Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Ripple Effect
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Today's SNS was buzzing as energetically as ever, with everyone's attention zeroed in on Seolgi after her explosive rant. The impact of a sudden curse-laden post from an active idol—no less one from a top-tier group, known for being quietly unobtrusive at best, invisible at worst—was massive.
So what's the deal with Seolgi going to Korea University Hospital? Is she even going? She just posted that rant with no explanation—can't even guess. Hope she's not sick or anything.
You didn't watch Seolgi's personal stream?
It was a weekday afternoon—how was I supposed to watch it!!
Yeah, she's going. It leaked from her personal Insta live when her manager got a call. And Seolgi's not sick. Look at her genes. Both parents are built like tanks.
It's just viral marketing, right?
Someone as boring as Seolgi pulling off viral like this? Nah, I think she just snapped this time.
She's put up with crap forever, hasn't she? Look at Min Hong-taek. If your bro's that much of a mess, you'd think twice about blowing up yourself.
Min Hong-taek's a legend for sure. That cop shop brawl story is straight fire.
Saying her real name sounds hickish is mean but true—no denying it.
You're the mean one. But yeah, Min Hye-suk really does sound country—don't say it if it's true and mean~ Almost did.
~Crazy~bastard~ You're the devil incarnate. LOL
Won't go far. Safe travels.
What if it's hospital promo?
Why ask an idol to promo a hospital?
How should I know? Ask someone who does.
Seolgi's never missed anything for being sick. She's the picture of health.
Fr, her build is solid bone. No wonder Min Hong-taek jokes about losing Korea's Tyson.
Agency dropped an official statement. They'll make Seolgi apologize morally, but basically saying the reporter was the real screw-up.
Damn right.
Sure, sure, you gotta apologize morally after dropping "you fucking asshole."
That reporter's articles are trash tier—why even engage?
Still, Seolgi's no nobody... That's cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying started with the reporter, no? Their article list was insane.
Tte Teo Seol Gi
Moral apology post up, but keeping "you fucking asshole"—top-tier Tte Teo Seol Gi
The internet was ablaze as usual, with everyone glued to Seolgi's Instagram. Her post reading "I offer my moral apologies" had some hate comments, sure, but they were drowned out by an overwhelming wave of support for Seolgi.
Even fans of other idols saw Seolgi as the unpopular member of her group. They figured this scandal wouldn't really threaten their faves' popularity, so no organized hate campaigns. They didn't drop positive comments either, of course. When "Seolgi" trended, the top association was still "quiet leader with no presence."
Freya's agency was monitoring the situation closely, deciding to drop follow-up news as quickly as possible. In the internet's sea of virals and scandals, an issue from their least popular member would fizzle out fast.
"Hmm, so like talent donation?"
"Yes, President. But I got some photos. Wanna see this kid?"
"...Whoa."
Not quite mega-agency huge, but still a major player. The CEO met celebrities daily, even nurtured some himself. He saw handsome faces and beauties dozens of times a day. Yet even he froze at the sight of this girl—her looks stunning enough to shock the shock-proof.
"A girl like this is your fan?"
"Ouch, President, that hurts..."
"Sorry. Anyway, what's the deal? One-off thing?"
"Depending on reactions—if the members vibe with it, we can do more. But we'd need to adjust the fee..."
"Obviously. That's generous pay for 4 hours. With looks like that, can't fail. Post the first shoot on Freya's channel, gauge response. If good, push it to the main agency channel. Claim her for us. Wait, what am I saying? She's sick, right? Is this what getting charmed feels like?"
"Uh... So-yun's case is hopeless, but A-yeon just needs a heart transplant to survive, I heard."
"No way we're poaching sick kids. If she recovers, maybe then. Go treat them nice. Special care since they're ill. Actually, let's film a full member meeting."
"Pardon?"
"Teach singing, make her smile—that's the goal, right? I'll get hospital approval."
"Uh, sure?"
"Film us brainstorming how to make her smile. Upload to your channel—fans will eat it up. Keep it light."
"Yeah, they said casual's fine."
"Perfect. Sending a pro crew. Let's go big. Feels like real potential—good PR, buzz too."
Just before interest waned, a video hit Freya's official YouTube. As a top-tier group, views skyrocketed instantly.
Getting Ready to Meet Our Baby Angels!
A trendy 5-minute clip. It opened with centered text on screen.
This video is prep for our upcoming meetings with the baby angels at Korea University Hospital!
The video kicked off in their familiar practice room, usually for dance clips. Difference: members sat in a straight line, no choreography.
"""Hello~! God bless you! We're Freya!"""
