Chapter 1031: Message 4949 (1)

I arrived at Studio 2, where the second half of Part 1 of SBC's Project I.O.A – Moments from a Difficult Journey was being filmed.

In the center of the set stood a massive LCD screen displaying highlights from the twelve weeks of passion and perseverance. To the left of the screen sat SBC anchors Yoo Sung-Ryul and Park Min-Hee. To the right sat the members of I.O.A. And seated beside them was the hip-hop boy group Black Soul—the very group that, in the future, would drag I.O.A into a drug scandal.

The ten I.O.A members, each wearing the prettiest casual outfit they owned, looked a little nervous since it was their first variety show appearance.

By contrast, Black Soul's four members—leader Seo Yo-Hwan, Alex Jang, Park Yoo-Chang, and Ahn Oh-Sung—looked completely at ease. Dressed in black jeans and stylish jackets of different colors, they smiled with the confidence of seasoned professionals.

Just then, PD Yoo Sun-Hwa, who was directing today's program, addressed Black Soul. "Yo-Hwan, Alex. Don't just sit there smiling. Jump into the conversation once in a while when the girls are talking. You two went through a hip-hop audition yourselves, so speak up as their sunbaes. Share something you are related to or give them some advice. Sunbaes should help rookies who are just making their debut, right?"

Yoo Sun-Hwa was thirty-five years old and had seven years of experience. She was one of the three most successful producers in SBC's variety department.

Originally, PD Ji Yung-Sik had been scheduled to direct this special as well, but after collapsing from exhaustion following the grueling twelve-week run of Project I.O.A, Yoo Sun-Hwa had taken over directing this two-part program.

"Yes, Mrs. Yoo!"

"Understood."

Following her instructions, Seo Yo-Hwan and Alex, who had participated in a hip-hop audition a year earlier, began joining the conversation between the hosts and the I.O.A members.

"Auditions are honestly brutal. There were times I just wanted to give up and go home."

"Yo-Hwan hyung's right. Your dream is right in front of you, but every week someone next to you gets eliminated. It really tears you apart mentally."

As the two chimed in with reactions and comments, the short, awkward exchanges between the MCs and I.O.A gradually turned into longer, more natural conversations. The program was finally starting to come together.

However, I had no intention of letting the filming continue like this. The moment Black Soul's drug use gets exposed, simply appearing on the same broadcast as them would seriously damage I.O.A's image.

More importantly, according to Everyday's warning, Black Soul was unquestionably the group responsible for introducing drugs to I.O.A. The schedule entry had appeared on my phone immediately after Wang Long mentioned that Alex Jang was Wang Lina's cousin.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: June 6, 2021]

-8:00 p.m.: [NEW. Wang Lina]

[Entertainment Big News] Popular members of the girl group I.O.A arrested in a group drug abuse case.

...

If events unfolded as scheduled, Wang Lina, Song Mi-Hee, Minamoto Aoi, and even Go Eun-Seo, who had only just entered her first year of high school, would all become entangled in a drug scandal. That was why, starting now, I intended to put an end to this filming with Black Soul before they ever had the chance to drag my kids into drugs.

Just then, Jung Sang-Bong spotted me. He approached together with Team Lead Baek Hee-Yung, who had been frowning as she watched the stage.

The moment the two of them bowed, I asked Jung Sang-Bong, "What happened? Why was Black Soul brought in instead of EVE*ONE?"

"They said EVE*ONE couldn't come because of a regional event, so PD Yoo Sun-Hwa made a phone call somewhere. Not long after that, Director Hong Ah-Yoon showed up with Black Soul."

There was little doubt that Yoo Sun-Hwa had called Director Hong Ah-Yoon, with whom she was close, and arranged for Black Soul to be inserted into the program.

At that moment, Baek Hee-Yung, who was overseeing today's schedule, apologized as well. "Mr. Jung, I'm sorry. I insisted that no male idol group should be brought in even as a replacement, but Mrs. Yoo wouldn't listen to me."

Yoo Sun-Hwa was notoriously headstrong. There was no way Baek Hee-Yung could have stopped her.

I answered, "It's all right. I'll take care of things from here."

After reassuring the guilt-ridden Baek Hee-Yung, I immediately sent a Kk Talk message to SBC's Director Lee Gi-Do.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Mr. Lee, if you're at headquarters, could I see you? We're filming with the I.O.A members in Studio 2, and we've run into a bit of a problem.]

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Today's guest canceled, and Black Soul was brought in as a replacement. I've heard some troubling rumors about them. If this airs as it is, I think I.O.A could get dragged into unnecessary controversy from the very beginning. I'd like the broadcast to feature only I.O.A. Please contact me when you can.]

