Debut or Die - Chapter 484
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Chapter 484
Featuring.
In music, usually, when an artist releases a song, a guest participates and sings some parts. Typically, the guest differs from the original artist. This adds unique excitement or strength to the album. For instance, a vocalist might feature for a rapper, a female singer for a male artist, or a senior artist promoting a lesser-known junior. But here’s the thing.
-VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbae-nim: Junior, are you interested in featuring?
Am I seriously being asked to feature in a VTIC song?
One top male idol featuring in another top male idol’s song…? The internet would instantly turn into a battlefield of verbal abuse. It would be an absolute mess. Sure, it might attract some attention…
Why should I? There’s nothing more to think about.
-I’m sorry, but I’m currently very busy with new projects.
I paused my status screen check and replied immediately. He can’t seriously want me to feature with him. I intended to find out why he suddenly sent such a text.
Soon after, my smartphone buzzed again. The reply that arrived was…
-VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbae-nim: Really?
-VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbae-nim: You should be interested.
“…”
-VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbae-nim: Isn’t it better to help each other than to owe a debt? It looks good too.
Look at that. Is he trying to remind me of the times he helped me out recently, making me feel indebted?
He’s the guy who once tried to bash my head in, but to be fair, he’s cooperated voluntarily since then and has settled the score. He also helped me out significantly a few times after that.
But it was mutual, you jerk. Stop acting like you were the only one helping. Besides, you hit me in the back a few times too.
I started typing a message as if I didn’t understand his words.
-Sunbae-nim doesn’t have to feel like you owe me a debt.
But I paused. Hmm. It didn’t seem like he was just trying to provoke me. It was annoying, but it somewhat made me interested. I scratched my chin and revised my message.
-Whose song is it?
Even though it feels weird to say it, he’s experienced enough to discern such things. He’s not the type to just do something because he likes someone. There’s no way he’d ask for me to feature on his album. So… This must be for his connection. Who is it? Surely not for MARSHMALLOW…
Bzzz-
-VTIC Shin Cheongryeo Sunbae-nim: Of course, it’s my song.^^
“…”
Is he nuts?
I called him. “Sunbae-nim.”
-Junior.
“Do you have more to explain?”
I heard a faint laugh over the phone.
-Yes.
And so, an impromptu meeting was arranged. Although it almost felt like a duel.
* * *
Cheongryeo called me to an outdoor café we had met at once before.
Did he buy this place or something? It was empty again as if he had rented it quickly or maybe even bought it. This time, a yellow dog was happily running around the grass.
“The grass grows well in summer, so Kongi must be happy.”
“…”
Woof! I looked at the dog that placed a ball at my feet, wagging its tail vigorously. What… is it saying to throw it?
Here you go. I threw the softball across the yard, and the dog chased after it. Then I turned back to the person across from me.
“If it’s hot, we can go inside.”
“No need.”
It was still cool as it was early morning.
I waited silently with my arms crossed for him to explain since he proposed the meeting. Because it was only proper to do that. And he followed the etiquette.
“Um, you know I’m preparing an album.”
Right.
“You also know all VTIC members enlisted, right?”
Yes, I do.
When I nodded, he nodded back deceitfully.
“There’s a song I want to use, but there’s a part in the bridge that doesn’t match my vocal range.”
“…”
“I think you’d be suitable for it. What do you think?”
Seriously?
“Is there a problem with someone on leave’s voice?”
It would sound like Judan refused to record, striking. However, Cheongryeo didn’t bat an eye.
“If he engages in profit-making activities while enlisted, it’s against the rules.”
“Songs made before enlisting are exceptions.”
“Recording on leave doesn’t count. It would be problematic if word got out.” And he smiled gently. “You’d understand, right?”
“…”
Understand? I should understand that leaking information would be problematic…
Ah…
Damn it.
This guy knows.
I drank the ice water. Then I spoke. “Did it leak from LeTi?”
Cha Eugene’s escape from the dorm. The news quickly reached Wonder Hall, which was preparing a reverse viral campaign against us. Could it have leaked through LeTi?
