I Decided to Become a Perfect Girl

The Director searched for the article featuring me on their phone and said,

“Wow, the name in the article is the same… At this point, you could even be a pianist… Ha-ah…”

The Director sighed multiple times, unable to continue.

“Do-hee, is there anything else you’re particularly good at, besides what we’ve discussed?”

Of course, I still had more to brag about.

“Well, I’m pretty good at studying…”

I said this while trailing off again.

“Really? Can you tell me how well you do?”

The Director seemed relieved, thinking that studying was something ordinary.

“I was first in class from 1st grade to 3rd grade in elementary school. Haha.”

“What? First in class?”

“Yep.”

“From 1st to 3rd grade?”

“Yup!”

“You’re good at studying too… Ha-ah…”

Why is the Director sighing when it would be nice to have someone who is good at studying sign a contract…?

“Do-hee, just in case, can you let me know if there’s anything else you’re good at…?”

I didn’t have anything else…

But I was curious about the Director’s reaction if I said I did.

Would they cry?

“No, I don’t have anything else.”

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.

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The Director of the Artist Management Department at Topist Entertainment, Lee Jung-hye, felt complicated.

When Team Leader Kim said there was a kid he absolutely had to cast, even if it meant changing the contract with her, she thought he was being overly dramatic.

With the rise of K-pop’s status, it had become easier to find visually captivating members among the flood of idol applicants. Even if they couldn’t find one, they could always just have them get plastic surgery.

So unless they excelled in both singing and dancing, it was silly to change a contract just for looks.

The kid suggested by Team Leader Kim supposedly had no interest in singing or dancing, so beauty must be the only qualification.

However, when she saw the kid who came to visit the building, she somewhat agreed with Team Leader Kim’s words.

The child was not just pretty; she was stunningly beautiful.

If this kid grew up to be an idol, she would definitely be among the top visuals of her generation.

And since she was only 11 years old, even if her dance and singing skills were lacking now, there would be plenty of time to learn.

Therefore, a contract that matched the standards of the Big Four agencies needed to be prepared.

However, her mind changed during the camera test.

The contract had to be modified to align with, or even exceed, the standard contract of the Big Four.

The unique atmosphere that emanated from the kid when she made expressions was not something you could achieve with just good looks.

She appeared playfully youthful yet strangely mature, feminine yet intriguingly masculine.
Sacred yet oddly masculine.

It was an atmosphere that everyone, regardless of gender or age, would like.

Sure, presenting a contract exceeding that of the four major entertainment agencies was somewhat burdensome, but it could certainly be proposed by the authority of the Director of the singer management department.

However, knowing what kind of kid Do-hee was made it impossible to gauge how to propose the contract.

A Korean member fluent in foreign languages.

If she consistently won the top prize in a local targetless competition for 11 straight years, she would definitely be exceptional.

But that’s not all; she was a musical genius who won the top prize in a major piano competition recognized domestically a whopping 11 times, destined to become a world-renowned pianist in the future.

Yet, from her first year to her third year, she never fell out of the top position in her class.

It was an absurd resume.

What kind of kid, capable of succeeding in any path, would intentionally endure the tough trainee life and aim to become an entertainer?

Getting her to consider being an idol was a challenge in itself.

Even if by some means she decided to become an idol and signs the contract, it wouldn’t be the end.

The entertainment industry is small, and if Do-hee became our trainee, information would undoubtedly leak out.

Being a non-disclosed trainee doesn’t come with the clout to stop rumors.

And once the rumors start, other agencies would certainly compete to poach Do-hee.

The method companies typically use to prevent trainees from being poached by other agencies is usually one thing:

To include in the contract that if the trainee terminates the contract due to their own responsibility, they would be required to pay investment costs as a penalty.

Because there had been cases of trainees taking advantage of not having a penalty and receiving free training from their original company only to sign with another agency for their debut, a penalty clause became a standard contract term.

Thus, the four major agencies require penalties for trainees leaving to be 2-3 times the investment costs to more effectively prevent departures.

However, the Fair Trade Commission stipulated that penalties exceeding investment costs would be considered a slave contract, making it impossible to demand 2-3 times as before.

So, even if she signed a contract with Do-hee, the penalty would be limited to the maximum investment costs.

Even with a penalty of three times, she could still be snatched away.

Ha-ah…

The penalty wouldn’t serve as a seawall to protect Do-hee from other companies.

There was only one way: making Do-hee want to debut as an entertainer under Topist Entertainment.

And presenting her with an outrageous contract was the only way.

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“From now on, I will be very honest with you.”

After long deliberation, the Director spoke up.

