Episode 117
After Gyeoul finished speaking, silence settled in the auditorium.
“‘….’”
The managers who had finally spoken up were now hesitant to say anything.
This wasn’t because they had nothing to say, but rather they were acutely aware of the risks involved in publicly countering Gyeoul’s words.
Right now, Gyeoul’s declaration that they were doing this for the fans was the most potent weapon in this live broadcast situation. There was no argument stronger than claiming to care for the fans.
Of course, from the agency’s perspective, they could easily find ways to criticize the trainees’ actions. However, that was not something to do in this moment.
Just look at the thoroughly defeated Eun Galchi Manager from such a hasty attempt.
If the agency had already set a policy, they might have made such a statement. But most agencies were still trying to comprehend the sudden upheaval happening right now.
Sure, those present now might have a general understanding of the situation, and maybe someone had even discussed vote manipulation with the higher-ups.
But there were hardly any people here with enough authority to set policies and voice their opinions.
Most of those people wouldn’t even show up at such events.
But there was a unique exception to this—someone like Jeok Yusong, who had years of experience and was recognized in the industry yet still insisted on being present.
As Jeok Yusong seemed to finish organizing his thoughts, he broke the silence that filled the auditorium and cautiously began to speak.
“I understand the trainees’ thoughts well. We are also aware of the controversies surrounding Girl 100. And I understand that the appearance you’re showing now stems from a sense of responsibility to not disappoint the fans.”
He spoke with a careful demeanor yet filled with resolute clarity.
“As a manager with a long career, I have emphasized professionalism to all trainees. For someone like me to criticize this action now wouldn’t just be from a manager’s perspective; it wouldn’t be appropriate as a fellow professional either. The managers beside me all have varied thoughts and stances, but I believe we can all agree on this point.”
The managers quietly nodded in agreement.
He felt that way.
In agreement with his serious attitude and thoughts, it was acknowledged that he would speak on behalf of all the mixed agencies in this auditorium.
“But, I’d like to raise doubts about whether this is a hasty judgment.”
Jeok Yusong, distinguishing himself from other managers this time, said.
“Before expressing my opinion, let me clarify the situation. Recently, due to the public statements made by trainee Oh Yoori and the referral records left by anonymous netizens, Girl 100 is facing unprecedented turmoil over allegations of vote manipulation. We are currently under substantial suspicion that vote tampering might be occurring. However, this is only a matter of ‘suspicion.’ It’s not confirmed.”
That was true. The controversy surrounding Girl 100 was merely a strong suspicion at this point.
But that had been my intention. I had selectively disclosed just enough evidence to the media to handle the situation delicately.
“Girl 100 has already stated that there was no vote manipulation, and we have also expressed our intention to take legal action against the indiscriminate spread of rumors. Furthermore, we summoned trainee Oh Yoori, who made the public statements, and made her apologize for lowering the trustworthiness of Girl 100 with misunderstandings and hasty suspicions. Although we faced criticism for having forced the trainee into this, essentially, it means we are trying to sort out the situation.”
All of this had been done under my guidance.
And it was poison I had planted in Kim Seon-ye’s mind.
Kim Seon-ye is unaware that the mysterious accuser has more evidence.
Yet, I made her take a hardline stance claiming “there was no vote manipulation,” assuming there wouldn’t be any more allegations or revelations.
Naturally, such a hardline stance would face stronger backlash when it is revealed to be false.
Everything was designed for that purpose.
“So, I want to say that for the trainees to assert that Girl 100 is involved in vote manipulation and to act upon it in this situation could be considered hasty.”
Thus, this was not a hasty action.
“This doesn’t disregard your desire to avoid disappointing the fans. In that regard, I share a common opinion too. However, I would like that this be expressed not in this way but in coordination with the agency’s policies, and carried out a bit more slowly.”
It wasn’t something that needed to be done slowly.
In fact, we should be racing ahead. If the trainees can’t ride the wave of public sentiment where they present a shared view in a unique way and cause a social sensation, they will never be able to create such a ripple again.
If we can’t ride the wave of public opinion that is currently causing a social sensation with the arguments we’ve presented, we’ll never create such a ripple again.
