Chapter 123: Rumors (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 123: Rumors (2)
I took a deep breath and reread the post in front of me.
Nothing had changed. It was exactly as I had read it the first time.
Exemption from group activities, special treatment he didn't qualify for, a rotten personality…
I could guess why the study room controversy had surfaced. My school GPA hadn't been at an earth-shattering level.
However, our school’s study room placements were based on a combination of GPA and mock exam scores.
The author of this post either didn't know my school ranking for mock exams, or they chose to only include the details that favored their narrative.
As for not going on school trips or retreats—that was because I didn't have the money to pay for them.
Instead, I followed the school’s instructions and showed up to study in the self-study hall. I never once stayed home to rest while everyone else was away on school activities.
It wasn't like my family was well-off, either.
Besides, what does it matter if your family has a bit of money? It’s not like any of it was trickling down to me. Just look at the fact that I couldn't go on a school trip because I lacked the cash.
The part about not greeting my classmates… was somewhat true. But I never backed out when they needed an extra player for soccer or when it was time to pick someone for cleaning duty.
The fact that they had verified their identity with a graduation album gave the post a massive amount of credibility. Thanks to that, many people had already shared the post far and wide.
Stories that were half-true and half-false were being distorted and over-interpreted through comments and shares.
≫ Summary of the controversy surrounding K.I.W. from Idol Dynasty Annals
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And eventually, it reached this point.
The comments and related posts were just as bad.
≫ Did you see the summary of Kim I-wol’s controversy?
This is the peak of irrationality.
If a solo variety appearance is "pushing," then how do you explain Choi Je-ho filming a music video before debut?
≫ He couldn't fix his habit of getting special treatment in school, so he crawled into UA and got caught doing the same thing.
└ Looking at this, it’s true what they say about habits dying hard.
≫ Look at the level of "that" fan defending him even now.
We can all see what’s going on here, lol.
≫ Honestly, the Parte fandom has been holding back a lot until now.
I think it was only a matter of time before this blew up.
└ Exactly… He ignores them so openly, but we stayed quiet because we didn't want unnecessary drama on the programs our boys appear in.
≫ Didn't he have a really sociable and hardworking image?
This is kind of shocking.
└ No idol shows their true self, lol. It’s all just selling an image.
└ Imagine ignoring all the praise from PDs and members and only believing the testimony of someone claiming to be a classmate, lol.
≫ If this isn't a "rolling stone pushing out the settled stone," then what is?
If I were Jeong Seong-bin, I’d be so damn offended.
What’s the point of being the leader if the company and the members turn you into a figurehead?
≫ But wait, isn't getting special treatment in school a huge deal???
Who knows if they even manipulated his school records to look better?
└ Reasonable suspicion.
└ Seriously… I’m a senior in high school right now, and just hearing this makes me furious.
≫ The woman-chaser thing is a total turn-off.
└ You’re pathetic, Chuwol-ah…
└ What’s this about him being a woman-chaser? First time hearing this.
└ He intentionally loitered around places with only women to get attention.
└ The people involved already said I-wol went there to pick up trash; it was in the original post. I’m collecting PDFs for a lawsuit.
I could tolerate other things, but I couldn't stand the claim that I power-tripped the staff. Just hearing the words "power trip" makes me want to vomit.
"Whew…"
I was heated, but I had to stay calm. Now was not the time to be reminiscing about Department Head Nam’s power trips.
"How should I solve this?"
I had experience being forced to write letters of apology, but I had never done an explanation broadcast, so my head was throbbing. The sun was rising heartlessly in the distance.
The first thing I did as soon as my morning alarm went off was wake the members.
I sat them down at the living room table, stuffed bread into their mouths, and asked.
"Hey, do you guys think I treat Seong-bin like a figurehead leader, play politics in this group, and monopolize the right to speak through subtle silencing?"
"…Huh?"
Kang Gi-yeon asked back with a look that said, What kind of nonsense is this?
"Speak freely. This is an important matter."
"Hyung, did something happen?"
Jeong Seong-bin asked worriedly. Seriously, these guys never give a straight answer the first time you ask.
I let out a small sigh and replied.
"Yeah. My personality controversy blew up."
"What?!"
Lee Cheong-hyeon bolted upright.
"Why? Because you snitched on Yu PD?"
"That, and a bunch of other things."
"Did they find out you scolded us to smile even when our limbs are trembling…?"
"Our Ju-woo, I guess those words really stuck with you, huh?"
"Is it a controversy about forced sales because you mobilized all of us to buy heating pads through home shopping?"
"We charged those to the company card. And there was a quantity limit. In the first place, those were for you and Gi-yeon to use—wait. Do I actually have a personality problem?"
