Chapter 176 "Where Shall I Take You?"
"Where shall I take you?"
"To Gwanghwamun Station, please."
I'd deliberately hailed a taxi right at the time when News Now, featuring Jo Bongjun, was airing.
News Now had devoted just over thirty minutes to Antrozol Alpha. In a show covering various news items, giving a full quarter of the airtime was something to be grateful for—but from the perspective of someone with plenty to say, it felt a bit short.
Jo Bongjun had brought the script he'd painstakingly prepared up until yesterday. He was a natural talker and a bit of an exhibitionist to boot, so I trusted he'd deliver without a hitch. As it was his first slot, Jo Bongjun would probably appear in about ten minutes.
"Executive team, Chu Hye-min's News Now. We're starting now."
Sure enough, a familiar signal flowed from the car radio.
As the top-rated show in its time slot, the channel was naturally tuned to MBS Radio—no need to tell the driver.
"Myungwha Pharmaceuticals' ambitious arthritis treatment, Antrozol Alpha, has recently received approval from the Food and Drug Administration and is gearing up production..."
"Driver."
"Yes?"
The driver, silently heading toward Gwanghwamun, reacted to my voice.
"Have you heard about Myungwha Pharmaceuticals' Antrozol Alpha?"
"No, first time for me."
"...However, concerns have arisen that it increases the risk of cardiovascular issues, sparking controversy. Myungwha claims the inclusion of Hyzollam suppresses those side effects, posing no problem."
"It's an arthritis drug, but it causes heart problems as a side effect?"
The driver, listening to the DJ on the radio, turned to me.
"Seems that way."
"What's this Hyzollam thing they say makes it fine?"
"Who knows."
"This issue first surfaced in an article by a medical specialist at a certain outlet. And there's someone who's been investigating it extensively ever since. Stock enthusiasts might recognize the name: Apollo, Mr. Jo Bongjun, welcome."
A spirited intro led straight into Jo Bongjun's voice.
"Hello, I'm Jo Bongjun, stock investment expert known as Apollo."
His voice carried a hint of tension, but thankfully no tremor. He condensed the info we'd hammered on the internet, explaining public reactions in straightforward terms. A smooth talker, he had the DJs bursting into laughter midway, even prompting jokes about him trying broadcasting.
I'd only seen him in private settings, so this was new—but listening now, I felt certain the internet show with Choi Jonghyeon would be a hit.
"-So, Mr. Jo, you're saying Myungwha knew about side effects from those two ingredients? And that the research on Hyzollam suppressing them lacks credibility?"
"-Of course. If they didn't know, they couldn't act like this."
"-What's your take on why?"
"-Wooshin Group's chronic issue is cash flow problems. Everyone remembers the Go Yunseong scandal, right? That beastly case."
"-Ah, the employee assault, attempted rape of a nurse, and drug use."
"-Total disaster. But overshadowed was their wage arrears to Wooshin Construction workers."
"-Yes."
"-Proof of their cash crunch. Not unique to them—most companies are struggling lately."
"-So this ties to Myungwha?"
"-Absolutely. Myungwha listed on Antrozol and is riding high with Alpha's approval. Not an old firm, yet already top in market cap."
"-And?"
"-Launch Alpha successfully, hype it to investors, then equity offering... Wild speculation, sure. Pharma aids public health, but companies chase profit. Myungwha prioritizes the latter—forcing a flawed drug out."
Just idle speculation among the three of us—not industry insiders—but we'd let it slide.
The taxi driver, listening to Jo Bongjun's barrage, clicked his tongue.
"Crazy bastards. They'll let arthritis patients drop dead for a buck."
He muttered, then cleared his throat, aware of my presence.
"Right, sir? I mean, if that research institute got busted for fakes, you'd suspect their commissioned studies too, no?"
"Exactly."
"But these guys treat us like ignorant fools. Figure we'll just swallow it! Old folks like us think American labs must be better than ours."
"And arthritis hits middle-aged folks your age hardest."
"Exactly. Kids feel guilty shelling out millions for shots when parents are suffering. 'Sorry, but I'm dying here'—that's the pitch. Can't have killer side effects in that."
As the driver vented, News Now wrapped up the Myungwha segment.
"-Thanks for joining us, Mr. Jo. You've clarified the Myungwha issue. But note: these are your personal views, unaffiliated with MBS."
"-Of course. Hope deeper probes turn opinion into truth on air."
"-Haha. More investigations ahead? Any plans?"
"-Working with a reporter who's covered this from the start."
"-TV broadcast?"
"-Nah, haha. Not that big-time. Honored to be here. Just a small internet show. Haha."
Perfect—promotion nailed.
"Now, ads, then next segment."
"Drop me here."
"Gwanghwamun Station's a bit further."
"Ah, meeting's nearby."
I'd timed the cab for direct middle-aged reactions. Choi Jonghyeon handled online buzz—that was net-savvy youth stuff. Not what I needed now.
One driver wasn't conclusive, but the radio spot had landed. I'd just nodded along, yet the cabbie grasped the issue from the broadcast alone—and fumed.
Sure, plenty would rage about baseless Wooshin smears. Whatever.
Prepping the broadcast, they'd rented a small office in Seocho-dong. Decent desks, a signboard with the show title, pro mics, printed cue cards.
I'd ordered the ex-basement dwellers Choi Jonghyeon and Jo Bongjun to shave, then shoved them to the barber for trims and brow grooming. No TV polish—just friendly uncle chit-chat vibe—but sloppiness killed credibility.
"Hello!"
"Oh, Director Kim! Come on in."
Key for internet: Cameraman/editor. Clips to XTube, XPod, XBang, every video site. Audio extracts to XCasts for no-video folks.
And the editor? None other than...
"Lawyer, long time no see?"
"Been a while, Kim Jeongu."
Choi Jonghyeon's junior.
"Five minutes to air. Jeongu, why so late?"
"Sorry, traffic. Haha."
"How many in the room now?"
"Around 600? Damn, packed."
Hmm, lively. Firepower no issue. More would pile in at six.
"Hold up. Phone call."
Jo Bongjun, checking his phone pre-air, stepped off-camera. Choi reviewed cues; Kim Jeongu tested cams.
"It's six! Tell Bongjun to hurry!"
At six sharp, viewers surged, chats flooding.
"Get Bongjun now!"
"Start without him, reporter."
"Solo?"
"Can't blow the first show's timing."
"OK, OK. Ahem."
Choi cleared his throat, tapping cue cards. On Kim Jeongu's cue, live.
"Hello, I'm reporter Choi Jonghyeon, hosting with Jo Bongjun. Slight change—not our planned start. Jo stepped out for an urgent call. Bear with us."
Choi warmed up, scanning chats calmly. Then the studio door flew open—Jo Bongjun bellowed.
"Whoa, fuck! Bro! Myungwha sued me! Just got served! Ha, those pricks. Hahaha!"
Hmm. Looks like the broadcast's a smash hit.