Chapter 1022: Attempt (3)

"Let's drop the act, Ms. Choi Song-Jung. Or should I call you the current mayor of Incheon's mistress?"

Before my regression, on June 1—the day of the local election—Yoo Sung-Joon, the mayor of Incheon, would lose the election and be served divorce papers by his wife. His wife's family, Jung-Hwa Industries ranked ninety-seventh in the business world, had decided that Yoo Sung-Joon no longer had a political future.

However, four years later, in 2025, Yoo Sung-Joon would make a spectacular comeback by reclaiming his position as mayor of Incheon. That was when his ex-wife's family suggested they get back together. Instead, Yoo Sung-Joon married Choi Song-Jung, his current mistress, rather than his chaebol ex-wife.

Part of it was because Choi Song-Jung was quite beautiful, but a bigger part was that unlike his cold ex-wife, Choi Song-Jung was the type who would do anything for Yoo Sung-Joon. She would even procure female celebrities for him to sponsor.

That meant Choi Song-Jung's appearance here and her attack on Yoo-Jin had undoubtedly been ordered by Yoo Sung-Joon. It was revenge for his election defeat becoming all but certain because of the Project I.O.A rigging scandal.

"How did you..." Choi Song-Jung's eyes showed fear now that her true identity had been exposed.

I said coldly, "You don't need to know that. What I want to know is why you did this. Do you plan on telling me?"

Choi Song-Jung stared at me, then clamped her mouth shut.

"Well, I suppose you don't. I know how loyal you are to Yoo Sung-Joon, so do whatever you want. All I have to do is tip off Candidate Go Joon-Taek about what I know."

Choi Song-Jung's mouth immediately opened. "Wait, Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho! Let's make a deal!"

"A deal?"

"I don't care what happens to me, so just keep the candidate's name out of the news. Say I acted alone, and I'll give you three hundred million won! No, five hundred million! How about it?"

She had just tried to attack Yoo-Jin, yet she was still determined to protect Yoo Sung-Joon. The sheer absurdity of it made me drop all pretense of politeness.

"Do you have any idea how much money I have?"

By then, Ju Yung-In had regained her composure and chimed in from beside me. "His stake in Hoop alone is worth over a hundred billion won, and he makes two and a half billion a year. You're offering him a measly five hundred million? Does this woman think he's a fucking idiot?"

Yoo-Jin also spoke from beside her as if Choi Song-Jung were pathetic. "Listen. Thanks to Daechon Media, Yoon-Ho oppa's shares are worth around two hundred billion won now. And he's making over three billion this year."

Ju Yung-In stared at Yoo-Jin in surprise. "Whoa~ Why does a talent agent make more than we do?"

"Because Yoon-Ho oppa isn't an ordinary talent agent."

"Fair point..."

Choi Song-Jung's face twisted at Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In's chatter. She had realized that no amount of money she offered would change my mind.

I shrugged. "Your candidate is finished anyway, so go to the police and tell them everything."

That was when Choi Song-Jung changed tactics and began threatening me. "You think you'll get away with this? The opposition leadership will never let this go!"

I snorted at the absurdity of it. "Two of Korea's top actresses were nearly attacked, and you think the opposition leadership will step in? Don't make me laugh. They won't even admit they know your candidate. And..."

I lowered my voice and whispered so only Choi Song-Jung could hear.

"I know which female celebrities the party leaders are sponsoring. If I threaten to expose that, what do you think those people can do to me?"

Choi Song-Jung whispered back in disbelief.

"Don't give me that bullshit. You expect me to believe that?"

"Hey. If I didn't know things like that, how would I know you're Yoo Sung-Joon's mistress?"

Only then did Choi Song-Jung's face begin to turn pale. She had finally realized that neither the politicians nor Yoo Sung-Joon could save her.

"Damn it... Damn it...."

Watching her act like a broken robot, I gave her a little advice.

"You can't avoid prison after what you've done, but tell them everything about Yoo Sung-Joon ordering you to do it. That should reduce your sentence considerably. Oh, and you know Yoo Sung-Joon will be completely broke after his divorce, right? He won't have the money to get you out, and he won't have anything left, so stop clinging to him."

That was when Choi Song-Jung, realizing it was all over, collapsed onto the floor. She looked as though she were the one who had just been attacked with chemicals.

