-The viewership ratings are 11.2%!!

"It didn't just hit 10%, but it went over 11%?"

-It's all thanks to you, Mr. Jung.

"Thanks to me? What do you mean by that?"

-Didn't you distribute 30% food and beverage discount coupons for the Yeongjongdo Jinseong Resort through the app to members who voted in the one-on-one battle?

On the [PROJECT : I.O.A] app, we had already been giving out 50% off vouchers for a two-night, three-day stay at the Yeongjongdo Jinseong Resort to users who voted. But before the second round of the one-on-one battle began, we added another event. They said we announced that everyone who had voted would also receive a 30% discount coupon for food and beverages.

"That wasn't me. That was decided by Ms. Jin."

-Is that so? Well, you were the one who brought in that sponsor, Mr. Jung, so it's basically the same thing. We'll be counting on you going forward as well.

"Oh, you should be making that request to Ms. Jin Ah-Ram."

PD Ji Yung-Sik said that was out of the question.

-Acting President Jin is usually so cold I can barely even talk to her. She's only gentle when she's with you, Mr. Jung, so I'm asking you instead.

"Understood. I'll ask her and see if it's possible again next time. But large-scale events like this are a burden for Jinseong too, so I can't make any promises."

-If you're the one asking, Mr. Jung, I'm sure it'll work. Anyway, I look forward to working with you again.

After I hung up, I was finally able to let out a deep sigh of relief.

'Yes!'

The highest viewership ratings ever achieved by the final episode of Tomorrow, I'm Idol!, produced by PD Choi Go-Bong, who we would be competing against in two weeks, had been 17.8%. At the time, episode five had recorded 7.2%.

However, we had just hit an astonishing 11.2% for episode five. With record-breaking viewership ratings and the first double-digit viewership in five years, my shoulders bounced with excitement before I even realized it.

At that moment, I heard a voice.

"What are you doing, Mr. Jung?"

Jin Ah-Ram had come up beside me at some point and tilted her head.

"Oh, I just received word that you opened the event in time for part two. Thanks to you, we hit 11.2% in viewership ratings."

"Really? Congratulations."

"Thank you. But if you're offering 30% discounts on food and beverages on top of the rooms, aren't you barely making anything?"

Jin Ah-Ram smiled and said it was fine. "Right now, promoting the Yeongjongdo Jinseong Resort is more important than making a profit. We can process the shortfall as marketing expenses, so don't worry."

Just then, President Lee Ha-Yoon approached with a faint smirk. "You know you shouldn't believe a businessperson who says they're not making any profit, right?"

Lee Ha-Yoon had stopped by in person today to see if there was anyone among the eliminated contestants worth scouting. Behind her, Wang Long from Shanghai New Media Inc. and Sasuke, team lead of AMOSE Japan, were walking over as well.

At that moment, Jin Ah-Ram, having heard Lee Ha-Yoon's remark, responded curtly. "Our Jinseong Resort has much higher food and beverage costs than your Daechon."

Lee Ha-Yoon covered her mouth and smiled with her eyes. Her tone, however, was provocative.

"That's strange. You don't seem to spare any money, so why does the food taste like that, unnie?"

'Why is Lee Ha-Yoon picking a fight?'

As I wondered that, Jin Ah-Ram bristled, then quickly smoothed her expression and spoke. "Well. You still don't really understand what management is, do you? Hey, try properly running your own company someday. Then you'll know how much money goes out behind the scenes, no matter how things look on the surface."

This time, Lee Ha-Yoon flared up. "Unnie. I am running a company, you know?"

"Hayoon Entertainment? That's only running because of Mr. Jung's help. As far as I know, all the celebrities at your company, including Mr. Sung Gyu-Hwan, were helped by Mr. Jung."

"Like you're any different. You get help too!"

"Not to the extent that you depend on someone."

At Jin Ah-Ram's blunt remark, Lee Ha-Yoon shot her a sharp glare.

'No, how did this turn into a fight?'

Just then, Wang Long and Sasuke, who had been walking over with smiles, suddenly stopped in their tracks. It was as if to say they were neutral countries in this war.

'Wang Long, what are you doing? Stop them.'

After catching my signal, Wang Long abruptly turned to Sasuke. "Ah, Sasuke. Did you see anyone among today's eliminated contestants you liked?"

As if grateful to be thrown a lifeline, Sasuke shifted his gaze away from me.

"Well, I'm not sure. I liked all of them."

These guys weren't neutral countries. They were traitors. No, enemy nations.

