Chapter 141
The sun started setting quickly .
Inside the office, KangYoon, Lee HyunJi, and Jung HyeJin were discussing ways to utilize Eddios’s fan cafe .
It was way past dinner time when his phone suddenly rang .
‘Who is it at this time?’
KangYoon picked up his vibrating phone . The call was from Bang SanHyuk . KangYoon thought that he should have finished teaching Jung MinAh by now and pressed the answer b.u.t.ton .
“h.e.l.lo?”
– Team leader, it’s me, Bang SanHyuk .
The voice was very cheerful from what he could hear . Bang SanHyuk joyfully told him of the results of practice .
– MinAh’s skills are top-notch . She digests harsh moves like elbowing without a problem, and breezes through steps and turns… . I now understand why you told me to consider her as JooAh . She’s a splendid girl .
He believed that Jung MinAh was that capable . KangYoon smiled hearing the expected report .
“That’s good . Didn’t MinAh perhaps act all c.o.c.ky or something?”
– She’s very polite and she knows what she’s doing . JooAh was calm back then too… This keeps reminding me of back then . The singers under you are all pretty and kind, team leader . I wish to know what your secret to that is . ”
“Hahaha . ”
After that, Bang SanHyuk and KangYoon discussed the future schedule and all that . Bang SanHyuk wanted to up the moves since Jung MinAh unexpectedly followed him well and that ignited his desire . However, KangYoon requested that the dance routine should still be popular with the ma.s.ses whilst being difficult .
– Don’t worry about it . I’ll make the ma.s.ses fall out of their chairs .
“Of course, I believe in you . I was just worried you’ll take things a little too far . ”
KangYoon ended the call with Bang SanHyuk on a good note .
After the call, Lee HyunJi, who was next to him, spoke to him .
“Was that crew leader Bang?”
“Yes . He seems very satisfied with MinAh’s performance today . ”
KangYoon talked about how Bang SanHyuk wanted to do more difficult moves . Lee HyunJi also perked up when she heard that he was surprised by Jung MinAh’s skills and want to do more fancy moves .
“That’s a good thing . However, those people may drive the boat up the mountain if they’re too motivated… . ”
Being too geared towards the breakdancing side may end up being not so popular with the general population . Jung MinAh’s performance was supposed to be a good combination of the two .
KangYoon also nodded at Lee HyunJi’s words .
“You’re right, director . That’s why I asked him to balance the two out . As you said, it will be trouble if they decide to drive the boat up the mountain in their eagerness . ”
“So you knew that after all . Well, you’re better than anyone when it comes to that so I guess I was needlessly worried . Let’s just talk about what we were doing before . ”
Lee HyunJi turned around to her computer again . On her monitor was the main pages of Aries, Eddios’s fan cafe .
Jung HyeJin had logged into the cafe with the administrator account . She clicked a few links and it led to a video about Han JooYeon . It was none other than the duet video with Lee JunYeol they did back at Christmas .
Jung HyeJin spoke while watching the video .
“The video on the cafe alone has 8 million views . Thanks to that, the number of visitors to the cafe increased dramatically as well . ”
“…Looks like that duet worked wonders . ”
Lee HyunJi clicked her tongue hearing Jung HyeJin’s report . It had been 3 months since Christmas . Even looking back, that was an enormous number of views . There were requests for another duet in the comments even from a recent date .
Han JooYeon’s duet video was very popular on ‘Tune’, the biggest video platform in the world, as well . Combined, the number of views was well over 20 million . There were even some saying that Eddios maybe dead but Han JooYeon was not .
KangYoon replied calmly after listening to all of Jung HyeJin’s report .
“It was a good result . After Christmas, JooYeon regained a lot of confidence as well, and the general mood of Eddios is gearing towards that they will be able to make a comeback . ”
“President . Since it’s like this anyway, why don’t we get some more things for JooYeon to do? I think we should make use of this momentum… . ”
KangYoon lightly shook his head at Lee HyunJi’s proposal .
“I wish . However, this was a success because JooYeon had a duet with Lee JunYeol . Going solo is a different story . Although we have a good relationship with the artist Sedy, releasing a duet alb.u.m is a different problem altogether . If we do things wrong, she would no longer be the JooYeon from Eddios, but the Han JooYeon from Sedy’s duet . ”
“Well, Sedy’s collaboration did play a big role . ”
“It left a deep impact, yes . We’ll do one at a later date anyway . Since the two know that their voices go well together, we can’t stop them even if we wanted to . ”
Lee HyunJi nodded her head in understanding .
