Chapter 916: Public Opinion War (3) |
Reporter Jang Moon-Ki handed me the audio file he had recorded on his phone. The short recording contained everything: that the client was Director Hong Ah-Yoon, and that Reporter Go Se-Eun was trying to destroy I.O.A.
I nodded, then said to Go Se-Eun, "How much did you get from Director Hong Ah-Yoon? In exchange for ruining my kids' lives?"
"It wasn't about ruining them..."
"I asked how much!"
My anger shot all the way to the top of my head, and the casual speech slipped out on its own.
At my completely changed attitude, Go Se-Eun shrank back and stammered before answering. "In exchange for bringing down I.O.A... I was promised 500 million won."
500 million won was an absurdly small amount to trade for the lives of the girls who had worked so hard to become I.O.A.
"Damn it. You sold the kids out for only 500 million won?"
"H-how is that only?"
When I barked at her, Go Se-Eun flinched.
"Enough. You must've been prepared to go to prison if you got caught anyway, so you've got no complaints, right?"
I pulled out my phone and was about to call Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill. Just then, Go Se-Eun suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me.
Thud.
"Chief Jung, please, just this once. Huh? I was wrong. I swear, I swear... I won't ever touch the people on your side again. Okay?"
Go Se-Eun pressed her hands together and begged desperately. Her eyes brimmed with tears and her hands and feet were trembling. She was still a much better actress than Yoon Ji-Hee from Golden Road.
Even so, I didn't so much as blink and I started pressing Seo Jae-Ill's number one digit at a time.
Then Go Se-Eun grabbed my leg and pleaded again. "Chief Jung! That recording won't get Hong Ah-Yoon. Hong Ah-Yoon will just dump everything on me and say she didn't know anything. So let's negotiate! Okay?"
I wondered what the hell she was talking about and stopped my finger on the keypad. "Negotiate?"
"Yeah. Let me off just this once, and I'll dig up Hong Ah-Yoon's dirty secrets and hand them over to you! This fight only ends when either you or Hong Ah-Yoon goes down, doesn't it? Isn't that right? Use me like a knife! That's better for you, isn't it?"
Go Se-Eun was right. That recording alone couldn't bring down Hong Ah-Yoon. All she had to do was say she had never ordered some third-rate tabloid reporter to do anything.
Still, the reason I had set the trap and even made sure it was recorded wasn't just to find out who the client was. It was also to catch Go Se-Eun. Even now, when the hit piece she had written wasn't all that severe, the damage was already considerable. Two years from now, though, people would start killing themselves because of her articles.
"I'll deal with Director Hong Ah-Yoon myself. And in the first place, the reason I asked for that recording was to catch you, so what kind of bullshit are you talking about?"
"Huh? Me? Why me? Why are you after me? I'm just a knife that does what I'm told!"
To her indignant protest, I answered in a cold voice, "Because knives like you make things a whole lot easier for the people using them. And you didn't think I'd know you were the one who wrote that hit piece on the 'Peach Incident' three months ago?"
Three months earlier, Lee Se-Ah, the leader of a five-member girl group called Rias from TK Entertainment, had once ended up in the ER after eating a peach. It could have passed as nothing more than an unfortunate incident, but the situation changed completely when a tabloid article started circulating.
The article claimed that one of the Rias members had secretly put peach into a drink out of jealousy toward Lee Se-Ah, the group's most popular member. From that point on, Rias fans began fighting fiercely over who the culprit was, and as a result, the members themselves drifted apart and had still suspended activities.
And the one who had written that article anonymously was Go Se-Eun. It had only been an employee's mistake, and she had blown it up into something far bigger.
"H-how did you..."
'How do you think?'
I knew because it would all come out in a police investigation two years from now.
"How can a knife that thinks for itself and moves around destroying things like you ever be just a tool, Go Se-Eun? You're not a tool. You're just a criminal!"
At that moment, as if she realized there was no way out, Go Se-Eun suddenly jumped to her feet and started running. "Shit! I—I'm not going down alone!"
Go Se-Eun bolted, but I didn't bother chasing her. The police would be coming for her soon enough anyway.
'Adios, Go Se-Eun.'
Without hesitating any further, I called Seo Jae-Ill. After a few rings, the call connected.
-Mr. Jung, it's been a while.
"Yes. You've been well, I hope?"
-Of course. It's all thanks to you.
After exchanging brief greetings, I got straight to the point.
"During the press conference, a tabloid reporter asked a malicious question, so I looked into it separately. Turns out she was paid by HK Entertainment to try to bring down the currently popular Project I.O.A. I secured evidence and contacted you."
-What? Who at HK Entertainment would do something like that?
