God of Music

Chapter 168. Jejudo Is A Windy Island (3)

“Wow~”

Min JinSeo, who was sitting on the passenger seat, exclaimed while looking at the emerald-colored sea. The sea she saw from here had a different charm to it than when she watched from the villa.

As her plentiful hair fluttered in the wind, a soap-like fragrance tickled KangYoon’s nose.

“You like it?”

“Yes!”

KangYoon felt rather strange as he asked her. She replied with a bright smile which made him smile in return.

‘What a peculiar scent.’

The soapy fragrance tickled his nose which made him turn around and see her bright smile. It was the smell of a mature lady. As he was a man as well, he was sensitive to things like this.

The two drove towards a famous sea urchin bibimbap restaurant. Although it was rather small and shabby, it was widely known for its fantastic taste.

“Welcome. Oh, my. It’s manager KangYoon!”

The lady owner of the restaurant seemed to have recognized KangYoon and greeted him with a cheerful expression. KangYoon also replied that it was nice to see her again. Long ago, when KangYoon still worked as a manager, someone he was in charge of had a drama to shoot in Jejudo and he got to know this place back then.

The owner spoke with KangYoon for a moment before turning around to Min JinSeo who had thick sunglasses on.

“Oh, you’re here with someone you’re in charge of again? I wonder who it is.”

“Hahaha, I’m here for personal things today. Is there a room left?”

“Of course. It’s a VIP that came to visit, so I’ll make a room even if there wasn’t one. Please come on in.”

KangYoon and Min JinSeo were led by the owner to a room.

Min JinSeo took off her sunglasses and asked KangYoon.

“Do you know this place?”

“I got to know when I was a manager quite a number of years ago. This place has great food.”

She was aware that KangYoon used to be a manager. Just as she was about to ask about what he did in the past, the owner brought some side dishes in.

“It’s been such a long ti… oh my? Miss Min JinSeo? Wow! Looks like you’re with someone great, Mr. KangYoon.”

The owner’s eyes widened. There was no way she didn’t know Min JinSeo, a superstar in both Korea and China.

“Hello.”

“Hello, there, sweetie. Looks like I’ll have to do my best.”

“Hahaha. Please take care of us.”

Min JinSeo replied softly as well. The owner left the side dishes before the two ordered sea urchin bibimbap and some braised cutlassfish.

The dishes came out soon. Min JinSeo’s eyes gleamed when she smelled the savory scent from the bibimbap.

She ate a spoonful and exclaimed out loud with widened eyes.

“It’s really good!”

“Right? I’m glad that it fits your taste.”

The scent unique to sea urchins and the savory smell created a strange harmony. Moreover, the braised fish was awesome as well. She soon cleared out her plate.

“You’ve finished already?”

“…Heheh.”

Min JinSeo stuck her tongue out of embarrassment. KangYoon still had half of his left. However, she still just chuckled before ordering a second serving. Although she always managed her weight, KangYoon knew that she was someone who ate quite a lot.

After the meal, Min JinSeo tapped on her stomach.

“Thanks for the meal.”

KangYoon was also satisfied with Min JinSeo eating so well and stood up. He naturally went to the counter to pay.

At that moment, Min JinSeo suddenly ran.

“I’ll pay this time.”

“No. It’s me who brought you here, so I should pay.”

KangYoon and Min JinSeo quarreled on who should pay for the meal.

In the end, Min JinSeo forcefully won the debate by giving the owner cash.

“This is not what I wanted…”

When KangYoon scratched his head out of embarrassment, Min JinSeo smiled and spoke.

“Then treat me to something good when I visit World next time.”

“Is that all you want? Okay.”

By paying, she got points from KangYoon and was even given a promise of a next appointment. She was very happy with her results and that made her smile.

After KangYoon left, Min JinSeo was about to leave as well when the owner gave Min JinSeo a piece of paper. It was to get an autograph.

