Chapter 1023: Ms. Cheon (1)

Ju Yung-In bit down hard on her lip and glared at me. "Oppa. If you're planning to use Ms. Cheon as a ghost singer, I absolutely won't introduce you to her!"

I had no idea why Ju Yung-In was angry, so I asked, "Why not?"

"Ms. Cheon worked as a ghost singer from the time she was twenty, then got so disillusioned that she switched to being a vocal trainer a year ago. Asking her to be a ghost singer again is just too cruel!"

Only then did I understand why Ju Yung-In was angry. Cheon Song-Hee, whom Ju Yung-In called Ms. Cheon, had a large coffee-colored birthmark on her face, which kept her from performing onstage. Because of that, she had worked as a ghost singer for various singers since she was twenty despite her incredible talent.

She had watched idols become stars with songs she had sung from the shadows, until the despair finally drove her to become a vocal trainer a year ago.

When I said I wanted to ask her to be a ghost singer again, Ju Yung-In had gotten angry because she thought I was reopening Cheon Song-Hee's trauma.

'You've changed, Ju Yung-In.'

Getting angry for someone else's sake was something the old Ju Yung-In would never have done. Maybe that was why I found myself smiling.

"What? Why are you smiling like that? Do you think what I said is funny?"

"No. I'm proud of you, and grateful."

Ju Yung-In cried out in confusion, "W-Why are you suddenly changing the topic?"

"Sorry. But do you really think I'd recommend her without considering any of that?"

"What?"

"She'll be a ghost singer for this song, but when the movie is released, I'm going to debut her as a singer online first, then put out a full album. I'm changing Yoo-Jin's original plan for a one-off singing debut and pushing Ms. Cheon as a proper singer instead."

Ju Yung-In stared at me in disbelief. "Oppa. You really know what kind of problem she has, right?"

"I told you, I do."

"Then how can you possibly put Ms. Cheon onstage? Don't you know how sensitive the public is about appearances?"

"That's why she won't go onstage until after the birthmark is removed."

"You mean that mark can..."

"That's right. The birthmark on Ms. Cheon's face can be removed. Completely!"

Before my regression, Kenny Kim, a famous Korean-American producer who heard Cheon Song-Hee's voice, brought her to the United States for experimental treatment. The results from using laser treatment equipment unavailable in Korea were better than expected.

Kenny Kim immediately signed Cheon Song-Hee and fully supported her treatment. After completing her treatment, Cheon Song-Hee released a song called 'HOPE' in the United States under the name Angelina Sky and reached number one on the Billboard chart.

I had seen that future, so I was one hundred percent certain the birthmark on Cheon Song-Hee's face would disappear.

More importantly, when she returned to Korea for promotions after her massive success in the United States, I had managed her, so I knew more about her than anyone else.

After convincing Ju Yung-In, I looked at everyone, who had been shocked to hear about Cheon Song-Hee's large birthmark, and continued making my case. "Ms. Cheon, Yung-In's vocal teacher, has a coffee-colored birthmark covering half her face. I recently heard that equipment capable of treating it has been approved for import. If we import the equipment, treat her, and use her as the ghost singer for the movie, it'll also be a huge help at the box office."

She Was Beautiful was the story of Han Bit-Na, whose face was injured in a car accident. After reconstructive surgery, she returned under her real name, Lee Byul-Bit, and rose to number one. If we revealed the existence of Cheon Song-Hee, who had a similar story, it could help make the movie a huge success as well.

I made it clear that while I wanted to help Cheon Song-Hee, there were also sound business reasons why we needed her. That was only fair to LT Entertainment, which had invested in the production.

President Shin Jong-Ki, who had been listening to me, asked, "Equipment like that can't be cheap, can it?"

"No. From what I know, it'll cost around one billion won. And Hoop Entertainment plans to cover the cost."

"One billion won... Hmm..."

Shin Jong-Ki muttered to himself, then immediately looked at Managing Director Lee Eun-Joo.

"Managing Director Lee."

Managing Director Lee Eun-Joo answered, "Yes, sir."

"How much did you estimate the production budget would increase if the schedule got pushed back?"

"Up to two billion won."

"Then give all of that money to Chief Jung."

"I'm sorry?"

