First Fan Meeting (4)
Jeong Su-ryeon stared in disbelief at the article titled [Jeong Seo-hoon's First Fan Meeting Ends in Shock and Horror].
—…(excerpt)… It was a fan meeting without a single flaw.
Instant polaroids, solo live performances, a dazzling array of guests, Jeong Seo-hoon's impromptu acting, and the detective fan's perfect chemistry—it was packed with endless entertainment.
But the moment the Imperial March echoed through the venue, all 200 fans tensed up at once.
Lee Se-jong, striding confidently toward the stage through the crowd of fans, was the embodiment of the evil grand commander.
His gait seemed to declare to the fans:
'No matter how much you rebels scream, you can't stand against the Graduate School Empire.'
That's right.
Darth Professor had boldly announced Jeong Seo-hoon's graduate school enrollment right in front of the fledgling rebels.
It was a one-sided decree, a tyranny that tore at the hearts of the non-rapper fans and made them shed bloody tears.
Think it's just a delusion?
Then why did Darth Professor specifically choose to play the Imperial March for his entrance?
For reference, the Imperial March is the music signaling the arrival of the sinister empire's grand commander…(excerpt)…
Oh So-hee, having read the fan meeting article, was dumbfounded.
"These days, anyone's a journalist, huh? Why put so much effort into writing such bullshit at such length?"
"Strip away the 'journalist' title, and it reads like a review from a fan who was actually there."
"A journalist among the offline ticket winners?"
"This has that vividness only someone on-site would know. We watched the stream too."
"True. If it weren't real, they couldn't describe the atmosphere this detailed and lifelike."
There were tons of comments that seemed from actual offline participants.
"But you're sure Tae-woo oppa's coming today?"
"He said he is. I'm not letting this guy off easy. Don't try to stop me."
"Even without oppa, you couldn't have gone anyway. What's with the confidence on an 80,000th waitlist spot?"
The VillRap community was a wasteland, as if a bombing raid had swept through.
The two women sighed and joined the parade of worried comments.
Oh So-hee didn't end up grilling her brother.
He'd texted that he couldn't make it due to overtime.
* * *
"So it was you, Song Ga-ryeong."
Jeong Su-ryeon had figured out who wrote the article [Jeong Seo-hoon's First Fan Meeting Ends in Shock and Horror].
Out of the 200 offline participants, only one fan shared that name.
"She's an entertainment reporter, Jeong Seo-hoon's dedicated marker?"
She was from a major daily's entertainment desk, but her recent articles were all about Illegal, Su-jang-go, Haegeuk—everything Jeong Seo-hoon related.
The occasional other topics she tossed in charitably—like Baek Hyeo-seon's latest album, Lee Seo-hyeon, Han Seo-hee, Chae Ji-hyun, Yoo Jeong-ah—were all closely connected figures.
"At least she doesn't seem to have any malice toward you. That's a relief."
"This one's pure admiration, from what I saw. I remember."
"Huh? She stood out that much even among offline fans?"
"Only 200 people. I scrutinized and memorized every single one."
"Fine, you're amazing."
Song Ga-ryeong had poured her emotions into singing There like the other fans—no malice, just pure fandom.
"Still, better keep her in mind. A journalist we suspect is a diehard fan. Where should I note her down?"
"Sis, your memory fades over time, even recorded stuff. I'll just store her firmly in my head."
"VillRappers need to see your real self like this. Ugh, can't secretly film and leak it—my heart's bursting."
"Don't worry. After the fan meeting reveal, everyone knows I'm the nagging sis-clinger type."
"You clinging to me? I'm just pretending to put up with it."
"Believe what you want."
Infuriating—she furrowed her brows as much as possible.
Mom appeared with a fruit platter as an excuse and plopped down beside her.
"How was the fan meeting?"
"You've searched everywhere yourself, Mom. Why ask me?"
"Still different hearing it straight from you."
"Too much. Gotta spell it out in detail right in front of him?"
"Confiscate your car then?"
"Ah! After you bought me a new billions-won Volvo?"