LeTi invested almost half of its investment in our company. That means there was an exchange of contacts among the staff. Naturally, information could’ve leaked to them.
But Cheongryeo shifted his words lightly. “Hmm. It would be correct to say that ‘it leaked all the way to LeTi.’”
“…”
“I understand you have a lot on your plate. It’s tough to control information too, right?” He leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. “If you feature for me, I’ll tell you where the rat is.”
“…”
“It’s a fair trade. What do you say?”
Hmm. I put the now-empty glass back on the table. “First, confirmation.”
“Hmm?”
“I need to confirm if the information you have about our company is accurate.”
The leak that reached LeTi.
Cheongryeo listened quietly, then calmly provided the answer. “Cha Eugene left the dorm.”
“Do you know why?”
“Stress-related hospitalization followed by member conflict… That’s the rumor, but who knows.”
It seems he doesn’t fully believe that explanation, but he’s certain that Cha Eugene ran away. Quite confident, isn’t he?
Fine. At least I know he understands our situation. Next,
“Why do you want to use me?”
“…”
“Wait. Don’t give me the ‘you’re the suitable person for this situation’ excuse. If it’s about song quality or promotion, there are many options other than me.”
Starting with Judan’s recording before enlisting. Even if you discover the song late, there are many male soloists who sing well. He could even resolve it with rearrangement. But why specifically use a rival top male idol?
“There must be a specific reason why you need me to feature.”
“Correct.”
“…!”
Cheongryeo affirmed cleanly. Then he smirked. “Want to guess?”
Should I kill him?
“I guessed, didn’t I? I’m just asking if you can guess too. It’s okay if you don’t know.”
You received information meanwhile I have to deduce it? How’s that the same term as ‘guess’? It seemed like I would lose if I got angry. So, I told him.
“I’m not a mind reader; how would I know what Sunbae-nim is thinking?”
“Hmm.”
“But I can think from my perspective.”
On the contrary,
If I were Cheongryeo, why should I use Park Moondae as a feature?
How can I gain an advantage while using a rival top male idol?
“No matter what, I’d lose costs. It’s controversial, so I have to defend against that.”
Fan divisions, fights, rumors. It would lead to public opinion battles and hurt feelings, requiring a significant, impressive plan to defend. Time, money, and manpower for that plan? It’s more beneficial to use those for album promotion. So, what can you do?
“Therefore… you’d think about how to prevent the controversy entirely.”
There’s only one way.
“If we were in the same company, it wouldn’t be controversial.”
“…!”
Exactly.
In the same company, senior-junior featuring is more acceptable. This meant that the scope of the conceptual ‘understanding’ by fans was slightly wider. If ‘TeSTAR’s agency, Orbit Stars Entertainment, was entirely a LeTi subsidiary… It makes sense. Now I can deduce his reason for the offer.
It’s for setting the atmosphere.
“Sunbae-nim wants to include my name in your activities… to show more clearly that our company is aligned with LeTi, right?”
…So it’s like this.
-?? What is Park Moondae doing here?
-Oh, TeSTAR’s agency is under LeTi.
-Okay, I got it. That’s why he’s featuring.
-Wow, that’s interesting. They’re close, so this can happen now that they’re in the same company.
Cheongryeo retracted his arms from the table. Then he smiled. “You guessed it.”
“…”
“As you know, LeTi is also investing in platform businesses. Online concerts, broadcasts, fan social media, this type of thing.” Cheongryeo stroked his Americano cup and continued. “And in this industry, the importance of platforms… you must have felt it too.”
“…”
“So, in the long run, I need to slightly elevate the image’s scale.”
This guy essentially dominating LeTi’s agency. Thus, he can boldly invest his album in expanding the company’s business capability. For the group’s long-term survival. Because he can control the company at his will!
Crazy guy.
“So Sunbae-nim wants to flaunt your influence over our company too?”