I waited silently with the team for Lee Gi-Do's reply.

***

Normally, the read receipt on Kk Talk disappeared within thirty seconds. This time, even after three minutes, it was still there.

"It looks like Mr. Lee Gi-Do must be busy."

Baek Hee-Yung asked with a troubled expression, "So... what are you going to do?"

I pointed toward the stage. "I'm stopping the shoot."

"...What? You're going to shut down one of PD Yoo's productions? How are you planning to deal with her temper?"

Yoo Sun-Hwa was infamous for unleashing a torrent of profanity whenever anyone disrupted her filming, no matter how famous they were. That was why everyone had nicknamed her "PD Hell." However, I was unbothered.

"Today, she's the one who's going to have to deal with my temper."

Back when I was at Top Entertainment, I hadn't climbed the ranks by always playing nice. If it meant protecting my artists, I never hesitated to go head-to-head with producers.

"Being a good person doesn't necessarily make you a good talent agent. If protecting my artists' image requires me to be the bad guy, then that's what I'll be. Of course, you should never cross the line. But today, we're the ones with the justification. Just watch what I do."

After saying that to Baek Hee-Yung and Jung Sang-Bong, I turned to Wang Long and Sasuke.

"You two stay out of this. Just watch."

"Okay."

"Got it."

Both of them already knew that Alex of Black Soul was a drug dealer, and they knew I had come here to turn this set upside down. They nodded without objection.

I took a deep breath. Then I shouted loudly enough for the entire studio to hear. "Mrs. Yoo! Good morning!"

My voice echoed through the silent soundstage. At that moment, every staff member immediately turned their heads. Yoo Sun-Hwa, still staring at the monitor, didn't even bother looking up before exploding with curses.

"Hey, you crazy son of a bitch! Which asshole's screaming on my set? You wanna die, you fucking lunatic?! Huh? Who the hell is it?!" Still raging, she finally whipped her head around. "...What? Chief Jung... You were the one shouting?"

"Yes."

My calm reply only twisted Yoo Sun-Hwa's face with irritation. If I had been an ordinary talent agent, she probably would have thrown the cue sheet she was holding at me before launching into another round of abuse and ordering me out. However, she also knew my current standing in the industry.

Suppressing her anger with obvious effort, Yoo Sun-Hwa snapped, "What are you doing? You should know better than this!"

"Our team lead informed you in advance that male idol groups weren't acceptable replacements."

"Oh, for God's sake. Didn't you hear what happened? The scheduled guests canceled, so we had to find someone at the last minute. You should be understanding."

"And Team Lead Baek specifically asked for a female idol group instead."

Being challenged head-on in front of the entire staff made Yoo Sun-Hwa's face flush bright red. "Chief Jung, whether I choose a boy group or a girl group is the producer's decision. Who are you to tell me how to run my show?"

"When did I ever interfere with your directing? I'm simply asking you to prevent Black Soul's fandom, White Soul, from attacking I.O.A once this airs."

"You call this asking? It sounds more like a threat."

"It's a request."

Yoo Sun-Hwa trembled with anger. Finally, she spat out another string of profanity. "Oh, screw this shit. Episode One has to be finished within thirty minutes if it's going on air tonight. Black Soul isn't going anywhere, so deal with it yourself!"

She turned her back on me, making it clear she had no intention of listening any further. "Resume filming! MC, ask Eun-Seo the next question, then focus on Ling Ling, Hee-Joo, Na-Ra, and Mi-Hee. Especially Na-Ra. She's already been an idol for a year, so get her talking."

If she was going to ignore me completely, then I had no choice.

"Girls. Get up!"

I immediately gestured toward all ten I.O.A members seated on the set. The I.O.A members froze in confusion. The girls hesitated and were wondering whether it was really okay to disobey the producer's orders.

Nevertheless, Ling Ling and Seo Hee-Joo quickly cast aside their doubts and bowed to the MCs and staff just as I had instructed. "We're sorry!"

Go Eun-Seo and Song Mi-Hee followed, and soon all ten I.O.A members stood up together and bowed.

As the girls moved in perfect unison at my command, Yoo Sun-Hwa shouted toward the stage. "God damn it! Who told you to leave the stage without the producer's approval? Huh? You want your idol careers to end today?"

Yoo Sun-Hwa's profanity-laced threat brought the girls to a halt just as they were about to step off the stage. She spun back toward me and continued.

