The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 73

KBC Entertainment Division Director Jang Tae-ho.

He hadn't slept properly in over a month.

It wasn’t because of work, nor was it insomnia.

He was tormented by relentless nightmares.

"Goddammit, I won’t… die."

In his dreams, someone lured him toward death.

They preached about how noble it was to abandon life.

They whispered that beyond death lay unimaginable pleasure.

He had tirelessly pursued his goals until now.

He was on the verge of becoming vice president, then president.

He’d soon get to hold his grandchild.

His throat burned, so he went to the kitchen for water.

The dark space felt oppressive, even the air thick with dread.

As he gulped down water, a kitchen knife on the sink caught his eye.

That would be enough to slit his throat.

As if entranced, he picked up the knife.

Slowly, he brought it to his neck and pressed the blade against his skin. The cold steel felt… strange.

"Gah!"

He dropped the knife.

Unable to comprehend what he’d just done, he clutched his head.

But soon, he giggled like a madman.

Twisting his body, he muttered, "Next time, I’ll die for sure."

Once the fit passed, he staggered back to his room.

Jung-ah’s Audition Day —

Like last time, she waited in the practice room with the girls for the results.

If Team Leader Baek called her to the rooftop to mess with her again, she was ready to gift him another round of hair loss.

This time, Team Leader Baek did call her to the rooftop.

His expression was far too serious for a prank—serious enough to spare his hair.

"I categorize trainees into three tiers. Tier 1 is ready to debut, Tier 2 and below aren’t worth auditions—just a waste of time."

Was he saying Jung-ah was Tier 2 or lower?

"I struggled with where to place Jung-ah. Conclusion? Neither Tier 1 nor Tier 2. Somewhere in between—on hold for now."

So, she was in limbo.

"Your talent, perseverance, and determination are good. If you kept this up for a year—no, six months—I’d have ranked you Tier 1."

"So, I lack training time."

"Severely. But we can’t wait for you to polish everything. Red Blossom’s been on hiatus too long. The buzz So-yeon and you built will fade by year’s end. The pilot variety we filmed airs in December, right? Then we need a comeback early next year."

Less than two months left.

"So, I’m trusting your ability. You said Jung-ah is essential for success? I’ll bet on that."

"Then…"

"I’ll have the choreo team tweak formations to hide Jung-ah’s limited parts. A dance break with just Yeoreum and you would’ve been perfect, but we’ll skip it this album. A shame, but harmony on stage comes first."

Thinking the girls should hear this directly, she and Team Leader Baek returned to the practice room.

The three original members paled at the sight of Team Leader Baek, infamous for his sharp tongue.

"Don’t worry, I was reborn thanks to Juwon, so I won’t bite."

He said that while giving her a honey-dripping gaze.

The girls were stunned, especially Yeoreum, who looked like the sky was falling.

"Yeoreum, I know who you’re calling. Put the phone down. Now."

After some forced explanations, the tension eased.

"About the audition results…"

He meticulously pointed out Jung-ah’s shortcomings and how to improve.

True to his reputation as a top producer, his sharp analysis had the girls nodding.

"From here, Yeoreum’s role is crucial. Chie’s a sub-dancer, so…"

His uncharacteristically kind explanations won them over.

At this point, she wouldn’t mind gifting him some hair regrowth too.

Finally, he didn’t forget to encourage Jung-ah.

"I said it’s a shame, but with your talent and effort, you’ll shine in the third album. Juwon would’ve called you the best. Now, stop trying to replace her—prove you’re even better. Make her applaud from heaven, got it?"

"Yes, Team Leader. Thank you… sniff."

And so, the fifth member was confirmed.

PD Shin Dong-ho’s pilot variety While We’re at It, Let’s Eat released its teaser.

—Are these people insane? Showing a flop?
—I think it’s fresh.
—Mina-young alone makes it worth watching.
—It’s been two years. Ready for a comeback?
—Seeing Yeoreum cook on TV? Wild.
—Where’s that manager?

Since surprise appearances were the concept, the teaser didn’t include her.

Reactions were roughly: 20% hating the concept, 20% hype, 50% Mina-young, 10% Red Blossom.

tvM Entertainment Division —

"I knew this would happen! Everyone’s trashing the concept!"

CP Oh Myeong-geun was fuming.

