Cha Hwayoung Again
Cha Hwayoung again.
"You think just 'cause you've got some money now, you can go totally wild? Why not build your own alternate reality and play castle lord or something?"
Some site was even offering commemorative "honorary castle lord" certificates as souvenirs.
"I just wanted to fuck you in a fresh way in a place like that, nuna... You hate it?"
No reply. As expected, the way to shut down a fuckbuddy's complaints was always with more fucking.
—You've got plenty of young, hot fuckbuddies. That Soyoung girl had a killer body too.
"Still, you're always number one for me, nuna. You know that."
The "number one" cheat code always worked on nuna, who was sensitive about rankings.
—Tell me when the remodeling's done. If you bring another girl in first, you're dead.
"Got it. My number one."
Laughter seeped into her voice. He loved how she pouted softly before melting like this.
Dinner, huh... She said come to the house, so it probably wouldn't end with just eating. After experiencing the new world of 3Ps thanks to Soyoung, he found himself anticipating stuff like this.
Of course, he had business to handle first.
"Hello?"
"Is this reporter Cha Hwayoung?"
"Yes, speaking. Who's this?"
"This is Hong Seongi from Stardust Entertainment."
"Stardust?"
"You might know me as Hong Seongi, the rep from JH Entertainment."
"Ah, Mr. Hong. But what's this Stardust?"
"It's a new company. I'll explain the details when we meet."
"Why should I meet you?"
"Song Jinho team leader told me to call you if I needed help."
"Wh-who?"
"Song Jinho team leader. You know him well, right? Or not?"
No answer. She was probably frantically calculating why "Jinho" had come out of his mouth.
"I'm on Song team leader's side, so no need to be on guard."
"What’s your relationship with Jinho?"
"I know all about how Park Hyungpil team leader got Song team leader in that mess. Isn't that reason enough to meet?"
"What’s your relationship with Jinho!"
"I'll tell you when we meet."
"Why do you keep insisting on meeting? We can talk over the phone!"
"I don't like it that way. If you're not meeting, I'll hang up."
"W-wait!"
They agreed to meet at a café he'd gone to a few times with Song Jinho. Now it was time to reset his relationship with his third fuckbuddy.
She looked exhausted. Nowhere near celebrities like nuna or Seoah, but still in the beauty category—probably hadn't been taking care of herself properly because of Jinho.
"Warning you upfront: if you're thinking of messing with me, give it up. I've got people who'll come find you themselves if I don't check in within 30 minutes."
This wasn't an empty threat. From his days grinding as a social affairs reporter, he had more than a few detective buddies in violent crimes he was tight with. He could get backup anytime with a vague excuse.
"No such plans, so take my new business card."
"Stardust... manager?"
"I left JH a while back. This is my new gig."
Everyone else had asked why a manager, but Hwayoung was different. She must've figured it had nothing to do with her. Sharp as ever when it came to work.
"Now spill. What's your deal with Jinho?"
"Song team leader and I..."
He fleshed out the lie he'd told Grace. Shared hobbies, one of the few employees who didn't shy away from the isolated rep, and how they bonded over a common enemy in the team leader—he recited it all meticulously.
With rational Hwayoung, logic came first. Even if it sounded unbelievable, if it held up plausibly, she'd buy that it could happen.
"So you're saying team leader's taking on the team leader in Jinho's place?"
"I've got a debt to settle with that bastard too. Killing two birds with one stone—clearing Song team leader's name."
"Debt...?"
"Can't go into details, but that fucker tried to take my life. I'm the type who doesn't feel satisfied until I pay back exactly what I got."
She seemed to peg it as chaebol infighting and didn't pry further.
"I've got some backup inside the company, but outside it's tough. Song team leader gave me two names for that: Do Mingyu and you, reporter. Stardust is the company Mingyu and I started together."
Perfect excuse since the missing Song Jinho couldn't be asked directly.
"But why meet me? I don't see how I can help team leader right now."
