How can you become a star without money?

Chapter 227 I never imagined this was a toy I signed for you?

Although Park Ga-hee is not an SM Entertainment employee, she worked with Boa for a long time in the early days and had contact with trainees like Jessica Jung, so she is considered an old acquaintance.

"What's this?" Park Ga-hee looked Jung Soo-yeon up and down.

The news of her and Wang Yao at the Shiba dinner party caused a sensation, and now she has appeared at Wang Yao's doorstep, which makes it hard not to think.

"Oh, the company sent me to deliver a gift to President Wang. What's this all about?" Jessica Jung made up an excuse without batting an eye.

“It seems Mr. Wang is going to invest in our company,” Park Ga-hee said with a smile.

"Oh? Congratulations! Mr. Wang has excellent resources in China. Maybe Jiaxi will become an international star in the future," Jessica Jung said with a smile.

"I hope so." Park Ga-hee chuckled and glanced at Kim Ji-won.

"Miss Kim, I'm leaving now. See you next time." Jessica Jung exchanged a few pleasantries and politely said goodbye to Kim Ji-won.

"Jessica, come visit sometime! Contact me on KT." Kim Ji-won waved sweetly.

Park Ga-hee's lips twitched slightly as she watched the harmonious atmosphere between the two.

Nana, who was following behind her in a daze the whole time, still hasn't come to her senses.

When he saw Kim Ji-won come out of Wang Yao's villa and then take a look at the luxury car that he himself might not be able to afford even after working for ten years, his brain was already a bit blank.

In the afternoon, I was discussing with Park Ga-hee that Kim Ji-won's success was a kind of 'good fortune' that girls from ordinary families like them could look forward to.

So now, it seems that Sister Lucky's real good fortune also came from taking shortcuts?
That's not it.

Good luck equals Wang Yao?
Nana was pulled into the villa by Park Ga-hee like a puppet. She finally came to her senses when she saw Wang Yao sitting on the sofa.

"Hello Mr. Wang, I am Park Ga-hee, the captain of AS. This is Nana (Im Jin-na)." Park Ga-hee pulled Nana and bowed.

In the afternoon, I only took a peek at Wang Yao from afar. Although I had seen him in newspapers and photos, I found that he was much younger and more youthful than I had imagined.

"Where is President Han?" Wang Yao nodded and smiled.

After taking a closer look at Park Ga-hee and Nana, who were clearly dressed up, I noticed that both of them had typical eight-headed model figures. Their denim shorts, black stockings, and tank tops perfectly showcased their advantages.

"After the president dropped us off, he said he had something urgent to attend to and left first." Park Ga-hee blushed slightly upon hearing this, thinking that Wang Yao was conducting a compliance test.

"Hmm? Please sit wherever you like, don't be shy." Wang Yao raised an eyebrow slightly, opened his phone and found that Han Chengzhu had indeed sent a message saying that he had something to do and wouldn't be coming; he hadn't noticed it earlier.

"What would you like to drink, sisters? We have fruit juice, milk, herbal tea, and soda at home," Kim Ji-won asked obediently, but she already acted like the lady of the house.

"No need to trouble you, Miss Kim," Park Ga-hee quickly waved her hand.

"Don't mention it, we're family from now on. Our company culture is to be colleagues like friends," Kim Ji-won said with a smile.

Park Ga-hee raised an eyebrow slightly, unsure whether it was a double entendre or an objective statement.

"Have some water. Drinking tea or soda at night isn't healthy." Wang Yao waved his hand. "President Han said that Ms. Park's status in the company is the same as the vice president's. It's the same whether I talk to you or not, since it's nothing too important anyway."

"I don't deserve it, I'm just older and more reliable in handling things." Park Ga-hee's dimples when she smiled were very endearing.

"Age doesn't make someone mature; personality and experience do," Wang Yao said with a gentle smile.

"You flatter me too much." Park Ga-hee blinked, feeling her heart race a little.

