SCT-Novel Chapter 128: Year-end (5)
Chapter 128: Year-end (5)
The GN Entertainment staff blinked upon hearing the three conditions of Kang Rojun’s contract. The female staff member sitting in front of Rojun looked quite flustered."......Ah, that's-"
On top of that, there was also a trace of bewilderment. Of course, Kang Rojun had somewhat expected this level of reaction.
‘It’s understandable they’re surprised, especially about the training part. They probably didn’t expect me to say I’d still skip training even after 'Produce That 100!'.’
The staff looked at each other’s faces, and then the female staff member cleared her throat. The fluster that had spread across her face settled down a bit.
“We’ve heard your three conditions, but I think they’ll need some explanation.”
“Yes.”
Rojun, who had intended to elaborate in the briefing anyway, started with the phone matter. His expression turned more serious.
“The first of the three conditions. I don’t want any interference when it comes to using my phone.”
“Hm-”
Usually, idols or idol trainees under an agency aren't free to use their phones. Before debut, it’s a given, and even after debut, phone usage is banned or restricted for at least a year or more. Of course, these days it’s more relaxed than before, but typically, they have to hand in their phones during work hours and get them back once schedules are over.
Either way, they can’t use them freely.
In fact, there are mainly two big reasons why entertainment companies restrict phones for trainees or idols: to prevent them from messing around or getting into trouble. Idols are generally young and inexperienced. So it’s a way of guiding them.
But Kang Rojun.
‘I need to use my phone freely.’
Because he had the ‘AI Simulation’, any restrictions would be a problem. Just having moderate freedom wouldn’t be enough, there must be no interference at all. Not just the phone, but also the smartwatch he was currently wearing. However, Rojun couldn’t talk about anything related to the ‘AI Simulation’, and the GN Entertainment staff looked slightly hesitant.
Kang Rojun smiled inwardly.
‘Well, there’s a way.’
As if that wasn’t the end, he added further explanation.
“There are many reasons, but the key point is, as you all know, although my main job is aimed at being an idol, I also have side jobs. Writer, etc. I have no intention of neglecting those even after debut.”
“Ahh! We agree with that too.”
“Then even more reason why there should be no interference with my phone use. For one thing, I have a lot of data stored on my phone related to my side jobs. I need to be able to access them whenever I need to.”
“Aha-”
The female staff member nodded, and the male staff member sitting next to her crossed his arms.
“Well... Rojun-nim is also affiliated with ‘Culture Drawer’ besides us, right?”
The other staff members started nodding slightly.
“That’s right. So as a writer, there must be communication with ‘Culture Drawer’ as well.”
“Not only that, but also communication with PDs or directors involved in production projects.”
“On top of that, your side jobs include being a lyricist or actor too, right? So having phone freedom is absolutely necessary.”
Observing the flow of the conversation, Kang Rojun inwardly murmured with satisfaction.
‘Good, good, it’s going just as I planned.’
He added a final comment.
“I don’t have time to mess around on my phone or get into trouble. I don’t even really use social media. Of course, I should start using it now, but I’m not that interested.”
Gradually, the staff were becoming captivated by Kang Rojun.
“Second, I want a workspace. This is simple. Just give me a space for writing, composing, and lyric writing.”
“That shouldn’t be much of an issue. We have a lot of studios, and anyone can use them freely if they want.”
“Yes.”
Rojun nodded and moved on to the next point. It was just as important as the phone matter.
“Third, I’ll do individual training on my own.”
“......”
The GN Entertainment staff were most bothered by this. It was one thing during 'Produce That 100!' where they needed broadcast hype, but even now, as a properly signed idol under an agency, to skip training?
Regardless, Kang Rojun calmly continued.
“Usually, training includes vocals, dance, and rap as basics, and expands to things like speech, acting, foreign languages, etc.”
“Th-that’s true. But to do all of that individual training alone......”
“Yes. I’ll handle individual training on my own. Of course, for group training, I’ll participate just like the others.”
“...May I ask why?”
