I Became An Idol To Pay Off My Debt

“…….”

After Shin PD’s back completely vanished, Han Si-woo turned towards me and asked.

“Ye-rin, did Shin PD do anything weird? Like, hit you or something…?”

Han Si-woo scrutinized my body from head to toe.

Feeling his genuine concern, I smiled a bit and replied.

“No, he didn’t do anything like that. Don’t worry.”

“Thank goodness for that… But Ye-rin, it’s not a good idea to stand up to the PD of the program you’re appearing on.”

“…….”

Worried about the negative impact on me, Han Si-woo advised me in a serious tone.

But….

“Especially with Shin PD, you need to be careful. That guy… has a huge influence in the entertainment industry. Plus, he’s smart and crafty. No matter how successful an entertainer is, they won’t want to get on his bad side. So from now on…,”

“…I’m sorry. I know that Producer Han Si-woo is saying this out of concern for me, but if I find myself in that situation again, I will act the same way.”

I firmly interrupted him.

“That’s because he touched my precious people. My mouth moved before I could think.”

“Precious people… are they from the company?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Han Si-woo nodded in understanding and closed his mouth.

A brief awkward silence followed, so this time, I asked him.

“By the way, how did you end up in this lonely place, Producer Han Si-woo?”

“Oh… actually, I was looking for you, Ye-rin. I had business with you and ended up here.”

“For me? Why…?”

“……It’s a bit embarrassing, but it was for the same reason as Shin PD.”

“…What?”

As I tilted my head, Han Si-woo gave a weak smile and replied.

“You remember I mentioned starting a company and asked you to be my first artist, right?”

“……Yes, of course I remember.”

How could I forget?

After Na Ah Ah ended, Han Si-woo established HS Entertainment, which quickly rose to become a major corporation.

Originally, Yoo Seol was supposed to be HS Entertainment’s first artist, but I was taken aback when Han Si-woo asked me to be it instead, unlike in his previous life.

“You rejected me quite harshly back then. After that, I tried to let it go, but every time I saw Ye-rin grow, it kept lingering in my mind.”

“Producer Han Si-woo….”

“I got the feeling that if I lost Ye-rin now, I’d regret it for life. So… I brought the best conditions I could to persuade you. But….”

While Han Si-woo was smiling, I could easily read the emotions behind it.

“I can see now that no matter what conditions I bring, I can’t persuade you.”

Disappointment and regret were evident on his face.

It resembled someone who just missed a treasure right in front of them.

With a face full of apology, I bowed my head.

“…Yes, I’m sorry. I have no intention of leaving my current company, no matter how tempting your offer is.”

“Ye-rin, there’s no need for you to apologize. I’m the one who should apologize for clinging to you and making you uncomfortable.”

Han Si-woo waved his hand as if to dismiss it and continued.

“Forget what Shin PD said. Brotherhood Planning… your current company has proven its capability just by discovering you.”

“…Thank you for saying that.”

“And don’t even consider MS Planning, the agency Shin PD mentioned. Everyone knows it’s a company that exploits its artists with slave contracts. Plus, the head of that company has a terrible reputation… it’s a trashy company.”

“Ah….”

MS Planning was the company Shin PD had suggested to me. I had heard of it many times.

It was clearly a second-tier agency, the size right after the big three.

I knew quite a few entertainers under that label, so I thought it would be a good place, but if Han Si-woo said so, it probably wasn’t worth anything after all.

“Thank you for letting me know, Producer Han Si-woo.”

“It’s nothing to thank me for. Well then, I’ll take my leave. Ye-rin, you were the best on stage this week… great job.”

After saying that, Han Si-woo waved his hand in farewell and began to walk away.

I couldn’t help but watch his back, and suddenly, a question popped into my head and I shouted to him.

“Um, Producer Han Si-woo!”

“Yes, Ye-rin. Is there something you want to say one last time…?”

“That is… you mentioned that even the most successful entertainers don’t want to cross Shin PD, but why did you help me while crossing him?”

“…….”

Han Si-woo, momentarily lost in thought with his chin resting on his hand, eventually smiled and replied as if he had remembered something.

“You said earlier that Shin PD disparaged the company’s people, and that’s why you acted before you thought.”

“It was like that, yes.”

“I also acted before thinking when I saw you being threatened by Shin PD.”

“…….”

“It seems you meant that for me, Ye-rin. If that answers your question, I will indeed take my leave. Let’s meet again in two weeks.”

Swish swish.

With those words, Han Si-woo gave me a cheerful wave and left.

I stared blankly for a moment at the spot he had vacated.

‘…He’s admirable.’

And I was grateful.

If someone like him was the company representative, I couldn’t help but think I’d want to work with him.

Although for now, I had Brotherhood Planning and Kang Hyung-man, so that wouldn’t happen….

