Episode 138
To celebrate the filming of Girl Revolution’s talk show, the Media Room, which had been prepared for research, turned into a tense meeting place due to an unexpected scandal.
In that heavy atmosphere, it was Cheon Aram, the CEO, who broke the ice.
“Alright, Jo Narae. Since not all staff have equal understanding of the situation, could you please explain?”
“Yes, I will.”
The one responding to her was Jo Narae, whom Cheon Aram had personally recruited for TwoBear’s official PR strategy.
“About two hours ago, a gossip article from Monday News was published, claiming that Girl Revolution, particularly Sunny, might be involved in a doping scandal linked to the chaebol third generation, Jin Yeoreum, who was buried four years ago.”
“…If it’s just a suspicion, wouldn’t they have stopped short of calling it a scandal?”
“Yes, that’s correct. It didn’t stop there; it was like various media were just waiting for that article to drop. They referenced the possibility of her being Jin Yeoreum, emphasized it as a strong possibility, and even stated it could be seen as Jin Yeoreum, eventually ending with a claim that she has been confirmed as Jin Yeoreum.”
Such gossip articles are a dime a dozen. Normally, given that Monday News is a C-grade tabloid specializing in such stories, this wouldn’t have been much of an issue.
Yet, bizarrely, other media outlets jumped on that gossip without hesitation.
This was definitely not a natural flow.
“Evidence? We haven’t carelessly revealed our information to the point where it would be easy to confirm Sunny is Jin Yeoreum, have we?”
At Cheon Aram’s words, all the employees of TwoBear nodded.
The risk of Jin Yeoreum was the most concerning aspect when we developed our PR strategy. We didn’t treat it lightly to allow such an easy exposure.
“No evidence has surfaced yet. However, it won’t take long for that evidence to appear.”
“Why do you make that judgment?”
“Because a controversial figure from a girl group riding a storm of popularity has occupied the portal’s main headlines, which means reputable A-grade media will come charging in for the scoop. Once they start moving, it won’t take long for Sunny’s identity as Jin Yeoreum to be proven.”
After hearing all this, Cheon Aram let out a small sigh and replied.
“Is there any way to stop that right now?”
“We need to ensure the A-grade media cannot start their movements. We should contact all the journalists we are connected with and let them know that this suspicion lacks evidence…”
“No, that’s still impossible.”
Cutting off Jo Narae was Park Miso, a viral expert, staring blankly at her laptop screen.
Viral expert Park Miso was staring at the screen while clutching a laptop.
“If we do this, it should work. Thanks to President Cheon, our TwoBear’s network isn’t weak at all.”
“You won’t see any results compared to the cost and manpower being invested. It might even backfire.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because it’s already trending in the community to see Sunny and Yeoreum as the same and link them together.”
Jo Narae, who was relatively less familiar with managing such community opinions compared to Miso, held her forehead, not fully grasping the meaning.
“The moment this community stuff forms, it’s just a difference in sources—whether it gets revealed to journalists or netizens. We can’t stop it.”
“…That’s the worst.”
The atmosphere in the media room, which was already heavy, became even more suffocating.
Amidst the gloomy silence, Seok Hyun-woo lamented.
“Why is this happening?”
“Maybe it’s because they saw the rhythm gymnast Jin Yeoreum in Sunny’s face?”
“That can’t be.”
The response to Park Miso’s doubt came from the world-renowned choreographer Isabella, who had also greatly assisted in selecting the stylist alongside the choreography.
“Until we secure a stable fanbase, we deliberately used makeup and styling that were completely different from the old Jin Yeoreum’s look to hide Yeoreum’s past.”
“Can that really be completely hidden with just makeup and styling?”
“It’s not just ‘just’. Yeoreum from her rhythmic gymnastics days had a cute and charming makeup style typical for a girl of her elementary to middle school age. But now, the styling she’s doing exudes an elegant and gorgeous vibe. The images of the two are drastically different. Unless you analyze their photos side by side, they’ll be seen as someone else.”
At her words, vocal trainer Lee Hyerin nodded.
“Then we should view it as information leakage rather than speculation.”
“Yes, it seems like Sunny’s identity as Jin Yeoreum has been revealed somewhere. But since there’s no solid evidence, it appears to have been suggested this way.”
“Ugh… I don’t get it. Where could it have been revealed? The only ones who knew were the people from TwoBear, right? I don’t think any of us spilled the beans.”
“We’re not the kind of people to sell information for a few bucks.”
