Chapter 42: Corrupt Director

[National Soccer Player Jeong Taewoo’s First Variety Show Challenge! Confirmed to Appear on ‘Star Mission Grand Operation’]

The broadcasting station fully utilized my popularity and launched a massive promotional campaign.

[The Mysterious Hunk Jeong Taewoo’s First Variety Show Challenge!]

My picture adorned the article along with the flashy headline.

Compared to the other national team members, the public was incredibly curious about the three of us who simply attended school without appearing on variety shows or broadcasts.

They cheered at the news of my variety show appearance.

The comment section heated up in an instant.

[Wow, we finally get to see our Taewoo-oppa on a variety show!]

[(Taewoo-oppa cheering while drenched in sweat)]

[Ooh la la]

[You’re so handsome. I love you, I really, really like you!!!]

It was always fascinating to see the fans react so joyfully when I appeared on a variety show.

‘So this is the life of a handsome star.’

Of course, I resolved not to go on variety shows anymore unless absolutely necessary.

‘Ugh, I’m never going paragliding again.’

My screams had been heard by all the members who had gone down before me.

I was teased relentlessly after I landed.

As if that wasn’t enough, that scene would be broadcast exactly as it happened.

‘I wanted to build a tough-guy image…’

“Taewoo.”

Gayoung-nuna called to me from the front seat.

We were currently on our way to Gayoung-nuna’s company.

It was to review the contracts that Gayoung-nuna had sorted from all the offers that had come my way.

“I looked into what you mentioned last time. And it looks pretty serious.”

Right after the variety show filming ended, I had asked Gayoung-nuna to investigate the Pungwol Elementary School coach.

‘Already? This fast?’

I knew she was competent, but to investigate a person this quickly was something else.

I really picked a good agent.

“Is it very serious?”

Gayoung-nuna was silent for a moment before answering.

“Let’s talk in detail at the office. It’s a bit complicated to discuss here.”

And so, we arrived at the company.

“Wow…”

A gasp of admiration escaped me the moment I stepped into the entrance.

Gayoung-nuna’s company building far surpassed my expectations.

‘This seems like she’s just showing off that she’s a third-generation chaebol…’

A five-story building of modern glass and steel stood tall before us.

A stylish logo reading ‘APEX Agency’ decorated the front of the building, and the glass windows, reflecting the sunlight, wrapped around the entire structure.

Upon entering the lobby, the luxurious marble floors and sophisticated interior also caught my eye.

The employees were all moving about busily, and large screens installed everywhere were showing various sports broadcasts and entertainment news.

“Are you using this entire building?”

I asked, unable to hide my surprise.

There was a huge difference between reading about it in the novel and seeing it in person.

Gayoung-nuna smiled and nodded.

“Yep, all of it, from the first to the fifth floor.

The first floor is the lobby and reception rooms, the second is the legal team, the third is the marketing team, the fourth is the athlete management team, and the fifth is for the executives.”

As we rode the elevator up, I realized that all of this was achieved through Gayoung-nuna’s hard work.

Her background as the youngest daughter of the SC Group must have helped, but running a company of this scale was proof of her ability.

‘She might have had the money, but earning people’s trust is a different story.’

“Taewoo, this is my office.”

We arrived on the fifth floor, and Gayoung-nuna opened a door.

A panoramic view of downtown Seoul unfolded through a wide window.

The office, decorated with stylish furniture and state-of-the-art equipment, seemed to showcase both her taste and her competence.

“Now, shall we sit and talk?”

I sat in the chair in front of Gayoung-nuna.

“First of all, just as you said, the coach of Pungwol Elementary is taking bribes.”

‘I already knew that. That’s why Seungmin’s family immigrated to Argentina.’

“But if it were just that, I wouldn’t have said it was serious.”

“What else is there?”

Gayoung-nuna hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

“This coach… besides the bribes, he’s involved in everything bad: player assault, illegal gambling, even drugs.”

‘Huh… this is on a much larger scale than I thought.’

I had expected bribes and maybe some player assault.

There would have been discrimination between the players who paid bribes and those who didn’t.

‘But he was involved in gambling and drugs?’

I was overcome with shock.

This was a serious crime that went beyond simple corruption.

“This is really serious, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Pungwol Elementary isn’t some unknown school, it’s famous.

The fact that the sports coach there took bribes and assaulted players would cause a huge controversy on its own. But…”

“Gambling and drugs are on a completely different level.”

“Exactly,” Gayoung-nuna continued.

“The coach’s position will obviously be replaced, but if handled poorly, this is large enough to cause immense damage to the school itself.”

Pungwol Elementary, Pungwol Middle, and Pungwol High were all private schools run by the same foundation.

If this incident broke, it wouldn’t just be one school’s problem; it could affect all the schools.

‘But this isn’t just Seungmin’s problem. How many other students must have been victimized by a coach like that…’

“Gayoung-nuna, I still think it’s better to expose this coach than to let him be.”

Hearing my words, Gayoung-nuna wore a thoughtful expression for a moment.

I could see a complex mix of emotions flash through her eyes.

“Alright. I’ll go to the foundation and talk about this issue.”

