"You've worked hard, Ling Ling." Seo Yeon-Woo had ordered Ling Ling to avoid singing entirely for a month after she arrived back in China and to focus solely on recovering her vocal cords. And once she had improved, he instructed her to sing no more than two songs a day. Ling Ling had followed that guidance faithfully, which allowed her to now sing with a much clearer voice than before. Seo Yeon-Woo nodded approvingly. He was clearly proud of Ling Ling, who had endured everything for her debut. Inside the recording booth, Ling Ling spoke with emotion. -Yes. I did exactly what you said. I didn't sing more than twice a day. I wanted to sing hundreds, thousands of times, but I didn't. "That's why you're able to produce this kind of voice now. And that desperate desire to sing made your expression even better. Thanks to that, your emotion carried beautifully through the song, and your vocal power improved as well." Just by limiting the number of times she could sing, she had not only recovered her vocal cords but also improved her skills. It was becoming clear why Seo Yeon-Woo had become the top vocal trainer before the regression. At those words Bang Seon-Woo, who had perfect pitch, also nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Compared to before, there's no roughness in your voice at all now; it's very clear. Like Yeon-Woo said, the way you convey emotion is amazing. And it seems like your vocal range has expanded a lot too." Everyone in the studio began congratulating Ling Ling. "Congratulations, Ling Ling!" "You did great, Ling Ling." Tearing up, Ling Ling stepped out of the recording booth and bowed. "Thank you, Mr. Seo! Thank you, Mr. Bang!" "Very well done, Ling Ling." After thanking the two of them, Ling Ling trotted over to me. Tears glistened in her eyes as Ling Ling asked, "Mr. Jung. Am I... can I finally be an idol now?" Even though she had already arrived in Korea and had been recognized by both Bang Seon-Woo and Seo Yeon-Woo, Ling Ling still wanted my final confirmation. After all, I was the one who first assessed her vocal condition and paved the way for her to become an idol. Wiping Ling Ling's eyes with my handkerchief, I replied, "Of course, Ling Ling. I'm counting on you." Ling Ling finally smiled brightly. "I won't let you down." The tears vanished from her eyes, replaced by a joyful smile that seemed to say she had the whole world. Then Wang Long and Lily came over and hugged her. "You've worked so hard, Ling Ling." "Ling Ling. Don't overuse your voice and make sure you keep up with your checkups, okay?" "I will, Wang Long oppa." "Good. Seriously, great job." Ling Ling firmly promised she wouldn't skip checkups with Kim Soo-Myung. Just then, a call came in. I thought it might be Seo Hee-Joo calling to say she had arrived. However, it was Kang Ji-Yung. [Caller ID: Director Kang Ji-Yung] Since I had reported that Ling Ling was coming to the company, I figured she might be calling to come down and greet her. But when I answered, I heard something completely unexpected. -Could you come up to the meeting room right now? I think we need to hold an emergency meeting with the chiefs for the singer divisions. "Did something happen?" -Chief Yoon Dong-Gu from Singer Division 4 says he wants to push up the debut schedule for Berry Six. After merging with Gwanwoo Entertainment, Hoop Entertainment had acquired a girl group that had been in the works for a long time. Their name was Berry Six. Before the regression, they were a group that topped the charts every time they released a song. The members were all talented and stunningly attractive. However, since a girl group was already set to debut later this year through the Global Idol Project broadcast, Berry Six's debut stage had been planned for sometime after July. Launching two girl groups at the same time in one company could split public attention, hurting both. On top of that, the company had little money left in the bank after the merger with Gwanwoo Entertainment. For this reason, they couldn't even split the promotion budget. "Didn't we already decide that Berry Six would debut in July due to the promotion budget issue? Then why are they saying this all of a sudden?" I heard a sigh from the other end of the phone. -So-Jung, the leader of Berry Six, says she won't renew her contract unless she debuts right now. All the members of Berry Six had been trainees for over five years. Among them, Yoo So-Jung, the 22-year-old leader, had striking looks and had trained in classical singing since childhood which gave her excellent vocal skills. However, she had such poor dancing skills that she barely reached a stage-ready level after years of trainee life. But now she was saying she would leave for another company because the debut was delayed. At that moment, I could instantly tell that this was the work of Chief Yoon Dong-Gu from Singer Division 4. Despite being only 22, Yoo So-Jung was savvy enough to understand the benefits she could receive from being in the same company as Cherry Blossom, Seo Yeon-Woo, or Kang Ha-Na. So the idea that she would just leave for another company made no sense, especially when considering her close relationship with Yoon Dong-Gu before the regression. In other words, this was a scheme orchestrated by Yoo So-Jung and Yoon Dong-Gu to block funding for the Global Idol Project. "I'll head up right away. Would it be alright if Director Wang Long joins as