Chapter 236
Chapter 236
Bae Se-jin’s report to the Human Rights Commission was a total jackpot.
‘I can’t believe this worked so well.’
I was almost at a loss for words as I watched the internet atmosphere, which was currently busy beating T1 to a pulp.
First of all, the thing that landed the hardest was… obviously, the cover-up of the cause of TeSTAR’s car accident.
[A Tragedy Caused by Complacency… The True Face of Major Entertainment Agency T1]
[“It Wasn’t an Accident, It Was an Incident” – The Agency That Concealed a Terror Attack]
It had only been a moment since I woke up from my coma after eighteen days, making ‘TeSTAR’s car accident’ the hottest topic on the internet again.
But then a behind-the-scenes story about that incident comes out, and it’s extremely provocative to boot?
People swarmed the news, as excited as if a conspiracy theory had just become reality.
Journalists also excitedly fueled the fire, using words like ‘terror,’ ‘underhanded tactics,’ and ‘risk of a major catastrophe.’
Since the embargo had broken in the social affairs section rather than the entertainment section, no matter how large the corporation was, there was no way to put the spilled water back in the bottle.
Furthermore, thanks to Bae Se-jin meticulously gathering everything he could report to the Human Rights Commission, there was plenty of justification beyond just being provocative.
[Serious Human Rights Violations Against Workers at T1 Stars, a Subsidiary of a Major Corporation]
[“Overtime Hours Were Manipulated,” Verbal Abuse, and Resignations… A Flood of Revelations]
[T1 Faces Criticism for Scapegoating: “We Do Not Interfere in T1 Stars’ Management”]
To put it bluntly, the idea of popular, high-earning idols groaning under a company’s power trip isn’t exactly something that evokes a lot of public sympathy.
When met with the universal counter-argument of ‘Well, they still make a lot of money at a young age,’ the momentum usually dies down.
However, the story changes when the conclusion becomes ‘This corporation is trash.’
Once a common enemy and a righteous cause are established, the thrill of the hunt becomes exceptional.
And so, in the clear July weather following a late rainy season, people were using their heat-induced stress to joyfully bash T1.
Since the parent company, T1, had overwhelmingly higher brand recognition than the newly launched subsidiary ‘T1 Stars,’ the parent company was the one getting pummeled.
A national petition even appeared.
[We demand an investigation into the reality of human rights violations at T1.]
Of course, things like this are just jumping on the bandwagon, but T1 headquarters was clearly horrified.
‘It’s not like they’re a company famous for good employee welfare themselves.’
Honestly, they brought this on themselves.
I feel bad for the people in charge, but this has turned out quite interestingly.
In any case, just as Bae Se-jin thought, they seemed to be suspecting a whistleblower or a competitor’s sabotage and were busy trying to root them out.
This was because the TeSTAR incident was framed in a way that looked like it was being used to blow things out of proportion.
‘…Good.’
Go ahead and dig all you want; you won’t find anything.
The more time they waste, the more the company will be paralyzed, and the group’s influence will grow.
I let out a hollow laugh and switched my smartphone screen.
This time, it was a fan community.
Related posts were going up with this kind of vibe, but the atmosphere wasn’t somber.
It seemed to be because the fact that I had woken up was just… so joyful.
And since public opinion itself was favorable and slightly bypassed TeSTAR, the fans didn’t seem to be under too much stress.
Seeing how many people were saying ‘I knew it,’ it seemed like similar speculations had already been circulating among the fans.
‘…That’s a relief.’
I swiped the screen closed.
I wanted to post something soon, but I planned to discuss it with the others first, just in case.
‘A simple proof-of-life post should be fine.’
…And, I had to make a very important proposal.
‘I’m going on that tour, no matter what.’
I had already come up with a plan for this.
I crossed my arms and decided to wait calmly for the guys to arrive.
Then, at 2 PM.
Bae Se-jin burst into the hospital room, his face flushed red with excitement.
“…It seems to have gone well!”
“Yes. The reaction is good.”
“……!”
I was about to leave him alone to revel in the sweet taste of justice while I slowly brought up my main point.
“Once the results of the Human Rights Commission complaint come out… let’s go straight into a lawsuit!”