“We absolutely want Do-hee to become our company’s entertainer. In fact, this is likely the case with other major agencies such as the four big ones.”

Usually, in contracts between agencies and trainees, the agency holds the upper hand.

But the Director’s words sounded like he wanted to treat me as the one in charge.
But the Director’s words seemed to treat me like a big shot.

“Let’s contract you as a staff member instead of a trainee.”

“Huh?” “What?”

I didn’t understand what that meant.

“We’re hiring Do-hee as a staff member playing the role of a trainee.”

“To be precise, anyone under 15 can’t work, so she’ll receive an allowance as a trainee.”

“The allowance will be paid monthly based on minimum wage. Of course, I’ll make sure to include weekend and overtime pay.”

“The company’s investment costs will be fully covered, and we won’t demand repayment after your debut.”

“Of course, I’ll make sure it’s in the contract that no undue treatment will happen.”

“What Do-hee needs to do is focus on training, avoid causing social issues, and not refuse the company’s reasonable directives—just the obvious stuff.”

Both my mom and I were shocked by the Director’s words.

Honestly, I was freaking shocked.

These were such outrageous conditions…

Is this even real?

I may not know much about the entertainment industry, but even I can tell this is an incredible offer.

I asked the Director,

“Is this really… okay?”

“No, it’s not. In fact, I don’t even have the right to make this proposal. Still, I will definitely persuade the head of the department and the CEO to present the contract.”

“But isn’t the company at a loss regardless…?”

“I’m confident that if Do-hee debuts, it will definitely be profitable.”

“What if I just practice and don’t debut?”

“If you unilaterally quit being a trainee or refuse our exclusive contract for the debut, you’ll simply have to pay back the investment costs as a penalty, which includes your salary, based on the standard trainee contract in the cultural arts field.”

“What if I pay and go to another company?”

“Then you’ll just get your costs back. But I believe you’ll realize you want to pursue a career at Topist Entertainment. We’re a good company, after all.”

“…”

Honestly, I was a bit moved.

Why are there sayings like this?

A scholar sacrifices himself for those who recognize him.

Or,

A man sacrifices himself for those who recognize him.

After hearing all this, how could I back out?

“I’ll do it.”

“Mom, I want to be an idol here.”

My mom smiled at me.

“Aren’t you rushing it a bit?”

“Honestly, I’ve wanted to try it.”

“Won’t it be too tough?”

“You know. Once I start, I go all the way.”

“I know.”

Mom took a breath and then said.
” Phew… Alright, my princess, go ahead and do whatever you want. ”

” Okay. ”

” But since you’re getting paid for it, you know you have to work twice as hard, right? ”

” Of course. ”

As my mother and I chatted, the director finally softened his stern expression and smiled.

” Then I’ll definitely persuade the department head and the CEO by the end of this week. ”

” Got it. Do-hee, let’s hurry; Do-ah will be done with kindergarten soon. ”

” Okay. ”

My mother and I said goodbye to the director, agreeing to meet on the contract date, and left the office where I would be spending my time.

On the way home in the car, since it was a big deal, I decided to call Dad instead of waiting for him to get home.

– Hey, why is our princess calling me? What’s up? –

” I call sometimes, right? ”

Do I? Maybe not?

” Anyway, Dad, I’m going to sign a contract. ”

– An entertainment contract? –

” Yup. ”

– Aren’t you worried it’ll be hard? –

Both Mom and Dad seem more concerned about whether it’ll be hard rather than giving their opinions.

I feel my eyes getting a bit teary.

” It might be hard. But I really want to try it anyway. ”

– Okay. If it’s tough, just tell me or your mom. –

” Okay. ”

– Once you start something, you can’t just quit easily. –

” Got it. ”

– But if it really gets too tough, then just stop. I can support Do-hee and Do-ah for life. –

” What about Mom? ”

– She said she wants to live with Kim Dong-jun. –

Looks like she’s still upset about something.

” Hehe, okay. ”

– Alright, then let’s have a celebration party tonight to commemorate our daughter’s debut as an entertainer! I’ll bring some beef for dinner. –

” Oki. ”

– Love you, our daughter~ –

” Love you too. ”

After hanging up, I secretly wiped away a tear from my eye without Mom noticing.

” What did Dad say? ”

” He just said we’re having a beef party tonight. ”

” Were you that eager for beef? Crying like that. ”

Oh.

” What are you talking about? When did I cry? ”

” Haha, I can definitely hear your stuffy nose! ”

Oh.

” Ah~ So our princess wasn’t crying because she wanted beef, but because she wanted to eat her nose? How’s that for a rhyme, Mom? ”

” What are you even saying? I didn’t cry! ”

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