Before my regression, top star Yoo Se-Na made her comeback to Top Entertainment at the age of 28, about two years later than now. And the one who brought her in back then wasn't me, but Kim Dong-Soo.

In any case, since Yoo Se-Na had everything—looks, vocals, even variety sense—the company had high expectations for her. However, she showed clear instability as an actress. She had particular difficulty memorizing scripts, and on set, she struggled to follow the director's instructions, resulting in countless NGs.

Then, at some point, Yoo Se-Na began getting hospitalized frequently due to unexplained headaches. Seeing that, Kim Dong-Soo immediately started preparing to terminate her contract.

When I found out, I took advantage of the time he was overseas and brought her in for the most expensive medical examination available, costing around 20 million won. It was the last thing I could do for her, after she had generated massive advertising revenue even in the midst of all that.

And fortunately, that was when we discovered she had a serious illness. She was suffering from Ménière's disease. It was a condition caused by excess fluid in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss, tinnitus, and symptoms like vertigo and vomiting.

Thankfully, it was deemed treatable and proper treatment for her began in earnest. In the end, Yoo Se-Na rose to the ranks of a top star as an actress as well.

Anyway, given that her current physical condition wasn't fully stable, there was no way she could deliver a proper performance. The present Yoo Se-Na hadn't even discovered her illness yet, since she had been following her parents' preference for natural healing methods.

And the reason I was so certain of this was because it was still recorded in my Everyday.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: July 7, 2023]

-02:00 p.m.: Yoo Se-Na diagnosed with Ménière's disease.

After briefly checking Everyday, I spoke to the anxious PD Ji Yung-Sik. "If Yoo Se-Na is the main face of the competing show, then you actually don't need to worry."

"How so? She's Yoo Se-Na, the so-called perfect idol."

"I've heard Yoo Se-Na's condition hasn't been very good lately. She can't even perform on live stages, and there's even a chance she might drop out in the middle of filming Once Again, Idol!."

I couldn't directly mention Yoo Se-Na's undisclosed diagnosis, so I vaguely framed it as her being in poor condition.

"Is it that serious?"

"Yes. Apparently, she hasn't even practiced dancing during her five-year hiatus. So there won't be any live performance from her today. It'll probably just be something dull, like an introduction segment."

Ji Yung-Sik's expression brightened a little. "Really?"

"Yeah. So don't get intimidated. Like back when you were 'Angel Ji.'"

Back in his second year of middle school, Ji Yung-Sik had once participated in an audition program. At the time, his rap name was Angel Ji. and he had boldly declared he would conquer the world with rap. Of course, he had been eliminated immediately in the preliminary round. Still, he had been full of confidence back then, so I told him to show that same spirit now.

Ji Yung-Sik awkwardly cleared his throat, visibly embarrassed. "Ah... why bring that up now? That's embarrassing."

I grinned. "Anyway, I'll ask the sponsors to really go big on the ads, so let's give it our best. And with the best idol audition director, PD Ji Yung-Sik, on our side. What is there to worry about?"

Ji Yung-Sik scratched his head with an awkward smile. "I'm sorry. I showed a pathetic side of myself. I'll get it together. But I think there's one thing you got wrong."

"Got wrong?"

Ji Yung-Sik gestured toward all the staff as he spoke. "It's not me that's the best, but it's the Project I.O.A team that is the best. Of course, that includes you too, Mr. Jung!"

'Not bad.'

He understood that the team mattered more than any individual. In any case, it was a relief he had snapped out of that defeatist mindset before it went any further.

"Thank you for saying that."

Ji Yung-Sik nodded, then turned to the others in the monitoring room and shouted energetically. "Sorry, everyone. Thanks to Mr. Jung and the Hoop Entertainment celebrities, we've gotten off to a great start. So let's make sure we win the main broadcast too!"

"Yes, sir!"

"That's too quiet! If anyone's quieter than me from now on, be ready to pay for round two after the team dinner!"

At that moment, Engineer Jang Dae-Joon shouted, "If we win today, are we getting a team dinner?"

"Of course! Let's widen the ratings gap and proudly demand one! They're cable and we're terrestrial. If we lose, that's just embarrassing! Right?"

