episode_0201

“…”

A moment of awkward silence flowed.

Kim Iseo didn’t bother to repeat herself and waited calmly. After having mentioned the affair between Lee Juhyun and Kang Hakman, it was only natural for anyone to be taken aback.

After a long while, Go Taemin spoke.

“Kang Hakman and Lee Juhyun… did something like that?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“I’ve never heard any information about that. Is this your speculation, CEO Kim? Or is it certain?”

“I’m pretty sure of it, in my own way.”

“Hmm, so it’s CEO Kim Iseo’s speculation, then.”

Director Go Taemin rubbed his chin, lost in thought. Even amidst the confusion, he was calmly trying to figure things out.

‘CEO Kim Iseo isn’t the type to talk nonsense.’

Director Go Taemin knew what kind of person Kim Iseo was.

She had shown a seasoned attitude and survived in this industry even before acquiring Sua. She brought rookies like Yeonju and Seonil this far, after all.

Furthermore, she discovered and obtained Sua faster than anyone else, so there was no need to explain how incredible her eye for talent was. Someone like that wouldn’t talk nonsense.

And simultaneously, one thing came to mind.

‘Come to think of it, there did seem to be a slightly strange vibe between Kang Hakman and Lee Juhyun.’

Kwon Gitaek had also felt something a little off.

When trouble arose between Kang Hakman and Sua, Lee Juhyun had protected Kang Hakman a little too much. That scene still lingered in Go Taemin’s mind.

Many thoughts like these flashed through his mind, but in reality, it was only a matter of two or three seconds. He opened his mouth.

“I usually listen carefully to what CEO Kim Iseo says, but the situation isn’t simple enough to change the casting with just one phone call. Let’s calm down a little.”

“Director, then let’s do this.”

“Yes?”

“Currently, only Sua and Ham Ayoon have been revealed in the ‘Crescendo from Tomorrow’ casting, right? The plan was to reveal the rest little by little to maintain the hype.”

“That’s right.”

“I’m asking you not to reveal Lee Juhyun and Kang Hakman. So that we can watch them for a while.”

“Hmm…”

Go Taemin soon nodded.

“Alright. That’s easy enough.”

And even this was Kim Iseo’s strategy.

It’s the technique of asking for 1 million won when you want 500,000 won.

If you readily ask for 1 million won and then later change it to 500,000 won, it seems like you’re offering a pretty reasonable price, right?

That was what Kim Iseo intended. From the beginning, she didn’t think she could immediately get rid of Kang Hakman and Lee Juhyun. She just wanted to buy some time.

Fortunately, Director Go Taemin agreed.

“Originally, we were planning to reveal Kang Hakman and Lee Juhyun’s casting today, but I’ll have them replaced with someone else. Let’s discuss the rest at the studio.”

“Yes. Of course. I’ll be there soon.”

Kim Iseo nodded and quickly added.

“Oh, and Director Go Taemin. I hope this conversation stays between the two of us. It’s a very important part.”

“Alright.”

Director Go Taemin readily agreed. At the same time, he guessed that Kim Iseo was busy with something she was working on. He could find out the details when he heard it directly.

Afterward, Go Taemin quickly called the ‘Crescendo from Tomorrow’ publicity team. They answered right away.

“Hello? Director Go Taemin?”

“Yes. We were originally going to reveal Kang Hakman and Lee Juhyun today, right? I’m going to change that. We’ve already taken the posters anyway, so please reveal Lee Gyubin as the main one first.”

Meanwhile.

Vroom─!

Driving her car towards Go Taemin’s studio, Kim Iseo wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She was sweating a lot.

“Phew.”

It had been a long time since her heart had beat like this.

Kim Iseo is someone who tries to make rational decisions every moment, not a machine. Moreover, this time, she was proceeding based on instinct and intuition rather than reason.

…It’s inevitable that she would be nervous.

“But there’s no turning back now.”

She had already made explosive remarks to Director Go Taemin. Now, there was no going back.

But even if she failed, it wouldn’t affect Sua, right? It was okay because it would just end with Kim Iseo being embarrassed.

‘Compared to what Sua has done for me, this much risk is a joke. What’s a CEO for? This is what I’m here for.’

Kim Iseo repeated this to herself and sped up even more.

.

.

.