It can’t just end in a sluggish back-and-forth.
This uproar must become a wave that swallows everything.
With that thought in mind, I sought Jeok Yusong’s understanding and sent a message.
– “Soo-yeon, please release the evidence you’ve prepared now.”
The message was sent to Seo Soo-yeon, who was on standby at the agency.
– “Now? Isn’t it too early?”
– “It’s earlier than planned, but it has to be done now. In fact, it will be more effective than following the existing plan.”
– “You mean the processed version, not the original?”
– “Exactly. We don’t need to take the risk of revealing the original. There are other reasons I mentioned last time too.”
– “…I understand. Good luck, Team Leader Seon.”
While I was sending the message, Jeok Yusong was talking to Han Gyeoul.
“What does it mean to take it slow, as the manager said?”
“There’s nothing too difficult for the trainees to do. It’s a simple matter of tidying up this commotion and waiting for the agency’s instructions.”
“…Then, wouldn’t that betray the feelings of the trainees who rose up against Girl 100 and the fans supporting us?”
“It’s not something to call betrayal. It was just a simple happening.”
“…Happening.”
Gyeoul couldn’t find words for such a one-sided summary.
In fact, if they truly wanted to, it could have been a mere happening.
But I had no intention of letting it end like that.
“It won’t just end as a simple happening.”
“Team Leader Seon? What do you mean by that…?”
Instead of dragging out a miserable explanation, I left just one word for Jeok Yusong.
“Could you take a look at the news right now?”
With a puzzled expression at my suggestion, Jeok Yusong seemed to consider that there might be meaning behind my words as he opened his smartphone to check the news.
“…What is this?”
Seeing his reaction, other managers began to share their curiosity and started checking the news alongside him.
“An anonymous recording? What is this?”
“…Records of Flower Entertainment and Seong-spon?”
“No way, is this just a rumor? There’s no way something like this exists!”
“Regardless of the first one, the latter came from a Jinkang-affiliated media outlet! Do you really think they’d handle this insane content without proper evidence?”
“I don’t care about the one thing, but the latter came from a media outlet under the Jinkang network! Do you really think they would properly handle this insane content without solid proof?”
“…This is crazy, MNet. What kind of security management is this?”
“Sht, I think this is fcked up.”
“‘….’”
Muscle Shift – Breaking News) Girl 100 is f*cked.
Double Cheese Bagel – LMAO, these crazy bastards.
Judgment – This is so dirty, seriously.
Song A Song A – I won’t let MNet get away with this, those f*ckers.
I spoke softly so that the shooting phone in Jeok Yusong’s dazed gaze wouldn’t ring while keeping my silence.
“What will you do? It seems like this is your last chance to jump ship from the sinking Girl 100. If you try to back out at this point, we might not care, but the viewers won’t look kindly on it. You know what that means, right?”
“‘….’”
“Well, if you’re going to take your time to decide your stance as you said, Manager Jeok Yusong, I respect that. Isn’t caution a good thing?”
Although the managers right next to Jeok Yusong must have heard that, none of them could give a solid answer.
In the midst of that silence, it was Jeok Yusong who first broke the quiet.
He looked at me with the same serious demeanor he had shown so far and firmly said.
“Honestly, I’ve always been on the side of the trainees. The moment I stepped in here, I wanted to join the revolution for Girl 100.”
“‘….’”
“Oh, and our Neulbom Entertainment has nothing to do with the production team of Girl 100, aside from being a cast member. We are actually the victims here.”
“‘….’”
That was a ghost-like speedy disassociation.
…Yusong, I didn’t see it this way, but you’re a bit pathetic.
Anyway, as soon as Jeok Yusong drew the line, the other managers all shouted in agreement.
“Our RGG is completely unrelated to Girl 100 and fully supports the opinions of the trainees!”
“Popo Entertainment also has nothing to do with this situation….”
“Shin Art Entertainment is also firmly….”
Watching the managers shout like wild dogs while disassociating from Girl 100, Gyeoul muttered.
“…Is that professionalism?”
…You really shouldn’t learn from stuff like that.
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