Chapter 12
Come to think of it, yesterday and today… I seem to be using the word “a mess” quite a lot.
Well, it was the truth.
At my words, I could clearly feel the agitation among the people sitting around the table.
Kim Team Leader, who had already experienced a similar situation before, squeezed his eyes shut and bit his lower lip.
His expression said, “Something that was bound to explode has exploded again.”
Ilseon, on the other hand, had a faint smile on his face.
As if he agreed that this kind of bold approach might be necessary.
“Wait, what is this road manager talking about right now?”
Go Hanmin, the manager-in-charge of Reunion’s management office, snapped loudly.
Chief Director Choi quickly tried to calm him down.
“Director Go. Let’s hear him out first.”
“Ah… yes, but… a road manager speaking his opinion in this meeting is already strange enough, and calling things a mess? Saying something so thoughtless about the company’s top artist—”
“…Director Go.”
At Chief Director Choi’s firm use of his title, Go Hanmin let out a rough sigh and closed his eyes before opening them again.
Looking around, it seemed that not only Director Go but many others had things they wanted to say.
However, thanks to the support of the highest-ranking person here—Chief Director Choi—the atmosphere had tilted toward letting me continue speaking.
“This isn’t a thoughtless insult. It’s a proper evaluation.”
At my words, Chief Director Choi added a comment.
“That’s right. Go on and explain in more detail.”
Well… the dice had already been thrown.
And as I always think in moments like this, hesitation is the worst option.
“Luminous is already a group enjoying massive popularity. However, they have many problems. Especially in terms of vocal ability. In fact, even the most basic training hasn’t been properly established.”
“Then why do you say that’s a good thing?”
This time it was Kang Hyeju, the general team leader of the Production Headquarters’ planning department.
“Because it means there’s potential for growth and change. Yes, it’s a mess—but they’re already popular despite that. If those problems get fixed, their position will rise far higher than it is now. If what we see now were their absolute best, that would actually be more hopeless.”
Kang Hyeju continued the conversation.
“So you’re saying there’s plenty of room for improvement. I understand that part. But what exactly is the problem? The New Talent Development department isn’t here, but Luminous trained for over five years as trainees. They received tremendous training—from professionals.”
Kang Hyeju spoke firmly, far more confident and decisive than her youthful appearance suggested.
I explained my opinion.
“Of course they did. But learning how to sing well isn’t easy. Finding a good vocal trainer isn’t easy either. There are plenty of people who can provide theoretical training, but someone who can completely analyze a singer’s voice and bring out all their potential is extremely rare.”
“So… are you saying Luminous never received the right training suited to them?”
“Not at all.”
Go Hanmin, the management office director, cut in with a sarcastic tone.
“Hah… you’re talking as if you’re capable of doing that.”
I had no way to explain that part.
Nor did I really want to.
On the stage that Choi Ilseon had boldly set up, my job was simply to state my honest opinion.
“You’re free to think whatever you like. I’ll simply explain the problems as I see them and the solutions I believe are necessary. Whether you consider them or ignore them is entirely up to you.”
My slightly provocative response made Director Go’s expression crumple even more.
Ignoring him, I continued.
“First of all, the members’ vocal characteristics were never considered during training. They’ve all been trained to produce the same uniform sound. Because of that, they can’t even display the abilities they already possess, and their identities as vocalists are completely buried. Their vocal identities haven’t been established at all, and naturally no songs have been tailored to suit them.”
At that moment, Yeon Taechan, the A&R director from the Music Production Headquarters, spoke.
“So you’re saying the diagnosis of their voices was wrong from the start?”
“Exactly. If the diagnosis is wrong, the prescription can’t possibly be right.”
“Then… Manager Yoon Jung-hoo, was it? What do you think should be done?”
Yeon Taechan’s tone was noticeably more neutral than the others.
He seemed to have at least some idea of what I was talking about.
“If it were up to me—
Serin’s wide, deep low register should be emphasized.
Mujin needs to rebuild the fundamentals so that his expressions don’t sound awkward.
Miren should be developed as a high-note specialist to create powerful harmonic contrast with Serin.
And Juha will become a far better singer if her excessive rigidity is corrected.”
Yeon Taechan nodded cautiously, as if the explanation made sense, but he still voiced a concern.
“Setting aside whether Luminous is really in that situation or not… who exactly would carry out that kind of work? It’s easy to say, but not something just anyone can do. And if we overhaul everything, we have no idea how long it’ll take.”
Then Ahn Joon-gyu, the strategy planning team leader from the Management Headquarters, added,
“That’s right. Right now the timing demands a new album release. We can’t delay indefinitely.”
I repeated what I had already told Chief Director Choi.
“If we want to properly bring their voices to life now…”
At that moment, I remembered Choi Ilseon’s earlier request.
If there was talk of delaying the release, it should be presented as his decision.
“According to Chief Director Choi’s opinion, we should postpone it by at least six months. I agree. Rather than releasing something half-baked and ending up with a mediocre result, it’s better to take the time and do it properly.”
Director Go Hanmin jumped in again.
“Seriously, what is this nonsense? What does a road manager know to talk like this? Chief Director, do we really have to keep listening to a road manager?”
For a moment, anger surged inside me.
But honestly, I had expected this reaction.
His response wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
Then Choi Ilseon, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
“That’s right. Director Go has a point. It is strange for a road manager to be saying things like this.”
Wait—what?
You’re the one who set this whole stage up!
Hearing him apparently agree with them, several people looked visibly relieved.