"Talk to the hospital Chief Jung designates and handle the import. LT Entertainment is better at importing equipment than Hoop Entertainment anyway. Invest whatever's left in producing the album."

Lee Eun-Joo's eyes lit up as she nodded. "Understood. Then should we designate Doctor Kim Soo-Myung's hospital?"

"Do that. We'll be putting the equipment there anyway."

However, I didn't want to burden the two of them when they had no knowledge of the future. Once she succeeded, one billion won wouldn't be an issue anyway.

"Mr. Shin. It's fine. We'll cover the cost..."

"No. Even if you've become Hoop Entertainment's second-largest shareholder, recruiting a specific person while going so far as to use expensive equipment on her will lead to accusations of favoritism. If the existing shareholders start talking, they'll want to know who's responsible. If our company spends it as a marketing expense, though, things become much easier. Listen to me."

"Mr. Shin..."

"And it seems the money we invest that way will benefit me greatly as well. Am I wrong?"

Seeing the sharp gleam in Shin Jong-Ki's eyes, I couldn't hide the other plan I had in mind.

"That's right. Actually, I planned to invest first, then give you the credit once it became a hot topic. Improving your image would give you a major advantage when you enter the fight for control of LT Inc."

The man who had partnered with me to claim the position of LT Inc.'s successor burst into hearty laughter.

"I really did choose the right partner, didn't I? Hahaha." After laughing for a while, he finally stopped and spoke. "Chief Jung. Partners are supposed to help each other. You come up with the ideas, and I'll cover them with money. So don't try to carry everything on your own from now on."

Someone aiming to become the president of a conglomerate really was different.

"Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me. I should be thanking you."

I smiled, then looked back at Ju Yung-In. "Anyway, I promise I won't use Ms. Cheon as a disposable ghost singer, so call her. And since we're short on time, set up a meeting with her right away."

It was already past two in the afternoon. The extras who would play the audience members had already arrived outside, and the staff were waiting for filming to resume. If we wanted to use her as the ghost singer, I needed to meet her as soon as possible.

"Okay. I'm sorry I misunderstood. And oppa..."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

Ju Yung-In thanked me for looking after someone she cared about, then greeted Shin Jong-Ki. Right after, she swallowed hard and called Cheon Song-Hee. A moment later, after reaching Cheon Song-Hee, Ju Yung-In spoke in an excited voice.

"Unnie. Where are you right now? Oh, your studio? Can we come see you right now..."

That was when Ju Yung-In's face stiffened and she shouted.

"You're meeting Director Jo Jae-Kyung and Director Hong Ah-Yoon? Right now?"

Director Jo Jae-Kyung was currently filming A Week with a Top Star, which CK Entertainment had invested in, with Min Gyu-Ri in the lead role.

A Week with a Top Star was a romance about a top female singer who went through all kinds of experiences over the course of a week with her stoic bodyguard and talent agent, eventually falling in love with him.

Like our movie, it required plenty of singing, and since Min Gyu-Ri wasn't much of a singer, they had been searching for a ghost singer from the start. It seemed they had finally reached out to Cheon Song-Hee.

I quickly gestured for Ju Yung-In to put the call on speaker. Ju Yung-In switched to speakerphone and cried out in frustration.

"Unnie. You said you'd rather die than be a ghost singer again."

A deep, weary sigh came from Cheon Song-Hee.

-I still hate the idea more than anything. What choice do I have, though? My little brother got into trouble, and I need settlement money right away. And they're offering terms I can't refuse.

Cheon Song-Hee's brother, who had just started middle school, had been a constant source of trouble even before my regression. I didn't know what he had done this time, but apparently it was going to cost a lot of money.

-At least this isn't a one-time ghost singing job. CK Entertainment promised me a huge signing bonus, and Director Jo said he'd introduce me to a vocal trainer position at HK Entertainment. The salary's supposed to be generous too. I'm going to take this opportunity.

Cheon Song-Hee sounded as though she had given up on everything, and Ju Yung-In tried to persuade her with the hopeful news she had heard from me.

I stopped Ju Yung-In and stepped in myself.

"Hello. This is Chief Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment. I think I can offer you better terms. Would you be willing to meet with me first?"

The moment Cheon Song-Hee heard my voice, her tone sharpened.

-Yung-In, were you with Mr. Jung?

"Yeah. Unnie, so..."

