President Jung Hye Sung, who had been conversing with Do Wook as he explained about the group Young Women, including the direction of their activities, asked,
“Then, since you’re here, would you like to see the members rehearse…?”
“Ah, it’s ok. I can’t bother them when they’re rehearsing.”
“Not at all. It’ll just be a quick hello anyways. Rather, we’re well aware that you’re busy.”
Do Wook nodded his head to what President Jung Hye Sung said.
The two of them got up from their seats and headed towards the rehearsal hall.
Hye Sung Entertainment’s rehearsal hall was in the basement. The building they were in was a 10-story building, but the President’s Office was on the 9th floor, administrative offices were on the 7th floor, and the rehearsal hall was in the basement. It was obvious that it was a small agency.
“I see the rehearsal hall is in the basement.”
“Yes. We had to because of stuff like problems with the sound insulation. It’s rundown…”
President Jung Hye Sung said, a little embarrassed. Do Wook said that he shouldn’t think like that.
“You can just grow it even more from here on out. It’s also impressive how far you’ve already brought it, sir.”
“Ho ho…At least thanks to your investment, the situation has gotten a lot better recently.”
President Jung Hye Sung smiled brightly as he looked at Do Wook, thankful. Seeing the grateful expression on President Jung’s face, you could tell how much he had been suffering from financial problems.
‘In the past, he was still able to make Young Women a success to a certain degree despite the financial issues. He’s truly an incredible person.’
Do Wook truly hoped that President Jung Hye Sung would not be held back, but free to elevate Young Women to an even higher position.
Currently, Young Women had the disadvantage of coming from a small agency, which at the same time was a place they could draw strength from when doing the storytelling for their debut. At the same time, they received an investment in the second half, so, unlike before, they could improve the quality of their album.
When they looked through the glass rehearsal hall door, they could see the members in the middle of warming up.
They had not gotten their title song yet, so Young Women was practicing the various dance covers in their repertoire, just as KK had done, to get the basics down.
When President Jung Hye Sung opened the door, the ring of the small bell attached to the door could be heard.
The members, who were pressing down on each other’s hips to help them stretch, turned their gazes towards the door.
Surprised by President Jung Hye Sung’s sudden visit, they became flustered and greeted him.
“Hello!”
“Hello, sir!
The voices of the members as they greeted him were loud. President Jung Hye Sung waved his hand as a way of telling them to relax.
“Yes yes, you haven’t started rehearsal yet, right? Today, there’s someone I need to introduce you to…”
The members became doe-eyed by President Jung Hye Sung’s words.
Young Women had seven members in total. The oldest among them, the leader, was 22 years old, the rest of them were all 18, 19, or 20.
They were all still bursting with energy.
Do Wook, who had been standing behind President Jung Hye Sung, stepped forward and gave a small nod towards the members. Do Wook’s sudden appearance took them completely by surprise and the ‘Young Women’ members let out a scream.
“Oh my!”
“Kyaaaa!”
There was also a member who let out the kind of noises KK fans produce. At 18 years old she was the youngest, and in reality, she became a trainee because she wanted to be an idol like KK.
“This is the investor I mentioned last time. Say hello, everyone.”
One by one, the members stepped forward and gave a deep bow as they introduced themselves. They were so proper that their hair flipped forward when they bowed.
Do Wook was feeling a little uncomfortable, but still accepted the members’ greetings.
“I really really…wanted to meet you…ahhh….no way…”
The mangnae Da Hye, who was a KK fan, said tearfully.
Except for one or two of the members who were trainees at another agency and then switched over, most of the other members had either auditioned with Hye Sung Entertainment or had been street cast.
They were newbies so they were trainees for as long as 2 years for some, as short as 1 year for others. Compared to other major agencies, it was a short trainee period. However, their anxiety that their debut might not happen was greater so they put in more effort during rehearsal, and the length of time might be shorter, but in terms of the amount of practice put in it was the same.
They rehearsed like their lives were on the line, and they were confirmed as members but their debut was still uncertain.
She might be young, but Da Hye had a firm determination to debut no matter what so she could stand on the same stage as KK. When she saw Do Wook’s face, she couldn’t stop her tears.
It felt like a ray of sun shining through thick fog.
“Ah…”
Flustered, Do Wook was at a loss and just stood there. President Jung Hye Sung knew how much Da Hye liked KK so he had expected this kind of reaction.
The members who were next to Da Hye tried to console her, telling her not to cry.
“It’s nice to meet you too. Rehearsing is hard, isn’t it…?”
When Do Wook asked in a gentle tone, Da Hye shook her head, wide-eyed.
“I…I want to be on the same stage as you, no matter what…”
“Da Hye, you’re Da Hye, right? If you work hard, I’m sure it’ll happen soon.”
Do Wook’s words made Da Hye bite her lips hard and nod her head vigorously. Her gaze showed her firm resolve. Do Wook carefully looked at the other members one by one.
The other members, not just Da Hye, seemed to be confident that their debut would happen now that they knew Do Wook was the investor who was helping them.
Young Women had pressed forward solely on their faith in President Jung Hye Sung, so it was understandable that Do Wook’s presence would hold that kind of meaning for them.
The members’ gazes as they looked at him were full of desire to have a successful debut.
‘I’m glad I met them in person like this…’
In the past, he had only known about Young Women though TV as a viewer. Of course, even through the TV, you could feel the members’ fighting spirit. However, now that he’d met them in person, the fire in their eyes exceeded his expectations.
