Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Seolgi (3)
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'If you've stirred up some shit, there's one thing you gotta do first, little sis.'
'What's that?'
'What else? Ego surfing, duh. Ego surfing after trolling? I'm gonna do that right up until I die. Nothing in the world pumps out more dopamine. Right before I kick the bucket, I'm definitely posting in the Whales gallery that Hong-taek's about to croak and watching the reactions as I go.'
'You crazy bastard.'
It felt like she'd crossed a line, but what was done was done. Whatever, screw it. Seolgi mindlessly opened Z. The moment it loaded, her own name pinned at the top of the real-time trends jumped out at her. This was... the power of trolling?
Seolgi Legend lololol She must be pissed AF lololol
(The Instagram post Seolgi just uploaded)
?? Ain't that AI? Seolgi's just a total bore in person?
That wasn't just some simple *bait*. This was stunningly sophisticated *AI*.
No way, for real? How pissed do you gotta be lol
Honestly, her bro's that psycho Min Hong-taek from the Whales, so she's put up with a ton already, right?
She'd never call Min Hong-taek "oppa" even on her deathbed, just calls him her mom's son lol
This is hilarious af, dropping "you dogshit bitch" lol how mad was she
This reporter's kinda infamous. Writes clickbaity trash with bait titles, and digging around, he's done weird articles on other members too.
This reporter deserves some flak, right? Last time at the airport interview, he sniped that they did it outside cuz no space and made reporters suffer in the heat. Insane lololol
This the average journo trash?
This was dopamine? Watching everyone united in roasting the reporter who'd pissed her off, Seolgi felt her mood lift and cracked a smile.
"What’s got you grinning? You look happy all of a sudden."
"Nothing much~ But thinking about it, if the CEO's calling personally, it must be a big deal. And it's for me? Feels good~"
"True that. First time I've gotten a direct call from the boss too. Hope it's something huge. Time for you to land some big ads, Seolgi."
"But why'd the hospital call out of the blue?"
"Even the CEO doesn't know the details. We'll find out soon enough, though. We're almost there."
💬 [CEO]
Good job, Seolgi. If there's a sleazy reporter like that, don't hold back—act like you did today. For a sweet kid like you to get that mad and post something like this... I'm sorry. Our agency's big, so we usually filter out the major outlets, but looks like this new startup wrote that crap for views. Sorry. I'll be more careful from now on.
Sweet? Me? Did the CEO have the wrong idea? She just worked hard on assignments, got along with everyone without cliques. Looked out for trainee outcasts.
But that didn't mean she had no spine. Once, she got fed up with a bully trainee picking fights constantly and straight-up said, "Let's settle this!" then hooked him under the chin with an uppercut for a one-shot TKO.
After that, the trainees started treating her like the queen bee... She figured it was her age, but anyway. Seolgi texted back to the CEO.
[Seolgi]
Nah, CEO, you've been so good to us. Don't worry about it. You've got tons of other stuff, right?
💬 [CEO]
Thanks. Director Yu wants to meet you personally, so we're rushing you over. I don't know the full story either, so fill me in after. No signing anything willy-nilly, got it?
[Seolgi]
I'm not a kid, CEO. Don't worry.
Arriving at the hospital, Seolgi headed straight to the director's office with her manager unnie. The secretary at the desk greeted them.
"Ah, are you actress Seolgi? And this is...?"
"Yes. This is my manager."
"Got it. You can both go in. What drinks would you like?"
"Hot coffee for me, no sugar. Unnie?"
"Green tea if you have it."
"Sure. Head on in."
A kindly old man welcomed them. Antique bookshelves, a faint fragrance. Orchids on display.
'Huh, less like a director's office and more like a counseling room.'
Celebs had high stress, so checkups often included casual counseling or therapy. Seolgi had tried it too since all her members did.
"Welcome. I've met your CEO a few times, but this is our first, right?"
"Yes. Hello, I'm Freya's Seolgi."
"I'm her manager. Feel free to speak casually."
"Alright. Hm."
The director offered seats, then glanced at the papers in front of him. A natural silence fell as the secretary brought drinks and left.
"Anyway, we called you here today for a promotional video shoot."
