At that moment on the rooftop terrace of LS Entertainment, the expressions of the gathered staff were clearly divided between delight and despair.
“Hey, how can they spring this on us out of nowhere? Isn’t this cheating?”
“C’mon, vibe check! If Choi Jihyun wins, I’m buying coffee for everyone!”
The uproar was triggered by the huge exclusive interview with Choi Jihyun that had gone up that morning. It hadn’t yet budged the charts, but the headline alone was enough:
[Exclusive: Competing with HS? “My only rival is myself.” A conversation with super‑rookie composer Choi Jihyun.]
With Gye Jin‑seong, famous for click‑baiting like no one else, holding the steering wheel, it was obvious Pandora’s box was being opened again.
─ You’re currently competing on the charts with your senior and in‑house composer HS. How do you feel about that?
: Honestly, I’ve never thought of it as competing. The song that lives longest is simply the one people keep coming back to. Whoever’s left standing then… well, that’s the winner. (laughs)
─ What led you to take part in the much talked‑about “Blue Spring” MV project?
: While working with maestro Kim Gwang‑jin, he brought in a photo of himself when he was young. Staring at that picture, an idea suddenly flashed into my mind…
─ We have to talk about the double‑title track “out to sea”—a lavish, East‑flavored new‑age piece featuring the New York Philharmonic and retired gayageum master Lee Ga‑hee, yet with not a single lyric registered. Why write a lyric‑less new‑age track? Any special reason?
: A silent scream is often the saddest. Everyone carries memories of sorrow, frustration, even despair, and yet I myself have never cried out loud. So I removed the lyrics so that listeners could cry out loud instead.
─ Ah, is that why the album note says, “I hope many people will listen and grieve to their hearts’ content”?
: Actually, that line belongs to Master Lee Ga‑hee. I merely borrowed her words. (laughs)
─ Since we’ve mentioned Master Lee, how did the two of you come to collaborate?
: You might say it’s a bond spanning lifetimes—sijo poetry and romance carried forward from a previous existence.
─ Finally, any closing words or future release plans?
: If something sparks in my mind, I’ll be back with it. In the meantime, I hope people accept the music as it is and refrain from forced conjecture or illogical criticism.
Even though the article had been up barely an hour, the flood of comments made it clear who would be sitting on the throne tomorrow: “Choi Jihyun,” no question.
↳ The reporter probably toned it down, but the way he talks is savage.
↳ Even in text you can feel the force of his personality.
Reading through, Gi Yeon‑seon chimed in, delighted.
“His tone really is strong…”
↳ You don’t think he’s kind? Just me? He left out the lyrics so we could cry out loud ㅠㅠ touché
“Exactly! He’s kind and fierce!”
↳ The second I saw ‘sijo and romance,’ I knew he wasn’t ordinary. Maybe you have to be a little crazy to write songs like this.
↳ Guys, you see the key word? He keeps saying ‘he.’ Maybe we’re in for another good‑looking face?
“Oh, don’t get me started. He’s drop‑dead handsome!”
↳ But isn’t he being too arrogant? HS is his senior. He’s talking like he’s dismissing him?
↳ Arrogant? Dismissive? Read the article again, will you?
↳ Actually, before they were in the same company, Choi Jihyun was… (see more)
“Hey, why won’t see more open? What’s next?!”
The die‑hard HS-only fans in Management Team 2 put fresh cigarettes to their lips at the scene.
“Good grief…”
Manager Kim tried to soothe them. “Come on, so we lose a little betting money. Big deal! Either way it’s great for Team 2, right?”
“Well, yeah, but…”
“Choi Jihyun’s tunes are raking in CM deals, HS is sitting atop the Oricon chart. Who cares who wins this particular round?”
He spoke bravely, but his own stomach churned. For an office worker, losing a hundred thousand won wasn’t exactly pocket change.
Still, looking long‑term, it was good news: they’d already exceeded the year’s projected earnings by late summer, meaning year‑end bonuses were practically guaranteed.
And all of it… was thanks to HS and Choi Jihyun… Hyunseung, that is.
Just then, Team Leader Han jabbed him in the ribs. “Then will you cover my bet too, Manager Kim?”
“Why would I? Your losses, you pay.”
Money pains were another matter.