"That's right!"

With viewers shifting more toward mobile platforms, the gap between terrestrial and cable ratings had narrowed significantly. Even so, when it came down to ratings battles, terrestrial broadcasting still had the advantage.

"And we've already gathered a huge audience over the past two hours, so let's pass the baton properly and nail the main broadcast!"

As soon as Ji Yung-Sik pulled himself together, the monitoring room came alive with energy. Then it was time to give them a little boost.

I immediately raised my voice. "If we win the viewership ratings battle today and SBC doesn't treat us to a team dinner, I'll pay for it myself! Beef! Until you're about to burst!"

"Yay!"

"Mr. Jung, you're the best!"

As expected, the moment the promise of beef went out, everyone's expressions brightened.

Just then, my phone suddenly vibrated.

Buzz.

When I checked, it was a message from Seo Yeon-Woo, the singer in charge of the girls' vocal training.

[Seo Yeon-Woo: Hyung. I'm in the waiting room right now. Can you come down for a bit?]

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: What's going on?]

[Seo Yeon-Woo: I think something's wrong with Mi-Hee.]

'Something wrong with Song Mi-Hee?'

At that moment, my phone buzzed again.

Buzz.

[Notification: A new schedule entry for Seo Yeon-Woo has been registered for April 26, 2021.]

Of all times, a new schedule entry popped up right after I got that message. I quickly checked Everyday.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: April 26, 2021]

-12:30 a.m.: [NEW. Seo Yeon-Woo]

[Weekly Star] Seo Yeon-Woo, vocal trainer for SBC's Project I.O.A, speaks about Song Mi-Hee's elimination.

[Star Scoop] Seo Yeon-Woo: "I'll actively support Song Mi-Hee after her elimination."

'What? Song Mi-Hee gets eliminated?'

Song Mi-Hee had been a trainee for ten years and was currently ranked second in Korea. Because of that, her debut in I.O.A had seemed almost certain this time. On top of that, her perseverance over ten years had become widely known, earning her a lot of love from fans as a hardworking idol. And yet, Everyday was warning me of her elimination.

'What on earth happened to Song Mi-Hee?'

I immediately called Seo Yeon-Woo. When he answered, he spoke in a hushed voice.

-Hyung, hold on... I'll step outside to take this.

"Okay."

Step, step, step.

Click.

I heard him step out of the waiting room, and then Seo Yeon-Woo spoke more clearly.

-Yes. Go ahead.

"What's the issue?"

-Mi-Hee slightly twisted her ankle while coming down from the stage after rehearsal earlier. She says she's fine, but from what I can see, she's not.

Seo Yeon-Woo had grown up living with a grandmother who showed symptoms of dementia, so he had become highly sensitive to noticing when someone was in pain. There were times when his grandmother couldn't express where it hurt, and other times when she falsely claimed to be in pain. So he had learned to distinguish between the two. It was a skill he had developed naturally from that experience.

"Is that so?"

-Yes. If we leave it like this, I think it could become a serious problem during the performance later. And starting this week, eliminations happen every round, so I wasn't sure what to do.

Starting this week, Project I.O.A would eliminate one team each round. In such intense competition, someone could take advantage of Song Mi-Hee's injury, which was why he had been too afraid to say anything.

"I'll come down right now."

-Okay.

The moment I hung up, a sharp ache spread through my chest.

'Why did it have to be Mi-Hee?'

Song Mi-Hee had been a trainee for ten years, and every time she was close to debuting, her team would fall apart, causing her to fail. Sometimes her own father had interfered and prevented her debut.

She had even gotten caught up in an incident orchestrated by TNT Entertainment after joining Project I.O.A, and there was a close call where her father showed up at the set after being released from prison, nearly getting her kicked out.

She had endured all of that and made it this far, yet as if fate itself existed, another massive obstacle was blocking her path once again.

There were only 15 minutes left until the broadcast. Even with Project I.O.A about to go head-to-head in a viewership ratings battle against Once Again, Idol!, Song Mi-Hee's situation came first for me. As for the broadcast, I could trust Ji Yung-Sik and his team now that they had regained their focus.

