Chapter 811: Election Campaign Song (2)

The power politicians wielded was immense. Even more so were the political parties made up of those politicians. And to them, celebrities with high name recognition were the easiest prey to exploit and discard.

Whenever a scandal involving a politician broke out, major newspapers published stories about celebrity drug use or violence to redirect public anger. During election season, they dragged stars around for their campaigns.

That was why, before the regression, I always prioritized managing relationships with politicians. If I refused their offers, they found all sorts of ways to retaliate. Especially on a day like today—when Hoop Entertainment's public stock subscription was opening—I had no choice but to tread carefully around them.

For this reason, I had given a campaign song to the relatively better opposition party. Yet it turned out Kim In-Jik, the aide, had secretly planned to use Cherry Blossom's biggest hit for promotion without permission. If not for Everyday, I probably wouldn't have found out until it was too late. Even if I had complained, they would have brushed it off as a 'misunderstanding by the working-level staff.'

However, trying to stop something like this ourselves only invited unnecessary retaliation. So the method I chose was fighting fire with fire. In other words, when dealing with one party, the best tactic was to use the opposition against the ruling party.

'

I should just hand the song over to the opposition

.'

If the ruling party was secretly trying to use 'Hurry Up!', then giving that song outright to the opposition would do the trick. The opposition would surely use every political tactic available to attack the ruling party for trying to use a song they didn't have rights to.

While I waited for Secretary Choi Yeo-Jin to return from the restroom, I explained the situation to President Kang Gam-Chan.

"But sir, there's something odd about this."

"Something odd?"

"Yes. I heard the ruling party originally wanted 'Hurry Up!', not 'IDOLS'."

"Who said that?"

"Reporters who frequent the National Assembly. They even asked if I'd gotten any offers. The info was pretty solid, so I actually expected them to ask for 'Hurry Up!"

'Hurry Up!' was the song that made Cherry Blossom national idols, and everyone knew it. Its lively energy made it a far better fit for election campaigns than 'IDOLS'.

"If that's the case... Why was that guy trying to buy the wrong song?"

"I'm not sure either. But just in case, how about we hand over all the songs to the opposition?"

Kang Gam-Chan's eyes widened. "You want us to offer the songs first?"

"Yes. If the ruling party ends up using any of our songs without permission, we'll be in trouble."

Before the regression, politicians often used campaign songs without approval and acted like it never happened.

Maybe remembering that, Kang Gam-Chan let out a quiet sigh. "Yeah... if what you say is true, then we absolutely can't let Park Sang-Gon use that song."

From an entertainment company's standpoint, taking sides with a specific party was always a bad move. The ruling and opposition parties constantly shifted, and whenever that happened, the company faced endless pressure.

Nevertheless, Park Sang-Gon was an exception. Regardless of which party he was in, we had no choice but to oppose him. He was the man who tried to kill our company's elder statesman and my friend's father, Chairman Choi Eun-Tae.

"Let's talk more once Secretary Choi comes back.

Oh

, and what about the song fee?" Kang Gam-Chan asked.

"Do we really need to charge more?"

Even just one song at fifty million won was already more than double the usual rate of twenty million.

Kang Gam-Chan gave a wry chuckle. "Well, this time, let's just consider screwing over Park Sang-Gon as payment enough."

Just then, the meeting room door opened.

Click.

Choi Yeo-Jin, who had stepped out briefly, returned. "I spoke with the party's PR office. They've agreed to let Hoop handle the modified lyrics for 'IDOLS'. We'll fax over the contract shortly. Once you've reviewed and signed it, we'll process the payment right away."

At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan spoke up. "Let's make a small revision to the contract, Ms. Choi."

Choi Yeo-Jin looked startled. "You're not thinking of raising the price above fifty million, are you? Sir, we're already under tight budget constraints..."

Kang Gam-Chan replied, "No, I'm suggesting a two-for-one deal. We'll throw in the rights to use Cherry Blossom's 'Hurry Up!' for free."

A bright smile bloomed on Choi Yeo-Jin's face. "W-Wait, are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

"But... Mr. Kang, are you by any chance... a supporter of our party's candidate?"

Kang Gam-Chan smiled gently. "Should I cancel the contract?"

It was a roundabout way of saying he didn't want to be associated with the political world, and Choi Yeo-Jin quickly waved her hands.

