Chapter 235
Chapter 235
The Human Rights… Commission?
The atmosphere in the hospital room turned chaotic at the sudden mention of the Human Rights Commission… or so I thought, but seeing how calm the others were, it seemed everyone but me had already agreed on this.
‘At the very least, they discussed it before and after filing the report.’
I reached up to rub the bridge of my nose, but stopped when I realized an IV was still stuck in my arm.
“You mean… the National Human Rights Commission of Korea?”
“…Yes!”
But… that’s an institution with no legal enforcement power, isn't it?
At most, they’d just bark at the company a bit, and that would be it.
I wasn't even sure if they’d take an anonymous report about an idol’s human rights violations seriously in the first place.
However, even after my explanation, Bae Se-jin didn't look flustered.
“I know. …I know those people can’t solve everything.”
“…….”
“But it’ll be in the news! They’ll—they’ll even receive a recommendation for corrective action!”
“……?”
Bae Se-jin, still clutching his fists, earnestly explained his reasoning.
To summarize, his logic was this:
“Since the company is blocking reports in the entertainment news, you decided to let the articles break through the social issues section… is that what you’re saying?”
“Exactly.”
In short, a change of tactics.
To think Bae Se-jin… had this kind of ambition.
‘Sigh…’
I need a cigarette… no, never mind.
I almost bit my tongue earlier, so let’s just focus on keeping my mouth shut.
I quickly ran through the potential fallout in my head.
‘If it’s anonymous, there’s a high chance the effect Bae Se-jin is aiming for won’t happen.’
A certain entertainment company trying to cover up an artist-related accident?
The probability of the Human Rights Commission taking it upon themselves to meticulously investigate exactly which company this was is incredibly low.
‘If it just ends with rumors circulating among reporters who heard the tip, it might just irritate the company and nothing more.’
However, the company would get anxious. If that anxiety outweighed their spite over the ‘How dare they report us?’ factor, it might actually make negotiations easier…
“And when I said anonymous… I didn't mean I didn't mention the group name.”
“…Then?”
“I only kept the informant’s identity… anonymous. Uh, I used the name of one of my mother’s friends….”
“…….”
Bae Se-jin gulped.
“…That way, they won’t think it was us. I thought they might suspect a competitor… or a former employee, or something like that.”
As it turned out, it seemed this guy had compiled and sent in every single employment and labor-related issue that had occurred at the agency so far.
Everything from unpaid overtime to industrial espionage and illegal searches of private information.
‘Just how big did you make this?’
I was starting to suspect that this, too, might be a daydream.
“…….”
“I-I’m not saying I’m proud of this! But we had to do at least this much….”
I suppressed a bitter smile.
“No. I think you did well.”
“……!”
Bae Se-jin’s eyes went wide.
“R-Really??”
“Yes.”
Since the part I was most worried about had been bypassed, let’s just leave it at that.
‘We’ve avoided a situation where the parent company, T1, singles out TeSTAR to crush us.’
It’s a shame I can’t use it as a card, but…
I wasn't the only one in the car accident, and there’s no rule saying things must only benefit me in the way I want.
‘The others must have had a lot built up over time, too.’
They’re allowed to act on their own terms.
‘Though it feels like the scale is going to blow up in a completely different direction.’
Actually, this is better. The moment it jumps to a social issue like workplace bullying, it turns into an issue that the higher-ups and the headquarters must take the lead in handling, rather than the subordinates.
And from our perspective, it doesn't matter what hardships the big bosses face as long as the working-level staff can keep doing their jobs.
As long as it doesn't hinder the group’s movement, it’s fine.
‘If things go well, I might see the Approval Bot state again.’
Just imagining it felt relaxing.
I nodded, feeling much more at ease.
“Yes. I’m looking forward to the results.”
“…Right!”
Bae Se-jin’s complexion brightened. None of the other members seemed shaken either; they just nodded along.
‘They must have had a massive fight with the agency after the accident.’
After clicking my tongue inwardly, I asked the question that hadn't been answered earlier.