"Mr. Ji, I'll leave things here to you."

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"I'm going to check on the girls now. I am their talent agent, after all."

Ji Yung-Sik nodded, though he looked slightly regretful. "Understood. We'll handle the broadcast."

"Thank you!"

After answering firmly, I immediately headed to the waiting room next to the performance hall.

***

I arrived in front of the waiting room on the first floor of the performance hall. About 10 minutes remained until the show began.

"Jin-Sook! As soon as the girls come down in 10 minutes, lead them straight under the stage!"

"Okay!"

The SBC staff moved busily, and the talent agents from Waiting Room 2 and 4 ran around dividing responsibilities. From the stage, the live broadcast voices of Kang Ha-Na and Miso could be heard.

-Everyone! Project I.O.A will begin shortly! But until it ends, stay tuned!

-Stay tuned!

Just then, Seo Yeon-Woo, who had been anxiously waiting in front of the door, raised his hand when he saw me. "Hyung, over here."

"Yeah."

Holding out a tablet, Seo Yeon-Woo asked, "Have you seen Mi-Hee's footage?"

Each contestant on Project I.O.A had an individual camera following them.

I shook my head. "No, I came straight over, so I didn't get the chance."

"Here."

As he played the video, it showed Song Mi-Hee from Team 1 coming down the stairs, landing awkwardly and twisting her ankle. It was only thanks to Go Eun-Seo from Team 2, who had been heading up to the stage and reached out to catch her, that it hadn't turned into a serious injury. After that, the two of them were shown smiling.

"It's not a fracture."

"Right. If it were, she wouldn't even be able to walk. She says she's not injured, but her movements have looked really uncomfortable since then. Look here."

In the next clip Seo Yeon-Woo showed me, Song Mi-Hee's movements were visibly unnatural. Nevertheless, she was smiling so brightly that no one seemed to notice she was injured.

"What do we do now?"

Starting from week seven, audience scores would be added, meaning a single performance could determine their fate.

"For now, let's check it ourselves and decide."

I handed the tablet back to Seo Yeon-Woo and opened the waiting room door.

Click.

Inside, the contestants, busy going over their breathing and timing, spotted me and greeted me loudly. "Hello, Mr. Jung!"

"Hi guys. Let's give it our best today too." After greeting them, I went straight over to Song Mi-Hee. "Mi-Hee, let me see your ankle."

Song Mi-Hee answered with a bright smile. "Oh, if it's about me twisting it earlier, I'm fine."

"Well, I need to check if you're actually fine."

To make sure Song Mi-Hee couldn't refuse, I lowered myself halfway to my knees in front of her. In the end, Song Mi-Hee reluctantly sat down and held out her injured right foot. The swelling had already started to show through her stocking.

'Damn it.'

If left like this, it could become hard for her to even move within an hour.

Only then did Song Mi-Hee look apologetic. "Mr. Jung, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But I thought I could manage. I didn't want to make you worry for no reason."

I didn't respond and immediately called out to the talent agents. "Ran-Hee! Ice! Ms. Eun, tape!"

"Yes, sir!"

Do Ran-Hee and Team Lead Eun Ji-Yoo quickly brought over ice and a first aid kit from the side of the waiting room.

At that moment, the other girls nearby peeked over.

"What? Did Mi-Hee unnie get hurt?"

"Is it from when she twisted it earlier?"

"The show's about to start though. What do we do?"

Song Mi-Hee waved her hand, insisting she was fine. "I can still go on stage, so don't worry. I'll stay in position so I don't mess up the formation."

Go Eun-Seo frowned, clearly worried. "Unnie, that's not what matters right now. You need to go to the hospital."

Song Mi-Hee shook her head. "No, I don't need to. Right now, nothing is more important to me than standing on that stage. You know that too. I... I have to debut this time."

Go Eun-Seo bit her lip slightly. "Sorry, unnie. I overstepped. I shouldn't have said that."

As the current third-ranked contestant, Go Eun-Seo seemed worried that her words might have come across the wrong way.

Nevertheless, Song Mi-Hee shook her head. "No, Eun-Seo. I know you mean well, so I won't misunderstand. And I... I can't give up. Not this time."