"N-No! I'm sorry. I'll make sure the higher-ups understand and I'll take measures to ensure no one thinks your company is taking sides."

Kang Gam-Chan gave a nod. "Good. We'd appreciate it if this whole deal is credited to your efforts alone. A company like ours feels tremendous pressure if we get too involved in politics."

Choi Yeo-Jin clenched her fist. "I swear on Blooming's name!"

"That's the most trustworthy thing I've heard today."

Hearing that she had staked Cherry Blossom's name on it, I smiled too and checked Everyday.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: March 29, 2021]

-10:00 p.m.

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [NEW. Kim Sae-Ri]

[Spotlight Daily Newspaper] Senior ruling party politicians use Cherry Blossom's 'Hurry Up!' in campaign across Seoul.

(Emergency meeting: Immediate action needed regarding unauthorized song use. All interview requests for Kim Sae-Ri to be blocked.))

'

Finally

.'

At that moment, it felt like a lump of sweet rice ball finally slid down my throat.

Smiling, I turned to Choi Yeo-Jin. "Ms. Choi."

"Yes, Mr. Jung?"

"Just... could you hold off on releasing the article about using 'Hurry Up!' for the campaign?"

Choi Yeo-Jin tilted her head for a moment but soon nodded. "Got it. We'll put out the 'IDOLS' article first and run the 'Hurry Up!' piece later."

I smirked and gave a small nod. I hoped this would be a great gift to Kim In-Jik who had just walked out.

***

Kim In-Jik stood at the entrance of the party leader's office, reading the news on his phone.

[The main opposition party has decided to use the trending song 'IDOLS' instead of their previous campaign track for the Seoul mayoral race...]

"Shit. So they gave it up after all."

Kim In-Jik shoved the phone into his pocket and stomped into the leader's office. Without delay, he began reporting to Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon.

"Just as you said, even when I offered sixty million—three times the standard rate—they turned us down. I tried multiple times to persuade them, but in the end, they gave the song to the opposition instead!"

Park Sang-Gon, who had just returned from assisting the Seoul mayoral candidate's campaign, wiped sweat from his forehead and replied. "Didn't I tell you that it'd be a tough sell? I knew it."

He hadn't explained the details of his relationship with Hoop Entertainment, but only hinted that they would likely side with the opposition and sent his aide to probe them just in case.

Unaware of the backstory, Kim In-Jik was fuming with frustration. "Sir, in that case, how about using 'Hurry Up!' as our campaign song? It was a nationwide hit just last year. I checked earlier to confirm it's climbing back up the charts and sitting at number five. It's still hugely popular."

"You think you can get it?"

"They're siding with the opposition anyway, so there's no need to deal with them directly. We made a good-faith offer, didn't we? Let's just use it, and I'll take care of the rest."

Kim In-Jik had been Park Sang-Gon's aide for over ten years. Thanks to that, he was skilled in handling dirty tricks like this.

Park Sang-Gon frowned. "So your plan is to just use it without permission? That kind of move could cause problems nowadays."

"Don't worry, sir. I've got a plan."

"Everyone's got a plan. The issue is who'll clean up the mess after."

Kim In-Jik responded with a confident look. "This is a party-level operation. What can some celebrity handlers possibly do to stop us?"

For a brief moment, Park Sang-Gon looked intrigued before his expression turned ice-cold. "

Tsk

. Wrong answer. Who do you think you are, throwing the party's name around like that?"

Kim In-Jik quickly corrected himself. "Don't worry, sir. I'll take full responsibility."

After a moment of thought, Park Sang-Gon gave a small nod.

Polls that had shown a 10% gap had narrowed to 5%. For Park Sang-Gon, a leading presidential hopeful, winning the Seoul seat in this by-election which he was personally overseeing was non-negotiable.

"Fine. Then get the lyrics rewritten immediately. You know someone good, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"How much are you planning to pay for the rewrite?"

"I'll stick to the original budget, so sixty million won."

Park Sang-Gon smirked. By setting a high rewriting fee, he could skim off a larger amount from the official campaign budget.

"It's Cherry Blossom's song, so that price should pass without trouble. How much of that kickback can we get?"

"The lyricist is my cousin. I'll give her ten million and pocket the rest."