At that moment, Jin Ah-Ram stopped arguing with Lee Ha-Yoon and turned to me. "Anyway, let me finish what I was saying earlier. Because of today's broadcast, our weekday reservations have exceeded 60%, and weekend bookings have passed 80%. We'd like to return the favor. When our President comes back from Japan, would you be available for dinner this coming Saturday evening?"

Next Saturday was the day I had to attend the after-party for the Daechon Department Store VIP event with Lee Ha-Yoon.

Just as I was about to explain, Lee Ha-Yoon quickly cut in. "Ah-Ram unnie, Mr. Jung already has plans with me that day."

"Plans?"

"Yeah. He's attending the after-party for the Daechon Department Store VIP event as my accompanying partner."

Jin Ah-Ram hurriedly looked at me. "Is that true, Mr. Jung?"

"Yes. I received some personal help from Ms. Lee Ha-Yoon, so I promised."

"Do you even know what kind of place that is before making that promise?"

'What kind of place? Is there something about the party?'

I had simply agreed to keep my promise, but judging by Jin Ah-Ram's hardened expression, there seemed to be something more to it.

"Why? What kind of event is it?" I asked.

Jin Ah-Ram hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "It's nothing. And it wouldn't be proper for me to comment on someone else's party."

'No, tell me something!'

Then Jin Ah-Ram turned to Lee Ha-Yoon. "I'll go on Saturday too."

"You're coming too? Then you know you'll need a partner, right?"

"I'll take care of that myself."

"Bring whoever you want. Either way, my partner on Saturday is Mr. Jung."

I had absolutely no idea what kind of party this was for them to act like this.

That was when the sound of high heels approached, followed by another familiar voice.

Click, clack.

"Oppa, you're going to a party with Ms. Lee Ha-Yoon?"

A chill ran down my spine. When I turned my head, Yoo-Jin stood there smiling at me, having just finished her stage. I smiled back, but it didn't feel like a real smile.

'On a good day like this, why is everyone acting like this?'

At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong, who had come with Yoo-Jin, quickly read the room and sidled over to Wang Long and Sasuke.

'Add one more traitor.'

Left with no choice, I nodded at Yoo-Jin. "Yeah. I'm going with her that day."

Then Yoo-Jin looked at Lee Ha-Yoon. "Ms. Lee, may I attend the event that day as well?"

"Miss Yoo-Jin... you want to come?"

"Is that not allowed?"

A department store VIP event attended by top star Jung Yoo-Jin was bound to become a hot topic.

As Lee Ha-Yoon's eyes darted rapidly, Jin Ah-Ram clapped her hands in delight. "That works out well. Miss Yoo-Jin, I'm going too, so let's go together. I mean, who would dare turn down the great Jung Yoo-Jin?"

"Do you think so?"

"But it's the kind of place where you need a partner, and I'm not sure who to go with..."

Just then, President Jin Sung-Joon appeared and spoke up. "I'll go with Miss Yoo-Jin. Ah-Ram, you can go with Mr. Tae-Poong here."

"That's actually a good idea. All right, let's do that."

Lee Tae-Poong, who had been standing at a distance, glanced at me.

'Traitor. You're going too.'

"Tae-Poong, let's go."

Lee Tae-Poong read the room for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."

Lee Ha-Yoon's eyes shifted quickly before she finally nodded. "Tch. Fine. See you all at the party."

There really had to be something about that party. I needed to look into it properly before going.

Just then, Jin Ah-Ram's phone rang.

"Excuse me."

She answered the call and her eyes widened. "Really? Ah, okay."

After hanging up, she suddenly grabbed my hand and bounced in place. "Mr. Jung! We're fully booked for next weekend!"

"Really?"

"Yes, really! All two thousand rooms are completely booked! They said there's been a massive surge of reservations from Chinese and Japanese tourists."

For Project I.O.A., Shanghai New Media Inc. handled the online broadcast in China, while AMOSE partnered with a Japanese network to air it there. However, people who couldn't even properly access the Korean app had made reservations without receiving any discount coupons.

With 11.2% viewership ratings and the Yeongjongdo Jinseong Resort fully booked for the weekend, Project I.O.A. was becoming a massive success.

"Congratulations."

"It's all thanks to you, Mr. Jung."

Just then, Jin Ah-Ram's phone rang again. "One moment. It's our President."

She released my hand and answered President Jin Dae-Woon's call.

"Yes, Mr. President. Mr. Jung says Saturday won't work because of a prior engagement. Ah, you're asking if Sunday is possible instead?"

When Jin Ah-Ram looked at me, I nodded.

"Yes, he's available. We'll set it for Sunday evening."

