Chapter 14 - Is the Status Window Broken?
The quieted practice room.
While Yoo Jeong-ah was wiping her tears, Baek Hyeon-woo checked Yoo Jeong-ah's status window.
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[Yoo Jeong-ah]
Vocal: A
Dance: A
Visual: E
Potential: SS
Body Condition: 80%
Mental Condition: 85%
– The previously low Body Condition and Mental Condition have recovered.
– In particular, the Mental Condition that had dropped to the 30% range has soared to a whopping 85%.
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This is not something that is possible simply by releasing muscle tension.
It means there has been a great change within Yoo Jeong-ah.
As if proving that... her Visual grade had gone up.
‘Her Visual, which was an F, went up to an E.’
Visual doesn't simply mean whether one's appearance is pretty or not.
It means expressive power, starting with facial expressions... a visual expressive power that can draw people's gazes and win their hearts.
‘Yoo Jeong-ah-ssi's appearance itself is on the outstanding side. But because her expression was stiff and her overall atmosphere was lifeless, she didn't feel very charming.’
Baek Hyeon-woo judged that if Yoo Jeong-ah could relax and honestly express her own emotions, she would be able to give a more charming impression.
A moment ago, the sight of Yoo Jeong-ah shedding tears while expressing her suppressed emotions was far more charming than anything he had seen from her before.
Even if it wasn't a bright and cute smile, it was a look that could sufficiently capture people's hearts.
‘Of course, she only showed that side for a moment. I can't say she has now acquired charm as an idol. However...’
He gazed at Yoo Jeong-ah, who was wiping her tears and fixing her hair.
Yoo Jeong-ah's flushed face looked much more full of life than when he had first seen it.
‘Even if it's difficult right now, if someday I can make her sing and dance with a lively smile...’
Yoo Jeong-ah, who possessed SS-class Potential.
If only he could make that potential explode, she could become a top idol who would shake up the entertainment industry.
“Ugh, what a complete waste of time.”
At that moment, Laura's voice was heard from the side.
“They said they were making a major announcement, and that's it? Are they messing with people...”
Laura, who had been looking at her phone, grumbled as she took the earphones out of her ears.
However, seeing Yoo Jeong-ah wiping her tears, her eyes widened.
“Huh? Why are you crying?”
Startled, Laura looked at Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Oppa, did you do something weird?”
“I did not.”
“Then why...”
Seeing Laura glare at Baek Hyeon-woo, Yoo Jeong-ah hurriedly explained.
“Ah, no. It's just that my emotions surged up for no reason...”
“Your emotions surged up?”
Leaving Laura, who was tilting her head in confusion, aside, Yoo Jeong-ah turned her gaze to Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Manager-nim, then what should I do now?”
“As I said earlier, Yoo Jeong-ah-ssi, you have failed this audition.”
Yoo Jeong-ah's expression darkened slightly.
But Baek Hyeon-woo paid it no mind and continued to speak.
“However, I believe there is still a chance.”
“Even though I failed the audition?”
“An audition is, at the end of the day, merely something conducted to look at and evaluate as many people as possible at once. It's not that you absolutely must pass an audition to become an idol.”
Saying that, Baek Hyeon-woo pointed at Laura.
“For example, Laura-ssi also didn't take an audition when she came to Haram Entertainment. She came in through connections.”
“Wait, it's a little weird to say it was through connections.”
Laura swept up her silver hair with a dissatisfied expression.
“A trainer I knew from before recommended me, so I signed with Haram Entertainment.”
“That is a connection.”
“It was a skill! I was recommended because I have skill!”
Leaving Laura, who flared up with a red face, aside, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke to Yoo Jeong-ah.
“Like this, if the higher-ups think you're worth using, you can become an idol.”
“Then…”
“I will create an opportunity for you.”
Baek Hyeon-woo said in a calm voice.
“You, Yoo Jeong-ah-ssi, just need to be prepared to show an even better side of yourself than at the audition. Then I will definitely create an opportunity for you.”
“Ah…”
That he would create an opportunity to become an idol.