Knowing the Gayoung-nuna I knew, she would handle this incident wisely.

A brief silence fell.

Then, she changed the subject with a much brighter expression.

“So, shall we talk about your transfer now?”

My eyes widened.

A transfer? Right.

That was the original reason we met.

I had momentarily forgotten about it due to Seungmin’s more serious situation.

***

“Oh, have you been well, Seungmin’s mother?”

–Yes, Coach. Is something the matter?

“Seungmin is good at soccer and all, but… um, he’s lacking compared to the other players, so I called to let you know it seems difficult for him to make the starting lineup for the upcoming tournament.”

–…Coach, our financial situation is really difficult. We’ll try our best to get you the money, but is there any way you can make it work?

“Ahem, Seungmin’s mother. You’re putting it strangely. It’s not about money, it’s about sincerity. Well, if that’s the case, I understand for now. Let’s see later.”

After the call ended, Park Sungkwon, the Pungwol Elementary soccer coach, let out a sigh.

“Tsk, damn beggars.”

His face was full of dissatisfaction and annoyance.

He couldn’t understand why they would have their child play soccer in Korea if they couldn’t even afford to give him money.

‘If you don’t have money, you shouldn’t have kids.’

Yoo Seungmin was definitely a player with noticeable talent compared to any other young player he had seen.

‘So what? Elementary school soccer tournament results aren’t that valuable to a coach anyway.’

Winning here wouldn’t get him noticed by any big teams; his plan was to squeeze as much money as he could here and then retire.

“Maybe I should call Kang hoon’s mother this time.”

“Hey, Coach Park.”

On a dark night street, in a corner of an alley with flickering neon signs, a large man called out to Park Sungkwon in a low voice.

“Geez, why did you pick a place like this corner for our meeting…”

“Hehehe, this is how it has to be. Did you bring the money?”

“Don’t worry. I squeezed it good from the pushovers. Is the merchandise ready?”

“Follow me.”

They walked for a while down the damp alley.

Only the sound of their footsteps echoed in the darkness.

Finally, they stopped in front of a rundown building.

“So, where’s the stuff? Give it to me quickly.”

The large man’s lips twisted into a smirk.

“You have to show me the money first, right?”

Park Sungkwon took a thick envelope from his inner pocket.

A bundle of bills was faintly visible under the fluorescent light.

“Here, take it. Now give me the merchandise.”

The large man took the envelope and quickly checked its contents.

His eyes glinted greedily.

“Hehe, that’s our Coach Park. Wait a moment.”

The man disappeared into the darkness and reappeared with a black bag.

“Here, as promised.”

It was the moment Park Sungkwon reached out to take the bag.

“Freeze! Police!”

With the sudden shout, two plainclothes police officers emerged from the darkness, aiming their guns.

The police badges reflected coldly in the fluorescent light.

“Park Sungkwon, and Kim Daeman. You are both under arrest as criminals caught in the act!”

“Damn it!”

The large man, Kim Daeman, threw the bag and tried to flee down the alley.

In that instant, one of the officers quickly tripped him.

“Ugh!”

“Don’t move! Hands on your head!”

The other officer had already twisted Park Sungkwon’s arms behind his back and was cuffing him.

Lying on the ground, Kim Daeman turned his head to glare at Park Sungkwon.

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

“It was you, wasn’t it? Did you get caught and lead them to me?”

Venom dripped from his clenched teeth.

“You better be ready. Don’t think it’ll end like this.”

“No, it’s a misunderstanding! I just…”

Park Sungkwon shouted desperately, but…

“Shut up!!!”

Kim Daeman’s roar cut through the darkness, his voice, filled with rage, vibrating through the alley.

The two officers put Park Sungkwon and Kim Daeman into separate patrol cars.

The red flashing lights colored the night street as they disappeared.

***

“We have some shocking news.

Last night, a large-scale drug transaction was busted in downtown Seoul.

The individual arrested at the scene along with a drug broker has been identified as Park Sungkwon, the coach of the Pungwol Elementary School soccer team, sending major shockwaves through the education community.”

The anchor’s expression grew solemn.

“What is more shocking is that the tip-off for this case came from the Jinseong Foundation, which operates the Pungwol schools.

The chairman of the Jinseong Foundation has stated a firm stance in a press conference.”

“As the police investigation continues, more of Coach Park Sungkwon’s corrupt activities are being revealed.

Evidence of demanding money and valuables in the player selection process for the soccer team has also been captured.”

The screen changed to an interview with an anonymous parent.

“For my child to get into the soccer team, we had to pay money under the guise of ‘sincerity.’ I was afraid my child wouldn’t be able to play in matches if I refused…”

Watching the news, I was stunned.

“Nuna, did you do this?”

The Pungwol Elementary coach case, which I thought would take a long time, had been resolved overnight.

“Of course. I told you, Taewoo. All you need to do is think about which team you’ll transfer to.”

“Wow, but how did you manage to get the foundation to report it themselves? From the foundation’s perspective, they wouldn’t like their school’s name in the news.”

“There are ways.”

After she finished speaking, Gayoung-nuna gave a meaningful smile.