“…!!”
“We can win if we have evidence! I-I’ll pay for all the legal fees!”
Bae Se-jin strongly argued that we should step on the gas one more time.
‘No.’
Has this guy gotten too drunk on the high of success?
It’s understandable since the results were good, but in this industry, a lawsuit is an extreme card that should only be played when you’ve completely run out of options.
But before I could even open my mouth, Keun Se-jin cut in.
‘I guess this part wasn’t agreed upon yet.’
It seemed he had finally come to his senses.
“Hyung-nim. Your plan is to move to another agency after winning the lawsuit, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“Hmm, then we won’t be able to appear on any broadcasting stations or programs that T1 invests in. Wouldn’t that be difficult?”
“…There are plenty of other broadcasts. And these days, there’s WeTube or… many other ways to promote.”
Bae Se-jin swallowed hard.
“But if we don’t get out now, we have to stay with this agency for three more years… Who knows what they’ll do in three years to try and force a contract renewal!”
“…….”
“So doing it now… I think doing it now is the right choice.”
Keun Se-jin’s eyes twitched. However, he soon replied in a reasonably cheerful tone.
“It would be great if the lawsuit went well~ But if we can’t promote for over a year right now, our careers will completely die.”
“……!”
“Then… even if we win, I don’t think any agency would particularly want to sign us.”
Keun Se-jin finished smoothly.
“We’d have to be so successful that another agency would be willing to cross T1 to take us, but that wouldn’t be the case anymore~”
“…….”
“I think it would be better to use this to strike a good deal with the agency—get more staff for our dedicated team and add some clauses to the contract… What does everyone else think?”
Bae Se-jin looked like he had a lot to say, but his complexion worsened as if he were already taking damage from imagining various expected responses.
‘So this is how it goes.’
I put a hand to my head and spoke.
“First… let’s have a show of hands. Who wants to go through with the lawsuit right now?”
Bae Se-jin tentatively raised his hand.
And then, snap. Cha Yu-jin thrust his hand into the air.
“…….”
“We will win!”
Of course the American guy loves hiring lawyers.
“Hey, Cha Yu-jin. What about resting for a year?”
“Even if we rest for a year, we are good. It’s okay! We can just do it again!”
It was a very positive, confident, and unrealistic answer. Thanks.
“Then, who wants to stay with the agency and try to improve the environment?”
Keun Se-jin obviously raised his hand, and surprisingly… Kim Rae-bin followed suit.
“There are many wonderful people in the company as well, so I think it would be good to cooperate and improve things….”
“…….”
Truly positive and unrealistic in a different way. Thanks.
That left Ryu Cheong-woo and Seon A-hyun.
“A-hyun, what about you?”
“I-I… u-um, either way, as long as everyone can be comfortable and safe, I’m fine with anything…!”
“Got it.”
That was very Seon A-hyun-like.
“…Then, Cheong-woo hyung.”
“……It’s similar for me. My heart wants to try the lawsuit… but since we’re a group, we have to respect the careers of those with different opinions.”
Ryu Cheong-woo answered slowly.
“Moondae, what do you think?”
Me? It’s simple.
“…Wouldn’t a lawsuit be difficult right now?”
Even if it weren’t for my tour issue, I was against the lawsuit.
‘The scale has become too large.’
The moment it turned from a group issue into a labor rights violation issue, a major corporation would never allow a case where they lose a lawsuit to remain.
It was because TeSTAR’s lawsuit would become a legal precedent.
‘They’d go crazy if labor unions started filing follow-up lawsuits after that.’
So, while they were walking on eggshells around us, it was better to snatch up whatever we could get in one go while keeping the relationship from souring.
‘We need to move in a direction where the company feels sorry toward TeSTAR.’
Even if they aren’t actually sorry, we just need to make the most of the moment they pretend to be.
However, considering Bae Se-jin’s contribution, I couldn’t say this outright… Let’s pivot a bit.
“Public opinion is something that can change overnight. Why don’t we watch a bit longer and gather materials so we can sue if the conditions are right?”
“Secretly?”
“Exactly.”
Bae Se-jin looked lost in thought as he listened, but he soon nodded.
