Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols - Chapter 103



Only Krnovel

| Episode 103. 50 Minutes Self-Introduction (2)

My past life was solely to please someone.

‘Shall we eat chueotang for lunch today? If there’s anyone who can’t eat it, try it now.’

‘Manager Kim, just a moment. Let me take one for a ride.’

‘Manager Kim, please schedule an interview with that manager.’

No matter where I was or what I did, there was no room for my will.

For years, it was my job to do what I was told without getting into trouble.

I, who am like that, have to suddenly ask you to look after me and have a small talk.

‘Manager Kim, don’t you know how busy the managers are? Why on earth do I have to listen to you at this busy time?’

Whenever I tried to do something, Manager Nam’s voice came to mind clearly. It took my breath away.

But you still have to promote yourself, right?

My PR score was already dropping. It was time to stop and just let this happen.

I sighed. With complicated feelings, I played the bass I had picked up after a long time all day and night.

‘Should I play a song I learned in the band? What if they ask me how I came to know this song? … … Should I play the school song from high school? Wouldn’t that be too boring?’

After thinking about it for a while, I came to a conclusion. I had been playing the bass without thinking about it.

Can a person be this self-less? I feel ashamed.

What is the charm of Kim Yi-wol that appeals to others?

No, is there such a thing as charm in the first place? To me, who doesn’t even have a single friend?

The more I thought about it, the more I felt to my bones that I had lived my life wrong.

So that’s why the system sent me back to the past. To make me live a better life this time.

If there’s nothing special about it, it should at least have something distinctive, but unfortunately, the bass isn’t a particularly notable instrument.

You can speedrun, but I don’t think the fans will like it very much.

To all of you who like Kim Yi-wol, I’m really sorry. Ugly idols cry… … .

While I was holding my head about to explode, Kang Ki-yeon knocked on the door of the practice room. It was the manager calling.

* * *

“Is it a solo variety show?”

As soon as Choi Je-ho and I entered the conference room, the manager became excited and started talking a lot.

In short, our group was offered a solo variety show. It seemed to be a chain reaction of the recent broadcast of Do-saem.

“Since it’s a variety show based on MeTube, the filming time isn’t as long as last time, and the intensity is much lower. But did you know that young people these days watch MeTube more than TV? It’s a much better opportunity for us!”

You are right. And you didn’t even mention any guests. How free is that?

This was a proposal that had to be accepted unconditionally, no matter what.

… …if only it weren’t a bar.

‘For some reason, only Choi Je-ho and I were called.’

Since we are the only two people who can drink, there was no need for them to designate a guest.

Now that I need content that can make myself known, a solo variety show is a golden opportunity.

But I was concerned that the main ingredient was alcohol.

Moderate drinking and a relaxed atmosphere? Sounds good.

Good… … .

First of all, I had doubts about whether it would be okay for a group with a majority of members who are minors to come up with their first solo entertainment show to be a drinking party.

I don’t think it would be a good thing for an idol with a lot of young fans to tell them to drink a lot.

‘Spark reacted well when he mentioned alcohol, though.’

I still remember the community that was on fire when Spark first brought up the dinner story on the radio. That was when I first learned how diverse the expressions of affection are in Korean.

But if they give me a chance, how can I not go? As long as I go and don’t actively encourage drinking, that’ll be fine.

So now the question is who will leave?

I glanced at the person next to me. Choi Je-ho was not able to hide his discomfort.

I had expected it from the moment I heard about the bar.

That guy, despite being the type of guy who drinks in pairs, doesn’t drink. I can only guess that it might be due to the influence of his father, who was said to drink a lot.

‘One way or another, there is only one choice.’

I sighed inwardly at the thought of re-contaminating my finally purified liver.

But there’s nothing I can do.

Since I’ve decided to support you, I’ll do my best.

* * *

“Are you good at drinking?”

After I declared my voluntary appearance, Choi Je-ho asked me as I was leaving the conference room.

“Just like that. Why?”

I asked back, but Choi Je-ho did not answer.

I think I’ll just apply this soothing gel all over my body and leave it on for 5 minutes to keep it moisturized.

It depends on the company atmosphere, but if you ask a question about alcohol consumption at Hanpyeong Industry, there is only one answer you have to give.

Whether you drink well or not, you must definitely say, ‘I can’t drink well.’

Hanpyeong Industry either blatantly forced you to drink, or subtly mocked you. The underlying idea was, “Let’s see how long you can stay abstaining from drinking.”

‘Manager Kim, are you going to the second round? What about the second round? Just find a place that sells good alcohol.’

‘I’m not going home today! Today, my husband and I will stay until the end! Do you understand?’

‘Manager Kim, your glass is empty? You’re already emptying it when your boss is here? I didn’t see you like that, but you’re so cunning?’

They say that forcing people to drink is bullying at work, but the people at Hanpyeong Industries always acted as if they were outside the law.

In addition, there were so many drinking parties. Since the HR team is part of the management support department, there were plenty of places to go, including team dinners, department dinners, and dinners with executives.