Min JinSeo took out a pen and gave a splendid autograph and did not forget to mention that this place was tasty.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. Uhm, can I ask you something?”

The owner tilted her head. It was rather rare that Min JinSeo wanted to know something from her.

“Uhm, can I ask you how you met with sir Lee KangYoon?”

“Oh, the manager?”

The manager looked towards KangYoon and spoke.

“It’s been a long time, but it was around the time when the drama ‘With the Wind’ was being filmed. It was a drama on OTS, and the main character was played by Shin ChangMin? or someone like that. Anyway, I heard that he managed an actor of the side character, but I don’t remember who it was now.”

“Aah.”

“At that time, my store was in a tough spot. The shoot was done in February, and usually, that’s the worst time for my restaurant. After all, the weather is cold during that time. I had to close the store because I didn’t make any margin out of it. That was the first time I met him. At first, he visited the place with the actor he was in charge of and even gave an autograph. After that, he recommended my place to the other staff and actually frequented this place while he was here. Like that, I overcame the dire financial straits and people started visiting more and more frequently due to rumors being spread around. Right now… I’m doing great. The manager is a savior that saved my store. I heard that he’s doing music these days… he’s a great guy. I wonder if he’s married yet.”

Min JinSeo was happy to hear about KangYoon’s past.

Although this restaurant looked rather shabby, it was doing extremely well with many customers. She never imagined that KangYoon had connections to such a place.

“Thank you for telling me. I’ll visit this place frequently as well.”

“You will always be welcome, Miss Min JinSeo! Come with your manager! I’ll give you loads of service!”

Being greeted out by the owner, Min JinSeo left the store with KangYoon.

Now that they had a meal, their next objective was coffee. Not far from the restaurant was a cafe with a great view of the sea.

The two people entered the cafe and ordered two cups of iced black coffee before sitting in a corner on the 2nd floor. As there wasn’t anyone around, it was a great place to talk.

The two talked about ordinary and trivial things. Unlike how she acted in MG Entertainment, vitality filled Min Jinseo’s face. What she couldn’t tell others, she could do without restraint to KangYoon.

“…So, you don’t like that actress?”

“A little? No, I guess it’s not a little. Three months ago, we had a scene where we did a swordfight. I was wearing baggy clothes and she kept stepping on my clothes. It wasn’t just once or twice either, which made me suspect her. I found out that she was doing that on purpose.”

“Oh my, so what did you do about it?”

“I stabbed her with a prop sword. Really hard.”

KangYoon’s eyes widened. Since it was a prop, it wouldn’t actually stab into the body or anything. However, the pain was a different story.

This also meant that she returned tenfold. Her boldness when she became angry was still as prominent as ever.

However, this kind of contest between actors was quite common in her industry, and KangYoon was well aware of that. Especially if it was not her own country but somewhere else.

KangYoon giggled after hearing her say that she became quite obedient after Min JinSeo stabbed her.

“…At least you didn’t injure her face. That’s good.”

“She’s an actress after all. I can’t just ruin her career.”

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s good that you won that contest, but please be careful next time. You’re a foreigner to them after all.”

“Yes, sir.”

Her heart became warm when KangYoon was speaking out of worry for her. She felt that KangYoon was whole-heartedly saying that without any hidden intentions.

After talking about herself for a long time, she became curious about KangYoon. Thinking about it, she did not know much about her at all. This became especially clear when she heard the episode back at the restaurant.

“How do you relieve your stress, sir?”

It was a rather random question. KangYoon fell into contemplation.

Until now, he didn’t really express his stress much even when he was really stressed out. His objectives made him overcome those stresses.

KangYoon spoke calmly.

“Well… I don’t think I have a proper way to relieve stress.”

“Isn’t it hard for you? Doesn’t your neck turn stiff or anything?”

Now that he thought about it, there were times like that. It sometimes happened when he was immersed in rearranging a song or doing office work.

When KangYoon nodded his head, Min JinSeo’s started becoming worried

“Sir, stress is something that should be vented. It’s not good to accumulate them.”

