IWDAR Chapter 19

Ha-jin headed down to the basement, where the practice rooms were clustered, and opened the tightly closed door of the vocal room.

 

“Hello, my name is Han Wooyoung,” a pale-faced boy, seemingly notified beforehand, greeted her, rising from his seat.

 

Just as her junior staff had gossiped, his milky skin, gentle features, and upright posture were unlike those of an ordinary person.

 

‘…He is pretty.’ 

 

Ha-jin, having acknowledged this within three seconds of seeing Wooyoung’s face, lightly smoothed her furrowed brow.

 

So, it wasn’t retouched after all.

 

‘How on earth did the CEO manage to find someone like this so quickly?’

 

The existence of Mo Tae-uk was sometimes as reassuring as having a thousand soldiers at her back, yet other times it left her feeling exasperated.

 

“Nice to meet you, Wooyoung. I’m Park Ha-jin, head of Planning Team A. You can just call me Director Park.”

 

“Yes, Manager Park.”

 

Shaking hands with Wooyoung, Ha-jin wore a strange expression for a moment. While he looked like a pampered young master on the outside, his hands were surprisingly rough, as if he had been doing manual labor for a long time.

 

“Think of Team A as your partner, working alongside you to build ‘Eden,’ your group. Let’s work well together.”

 

“Yes, I look forward to it.”

 

Accepting the sleek black business card respectfully, Wooyoung bowed his head politely once more. 

 

For some reason, Ha-jin reminded him vaguely of Soohee. Her confident and competent demeanor – although Soohee would probably be mortified to hear it – was remarkably similar.

 

“You’re here to officially sign the contract today, right?”

 

“Yes. But the CEO suggested that it would be good to meet with you first.”

 

Ha-jin chuckled and questioned, 

 

“Did the CEO really say that?” 

 

Wooyoung quietly closed his mouth. Though Ha-jin didn’t seem particularly offended, he instinctively felt it wouldn’t be wise to mention the CEO too often in front of the staff.

 

“I heard you’ve already discussed the debut team in detail with the CEO.”

 

Remembering the expensive meal he’d been treated to, Wooyoung nodded in agreement.

 

Ha-jin stood up and looked around the vocal room. 

 

Even in the middle of the day, the basement vocal room was extremely dark without the lights on. 

 

With only a couple of dim lights on, there was an inexplicable sense of intimidation in the air. Even seasoned trainees would hesitate to speak freely in such an environment.

 

“But I’m meeting you, Wooyoung, for the first time today, and I don’t know anything about you other than your name and face.”

 

Wooyoung finally seemed to understand why Ha-jin was displeased. As the head of the planning team, she seemed to have her pride wounded by the fact that she had been kept in the dark about the new trainee selection.

 

“Would you mind singing for me now, a cappella?”

 

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈•  ｡ﾟ

“Is the CEO in his office right now?”

 

Do-hoon, who was at the reception desk, looked at the planning team manager, puzzled, as she skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point.

 

“You’re Manager Park from Team A, right? The CEO just returned from an outside meeting, so he is in his office, but…”

 

He implied that since Tae-uk had just arrived, it would be better to see him later unless it was something important. 

 

However, Ha-jin shook her head.

 

“I have something to ask the CEO directly regarding Han Wooyoung.”

 

At the familiar name, Do-hoon momentarily wore a strange expression.

 

‘Ah, that unfortunate young man.’

 

While Do-hoon hadn’t had many conversations with Wooyoung, he sensed that the boy was inherently a good person. 

 

His polite and gentle manner of speaking, unusual for young men these days, was enough to evoke a sense of warmth in those around him.

 

That’s why Do-hoon always felt a pang of sympathy whenever he saw Wooyoung. While handling Wooyoung’s contract termination with Lilac Entertainment under Tae-uk’s instructions, he had learned in detail about the petty humiliations the young boy had endured.

 

It all explained why he had stubbornly stood his ground at the event venue in such a state.

 

Moreover, Wooyoung’s injuries weren’t just from a simple fall or scrape. How on earth did he end up in such a condition…?

 

“Did something happen during the interview with Han Wooyoung?”

 

“No, not at all.”

 

Park Ha-jin, the head of Planning Team A, had a reputation throughout the entire entertainment company as a workaholic. Even among the executives, there was talk about how she was as relentless as CEO Mo Tae-uk when it came to nurturing new groups.

 

That’s why, when creating Team A, a dedicated planning team solely focused on ‘Eden,’ Tae-uk’s first recommendation was Park Ha-jin.

 

“He has another appointment later this evening, so he won’t be available for long.”

 

“I don’t intend to keep him for long either.”

