiled sheepishly.

“I just said what was on my mind. It would for the better if the people of our industry get some firm support from the government. But most of the time, they are late to the party so… I think I was just a little bit frustrated.”
“It’s not just you. All of us know it. It’s just that we aren’t able to express it properly. Those people have black hearts.”
“Hahaha.”

They then talked about recent matters.
When the food started coming, they all started to eat.
As they were eating, President Choo ManJi talked about the matter he called them here for.

“Actually… I brought you here today because of an important matter.”
“What is it?”

When KangYoon made a confused expression, President Choo ManJi continued to speak with a serious expression.

“Actually, DiaTeen is going to China soon. We got a contract, and we had a photoshoot scheduled this week as well. However, Hayas Department Store decided to delay the photoshoot.”
“Hmm…”
“When I looked into the reason, I was able to get the intel that Yerang was doing something with Hayas. I don’t know what exactly went on behind the scenes, but I was able to get that Wincle from Yerang was being discussed as a strong competitor for DiaTeen.
“So to sum it up, Yoonseul and Hayas were doing business together but Yerang decided to jump in.”
“…Urgh.”

President Choo ManJi groaned in anger.
Although he was usually a bright man, his emotions were leaking as he couldn’t hold his anger this time.
Lee HyunJi spoke with a serious expression.

“At this point, you have a bad fate with them. Didn’t President Kang ShiMyoung do something similar in Japan?”
“Really, that man… has a problem. He uses any means possible in order to earn money… He’ll fall hard one day.”

President Choo ManJi sighed and drank some alcohol.
KangYoon toasted with him lightly as he spoke.

“If it’s something that requires negotiation with a department store… is it about being a model for the department store? Since it’s related to DiaTeen, I don’t think this is music related… If I remember correctly, the Hayas Department Store is quite large in China.
“Yes. It’s about being a model. Hayas is ranked within the top 5 of all department stores in China. Their growth is fast and is generally considered to rise to rank 3 within a year. The reason they picked DiaTeen as a model this time was a part of that.”
“In the department store’s perspective, it is no wonder that they have to have deep considerations. Although the reputation of Korean stars went down a lot with the matters related to JinSeo last time, the singers still have it good so… But isn’t DiaTeen more popular than Wincle? They shouldn’t be ignoring the reputations of the groups in Korea.”

When KangYoon made a confused expression, president Choo ManJi sighed.

“At first, I thought that too and didn’t think much about this. But now that the photoshoot was delayed and the rumors that are floating around… it made me uneasy. Moreover, even ETM Entertainment, who we planned this with, doesn’t know why Hayas Department Store decided to do this. This will be annoying if this is because of lobbying or ‘sponsors’.”

What was once a guarantee became postponed.
The Hayas Department Store wasn’t a corporation that had a leisurely attitude about doing things. The fact that they delayed in doing something was plenty to make president Choo ManJi feel uneasy.
Lee HyunJi quietly spoke.

“There’s no reason for such a huge company to do ‘sponsors’ like that. If it’s found out, their reputation will go downhill. Forgive me for saying this but… I think they may have found Yerang’s offer more tempting than Yoonseul’s.

Although it might sound a little offensive, President Choo ManJi didn’t mind and spoke.

“Is it that after all? At this rate… they might break the contract…”

Just as President Choo ManJi tried to cover his worried face with his hand, Lee HyunJi asked quietly.

“…President Choo. What is it that you really want to say?”

President Choo ManJi fell silent.
This was an important moment.
Even Joo YeAh, who was eating greedily until now, put down her chopsticks and nervously gulped.
It was quiet to the point that the ticking of the clock could be heard.
When President Choo ManJi hesitated to speak, KangYoon calmly.

“You should tell us without worries. We know that this isn’t easy for us either.”
“….”

Eventually.
President Choo ManJi’s eyes looked resolved.

“…This matter about DiaTeen going to China, won’t you do it with us?”

The table fell silent once again.

***

After switching to World Entertainment.
Min JinSeo spent practically no time as a public figure.
For the first few weeks, she rarely left the apartment.
When she opened her eyes, she started watching movies, dramas, and reality shows on TV and wore the same training outfit for an entire week at a time. Thanks to that, her skin tone had become somewhat whiter, but she had also started gaining weight.
Despite this, Kang GiJoon did not tell her off or anything.
In fact, he helped her out by ordering fried chicken at night
Her current lifestyle continued for almost two months.
Min JinSeo eventually felt pressured by Kang GiJoon’s actions.

“…I feel sorry, Team Leader Kang, not to mention the president… I do need to work.”

She was extremely apologetic as she was on the phone with Lee HyunJi.
However, the voice from the other side was soft.

– You worked hard until now. You must be burned out. You can rest as long as you want.
“…Thank you.”

After the call, Min JinSeo threw her phone onto the sofa and lied down.

“…I’m like a pig.”

She pinched on her stomach which looked just right.
Although no one would say anything about her, the previous her would find this unacceptable.

“Should I… start jogging tomorrow?”

She made a decision before standing up.
At that moment, the bell rang.
When she had a look at the intercom screen, she saw Kang GiJoon with snacks in both of his hands.

“So you were resting.”

Kang GiJoon smiled and started unpacking the soondae and tteokbokki that he brought.
Eating, Min JinSeo asked.

“Team Leader. Is it really fine if I don’t do anything?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. You can just rest easy.”
“…Ah, it feels somewhat awkward.”

Min JinSeo found this funny since this kind of life was unimaginable while she was at MG.
She was beginning to get worried that she might be forgotten by the public after resting so long.

“It’s really fine. You can just rest without thinking about the difficult things.”
“But the company invested a lot of money in me…”
“Nah.”

When she said that, Kang GiJoon waved his hand.

“Complicated stuff like that can come later. I’ll tell you this. You were worth that investment. That’s why the president invested in you.”
“Really?”
“The president isn’t the type of person to invest that kind of money just because he knows you. Or, is it that you want to make a comeback quickly?”
“…Not yet. I just… feel so apologetic. Both to sir and to you.”

She wanted to rest a little more.
That was her honest opinion.

“Apologetic, huh. Why don’t you do this then?”
“Do what?”

When Min JinSeo blinked, Kang GiJoon smiled and spoke.

“You said you wanted to go to school, right?”
“Yes. what does that have…”
“To go to school, you will have to study, right? Why don’t you try studying since you’re resting anyway?”
“…Hm. Should I? Is there an academy or something I can go to?”

If a celebrity decided to go to an academy or a cram school, it would instantly make it to the news.
Min JinSeo didn’t want any attention on her yet other than through acting.
Noticing her worries, Kang GiJoon nodded.

“Okay. You can start with online lessons. And if you need to, we can look into academies later. Your first objective is the college entrance exam.”
“…Can I do it?”
“It’s fine if you don’t. It’s just an experience.”

Min JinSeo nodded with a smile.
Seeing that, Kang GiJoon made a satisfied smile as well.

‘Let’s introduce her to many things in her rest period. The coming year will make her rise to new heights in her career. I think getting in love is also a good option… but I won’t be able to handle the consequences, so no.”

Kang GiJoon wrote down the things necessary for the plans he had.