.

.

Afterward, Kim Iseo arrived at Director Go Taemin’s studio.

Bang─

The door to the reception area opened, and CEO Kim Iseo entered, wearing two large hairpins. Director Go Taemin, who had been sitting there in advance, stood up and greeted her.

“Mystic’s CEO Kim has arrived.”

“Yes, yes. I regret that we have to meet like this.”

The two quickly exchanged greetings and then sat facing each other. There was no time to waste on formalities.

Director Go Taemin opened his mouth.

“Let’s get straight to the point. I want to hear why you speculated about the affair between Lee Juhyun and Kang Hakman that you mentioned earlier.”

This was the question Kim Iseo had been waiting for.

There was no need to report the detailed situation one by one. Kim Iseo knew it well. Here, she just needed to show strong conviction, not explain the grounds in detail.

“I can’t explain everything one by one, but the important thing is that there will soon be a big development regarding Lee Juhyun. That’s why I wanted to be careful.”

“A big development…?”

Go Taemin tilted his head slightly.

“Are you saying you can’t say for sure that it’s an affair?”

“It’s certain that NextDay has obtained some big information related to Lee Juhyun, and I don’t think it’s something that will have a good impact on the work.”

“NextDay…”

Go Taemin nodded quietly.

Well, if it was good information, they wouldn’t be trying to find NextDay behind the scenes. Besides, if noise starts before it’s even released, it will cause various problems for the box office.

Having made his judgment, he nodded.

“Indeed, it is worrying. It seems dangerous.”

“That’s right. So, I want to stop all progress and make sure to address this issue, but the decision-maker is ultimately the director. Do as you wish.”

“That means you respect my decision no matter what? Even if I don’t accept your proposal, you’ll accept it?”

“Of course, I respect it. But I’m going to remove Sua from the work no matter what. For the safety of my actress.”

Go Taemin thought for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“Let’s proceed as CEO Kim Iseo says for now.”

“…Really?”

Kim Iseo’s eyes widened slightly. She had been running without looking back, but she didn’t expect to be accepted so easily.

“It’s not just because I want to keep Sua. From the beginning, I had faith in CEO Kim Iseo, so I’m willing to stop. But what I’m curious about is…”

A slight concern lingered in Go Taemin’s eyes.

“…We can’t stop the progress of the work forever. When can we expect to see the results of the things you’re working on separately, CEO Kim Iseo?”

Kim Iseo pondered for a moment.

“…”

The deliberation became quite long.

Kim Iseo soon made an expression of determination.

“Tomorrow. I will definitely make a move by tomorrow.”

She discussed a single day. Director Go Taemin was a little surprised by the extremely unusual period, so he asked again.

“One day? Will it be possible in one day?”

“I have to make it possible.”

“…If you had said from the beginning that it was just one day, the conversation would have been much easier. Stopping for one day is nothing. It’s at a level that doesn’t pose any risk to me.”

That was why Kim Iseo had said one day.

‘If I settle it within a period that Director Go Taemin doesn’t find burdensome, he won’t have any other feelings later.’

Kim Iseo bowed her head.

“I’ll be going now. See you tomorrow.”

She was out of breath. She still had a mountain of things to do.

◈◈◈◈◈

The next day. 4:57 PM.

“Hoo…”

Kim Iseo compulsively checked the time inside the car. She was just waiting for the appointment time.

‘NextDay’s Department Head Kim Hyunmo.’

She had contacted him yesterday, so today was the day to meet.

It was the personal connection card that Kim Iseo had treasured the most, but now was the time to use it. Unlike in the past, when she had only speculations, she had collected additional circumstances.

Three minutes passed. Finally, 5 PM.

Kim Iseo immediately got out of the car and entered the building. The place they were meeting today was a tuna specialty restaurant.

“What’s the name of the person who made the reservation?”

“Kim Iseo.”

“It’s in the innermost room. Please follow me.”

Kim Iseo silently followed the employee. Before long, she was guided to the innermost room, and the employee opened the sliding door.

Slide─

A fat man was leaning back in his chair. It was Kim Hyunmo, the department head of ‘NextDay.’

Kim Iseo smiled and greeted him.

“Department Head Kim Hyunmo, it’s been a long time.”