‘If I hadn’t met President Kang and had joined Han Si-woo’s company instead… what would have happened to me?’

…….

It wouldn’t have been so bad, I think.

Imagining myself joining Han Si-woo’s company, I chuckled a little.

The feelings that had been tarnished because of Shin PD were getting a bit cleansed thanks to Han Si-woo.

I must have spent quite a long time chatting with Shin PD and Han Si-woo.

“No one’s here.”

I looked around the empty set and hurriedly moved my feet.

‘President must be waiting for me.’

Kang Hyung-man would definitely be waiting in the usual parking lot.

So I rushed towards the parking lot.

Just then.

“……so what I wanted to say is…”

‘……Hmm?’

At the familiar voice coming from around the corner, I instinctively hid my body.

Curious about who it was, I peeked out and confirmed the face…

“Excuse me? What do you want to say? Hurry up.”

“…….”

Seo Yoo-jin and Yoo Seol were having a conversation together.

Seo Yoo-jin and Yoo Seol… what an odd pairing.

Most importantly, don’t they have unresolved issues between them?

‘Eavesdropping is rude…!’

I knew that, but there seemed to be no timing for me to join the conversation.

Unable to help it, I held my breath and started to listen to their conversation.

And….

“…I’m sorry.”

“……!”

Yoo Seol’s apology made me gasp and cover my mouth.

“…At that competition, I used you for my vote count.”

“…….”

Seo Yoo-jin didn’t respond even after hearing Yoo Seol’s reply.

Then Yoo Seol continued speaking.

“…I didn’t hate you. I know this can’t be an excuse, but I had no idea you would suffer that much in front of the public.”

“…….”

“…I’m not asking for your forgiveness, nor am I trying to make myself feel better. I just wanted to share my true feelings…”

“…….”

“…I’m sorry. Truly.”

Thump.

I heard the sound of Yoo Seol’s head bowing down. She must have lowered her head to Seo Yoo-jin.

“…Sigh.”

Seeing Yoo Seol like that seemed to make Seo Yoo-jin feel troubled, as she replied with a deep sigh.

“I really struggled at that time. I even thought about dying and wanted to quit being an idol… because of you. But…”

“…….”

“…Get up, I forgive you.”

“…What?”

Her words of forgiveness surprised not only me but also Yoo Seol, who looked silly.

And Seo Yoo-jin continued…

“…I didn’t do well back then either.”

…She started speaking in a tone that was rarely heard from her.

“I showed an immature side back then. If I had debuted without situations like this, I would have faced bigger problems later. And….”

“…….”

“…Because of this incident, I got to know truly precious people.”

“…Truly precious people?”

“When I was at my lowest, when everyone turned their backs, there was someone who held me and embraced me.”

“…….”

Is she talking about me?

…This is kinda embarrassing.

Seo Yoo-jin’s voice was so affectionate, it made my embarrassment even worse.

“So I’ll forgive you. Don’t torture yourself too much, okay?”

At the same time, I felt proud seeing Seo Yoo-jin’s grown-up side.

Is this how a parent feels when watching their child grow?

Seeing Seo Yoo-jin, who used to be arrogant and self-centered, show such maturity left me quite moved.

“…Thank you.”

It seemed Yoo Seol felt the same way, responding with an emotion-filled voice.

Seeing her like that, Seo Yoo-jin must have thought it better to leave, as she said with a hint of annoyance but a gentle tone.

“…If we’re done here, I’ll be going first.”

“…Okay.”

“…See you at the next shoot, sister.”

Tap tap tap.

With those words, Seo Yoo-jin walked away, her footsteps sounding somewhat shy.

“……Sigh.”

After Seo Yoo-jin left, Yoo Seol didn’t move from her spot for a while.

Because of that….

‘…I should head out soon.’

I couldn’t help but feel anxious too.

Kang Hyung-man would definitely be worried about me, but if I went out now, he’d find out that I had been eavesdropping…

As I was fidgeting, suddenly—

Ring ring -.

“…!”

The sudden ringing of a phone startled me, and I thought it was finally Kang Hyung-man calling.

But….

“…Hello?”

‘……Phew.’

Fortunately, the owner of the ringtone wasn’t me, but Yoo Seol.

It must have been an important call because she answered with an even heavier voice than with Seo Yoo-jin.

And then….

“Emergency surgery…?”

I couldn’t help but flinch at what she said next.

“I-I’ll be right there. For the surgery fee….”

“…….”

“I’ll manage to pay the surgery fee by the end of next month… Yes, yes…! Thank you…! I’ll hurry!”

Pitter patter.

With those words, Yoo Seol rapidly left the set.

And….

‘……Surgery fee?’

As I watched Yoo Seol disappear, I tilted my head, recalling what she had just said.

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