Shaping the Narrative

In any government-supported project—or any problem, really—proper recognition of the situation is key to solving it. Jumping straight to solutions without understanding the issue leads ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to half-baked fixes. Like hammering nails where screws are needed, or screwing where nails belong.

So, what about the crisis facing Myeongjeon? First. The immediate threat looming right in front of her. Rumors about Ha Suyeon's shady past had been leaked to the judges by someone. They're waiting for her to explain herself. Overcoming this is simple. No victim has come forward. It's just hearsay—no hard evidence, no testimony. She could deny it outright, or admit it happened but reveal everything she's done since, saying, "I've reflected deeply on my actions." Since the tip-off is just rumors, that should satisfy the organizers.

But if the world worked that simply, Earth wouldn't be in such a mess.

Second. The crisis to come later. When Myeongjeon steps into the broadcasting world with auditions and such—inevitable, though she doesn't know when. Something even the diligent Myeongjeon, who tidied up Ha Suyeon's past messes, never dared touch. The existence of Seong Juhee.

It doesn't matter what actually happened. If that girl opens her mouth...

"She drank with me, smoked with me, extorted money with me!!" Even if that's all she says, it's pointless. Sensational stories will explode first. Headlines like "Rising New Band Vocalist in School Violence Scandal?" And until Myeongjeon explains—or even after—the media will milk views with endless debates and controversies.

Because of Seong Juhee, Myeongjeon had agonized endlessly. How to respond? What position to take? Hell, is there even a way to respond? Unlike other kids who could apologize and settle things, Seong Juhee harbors a grudge against Ha Suyeon. Offer money? Reach a settlement? From the rumors, she'd break any deal just to screw Ha Suyeon over by spilling everything.

In the end, Myeongjeon decided on a head-on approach. Backed by her friends' apologies, hit back with, "You extorted money and drank too!" Any image drop? Just say, "All authentic rock bands are like this.>" That was the plan—right up until just before hearing the latest.

"The victim... didn't speak up directly?"

At Myeongjeon's question, the judges' faces fell. But they quickly composed themselves, as if to say there was no helping it.

"Yes. That band... er, anyway, no direct victim has... yes, that's right."

A slip-up from nerves. Perfect. The band leaked it, no victim.

"What if I forgo my statement? What happens then?"

The judges conferred briefly, chatted with staff, then the person in charge and director joined in.

"Suyeon, you're quitting?"

In the brief lull, Iseo asked with a hint of unease. Myeongjeon gave a wry smile in lieu of an answer and sank back into thought.

Premise. Even if I explain here and it goes well, Seong Juhee will show up next. And when she does, all my Pioneer explanations will be lumped in as lies. Obvious as day. Sure, the truth would come out eventually. But by then, my image would be in the gutter.

But right now, no Seong Juhee to contradict her. The school violence suspicion lingers, though. Public knows nothing, but plenty can vouch for her.

So...

"We haven't decided internally yet. It came up during filming. But it'll probably end with you forfeiting."

Short meeting over, a judge replied. Myeongjeon exhaled sharply and spoke.

"I'll forfeit."

For now, fold. While public opinion favors her. As the "promising guitarist," "band to watch," "tragic talent." While her image is still good, and nothing official to nitpick.

"...Yes."

"But on one condition. Don't state our reason for quitting, and release the TOP 6 video."

Judges conferred again. After a wait, they agreed. Myeongjeon nodded, easing the tension slightly. She patted the kids' slumped shoulders.

Sorry to them. But don't mope too much. No need to worry.

"Student Suyeon."

"Yes."

As she comforted the kids amid the subdued mood, a judge approached. Leader of a famous rock band.

"Did you really do school violence?"

Because now, it begins. To overcome the looming Seong Juhee threat, escape the controversy entirely... In modern terms, buildup.

"Honestly... like I said before, it's from before I lost my memory, so I don't remember well. But I've gone around apologizing as sincerely as I could for everything my past self did."

"I see. Then why the rumors?"

To the slightly accusatory question, Myeongjeon wore a complicated, resentful expression.

"So I think... it's fuzzy, but I remember fighting a senior who extorted money from kids back then. Probably that senior spreading it. She saw me extorting too and fought me, then said whenever she opened her eyes, she cursed me out..."

Myeongjeon's plan, roughly summarized:

1. Right now, Myeongjeon and Group Sound are highly promising. They've done OST recordings, made it to Band Pioneer finals, played Paradox, etc.

2. Quitting Pioneer in this situation? Everyone will wonder what's up with Group Sound.

3. Keep activities normal post-quit. Questions about why will inevitably arise.

4. Wage grassroots opinion warfare against them. Stir friends' sympathy, hint to fans. Lower trust in Seong Juhee before she appears.

5. Then, in future auditions or shows, even if Seong Juhee testifies... the fanbase and friends built by then will shred her credibility from the start.

Less a plan, more acrobatics. "Group Sound quits Band Pioneer!" is big news at Lee Hyein's house, not elsewhere. Unless Myeongjeon stays idle, that is.

"One last question before I crash. Juhyeon! When do we get the OST band intro? Ah... something unfortunate came up. Can't reveal right now. I was hyped. They killed it."

"Ah, I didn't go around naming them, but rumors ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spread. Friends asking, 'Hey, that OST collab with so-and-so?' Should show them off soon..."

"Heard that band you judged quit the show? Myeongjeon teacher's disciple?"

"Dude, I heard the story. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Super tragic. She's Myeongjeon teacher's disciple, right? Lived like a delinquent, but met the teacher, learned guitar, was turning her life around. Then teacher passes, she gets shocked, has an accident..."

"Yo, Suyeon rumors?"

"Yeah. Heh... Kinda sus honestly."

"Dude, you know how much she apologized around? Heard she barely remembers her past. Still went around saying sorry, and you talk like that?"

Myeongjeon mobilized every channel: her YouTube, session connections, friends, and more. The downside of opinion wars? People tire when opponents clash. Starts intriguing, but endless back-and-forth leads to "What even's the point?" They lose interest, call it exhausting.

Sure, some wars ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠aim for that—stir endless issues till "Both sides suck!" and slip away.

But Myeongjeon's? Neither. Seong Juhee oblivious, the leaker band satisfied with the dropout. Wide-open field, her "opinion" spreading like wildfire. Music fans had heard of Group Sound by now.

But she wasn't satisfied. They needed bigger spotlight. Not direct appeal to Group Sound, but attention-grabbing kind.

So Myeongjeon made a call.

"Yes, Juhyeon speaking. Ah, Executive Director. Yes? Them? Yeah. They could session for my concert? Those kids?"