The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 74
Fine Entertainment Chairman’s Office —
“He’s finally created the complete package.”
Chairman Park Beom-jun taps his desk with his fingers.
It was a habit of his when quietly impressed.
“I suspect Team Leader Baek had a hand in Han Jeong-ah’s case, but I let Juwon pick her for a reason. Once they make their comeback, we’ll see why he chose her.”
Division Head Yoon Sang-ho, seated on the sofa, wears a satisfied expression.
“At this point, I’d trust Juwon with anything.”
“No matter how absurd his actions seem, he always turns the results into something that makes sense. How could we not trust him?”
“That kid’s something else. I’ve never seen an employee win over a division head’s skepticism in just three months.”
There had never been a case where someone revived a lost cause, but Juwon was doing it so spectacularly—so dramatically—that Chairman Park and Division Head Yoon couldn’t help but take notice.
“It’s the same with this variety show. When I first saw the concept, I thought, ‘What is this?’”
Yet, it caught the eye of Shin Dong-ho, a star PD, and secured Red Blossom’s appearance. Somehow, top actress Min A-young even approached them for an exclusive contract.
Despite being just a pilot, it recorded a 3.2% viewership rating, crushing competing variety shows in its time slot.
Audience reactions were so positive that talks of a regular series were already underway.
If things went well, they could even lock in Ryu Yeoreum as a fixed cast member.
It felt like watching a gambler sweep the table with a hand that should’ve been worthless.
“Now, all that’s left is Red Blossom’s comeback.”
“Team Leader Baek Hakyung will handle it, so there’s no need to worry. She might have a nasty personality, but she’s sharp when it comes to work.”
“The division head’s news is late. ‘Nasty personality’ is old news. The staff’s in an uproar because she’s turned into an angel.”
“Really?”
“Her wife and daughter almost died in that car accident. Guess it changed her.”
Unaware of Shin Juwon’s involvement, the two assumed a major life event had transformed her.
“Juwon’s got luck on his side too. If it were the old Baek Team Leader, she wouldn’t have even glanced at a lost cause like Mangdol.”
“Exactly.”
They both agreed luck was on Juwon’s side.
“What about the album tracks? We need them to finalize the concept.”
“Juwon brought in an external composer. Someone who’s been at Studio Muse for a while, but Team Leader Baek hasn’t mentioned it yet. She’ll report soon.”
“Studio Muse? That’s Choi Ho-seok’s company, right?”
“Yes.”
“He went missing not long ago, and now the company’s already falling apart.”
“I heard there’s another CEO, but without Choi Ho-seok, the employees must be shaken.”
The fact that Choi Ho-seok was currently rummaging through trash for food in Macau hadn’t hit the news yet.
Neither of them had any idea all of this was connected to one person.
“Keep an eye on the music show appearances. Team 5 alone might struggle.”
“I think it’ll work out fine even without me. SN’s making a stupid move right now.”
“A stupid move?”
“They’re threatening music show PDs to blacklist a small agency. Seems like there’s bad blood, and they’re not letting it go this time.”
“What did that small agency do to make SN go after them? They should pick fights their own size.”
“Since when has Kim Tae-sang ever cared about that?”
SN Entertainment Executive Office —
“You talked to all the music show PDs, right?”
Executive Kim Tae-sang asks with an irritated expression.
“Yes, but… the atmosphere isn’t like before. Maybe you should personally speak to the CP or the station head…”
The singer team leader replies with a worried face.
“Damn it, do I have to personally step in to crush some nobody? What the hell do you even do?”
“S-sorry.”
“What’s the problem?”
“KBC’s Music Bank is the main issue. If we handle that, MBS and SBC will follow.”
“Music Bank…”
The PD in charge, Hyun Jung-il, reports to CP Lim Hyeok-pil and Station Head Jang Tae-ho.
Dealing directly with a PD is beneath a major agency executive’s dignity.
‘Station Head Jang Tae-ho is too stubborn…’
CP Lim Hyeok-pil, greedy and easier to manipulate, seems like the better target.
Kim Tae-sang takes out his phone and calls Lim Hyeok-pil.
“When I was struggling during my re-study year, your ballads gave me so much strength… sniff.”
Haram, meeting Team Leader Baek Hakyung, starts with a tearful face.
He praises her songs like precious gems, crediting them for getting him through tough times.
“R-really?”
She’s taken aback, like an idol unexpectedly meeting a die-hard fan.