'It's over.'

I clicked my tongue and leisurely called Go Joon-Taek. He answered that he was in the middle of campaigning.

-Chief Jung. I'm in the middle of a campaign rally. Can we talk later?

"I'm calling because I have a tip that could guarantee your victory."

-What is it?

I told him that Choi Song-Jung, who worked at Yoo Sung-Joon's campaign office, had tried to attack Yoo-Jin. I also told him that Choi Song-Jung was Yoo Sung-Joon's mistress.

Go Joon-Taek asked in surprise.

-Was anyone hurt?

"No."

-That's a relief. Leave the rest to me from here. And... I won't forget this debt.

Go Joon-Taek's voice sounded remarkably bright now that he had secured an overwhelming advantage.

"They're over there!"

At that moment, paramedics, police officers, and the production staff of She Was Beautiful came running toward us from the end of the hallway in a tangled crowd.

***

I was currently in the VIP room at Seven Stars Hospital in Gangnam.

The paramedics who arrived with the police immediately took Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In to the hospital. Choi Song-Jung was placed under emergency arrest by the police and taken to the same hospital.

After undergoing basic examinations in the VIP room, Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In went downstairs with the doctors for more detailed tests. Choi Song-Jung was being examined in the first-floor emergency room under police supervision.

Meanwhile, I waited in the VIP room and wrapped things up while staying in contact with Go Joon-Taek, Hoop Entertainment, and Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill.

On the TV in the VIP room, reporters had begun swarming Yoo Sung-Joon's Incheon mayoral campaign office and thrusting microphones at him.

-Mr. Yoo! Is it true that you have a mistress?

-Ms. Choi Song-Jung, who is said to be your mistress, carried out a chemical attack against two of Korea's top actresses. Suspicions are growing that you were involved. Do you have anything to say?

Unable to contain his anger, Yoo Sung-Joon huffed and shoved the reporters away with both hands.

-Choi Song-Jung? Who the hell is that? What kind of bullshit did you hear before coming here to run your fucking mouths? I don't know any woman like that! And do you have any proof I did it?

A female reporter and a male reporter at the front fell after being shoved hard. The reporters became even more agitated and began firing sharper questions at him.

-We just received word that Ms. Choi Song-Jung confessed that you ordered everything.

-W-What? That bitch said I ordered her to do it?

-That's right. And we're told she submitted all the evidence...

-Don't lie! It's a setup! This is a political conspiracy! You fucking hacks planned all this together, didn't you? Didn't you?

Yoo Sung-Joon began cursing at the reporters, shoving them, and even throwing punches. Yoo Sung-Joon, who had targeted Yoo-Jin, was bringing his own political career to an end.

'Adios, Yoo Sung-Joon.'

That was when the hospital room door opened and Ju Yung-In returned alone.

Slide.

I looked away from the TV and asked her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. There's nothing wrong with me."

"That's a relief. What about Yoo-Jin?"

"They said she needs one more test."

"Really? Where?"

Just as I was about to go see where Yoo-Jin was being examined, Ju Yung-In grabbed my arm. "Shouldn't you be worrying about yourself instead of Yoo-Jin?"

I pulled her hand away and asked, "Worry about what?"

"The Incheon mayoral candidate is one thing, but you can't make enemies of the entire opposition party too. You're already on bad terms with Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon from the ruling party. If you make an enemy of the opposition too, you'll become the number one person to watch in political circles. So at least make peace with the opposition."

Ju Yung-In was worried because I kept fighting politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties. Still, I couldn't do what she suggested. There was no such thing as making peace with politicians without completely submitting to them.

"And what am I supposed to do after I make peace with the opposition politicians?"

Ju Yung-In hesitated, then came up with her own answer. "After that, you can just act like a talent agent and stay away from politicians, right?" ℴ

"No. Politicians are the kind of people who think you're beneath them the moment you kneel once. After that, they'll call me to every event, demand that I cast actors they recommend, and ask me to bring girls to drinking parties. Eventually, they'll even demand that I offer women to them. Is that what you want me to do?"

Ju Yung-In's mouth snapped shut. "That's... not what I meant."

"I know. But that's what making peace with politicians means. So I have to be someone who never compromises. And because I take such a hard line, you don't get asked to attend drinking parties anymore either."