‘Just as the limited capital restricted President Jung Hye Sung’s plans, it also blocked the possibility of the members developing their talents more,’
Do Wook thought. He had already calculated the possibility of Young Women growing into a global group, not just a rival to Ara Entertainment’s upcoming group ‘Valentine’.
Even Do Wook didn’t know that far into the future, but it was worth thinking about.
If the group grew to that extent, Do Wook would also receive considerable wealth and glory.
“I’m sure you all will be able to do it. Seeing you in person, I’m even more certain.”
Do Wook’s words gave the members, as well as President Jung Hye Sung, strength. There was cold air flowing in the rehearsal hall, but the atmosphere in the room was heating up.
After the short encounter, Do Wook left the rehearsal hall.
Do Wook re-evaluated his position. He knew that he was popular with the public, but the fact that he could make someone’s dream come true was a new feeling.
At some point, Do Wook had gone from a dreamer to someone who made dreams come true.
“By the way, the number of members is set on those seven, isn’t it?”
Do Wook asked as he got to the stairs heading to the first floor.
President Jung Hye Sung, who had been smiling happily, asked back, his smile gone.
“Uh…Yes…did you…not like them?”
It was a team that President Jung Hye Sung had tried his best to put together.
Trainees that are full of skills and are talented are at major agencies, so the people who came to Hye Sung Entertainment inevitably fell short in comparison.
However, the members had gone through rigorous training, so he had confidence that they could now do well no matter what circumstance.
Wondering if he was the only one that was confident, President Jung Hye Sung was disheartened.
“No, that’s not it at all. You could clearly see their resolve, so it was nice to see. It reminded me of my trainee days too.”
At Do Wook’s words, President Jung Hye Sung finally relaxed his expression.
“But…”
“…but?”
Do Wook had intended on truly just investing, but he added a small opinion. It was a suggestion that anyone could give.
“I do think though that it might be good to add one more person. What do you think about adding someone from abroad?”
It wasn’t necessary if you only considered activities in Korea, but if they wanted to be successful in the overseas market too, it was something they absolutely had to consider. If they had a member that could speak another language, like English, it would definitely halve their limitations in putting together overseas activities.
Furthermore, if their own countryman is there, that country’s fans will become significantly less wary of the group.
Of course they like K-POP and Korean groups, but inevitably, they’ll be more fond of members who are from their own country.
In KK’s case, they didn’t have a foreign member, only someone who had studied abroad, but they were so unrivaled that they could be considered an exception.
“Someone from abroad…”
President Jung Hye Sung looked down.
Among Korean groups, KK was already the most known abroad. Do Wook, who had that experience, was saying it, so, aside from him being the investor, President Jung Hye Sung couldn’t just ignore it.
President Jung Hye Sung also thought it was an obvious choice, but it was not easy for a new agency not even well known in Korea to bring in a foreign member.
“If it’s possible, I think that’d be a good idea too.”
Do Wook nodded his head understandingly to what President Jung Hye Sung said.
“Yes. Also, we can’t break the current teamwork or vibe, so…”
“True. I’ll work on getting better at reading people.”
President Jung Hye Sung’s words made Do Wook laugh. He meant that he would take the suggestion without pushing himself too hard.
***
When he returned from Hye Sung Entertainment, Do Wook sat with the members and chatted with them as they ate dinner.
“Do Wook is definitely someone who will make it big.”
“He already pretty much made it big.”
Ahn Hyung Seo and Jung Yoon Ki said in admiration.
It was after he revealed to the members that he had invested in producing a girl idol group.
For the most part, the members either bought their parents a house or a small commercial building with the money they had earned. The rest of the money was in a bank account.
“Well, it’s not like I’m the one producing them. I just gave them the money.”
“Still, it’s amazing that you even thought about investing in that kind of thing. I think it’ll be an interesting feeling if we perform together with that group later on. What was the group name?”
“Young Women.”
“Wow, Young Women…Pretty*?”
(TL Note: The first part of the sentence was said in Korean, but “pretty?” was said in English)
The members glared at Kim Won when he asked.
“Oh Won, that’s so in character for you.”
The mangnae, Suk Ji Hoon, jabbed. Kim Won shrugged his shoulders. Do Wook also laughed it off.
“Anyways, it was an odd feeling. That there’s people who dreamed of becoming an idol after seeing us…”
“You’re even helping one of those people achieve that dream.”
“Haha. That’s true too.”
Do Wook said in response to Jung Yoon Ki. Park Tae Hyung, who had been quietly listening, also added.
“You also..were a big help in achieving my dream too…”
Park Tae Hyung’s words made Do Wook’s chest swell with pride. He thought he had only been chasing his own dreams and goals, but that wasn’t the case.
His life as Kang Do Wook felt more meaningful.
“We’re their role model then.”
Kim Won’s words made the members’ eyes shine.
‘Role model!’
That was accurate. They hadn’t eaten yet, but the KK members were already bursting with pride. It was a different kind of fulfillment than from one’s own achievement.
“It feels rewarding. I’ll…have to try even harder,”
Suk Ji Hoon, who was studying music production even while in the middle of preparing for the album, said. The other members also nodded their heads. At that time, the employees approached them and started serving the prepared food.
“Yeah, man. Let’s give it our best tomorrow too.”
The words from their leader reminded the members of their schedule for tomorrow. They were scheduled to visit The Blue House.*
(TL Note: Just as America has The White House, The Blue House is where the President of Korea lives.)
—
Next chapter: The members have the honor of being invited to The Blue House and meet someone very important