episode_0280

Actually, the entertainment industry news was unusually noisy today. It was because a lot of bait had been thrown around since morning.

[Writer Park Yu-mi’s ‘High Society’ Impending Release]

[‘High Society’s’ Soo-ah, Will Show High-Level Acting?]

[Is Lee Soo-ah’s Transformation Innocent? Lee Soo-ah Challenging a New Role Once Again…Incomparable Spectrum]

First of all, there was the bait about writer Park Yu-mi’s ‘High Society.’

[Kang Hyun-sung PD’s Ambitious Variety Show ‘Star Summit Meeting’ Returns to Broadcasting Station, Successfully Completes First Filming. The First Special Is?]

And there was the variety show bait from the playful Kang Hyun-sung PD.

[‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ Available for Pre-order Now]

[Filled with Praiseworthy Stories, Seo Yeon-joo’s Surprise Stage Greeting!]

The news of the release of ‘Three Lies’ with the chemistry of Soo-ah and Yeon-joo.

The entertainment industry is as fast as a shooting star, and today is no different. All sorts of gossip are pouring out to attract the public’s attention.

The above three were, in their own way, topics of conversation.

Yes, that was until an overwhelming bait appeared.

[Former Clive Member Yang Ha-rin, Entertainment Escort Controversy?]

That is, the controversy over Yang Ha-rin’s escort services.

◈◈◈◈◈

The ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’ side was naturally turned upside down.

Except for the highlight scene shooting and the latter half of the work, the production was practically finished, but such a thing had to happen. It was like a bolt out of the blue.

If it had been overturned before entering production, it would have ended with regret, but this happened right before completion? There’s bound to be an emotion beyond regret.

Therefore, the atmosphere in the production team right now was simply grim.

One of the staff said.

“…Shouldn’t we come up with some measures?”

“Measures?”

“The casting lineup is good, and frankly, the movie’s content is fun too. It would be too bad if it just collapsed like this, wouldn’t it? It’s something no one wants.”

“Well, that’s right.”

Another staff member who was listening nodded.

He’s right.

How many people put in effort for the production of ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’? It was something too precious to give up all at once.

Because the effort put in was truly enormous.

However, one thing.

“The problem is.”

“The problem is?”

“No matter how much we rack our brains, we can’t come up with a solution. Our heads are numb with shock.”

“…”

Unfortunately, that’s the truth. Everyone fell silent.

Who would have expected this?

A headline as big as a doorpost pops into their heads. Along with Yang Ha-rin’s face, who isn’t here.

[Former Clive Member Yang Ha-rin, Entertainment Escort Controversy?]

Yang Ha-rin doing entertainment escort work? It was such an unexpected event that the shock was great. After the shock, what they felt was despair and anger. Why did this have to happen to our work?

“Isn’t there a misunderstanding? It’s just a rumor right now. There’s no video evidence attached to the article either.”

“There’s an additional post on SNS from CT Entertainment. They made it clear that they have video evidence too.”

“…So she really did escort work? I’m going crazy. She didn’t seem like that kind of person.”

“Ha-rin *ssi* isn’t exactly known for having a great personality, right? CT Entertainment was biding their time, waiting for her to enter a big project on purpose, and then they dropped the bomb. To maximize the impact, from image tarnishment to penalties for breach of contract.”

“What did we do to deserve this…”

That was the atmosphere on set.

Resentment towards Yang Ha-rin is slowly rising too.

“Even if it turns out to be just a rumor, it’s a problem. People are interested in rumors, but they don’t pay attention to explanations. ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’ has already taken a huge hit.”

“Haa…”

Just as the staff members were sighing deeply.

Suddenly, one of the officials shouted.

“Shouldn’t we do something right away?”

The sound was so sharp that director Go Tae-min, who was quietly listening, couldn’t help but frown.

“How much have we invested to complete this work? We have to do something! We have to save it somehow!”

Only then did Go Tae-min open his mouth with difficulty.

“Let’s calm down first.”

“Are we in a position to calm down right now?”

“We haven’t heard the person in question’s side of the story yet. We need to listen and then make a judgment. If an unfair rumor is circulating, we might even need her help.”

“Unfair? Help? What is there like that in this movie business? If it doesn’t help the work’s performance, it’s cut off!”

“Hmm…”

Go Tae-min just remained silent.

In this industry where performance is the most important thing, the words the official just said were almost a formula.

Was it because Go Tae-min maintained a calm demeanor?

The official apologized a beat later.

“…Director Go Tae-min, I was too much. I didn’t mean to get angry at the director. I’m just so frustrated with this situation right now.”

“It’s alright. I understand.”

Director Go Tae-min sighed deeply.

‘How did this suddenly happen?’

Go Tae-min couldn’t understand it.

He thought he had a discerning eye for people, but the Yang Ha-rin that Go Tae-min saw didn’t seem like the kind of person who would do such a thing.

Her skill in getting through the audition was one thing, but that’s why he cast her. Because she didn’t have that chilling look in her eyes that criminals have.

‘Did I misjudge people?’

If his own standards were wrong, he could cleanly admit it. But another reason was holding him back.

‘But, Soo-ah *ssi* also acknowledged Ha-rin Yang, didn’t she?’

Go Tae-min trusted Soo-ah’s judgment more than his own. Could Soo-ah’s judgment also be wrong?

Just as his worries deepened.

The public relations officer, who had been observing the situation so far, said.

“Director Go Tae-min.”

“Yes.”

“Yang Ha-rin *ssi* isn’t answering her phone.”

“Why isn’t she answering? This isn’t a situation where she should be doing this…”

It looked like she was acknowledging the rumor article by not answering the phone, which was why Yang Ha-rin’s public sentiment was getting worse and worse at the scene.

At the same time, a loud voice was heard from outside the conference room.

