A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 101

The woman, seeing Do-hyun’s anger, grew even angrier.

“Is there somewhere I can’t go? How dare you talk back to me! There’s nowhere I can’t go! You should be bowing and scraping, grateful that someone important like me has graced you with my presence. How dare a mere entertainer…!”

Do-hyun sighed at the woman’s harsh words.

Since this was the set for his album jacket shoot, he didn’t want to cause any trouble.

“Please keep your personal and professional lives separate. This is clearly my set. I didn’t invite any fans here. I don’t know how you got here, but your interest is, and always will be, unwanted.”

The woman, who had always been treated with respect wherever she went, was taken aback by Do-hyun’s attitude.

Everyone lined up and thanked her when she made an appearance, but Na Do-hyun dared to do this?

Thinking that, the woman tried to slap Do-hyun.

But Do-hyun instantly grabbed her wrist.

“You seem to be quite the hothead, but please don’t do this here. This is where I draw the line. Kang-ho, please escort this woman out gently. I want to have a pleasant album shoot.”

At Do-hyun’s words, Kang-ho stammered, “Uh, uh…” and took the woman, who was still protesting, away.

“Haa… everyone, please disregard that. I apologize if I’ve disrupted the atmosphere of the set.”

Do-hyun bowed his head in apology.

The staff knew it wasn’t his fault, so they reassured him it was okay.

“Alright, it seems we’re a bit delayed, but let’s get started quickly!”

Do-hyun spoke in a strong voice as if nothing had happened.

The staff returned to their respective positions.

* * *

Later that day, as the photo shoot for the album was nearing its end,

The CEO of Hue Entertainment visited the set in person.

It was very rare for him to visit the set.

Do-hyun felt a slight unease inside.

He suspected it had something to do with the woman who claimed to be a third-generation *chaebol* [a wealthy family conglomerate member].

“Do-hyun, can we talk for a moment?”

The CEO said in a gentle voice.

Do-hyun agreed and followed him out.

“Do-hyun, the woman who visited today… you know Hanseong Group, right? She’s a member of that family. How could you chase someone like that away?”

“CEO, what does that woman have to do with my shoot?”

“What do you mean, what does she have to do with it…? You should be grateful that someone like that visited Do-hyun’s set.”

‘I should consider renewing my contract. This reminds me of Ok-nyeo… I feel strangely unpleasant.’

Do-hyun listened quietly to the CEO’s words before retorting.

“Is there another reason why I should welcome someone like that? Are you telling me to get a sponsor?”

When he said it sternly, the CEO chuckled nervously and continued.

“No, what I mean is… she’s also someone who invests a lot in our Hue Entertainment. She’s also a VIP… I’m saying you shouldn’t chase away such a guest. She contacted me and said she was upset…”

“Are you telling me to get a sponsor? Is that not what you mean, CEO?”

“W-When did I say that?”

“I don’t need that. I don’t even think about things like sponsors. I’d rather start from the bottom in this industry than even consider a sponsor.”

Do-hyun drew a firm line.

To summarize the CEO’s words, it sounded like he was telling him to get close to that woman because she was interested in him.

It was just a suggestion to get to know her personally, but in reality, it was no different from telling him to get a sponsor.

“CEO, if you were thinking of getting me a sponsor, I hope you’ll reconsider.”

“No, that’s not it!”

“That’s how I heard it. Are you done talking? The concept photo shoot isn’t over yet, so I have to go. The staff’s time is also valuable.”

“Na Do-hyun!”

The CEO shouted.

Some of the staff who were outside smoking looked over.

‘Only bad rumors will spread in the industry.’

Do-hyun frowned slightly.

It was a moment of annoyance at the unwanted situation.

“CEO, you know very well what Hue Entertainment’s position is in this industry. You’re not trying to ruin such a company for the sake of one sponsor, are you?”

“Are you threatening me? You’ve grown a lot. After raising a nobody singer from who knows where!”

“The staff are all listening. I repeat, I don’t need a sponsor. I came this far alone, or rather, with my fans. You know that, right? Winning first place on the audition program. That was entirely my effort.”

“…You son of a, son of a bitch!”

“CEO! Stop it!”

Kang-ho belatedly intervened, but it was already too late.

Even the outsourced company employees had witnessed the CEO of Hue Entertainment’s true character.

It was obvious that bad rumors about Hue Entertainment would spread in the industry.

A company that forces its singers to get sponsors.

How awful is that?

“I’m going to do what I want to do. I signed with Hue Entertainment only thinking that they would fully support me musically. CEO, if you want the company to run well, please refrain from forcing sponsors on me. I hope you’ll convey the same message to that woman.”

“Aish, damn it!”

The CEO couldn’t control his anger and cursed at Do-hyun.

But Do-hyun ignored the CEO and went inside.

Kang-ho coaxed the CEO gently.

“You know Do-hyun is sensitive when it comes to music… CEO. It seems like it happened because that person came when he was working on the album. How about introducing her to him on another occasion?”

Kang-ho conveyed the message as if it meant ‘just don’t come’, but the CEO took it differently.

“I should invite Na Do-hyun to the concert. Then, wouldn’t the reaction be a little different?”