"What are you talking about? Get it together, hyung!"
Lee Cheong-hyeon grabbed my shoulders and shook me.
Sorry. I’m a bit easily swayed.
"…Is it a big problem?"
Kang Gi-yeon, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, chimed in.
"I’ll handle it, so don't worry. But if there really is a problem with me, then it’s not something to explain away—it’s something I need to fix. That’s why I asked."
"…."
"Then, since I assume no one has any complaints, I’m heading to work first. Take your time."
"What? Let’s go together!"
Jeong Seong-bin stood up abruptly.
I’m sorry, but I don't have time to wait for you guys. Think of how anxious the UA staff must be.
I told them to finish their breakfast and left the dorm ahead of them.
The atmosphere at UA was just as grim as I had expected.
However, no one grabbed me by the collar or reprimanded me right away.
That was because I looked like a total wreck after pushing through the sasaengs camped out in front of the dorm.
Honestly, it was really hard. Going to work while hearing things like, "I-wol, do you like women that much?" or "You piece of trash, just leave and stop being a nuisance!" was not easy.
The manager got scolded for not picking me up. The reprimand only ended after I explained that I had left early on my own accord.
I explained the details to Min Ju-gyeong and the Representative, clarifying that none of it was true. The school conduct record I had printed from a local PC bang was a huge help.
It also helped that the company already knew my parents weren't close enough to me to exert any influence on the school.
I was prepared to show them the scars on my back if they didn't believe me, but fortunately, they trusted me easily.
"Still, I’m truly sorry for letting these rumors surface. I will take responsibility and resolve this."
"No, I-wol. It’s better to respond through the company for things like this."
I suppose so. An official statement from the company would be properly refined before being released.
But…
"I think the fans are going through too much emotional distress. I feel it’s only polite for me to explain it directly."
I promised I wouldn't make any rash statements and would seek prior review from the company if necessary before leaving the meeting room.
Once I made sure no one was around, I summoned the System.
'Get me one more piece of office equipment.'
+
[SYSTEM] A work order from the 'Person in Charge' has arrived.
▶ Wait, didn't you just request equipment recently? You need something else already?
+
It’s because you triggered this wave of forced hate. If you want to see me become an idol, cooperate reasonably.
I requested my CSAT transcripts and mock exam score reports from the System.
Then, after diligently printing out the messages I had exchanged with the staff using the company’s multi-function printer, I quietly returned to the practice room.
"What did the Representative say?"
"The company is contacting the Idol Dynasty Annals team."
"Not that, the explanation."
"I decided to do it myself."
Upon hearing my answer, Choi Je-ho shrugged. It seemed he had something to say but decided it wasn't necessary.
After that, we did nothing but practice. Fortunately, they all focused well.
Until a phone vibrated.
"…Isn't that a phone?"
"Sorry, it’s mine. They gave it back to me saying I might need it for urgent contact until this is resolved."
I asked for their understanding and checked the phone.
It was Yu Han-su.
I figured as much. I was wondering why you were so quiet lately.
"Guys, I need to take this call."
From behind me, Kang Gi-yeon asked who it was.
I didn't answer and walked straight out of the practice room.
"Hello."
— Hey, I-wol.
The voice on the other end was incredibly friendly.
I could feel it even without seeing him. Yu Han-su must have a massive grin on his face.
— I heard you’re in big trouble?
He used such a mild expression instead of saying "You're screwed." It seemed his brain was functioning enough to assume I might be recording.
To meet his expectations, I pressed the record button and listened silently to what Yu Han-su had to say.
— I told you to be careful of people. This industry is small. You haven't even been debuted for a year; what are you going to do now that you’ve already fallen out of favor?
I tried to be careful of people, but what am I supposed to do when the System causes an accident? Do you think that thing understands human speech?
I had a burning desire to request an IP track on several of those posts right now.
But it would be useless. Even if I filed a report, everything takes time. It would take weeks for the complaint to be processed and the investigation to begin.
On the other hand, the public doesn't wait. Even now, the Idol Dynasty Annals board was being flooded with posts demanding I be removed from the show.
Yu Han-su surely knew this ecosystem well. That’s why he was trying to jump on the bandwagon.
In other words, that man was currently in a position of absolute power.
Even if I exposed that I was being bullied by Yu Han-su here, I’d just be an idol countering a power-trip controversy with a plea of being a power-trip victim.
— Don't be too discouraged, I-wol.
Yu Han-su said tenderly.
— This is how you learn.
Ha.
Maybe I should just have a massive brawl with this guy and have my face plastered all over the front page of the entertainment news…