Chapter 842: Is This the Land of the New Black? (18)

In the Cheongdam district.

Citizens commuting as usual by car or public transportation noticed something unfamiliar.

“Hmm?”

A massive Lemon logo.

Beneath it, the name was written in bright yellow Korean letters.

[ Lemon Entertainment ]

If it had been in English, it would have simply swept past their minds. But the Korean signboard planted itself firmly in people’s heads.

Still, they did not recognize it immediately.

‘Where is Lemon Entertainment?’

‘Lemon...?’

They were well aware of TJ Entertainment in the area, but many were unfamiliar with Lemon Entertainment.

They were certain they had heard the name somewhere before, yet couldn’t quite place it. Just as they hesitated—

As hands hovered over phone search bars, a radio DJ’s voice echoed through their ears.

[Yes! This is DJ Park Jaewoo bringing you a refreshing yet drowsy morning commute! Let’s start today with our first track. Still going strong in popularity, it’s NewBlack’s “Coin.”]

Soon Jiho’s vocals flowed through the air, and people’s eyes widened.

‘Lemon—that’s NewBlack’s company!’

‘Why did I think it was called NewBlack Entertainment...?’

As mint-scented, refreshing music filled the streets, people lifted their phones and took photos of the sign.

Before long, pictures of Lemon Entertainment’s new headquarters spread across the internet.

[Lemon Entertainment moving into new HQ]

(new HQ photo.jpg)

Saw the sign on my way to work lol

-That building looks insane

-How much did NewBlack even earn lol

-Wow

-Korean letters make it stand out so hard

-It’s such an attention grabber lol Lemon looks massive

-You can totally picture Bald Uncle grinning ear to ear

Among all the attention, what drew the most interest was the location.

[Lemon Entertainment moves across from TJ HQ]

(photo of two buildings facing each other across the main road.jpg)

That location choice is savage lol

At first, however, it did not receive much traction.

It was quickly buried under other fast-rising posts.

Just as the original poster began looking crestfallen, some internet veterans with the scent of fresh bread drifting behind them offered advice.

-You won’t hit Best if you bait like that ㅇㅇ

-Lemon moving across from TJ HQ (X) Park Taejun’s greatest achievement no rebuttal (O)

-Now people will flood in trying to rebut lol

Taking the advice, the poster made a new thread.

[Park Taejun’s greatest achievement (Rebuttal = Seori Hyuk)]

(photo of two buildings facing each other across the main road.jpg)

Built a competitor’s HQ for them lol lmao

The view count began climbing steeply.

Soon, variations of the post spread across the internet.

It was the kind of story anyone would find entertaining.

‘A trainee who was released debuts at a small agency, grows that company into a major label, then relocates its headquarters across from the agency that let him go.’

It had the thrilling punch of an internet revenge story.

In reality, Wooju had not purchased the building himself. But to netizens, ‘Lemon Entertainment = Wooju’s kingdom.’

Idol fans burst into laughter.

-Petty grudges last ten years

-Wooju lol

-Lemon’s got that “strong like its artist” vibe lol

-Good thing Park Taejun retired... if he saw that he’d be collapsing in the CEO office from high blood pressure

-For real

-If that old man had just kept Seon Wooju it’d be Bitcoin-level gains

-Parallel universe Park Taejun) builds TJ’s second HQ there while laughing with Seon Wooju

-But he released him

-LMAOOOO this is so satisfying

Soon even ordinary people began sharing the story.

“I heard NewBlack’s company moved across from TJ.”

“Really?”

“Did you know? Apparently Park Taejun released Wooju back in 2010 or something. And now this is how he’s come back.”

“That’s insane....”

Office workers’ eyes sparkled at the story of a former employee returning to build a corporate giant across the street.

“And have you seen this? They’re calling it ‘black-robed return’ online.”

“Hahaha!”

As everyone laughed at the pun—twisting “return in golden robes” into “return in black robes”—there was one person who could not laugh.

An elderly man who had been polishing antiques just moments earlier let out a sigh.

“Whew....”

On the phone resting atop the table were posts reading: [Chairman, you mad? lol]

Chairman Park Taejun chuckled softly.

‘Well. Young people can have their fun.’

Since retiring, his features had softened into those of a kindly grandfather.

He smiled gently.

Living a retired life in a grand countryside mansion had made him more generous of heart.

Was this how the old scholars who praised nature and simple living had felt?

“Hoho. The entertainment world is lively.”

He decided to ignore it.

Yet as he did, a conversation from the past echoed in his mind.

-What if Wooju refuses the acting offer? He has too much talent to just release....

-Are talented trainees rare? Our country isn’t a market where one person can change everything. Why is TJ Entertainment a major label? Because our system is solid enough that individuals don’t matter.

-Then what about debuting him as a singer-songwriter—

-This isn’t America. It doesn’t fit the trend. I don’t know why Director Han defends him so much, but are we such a small company that we cling to one trainee?

Chairman Park’s hand paused.

“Hoho.”

It was all in the past.

...Or so he told himself.

Yet in his mind, the parallel universe would not stop unfolding.

Wooju standing on the Billboard stage.

