Chapter 174
Our Ju-ge is always dragging us into these brutal fights, but I don't think it's ever been this noisy lately lol. Myungwha Pharma is hot right now, that's for sure.
I did a lot of thinking after seeing this announcement. Of course, I thought about it myself and talked to experts around me. I dug into all sorts of stuff too. From what I found, the institution Myungwha cited for their paper has major issues right now. It's embroiled in controversy over falsified clinical results.
If you speak English, check this link. It's got a detailed rundown of the scandal. http://www.biosyo.com/artide/231982712
But here's the funnier part? That Hyzolam they claim suppresses the side effects of those two problematic ingredients. There's a high chance Myungwha outsourced the Hyzolam research to that U.S. institution themselves. Smells fishy, right? Worst case, Myungwha paid off the U.S. lab to produce fake clinical results and kept it as a shield for when Antrozol Alpha's issues blew up.
Honestly, that's the worst-case scenario, but I think it's pretty damn likely. Common sense: Would a pharma company put out a paper from an institution mired in falsified clinical data scandals just to prove their drug is safe? Does that make sense? If they were truly confident in Antrozol Alpha, they wouldn't do this. Even if the paper itself is clean, associating with that scandal-tainted lab just undermines their credibility.
They could've taken the time to do their own research or outsource elsewhere. But no, they proudly trot this out. What does that tell you? The MFDS says it's fine, so let's flood the domestic market and make bank quick. That's code for "Shut up, you dumb sheep, if you can't even read the English paper."
Overreacting? Not at all. Has anyone here actually read Myungwha's research results and paper properly? Understood it? Lol. They just see it looks legit, all fancy English jargon, "Whoa, so cool, Wooshin rules kk" and buy it hook, line, and sinker. We all know they're banking on the public image of Wooshin products (not personalities).
Anyway, summing up my rant in three lines:
1. Myungwha knows there's a problem with Antrozol Alpha.
2. But they're still pushing sales by shoving unreliable research and demanding we accept it.
3. You fucking kidding me, Myungwha bastards?
Jo Bongjun tossed a new bombshell at those starting to buy into Myungwha Pharmaceuticals' explanation.
The reason Myungwha's stock was rebounding now was purely the news that Hyzolam suppressed the effects produced when Aphilatilen and Lopetamin interacted. But if he raised the possibility that Hyzolam might not actually do that, people had no choice but to feel uneasy again.
Jo Bongjun's post began spreading everywhere, riding the wave of copy-paste articles from the hordes of third-rate internet media that loved regurgitating others' content.
His established influence, plus the link to the foreign site detailing the U.S. institution's controversies—proving his claims weren't baseless—created synergy beyond expectations.
"Hey, isn't that the site from the link I posted?"
Jo Bongjun, munching snacks while watching cable news, pointed at the TV. A video filled the screen: the foreign site's English explanations highlighted one by one, translated into Korean. It even independently investigated and explained the whistleblower group that first exposed the institution and the current progress.
"Oho, finally biting from the cable networks too?"
The broadcast went further, briefing that the institution had currently put reviews of its papers on hold.
"Now it really feels like we're going head-to-head with Myungwha Pharma."
Choi Jonghyeon turned from his dining chair toward the living room, grinning.
"Obviously, hyung. I'm cranking out posts ready to get sued over, so yeah, full-on battle time."
Jo Bongjun said, chomping snacks furiously. Crumbs stuck to his mouth, then tumbled onto the sofa. I grimaced faintly.
That's my sofa.
We—me, Jo Bongjun, and Choi Jonghyeon—had decided it was best to stick together until things stabilized. Our first hideout was Choi Jonghyeon's place. But I had to commute, and his spot in Seocho-dong ate up too much time traveling.
Choi Jonghyeon, freelancing while planning his own internet outlet, and Jo Bongjun, living off investments, suggested moving to Seocho. But we ended up at my place.
Jo Bongjun, though, was dirtier than I'd expected.
"...Can't you eat snacks in moderation?"