Hyunseung sighed at Manager Kim’s flurry of dawn texts:
Hyunseung, today you must wear a suit.
No rebellious frog behavior today.
I’ll buy you five coffees. Just dress properly.
And so, he set out for work in a suffocating suit, even a tie.
Screech!
His car slid into its slot in the tower garage.
“Been waiting for you, sir. Right this way.”
The familiar man in a suit gestured to escort him. Morning and already this formal… so that’s why Kim told him to dress up?
Following the gesture, he saw a very familiar car idling with the engine on. It was CEO Jeon Nam‑il’s, the same one he’d ridden about this time last year.
Inside the traditional restaurant Dana.
In the deepest private room, two men shared a breath‑stifling meal.
Clink, clink.
The sound of dishes clashing was louder than their breathing.
Hyunseung cared less why Jeon had called him than about finishing the food in front of him.
“You may eat slowly,” Jeon finally said.
“Ah, yes.” Interrupted, Hyunseung set down his spoon.
“It’s been over a year,” Jeon began. “Since our first meal here.”
“Yes. Early last summer.”
“You renewed with Manager Kim once after that, correct?”
“Early this year, yes.”
“So this may feel early, but I wanted to discuss your next renewal.”
He waved away the server bringing the next course.
Darn, I wanted those ribs… Hyunseung cast a wistful glance at the closed door.
“In less than two years, you’ve already proven yourself countless times. It’s enough to astonish even me.” Jeon smoothed his cuff. “I honestly can’t see how to keep you by my side. If you went independent, you could succeed a hundred times over.”
Meeting Hyunseung’s eyes, he continued, “If someday you stood opposite me, I’d have to fight hard.”
Hyunseung simply listened; Jeon was a man of few words, so a long preamble meant something big.
“But now I’m no longer sure I could win. So I’d rather not make you an enemy.” Jeon paused, sipped water, then lowered his voice. “Of course… I wouldn’t be an easy enemy either.”
For anyone else, that glint in Jeon’s eyes would have been enough to scare them into signing a lifetime contract.
“So let’s compromise.”
Unfazed, Hyunseung asked, “Do you have specific terms in mind?”
“Yes. My offer for re‑signing is—property.”
“Property?”
“A prime spot in Cheongdam just went for a song.”
“Cheongdam…”
“The building that housed the boutique Charom. After Master Lee Du‑seok severed ties, they shut down.”
Hyunseung thought of the “For Lease” sign he’d seen when picking up Hyuna and sighed softly. He’d even considered buying it himself, just to drive that old lady crazy by putting it under Hyuna’s name.
“I thought that building might be useful to you.”
“Hmm?” Had Jeon heard details from Master Lee? Maybe. Regardless, Hyunseung shrugged it off. “Interesting, but I could buy a building like that myself, so it doesn’t move me.”
“Then name what you want. That’s why we’re here.”
Truthfully, he wanted little. He could already afford anything money could buy, and he wasn’t materialistic. LS Entertainment treated him fine, and nowadays he finally had people who genuinely rejoiced and fumed for his sake.
Oh, there was that one thing.
“It may be difficult, but I do have one real wish.”
He leaned in. “Grant me this, and I’ll sign right now.”
Clink.
Jeon set his teacup back down.
Returning to his studio after lunch, Hyunseung found ManagerKim sprawled on the sofa as if he’d been waiting forever.
“Have a good feast?”
“Is this your living room, Manager?”
“Talk go well with the CEO?”
“Just stuffed myself, that’s all.”
He plopped into the rolling chair at the console.
“Seriously, just lunch? Nothing else?” Kim hovered. “No talk of… re‑signing?”
“You knew all about it and still play innocent?”
“So… you did it?”
Hyunseung closed his eyes, exasperated. “Yes, moved it up and signed on the spot.”
Kim leapt up, pounding his back. “Really? Good job! Smart move!”
Then, nudging his shoulder, he asked slyly, “What condition did you ask for this time?”
“Oh, just…”
Hyunseung shrugged and went silent.
“What? Tell me. You can tell me.”
Noticing the clock hit noon, he stood. “Ah, I should’ve asked them to expand the cafeteria menu.”
“That’s what you asked?”
“No. I forgot, there was too much food in front of me.”
“Unbelievable. Absolutely unfathomable…” Kim muttered as Hyunseung truly looked regretful.
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