“Exactly. Nobody like that exists in this company.”
The source of the information was strongly suspected to be an insider. Because of this, they found themselves in the worst crisis, suspecting one another within TwoBear.
Despite Cheon Aram filtering through the scent of people, it seemed that the TwoBear colleagues had no doubts about each other and showed no signs of internal discord.
This was certainly a fortunate aspect, but it didn’t change the fact that the current situation was bleak.
“It’s tough. If it were at a point where we had topped the charts and the fanbase was solidifying, we could have guided public opinion as we prepared.”
“You’re right. Revealing Ms. Yeoreum’s identity now is the worst-case scenario.”
“It’s not good. Since we’re still new and have a thin fanbase, they might just leave.”
Cheon Aram, squeezing her brows, asked Jo Narae, who was writing something on the tablet while listening to James Oh, Seok Hyun-woo, and Lee Hyerin’s conversation.
“Jo Narae, what do you think will happen next?”
“I will reflect on everything we’ve discussed. Right now it’s Gyeoul and Gaeul. The fans brought in through Yuri’s personal activities are in the process of merging under the name Girl Revolution. However, due to the current downturn, that fandom could collapse. At best, we might see a chart drop, and at worst, there could even be a boycott.”
“So what do you propose we do?”
“…”
Jo Narae hesitated at the question and averted her gaze, finally saying with resignation.
“We need to issue a public apology and remove Jin Yeoreum from the group. That’s the way to save the three kids and preserve the brand value of Girl Revolution…”
“Absolutely not.”
That statement was thwarted by a voice so firm it left no room for argument.
“…Team Leader Soo-yeon?”
It was Seo Soo-yeon.
“This isn’t something Jin Yeoreum did wrong. Everyone already knew she carried those risks. So we must take responsibility. We can’t just turn our backs and cast her out because an incident occurred.”
She appeared to be speaking rationally, but her emotional words made Cheon Aram think, ‘Soo-yeon has changed.’
And everyone in the room, whether silently or vocally, shared a similar sentiment as Cheon Aram. Consequently, Seo Soo-yeon’s atypical statement as someone who usually took a numerical approach in overseeing TwoBear’s finances resonated deeply with everyone.
“That’s right. That kind of thing must never happen.”
“Exactly. Soo-yeon is right. If we throw one kid under the bus just to save ourselves, is that something humans should do?”
“As adults, we should protect the children. …Oh, that sounds like something Team Leader Seon would say.”
“Ha ha, I thought I was used to it, but it was Team Leader Seon’s catchphrase. In that sense, Team Leader Seon, please say a word.”
“…Wait, did I really say something that embarrassing?”
“Yes,”
“….”
Seeing those who naturally insisted on protecting Yeoreum, Cheon Aram thought,
‘…Wow, what a bunch of suckers gathered here.’
Yet, she felt a vague sense that it might be okay with them.
So, she smiled softly, oddly out of place.
*
After the meeting, a rough policy had been decided.
Naturally, it prioritized protecting Yeoreum.
Right now, it was just a spark. But soon, the flames would blaze.
And in that inferno, Yeoreum might once again lose herself.
Just like back when she was walking toward the airplane with a frozen face.
I, no, we will stop it.
As thoughts like countless options swirled in my head, I found it hard to be sure if the results from the meeting were truly the best. After all, this would lead TwoBear to face an unprecedented crisis.
While pondering if it was the right way for both of them, I spotted a silhouette while strolling through the company.
“Team Leader Seon?”
It was Yeoreum.
“Oh, Yeoreum. Were you training? For now, just take a break…”
It was only while continuing my words that I realized.
The fact that Yeoreum had been crying so hard that her eyes were bloodshot.
“Sorry, I’m so sorry. Because of me… I decided to become an idol despite that…”
Including my fellow members of TwoBear, I had only thought about the harsh and insulting opinions Yeoreum would face later on. I contemplated the best methods to prevent that. But I just now realized that wouldn’t be enough.
The strong girl named Jin Yeoreum was hurting not simply because of the criticisms and blame directed at her. But because she worried about the pain that might affect her family named Jinkang and now her comrades from TwoBear because of her.
Consequently, Yeoreum was already crumbling while looking at that certain future.
And as I witnessed that, a wildfire-like emotion stirred in my mind.
“….”
Plan change.
[‘Deep-rooted transaction history’ will now be used.]
From now on, I will take action, not defense.
To make the root cause of Yeoreum’s tears pay the price.
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