Just then, the ice pack arrived.

I immediately spoke. "Mi-Hee, enough talking. Lift your leg."

"Okay."

As soon as Song Mi-Hee raised her right leg, I placed the ice against the swollen area. She flinched slightly, her face tightening for a moment, but quickly forced a bright smile again.

"I know it hurts, so you don't have to act."

One of the most important things drilled into idols was facial control. Even when they were out of breath, they were trained to smile brightly in front of the camera. And since Song Mi-Hee had trained longer than anyone, that habit had seeped into her daily behavior. Even though she must be in pain, Song Mi-Hee held onto her smile.

Then, Eun Ji-Yoo and Do Ran-Hee apologized, saying they should have noticed sooner.

"Mr. Jung, this is my fault for not managing things properly. I'll accept any disciplinary action."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jung."

I shook my head and said, "It's not. This isn't anyone's fault, so let's focus on what we can do right now."

Once the icing started, five minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Then the sound of Kang Ha-Na and Miso's two-hour special live broadcast ending echoed through the room.

-Thank you for being with Ha-Na and Miso. Up next, Project I.O.A will begin shortly. Please stay tuned!

Clap clap clap.

The applause from the audience poured in. Song Mi-Hee was still icing her ankle, but it was already time to go out.

Just then, the waiting room door burst open, and a staff member rushed in. "You need to head out now. We'll line you up under the stage... but what's going on here?"

As the staff member looked over, Song Mi-Hee waved her hands first and answered. "It's nothing. We'll head out now!"

"Really? Are you okay?"

"Yes. Mr. Jung just gave me a quick massage before going on stage."

After brushing it off, Song Mi-Hee looked at me with pleading eyes. Not just her, but the staff, the contestants, Eun Ji-Yoo, and Do Ran-Hee were all waiting for my decision.

"Hyung... what do we do?" asked Seo Yeon-Woo.

The opening performance involved all 32 contestants. And Song Mi-Hee, ranked second in Korea and part of Team 1, had to dance in the very front row. However, if she dropped out here, it would count as forfeiting and immediate elimination. On top of that, it would obviously affect the viewership ratings battle against KNET's Once Again, Idol!.

As I hesitated, Song Mi-Hee clasped her hands together and pleaded, "Mr. Jung, please just let me do it for today. Please? Even if I die, I have to perform."

Song Mi-Hee's expression carried the desperation of someone who had failed to debut for ten years. And if I refused, there was no telling what she might do.

In the end, I clenched my teeth and spoke. "I'll keep watching. And if it looks like you really can't do it, I'll force you to stop. Understood?"

Song Mi-Hee's face lit up. "Yes! I'll be fine. I'll really give it everything. Please don't worry."

I nodded and immediately gave instructions to Do Ran-Hee. "Ran-Hee. Go to a nearby hospital or medical supply store—anywhere—and get a wheelchair. From now on, don't let Mi-Hee walk on her own."

"Yes, Mr. Jung."

Do Ran-Hee hurried out of the waiting room.

Just then, the staff member called out loudly. "Alright, let's move!"

"Yes, sir!"

The worried girls began heading out one by one.

I wiped the moisture from Song Mi-Hee's foot from the ice, then taped over her stocking to make it a little more stable. Then I turned my back to her. "Until the wheelchair gets here, I'm your wheelchair. Get on."

Song Mi-Hee hesitated for a moment, then reached out and climbed onto my back.

Thump.

However, Song Mi-Hee felt weightless. When I glanced back, I saw Go Eun-Seo, Sung Na-Ra, Han So-Won, and Oh Hae-Nim all helping support her.

Just as I felt a quiet sense of pride, Song Mi-Hee spoke from behind me. "Mr. Jung... I'll really do my best. Please believe in me."

'Yeah, Mi-Hee. I'll do my best today too.'

I thought to myself as I started walking. Today felt like one of those rare days in my life as a talent agent where I would have to be fully prepared. I had to manage Song Mi-Hee's injury so she wouldn't be eliminated, and I had to win the battle against KNET.

However, I intended to accomplish both for everyone who was placing their trust in me.