well?" -Yes. Since the Global Idol Project is involved anyway, it's fine. The meeting starts in five minutes, so come up then. After hanging up, I told Wang Long what was going on. Wang Long smirked. "Sounds like the pushback is pretty intense, huh?" "I completely crushed their meddling recently. I think that's why they're acting out even more now." "Alright, let's go together. But while we're at the meeting, can you have someone give Ling Ling and Lily a tour of the company? Last time we were too busy for a proper visit." I told Eun Ji-Yoo to show Ling Ling and Lily around the company, then headed to the meeting room with Wang Long and Lee Dong-Min. Sixth floor conference room of Hoop Entertainment. When Wang Long and I arrived at the sixth floor meeting room of Hoop Entertainment and opened the door, the chiefs of the singer divisions, Kang Gam-Chan, Kang Ji-Yung, Kim Gwan-Woo, and Kim Jang-Bi were already seated. After greeting them with Wang Long and Lee Dong-Min, I took my seat. Kang Gam-Chan warmly greeted Wang Long. "Director Wang Long, welcome to Korea. Thank you for entrusting Ling Ling to the Global Idol Project. I'll personally make sure everything goes well." "Thank you for the warm welcome. I believe the project will go smoothly, both on my end and from the company." Saying that it would be fine to skip the official welcome ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, Wang Long comfortably started the discussion on the Global Idol Project. Once the conversation about the project ended, Yoon Dong-Gu began to make problematic remarks. "Yoo So-Jung, the leader of Berry Six, only has six months left in her seven-year exclusive contract. If we don't debut her immediately, there won't be a contract renewal. That's it!" Kang Ji-Yung responded. "Wasn't the plan to delay the debut in exchange for a big promotional push? Why the sudden change?" "Several competitors have approached her, promising an immediate debut. They're offering hefty signing bonuses too." Yoon Dong-Gu furrowed his brow. "She's sharp despite her age. Do you think she'd tell us? No matter how much I pressured her, she insisted it was a secret." "Then when exactly is she asking to debut?" "She wants to debut by March. She said if that's guaranteed, she'll sign the renewal right away." "What? It's January 31st today, so asking for a debut by March is basically asking to debut next month. Is that even possible?" "It's possible. We already have the song, and the choreography practice is done. We've also shown their practice to music show PDs whenever we had a chance and they've praised the girls' star quality. So if you just approve the promotion budget, we can debut them immediately." Currently, Hoop Entertainment had little money left due to the merger with Gwanwoo Entertainment. Choi Man-Sik promised to chip in during the merger ceremony, but the funds still hadn't been deposited. So with the remaining funds, it was hard enough to promote even one girl group. Yet Yoon Dong-Gu was insisting on using all of it to debut and promote Berry Six. Kang Gam-Chan spoke. "If we launch Berry Six now, what's going to happen to the Global Idol Project?" Yoon Dong-Gu answered without backing down. "So are you telling us to just stand by and watch the team we've raised for six years fall apart? If Yoo So-Jung leaves, Berry Six is finished." "Who doesn't know how important Yoo So-Jung is? You should try persuading her a bit more. Not March, but just delay until mid-April. By then, the funds should free up." Yoon Dong-Gu sighed. "I tried, but it didn't work, which is why I'm here now. And I apologize for saying this in front of Mr. Wang Long, but... the Global Idol Project kids already get basic promotion through broadcast, don't they? Is there really a reason for Hoop to spend promotion funds on that too?" "Have some conscience. How can you say so casually that we shouldn't spend a single penny on promotion?" "Given the situation, what can we do?" The conversation started to get more heated. At that moment, as if waiting for it, Wang Long stepped in. "Since this also concerns our side, may I say something?" Kang Gam-Chan sighed and nodded. "You're a direct stakeholder as the overseas partner in the Global Project, so go ahead." "Thank you, sir. From what I'm hearing, it seems the issue is a lack of promotion funds to support both the new girl group and the Global Idol Project simultaneously. Is that right?" "Due to the financial situation after the merger, we can't push both at once. But starting from the second half of the year—no, by April—the financial situation will improve." Kim Gwan-Woo and Kim Jang-Bi nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's correct." Then Wang Long calmly said, "If that's all, don't worry. As promised, we'll cover all the additional promotion costs for the Global Idol Project. Hoop can use the remaining funds to launch the new girl group." A mix of guilt and gratitude appeared on Kang Gam-Chan's face. However, the former Gwanwoo Entertainment members started exchanging looks. At that moment, Kim Jang-Bi took the lead and spoke up. "You've already spent a lot on producing the broadcast program, haven't you? Wouldn't it be difficult to spend even more on promotion?" "How much money are we talking about that you're trying to scare me ? Go ahead, say the number." Kim Jang-Bi looked like he had been caught red-handed, but then quickly blurted out an outrageous