“Really? I don’t feel anything though…”

Seeing him be so nonchalant about it, Min JinSeo’s eyes widened.

“Sir, you’ll be in big trouble if you keep living like that. How important do you think you are… what are you going to do if something happens to you?”

“Hahaha, that’s not gonna…”

“Sir.”

Min JinSeo stared at KangYoon with a completely serious expression. Her eyes were different from her usual soft eyes. KangYoon chuckled and patted her head.

“Sheesh, okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You must. Stress is the source of all diseases.”

“Fine fine. Should I get a check-up then?”

“Yes. You should get one every day.”

“Hahahaha.”

KangYoon laughed.

‘It’s not bad, to have JinSeo worried about me.’

Although she was given the title of a superstar, the nation’s little sister, and other great things, she was still just a student in front of KangYoon. However, now he felt that she was grown enough to worry about him and discuss things with him. It felt rather strange.

Eventually, only ice was left in the cups of coffee they got.

KangYoon had a look at the clock before he stood up.

“Shall we go back then?”

“Yes.”

Leaving the cafe, Min JinSeo stuck right next to KangYoon. She didn’t have the courage to grab his hand or cross arms with him. She had many things that she should be wary about, including the gazes of other people.

Despite that, she looked very happy as she walked next to KangYoon.

***

“Kyak!”

“You really want to do this? Great, come at me!”

Seo HanYu and Jung MinAh started counter-attacking against the managers and Kim JinDae. They were wearing bikinis but Jung MinAh still moved around dynamically and defeated everyone that attacked her.

“Wow! Hey! Run for it!”

“Whaaa!”

Kim JinDae and Lee HyunAh were practically being drowned by Jung MinAh’s relentless counter-attacks. Her motor nerves were out of this world. The amount of water splashed onto their faces was beyond what they could handle. Thanks to that, they got a taste of the salty sea.

When everyone was playing around, a car arrived at the parking lot. It was the rental car that they brought.

‘He did what?’

‘Wh, what is that?’

However, Jung MinAh and Lee HyunAh’s eyes widened after seeing who got out of the car. KangYoon came out from the driver’s seat while Min JinSeo came out of the passenger seat! Moreover, the mood between the two as they got out was…

‘Let’s go!’

Jung MinAh and Lee HyunAh exchanged glances and stopped playing around in the water. When the two of them started walking towards KangYoon with large strides, everyone else followed suit with a grin on their faces.

Meanwhile, KangYoon was still talking to Min JinSeo without any knowledge of his impending doom(?).

“Thank you sir, I had a great time today.”

“No, it was fun for me as well. It was also nice to see someone I know.”

KangYoon smiled.

Min JinSeo, who had grown up enough to worry about him and talk with him on an equal level impressed him a lot. The more he thought about it, the more pride he felt.

KangYoon was about to step inside the villa when he felt a presence behind him. When he turned around. The entire army(?) of World Entertainment, clad in swimsuits, were looking at him.

“Kyaaaaaaak!”

Everyone shouted with a beastly(?) roar. KangYoon was taken aback.

“Get him!”

Along with Jung MinAh’s shout, everyone ran towards him.

“Wh, what are you doing?”

“Huh, huh!?”

All four of KangYoon’s limbs were lifted into the air, Jung MinAh took his left arm, Lee HyunAh his right, and two men were grabbing onto his legs. They were obviously planning to throw him into the water.

“*Giggle*.”

Min JinSeo turned into an enemy as well as she took out his phone and other important things from his pocket. She was practically telling them to throw him without consequences.

“Whoa? Huh, these guys….”

KangYoon could only laugh in this situation. Sometimes, it wasn’t so bad to play around like this.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three!”

Splash!

KangYoon was thrown into the water.

“Pwahahahaha!”

“Hahahahaha!”

When everyone threw KangYoon into the water, they started laughing. They even high-fived each other as though they had achieved something great.

