Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Effect of the Scandal
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That evening, an unusual photo appeared on Cha Dowon's SNS. The paparazzi shot taken from an angle similar to the article's photo set the internet entertainment sections ablaze.
Executive Director Joo flipped through her tablet with a wide grin.
[Cha Dowon's Girlfriend, Zenith Member Kang Minje]
- Hit Song Maker Kang Minje.
- Taking on the 'Flower's Choice' OST that Cha Dowon is participating in.
[Cha Dowon Clears Up Scandal. 'It's Minje Hyung']
- Who is Zenith's Kang Minje?
[Cha Dowon SNS Photo Goes Viral]
- Do some research before posting articles. Netizens outraged.
Executive Director Joo spun around once in her chair.
"Our Dowon is something else."
"Isn't he, though."
The Friends Entertainment President handed Executive Director Joo a cup of coffee.
"Explaining it on SNS was perfect."
"Dowon's followers have skyrocketed."
"The kid's got great instincts."
"Instincts are just the start."
His guts and tenacity were no joke.
The president blinked his shrewd eyes, which belied his plump frame.
"What do you think of Cha Dowon?"
"What kind of question is that? You picked him yourself."
"Still. Overall, I mean."
"He's doing great. Singing, dancing. Not one-of-a-kind, but he'd hold up anywhere. You know our standards are high from the start, right?"
"I do."
Executive Director Joo took a sip of her coffee.
"He's got a good head on his shoulders. Honestly, we can feed them opportunities all day. But how many can take them and run with it?"
"Vita couldn't even when we spoon-fed them."
"Honestly, Zenith has Minje, but without Dowon, they wouldn't be where they are now."
Cha Dowon was like a booster. Throw him into anything, and it produced results beyond imagination.
"How far do you think he'll go?"
"No idea. But personally, there's something intriguing."
"What?"
"They all succeed together."
Thud— Executive Director Joo set down her coffee cup.
"The people who came up with our Dowon. Weirdly, things just work out for them."
"Isn't it just coincidence?"
"Could be. Maybe Dowon pulls in the buzz. But they really do thrive."
The president shook his head.
"No way. Isn't your sister-in-law overthinking it?"
"No. It's reality, I tell you."
The president was about to say her instincts had finally dulled when the office door burst open.
"Executive Director Joo. PR Team."
"What's up? Is it about Dowon's scandal?"
"That's all cleared up. Advertisers aren't saying much. Actually, it's something else..."
The PR staffer glanced at the president before speaking.
"They want to use Kang Minje."
"Who?"
"A franchise cafe chain."
"Oh my god!"
Executive Director Joo beamed. A cafe and Minje—perfect match.
"We'll have to negotiate, but I think they'll pay well."
"Wow, our Minje is finally rising."
"Kang Minje is so pretty, after all."
Executive Director Joo smiled sweetly at the president.
"See? I was right."
The Friends Entertainment President shook his head.
"Coincidence."
"Coincidence my foot. It's reality. We knew our Minje was pretty, but one paparazzi article put it on the map nationwide. My instincts are spot on—you know that."
She could always say she was wrong later.
The PR staffer slipped out cautiously. The president wasn't convinced but nodded anyway.
"By the way, brother-in-law, did you look into it?"
The president blinked his clear, cow-like eyes.
"Yeah. It was unexpected."
"Why suddenly drop the article?"
"They said it was from our entertainment side."
Executive Director Joo tilted her head.
"We're not connected to them at all. Why?"
"No idea. I was even more baffled when they claimed the source was us."
Executive Director Joo pondered.
"It's weird. We're prepping girl idols. Zenith and Pi don't overlap, right?"
"We only have Sa Hyeok as a big name right now."
Executive Director Joo tapped the table.
"Some unknown grudge."
"How should we handle it?"
"They stabbed us in the back out of nowhere. What is there to handle? Just keep our kids in line. But it's funny. Why target Dowon? He's squeaky clean. Dig all you want—no dirt."
His private life was so spotless, flies would slip off.
"If they wanted to hit us, they'd go for Vita. You know what a mess that would be."
"It's already a mess."
"But it was Dowon. Feels like they targeted him specifically. What do you think, brother-in-law?"
The president nodded immediately.
"You're right, sister-in-law."
"We should tell Dowon to watch his back. Though he probably already is."
"You trust him that much?"
"I do. In these matters."
Executive Director Joo rolled her neck to loosen her stiff shoulders.
"Anyway, this whole thing is pure profit for us. Boosting Minje's image and landing that CF—sweeter than honey."
"Zenith is looking real solid."
"If they keep it up, they'll be Friends' masterpiece. Already a success, though."
Executive Director Joo whispered at Cha Dowon on her tablet screen.
"Rise up, Dowon. Rake it in."
"Good grief."
The president shook his head and stood.
"I'll dig deeper. If it's one of ours, I mean."
"Go for it, brother-in-law!"
"What else is a president for? I'll head out. Oh, sister-in-law, come over sometime. I got an earful from your sister last night too."
Executive Director Joo made an X with her fingers.
"You know I'm busy."
"If you keep overworking my sister-in-law, she'll dunk me in boiling water."
"Oh my."
"With the laundry."
"Fine, I'll come when I have time."
The affable-looking president left the office. Executive Director Joo confirmed he was gone and muttered.
"Won't have time anytime soon."
Gotta sell our Zenith hard.
Executive Director Joo flipped through her tablet with a smile. Cha Dowon, devouring every opportunity and soaring upward, was utterly lovable.
