7 I am The Idol King

Jinhyun's phone rang as he was preparing breakfast for himself. It was Sekjong.

"Manager Shun!" he greeted. "What's up?"

"Jinhyun, can you make it to a meeting today?" Sekjong asked from the other end. "I have found an agency which is willing to take a chance on you!"

"Which agency is this?" Jinhyun frowned.

"CNQ Media!" Sekjong said excitedly. "Isn't that great, Jinhyun?"

"CNQ…"

Jinhyun knew about this agency. It was one of the top three entertainment agencies and housed numerous famous artists. It was also one of his rival agencies back when he was with EXOTIC.

"I'll...I'll think about it," he finally said. "CNQ Media was our rival agency. It's not easy to just sign up with them."

"I understand," Sekjong said. "But all those are in the past. EXOTIC has disbanded and you have no need to follow those same rules. The industry is now more ruthless. You gotta take your chances otherwise you can never make a comeback."

"Alright," Jinhyun sighed. There was no harm in meeting them, right?

"I'll be there in an hour," he said. He hung up the phone and headed for a shower. After a while, he came out, wearing a towel, wiping his hair with another one. He checked himself out in the mirror. Even though he was the shortest member of EXOTIC, he was still taller than average height at 5"9. Then again, the other members of EXOTIC were unnaturally tall which seemed as if they towered over him. His dark eyes were almost usually covered by his bangs which is why he preferred to back brush his hair most of the time.

He put on some clothes and searched for the hair gels in his toiletries' bag. Unfortunately, those were lost somewhere between the messy packing he did. Giving up on finding them, he decided to let his bangs be as they are.

Once he was done, he glanced at the clock. It was the 15th of July. The day has arrived, he thought with a smile.

He grabbed his sunglasses and headed out. Thankfully, the hotel provided him with personal transport and hence, he reached CNQ Media's office on time.

Even though CNQ Media was renowned for managing popular bands, it also held considerable control over its artists. The groups barely had creative freedom over their songs and concepts, which made the idols of CNQ Media more of puppets than actual people. Jinhyun was used to having creative control over his work. He preferred to give inputs to the songs he sang and most of the time, even wrote his own music.

But in his two year absence, he had little idea of how the industry changed. He would have to see it for himself.

Upon entering the building, he was led to the topmost floor where the CEO's office was located. He knocked on the door.

"Jinhyun!" Sekjong exclaimed as he entered. He was seated opposite a sharp looking man in his sixties. It must be the CEO, Jinhyun thought. On the table, the label read 'CEO Sung Gojin'. The man had a friendly smile etched on his face as he observed Jinhyun. Even though Jinhyun had seen him years ago in some parties and award shows, they never talked face to face.

"Hello," Jinhyun greeted with a bow. "I am Shin Jinhyun."

"Who does not know you, my boy!" Gojin laughed heartily. "The entire country was waiting for you to come back."

Jinhyun smiled and took a seat. "You wanted to meet me for a contract, I presume?" he asked.

"Yes," Gojin replied. "In fact, your manager has already stated your usual terms. I'm guessing you want full creative control over your songs?"

"Yes," Jinhyun stated clearly. "No one is to interfere in my songs or album production process. Moreover, the music video concept must also have my approval."

"Well, as a veteran idol, you can have such requirements," Gojin said. "We have recently changed our stringent rules and relaxed the freedom for the artists as part of our new image."

Jinhyun raised his eyebrows at those words. Only a fool would believe those words. He suspected that the company gave more freedom to the artists after they saw how unpopular their manufactured music was. But he did not say it out loud.

"Also," Gojin continued. "We want to recruit you as our new Director of Creative. We believe that an experienced idol like you would be ideal to train the new trainees and aspiring artists."

"Isn't that great, Jinhyun?" Sekjong clapped his back. "You'll get a comeback every year and also become the Director of Creative!"

"How many comebacks will I get?" Jinhyun frowned.

"One comeback per year," Gojin said. "It will not clash with your duties as the Direct- Where are you going?"

Jinhyun stood up to leave. "Sorry," he said flatly. "I cannot agree with that. I'm here to make music, not be a showpiece."

"Think about it, Jinhyun!" Sekjong pleaded. "This is your only chance at getting recruited by an agency."

"We'll go to another agency then," Jinhyun replied. "But I want my freedom to make my own music."

"Jinhyun-"

Gojin hid his irritation and put on a smile. "Jinhyun, you're an old idol. You're in your thirties now! At this point, you should be retiring! Yet, we're giving you a chance-"

"No," Jinhyun said softly. Gojin slammed his hands on the table. He was furious. How dare a mere idol refuse a media mogul like him?

"You're nothing without EXOTIC!" he spat. "Do you really think you can succeed on your own?"

Jinhyun's patience was running thin but he did not give in to the bait. The man clearly had little idea about the principles Jinhyun worked with.

"My work ethics differ from yours," Jinhyun stated. "I know what the trainees here go through. You're not giving them creative freedom. You're stripping them off of their talents! As soon as a group is past a certain age, you discard them like trash."

"Jinhyun…" Sekjong said in a warning tone.

"I want to make music," Jinhyun repeated. "Not become a money making machine for you."

"As if any other agency will take you!" Gojin scoffed. "You're nothing without EXOTIC! You'll eventually come back here and beg for another chan-"

His words faltered under Jinhyun's piercing gaze. The normally smiling expression on his face was replaced by a dark look. There was no pity nor any politeness but rather an elegant arrogance danced on his face which was enough to send chills down Gojin's spine.

"You may be a media mogul," Jinhyun said in a cold tone. "But I am the Idol King. In case you have forgotten. A mere CEO cannot take away my throne."

His words held the truth. The CEO tried to maintain his composure but he was sweating. Jinhyun's gaze was almost...murderous.

"I...I…" he stammered but Jinhyun let out a smile. The dangerous look on his face vanished although his smile was hollow.

"I'm glad we came to an agreement," he said cheerfully. "Come on Manager Shun," he added as he exited the room.

Gojin sat back in his chair, fuming with anger. His stupid daughter had convinced him to meet with Jinhyun and this is what he gets!

"I'll destroy him," Gojin vowed. "He'll never rise again!"

..... 

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