After hanging up, Jin Ah-Ram smiled. "He was thrilled to hear about the reservations. Oh, and he says he intends to keep his promise to you."

"His promise?"

"Yes. He said we'll proceed with the stock transfer that day, so please bring your seal."

Come to think of it, I had agreed to receive shares in exchange for helping revive Jinseong Hotel & Resort.

Just then, Jin Ah-Ram added, "You can look forward to the shares."

'How much are they planning to give me for her to say that?'

It felt like they might offer more than what was originally promised, but there was something I needed to do first.

"We can talk about that later. I need to go greet the kids on stage."

I still had to say my final words to the sixty-four trainees who had competed today and were leaving the stage. As of today, Project I.O.A. had eliminated thirty-two contestants, leaving only thirty-two trainees in eight teams. I had to encourage those who made it to work even harder, and comfort those who were eliminated. That was my remaining duty.

After saying goodbye to the group, I slowly made my way toward the stage.

***

The successful contestants would spend the night at the hotel with their parents before moving to the Project I.O.A. set at dawn the next day. And the eliminated trainees would stay at the Yeongjongdo Jinseong Resort with their families for a two-night, three-day vacation to ease their disappointment.

After personally greeting each of the trainees and their parents who had endured the grueling five-week journey, I drove home with Yoo-Jin and Miso.

It was 1:30 a.m. On the way back, I was so exhausted that I asked Do Ran-Hee to drive. I sat in the very back seat with Miso beside me.

Just then, Miso stirred awake, her sleepy eyes half-open as she whispered into my ear.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho. Why is Mom pouting?"

I whispered back into her ear.

"I know, right? I'm not sure either."

The truth was, it wasn't that I didn't understand how Yoo-Jin felt. But as her talent agent, dating anyone, especially the actress I was in charge of, was impossible. Now that Hoop Entertainment had even gone public, one wrong move could easily turn into a massive scandal.

So I pretended not to notice, but Yoo-Jin's attitude still weighed on my mind. Ever since she heard I was going to the Daechon Department Store VIP event with Lee Ha-Yoon, she hadn't smiled.

Then Miso offered a solution.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho. Say you're sorry to Mom and promise to buy her something delicious later."

"Should I?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Yeah. I'll help you."

Miso held out her tiny fist to me. I bumped my fist lightly against hers, then raised my voice toward Yoo-Jin.

"Yoo-Jin."

Yoo-Jin had been lost in thought, but turned around. "Ah, yes, oppa. What is it?"

"I owe President Lee Ha-Yoon a lot, so I had no choice but to repay her. Please don't be upset."

Just then, Miso cut in. "Mom. You know Uncle Yoon-Ho can't say no when people ask him for favors because he's too nice, right? So understand him. Instead, he said he'll buy jokbal[1] and makguksu[2] when we get home. I'm eating too."

After saying it proudly, Miso even winked at me.

'Miso, you said you'd help. How could you say that in front of Yoo-Jin?'

Yoo-Jin let out a small laugh and looked at Miso. "Jung Miso. If you're going to school tomorrow morning, you should close your eyes and sleep on the way home."

Miso glanced at me with an apologetic expression before burying her head in my lap. "Uncle Yoon-Ho. I'm sleepy. Yawn. I'm going to sleep."

Thud.

'Jung Miso. Fallen in a glorious battle.'

Then I had no choice. I would have to fight this alone.

I rested my hand on Miso's head and spoke to Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin. President Lee Ha-Yoon isn't even my type..."

At that moment, Yoo-Jin let out a soft laugh. "It's not that."

"Huh? Then why are you upset?"

Yoo-Jin hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's not that I'm upset... I'm worried you'll become more famous than me and drift far away."

"Drift far away?"

"You're already a shareholder of Hoop Entertainment, and soon you'll be a shareholder of Jinseong too. What if you quit being a talent agent and become a full-time businessman?"

Anyone in the world might think the same. My capital had already surpassed one hundred billion won, and just today, I had even drawn attention from Lee Ha-Yoon, a third-generation chaebol heir.

However, what neither she nor Yoo-Jin knew was that I was someone who had returned from the past. I had already enjoyed more than enough money and fame in my previous life. And I knew all too well that, at the end of it, there was only a crushing loneliness waiting. That was why, to me, nothing mattered more than the warmth of Miso resting against my knee, Yoo-Jin's smile as she looked at me, and the happiness of the Devoted.

So I looked straight at Yoo-Jin and said, "Yoo-Jin. As long as you don't leave the entertainment industry, I'll always be your talent agent. So don't worry."

