Chapter 218
Chapter 218
In truth, the contents revealed from the idiot’s leaked private account followed a predictable repertoire.
[Yeah, I’m f*cking sick of this.]
[When is this gonna be over? ㅠ (Fire emoji)]
[F*ck, this is so annoying I could die… Phew, the life of a star, the weight of the crown.]
It was filled with the same kind of venting and cursing about one’s job that any office worker might do.
If he had stopped at bashing the company, it might have ended with people just thinking he was a bit of a 'turn-off,' but this guy had gone ahead and criticized his colleagues and fans with reckless abandon.
Naturally, the internet went into a frenzy.
Everything from his past behavior to his previous slips of the tongue was dragged back up, and as they were pieced together with the SNS posts, all sorts of speculation and suspicion ran rampant.
Well, half of it was probably conjecture, but people weren't about to let go of such a burning source of entertainment, and they began to gleefully nitpick every detail.
In the midst of that, Seon A-hyun was also singled out.
[The club rat is pretending to be f*cking nice again. LOL. Was the water that good yesterday?]
Checking the screenshot, that post had been uploaded on the very day Seon A-hyun had filmed a special stage.
And with the keywords 'male,' 'overlapping schedule,' and 'pretending to be nice,' it seemed Seon A-hyun had been targeted immediately.
Because Seon A-hyun had such a pure image, there was a small minority who suspected him precisely because 'it couldn't possibly be true,' and it seemed like people were flocking to that sentiment.
Furthermore, I saw some posts under the surface talking as if it were an established fact, which was likely intentional.
‘These are the same bastards who’ve been around since Idol Inc.’
The kind of people who seemed to have staked their lives on tearing Seon A-hyun down or crushing him.
Most of them had dropped off after Idol Inc. ended or jumped ship the moment a new survival program started, but it seemed a few were still lingering.
‘Other guys have persistent antis too, of course… but the ones attached to Seon A-hyun are a bit different.’
It wasn't just a simple 'I hope he fails' sentiment; many of them were obsessed with ruining Seon A-hyun’s image and breaking his spirit.
It seemed they were acting out even more now that Seon A-hyun’s attitude in public had become less timid thanks to his counseling.
‘Not that there’s any point in trying to figure out how those crazy bastards think.’
The answer was a lawsuit, but for now, it would be best to clean up the situation that had already erupted.
I rubbed my chin.
‘…Cleaning this up shouldn't be hard.’
For things like this, simply leaking evidence that contradicts their 'circumstantial suspicion' would be enough to settle public opinion among the fans.
Even right now, in places where the public eye couldn't reach, Seon A-hyun’s fans were fiercely beating back those rumors.
-
I quite liked how they were dividing the public opinion to ensure there would be no issue even if he had gone to a club. Of course, there was no way someone like Seon A-hyun was a club regular.
To defend him, I could use the news of the recent move, the roommate content… well, there was plenty to post as counter-evidence.
Since it was before the rumors got too loud, posting something today would settle it instantly.
However, Seon A-hyun’s mental state was something to consider.
‘There’s a chance he might get scared or panic.’
Knowing Seon A-hyun’s personality, he wouldn't even try to rest properly, and I could even see a scenario where all the counseling he’d received so far would go down the drain.
‘…The next promotion would be a sight to behold.’
My temples were already throbbing.
As expected, it was best to move quickly and end this at a level where it wouldn't even reach Seon A-hyun’s eyes.
I immediately tried to call the company to adjust the release timing of the content.
But of course, that’s where the problem started.
“There’s some nonsense going around about A-hyun’s filming. I think it’s better to just release it now. …Ah, it’s not finished yet? Then even if it costs more, let’s push to have it done by midnight….”
“M-Moon-dae?”
“…!”
Of all times, Seon A-hyun had come out to the balcony to find me.
The downside of living together. Damn it.
“I-I thought this would be good to put next to your bed…….”
“Um, sure.”
The reason Seon A-hyun had sought me out was a matter of room decor. I took the dog plushie Seon A-hyun handed me and placed it nearby.
