Episode 119

Kim Seon-ye, unable to hide her surprise at Cheon Aram’s words, quickly regained her composure and said, mixing in her characteristic hysteria.

“Didn’t you say you were a trainee manager back then? But now suddenly you’re his boss?”

“Yeah, that was a lie. I’m the President of TwoBear Entertainment, the company of Team Leader Seon and Han Gyeoul.”

“Then why did you lie about it?”

Cheon Aram looked down at Kim Seon-ye as if to say, ‘You still don’t get it?’

“I heard some disgusting person was trying to get close to Team Leader Seon, who is already committed to me, so I had to go on a business trip to protect what’s mine. Naturally, I said I was a trainee so that they’d keep their distance when they found out who I really was.”

“…Ha.”

Kim Seon-ye, who seemed very uncomfortable with the situation, tousled her hair, covering half of one eye with her loose hair, and smirked.

“President? So what? It’s just a mutual contract relationship where money is exchanged.”

Her tone, as if she was studying how to be rude, was highly provocative.

“It’s natural that if you’re incapable, you can’t protect what’s yours. And it’s a smarter choice to stick with me than your company.”

Cheon Aram sneered at her again and said.

“Why do you think that?”

“Why? Because I have a different foundation than some president of a startup agency.”

“Aha, foundation?”

Cheon Aram nodded as if understanding, and began to take on the same atmosphere she had when she first saw her, asking.

“What is that foundation you’re bragging about?”

“What?”

“Who’s backing you?”

Kim Seon-ye, slightly trembling as she met Cheon Aram’s intimidating gaze, snorted as if she wouldn’t lose and said.

“Who’s backing me? Ha, looks like you misunderstood. It’s not one person; it’s three.”

“Three?”

“Yes, three. Three directors who lead MNet’s practical programs. With their majority, no one can stop them if they decide to act. What’s in front of you isn’t just one PD, it’s the entire MNet broadcasting company’s intent. That’s why everyone calls me the real power behind MNet. Do you understand your position now?”

Cheon Aram asked, intrigued.

“Three directors… Is that all the cards you have?”

“Your tone sounds like you’re looking down on me. Do MNet’s three directors feel light to you? Do you not understand the weight that comes with the title of director?”

Despite Kim Seon-ye’s half-threat, Cheon Aram only looked at her with interest, as if inviting her to continue.

Her attitude seemed to anger Kim Seon-ye further, who gritted her teeth and said.

“…Ah, I remember now. You were with Flower Entertainment back then, right? The ‘Girl 100’ project was already over, and suddenly you got an offer. You must have a connection at MNet, huh? But you’re not seriously prideful because of that, are you? Shouldn’t you just lower your head now?”

“By the way you’re speaking, looks like you have no more cards to play?”

“What’s with all this nonsense about cards?”

Kim Seon-ye, who was now red and speaking irritably, was met with Cheon Aram’s slight smile as she said.

“Then, it’s time to show my cards.”

With that, Cheon Aram took out his smartphone from his pocket and made a call.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Jin Kyeong. It’s Cheon Aram. Oh, marriage? Ah, I’m not at the age to worry about that. The reason I’m calling is that I have a small favor to ask.”

As everyone stared at the phone call, Oh Yoori asked me.

“Who’s she calling?”

“…I’m not sure either. But there’s only one person who the President could call ‘Mr. Jin Kyeong’ in this situation… is it possible?”

A name came to mind, but that person wouldn’t casually make a call like this, so I couldn’t be sure either.

As I was pondering, her phone call was nearing its end.

“Ah, thank you for taking care of it right away. Yes, I’ll visit you around the New Year. See you then.”

“Who exactly are you calling…?”

Just as Kim Seon-ye was about to express her displeasure at Cheon Aram’s behavior, her smartphone rang.

She checked her smartphone with a look of annoyance, but when she saw the name on the screen, her expression changed, and she hurriedly answered the phone.

“Yes, this is PD Kim Seon-ye! What’s going on?”

Even though the speaker was not on, a loud, high-pitched voice from the phone echoed and could be heard by the people around her.

Kim Seon-ye, hearing the high-pitched sound next to her ear, frowned, sweated, and repeatedly apologized in a humiliated manner.