Why, you ask? Because the ‘AI Simulation’ is way better than any trainer out there. And the owner of that ‘AI Simulation’ is Kang Rojun. Who needs a trainer?
‘Times like this, playing the villain character really helps.’
Rojun slightly altered his answer. Adding a touch of sternness, like a blade.
“It’s better to do it alone, in terms of efficiency and all that.”
“......”
“You probably saw it during ‘Produce That 100!’, but even before that and up until now, I’ve done it all on my own. That’s enough for me. As for foreign languages, I’m already fluent in English and Japanese to the level of a native, so there’s no need to study them.”
It was overwhelming confidence or perhaps self-esteem. The female staff member who met eyes with Rojun silently gasped inside.
'With that crazy visual added, I'm just being drawn in.'
Soon, a few names floated into her mind. Across the entertainment industry, there were a few true geniuses who didn’t particularly need training. Those few could write songs and choreograph before even turning twenty, taking on the role of producer and singlehandedly creating entire albums.
'Just from 'Produce That 100!', he definitely belongs in that genius category.’
Honestly, if someone grows on their own, it’s convenient for the agency. But the reason the GN staff were struggling was because they couldn’t just leave him be. And they’d never experienced a disruptor like Kang Rojun before. Unfamiliarity can sometimes turn into fear.
However, Kang Rojun remained calm.
“That’s it. If those three things are added to the contract, I think we’re good.”
His confidence pierced the sky.
“If that’s difficult, I’ll have to reconsider the contract a little.”
A few hours later.
Kang Rojun, along with Si-hoo, Kang-min, Do-kyung and their parents, finished their meetings and left. The staff members who had met with them were now gathered in the GN Entertainment main conference room. Of course, among them sat CEO Ha Seo-hwan, exuding the aura of a major figure.
The ㄷ-shaped table was completely filled.
Then, the staff members who had conducted the meetings with Rojun and the other members began reporting to the executives and to CEO Ha Seo-hwan, who sat at the head.
“I met with Si-hoo-nim and his parents. Si-hoo-nim’s conditions were......”
Starting with Si-hoo, then moving on to Kang-min and Do-kyung. Overall, it seemed smooth enough that the executives nodded their heads. Finally, it was Kang Rojun’s turn. The female staff member who had met with him stood up.
“I spoke with Rojun-nim, he had three conditions in total.”
She listed the conditions that Rojun had told her. The executives around her reacted differently compared to the other members.
“...Phone freedom and workspace, fine but the solo training part is problematic.”
“He did well in ‘Produce That 100!’, sure, but now he wants to do the same all the way to official debut?? Tsk tsk-”
They all gave strong reactions at the condition about individual training.
“He’s definitely different from the others. No, maybe we should say he’s unusual.”
“Still, we have to acknowledge his genius. No matter what anyone says, that kid practically led ‘Produce That 100!’.”
“Mm- true enough. Even during the chaos of ‘Produce That 100!’, he still pulled off side jobs like writing and lyric composition.”
“But there are still some concerns. Isn’t he someone without any debut experience?”
There was a clear divide between positive and negative opinions. At that point, the female staff member relayed Rojun’s final words.
“He said, if these conditions are too difficult, he’ll have to reconsider the contract......”
The executives’ expressions darkened.
“So basically, if we don’t accept them, there’s no contract.”
“We’re gonna be dragged around from the start.”
“S-still, would he really throw it all away in such a big game??”
Then CEO Ha Seo-hwan, who had been quietly listening the entire time, finally spoke. His tone was low and heavy.
“He’ll walk away without hesitation.”
“Huh?”
CEO Ha Seo-hwan recalled Rojun’s face as he spoke of stakes and desperation like they were nothing.
“Rojun. That kid, if he doesn’t like it, he’ll flip the table no matter how big it is.”
“......”
“He’s got nothing to lose. If he becomes free again, you think other agencies will just leave him alone?”
As the executives all fell silent in an instant, CEO Ha Seo-hwan slowly crossed his legs.
“We’re the ones who are desperate. We didn’t get those kids with skill, it was pure luck. So we need to go all in.”
