Chapter 744: Project I.O.A. Begins (3)

Go Eun-Seo's father, Go Joon-Taek, was a three-term National Assembly member from Incheon. Before the regression, he had constantly shown up at the company, always asking me to take care of his daughter.

However, a request from a three-term lawmaker wasn't truly a request. It was more like a veiled threat. If his daughter suffered any setbacks or her popularity dipped, he wouldn't let it slide.

Now, that very man appeared here at SBC Broadcasting with a smile on his face. I had kicked his wife, Han So-Ye, out during the Korean preliminaries. And yet, he showed up in person, bringing SBC executives with him to flaunt his power.

Still, I had no intention of caving to his influence. I had knelt before power enough in my last life.

Go Joon-Taek bowed his head to Ji Yung-Sik, who was clearly upset at the interruption. "I must apologize. I didn't realize filming was underway. I've made a terrible misstep."

Just then, SBC's Variety Division Chief Park Han-Jong and other board members began frantically waving their hands.

"Oh no, not at all! It's not like you did it on purpose, Mr. Assemblyman! PD Ji is just a little on edge because it's the first broadcast. Please understand."

Director Han Tae-San, quick to read the room, even helped Go Joon-Taek up. "Please, Mr. Assemblyman. Don't do this."

"

Haha,

still, I really do feel bad..."

"It's fine, sir."

As Go Joon-Taek reluctantly lifted his head, Han Tae-San turned to calm Ji Yung-Sik. "Why are you just standing there, PD Ji? Come on, come greet Mr. Assemblyman. He didn't do it on purpose, so let's move past this."

However, Ji Yung-Sik couldn't hide his discomfort. "Mr. Han, our first live broadcast is about to begin. How are we supposed to manage with outside guests?"

"Hey now, don't be like that. Mr. Go just got appointed to the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee! He even came for an on-site inspection to help I.O.A become a real global idol group. You should be thanking him, not acting like this!"

It became clear why SBC's executives were groveling more than usual. It was because of the Committee. The Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee was the National Assembly's standing committee that handled all broadcast audits. If Go Joon-Taek wanted, he could tear SBC apart during the year-end reviews.

So in the end, even Ji Yung-Sik had no choice but to yield. "Fine. But please stay quiet during filming."

At that moment, Go Joon-Taek casually brought up his real reason for coming now that he realized his influence had worked.

"Of course. But Mr. Ji, I must say, I'm very interested in this global idol group I.O.A. Many committee members have high hopes that it'll be a group representing Asia, maybe even the world. But you see... I happened to overhear contestant number 1 earlier and she made a good point. Isn't it a bit harsh to prohibit team member changes for a whole week? You never know what might happen."

Though he spoke politely, it was a blatant attempt to interfere with the selection process.

Catching on to Go Joon-Taek's intent, Ji Yung-Sik responded irritably. "Overcoming that kind of restriction is part of what contestants have to endure."

Go Joon-Taek chuckled softly. "

Oh

dear~ I think you may have misunderstood me, Mr. Ji. That's not what I meant at all. I just mean, what if someone can't practice properly due to illness or what if one member slacks off while others work hard? It's like those group projects in college, right? There's always someone who doesn't pull their weight. And yet you're saying they still have to take that person along? I just don't see how that's fair."

He was clearly trying to introduce exceptions to the rules to allow for team changes. Yet there was no way we could permit exceptions from the start. The moment we allowed one, it would become two or three. And with Go Joon-Taek's power, cunning, and money, no one knew what he would do with that leeway.

It was time for me to step in.

"Mr. Ji, would you mind if I answered that question?"

Every SBC staff member, the executives, the Hoop Entertainment crew, and all 132 contestants turned their gaze toward me.

Ji Yung-Sik looked surprised. "Will you, Mr. Jung?"

"Yes. Since

Project I.O.A

is designed to select idols from our agency, I think it's more appropriate that we explain why those rules exist."

If I stepped in, it would let the network shake off the pressure entirely. Ji Yung-Sik looked displeased at the idea of making such a cowardly move, but I gave him a reassuring nod and asked again.

"Mr. Ji, please let me answer."

At that moment, Han Tae-San cut in smoothly. "Right. This whole program was planned and created by Hoop anyway, wasn't it? And no one knows it better than Chief Jung, so let's hear what he has to say."

Eventually, Ji Yung-Sik let out a sigh and stepped back. "Understood. Please go ahead, Mr. Jung."

Go Joon-Taek looked at me with an expression that said, 'Let's hear what you've got.'

Nevertheless, I didn't look back at him. I turned to Ji Yung-Sik instead. "Mr. Ji, may I speak from the stage? Since I'm explaining anyway, I think it would be best to address all 132 participants, not just Mr. Go."

"

Ah,

yes, of course. Whatever works for you."

