Fandom's No Joke? (2)
Haegeuk and Taejong's Garden.
The two dramas took turns dominating the Monday-Tuesday and Wednesday-Thursday prime-time slots, captivating viewers' attention.
Haegeuk had steadily maintained ratings in the low 20% range, drawing a gentle upward graph.
In contrast, Taejong's Garden fluctuated within 2-3% of the low teens.
The fan who made the dating rumor meme deleted the post and uploaded the new one.
It wasn't a simple meme—it was staged like a captured screenshot of a pro internet news article.
Starting with a sensational headline, it captured what looked like a full investigative scoop on a scandal, packed with wild speculation.
Or at least, it was dressed up that way.
The newspaper name was a parody of a major outlet, the reporter's email was @fuckyou.com, and the byline read "Naregi" (ShitReporter).
It was a disguised capture file loaded with blatant Easter eggs screaming "fake news" everywhere.
The waiting VillRap fans piled on with deadpan comments.
Suksa (Prof), Lee Seo-hee, Han Seo-hyeon—intentional errors.
To fool entertainment reporters while dodging defamation.
The hive mind was mighty.
The pre-coordinated VillRap fans overreacted massively to seize the narrative on the fake scandal article.
At a glance, they seemed ready to storm Lee Seo-hyeon's agency and torch the place. But up close, they toed the line perfectly without crossing it.
Reporters glued to their screens from afar wouldn't spot the nuance.
"Jeong Seo-hoon and Lee Seo-hyeon scandal broke! Article's out!"
"What? Where?"
"C Daily exclusive, looks like—screenshot's up on VillRap!"
No one checked if C Daily actually ran it.
Hooked reporters churned out follow-ups in a frenzy, and soon portal headlines were flooded with Jeong Seo-hoon & Lee Seo-hyeon buzz.
The public shrugged it off.
"Jeong Seo-hoon again? Dude gets scandals with every leading lady."
"Not shocked. Figured Han Seo-hee and Lee Seo-hyeon triangle was coming."
"Yoo Jeong-ah, Chae Ji-hyun already happened—gotta complete the set with Lee Seo-hyeon. Can't leave one out."
"Cleared the big three actresses. Give him a title or something?"
The masses were blasé.
Debut scandals had built immunity—just a fluke, probably some skinship scene.
Behind it, VillRap fandom cackled evilly.
The high school girl fandom unleashed full combat mode.
Refutation posts with the original fake file attached rained down with brutal firepower everywhere.
When refutation materials are ready, the public is usually already hooked—but when agitators and debunkers are the same crew, results flip.
Like now.
The merciless carpet-bombing of refutations at perfect timing startled the reporters mid-posting spree.
Once they verified, they yanked every scandal article without a peep of apology.
Portals were spotless—no trace left.
The fake scandal blew over in a flash. Reporters got reamed by their desks; VillRap gloated in triumph.
Ha Tae-soo scrolled VillRap reactions, tongue lolling in awe.
"Whoa, freaked when Lee Seo-hyeon scandal first hit. Thought prof got snapped boozing with those academics."
Jeong Su-ryeon giggled.
"Fandom firepower solid, right?"
"Felt it during Chae Ji-hyun thing—no joke."
"Dollpan rollers. Underestimate at peril. Send 'em to Yeouido, they'd outdo congressmen."
"That good?"
"Korea’s fiercest political intrigue is Dollpan. Pitting rival fans, agencies, broadcasters, public—schemes galore."
"Did idol stuff, didn't know Dollpan was this wild."
"Seo-hoon, you?"
Jeong Seo-hoon was quietly stunned by the fandom's combat and political savvy.
"Each one's worth a hundred. Could run war HQ PR officer, nail propaganda. Impressed."
"Ooh, first time seeing sincere praise from you."
"My fans. Going this far for an actor? Of course shocked and touched."
"But war HQ, PR officer, propaganda? Discharged ages ago, still got that soldier vibe?"
"Body's out, heart's still there."
"Hilarious."
"Prevention shot strong— no Haegeuk scandals to sweat now."
"Why assume scandals?"
"Always been that way—figure this time too."
"……."
Jeong Su-ryeon snickered, scrolling browser, then patted her brother's back.
"Post-Haegeuk, fanmeet if time. Real fans deserve the gesture."
"Your take?"
"Yeah, fancy one. Lottery 50 to avoid mobs."
"Push that. Not now—later."
"Right, focus drama. Fanmeets over shoots? Viewers roast."
Fans and viewers overlap but aren't identical.
"Waiting in van—get ready."
"Got it."
Ha Tae-soo left; alone, Jeong Seo-hoon poked his sister's side.
"Spill."
"Huh?"
"This? Your plot, right?"
"Me? Nah."
"Your scheming style. Truth."
"Hey, your sis. Fandom knows. Me plotting this? Scandal city."
"You'd think sis stays hidden but leave sloppy traces."
Slipped from "you" to "sis."
"Know myself too well. Won't touch if backtrace risk. Uh, fueled as anon mid-way. That's it."
"Really not?"
"Nope."
Major's sharp gaze scanned pupil dilation, brow twitch, lip quiver, skin temp, breath rhythm.
'Not lying.'
"You suck at lying—suspected. Didn't wanna wreck."
"Aigoo. Years in this game—lies I tell are the kind that land soft if caught."
"Fine. Let's roll."
Haegeuk cruised quietly.
KBC's Taejong sageuk had entertainment reporters soft-pedaling Haegeuk.
Headlines made Taejong's Garden seem #1.
But can't hide the sun with your palm.
Haegeuk broke 25%, gearing for higher.
The Grand Prince lures Crown Prince hunting—hits loyalist wall.
Crown Prince should study, not chase "wild" hunts.
King overrides for exercise; they hunt together.
Grand Prince doesn't botch—plots natural "accident" route like training.
'Dodging Royal Guard for fake accident? Tricky.'
Palace Guard discipline ironclad.
Faking hunt mishap needs ditching eyes—leaves traces.
Incident hits? Grand Prince prime suspect.
Park shamaness (Han clan) advises.
'Heavy rain three days soon, then stop. Midday peak, hit usual Crown Prince hunt spot.'
'Fake accident kill bro then?''Not Crown Prince's fated end day. Remember.'
True to word—three-day deluge, then clear.
Grand Prince & Crown Prince to usual spot; sun peaks...
-Giant tiger! Tiger's here!
-Protect Crown Prince!
-Call armored cavalry! Hurry!
House-sized tiger charges lithely.
Mind-shattering roar panics horses; Guards fall injured everywhere.
Chaos.
-Crown Prince!
Spooked horse bucks; Crown Prince falls. Grand Prince dives, catches him.
Grand Prince's calf crushed by hoof—searing pain shoots thigh to skull.
Arriving cavalry drives tiger off desperately; Guards hustle princes away.
'Kill me, Crown Prince!''No. Untouched here—tend brother.'
Grand Prince gravely hurt.
Ribs cracked shielding Crown Prince; leg needs long recovery.
Bled heavy.
-Thanks, Yoo-ya. Saved me risking life. Won't forget till death.
Bright Crown Prince smile recalled shamaness.
'Not Crown Prince's fated end.'