Chapter 389: Family Risk (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 389: Family Risk (3)
Spark to Sue Parents… Official Position Released via Agency
20XX.09.XX 09:00
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▲ UA Entertainment Building. © Daily Newstar
(Seoul = Daily Newstar) The members of Spark, currently embroiled in a controversy over immoral family conduct, are entering a legal battle. On the 9th, Spark’s agency, UA, announced via a notice that they have sued three individuals, including a Mr. Kim, on charges of defamation through the spread of false information.
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As cases of child abuse and domestic violence have also been filed, attention is focused on whether there will be aggravated punishment.
The lawsuit proceeded at lightning speed. It was something that couldn't be delayed even if we wanted to. We had to finalize our stance before Exclusive Report aired.
Fortunately, there was more than enough evidence to submit. It wasn't just the files in my cabinet; Ju-gyeong had recorded every single phone call that had come into UA.
After listening to the recordings to verify the voices and authenticity, I practically prostrated myself before Ju-gyeong in apology. I heard things in those recordings that I’d only ever seen in Hanpyeong Industry’s manual of malicious complaint cases.
— You’re really determined to blow this up, aren't you? You think what we wrote in that letter is everything? Let’s see this through to the end.
I must have been served the complaint because I even got a phone call myself….
“I’m not taking any more calls. I’ll give you a number, so talk through the lawyer. Just so you know, this call is being recorded.”
…I gave a brief response and hung up. According to the lawyer, the calls were coming in about twice an hour.
Because of this situation, I couldn't attend the production presentation, which gave me plenty of time to answer the phone… but I decided to ignore them. Let them sweat a little.
Familiar names occasionally popped up on my buzzing phone. PD Jeon from Exclusive Report was one of them.
Before posting the lawsuit notice, I had contacted him personally to clarify our position and ensure the drama wouldn't be harmed. I didn't expect him to reach out again before the situation was settled.
— I saw the press release. You put it out really fast.
“No, I’m just sorry for causing trouble.”
— If it’s not your fault, then it’s just a disaster. So many different things happen in life; how can you predict every single one?
Between this and what he said last time, he seems like someone who truly loves humanity. My only memory of working at a company is gradually losing my faith in people. I suppose a creator must have love at their core. Like Lee Cheong-hyeon.
— I hope you don’t blame yourself too much. If it had actually been your fault, it would have been damaging, but since it wasn't, it just turned into noise marketing for our project. In a recession like this, free promotion is precious.
After that, the PD spent a good while checking in on me and offering plenty of encouragement.
— And though the circumstances make it a bit awkward to call it a favor from you… I received an interview request regarding the behind-the-scenes filming of Exclusive Report.
“Oh, congratulations!”
— It’s nothing to congratulate me for. Anyway, I originally wanted to talk about the scar whenever a platform like a production presentation came up. Provided you agreed, of course.
Was it a way to appeal to the audience with realism? Like an actor who does their own stunts without a double, or a drama that filmed underwater scenes in the actual ocean.
— Given the situation, I thought it might be better not to mention it, but there was something I had to ask you first.
“What is it?”
— The scar—did you get it because of your parents?
The question came out of nowhere. As I was choosing the right words, an urgent voice came through the phone.
— I’m not asking out of idle curiosity. I need to discuss with you whether we should edit it out in post-production and reshoot the past scenes, or if we should say it’s makeup if questions come up.
Reshooting now would be a loss in many ways. It would cost the production company money, and I don't have the time. I’d be grateful just to have enough time to prepare for the concert.
“As long as the viewers don't find it uncomfortable, I’m fine with it. I’m sure the writer had an intention when they wrote the piece.”
— Hmm….
“However, it is true that the scar was caused by my father, and since the legal dispute is likely to become public, I’m worried it might negatively affect the drama.”
The writer and PD had given Cheon Yun-seong this trait before they even knew me. I also thought that as long as I didn't open my mouth, the reason behind the scar would never be known.
But anyone who saw the final product and the news around the same time would likely see the similarities between me and Cheon Yun-seong. If that was a negative factor, it had to be corrected before the broadcast.
— I’m sorry for asking similar questions repeatedly, but I’ll check one last time. Iwol, do you have any reservations about your scar? Any trauma or negative feelings?
“No, I don't.”
After hearing my answer, the PD was silent for a long time.
A moment later, he broke the silence.
— Then, what do you think about just going full-on with the media play?
Media play? More than this?
Even now, Spark hasn't left the front pages of entertainment communities….
PD Jeon’s interview was released much faster than I expected. It dropped right as the first episode of Exclusive Report began airing.
During that time, I spent my days disconnected from the internet, unable to do any monitoring. I’d been checking public opinion at night and writing legal documents during the day, and the stress must have piled up because I started getting frequent nosebleeds.
I was punished for ignoring my rising fatigue. The only online activity I was allowed was sending Bubble Pops using a spare phone.
For these reasons, my phone had been confiscated for several days. Today, at my request to see the PD’s interview, Jeong Seong-bin hesitantly handed it back.
“I told you to just print it out for him.”
“He can’t read the comments if he only sees the printout, Jeho.”
“Is he even in a position to be reading comments?”
Choi Je-ho scolded me. Jeong Seong-bin didn't say anything, but I could feel him siding with Choi Je-ho through his gaze. I tried my best to ignore their sharp stares.
As I mechanically scrolled through the interview, the name ‘Iwol’ caught my eye.
≫ Q. Is there a character you want people to pay special attention to?
A. It’s Cheon Yun-seong. He’s a character with more charm than what was revealed in the teaser. I wanted to make him someone who makes the audience think a lot, and I think that’s how it turned out.