 

Ha-jin replied indifferently, knocked on the CEO’s office door, and as soon as she received permission, disappeared inside.

 

Do-hoon, left alone in the suddenly quiet surroundings, checked Tae-uk’s remaining schedule for the day. The loyal secretary’s expression momentarily turned slightly sour as he looked at the aforementioned “evening appointment,” but no one noticed.

 

As if anticipating Ha-jin’s visit, Tae-uk didn’t look up from the laptop on his desk. As Do-hoon had said, he hadn’t even taken off his jacket yet.

 

“You’ve been seeing Manager Park quite often lately.”

 

Due to the recent trainee expulsion, they had had many occasions to face each other.

 

Although Tae-uk’s flat tone betrayed no emotion, Ha-jin couldn’t help but tense up. No matter how many times she faced him, she could never get used to Mo Tae-uk. 

 

His outrageously handsome looks, perfect for a CEO, and his chilling aura that suggested he wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed.

 

“I apologize for interrupting you during your busy schedule.”

 

“I didn’t mean for you to apologize, Manager Park.”

 

Tae-uk finally met Ha-jin’s gaze, closing his laptop.

 

“It means I’m willing to make time, especially for Manager Park.”

 

Reading the understanding in his dark eyes, Ha-jin bit back her words. This was how Mo Tae-uk handled his subordinates. He would thoroughly crush their spirits with his exceptional abilities and then sweet-talk them into becoming loyal to him.

 

Just last week, Ha-jin had been quite upset about being informed of a new member for the group she had planned, yet those cheap words of comfort were making her feel better again.

 

Ha-jin clenched her fists. 

 

From the group name to the debut concept, down to the smallest detail, everything held her personal touch. Yet, a new member had been added without her knowledge.

 

‘I won’t easily accept him.’

 

She had thought that, but…

 

“CEO, where did you find Han Wooyoung?”

 

“Does it matter?”

 

“Now that Wooyoung is a member of Eden, he’s my responsibility. I believe I have the right to know more about him, beyond his superficial profile.”

 

“It seems Han Wooyoung has caught Manager Park’s eye.”

 

Ha-jin’s eyes widened at the gentle voice. A clear smile graced Tae-uk’s lips, a rare sight for him to show his staff.

 

“Since the discerning Manager Park has so readily accepted him as one of her own.”

 

“……”

 

Ha-jin, her lips parting in slight shock, finally managed to speak.

 

“CEO, that boy is a genius.”

 

“I know.”

 

“It’s a true waste of talent to have him in an idol group, singing parts that are at most 40 seconds long.”

 

“Manager Park should consider it fortunate that I’m in a very good mood these days.”

 

Tae-uk slowly rose from his seat and stood before Ha-jin. 

 

Though she was tall for a woman, standing before Tae-uk, with his naturally superior physique, made her feel like a child. That’s how heavy the aura emanating from him was, as if she might be crushed at any moment.

 

“It’s your and my job to ensure that his brilliant talent isn’t wasted and that he reaches the most dazzling heights. Seems you’ve forgotten that.”

 

“…I’m sorry, CEO, but that’s not what I meant…”

 

“Are you lacking confidence, by any chance?”

 

Tae-uk tilted his head slightly and stared directly at Ha-jin.

 

Have you ever experienced the sensation of musical notes, invisible to the eye, flowing over your skin?

 

The moment she heard Wooyoung’s voice, resonating clearly in the empty space. Every step she took as she walked alone to the CEO’s office after sending Wooyoung away.

 

Yes, she admitted it.

 

Ha-jin was afraid. 

 

Afraid of being consumed by his innate, terrifying talent. 

 

Afraid of ruining something so exceptional. 

 

Afraid of feeling utterly useless.

 

“I trust Manager Park. Just as I trust you, you should trust me.”

 

Because Han Wooyoung will shine the brightest when he’s within the group.

 

Tae-uk’s words carried weight. 

 

It was strikingly similar to Wooyoung’s singing, which filled and poured into the space with an almost violent force.

 

Her heart, which had been pounding uncontrollably, finally regained its normal rhythm.

 

Confirming that Ha-jin had returned to her usual self, Tae-uk turned his back on her without hesitation.

 

“Oh, and Han Wooyoung is a former trainee from Lilac Entertainment.”

 

“Lila… what?”

 

Hearing the unfamiliar company name for the first time, Ha-jin forgot her earlier confusion and asked back dumbly.

 

Tae-uk checked the time leisurely and looked at Ha-jin before leaving his office.

 

“I plucked him straight from the trash heap, so you must cultivate him into something more magnificent than anything else.”