Prelude
Scandalous ◇ The Trials of CoterieSungwon knew this was a bad idea. Everyone told him handpicking his girls for his project group was a bad idea. But did Sungwon listen? Of course not! What kind of captain shirked his duties just because it wasn’t easy? Bad ones did! And Sungwon would not ever be accused of being a bad captain...er, CEO. Had he just been CEO this whole time, maybe Ilsung and Sungmin wouldn’t have happened.
He’d fostered Ilsung’s career at first, his last mentee before he decided to step back from being CEO and to enjoy some well earned time off from the industry with his partner. Ilsun was a promising young man with one of the most uniquely beautiful voices he’d heard in a long time. Tall, dark, handsome, mysterious: the public ate him up. Sungwon didn’t have to do too much to get his career going. Ilsung was the one who made it happen. If you asked Sungwon even just last year who he was most proud of in Circle Media, Sungwon would have told anyone it was Park Ilsung.
The memory of that pride makes Sungwon sick to his stomach. Sungwon wouldn’t consider himself a prude. He even fancied himself as very open, liberal sort. People had needs and desires, some carnal, and who was he or anyone to judge anyone for enjoying it from time to time? But there are always limits and lines you never cross. Ilsung had crossed those. It was unforgivable. Sungwon hoped he’d never recover from this scandal, if you even want to call being a predator that.
He supposed Ilsung was his greatest disappointment, but Ilsung made these choices outside of Sungwon’s influence. He cold distance himself from that man.
Lee Sungmin he’d consider his biggest failure.
They were friends and colleagues. He trusted Sungmin to run Circle Media. Sungmin loved this company almost as much as Sungwon. They even shared the first syllable of their names. Sungwon thought leaving Sungmin in charge would be the best choice for Circle Media, even when others advised him to reconsider. Yongsun always seemed to dislike him.
Too ambitious is what she used to describe him. Too ambitious and not enough foresight to even begin to handle that ambition. Sungwon wished he was half as good as Yongsun was at pining people for who they actually were. Surely they’d not be in this predicament. Foolish, idiotic Sungmin. A once nearly sterling reputation gone. Sungwon was a fool to leave Circle Media with Sungmin. Maybe he was responsible. Maybe if he’d not given Sungmin the job of running Circle, maybe Sungmin wouldn’t have fallen and maybe he’d be with them going through files to pick the girls for their project group.
Sungmin was an idiotic fool, and Sungwon was a failure for not realizing it.
Maybe if he’d stayed, he could have eased the fears of the Riot ladies. Maybe he would have seen they weren’t happy going on as they were. Surely solos or acting careers could have been made for them? Or maybe they could have become employed at Circle in a different capacity. Maybe creative directors. Instead, Haein and Soonah left almost immediately, and Miyeon pushed as their next starlet Poor Minji, though maybe being more in the background was better for the shy girl he once knew so well.
So many maybes.
Miyeon leaving to live a normal, free life was not a maybe. She’d always scoffed at the rules they tried to impose on them. Who were they to stop her from pursuing that which made her happy? They should have known she wasn’t happy practically being a y icon men wanted and women wanted to be. Could he blame her for forgoing her responsibilities? Yes he could. If she wanted out, they could have worked it out. Instead, she chose to leave without notice, making those around her look foolish and the furthering the distrust the public had in Circle.
What little there was left at least.
As much as Sungwon knew Miyeon may have broken contracts and rules, he can’t totally blame her for not wanting to be in the limelight anymore. He wished her well.
Scandal after scandal after scandal.
Now Sungwon needed to pick up the pieces. Yongsun believed in their group Omni. Sure, they’re young and attractive and bring that audience that craves those things. Good kids he guessed. Even Miyeon’s brother found a place among them as their manager. Good for them. If they could ride on their success trajectory, and hopefully keep their noses clean and out of any more scandals, he believed they’d find some success in this over-saturated industry.
However, with Miyeon’s latest media frenzy, Sungwon doubted how well Omni would do. How easy would it be for the fans to turn on them just for being part of Circle Media, a sinking ship? Sungwon couldn’t let that happen. His decision to retire is what led to this: he would fix it with what little money he had left to invest.
“You talk out loud still,” Yongsun said as she took a seat across from him. She picked up a folder to stare at the girl in it, “you literally monologue when you think no one will hear you. She’s too young to be considered by the way.”
Embarrassed, Sungwon sat down in his chair again, head in his hands.
“Why not wait a year? We can gather more trainees, maybe sign some from other companies? You are working with very slim pickings here.”
“We can’t. No one will be here a year from now as it is. What we need is to redirect attention from Miyeon, Sungmin, the whole lot of them,” He grumbled while picking up another folder, “we’ve got the right girls, I’m sure of it. Somewhere in here is the magical mix I need to refresh our image.”
“I will keep telling you this is a bad idea,” Yongsun opened another, shook her head, and tossed it aside, “that one is a troublemaker. The last thing you want is someone who won’t listen.”
“But is she a good trainee otherwise?”
“Doesn’t matter. Image needs to be spotless. Don’t be a bleeding heart old man,” Yongsun dismissed him, “think through who you pick for this little project of yours. A lot is riding on it.”
“I know but we can’t just dismiss anyone who doesn’t fit the exact mold you think-”
“Keep in mind I’ve invested quite a bit of money into this as well,” Yongsun interrupted him with a pointed look over her reading glasses, “this fails: we all fail.”
“Don’t remind me. I know,” Sungwon was already setting aside the folder of the girl in his hand. It’s a shame...he really thinks this girl has the right potential...should he second guess the other two he thought would make the cut? Maybe Yongsun was right, maybe he should be thinking of this more like her.
“Don’t pout. Let me see,” Yongsun’s hand is out, “give it here old man.”
“I’m only 2 years older than you,” he handed the folder to her to examine.
“And six years older than my husband. Remember that as you consider that wrinkle on your brow,” she added. She sighed after looking at the girl in the folder, “Really? Her?”
“Doesn’t she deserve a debut?”
“Deserve is how you get into trouble with your selection. Have you consider marketability? Dynamics? Is she skilled enough? Of course you haven’t, you’re Kim Sungwon. Lead from the heart while the financiers panic over your heartfelt decisions.”
“Are you this caustic to everyone you work with here?”
“Just you, sweetheart,” he groaned into his hand at her response.
As much as she spoke like this, Sungwon liked this environment. He’d missed this banter back and forth. She was right though. Yongsun was usually almost always right.
So when Yongsun sighed and handed hi the folder back with an endeared smile, Sungwon was surprised to say the least.
“She would be fine. Not my choice, but if you feel strongly about it, who am I to deter you.”
“Are you sure? You are right: you invested just as much into this. What if this flops and you lose everything?” It’s not often Sungwon would say he received such a warm expression from Yongsun. Her smile made her think of a proud mother in some ways. He wondered if her son got to see this side of her all the time at home?
“Then you will be wiping me and my husband’s asses when we’re too old to do it ourselves because you will be my personal servant until you pay it all back.” Ah, that sounded more like her. He barked out a laugh, all tension now drained from the air around him.
“Now, shall we decide who will be in your Coterie project, Mr. CEO?”
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