Ju Yung-In's eyes widened. "Wait. Are you saying I've been getting fewer invitations to drinking parties with directors and writers lately because of you?"

"Yeah. JU Entertainment is a subsidiary of Hoop Entertainment. I told President Ahn to reject every director who asked you to attend a drinking party. I said I'd find you projects that would succeed."

Some actors continued attending directors' dinner parties even after becoming top stars. They did it to build connections and secure leading roles in future hits. As long as I was around, though, Ju Yung-In would never run out of projects. There were already directors known as part of the Jung Yoon-Ho circle, along with an entire lineup of S-class writers led by Lee Ji-Yeon.

Ju Yung-In pouted. "Geez... You should've told me sooner."

"Why would I? It's something I should be doing anyway."

"Oppa. You do things other talent agents wouldn't even dare to do, then act like it's nothing. That's not good. Brag about it a little! Make sure people know! That's how they'll be more grateful and feel like they owe you more! So at least tell your celebrities exactly how much they owe you!"

I snickered at her telling me to act like a debt collector, and Ju Yung-In snickered along with me. "God, seriously. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. Anyway, I'm sorry. I didn't think it through. I think you're right about handling the politicians your way."

"Yeah. Still, thanks for worrying about me. And for helping Yoo-Jin."

"Well, I did that in exchange for a meal. I almost died, though, so I'm going to make you buy me something really expensive."

"Sure. Anything you want."

"Yay!" Ju Yung-In bounced excitedly.

"Oh, and get ready to go back."

"Okay!"

Even now, all the staff at MBS's public hall were waiting to film the final scene. We had to return as soon as Yoo-Jin finished her examination.

Ju Yung-In was packing her bag when it happened.

Slide.

The door opened, and Yoo-Jin returned to the VIP room. She wore a miserable expression and a mask, and a doctor was accompanying her.

Alarmed by the sight, I asked, "What's going on? Why is Yoo-Jin wearing a mask... Was she exposed to the poison earlier?"

The doctor shook his head. "No. The poison found at the scene was sodium azide, but thanks to how well the situation was handled, she wasn't harmed by it."

"Then why is she wearing a mask?"

"During the examination of her vocal cords, we found signs that vocal nodules may be developing. She needs to rest without speaking for at least a week, possibly up to two weeks."

Apparently, Yoo-Jin's vocal cords were in terrible condition after spending the past month filming Hwaranjeon and She Was Beautiful on top of practicing her singing. Hwaranjeon was nearing the end of filming, but there was about a week's leeway in its schedule. She Was Beautiful was a different matter. If they couldn't finish the final shoot today and begin editing, they would have to give up on submitting the film to the Bucheon International Film Festival.

With a miserable expression, Yoo-Jin typed a message on her phone and sent it to me.

[Lovely♡Yoo-Jin: Oppa, I'm sorry. What do we do now?]

"What are you sorry for? It's not like you caused this."

[Lovely♡Yoo-Jin: Then does that mean we can't submit it to the film festival?]

I couldn't let all of Yoo-Jin's hard work go to waste like this. As I wondered what to do, a solution suddenly flashed through my mind.

"Don't worry. From now on, just do exactly as I say."

***

When I returned to MBS's public hall with Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In, the anxiously waiting staff rushed over all at once.

Murmur.

The staff began to stir when they saw Yoo-Jin wearing a mask. I reassured them that it was only to protect her throat, then gathered the key staff members at the scene in the waiting room. With Yoo-Jin's vocal cords on the verge of developing nodules, we first needed to change the filming plan.

In the MBS waiting room, Yeo Ik-Hwan, Assistant Director Baek Joon-Sung, Music Director Bang Seon-Woo, President Ahn Yung-Hee, LT Entertainment's President Shin Jong-Ki, and Managing Director Lee Eun-Joo gathered around.

With the masked Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In beside me, I explained the true condition of Yoo-Jin's throat. "Fortunately, she wasn't harmed by the poison, but during the examination, they discovered that her vocal cords are on the verge of developing nodules. So Yoo-Jin will undergo treatment without speaking for at least one to two weeks."

According to the original schedule, we were supposed to finish filming today and submit a rough cut to the Bucheon International Film Festival. We had also planned to finish the original soundtrack throughout June and debut Yoo-Jin as a promotional singer after the movie's release. If treatment alone took two weeks, however, all those plans could fall apart.

