Novel Bin Chapter 166. Jejudo Is A Windy Island (1)
Chapter 166. Jejudo Is A Windy Island (1)
“A villa you know? Can I ask where it is?”
At KangYoon’s question, Min JinSeo straightened her shoulders and spoke with confidence.
“It’s a villa in Jejudo I bought last year. I bought it so I could take a rest every so often… but I’ve never been there once either.”
“R, really?”
KangYoon was well aware that top-selling stars bought private villas in Jejudo. Min JinSeo was more than worthy enough to join their ranks. After all, she was a top star in both Korea and China.
However, the second part of her words tugged on KangYoon’s mind.
“Wait, you’ve never been there before?”
“Yeah. I didn’t have the time… The first and only time I ever got to visit it was when I went to purchase it. So I’m planning to go there this time. It’s a big house, so there should be no problems with housing that many people. I’ve not seen many people recently… is that alright with you?”
Min JinSeo asked carefully. It wasn’t easy to predict what KangYoon would say.
Meanwhile, Lee HyunJi was already more than tempted. No, she was even begging KangYoon to go with her eyes.
KangYoon had no choice, but he asked.
“When can we use it?”
“Is next Tuesday alright with you?”
KangYoon had a look at the schedule. Next Tuesday meant that most people other than Kim JiMin should be able to attend.
“That’s a nice time. I’m a little sorry for JiMin, but… I guess this is the best choice.”
“Send her to a good place next time.”
KangYoon nodded his head at Lee HyunJi’s words.
(T/N: Is it me, or do you also think that author left Kim JiMin out because she’s the only minor?)
“I guess. I’m sorry for her, but I guess we can’t take her this time.”
KangYoon agreed to Lee HyunJi’s opinion and turned around to Min JinSeo.
“Then I guess we’ll intrude… As for the fee…”
When it came to money, Min JinSeo shook her head strongly.
“It’s fine about the money. I don’t think there’s any need for that between us.”
“JinSeo, even so…”
“Sir.”
KangYoon unintentionally missed the emphasis in her words and told her that he should pay her.
‘This is what’s bad about him.’
She didn’t want to get paid by KangYoon since it would make them feel like strangers. Can’t he just accept what was given? – just as she was thinking that Lee HyunJi stepped in.
“President. Since she’s so set about it, why don’t we just accept her offer? It’s not nice to reject it like that.”
“Director, we’ll be visiting her place with over 20 people. We of course have to pay her.”
“Oh, you thought we were getting it for free? We should help JinSeo out in return. Right, JinSeo.”
Lee HyunJi gave a glance to Min JinSeo. They seemed to be on the same line as Min JinSeo replied with a grin.
“Of course. You can visit my place free of charge this time. In return, next time, you should listen to a favor of mine.”
“…..”
KangYoon hesitated. He believed that he should do what was right.
However, Min JinSeo’s schemes and Lee HyunJi’s money-saving measures clicked with each other, and KangYoon had to accept.
“…I guess we’ll be freeloading then. Please take care of us.”
“Okay, then. I’ll get things ready.”
With her plans put to work, Min JinSeo stood up. She had spared what little time she had before her flight.
After listening to the details, KangYoon was shocked and told her not to do something so reckless in the future. Though, she just smiled saying that it wasn’t too late.
KangYoon escorted Min JinSeo out to her van. He asked worriedly to Min JinSeo who hesitated to get into the van.
“There’s nothing wrong, is there?”
Hearing KangYoon’s worried tone, she felt a lump in her chest. She felt like she was alone at her own company, and that this place felt like family to her.
Despite that, she did not show her emotions and smiled.
“No, it’s nothing. Are you getting prepared as well?”
“Prepared for what?”
“To accept the superstar actress Min JinSeo.”
KangYoon laughed when she referred to herself as a superstar. However, he avoided answering. He was too caught up with Eddios until now and did not think much about her side.
“…Looks like it’s still far away.”
When Min JinSeo became dejected, KangYoon smiled and spoke.
“It’s like what you said. This is about accepting a superstar into our ranks. A small company like ours isn’t capable of handling you yet. Please wait a little more. I won’t make you wait that long.”
Only then did Min JinSeo look at KangYoon with a bright expression.
“Okay, then. I’ll see you in Jeju.”
When Min JinSeo got on the van, the van immediately disappeared from KangYoon’s view.
“…Looks like I’ll have more work to do after this vacation.”
