Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 138: From Defense To Offense.

The media room, which had been prepared for research to commemorate Girl Revolution’s talk show filming, turned into a conference room filled with a tense atmosphere due to the sudden scandal.

In that heavy atmosphere, it was the President, Cheon Aram, who spoke first.

“Alright, Jo Narae. Not all of the staff fully understands the situation, so could you explain it first?”

“Yes, I will.”

The one who answered her was Jo Narae, whom Cheon Aram personally recruited for TwoBear’s official publicity strategy.

“About two hours ago, Monday News, a gossip-focused outlet, published an article about Girl Revolution, specifically an accusation involving Sunny. The article suggested that Sunny might be the third-generation chaebol, Jin Yeoreum, who was previously buried in the sports world due to drug doping allegations four years ago.”

“If it were just an accusation, the word ‘scandal’ wouldn’t have been used, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. It didn’t stop there. It was as if various media outlets were waiting for the article, and they snowballed it. They quoted the possibility of it being Jin Yeoreum, emphasized it as highly likely, and even used phrases like ‘it could be Jin Yeoreum’ and finally stated that it had been confirmed as Jin Yeoreum.”

It was common for such tabloid-like articles to appear. And since Monday News was a C-grade media outlet specializing in such gossip, it wouldn’t have become an issue under normal circumstances.

However, other media outlets quickly picked up the gossip and spread it in an unusually fast manner.

This was certainly not a natural flow.

“Where’s the evidence? We haven’t carelessly revealed any information that would make it that easy to confirm that Sunny is Jin Yeoreum, right?”

At Cheon Aram’s words, the entire staff of TwoBear nodded.

The risk of Jin Yeoreum was the part we were most careful about when formulating our publicity plans. We hadn’t treated it lightly so that it would be easily revealed like this.

“No evidence has emerged yet. However, it won’t take long for that evidence to surface.”

“Why do you think that?”

“One of the girl groups showing a storm-like rise has occupied the main portal with a provocative issue about being a national turn-off, so now it’s not just B-grade media, but credible A-grade outlets that will jump in to investigate. Once they start moving, it won’t take long for the fact that Sunny is Jin Yeoreum to be proven.”

After hearing all of this, Cheon Aram sighed softly and responded.

“Is there any way to stop this right now?”

“First, we need to stop the A-grade media from moving. We should contact all the journalists we have connections with and inform them that this accusation is based on a lack of evidence…”

“No. It’s still impossible.”

The one who interrupted Jo Narae’s words was Park Miso, a viral expert, who was staring at the screen of her laptop with a tired face.

“It would work. Thanks to you, President Cheon, our personnel network at TwoBear is not weak. However, we won’t get the results we expect compared to the cost and manpower we invest in it. It could even backfire.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Right now, within the community, it’s become trendy to view Sunny and Yeoreum as the same and link them together.”

Jo Narae, who wasn’t as familiar with handling community opinion as Park Miso, seemed to understand the meaning and held her forehead.

“Once such a community topic has formed, it’s just a matter of the source. Will it be revealed to the journalists, or will it be revealed to the netizens? It’s one of the two. We can’t stop it.”

“…This is the worst.”

The already heavy atmosphere in the media room became even more oppressive.

In the bleak silence, Seok Hyun-woo lamented.

“Why did this happen?”

“Perhaps they saw traces of rhythmic gymnast Jin Yeoreum in Sunny’s current face?”

“That’s not possible.”

The one who refuted Park Miso’s suspicion was Isabella, a world-class choreographer who had been instrumental in selecting choreography and outfits.

“To hide Yeoreum’s past until we secured a stable fan base, we deliberately used makeup and styling that were radically different from how Jin Yeoreum used to look.”

“Could it really be completely hidden with just makeup and styling?”

“It’s not ‘just makeup.’ When Yeoreum did rhythmic gymnastics, she had a youthful, cute image, with baby fat still on her face. But now, her look emphasizes elegance and glamour. The two images are starkly different. Unless someone analyzes photos of both, they’ll seem like completely different people.”

Hearing this, vocal trainer Lee Hyerin nodded.

“Then, it’s not just speculation; it must be a case of information leaking.”

“Yes, I think somewhere, the fact that Sunny is Jin Yeoreum was revealed. But since there’s no concrete evidence, it seems like it was guided in this way.”

“Ha… I don’t understand. Where was it revealed? The only people who knew about it were people at TwoBear, right? But I don’t think any of us would have revealed it.”

“We aren’t the type of people to reveal it just to sell the information for some pocket change.”

“That’s right. There’s no one that low in this company.”

