novelraw Chapter 91 : I Was a Fan of Yours, Team Leader
Chapter 91 : I Was a Fan of Yours, Team Leader
Chapter 91 - I Was a Fan of Yours, Team Leader
Of course, the situation of suddenly showing the manager’s face during the music show's 1st place announcement did not occur.
The live broadcast screen kept showing Newstarz on stage.
However, music shows typically upload various on-site videos to YouTube, separate from the live broadcast footage.
PD Kang Eun-jeong had plastered a huge image of Baek Hyeon-woo’s face on the YouTube clip thumbnail... and it became a big topic.
—Who is Team Leader Baek Hyeon-woo mentioned by Newstarz's Kim So-yeong?
—The young manager receiving the members' respect and love all at once…
—Recently showed a professional side on TVX's ‘Going to Work Today Too’...
—Also a hot topic for saving Sucpop Joo Ga-hee's life...
Checking the articles constantly coming up on the internet, Baek Hyeon-woo felt the back of his neck tense up.
It had been quiet for a while, but articles mentioning Baek Hyeon-woo were pouring out again.
“Team Leader Baek, you’re exactly like a celebrity now.”
Director Park Yeong-ho spoke from the side, smiling broadly.
“Once you become a topic, all sorts of media pour out similar articles to get views. That's how entertainment news originally is.”
“It can't be helped.”
Baek Hyeon-woo made a bitter expression.
“This will also serve as promotion for Newstarz, so I'll have to endure it.”
Saying that, Baek Hyeon-woo turned his gaze back to Newstarz on the stage.
Today, Baek Hyeon-woo was at the SBC broadcasting station, one of the three major terrestrial networks, with Park Yeong-ho.
Because it was the day to film ‘SBC Music Chart’, which counts as one of the three major music shows along with HBS ‘Music World’ and MBS ‘Music Big Show’.
For reference, Drum Fire was excluded from this Music Chart as well.
Since SBC made this decision following MBS, it will be difficult to see Drum Fire’s faces on other broadcasts for a while.
“It’s almost time for the 1st place announcement.”
“Indeed.”
Since they took 1st place on ‘Music World’ the day before yesterday and ‘Music Big Show’ yesterday, if they take 1st place on ‘Music Chart’ today, they will achieve a terrestrial music show all-kill.
Considering they couldn't even get near 1st place for 3 years, it's a truly amazing feat.
“Team Leader Baek, you’ve worked hard all this time.”
Park Yeong-ho spoke in a soft voice.
“Newstarz growing this big is all thanks to you, Team Leader Baek. You really went through a lot.”
“You went through more trouble, Director Park.”
In the meantime, Park Yeong-ho pushed forward various strategies such as marketing while having meetings with various media and companies every single day.
Haram Entertainment had limits on the strategies it could take due to a lack of budget, but Park Yeong-ho worked hard, sweating blood without resting a single day, to overcome those limits.
“This success happened thanks to you running around diligently everywhere, Director.”
“The reason I could run around like that was because I trusted you that much, Team Leader Baek. Because if I left Newstarz to you, there was nothing to worry about.”
Originally, managing Newstarz was the role Park Yeong-ho held when he was a Team Leader.
But now, Park Yeong-ho was leaving the management of Newstarz entirely to Baek Hyeon-woo.
That is how much he had come to trust Baek Hyeon-woo.
“I’m really glad you joined our company and took charge of Newstarz, Team Leader Baek.”
“Director…”
“As So-yeong said yesterday... I’m counting on you in the future too, Team Leader Baek.”
There was deep trust in Park Yeong-ho’s voice as he said that.
“I look forward to working well with you too, Director Park.”
While they were having that conversation, it became time for the 1st place announcement.
When the scores of the 1st place candidates were revealed, the MC raised their voice.
“This week’s 1st place is Newstarz! Congratulations!”
Pop!
With a loud noise, firecrackers exploded, and the audience also cheered loudly.
Watching the Newstarz members smiling brightly on stage, Baek Hyeon-woo also smiled.
It was already the third time experiencing 1st place on a music show, but the joy never diminished.
“Team Leader Baek, Newstarz did it!”
Park Yeong-ho, who was next to him, hugged Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Following the chart all-kill, it’s a music show all-kill! We finally did it!”
Although he didn't make a fuss like Park Yeong-ho, Baek Hyeon-woo was also feeling an overwhelming emotion just the same.
Dopamine was probably being secreted wildly in his brain.
“We’ll have to hold a celebratory party tonight.”
“Yeah, since we’ve been putting it off!”
Even when they achieved their first 1st place on Music World, they didn't arrange a special celebration.
Because Music Big Show was the next day, and Music Chart followed consecutively the day after that.
However, the terrestrial music broadcasts that continued for 3 consecutive days ended today.
Now they can hold a celebratory party with peace of mind.
“Let’s eat and drink to our heart’s content today! All of us!”
For today only, Baek Hyeon-woo wouldn't manage the Newstarz members either.
