Chapter 196
"Every time we go live, viewers say stuff like this: 'What's next week's episode gonna be about? You've covered everything. Nothing left to milk.' So many fans worrying about our content for us."
"Honestly, we worry about it too. We only broadcast once a week, and each time we squeeze out every confirmed fact up to that point. So yeah, we think, 'What the hell are we gonna do next week?'"
"True that. But Myungwha Pharmaceuticals is different. You dig and dig, and it never ends. Like a bottomless spring. They're tossing us fresh stuff nonstop to keep the show alive. Folks, if you're always stressing over content for your streams, just pop some Antrozol Alpha. Endless supply, every time. Heh heh heh."
The broadcast vibe was great today too. With viewer numbers climbing and reporters scrambling to jot down every word, the duo powered through more lines than the script called for, never tiring. Keeping the audio lively with nonstop laughs and chatter was baseline, and hyped-up fans spamming donation balloons was even more frequent now. The balloons alone had topped ten million won—pure bonus since they hadn't started this for the cash.
Studio rent, utilities, Kim Jeongu's salary, and Choi Jonghyeon and Jo Bongjun's officetel fees still meant they were in the red monthly, but whatever.
One viewer kicked it off, and suddenly everyone was buzzing about Choi Jonghyeon's News9 spot. Choi Jonghyeon grinned at the chat, but Jo Bongjun waved his hands frantically in disgust.
"Hey, no mentioning Jonghyeon hyung's News9 thing on our stream. Banned."
"Aw, come on. Viewers are dying to hear it. You spilled your radio and prosecutors' office stories—why can't I?"
"This guy's such a selfish prick."
"No, kids, I'm banning it for a reason. It's been almost a week since hyung's news gig. Fuck, he's been yapping about it nonstop. Turns out it was just a measly ten minutes on air. Coming here today, I had to listen to it again—my ears are bleeding."
Jo Bongjun looked traumatized, but the crowd's thirst for the recap wouldn't quit.
"Fine, I'll take a break while Jonghyeon hyung spills. Cool?"
Jo Bongjun's freakout seemed overkill, but I got it. Choi Jonghyeon had been riding high for days after nailing his News9 spot without flinching, saying everything he wanted. When calls flooded in from contacts, he happily dished the full tale to each one, marathon-style. Poor Jo Bongjun, sharing the officetel, nearly bled from the ears.
"Bongjun-ah, come back! Bongjun-ah! Boo hoo. Bongjun-ah!"
Twenty minutes later, Choi Jonghyeon was pleading from the studio. It was 8 p.m. now—peak hours when crowds flooded in. Streams ran four hours usually, killing time till then with chit-chat and snacks. Banter done; time for the meat.
"Alright, folks. We've got a juicy one today. PD, screen up!"
Kim Jeongu—self-promoted from editor to PD—pulled up the graphics they'd prepped for days.
"Okay, viewers. Part 1 recapped last week's big events. Myungwha denied our evidence. Recordings faked, no deals with MFDS, they said. So last week on News9 with their team, we hit up a voice analysis expert. Confirmed it was Myungwha CEO Kim Hyeongjung's voice. Then MFDS dropped an emergency statement: No clue why he said that, but we followed standard procedures for Antrozol Alpha like any other drug. Crickets since. That's the timeline so far."
Jo Bongjun signaled, and Kim Jeongu flipped the screen.
"Key here: MFDS's approval process. They convene the Central Pharmaceutical Review Committee for multiple rounds. They nitpick: potential issues here, problems there—to confirm it's safe to approve."
"MFDS claims they did exactly that for Antrozol Alpha. But weird, right? Committee members aren't idiots. Why greenlight this mess?"
"Gwamegi wins. Damn, you've nailed it before. Legend. Everyone, big hand for Gwamegi."
"I said clap, not tsk-tsk?"
"Hyung, it's 'clap clap,' not your old-man grumbles. Act your age less."
Jo Bongjun shook his head and checked the new screen. He grabbed the tablet stylus, underlining key bits, and explained slowly.
"Our docs show most committee members who approved Antrozol Alpha have direct or indirect ties to Myungwha. Gwamegi's close, but not straight bribes maybe. Could be old pals: 'Hey, buddy, favor for this drug?' Box of apples. Mink coat for the wife. That level."
"That's bribery, dude."
"Exactly. Heh heh. Here's the crew. Briefing one by one. Lee Chansung: CEO's brother-in-law. Like: 'Bro-in-law, our drug's coming up. Solid stuff—pull strings at MFDS, yeah?' 'Haven't given you pocket money lately, so here's some. Heh heh. Nah, no mix-up. Pure family gift. Why millions? Shh, just spend it quiet.' So Lee Chansung votes yes: 'Bro's word—must be good.' Approved."
"Next, Jang Daesu: CEO's uni buddy. A University Life Sciences grads, thick as thieves in grad lab at Dongdae."
They rolled through six committee ties: blood, school, regional. Instantly, portals lit up with articles.
"Not done yet. Big one: Ji Hancheol on the committee. How's he connected?"
"Ji Hancheol holds massive Myungwha shares—0.1%. Tiny new listing or not, that's huge."
"Scrap-nim, chill first. You're right—unfair trading violation."
"Penalties: up to life in prison, fines five times profits or avoided losses. Screwed. Dunno exact buy date, but pre-approval, still holds. Now scrap paper, sure—but he approved it himself, stock soared. He'll pay."
"Below: Kim Jin-hyeong, Lee Bo-yeon—also hold Myungwha shares, bought pre-approval. Sold now? Unclear."
"How conveniently clustered share-holders, huh?"
Choi Jonghyeon noted it; Jo Bongjun paused, then whispered:
"Pure speculation. Not presuming truth—promise. Just one possibility."
"Busted, fuck. Anyway, most are school/blood/regional ties. Only three hold shares. Ji's got tons—not him. Last two? Maybe straight-up bribed."
"Bribed?"
"Yeah. 'Here's shares—hook us up,' heh heh. You know."
Jo Bongjun flailed at the camera.
"All fiction. My thought. Not truth. Speculation only."
"Tips. And our evidence ever fake? Zero. We're pushing state agencies to step in—they can verify. Prove us wrong or right, uncover truth. More than anyone."
Jo Bongjun rushed breathless, fired up. The heckler got drowned in backlash, shut up.
"Summary: Most committee tied tight to Myungwha. Picked by Pharma Council recs and MFDS head appointment. Only three unrelated—all Pharma Council picks. So MFDS again: No deals? Who buys that sans proof? 'Coincidence' the connected got seats? Why no recusals?
"Admit now—late but—flaws in Antrozol Alpha approval. Revoke it. Easy. It's a killer drug. You vowed public health efforts—won't flood world with poison, right?"
"That's it for today. Thanks!"