"Stop exaggerating. Out of 10 comments, only 2-3 are negative. How is that ‘everyone’?"

PD Shin Dong-ho fired back.

"Why ignore the lukewarm reactions? No hate, but no hype either. What about ratings?"

"The teaser just dropped! There’s barely any press. People don’t even know about it yet."

"That just means the media doesn’t care!"

"Once the full trailer airs and the premiere nears, it’ll pick up. Stop worrying."

"You swore it’d do well. Wait—what were 2 Days & 1 Night’s ratings this season?"

KBC’s 2 Days & 1 Night once pulled over 30% ratings a decade ago.

Now, in the age of YouTube and OTT, it barely scrapes 10%.

"If we hit even a third of that, I’ll carry you on my back. Got it? 3%!"

These days, shows breaking 3% are rare. Even national MC Yoo Sung-sik struggles to hit that.

"That’s not too bad…"

"Don’t dodge the question!"

While We’re at It, Let’s Eat Episode 1 Live Broadcast —

In Red Blossom’s dorm, the girls, Cha So-yeon, and Mina-young gathered around the large TV.

Their outfits were casual, but the drinks and snacks were serious.

"Shouldn’t you be watching alone in your ridiculously big, lonely house? Why come here?"

"And you? Shouldn’t you be in your tiny place, stuffing your face alone? Why waste food here?"

"Cast members watching together is normal! Me, Red Blossom, and Juwon-ssi are in this."

"This was made for viewers like me. Got a problem with me watching?"

"Didn’t you two say you were on good terms?"

Yeoreum, unable to take it, whispered to her.

"They always talk like this."

"R-really?"

It sounded like they were biting knives.

Her ears were about to bleed.

Thankfully, the broadcast started, silencing them.

"Hello, I’m Red Blossom’s manager, Shin Juwon. First time on TV. I’m here to help where needed."

She played the slightly awkward civilian well, speaking without nerves.

Not bad, she thought—until she saw the others’ reactions.

"Look at those broad shoulders. That smile’s too cute~"

Cha So-yeon’s heart eyes were dripping honey.

"Manager-nim looks cool even on screen."

Yeoreum gushed, saying it felt different from filming together.

Her heart eyes were just as obvious.

"He smiled like that. Would’ve been better in person. Show us more from now on."

Mina-young, suddenly sentimental, clung to her side.

Back then, her vision was still blurry before the eye fix.

The other four alternated between the screen and her, baffled.

They didn’t know how to react.

"It gets fun once we reach the island. Anyone want beer?"

She grabbed a drink to lighten the mood.

PD Shin Dong-ho was a genius.

He edited each person’s work segments with dynamic effects, clever captions, and background music, making it engaging.

Highlighting the cast’s chemistry, he fast-forwarded dull parts, matching the pace of shorts.

He sprinkled in touching interviews and thought-provoking quotes, nailing the healing vibe.

—Damn, Park Seung-ho’s interview got me crying.
—If even the cast’s stories are like this, how bad are the guests?
—6 minutes in and already 2 tuna? Lol.
—The sushi chef is totally Yeoreum’s fan.
—Mina-young walks uncomfortably. Is she hurt?
—Still pretty. When’s the comeback?
—Concept’s weird, but surprisingly fun.

For just one episode, the response was better than expected.

Many said it was too good for a pilot.

She had no idea about ratings, but she marveled at how he’d polished such a bizarre, self-indulgent concept.

"Mina-young unnie’s getting all the attention. We’re just… there. Are we doomed to be flop idols?"

"From Episode 2, we’ll host guests, so the kitchen gets more screen time. Your segments are being saved for behind-the-scenes content. Post it on the official channel, and it’ll blow up."

PD Shin Dong-ho promised to send clips that’d help promote Red Blossom.

Pre-comeback, variety content was invaluable.

She’d call later to check the ratings.

KBC Headquarters, Director’s Office —

An employee stepped out, laptop in hand.

Glancing back at the director’s door, they kept tilting their head in confusion.

On the stairs, they ran into another staffer.

"Where’d you go?"

"Director’s office."

"Rough day? The director’s been out of it lately."

"Today was worse. Kept repeating himself."

"Last time, he was furious. Something’s really wrong."

Director Jang Tae-ho was strict but never unreasonable.

"It’s weird. His focus keeps shifting—like he’s possessed or something."