"Not bad. Then how much are you planning to pay Hoop Entertainment for the song later?"

"

Ahem

. I'll invite President Kang Gam-Chan out for a meal and settle it with that."

"President Kang Gam-Chan, huh. I've heard he's not an easy one. Are you sure you can handle him?"

"People in business always cave when you mention a tax audit, don't they? Especially with their IPO right around the corner, they'll be walking on eggshells. Don't worry, sir."

Running a campaign took a lot of under-the-table funds.

"There's no such thing as too much ammo."

Even the meticulous Park Sang-Gon gave a nod in the end. After all, if anything went wrong, his aide had already agreed to take the fall.

"Good. Wrap this up cleanly and start preparing to take over the next district office in your hometown."

Kim In-Jik bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir!"

Grinning, Park Sang-Gon called the Secretary General.

"Hey, it's me. We need funds for the campaign song. Prepare sixty million and have it ready in cash. Aide Kim will be by shortly."

-Yes, sir.

Kim In-Jik stood from his seat. "Then I'll be back shortly."

"Alright. Good work."

With a pleased grin, Kim In-Jik left the party leader's office.

After three hours passed, he returned after giving his cousin the lyricist her ten million, bringing back the remaining fifty million in cash. Since they were old fifty thousand-won bills, they were untraceable.

Thud.

Kim In-Jik placed the paper bag full of cash on the table.

"Here it is, sir."

"

Hahaha.

Good job. I'll make good use of it."

"Yes, sir. And the rewritten lyrics should be ready by tonight. She may be my cousin, but she's got real talent."

"I'm looking forward to it. Anyway, shall we head out? Every extra handshake could make the difference."

"I'll escort you."

Just as Park Sang-Gon stood up to head out for another round of campaigning, he heard a knock on the door.

Knock knock.

Park Sang-Gon quickly shoved the paper bag under the table and cleared his throat.

"Come on in."

Click.

The door opened and in stepped intern secretary Ahn Ji-Yoon, clutching a tablet.

"Sir, news just came in from the opposition, so I came to confirm something."

"If it's not urgent, can't it wait until later?"

"I thought you'd want to see this before you go."

"What's it about?"

"It's regarding the campaign song."

"

Hmph

, looks like they're trying to brag about changing their tune. Let's see it."

Ahn Ji-Yoon set the tablet down on the table.

[The main opposition party has announced they will use both Cherry Blossom's hit song 'Hurry Up!' and the theme of 'Project I.O.A', 'IDOLS', in the Seoul mayoral race.]

Kim In-Jik's face went pale. "H-How..."

Just earlier, Kim In-Jik had confirmed a news article stating the opposition would only use 'IDOLS.' So he had lied, claiming he needed to secure rights to last year's megahit 'Hurry Up!' and used party funds to pay for it. But now, news has broken that 'Hurry Up!' would also be used in the opposition's campaign.

At this rate, there was no way to explain it. It was outright embezzlement of party funds.

"Shit..."Park Sang-Gon whipped his head around. "Hey! Kim In-Jik! What the hell have you been doing? Huh? Didn't you say they were only using 'IDOLS' as their campaign song?!"

"S-Sir, I don't know how this happened either..."

In the next instant, Park Sang-Gon hurled a desk item at Kim In-Jik's head.

Crash!

Kim In-Jik squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head. "I-I'm sorry, sir!"

"Sorry? You think sorry is going to fix this, you dumbass?!"

"I-I just..."

"

Oh

, and that thing about making you district mayor? Forget it. Don't even dream about that for the next ten years, you bastard!!!"

Park Sang-Gon roared with fury, continuing to unload on Kim In-Jik without pause.

After a long rant, Park Sang-Gon shoved the paper bag at Kim In-Jik. "Put the money back!"

"Y-Yes, sir..."

Clutching the paper bag, Kim In-Jik rushed out of the party leader's office to get the money back from his cousin. If they weren't careful, both of them could get in serious trouble for misappropriating public funds. The intern secretary, startled, followed quietly after him.

"

Sigh

...Damn it!"

Park Sang-Gon was now starting to develop a real aversion to Hoop Entertainment. Every time he tangled with that insignificant entertainment company, something always went wrong.

