Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Media Counterattack
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Every single word was provocatively loaded.
Claims that my rags-to-riches story was all a lie, or that I was in bed with powerful connections. It was content that directly contradicted the image I'd carefully built up over time.
"Hmm. It's giving off the vibe that I had some affluent background that let me grow easily, and I've just been pretending to be a young entrepreneur."
The article didn't outright say it like that.
But there's always context formed between words and sentences in an original piece.
It wasn't explicitly stated, so it'd be hard to sue for spreading false information, but it subtly whispered, "This guy's a total liar, isn't he?"
"For people who've been resenting me lately because I've been showing my face on TV so much, this article must be music to their ears."
I didn't even need to look to know what the comments below said. They were probably lighting up various internet communities right about now.
'Gaining the power of the press is always a double-edged sword.' That's what it means when everyone is watching. It can be a solid ally, but it can also turn into a relentless stalker. And if there are fans, there are haters too. Even celebrities with squeaky-clean images always have their die-hard antis. Why would I be any different? I never bothered to seek them out, but there were surely plenty of people who disliked me. They just didn't show it openly. Those haters lurk in the shadows until a controversy like this pops up, then swarm in like vultures to tear me apart. 'I'll make a nice meal for them.' The article was loaded with phrases perfect for wild misinterpretation. It was like they'd served them up on a platter: "Here, go nuts."
"Plagiarism scandal barely fades, and now this..."
Jo Yi-ruk muttered with a troubled look. The Song's image and recognition leaned heavily on me right now, so tarnishing mine would directly tank the brand's reputation. If the company had grown first and I'd shown up later, they might've been treated separately. Unfortunately, I'd been too eager and hadn't played it that way.
"'Collusion with some major construction firm'? What a ridiculous rumor. But the problem is, with this article leading the charge, media outlets everywhere are pumping out pieces with the same slant."
So that's how it is. 'No wonder pulling those headlines felt so familiar.' It wasn't just one or two places tossing them up for clicks. When multiple outlets flood the zone with similar stories all at once, there's only one reason.
"They're playing the press game."
"Looks like it."
No Se-hee caught on quick, probably thanks to her time at a big corporation. Jo Yi-ruk, on the other hand, looked a bit bewildered.
"Who the hell would do this?"
"Who knows. Plenty of suspects."
Viral marketing wasn't that sophisticated back then, but companies were getting savvier year by year at plugging their own stuff.
"Our growth probably stings for competitors in the same space. With our diverse brands—from restaurants to cafes—we've got enemies everywhere."
Gukbap joints, snack bars, bingsu shops, Chinese spots. And with our budget cafe launch coming up... Plenty of places feeling threatened enough to strike.
"Too many suspects. Sigh."
Jo Yi-ruk's shoulders slumped.
"Even if we knew who it was, it wouldn't make much difference. Anyone who can make the media dance like this has to be a heavyweight advertiser. We're no match."
No Se-hee nodded in agreement with my words.
"True, but don't we need to know who so we can at least sharpen our knives for revenge?"
Jo Yi-ruk grumbled with a pout. Well, can't argue with that. I just smiled without a word. Because I had a pretty good idea who it was. The newspaper name on the article No Se-hee brought felt familiar. It was one cozy with Hyunmu Group. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the online articles. Checking the outlets pumping out related stories confirmed my suspicions. 'Hyunmu's making their move.' I'd half-expected it. But it still left a bitter taste when it played out exactly as predicted. To think I hadn't noticed malice this blatant in the past. 'Regret is always too late, no matter how quick.' What mattered was that I now had a chance to correct past mistakes.
"First off, I'll reach out to President Choi Yeo-hae. Word must've reached her by now."
"Yes. Got it."
No Se-hee replied, but worry was etched on her face. She seemed anxious that Choi might pull back quietly or rethink the investment over this.
"Don't worry."
"Huh?"
She jumped at my abrupt words. I continued with a sly smile.
"I've got a way to squash this in one go."
"...Really? The public can be colder than you think."
No Se-hee murmured softly.
"To debunk one line of rumor, you need hundreds of pages of evidence. And even then, most folks don't read it."
Spot-on assessment of the public. I agreed completely. People aren't generous with explanations. They don't care much anyway. But even so, I was confident.