‘…Should I have considered the fact that this guy is my roommate more carefully?’
Regardless, since he had already overheard, there was no helping it.
‘Seon A-hyun is the type to overthink things anyway.’
If he didn't hear the exact facts, he’d likely imagine the situation to be much worse.
‘Keep it light.’
I spoke to the stiffened Seon A-hyun in as casual a tone as possible.
“It’s nothing big. Some idol is getting bashed, and since it has nothing to do with you, I thought it’d be better to make sure you don't get dragged into it as a precaution.”
“I-I see….”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
Seon A-hyun nodded obediently.
‘I don't think he’s just going to let it go, though.’
“B-but.”
I knew it.
“W-what kind of story is it…? You said m-my name was coming up….”
So you heard that much.
Anyway, no point in stalling. I told him casually.
“It’s total nonsense. They’re asking if you go to clubs.”
“C-clubs??”
“Yeah. No one believes it, but they’re saying something about the dates being similar. So I was going to show them that you were doing something else that day.”
“A-ah…….”
Seon A-hyun accepted it quietly again.
‘Is that it?’
I thought I just needed to keep him off his smartphone for a few days so he wouldn't go looking for weird rumors.
“It hasn't turned into a big deal, so you don't need to go looking for it.”
But Seon A-hyun’s words didn't end with simple acceptance.
“U-um. Then, did you look it all up, Moon-dae…?”
If I said I hadn't, it would sound like the situation had grown so large that the nonsense was visible everywhere.
I shrugged.
“Well, sometimes I go a bit deep when I’m monitoring.”
“Mmm.”
Seon A-hyun hesitated as if gauging my reaction, but eventually, he continued.
“Y-you know.”
“Yeah.”
Seon A-hyun clenched both his fists.
“F-from now on, could you… not look for people who say things like that either, Moon-dae……!”
“……!”
“I-it’s hard. Those kinds of words… you don't get numb to them the more you see them, it just gets harder….”
“…Hmm.”
I was a bit taken aback. To hear this not during a lull, but in a situation where I was actively gaining an advantage.
I crossed my arms.
“Wouldn't it be more comfortable to deal with it quickly?”
“I-it’s okay.”
Seon A-hyun spoke quite firmly.
“It’s not true, and it’s not like everyone believes it…!”
“……!”
“I-if it ever happens that a lot of people believe it, we can talk about it then… I think that would be okay.”
“…….”
“S-so… I hope you don't worry too much or stress over it, Moon-dae.”
These were unbelievable words coming from the Seon A-hyun who, during Idol Inc., had said he was 'used to it because he’d seen people bashing him so much.'
Is this the power of diligent counseling?
‘Impressive.’
As I remained silent for a moment, Seon A-hyun spoke first.
“I… I think looking it up actually makes me more anxious.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. B-before, even though I didn't do it, I felt like everyone would eventually believe it… and I was worried that no one would listen to my explanation….”
“…….”
Is this from experience?
“E-even if the explanation worked, I was constantly checking and worrying… that it would become a problem again later and turn into something big.”
It definitely sounded like experience.
‘Is it that issue with his peers?’
I listened in silence. Seon A-hyun swallowed hard.
“B-but, the possibility of that actually happening is very low, right…?”
“Right.”
“Y-yes!”
Seon A-hyun’s expression relaxed at my immediate answer.
“So, I just… didn't want you to worry too much either, Moon-dae!”
“…….”
Man. I should feel a bit offended being told to restrain myself when I’m trying to help, but since he’s so right, I don't even feel like it.
‘He’s just worrying about me.’
I uncrossed my arms and let out a small chuckle.
“Well, I don't look that much these days. This time it just happened to catch my eye.”
Actually, ever since I heard something similar from Cha Yu-jin last time, I’d stopped trying to catch every single thing.
Seon A-hyun’s face brightened slightly.
“I-I see!”
“Yeah. And honestly, this is actually kind of fun.”
“……! F-fun…?”
“Not the looking part. There’s a certain satisfaction in sweeping them all away.”
“A-ah.”
