Little Pink Starfish

‘I’ve lost.’

Choi Dae-ho came to this conclusion not because the issue regarding Han Si-on’s parents had been neatly resolved.

Nor was it because On Sae-mi-ro’s parents foolishly tried to collect money from both sides and ended up getting rejected by both.

The moment Choi Dae-ho realized his defeat was, unexpectedly, because of The Masked Singer.

Choi Dae-ho was confident in his producing instincts.

Which meant his ear for music was as sharp as anyone’s.

And yet, he hadn’t realized MyHeart’sMiro was On Sae-mi-ro.

Even after directing him throughout Coming Up Next, overseeing his practice and results, he hadn’t noticed.

It was a shock.

Others might find it odd that he was so surprised by this.

But by Choi Dae-ho’s standards, it was astonishing — and it forced him to regain objectivity about Sedalbaekil.

The Sedalbaekil of today was no longer the group he thought he knew.

Thus, Choi Dae-ho abandoned his prejudice and disdain, and watched Sedalbaekil’s State Of Mind stage.

It was excellent.

No — it was perfect.

Not the performance or the song’s completeness.

He was talking about Sedalbaekil’s vocals.

How did this kind of lineup even come together?

It was almost absurd.

So Choi Dae-ho reached a conclusion.

Sedalbaekil had become an unstoppable train.

It stung his pride, made him bitter, but he was a businessman.

His attempts to crush Sedalbaekil were to protect the existing cartel.

An independently built idol group achieving massive success?

It would have a serious impact on the industry.

Trainees might start overestimating themselves, questioning why they had to endure hardship when they too could become like Sedalbaekil.

But Sedalbaekil had already succeeded.

You might be able to scratch the train, but you couldn’t stop it.

Even scratching it cost time and money, and there was no longer any reason to pay that price.

So the conclusion was simple.

‘Bring them into the cartel.’

He had to reconcile with Sedalbaekil.

Once he made that decision, his mind cleared.

It didn’t feel unpleasant, nor did it feel like he was forcing himself.

As a businessman, Choi Dae-ho genuinely believed reconciliation was the best strategy.

The only regret was…

“President Choi Dae-ho. May I offer some advice?”

“If you plan to crush Sedalbaekil, you’ll have to strike fast and mercilessly. They’re… not easy.”

“Or you can reconcile with them now. Let them go before it turns into something worse.”

He should’ve listened to Director Oh of DoubleM.

He had already suffered losses because of Sedalbaekil.

But what was done was done.

Choi Dae-ho made up his mind and contacted Han Si-on.

Asked to talk.

Han Si-on readily agreed, which put Choi Dae-ho at ease.

It was hard to understand how someone with such immense musical and artistic talent like Han Si-on also possessed business sense.

But Han Si-on did have business sense.

So they could have a rational conversation.

As long as Choi Dae-ho could prove he had laid down his weapons.

At the agreed time, Han Si-on arrived at Lion Entertainment.

Their first private meeting.

He was supposed to feel comfortable, but seeing Han Si-on’s composed face, he felt a twinge of regret.

Not because he failed to crush him — but because he should’ve brought Sedalbaekil over intact after Coming Up Nextended.

“…Sit.”

“Yes.”

“Would you like something? Coffee? Juice?”

“Water would be best. As you know, I’m managing my weight.”

“Alright.”

As Han Si-on drank his water, Choi Dae-ho raised the question that had long plagued him.

“I’m curious — how much of this was your scenario?”

“You mean Sedalbaekil’s rise?”

“Yes. Honestly, I’m stunned. I didn’t think I’d be unable to exert influence over an independent band.”

Back when they were just performing indie gigs, he never imagined this day would come.

But after that, one unbelievable event followed another.

Narak Detector, Drop Out and NOP’s simultaneous release, original content, RESUME, news features, Color Show, Seaside Heights footage, Billboard entry, the rigging controversy on Coming Up Next…

Most of it was luck, but Choi Dae-ho thought some of it had to be Han Si-on’s planning.

But Han Si-on answered differently.

“There were only two things I didn’t expect. One was NOP and Drop Out releasing simultaneously.”

“…”

“The other was you waving the white flag so quickly.”

“…”

The word “white flag” was annoying, but not wrong.

He no longer wanted to invest people and resources into attacking Sedalbaekil.

Still, it was hard to believe.

“Then everything else was your scenario?”

“Why have just one scenario? Color Show wasn’t originally planned, but once Eddie suggested it, I included it.”

“Impressive.”

Choi Dae-ho didn’t look convinced, and Han Si-on didn’t seem interested in convincing him.

A silence settled between them, broken finally by Choi Dae-ho.

The one with business at stake always speaks first.