You suspect the other person is flirting with you, but you have no proof.

"Ms. Park was 60% the reason for deciding to invest in Pledis Entertainment," Wang Yao said with a shake of his head and a smile.

"Ah? Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Wang." Park Ga-hee couldn't tell if these words were true or false, but her heart was beating faster and faster.

This feeling of being valued is especially important for a female idol of her age; it's a kind of attention that she experiences less and less often, and will likely experience in the future.

Because of the oppressive traditional environment in Korea, the pressure and value of older single women are infinitely devalued and ignored.

"The competition in the Korean market is too fierce, and it's difficult for an outsider like me to participate. However, I do approve of the overall quality of the AS team, and they would have better and greater prospects for development if they came to China."

Therefore, before investing, I had already reached a consensus with President Han that AS's main focus in the future might not be on the Korean music scene. However, the group's albums and activities will still be maintained as usual, since you still have a desire to perform on stage.

However, priorities need to be adjusted. First, Ms. Park, I hope you can graduate directly and not participate in team activities.” Wang Yao’s tone was gentle.

But this struck Park Ga-hee like a thunderbolt.

At the age of 30, she finally made up her mind to make a comeback, just to stand on the stage and realize her value and ideals. Now Wang Yao is actually making her graduate?
"Ms. Park, please let me finish." Wang Yao saw her eyes suddenly redden and said softly, "It's not that I don't want you to go on stage, but I hope you can adjust your focus. Your talent and advantage are not in girl groups, but in solo performances and dance."

Park Ga-hee's tears, which she had been holding back, turned from feeling wronged to feeling moved. She hadn't expected that Wang Yao could see her true strengths.

"Your stage experience and choreography skills are very strong, and your performance is also impressive. You just lack some opportunities. After you graduate, you'll first help me with the selection and training structure of a new girl group. Although it's behind-the-scenes work, the company promises to release at least one solo album for you every year."

"5% of the girl group's revenue you're in charge of will be your personal incentive. This incentive can be exchanged for resources within the company, whether it's music, film and television, or variety shows. Even if you want to act in Hollywood, as long as your incentive share is sufficient, we can arrange it." Wang Yao introduced the company's resource allocation system.

Park Ga-hee took the contract terms from Kim Ji-won and remained silent.

A solo album every year is a privilege enjoyed only by top-tier artists and girl groups in Korea, especially in the idol industry. Second- and third-tier companies may not be able to guarantee a single album for their team for one or two years due to cost and investment issues.

Many idols even promote an album for two or three years, saving enough money before discussing a new album with their company. In order to quickly earn money to release a new album, these idols have to participate in various offline events.

Moreover, most of them are borderline, because they can't get on the stages of the three major TV stations, so they can only try to attract fans through offline performances.

However, this model is a vicious cycle: there are fewer and fewer clothes, more and more viewers, but fewer and fewer fans, because almost all of them are just watching for free, making it difficult to cultivate fans with spending power.

After all, idols need to maintain a delicate distance from their fans; if they get too close, they lose the wonderful fantasy of being motivated to spend money.

In theory, idols, like female anchors, earn money through "love votes" and "dream votes."

However, once it expands offline, it loses its filter and the novelty and excitement.

Park Ga-hee has seen too many idol groups end up either fading into obscurity and returning to ordinary life, or they end up becoming 18+ groups.

Wang Yao's offer was too good to pass up for Park Ga-hee; this was a solo album! No more arguing over a few lyrics or a few seconds of screen time; she could now fully enjoy the performance of an entire song.

Moreover, the behind-the-scenes work isn't voluntary or a fixed-salary job; instead, it's a team-based revenue sharing arrangement! This is essentially like being a junior executive.

Although she enjoyed the title of vice president in the company, she did not receive any benefits. It was just a pie in the sky that Han Chengzhu gave her in order to work for free. But Wang Yao gave her real power and benefits!

