GIJS

Chapter 98 The Appearance of the Old Man from the Back Room

As the party atmosphere began to settle down and the boys finally shared their thoughts,

"···You want to invite Yeonguijeong?"

Team Leader Seo Eun-woo couldn't help but be taken aback.

Yeonguijeong. It was a name she hadn't even imagined.

One of the superstars who once dominated Korea. Though she had been retired for a while, she still had a level of influence that could be counted on one hand among all entertainers.

Moreover, she was married. She had lived it up, then became a sage, enjoying a happy married life. Fans likely wouldn't worry about her dating life at all.

In fact, they might even cheer more. After her marriage,Yeonguijeong's popularity had skyrocketed among female fans.

Yeonguijeong seemed like a perfect partner for [Sing Along Duo]. Of course, if she could be contacted.

The problem was that there was no contact point.

Team Leader Seo Eun-woo had some acquaintance with Yeonguijeong. His entry into the industry coincided with Yeonguijeong's retirement. At that time, he had driven Yeonguijeong's van a few times as a rookie road manager.

But it was too superficial to call it a connection. Naturally, he didn't have her contact details. Moreover, he couldn't officially request an invitation from a company since there was no agency.

Yeonguijeong had retired to Jeju Island and lived as a private citizen, having terminated her management contract. Even if he wanted to contact her, there was no way to reach her, so the proposal stage would be a significant hurdle.

Of course, it wasn't that there was no way. One could visit Jeju Island in person and make repeated efforts to persuade her. It was a method that seemed outdated, but if it were possible to invite her, what couldn't be done?

Although it was uncertain whether this method would actually succeed in inviting Yeonguijeong, there seemed to be no alternative other than going in person.

"Understood. If you all really want her, I'll do my best to contact her. However, we need to prepare a Plan B in case the invitation fails."

"Plan B?"

"Yes. To be honest, I'm not sure if we can invite Yeonguijeong. Without her contact details and no agency, it would take a long time to persuade her."

"I see."

"So, if we don't prepare for a failure···"

"But, we have her contact details."

"Yes?"

"Here, we have Yeonguijeong's contact information."

Some members opened their smartphones, showing entries saved as 'Yeonguijeong.'

"···?"

For Seo Eun-woo, this was unexpected. Even in the management industry, where connections were crucial, knowing Yeonguijeong's contact information was rare.

So how on earth did these kids have her contact information?

"···Is this possibly a fake contact?"

"Oh, Team Leader! Have you been deceived all this time?"

"Our Team Leader seems out of touch. Wait and see!"

Current, as if to confirm the authenticity of the contact details, placed his smartphone on the table and dialed the number on speakerphone. The recipient was Yeonguijeong. Before the phone even rang three times, the call was answered.

– Hello, Current~

"Yes, Nuna."

– Why are you calling so much? Don't kids these days rarely call?

"Hehe, I like talking on the phone."

– Really? I do too. Strange, but I find phone calls more comfortable~

Hearing the voice, tone, and preference for phone calls, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo couldn't close his gaping mouth.

This voice, mannerisms, and preference for phone calls were exactly as he remembered Yeonguijeong.

– What's up today? Are you calling for advice again?

"No, Nuna. I want to discuss work today."

– Work?

"Can you pass the phone to someone else?"

– Sure, let me switch.

Current gave a nod to Team Leader Seo Eun-woo, who swallowed hard and approached the speakerphone.

Even though he now held a position of responsibility over many team members, hearing Yeonguijeong's voice made him feel as if he had returned to his days as a rookie road manager.

"···O, Older Sister."

– Huh? Sister?

"It's me, Eunwoo. Seo Eunwoo."

– Seo Eunwoo?

"Do you remember me by any chance?"

– Ah, the handsome road manager!

"!"

– Hey, how have you been? It's been ages!

"···Sister···."

– Haha, you still call me sister. Just say 'nuna'!

Until just a moment ago, Team Leader Seo Eunwoo had been doubting the authenticity of the contact information, but now he was holding the phone with a face that looked almost ready to tear up.

* * *

Contrary to Team Leader Seo Eunwoo's expectations, securing the appearance was surprisingly easy.

Despite only explaining the program's name and a brief overview, Yeong-ui Jeong gladly gave the go-ahead.

– The kids wanted to work with me?

"Yes, that's right, nuna."

– Then we should do it. Money is not an issue~

She even refused to negotiate her appearance fee, saying to just give her whatever amount they wanted.

"···Still, you should at least get a guarantee equivalent to your status···."

– I don't care about that. I'm just a retired old-timer now.

"Retired, old-timer? You're still incredibly impressive."

– Haha, fine. Then Eunwoo, you handle the negotiations.

"Understood."

– Let's discuss the other details when we meet. I'm heading out to eat corn with my husband now.

"Ah, okay. I'll contact you again soon."

– Sure, the kids have my number, so just ask them~

After hanging up, Team Leader Seo Eunwoo looked as if he were dreaming for a while.

In just 5 minutes, he had secured one of the most difficult celebrities to book in South Korea.

"···Everyone."

"Yes?"

"How on earth did you meet Yeong-ui Jeong and build a connection?"

"Hehe, the early summer in Jeju is truly beautiful."