He intends to let everyone eat and drink as much as they want.
Since he cleared all schedules for tomorrow, there’s no problem even if they play all night.
Having achieved the feat of a music show all-kill, if he couldn't even do this much, he should quit being a manager.
……
“Everyone, you see this, right?”
A meat restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul.
CEO Baek Yeon-ah held up trophies with both hands.
“What I’m holding in my right hand is the HBS Music World trophy, what I’m holding in my left hand is the MBS Music Big Show trophy, and lastly...”
“What I’m holding is the SBC Music Chart trophy.”
As Baek Hyeon-woo raised the third trophy from the side, all the Haram Entertainment employees sitting in their seats shouted.
“All-kill! All-kill! All-kill!”
The entire company was swept up in excitement at the feat of a terrestrial music show all-kill.
This kind of atmosphere was a first since Haram Entertainment was established.
However, this was only natural.
Because it was the day they were rewarded for the times they worked hard while enduring the sorrow of a small-medium agency.
“Today is truly a historic day! Newstarz, you all worked hard, and we all worked hard! Let’s all toast! To Newstarz and Haram Entertainment!”
“Cheers!”
The sound of glasses clinking echoed continuously.
Today was truly a day where they could eat and drink without limit.
“Team Leader Baek, you worked hard.”
Choi Tae-hyung approached Baek Hyeon-woo and filled his glass.
“I looked into it discreetly, and it seems Drum Fire’s Seok-joon won't be able to avoid a prison sentence. It turns out he had hidden a lot of liquid marijuana.”
“If the amount in possession is large, the punishment is greater, right?”
“That’s right. Because the excuse that he just tried it once by chance won't work. He could also be suspected of intending to distribute it to others.”
Choi Tae-hyung spoke with a bitter expression.
“We need to be careful too. Since we don't know when or where this kind of problem might explode.”
“Newstarz are not the kind of kids who would commit such wrongs.”
“Well, I think so too, but... it's not just Newstarz anymore.”
“Ah... I forgot.”
Recently, they had selected two more members for a new group.
Because Baek Hyeon-woo examined them meticulously every time, they were able to select applicants possessing S-rank Potential, like Eun-ju and Tae-yeong.
Currently, they were sweating blood practicing to debut as a 4-member group.
“Team Leader Baek, I'm sorry, but... couldn't you look after them occasionally too?”
“Me?”
“I just thought it would be good if you checked on them once too, somehow.”
“……”
Seeing smoking or drug problems keep exploding, it seemed he wanted to rely on Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Understood. I will take a look from time to time.”
“Thanks. Ah, have another drink.”
“By the way, Director Choi, about the road manager you promised to introduce...”
“Ah, right.”
In the future, Newstarz will have even more schedules.
Soon, Ha-ryeong from N.A.N is also scheduled to transfer to Haram Entertainment and become a celebrity under Baek Hyeon-woo's charge.
Because it was too much for Baek Hyeon-woo to handle alone, he needed a road manager to work with.
“I admit you work well, Team Leader Baek, but since you have little experience, there are still many parts you don't know. We need an experienced person who can cover those parts.”
“But a person with a lot of experience wouldn't want to work under a newbie like me.”
“You don't need to worry about that.”
Choi Tae-hyung said while laughing.
“Because I've found just the right person.”
……
A few days later.
The road manager applicant visited Haram Entertainment.
It was a woman, not a man, and she appeared in a suit as if attending a job interview for a decent corporation and greeted Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Hello, my name is Lee Su-gyeong.”
“……”
Baek Hyeon-woo couldn't take his eyes off her for a while.
Lee Su-gyeong was a beauty with an innocent and delicate appearance, but that wasn't why his gaze was stolen.
It was because a status window was visible next to her face.
──────
[Lee Su-gyeong]
Vocal: C
Dance: C
Visual: A
Potential: C
Body Condition: 80%
Mental Condition: 80%
───────
“Although the period I've worked as a manager is short, because I was active in a girl group for 5 years, I know the related tasks well. I will support you with my best, Team Leader-nim.”
The road manager Choi Tae-hyung introduced was a former idol.
There are cases where retired celebrities sometimes switch to being managers to start a second life, and Lee Su-gyeong was such a case.
‘The Director proposed a very appropriate solution.’
She has a lot of entertainment industry experience but a short career as a manager, so there's no problem with her coming under Baek Hyeon-woo.
Even if Baek Hyeon-woo doesn't train her separately, she will likely handle most things smoothly on her own, and she might even be able to help Baek Hyeon-woo.
You could say she was truly the most suitable talent.
“I'm on the side of being good at driving, so I can act as a driver without any problems.”
Even her impression as a person was very good.
Honestly, in Baek Hyeon-woo's view, it seemed she could still pass as an idol.
Her face was pretty, and her soft expression and gentle voice were also charming.
“I'm sorry, but may I ask one question?”
“Yes, ask me anything.”
