Chapter 7
“Team Leader Kim, let’s stop here for today.”
The one who broke the silence was Director Choi.
“Yes, Director.”
“And wait a moment…”
Director Choi quietly called Team Leader Kim to one side of the training room, as if he had something to say.
* * *
Standing in a corner, Director Choi Ilseon began giving instructions to Team Leader Kim Junho.
“About what happened today… including that issue with that kid.”
“Yes, Director.”
“For now, don’t tell anyone.”
“Huh? Yes… but why?”
“It seems we’ll have to delay Luminous’s next single. If people hear it’s because of something a road manager said, do you think things will go smoothly?”
It was a reasonable request.
In a large entertainment company like this, delaying a scheduled album release was no small matter.
Naturally, rumors would start spreading, along with speculation that something had gone wrong.
Dating rumors, conflict rumors, even disbandment rumors.
To persuade the executives, there had to be a proper reason.
But if the reason was just a single remark from a mere road manager?
It would lose all credibility.
“No, Director. Are you really delaying it because of one thing Yoon Junghoo said?”
“You know he’s right, don’t you? We were forcing things forward somehow, but at this rate, do you think any ‘upgrade’ is even possible? Trying to match the schedule could end up ruining everything we’ve built so far.”
“…Yes. That makes sense. Understood.”
Director Choi felt something strange.
That song… and the style of singing…
And something about the way he spoke, his eyes…
The phrase he had heard countless times before: If you work hard, the answer will always appear.
But Jihyuk’s—no, Junghoo’s—no, Jihyuk’s…
Anyway…
Just like Han Jihyuk—who had now become Yoon Junghoo—thought, Director Choi could never imagine the impossible connection between Jihyuk and Junghoo.
He only accepted it as a kind of destiny—another chance that had come his way.
Today, he felt something stir inside him.
The same feeling he had decades ago when he dreamed of starting a management company with the great singer Han Jihyuk.
* * *
What are those two talking about so seriously?
Did I do something unnecessary?
No.
I did the right thing.
Leaving them to learn in such a mess would have been worse.
What’s the point of regretting it now? It’s not even that big a deal.
Director Choi walked back toward me.
“Anyway, Manager Yoon. For now, I’ll just say I look forward to working with you from now on. And starting today, you’ll attend the meetings regarding Luminous’s next album release.”
Attend meetings?
“I’m just a road manager… why would I attend meetings?”
“You didn’t start this job planning to be a road manager forever, did you?”
What an uncreative guy.
Using the exact same words I once said.
“And this is part of a manager’s work too. Think of it as within your job scope.”
Actually, it wasn’t a road manager’s job.
If it were about broadcasts or events, maybe.
But album projects had nothing to do with road managers.
Especially in a large entertainment company where positions were clearly divided—road manager, team manager, executive manager.
This was far outside a road manager’s role.
So my unnecessary action had just resulted in more work.
But in social life, you can’t argue over every little detail.
It couldn’t be helped.
Right now, Choi Ilseon was my superior.
Besides, he was doing this because he had a good impression of me.
“Alright. I understand, Director.”
“And soon, let’s meet separately.”
“Yes, understood.”
Meet separately…
So it’s about singing.
Either way, I also wanted to meet Director Choi.
The problem was how to ask.
But there was a good chance Choi Ilseon knew news about Siyeon.
Just as he was turning away, Director Choi suddenly turned his head and looked at me again with a very familiar expression.
Hmm… that look.
Even after all these years, a person’s expression when they’re thinking about something doesn’t change.
It was the same face he had when he begged me years ago—when another road manager had already been chosen, yet he came all the way to me and pleaded that he would do his best.
That expression he always made when asking for a favor or trying to persuade someone.
I already knew what he was going to say.
“Manager Yoon, would you really not consider helping? With Luminous…”
Just like Ilseon.
Even after 30 years, his persistence hadn’t changed.
That persistence was one of his strengths.
But it had only been a single day since I possessed this body.
Every time I caught my reflection in a mirror or glass, I still got startled.
And most of all, I didn’t know when or how things might change.
Deepening relationships with people was something I had to be careful about.
Vocal training—
The relationship between teacher and student.
It was completely different from the relationship between a road manager and an artist.
Starting a relationship halfheartedly, only to cut it off soon after…
I hated that kind of thing.
