LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 268
Chapter 268
During the time On Raon was legally out on leave, various events were happening at the company.
Representative Ban Ga-eul recently heard from Kang Ji-woo, who had been observing On Raon’s condition and surroundings, about the recent events.
Since resolving the Seo Moon-gyeol bullying incident, Kang Ji-woo had been granted the authority to knock on the representative’s office door directly if he had business.
Of course, the members of Orca, including Ban Yo-han, who was Representative Ban Ga-eul’s nephew, and the youngest member On Raon, had the same authority, so it was hard to say it was a privilege given only to the leader.
Regardless, Representative Ban Ga-eul gathered the employees in one place.
Although a few had been added since Orca’s launch, when gathered together, it was still a modest number to handle the overwhelming workload smoothly.
Looking at the haggard faces of the employees, Representative Ban Ga-eul recalled a review she had accidentally seen on the company’s recruitment site a while ago.
Pros: The representative has a clear vision.
The level of colleagues is high, providing much to learn. The turnover rate is relatively low for an entertainment company.
You can often see the company’s entertainers. They are handsome, pretty, and funny.
Cons: The company is a hole-in-the-wall, but the representative’s vision is a luxury department store.
The representative and the director have high standards; 8 out of 10 people are rejected based on documents, and 2 out of 10 are rejected after the interview.
Sometimes, while working, I wished I could put an orangutan in my seat. But the office is small, so there is no space.
Summary: The heavy workload often leads to overtime, compensated with bonuses. Vacations are almost impossible due to the lack of staff, but the pay is steady. The bonuses are generous, and the internal atmosphere is good. The only problem is the work.
Highly recommended for those with a ‘sleep when you’re dead’ mindset.
Struggling to clear her thoughts, Representative Ban Ga-eul began with a brief and formal greeting.
Proceeding to the main point.
“Since the beginning of this year, our youngest members have had quite a bit of work, haven’t they?”
The “youngest members” referred to Orca, who, despite being the biggest cause of the heavy workload, were loved by the employees for their courteous attitude.
“Taking an interest in the artists struggling with work. Hmm, okay. Good.”
Taking a sip of the warm tea in her hand, Representative Ban Ga-eul spoke in a relaxed yet pointed tone.
“But just like when Gyeoul first came to our company.”
Mentioning the name of an artist who had gone through ups and downs similar to On Raon and came to Seed, Representative Ban Ga-eul’s mention caused tension to surface on the employees’ faces.
“Excessive attention, close enough to be unavoidable, is like a poison to people who already live under countless eyes.”
Having overcome the scandals and external pressures caused by Alt to some extent, Kwon Gyeoul, who had become a flagship singer representing Seed Entertainment, also experienced similar stress in the early days of joining Seed for similar reasons.
Therefore, Kwon Gyeoul was a source of pride and a painful reminder for Seed Entertainment.
“We’ve been through this before. Since we’re paying attention, let’s be a bit more careful. Got it?”
“Yes.”
Although the explanation wasn’t precise or specific, and the relatively new employees didn’t fully grasp it, they collectively responded with a sense of understanding.
The seasoned employees next to them would kindly explain in detail.
“And about the collaboration with Seil…”
As the meeting swiftly covered all aspects related to artists other than Orca under Seed Entertainment.
With an exaggerated gesture, Representative Ban Ga-eul made a promise of early recruitment to Chief Joo Yeol-eum, who had lost a lot of weight while preparing for Orca’s comeback, lightening the slightly heavy atmosphere.
After the meeting, before returning to her work, Representative Ban Ga-eul gave an additional instruction to one of the employees.
“And when Yo-han comes, tell him to see me.”
As always, her expression was calm and her tone peaceful, but she seemed to be lost in thought. The employee, noticing this, responded, “Understood.”
* * *
That evening.
Standing in front of the representative’s office door, Ban Yo-han stared at the door he had knocked on not long ago.
The first visit had been when he went to his aunt during the chaos caused by sasaengs intruding into the dorm.
Although Representative Ban Ga-eul was too busy to have a proper conversation due to the constant calls she was receiving, he had spent time there.
Perhaps because of that, this second visit had been initiated by Representative Ban Ga-eul.
Judging by the employee’s demeanor when delivering the message, it didn’t seem to be good news.