Bang Seon-Woo calmly pointed that out. "Yoon-Ho hyung. Two weeks is just for treatment. It'll take at least a month for her throat to fully recover enough for normal activities. And who knows how much longer it'll take to release an album for promotion."

Yoo-Jin pointed at herself with her index finger, then suddenly swung both arms back and forth as if she were running. Next, she opened her eyes wide, rubbed her throat, and gave two enthusiastic thumbs-ups. Then she formed an O with the thumb and index finger of her right hand.

Putting it all together, she probably meant 'Me. Fast. Throat gets better. Fine. Okay?' Something like that, anyway.

Lee Eun-Joo firmly shook her head. "Miss Yoo-Jin. Don't push yourself. We'll give up on the Bucheon International Film Festival for now and reschedule the entire shoot. About two months, maybe as long as three."

Yeo Ik-Hwan quickly agreed. "I'll keep only the minimum staff needed for post-production. We were planning to disband the on-site team after today anyway."

Then, Shin Jong-Ki raised a hand with a relaxed expression. "Come on, now. Why is everyone in such a hurry? Can't you see Chief Jung smiling?"

Only then did everyone stop worrying and look at me. The group tilted their heads when they saw me smiling.

Shin Jong-Ki grinned. "Chief Jung. Stop dragging it out and tell us what you're planning. You've got a solution, don't you?"

I did. Submitting the film to the Bucheon International Film Festival, and producing the original soundtrack and debuting Yoo-Jin as a promotional singer—I had a solution that would make all of it possible.

"Yes, sir."

"How? Miss Yoo-Jin can't use her voice. Don't tell me you're planning to have her lip-sync."

Bang Seon-Woo immediately chimed in from beside me. "If we mix the ambient sound from the set into the audio recorded during her vocal training, I'm confident we can fool everyone here, including the staff and the audience extras. No one will notice a thing. Of course, noona would have to act perfectly."

I shook my head at Bang Seon-Woo. "No. That's Plan B. Starting now, I'm going to use a singing double for Yoo-Jin."

It was common for professional vocalists to sing in place of the lead actors in musical films. A singer was better suited than an actor when the role required the character to sing like a professional.

As soon as I said that, I looked at Ju Yung-In. Ju Yung-In flinched in surprise, then lifted her chin and stood up.

"Hah... Seriously, is there anything you don't know, oppa? Fine. I've been getting vocal training lately. You want me to sing for Yoo-Jin, right?"

Despite Ju Yung-In's confidence, her singing skills were only average. To be frank, she was worse than Yoo-Jin.

I said, "Yung-In. I respect your confidence, but you're not Plan A."

Ju Yung-In's face flushed as she stammered. "Th-Then why did you look at me?"

"Not because of you. I'm going to ask your vocal teacher, Ms. Cheon, to handle the recording."

Ju Yung-In's vocal trainer, known as Ms. Cheon, was Cheon Song-Hee, a twenty-eight-year-old vocal trainer known by only a handful of people. Five years from now, however, she would become a solo female artist who topped the Billboard chart.

Until now, I hadn't been able to recruit her because of the major weakness she carried. Now that I had gained considerable influence within the company, I could finally bring her in.

"If Chief Jung is recommending the singing double, then there's no need to worry. I'm in favor."

Everyone, including Shin Jong-Ki, nodded.

Lee Eun-Joo even spoke as though the singing double had just won the lottery. "If it's Mr. Jung, he'll make sure the singing double gets a fair share of the profits too. I don't know who Ms. Cheon is, but she really hit the jackpot."

Most singing doubles were excellent singers who lacked the star quality to debut themselves, and they usually sang for only a few million won before giving up all their rights. Lee Eun-Joo seemed pleased because she expected me to give the singer far more than that.

"I plan to give so much more that there won't even be a comparison."

After answering, I looked at Ju Yung-In again. That was because Cheon Song-Hee, known as Ms. Cheon, would only meet someone through a personal introduction.

At that moment, Ju Yung-In said, "Oppa. I'm sorry, but I'm completely against your plan! And if you're going to use Ms. Cheon as a singing double, I won't introduce you to her!"

For some reason, Ju Yung-In was glaring at me as she firmly opposed my plan.