Seon A-hyun nodded his head vigorously. His pupils seemed to be shaking, but that must be my imagination.
“I-I understand. If you say so, Moon-dae….”
“Yeah. I’ll keep it moderate.”
“Okay.”
Seon A-hyun became quiet again at the mention that it actually relieved my stress.
‘I’m ending up sharing all sorts of things now that we’re roommates.’
And then, finally, a standard reaction came out.
“A-and… Moon-dae. Thank you so much, f-for caring about things like this.”
I shrugged.
“Well, I already found out anyway, so I might as well respond.”
“I-I see. …B-but! If it’s a lot of work for the others, you don't have to….”
“No, the others won't be doing it.”
“Huh?”
I’d already thought of something from the moment I got the reply that 'editing might take a bit more time.'
“You and I are doing it.”
“Huh…?”
And that meant spending four or five hours intensely glued to a laptop that evening when our schedules were clear.
Thanks to that, we were able to upload the content at midnight as planned.
Of course, it wasn't the official content I had discussed with the company earlier.
Even to the fans, TeSTAR was known for making good use of their SNS accounts.
Photos and updates were posted almost daily on a rotating basis, and occasionally, the members would show their cute sides by bickering or competitively uploading posts.
However, it wasn't very common for videos to be posted.
Moreover, it was the first time since the surprise release of their fan song that a video of significant length, rather than a short clip, had been uploaded.
People quickly clicked on the video in the post, which simply said 'Good night' without any special self-promotion.
“……!”
And they instinctively broke into wide grins at the scene that appeared.
What played was a raw video of the members sitting freely in an unfamiliar living room!
It even had small subtitles.
[Popcorn Lover Cha Yu-jin]
[Nom]
Instead of the roommate or moving content that didn't fit the schedule, Park Moon-dae had quickly edited and uploaded footage he’d personally filmed for his own collection.
He didn't forget the calculated move of using a 90s film camera filter to make the filming date and time visible.
[19 : 11 : 21]
[Today’s dinner crew]
[Seon A-hyun is banned from the stove]
In the dim yet warm vintage colors.
The members chatted while eating dinner against the backdrop of a kitchen where it was clear their belongings hadn't been fully organized yet.
Short clips of them playing games among themselves, making V-signs at the camera, or waving hello were edited in.
[Pajamas were comfortable]
[Good night!]
It even included scenes of them brushing their teeth or heading off to bed.
Languid BGM played in the background, creating a comfortable atmosphere.
Even excluding the filter, that sensibility, which felt quite raw, had a different flavor from official video content.
People heartily enjoyed this intimate content that felt almost private.
Of course, the secondary effects were also solid.
It also raised expectations as a sort of teaser for the two unreleased contents: the move and the roommate game.
Of course, the most important goal was also immediately achieved.
[A-hyun’s embroidery finished]
Since not a single member was missing from the screen across all time slots, Seon A-hyun’s innocence was naturally and cleanly proven.
There was no way he could have gone to a club and back in the 30-minute gaps in between.
The suspicion, which had already been suppressed by the fans, was struck down once more and subsided.
It was just when those under the surface realized it was no longer a bait that would work widely and were resorting to meaningless last-ditch efforts.
Once again, a wave arrived to sweep away the useless rumors.
One hour after the Vlog was released.
Around 1 AM, a notification from T1 Star’s official WeTube channel appeared.
[TeSTAR ‘Enchanted?’ Concept Film]
In the black thumbnail, Ryu Cheong-woo, wearing an outfit that sat somewhere between the Haengcha and Spring out music videos, sat against a backdrop of pine trees.
It was the concept film for connecting their worldview, which TeSTAR had prepared to wrap up this promotion.
It was originally scheduled for release three days later, but Park Moon-dae had pulled it forward through a group meeting. It was possible because the editing had already been finished.
It was an outright offensive of sheer volume.
Thanks to that, the fans' reaction was like this:
The moment the fans, excited by the pouring content, hurriedly clicked on the video.
“……!”
The atmosphere of the video instantly swallowed the screen, causing their lightly heated hearts to sink in an instant.