"Hey, Chief Jung. Listen carefully. If even one of those girls takes a single step off that stage, I'll cancel not only today's broadcast but I.O.A Debut D-30 too. If you're still okay with that, then go ahead and take them."

'That's supposed to intimidate me?'

I let out a scoff. "Of course I'm not okay with it. But will SBC be okay? We can just partner with DCM_TV, produce the content ourselves, and release it online."

"Y-You..."

Yoo Sun-Hwa visibly faltered. She clearly hadn't expected a talent agent to confront her so directly.

Just as I was about to ignore her and leave, Black Soul's leader, Seo Yo-Hwan, stood up and came toward me. It seemed he couldn't stomach being kicked out after making it this far.

"Come on, what the hell? That's going too far. We'll keep our fandom under control ourselves, so let's just finish filming, okay?"

At that moment, Alex Jang stood up as well. "Mr. Jung. No scandal. Never happen. So don't worry. Korean people worry too much."

I wanted to shout in front of everyone that drug addicts had no business opening their mouths. But without evidence, I couldn't. In the entertainment industry, accusing someone of drug use without proof was the fastest way to get sued for defamation. Besides, if I wanted to wipe out them and the people supplying them, I needed evidence first.

So instead, I attacked another weakness I already knew about. "Seo Yo-Hwan. Want me to start listing the ordinary people who said their lives were ruined after meeting you at clubs around Hongdae? Hong Ri-..., Yang Seo-..., Oh Ji-...?"

I deliberately trailed off before saying the last syllable of each name. Seo Yo-Hwan's confident expression disappeared instantly.

"And Alex. I know perfectly well you can speak politely, so stop pretending you can't. Also, now that you're making good money, pay your parents' hospital bills yourself. What's with bringing your mother and the rest of your family to Korea for treatment before sending them back to Canada? What are you, some kind of medical broker?"

"What the fuck! How did you kno—"

The two Black Soul members stood there in stunned silence. Looking straight at them, I answered silently in my head.

'Just wait a little longer. Before long, you'll be sending '4949' messages to your buddies on Telogram.'

Just then, Yoo Sun-Hwa's eyes lit up as though she had finally found a way out. "Fine! If you don't like it, then take them and leave! Everyone saw what Chief Jung just did, right? If today's broadcast gets canceled, it's not my responsibility!"

She seemed to think I wouldn't dare walk out. However, she couldn't have been more wrong. I had already been prepared for that outcome before I started this.

I gestured once more toward the girls, who were still frozen in place. "Girls. Come down."

All ten I.O.A members hurried off the stage, their faces filled with anxiety.

I greeted them with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. None of this will hurt you."

That was when Ling Ling casually stepped forward. "Worry? What's that? I don't know what that is."

Seo Hee-Joo slipped her arm through Ling Ling's with a bright smile. "I'm not worried either."

Go Eun-Seo also shook off her unease. "Come on, everyone. Do you know who Mr. Jung is? Let's do this!"

As the three of them rallied, the rest of the I.O.A members quickly regained their composure and nodded as well.

"All right. Let's go."

Ignoring the trembling Yoo Sun-Hwa, I started leading the I.O.A members out of the studio.

Bang.

At that moment, the studio doors flew open. Lee Gi-Do came rushing inside, completely out of breath.

"What in the world is going on here?!"

The cavalry had arrived.

***

It looked like Lee Gi-Do had seen my Kk Talk messages. The moment he entered, he rounded on Yoo Sun-Hwa.

"PD Yoo! You were seriously going to air a rookie girl group that's just debuted with a boy group? Have you lost your mind?"

Yoo Sun-Hwa protested, "What else was I supposed to do? The scheduled guests canceled! I was just trying to make the best of it. I looked for idols with audition experience, and Black Soul was the only group available!"

"Even then, you should've ruled out a boy group! Were you trying to create a scandal for I.O.A before they'd even debuted?"

"You think I wouldn't have edited those parts out?"

"'Would've'? My ass. I know exactly how you edit. You would've made it even more provocative!"

Yoo Sun-Hwa bristled after being called out so accurately. "So what now? You're seriously going to stand there and let some talent agent run roughshod over the station like this? Chief Jung is completely trampling all over SBC's authority!"

"Don't try to change the subject! And listen here. Does the station's pride put food on anyone's table? Do you even know how many advertising deals and overseas contracts that young man has brought us? The raise you got this year came from the contracts he helped secure. You should be getting down on your knees and thanking him instead of talking nonsense!"

Yoo Sun-Hwa's face turned bright red. She had clearly never expected one of the station's directors to side with a talent agent and tear into her in front of the entire staff.

