Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

Chapter 230: Side Story. Paid Holidays on Labor Day

On May 1st, with With List’s comeback just around the corner, I started a casual livestream with Park Joowoo. Maybe because it was a holiday, the viewer count was quite high even though we’d suddenly gone live in the middle of the day.

“Everyone, can you see and hear us okay?”

≫ Guys, I can’t really see—can you two move out of each other’s frame for a sec?

≫ It’s been a while since we’ve seen the clingy duo

≫ Natural-born magnet pair back at it again

Because Park Joowoo kept resting his head on my shoulder, fans had started calling us names like ‘clingy duo’ or ‘magnets’.

≫ Our Angel Clay duo… So pure today as well

Right, we had that combo nickname too.

“…Looks like they can see us fine.”

Park Joowoo checked the comments on the tablet and then turned his attention back to the phone recording the live stream.I positioned the small whiteboard I had prepared so it was visible on screen. Today’s topics of conversation appeared in order.

≫ The whiteboard is so clean even though they use it all the timeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

≫ Don’t ask them where the other members are. Number 2 on the whiteboard says they’ll talk about the members’ status

≫ I swear, Iwol’s handwriting is neater than mine—and I actually went to penmanship class

Park Joowoo’s voice grew quieter as the chat messages flew by faster than during the Flowering promotions.

However, having watched all of Spark’s live streams, even during their golden age, I wasn’t fazed by this.

Back then, you guys were so popular that Sparklers and anti-fans would constantly fight in the chat, and every Spark live stream would trend with things like ‘Spark Hate Comments War Round 3’.

“We regularly clean the whiteboard with ethanol. It’s pretty clean, right? Thank you for the compliment on my handwriting… I’ll try to write even more neatly next time!”

As we were chatting about the first topic, ‘Sharing updates with fans’, someone left a comment I couldn’t ignore.

≫ I want to watch this livestream while lying down too… Can you guys blow up my company?

It was a joke referencing the Flowering teaser about blowing up the school. Park Joowoo must’ve seen it too, because he looked flustered.

“Sparkler went to work today…? We only started this livestream as a mealtime companion since it’s a holiday.”

“Some people have urgent work. Or maybe they work shifts or in the public sector.”

“Ah…”

Park Joowoo nodded.

I felt uneasy. I said that lightly but what if the fan who left that comment was stuck with an unfair work schedule, or worked for a company with five or more employees but was bound by the all-too-common clause in employment contracts, ‘The employer may designate a different day as a paid holiday if necessary’?

Lost in thought, I excused myself and returned with wet wipes.

***

The weekday holiday felt as sweet as honey.  Baek Haewon, who had fallen asleep after being on her phone all night, was woken up by Spark’s live stream notification. The sun was already high in the sky.

Spark, you’re really incredible. It’s a discretionary holiday for me, so I didn’t even have school and just slept in—yet you guys are already doing a livestream.

Still wrapped in her blanket, Baek Haewon watched the livestream Kim Iwol and Park Joowoo had just started. Even in casual sweatshirts, their faces looked as fair and clear as porcelain.

As expected from this duo, the live stream was peaceful and relaxed.

Until Park Joowoo asked a certain question.

『Sparkler went to work today…? We only started this livestream as a mealtime companion since it’s a holiday.』

A live stream for mealtime companion during a holiday? I’m sorry, guys. I just woke up. I’ll watch the replay while eating dinner later.

While Baek Haewon was feeling apologetic, Kim Iwol exchanged a few more words with Park Joowoo and then left, returning quickly with wet wipes.

Iwol leaving during a live stream! What kind of emergency could it be?  Did he spill water or something?

Kim Iwol started wiping the whiteboard with the wet wipes. Today’s discussion topics, like communication, member updates, and concept analysis, disappeared under the wipes.

『Joowoo, can you hand me a board marker?』

Park Joowoo quickly handed him a marker.  Kim Iwol started writing without hesitation.

‘…Why does Joowoo look like that?’

Park Joowoo’s expression as he watched Kim Iwol write was strange.  Whatever it was, it was clear that Kim Iwol wasn’t writing anything ordinary. Kim Iwol, however, had a serious expression on his face.

After asking the viewers for their understanding, Kim Iwol wrote a few more lines. The final message was:

~Labor Day Special: For a Healthy Work Life~

Ministry of Employment and Labor Customer Service Center 1350

※ Please seek help if necessary

***

『People encounter various work environments throughout their lives. We’re in the entertainment business.』

『That’s… true.』

『So, I thought it would be good to talk about this.』

Despite agreeing, Park Joowoo’s face clearly showed he didn’t quite understand.

I feel you, Joowoo. I knew he was always a bit strange, but your oldest hyung is really strange.

『First, let’s talk about workplaces with less than five employees, as we mentioned earlier.』

Kim Iwol carefully laid the premise, emphasizing that not all small businesses were problematic and highlighting examples of small startups that had grown significantly. Only then did he get to the main point.

『In our country, workers at workplaces with fewer than five employees are not fully protected by law. The regulation requiring paid time off on public holidays doesn’t apply to them.』

『So that means some Sparklers might not be off today, even though it’s a holiday?』

『Labor Day isn’t an official public holiday, but it is a designated paid holiday. It means you get paid even if you don’t work. However, while employees at workplaces with five or more employees receive overtime pay if they work on Labor Day, those at smaller businesses don’t.』

Kim Iwol went on to explain the extent to which Korea’s labor laws applied to small businesses and the major issues involved.