“You don’t have to humble yourself anymore. Even if your name wasn’t on them, five years of composing makes you a full-fledged composer.”
“Th-thank you… sob.”
Team Leader Baek hugs Haram tightly.
An unimaginable act for her usual self.
Haram freezes, flustered.
“Ho-seok suffered under that bastard for five years. Now, don’t worry. Let’s work together professionally.”
At the very least, their chemistry wouldn’t be an issue.
KBC Media Center —
Accompanied by Team Leader Park, I’m here to meet the PD of Music Bank, the flagship music show of terrestrial broadcasting.
They say he’s the most favorable toward us among terrestrial music show PDs.
Carrying drinks for the staff, we head to the variety department when raised voices echo from a meeting room.
“PD-nim, how can you do this so suddenly? The kids even canceled their schedules for this!”
“I have no choice. Orders from above. Let’s just get through this week, okay?”
From outside, it sounds like some agency’s artist got abruptly pulled from the show.
A lanky man storms out moments later, brushing past us.
“Hello, PD-nim.”
“Ah, Team Leader-nim. The atmosphere’s a bit tense.”
“What’s going on?”
The PD gulps down the drink Team Leader Park handed him, clearly stressed.
“Sigh, SN’s making everything a mess.”
SN Entertainment is blocking small agency artists from appearing.
The trigger was a singer who switched to SN mid-contract dispute.
“They should handle their issues privately. Why drag us into it?”
“It must be tough for you, PD-nim.”
“I tried ignoring it. It’s not our fault, so why get involved in agency feuds? But the higher-ups are pressuring us. No choice.”
“Higher-ups…?”
“CP Lim Hyeok-pil.”
“Station Head Jang Tae-ho wouldn’t stand for this, right? If he knew, he’d step in.”
“That’s what I thought. But he’s… not in his right mind lately.”
“Huh?”
The PD glances around before lowering his voice.
“I’m only telling you this because it’s you, Team Leader-nim. The station head’s acting… no, he’s seriously off. Like he’s lost his mind.”
“Really? Is he sick? He’s not young.”
“He won’t talk, so who knows? He’s always been sharp, so everyone’s tiptoeing around him. The execs are probably tearing their hair out.”
Listening quietly, I lock eyes with the PD.
“Ah, I haven’t introduced you. This is Hyun Jung-il, PD of Music Bank. You’re Red Blossom’s manager, right?”
I hand him my business card with a polite bow.
First impressions matter.
“Yes, PD-nim. Shin Juwon. You know me?”
“I caught your segment on Dining Table. I love fishing, so seeing you catch two sea bream in ten minutes was amazing, haha.”
He launches into a tangent about the best sea bream fishing spots.
I barely manage to deflect his invitation to go fishing together.
“I’m a fan of actress Cha So-yeon, so I watched her live with you. That’s when I first saw you. You’re nothing like the girl group managers I know.”
He must’ve seen the interview-style live I did with Cha So-yeon.
Talking to broadcast staff, I’ve realized many have seen that clip.
Thanks to Cha So-yeon, I’m practically a celebrity among them.
“I’ve been in music shows long enough to know Red Blossom. Honestly, I thought their second album would be their last. Now that they’re making a comeback… I’m just impressed. You’d hear the same at MBS or SBC.”
Unknowingly, I’ve left a good impression on music show PDs.
I owe Cha So-yeon a bow for this.
“You’re here for Red Blossom’s comeback, right?”
Before I can answer, Team Leader Park speaks first.
“We came to greet you today, PD-nim. Red Blossom’s comeback is next year, so there’s time. PD-nim, this is your third year at Music Bank, right? I was curious if you’ll still be here next year.”
Music shows are considered a “resort” for PDs due to their lower production difficulty.
Some use the downtime to plan other shows and move on.
Most stay only 1–2 years before transferring.
We chat, building rapport with PD Hyun Jung-il.
He confirms he’ll stay until next year’s first half and promises special attention to Red Blossom’s comeback.
“Bring the album during the face-to-face meeting. I’ll make sure you get the full second-year treatment.”
The meeting goes smoothly.
We shake hands and leave the room smiling.
Waiting for the elevator, I spot someone unsteady at the end of the hallway.
Their gait seems… off.
“That’s the station head. Juwon, let’s greet him.”
Station Head Jang Tae-ho staggers toward us—the same man PD Hyun described as “losing his mind.”
‘Well, this is…’
I can’t look away.
Because black smoke is rising from his entire body.