Idol of the Heavenly One - Chapter 5.1
“Three hundred million?”
But three hundred million was on another level.
“Yes. The amount we can offer right now is three hundred million won. We’re in a bit of a hurry.”
We thought it had ended coolly yesterday when Yoo Myeong-jin left just as coolly, but the very next day, he came all the way to our house and made an offer that shocked the entire family.
“Of course, when we do the first payout, the three hundred million will be deducted from the total before calculating what remains.”
They were offering three hundred million just to sign the contract. And saying it would be deducted from the first settlement as if they were certain I would earn at least that much by then.
“Is it normal to deduct the entire contract payment from the first settlement?”
I asked, carefully probing whether it was even possible to earn more than three hundred million in the first settlement.
“Usually, yes.”
He said “usually,” but his expression said, “more than enough.” Which meant they were confident I would make enough that even after deducting the three hundred million, there would still be plenty left.
“When is the settlement date?”
“It depends on the artist, but for a newly debuted idol group, the first settlement is done collectively one year after debut. After that, we do monthly settlements.”
“One year later?”
“Yes. Because income tends to be unstable right after debut, our company covers all care costs from trainee days until one year after debut. After the first settlement, we deduct care costs before distributing earnings.”
Covering all costs for an entire year after debut? This really was a big company. I had heard there were many predatory agencies in the entertainment industry, but clearly, they could still make a profit even with this setup.
“If I don’t earn enough to cover the three hundred million at the first settlement, does that mean I won’t receive any payout until the amount is fully deducted?”
“Haha. The chances of that happening are extremely slim, but even if it does, we don’t demand repayment of the three hundred million. And from then on, we still settle earnings on a 3:7 ratio.”
No demand for repayment, and no chance of failing to earn more than three hundred million in the first settlement. Those two points alone were enough to make this a good deal for me.
“Then may I ask the most important question?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
But there was still one thing that bothered me.
“Is my debut guaranteed?”
He had said earlier that the company covers all care costs from trainee days through one year after debut.
“No. It’s not guaranteed.”
I knew it. This was exactly what I had been worried about. A trainee is someone preparing for debut, which means if they lack the skills or fail to meet the conditions, they might never debut.
“In this industry, you never know what might happen tomorrow.”
“Then what happens to the three hundred million if I never debut?”
He had said the amount would be deducted from the first settlement, but that was assuming debut actually happened. If debut was never confirmed and I just stayed a trainee, that money could turn into debt hanging over me.
“You wouldn’t have to repay it.”
What? I wouldn’t have to repay it? They would just give three hundred million to someone who might not even debut?
“I’ll make sure that clause is clearly written into the contract.”
“Why?”
“Sorry? Should I leave it out of the contract?”
“No, I’m asking why I wouldn’t have to repay it.”
“Ah, that.”
This might be entirely advantageous to me, but surely it was a loss for the company.
“If I fail to debut, wouldn’t the company just be losing money?”
No company would willingly throw away that much for nothing.
“Well… we consider this an investment.”
“An investment?”
“Yes. We’re willing to invest three hundred million. And personally, I believe Ji Myeong-hyeon will debut.”
“Why is that?”
If this same situation happened to someone else, they might abuse it—taking the money, dragging out their trainee period, and never working hard enough to debut. The company would truly lose money in that case.
“Because my judgment is accurate.”
“Excuse me?”
“Even if you took the three hundred million and slacked off as a trainee, intending to let the contract expire, it wouldn’t end that way. Of course, I don’t believe you would do that.”
And Yoo Myeong-jin was right—I wouldn’t do that. I wasn’t going to exploit them. I would work diligently and train sincerely to make my debut. Did he somehow see that about me?
“The company won’t let Ji Myeong-hyeon just sit idle. They’re already desperate to debut you right now.”
“Right now?”
“Yes. Right now. So please read the contract carefully and contact us as soon as possible. As I said, we’re in a bit of a hurry.”
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