“I’m sorry. I’ll handle it right away… Yes, I’m sorry.”

After finishing the call, she spoke in a trembling voice.

“Who the hell did you just call?”

Cheon Aram casually replied, as if it was no big deal.

“The President of MNet.”

The name I had doubted, wondering if it could be that person, came out of her mouth.

“…What?”

“That person is the one who asked me if I was interested in ‘Girl 100,’ and he’s also the one you just mentioned.”

“……”

Kim Seon-ye could not respond and only gaped her mouth in silence.

“But you know what’s even more interesting?”

“…Wh-what?”

“You know, I don’t just know that person, right? I also have connections with MNet’s vice president and the directors you’re so proud of. These connections aren’t just in MNet; they stretch across the broadcasting industry, including the big three networks. Sure, it would be difficult to ask them to meddle with broadcasting, but a simple favor like stepping on someone who doesn’t know their place? That’s an easy request.”

The light mockery and slowly tightening atmosphere overwhelmed Kim Seon-ye.

“I have family connections that have lasted since childhood, but I also have a special talent that has earned me some favor with those people. Those who have a good relationship with me often introduce me to others. So, while I may not know people in other fields, in the entertainment industry, no one has better connections than I do.”

I remembered her gaze when I first saw her, like a hungry snake looking at me.

It was that imposing look I thought would never end well if I got involved with her.

Though I had forgotten because of her usual foolish behavior, that was closer to Cheon Aram’s true nature.

“If you have any other backup to show, don’t hide it out of annoyance, just show it now.”

She said with a light laugh.

“I won’t lose to that.”

It was truly a reassuring sight.

Kim Seon-ye, staring at Cheon Aram for a while with her mouth gaping, scratched her head and provocatively said again.

“Do I have any more backup? Yes, I do! It’s not just the broadcasting company; I also have connections in the business world.”

Business world?

Cheon Aram, feeling the same question, asked.

“Who is it?”

“It’s the second grandson of Jinkang!”

“……”

Why is Jinkang mentioned here?

Cheon Aram and I blankly stared at each other’s faces.

We both had confused expressions, and it seemed like we hadn’t heard wrong.

Jinkang was, quite coincidentally, a name that had some significant connections with us.

Moreover, Jinkang’s second grandson was a troublemaker who caused scandal after scandal, becoming a nuisance within the Jinkang family, and later tried to dodge military service, only to open up a conglomerate gate scandal.

No matter how much I thought about it, I felt like our connection wasn’t any weaker.

“Jinkang?”

“Yes, Jinkang! The leading conglomerate in our country! Can you stop this with that bragged-up card?”

Cheon Aram and I looked at each other.

Then we exchanged a brief conversation.

“Should President Cheon make the contact?”

“No, I think it would be more effective for Team Leader Seon to handle this. Not that I mind saying it, but that kid prefers speaking with Team Leader Seon.”

“Understood. Then I’ll handle it.”

I opened my smartphone and made a call.

“Hey, Yeoreum. Are you practicing well?”

“Team Leader Seon? Yes, I’ve been practicing hard! Last time, when Team Leader Seon and I were doing input activities at the cinema… I felt encouraged and was able to practice harder every day. Oh, I didn’t mean to burden you with this… just wondering, when’s the next time?”

Unfortunately, there wasn’t time for small talk, so I wrapped up her words and got to the point.

“Thanks for thinking that. Let’s have some more time together soon. By the way, Yeoreum, can I ask you for one more favor?”

“A favor?”

I quickly summarized the situation, and Yeoreum let out a small sigh before speaking.

“Sigh. It seems like my second brother is up to something again. He got caught last time and got an earful from Dad. I don’t know why he keeps doing this. Don’t worry, Team Leader Seon. I’ll handle it in a minute.”

Yeoreum’s call ended, and less than a minute later, Kim Seon-ye’s phone rang again.

“Yes… This is Kim Seon-ye. No, it’s just… sorry…”

Kim Seon-ye, once again apologizing with a humbled voice, finished the call and stared at me and Cheon Aram with a dazed expression. She muttered.

“…Damn, I messed up.”

It was a sigh akin to a declaration of surrender.

It wasn’t until my second life that I truly felt it.

Connections are incredibly sweet.