Jeong Su-ryeon grumbled but explained in detail to her mom anyway.
"It was a blast, super atmosphere. Seo-hoon doesn't interact much with fans usually, so he came off a bit standoffish, but this one event blew that away."
"Standoffish?"
"No agency, just focusing on projects—no fan mingling. Can come off as rude sometimes."
"Fans think that?"
"Not fans—rival fans nitpick it. But no more after this fan meeting."
Be kind 100 times, slip once—'he's changed,' endless hate.
Be aloof 99 times, kind once—'hidden true self!' awe and praise. World's rule.
Jeong Seo-hoon had been too mysterious, barely any fan outreach—like building walls.
Rival fans' favorite attack line: 'How rude to distance from fans like that!'
But his fan service this time was legendary.
'Paid 110,000 won, got a 1.1 million full-course feast.'
'Precious chance to see how much undergrad treasures us.'
'Undergrad's busy acting and studying. Minimal comms 'cause laser-focused on main gig—unlimited understanding from us.'
"Nailed the twist—fandom's blazing hotter. Fuels fanning zeal. So ditch grad school, make more projects as thanks."
"Kiddo. Already said yes—how cancel? Better snag prof quick. Top actor prof-ing as hobby? Cool as hell."
"Mom, still chasing Gangnam ladies' social clubs, basking in top son-in-law buzz? Not bored?"
"Never. Always thrilling."
"Gangnam fortune-tellers ain't much. Don't even know you're Jeong Seo-hoon's mom."
"That's my tight security. No good spilling family amid those blabbermouth ajummas—just gets dissected."
Lee Jeong-sook loved hearing her son's success from registry-mates indirectly. Jeong Su-ryeon griped but always shared.
"At this level, shouldn't overseas buzz kick in?"
"Tae-soo oppa said China's already calling."
"Not China—Hollywood."
"2 hours for 20 billion?"
"What?!"
Mom gaped, stunned beyond imagination, then snapped back.
"Why pay that much?"
"Beijing fan meeting, 2 hours. Sing a few OSTs included. Guarantee min 20 billion. No scam."
Jeong Su-ryeon knew Hollywood had vanished from Mom's mind—eyes sparkling like headlights.
"Seo-hoon, doing it?"
"Dunno. But next project's soon—no time for overseas with studies too."
"Haegeuk's done?"
"Haven't told you yet, Mom. Signed next gig during Haegeuk. Choi Hong-rae director? You loved Back Then, We."
"Oh! Back Then, We director's project?"
"NetPrime full-prod 6-ep crime action. Final villain. Quick shoot."
"Pay?"
"Top contract, obviously. Don't worry—he handled it."
"Next NetPrime exclusive lead?"
"Strictly supporting. Only last 2 eps. But director/writer love him—weight on directing."
Mom, beaming like drama smash already, suddenly sobered.
"Haegeuk overseas reaction? Searches vary—some say #1 sweep, others just groundwork."
"Never hit NetPrime #1, but steady top 10. Historicals unfamiliar to overseas viewers."
"Underperformed. Old zombie historical swept #1."
"No zombies here."
Jeong Su-ryeon swallowed an apple slice and continued.
"Overseas nets snapped broadcast rights. Japan just started—good buzz. US/Europe pending."
"NetPrime undersold."
"Post-finale binge-watchers'll boost ranks. US/Europe airings spread word. Hollywood call maybe."
"China 20 bil fan meet eclipses Hollywood. Hourly 10 bil gig? Unreal."
"Right? Rent dome, sell tix at million each?"
"Seo-hoon, you in?"
Mom gazed eagerly.
Usually detached from money, but sum tempted her.
Jeong Seo-hoon showed texts instead.
"Probably can't. No time."
"Ah…."
Mom sighed, deflated.
"Kinda wasteful."
"Mom, hourly 10 bil day trip—not 'kinda.' Why so chill? Since when money zen?"
"Money's a tool for goals. Useless for mine."
"…Yeah. Fans wailing over 200 offline seats—if they knew you snagged 20 bil, major satisfaction."