“Yeah, it has. Did CEO Kim develop a hobby of drinking during the day? Why else would you call me to a tuna restaurant at this hour? I almost couldn’t come if today wasn’t my day off.”

“We have to have days like this sometimes. What should we order for drinks? Sake, as always? You’re only satisfied when you get something expensive, right?”

“You know me well. Actually, anything is fine except for beer.”

Kim Iseo ordered the reserved tuna sashimi along with sake, and then endured an hour of patience.

The hour of patience was simple. Smiling and pouring drinks, chiming in with trivial conversations, and things like that. She couldn’t ruin things by acting rashly.

After several cups of sake had been exchanged sufficiently.

Kim Iseo slowly started the engine.

“NextDay is doing really well these days, isn’t it?”

“Doing well, my foot. Starcatch is coming up so fast that it’s tough. Those guys have really stuck a straw into Lee Sua, haven’t they? They’re monopolizing information related to Lee Sua.”

“NextDay is still ahead in other areas.”

“We have to be ahead in all areas. I’m honestly a little disappointed. Hey, CEO Kim. Can’t you leak just a little bit to me about Sua?”

Then Kim Iseo smiled.

“Please have some more tuna first. You have to eat it when it’s fresh.”

As time went on, the department head openly showed that he wanted information about Sua.

“Sua here, Sua there… NextDay is missing out on news about Lee Sua, so I can’t save face anywhere these days. CEO Kim, you’re pretty close to me, aren’t you?”

Kim Iseo sensed that it was time. In fishing terms, the bait had been taken properly.

She put down her chopsticks and spoke.

“I didn’t come here today to talk about Sua.”

“…Oh, really?”

Department Head Kim Hyunmo looked visibly displeased.

Well, he had only come hoping to hear about Sua, so it was understandable. But Kim Iseo instead put on a smile.

“But don’t make that face. Because I brought information that will be much more helpful to NextDay than that.”

“Helpful information?”

“Yes. Whether it’s Starcatch or NextDay, you procure evidence that you haven’t found yourselves by buying it, right?”

“That’s obvious. Why are you suddenly talking about that?”

“Why else? I’m worried that our department head will lose face.”

Kim Iseo made her smile even brighter.

“These days, every Tom, Dick, and Harry is making a fuss about buying Lee Juhyun’s information. It will slowly be sold to NextDay too, but if you get tricked and buy it, our department head will lose face, right?”

From now on, it was pure lies, as well as psychological warfare.

Kim Iseo had obtained information from Kim Seona yesterday that NextDay’s team leader was trading information related to Lee Juhyun, and this was a fact that the other party could never know.

‘Please let my prediction be correct. That they have bought that information….’

In other words, it was a crazy gamble based on the advantage of information. If she failed, it would remain as the nonsense of a drunk Kim Iseo, but if she succeeded, it would be a jackpot.

“…Oh, really? Something like that happened?”

Kim Hyunmo suddenly swallowed the sake.

“There are kids selling information related to Lee Juhyun? This is the first time I hear about it. Can you tell me more about it?”

“I don’t know the details either. But the kids on the selling side seemed to be in a hurry. They haven’t even bought it yet, but they’re boasting that it’s a big deal related to Lee Juhyun.”

“I see. Ah, so CEO Kim Iseo doesn’t know what kind of information it is yet. Is that right?”

Kim Iseo nodded.

“I don’t need information related to Lee Juhyun. But the people who need it would have bought it right away, right? And there will be quite a few of them. I wonder if there would be more than ten.”

“Hahaha, well, that might be the case. What kind of sloppy guys are selling information like that? Is it their first time doing information business?”

“They’re probably trying to make a last buck this time and get out of this industry. So they’re trying to sell as much as possible.”

After saying that much, Kim Iseo picked up her chopsticks.

“Come to think of it, it’s funny. I’m not even a reporter, but I was being nosy in front of the department head. I should just eat tuna. The department head will know how to handle this on his own anyway.”

“That, that’s right. I always do well, so… haha…”

Kim Hyunmo’s behavior became quite awkward, and Kim Iseo didn’t miss those things. Thanks to that, she was able to relax a little. It seemed that her plan was working a little.

As expected.

Department Head Kim Hyunmo was checking his phone screen, which he had placed under the table, with a serious expression. On that screen.

