The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 56

TvM Entertainment Division.

“I said no!”

“But you said the idea was good!”

“I said the idea was good—just the idea!”

Across the desk with a proposal laid out on top, PD Shin Dongho and CP Oh Myeonggeun were locked in a tense standoff.

The proposal bore the tentative title: 

“Since It’s Quiet, Let’s Set the Table”.

“It’s got cooking, eating, and healing  all three trends! Why wouldn’t it get good ratings? I swear I can make this work!”

“Phew… Shin PD. Let me tell you exactly why this won’t work, so listen carefully.”

Oh Myeonggeun began speaking with an exhausted expression.

“I’ve got a friend who runs a publishing company. They’re somewhat well-known in the self-help book world…”

Self-help books usually focus on people who’ve achieved success through extraordinary effort.

But this publisher decided to take a different direction — they published a self-help book focusing on so-called ‘failures.’

They wanted to spotlight why those people failed, using them as cautionary tales.

But the unique angle completely flopped.

People look up to the successful; they don’t want to learn lessons from the failed.

“That’s exactly it! People don’t like stories about failure. The world’s already full of things going wrong — who wants to watch even more failure on TV?”

PD Shin Dongho had planned a healing cooking (+eating) show, where failed individuals would be invited to scenic locations, served food made by other failed people, and would share their experiences to comfort one another.

“These aren’t just people who failed. Some never made it, but others tasted success before falling, or repeated the cycle over and over.”

“But in the end, they still failed!”

“Please, just hear me out. 

These aren’t people wallowing in failure — they’re struggling to rise again despite it all. 

Imagine if those who appeared on the show actually make a comeback later. 

This show would become a prophetic legend of their success.”

“And how do you know they’ll succeed? What, are you a prophet now?”

“We’ll only cast people who are likely to bounce back. Leave the packaging and presentation to me.”

“Ugh, you’re so stubborn. You never listen.”

“And when did I ask for a regular slot? I said just two episodes as a pilot. After all the work I’ve done since the beginning of the year, can’t you at least give me this?”

After a long tug-of-war over yes or no, Oh Myeonggeun finally gave in.

“Fine. I’ll talk to the director general. But no promises.”

“The director likes me. He’ll say yes. It’s just a pilot.”

“But in exchange, you must do whatever I tell you next quarter. I’m not budging on that.”

“Deal. Even if you make me do that running show again, I’ll do it.”

“You promised, remember.”

“Yes, sir.”

With a satisfied expression, Shin Dongho stood up from his seat. 

Oh Myeonggeun asked him,“But hey, why are you so set on doing this? Like you said, it’s not even a regular program — just a pilot.”

“If it goes well, it’ll get a regular slot. And… there’s someone I’ve been wanting to see again.”

“Who?”

“I’ll tell you once it’s confirmed.”

*****

“This is… a bit tricky.”

“What is?”

Team leader Park Chanhyuk tilted his head.

“A variety show offer came in for the kids…”

The three of us all turned our eyes to him.

A variety show for a failed idol group? 

Why would he call that a tricky situation?

“The concept is failed people.”

“Huh?”

“It’s a pilot variety show from tvM. It’s a healing cooking show where failed people cook for other failed people. It’s planned by PD Shin Dongho, but even so, the concept’s making me hesitate.”

Even I knew about PD Shin Dongho.

He’s one of tvM’s top producers, known for making hit shows with all sorts of concepts.

Everyone had looked excited at the mention of a variety appearance, but now their expressions shifted.

The concept didn’t just seem unique — it bordered on bizarre.

“Feels like it’s crossing a line.”

“A variety show with nothing but failed people? Wow…”

No matter how famous the producer, this wasn’t going to earn much praise.

Sure, it might pull in ratings with the shock factor, but the concept made us reluctant to send the kids.

“Is Red Blossom on the cooking side?”

“Yeah. PD Shin contacted us after seeing Yeoreum’s cooking video. Said it fit perfectly with his show.”

“Like you said, it’s tricky. 

A variety show appearance sounds great, but going on just to have your failure confirmed in public? 

They won’t just cook — they’ll be asked all sorts of things. 

With their comeback coming up, I don’t know if their mental state can handle that.”

Manager Song Seungjun had hit the nail on the head.

Jokingly calling them failed idols among ourselves was one thing, but publicly declaring “Yes, we’re failed idols!” to the entire nation was a whole different level.

Why would someone even plan a show like this?

“Apparently, the point isn’t to show their failure. It’s supposed to be a show where people trying to bounce back talk about their hopes for future success.”

“What, is the PD a prophet now? How can he guarantee they’ll succeed?”

“Exactly.”

Suddenly, I remembered the Gift of Prophecy.

If that PD really had it, wouldn’t this count as using the gift for his own benefit?

