TDOCD Chapter 76

Chapter 76 -  Offer

​MN Entertainment, the agency where U&I belongs.

They specialize in nurturing female artists—from U&I's producer Rena to various girl group renewals.

It's a company that sits in that awkward space between big and mid-tier, too vast to be considered small but not quite large enough to be called a powerhouse.

Through this mission, I got to properly experience what MN is like.

Two individual trainees, I Meet You from a small agency that trembles at the mere thought of costume expenses, and MN's U&I.

Given this dynamic, it was only natural that MN would shoulder more of the support.

Music arrangement? MN.

Choreography and the dance team? MN and the Broadcasting station.

And for the costumes it’s a joint effort between MN, I-Meet-You’s company True, and the broadcasting station.

Because of this, I naturally came to realize something.

Maybe it's because of Rena's strong influence, but the quality of experts that MN brought in was on another level. If it had just been the quality of their songs or choreography, I wouldn't have been this impressed.

'Well, MN is famous for producing good songs and choreography.'

There was this palpable sense of determination—an unwavering commitment to ensure that their artists, U&I, would shine brilliantly on stage. From production planning to supplementary costume support, they even provided additional training sessions where they meticulously coached every single facial expression.

Of course, I was merely reaping these benefits by association with U&I, but it was enough to make me fall head over heels for MN.

Such exceptional training and support...

Once this competition ends, I want to join MN.

They probably won't be looking to add new members to U&I.

And even if they were, someone like me wouldn't stand a chance...

Ah, since U&I is on the verge of debuting, MN probably won’t launch another girl group anytime soon.

...Ugh, what am I even thinking?

Ever since hearing that 5th May Rookie's victory is practically guaranteed, my mind has been wandering in all sorts of directions.

While I was lost in this whirlpool of thoughts, watching the staff bustle around--

"Ms. Ji-ye."

The voice, emerging from somewhere nearby, caught my attention. I turned my head.

"Oh, hello."

A middle-aged woman with an impressively dignified demeanor approached, offering a gentle smile.

Who is she?

I glanced down, noticing the MN company badge hanging around her neck.

The woman gazed at me with a surprisingly warm expression, extending her business card with natural grace.

"We've never met before, have we?"

"Ah, yes."

I responded with a hint of uncertainty.

"I'm Kim Ja-in, the executive manager at MN."

I accepted her card, feeling slightly bewildered.

Though she introduced herself as an executive manager, her business card actually listed her as a director.

Why would such a high-ranking MN executive be handing me her business card?

As I looked up at her, meeting her gaze, she spoke again.

"I must have startled you, approaching out of nowhere like this."

"...No, I wouldn't say startled, just wondering what brings you here..."

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

Kim Ja-in smoothly pulled up a chair and settled herself in front of me, her movements graceful and purposeful.

She checked the time. The Flo&U team rehearsal had just wrapped up, and there was a small window before filming would resume.

I remained curious about why this person would choose this particular moment to approach me.

'I think I have a rough idea of her purpose, though.'' I thought to myself.

Kim Ja-in studied my expression for a moment, her gaze penetrating yet warm, before speaking.

"I won't keep you from your practice for long. I have a proposition for you."

"A proposition?"

I glanced around discreetly as I asked. It seemed the subject was exactly what I had suspected, but was this an appropriate setting for such a conversation?

"I'll get straight to the point," Ja-in said, her voice steady and confident.

My attention sharpened immediately.

"If you don't have a current contract, would you be interested in signing with us once the competition concludes?"

"Ah..."

Just as I thought.

As expected, it was a contract offer.

My performance in the competition had been strong, and as an independent trainee, I'd expected such offers would eventually come.  Stil….

"Well..."

She was from MN, and just moments ago, I had been daydreaming about joining them, so this offer was certainly tempting, but...

"I appreciate the offer, Manager-nim, but aren't trainees prohibited from discussing contracts until after the competition ends?"

This was precisely why I'd been on edge from the moment she approached.

By principle, individual trainees participating in survival competitions are forbidden from entering contracts with outside agencies until the competition concludes.