[Sender: Team Leader Seo]

▷ Department Head, I’ve caught a real gem this time. Trust me. This is no joke.

▷ I thought I only caught one big fish, but another big fish came after it, following the tail. I got it with a lot of difficulty. It’s definitely a scoop! A scoop among scoops!

This was the text message that had arrived to Team Leader Seo last night.

“…”

Kim Hyunmo emptied his sake glass and smiled awkwardly.

“CEO Kim, something suddenly came up.”

◈◈◈◈◈

Just 30 minutes later.

Someone ran into the NextDay building in a flurry. He had no regard for appearances, but surprisingly, he was Kim Hyunmo, who held the position of department head.

Team Leader Seo stretched his neck out and reacted like a meerkat.

“Oh? Did the department head come? Why did you come out today when it’s a holiday? You look like you’ve had a drink too.”

Team Leader Seo approached with a brighter smile than ever before, grabbed Kim Hyunmo’s hand, and shook it.

“Department Head, you can just take a good rest today. I caught a real big guy. By tomorrow, you’ll want to buy me a drink, right?”

“…Drink? You punk, did you just say drink?”

“Hmm? Yes. A drink.”

“I’m thinking about drinking. But instead of buying you one, I want to smash your head. Follow me right now.”

“…?”

Department Head Kim Hyunmo led the way to the smoking room, and Team Leader Seo scratched the back of his neck for a while and followed. He couldn’t understand this ominous atmosphere.

After arriving at the smoking room.

Kim Hyunmo started talking while smoking one cigarette after another.

“You know that text message you excitedly sent me yesterday.”

“Yes. It’s amazing. I got it with a lot of difficulty.”

“You mean you bought it exclusively for a lot of money?”

“Of course. The other guys can’t even imagine this. Department Head, I was the one who got it exclusively.”

Kim Hyunmo chuckled as he muttered.

“How can you be sure that it’s exclusive?”

“Because there’s no noise around me. The seller also said that he brought it to me for the first time.”

Soon, Team Leader Seo seemed to understand and was disgusted.

“Hey, Department Head. Are you worried that I bought something wrong? No way. I bought the right exclusive thing with proper evidence. Only I bought it.”

Kim Hyunmo made a sound and scoffed.

“How can you be sure about an exclusive offer?”

“Because there’s no noise around. The seller said I was the first one he offered this to.”

Soon, Team Leader Seo understood and was disgusted as if he had realized something.

“Hey, Department Head. Are you worried I bought the wrong thing? No way. I got the right stuff and bought exclusive rights with proper evidence. Only me.”

Kim Hyunmo made a noise and scoffed.

“How can you be sure about that?”

“Because it’s quiet on the market. The seller himself told me I was the first person he was showing this to.”

Soon, Team Leader Seo understood and got irritated like he’d made a mistake.

“Ah, Department Head. Are you saying I might have gotten something wrong? No, that’s impossible. I bought genuine exclusive evidence. I’m the only one who bought it.”

Kim Hyunmo scoffed.

“And what makes you think it was an exclusive offer?”

“Because there’s no word from anyone. The seller told me that I was the first one he showed it to.”

Team Leader Seo seemed to understand belatedly, and he shuddered.

“Eh, Department Head, are you perhaps worried that I bought something fake? It’s not! I purchased genuine exclusive evidence! Only I’m in possession of this.”

Kim Hyunmo scoffed.

“Just how are you so sure that you bought this exclusively?”

“There’s no sound from the grapevine. The seller told me I was the first person he sold it to.”

Soon Team Leader Seo seemed to understand and recoiled.

“Hey, Department Head. Are you afraid I messed up? No way! This stuff is authentic! I vetted it multiple times, and I trust the seller…!”

Kim Hyunmo cut in.

“That info concerns Lee Juhyun, right?”

“…How’d you know? Yes. It does. But one more person is involved, making it a jackpot. I can wipe out many at once. A string of bombshells! Our company’s name will rise!”

“We’ll be good if we drop it.”

“Who else but us will drop it? Wait… Department Head, how did you know it’s Lee Juhyun…?”

Team Leader Seo’s eyes widened belatedly.

Kim Hyunmo grabbed Team Leader Seo’s shoulder firmly.

“Team Leader Seo. Listen closely.”