KangYoon had a look at the blue skies and sighed.
***
“Thank you for your work.”
After finishing the 8 p.m. radio program ‘Music with the Stars’, Kim JiMin politely greeted everyone including the producer of the program.
“Is it because she’s new to this? She’s very polite and fresh. Where did you say she was from, World?”
“It’s the place that Eddios got into this time, so probably yes.”
“Both Eddios, and that Eunha girl as well, have been very polite. They’re cute too. I hope I see them frequently.”
The producer and the assistant director did not hide their goodwill towards Kim JiMin who was very polite to everyone.
“Eunha, well done.”
“You too, seonbae-nim.”
The radio DJ, Hwang JooGyeom, also greeted Kim JiMin. When Kim JiMin greeted back, he stopped her as he had something to say.
“Eunha, if it’s alright with you, why don’t we have some coffee?”
“I don’t think I have the time…”
Kim JiMin had a look at the time before expressing her difficulties. Although it was late at night, she still had an interview scheduled with a magazine company.
Hwang JooGyeom then smiled and spoke.
“Nah, it won’t take that long. Just some instant coffee in the rest area. Okay?”
She couldn’t refuse when a senior in the industry went so far to invite her. Kim JiMin had a look at the time before nodding her head.
The rest area was next to the stairs.
Hwang JooGyeom pressed the milk coffee button on the coffee machine.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s not easy to be a rookie in this industry, is it?”
“People always say that to me, but I’m having fun.”
Kim JiMin and Hwang JooGyeom talked about many things. Hwang Joo Gyeom was an interesting man. Kim JiMin had fun talking with a senior that didn’t act authoritatively.
During their talk, Kim JiMin couldn’t hide her shock when she heard that the other was 27 years old.
“You look young. I was surprised.”
“This is the power of investing money for a meridian massage.”
“Hahahahaha.”
Kim JiMin couldn’t stop laughing when she heard his honest opinion.
Just as they were talking, Hwang JooGyeom asked ‘since they were at it’.
“It must not be easy for you to stay at a small company, no?”
“Everyone tells me that, but I don’t really get it. The president supports me a lot.”
“Really? It shouldn’t be that easy… You must have met a good person.”
“Yes.”
Kim JiMin’s voice contained a lot of confidence. Seeing that, Hwang JooGyeom responded with a soft tone.
“It shouldn’t have been easy for a small company to produce a star like Eunha, right?”
“No, not at all. I’m still lacking. I should learn a lot in the future.”
“Hahaha, nice attitude.”
Hwang JooGyeom patted Kim JiMin’s back. He made a soft smile and listened as she talked about her company with great cheerfulness.
However…
‘Does she not have a single complaint about her company?’
He was thinking about something completely different on the inside. Usually, people would complain about the president or the manager. However, Kim JiMin was different from the others.
She only listed good things about her company, so Hwang JooGyeom had to switch topics.
“It seems like you’ve met a good president. In this industry, that’s something very lucky. I’ve been in this field for 5 years, and I’ve learned that the company is what matters.”
“Which company do you belong to, seonbae-nim?”
“Do you know about VVIP?”
“Oh…”
Kim JiMin was reminded of the little incident that happened a while ago. It was the same company that came to ‘scout’ her.
“My treatment is good. They support me properly when I release an album and they have quite an influence on the TV stations. You should come by some time.”
“Okay.”
“Here, why don’t you give me your number?”
When Hwang JooGyeom gave her his phone, Kim JiMin inputted her number before giving it back. She also saved his number on her phone.
“Seonbae-nim, it’s getting late… so I’ll take my leave here.”
“Oh, it looks like I’ve held you up. Be careful on your way.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kim JiMin hurried across the corridor. Seeing her back, Hwang JooGyeom sighed.
“Sheesh, president. It’s not easy to attract kids like her, you know?”
The empty paper cup in his hands crumpled.
***
The night before the membership training.
KangYoon was calling HeeYoon while cleaning up at the office.
“Really? You can’t come this time?”
[Yeah, I have a lot of assignments and I also have some people to meet. Sorry about this, oppa.]
“No, what you’re doing is important. Is your graduation this year?”
[Yeah. Can you make it?]
“I will go even if I have to take some time off for it. Hey, we should take some time to go and watch the Jemis awards as well.”
[Jemis? Wow!]
(T/N: I’m guessing Jemis is the Grammy Awards equivalent.)