“Hmm? Flaunt? Isn’t it just factual? The investment didn’t vanish, did it, Junior?” Cheongryeo stared at me. “And… you should know.”
Know what?
“This isn’t a one-sided benefit for LeTi.”
“…”
I paused my thought process. Then calmly started calculating again. TeSTAR’s benefit. “…To make up for what we lost with T1 using LeTi’s platform?”
“You’re sharp.”
It’s obvious we’d be hindered by you, though. Also, is LeTi’s platform comparable to T1, a major broadcasting network? However, showing alignment isn’t a bad move in this situation…
I hid my complex thoughts and answered sharply. “That’s a rationalization. Still, clearly LeTi benefits more.”
“I know you would think like that, so I prepared another reward for that.”
…Regarding Cha Eugene’s escape.
Hmm. I folded my arms. The scales seemed to sway in my ears. Of course, it was a business decision, not personal.
It was then. Cheongryeo gently spoke again. “Just to be clear.”
“…”
“I have no intention of harming TeSTAR. It’s just…” Cheongryeo smiled faintly. “I intend to achieve everything possible in this situation.”
“…”
“You’re doing the same.”
I realized who he was referring to.
– ĭter
That rookie.
“…”
“In that sense, a strategic alliance.” Cheongryeo extended his hand. “How about it?”
“…”
I sighed shortly. And asked. “Until when?”
“This year.” The answer came immediately.
I shook his hand firmly over the table. “Of course, this is my personal decision. If it’s vetoed at the group level after discussion, it’s over.”
“Sure.”
His eyes didn’t reflect that, though.
“And one more thing.”
I adjusted my posture. “Obviously, featuring in the title track is too risky.”
“Hmm?”
“Keep it to a B-side or second sub-track.”
“…”
That was an obvious and reasonable suggestion. He would’ve done it even without me saying it. But Cheongryeo paused briefly, then smiled faintly.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
What?
“I never said I needed your feature for my solo album. I said for a ‘song I want to use.’”
“…”
“Don’t worry. There won’t be any problems on either side.”
“…”
Right, you b*stard.
Okay, I overestimated you. This guy wouldn’t take a loss on his album…
Instead of wasting time considering his career, I should focus on my own stamina. I downed the melted ice and roughly patted the dog’s neck. The dog panted loudly. Then, the guy spoke again.
“Oh, and the rat,”
Ah, he brought it just in time. I was about to say it. “No need to tell me.”
“…?”
“I’ll handle it.”
I smiled inwardly. Given the flow, even he can’t easily cancel now.
“Instead, I want to add another condition.”
A condition that became clear during our conversation and my journey here.
Cheongryeo’s face changed gradually then. “Haha!” He burst out laughing. “Junior, you’re really greedy.”
Do you think you’re not?
I ruffled the dog’s head again and threw the ball back.
“Does Sunbae-nim want to cancel it?”
“No.” He stopped laughing and nodded. “Sure. Let’s do it.”
I knew it.
Thus, I smoothly concluded my conversation with him. And under the summer morning sky…
[Hyung! Is something wrong? I haven’t heard from you lately…]
Hmm? A pop-up appeared.
Ah, Keundal. It’s been a while since he contacted me. He must have been worried since we were busy dealing with Cha Eugene.
I explained a bit of the background and declared the current situation simply. The system upload is already complete.
[Gasp.]
New pop-ups keep appearing. There’s even a survey.
[…A survey?]
Yeah, it’s strange for me too. Anyway, I’m outside now, so I’ll explain more when I get back…
It was then.
“Hmm, Junior.”
What now?
Before I could respond, the familiar voice spoke again with unexpected content.
“A survey?”
“…!!”
What?
I turned my head to Cheongryeo, nearly breaking my neck. He was looking right at… no. He was looking at the empty space before me. To be exact, where the pop-up was.
“…”
No way.
“Can you see it?”
“Yes.”
Cheongryeo raised his hand. And… poked the pop-up with his index finger.
“I can see it clearly.”
[Uaaargh!]
…Thus. I gained an unwanted status window counselor.
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