However, KangYoon didn’t surface. Everyone thought that he would come back out soon so they panicked and ran towards where he was.

“Ahjussi!”

“Oppa!”

Jung MinAh and Lee HyunAh were at the front, but then KangYoon suddenly popped out.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaak!”

As soon as he popped out, he charged into Jung MinAh and lifted her up onto his shoulders. Her healthy body was lifted up instantly.

“Fufu, you started this.”

“Ah, ahjussi! It’s pressing!”

“Fufufu, Who started this again?”

KangYoon, with his evil eyes, started walking deeper into the water. Jung MinAh’s eyes narrowed and started smashing his back.

“Uaaaah! Ahjussi, ahjussi! I’m so sorry! My swimsuit! It’s slipping!”

Jung MinAh’s cries and the laughter of the others resounded across the sea.

***

VVIP Entertainment building was a new building that was finished being built only a few years ago.

Kim JiMin, who had visited the VVIP HQ with Hwang JooGyeom looked around with gleaming eyes.

“Wow.”

If World Entertainment could be considered small but practical, the overall feel of VVIP Entertainment was fancy and modern. There were many employees as well, and they were all moving around busily.

“Where’s your manager?”

“I told him to wait nearby.”

Kim JiMin replied comfortably to Hwang JooGyeom’s question.

The two people looked around the 5 story building. There were multiple studios and practice rooms as well as other facilities that did not exist in World Entertainment.

“…There’s even a gym. That’s amazing.”

“Of course, it’s just an investment to manage our employees.”

When Kim JiMin exclaimed that, Hwang JooGyeom grinned a little.

After the two of them looked around, the two walked towards the president’s office. The CEO, named Lee ByungJin, was waiting for the two there.

“Welcome.”

He stroked on his slightly bulging stomach and greeted Kim JiMin. His face looked kind at a glance, but his eyes looked sharp.

A secretary soon came in with some tea, and president Lee ByungJin asked in a relaxed tone.

“What did you think when you had a look around the company?”

“The facilities are good. There’s a gym, there’s a cafeteria and… I think it’s really good.”

“It’s natural for me to invest that much for our employees.”

Kim JiMin nodded her head at those words. This CEO looked like a good person.

As they conversed, he talked about many good points of VVIP as an entertainment company. The scale of the company, the amount of support they could give, as well as the connections they had in the industry so they could appeal to Kim JiMin.

“Oh, really?”

When it looked like Kim JiMin was listening to his story, president Lee ByungJin started leaking his intentions.

“Of course, we don’t give such a lot of support to just anyone. We only invest in people that we deem we can make money out of. We think that you, Miss Eunha, is worth that investment. Personally, I wish for you to get supported by us.”

“What?”

Kim JiMin was taken aback. After all that was said, it came back to scouting.

President Lee ByungJin continued his words with confidence.

“We possess the facilities, system, and various plans to support you, Miss Eunha. The fact that you could rise to your current position with a small company like World is because you were just that exceptional. We are prepared to give you your wings to fly even higher.”

Her eyes sunk.

We are better than World Entertainment. President Lee ByungJin was basically saying those words. In the end, he just wanted her here.

Kim JiMin was disappointed when she saw his attitude of talking bad about World and raising his company to a pedestal.

However, not noticing her mood, president Lee ByungJin still continued excitedly.

“We value your songs very highly, Miss Eunha. However, World has thoroughly forgotten your potential in dancing as you focus only on your singing. We are also planning to pioneer a new route, that is acting. How is it? Why don’t you start anew with us?”

Kim JiMin closed her eyes. Actually, there was nothing to think about.

‘The president just straight out said to me that I don’t have any talent in dancing. That’s why he told me to learn an instrument and go all in with singing.’

(T/N: president being KY.)

The general work principle of this company clearly differed from KangYoon’s way of working. Kim JiMin was well aware that she had no talent for dancing. How much agony did she have to go through because of that? However, KangYoon was the one who overcame such an obstacle and brought her all the way here.

