Chapter 118

Chapter 118

While receiving my call, the production team, led by Ye Han-na, gathered in the auditorium, and Gyeoul’s resolute voice reverberated once more.

“A ghost is haunting Girl 100. The ghost of revolution. Some forces within Girl 100 have formed an alliance with MNet and the editing team, as well as with corrupt planning companies to hunt this ghost.”

As always, Kim Yujin was making a fuss, filming the whole scene.

“It’s time for all those supporting Girl 100, including the trainees and managers, to publicly declare their opinions, goals, and tendencies to the world! We need to counter the rumors of the ghost of revolution with an official declaration!”

A breeze blew in at just the right moment through the windows, tousling Gyeoul’s golden hair.

“I, Han Gyeoul, publicly declare that the purpose of a trainee can only be achieved by overthrowing the oppressive order of the existing Girl 100 through revolution! Oh, trainees of the world! Make the ruling class of Girl 100 tremble before the revolution! The only thing a trainee stands to lose in this revolution is their chains, and what they stand to gain is the entire world. Trainees of the world, unite!”

“Waaahhh!”

Regardless of the content, the managers were in awe of the stage presence that a 16-year-old girl like Han Gyeoul displayed, while the production team gazed at the trainees and Gyeoul with dazed eyes, feeling the urge to join in and cheer for unity.

Amidst them, a familiar face emerged.

“Waaah! Unity!”

“….”

It was Park Miso, whom I had brought along for training. Somehow, she had found a red headband and was waving it while cheering for Gyeoul.

“What’s that girl doing over there?”

“Um… well, she looks happy, so let’s just leave her be.”

“….”

While Oh Yoori tilted her head, wondering if everything was alright, a voice came from behind.

“Team Leader Seon, I’m here!”

It was Cheon Aram, who had run off to vomit after claiming she couldn’t bear Kim Seon-ye’s dreadful smell.

“Welcome, President. Is your head and stomach okay?”

“Yeah, I’m feeling much better. I took some medicine, so I should be fine for the next hour.”

“…How about you go back to the company and rest instead? Honestly, I don’t think there are many people in here whose smell is anything close to normal.”

The people in this chaotic space seemed to emit an even stronger odor than those who gathered during Gaeul’s busking session. Just because they were part of the same crowd didn’t mean they’d hold up the same.

Honestly, thinking about the ridiculousness the managers just displayed, if Cheon Aram were to say, “What is this garbage dump?” and throw up right here, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.
Thinking about the mess, even if Cheon Aram were to throw up right here saying, “What the heck is this garbage dump?” I would just let it slide.

“Hey, with Team Leader Seon working so hard, how could I duck out? Today, I’m just the rookie manager Cheon Aram, so I’ll pass on leaving early like a newbie!”

“If the President wishes it so, I will respect that. It’s reassuring to have the President around too…”

“Ah… wait, what’s with that silver croaker? What’s that smell… Ugh.”

“…”

As Cheon Aram was gagging, Oh Yoori bowed her head respectfully and, glancing at her, asked me.

“So, what should we do now? Older Sister Gyeoul is doing an amazing job right now, but we can’t keep making her do that, right? Shouldn’t we start moving even now?”

I understood her impatience but there was no need for such active participation at this point. The one who needed to move was someone else.

“We don’t need to move.”

“Huh?”

“The one who’s fired up will come looking for us.”

“…Come looking for us?”

At that moment, the auditorium doors burst open, and a sharp voice filled the space like a scream.

“What the heck is going on!”

It was PD Kim Seon-ye, who must have been extremely fired up after being directly hit by the chaos.

“Did you see?”

“…”

As silence enveloped the auditorium, Kim Seon-ye walked in, flanked by the production team, creating a path in the crowd like a wave.

“Team Leader Seon! Where are you? Explain quickly!”

“…They’re calling for Team Leader Seon?”

At Oh Yoori’s voice, Kim Seon-ye turned around, scanned the area, and spotted me.

Not hiding her displeasure, she strode over and said,

“By the way, why are you hanging out with them? Come over here and explain!”

I firmly answered her.

“I’m sorry, but I believe this is where I’m supposed to stand.”

Hearing my words, Kim Seon-ye frowned and looked around. Then, taking in the trainees, the managers, and Ye Han-na, she asked me.

“Are you saying you’re switching sides? …Team Leader Seon, have you lost it?”

I was not losing it at all. The only person I recognized as my superior was Cheon Aram from the start.

Even if Kim Seon-ye might be a bit excessive with her playful teasing, her kindness and consideration were always present. But when it came to comparing her with Cheon Aram, whose words were 90% hysterical, there was no contest.

To put it bluntly, even if there were no vote manipulation nonsense, I would choose to work under Cheon Aram every single time.
“I have one thing I’d like to request from the PD.”