At the same time, a fear crept in about how a campaign song might sway the vote. As a battle-hardened veteran who had been through it all, Park Sang-Gon had seen firsthand how a good campaign song could flip even the tightest races.

Currently, the ruling party candidate was leading by 5%, but there were still ten days left. That was plenty of time for a complete reversal.

"

Sigh

... Jung Yoon-Ho, Hoop Entertainment... those bastards just cost me an entire day."

He now regretted not going out to campaign earlier because he had been busy trying to manage this dirty rebate deal. Time was of the essence, and yet again, Hoop Entertainment and Jung Yoon-Ho were holding him back.

"Damn it. Am I cursed or something? Or did I wrong them in a past life..."

Park Sang-Gon muttered to himself, lips growing drier by the second.

***

Shortly after Choi Yeo-Jin of the opposition left, the article went live. The opposition spokesperson officially announced the change in campaign songs using our company's tracks.

"Article's up, sir," I said.

Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Good. Now the ruling party won't be able to pull any funny business."

"Exactly."

"Well then, I'll go see Mr. Chairman. Want to come with me?"

"No, I've got to take Yung-In and Yoo-Jin over to Daebak Securities."

With public stock subscriptions opening to general investors, it was time to visit Daebak Securities.

"True. Yung-In said she was investing big today. Try to get her fired up."

"Will do, sir!"

After a quick bow, I picked up the president of JU Entertainment and Ju Yung-In near the office, and we headed to Cheonho-dong. There, I picked up Yoo-Jin, Miso, and Jung Sang-Bong, and then we all drove to the securities firm.

In the spacious backseat of the Binz Springer, Yoo-Jin, Miso, and Ju Yung-In sat with their eyes closed, clutching my shoulders and arms like they were making wishes like I had become a wishing stone or something.

"Please let it hit the upper limit twice!"

As Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In chanted 'double upper limit,' Miso, not knowing what it meant, whispered something else.

"Please let it be full of love!"

I chuckled and turned to Miso. "Miso, did you just wish for it to be full of love? Do you even know what that means?"

Miso looked up and grinned. "Isn't that... just love?"

'

Yeah. Miso doesn't need to know what a double upper limit is

.'

"

Mmm

, no, not that. But don't worry. I'll take care of everything for you~~~"

"Okay~~"

Then Yoo-Jin giggled and chimed in. "Oppa, how come you answer Miso's prayers and not mine?"

Ju Yung-In pouted with her lips sticking out. "I swear, you're completely whipped for Miso."

I smiled and replied. "That's why you two should be nice to her. I'm only going to listen to Miso."

Yoo-Jin lifted her chin proudly. "I'm super nice to Miso, okay?"

Ju Yung-In added with a smug look. "Miso, don't I treat you well too?"

Miso looked back and flashed a cheeky eye smile. "Who knows? Who's really the nicer one?"

Right then, both Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In reached out and started tickling Miso's sides.

"Hey! Say it's Mommy! Say Mommy's nicer!"

"

Kyahahaha!

M-Mommy... it's Mommy..."

"Miso, I'm nice too, right? These days we spend way more time together on set..."

"

Kyahahaha

! A-Auntie... It's Auntie..."

"What was that? Hey!"

"No—wait! Mommy!

Kyahaha

! S-Stop!

Hahaha

!"

Tickled from both sides, Miso burst into peals of helpless laughter.

'

If only things could always stay this happy forever

.'

While I was lost in that thought, our car pulled into Daebak Securities' parking lot.

"We're here."

At Jung Sang-Bong's words, I unbuckled my seatbelt, opened the door, and stepped out first.

Click.

But the moment we arrived on B2 of the underground parking lot, Daebak Securities' President Cha Dae-Hyun and his secretary came running toward us from the corridor connected to the elevator. He had a grin that practically reached his ears.

"Mr. Jung!! This is huge! Absolutely huge!!"

By "huge," he meant a massive flood of subscription deposits for the IPO. And that meant there were tons of people trying to buy shares. In other words, it was highly likely that on April 1st, we would hit double the upper limit.

"How much in deposits did we get? Around 500 billion...?" I asked.

Hoop Entertainment's expected market cap was about 500 billion won, so I threw out that number.

However, Cha Dae-Hyun started to reveal a number that completely shattered my expectations with a scoffing smile.