Chapter 175

Chapter 175

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

Episode 175: Witnessing

Public opinion shifted.

After a time when conspiracy theories ran rampant and it was considered natural to drag down Jin Yeoreum, it became mainstream to acknowledge that she, too, was a victim.

Of course, baseless slanders against Jin Yeoreum still existed.

Once people begin to hate someone, even if the original cause is gone, they find new reasons to continue hating, like a force of habit.

However, with TwoBear’s proactive legal response and Jinkang’s legal team starting to take action again, though some might still think otherwise, spreading aggressive opinions in communities had nearly disappeared.

Therefore, the risk associated with Jin Yeoreum for the group Girl Revolution could now be considered resolved.

“Team Leader Seon, you’ve worked hard. I never thought this would be possible. You did really well.”

Cheon Aram, who had witnessed the process up close more than anyone, didn’t hold back on the encouragement.

“Thank you. I was lucky. It’s all because Yeoreum did well.”

“Isn’t it a bit too humble to say it was just luck after everything you went through? Team Leader Seon, you can brag a little at a time like this.”

“No, I really didn’t do much. I was just lucky.”

“Shut up and check your account. I’ve already put in the bonus.”

“…Yes.”

I quietly opened my account.

Hmm… that’s a lot.

As I rubbed my eyes in awe at the brilliant amount, Cheon Aram chuckled softly and spoke.

“Once you’re done checking, let’s talk about the next thing we need to do.”

“If it’s about something we need to do…”

Cheon Aram handed me the tablet next to her and showed me an article.

[“Empire of Ecstasy” Han Ji-young vs Oh Yoori: Chilling mind games set a new highest viewer rating: Meirdi Entertainment]

“The response to Yoori’s drama this time is really hot.”

“It’s Empire of Ecstasy. A lot happened there.”

From a simple supporting role, to a character with lines, and eventually becoming the main character who leads the drama’s atmosphere through psychological struggles with the lead actress, a lot happened.

The director, obsessed with the visuals and ignoring scheduling, along with the actress Han Ji-young, who was upset because she couldn’t get the spotlight, and Oh Yoori.

It’s natural for a group of people to have some trash, but the “dream team” behind Empire of Ecstasy felt like all the trash gathered in one place at once.

Yet, amidst all that, getting a chance to prove Oh Yoori’s acting ability with such great viewership ratings was possible because the two of us truly went through hell.

“Anyway, I was also expecting a good reaction from the psychological battle part that aired yesterday. It seems like it was well-received by the viewers, so I’m glad.”

“Hm… sounds like something interesting happened. Well, okay. Let’s talk about that later at the bar. For now, let’s wrap up the current situation.”

Cheon Aram, resting her chin on her hand, watched the music broadcast playing on the monitor and said,

“All the kids have gained fame in their respective fields, right?”

“Yes, Gyeoul is actively participating in three fixed variety shows and as a guest, and she’s emerging as a blue-chip star.”

“Gaeul’s song on ‘Music Road,’ which she released with Team Leader Seon, has been consistently holding the 2nd spot on the charts and is still steadily ranked among karaoke favorites.”

“Yeoreum has also completely erased her past negative image and has been recognized for her objectively genius-level skills.”

“Right, this time even dance-related professionals and old-timers in the industry, without being asked, praised Yeoreum on their SNS, calling her a true genius. It’s truly amazing.”

“Because she has the skills to back it up.”

In this day and age, if judged purely by skill, no one could stand in front of Yeoreum.

Yeoreum’s prime is now.

“Yoori is now beginning to build her fame as an actress. Yeah, each of them has firmly established themselves in their field, and their individual fanbases are steadily growing.”

I now understood what Cheon Aram was getting at.

“Are you suggesting we release another album?”

“Well, that’s something we naturally need to do. We are a management agency, after all.”

…Wasn’t it this?

Cheon Aram smiled at me, who was staring at her in confusion, and said,

“It’s already been settled with our company’s music team, but there’s something you need to take care of for the new album, Team Leader Seon.”

“Yes, please speak freely.”

“You’ll be making the title track for this album, Team Leader Seon.”

