Chapter 461

BlueSun Entertainment, which made a name for itself as one of the five major entertainment companies in South Korea until the 40s, has recently been evaluated as having reached the end of its lifespan as an idol agency, largely due to a series of unfortunate events and the failure of numerous rookie idols.

However, like the saying goes, the wealthy can hang on for three years even in decline, and they have been persisting at the edge of a cliff through intense restructuring.

Then, an opportunity presented itself.

The agency of “ENB” faced a crisis as it was reported to the prosecution and revealed to be involved with financial gangsters, putting the entire group at risk of disbandment.

The world-renowned idol Chae Na tragically ended her life at a young age.

BlueSun Entertainment’s CEO, Kang Jihun, took in the relatively lesser-known idols Hayan, Rani, and Yujoo in comparison to Chae Na.

Executive members uniformly criticized CEO Kang Jihun’s decision, questioning whether he could properly run the business with members who would be severely traumatized.

After all, idols must be flawless to receive idol worship.

However, CEO Kang Jihun steadfastly refused to budge.

“Talented kids who rank on the Billboard charts regularly could end up homeless without receiving any settlements. Is that really the way the world works? Is it right to turn a blind eye and leave them to their fates?”

“You know that business doesn’t run on feelings, right? And as for fame, it was only Chae Na, not the ENB kids. If we mess up this time, we might actually have to liquidate the company. We need to worry about our livelihood first.”

“In any case, that’s enough. Contact the parents and distribute the contracts. Let’s take the opportunity to debut with Hayan as well.”

“That’s absolutely not going to happen! How can we put a trainee we’ve been nurturing so carefully out there!”

Kang Jihun insisted on his opinion by agreeing to hand over the CEO position to someone else.

He then stepped down to become the Chief Producer, taking charge of ENB’s revival project, which was a matter of the company’s survival.

He first produced a tribute song for Chae Na.

Tribute songs are not suitable for performances, especially when they are done by idols.

However, the re-debut song, even at the cost of the company’s loss, became a huge hit in the United States.

Fame breeds greater fame, and subsequent albums followed suit in success.

Kang Jihun happily discarded the title of an outdated producer and transformed ENB into a top-level idol, achieving a record of nine triple crown wins in just three years.

“Still, it’s not enough.”

Compared to the international fame had by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and BTS, ENB’s popularity was like a drop in the bucket.

Director Kang Jihun whispered as he watched the mid-stage footage of ENB’s 4th single “Hostage” music video.

He paused the video at the moment when a child, rendered as a 3D avatar in virtual reality, was being held hostage.

With the best music producers in the country collaborating, success in Korea was assured.

Whether they could succeed globally, however, remained in doubt.

There are so many complex causes that can be summed up in the word ‘luck’ that humans cannot predict the future.

“Do your best, and leave the rest to fate.”

Ultimately, one can only do what they must as a human and then wait for the heavens’ decree.

Knock, knock—

“Kang Director! Kang Director! It’s a huge event! No Name will make a cameo in our music video!”

“Whew…”

Kang Jihun clasped his hands together, closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath.

“Kang Director…?”

“Alright, alright! Heaven hasn’t forsaken me after all!”

“Wow, you scared me.”

He clenched his fist and roared.

The strategy of inserting prominent figures is effective not only in online broadcasts but also in the entertainment industry.

* * *

[NoName]

[Just Chatting – Visiting BlueSun Entertainment]

It was a sunny spring day with cherry blossoms fluttering in the air.

The very next day, I visited BlueSun Entertainment with Yuna, holding hands.

I set a hummingbird drone nearby and automatically configured face mosaic for passing pedestrians.

[Character Mosaic (Seoyuna) – OFF]

[Character Mosaic (Seoyuna) – ON]

[Character Mosaic (Seoyuna) – OFF]

[Character Mosaic (Seoyuna) – ON]

Click, click, click, click—

“Wow, the mosaic is following me!”

Seoyuna seemed fascinated by the mosaic function, bouncing around playfully.

[‘fraction’ donated 10,000 won!]

– Wow, it’s chaotic, haha

“Chaotic? It’s really chaotic with you! It’s like changeable weather! More sunshine than wind! Woooooo!”

Suddenly, Seoyuna started to hum a song.

Even while walking, she was matching her upper body with the dance moves of her song.

As she almost tripped over a rock, I leaned in to caution her.

“Could you please behave a little more modestly on the street?”

– Hahaha

– You little rascal!

– Wow, this song is coming out right now, haha

– I acknowledge Yuna as an honorary doctor of ENB

– Wooooo, melt my cold heart~~

– So cute, my friend Na-me!

