New Beginnings (4)

@eugene4life

Producer10 is literally gonna be dead on arrival atp 💀💀💀💀 how many scandals have they had already?

3k reposts 567 quotes 10.4k likes

@naturemade127 replying to @eugene4life

Whenever that Joon-woo kid got beat up, Ryeo Hyun's bullying scandal, the vote rigging…

@santeez_ replying to @eugene4life

Ikrrrr i feel so bad for the contestants 😭😭😭 esp that Joon-woo kid bro, he sings so well

@05liners_ replying to @santeez_

Reggie too broooooo… they're so talented like sign them as a duo alr

@gurls4baeks replying to @santeez_

Don't even play that twink is literally such a snob

Producer Jang-Soo took a deep breath as he placed his phone on his desk. 

"It's escalating." Carre hummed as her ears went airplane-like in annoyance, "If you don't pull some strings soon you can kiss the reputation of this show goodbye."

Producer Jang-Soo slammed his fist against the desk, but Carre's cat body didn't flinch. "I know, you don't need to tell me that when so many others' already have."

"Well what're you going to do then?" Carre continued, uncaring to Producer Jang-Soo's anger. 

Producer Jang-Soo clenched his fists as if holding himself back. He looked towards the wired phone that connected to the speaker of the building. He picked it up and held it to his ear, pressing the button that brought static over the whole building.

"Park Joon-woo, report to my office. I repeat, Park Joon-woo report to my office." Producer Jang-Soo spoke, wearing the ever calm and cold voice he was known for. He knew it sent chills down many contestant's spines. He knew it did because he meant it to. Most of those kids cracked under more pressure. 

Carre watched Producer Jang-Soo with an amused look. "Aren't you so calm and collected?" It sarcastically joked. 

"Carre." Producer Jang-Soo warned. 

"You don't scare me. One more slip up and I can take you right out of this timeline and send you to where you know you belong." The siamese cat watched the producer flinch at its words. "Be a good boy, and just do what you're needed for."

Producer Jang-Soo's expression was dampened. He glared at the siamese. "Is that kid in the same boat? Is his sponsor as much of a dick head as you?"

Carre chuckled, "That kid's sponsor is a pushover at its highest level. If anything he practically worships at the kid's feet. Aren't you the luckiest transmigratior to be?"

"Am I?" Producer Jang-Soo leaned against his chair. 

Carre didn't reply, and a knock replaced the door.

"Producer-nim?" Joon-woo's all too innocent voice spoke from the other side. "You called?" 

Carre chuckled, "He's funny." She muttered under its breath.

Producer Jang-Soo waved the siamese cat off. "Come in." He called. The calm and cool persona was gone. 

Joon-woo complied, opening the office door with a confident ease. Contrary to Producer Jang-Soo's agitated state, Joon-woo appeared calm as could be. The producer knew what that meant, especially in this industry. It meant the other had more under his belt.

Joon-woo took a seat across from the producer's desk. Carre uncharacteristically sat up at the sight, staring at something on Joon-woo's shoulder. Producer Jang-Soo sent Carre a confused look.

"Did you need me for something?" Joon-woo asked in a voice that sounded a lot like the one he would use in interviews. A persona. Producer Jang-Soo knew those well. 

The producer sighed, "I think you know very well what I called you here for, don't mess with me." His voice was persona-less for once.

Joon-woo tilted his head, "U-um, Producer-nim? I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean." That innocent tone still rang in his voice. He was acting like he hadn't done anything and he was doing it well. The producer was annoyed beyond belief at this. Did that make Park Joon-woo some idol turned actor in his original life?

"Hah… Joon-woo, I'm gonna cut to the chase: Tell me what you want from me and drop that smug act." Producer Jang-Soo's blood began to boil. He hated being a disadvantage, and he was. He had been too lax in using and messing with the kid and now it was biting him back. 

"Why would I want something from you? You, being a great producer for this program, have already done enough…" Joon-woo replied. His face was calm and collected and if the cameras ever caught this, it would just catch his cute looks.

