The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 109
Yu Chan hyung, rubbing his chin as if deep in thought, suddenly hit the nail on the head.
“…Yeah, I thought for sure he’d be in the vocal position.”
“That’s what I mean. It’s like Chae Hyuk would’ve been a better fit for the rap position. It’s weird.”
As I predicted, Logan was assigned to the rap position, just like before.
The same excuse from the production team, saying it was based on “netizen research for the most suitable position,” as before.
This strengthened my suspicion that Director Shin was directly influencing the show.
“Um… so I’m suited for the rap position.”
Logan, facing an unexpected challenge in what could potentially be his final stage on Targeting Star, didn’t seem thrilled about it.
“I’ll do my best. Who knows when I’ll get another experience like this.”
Still, he was composed and determined.
Liu Wei, who got to do what he’s best at.
Logan, assigned to something he’d never done before.
And me, awkwardly caught in between, under Liu Wei’s scrutiny.
I had to take into account all these factors.
And, of course, the plan I had in mind.
“Well, I…”
As my thoughts grew longer, I almost blurted out what was in my head.
Knock knock―
“Trainee Kim Chunyong?”
The main writer opened the door to the video room and peeked her head in.
She looked tired, and after checking on the other trainees, she gestured toward me and spoke in a low voice.
“Come down to the office for a moment. I need to discuss something related to the shoot.”
“Huh? Just Chunyong? What’s going on?”
Feeling the gazes directed at me, I slowly stood up.
“Oh, there’s something I need to talk about. It’s nothing serious. I’ll be quick, so if I’m too late, feel free to head back first!”
I had a hunch why the main writer was calling me.
* * *
“When the conversation is over, go straight back to the dorm. Don’t return to the video room, understood?”
Inside the office where I was led by Lee Hyeon Jeong, the person I had been thinking of was sitting there.
“Oh, Rex! Or rather, Trainee Kim Chunyong, right?”
“Ah, hello, President Do.”
…Do Jae Chan, the company president.
Kim Chunyong quickly organized his thoughts as he slowly sat down.
Their eyes met briefly before someone spoke first….
“So, the reason I requested this meeting is….”
“The reason I called you here, Trainee Kim Chunyong, is….”
Both of them.
‘…The president called me here?’
Surprised by the unexpected situation, Kim Chunyong quickly looked around, deep in thought.
“I wanted to discuss the issue regarding my stage name, if that’s okay?”
When Kim Chunyong requested the meeting with Lee Hyeon Jeong, his plan was this:
Since he had appeared on the show using his real name instead of the stage name “Rex,” which President Do Jae Chan had personally given him, he’d use that as an excuse to arrange a one-on-one conversation.
And during that, he’d naturally bring up Logan, his roommate.
‘Of course, there’s a chance it might seem too political, and I did hesitate because of all the clashes we had during my troublemaking days….’
“Um… Trainee Kim Chunyong? What were you saying?”
As the silence dragged on, Kim Chunyong quickly waved his hand dismissively.
“You go ahead first. I’m sorry. You see, I requested a meeting with you through the production team, so I thought you called me here because of that….”
“Oh! No, no. Wait, you requested a meeting with me? With me? Huh, I didn’t hear about that. Well, anyway.”
Do Jae Chan scratched his cheek and then looked Kim Chunyong up and down before carefully choosing his words.
“Trainee Kim Chunyong. The reason I called you here is because I have a few questions about a certain trainee. I’ve heard you’ve been taking good care of the global trainees in your room.”
Do Jae Chan nodded as he handed over a few documents he had brought.
“There are no cameras here, and this conversation will stay between us, so you don’t need to worry.”
Kim Chunyong, momentarily confused as he stared at the documents, quickly composed himself and made eye contact with Do Jae Chan.
The photo in the documents was of someone Kim Chunyong had been thinking about for the past few days.
No, someone he had just been pondering over moments ago, trying to figure out how to bring it up.
“…Logan?”
“That’s right.”
Do Jae Chan rubbed his rough hands a few times and his eyes gleamed.
He clearly had his reasons for visiting the trainee training facility in the outskirts of Seoul at this late hour.
– “I wonder if President Do knows that Logan Lee, whom he’s so fond of, is thinking of leaving the show?”
“…What did you just say, Producer Joo?”
It was a call from Joo Cheol Yeong, the producer who was fed up with begging Director Shin Ki Ho for favors, had finally had enough.
– “Director Shin knows. He’s planning to personally ensure Logan leaves the show. It’s a shame you didn’t know. Of course, Director Shin is in charge of the entire survival program, but….”
It would be strange if the president wasn’t aware, wouldn’t it?
Joo Cheol Yeong wasn’t fond of President Do Jae Chan.
After all, Do Jae Chan was one of the AG figures pressuring the production team to debut AG’s pureblood Korean trainees.
However, as they say, the enemy of your enemy is your friend.
Moreover, it was obvious that Do Jae Chan had developed a soft spot for Logan, especially after his flawless cover of Lady Swan’s ‘Calendar.’
‘Just because I haven’t successfully launched an idol group, does you think AG is your personal toy, Shin Ki Ho?’
Do Jae Chan wasn’t going to sit idly by after finding out that Director Shin had already written up Logan’s exit notice, intending to blame it on “personal reasons.”
Grinding his teeth, Do Jae Chan calmly repeated his question to Kim Chunyong.
“It would be helpful if you could tell me anything Logan has mentioned about his family or any personal struggles. If I don’t know these things, it could become a problem.”
The documents in front of him, Do Jae Chan’s unusual behavior, and his direct mention of “family”—Kim Chunyong, who had learned to be perceptive after years in the entertainment industry, quickly grasped the situation.
‘So they’ve started turning on each other. Looks like I won’t have to take on the risk myself.’
…This could make things much easier.
“Family matters are a bit tricky for me to talk about… but I can tell you other things.”
“Take your time, Trainee Kim Chunyong. I’m not in a hurry tonight.”
The look in Do Jae Chan’s eyes began to intensify, rolling along with the snowball Kim Chunyong had just started.
