Chapter 140

Chapter 140

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

Episode 140: I Came Knowing Everything.

Seon Taeyang entered Cheon Jonghoon’s office without knocking or asking for permission, plopping onto the guest sofa and crossing his legs as he spoke.

“Well, it’s been a while.”

Cheon Jonghoon actually found the situation quite interesting, but he tried to appear as indifferent as possible and spoke.

“Do we really need to exchange such pleasantries? Honestly, I didn’t want to see that face again, whether it’s been a long time or not.”

“If that’s the case, you should have done a better job of managing your people. You didn’t handle your subordinates, and look where it got you.”

‘Does this guy know the source of the leak about Jin Yeoreum?’

Of course, Cheon Jonghoon had his suspicions, so it made sense that Seon Taeyang had come directly to SS and Cheon Jonghoon’s office, but it was still an outcome that was hard for him to understand.

Although he had expelled her, Cheon Jonghoon knew Seo Soo-ae’s abilities better than anyone. She wasn’t the type to make such mistakes so easily.

If he hadn’t been around her for so long, he might not have realized so quickly that she was the one behind the leak.

For now, he decided to confirm it.

“Managing my subordinates? I don’t understand. If this is about the issue you’re dealing with concerning Jin Yeoreum, SS—”

“Let’s not bother pretending you don’t know. I came knowing everything, and I’m sure you already know, too.”

Seon Taeyang, who had eaten the snacks in front of the table without asking, spoke with a sneer.

“Oh, you still don’t know? If it’s because you’re simply incompetent, then I understand.”

“…”

‘This guy really has no manners.’

But Cheon Jonghoon had to admit he was interesting.

The emptiness that had been overwhelming him had vanished without a trace.

Anyway, seeing Seon Taeyang’s attitude, pretending not to know and denying it would be meaningless.

“So, what is it?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What’s the reason you came here?”

“Hah, you went into someone else’s house and made a mess, and now you don’t know why?”

“Then you should clean up the disaster at your house, rather than coming here to argue with me.”

Seon Taeyang always showed a side that Cheon Jonghoon never expected.

Although he seemed to act impulsively without thinking, he always revealed his meticulous planning, judgment, and hidden cards.

“Let’s say one of my subordinates exposed the fact that Sunny from Girl Revolution was Jin Yeoreum, so what? Are you planning to hold them responsible for the leak and sue them? If so, state your position. Do as you like. Isn’t that your right? But by the time that result comes out, Girl Revolution will have already shut down.”

Cheon Jonghoon wanted to see that side of Seon Taeyang once more.

He wanted to see for himself that this guy wasn’t someone who could be taken down by such a small crisis.

Only then would Seon Taeyang be the kind of person who could challenge Cheon Jonghoon’s competitive spirit.

“The main reason for this crisis is because the member, Jin Yeoreum, had too big of a risk factor. This crisis is something we’ll have to handle. As someone in the same industry running a girl group, I offer my sincere sympathy.”

Leaning back in his soft chair, Cheon Jonghoon looked at Seon Taeyang as he spoke.

“So, is the business over? You can take those snacks with you.”

“Does that mean you have no intention of taking responsibility?”

“Why should I take responsibility for TwoBear failing? That’s something you should handle.”

Upon hearing this, Seon Taeyang openly laughed at Cheon Jonghoon.

“In that case, I’ll make you take responsibility.”

Seon Taeyang threw a cheap silver-colored USB at Cheon Jonghoon.

Cheon Jonghoon easily caught it and asked.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a video. Play it.”

Despite his suspicions, Cheon Jonghoon plugged the USB into his desktop and played the video that appeared.

-Han Gyeoul. Are you kidding me? What did I tell you to do when we had to change the dance formation to a diamond?

-…You told me to move back.

-Yeah, you remember well. But moving left means you’re trying to bump into me, who’s supposed to move right? Or do you just want to mess with me?

-I’m sorry, unnie. I’ll make sure not to make the same mistake next time.

-Next time? How?

-…

-I said, what are you going to do next time?!

What appeared was a scene of Yoon Jeong, a member of Alcest, blatantly bullying Han Gyeoul, a member of Girl Revolution.

“…”

Seeing Cheon Jonghoon watching the video in silence, unable to speak, Seon Taeyang spoke lightly.

“Wow, I guess you forgot about it because I quietly kept it without any threats. Or maybe you didn’t hear about it. When I stormed SS back then, it wasn’t something I did without any reason.”

“So why are you bringing this up now? Ah, I see. You waited until Alcest debuted, and this would be your strongest card.”

“If I was going to do that, I should’ve brought it up right after Alcest debuted. Not now, when Girl Revolution and Alcest are sharing the same fan base.”

That was true. There was a more opportune moment to use this desperate arrow.

“Actually, I hadn’t planned on using this. Even though I knew Team Leader Cheon had interfered with my job opportunities.”