At Baek Hyeon-woo's declaration, Yoo Jeong-ah's eyes sparkled.
“No, oppa.”
At that moment, Laura, who had been watching quietly, poked Baek Hyeon-woo in the side.
“I roughly understand the situation, but do you think that's possible, even if you are the CEO's nephew? She's someone who already failed the audition, so even if you try to forcefully stick her in...”
“Yoo Jeong-ah-ssi.”
Baek Hyeon-woo didn't answer Laura and looked at Yoo Jeong-ah instead.
“You danced to 'For you' at the audition today, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
‘For you’ is Newstarz's latest song.
At the audition hall, Yoo Jeong-ah sang 'White Waiting' to show her singing skills, and when she was then asked to show her dancing skills, she performed the choreography for 'For you'.
“Could you show it one more time here?”
“H-Here?”
“I also released your shoulders, and I think it will be much better than before. I'd like to check.”
The problem with her trapezius muscles had been resolved, and her Body Condition and Mental Condition were also good.
If it's now, she should be able to show a better performance than at the audition.
“This isn't an audition hall, and there are no judges. So there's no need to be nervous at all.”
“Ah…”
“Relax your shoulders, and try it with a comfortable feeling.”
No matter how well you dance, it's no good if your expression is stiff and tense.
Because on an idol's stage, facial expressions, including the look in their eyes, are more important than the movements of their arms and legs.
Right now, Yoo Jeong-ah's expression was in a much softer state than at the audition.
Therefore, Baek Hyeon-woo was confident that Yoo Jeong-ah would show a more charming performance than at the audition.
“Ah, I understand.”
Yoo Jeong-ah nodded.
“I'll try. Please check for me.”
Baek Hyeon-woo played the 'For you' music on his phone.
As the intro part began, Yoo Jeong-ah took a deep breath for a moment and prepared herself mentally.
And, the moment she began the dance in earnest.
“Huh?”
Laura's eyes widened.
She hurriedly turned her head to look at Baek Hyeon-woo, but he was just making a composed expression.
The flustered Laura turned her gaze to Yoo Jeong-ah once more and blinked her eyes several times.
“Wha—...?!”
Laura's voice echoed in the practice room, but Yoo Jeong-ah paid it no mind and danced.
Just as Baek Hyeon-woo had expected, with the tension gone from her shoulders.
With a comfortable expression.
***
“No, why is she dancing my part better than me!”
Slam!
At a convenience store on the way back to the dorm, Laura slammed her hand on a plastic table.
Outwardly, she looked like a middle-aged man making a drunken scene in the middle of the night.
Of course, what Laura was drinking right now wasn't alcohol but a zero-calorie drink.
“Oppa, what's with that kid from earlier? Where did you bring her from?”
“You heard earlier. I told you she's someone who auditioned today.”
To Laura, who was gripping her drink can tightly, Baek Hyeon-woo answered calmly.
“She's a former DP Entertainment trainee.”
“Ah, DP Entertainment?”
Laura made an expression of understanding.
“Since that place mainly debuts bubbly and lively kids, she's definitely not DP Entertainment's type. Since she has a bit of a gloomy atmosphere, it would have been difficult for her to debut there, no matter how well she danced.”
“It's not just her dancing, she sings well too. It seemed the CEO liked her as well.”
“The CEO liked her? But she couldn't pass the audition?”
“Well... it seems there was opposition among the working-level staff.”
Baek Hyeon-woo only watched the audition and then left, so he doesn't know in detail what was discussed after that.
Because the message he received from Baek Yeon-ah also only had a brief summary.
“Ah... then Director Choi must have opposed it.”
“Director Choi Tae-hyung?”
Director Choi Tae-hyung.
He's the veteran who newly joined Haram Entertainment to replace the predecessor who blew up a project and quit.
It's said that for the creation of the new group this time, Choi Tae-hyung holds full authority.
“Director Choi is also a person with similar tendencies to DP Entertainment. I heard he was famous at his previous company too.”
“Hmph...”
If so, was it Choi Tae-hyung who failed Yoo Jeong-ah?
“It won't be easy.”