(T/N: In case you don’t remember, Kim JiMin was rejected from multiple companies because those companies were looking to produce idols, until she met KY in an audition program.)

Moreover, acting? That was a completely different route to what she was thinking.

There was nothing more to listen to here. Kim JiMin stood up from her seat.

“I’m sorry. I did not realize what I was getting into. I’ll take my leave.”

“Miss Eunha?”

“I hope we don’t see each other again. Well, then.”

Having come to a decision, Kim JiMin left through the door. Although her heart was pounding due to fear, every word of hers was emphasized strongly.

Hwang JooGyeom followed her just as she was about to leave.

“JiMin, you should at least listen to the en…”

“Seonbae-nim.”

Kim JiMin looked directly at his eyes.

“If I knew this was what I was getting into, I wouldn’t have come. I’ll be taking my leave.”

She turned around immediately. But then, Hwang JooGyeom suddenly forcefully grabbed her wrist.

“Hey, Eunha, you think you’re something? Huh?”

She did not know that he would change so drastically like this. A man using force on a woman… it was pathetic.

Kim JiMin’s eyes sunk. She replied calmly after biting her lips with fear and disdain in her eyes.

“In my company, we at least don’t use force like you’re doing pathetically. We use words. And I’ll say this now. Please don’t visit me or my grandma in the future. I don’t have any intentions of leaving my company.”

“You…”

Hwang JooGyeom’s hand that was grabbing Kim JiMin’s wrist was shaking.

“Bitch! World? How dare you company-fangirl lecture me? How high do you think you can go in a tiny company like that?”

Slap!

Kim JiMin slapped Hwang JooGyeom’s cheek. The crisp sound grabbed attention from everyone around.

Not noticing that people were gathering around, Kim JiMin glared at him.

“Please watch your words. A tiny company? World is the place that made me, someone never acknowledged by others, into a singer. Would you feel good if I call your company tiny, seonbae?”

“……”

“Let go of me. A fangirl is still a hundred times better than a traitor.”

Kim JiMin shook off Hwang JooGyeom’s hand. As all the attention was on the two, Hwang JooGyeom couldn’t do anything. No one made an attempt to stop her as she left.

“Hmph.”

Getting on the van that was waiting at the entrance, Kim JiMin snorted.

(T/N: You go girl!)

***

“Thank you for your work.”

Kim JiMin waved her hand in front of her house.

Having experienced a ‘war’ at VVIP HQ, she felt very tired.

‘Ah, what do I do now?’

Kim JiMin shook her head. She didn’t even want to think about it.

She was worried that her rude actions towards a senior in the industry today might boomerang back to her later, but the one in the wrong was VVIP anyway. How dare they treat her company like…

However, she was worried that her actions may have given World Entertainment a bad reputation.

“JiMin.”

Kim JiMin, looking down, was about to go inside her house when someone called out to her. When she looked up, it was KangYoon.

“Sir!” (T/N: She calls him the same way Min JinSeo does.)

Kim JiMin shouted. Although today was indeed the day they returned, she thought that he would return home, not visit her place.

KangYoon asked carefully after seeing that Kim JiMin was looking down.

“Did something happen? You don’t look too good.”

Handing her some Jeju specialties, the Hallabong, KangYoon patted her back. After hearing that KangYoon had indeed come here immediately after their return from the trip, her eyes became touched.

She felt that all the wounds she received from that strange company were being healed.

“Nah, it was nothing much. There were just some flies.”

“Flies?”

“Flies flock to delicious food. Oh, why don’t you come inside? My grandma would be more than welcome to have you here.”

KangYoon felt awkward but had to give in when she insisted.

Kim JiMin thought as she followed him.

‘I really like this place.’

Where else would she go, leaving behind such a caring CEO? Forget the fancy facilities, she just wanted to keep singing with the person who acknowledged her.