After glancing around the room, Choi Ilseon continued firmly.
“That’s why I’ll be making a special personnel decision today.”
A bad feeling crept over me.
A very bad feeling.
Ilseon… please don’t.
Whatever you’re planning, don’t do it.
Of course, my silent plea was useless.
Ilseon spoke in a heavy tone.
“Starting today, I appoint this Manager Yoon Jung-hoo as the TF Team Leader for Luminous’s new album project. Within the scope of my authority, I will grant him full control over the concept and strategy.”
Ah… this lunatic.
“Ilseon! You’re really going on a rampage now.”
Everyone’s expressions instantly turned into pure shock.
“W-wait, Chief Director… what is this…?”
Kang Hyeju looked utterly dumbfounded, glancing back and forth between Choi Ilseon and me.
Choi Ilseon was the head of the Music Production Headquarters.
Even though it was technically separate from the Management Headquarters and New Talent Development Headquarters, the nature of the entertainment business meant that the Music Production Headquarters was effectively the most important division.
Under it were the planning department, A&R department, performance directing department, and the VC department responsible for visuals.
Because of that, the most stunned people were clearly Yeon Taechan from A&R and Kang Hyeju from planning.
If I truly had full authority as TF team leader for the new album, then regarding that album… my authority would surpass theirs.
Naturally, Kang Hyeju’s incredulous gaze was fixed on me.
Everyone, calm down. I swear I didn’t know about this either. Seriously… what did Ilseon eat today?
Meanwhile, Choi Ilseon looked at me with clear anticipation.
“Well then, Team Leader Yoon. Tell us what you believe is the best plan.”
Team Leader Yoon?
I haven’t even accepted yet!
Did he think I’d immediately jump at the title and say thank you?
On the surface I was just a road manager.
And I was only twenty-seven.
Not just young—ridiculously young for a team leader.
There was no way the people here would accept this easily.
What on earth is he thinking…
Sigh… even after thirty years, he hasn’t changed at all.
Flashback
“Hey! How could you cancel a contract on your own like that?”
“I know exactly how Ji-hyuk hyung feels. That’s why I took the blame myself. I’ll cover the penalty fees with my own salary.”
When Ji-hyuk scolded him, his manager Choi Ilseon insisted that the decision had been entirely his own.
In truth, Ji-hyuk knew that the new broadcast opportunity Ilseon had accepted was far more important than the event he canceled.
But to Ji-hyuk, keeping promises mattered just as much as singing.
He had originally decided to honor the existing contract instead of taking the new opportunity.
But Ilseon had unilaterally canceled the contract and accepted the broadcast offer.
“Ji-hyuk hyung, I’m just incompetent and made the decision myself. Say that publicly. You’ll still get some criticism… but I’ll go around telling everyone it was entirely my fault.”
Ji-hyuk could no longer stay angry.
He knew Ilseon had done it entirely for his sake.
Eventually the incident was publicly framed as Ilseon’s unilateral decision.
And thanks to that broadcast appearance, Ji-hyuk gained massive recognition and entered the ranks of top singers.
Present
They say history repeats itself.
But how can even people’s relationships repeat themselves?
Ilseon must believe that this is the best path—for Luminous, and for me, Yoon Jung-hoo, whom he seems to trust.
Still… should I really dance to the tune he’s playing?
At that moment, Ahn Joon-gyu from the Management Headquarters spoke.
“Delaying the release isn’t easy. We invested five years training them. And in this industry, idols have to generate sufficient profit within five years of debut. At most they’ll only be active for five years. Delaying the release means losing valuable time that’s almost impossible to recover.”
Then Director Go Hanmin added coldly,
“Exactly. After five years, idols are finished. When the tide comes in, you row the boat.”
What?
Finished?
Row the boat while the tide’s in?
Is that really something a management director and a strategy team leader should say?
Yes, even in my time management companies treated singers as products.
Not just in my time—this happens all over the world.
But hearing them talk about these young kids purely as five-year profit tools made my chest feel heavy.
And I suddenly felt sorry for Luminous.
So they just want to squeeze out all the profit they can.
Those kids had devoted their lives to this dream.
They endured brutal training and endless criticism.
They knew an idol career might last only five—maybe seven—years if lucky.
But they didn’t train with that calculation in mind.
Yet the management company clearly saw them as disposable products.
If their time was so short, shouldn’t management help them maximize their potential instead?
Suddenly the trainees’ faces flashed in my mind.
Those kids who had looked at me like baby birds.
They had started out wary because of painful pasts, but eventually opened their hearts to me.
Ah…
The selfish part of me that had been trying to avoid responsibility suddenly stabbed my conscience.
What difference was there between those people who saw the girls as products and me, who could help but chose to avoid involvement?
Six months… that’s all.
It’s not like I can’t work on my own singing during that time.
And if I plan to become a singer again, understanding the modern music industry would help anyway.
Yeah… let’s just go with the flow.
Ilseon.
That team leader position you offered—
I’ll take it.
I straightened my expression and broke the tense silence.
“Then, as the TF team leader with full authority, I’d like to request your cooperation.”
All eyes instantly turned toward me.
Wait… he’s actually accepting this?
That was the look on their faces.
I continued firmly.
“As Chief Director Choi suggested, I formally propose postponing Luminous’s new album release by six months. We will re-examine everything—from song planning to visual concept.”
Ilseon smiled with satisfaction.
Everyone else looked even more shocked.
After scanning their faces, I spoke with determination.
“And the project name for the new album will be…”
‘All New Luminous.’