Before my regression, when I was separated from the two of them, it felt as if my soul had been torn apart. After somehow finding them again, I had no intention of losing them a second time.

At that moment, Miso, lying on my lap, tightened her grip on my hand.

I held her hand and continued, "And I'll be Miso's talent agent too."

A faint tremor ran through my hand. Thankfully, the worry faded from Yoo-Jin's face, replaced by a soft smile.

"Tch. Fine. Then oppa, we're having jokbal and makguksu when we get home, right?"

"At this hour?"

"What? I was going to forgive you for laughing with President Lee Ha-Yoon because of the jokbal. Oh, I think I'm getting mad again~"

With her eyes closed, Miso quickly shook my hand as if urging me to say yes.

"Okay. I'll buy it. I'll order from 24-Hour Jangchungdong King Jokbal Bossam. Happy?"

"Yes!" Yoo-Jin turned her body and called out to Do Ran-Hee at the wheel. "Ran-Hee unnie. Jokbal and makguksu, you in?"

"Absolutely!" Do Ran-Hee shouted.

Then, from my lap, Miso whispered faintly, almost inaudibly.

"I'm in for makguksu too..."

'Miso. Weren't you supposed to have fallen in battle? So just keep sleeping like that, okay?'

***

Over the past week, after Project I.O.A. achieved double-digit viewership ratings, people started calling it "the revival of audition programs." Thanks to that momentum, Hoop Entertainment's stock price climbed to a hundred-thirty-thousand-won, gradually threatening industry leader TK Entertainment.

HK Entertainment quickly jumped on the hype, launching media play to frame a rivalry with Once Again, Idol!, which was set to air the following week. While HK's movements grew more aggressive, Hoop swiftly completed an internal reorganization to brace for the challenge.

Managing Director Kim Jang-Bi received a one-month suspension, Berry Six was reassigned to Singer Division 3, and the remaining artists and talent agents from Singer Division 4 all agreed to merge into Integrated Division 4.

After wrapping up the restructuring, Saturday arrived. As promised to Lee Ha-Yoon, I attended the luxury cosmetics brand Bless launch show, then accompanied her up to the 11th-floor VVIP-only floor of Daechon Department Store.

Ding.

When the elevator doors opened, an entire floor decorated in gold-veined marble stretched before us. Expensive-looking paintings and sculptures lined both sides of the wide corridor, and at the far end stood a massive golden door. Two men in suits, wearing white gloves, stood before it, seemingly waiting to open it.

It was a place I had never even visited before my regression, so I thought it might be better to enter together with Yoo-Jin, Jin Sung-Joon, Lee Tae-Poong, and Jin Ah-Ram, who were coming up in the next elevator.

"Shall we go in together once Yoo-Jin and Tae-Poong arrive?" I asked.

Lee Ha-Yoon shook her head. "No. The elevator behind us will only start bringing in guests after we enter. This party introduces guests in pairs."

The procedure was quite elaborate.

Then she added, "Oh, and it's my grandfather's birthday today."

"What? I thought Mr. Honorary Chairman Kim Bu-Ho's birthday was July 7th."

"That's the public date. His real birthday is the sixth day of the third lunar month."

"Why are you telling me this only now?"

"Because I figured you wouldn't come if I did. Oh, and my grandfather doesn't attend this party anyway. It's more like a gathering where third-generation chaebol heirs bring gifts from their families and build connections."

Now I understood why Jin Ah-Ram had asked whether I knew what kind of party it was.

'What are you planning, Lee Ha-Yoon?'

She clearly had something in mind, but I had made a promise and owed her, so I decided to face it head-on. Besides, it would take more than a simple scheme to corner me.

So I answered calmly, "Even if I'd known, I would've come since I promised. Though it's a shame I didn't bring a gift if I had known earlier. I'll send one separately later."

Lee Ha-Yoon let out a small laugh. "My grandfather will be pleased. All right. Shall we go in?"

"Yes."

I escorted Lee Ha-Yoon forward, and the men in suits grasped the handles.

Just then, Lee Ha-Yoon said something meaningful. "Oh, you remember I told you that you'd come to understand your own position today, right?"

"Yes. But what exactly is my position?"

Lee Ha-Yoon smiled slyly. "You'll understand your social standing much more clearly by seeing it for yourself rather than hearing it from me. Now, let's go in."

At that moment, the men in suits bowed and opened the door.

Creak.

The massive doors parted.

And in that instant, I finally understood what she meant when she said I would know once I saw it myself.

1. Jokbal ☜

2. Makguksu ☜