“Well, a singer with momentum cannot be stopped even if the sky decides to collapse . We are helpless to stop them . ”
“That’s a good a.n.a.logy . ”
“Phew . So this means that we need more investment to do . Only when Eddios becomes big again can Han JooYeon can move separately as an artist . ”
Lee HyunJi sighed a little and KangYoon shook his head in resignation . He entirely agreed with her .
Recently, KangYoon invited well-known trainers for Han JooYeon . Although she said that she could do it by herself, KangYoon persuaded by saying that it was better to learn from a teacher .
With some teaching, Han JooYeon’s vocal skills rose by the day .
When they finished talking about her, they then talked about strategies to advertise Jung MinAh’s solo alb.u.m . This was the main topic that made them stay working after hours and late into the night .
Jung HyeJin browsed through the fan club and showed the other two the mentions of Jung MinAh .
-MinAhs_future_hubby: When is my MinAh coming back?”
-JungMinAhFlower: Han JooYeon is here . Where is MinAh? ?
-Double_chaps_ftw: Zzzzzz… . .
-Yoloman: I wanna see MinAh… T^T
Many fans wanted to see Jung MinAh again .
This was especially the case after Han JooYeon’s video was uploaded, and got even worse when Lee SamSoon’s appearance on a TV program was announced .
Lee HyunJi spoke .
“I’ll start the PR today . ”
“Okay . We want the rumors circulating around on social media to feel natural so please be careful . ”
“Yes, very natural . ”
KangYoon was satisfied with Lee HyunJi’s answer and gave her the necessary materials for the PR .
Midnight .
A post was uploaded on the fan club regarding MinAh’s digital single . And then, it spread around like wildfire through social media .
***
“It’s Friday, but there’s nothing good to watch . ”
Lee HyoJin grumbled while switching channels . Although today was TGIF, she had no appointment . The only thing she could do right now was to watch TV .
However, TV disappointed her today . As such, she bullied the remote control until the TV showed her something good .
‘Huh? What’s this?’
Lee HyoJin’s remote stopped at channel OTS . A novel program, named ‘Modern Farmer’, started and the young cast caught her attention .
“Mom, why don’t we watch this?”
Lee HyoJin asked her mother, who was lying on the sofa . Her mother gestured, in annoyance, to do whatever she wanted .
After some ads, the program started .
“What’s this?”
The cast was mostly female . The ladies had to hand in their mobile phones upon arriving and had to change into ahjumma clothes at an abandoned house . There were funny captions and laughing sound effects as well .
“What in the world…?”
However, as someone very picky, Lee HyoJin didn’t laugh . This program was about some clueless ladies going through hard work in the countryside . As she didn’t like watching people in agony, this was very unpleasant to her .
‘I should watch something else . ’
She picked up the remote control . However, there was nothing else she could watch now .
Just as she was about to turn the channel, a tractor appeared on the screen . The ladies all danced in joy since they got to sit down for a change, and the eldest one there, Song HakTae, started to try to turn on the tractor .
Although he wrestled with it for quite a while, the tractor did not budge .
“I’ll have a go . ”
Jennie stepped up and she poured hot water into some pipe like it was no big deal . It was the ones around her that made a big deal out of it . Some were worried that they may have to compensate for it if it breaks and some said that the machine and water didn’t go well together .
However, Jennie did not bat an eyelid and kept on doing what she was doing .
It was when she cranked the lever .
The tractor started rattling .
“Whoa…! Whos’ she? That, that’s awesome! hey isn’t she Jennie from Eddios?”
Eddios, to her, was a dead idol group that switched companies after completely failing their adventure to America .
Jennie, with her face that looked like she never lifted something heavier than a spoon in her life, was driving a friggin’ tractor! She was very proficient and she seemed used to doing it . The other ladies were all screaming ‘go! unni, go!’ and things like that . Hearing approval from the elder male as well, Lee HyoJin felt quite strange .
“This is fun . ”
It was from then on . Lee HyoJin turned up the volume and started absorbing herself into it .
Eventually, even her mother sat up on the sofa and focused on the TV .