“So, what’s the date today?”
“…….”
At that, the guys exchanged glances.
‘What is it?’
Ryu Cheong-woo, who had been quiet until now, spoke up slowly.
“…Moon-dae.”
“Yes.”
“Today is July 6th.”
“……!!”
The month has changed.
‘Wait, I lost consciousness on our debut anniversary, June 18th….’
That meant I had been in a coma for eighteen days.
“…….”
Wow… June just completely melted away.
While I stood there dazed for a moment, Ryu Cheong-woo added in a low voice.
“So, don't think about anything else and just rest. Think about work or activities later.”
“…….”
“From now on… think about your own body first.”
Ah.
I looked up at Ryu Cheong-woo.
He had an uncharacteristically dark expression.
‘Come to think of it, I took the hit to the chest that would have sent a rebar through his head.’
Honestly, isn't that a decent trade-off compared to someone dying?
It’s not like I’m a psychopath; I couldn't just watch the guy next to me get his head pierced.
I looked at him with a rather awkward expression, but I understood his feelings to some extent.
‘Does he think I fell into a coma instead of him?’
Well, it could have just been the system’s meddling, so he doesn't need to feel guilty… but if he considers it a debt, I hope he’ll back me up well in the future.
I shrugged and sat up.
“I’ll take good care of myself. Actually, I feel perfectly fine right now… Maybe I just couldn't wake up because of accumulated fatigue.”
“Y-You shouldn't get up yet…!”
“Park Moon-dae, sit down!”
“I think it would be best for you to undergo re-examination.”
“…….”
Good grief… they’re being so dramatic.
A short while later.
Due to the members' fervent requests, the medical staff revisited the hospital room earlier than planned.
And they were horrified to hear that the patient had been happily snacking on fruit as soon as he recovered from a coma of over two weeks.
“Melon?? Patient, tell us how the inside of your stomach feels right now!”
“…!!”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
“Doctor! The patient here….”
And then all sorts of calls followed.
‘…Right.’
It makes sense they’d react that way since a guy who’d been lying down for eighteen days just ate a high-sugar melon.
Keun Se-jin, who had offered the melon, turned pale, but fortunately, the results showed no abnormalities.
If I had been in a normal state, I probably would have been in pain the moment I swallowed it.
“I should have been the one to eat it!”
I ignored Cha Yu-jin’s lament that he should have just put all the melon in his own mouth.
‘This is definitely the effect of Nectar.’
I suspect my digestive system also recovered rapidly thanks to the ‘Complete Recovery of Vitality’ trait.
‘Since I’m thinking about it, should I check?’
After the commotion died down, I pulled up the trait section of the status window.
[Trait: Infinite Potential, Time of Indulgence (S), Nectar (S)-Activated, Catchy Ear (A)]
As expected, it was marked as activated.
It seems it’s currently in the process of rapid recovery and will disappear once the wound on my chest is fully healed.
‘…Then the Bacchus effect is over now.’
I smacked my lips. What a waste.
Of course, I have expectations that I might pull Bacchus again in the next gacha. It’s so useful for activities, after all.
I swallowed my regret and closed the status window.
‘Anyway… eighteen days.’
It was a significant waste of time, but fortunately, it didn't seem like there would be any major issues with the tour schedule.
‘A month should be enough to recover.’
The guys over there still wearing braces said they’d recover within three weeks, too.
If we prepare for one more month and then head out… we’ll be able to make it to almost everything except for a few stops in Japan.
‘Good.’
I nodded to myself.
Once the medical staff had all left, the members finally caught their breath and sighed in relief.
“Moon-dae… I’m really, really sorry.”
“No, it was delicious.”
“Let’s make sure to get permission from now on….”
A moment later.
It seemed the thought that I should get more rest finally occurred to them.
“We’ll visit again tomorrow!”
“I-If there’s a problem, call us anytime… O-Our house is nearby…!”
“I’m not being discharged.”
“Look at Cha Yu-jin acting up, let’s go!”
“Hmph.”