I don’t know exactly how many bottles of alcohol I drank, but if I wasn’t the type to tolerate alcohol, my liver would have been completely destroyed by now.

‘It’s fortunate that my drinking capacity was somewhat sufficient.’

All I’ve learned from working at Hanpyeong Industries for many years is anger toward the world, the ability to listen to what others say with one ear and let it go out the other, and the TMI that I’m not bad at drinking.

What can I do since that’s all I’ve got? I have to use this well.

“don’t worry.”

At my words, Choi Je-ho, who was walking next to me, turned to look at me.

“I won’t make any mistakes while drinking.”

After finishing speaking, he showed a trustworthy smile, but the guy just had a very indifferent expression on his face and went back to the practice room.

* * *

The entertainment show ‘People Who Drink’ was filmed in a studio with a street food stall concept.

Before I set foot here, I felt the concern of all the UA people.

‘Lee Wol-ah, you shouldn’t let your guard down and keep drinking just because you think you’re not drunk?’

‘You have to keep getting up when you say you’re going to the bathroom. That way I can tell if you’re dizzy or not.’

‘It’s better to hear people ask why I came out without drinking than to drink and make a mess. Got it?’

I thought he usually trusted me to the point of being too trusting, but now he’s treating me like a child. It’s a bit of a grown-up thing to say compared to when I was working at Hanpyeong Industries.

As per the program’s rules, I shouted from outside the door, “Are you open today?” and received a reply from inside, “Yes, come in!”

As I entered the studio, I was greeted by a group of drinkers, including the MC of the drinking party.

“Oh, what? Another handsome male guest? Didn’t I say I won’t accept any more handsome guests? If I do this, I’ll just get compared to the thumbnails again?”

“Hey, senior. Please just accept it from me!”

“Huh? Look at this guy, he’s already keeping his competitors in check?”

As a comedian who specializes in talk shows, the MC immediately found fault with the awkwardness that can arise between first-time meeters. I also took advantage of that gap and acted naturally.

“I’ve been wanting to appear on ‘Sool·Sa’ for so long. If you could just watch it once today, I’ll think of it as my wish and do my best.”

“No, how much effort are you putting in? Let’s sit down and talk! Our camera directors are telling us to sit down right now!”

As I was about to sit down, smiling awkwardly and slightly bowing my head toward the camera directors, I saw a familiar face among the directors.

“uh?”

“That’s right, Mr. Yiwol. There’s someone here who knows Mr. Yiwol!”

The director met my eyes while listening to the MC’s words and nodded slightly.

It was the director I met at the Jang Jun-hoo music video filming set.

“Are you Director Han? It’s been a while!”

“Hey, Mr. Lee Wol, you have a good memory! Director, didn’t you say that it was about half a year ago that you met Mr. Lee Wol?”

“I met you before my debut. I never thought we would meet again like this… … !”

I’ve heard that writers who write dramas write entertainment shows, and directors who make movies make documentaries, but I never thought I’d see an example of that in person.

“Hey, don’t go into your world without me. I’m going crazy.”

The MC laughed while making a witty comment.

They say the world is small, but I didn’t know it would be this small.

I laughed along with the MC and promised myself that when I returned to my dorm, I would have to work harder to discipline my Spark friends.

There was generally a set routine to the proceedings of the drinking party.

First, the contestants introduce themselves and share a brief story about their recent activities.

Here, the MC has a conversation with some sources he has researched in advance and drinks alcohol as an aperitif.

Next, when the cast orders their favorite side dishes, the writers bring out the side dishes they have prepared in advance.

At this time, stories related to alcohol such as drinking preferences, drinking capacity, and drinking habits are mainly brought up.

Everything went very smoothly up until the point where we got to talking about recent events.

In the first place, what else can an idol talk about other than their comeback?

‘But Mr. Lee Wol, Mr. Lee Wol, how did you end up being Spark’s proper scoundrel?’

‘It’s a conspiracy. We’re going to hold a hearing soon to find out the truth.’

‘I was surprised at how contradictory the nickname was. He didn’t look like that, but I thought his original personality was no joke.’

‘No way!’

There was a slightly embarrassing source, though. I’m worried that if this continues, I’ll end up with a nickname like ‘The Strongest Wrecker, Kim Yi-wol.’ When I go back, I won’t leave that bastard, Kang Ki-yeon, alone.

I almost spit out some alcohol, but like an idol, I managed to get it under control and some snacks were served.

To add a little bit of a lie, I think I spent the most time choosing side dishes while preparing for this shoot.

The reason is simple: I’ve never really chosen my own place based on my own preferences.

Every time, I would eat the pork rinds that the head of the department told me to eat, or the menu that my department or club seniors chose. Things like incredibly expensive scrambled eggs.

Oh, when my sister and I were drinking together, we would buy a bag of jelly and eat it. My sister has really unique tastes.

Since I don’t often drink alone, choosing a side dish wasn’t easy.

I felt too sorry for my fans who listen to every word I say, to just make up random things and spread lies.

What I chose with such difficulty was this.