“I’d like to start my own fashion line,” I say, cutting straight to the chase. That’s another rule of private Mr. Noh meetings—don’t waste his time. My legs keep threatening to shake under the table, but I force myself to stay still and continue on, keeping my voice measured and calm. “As you know, I’ve always been interested in fashion, and my recent trip to Paris made me realize that I have the potential to get more involved in the industry. I want to assure you that this wouldn’t change anything about my commitment to Girls Forever. It would simply be a side thing, not a replacement for the group. You know, like Mina’s acting, or Sunhee’s radio hosting,” I rattle off, tactically slipping in those references so that Mr. Noh can’t brush my request aside too easily. After all, if he’s letting the rest of the girls pursue side gigs, why shouldn’t he allow this?

“Well—” Mr. Noh starts to say. And I can tell that he’s about to argue that a fashion line is different. After all, movies and radio shows are par for the course in our industry, but no other K-pop idol has ever tried to launch a fashion brand. At least, not to my knowledge. I see my dream slipping away, so it’s time to pull out the big guns.

“Or Eunji’s Vogue shoot…,” I say, letting it sit there.

Mr. Noh’s face betrays no acknowledgment, but I know he’s thinking back to our earlier conversation before Singapore. When he blatantly denied there was any opportunity with Vogue. I can practically hear his mind whirring as he calculates the pluses and minuses of granting my request. Okay, no more chess game. I need to make him see that this really is a dream for me, and that it won’t pose any drawback for him.

“And I’d like to offer the company a royalty from my fashion brand,” I say, unclasping my bag to pull out a draft of a royalty agreement that Alex and I had discussed. “For the length of my contract with DB, a portion of my fashion sales would go to you. Mr. Noh, Girls Forever is my top priority, and nothing will change that,” I continue earnestly. “If anything, if my brand were ever to become successful, it may even help boost our popularity and help us reach a wider audience.”

Mr. Noh steeples his fingers under his chin, considering. I hold my breath.

I made my case. I appealed to his business sense. The company has a clear financial incentive. Our goals are aligned, not in opposition.

Now all I can do is wait.

And hope.

And—

“All right,” he says finally. “We appreciate the offer of royalties. It suits you, having your own fashion line—I don’t see why not.”