-I'm hanging up.

Ju Yung-In cried out urgently.

"Unnie! Mr. Jung knows about your condition!"

-Hey! Ju Yung-In! How could you tell him even that...

"I swear I didn't tell him! He already knew. Even so, he says he really wants to meet you and make you an incredible offer. Better than anything you've ever been offered in your life!"

-Really?

"Yes, really! Even I was shocked."

Cheon Song-Hee's cold attitude began to soften.

-All right. Since he's the Mr. Jung you've always talked my ear off about, I'll meet him once. If he comes to me with some ridiculous story, though, I'm never seeing you again either. And I'll refund all the lesson fees you've paid me.

"Fine. Do whatever you want. I don't need a refund, so just meet him right now."

-Okay. Then tell him to come to my studio alone within thirty minutes. The people from CK will be here in forty minutes, so he'll have about ten minutes.

Click.

Cheon Song-Hee hung up just like that, and Ju Yung-In asked with a worried look, "Oppa. That didn't sound good. Should we call her back and start by telling her that her face can be treated?"

"No. I'll handle it. Just send me the address."

Cheon Song-Hee had repeatedly fallen into despair after dermatologists told her she could be treated, only for every attempt to fail. She would never believe me if I only told her over the phone. I had to meet her in person and convince her.

To gain even one extra minute, I immediately rose from my seat. "I'll bring her back somehow, so please keep this confidential and film Yoo-Jin's rehearsal scene first."

There could be trouble if Jo Jae-Kyung found out we planned to use Cheon Song-Hee as a ghost singer. So I asked them to film the rehearsal scene, where Yoo-Jin wouldn't actually sing and would only provide the reactions. If I secured Reporter Choi So-Hye's cooperation in advance and sent her the photo sources afterward, we could make it look as though Yoo-Jin had sung on set.

Director Yeo Ik-Hwan thumped his chest and told me to leave it to him. "Don't worry. We'll film it separately and make it look like Yoo-Jin really sang."

"Thank you, Mr. Yeo. Then please send the photos to Reporter Choi later. I'll contact her in advance."

"Understood."

I bowed, then headed for the basement office near Hapjeong Station that Ju Yung-In had told me about to bring back Cheon Song-Hee.

On the way, I also called Hoop Entertainment. I needed the company's approval to recruit her, but there was something else I needed to ask for as well.

***

It took me less than twenty minutes to get from the MBS Sangam Open Hall to the front of Cheon Song-Hee's recording studio near Hapjeong Station.

I barely managed to find the basement entrance of a small three-story residential building. There wasn't even a sign, so I probably wouldn't have found it if I hadn't been told about it beforehand.

With no parking lot, I circled the area until I finally managed to park, then headed down the basement stairs. After descending a staircase barely wide enough for one person, I saw a black door and a doorbell.

Beep.

I pressed the small doorbell, but there was no response from inside. It was currently 2:45 p.m. She had told me to come by three, so I had arrived fifteen minutes early.

Thinking the doorbell might be broken, I called out loudly, "Hello, this is Chief Jung Yoon-Ho. Please open the door."

My voice echoed through the stairwell. At that moment, a beautiful voice came through a speaker mounted somewhere on the wall.

Beep.

-I'm sorry. My other guests arrived first. I think it'd be better if we met another time.

Jo Jae-Kyung and Hong Ah-Yoon seemed to have arrived before me. I couldn't leave like this.

"Then let's meet together, Ms. Cheon Song-Hee."

-Y-You know my real name too?

"Yes. And don't misunderstand. Yung-In didn't tell me."

-Well, you're a talent agent, so I suppose you could've heard about me.

"Either way, letting me in will benefit you too."

-Why is that?

"Now that two companies are trying to recruit you, you're the one with the upper hand, Ms. Cheon Song-Hee. Letting me in and making both sides compete will put you in a better position."

A brief silence followed. That was when it happened.

Clunk.

The small door slid open.

Standing in front of it was a painfully thin woman dressed in a black suit, a black hat, sunglasses, and a black mask. Only her hands were exposed, and her skin was so pale that my eyes naturally went to them.

"You're right, Mr. Jung. If I want to raise my value, it'd be better to have both sides face each other. Just know that those two were very annoyed and unhappy when I mentioned you."

"That's good. I don't like them either."