I poured out all the feelings accumulated during the torturous time of dealing with Kim Seon-ye’s hysteria.

“I never intended to ride the line of PD Kim Seon-ye. I have no plans to.”

“….”

Kim Seon-ye’s eyebrows twitched.

“…Haha, Team Leader Seon, that was a fatal mistake. You must know from watching what I do that I don’t just leave people who aren’t on my side alone.”

Instead of saying more to Kim Seon-ye, I shrugged my shoulders.

Now, with all this information out, what would a person with all limbs chopped off be able to do?

Go ahead. That’s why we gathered here, right?

In response to my gesture, Kim Seon-ye seemed to get heated and shouted with full fury.

“You there, trainee with the smartphone!”

Kim Yujin, who was filming Gyeoul while crawling, asked with an annoyed expression.

“Me?”

“Then who else? Turn off that camera while I’m still being nice.”

“My mission is to capture the great achievements of our leader Han Gyeoul…”

“Do you want to experience how far a main PD from the broadcasting station can go when she decides to throw a fit at the cast? Do you think I’m joking?”

“…Sorry, Gyeoul.”

Under Kim Seon-ye’s threat, Kim Yujin reluctantly gave up filming.

Since there was no other trainee doing something as crazy as her, of course, the live broadcast, which was recording a huge number of viewers, came to a halt.

“Are you okay? You do know that this isn’t because other production team members couldn’t stop it, right? The moment it starts, you’d have to shoulder the backlash of public opinion, so it was like playing hot potato, pretending not to see it.”

“But that doesn’t mean there’s anyone to stop that girl from throwing a fit, right? Above all, I have nothing to lose at this point, so I can’t hide out of fear of public backlash.”

Honestly, from Kim Seon-ye’s perspective, it was the right judgment. Letting that go out of fear of taking responsibility would have been an even bigger incident from the perspective of Girl 100. I’ve realized every time that she wasn’t lacking in ability.

Kim Seon-ye adjusted her hair to cool off the simmering heat and said with a smirk.

“Team Leader Seon, do you think I became the head PD of MNet at such a young age just by luck?”

“If I say it’s due to talent and passion for success, would that be too naive?”

“…Heh, well, that’s an accurate answer. But that’s not all. No matter how liberal a channel is, having someone like me, who’s not fully proven, sitting at such a significant table in a conservative broadcasting station doesn’t happen just by chance. There’s one important thing that’s needed.”
“It’s not just about making a successful deal. There’s one more very important thing needed.”

I felt like I already knew the answer.

“It’s connections.”

“Correct.”

Kim Seon-ye said in a voice full of confidence.

“The one who set this whole thing up and placed me as the PD of Girl 100 is one of the absolute powers at MNet.”

Seeing her so confident, is she at least an executive?

“There’s a controversy over Girl 100? Allegations of manipulation? So what? Even if that’s the case, MNet won’t abandon me. No, they can’t abandon me. They’ll just pick some other suitable fool sitting in the office and kick him out instead. When you consider the long-term aspect, taking on such a risky position requires at least that level of care to ensure everyone shows loyalty to MNet, right?”

I understood, but it was such a barbaric way of thinking. Is this a broadcasting station or a gang?

“So, what I’m saying is, the craziness going on right now may make me wobble a bit, but it’s all just a temporary joke. Got it? Do you realize how big of a mistake Team Leader Seon made?”

“….”

By the way she was speaking, it seemed she was just going to trust blindly and jump into a battle, taking all the hits along the way.

…This has become quite a headache.

Even if she had some backer now, it wouldn’t significantly change the situation, but if Kim Seon-ye was coming at me like this, the aftermath was going to get really messy. It could drag on longer than I wanted, leading to a frustrating outcome rather than the clean resolution I desired.

As I contemplated how to deal with her, perhaps interpreting my silence as being dumbfounded, Kim Seon-ye smirked slyly.

“But I’m a very generous person, so I’ll give you one last chance. Team Leader Seon, it’s not too late. Leave that rookie company and come back under my wing.”

…Wait, is she really proposing recruitment after all this? Is she seriously out of her mind, Seon-ye?

I shuddered at Kim Seon-ye’s excessive obsession.

“You know this isn’t an opportunity I give to just anyone? So….”

“Well, Team Leader Seon obviously hates that, so back off a bit, okay? No way he’s going under your command. Team Leader Seon is mine.”

As someone interrupted Kim Seon-ye while she was choosing her words focused on me, she couldn’t hide her annoyance and said.

“What’s your deal?”

In response to Kim Seon-ye’s hysterical remarks, Cheon Aram let out a small laugh.

“Team Leader Seon is the boss, you know?”

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