“…Okay. I get it. I can’t… only insist on my own opinion. …Because we’re a te-team!”
“…….”
It seemed this guy had finally started to get a taste of that peer camaraderie, just like Seon A-hyun did during Idol Inc.
‘Well, I guess that’s a good thing.’
“Team~ TeSTAR, Come on~!”
“You are correct, hyung!”
I shrugged my shoulders and was finally able to return to what I wanted to say.
“And how about we handle the already scheduled events after seeing how the atmosphere goes?”
“Huh?”
“W-Why…?”
“There’s the issue of cancellation penalties, and I think the atmosphere will improve if we show that the group is still going strong.”
“…….”
“You too?”
“Yes. Ah, of course, after my body has fully recovered. Once I get a clean bill of health.”
I meant exactly what I said, without any bluffing. Thanks to Nectar, I could say such things without hesitation.
“Hmm….”
“Especially the tour, since many people have already booked tickets, it’s better to go through with it if possible….”
“N-No!!”
“…!!”
Wh-what?
…Seon A-hyun shouted.
I looked at him, but Seon A-hyun stood his ground even as his face turned bright red.
“M-Moondae has to rest!”
“That’s why I said after I rest….”
“You have to rest a l-lot!”
No, he’s not listening to reason.
“A-hyun is right, Moondae-ya.”
“I wondered what you were going to say, but a tour? Moondae-Moondae, just enjoy your bed more.”
“……??”
“We will proceed with the preparations for the next album and report back to you, so you do not need to worry.”
“Hyung, live a long, long life!”
I won’t live long if you guys act like this.
However, they were firm and maintained a stance that there would be absolutely no compromise.
It seemed the impression of the eighteen-day coma was far too strong.
‘I can’t exactly tell them about Nectar….’
I could see a future where, if I acted crazy and talked about the status window, psychiatric counseling and hospitalization would be added to my schedule.
While I was suffering from a headache in my temples, Ryu Cheong-woo spoke with a faint smile.
“And Moondae-ya, the internal approval for canceling the second-half tour is already finished.”
“……!”
You crazy bastards.
These damn guys patted my shoulder and spoke warmly.
“The fans would prefer you to be healthy and not overexert yourself… just posting a message or a photo once in a while.”
“…….”
“Let’s do that for a while.”
“Yeah~ Hyung is right~”
“I will support you as you focus on recovering your health!”
And just like that… the tour vanished.
“…….”
I lay in the hospital room after they left, reviewing the situation.
And I came to a conclusion.
I’m screwed.
‘How the hell am I supposed to fill an audience of 400,000 without a tour?’
Do I have to do guerrilla performances in Myeong-dong or Neverland about forty times?
My head was spinning.
‘…I know they have good intentions, so I can’t even get angry.’
I sighed a few times and tried to come up with various plans before giving up for now.
‘I need to find out more about the conditions for the audience count.’
And before that, let’s do what needs to be done.
I turned on my smartphone, took a few photos of myself, and picked a good one.
Then I logged into social media.
=======================
Hello, Loviewers.
This is Moondae (Puppy Emoji)
I’m eating well and doing well.
Thank you for waiting for me.
I’ll see you soon in good health.
=======================
I attached the photo and uploaded it.
‘…Has it been twenty-one days?’
I was actually a bit nervous.
Sure enough, social media notifications started refreshing like crazy.
“…….”
They were just words, but they felt warm, and it was as if I could hear their voices.
‘How reassuring.’
I smiled as I looked through the comments.
And there was something I was slightly hoping for.
‘If the fans are happy that I said I’d see them soon, I can use this as evidence….’
“…….”
Even if they say this, they probably actually want to see me in person… right?
They have to.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
I ruffled the back of my hair and tossed my smartphone next to my pillow.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Then, as if on cue, the smartphone vibrated several times.
‘I just turned off social media notifications.’
Feeling a bit puzzled, I picked up the phone.
When I checked… it was a text message.
[(Photo)]
About twenty photos of a familiar dog arrived in a row.
“…….”
Wow, I’m actually glad to see this.
‘Hey, fcker, say something.’*
If I’m going to die anyway, I might as well grasp at a rotten straw.
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim]
I called the guy.