“Director! Director!”

Bang—!

The person who came in afterwards quickly blurted out.

“Soo-ah *ssi*!”

“Soo-ah *ssi*?”

“Soo-ah *ssi* and Ha-rin *ssi* are going to contact each other directly! It seems like they’re going to bring her over by tonight!”

“…!”

Go Tae-min jumped up from his seat.

It’s strange. Nothing has been resolved yet, but just the fact that Soo-ah has stepped in filled Go Tae-min’s face with an relief that he couldn’t hide.

“That’s a relief. Please tell her I’ll be waiting.”

But then, there were those who tried to stop Go Tae-min.

“Director Go Tae-min, just a moment.”

“Hmm?”

It wasn’t just the officials. It seemed like the staff and the people around them also had a lot to say.

The official continued.

“We all know that Soo-ah *ssi* is incredibly amazing. There’s no one here who doesn’t know that.”

“Why are you bringing that up first to say something? Don’t beat around the bush and just say what you want.”

“Even if Soo-ah *ssi* embraces Ha-rin *ssi*, it’s right for us to get rid of Ha-rin *ssi* no matter what.”

“…”

“If it’s true that she did escort work, it’s a matter that can’t be taken away privately because of affection.”

“That’s obvious. If she actually did escort work, she definitely can’t go with us.”

“But, it’s the same even if she didn’t do escort work.”

“Yes?”

“Just the fact that she created a crisis for the work with the rumor is reason enough to terminate the contract. It’s right to replace her to avoid unnecessary noise.”

“…Do other people feel the same way?”

Director Go Tae-min asked, and no one answered.

That itself was the answer.

However, the official said in a defensive tone.

“Director, please don’t think of us as being too cold-hearted. It’s because we care so much about this work. Frankly, this is the right answer, isn’t it?”

Go Tae-min nodded with a hardened face.

“…I understand.”

Go Tae-min left the conference room and sighed.

‘This work really doesn’t have an easy moment.’

He thought he had overcome all the crises after the affair between Kang Hak-man and Lee Joo-hyun, but there are still mountains beyond mountains.

‘I wonder what Soo-ah *ssi* will do…’

Go Tae-min blankly stared at the sky outside the window.

The situation is urgent, and time is short.

◈◈◈◈◈

What is Soo-ah doing in this urgent situation?

What else!

Of course, she’s having a meeting with the Soo-ah Association!

“Emergency!”

Soo-ah shouted.

“What about my work? And what about the Yang Ha-rin article? Ugh, my head hurts. It’s too complicated, way too complicated!”

—It seems like there’s never anything uncomplicated for *sunbae*, but this one definitely looks extraordinary even to me.

‘Yeah! That’s the problem! What do I do now?’

Then, Wi Ji-hye smoothly interjected.

—There’s no need to think complicatedly. In this one’s eyes, it just looks like you have to choose one of two.

‘Huh? Choose one of two?’

—Yes, if you want to get a rating, give up Yang Ha-rin, and if you want to get Yang Ha-rin, give up the rating.

‘Ehhh…’

Choose one of two?

The fact itself was something Soo-ah didn’t like.

—First of all, let’s go back to the call you had with Yang Ha-rin the other day. What did Yang Ha-rin say?

‘Well…’

Soo-ah went back to the contents of the call.

『I really haven’t done anything like escort work! Rather, everyone except me did it! Evidence? I didn’t think to leave any. I only thought about getting out of that situation because I hated it so much…』

Many words were exchanged, but the one thing that Yang Ha-rin consistently insisted on was one thing. That she didn’t do escort work, and that she was innocent.

‘Uhhuh. It was that kind of conversation.’

—Then it’s decided.

Yoo Han Soo-ah nodded.

—As Wi *halmae* said, it’s a multiple-choice question. Either trust Ha-rin *ssi*, or boldly take the rating.

—Actually, I don’t think it’s even a multiple-choice question….

Then, Maid Soo-ah quietly raised her hand.

—There’s also a possibility that Ha-rin *ssi* lied, and even if we trust Ha-rin *ssi* and go forward, we don’t know if the result will be good. In other words, it feels like a problem with a predetermined answer from the start.

‘Kkeueueung…’

Soo-ah groaned for a moment.

‘But, if I choose the rating, what exactly happens to Ha-rin? Does she just lose Yeon Cheon-gyeong?’

—It’s not just that, she’ll probably lose her life too?

—*Sunbae*, my guess is the same as Maid Soo-ah. There have been quite a few cases where the public opinion reverses after the person in question dies, and the work gets attention. To put it really cruelly, they’re called marketing that sacrifices life.

‘…’

Soo-ah pondered.

A definite rating, and trusting and moving forward into the unknown territory of others. Moreover, the latter doesn’t even have a guaranteed reward. Rather, it could worsen the situation.

How much time passed like that?

After a long period of deliberation, Soo-ah finally opened her mouth.

‘Um, everyone, um, I’m really sorry, but…’

—There’s no need to be sorry.

Yoo Han Soo-ah cut her off before she even finished speaking. The other Soo-ahs were the same. To be exact, everyone already knew what Soo-ah was trying to say.

They just gave Soo-ah a smirk.

—I thought you’d be like that, *sunbae*. —That’s more like you. —Come back without regrets!

Only then could Soo-ah smile.

Yes, Soo-ah decided to embrace Yang Ha-rin.

◈◈◈◈◈

After telling director Go Tae-min that she would meet Ha-rin directly, Soo-ah came to Ha-rin’s house.

“Hello? It’s me, let’s see each other for a bit.”

It seems like everyone can’t get in touch with Yang Ha-rin, but surprisingly, Yang Ha-rin was answering Soo-ah’s calls.

Squeak—

Soo-ah entered Yang Ha-rin’s house.