The group greeting launched straight into banter mode, kicking off with roasting Seolgi.
"Our Frey-pies~ Shocked by unnie Seolgi lately? Suddenly lost her mind? Went nuts?? She's got a checkup at a big hospital soon!"
"I already went, what're you talking about... And you speak Korean better than me. Isn't that clumsy Japanese girl concept kinda outdated?"
"Can't say our Seolgi unnie's the real old one, right?"
"Maknae, I'm only 3 years older."
"Yeah, I'm still a teen."
"Hey, Kim Chae-kyung! Wanna die?! I'm 3 years older than you! You'll be 20 next year!"
"No thanks, I like living, Hye-suk unnie. But I've got 6 months left. Gonna tease till you're officially old."
"You little...! Call me Seolgi unnie!! And Ha-ru's turning 20 too!"
"Not yet—their birthdays haven't passed. Min Hye-suk unnie it is."
"...Fine. Call me whatever."
"But seriously, what was that post? Thought we'd been hacked. Our always-diligent responsible boring leader Min Hye-suk posting that? I called the CEO to book her psych eval."
"Yeah! I was crazy! Sue me! Why you too, Ha-ru!? Weren't we buddies? Anyway, we gathered for these kids. Check the pics."
She showed the members the photos (faces censored with ?). Gasps of awe erupted.
"Whoa, babies so kawaii~"
"Speak one language! Korean or Japanese—pick one, Ha-ru!"
"Arubino."
"Do whatever..."
"...What?"
"...Whoa. Damn. Sorry, but wow. That hair color's not natural."
"So, what do you think? Cute, right?"
"Seolgi unnie, got a smiling pic? Scared I'll fall for her smile. Dying to see it."
"Chae-kyung, you nailed it."
"What's with that whip-smart tone?"
"What's with your old-man talk, Jin-hwa?"
"Always been like this."
The chit-chat intro wrapped, and Seolgi got to the point.
"These kids are my fans! They wanna meet, so I'm heading over soon! Sorry again for the rant post. As penance, I'll leave it up—promise not to forget."
"Seolgi unnie? Not my fan?"
"Finally speaking proper Korean, Ha-ru."
"Seolgi onee-san, sonan desu ka?"
"Ha-ru, just shut up. You'll kill me."
"Hai~"
"Anyway! These baby angels are my fans! Dream of being singers, so I'm going! That's why the university hospital came up on my live—schedule's set."
"Majidesu!"
"They do look angelic."
"But how's that related to us all here?"
"Special mission! Our leader's a bit dim, so borrowing your wisdom."
"""Special mission?"""
"This angel wants to be a singer! Gotta teach her, but my skills suck."
Main vocalist Chae-kyung jumped in.
"You teach pretty well, though?"
"Never taught a 12-year-old..."
"Eh, just wing it? No real advice till we know her level. Hear her sing first, then plan. Got footage?"
The other two nodded at Chae-kyung's level-headed take. Obvious, really—trained kid vs. total beginner? Worlds apart.
"Yeah, figured that much."
Seolgi nodded too. The others looked baffled. Then why call us?
"But the real issue is this angel! Chae-kyung just asked about a smile pic? She's lost her expressions—need your help bad!"
"...Lost expressions? What?"
"They've been hospitalized over half a year. Lost their spark. Hospital therapy failed, so they reached out to me."
"""Ah..."""
Now it clicked. Long hospital stays crush adults; kids? Brutal.
"So, make her smile?"
"Exactly, Jin-hwa! Got a surefire way?"
"Oof. Telling our diligent boring Seolgi unnie to make a kid laugh? Too hard. Send Ha-ru—similar mental age?"
"Jin-hwa! Calling me a kid?!"
"Aren't you?"
"No! Ban from regional broadcasts! My fans! Help me out!"
"Just all go. Sing together—she'll crack."
"It's the ICU... Solo only..."
"""Ah."""
Brainstorming ramped up. Smile bright. Kids mimic smiles. Didn't you hear? Trip in the door. Seolgi unnie's hopeless—physical comedy. What's wrong with my brain? Why no ideas?
Body gags are ancient. Use faces. Unnie's not funny-faced. Goldfish impression? We're idols... But can't say unnie's head's already goldfish. I'm leader, eldest...
After endless debate, they conceded: no solving this with Seolgi. Subtitle popped up.
No hope like this!
"Guys? Useless without backup. Poll the Frey-pies? Crowdsource wisdom?"
"Ha-ru, genius?"
Calling all Frey-pies! Ideas to restore our expressionless angel's smile!
Comments exploded.