"Snacks? Why? Bad for my health?"
"What does your health have to do with me? You're dropping crumbs all over the house."
"What, you got germaphobia or something?"
Germaphobia 'or something'? What does that even mean?
I sighed, grabbing a big plastic bag from the kitchen. I looped the handles over both his ears.
"Eat into this."
"Man, you're so picky. I'm the one sleeping on the sofa anyway."
If he were just a freeloader, I'd have kicked him out ages ago. But his role here was crucial, so no. I shook my head and plopped down beside him.
"What was Myungwha's closing price today?"
"30,700 won."
"Means plenty still believe in Hyzolam. Stock didn't tank like when it first blew up."
"It's only been a bit since I posted. But that cable news moved fast, right? Checked the big outlets—no mentions of the U.S. lab issues. Those bastards must be muzzled by Wooshin cash. Pisses me off."
Myungwha's Hyzolam defense had worked better than expected. It hadn't been long since our counter. Watching quietly made sense, per Jo Bongjun, but it wasn't that easy.
Public opinion battles were scary like that. The first punch usually grabs momentum, but flipping it back once lost was no joke. And they had escape routes. We'd confirmed issues with the lab, but strictly speaking, that wasn't about Hyzolam. "Other studies there had problems—where's proof Hyzolam did?" We'd have no comeback.
Of course, pharmaceuticals involved lives, so any doubt warranted scrutiny. Any integrity issue meant scrap and restart. We banked on that common sense, but it wasn't landing easily. They were clearly exploiting it too.
A new post appeared in the "Best" section, where highly recommended posts gathered.
Full disclosure: I'm all-in on Myungwha with my life savings, so I want the truth more than anyone. Not pharma, but bio major in PhD program. Read the paper inside out for days.
Here's the thing: Korean name in the Hyzolam researcher list—Lee Junsung. Googled him: Myungwha employee since 2003. Apollon said Myungwha outsourced Hyzolam here and maybe rigged it together? Probably 'cause of Lee Junsung.
But why interpret it that way? Turns out Lee led the Hyzolam study as chief researcher. Meanwhile, the falsified clinical scandals? All under team lead Brian Hastings. So, even if Brian's team had issues, Lee-led ones are more likely clean.
Paper itself looks solid too, ignoring other drama. Suspicious clinical records? 15 years rotting in grad school says no red flags. Why? MFDS Phase 3 results match exactly—Myungwha uploaded them all lol.
I say Antrozol Alpha's fine. You guys love conspiracies too much. Even in Wooshin Republic, drugs are life-or-death. MFDS ain't pushovers—"Sure boss, approve the sketchy shit" lol.
Apollon's the sketchiest. Mr. Neutral suddenly hard-carrying against Myungwha... Where'd you get paid from, Apollon? Lol.
Myungwha hammered volume attacks nonstop, clutching the opinion they'd clawed back. They leaned hardest on MFDS approval as a state agency.
"People gonna buy this crap? Just ignore it."
Jo Bongjun muttered, closing the post. I shook my head.
"No."
This was the critical moment. The controversy had to sustain for this—buzzing only among stock traders and insiders—to go national. If firepower faltered or persuasion lacked, and Myungwha's explanation won the masses, game over.
If that's how it goes, maybe...
"Jo Bongjun."
"Yeah?"
"How about getting sued for once?"
"Sued?"
I pointed to the popup notice on Myungwha's official site. Specifically, the bottom line.
Currently, baseless claims are spreading online that Myungwha Pharmaceuticals knowingly ignored side effects to boost sales. We are suffering massive damage from this malicious fabrication.
Myungwha Pharmaceuticals will respond strongly to the spread of malicious falsehoods. We have completed initial monitoring via our partnered law firm.
"...Falsehood dissemination?"
Jo Bongjun's eyes widened as he turned to me.
"The stuff you're posting online? From Myungwha's view, that's spreading falsehoods, right?"
"..."
"Sprinkle some spice, amp it up—they're already pissed about Apollon tanking their stock. Wouldn't they want to sue?"