Knock, knock.
“Aunt, I’m coming in.”
After receiving permission from Representative Ban Ga-eul inside, Ban Yo-han opened the door and entered.
“Sit there.”
“Okay.”
Expecting his aunt to speak first, Ban Yo-han waited as Representative Ban Ga-eul, who had taken off her glasses, began to speak.
“You remember Jung-won, don’t you?”
Recalling the cousin who suddenly left for overseas studies without any prior notice, Ban Yo-han smoothed his inadvertently furrowed brows and replied softly.
“Of course, I remember. Why?”
“Lately, I feel like your behavior hasn’t changed much since then.”
With that, Ban Yo-han realized that someone had preemptively reported to his aunt about his intent to have a conversation or seek counseling.
“I was going to tell you myself. But you told everything already? Kang Ji-woo, this won’t do.”
While Ban Yo-han responded nonchalantly, trying to gauge the reaction.
Representative Ban Ga-eul’s gaze was sharp without a single gap.
“Yo-han, I didn’t call you here during such a busy time to joke around.”
Indeed, Representative Ban Ga-eul was extremely busy, handling tasks that didn’t require a representative’s involvement.
To resolve the issues, the only solution was to hire the promised additional staff.
However, hiring talent up to her standards, especially in the idol industry, wasn’t easy, even after bringing in the best in the field like Director Joo Yeol-eum.
Representative Ban Ga-eul, calculating the company’s situation in her head, was interrupted by a blunt statement from Ban Yo-han.
“How can I hold back when I want to know?”
Knowing Ban Yo-han’s stubborn nature, summarized in that one sentence, made Representative Ban Ga-eul’s head ache as she pondered how to handle him.
But she had dealt with Ban Yo-han for many years.
“You even quit the university you were attending…”
“I didn’t quit. I’m planning to return next year.”
“What?”
Surprised by his strangely defiant tone, Representative Ban Ga-eul, momentarily thinking he meant to quit being an idol to maintain his student status for deferment, muttered about the matter.
“No, you must. Your university’s leave period ends this year, so unless you’re planning to transfer, you have to return next year. Yes, you said you would. Your father also insisted you graduate without any issues… I’ve been so out of it lately.”
Realizing the meaning behind her words, Representative Ban Ga-eul, who had been rattled by Ban Yo-han’s defiance, counterattacked, adding a charge of disrespect.
“You seemed really keen on being an idol, so I ignored your lies involving Ji-woo and convinced your family.”
Wow, how did she know that?
“What do you mean I lied using Ji-woo?”
He shamelessly tried to deny it.
“When did you see Ji-woo suffer for eight years?”
“I saw it… maybe?”
Surprised by Representative Ban Ga-eul’s unexpectedly accurate information, Ban Yo-han stretched his words vaguely.
However, Representative Ban Ga-eul, who knew for sure, scoffed.
“Are you saying you saw him for eight years when over four years were spent without contact, and you’ve only known him for a little over three years?”
Ban Yo-han realized that his emotional appeal strategy, which he used to convince Representative Ban Ga-eul to persuade his stubborn parents, had been completely exposed.
He gave a smile, pleading for leniency.
Of course, the smiling strategy worked when he was a cute child, worth engaging in a conversation.
But as he grew older, especially in front of Representative Ban Ga-eul, its effectiveness dwindled significantly.
It even backfired.
“Hey… really.”
Confirming the truth of the rumors she had heard, Representative Ban Ga-eul was too betrayed to speak further.
Separate from the times when they had lost contact due to the lack of smartphones, and lived completely unaware of each other’s existence.
The fact that Ban Yo-han and Kang Ji-woo had known each other since they were very young was true as known to those around them.
Kang Ji-woo, being a person who found it tedious to nitpick, roughly considered himself a decade-long friend, which was somewhat accurate.
At least the advice and encouragement Ban Yo-han gave to Kang Ji-woo after he was eliminated from the debut team and left SS Entertainment, which could have meant losing his adorable juniors, genuinely helped Kang Ji-woo in his career path as a singer.
“…”
Realizing that saying anything in this situation, after carelessly provoking Representative Ban Ga-eul’s anger, wouldn’t help.
Ban Yo-han chose to erase his mischievous smile and keep his mouth shut.
It was a wise decision.