This new girl group is under Choi Tae-hyung's full authority.
Therefore, if Choi Tae-hyung dislikes a type like Yoo Jeong-ah, it will become very difficult.
And it's not like he can change Yoo Jeong-ah into a cute and bubbly image right now.
“Hmm...”
Seeing Baek Hyeon-woo lost in thought, Laura suddenly laughed.
“But it looks like you've decided to work at Haram Entertainment for real, oppa? This kind of thing isn't something a road manager part-timer would worry about.”
“Yes, because it's more fun than I thought.”
Baek Hyeon-woo meekly nodded his head.
“And there's a sense of satisfaction, too.”
Seeing Yoo Jeong-ah dancing in a more improved state just a moment ago, Baek Hyeon-woo felt a great sense of fulfillment.
He was able to feel a sense of satisfaction no less than... no, even greater than when he heard 'thank you' from a patient.
If he moves up to team leader level or director level in the future and gains more authority than he has now, wouldn't he be able to feel an even greater sense of fulfillment?
Baek Hyeon-woo was thinking that way.
“Hmm...”
Laura, who had been nodding, suddenly made a playful expression.
“In reality, aren't you trying to commit to this because you like being with idols? Being able to hang out with an idol late at night like this is also only possible because you're a manager, right?”
Laura made an eye smile and leaned her upper body towards Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Honestly, you feel pretty good right now too, don't you?”
“Then I'll be on my way now. Get home safely.”
“Ah, really!”
Laura grabbed the hem of Baek Hyeon-woo's clothes as he tried to coolly get up from his seat.
“You should play along with things like this! You're no fun!”
“Don't expect it from me, do it with your boyfriend.”
“I don't have one! Don't say such things!”
Just as Laura was shouting while holding onto Baek Hyeon-woo so tightly that his clothes were stretching.
A thudding sound was heard from nearby.
“Gasp...!”
Laura, who had turned her head, her eyes widened.
There... was Seo Na-eun, who had dropped a non-woven fabric shopping bag from a nearby supermarket.
“N-Na-eun unnie?”
Seo Na-eun picked up the shopping bag with a pale expression and hurriedly turned her back.
Seeing Seo Na-eun walking away with long strides, Laura hurriedly chased after her.
“N-Na-eun unnie, wait a minute. Right now...”
“So you were in that kind of relationship with Manager-nim. Close enough to have a late-night convenience store date, the two of you...”
“That's not it! What date! I've never once been on a date in my life! This is so unfair!”
Although Laura was jumping up and down, Seo Na-eun didn't even look at Laura's face and just kept walking.
For some reason, her Mental Condition on the status window was dropping rapidly in real time.
“Ah, seriously! Hyeon-woo oppa! Explain it to her!”
“Good grief...”
He wanted to just pretend he didn't hear and go home, but since he could see her Mental Condition dropping with his own eyes, he couldn't ignore it.
“Na-eun-ssi, just a moment.”
“Yes.”
Seo Na-eun immediately stopped in her tracks and trotted over.
“No way, she didn't even pretend to hear me when I called…”
Laura made a dumbfounded expression, but Seo Na-eun still pretended not to hear.
“What would you like to drink? I'll buy.”
“Yes, I'll drink it gratefully.”
As he bought her a drink, Seo Na-eun's Mental Condition rebounded slightly.
“I think you misunderstood earlier. I was just sitting with Laura-ssi for a moment because there was something company-related to discuss with her.”
“Is that so?”
“I have no relationship whatsoever with Laura-ssi. Please believe me.”
There wasn't much of a reaction, but her Mental Condition went up again.
Even her feelings, which weren't revealed on her face, were being reflected on the status window in real time as they happened.
Catering to the mood of the celebrity you're in charge of is a very important task for a manager.
Having an ability so specialized for a manager, he felt that walking the path of a manager was indeed the right thing to do.
“In the first place, I'm the type of person who strictly separates public and private matters. Therefore, privately dating someone I work with is impossible. No matter who that person is.”
“……”
Suddenly, Seo Na-eun's Mental Condition plummeted.
Why is this happening? Is the status window broken?