– I envy both No Name meeting ENB and ENB meeting No Name…

– How does a classmate get to meet No Name? Lucky!

– Are ENB still popular among elementary school kids?

– Yeah, my little sibling can’t contain themselves.

I summarized our schedule for the viewers.

“We’re going to stop by the BlueSun headquarters to sign the employment contract and then proceed to the music video filming location with the staff. No cameras are allowed inside the filming site, so I’ll broadcast only until then.”

I looked up at the tall building, reminiscent of the Parthenon Temple.

It seemed like the entire building was BlueSun’s office.

Celebrities occasionally glanced toward us as they came and went in the building.

Meanwhile, a man rushed over to us, hurriedly fixing his hair.

“Ah, you’ve been waiting a long time, No Name! We should have come out to greet you first, sorry!”

“It’s fine; we just arrived too.”

“I see. Welcome to your friend beside you! You’re an ENB fan, right? Do you know who this uncle is?”

“Umm, uh… well…”

“Haha, it’s alright, you might not know. If you ask Na-me, she’ll tell you.”

“Na-me, who is this uncle?”

I subtly shifted my gaze away.

To be honest, I didn’t know who this person was either.

It seems related to the company, but they don’t look like a celebrity.

– Wow, I recognize their voice just from that, haha

– The mosaic effect is nonexistent, haha

– JHK has arrived!

– Remove the mosaic and reveal your identity~

– Wow, Na-me is meeting the head of the agency directly, that’s insane!

– Kim Jeong Heun, wow!

– JHK, make a new song soon!

Ah, so he’s the head of BlueSun.

“Director Kim Jeong Heun…?”

But is that the correct name?

“Cough! N-no Name, where did you hear that?”

The man coughed and asked me in a somewhat accusatory tone.

Now seemed like too late to act as if I knew him.

“I’m sorry, to be honest, I don’t really know. I just said it based on the chat window.”

“Oh dear, people are awful. I’m Chief Producer Kang Jihun. I’ve been out of the CEO position for quite some time, but it seems people still don’t know.”

I grimaced and shot a glare at the viewers.

This is such rudeness on a first encounter, all thanks to you!

“Manager, find that guy from earlier and ban them.”

– The one who wrote Kim Jeong Heun can say goodbye, haha

– Out of all the nicknames, why did you have to touch on that one? Haha

– It’s not easy from the first meeting, is it?

– Why Kim Jeong Heun?

– Back when he was overweight and had a two-block haircut, he resembled Kim Jong Un for 0.5 seconds.

– Oh no;;

Kang Jihun PD proudly explained the BlueSun office.

He listed all sorts of trivial details about which materials were eco-friendly and carbon-neutral and what was on which floor.

As we took the elevator, Director Kang asked me, “Isn’t this practically your first activity since returning to Korea, No Name? You arrived just last night.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“There must have been a ton of invitations other than ours.”

“Were there many…? I guess there were a lot. I didn’t count them all, but excluding the spam ones, there were about 500.”

“Whoa, 500? What kind of competition did we break through? 0.5%?”

That’s only counting the emails that came after the news of my flight to Korea broke.

“Mathematically, it’s 0.2%.”

“Ah, sorry, 0.2%! By the way, Na-me, was there a special reason for coming to BlueSun? I actually thought you’d be more likely to head to a clan or famous variety show first.”

“There’s no grand reason. My friend is an ENB fan.”

I lightly patted Yuna on the back as I spoke.

In truth, Yuna’s request was significant, but it was also because of Kariri.

Since the incident, members had changed their phones, and I hadn’t been able to contact them.

Yuna shyly lowered her head in embarrassment.

Gratitude filled Director Kang’s deep gaze.

“Does your friend happen to have any family members?”

“Um, there are four of us, including me…”

“I’ll be sure to secure 4 VIP tickets for the ENB concert later. Make sure you get them, alright?”

“Wow! Really? Thank you so, so much!”

Yuna accepted Kang PD’s offer without hesitation.

– JHK, you must bow 100 times to Yuna starting today

– Is this a connection chance?

– Why are you shy in front of people when you’re a warrior on broadcasts? Haha

– That’s a characteristic of elementary kids, haha, so cute!

He led us into an empty meeting room.

“When everything is done, just leave the papers there and go down to the first basement level.”

A few sheets of white paper were on the desk.

I settled into my seat and began filling out the various forms one by one.

Yuna watched with interest while shaking her legs beside me.

“Hurry up and let’s go to the filming location. I want to meet the ENB unnis!”