Ignoring the sharp look from Go Joon-Taek, I headed straight to the stage.

***

Under the scorching stage lights, MC Kim Jung-Joo stepped aside and handed me the mic.

"Thank you." I took the mic, looked down at the crowd, and began. "Hello, I'm Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment."

The contestants responded in unison from their seats.

"Hello, Mr. Jung!"

Thanks to the discipline I had instilled earlier, their voices rang out loudly. I nodded at their greeting and continued.

"You've all made it here by proving your talents in singing, dancing, and entertainment during the preliminaries. But once you become idols, there's another kind of talent you'll need. And that's the ability to communicate with your teammates—teamwork. From synchronized choreography and vocal harmonies to fan service, every aspect of idol life demands solid teamwork. That's why we require you to maintain your teams throughout the entire competition. And..."

Just then, Go Eun-Seo raised her hand. "Excuse me, Mr. Jung. I have a question."

Unlike the kind Kim Jung-Joo, I cut her off sharply and didn't use her name. "Contestant Number 1, this is not a Q&A session. I'll let it go this once, but if you interrupt again, I'll deduct points at my discretion."

Throughout

Project I.O.A

, every action and performance earned points. Starting with a deduction would be a massive disadvantage. Everyone else would begin at zero, but she would be starting below that. Go Eun-Seo had no choice but to lower her hand, trembling with frustration.

"As I was saying... Don't forget the purpose of

Project I.O.A

. The competition itself serves as your debut training. When this program ends, you'll debut immediately. That's why we've formed teams ahead of time. It's to give you that experience."

Once I emphasized that I.O.A would debut right after the show, the contestants visibly tensed up.

"Also, because of recent issues like school bullying and exclusion, a single member's mistake can dismantle an entire group. That means personal character and the ability to function in a group are just as vital as talent. So we want to see if you can blend into I.O.A as a team."

The contestants nodded, understanding the need to prevent future issues that could hurt the whole group.

"The I.O.A we want isn't 'All for One,' but 'One for All.' In other words, there should be no individual greater than the team. That's the kind of idol we hope you become."

Hearing that they should become the one who exists for the team, the contestants seemed to grasp the direction I.O.A was heading and steeled their resolve.

Finally, holding the mic tightly, I made one more request. "Living as a group is harder than you think. But when you put your teammates before yourself, it becomes easier than you'd expect. A difficult journey lies ahead, but if you endure it, I promise on my name that a brilliant future awaits at the end. So let's do our best, everyone!"

Clap, clap, clap.

The contestants and staff in the audience burst into applause. I handed the mic back to Kim Jung-Joo and stepped off the stage. However, Go Joon-Taek's smile had vanished. He knew I had seen through his plan to push for a team change rule to benefit his daughter and shut it down.

'

Assemblyman Go, nothing will go your way in this program.

'

Before the regression, I had wavered under pressure. Yet in this life, I intended to be the firm backing these kids could rely on, so only those with genuine talent and character could rise.

At that moment, the clearly satisfied Ji Yung-Sik turned to Kim Jung-Joo onstage. "Mr. Jung-Joo, could you mix in the phrases Mr. Jung used—'No individual is greater than the team' and 'One for All'—into your segment?"

"Got it. I'll go right into it."

Kim Jung-Joo gripped his cue card in one hand, mic in the other. Just like that, the halted filming of

Project I.O.A

resumed once more.

***

As soon as I stepped off the stage, Go Joon-Taek approached with a forced smile. "Chief Jung, I didn't realize you felt that way. My apologies."

I knew it wasn't sincere, but I accepted it without calling him out. "It's fine. You're not from our industry, after all. It's perfectly understandable."

"Still, I'd like to have a word with you in private if you have time."

At the same time, his aide Ahn Bong-Sik positioned himself behind me, sending the clear message not to even think about slipping away. Seeing the same man who had shadowed Go Joon-Taek and tormented me in my previous life stirred deep memories.

'

Fine. Let's do this your way.

'

"We're still filming, so how about we step outside?" I asked.

"That's a great idea."

Go Joon-Taek smiled slyly and turned toward the exit. The worried SBC executives tried to follow, but another aide stopped them.

"Mr. Assemblyman will speak with Mr. Jung privately first. You can come afterward."

Reluctantly, the executives stayed behind.

Thunk.

The studio door closed behind us. The long hallway outside was empty.

Then suddenly, Ahn Bong-Sik reached into my inner pocket without warning. "Hold on. Let's check something."

Grab.

I caught his wrist and said, "What do you think you're doing, reaching into someone else's pocket?"

"You always record things, don't you? Just cooperate. Otherwise, this could be reported to the police as attempted blackmail against a sitting lawmaker."

"Fine. I'll power off my phone myself."

I pulled out my phone with my other hand and turned it off.