"Director Hong Ah-Yoon."
A brief silence followed. It was because Hong Ah-Yoon, part of the HK Inc.'s royal family, had been named directly.
Soon, Seo Jae-Ill responded.
-If it's Hong Ah-Yoon, her status as part of the royal family makes it hard to tie her to this with just a tabloid reporter's testimony.
"I'm well aware. Still, please make sure the reporter pays fully for her crimes. She's the kind who casually ruins celebrities' lives with hit pieces."
-Ah, that won't be difficult. If you have any evidence, I'd appreciate you sending it over.
"One moment."
I immediately sent Seo Jae-Ill a message. A moment later, he spoke again.
-Reporter Go Se-Eun could also be charged with business obstruction regarding Hoop Entertainment or SBC. Unfortunately, the sentence will likely be minor.
"What if there's evidence of similar actions?"
-If she's a repeat offender, then of course the sentence increases.
That worked out well. I knew a few more things anyway.
"I'll send additional information by tomorrow morning. As for Director Hong Ah-Yoon, since charges likely won't stick anyway, you can ignore that side."
-You're making things easier for me. Still, I'll keep an eye on her going forward.
"Thank you."
Click.
As soon as the call ended, Jang Moon-Ki asked, "Chief Jung. Are you really just going to let Hong Ah-Yoon go like that?"
"As if."
"Huh? Then what are you going to do? Even the prosecutor said that's not enough."
When I gave a faint smile, Jang Moon-Ki waved his hands frantically, recoiling.
"Don't look at me! Last time I went after CK Entertainment, I got chewed out so badly at work! I may be a Team Lead in name, but I've even had my authority to publish articles suspended! And you know our editor-in-chief, right? He's always watching what the big corporations think!"
"Don't worry. I'll be asking someone else for help."
I immediately started dialing someone powerful enough to make Hong Ah-Yoon regret everything.
***
The current time was 9:20 p.m.
At the variety show department meeting room at KNET, Star PD Choi Go-Bong, who held the record for the highest ratings in Korean-style audition variety shows, had gathered the entire production team of Once Again, Idol!.
The broadcast was just around the corner, yet they were being completely overwhelmed in the battle for public opinion. Even the [Hana Tube Live, Special Live Broadcast] currently playing on the large screen in the meeting room had already surpassed 160,000 concurrent viewers.
-From now on, we'll show you just how hard Ling Ling and Hee-Joo have been practicing at the company.
The video switched to the practice room at Hoop Entertainment, showing Ling Ling and Seo Hee-Joo in black tracksuits, drenched in sweat as they performed the choreography for 'IDOLS.'
At that moment, Assistant Director Yang Tae-Gon from Once Again, Idol! let out an impressed remark. "Hee-Joo's technically better, but that Ling Ling girl has a stronger expression. And she's way more lively too. Looks like she'll be the center."
However, Choreographer Bae Yoo-Jin was completely taken by Seo Hee-Joo's dancing. "I find Hee-Joo's movements so delicate and fluid that they stand out more. As expected, there's something special about Mrs. Yeon Hwa-Seon's bloodline."
Just then, AD Lee So-Yool, the No. 2 of the production team, snapped sharply. "Did we gather here to praise the competition? Nine out of the top ten entertainment articles on the portal are about Project I.O.A! Can you even focus on the broadcast right now? Instead of coming up with a response plan, what exactly are you all doing?"
At Lee So-Yool's piercing voice, the entire production team fell silent.
After glaring at them as if they were pathetic, Lee So-Yool turned to Choi Go-Bong and spoke. "Mr. Choi! We need to release information too! At this rate, we're finished before we even start!"
Choi Go-Bong sank into thought. They had scheduled all disclosures to align with right after the broadcast began, but now, out of nowhere, everything had been thrown into chaos by the opponent's special live broadcast just two hours before airtime.
'Damn it. How did this even happen?'
He had heard that Jung Yoon-Ho was behind Project I.O.A, but he had dismissed it since Jung Yoon-Ho was just a mere talent agent. So all his attention had been on the opposing director, PD Ji Yung-Sik. After all, when Choi Go-Bong had first directed an audition program, Ji Yung-Sik had been the most promising talent among the staff who worked under him.
But now, even Choi Go-Bong was starting to realize who the real opponent was. In the end, he placed a sliver of hope in Hong Ah-Yoon, who had said she arranged for a hit piece.
"Director Hong. What happened?"
Sitting beside him, Hong Ah-Yoon gripped her phone tightly as she replied, "I'm still waiting to hear back."
"Do you think it'll work?"
"That reporter's the best in the business when it comes to hit pieces, so we'll have to trust her for now."