"Ah, okay. But what exactly for a hospital promo? I've done some ads, but hospital ones are new to me..."
"We run our own YouTube channel. It'll probably be for that. Nothing set in stone yet, but have you heard of PICU?"
"Um, sorry... no."
"No need to apologize. Normal if you're not into medical stuff. Haha."
Comfortable guy. This director was a pro at conversation—not just talkative, but genuinely engaging.
"PICU is the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We've got two terminal kids admitted there right now."
"Terminal??"
Seolgi's voice rose involuntarily at the bombshell. Her manager grabbed her hand. Calming down, she saw the director smile and continue.
"Natural reaction. Anyway, they have wishes, so we brought you to make them come true."
"Ah, Freya fans? Girls?"
"One's your fan, the other's an aspiring singer who wants lessons. Can't bring the whole group—too noisy for a hospital."
"Ah... so I teach her to sing?"
"Yep. Totally different personalities, but both understand talk, no random crying. Ten and twelve years old."
"Oh my god..."
Seolgi was 22. Young even in the centenarian era. But 10 and 12? This wasn't right. If there was a God, this shouldn't happen.
Her manager jumped in for the frozen Seolgi. Details needed clarifying.
"But terminal kids—any ethical issues? Promo vid means faces on camera, right? Guardians on board?"
"The ten-year-old has a good shot with a heart transplant. But time's short, so we're filming on a Hail Mary. Donor might turn up."
The director sighed with a complicated look.
"Both in here over six months. Never left. Max six months left, can't survive a week outside. Got guardian consent. Could be their last wish."
"Ah... I see..."
"Grant their wishes, promote organ transplants. Seolgi, how long's the wait for a kidney transplant in Korea usually?"
"Uh, a year? Two?"
"Shortest five years, up to ten. Waiting lists explode, donors don't. Bad rep from that old scandal tanked awareness..."
Oh, that. Family donates brain-dead son's organs for good, hospital tosses body back like trash. They had to pay for an ambulance to another hospital themselves.
"Ah... yeah."
TL;DR: Two terminal kids in PICU. Grant wishes, promo organ transplants. Good cause, but heavy.
"Wanna see their faces first? Real cuties."
"Ah, sure..."
The director handed over files packed with photos. Jin So-yun, 12. Cute shots always smiling. Heartwarming, but no laughs.
So small. Only six months max? World shouldn't work like this.
Shuffle—shuffle—
Flipping pages, through the many photos, Seolgi spotted the other kid on the last one.
"Whoa... hold up, no way."
"Seolgi?!"
"S-sorry!"
"Ah, that one's special, huh? Rare disease, not typical albinism."
"Whoa..."
"What's up?"
"Unnie, this girl's beauty is insane...?"
"You're saying that now...?"
"Just look. Prettier than our evolved selves?"
"Seolgi, tone down the exaggeration... Huh? Uh... okay, fair."
"..."
The director stayed silent. Seol A-yeon's looks? Not a big deal to him, but apparently to others. PICU rumors said they rock-paper-scissors for IV duty.
'Can't see the hype in that lifeless doll.'
To the director, Seol A-yeon was just a research subject. Fan of this singer, so curious what changes this meeting might bring. Psych Prof Lee's case report made the international psych journal's main section.
'Mental health thresholds dropping, more patients—maybe expand psych staff. Cut thoracic, ER, OB/GYN deficits. Transplants or peds at least promo well. Tch.'
Loss-making depts okay if they promo. No-promo losses? Just maintaining beds hurts. Thoracic surgery beds lose nearly 100 million a year each.
'If this promo boosts donors, good for us. Liver, kidney fame draws patients.'
"Whoa, we gotta debut her. Unnie. Gender-blind knockout looks."
"Hey, calm down."
"Ah, yes..."
"Ahem. Seol A-yeon patient's cute, right? Famous in PICU. But chronic hospital life brought depression, lost her smile. Never seen it. Guardians hope the shoot brings one..."
"Ah... yes."
"Can you do it?"
"..."
A strange silence. The director quietly slid over a paper.
"This is the appearance fee. Can up it if needed."
"...Yes, possible!"
'Ah.'
Shed been agonizing over the burden, but the amount was too huge to refuse.