-Thank you, Mr. Park Taejun! If it weren’t for Mr. Park, I wouldn’t be here today. Chairman Park Taejun, who always gave me opportunities and cherished me, I dedicate this Billboard award to—

Him accompanying Seon Wooju at the Grammy Awards.

The President and Prime Minister awarding him a medal for spreading K-pop worldwide.

A beloved agency head who raised a national singer.

As the fantasies spiraled, Chairman Park’s stomach began to burn.

“The past....”

Like someone who missed claiming a winning lottery ticket after the deadline, he could not shake the imagined regret.

“Tsk....”

While Chairman Park wore a gloomy expression inside his grand mansion—

There was someone else at TJ Entertainment in a completely different mood.

“Good morning! Hello!”

A handsome man with sharp features strode energetically into the TJ Entertainment building.

Even in training clothes, his lean physique drew whispers from staff.

“Taehyun seems in a good mood these days.”

“Maybe because of the closing ceremony? He’s performing at the Olympics, after all.”

“Maybe...?”

He always smiled at staff, yet his cool aura kept people at a distance.

Recently, however, he seemed genuinely happy.

The real reason was elsewhere.

“Nice location.”

Han Taehyun smiled as he looked at Lemon Entertainment’s new headquarters through the practice room window.

‘We’ll get to eat together more often.’

These days, his mood was at its peak.

Everyone looked extremely excited.

“Waaaaaah!”

“It’s the Olympics!”

They had returned to the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium.

A group of people ran around laughing.

“Unni~! Catch me~!”

“Wait! Dabom!”

“Unni! Unni!”

The Daylight members shrieked and ran in circles.

TNT was not much different.

“Wow. So this is Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium.”

“Isn’t this where that human-faced bird danced?”

“This is where Wooju hyung played piano.”

They looked around in awe.

It was the same expression I had worn at the opening ceremony.

And our younger ones—

“Biju!”

“Yes, noona!”

“Do that. That thing.”

“Ah... I’m embarrassed....”

At Daylight’s urging, Biju made a ballet-like gesture and jumped in place.

As he extended his leg midair and spun, Junhyun and Jiho mimicked announcers.

“And you’ve just witnessed Kim Biju’s triple Lutz.”

“An overwhelming performance by Kim Biju! But the judges will probably give the points to Europe~”

“Hahaha!”

Everyone applauded.

Spirits were high.

We took group photos and were pulled into photos with others as we toured the stadium.

“Honestly,” Daylight’s leader Rian said with a bright smile. “When would we ever perform on an Olympic stage? This was on my bucket list.”

“Exactly.”

Probably every singer felt the same.

An Olympic stage was something you dreamed of once in your life.

“Hyung, you seem calm.”

Taehyun looked curious.

“Guess that’s the mentality you need to buy a building across from your company.”

“I didn’t buy it.”

“Sure, sure. I know. The heart that wants a triumphant return.”

I smacked his padded back.

“I seriously didn’t buy it.”

“Officially, sure.”

Somehow the internet had decided I bought it.

Ri Hyuk, shivering beside us, said,

“Just accept it, hy—hyung. From the outside, it does look convincing.”

“That’s true.”

“But since you’re a major shareholder and seen as the real power, people assume you’re involved in everything.”

“I know it’s a joke. But long-term, it’s not good.”

“Why?”

“If people think company decisions are my will, then when the company makes a mistake, where do you think the blame goes?”

“...Us.”

“Exactly.”

It wasn’t serious. Just something to be cautious about.

“Fair point,” Ri Hyuk nodded.

Then I looked at him.

“Didn’t you just call me hyung?”

“Waaaah!”

He bolted away, face red like a flamingo.

Cute.

“Alright! Gather up!”

“No!”

“Five more minutes!”

Nine-year and thirteen-year veteran idols acting like kids.

Rian stepped beside me.

“Wooju.”

“Yes, sunbaenim.”

“Translate that again.”

“Everyone. Meeting time.”

“Translation: 10 seconds, puppies.”

They scrambled back instantly.

As we guided everyone inside—

“Oh! Soldiers!”

We waved at army soldiers clearing snow.

Watching them, Gu Seonwoong teared up.

“Why are you crying?”

“Just... seeing them work in this cold.”

“You’ll be doing that soon too.”

“....”

I smiled.

Too fun.

In the Olympic stadium conference room, Director Kim Ikhwan greeted us.

“Two weeks already. Doing well?”

“Yes.”

We discussed weather.

“It’s cold, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’ll be colder tomorrow.”

Groans filled the room.

Phones were already shutting off in the cold.

“Don’t worry,” Director Kim said. “Aside from the cold, there’s no issue.”

Veterans reassured the staff.

Rehearsal.

And rehearsal.

And rehearsal.

Soon everyone looked pale.

“Achoo!”

“My snot froze.”

We huddled like penguins watching monitor footage.

Main dancers frowned.

“It’s hard to monitor with padding on.”

We decided to review again later.

I went inside for hot cocoa.

Then—

“What are you trying to do?”

A sharp voice.

Familiar.

I pulled my hood low and peeked around the corner.

Three people stood facing each other.

“What are you doing right now?”

“...Please hear us out a little more, Hanbyeol.”

TJ Entertainment planning team staff and Jang Hanbyeol were locked in a tense confrontation.