“Why didn’t you? If you had exposed it, the dynamic between Girl Revolution and Alcest would have been completely different.”

Seon Taeyang spoke as if it was obvious.

“Because I could win without using it.”

Cheon Jonghoon chuckled at that answer.

Indeed, if Seo Soo-ae had asked for permission to expose the card about Jin Yeoreum, Cheon Jonghoon would have refused, just like that man. And the reason was exactly the same as his.

“I think you understand what I meant now. If you don’t want to go down with me, open the door. That wasn’t just bravado.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t bravado.”

Seon Taeyang shrugged his shoulders and asked.

“What happens if that blows up?”

“It would severely damage Alcest’s brand image. Bullying and ostracization are taboos for idols in this society. But SS’s legal team won’t just stand by. We’ll use every legal method available—”

“A lawsuit? Go ahead.”

At Cheon Jonghoon’s protest, Seon Taeyang gave his usual reply.

“But by the time the result comes out, Alcest will have already taken down their sign.”

Cheon Jonghoon now faced the reality of the situation. This wasn’t a situation where he could sit back and watch the other’s crisis from above. This was a high-speed, high-stakes game, like a game of chicken, with both of them heading straight toward each other.

“So, what will it be? Do you want to crash together, or will you take the responsibility as you should?”

But the other side had already crashed, with no intention of letting go of the accelerator in this game of chicken.

‘It’s only been four hours since the incident occurred. But in that short time, he’s already figured out all the cause and effect, ready to corner the opponent, shouting ‘checkmate’.’

Seon Taeyang was always like this.

From the moment he suddenly called and initiated negotiations, Cheon Jonghoon found himself caught up in Seon Taeyang’s pace. It was an experience he wasn’t used to, as Seon Taeyang always achieved whatever he set out to do.

It was unpleasant, but in another sense, it was exhilarating. That was why Cheon Jonghoon burst into laughter. If Seo Soo-ae had seen it, she would have forgotten to breathe in shock.

Watching him laugh, Seon Taeyang made a face as if to say, “Why is this crazy bastard acting like that?” But Cheon Jonghoon, caught up in the excitement, didn’t care much.

“Alright. I’ll take responsibility. What is it that you want?”

“First, hold Seo Soo-ae accountable for what she did.”

“I accept that. I originally planned to send her back to her family, but now I’ll demote her. If I find out where she’s going, she’ll probably submit her resignation on her own. I also have two other options in mind. I suggest you choose one of them. But this is not about business strategy; I’m offering the best cards I can pull, so why not listen?”

Seon Taeyang gestured as if to say, “Go ahead, speak.”

Cheon Jonghoon cursed inwardly, “What a rude bastard,” but continued speaking.

“The first is a more provocative issue that can overshadow the current Jin Yeoreum controversy.”

“What is it?”

“One of SS’s idols, recognized as a legendary artist, has done drugs. It’s not habitual, but there are also a couple who have just tried it. We can expose them.”

Seon Taeyang nodded slightly and responded.

“That’s strong, but it’s not enough to completely put out the Jin Yeoreum issue.”

“For it to be possible, a completely outrageous issue needs to blow up. And that’s beyond my reach. However, just this alone can give Girl Revolution enough time to secure a fanbase. Haven’t you, at some point, thought about exposing Jin Yeoreum?”

Watching Seon Taeyang, who was pondering with his arms crossed, Cheon Jonghoon continued.

“The second is that I’ll make sure the DJs on radio stations and music shows in the U.S. play Girl Revolution’s songs.”

“If that’s possible, shouldn’t you have been playing Alcest’s songs by now?”

“It’s not something I can do all the time. It’ll probably be just once. But after doing it, all the debts owed to those guys will be wiped out. Consider it SS’s hidden card.”

Perhaps having finished weighing the value, Seon Taeyang’s eyes glinted strangely.

Then, as if asking something obvious, he spoke.

“Can’t we do both?”

‘…This crazy bastard.’

Taken aback by his bold words, Cheon Jonghoon awkwardly responded.

“Don’t you know that you’ve already used the most extreme terms you could get out of me by threatening me? Even one of these demands would cause massive losses for SS. Honestly, if you take both, it won’t just distort SS’s heir structure; it’ll cost me my position.”

“Well, I guess that’s true.”

“…”

And then Seon Taeyang began to contemplate.

Watching him, Cheon Jonghoon thought.

‘The first is stability, and the second is opportunity.’

If the drug issue would be exposed, Girl Revolution could avoid a fatal blow and stabilize.

But they would never reach No. 1. The damage to their image couldn’t be undone.

And getting DJs to play their songs was uncertain. It could either make a huge splash or fade quietly without any impact.

Cheon Jonghoon was very curious about which of the two Seon Taeyang would choose.

And after pondering, Seon Taeyang finally spoke.

“I…”