But at the same time…
No.
That’s enough for now.
“I think the best way for me to help Luminous is by focusing on my own job.”
“Hahaha, I thought you’d say that. Alright. We’ll talk about it again later. Go get some rest for today.”
“Yes. Good work today.”
“Let’s talk later.”
Few phrases are as meaningless as that.
Most of the time, the conversation never happens again.
But I knew very well.
The Choi Ilseon I knew would definitely bring it up again.
As I finished greeting him and headed toward the door, the Luminous girls were still sitting there blankly.
And all their gazes were fixed on me.
Why are they just sitting there? Why aren’t they coming?
“Alright. We’re heading to the dorm. Everyone come down.”
Did I really have to say it like some tour guide?
Anyway, once I spoke, the girls stood up.
Their movements were sluggish—like they wanted to stay seated forever.
They politely greeted Director Choi and followed behind me.
Why do they look like kids being dragged somewhere?
As we walked toward the elevator, Team Leader Kim hurried over and stood beside me.
I thought he was going to lecture me again, but his expression was clearly different this time.
“Hey. You scared ten years off my life today. By the way… what the hell was that? Since when could you sing like that?”
Since the 5th century BC.
So about 2,600 years.
“Well… I just sang occasionally.”
“You punk! That’s occasional singing? Pop songs and opera? Is that even possible? You monster. I seriously can’t figure you out.”
I just smiled faintly.
Team Leader Kim ended the conversation himself.
“Anyway, good work today. Take the girls back safely and get some rest.”
“Yes. Good work today, Team Leader.”
Finally, rest.
Once I drop the trainees off…
I’ll go home and listen to some modern songs.
That’s the most important thing for me right now.
In the past, people used to call pop music “popular tunes.”
Trendy music.
No matter how good your singing was, if it wasn’t trendy, you were finished.
Understanding that might be even more important than starting to sing immediately.
And this… and that…
There were many things to do.
While making plans in my head, we arrived at the company parking lot and stopped in front of the van.
I opened the back door and the girls slowly climbed in.
Even Serin only glanced at me briefly this time.
Everyone seemed strangely awkward.
What’s with them?
They couldn’t be angry because training stopped…
Whatever.
Why worry about it?
I just need to do my job.
The dorm was only ten minutes away.
We arrived quickly.
I opened the van door.
Time for the usual disembarkation ritual.
But nobody got out.
They just sat there.
Usually they’d jump out without even saying goodbye.
Except Serin, of course.
Finally, Mujin spoke while glancing at me.
“You guys go ahead. I think I dropped my hairpin behind the seat.”
A hairpin?
Why suddenly a hairpin?
“Oh really? Then I’ll help you look for it.”
Juha joined in.
What?
Since when were they this kind to each other?
Then Serin stepped forward.
Looking down nervously, she spoke.
“I… want to practice singing a bit. Could you drop me at the company?”
Miren immediately chimed in.
“Really? Then I’m going too! Let’s go together!”
Miren was the last member who hadn’t sung today.
“Oh… together? Uh… okay.”
Serin clearly sounded reluctant.
“Serin, singing alone right now might actually be harmful. Like I said earlier, you need to find a different approach suited to your voice. If your old habits come back, it might get worse.”
“Ah… I was worried about that too. Then maybe…”
I shouldn’t hear the rest.
Absolutely not.
I already knew what she was going to say.
But what could I do?
I couldn’t just cover my ears.
“Could you listen to me just once? Please…”
See?
I said I shouldn’t hear it.
“Hey! At least you already sang once! I didn’t get to hear anything!”
Miren joined the attack.
Then she looked straight at me.
Those baby-bird eyes again.
“Oppa, you didn’t say anything to me at all. That’s unfair. You should at least listen to me once too.”
It was the first time Miren had ever called me Oppa.
Even Yoon Junghoo’s memories had no record of it.
Actually, this was the first time they’d spoken to me about anything beyond basic schedule instructions.
“Hey! What are you all doing? Are you planning to play solo? As the leader, I can’t allow that!”
Mujin said.
“Mujin’s right. The album is something we release together. Learning separately just so someone can get better alone isn’t right.”
Juha added.
“That’s correct. When a good trainer arrives, you should learn properly from them.”
