Chapter 376: Exposure (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 376: Exposure (1)
Manager Chan-yeong maintained his composure and successfully parked the car in the apartment parking lot. Looking around, he placed a call.
“Dae-yeon, there are reporters here right now. Could you circle the block until I contact you? I’ll send the kids up and come back down.”
─ Should I request security personnel?
“Yes, that would be best.”
Just as the manager said, the corners of cameras were visible between the parked cars. Perhaps thinking there was no need to hide since the news was already out, some people were standing brazenly in front of the main entrance. If Manager Dae-yeon tried to lead the three members through there alone, at least a dozen hidden paparazzi would surely swarm them.
Naturally, we couldn't get out of the car until the security guards sent by UA arrived. I never dreamed I’d see the kind of scene Spark usually encounters at the airport right here in the dorm’s underground parking lot.
The reporters scattered quickly once they realized Choi Je-ho wasn't there, grumbling about the lack of excitement, but it was enough to turn Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon’s faces pale.
Me:
[Seong-bin.]
[There are a lot of people in the parking lot.]
[Make sure you bring Choi Je-ho back safely.]
Mental Pillar Jeong Seong-bin:
[Don't worry.]
[Je-ho Hyung isn't getting annoyed.]
I had contacted Jeong Seong-bin because I thought reaching out directly to the guy who was already flustered might feel like unwanted prying. Fortunately, Jeong Seong-bin reported that Choi Je-ho was, commendably, waiting quietly.
“Is Je-ho Hyung okay?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon asked, his voice thick with worry.
“Yeah, sounds like he’s not losing his temper.”
I answered in a warm voice optimized for reassuring others, but Lee Cheong-hyeon’s expression remained clouded with anxiety. His face, which should have been shining more brilliantly than mother-of-pearl, was dark as if shrouded in smog. Those humans had finally brought air pollution to a natural treasure. Unforgivable.
“Why? Are you worried something will happen on the way up? You don't need to worry too much. Manager Chan-yeong went down to help, too.”
“It’s not that…”
Lee Cheong-hyeon hesitated. Beside him, Kang Gi-yeon was busy gauging my reaction.
“Je-ho Hyung can’t stand being wronged or feeling frustrated, you know?”
“That’s true.”
“I don’t think he’d actually do it either, okay? Physically, he doesn't even have the time. But if he’s not reacting even when there are no cameras around…”
He trailed off, leaving the implication that there might at least be some kind of "fling" unsaid. It seemed witnessing Choi Je-ho’s explosion of rage over Hong Un-seop smoking in the car had made him even more apprehensive.
My first thought was that these guys were having all sorts of misunderstandings about Choi Je-ho of all people…
But then I remembered. You guys wouldn't know that Choi Je-ho hasn't had a single dating rumor in his seven-year idol career, would you? No wonder you're nervous.
However, there was no need to worry. Among the overflowing scandals in Choi Je-ho’s past, there was never a single romantic one.
Even without bringing up his past life, there were plenty of reasons to trust Choi Je-ho. For one, he found forming relationships with others so bothersome he considered it a chore, and he had zero interest in anything other than dancing.
If there was one piece of evidence that could convince these guys instantly…
“Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that Choi Je-ho used his incredible stamina to run a side business in dating.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you really think he could have made it out of the house past Ju-woo?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon’s faces lit up with realization. For Choi Je-ho, who was so blunt he’d rather walk into an object than go through the hassle of avoiding it, it was impossible to slip past Park Ju-woo’s acoustic radar.
“If he were dating, he would’ve been caught ages ago. Let’s just check what the article is actually about.”
At my words, Kang Gi-yeon brought over his laptop. The entertainment section was plastered with the word ‘Spark.’
≫ [☆] Spark’s Je-ho visits Hotel Shilla with a beautiful non-celebrity woman
≫ Who is the lover of rising star Spark’s Je-ho?
≫ ‘On the Stage’ winner Spark’s Je-ho, enjoying a cozy moment with model girlfriend
Even to an outsider, every word and expression was unpleasant. While it’s inevitable for fans to be interested in an idol’s love life, seeing grown adults cling to it like this was grotesque.
If they’re going to write an article, they should at least have the sincerity to do some research. One says she’s a non-celebrity, another says she’s a model. They all need to take a lesson from ‘Exclusive Report’ writer Ham I-seo.
Grumbling internally, I clicked on an article and saw a low-resolution photo. In front of an information desk—at Hotel Shilla, according to the article—stood a man whose silhouette was unmistakably Choi Je-ho and a woman.
But this person…
“Isn’t that Je-yeong Noona?”
…It was clearly Je-yeong Noona. The siblings, each a head taller than everyone else, exuded a powerful aura even through the photo. It wasn't for nothing that Lee Cheong-hyeon recognized her instantly.
I could see why they mentioned a model. Since she was in the high 170s in terms of height, it made sense.