The cast of Modern Farmer each had their unique charms . The rather chubby Kang HyunMi, Song HakTae, who was the oldest, but had no experience living in the countryside, as well as some well-known idol members .
There was a good combination of well-known celebrities and rookies .
The cherry on top though, was, of course, Jennie .
“…Did that girl use to live in the countryside? Why is she good at everything?”
“…I dunno . ”
Lee HyoJin and her mother could only stare with their eyes when Jennie splendidly countered the frosty winds and when she made breakfast . This seemed nothing like a ‘refined idol’ that Eddios gave off as an image . It was shocking to them .
“That’s no Jennie . It’s Samsoonie!”
“Hahahahahah!”
Lee HyoJin and her mother couldn’t help but be enchanted by Lee SamSoon’s country life .
***
Midnight after Modern Farmer’s first airing .
A list of search term rankings .
Jennie Tractor
2 . Jennie Modern Farmer
3 . Jennie SamSoonie
4 . Jennie real name
5 . double chapters
Modern Farmer recorded the highest view rates among the programs broadcasted in the same time slot .
The best character on the program, Jennie, became a hot issue for many .
***
KangYoon had arrived at Incheon International Airport to send HeeYoon off .
Actually, HeeYoon was supposed to be in America by now . However, she decided to delay her departure in order to help her brother out . KangYoon couldn’t help but feel sorry for her since she had to miss a few lectures in the new semester .
“I’m having you do all the work before you leave, huh . ”
“Nah, it’s between us, so you can’t say that . ”
HeeYoon grabbed her brother’s hands tightly .
“I’ve met the people at the company in Korea, and was able to write songs to my heart’s content . It was very enjoyable . Once I graduate, I want to try my hand at composing for real . I think it will be very fun acting as Muse with you, brother . ”
“Well, there’s a year left okay, so do your best in studying . ”
“Okay . Don’t miss any meals, okay?”
“You don’t have to worry about me . You should take care of your own health instead . ”
KangYoon patted HeeYoon’s head . She seemed to like the patting and smiled softly .
“Oppa, Reina has something to say to you . ”
“Reina?”
When Reina approached, HeeYoon gave them some room . She was getting herself out of the picture for the two to talk .
[Thank you for a lot of things . ]
[Don’t mention it . Actually, I haven’t done a lot of things even though this was your first time in Korea . I’m sorry . ]
[No, not at all . You gave me confidence, and the tour as well… Thank you . ]
Reina was very appreciative of KangYoon spending time with her when he had his own schedule to attend to . Also, he was the first one to acknowledge her potential as a musical actress . Thanks to that, she gained a lot of confidence . When she returned this time, she was planning to challenge Broadway officially .
[Please get along well with HeeYoon . ]
[Okay, then . See you next time . ]
[Be careful on your way home . ]
KangYoon waved his hands . Reina picked up her luggage as well . But then, she spoke again as though she remembered something .
[If, you know, I become a successful actress, I’ll invest in your company . ]
KangYoon blinked . Although this was rather sudden, he did not ignore her and replied .
[There are a lot of good companies in the States . Why would you invest in me?]
[I just have a good feeling about it . The people are good as well and above all… the CEO is the best one out there, I guess?]
[My word, I’m flattered . ]
[Hahahaha!]
Reina laughed and picked up her bags again . She then spoke in a serious expression .
[You know, I wasn’t joking when I said I’ll invest in you . If I have the ability to, I really do want to invest here . ]
[Our company will become more expensive as time goes . It won’t be easy you know?]
[I’ll have a lot of money as times goes as well . So no worries there . ]
[Hahaha . ]
KangYoon also laughed out loud .
After the conversation, HeeYoon came again .
“Okay then, brother . I’m off . ”
“Call me when you guys arrive . ”
“Yes . ”
HeeYoon gave KangYoon a light hug before heading in . Reina followed suit .
Having sent the two off, KangYoon drove the car Lee HyunJi lent him back to the office .
He came to the office around noon .
However, neither Lee HyunJi nor Jung HyeJin was present, but there was someone else waiting for him .
“Yo, Mr . Lee KangYoon! It’s been a long time!”
“You… Yeon JooAH?”
“Heheh, hi!”
JooAh, wearing a beanie, greeted him with a big smile on her face