"We can make work if needed. And I can help with what you're doing now."
"Help me?"
As he recounted what had happened to him and Song Jinho, he warned her not to dig into Hyungpil recklessly. That bastard didn't care about consequences if something got in his way.
"That idiot... what the hell does he think he's doing."
She bit her lip, muttering to herself loud enough for him to hear, clearly pissed.
"He runs around like that 'cause no one can touch him. You know better than me what position that fucker's in in this industry..."
Frustrating, but Hyungpil's influence in entertainment was beyond overwhelming— "untouchable" didn't even cover it.
"Add chaebol third-gen on top, and he's untouchable in Korea. A few scandals won't bring him down."
"And what about you, team leader? What can you do?"
"Least I won't lose on backing."
His identity had leaked via rumors multiple times. No way Hwayoung, Sisspatch reporter, didn't know.
"No matter how much evidence you shove at them, prosecutors can't handle it. You know as a former social affairs reporter. Endless courtroom bullshit on top."
"......"
"Even if you somehow get him locked up, he'll crawl out fast. He's got the money and power. Drag him to the bottom in entertainment and boot him from the Hyunseong Group succession line—that's the only way he stays down."
"You're gonna do that?"
She looked incredulous. Fair enough—even he'd think it sounded crazy if he were her.
"I know it's impossible right now. But me stepping up has more chance than what you or Song team leader are doing. Of course, it'd be even better with your help, reporter."
Oseong Group backing, ex-JH rep cred, ample funds... he laid out every usable card short of the demon contract and sex skills, pitching to ride together.
Smart woman like her wouldn't stubbornly dig in after this. Oseong Group behind him wasn't a name to take lightly.
"What do you need from me?"
She's in.
"For the promo drama we're shooting, do interviews with the director and supporting cast. Exclusive, of course."
"Promo drama? From your company?"
"Yeah."
Her face fell instantly. Who'd expect a promo drama from a startup agency?
"A planning company making a promo drama is intriguing, but blowing it up big is tough. OTT's made it rich get richer, poor get poorer—unless it's a major production..."
"No worries on production budget or cast."
"It's not a web drama? Like, cheap ones with rookies or idol actors?"
Most thought web dramas were like that.
"Web drama format only. Can't make episodes too long since it'll go on our official channel."
He pulled out details to pique Hwayoung's interest one by one.
"It's PD Yoon Seokhui's first drama since going independent."
"PD Yoon Seokhui? She's doing a web drama?"
The disappointment vanished. Too early for that.
"Lead's an archery coach, played by actress Kang Bora."
She dropped her phone. No move to pick it up—just stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Th-that... she agreed to star in it herself?"
She knew nuna was Jinho's fuckbuddy. Her face screamed curiosity about why the Cannes winner, who'd gone radio silent after the embezzlement scandal, was doing this.
"I know she's tight with Song team leader. So Bora's helping him her way—by joining hands with me."
"......"
"Not just her—I'm gathering more people who can help Song team leader. That's why I wanted to meet today."
This should hook her.
"And it's not cheap either. Budget's 10 billion won."
Her hand froze midway to grab the phone. Even more shocked now.
"How much...?"
"10 billion. Eight episodes, so about 1.2 billion per."
Originally six, but no trimming Moon Soi's writing bombs, so they added two.
"Overseas shoots too. Two-thirds in Morocco and France."
"Haa... PD Yoon, Bora, 10 billion budget, overseas locations—what web drama is this!"
"So package it right, reporter. This has hit potential, yeah?"
No entertainment reporter would pass up premium bait like this—especially when it helped a guy she was close to.
She promised to send press releases first and wrapped up.
"By the way... you in touch with Jinho? Or at least, is he okay...?"
She spoke haltingly as she stood. Sucked that he couldn't give a straight answer.
"Sorry."
"......"
"If I hear from him, I'll let you know right away. He's tough—don't worry too much."
"...Set the interview schedule and tell me."
She looked a bit lonely making a call as she left the café.