Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: The Grand Reveal Strategy
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Yeonwoo had decided to reveal his true identity, but that didn't mean they could just go ahead and expose Yuin's right away.
Of course, there wasn't any particular reason they couldn't reveal it immediately, but Yeonwoo—no, Yuin—was someone immersed in the entertainment industry.
Since they were going to reveal it anyway, it made sense to build up hype, gather topical buzz, and reap all sorts of benefits, from financial gains to others, by taking it step by step and unveiling it dramatically. That was the best approach all around.
But this wasn't Yeonwoo's area of expertise. In fact, he didn't know how to do it at all.
The one in the Shin family who knew this best was Jiyeong, and she was the one who suggested making Yuin's reveal even more dramatic. However, there was somewhere even better at handling the process than her.
"Let's leave it to JOP. That's the smartest move. We can spend big and promote it lavishly. I'll make the call."
Jihoon nodded at Jiyeong's words. For some reason, Nanase Tate mura, whom they'd met not long ago, popped into his mind.
And sure enough.
After Jiyeong made contact.
Nanase Tatemura from SSHIN arrived. Dressed in a suit like a proper Japanese businessman—uncharacteristic for someone in the music world—she came with her secretary, who was similarly suited up and carrying a briefcase.
"[Yeonwoo, it's an honor to meet you like this. I'm Nanase Tatemura.]"
"[Tatemura...?]"
Tatemura wasn't a common surname. Yeonwoo, seeing Nanase for the first time, asked in surprise, and she nodded.
"[That's right. She's the president of JOP, Shuji Tatemura—my uncle.]"
"[Oh, I see!]"
"[The president has entrusted me with Yeonwoo's identity reveal project. Not to brag, but I majored in marketing and have a real talent for this sort of thing.]"
"[Got it. But I don't know much about this stuff. From now on, you can talk to my aunt and my dad about the plans. I'll go along with anything that doesn't feel like 'not me.']"
"[In that case, we'll proceed with the schedule through you father and Ms. Jiyeong.]"
"[Yeah, I'll head out then.]"
Yeonwoo got up from his seat and toddled into the studio.
It was a completely different attitude from before, when he'd been clamoring to reveal himself—like he couldn't care less now.
"That kid's like, 'Mission accomplished, dumping the rest on you and me.'"
"Well, what can you do? He's a minor. The rest is on me as his dad."
"That's why Yeonwoo acts like that! You gotta take responsibility, you know? Like, come on?"
"What responsibility from a 7-year-old? Think back to when you were 7."
Jiyeong bristled at that.
"I was what! Not a genius, sure, but pretty clever in my own way..."
"Up through second grade, you were still wetting the..."
"Stop, right there. Fine. I'll be quiet. And that's top secret from Yeonwoo?"
She bristled, but was quickly shut down.
Jihoon smiled in satisfaction and turned to Nanase.
"[Since we're all fluent in English, let's proceed in English from now on. So, how do you plan to reveal Yeonwoo's identity?]"
"[First, we'll drop some subtle hints in Japan.]"
"[Japan?]"
"[Right now, the highest concentration of interest in Yuin is in Japan, not Korea. Embarrassing as it is to say it about my own country, we're known as a nation of voyeurs. The media dying to know her identity? More than one or two.]"
Jihoon nodded.
Come to think of it, wasn't Japan the country that did in-depth analysis on everything happening in Korea?
Excluding their own politics, they dug relentlessly.
"[Once word gets out that clues to the identity have surfaced in Japan, interest will spike in Korea too. After all, she's a genius composer who's expanded all the way to Japan.]"
"[And then?]"
"[We'll assign bodyguards and keep teasing the reveal—showing just enough to hide it. Don't worry; our entertainment industry is a pro at this.]"
"[And then?]"
"[This ties into JOP's interests as well...]"
Nanase glanced cautiously, wondering if Jihoon might get annoyed thinking they were scheming for their own gain.
"[It's fine. JOP is the company Yeonwoo's with, after all.]"
"[Then, I'll explain... so...]"
Would this be okay?
Jihoon, having heard Nanase out, gave Jiyeong a dubious look.
Jiyeong, all traces of her earlier playfulness gone, said with a serious face,
"[That should reduce the number of people suspecting Yeonwoo is Yuin.]"
"[Yes. We might need a few more verifications after, but it'll be less hassle than just bluntly announcing Yeonwoo is Yuin.]"
"[Honestly, it's simple, but it'd be tough for anyone unfamiliar with this world.]"
"[Isn't simple the best?]"
Jiyeong nodded and said to Jihoon,
"I think it's good. What about you, bro?"
"What do I know... They're even providing bodyguards, so Yeonwoo will be safe. That's all I can think."
"You know... Anyway, should we go with this?"
"Yeah."
"Man, Yeonwoo won't just be mine anymore."
Jihoon frowned and asked,
"What do you mean? Not mine anymore?"
