Chapter 7: Or Perhaps Ask Jimin

"Shou-xia's performance on the variety show this time is certainly worthy of recognition." Lee Jun-ho pressed the remote, and a report appeared on the large screen.

"Since the show aired, the name Lin Shou-xia has seen a massive surge in frequency across all major platforms."

"Currently, all the comments regarding Shou-xia are positive, which aligns with our expectations when we first decided to sign him."

...

After summarizing and reporting on the rookie's achievements, Lee Jun-ho stood respectfully to one side. Choi Seung-min, seated at the head of the planning office conference table, nodded with a satisfied expression.

Many people say that LOEN can maintain its current status just by relying on IU's past success, and there is no need to keep tossing and turning.

But having tasted success once, how could LOEN be content? From the day he signed Lin Shou-xia, Choi Seung-min, who was in charge of planning, had been calculating how to use a rookie's success to break the outside world's stereotype about the company.

LOEN does not only have Lee Ji-eun as its artist.

The initial test in the variety show was a great success, and all the data met the expectations they had when they signed the artist. Especially in terms of buzz, the image of the artist singing in the middle of a restaurant went viral on social media for a time.

Now... is it time to discuss the upcoming work arrangements?

"Are there any other issues?"

"Yes, Shou-xia hopes to move the single's release to before the broadcast of 'Lee Mu-jin Service.' He wants to perform the song on the show."

As a rookie, Lin Shou-xia's performance on the show was actually quite perfect, but that alone is not enough.

In an industry with extremely frequent turnover, to establish a foothold, one must have their own labels and works. Lin Shou-xia wants to use the heat accumulated in "I Live Alone" to promote his work as much as possible.

"That's not a problem." After some thought, Choi Seung-min decided to grant the artist's request.

Although changing the release date would have a certain impact on the company's work schedule, as a long-time practitioner in the entertainment industry, Choi Seung-min understood well that this is an industry where one must seize opportunities.

Whether you become famous depends on the company, but whether you go viral depends on fate.

Lin Shou-xia seems to be a person with quite good luck; he hasn't even officially debuted yet, and he has already gained a small wave of fans based on his performance and persona on the variety show.

Now is the time when the heat hasn't completely dissipated. While everyone can still remember this name, releasing a work is indeed a very good choice.

As a project entirely crafted by him, what Choi Seung-min hopes for most is to be able to take Lin Shou-xia with him to tear off the labels attached to the company.

Lee Ji-eun, a singer whose name resonates throughout East Asia—having her is absolutely LOEN's good fortune, but LOEN does not only have IU.

They are desperate to cultivate a rookie to help them tear off the label of "Lee Ji-eun's company."

Tearing off a label is not an easy task, but it is something they must do.

Before signing him, he had already read through Lin Shou-xia's report several times. A professional background, multiple awards in singing competitions, and a voice that can tell a story.

These were important reasons that prompted them to sign Lin Shou-xia ahead of other companies, and these could also become important assets for this young man to tear off the labels stuck to him.

"You, go call Shou-xia over. Let's discuss the next phase of work."

Choi Seung-min smiled, seemingly having a complete plan for the future.

...

"Hey, don't think that just because Ji-min spoke up for you, I'm going to let you off the hook!" Lin Young-ro stepped onto the sofa, looking at her brother, who she felt had no future, with a sense of "hatred for iron not becoming steel."

This guy gave up the opportunity for further studies and insisted on coming back to be some sort of singer. That would have been fine, as it was his own choice.

As his older sister, she only had the role of encouraging him; she couldn't really advise him otherwise and could only hope he wouldn't regret it later.

The old scores hadn't been settled yet, and yesterday he actually embarrassed her in front of her good friend. What was that? Was she, Lin Young-ro, already unable to lift a blade?

"What else do you want to do?" The man glanced at her indifferently, a look that, in Lin Young-ro's eyes, was like a provocation.

"One day, I will put all your dark history on the internet!" The woman danced around on the sofa in a frenzy, finally resigning herself to sitting down next to Lin Shou-xia, head bowed, unable to say another word.

The child had indeed grown up. Living alone abroad had created Lin Shou-xia's independent character and gradually brought him closer to the so-called "cold and aloof" side of his persona.

Lin Young-ro was actually quite unwilling to accept this. Before going abroad for his studies, Shou-xia was clearly a very cute child who knew how to act spoiled; now, it was as if he were a different person.

"What dark history could I have?" The man gently squeezed a shelled peanut, blew off the thin red skin, and finally placed the fruit of his labor in front of Lin Young-ro.

"You went to participate in SM's youth auditions and were rejected by the company!" Lin Young-ro bit into a peanut and chewed it slowly.

Life with a younger brother is truly comfortable; she doesn't even need to shell her own nuts.

But she was actually still quite worried about the child's mental health.

Yesterday, reminded by Yoo Ji-min, she, usually so carefree, finally noticed her brother's slightly lonely and solitary figure.

During those days when he wasn't in Seoul, how did this child spend his time?

"They said they didn't want a child who was too outstanding." Lin Shou-xia shrugged, feeling quite helpless himself.

Current entertainment companies seem willing to find trainees with average strength and looks to form groups; the days when good-looking children received preferential treatment are gone.

"Didn't Ji-min get in?"

"Girl groups and boy groups are different. Go look at NCT, then look at Stray Kids—are there any members who are just 'good-looking'?"

Lin Shou-xia easily silenced his sister, then clapped his hands, intending to head out.

"I'm going back to the company. Tell Mom and Dad for me—I'll be back for dinner."

"Bring me a dessert when you pass by Hongdae. I want a matcha nut tart!"

Lin Young-ro waved at her brother. Looking at the variety show playing on the TV, her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.

Lin Shou-xia's performance on the variety show was quite good—he had wit, personality, and showed certain strengths in playing, singing, and singing a cappella.

She wasn't actually worried about Lin Shou-xia's professional ability; what worried her were the small issues with her brother's personality that her friend had pointed out last night.

"Maybe... I should call Ji-min and see if she has a way to solve this."