“Well, CEO. That seat doesn’t feel very good either… Even if you send an invitation, don’t allow access to the waiting room… It’s troublesome to get involved with a *chaebol* family.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? I’ve been rolling around in this industry for decades. Still, it’s good for Na Do-hyun, so I’m trying to set him up.”

The CEO wouldn’t budge from his claim.

Kang-ho, who was stuck in the middle, was just at a loss.

He tried to figure out how to get the CEO to change his mind, but he couldn’t come up with a good idea.

He had no choice but to make more excuses for Do-hyun.

“CEO. Please calm down first… and think about Do-hyun’s position. He’s in the process of building a solid foundation as a singer, so if you tell him to get a sponsor, anyone would hate that. Um… Could you ask the third-generation *chaebol* to wait a little longer? Haha… I don’t think Do-hyun’s personality would allow that.”

Then the CEO huffed and said.

“Na Do-hyun, he seems to think he’ll be the top solo singer forever. He’s grown a lot. He’s like that because he came to our company.”

“Haha…”

Kang-ho wanted to leave this place if possible, but reducing the conflict between the CEO and Do-hyun was his role for now.

“CEO. Let’s step back today… How about coming back another day?”

“Do you think I came all the way to Gangwon-do to be treated like this by a singer in my company? Haa… I’ll try to coax the Hanseong Group’s daughter well, so do something about Na Do-hyun. Got it?”

“Y-Yes… I understand.”

“You have to do what you’re told, where do you think you are…?”

Kang-ho couldn’t give a definite answer.

‘Oh dear. How did it come to this situation… Do-hyun wouldn’t accept it because of his personality.’

Kang-ho already had a headache.

“Anyway, I’m leaving, so Kang-ho. As a manager, you know what a singer needs to do to be successful, right? Tell Na Do-hyun to choose wisely. Whether he wants to spend his singer life as just another singer or not. And whether he’ll forget the grace of being raised. Got it?”

“Yes… I understand.”

Finally, the CEO left.

Kang-ho breathed a sigh of relief.

“Oh my… I need a cigarette.”

Some of the on-site staff approached him as he took out a cigarette.

“Did the CEO come because of that woman earlier? Wow.”

“Don’t go around talking about it. Do-hyun’s personality would hate that to death, so it’ll be a disaster. A sponsor for someone who just wants to do music. Does that even make sense? Haa…”

The cigarette smoke that Kang-ho exhaled scattered into the air.

“Looking at Do-hyun’s personality, he’s not easy to deal with. I thought he was very gentle until now, but he has a firm opinion.”

“He was involved with Ok-nyeo last time and got badly burned, so that’s probably why.”

“Ah, that ridiculous dating rumor… I remember it.”

“That’s why Do-hyun is like that.”

The staff nodded at Kang-ho’s words.

“Anyway, Do-hyun’s mood must be ruined, so let’s do our best until the last shoot. The concept photo shoot will be over today. The problem is, I hope that woman doesn’t come again… The CEO said he’s inviting her to the concert, so I can’t help but feel uneasy.”

“No, why is he inviting her to the concert? Why would Na Do-hyun need to receive a sponsor?”

At those words, Kang-ho chuckled.

“How would I know? The CEO’s intentions. Why would he suddenly try to attach a sponsor to someone who has established himself musically? Of course, it would be nice if a company like Hanseong Group sponsored him, plugged in advertisements, and made his image solid… But how much dirty rumors would spread in the industry.”

Kang-ho said with a worried heart.

The others expressed their sympathy at his words.

Kang-ho, who had finished smoking a cigarette, sternly warned the staff.

“Don’t you guys go around talking about it. I know these things spread easily, but as a manager, I’m afraid that Do-hyun’s name will be mentioned in the stock market rumors. Got it?”

“Yes, Manager.”

“Don’t just answer. I’m saying don’t go around talking about it. We have to prevent rumors like ‘Na Do-hyun rejected the sponsorship of Hanseong Group’s granddaughter.’ Got it?”

“…Yes!”

Kang-ho went inside.

He felt relieved to see Do-hyun, who had already relaxed his expression and was taking on the final shoot.

‘I hope the CEO doesn’t cause any accidents…’

The existence of sponsors was also an open secret in this harsh entertainment industry.

However, Kang-ho thought that since Do-hyun had been recognized for his musicality and had reached his current position without going through such things, he hoped that he would not be involved with sponsors in the future.

“Cut!”

As soon as the cut sound was heard, Do-hyun walked towards Kang-ho.

Kang-ho was worried that Do-hyun would bring up the story about the CEO.

“Hyung [older brother/close male friend]. Let’s go home quickly. The music video shoot is in two days, right? Can you drive? Aren’t you tired?”

Do-hyun spoke as if nothing had happened.

Kang-ho felt relieved to see Do-hyun’s appearance.

“Uh, uh… I’m not tired. Let’s go.”

“That’s a relief. I’m tired, so I’ll sleep in the car on the way to Seoul.”

“Okay. Sleep a little… you should. Get some rest and adjust your condition.”

“Yes. I will.”

In the car heading to Seoul.

Do-hyun had his eyes closed, but he wasn’t asleep.