Chapter 117

Chapter 117

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

Episode 117: The Speed At Which Professionals Cut Ties.

After Gyeoul finished speaking, silence filled the auditorium.

“”…..““

The managers who had spoken up were now silent.

This was not because they had nothing to say.

They were well aware of the risks of publicly contradicting Gyeoul’s statements.

Right now, Gyeoul’s statement about wanting to protect the fans was the most powerful weapon in this live broadcast setting.

There was no better argument to sway public opinion than the logic of protecting the fans.

Of course, from the agency’s perspective, they could easily challenge the trainees’ actions.

But that was not something they could do here and now.

One could see that just by looking at the silver-suited manager, who had crashed after attempting such a move.

If the agency had set its policies, they might have been able to make such statements.

However, most agencies were completely unaware of the sudden revolutionary uproar happening right now.

Certainly, those present here who understood the general situation could determine their positions.

Perhaps there were those who had discussed the vote manipulation with the upper echelons of the agency.

But there were very few people here who had the status to set such policies and express their opinions.

After all, most of those people wouldn’t show up at such events.

However, there was one exception that stood apart from most cases.

It was a manager like Jeok Yu-song, who, with years of experience and accomplishments, was recognized in the industry but insisted on being present at the scene.

Perhaps having organized his thoughts, Jeok Yu-song broke the silence that filled the auditorium and cautiously began to speak.

“I understand the thoughts of the trainees well. We are also aware of the controversies surrounding Girl 100. I also understand that your current appearance is an expression of your responsibility to not disappoint the fans.”

He spoke with a cautious demeanor but with a firm gaze.

“As a manager, I have emphasized professionalism to the trainees throughout my long career. For me to criticize this behavior now is not something I can say just from a manager’s perspective, but as a fellow professional in this industry. I believe the other managers beside me also have diverse thoughts and positions, but I think they will agree on this point.”

The managers nodded quietly.

They recognized his representative speech in this mixed auditorium of various agencies because they resonated with his serious attitude.

“However, I would like to raise doubts about whether this is a hasty judgment.”

This time, Jeok Yu-song drew a line between himself and the other managers and stated.

“Before expressing my opinion, let me summarize the situation. Recently, due to trainee Oh Yoori’s public disclosure and the records left by an anonymous netizen, Girl 100 is facing unprecedented turmoil regarding vote manipulation allegations. We are currently under significant suspicion that vote manipulation might be occurring. However, this is merely ‘suspicion.’ It is not confirmed.”

That’s true.

The controversy surrounding Girl 100 was, for now, just a strong suspicion.

But this was by design on my part.

I selectively released only enough evidence to handle the situation precariously to the media.

“Girl 100 has already stated that there was no vote manipulation, and they have also expressed their intention to take legal action against the indiscriminate spread of rumors. Furthermore, they called trainee Oh Yoori, who made the public disclosure, to apologize for damaging Girl 100’s credibility with misunderstandings and hasty suspicions. Although they received criticism for allegedly coercing the trainee in that process, it means they are, for now, organizing the situation.”

That too was carried out under my direction.

And it was the poison I had implanted in Kim Seon-ye.

Kim Seon-ye was unaware that the anonymous whistleblower had more evidence.

Yet, I led her to adopt a firm stance, declaring ‘there was no vote manipulation,’ assuming that no more allegations or disclosures existed.

Naturally, such a firm stance would face stronger backlash when proven false.

All of this was part of the design.

“Thus, I would like to say that declaring and acting as if Girl 100 has committed vote manipulation in this current situation could be a hasty action.”

Therefore, this was not a hasty action.

“This does not dismiss your intentions to avoid disappointing the fans. I share the same view in that regard. However, I hope that expressing it is done not in this manner, but rather in alignment with the agency’s policies, and more slowly.”

It was not something that needed to be done slowly.

On the contrary, we need to rush right now.

If the trainees fail to ride the wave of public opinion by presenting a common stance in a unique way that is currently causing a social sensation, they will never create such an impact again.