"He's gonna get swarmed big time now."
"By what?"
"Fans."
Jihoon waved it off with an "Eh, no way."
"No, Yeonwoo is..."
But Jiyeong knew better.
"He attracts girls just sitting there."
Bro was clueless—way too clueless about how amazing his own kid was.
Anyway, after talking with Jihoon, Jiyeong conferred with Nanase. Jihoon, listening to them for a bit, started thinking about homeschooling.
From what he'd looked into, the procedures didn't seem too complicated...
'Still, he needs to study. Should we hire a tutor?'
As a dad, Jihoon was already worrying about his son's education.
* * *
After wrapping up with Nanase, SSHIN gathered for once without Yeonwoo: Yeonwoo's family and staff.
Even if it was just Heo Ok, Jihoon, Jiyeong, Invincible, Chae Hayeon, and Fuji Wakana—nine people or so—the studio felt small with everyone there.
"Now that Yeonwoo will reveal his identity, things should proceed more smoothly going forward. Please keep that in mind."
After Jihoon's announcement, Yoo Jaehyuk spoke up first.
"No more annoying questions about who Yuin is."
Jihoon chuckled and asked,
"Were there people like that?"
"Yes. There's this guy named Kim Beomsin."
"Haha, that won't happen much longer."
With that, Jihoon turned to Heo Ok.
"By the way, Mother, I'm looking into home tutors in Korea, but for Japan, could you handle it?"
Heo Ok raised one eyebrow and said,
"Already? Do we really need to push education this hard right now?"
"But... he should study at least a little. We need him to graduate middle school, right?"
After thinking a moment, Heo Ok replied,
"Instead of rushing to hire a tutor, why not take it slow?"
"Hmm..."
"Before hiring one... since it's elementary level, why not try among ourselves? Right, Yeonwoo's picking up languages fast. I'll teach English."
"Mom, aren't I better than you?"
"I'm confident in my English too, ma'am."
At her daughter and son's words, Heo Ok said,
"Jiyeong, your English is lowbrow slang-filled stuff, and Jihoon, yours is too Korean-style. I'm the best."
They shut their mouths at that. Chae Hayeon, who had been quietly listening to the family banter, timidly raised her hand and said,
"Um... I tutor my little siblings in elementary math, so... I think I could teach math easily."
Hearing Chae Hayeon, Invincible stepped up next.
"I'm literature, so I'll handle Korean."
"I dropped out, but I majored in social education, so elementary social studies? I could do that."
"Hey, wait—Yoo Jaehyuk, don't you study too? Tohoku music school isn't just for music talent, right?"
"Anything but science—I aced that all through high school."
Looking around, these people had surprisingly solid academics.
Jihoon, eyeing those volunteering to teach Yeonwoo, said,
"Then how about everyone teaches a bit, and I oversee? If it's not enough, we hire a tutor."
"Yeah, bro aced everything, so he can check. Oh, and my bro went to S University, FYI."
Oh, S University.
As Korea's top university came up, everyone marveled, while Jihoon, embarrassed, stood.
"Looks like no place for me here. I'll go pick up Yeonwoo."
Homeschooling wasn't finalized yet, so it was time to fetch Yeonwoo from school.
Thinking about it, he'd dropped him off before due to work, but picking him up after? First time.
Savoring the weekday vibe—different from weekends—Jihoon entered the school.
Some kids were already heading home hand-in-hand with moms, grandmas, or grandpas.
Smiling warmly at the sight, he reached the main building entrance and spotted Yeonwoo chatting with kids.
"Yeonwoo, you're really quitting school?"
"Yeah, now I'll do what I want and study at home."
"Wow, cool. Should I ask Mom if I can study home too 'cause I hate school?"
"Yeonwoo's parents are awesome. Letting him do that."
"I hate coming to school too!!"
Around Yeonwoo were...
"She said he attracts girls, but it's all girls surrounding him...?"
The girls had Yeonwoo in the middle, forming a circle.
"My boy's handsome, alright."
As a dad, it was a heartwarming scene.
"Yeonwoo!"
Jihoon watched the kids a moment, figuring Yeonwoo might not escape the chat easily, and called his name.
Hearing his dad's voice, Yeonwoo spotted him and ran over.
"Dad!!"
"Yeah, was school fun?"
"Yes! They had mala tang and mapo tofu today—super tasty. First time trying them. Friends said they're Chinese food. China has tons of food, huh, Dad?"
"China's got as much grub as Japan. Plus, styles vary by region."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Let's go together next time. Oh, everyone's at the company. Planning future schedules. Wanna head there quick?"
"Yes, Dad!"
Jihoon took Yeonwoo's hand and they walked out. The small, warm hand felt nice.
Yeah, he's still so little.
No need to stress studies so soon.
Jihoon walked down the road, gripping his son's hand tightly, feeling at ease.