“You said you switched to being a manager after being active in a girl group... is there a special reason you made up your mind to do so?”
It might be a question touching on a sensitive area.
However, Baek Hyeon-woo thought he had to verify this part.
Because only then did it seem he could understand this person in front of him.
“Well... it's because I got tired of receiving people's gazes.”
Lee Su-gyeong answered while making a slightly shy expression.
“Naturally, when working as an idol, you have to live while being mindful of the gazes of countless people... but it became harder and harder as time went on. So at one point, I even had panic disorder.”
“If you were stressed to that extent... it must not have been easy to continue idol activities.”
“Yes, so I ended up quitting being an idol. But I wanted to keep working in the entertainment industry... so I started working as a manager.”
Baek Hyeon-woo nodded.
It was a short explanation, but hearing just this, he could understand Lee Su-gyeong's heart.
“So you had the enthusiasm to want to keep working in the entertainment industry.”
“Yes, although I ended up giving up on idol life midway, now I want to do work that helps other idols.”
“Understood.”
Sincerity was felt in Lee Su-gyeong's words.
If it was a person like this, he wanted to work together.
“I would like you to work with us from now on, Su-gyeong-ssi. Would that be okay?”
“Ah, then am I hired?”
“Yes, that's right.”
Managing road managers is the duty of a team-leader-level manager.
The authority to decide on hiring also lay with Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Ah, what a relief.”
Lee Su-gyeong placed her hand on her chest and smiled brightly.
“Actually, ever since I heard from Director Choi, I really wanted to work with you, Team Leader Baek.”
“With me?”
“Originally, I was a fan of yours, Team Leader Baek. I watched every video you appeared in without missing one.”
“I'm not even a celebrity, so why...”
“Because you were so cool when you gave emergency treatment to Joo Ga-hee on 'The Idol'. I bet there are many people besides me who became your fan after seeing that video, Team Leader Baek.”
“Ah, back then...”
“Since then, you kept appearing here and there, so I made sure to watch everything.”
“……”
Baek Hyeon-woo was at a loss for words for a moment.
“Honestly, I wanted to tell you this from the beginning, but I held back because I was worried it would look like I was sucking up to get hired.”
“Hmm... I understand. It's a bit embarrassing. Anyway, thank you for looking upon me favorably.”
He recalled Park Yeong-ho's words, 'You're exactly like a celebrity now.'
If he had just stopped with a brief appearance on 'The Idol' back then, he could have been forgotten by people, but since he kept being exposed here and there, it seems things like this were happening.
“The Newstarz members happen to be in the practice room, shall we go say hello?”
“Ah, may I?”
Thinking the atmosphere would get awkward if they kept staying just the two of them, Baek Hyeon-woo took Lee Su-gyeong and headed to the practice room.
“Do you guys have a moment? There's someone I want to introduce.”
The members, who were practicing, turned their gazes to Lee Su-gyeong.
“Is she a newly selected kid this time? Wow, she's really pretty.”
Kim So-yeong, who misunderstood her as a new member of the new girl group, said with a laugh.
“We'll have to be nervous too. If we're not careful, all our popularity will be stolen by our juniors.”
“She's an innocent and delicate type that we haven't had until now.”
Kanade also admired Lee Su-gyeong while looking at her, and Yoo Jeong-ah nodded next to her.
At that, Lee Su-gyeong blushed and urgently waved her hand.
“Ah, no. I'm the manager who newly arrived this time.”
“Yeah, Lee Su-gyeong-ssi here is the manager who will be working with me from now on. She came to say hello before officially starting work today.”
“……!”
Not a newly selected idol, but a manager?
The members all widened their eyes and stared at Lee Su-gyeong.
“Oppa, you didn't hire her based on her face, did you?”
“What are you talking about?”
As Laura glared with a side-eye, Baek Hyeon-woo shook his head and answered.
“Su-gyeong-ssi is someone who was originally active as an idol and then switched to being a manager. That's why she knows well about idol activities, and I hired her because she seemed enthusiastic.”
“Huh? You were a former idol?”
“No wonder I thought you were incredibly pretty...”
Among the finally convinced members, Seo Na-eun asked cautiously.
“But how did you come to join Haram Entertainment?”
“Actually, the company I was originally at decided to reduce the number of managers. At that time, I received a call from Director Choi Tae-hyung, whom I knew from before.”
Answering like that, Lee Su-gyeong looked at Baek Hyeon-woo and smiled.
“It turned out I would be working under Team Leader Baek Hyeon-woo. I was originally a fan of the Team Leader, so I said I definitely wanted to do it.”
“Is that true? You were a fan of Hyeon-woo oppa?”
“Wow, Manager-nim's popularity is no joke.”
While the other members were marveling.
A stiff voice flowed from Seo Na-eun's mouth.
“Then you joined because of Manager-nim?”
At Seo Na-eun's suddenly cold gaze, Lee Su-gyeong flinched and inadvertently grabbed the hem of Baek Hyeon-woo's clothes.