Producer Jang-Soo slammed his fist on the table. This time, the already on edge Carre jumped up and arched its cat back and Joon-woo mock flinched. It looked real. Fuck. "Stop playing. I know what you did, you know what I did. What do you want from me so that we can help each other?" That was the only resort now. It was the resort he should've taken to from the very beginning. 

Joon-woo wore a nervous expression now. He was acting, the producer knew it. He knew it and it pained him greatly. He had truly messed with the wrong person. 

"Producer-nim…" Joon-woo's voice rang with mock sympathy. "If you still feel guilty about– about accidentally hurting me, I told you it was okay… I was just– scared and all and you promised to not do it again…"

Hurt? What was this kid claiming now? Carre cooed at how smooth the kid talked. 

"A smooth talker~, I would've sponsored him instead if I knew he was so sly." Carre commented. 

Maybe those words were the one to snap the last string in the angry producer's mind. He was stressed from everything. The media, his co-workers, his b*tch of a sponsor, and this kid. This damn kid. 

Producer Jang-Soo had built up a support system and fans for years. He had built connections and built an enterprise of his own without fail or struggle. Afterall, in his past life he was a great producer. Granted, he was an American one, he was one on a scale so big the whole world knew his last name. Hollywood graveled at his feet and writers and actors begged him to participate in his projects. He was a king. He was king and he had been up until now. 

The producer stood and snatched the kid who wore a now fearful expression, by the collar of his sweatshirt. "Don't f*cking mess with me!" He yelled, shaking Joon-woo and his lacking height and weight. 

Joon-woo acted terrified, petrified. He squeezed his eyes shut to hide the hint of true fear in his face. "S-stop, Producer-nim, please stop…" He weakly muttered as per he had schemed. 

Producer Jang-Soo paused. A silence was cast upon both of them when the office door slowly opened. 

Quickly he dropped Joon-woo, but the kid gasped and let himself fall to the floor with a quiet huff. The kid's breathing was quick and his face still rang with surprise like he was actually scared. 

At the door, watching the aftermath of the scene, was none other than two of the producers that helped run the program. The two in particular, were part of the higher ranks of Producer Jang-Soo's connections. F*ck, he thought. F*ck, f*ck, f*ck.

One of the producer's ran to Joon-woo's side, helping the shorter up with a saddened expression. "I'm so sorry, Joon-woo-ah, I'm so sorry…" She comforted, signaling for the other producer to approach Producer Jang-Soo with heavy strides. 

Producer Jang-Soo gulped. The producer that was storming at him was taller than him by a few inches and known to be a giant among producers. Chang Dae-Jung, that was his name. He was someone Producer Jang-Soo often relied on to connect with more elite chaebols… He was powerful.

"What's wrong with you, huh? Trying to hit a kid like that!" Chang Dae-Jung lectured, despite being a junior to Producer Jang-Soo. "Accusing him of leaking the eliminations? Don't you know that they can't even post on social media until the show ends? Are you crazy?" 

Producer Jang-Soo was at a loss for words. He looked at Joon-woo, who fake cried into the other producer's arms, then to Carre who looked at him with a smirk. F*ck, he thought.

–+–

Reggie held up two fingers as per the cameraman requested. He was getting his photos taken for their updated contestant profiles. Make-up still felt weird on his face, but he made sure not to let his discomfort show. 

"Perfect, perfecto, [perfect]!" The photographer praised. 

Some of the other contestants, all besides Ryeo Hyun, who were also waiting for their photos to be taken, looked at Reggie with slight admiration. One last bolt of flash came upon him, and Reggie took a deep breath as he was dismissed. 

He took a seat next to Ryeo Hyun who still seemed to be down about Bo Jaesang. His expression and eye bags were more weary than usual. 

As Reggie caught glances at the clearly not-okay Ryeo Hyun, the door to the room shot open. They all turned towards the door. Jung Hynu-Ok stood at it.

"Hyung?" Reggie asked, genuinely confused. 

The other looked uncharacteristically upset and disheveled. It was unlike ALL of Jung Hyun-Ok's previous appearances. 

"Joon-woo-ah…" Jung Hyun-Ok began out of breath, "That– that bastard of a producer tried to beat him!" His usually quiet and calm tone was gone.

Both Reggie and Ryeo Hyun shot out of their seats. A producer? Hitting Joon-woo?