Then, locking eyes with each executive one by one, he added a chill to his voice.
"So put your necks on the line."
It was pressure. A desperate push to claw for results. Otherwise, their heads would roll. In any case, CEO Ha Seo-hwan, who exuded a quiet brutality, made a declaration to all the staff.
“Grant all the conditions. Specify them clearly in the contract.”
Later.
The next morning, Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung gathered once again at GN Entertainment. As before, they each met with GN staff in separate meeting rooms and received revised contracts based on their meetings.
Reading through the contract carefully, Kang Rojun let out a small satisfied smile.
‘Okay, this seems good enough?’
Kang Rojun, of course, and all the members signed the contract.
Thus, Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung.
“Please take good care of us.”
“It’s our pleasure! Rojun-nim!”
Officially became part of GN Entertainment.
This news was released to the public around lunchtime on the same day.
《[Official] Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, Do-kyung Sign Formal Contract with GN Entertainment》
《No longer just 'Produce That 100!' contestants, Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, Do-kyung now with GN Entertainment》
《GN Entertainment: “We plan to fully support Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, Do-kyung and present them to the fans properly”》
Naturally, it was GN Entertainment who released the news. It was also a message thrown at other entertainment companies. In other words, don’t get your hopes up.
Regardless, fans were thrilled.
-Ha... finally....
-GN, you guys better do a good job, okay??
-Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, Do-kyung!! We’ll be cheering for you!!
-Hurry... GN, please debut them quickly.. please
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋI was a bit worried because of EY, but this worked out so well!!
-Open their YouTube and Instagram accounts right away!!!
-Still, I heard Rojun is showing up at the year-end awards, so I’m hypedㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-I never watch film festivals or awards shows, but I’m watching the SBC one this timeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Can’t resist Rojun in a tux
Around lunchtime, Kang Rojun and the members returned to the ‘Produce That 100!’ campus for now. GN had informed them that within a few days, they would move to the prepared dorms and that a management team would be assigned. Before that, the members had to pack up their belongings at the campus.
One more day passed. November ended, and December began. Tuesday, December 1st. Around this time, Kang Rojun.
-Swish.
Despite all the changes, still started his day with running, as usual.
“Hm- this view’s coming to an end too.”
The campus scenery, which he’d grown somewhat attached to during his workouts, was nearing its close.
‘GN apparently has a huge gym, so I’ll be using that often from now on.’
Whatever the case, Kang Rojun completed his daily mission through exercise. Perhaps feeling a bit sentimental, he ran longer than usual and did extended strength training. Now it was December. The weather had turned cold, but Rojun, drenched in sweat, moved to shower.
Shirtless, Kang Rojun stood in front of the mirror.
“Hm.”
His muscles had clearly become more defined. Chest, abs, and so on. Plus, he’d lost a bit of fat, so his body had a more sculpted look.
“My skin... is it clearer? Shinier? Anyway, it looks better.”
Feeling an odd sense of unfamiliarity, he opened the ‘AI Simulation’ app before showering.
-[User: Kang Rojun / Age: 24 / Height: 185.1 / Desired Occupation: Idol / Coins Owned: 976]
-[Passive: Overwhelm]
-[Titles: Side Job Tycoon+3 / (Evolved) World Star / Global Genius+2 / Instrument Master+1]
-[Side Jobs: [1] Screenwriter, [2] Actor, [3] Lyricist]
-[Global Languages: [1] Japanese, [2] English]
-[Instruments: [1] Acoustic Guitar]
At this point, Rojun tilted his head slightly.
‘Wait a minute, why did I get taller?’
He was definitely around 182 cm before, but now he was at 185, he’d grown 3 cm. He had noticed his clothes felt a bit short, and it turned out it was due to the height increase. Rojun checked himself again in the mirror, then moved on. To enhance himself, he opened his stats. What surprised him again this time.
“Eh?”
He was looking at his Appearance stat, which had started at 100 from the beginning.
-[Appearance (150/150)]
It had gone beyond 100 and reached 150.
“I… got even more handsome?”
*****
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