Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: We're Fucked
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In South Korea, the police are known as a slow and sluggish organization.
Investigations drag on without progress, they let scumbags who should have been locked up ages ago roam free for years, and they grovel on the floor like dogs, peeking at the moods of the higher-ups.
However.
Even these incompetent, lumbering cops, when word comes down from above—
When the hands of those lofty figures reach down directly—
From that moment, they transform from sluggish pigs into swift and precise wolves hunting their prey.
Just like right now.
"Wh… what the hell are you guys?"
"We're the police. Seo Won-jong, you're under emergency arrest for assault and embezzlement."
Immediately after the final shoot wrapped, a massive, simultaneous sweep arrested the Child Star production crew.
Starting with PD Ma Joo-seok, who was nabbed first after fleeing was detected, over 30 people involved in the dirty dealings were dragged into the station all at once.
"Fuck… what the hell is going on?"
"P… PD? Wh… what's all this about?"
"… PD Ma?"
"…"
The Child Star crew, who never imagined they'd end up in a police station group photo.
Before their eyes sat PD Ma Joo-seok, slumped weakly in his chair, looking utterly worn out.
He looked like he'd been through hell.
At that moment, gazing at the crowd filled with confusion and bewilderment, PD Ma Joo-seok slowly lifted his head and spoke in a heavy voice.
"We're… fucked…"
"Finally, the grand finale! Who will be the first star of Child Star?!"
The entire Child Star production crew had been rounded up from head to toe.
Yet even with the makers locked away, the broadcast surprisingly went on as normal.
Normally, a show tangled in this kind of mess would be yanked off air immediately, but Child Star aired boldly in its regular slot, as if the crew's presence or absence meant nothing.
There was only one reason this was possible.
The incident hadn't surfaced publicly yet.
"…I figured as much, but it's still scary. The power of those high-and-mighty folks."
"Haha… yeah, pretty much."
Ha Yu-ra gave an awkward smile at my words.
As one of those 'high-and-mighty' figures herself, she was already fully briefed on the situation.
Right now, the whole crew was rotting in holding cells, but not a peep about it had leaked to the press.
Embargo.
The info lockdown from the powers that be had kicked in.
Of course, it had an expiration date—probably a month from now, when the full story would start trickling out.
By then, Child Star would come under scrutiny too, but they'd dilute the focus by blowing up the other scandals bigger, while spinning the corruption story in a palatable way.
Any biased judging was limited to the preliminaries. The finals were 'fair and square.'
This was to shield my daughter—who won purely on talent—from any fallout.
Plus, the kid who teamed up with Seon-hwa in the process—
Seo Han-sol, sitting right there with her watching TV—got protection as a bonus.
In my past life, this blew up huge in the media, and Seo Han-sol took the brunt of the backlash more than anyone.
Back then, director Yeom Jun-taek leaked it to the press from the start, making control impossible. Child Star, being the most recent project, got ripped apart the worst.
With her win already shady in people's minds, the hate comments were inevitable.
Thinking of how that kid met a miserable end later on, I felt this life might turn out more positively for her.
According to Chan-su, aside from initial group assignments, the finals seemed clean—no funny business.
So in a way, calling it the honest truth wasn't far off.
Just watching the footage, my daughter and Seo Han-sol's duo was so OP that no one could argue they didn't deserve the win.
Even if bias controversy erupted, they'd transcended that level—no real damage.
'Anyway, looks like things are wrapping up nicely…'
It was quiet for now, but once it hit the surface soon, the networks—especially MBS at the epicenter—would see a massive purge.
And ironically, that wasn't bad for me at all.
Broadcasting was cutthroat competition, after all.
If powerhouse MBS among the big three terrestrials went sideways for a while, the others like SBC and ZTBC would gain ground naturally.
This time, I'd put Seon-hwa on for real-world idol experience, but otherwise, I had no ties to MBS.
If SBC or ZTBC thrived more because of it, great for me.
Feeling satisfied that everything was sorted, I leisurely watched Child Star—whose ending I already knew.
Then.
"By the way, tomorrow's the day already, Teacher."
"So it is. Time flies."
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Same here… It's my first movie. Forgive any shortcomings."
Total bluff.
In my past life, I'd done countless films as an extra.
But in this life, movies were new territory.
Especially as a lead—basically my debut—so I felt a mix of tension and strange excitement as I mentally reviewed tomorrow's script.
'Hospital director, huh… Past life, I was some random intern passing by. Talk about a promotion.'
Ha Yu-ra.
She was in an incredibly good mood right now.
Today was the first movie shoot with the long-awaited Chae Soo-jeong.
With her dream finally reality, her heart brimmed with anticipation and joy.
'Hehe… Getting to sync up with Teacher again. Time to drop another bombshell.'
As the female lead, she was cast opposite Chae Soo-jeong—exactly the dynamic she'd hoped for.
As the saying goes, it takes two palms to clap; clashing acting head-on worked best with opposing roles.
That way, their raw emotions could collide, letting her face Chae Soo-jeong's genuine performance straight on.
In that sense, it was like their previous shoot for The Queen Dowager, Sovereign of Deception.
But unlike back then, tangled in love-hate, this was pure rivalry—so Ha Yu-ra could savor Chae Soo-jeong's acting even more intensely, right in her face.
Stepping out of the car with eager excitement, she headed to set.
Then, familiar faces caught her eye…
"Teacher, I'm here…?!"
The next instant, Ha Yu-ra froze on the spot.
There was her expected Teacher, wearing that usual serene smile—beautiful as ever.
The problem: the familiar golden creature standing in front of her.
The thing that made her think, 'Why the hell is this bitch crawling out here?',
Raised a casual hand toward the now-dazed Ha Yu-ra.
"Hi."
Flashing a sparkling smile, wiggling her fingers.
Elizabeth Stormwalker.
Blindsided by the unexpected appearance of the woman she'd parted with at the waterpark—vowing never to cross paths again—Ha Yu-ra cried out in thick dismay.
"Wh… what? Y-you… bi… No, wh… why are you here?"
"Hehe, don't look so thrilled. We'll be seeing each other a lot from now on, so better get used to it quick, right?"
"Wh-what do you…?"
Ha Yu-ra, too flustered to continue.
Chae Soo-jeong gave a slightly troubled smile as she spoke.
"You know that lead/supporting role for the U.S. officer was open? Elizabeth here filled it."
"N-no, I heard it was cast, but… why her of all people?"
"Well… she reached out saying she wanted in."
"Ugh…"
The white officer role hadn't been easy to fill.
Plenty applied, but none met the director's standards, so it'd dragged on.
Then Elizabeth Stormwalker 'descended' into the spot.
A Hollywood name like hers was promo gold on its own, and her skills were proven.
No reason for the director to say no—she was in.
"So, let's get along from here on, Mrs. Chae."
"Likewise… Nice Korean, by the way. Weren't you just…"
"Hehe, been practicing my ass off? I was already into K-pop anyway."
"…"
She said that, but Ha Yu-ra reasonably suspected she'd faked her Korean before.
Her great mood sank a notch,
As the first shoot for the movie Last Sign began.