"You'll see."
My grin brought a flock of question marks to No Se-hee's face. I swallowed the rest. We have a rock-solid ally on our side.
Rrring.
Once everyone else had left, I sat alone in the president's office and dialed a number.
The line rang just a couple times.
As if they'd been waiting, they picked up right away.
Click.
- Hey, President Song.
"Yes, President Choi Yeo-hae. How've you been?"
I opened with light pleasantries, but she cut straight to it.
- You see the news?
"Of course."
- Jeez. They didn't name us outright, but they wove it so we'd be pinpointed. Mentioning our quarterly performance and all.
"Haha. Yeah."
They'd slyly referenced Hando Construction with stuff like "H Construction," "that firm hitting record sales this quarter," "top-tier builder," and variations.
A snort came through the phone from Choi Yeo-hae.
- This is a direct challenge to Hando Construction.
Whistle. I whistled inwardly. She's fired up.
- You sit tight, President Song.
The most headache-inducing enemy makes the staunchest ally.
And Choi Yeo-hae was one person I'd never want to make an enemy of.
- I'll handle everything.
She sounded more reliable than ever.
[Just Invested in a Promising Young Entrepreneur: Hando Construction Issues Statement ... "Media Distortion is Severe"]
[Fairy-Tale Chance Encounter: The Connection Between Hando Construction President Choi Yeo-hae's Husband and Chef Song Woo-yeon?]
[Hando Construction President Choi Yeo-hae Drops Fact Bombs ... "Trying to Bully a Fast-Growing Firm"]
["Did You Take Money?" Hando Construction President Sparks Outrage with Blunt Press Conference Remarks]
"Whoa."
I couldn't help but whistle at the flashy headlines. How'd she flip the narrative so perfectly?
Just yesterday, the press was zeroed in on "Chef Song Woo-yeon's Deception." Now they were hooked on Choi Yeo-hae's no-holds-barred style, churning out stories about her nonstop.
Prime clickbait!
Thanks to that, public opinion had flipped too.
I scrolled down and skimmed some comments. Sure, die-hards kept up the hate, but most were like this:
[OMG President Choi is savage af lololol she's got such a one-of-a-kind vibe;; pls do YouTube]
[>Didn't she have that blunt talk controversy before? You think that's cool? Just seems try-hard cool]
[>>Nah, try-hard cool is you types]
[President Choi's husband was that failing gukbap shop owner from that old interview? Time to revisit that rundown gukbap joint...]
[>What is this, an Aesop fable?]
[Some connection. Of all people, Hando Construction president's hubby runs a gukbap shop, and of all places, a talent like Song Woo-yeon works there.]
[>Song Woo-yeon aside, the folks who spotted his talent and backed him are the real MVPs !!]
[Media needs to wake up. Spent all yesterday pushing "Song Woo-yeon is a fraud" lol then sudden 180]
Clean resolution. It helped that Choi Yeo-hae already had that straight-talking firebrand rep.
'If I'd stepped up, it'd just come off as excuses and backfire.' That's probably what Hyunmu was banking on. No way I'd let them have it easy. 'If I'd done the interview, they'd nitpick every word.' Try that with Choi Yeo-hae? You'd get burned. Even the press would hesitate. They might grill a small-business prez like Song Woo-yeon, but not Hando Construction's Choi Yeo-hae—one of the heavy hitters. Bitter pill, but that's my standing in the country right now. 'Gotta treat President Choi to a meal sometime.' She saved my bacon. Though knowing her, she'd flip out: "Where's a guy like you getting money to buy me dinner?"
"President!"
A voice snapped me out of it. I whipped around. Oops. Got lost in thought too long. Meant to just check the situation quick. Turning, I saw the shop packed with customers craning their necks, waiting for opening. The part-timer tilted her head at me quizzically.
"Oh, just zoned out for a sec."
I flashed a quick smile with the excuse.
"Ready to open up?"
I stood still for a beat, then nodded big.
"Yeah. Open 'er up."
"Got it! Prepping to open~."
The part-timer yelled it out and flung the doors wide.
"Ssongdabang main store—opening time!"
The moment had arrived for the launch of our fifth brand, Ssongdabang.