“Yes, sir?”

“What you bought. It’s not new. It’s already been sold all over and then passed on to you at a discount. Understand?”

“What?!”

Team Leader Seo jumped up, startled.

“That’s impossible! This stuff is completely new! I verified it many times, and the seller wouldn’t lie…!”

“This idiot won’t listen.”

“It’s the truth! Those are trustworthy private investigators. They only deal with me!”

“Shut up, you moron!”

Kim Hyunmo pounded his chest, frustrated.

“The Mystic CEO from next door already knows, and you’re saying it wasn’t discounted? Wake up! You’ve been tricked! Countless others bought that info!”

“…!”

Team Leader Seo’s body trembled.

“…The Mystic CEO knows? About this?”

At first, he was just shocked, but soon he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He was filled with anger at the betrayal.

“Those bastards that deserve to be chewed up and spit out, lying to me… the private investigators…!”

“Team Leader Seo, it’s not time to be angry. It’s not too late yet.”

“Sir?”

“I just checked and no articles on Lee Juhyun have been released yet. Even though it’s already been sold all over the place, at least we can strike first.”

“Ah, that’s right!”

Team Leader Seo extinguished the half-finished cigarette.

If this information is already circulating everywhere, there is only one option. He must be the first to publish the report for NextDay to benefit.

Kim Hyunmo sighed.

“I’ll deal with you screwing up later! Go quickly! You know better than anyone what you need to do!”

“Yes sir!”

Team Leader Seo hurried out of the smoking room.

In fact, what he had in his hands was clean and new information, but now he was the most urgent person in the world. He was fiercely competing with non-existent competitors.

◈◈◈◈◈

Meanwhile, at the same time. Starcatch’s office.

“Umm…”

Team Leader Kim Seona fidgeted nervously. She was thinking about Kim Iseo. Her heart was still heavy every time she recalled recent events.

‘I was supposed to do it for Sua, but I messed it up nicely because I got drunk and passed out, right? What should I do….’

She was lost in thought when.

“Team Leader.”

The employee’s voice broke Kim Seona’s thoughts.

Kim Seona finally looked up. The employees, located in front of their respective monitors, were looking at her with a lot of questions.

“Team Leader, are we really waiting in this state?”

“Yes. For now.”

“Well, gee…. It’s too sudden….”

Kim Seona thought as she looked at the employees’ reactions.

‘It’s a natural reaction. Because I think so too.’

Currently, Kim Seona and her surrounding team members were waiting with the articles Kim Iseo had told them to write down, but the problem was the content. It was very shocking.

[“I can finally speak now” Lee Sua suffers from horrible sexual harassment from Kang Hakman]

[‘Happily married Kang Hakman’ But what is he really up to…? Newcomer Lee Sua sexually harassed. Touched her thigh without permission.]

‘…Is this even possible?’

Honestly, Kim Seona secretly thought so too. She had written the articles in advance and was waiting because she believed in Kim Iseo, but it just seemed like absurd nonsense.

Kang Hakman had such a good reputation.

The team members around her also said jokingly one by one.

“Isn’t this too exaggerated? Kang Hakman is already married, right? He even has a daughter.”

“That’s right. It’s too unrealistic.”

“How much longer are we going to wait? I’m busy with other stuff too…”

Kim Seona looked at the clock nervously.

“Just a little longer. Let’s wait for now.”

She recalled the words she had heard from Kim Iseo.

—Write it down and wait for the moment when the right situation arises. Once it comes, do not hesitate and upload it.

‘Will that situation really come?’

Kim Seona was biting her lip when.

“Huh?”

One of the employees made a dumb noise.

Everyone’s attention wasn’t that focused on this. That’s what the space where the reporters work is like. Huh? Uh? Ah? Those kinds of sounds are common in this place.

However.

“This! Look at this! Everyone hurry up!”

He began to stir up a commotion, and soon the employees gathered in front of his monitor.

And how much time has passed.

“…”

In just a few seconds, the space was filled with stillness. After refreshing it several times, everyone was shocked.

“…”

Soon, everyone’s eyes turned to Kim Seona.

Kim Seona swallowed hard.

Even though she was flustered, it wasn’t difficult to understand the situation. So the thing to do was already decided.

“What are you doing? We upload it too.”