≫ Q. Was it a burden to give such a significant role to a young actor?
A. Not at all. In fact, I had my eye on Iwol from the very first casting stage. I thought his refined image from In My Office and his intellectual image from Act on were perfect. During filming, I found that the actor had parts that were the polar opposite of Cheon Yun-seong, and parts that were exactly the same. I think these elements made the character of Cheon Yun-seong even more attractive.
≫ Q. I’m curious about the parts that were polar opposites and the parts that were exactly the same.
A. Doesn't everyone face trials or hardships while growing up? Iwol and Cheon Yun-seong share a similar vibe. It wasn't intentional, but I was shocked to find out during the audition. I thought he was a person born to play Cheon Yun-seong. I can’t say more than this. It’s a spoiler. Please check the main broadcast. (Laughs)
‘This is just….’
It was shockingly unfiltered. The past scenes of Cheon Yun-seong airing right after what happened in my family was made public? And with an interview like this already out?
It wasn't just pouring gasoline on a fire. It was like dumping paint thinner on a bonfire and welding right in front of it.
— ‘No media outlet is going to miss out on a story that keeps providing fuel. And no judge is going to ignore public opinion.’
I finally understood why the PD said those things. PD, you really cared for me. Thank you for making me a hot topic….
After touching my nose a few times to make sure it didn't hurt, I also checked the communities. My name wasn't plastered everywhere like it was a few days ago, but the frequency of posts was definitely higher than before the Idol Dynasty Annals and the family breakdown issues.
≫ Looks like Exclusive Report is sticking with Kim Iwol.
It’s not like there are no other actors who could sub in lol.
Are there really that few young male actors?
└ It’s probably not just a supply issue; reshooting everything costs money…
└ It’s not even confirmed that it’s Kim Iwol’s fault, and the agency says it’s false information. Why would they replace the actor?
└ But even if they were told to replace him, is there actually a male actor who could pull it off?
≫ These XXXs are attacking Kim Iwol like they want him dead.
The agency said they’re suing for ‘defamation through the spread of false information,’ so how high is the IQ of the kids saying defamation includes true facts?
Who doesn't know that stating the truth can also be defamation?
Do you think basement-dwelling commenters have filed more lawsuits, or an agency has?
If you don't want to receive a complaint as a commenter, shut up. UA might be X-ing terrible at everything else, but they’re X-ing good at suing commenters.
└ It didn't even take long for Kim Iwol to fire off the lawsuits after the first exposure… That means they already had all the evidence. People are really out here believing cyber wreckers with titles like ‘Idol with a fire under his feet.’
≫ That guy who sat on a mountain of debt from gambling and then says his kid abandoned him! That he separated him from the family! He’s unbelievable.
Be grateful you weren't locked up in a gambling addiction center, mister.
└ He says his own daughter would jump out of bed and run to the front door whenever she heard the mail being delivered… How can he be so confident? lol
└ ? Who is this about??
└ When Choi Je-ho’s younger sibling was little, legal notices from moneylenders kept coming, so whenever the doorbell rang, they’d run to the door and open it without even asking who it was.
└ Doesn't registered mail come after 9 AM? Shouldn't they be at school?
└ They said it was when they were in kindergarten. Registered mail keeps coming if you don't pick it up, so the kid got a neurosis and would just open the door as soon as the bell rang. Their mother saw that and decided to get a divorce.
└ If my younger sibling did that, I’d never let them see the dad either;; Is that how an adult should act?
≫ I only have tears now when I get a Bubble Pop from Iwol.
You don't have to tell Sparklers not to worry.
Please worry about yourself….
You’re the one who needs to eat well, sleep well, and see lots of good things ㅠㅠㅠ
└ He said he has nothing to be ashamed of because he lived honestly so we don't need to worry, and since then he hasn't mentioned the lawsuit once… I know he’s doing it for the fans’ mental health, but like OP said, I wish he’d just think about himself for a while.
≫ Is someone who does that to their kid even human?
Anyone can see he’s trying to ruin him.
Everyone already knows he didn't support him during his school days, but he claims he spent a lot of money raising him and gathers other parents to release a joint statement about a group lawsuit? Is that normal??
Just what kind of battle has Kim Iwol been fighting all this time….
└ Where did the story about him not getting support in school come from?
└ He mentioned before that he couldn't go on school trips and couldn't go to college because he couldn't pay tuition.
└ Is the idol who couldn't go to S University because of tuition seriously him?
└└ Yeah….
└└└ Wow, I think I remember seeing that in a Best Post a while ago… If it’s true, that’s freaking pitiful.
≫ But it’s true he received 15 million in support.
Then it’s not total neglect, is it?
└ You try taking 15 million and seeing how many months you can live in Seoul after finding a place to rent.
└ How far are parents supposed to support their kids;; Once you’re an adult, you have to find your own way.
└ ○○○ That’s only when the parents have fulfilled their roles. This kid should have been separated and put in a facility early on because there were so many things to report the parents for. ○○○ Ah, ○○○ I’m getting cursed out.
It was as if Dispatch had been following me without my knowledge; all sorts of stories were out there. Even things I’d explained in the past were being brought back up, turning everything into a mess.
‘Still, I’m glad the reactions aren't primarily negative.’
The release of Exclusive Report is just around the corner. If public opinion had been bad at a time like this, it would have been agonizing.
“Hyung.”
I looked up at the sound of my name and saw Jeong Seong-bin holding out his hands. I obediently handed him the phone.
“Don’t worry too much.”
“……Yeah.”
“Next week, let’s all watch the drama together.”
Jeong Seong-bin smiled. There was no way to resist the gentle comfort of a boss who would be on the verge of tears one moment and act so kindly the next.