“Was this taken during the break?”
“Didn't he go to Gwangju recently?”
“Maybe he was in Seoul for a bit with his mother. The break was long, and there aren't many reasons for two siblings living in Seoul to go on a staycation together.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon nodded as if he understood my point.
“This is Mi-ho’s bag.”
Kang Gi-yeon, who had turned the laptop toward himself to examine the photo closely, pointed to a corner of the image. A bit away from the two people who appeared to be checking in, the back of a girl wearing a backpack was captured.
“How do you know Mi-ho’s bag?”
“She brought the same one to the dorm a few years ago. I remember it because of the key ring.”
Next to the light purple bag, a key ring with large beads strung together was visible. The pockets of the bag were covered in various attachments.
“Did she always put so much stuff on her bag?”
“Not this much, but it was similar.”
“You sure looked closely. Wasn't that when you weren't coming out of your room because you fought with Je-ho Hyung?”
“Some of them are ‘King Terra’ merch, so…”
“You’re lying about recognizing it because of the key ring, aren't you?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon feigned ignorance for his friend, who couldn't find a way to refute the claim.
More importantly, the situation had become a bit tricky. If it were a random dating rumor, Choi Je-ho’s personality would lead him to just post ‘??? Where do I even say this isn't true?’ on Bubble Pop, but now his family was involved.
‘If he reveals she’s his sister, Je-yeong Noona’s personal info or SNS will be hunted down. If he doesn't, he becomes a two-year-old idol who went to a hotel in broad daylight…’
“…Do you need a headache pill?”
“No.”
I politely declined Kang Gi-yeon’s consideration. The three of us sat quietly on the living room sofa, waiting for Choi Je-ho’s group to return.
The three of them arrived at the dorm not long after. Park Ju-woo’s face was a mess. He wasn't hurt, but he seemed to have suffered quite a bit from the crowds.
“Is everyone okay?”
“I’m fine, but Je-ho Hyung and Ju-woo…”
“I’m fine,” Choi Je-ho replied flatly. He did look perfectly fine.
“I’m okay too…”
“Ju-woo, you don't look okay at all.”
While Lee Cheong-hyeon went to get some water, Choi Je-ho plopped down on the sofa.
“I decided to say she’s my sister.”
“Huh?”
I doubted my ears at his sudden announcement.
“I told Chan-yeong Hyung to release a statement saying it was a family trip. I already talked it over with my sister.”
“Is that okay?”
“Why wouldn't it be? It’s not a lie.”
This was the guy who didn't even want to mention his family. There was no way he wasn't upset that his family’s appearance had been disclosed without permission.
“Is there another way?”
“We could look for one.”
“I’m already being treated like a total scumbag.”
Choi Je-ho was nonchalant, but it wasn't something to be brushed off so easily.
I was about to tell him there were many ways to explain, but Choi Je-ho looked at me and spoke first.
“It’s not like I was drinking or gambling, so what does it matter if I’m exposed? As long as it doesn't blow up into something bigger.”
“…What about your sister?”
“She said she’d rather have the word get out than be known as the person with a brother who lost his mind over dating and forgot his place.”
The siblings’ spirit was formidable. It was a level of resolve a timid person like me couldn't even hope to match.
“The company is handling it, so don't worry about it.”
“Alright. Good job today.”
As the conversation ended, Jeong Seong-bin showed us the company’s official statement that had just been uploaded. It explained that the photo was taken without permission while member Je-ho was spending time with his family during Spark’s vacation period. It also included a warning that they would take legal action against the spread of false information.
“Why does the team keep getting caught up in scandals whenever we do ‘Idol Dynasty Annals’? Should we hold an exorcism or something?”
“Wouldn't just leaving the show be faster and cleaner?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon lamented, cursing the baseless rumors.
They weren't exactly wrong. Major issues like Kim I-wol’s personality controversy or Yu Han-su’s assault case all broke during ‘Idol Dynasty Annals.’
‘It’s not a recent photo, and there’s no reason for a dating rumor to break now when Choi Je-ho isn't even receiving particularly high attention. Why now?’
If someone wanted to tear Choi Je-ho down, they should have brought it up during the Neydas ad. There were plenty of opportunities, like the Uninhabited Island incident. I couldn't understand why it had to be this specific moment.
The hidden cause-and-effect was revealed two days later by a shocking report that rocked the entertainment industry.
≫ Rising stars All-over, members booked one after another on suspicion of drug use
≫ [Report] The bare face of drug crimes rampant in the idol industry revealed… Is this okay?
≫ Divided into ‘Drug Members’ and ‘Non-Drug Members’… Will All-over become a ‘Drug Offender Group’?
≫ “You won't get caught with this much,” “Just trade overseas”… Boy group messenger room used for drug deals discovered
The junkies of All-over had finally been caught.