Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter - Chapter 26



Only Krnovel

Episode 26. Papillon (1)

It was two months ago that Jaemin Group Chairman Yoon Tae-joo first felt suspicious.

It was because of the guitar playing coming from my daughter’s cell phone.

“Can I take a look for a moment?”

He is a cool-headed, thorough husband when it comes to work, and indifferent to his wife, but warm to his children.

In response to Chairman Yoon Tae-joo’s words, his daughter willingly handed over her cell phone.

Inside the screen of the cell phone I received from my daughter.

A tall, skinny man with loosely-grown hair is playing the guitar.

Left hand playing guitar.

And then the performer’s vocals explode right after.

“……what’s this?”

Whether it’s a session, a singer or a band.

If your skills are similar, you might think that anyone you hire would be fine, but that’s a mistake.

A singer’s vocals are a fingerprint in themselves, and even high-level sessions have their own unique characteristics.

Therefore, you can tell to some extent who is who just by watching them play.

If that’s the person you know.

Especially if the person has such clear characteristics.

That day, Chairman Yoon Tae-joo arrived at the company and decided to immediately contact the secretary’s office to confirm a few things.

“The young man in this video. Bring me everything from head to toe.”

There is no need to know the reason for the conglomerate chairman’s instructions.

Jaemin Group’s secretarial team used all means and methods to gather as much information as possible about the life of the man on the screen, Lee Dong-ha, and submitted it in a report.

“My father… … Beomseok… … is that you?”

He shows vocals and playing color that are exactly the same as the deceased Dong-ha, and his father is said to be Dong-ha’s friend, Lee Beom-seok.

Even though time has passed, I still remember. Dong-ha’s best friend who followed him to the practice room. The child who cried as if it were her own business at Dong-ha’s death…

But the idol trainee who looks exactly like Dong-ha even has his name ‘Dong-ha’.

There was also something that seemed off.

According to documents obtained from the secretary’s office of Jaemin Group, Lee Beom-seok’s son Lee Dong-dong was diagnosed with a developmental disability and moved to the United States with his mother.

There, we also confirmed that he had been receiving treatment for his developmental disability on an ongoing basis.

Then, two years ago, the person himself disappeared without any signs of life, including hospital records. Then, he suddenly appeared one year ago.

What was decisive was… … .

‘Your face is different.’

With information power that cannot be compared to that of a detective agency, he literally scraped Lee Dong-ha’s life.

The information also includes a picture of the person who moved. Although the most recent picture is from when he was 12 years old. It is said that adolescents grow quickly and their faces change as they grow. This is not it.

The face of a 12-year-old and the face of today are completely different people.

I don’t know.

If he had been tricked, he would have been fooled, but not Yoon Tae-joo.

Even though he is smart, he doesn’t have the kind of insight that a conglomerate chairman would usually have.

just.

The kid in the picture is unknown and looks like he’s 12 years old.

Because he’s a moving guy I know who’s appearing on TV right now.

Feeling the difference clearly.

So, Yoon Tae-joo was confused.

The Dong-ha that Yoon Tae-joo remembers is dead.

To be exact, the body was not found… … but I couldn’t help but think that he wasn’t dead.

At that time, the police searched really hard.

Because I found out that the person who was riding in the car that got into the accident was Jaemin Group’s eldest son, Yoon Taejoo.

[It appears that he was thrown from the impact of the accident and fell into the Han River. His body was not found, so he was declared dead.]

After a search that lasted nearly a month, Dong-ha was officially declared dead.

And Yoon Tae-joo thought like this.

‘Because I make music.’

I believed that I could succeed with Dong-ha.

Yoon Tae-joo sent him away with his own hands.

If only I had listened to my parents.

So, if I hadn’t done music or anything like that.

If only I hadn’t met Lee Dong-ha.

‘Then you would have been alive.’

The endless guilt weighed on Yoon Tae-joo, and he finally gave up music.

As a child, Yoon Tae-joo’s midsummer night’s dream was ruined by his own hands, so now he must live in reality.

Studying abroad as if running away.

Marriage into a family arranged by your parents while you were studying abroad.