“…”

…Why are the people around me so desperate for me to compose?

Holding a neatly packaged box of cookies, Yeoreum let out a small sigh and asked Seok Hyun-woo.

“Do you think this is too modest?”

Seok Hyun-woo, seeing her, smiled and spoke.

“Not at all. Who in the world would say that cookies made by Yeoreum herself are modest?”

“Well, that’s an intangible value. Value is relative. Objectively, these are just amateur cookies made by a high schooler who learned baking as a hobby. It’s too small and humble to serve as a token of gratitude for Team Leader Seon.”

“Well, I think the person who would value those cookies the most, excluding me and Yeoreum’s parents, would be Team Leader Seon.”

Despite Seok Hyun-woo’s reassurance, Yeoreum sighed anxiously and confessed.

“I saw last time, he only drives the company car. What if I bought him a sedan as a gift?”

“That’s a bit much. Gifts should be something small. Giving something too big might cause a burden. Some people would accept it happily without overthinking it, but Team Leader Seon would probably view it as a burden or even a debt.”

Seok Hyun-woo said this while thinking of Seon Taeyang, the man he had observed.

“If you want to maintain your current relationship with Team Leader Seon, it would be best not to make him feel burdened.”

“I’m not satisfied with just our current relationship.”

“…”

Seok Hyun-woo fell silent, reading Yeoreum’s feelings.

From his perspective, their relationship seemed precarious.

He had known Yeoreum’s feelings for some time now.

Since Jin Baek-ho had asked him to assist Yeoreum, he had been watching over her growth more closely than her own parents.

Thus, he could easily guess the feelings she had for Seon Taeyang and how much they had grown.

As someone who half-considered Yeoreum like a daughter, Seok Hyun-woo felt a little uneasy, but honestly, he supported her feelings.

Because, in his eyes, Seon Taeyang was someone really hard to come by.

He could rest easy knowing that Seon Taeyang would be there when he couldn’t be by her side.

So, if they ended up together, Seok Hyun-woo thought it would be just fine.

Of course, that would be after she became an adult.

But thinking about such things was almost a luxury.

Seok Hyun-woo knew very well that Yeoreum’s feelings for Taeyang had a very high chance of ending in failure.

That’s because he had seen the conversation and the scene between Yoo Gaeul and Seon Taeyang on the rooftop last time.

Seon Taeyang was a person with a strong sense of responsibility.

Even if it wasn’t his intention, Seon Taeyang would take responsibility for Yoo Gaeul in some way.

And the most likely outcome was that they would end up together.

Seok Hyun-woo, knowing this, spoke.

“I’ll support you.”

At least hoping that Yeoreum would hurt less.

‘Hm… He’s not here either.’

Yeoreum, who had been looking for Seon Taeyang to thank him with the cookies she made, felt confused.

She had searched all the usual places he would be, but couldn’t find him anywhere.

Wondering if he had gone home, Yeoreum asked Seo Soo-yeon, but she said Seon Taeyang hadn’t left yet and that he might have gone to the rooftop for some fresh air.

‘He must be on the rooftop.’

Yeoreum felt slightly relieved inside.

She thought that if he was there, she wouldn’t have to show her members how she was crossing a line.

And on the rooftop, Yeoreum found Seon Taeyang.

“Step back a bit. You’re too close.”

But he wasn’t alone.

“Why? Isn’t this level of physical contact okay?”

Yoo Gaeul was there.

“No, it’s not. What are you going to do if others see you like this?”

As he said, they were too close.

Yeoreum’s chest ached.

She even thought about stepping in and separating them.

But she managed to suppress her feelings, holding her breath and waiting her turn.

She knew rationally that she couldn’t have all of Seon Taeyang’s time.

She barely held herself together, shivering.

In the meantime, Yoo Gaeul spoke.

“It’s fine.”

Yoo Gaeul sweetly, almost intoxicatingly, closed the distance and whispered to Seon Taeyang, as if about to kiss him.

“We agreed to date, didn’t we?”

“…”

That one sentence.

That one sentence was enough to completely blank out Yeoreum’s mind.