Just then, the meeting room door suddenly burst open, and Variety Department Head Jeon Jong-Dae along with Managing Director Sung Taek-Jin stepped in.
Bang.
At that moment, Jeon Jong-Dae glared at Choi Go-Bong and shouted furiously, "Choi Go-Bong! W-what the hell did you just do? Huh?!"
"Excuse me?"
"Do you know the president and the executive director just got called into the Broadcasting Commission? It's all because of you!"
"What did I do?"
"You idiot! I heard you planted a reporter on the Project I.O.A side and had them write false articles?? You shouldn't be doing that in the first place, but if you do, at least don't get caught!"
It had been Hong Ah-Yoon who sent the reporter, yet it looked like Choi Go-Bong might end up taking the fall for everything.
As things took a strange turn, Hong Ah-Yoon hurriedly spoke up. "Sir! It wasn't Mr, Choi! I did it!"
"I appreciate the investment you made, Director Hong, but this is company business. Stay out of it. This isn't your concern."
"I'm telling you, it really was me!"
"Ah, come on! This isn't something that gets solved just because you try to cover for him! The Broadcasting Commission has already issued a summons for PD Choi!"
At that moment, Sung Taek-Jin, who had come along, spoke to Choi Go-Bong. "PD Choi. You'll need to appear before the Broadcasting Commission early tomorrow morning, so prepare yourself."
"Sir!"
"Don't argue with me. I was just notified as well. And your incentive for this year will be cut by 50%, so be aware of that. If we let this slide, the company could go under."
Out of Choi Go-Bong's 1 billion won annual salary, 800 million was incentives. Losing half of that meant forfeiting 400 million won.
"Mr. Sung! It wasn't me! This is unfair!"
Jeon Jong-Dae shouted again. "Damn it. Then what did I do wrong? I have to walk in there clueless and get chewed out! And you—just you wait. If you lose the viewership ratings battle today, you're finished!"
After yelling, Jeon Jong-Dae stormed out of the meeting room.
At that moment, Sung Taek-Jin followed after him and added a remark. "I have to head in too, so do well today and submit a written report after the broadcast ends."
Thud.
The meeting room door shut.
As the storm-like moment passed, Choi Go-Bong turned a blazing glare toward Hong Ah-Yoon. "What the hell is this? Did you give the reporter my name or something?"
"As if I would. And don't worry. I'll make up for any lost incentives. Double, or even—"
"I don't need a double or anything else, so just get out right now!"
"Mr. Choi!"
"Enough. Just get out! I've got work to do."
Even though Hong Ah-Yoon was part of the royal family, Choi Go-Bong had lost all restraint with his reputation as a star PD on the line.
Hong Ah-Yoon, too, felt the urge to turn everything upside down at his arrogant attitude. However, she couldn't afford to ruin a project that had 30 billion won invested in it, so she quietly rose from her seat.
"I'll handle the cleanup, so just focus on winning!"
Leaving Choi Go-Bong, who gave no reply, Hong Ah-Yoon opened the meeting room door and stepped out. At that moment, she could hear Choi Go-Bong finally giving instructions to release contestant information from behind her.
-So-Yool, pick two contestants right now and leak their info to the reporters.
-Yes, sir.
Hong Ah-Yoon felt exasperated at Choi Go-Bong's stubbornness, only now deciding to release information.
Thud.
Out in the hallway, Hong Ah-Yoon tried calling Go Se-Eun to check what was going on. Yet, before she could, a call came in.
Buzz.
[Caller ID Restricted]
Thinking it was Jung Yoon-Ho, Hong Ah-Yoon answered and immediately started cursing.
"Hey, Jung Yoon-Ho. Why the hell are you going after PD Choi instead of me? You got a death wish?"
Just then, instead of Jung Yoon-Ho, a middle-aged man's voice came through.
-That's what I should be asking you.
"What? Who—who is this?"
-I'm the father of Go Eun-Seo, the trainee you tried to destroy before becoming a member of I.O.A.
"...Mr. Go Joon-Taek?"
Go Joon-Taek, Go Eun-Seo's father, was a three-term lawmaker from Incheon and a member of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee. That committee oversaw the subcommittee directly responsible for broadcasting regulation. That meant that the one who had summoned KNET's executives today was none other than Go Joon-Taek.
Even for Hong Ah-Yoon, a member of the royal family, a three-term assemblyman was a burdensome opponent, and she made a cowardly choice.
"Sir, that article wasn't me—it was PD Choi Go-Bong's doing."
-Do you take me for a fool? I already have evidence that it was you, not PD Choi.
"E-evidence?"