Although he didn’t really have any love, he decided to be a faithful son.

I also did my duty as a husband to my wife.

And so the child is born.

I was so absorbed in my studies and work that I was crazy.

After finishing my studies abroad, I returned to Korea and joined Jaemin Trading as a manager, and climbed the ranks once or twice a year.

-You do it now. I think I can trust you.

That’s how I inherited the family business.

It’s called a conglomerate.

It’s called money.

I guess a lot of people dream of something like that, but I’m not sure.

This is something that Yoon Tae-joo, who was born into a wealthy family, cannot understand.

Money.

It’s not a dream, it’s just money.

People live their lives mistaking what is merely a means to an end as a goal.

That’s why, paradoxically, I was able to remain cool-headed and grow the business successfully.

Become a tyrant.

Become a prophet.

As he grows into a cold-hearted businessman.

Jaemin Group is growing.

I didn’t feel any joy in it, but it didn’t matter.

Being numb means you can make the best judgment in any situation.

The head of Yoon Tae-joo, who has become such a cool-headed conductor, summarized the current situation like this.

‘Something inexplicable happened. Dong-ha disappeared then and has now reappeared.’

According to the report, Beomseok was treated at the hospital after a traffic accident. Didn’t he know that his son had been in the car accident and when he was treated, he found out that it was his son?

Even if you are brought in from a moving traffic accident, there is no at-fault vehicle.

So, Yoon Tae-joo’s hypothesis is more correct than the contents of the document.

“Report on this friend’s movements periodically.”

“Understood, sir.”

Chief Secretary Kwak Moon-ki, who was so loyal that it was embarrassing to call him just a loyal worker, even submitted an additional verbal report along with a single piece of paper every morning.

“The production staff of the show that Lee Dong-ha is currently appearing on is intentionally belittling him.”

“Did Dong-ha just sit still?”

The Lee Dong that Yoon Tae Joo knows is definitely not someone who would be fooled. He may be lacking in age and experience, but he has no reason to tolerate being treated like an idiot like this.

So at first I thought like this.

‘Isn’t this really moving?’

‘Or… … did you want to be an idol after coming to the future?’

But the words coming out of Chief Secretary Kwak Moon-ki’s mouth are strange.

“It seems like they made a deal with the PD in charge. If you faithfully participate in the broadcast and become a member of the debut group… … , it seems like they said they’ll let you meet the chairman.”

“If you were the chairman?”

“I was referring precisely to Chairman Yoon Tae-joo, who is in front of me.”

It’s funny.

Even though they are affiliated companies, what power does a broadcasting station PD have to arrange a meeting with you?

And I was a little curious.

Why do you want to meet Yoon Tae-joo who is moving?

‘I wonder if I’m doing well?’

You can find out that just by searching the news.

‘Then, are you perhaps… … seeking support?’

I remembered that among the people I met while running away from home and pursuing music, there were quite a few who found out later that Yoon Tae-joo was the successor to a large corporation, and came to visit him and contacted him, hoping for a favor.

Dong-ha is willing to support me, but he is not the type of person who would normally think like the person Yoon Tae-joo remembers.

So.

For now, let’s just wait and see.

“Since Dong-ha is okay, let’s just watch.”

“yes.”

The report continued.

“Lee Dong-ha cut his hair. The response is explosive. Currently, he is ranked first among people in their teens and twenties based on Naver search volume.”

“I knew he was handsome, but he definitely looks better when he dresses up.”

“My daughter… … is also completely absorbed in watching Dong-ha’s videos.”

“They say there’s no point in raising a daughter. These days, they’re being taken over by idols. My daughter is like that too.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

One morning, the door to the chairman’s office opens and Chief Secretary Kwak Moon-ki puts down his documents with a calm expression and opens his mouth.

This has been the couple’s daily routine lately.

“Lee Dong-ha’s past has been exposed to the media. I looked into it in advance, and there is someone who intentionally exposed it to the media.”

“anyone?”

“I’m Choi Dong-hoon, the producer in charge of the competition program Super Musician. I think he tried to find fault with the idols I choose, whose popularity skyrocketed because of Lee Dong-ha.”

A faint anger appears on Kwak Moon-ki’s face.