“…Rest up, Moon-dae. You really… went through a lot.”
“Thank you.”
Ryu Cheong-woo seemed to give a faint smile, but it vanished instantly.
‘He looks completely drained.’
His worries must have been deeper than I anticipated.
Just as I was about to stop him and dig deeper.
“…Park Moon-dae.”
“……? Yes.”
Bae Se-jin spoke with a serious face just before leaving.
“Once the Human Rights Commission investigation starts… I’m planning to see if we can file a lawsuit against T1 Stars based on that.”
“…What?”
“And if we succeed, we’re going to a new agency…!”
“…?!”
What kind of crazy talk is this?
It felt like I’d been hit in the back of the head.
‘Was his plan to blow this up in the social section and then use public power to take it all the way to court?!’
Setting aside whether that would work or not, why are you trying to pick a fight with a conglomerate that owns broadcasting stations and studios?
Are you planning to kick away a massive platform?
I glared at the one person I couldn't believe had agreed to this.
Keun Se-jin avoided my gaze.
‘Hey.’
“Um~ T1 will probably try to reorganize the agency if things turn out like this, and I thought having the possibility of a lawsuit would give us better leverage for a deal~”
“…….”
“Even if it’s not a new agency, that much should be fine, right?”
So even this bastard was swayed…….
“It’s not something we’re doing right away; we’ll discuss it gradually… For now, let’s let Moon-dae rest more.”
“Of course~”
“…Just go.”
I need to think about this on my own.
I waved them off with a complicated mind, and the members left the room, smiling or waving back.
Click.
I let out a sigh in the hospital room that had suddenly become quiet.
“Whew.”
A lawsuit.
I can usually go along with most things, but that is not a good decision if you want to survive in this industry for a long time.
I’ve hardly ever seen a case where a career turned out well after filing a lawsuit.
Whether you win or not, you get blacklisted by the industry.
‘Realistically, the best way to maintain public popularity is to resolve things as amicably as possible.’
Above all, even in the best-case scenario, it takes too long to win, and until then, all activities would be almost completely suspended….
‘Wait.’
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.
‘……Then what about the tour?’
We can’t do it.
“…….”
Hey, you bastards…!
If we can’t do the tour, I might actually die!
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and now, out of nowhere, the threat of sudden death was staring me in the face.
While Park Moon-dae was in a state of confusion, breaking news that he had regained consciousness was popping up all over the internet.
[(Breaking News) TeSTAR’s Park Moon-dae Regains Consciousness]
[Park Moon-dae Wakes Up… “Fans’ Earnest Prayers Answered”]
[TeSTAR Member Recovers from 18-Day Coma After Car Accident]
Fans tried to stay calm, fearing it might be another false report, but fortunately, thirty minutes after the first breaking news, an official confirmation article from the agency was released.
[T1 Stars: “It is true that TeSTAR’s Park Moon-dae regained consciousness around 2 PM”]
Only then did posts of celebration, relief, and tears begin to pour out across all social media, communities, and comment sections.
-
Since it was a young celebrity who had almost died in a tragic accident coming back to life, the public’s reaction was incredibly warm for the time being.
In such a dramatic moment, even malicious commenters couldn't find any ground.
No one knew what kind of faults they would try to find once this atmosphere died down, but for now, everyone was happily congratulating the singer and the fans.
Then, a few days later, the details Bae Se-jin had submitted to the Human Rights Commission suddenly exploded amidst the touching and heartwarming news.
[The Shadow of Entertainment Agencies… Will the Truth Behind TeSTAR’s Car Accident Be Revealed?]
[‘Successive Reports of Internal Human Rights Violations’ T1 Stars Faces Human Rights Commission Complaint]
And so, the situation began to take a very interesting turn.
Because it was an exposé that broke right after the happiest news possible, it inadvertently ended up being treated as a succession of good news.
In the end, public opinion, instead of turning into the usual easily-exhausted resentment, shifted toward a desire for a perfect happy ending.
The so-called ‘Cider Meta.’
It was a win for Bae Se-jin.