Park Ga-hee's eyes had turned from slightly red to bright red, not from grievance but from excitement.

“Mr. Wang, I’m afraid I’m not capable enough and will cause the company to lose money.” Park Ga-hee suppressed the trembling in her voice.

"It's alright, there's no such thing as a sure-fire way to make money. Just enjoy the stage," Wang Yao said with a smile.

Park Ga-hee's lips twitched slightly, and she gritted her teeth: "Mr. Wang, rest assured, I will do my best."

"The new girl group is like AKB48 in Korea, a training system, so the requirements don't need to be too high. As long as the members are obedient and dedicated, that's enough. Also, there's the recent 'Genesis 101'..."
"However, you'll also be needed for the dance and stage performances in the future for the Huaxia group, so you might not have much time to participate in team activities. Graduation is a better option, although it might be a bit demanding," Wang Yao explained. "I can do it," Park Jiaxi nodded firmly.

They all have solo albums now, so who would bother trying to get a group album? Besides, she's too good at managing girl groups; she can herd one sheep or a whole flock of sheep.

Park Ga-hee has strong professional skills and can command respect. In addition, her exposure to Korean class culture makes her very suitable for managing Chinese girl groups.

"As for Miss Lin," Wang Yao said, turning his gaze to Lin Zhenna.

“Mr. Wang, just call me Jiaxi, and she can be called Nana,” Park Jiaxi said smoothly.

"Yes, you can." Nana pursed her lips and nodded timidly.

Her appearance was somewhat heroic, which made her expression all the more pitiful.

“Nana will participate in ‘Genesis 101.’ Whether she can get a debut spot depends on how hard she works,” Wang Yao nodded.

What Wang Yao said was true. Although he would definitely try to operate behind the scenes, if she really performed poorly, it wouldn't be good to let her debut with the script of a 'royal family'.

However, to Nana, it was a blatant hint.

The sentence translates to "Get out if you don't let me sleep with you," and the inexplicable pressure and shame made her limbs feel weak.

"I will try my best." Nana nodded with a forced smile, her fingernails almost piercing her palms.

"Nana is so beautiful and has great stage presence, she'll definitely get a spot." Kim Ji-won sat next to Wang Yao, tilting her head and smiling at Lim Nana.

Looking at Nana now, Kim Ji-won can hardly help but think of her past self.

Her body instinctively moved closer to Wang Yao, seemingly seeking a sense of security.

Park Ga-hee was so caught up in the joy of her greatest achievement that she didn't know how to help Nana solve her problems.

Fortunately, Wang Yao didn't pay much attention to Nana's reaction. He just seriously discussed the selection and training mechanisms of SNH48 and the Huaxia 101 girl group with Park Ga-hee.

At first, Park Ga-hee thought Wang Yao was just using this excuse to ease the atmosphere, but as the two chatted, they entered a professional discussion, completely ignoring Kim Ji-won and Nana.

Kim Ji-won was also very perceptive and took the initiative to speak with a smile, "Let me show Nana unnie around. This is the dormitory that the company arranged for me."

"Huh? Okay." Nana nodded subconsciously, then froze.

dormitory?

What kind of company would arrange a three-story dormitory with a small garden for its artists in a wealthy area like Cheongdam-dong?!
To put it bluntly, their group has 11 members, including the second generation, and their living space is smaller than the living room here. That's what you call a dormitory!
When faced with a huge gap in material wealth, inferiority can seep into one's very bones, especially when facing Kim Ji-won. The looks and figure that one is usually proud of are no longer advantages, and this kind of inferiority is indescribable.

After following her blankly through the third-floor room belonging to Kim Ji-won, including her dressing room, a small gym, and an outdoor terrace, Nana felt her legs getting sore.