[The Lord wouldn’t give that kind of gift to someone who uses it selfishly.]

“Then what kind of person is he?”

[Hard to say without seeing him. Maybe someone just overly confident?]

“Anyway, I’ve got a meeting with PD Shin this afternoon. Juwon, you’re coming with me.”

“Me?”

I didn’t know much about variety shows, but in the case of music programs, road managers weren’t usually brought along to face-to-face meetings with producers.

At companies below a certain size, even the CEO might attend if the manager isn’t high enough.

“Yeah. He said Red Blossom alone doesn’t have enough impact, so he wants you on the show too.”

“What are you talking about? Why would I go on a variety show? I’m not even a celebrity.”

“Some of the people being treated to the food are regular folks. And you know how you and Cha Soyeon are always seen as a set with Red Blossom — it’d feel weird if only the kids went.”

“Then why just me?”

“If you’ve got the power to put Cha Soyeon on a failed-variety concept, go ahead and join her.”

Of all celebrities, Cha Soyeon is the absolute worst fit for this kind of show.

“Then I shouldn’t go either. I’ve never failed.”

“You were assigned to a team that was about to be scrapped right after you joined, and now you manage a failed idol group. 

That’s a solid failure right there. 

Just because you’re doing well in the company doesn’t mean people outside know.”

“Even so…”

“Didn’t you say you’d do whatever it takes to make Red Blossom’s comeback happen? 

Well, this counts as one of those ‘whatever it takes’ moments — so give it your best. 

Honestly, right now, you’re more well-known than Red Blossom.”

“But wouldn’t the higher-ups have a problem with this? A show like this doesn’t help the company’s image at all.”

Senior Onyu chimed in,“The director said to handle Red Blossom stuff however the team wants. He’s not getting involved.”

The director was testing me — seeing how I’d handle this.

This must be part of that test too.

*

TvM Headquarters .

While Team Leader Park was on the phone with the PD, I watched people passing through the lobby.

It was a broadcast station, so I spotted a few celebrities I recognized from TV.

Huh?

I felt someone’s gaze and turned around.

My eyes met someone else’s.

The person had a cap pulled low and a mask on, so I couldn’t see their face clearly.

But their slim figure and classy aura made it obvious they were a celebrity.

They tilted their head, studying me curiously.

I had never seen them before.

“He’s done. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

“You know that person?”

Team Leader Park must’ve noticed the gaze too.

“No. It’s my first time seeing them.”

A moment later, someone came to pick them up, and they disappeared in that direction.

Who was that?

*

At the variety department, we met PD Shin Dongho.

“Wow, you look even better in person. You’d look great on camera.”

“Nice to meet you, PD-nim.”

PD Shin Dongho was full of energy — like an enthusiastic new hire.

Despite being a star producer, he didn’t act arrogant or treat agency staff dismissively.

He exchanged greetings and business cards with Team Leader Park like anyone else.

Our team, whose only celebrity is a failed idol group, usually has no reason to meet a variety show PD.

“We’re definitely not trying to rehabilitate a celebrity who caused a scandal. 

Like I mentioned before, people who’ve completely failed and are doing nothing don’t get to appear either. 

This is a healing variety show for those who’ve failed but are still trying to do something.”

“When I saw Yeoreum cooking, I got a feeling. Rather than something competitive like Green-Red Chef, I thought she’d be perfect in a peaceful setting, cooking with a smile in a scenic place.”

“Juwon’s interview was really touching too. Where else can you find a manager so devoted to their artist? Everyone who appears on this show needs that kind of dedication. Please share a lot of good stories when you come on.”

He sounded like an employee passionately pitching a project to an executive.

When I hesitated to appear, he explained the concept of the show with everything he had — sincerity and passion.

“If it’s a variety show created by PD Shin, I’m sure tons of people want to be on it. How did the opportunity even make its way to us?”

At that, PD Shin gave a wry smile.

“When I met with those eager to appear… they were all celebrities lying low after causing scandals. 

This show isn’t some kind of absolution, you know? 

I honestly wondered how they saw me. 

That just made me more careful with casting.”

He leaned forward and said to us:

“I watched all the videos uploaded to your channel. 

Red Blossom is preparing for a comeback, right? 

If so, they’re the perfect guests for our program. 

A failed idol group that somehow didn’t disband, and is seizing a second chance. 

A manager who works day and night to get them back on stage. 

If we air this, it’s going to be a massive hit.”

Team Leader Park and I swallowed hard.

This guy seemed more like a top-tier sales rep than a PD.

On our way down to the lobby, Team Leader Park said,“Talk to the girls about it. I think this could be a real opportunity. Since Chie’s not an original member, let’s go with just the three for now.”

“Got it. I’ll talk to them.”

*

That night, I had a strange dream.