If you keep chasing someone for your daily morning report, you may end up hating them or loving them.

In Kwak Moon-ki’s case, it seems like things have improved.

Yoon Tae-joo, who had been waiting for Kwak Moon-ki to give instructions, raised the corners of his mouth without realizing it, then hardened his expression and opened his mouth.

“Show your skills.”

“How far can I use it?”

“entire.”

“I will do that.”

Kwak Moon-ki really did that.

By leaking Choi Dong-hoon’s corruption and pressuring the Music Net executives with advertisements, they quickly cut off their business.

From deleting articles to correcting reports in the media.

I think I became a fan without realizing it, but I did a little more.

A few things that lead to the complete downfall of a super musician.

But then something strange happened.

“Mr. Chairman. The PD in charge, Ahn Chi-seop, and Lee Dong-ha had an argument. Lee Dong-ha is currently off the set, and it seems that PD Ahn Chi-seop is preparing to maliciously disparage Lee Dong-ha.”

Although it is said to be a place that does not pay much attention, TVK is still an affiliate of Jaemin Group. This was a tip-off from an employee who had planted it internally.

“Um… … , was the current TVK president Yang Hong-soo?”

“yes.”

“Go. I was thinking I should see you sometime.”

I stopped by as if I was going to a neighborhood bar.

And then I met Ahn Chi-seop and warned him.

‘You’re a quick-witted friend.’

That’s it.

however.

As I watch the movement, one more person catches my eye.

‘Youngpil.’

Come to think of it, Hong Young-pil and Kim Dong-sik were both really funny guys.

Even people I’m not that close with try to contact me somehow, trying to get something out of me, like ants swarming around a piece of candy that’s fallen on the floor.

Those who were actually close to me have not contacted me for 30 years, as if they had made a promise.

As we investigated Lee Dong-ha, we found out that he had had a very difficult life in the past.

Then let’s contact each other.

Even when he appears on TV, he never talks about the Blue Porcelain days.

Is this a courtesy to the dead Lee Dong-ha?

Or is it a consideration for a former colleague who has become the CEO of a large corporation?

‘That guy’s personality is probably both.’

Yoon Tae-joo felt regret, apology, and even gratitude toward his former colleague who did not tarnish their friendship with money.

“Hong Young-pil… … The judge said he doesn’t have an agency right now, right?”

“Yes. I know that you drive a compact car yourself and do your own makeup.”

“A tall guy like a pole drives a compact car… … .”

“… … .”

“I’ll find a suitable entertainment company and invest in it, so tell them to scout Hong Young-pil and support him. And tell them to collect the contract fee as well.”

Kwak Moon-ki is the one who knows, albeit vaguely, about Chairman Yoon Tae-joo’s past.

As the owner, you need to know this.

As the owner, you shouldn’t investigate and find out.

So, before I took business classes, I know I was in a band, but I don’t know who I was in or how I was in a band.

Kwak Moon-ki was faithful to his assigned mission, only making a few guesses.

however.

“Mr. Hong Young-pil rejected the contract.”

“Why?”

“It looks like you’ve decided to pursue your dream.”

“dream?”

“Yes. The order of the reports is a bit messed up, but yesterday, Dong-ha Lee and Young-pil Hong met near Young-pil Hong’s house. I couldn’t get the exact content of the conversation because it was on the street, but when I combined the conversation with the head of Human Entertainment’s Im ​​Min-guk headquarters, it seems like they had a plan to do something together.”

Yoon Tae-joo laughed like a child.

Tears began to flow down Yoon Tae-joo’s cheeks as he had been laughing for a long time.

“You remembered… …, Dongha.”

Kwak Moon-ki has served Yoon Tae-joo for over 20 years, and this is the first time he has seen Yoon Tae-joo’s emotions change like this.

Laughter too.

Tears too.

Kwak Moon-ki lowered his head in embarrassment.

Yoon Tae-joo opened his mouth to Kwak Moon-ki, who was bowing his head.

“I will go when the two of you meet, so please prepare accordingly.”

For over 30 years.

The man who turned his back on music while fighting guilt looks down at his mangled fingertips.