The members explained how they had met Yeong-ui-Jeong and her spouse in Jeju.

Even hearing the story, Seo Eunwoo couldn't believe it. Such a beautiful tale in the entertainment industry, where romance seems to have gone extinct!

But now that it had been confirmed with the call, he couldn't help but believe it.

"···I'm here to help you, but it feels like I'm the one receiving help every time."

"Oh, don't say that."

"Then buy us some sweet and sour pork, sweet and sour pork!"

"Hahaha, sweet and sour pork sounds great~"

"That's not happening."

"Huh?"

"What's with the firmness?"

"If we're collaborating with the most amazing person in the country, shouldn't you all be at your best too?"

"Ugh··· I can't argue with that."

"Yu Gunja, you're lucky, you don't gain weight no matter how much you eat."

At Taewoong's grumbling, Gunja, who was holding a cream bread, sweat profusely and replied.

"Ha ha, it's thanks to having a good constitution."

If it weren't for the 'eating without gaining weight' trait received as a reward, Gunja wouldn't have been able to enjoy snacks like this.

But since all the colleagues decided to start a diet, Gunja quietly set the cream bread down with a sullen expression.

"But just because I have a good constitution, it doesn't mean I should eat all the delicious food alone."

Eating delicious food in front of struggling colleagues isn't a very scholarly behavior, is it?

Instead of eating the bread, Gunja started to stare at it. Seeing this, Taewoong tilted his head in confusion.

"Yu Gunja, what are you doing?"

"I'm looking at the bread."

"I know that, but why?"

"Do you know the story of Jarin-gobi?"

"Jarin-gobi? Yes, it's the season of Jarin-gobi in autumn, isn't it?"

"Hehe, you really don't get it."

"Oh, you mean Cheong-go-ma-bi."

"Is that so? Anyway, what does that have to do with staring at the bread?"

"Jarin-gobi was said to have satisfied his hunger by staring at dried yellow corvina hung on the ceiling instead of eating it."

"?"

"Since my colleagues are struggling, I won't eat the bread, but I'm at least using my eyes to satisfy my hunger···."

"Hey, just eat it."

"···Then just one last piece?"

As soon as Taewoong gave his permission, Gunja happily took a big bite of the cream bread.

"Ah, look at that smile. It's really infuriating."

"Hehe, enjoy it."

"Just eat and be quiet."

"Mm."

Yes, eating sweet and delicious snacks is ending today.

Soon, he'll need to create the best stage with Senior Yeong-ui-Jeong.

* * *

Meanwhile, at Park Young-jae's agency 'Nations,' efforts to secure Park Young-jae were progressing diligently.

Unlike the rookie idol group 7IN, Park Young-jae had a wider range of options. He could perform solo ballads or duets, or even form a dance unit with more experienced female idol members.

"Chillin's members might have a lot to think about. But Young-jae, you're well-positioned, so it's fine. Honestly, even if you do a stage with some skinship, fans probably won't react too strongly. You did it at last year's year-end awards ceremony, remember?"

"Yeah, my fans are quite lenient."

"But don't do anything foolish. You know that, right?"

"Hyung, what could I possibly do? Don't worry."

"Hey, you called girls to the studio with Noel last time, didn't you? Do you think I don't know?"

"Oh, that was just because the friends wanted to watch the song production···."

"Anyway, don't do anything unnecessary. Got it? If you want to mess around, do it secretly."

"Yes, understood."

Among the various candidates, Park Young-jae chose Hye-jin from the girl group 'Veritas.'

Veritas, a girl group with a fan base primarily consisting of women, had a significant individual following, and Hye-jin, with her boyish charm, already had a massive personal fan base and a considerable individual channel.

"If the collaboration track turns out well, we might also benefit from Hye-jin's YouTube channel."

"Of course. If the song and performance are good, it should work out. If done well, there could even be a TikTok challenge."

"Oh, a challenge."

"So, tell Noel to write a good song. He has a bit of a grudge with 7IN, right?"

"Right, he was also a participant in A-Yuk-Si."

"Yeah, we need to win this time."

Park Young-jae's manager, Hong Hyun-seok, paused for a moment and then asked Park Young-jae in a lower voice.

"By the way, Young-jae, you and Yu Gunja are from the same school."

"Ah, yes. That's right."

"What was he like in school?"

"Just, you know, average. I don't remember much."

"At the production meeting, he said you were a bully."

"Ah, that···."

"You didn't, by any chance, bully him or anything?"

"Oh, what nonsense are you talking about? If that were the case, would he have appeared on [Sing Along Duo]? The casting list was clearly visible."

"Well, that's true."

"Hyung, even though I liked to have fun, I never crossed the line. Have I ever been an issue with school violence? If there were such things, it would have already come out. I debuted through a nationwide audition show and did idol activities for 2 years."

"Well, I do think so."

"Anyway, don't worry. I'll have to properly talk with Gunja when we go for the rehearsal next time."

"Yes. Make sure to greet him properly, and since high school stories might come up during the recording, be prepared too. Understood?"

"Yes, yes. Don't worry."

As Park Young-jae answered Manager Hong Hyun-seok, he thought again about Gunja.

That guy, next time they meet, he'll have to put him in his place properly.