Naturally, if a trainee secures a win or earns a debut spot, they must sign with an agency approved by U-net to proceed with their debut.

Yet here we were, barely into the 3rd round, and already entertaining contract discussions.

And in the wide-open space of the broadcasting station, no less. Even for a company of MN's stature, this seemed questionable.

But Kim Ja-in merely laughed as if my concern was endearingly naive.

"Ah, that's the rule, yes. Technically. But, well, exceptions can be made."

"Excuse me?"

"Haha."

She laughed softly, then fell silent. For a long moment, she simply gazed at me.

Her eyes held warmth, yet there was a complexity to her expression, as if layered with unspoken meanings.

I understood immediately what she was trying to convey.

'You won't win anyway.'

That victory is already reserved for 5th May Rookie.

She likely assumes I'm unaware of this fact, so she won't verbalize it, but her eyes spoke volumes.

The winner has already been determined—an open secret among those in the know.

Is this how it works?

They turn a blind eye to pre-competition contract talks because these independent trainees have no real shot at debuting through the show anyway?

'This isn't even amusing at all.'

A flicker of anger toward Start Plan emerged, which I carefully masked behind a neutral expression.

If I were truly a naive trainee, this would be an exciting moment—being courted by the renowned MN.

And truthfully, an MN-related contract did hold genuine interest for me.

"Let me just ask about something," I ventured. "But if the competition ends, won't U&I be debuting soon? Doesn't that mean my chances of debuting are essentially gone?"

Ryu Ji-ye was young, but she was twenty years old.

The possibility of debuting as a solo artist seemed slim, and with U&I's upcoming debut, it would likely be years before another girl group would launch.

It was too long to wait with her current age.

Kim Ja-in's eyes widened dramatically before she shook her head.

"No, not at all. If you sign with us, you won't have to wait that long. Why would we keep you as a trainee when you already have the skills to debut immediately?" Her tone carried a blend of confidence and persuasion.

"Really?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"You'll train at MN, but you'll be placed directly in the debut team and prepare for your debut. Just not with MN itself, but with a company affiliated with us." Her words were precise, calculated.

Ah.

My curiosity deflated instantly.

So instead of an immediate debut at MN, they planned to trade me to another company.

'Given how deliberately they're sending me elsewhere, it must be a new company. Perhaps founded by someone from MN?'

A fleeting thought crossed my mind that the woman before me, Kim Ja-in, might even own this mysterious affiliated company.

"I see. Training at MN and debuting with an affiliated company. Got it," I responded, carefully masking my disappointment with a neutral nod.

Having finished her explanation, Kim Ja-in smiled softly and nodded.

"I'm not asking you to decide right this moment. Someone like you might receive even better offers from other companies. Take your time and think deeply. Contact us after the competition."

Kim Ja-in cooly pointed out the business card on my hand. Her final words carried a mix of professional confidence and personal assurance.

"Think about it, but if you come to us, I guarantee your success Ji-ye. I'm very good at what I do—remember that."

"Oh, yes," I managed.

"If you're curious, you can search my name. Anyway, I’m sorry for taking up too much of your time. Do your best in the 3rd round!"

As quickly as she had appeared, Ja-in vanished, leaving behind her business card and a sense of intrigue. I would definitely look her up after the competition.

Anyway, if she's already a director at MN, there's no need to doubt her ability.

"Ji-ye, is everything settled?" Seo Ra-eun approached me tentatively, her movements measured and deliberate. I responded with a gentle smile and nodded.

"They're saying we need to head backstage now. Shall we go together?"

Throughout the day, we had been inseparable, yet she had witnessed my brief, unexpected conversation with the MN representative without uttering a single probing question.

Her restraint spoke volumes - a silent support that transcended mere curiosity.

I hastily tucked Kim Ja-in's business card into my bag, allowing Ra-eun to guide our path toward the Flo&U members.

"Flo &U  will head directly to the set location!"

A production staff member's voice echoed through the corridor, cutting through the ambient tension. The declaration seemed to slice through my momentary contemplation of Ja-in's proposal.

No. Today was about the performance. Everything else could wait.1