When he got to the topic of wages and time off, it almost looked like he might start crying.

『Besides regular wages, there’s overtime pay, night work pay, and holiday work pay. These additional payments aren’t mandatory for businesses with fewer than five employees. Workplaces with five or more employees are legally obligated to pay 1.5 times the regular wage for these situations. Many companies exploit the inclusive wage system to avoid this… sigh.』

『If companies with fewer than five employees aren’t obligated to comply with the 52-hour workweek and aren’t required to pay proper overtime, employees will inevitably work longer hours. Since paid leave isn’t guaranteed either, their right to rest is severely restricted.』

Like someone fresh out of a small, exploitative company, Kim Iwol endlessly described how ruthlessly companies could circumvent the law and how much employees suffered as a result.

The chat’s reactions were divided.

≫ Iwol, calm down

≫ Joowoo, give Iwol some water

≫ Sir, this isn’t a parliamentary hearing

The moderates were telling Kim Iwol to calm down and drink some water…

≫ Play this video on loop on our company TV

≫ Who made our boy work part-time at a crappy company? Come out and face the wrath of the revolution

≫ Is this a subtle jab at UA? UA has more than 5 employees, right?

≫ Hey boss, you watching? If you’re gonna make us work, at least pay us properly

…and the radicals were demanding immediate revisions and enforcement of labor laws to protect the basic rights of workers in South Korea.

Spark’s live stream was more educational than career counseling at school.

To all those bastards who scoffed and asked if being a fan put food on the table, look! Spark might not feed you, but they’ll help you avoid life’s pitfalls.

『Hyung, drink something…』

Park Joowoo handed Kim Iwol a mug. Even though steam was clearly rising from it, Kim Iwol downed the drink in one gulp like it was cold water. Then, he let out a satisfied sigh like he’d just chugged a beer.

After Kim Iwol’s targeted lecture, questions about labor and employment flooded the chat.

『‘Iwol, our company splits locations on paper to avoid laws’…  This is a very sensitive topic, but if your company is visibly engaging in questionable labor practices, I recommend finding a new job. You never know when things might blow up.』

『If your company seems to be delaying your severance pay, threaten to file a severance payment order.  Explaining the payment guarantee system would take too long, so to put it simply…』

Baek Haewon felt her mind go blank for the first time since Seongbin’s news-induced rant on their livestream. Only her idols’ shining faces on the screen kept her grounded.

Did they not realize that when two soft-voiced idols kept dropping legal jargon, it became involuntary ASMR? If this kept up, she might just fall asleep to it.

≫ Kim Iwol, be honest, where did you work part-time before?

The chat was filled with people curious about Kim Iwol’s pre-idol career, captivated by his vivid explanations.

‘I’m curious too.’

It was already surprising when she first heard that a kid who had been just an ordinary student suddenly decided to become a trainee and pursue being an idol—but now, every working Sparkler was questioning Kim Iwol’s career history.

However, Kim Iwol quickly denied the fans’ speculations.

『I didn’t have that many part-time jobs. I just heard these things… I’m embarrassed that I got so carried away.』

『…It was too detailed to be just ‘heard things’, though?』

『Let’s move on, Joowoo.』

Park Joowoo, effectively silenced, closed his mouth. He was so cute. These soft, white, rice-cake-like boys.

The livestream shifted to lighter topics. Occasionally Kim Iwol would blurt out things like ‘Everyone, make sure to sign up for Job Planet early!’ like he was possessed, but aside from that, things stayed peaceful.

Today’s live stream was full of law-abiding spirit. How nice. Just as Baek Haewon was thinking this, Kim Iwol read a new comment.

『‘Aren’t you two working on Labor Day too?’ you ask? This livestream is something Joowoo and I wanted to do. We don’t think of it as work, so don’t worry.』

『That’s right. We’ll practice later… but that’s not work either.』

『Practicing is a serious task for me.』

Damn it, you guys are truly professional and amazing idols. Compared to my old bias idols, who were glued to their phones in the waiting room and only sent Bubble messages once every two weeks, you guys are the best.

Baek Haewon uploaded about 30 sobbing memes on social media. Then she returned to the live stream and spammed the like button.

Soon, noises came from off-screen. Park Joowoo waved towards the camera, saying the others seemed to have arrived. Starting with Lee Cheonghyeon and Jeong Seongbin, the other members appeared one by one, greeting the viewers.

『Labor Day special? Weren’t we supposed to talk about the concept today?』

『Things changed.』

Lee Cheonghyeon burst out laughing when Kim Iwol deadpanned. It seemed he had enjoyed the livestream, whatever had transpired.

『We need to practice now, so we’ll end the live stream here. For any serious labor issues, please consult a real professional! And we cheer on every working person out there!』

『Fighting…!』

The livestream ended with Kim Iwol and Park Joowoo’s closing remarks.

Seriously, Iwol’s love for professionals was unmatched.

Baek Haewon wondered if she should be happy or worried that her idol was a labor-law-savvy intellectual.

It was still a little early to think about this, but she decided that when she eventually started working, she would definitely check the ratings on Job Planet before applying for a job. And she would only work at places that offered the four major insurances.

It was a live stream as enlightening as Kim Iwol’s face.