The Pension King
A few days after meeting the Pension King. I got a call from President Kim Manho. The message was simple: news about the final downfall of that 'Romance of the Outdoors' channel owner who'd been harassing me—no, that scumbag gambler.
"Detention?"
No matter how solid the evidence was, it hadn't even been a few days since the complaint was filed. Normally, you'd get a summons to the station, get questioned, then it goes to the prosecutors... That whole process takes forever, right?
To answer my question, President Kim Manho sent a short link to an online news article. I clicked to open it.
A 30-something major NewTuber A, with 500,000 subscribers, has been detained on charges of operating an illegal gambling site and used goods fraud.
According to investigators, A used his own bank account for the illegal gambling site and leveraged his personal broadcast influence to sell fake listings in used goods trades. The damages are said to total tens of millions of won.
During emergency questioning, police found search history on A's phone for terms like 'overseas escape', 'fleeing methods', 'exit procedures', and 'stowing away', which they used as grounds for flight risk.
A denied some charges during questioning, but the court issued a detention warrant, citing "risk of evidence tampering and flight."
Once the story broke, A's channel and SNS went private, and sponsors started terminating contracts. Police plan to continue investigating additional victims and the scale of criminal proceeds.
After reading the article, I let out a hollow laugh.
"...Is this what they mean by 'once the investigation starts'? And how stupid is this guy?"
Search history for 'stowing away'? Ballsy. Did he really think that was feasible? Well, whatever the process, the result was a happy ending. It felt like a nagging tooth had finally been pulled—pure relief.
I picked up my phone and replied to the president.
So reliable. This is why you join a big MCN.
The incident wrapped up cleanly, but the aftermath blew in from an unexpected direction.
"Why is my image solidifying like this..."
I'd just couldn't stand my beloved car being insulted, that's all. Suddenly I had titles like 'anger management issues' and 'GalLover maniac'.
"...Whatever, think positive. Even aggro is attention."
With the troublemaker gone, postponed tasks came crashing in like waves. President Kim Manho said "strike while the iron's hot" and rushed to launch sub-channels.
The first one: Im Nana's mukbang channel.
The reaction? Total explosion. It topped the trending videos.
Im Nana's mukbangs delivered a whole different level of impact compared to those dainty female campers.
A few days later, my sub-channel launched too.
Main channel showed pro camping knowledge and rugged wilderness; sub-channel captured softer, fluffier vibes. Yu PD named it—kinda cringy, but it fit my name 'Han Areum', so I approved.
Reactions were good—no, the comments were way warmer and cozier than main channel.
With channels expanded successfully, true peace arrived.
"Phew..."
With big issues sorted, a thought bubbled up: 'I wanna travel.'
Too caught up in incidents for real rest. Plus, our Maximus—vaccines done, but stuck to home and neighborhood walks. Felt bad.
"Maximus, wanna go on a trip?"
"Woof!"
He wagged furiously, like he understood. Yeah, let's go.
I fired up my laptop and searched pensions. Reality hit hard.
"What, every pet-friendly pension like this?"
Nice clean ones: fully booked. Decent ones: rundown or insanely pricey. Winter limited outdoor fun, indoor facilities scarce.
"Sigh... just pitch a tent in the wild?"
Didn't wanna suffer in this cold. I'm used to it, but Maximus is still a pup.
Then, a name flashed: Mokpo's Big Three. Pig farmer Hwang Grandpa. Land baron Han Grandpa. And... Pension King Jo Grandpa. Owned pensions nationwide.
Problem: Had his number, never called first. '...Will it be okay?'
Hesitated, but nothing to lose. Deep breath, hit call.
Ring... ring...
Gruff voice after a few tones.
Boisterous from the voice alone.
"Ah...? Hello! This is Han Areum, Han Geonja's granddaughter... Do you remember me?"
Brief silence. Then delighted voice.
"Guhk..."
Princess... Goosebumps everywhere. Cringing so hard toes curled. Did he learn from Hwang Grandpa? Why do they all call me princess?
Forced a smile. "Urk, yeah... How've you been?"
"Ahaha... Back okay now?"
Tested waters with pleasantries. He was thrilled to hear from me.
"Um, Grandpa. Thing is... wanna take the dog on a trip, but no good spots. Any pet-friendly pensions you run?"
He knew Maximus. Rustling papers.
"Really?"
"Anytime for me. Weekdays fine."
Pool villa? Not pension, villa?
"Uh... price though..."
He jumped.
"But still..."
Click. Hung up.
True Mokpo elders. Real men.
Text with address soon. Plugged it in—jaw dropped at photos.
"...Wow."
Gapyeong prime spot: standalone pool villa. 3-story modern build, front yard grass and outdoor pool. Reviews: mind-blowing pic.
"...Basement hot pool?"
Huge indoor pool, year-round heated.
"What pension has basement pool? Not even a spa..."
Mokpo bigshots' scale defies imagination. Free rental too.
One issue: "Too big?"
For me and Maximus, excessive. 4 rooms, 3 baths. Lonely alone...
'Invite someone?'
Scanned contacts. First: Im Nana. Nah.
Smirked. Save her for brutal solo winter training soon. Spoil now, slacks off.
Rika: Japan, pass. Park PD: Awkward duo trip, busy anyway. O Seokgyun: Overseas filming.
"Hmm..."
Finger stopped: DIY Kim Seontae. Ganghwa camping family—golden-hand dad, wife Choi Miyeon, cute Little Areum.
'Perfect for family.' Plenty rooms, no bed worries. They treated me normal knowing I'm NewTuber.
Hesitated, called.
Ring... ring... Calm voice.
"Ah, hi. Kim Seontae? Han Areum here."
Relieved at warmth. Chit-chat, eased in.
"Got a sweet Gapyeong pension via connection. Too big alone. If free, bring family?"
"Yeah, pool villa—tons rooms, pool."
Then, kid's voice over line.
Excited. Dad chuckled awkwardly.
"Ahaha, perfect. Heated, winter swim ok. She'll love it."
Date set. Hung up smiling. Good people, great spot. Real healing.
"Alright, this time it's true healing trip."