“There are two options.”

“Please go ahead.”

“First, a collaboration with Take Scene. Since Take Scene’s stature is lower, we’ll cover all investment, production, and promotion costs, and split profits fifty-fifty.”

“And the second?”

“You’ve registered a business. Lion Entertainment will purchase 10% of your shares. You know what that 10% means.”

It meant no intention to participate in management, but a public signal of restored relations.

“How much would you pay?”

“We’d have to evaluate that. But I promise to offer above your objective valuation.”

Choi Dae-ho believed Han Si-on would accept.

Even though Sedalbaekil was self-made, they wouldn’t want to remain hostile with Lion Entertainment forever.

If it cost Lion to attack Sedalbaekil, it cost Sedalbaekil to defend as well.

And frankly, if it ever went to the bitter end, Lion Entertainment would win.

Sedalbaekil couldn’t produce hit songs forever.

Even composers who churned out hits like magic for years suddenly start making garbage.

Even top stars with seemingly endless popularity are quickly forgotten.

But capital endures.

So Sedalbaekil had no reason to stay at odds with Lion Entertainment forever.

That’s probably why Han Si-on had never publicly accused Lion of oppression even once.

Choi Dae-ho was sure of it.

Right up until Han Si-on burst into laughter.

“Ha ha ha ha.”

He laughed wildly, drank his remaining water, then spoke.

“Ah, this is funny.”

“…You’re being disrespectful.”

“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to laugh, but it’s absurd.”

“…”

“If you wanted to make that kind of offer, you should’ve done it before involving On Sae-mi-ro’s parents. Before you spread stories about Goo Tae-hwan being a school bully, about Choi Jae-sung’s family, or about Lee Eon leaving his agency due to sponsorship scandals.”

Choi Dae-ho tilted his head.

He hadn’t done that…

‘Oh.’

Come to think of it, yes, he had.

When the tampering rumors around Coming Up Next spiraled into Take Scene’s rigged win controversy…

[Lee Eon ex-agency scandal]

[Goo Tae-hwan school violence allegations (+ evidence)]

[Do you know who Choi Jae-sung’s parents are?]

He had attacked Sedalbaekil’s members to buy time.

But he didn’t think it would have long-term consequences.

It was just a delaying tactic.

In the end, it hadn’t amounted to much.

He was puzzled.

“Didn’t it all blow over?”

“That’s not for you or me to decide. It’s up to the ones directly involved.”

“So? You’re going all the way just because of that?”

“No, not just because of that.”

“Then let’s put aside pride. You’re smart enough to understand where I’m coming from.”

“Pride?”

In that moment, Choi Dae-ho felt a chill.

Lion Entertainment had considerable influence in the entertainment industry — which meant influence over the public.

Which also meant surprising proximity to powerful elites — those who considered even a trillion-won company as “small.”

Whenever he met those people, he felt a chill.

Predatory instincts oozed from their being.

They were capable of anything to achieve their goals, even inhuman things.

Choi Dae-ho often felt fear facing their ruthlessness.

And now…

He felt that same aura from Han Si-on.

Looking down on him…

‘Looking down?’

Why did he feel that way?

As Choi Dae-ho struggled to find his footing, Han Si-on spoke.

His tone and expression had completely changed.

“Let me ask you something. If you had produced us, would you have achieved better results than now?”

Not even as a lie could he say yes.

Sedalbaekil had built massive recognition almost purely through their music, barely exhausting their public image.

Now that they were starting to selectively appear on variety shows, they were poised to become true superstars.

“You wonder why I never complained publicly about being attacked by Lion? Why I didn’t spread rumors everywhere?”

“…”

“I told my members to focus on what comes after victory. Eventually we’ll join the establishment anyway, so there’s no need to stir up noise. But that was just to reassure them. My true feelings are different.”

Han Si-on’s gaze grew ominous.

“Because it’s pathetic.”

“…!”

“Interfering with my goals using your petty talent and lucky business.”

“…”

“How many albums do you think I lost because of you? How much patience wasted that could’ve ended anytime?”

Choi Dae-ho couldn’t comprehend Han Si-on’s words, nor could he reply.

“So wait quietly. When the time comes, I’ll crush you myself.”

Han Si-on abruptly stood, but didn’t leave the office right away.

Instead, with a chilling sociopathic smile, he softly added.

“President Choi Dae-ho.”

“…”

“If you ever feel like begging for your life next time, just send me a call or a text.”

Then he left.

Leaving behind one final remark.

“We’re going to be very busy.”

---

September 11, 2017, 12:00 AM.

Sedalbaekil’s The First Day was released to the world.

No one knew yet.

That this would create a tremendous storm.