HeeYoon’s excited voice could be felt over the phone.
The Jemis Awards were one of the greatest awards one could get as a musician. The artists that were invited to the event always produced incredible stages every year and the awards were also known for being fair. Though, there was a limitation on the language being English.
KangYoon ended the call after some formalities. Starting tomorrow, the company would be empty for a few days. He had to take care of everything so that he could relax during the camp.
‘Eddios is already in Jejudo, White Moonlight is participating. JiMin can’t come, and JaeHoon and his manager…’
After checking the participating members for one last time, KangYoon stamped the document and stood up.
As Jung HyeJin and Lee HyunJi did most of the work, there wasn’t much for KangYoon to take care of. He headed home with light steps.
The next day.
Unlike usual, everyone came to the company wearing casual clothes. Everyone had a big travel case.
“President!”
Lee HyunAh ran towards KangYoon, who had arrived last. She seemed excited as her voice was quite high.
“You look excited.”
“Oh, this is my first time to Jejudo.”
“Really? It’s your first time?”
KangYoon was surprised about that as well.
It didn’t take that long to fly to Jejudo. The problem was with the flight itself. As Kim JaeHoon and the now-popular White Moonlight were widely known to the public, they had to use first-class seats. Although this was an unexpected use of money, KangYoon gladly undertook those costs.
They arrived at Jejudo, got on a rental bus, and headed towards the villa that Min JinSeo owned.
The bus was very noisy. White Moonlight and Park SoYoung were busy chatting along, while Kim JaeHoon was talking to Lee HyunJi with a serious expression. The managers and coordinators also talked about their episodes with their celebrities and embraced the leisure that this trip gave them.
“Wow…”
As they were driving by the seaside, Lee HyunAh and Park SoYoung were taken aback by the beautiful scenery outside. The black rocks and the blue seas made their hearts flutter.
“Unni, have you brought your swimsuit?”
“Yeah, I did. What about you?”
“I did… but my figure isn’t that great.”
Park SoYoung seemed very hesitant since she minded her short height. However, Lee HyunAh smiled saying that it was okay.
“Nah, who cares? It’s not like we’re wearing it to attract people. JinDae-oppa, am I right?”
“Of course. If it’s you SoYoung, any clothes will look… [email protected]#$$#$!”
Lee ChaHee covered Kim JinDae’s mouth.
‘Looks like everyone’s having fun.’
KangYoon was relieved to see that everyone was having fun.
Within an entertainment company, one would usually refer to each other as ‘family’. They just spent that much time together and had the same objective. In fact, some people were even closer to their companies than they were to their own families.
Relationships were very important.
“President.”
“Ah, director. What is it?”
Lee HyunJi gave KangYoon a half-peeled banana.
“Thank you.”
“You aren’t thinking about work now, are you? I’ll say this now but Lee HyunJi is out of business for the next few days.”
“Hahaha.”
KangYoon laughed hearing those words. Even though she enjoyed working, it shouldn’t have been easy for her to do so continuously without rest. He understood what she was saying.
“There there. You should go to the back now and enjoy yourself.”
“Whoaa?”
Lee HyunJi pulled KangYoon up and pushed him to the back when White Moonlight and the other managers all applauded to welcome his entrance.
Soon, the bus arrived in front of a rather calm villa. All that could be seen around was the sandy beach, tetrapods, and a red lighthouse far away. There weren’t many traces of people here and it seemed like a breath of nature.
“This place is really pretty.”
Lee HyunAh and Park SoYoung muttered as they saw the sea. The beautiful pearlescent seas reminded them of pictures they saw about other countries.
“…Is this place Guam?”
“Maybe…”
Kim JinDae and Jung ChanGyu also blinked several times.
KangYoon and the others got off the bus and were taking out the luggage when the door to the villa opened and a lady greeted them. It was Min JinSeo.
“Welcome. I was waiting for you.”
She was wearing a one-piece dress and shook the hearts of all men present. She looked like a princess from a fairy tale. She was 21 years old this year, and her beauty was further emphasized by the dress fluttering in the wind.
Of course, KangYoon didn’t react much.
“You’re here already. Thanks for lending us this place.”
“Not at all. You must all be tired. Come inside.”
Guided by Min JinSeo, everyone headed inside the villa.
‘…But why is she sticking so close to oppa?’
Seeing Min JinSeo acting very friendly towards KangYoon, Lee HyunAh’s eyes lit up.