-That Reporter Go Se-Eun spilled everything. And PD Choi Go-Bong was summoned not because we didn't know, but because he's your accomplice.
Cold sweat ran down Hong Ah-Yoon's back, but she desperately tried to defend herself.
"I-it's just that… I only carried out what Choi Go-Bong asked me to do, Sir. And if something happened to Eun-Seo, I was planning to debut her in a new girl group under HK Entertainment—"
Go Joon-Taek cut her off with a cold voice.
-You seem to have forgotten that my job is dealing with people. I may not know everything, but I can tell when someone's lying.
"S-Sir…"
-That's enough. From now on, you only need to remember one thing. You are now my enemy!
Click.
As the call ended, cold sweat began to stream down Hong Ah-Yoon's back.
"Jung Yoon-Ho… W-What the hell is this guy? How did he even get Go Joon-Taek on his side?"
She couldn't make sense of it. Go Joon-Taek was someone who was only associated with powerful figures like the royal family, not someone like Chief Jung Yoon-Ho. And yet, Go Joon-Taek was now completely on Jung Yoon-Ho's side.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
Hong Ah-Yoon stomped her feet, overwhelmed by a crushing sense of defeat. She had mocked the failures of the Faithful—made up of her father, former Chairman Sung Hak-Soo, and the siblings of Jinseong Inc.—but now she was experiencing that same failure herself.
Still, she had to do whatever it took. She had to crush Jung Yoon-Ho to secure the shares they had promised her.
In the end, after agonizing over it, Hong Ah-Yoon swallowed her pride and called President Son Hyung-Tae of CK Entertainment.
"Mr. Son. I need your help."
***
Cheers erupted from the monitoring room set up at the Project I.O.A set.
"Wow!! It's an all-kill!"
"Mr. Jung, we did it."
The current time was 9:40 p.m. At last, the top 10 entertainment articles on the portal had all been replaced with Project I.O.A.
I nodded to the staff and finished taking the call from Go Joon-Taek.
-Chief Jung. I'll take care of Hong Ah-Yoon and KNET, so don't worry. This isn't a favor or a commissioned job. This is a 'fair' action for fair broadcasting.
Knowing how vindictive he was and how deeply Go Joon-Taek cared for Go Eun-Seo, it was obvious he wouldn't let Hong Ah-Yoon off the hook.
With such a reliable ally on my side, I expressed my thanks and ended the call. "I'll leave it to you."
-And make sure you win today.
"Yes, sir."
Just then, Ji Yung-Sik, who had been waiting for my call to end, approached with a smile. "Mr.. Jung, the real-time viewers on Hana Tube just surpassed 170,000. Including the app, we're over 400,000 now."
"Congratulations. Let's keep this momentum going."
"Okay."
The current time was 9:35 p.m. Less than 25 minutes remained until the live broadcast of Project I.O.A began. With a head-on ratings battle against Once Again, Idol! just around the corner, even though they had won the battle of public opinion, a strange tension began to fill the set.
Then, AD Lee Tae-Eun, who had been checking social media reactions, shouted urgently, "Mr. Ji! This is bad!"
Ji Yung-Sik whipped his head around. "What is it?"
"A breaking article just came out—Yoo Se-Na is making a comeback on Once Again, Idol!!"
"Yoo Se-Na?"
I immediately checked the portal news page.
[(Breaking) Superstar from 7 years ago, girl group Sunshine's leader Yoo Se-Na. Tonight at 10 p.m., she returns through Once Again, Idol!]
(Comments)
-Yoo Se-Na is coming back after 5 years?
-Se-Na's back! Sunshine Club fans, let's gather again!
-Sunshine led by Yoo Se-Na was insanely popular. By today's standards, maybe even above Cherry Blossom?
-Nah. Don't bait.
-Not falling for that. Still, she really was top-tier back then.
-Seriously, she had everything—vocals, dance, visuals. Glad she's finally back.
-A true all-rounder star. Completely well-rounded.
-Where has she been all this time? Overseas or something?
-PD Choi Go-Bong's casting power is insane.
-Project I.O.A must be nervous now.
…
Seven years ago, at just 19, Yoo Se-Na had completely dominated the market as a top-tier idol. As the leader of the girl group Sunshine, she was praised as the perfect idol, excelling in dance, singing, visuals, and even variety shows.
However, five years ago, at 21, she had suddenly retired and disappeared. And now, after five years, she was set to appear on Once Again, Idol!.
"Wow… at this rate, are we going to lose the viewership ratings today?"
Everyone began to panic at the return of a top idol, but I quietly smiled in confidence.
After all, before my regression, Yoo Se-Na had made her comeback under Top Entertainment—the company I had been part of. There was no one who knew her better than I did.