***
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[Cha Dowon's HP]
[500/830]
[Total changed from 830 to 1000]
[Change to 1000 complete. Body adjusting. Side effect: extreme hunger in 3 minutes.]
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
Not a bad side effect. I stepped fully off the treadmill and tore into a protein bar I'd prepared.
'Stamina total can be cheated too.'
What didn't work before now did.
'Something's expanding the cheat range bit by bit...'
What was the criterion? Truly alien experiences?
'Anyway, total mystery.'
Three minutes passed, and hunger hit hard. I grabbed the protein bar and shoved it in. Tasteless as hell, but perfect for hunger.
I chugged water and chewed vigorously when a familiar voice came from behind.
"Hey, Cha Dowon."
I didn't turn.
"Hey! Look at me."
"Why?"
Ki Jaeyoon chattered from the machine behind.
"When someone's talking, look at them. We're Zenith members, right?"
I turned quietly.
"There. Happy?"
"You punk. So rude."
Got it. As I turned back, Ki Jaeyoon rushed.
"Hey, I have something to say."
Serious? Nah, could Ki Jaeyoon even do serious?
'Everyone has worries sometimes.'
I turned fully.
"Spit it out."
"Lately, I'm antsy."
Got it.
"Everyone's getting solo schedules."
I bit into the protein bar.
"I see them all busy, but I'm twiddling thumbs."
"Ask for schedules."
"They say solo's tough for me. They're worried."
Aha. I nodded.
'Executive Director Joo reads people well.'
Honestly, Ki Jaeyoon solo was risky. Sure, he's blending in now with Yoo Hajin covering, but his ad-libs were shaky.
"So?"
Must be tough being bored alone.
"I thought about it, and what I need is..."
Self-control and persistence. Eloquence and tact.
I eyed him, thinking that.
"A scandal."
Wow.
"Not a bad one. Something advertisers notice. Minje Hyung's blowing up, right? CFs rolling in, packed schedule. Dowon, please. Scandal with me too."
Not worth responding. I ate my bar and turned away.
"Hey! One and done? I'll cross-dress. Wig?"
Damn.
I spun, shoving Ki Jaeyoon against the mirror wall.
Thud—
I glared; he flinched.
"W-what."
"Ki Jaeyoon. Think objectively. What's your strength?"
"D-dance?"
"Right. Everything else sucks. Your variety ad-libs? Mostly cut."
"Y-yeah."
"You lack broadcast sense overall. Can't hit-and-run like Hajin Hyung either. Dance is your thing."
His energy deflated.
"You're the best dancer in the group."
Dancing well didn't guarantee stage presence, though.
"Stick to it doggedly. Your moment will come. Prep for it. Learn any style, master it—you'll shine."
I grabbed another bar from the cabinet. The chatty Ki Jaeyoon went silent.
'Truth hurts.'
In a few years, dance competitions trended on TV. Started with singing, spread to dance; winners got perks.
'Videos racked up insane views.'
Ki Jaeyoon entered one too.
'Dropped mid-way.'
Cried in the interview, wanting more.
Ki Jaeyoon stared off, lost in thought.
'He thinks sometimes.'
Weird.
"I'm out."
I passed him to the showers.
'Get it through your head, Ki Jaeyoon.'
So you don't cry about regrets.
I swallowed the bar with a small sigh. Annoyingly persistent guy.
***
Busy schedule kicked 'Flower's Choice' into crank-in right away. I adjusted my hanbok, studying the scene.
'Camera there, so movement right to left.'
I ran simulations while checking the script. Memorized, but verification needed.
'Multi-abilities are handy.'
Better than expected. Memorize lines mid-performance. Saved tons of time.
Recalling lines, A-yeon spoke up beside me.
"Oppa prepares so thoroughly."
"Gotta do well to make filming smooth."
"You have a pretty heart too."
"How about handsome instead?"
"Pretty for now."
Lost, lost.
I grinned at A-yeon. She'd grown a ton in months.
'Kids...'
Though I'm middle-school age too.
Shooting anticipation built when murmurs rose.
'What?'
A-yeon and I just turned our heads.
Wow.
I stifled a chuckle.
'Sa Hyeok. Why's he here?'
Not his shoot.
A-yeon whispered in my ear.
"He must be bored."
Yeah.
But I played it cool.
"Nah. Sa Hyeok's a top star. No time to spare."
"He's here, no shoot today. Even did makeup."
Didn't notice. I watched Sa Hyeok chat with the director. A-yeon was right—made up, dressed sharp, no shoot.
I asked a nearby actor.
"Shooting making-of today?"
"No way. Why's Sa Hyeok here like that?"
They skirted, but obvious.
Intentions crystal clear.
'Showing off he's the star.'
Child actor solidarity?
'Top star's childish.'
I quietly stretched my shoulders. Even without shooting, Sa Hyeok showed up—wanted to repay with great acting.
A-yeon whispered again.
"Oppa, that guy's got a pea-sized heart."
I shook my head, whispering tiny.
"A-yeon. Insult to peas. Big peas exist too."
My joke cracked her up, giggling.
I said louder.
"Shooting's a bit nerve-wracking."
"You?"
"Yeah. Oppa feels pressure more than you think."
A-yeon tilted her head.
"Don't look like it."
"Really?"
Our A-yeon reads people well.
"Oppa. Trust only me."
I couldn't hold back the laugh. What to do with her.