– Us tooㅠㅠㅠㅠ

– With No Name’s comeback and ENB’s comeback, this is heaven

– If they’re still filming the music video, when will the actual comeback happen?

– Can’t we just turn No Name into an idol as well?

– Looks like fandoms will be split in two, wow

– It’s a reward from the industry~

“By the way, Yuna, you need to sign this too.”

“What is it?”

“A non-disclosure agreement. It’s a promise not to tell anyone about what you see on the filming set.”

“Oh, of course! Na-me, make sure you lend me a pen when we’re done.”

“Okay!”

Since I also needed to obtain a parental consent form, I called Professor Cheon to ask for an electronic signature.

Meanwhile, Yuna was laying her arm down, seeming bored.

Swoosh—

“?”

The door to the meeting room slowly began to open.

A woman with a face the size of a fist walked in, her eyes wide and her heels lifted carefully.

I instantly realized that this person was an idol.

– Whoa, what the heck

– Hayan unni!

– It’s Hayan, wow

– Stunning beauty

– Is she human? Her face is incredibly small

– Wow, a goddess in real life

– Whoa, so pretty, wow wow wow

“Wow, hello, hello, shhh!”

She placed a finger to her lips.

Understanding her intent, I gave a slight nod.

I pressed down on Yuna’s head so she wouldn’t get up, as she was lying toward the opposite side.

“Ah. Why are you doing that?”

“I’m going to the bathroom for a moment. Yuna, stay seated here.”

“Sure.”

I slightly moved the chair, stood up, and switched places with Hayan.

I pretended to open and close the door as I left the meeting room.

Hayan was beside me, suppressing her laughter and pointing at Yuna, who was wiggling her fingers.

I crossed my arms and was curious to see just how long it would take for Yuna to notice.

When Yuna continued to react nonchalantly, I opened the door again, only to close it right away.

Creeeak—

Hayan also stood up from her chair, only to sit back down.

Feeling a presence from beside her, Yuna suddenly placed her palm on the table and spread her fingers wide.

Hayan placed her hand over Yuna’s.

“Wow, Na-me, your hands are surprisingly big.”

“Hehe.”

I shook my head in disbelief.

How could someone who participates in the Academy contest every year be that oblivious, tsk tsk.

– Legendary obliviousness, haha

– How does she not realize this? Haha

– This kid must have missed how much she wanted to see her unnis; this can’t be a coincidence

– Haha, seriously

– Look beside you! Your unni is right there!

“What? Did you do your nails? They look pretty!”

“Thank you!”

“…? Why does your voice sound like that?”

Detecting suspicion, Yuna slowly lifted her head.

Her gaze traveled up from the woman’s wrist.

Realizing I wasn’t beside her, but rather Hayan, her expression changed dramatically.

Hayan lifted her hand, clasped with Yuna’s.

“Hi, Yuna!”

“Ahhh! Hayan unni! How did you know my name? Is it okay to hold hands like this?”

“Of course it is!”

“Oh my, I’m so surprised…! Huhuhu.”

“Ha ha.”

“Uwaaaaaah.”

Tears began streaming down Yuna’s cheeks.

Hayan, beside her, was fidgety and busy comforting her.

To have someone become my fan brings forth such emotions.

An indescribable feeling filled my chest, a mix of heaviness and relief.

* * *

“Ah, why are you crying there.”

“What can I do if I tear up…?”

I wiped Yuna’s tears away in the bathroom and restored her to a presentable state.

We took the van that only celebrities are allowed to ride to the filming location.

“I’m a fan of No Name! Please give me an autograph!”

Hayan, the leader of ENB, handed me a dedicated autograph sheet.

– Wowwwww

– This is the top of the top

– No Name! No Name! No Name!

– Hayan from ENB asks No Name for an autograph, my heart is swelling.

– No Name’s autograph truly deserves to be a national treasure.

– That cat-shaped bread’s autograph is undeniably cute, haha.

“Should I just write Hayan?”

“Yes! My real name is Hayan too. Last name is Ha, first name is Yan.”

“Your name is unique.”

“I often hear that, ha ha. The member all watch Na-me’s VTube quite frequently when we travel.”

“Can you name one of your recent videos?”

“There haven’t been any new uploads lately… I guess the most recent would be the VR capsule donation?”

Oh, so she really knows. I thought she was just being polite.

“Is it true? We watch the Academy competition highlight compilation all the time.”

“That compilation shouldn’t be on my channel, though.”

“Good things are good! Besides, it’s cute!”

I wonder how far that has spread.

I now have a reason to tease Saetbyeol again when I get home.