amount. "If we go with the current plan, we'll need about five billion won more. Can you manage that?" It was absurd. Promotion was already included in the program production budget, so even if Hoop added more, it wouldn't exceed one billion. Five billion was clearly a deliberate exaggeration to discourage Wang Long. Just as Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung were about to call out the nonsense, Wang Long spoke first, wearing a smirk. "Come on~ your faces were so serious I got nervous, but is that all it is?" Kim Jang-Bi and Yoon Dong-Gu looked like they had bitten into a lemon. They didn't expect Wang Long to brush off five billion won so easily. "Don't worry. I'll generously support up to ten billion won in additional promotion costs. But since Chief Jung is my Korean partner, I'll give him full authority over the budget's use. Is that okay?" The former Gwanwoo Entertainment talent agents started looking glum. Hoop Entertainment barely had 1.5 billion won in liquid assets left, but now, I suddenly had full authority over a ten billion won promotion budget. I thought it would end there, but Wang Long started pressing Kim Jang-Bi even further. "Oh, and one more thing. The team which Mr. Yoon is fostering... was it called Triple Berry?" It was clearly intentional misnaming. "Ah, my apologies. Hahaha. I haven't seen them yet, but if there's this much concern, they must be very talented. Right?" "Yes. They'll be number one the moment they debut." "Great. Then if you let us choose the first overseas market they launch in, we'll provide early promotion funds. We can do up to two billion won. What do you say?" Kim Jang-Bi looked flustered. It was too much money to turn down. But if they accepted, it was clear I would be the one executing the plan. Kim Jang-Bi murmured, "I'll need to... think about it." "But didn't you say you don't have money? Then shouldn't you be eager to accept?" Kim Jang-Bi's face turned bright red. He clearly hadn't expected things to unfold . The corner of Wang Long's curled slightly as he said to Kim Jang-Bi, "I'm not sure what there is to think about. But once you're done thinking, let Chief Jung know." Seeing the Gwanwoo Entertainment people flustered, I couldn't help but laugh inside. 'Didn't expect this one, huh?' Wang Long had completely silenced the Gwanwoo group. Seeing this, Kang Gam-Chan laughed heartily in satisfaction. "Hahaha. I feel guilty to ask for such help from Director Wang Long. But if you're helping that much, we should accept it. Chief Yoon, contact Yoo So-Jung and proceed with the contract renewal and debut preparations. And work closely with Chief Jung for promotion support." When Kang Gam-Chan told him to keep trying to get more promotion funds for Berry Six from me, Yoon Dong-Gu clenched his jaw and nodded. "I'll do my best... to get more." The talent agents from Gwanwoo Entertainment ended up falling into their own trap. Right then, I got a KakaoTalk message saying Seo Hee-Joo had arrived at the company. "Mr. Kang, Hee-Joo's here. I should introduce her to Ling Ling. Since it looks like everything's wrapped up, would it be alright if I leave first?" "Of course. That's something you should definitely take care of. Oh, and has Ling Ling's throat gotten any better?" I replied loud enough for everyone to hear. "You'll hear for yourself later. You'll be shocked." "That's great to hear. Alright then, keep up the good work. I'll try to find time to stop by and see her too." With that, I left the meeting room alongside Wang Long, smirking at the Gwanwoo Entertainment talent agents. As we walked out of the room after Wang Long just silenced the Gwanwoo talent agents, he spoke to me again. "Yoon-Ho, I'm not joking. I'll really support you, so just tell me whatever you need." "I'll let you know if anything comes up. And Chief Yoon won't ask for any more money." "It's fine either way. I'll just squeeze more out elsewhere." Wang Long was not someone to be underestimated either. When we arrived on the fourth floor, Seo Hee-Joo, who had come to the office, greeted me with a polite nod. "Hello, Mr. Jung." "Hee-Joo, you're here." Seo Hee-Joo, the other pillar of the Global Idol Project, looked like her face had shrunk to half its size since I last saw her. It was likely because she had been under emotional stress for the past few days. Her mother, Yeon Hwa-Seon, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korean dance, had undergone brain tumor surgery. Today, Seo Yoon-Ji, who was Yeon Hwa-Seon's talent agent, had come along as her guardian. After greeting Seo Yoon-Ji as well, I asked Seo Hee-Joo, "How did your mom's surgery go?" "It went really well." "And she said it was easier thanks to your help. She really wants to see you." "I'll stop by and visit. Ling Ling is touring the company now, but she'll be here soon. So just wait a little." Then, Seo Yoon-Ji cautiously asked me, "Mr. Jung, I overheard earlier that the company is short on operating funds. Is that true?" Things had gotten a bit embarrassing thanks to Yoon Dong-Gu. "That's true, but Director Wang Long here helped resolve it." "Hmm~ Actually, I have something to tell you related to that. The timing is perfect. Could you take a look at this contract?" Seo Yoon-Ji held out the tablet she was carrying. But the digital contract displayed on the tablet was filled with contents I hadn't even imagined. 'She's really offering this to me?'