"Mr. Lee... Seriously..."

Just then, Hong Ah-Yoon rushed through the half-open door. Panting for breath, she immediately stepped in to defend Yoo Sun-Hwa.

"Huff, huff... Mr. Lee, please calm down. I was the one who recommended Black Soul. Mrs. Yoo didn't do anything wrong."

Lee Gi-Do glared at Hong Ah-Yoon. "Anyone can make a recommendation. But PD Yoo was the one who approved it. So don't interfere. Just take Black Soul and leave."

"Mr. Lee, the boys worked hard to get ready and come all the way here. Please let them appear, even if it's only briefly. I promise there won't be any rumors afterward."

"Enough. Just go. Don't make me raise my voice at you too, Director Hong."

Lee Gi-Do had done his best to send her away politely, but Hong Ah-Yoon abruptly changed her tone.

"Mr. Lee... if you're really going to handle this like that, we won't be able to stay quiet either."

"...What?"

"If you're going to keep favoring Chief Jung like this, then not only HK Entertainment but the entire HK Inc. will have to reconsider its relationship with SBC."

Lee Gi-Do's eyes sharpened. "So you're saying... I should keep my mouth shut and put Black Soul on the broadcast. Is that it?"

"You already understand, so I won't beat around the bush. And if you reject my proposal, your drama division will have to bear the consequences too."

Since Lee Gi-Do had risen through the drama department, he needed its continued support to maintain his position as a station director. If HK Inc. pulled its sponsorships from the drama division, his standing within SBC could be seriously undermined. It was pressure that would be almost impossible to ignore.

I was about to step in and help, but Lee Gi-Do didn't even blink.

"So? Fine. Go ahead. If you want to pull your sponsorships, then do it."

"Pardon?"

"I said do it! Just because you're the youngest daughter of HK Inc., you think this station belongs to you?"

Hong Ah-Yoon looked genuinely taken aback by his unexpectedly uncompromising stance. "Mr. Lee... Are you really saying you want to fight us?"

"You started this, not me. So be prepared. Next week I'll schedule a special current affairs program, and for an entire week we'll dig up every bit of dirt we can find on HK Inc."

The reason corporations and politicians feared television stations was simple—the news division. If the news department spent an entire week exposing the wrongdoing of a major conglomerate, the company's stock price could plummet, dealing it enormous financial damage.

"And what do you think HK Inc. will do if we expose everything your brothers did before they were arrested? Like you said, do you think they'll simply pull their advertising?" He let out a scoff. "Not a chance! They'll triple their advertising budget just to bury the stories."

Lee Gi-Do's words, spoken with the confidence of a veteran broadcaster, left Hong Ah-Yoon speechless. After all, every word of it was true.

"So keep your mouth shut. This isn't the time for me to worry about your side." After knocking Hong Ah-Yoon out of the argument, Lee Gi-Do turned his attention to Yoo Sun-Hwa. "And PD Yoo. If you refuse to remove Black Soul, then step down as director immediately. We'll bring in CP Kang Dae-Woong, or if we have to, we'll drag PD Ji Yung-Sik out of the hospital and have him take over the cameras."

Driven into a corner, Yoo Sun-Hwa clenched her fists. "So you're really going to side with Chief Jung until the very end?"

"What choice do I have? That's where the situation has led us."

"If that's how you're going to handle this... then I'll have no choice but to leave."

One of SBC's star producers, the woman behind variety shows responsible for 10% of the station's revenue, had just declared she would quit. Naturally, even the previously unwavering Lee Gi-Do hesitated.

"...What? You're resigning?"

"So choose." Yoo Sun-Hwa stared him straight in the eye. "Is it me or Chief Jung?"

I couldn't let Lee Gi-Do shoulder the blame for driving one of SBC's biggest producers out.

I stepped in and said, "Mr. Lee. Leave this to me."

However, Lee Gi-Do shook his head. "No. This is something I can handle myself. Stay out of it."

Unlike usual, he refused my help. After letting out a long sigh, Lee Gi-Do looked back at Yoo Sun-Hwa.

"PD Yoo. Do I really have to choose?"

"Yes."

"Is that so? Then go."

Yoo Sun-Hwa blinked in disbelief. "...What? Seriously?"

"Yes. I said go."

"Are you actually serious, Mr. Lee? How can you choose a talent agent over one of your producers?"

At that moment, Lee Gi-Do suddenly said something completely unexpected. "No matter how important you are, PD Yoo, I can't very well drive out one of the owners of this company."

'One of the owners of the company? What in the world is he talking about?'