The source of the information was strongly suspected to be an insider. This led to the worst kind of crisis for TwoBear, where everyone began to suspect each other.

However, because Cheon Aram had carefully filtered out any potential problems, the staff of TwoBear didn’t harbor any suspicion towards their fellow colleagues and didn’t show any signs of internal strife.

This was a very fortunate aspect, but that didn’t change the fact that the current situation was grim.

“This is tough. If we had reached No. 1 and had some time for the fanbase to solidify, we could have guided public opinion as we had planned.”

“Exactly. The revelation of Miss Yeoreum’s true identity right now is the worst possible situation.”

“It’s not good. Since the fanbase is still thin so soon after debut, they’ll just disappear if this happens.”

Cheon Aram, holding her brow, listened to the conversation of Oh James, Seok Hyun-woo, and Lee Hyerin, and asked Jo Narae, who was writing something on her tablet.

“Jo Narae, what do you think will happen next?”

“I’ll incorporate everything we discussed. Right now, the fans that were drawn in through Gyeoul, Gaeul, and Yoori’s personal activities are being integrated under the name Girl Revolution. However, due to the current misfortune, that fanbase could collapse. At best, they might drop out of the charts, and at worst, a boycott could occur.”

“So, what’s the solution you’re thinking of?”

“…”

Jo Narae hesitated to answer and avoided eye contact before speaking, as if resigned.

“Even now, we need to release an apology statement and remove Jin Yeoreum from the group. That’s the only way to save the three girls and preserve the brand value of Girl Revolution…”

“That’s absolutely not going to happen.”

The firm voice that blocked the statement seemed to allow no argument.

“…Team Leader Soo-yeon?”

It was Seo Soo-yeon.

“This isn’t something that happened because Jin Yeoreum did something wrong. We all knew she had this risk. So, we must take responsibility. We don’t turn our backs and cast her aside just because something happened.”

Her words seemed logical, but in reality, they were deeply emotional, and Cheon Aram thought to herself.

‘She’s changed, too.’

The rest of the staff felt similarly, each to their own degree. That’s why Seo Soo-yeon’s uncharacteristically emotional statement carried weight. As the company’s financial overseer, she typically approached matters from a purely logical standpoint.

“That’s right. This should never happen.”

“Yes, Seo Soo-yeon is right. Blaming everything on one member and leaving her behind while we save ourselves—is that something a decent person would do?”

“As adults, it’s our job to protect the kids—huh, that sounded like something Team Leader Seon would say.”

“Haha, I thought it sounded familiar; it’s Team Leader Seon’s words. In that sense, Team Leader Seon, would you care to say something?”

“…No, do I really say such embarrassing things?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Watching everyone talk as if it was obvious to protect Jin Yeoreum, Cheon Aram thought to herself.

‘…Well, look at all these pushovers coming together.’

However, she had a vague feeling that it might be okay with these people.

And so, she smiled softly, an inappropriate reaction for the situation.

The meeting ended, and a rough plan was decided.

Perhaps, it was unsurprising that the policy prioritized protecting Yeoreum.

It was still just a spark for now. But soon, the flames would rise.

And in that blaze, Yeoreum might once again lose herself.

Just like back then, when she walked to board the plane with a cold, hardened face.

I—no—we would stop it.

Countless plans swirled in my mind like fleeting thoughts.

I couldn’t be sure whether the result of the meeting was truly the best choice, considering TwoBear would face an unprecedented crisis because of it.

While pondering whether there was a way to protect both sides, I saw a familiar figure in the hallway.

“Team Leader Seon?”

It was Yeoreum.

“Oh, Yeoreum. Were you training? You should rest today…”

It was only as I continued speaking that I realized.

Yeoreum’s eyes were red and bloodshot from crying so intensely.

“I… I’m so sorry. Because of me… I… I wanted to be an idol even though I wasn’t worthy…”

Including my TwoBear colleagues, I only thought about the harsh and insulting opinions Yeoreum would hear later. I thought of the best way to stop it. But now, I realize that wasn’t enough.

The reason why the strong girl, Jin Yeoreum, was suffering wasn’t just because of the criticism and blame aimed at her. It was because she feared that the pain she had caused would affect her family, the Jinkang name, and now, her colleagues at TwoBear.

That was why Yeoreum was already breaking down now, seeing that inevitable future before her.

And as I watched her, a fiery emotion crept into my mind.

“…”

Time for a change of plans.

[Activating ‘Deep-Rooted Transaction History’.]

From now on, I won’t play defense. I’ll go on the offensive.

The one who made Yeoreum cry will pay the price.