Cheon Song-Hee let out a quiet snicker. "You're more interesting than Yung-In made you sound."

"What did she say about me?"

"Is that really important?" Then she asked me, "And you came here because you want me to be a ghost singer too, right?"

"Can you guarantee confidentiality?"

"I've kept secrets my whole life. That's why no one knows my name, isn't it?"

"Then I'll trust you and tell you. Yes. For this movie alone, I am asking you to be a ghost singer."

"I knew it... So that's what you wanted..." Cheon Song-Hee nodded and turned away. "Then follow me inside."

That was when I spoke again. "However, this will be the only time I ever ask you to be a ghost singer. The song you sing this time will also be given to you. After that, I'll make sure you can stand onstage as a singer under your own name."

Cheon Song-Hee froze. She slowly turned her head and stared at me. At that moment, Cheon Song-Hee removed her mask.

Slip.

Then she took off her hat and sunglasses as well. A coffee-colored birthmark covering the entire left side of her face came clearly into view. Her natural complexion was so pale that the light coffee-colored mark stood out even more sharply. Her features were so beautiful that I couldn't help feeling a quiet sense of regret. In any case, I already knew what she looked like, so my expression remained calm.

"My face looks like this, and you're saying you'll put me onstage?" asked Cheon Song-Hee.

I nodded. "Yes. Because that birthmark can be treated."

Flinch.

She had probably heard those words countless times, yet I could see her waver. Still, she put her mask, sunglasses, and hat back on.

"That's a cruel joke."

"I'm not joking."

"Fine, let's say you're serious. Either way, you pass just for not being shocked when you saw me. Follow me inside."

"All right. Since those two are here, though, I'll hide the fact that I came to ask you to be a ghost singer. You understand, right?"

"Fine by me. All I care about is who pays me the most."

Her tone was curt, but there was a hint of excitement in her voice that hadn't been there before. Even a futile dream could make someone feel better simply by giving them something to dream about.

I followed Cheon Song-Hee down the narrow hallway and entered a small meeting room. Hong Ah-Yoon and Jo Jae-Kyung sat on an old sofa with scowls on their faces. Coffee cups sat on the small table, and a vase half-filled with water held a single red rose in full bloom.

Hong Ah-Yoon spotted me and curled her lips into a smirk. "I heard Jung Yoo-Jin was attacked today. Seeing you here, I guess her throat must be shot. Looks like you came to use Ms. Cheon as a ghost singer, but you're too late. What a shame."

Jo Jae-Kyung grinned as well. "Should I offer my condolences? I don't even know what to say. Hehehe."

Since She Was Beautiful was a music-based movie, the two of them were clearly delighted by the thought that Yoo-Jin, the lead, had injured her throat. Seeing them laugh when someone had gotten hurt made me want to punch each of them just once at full power.

I hid what I was thinking and answered with a smile, "What the hell are you talking about? Yoo-Jin's in the middle of rehearsal."

At the same time, I held out my phone. An article with photos was displayed on the screen.

[Jung Yoo-Jin. Even an attempted attack can't stop her! Filming a rehearsal performance on the set of She Was Beautiful!]

In the photo Choi So-Hye had posted, Yoo-Jin stood onstage with both arms outstretched, singing her heart out. Another photo below showed the audience watching the stage with moved expressions. It was the reaction scene I had asked the crew to film before I left.

Jo Jae-Kyung stared at the photos in shock. "What? If her throat isn't injured, then why are you here?"

Hong Ah-Yoon also looked flustered as she turned to Cheon Song-Hee. "Ms. Cheon. Didn't Chief Jung come here to use you as a ghost singer just like us?"

Cheon Song-Hee shook her head. "No. He says he's going to debut me as a singer. Anyway, whatever the offer is, I'm going with whoever gives me the biggest signing bonus. You can compete among yourselves."

Cheon Song-Hee kept my secret while cleverly pitting both sides against each other. However, I had no intention of letting this race drag on.

"I'm busy, so I'll settle this in one shot."

Before the two of them could recover from their confusion, I made my offer.

At that moment, Jo Jae-Kyung and Hong Ah-Yoon weren't the only ones whose jaws dropped. Even Cheon Song-Hee stared at me with her mouth wide open.

After all, the scale of my offer had far exceeded anything they had imagined.