This cannot end in a stagnant back-and-forth.

This uproar must become a wave that engulfs everything.

With that thought in mind, I sought Jeok Yu-song’s understanding and sent a message.

-Seo Soo-yeon, please release the prepared evidence now.

The recipient of the message was Seo Soo-yeon, who was waiting at the agency.

-Now? Isn’t that too early?

-It’s earlier than the original plan, but it has to be done now. In fact, it will be more effective than following the original plan.

-Are you referring to a processed version rather than the original?

-That’s right. We don’t need to bear the risk by revealing the original, and there are other reasons I mentioned last time.

-…Understood. Good luck, Team Leader Seon.

While I sent the message, Jeok Yu-song was talking to Han Gyeoul.

“What do you mean by taking it slowly, Manager?”

“It’s not difficult for the trainees at all. It’s a simple matter of organizing this uproar and waiting for the agency’s instructions.”

“Then, that would be betraying the hearts of the trainees who rose against Girl 100 and the fans supporting us.”

“It’s not something to call betrayal. It was just a simple mishap.”

“…A mishap.”

Gyeoul was at a loss for words at such a one-sided summary.

After all, if they truly wanted to frame it that way, it could be dismissed as just a “mishap.”

But I had no intention of letting it be that way.

“It will not end as a simple mishap.”

“Team Leader Seon? What do you mean by that…?”

Instead of adding a convoluted explanation, I left a single remark for Jeok Yu-song.

“Could you take a look at the news right now?”

With a puzzled expression at my suggestion, Jeok Yu-song opened his smartphone and checked the news, thinking there might be some significance to what I said.

“…What is this?”

At his reaction, the other managers seemed curious and began to check the news as well.

“An anonymous recording? What’s this about?”

“…Flower Entertainment and records of sponsorship scandals?”

“No way, isn’t this just a rumor? How could something like this exist?”

“Even if the first part is questionable, the latter comes from a Jinkang-affiliated media outlet! Do you think they would cover this crazy content without proper evidence?”

“…MNet is insane. How did they manage their security like this?”

“Damn, I think this is a mess.”

“”…..““

MuscleShift- Breaking news: Girl 100 is a mess.

DoubleCheeseBagel- Lmao, these crazy bastards.

Judgment- This is so messed up, seriously.

Song A- I won’t let this go, MNet, you bastards.

I maintained silence and quietly spoke to Jeok Yu-song, who was blankly staring at his smartphone, ensuring not to be picked up by the recording.

“What will you do? This seems to be your last chance to switch sides from the confirmed sinking ship of Girl 100. If you withdraw at this point, while we may not care, the viewers certainly will not look favorably upon it. You understand what I mean, right?”

“”…..““

“…Well, if you want to take your time establishing a stance, as you mentioned, Manager Jeok, I will respect that. A cautious approach isn’t bad, right?”

The managers right next to Jeok Yu-song heard my words, but none could give a definitive response.

In that silence, the first to speak was Jeok Yu-song.

He looked at me with the same serious demeanor he had maintained thus far and spoke firmly.

“Actually, I have always been on the side of the trainees. From the moment I entered this place, I wanted to join the revolution against Girl 100.”

“”…..““

“Oh, and Neulbom Entertainment has no connection with the production team of Girl 100, aside from being in the cast. We are, in fact, the victims.”

“”…..““

It was an eerily fast cut-off.

…Yu-song, I didn’t expect that from you; you’re quite pathetic.

In any case, as Jeok Yu-song drew the line, the other managers quickly followed suit.

“RGG has absolutely no connection with Girl 100, and we actively support the trainees’ opinions!”

“Popo Entertainment also has a stance on this matter…”

“ShinArt Entertainment firmly believes…”

Watching the managers cut ties with Girl 100 like a pack of dogs, Gyeoul muttered.

“…Is that professionalism?”

…Don’t learn from things like that.