That last one was me.
All four Luminous members looked like they were thinking:
That’s not what we meant…
Looking at the atmosphere…
They want to hear more from me.
Get a grip.
Didn’t they say something about a hairpin?
“Then find the hairpin and go inside.”
“…Ah.”
“….”
“….”
“….”
I walked to a nearby bench and sat down.
They’ll go in on their own.
For someone learning singing, meeting a good teacher might be the most important thing.
Unless you’re truly skilled, you can’t understand your own voice.
You end up relying completely on a trainer.
But singing is a combination of countless techniques.
Even with the same problem, different trainers give completely different solutions.
Finding a trainer who gives the exact solution that fits your voice is extremely difficult.
If you meet the wrong one, you can ruin everything.
Just like Luminous.
Serin was the most unfortunate case.
The other members weren’t completely off track.
They had simply built bad habits.
But Serin…
Her problem started from the very beginning.
If the foundation is wrong, nothing can be built on top of it.
Serin has such a beautiful voice…
Unique and mysterious charm.
A strong, deep Western tone.
Her voice definitely had huge potential.
But only if she received songs suited to it.
Dramatic, powerful songs.
Or low, sensual songs that emphasize raw tone.
Singers with such unique vocal ranges must have songs carefully composed to match them.
I must have been thinking too long.
I left a fatal opening.
Mujin approached with a phone in her hand.
“Um… please answer this.”
“A call? Who is it?”
“Director Choi Ilseon…”
Reinforcements from headquarters.
I shouldn’t have sat so far away.
Time to go into defense mode.
Short answers only.
“Hello.”
“Did you arrive safely?”
It was only a ten-minute drive.
No need for awkward greetings.
“Yes. But what’s the matter?”
“Manager Yoon…”
“Yes, Director.”
“Do me a favor. The girls are desperate right now. Imagine how frustrated they must be. They’re one of the top three girl groups in Korea, yet criticism about their singing follows them everywhere. It never ends.”
“I already mentioned that…”
“I promise I’ll find another trainer as soon as possible. Just until then. Even if the album gets delayed, it won’t be a year or two. You know we’re still short on time.”
Ah, Ilseon…
Please just leave me alone.
My life is already complicated enough.
But…
Maybe this is better.
Revenge.
Even if I succeed as a singer again, taking revenge on that murderer—who had already become the godfather of the entertainment industry backed by Daehan Group—might still be impossible.
In this life, I might need to achieve something even greater.
And Choi Ilseon, who had decades of experience in this field, could be a huge help.
We couldn’t return to our old relationship.
But we could build a new one.
Accepting Ilseon’s request might be the starting point.
Alright.
Not surrender.
But a truce.
“…Alright. I’ll do it until you find another trainer. But please find one quickly.”
“Hahaha! Of course! Thank you, Manager Yoon.”
Thus, the agreement was made.
“I’ll try arranging time around their schedules starting tomorrow. They must be tired today…”
Before I even finished speaking, all four Luminous members waved their hands wildly.
I thought it was some new choreography.
“No! We’re not tired!”
“Yeah! We just rode in a car and did one event!”
“I’m not tired either!”
“Miren fully charged!”
Seriously…
But I still needed time to organize my thoughts.
Yesterday I had just possessed this body.
“Director, I’ll let them rest today. We’ll start tomorrow or the day after.”
“Manager Yoon!”
“Yes?”
“I heard everything.”
“…What?”
“The girls talking.”
Modern smartphones.
“…Ah. Yes.”
“Are you tired today?”
What kind of question is that?
Ask anyone in the world.
Except these girls.
“…Well… I guess… not really.”
“Then eat something with them and come back to the company. You can eat at the cafeteria.”
Alright, Ilseon.
If you say so.
You’re the director and I’m the road manager.
But more importantly—
Because of my new decision.
Do what you can.
“There must be a reason we met again.”
“Yes, Director. I’ll do that.”
When I hung up, the girls ran toward me.
Now they really looked like trainees.
Strange…
“So what do we do now? Are we training?”
Juha asked.
“…We should eat first.”
At my answer, they all smiled brightly.
Serin used to be the only one who smiled.
But now all four were smiling.
A side of Luminous even Yoon Junghoo had never seen.
And a faint smile appeared on my face as well.