Especially Kim Ji-won's walk-in closet, although it wasn't as exaggerated as those in TV shows and movies, filled with dazzling jewelry and a dazzling array of luxury haute couture, the layers upon layers and rows of beautiful clothes and accessories made even someone with her modest materialistic personality feel a little envious.

"These are all custom-made clothes from my brother's brand. Don't let its small brand name fool you, they're really beautiful. These pieces would suit Nana perfectly, so here they are for you." Kim Ji-won dressed up several outfits for Nana that she herself wouldn't normally wear, as if she were dressing up a doll.

"Huh? No need, no need, I have clothes to wear." Nana subconsciously waved her hand to refuse, but caught Kim Ji-won's way of addressing Wang Yao.

brother.

This name clearly reflects Chinese characteristics.

“This is considered a company benefit, and Nana will enjoy it too in the future. It’s actually a way of promoting the brand. Nana’s waistline is beautiful, and I’m sure you’ll like it.” Kim Ji-won curled the corners of her mouth, revealing a subtle smile.

Nana trembled inexplicably, goosebumps quickly rising on the spot where Kim Ji-won's fingertips had touched, until her heart trembled.

"Don't hide." Kim Ji-won's smile remained, but her tone turned colder.

The memory reminded Nana of Park Ga-hee's harsh and stern tone when she hadn't trained properly. She froze on the spot, letting Kim Ji-won measure her with her fingertips, her breathing becoming increasingly rapid.

"I'm a bit lonely living here all by myself. I really like Nana-neechan. Do you want to move in and keep me company?"

Kim Ji-won's sweet voice lingered in Nana's ears for a long time.

She had forgotten when Park Ga-hee took her back to the dormitory, only remembering that Kim Ji-won had a deadly fragrance that made her feel suffocated.

"What are you thinking about? You've been spacing out the whole way. I guess we and President Han are overthinking things. I don't think Mr. Wang is that kind of person." Park Ga-hee's tone was relieved but also tinged with disappointment.

She even hoped that Wang Yao had taken a liking to Nana, so that she would have the opportunity to 'go to war in place of her sister,' since she was genuinely attracted to Wang Yao.

Nana came to her senses, looking at Park Ga-hee with a hint of tears in her eyes, unsure how to explain.

Perhaps Wang Yao isn't that kind of person, but Kim Ji-won seems to be!

Back in the dorm, Nana looked at the cramped and jarring three-bedroom apartment filled with clothes and suitcases, especially the personal belongings of her teammates scattered everywhere, which made her feel a strange sense of loss.

She suddenly realized that she hadn't had her own 'private space' for a long time.

How much longer am I supposed to stay here?
Nana suddenly fell into deep thought.

The image of Kim Ji-won's neat, spacious, and functionally distinct "dormitory" subconsciously came to mind, creating a stark contrast.

If the object is Kim Ji-won
After discussing the framework for the girl group training and selection with Park Ga-hee, Wang Yao had the driver take the two of them back to their dormitory.

He turned around and was pounced on by Kim Ji-won on the sofa, and then started to gnaw on her like a starving hamster.

"Wait, your period isn't over yet, is it?" Wang Yao was a little confused when he saw that she wanted to do something else after finishing the bite.

What's wrong today? Is it not the follicular phase yet?

"It's okay, I can do it!" Kim Ji-won said arrogantly.

"What's wrong with you?" Wang Yao raised an eyebrow and narrowed his eyes.

"My brother has given me so many gifts, but I haven't given you anything yet," Kim Ji-won said, her voice muffled.

"Not causing me any trouble is the greatest gift you can give me." Wang Yao patted her head affectionately.

"I'll only fawn over my brother, I won't cause him any trouble~ Even if Pledis doesn't accept the investment, can we still sign Nana? We can deduct it from my salary, I like her." Kim Ji-won said in a sweet and innocent tone.

Wang Yao was taken aback.

?

What does it mean to say you like her?

how?

I never imagined that Nana (Im Jin-ah) was signing a toy for you.
(End of this chapter)