Page 80 of When Worlds Collide
“You are his… girlfriend, yes?” Though it was posed as a question, it was clearly a statement. I replied anyway.
“Yes, Director.”
“Hmm. Though I am not directly involved, I am aware there was an… incident. In LA, yes?”
Another non-question. I was beginning to wonder if we’d circle around to talking about a possible job, or if she was just trying to get the measure of the girl who’d made such a mess with one of their idols.
“Yes.”
When her dark gaze didn’t deviate from mine, I began to feel an intense urge to keep talking, to blurt out details of what had happened in LA. But here, right now in Seoul, it felt like a total world apart, so I fought the urge and kept my mouth shut.
“You were fired.” No pretence of a question now, and though she maintained that same placid expression, I thought I saw a slight narrowing of her eyes.
“Technically, I resigned.” Not exactly a lie. I had resigned… after being told I was losing my job either way.
Director Kang’s mouth twitched, but she ploughed on. “And you came to Korea. Why?”
“I found myself suddenly free of any other meaningful plans.”
She barked out a laugh, and I fought to keep the astonished look off my face.
“What is it you want, Kaiya?” She tilted her head as she looked at me, and I felt like a mouse being assessed by a cat.
“I went to University for-”
She waved a hand through the air, slicing it in two and silencing me. “I’ve read your resume. You’re very educated, and clearly capable. Your former employer – despite the incident – spoke extremely highly of you.
“But your qualifications, your experience – not much of it applies to me.
“I run stages, music videos, comeback tours. Everything about how a performer or a group presents is run by and through me. My team creates the fan experience. How does that relate to you?”
There was a lot to unpack in all of that, but only allowing myself a moment to think my response through, I said, “In all honesty, Director, I’m not sure.”
“Go on.” She urged me, not unkindly.
“Until recently, I always intended to pursue music production. I was good at it. You’ve seen my qualifications.” Director Kang nodded.
“I realised that’s not a career path I want to follow any longer.” I swallowed, and resisted the urge to pick my nails. “Music has always been my passion, but I need to find out where I’m going to fit in it.”
“ENT does not offer work experience placements.”
“I understand,” I said quickly, “and I don’t expect special accommodation. Whatever role I take on will get one hundred percent from me. I will discover my path in my own time. It’sjust…” I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I looked away towards the view overlooking the city.
“It’s just, what, Miss Thompson?” Director Kang prompted.
“Music production – whether it’s in a sound booth, or a music video, or supporting artists in whatever way that’s needed, is inspiring. It’s inspiring to be part of the process.”
“It sounds like you’re hoping the inspiration for whatever career you’re looking for will rub off on you.” I looked back to the Director just in time to see the slight narrowing of her eyes.
“I can assure you, Miss Thompson, simply being in this building – or any management building – will not always inspire you, nor is it the responsibility of the company to provide you with inspiration to make up your mind.” Holding her gaze was like having a staring contest with a jaguar.
“I am not unsympathetic, but you are not a priority. You and I are having this conversation because Baek Jihoon asked me to entertain the idea of giving you a role within my team. You may well be as hard working as you claim – your references certainly do give such an impression – but the idea that you want to work here just to find this illusive inspiration does not fill me with confidence.”
I felt myself sinking deeper, and deeper into the cushion of the chair with every word she said. It was worse, because I could tell she was not trying to be harsh, or judgmental. She was just pointing out things that appeared entirely obvious to her, and for the first time in a long time, I began to feel… untethered. Unsure. Naive.
“Does everyone who applies here know exactly what they want to do with their life?” I felt childish the moment the words came out of my mouth.
“The people who qualify to work here do not expect to burden the company with their journey of self-discovery.”