Beep.

"And the smartwatch too."

I powered that down as well, just as instructed.

Then, Go Joon-Taek suddenly exploded in profanity. "You arrogant little punk. You got a death wish? You think some snot-nosed brat like you can stand up to me?"

He always put on a good face in public, but this was the real Go Joon-Taek.

"I'm sorry?" I played dumb.

"If I go out of my way to spell things out for you, you should take the damn hint. You think a sitting lawmaker is some fucking pushover?"

"Of course not."

"Then where the hell do you get off standing up to me? What, your dad got connections or something?"

"My father passed away, actually."

Go Joon-Taek stared at me in disbelief.After a few deep breaths, he suddenly changed his tone and expression again.

"

Sigh

... maybe I overreacted. Look, how about this—I'll write you a list of kids who'd help Eun-Seo shine. Just group them together for her, make it easier. She's going to pass anyway, right? And if you do that, I'll make sure the committee really supports your network. Sounds good? I mean, it helps you too. Helps I.O.A. Do you follow me?"

He wanted to rig the teams so his daughter could stand out, but I had no intention of backing down. Before the regression, I caved to pressure from Han So-Ye and Go Joon-Taek. And because of that, Han So-Won—who had been on the same team as Go Eun-Seo—was eliminated as a trainee. Without anyone to support her, Han So-Won's life spiraled after that.

Thankfully, in this life, I had found her early and now she sat here proudly wearing badge number three in the studio. If I accepted this offer, some other kid might end up just like she had. And in this life, I wouldn't let that happen. Not ever.

With my resolve solidified, I glared at Go Joon-Taek and said, "Go Eun-Seo, minus five points."

In

Project I.O.A

, the producers had the authority to deduct points from participants. Minor violations cost five points, while major ones cost ten.

Each week, contestants could earn anywhere from a hundred to two hundred points through their performances, and scores reset weekly. Yet even a small deduction could mean elimination, so minimizing penalties was crucial. And that was exactly what I used to stand up to Go Joon-Taek.

"What?"

"That's the number of points Ms. Eun-Seo will start with."

"Y-You little shit, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"If you walk away now, we'll leave it at that."

"Hey!"

"Go Eun-Seo, minus ten. Want to keep going? From now on, I'll be deducting in tens."

Go Joon-Taek raised his fist. I stared directly at it and calmly opened my mouth again.

"Minus two..."

"Wait!" Go Joon-Taek stopped me, glaring furiously with his bloodshot eyes. "You sure you won't regret this?"

I shrugged. I have had enough regrets in my last life, and I left them all behind when I died.

"I'm sure I won't."

Go Joon-Taek's voice shook with fury. "You crazy little bastard..." Then he tried one last warning. "Cancel the deduction and I'll walk away."

"No. Either leave now with minus ten, or stay and keep going. Your call."

Go Joon-Taek glared at me like he wanted to kill me, then finally ground his teeth and shouted, "Fine, I'm going! You happy, asshole?!"

He whipped around and stormed off. As he passed, his aide Ahn Bong-Sik muttered at me, "Watch your back at night."

'

At night? You should be worried right now

.'

"Mr. Go, your aide just threatened me saying I better treat Ms. Go Eun-Seo kindly. That's another minus twenty..."

In a flash, Go Joon-Taek spun around and slapped his aide hard across the face.

Smack!

Ahn Bong-Sik stumbled from the blow.

"You stupid bastard! Who the hell do you think you are, interfering like that?!"

Whap. Whap.

Two more slaps, one for each cheek, were followed by kicks.

Thud! Thud!

"

Agh, ah!

Mr. Assemblyman, please have mercy just this once. I was wrong!"

Go Joon-Taek vented all his fury on Ahn Bong-Sik—the same guy who once bullied me relentlessly under the assemblyman's protection in my previous life. Watching him get beat to a pulp now stirred up some unexpected satisfaction.

Panting, Go Joon-Taek turned to me with his face twisted in rage. "

Huff, huff

... you keep your word. Minus ten."

"Well, since it wasn't you who said it, I'll accept that."

Go Joon-Taek didn't respond and simply dragged his aide away. Now, it was time to let Go Eun-Seo know. Thanks to dragging her father into this, she would be starting the show with a delightful little point deficit.

I stepped back into the studio and caught eyes with Ji Yung-Sik. I gave him a thumbs-up. He grinned in satisfaction and moved quickly to resume the show.

Onstage, Kim Jung-Joo gave a nod and began announcing the members of Team One. "All right, let's call the members of Team One. Two from Korea, one from China, and one from Japan. First, Team 1 includes Go Eun-Seo..."

But when I heard the names of the contestants being called alongside Go Eun-Seo, I couldn't help but chuckle.

'

Maybe I didn't even need to deduct points after all.

'