episode_0198

Park Yoo-jung, who was hugging me tightly and wetting my shirt on my chest, quickly wiped away her tears and opened her mouth to the members behind her and to Director Jeong.

“I… , I’ll tell you the truth about what happened.”

Park Yoo-jung told us the truth about her past and why she was punished for school violence.

And the reactions of the members who heard this were….

“Ah… .”

“There’s no way Yoojung would do that for no reason… .”

A sense of relief and… .

Hug.

“Yoo Jeong-ah, you must have had a hard time.”

“Sister… .”

… it was a pity.

The members who heard the story approached Park Yoo-jung and hugged her just like I did… .

“… Thank you.”

Park Yu-jeong shed another tear.

“I see…, that happened.”

Director Jeong, who had heard the whole story, rested his chin on his hand and nodded.

His eyes were sharp and murderous, as if he was calculating his future plans.

And soon after he finished thinking, he spoke to Park Yu-jeong with a serious look in his eyes.

“First of all, Yoo Jung. I think it’s premature to leave Rookies like this.”

“… Director Jeong.”

“Yu Jeong Yang’s reason for leaving Rookies was probably to avoid causing trouble to the group. However, running away from the group like this is not the solution.”

Director Jeong’s tone as he spoke was colder and sharper than usual.

“Rather, people will think that Yoo Jung-yang admitted her guilt and ran away. If that happens, the damage to Yoo Jung-yang and the Rookies will be great.”

“Then…, what should I do?”

“Let’s announce our position and start a public opinion war based on the facts that Yoo Jeong-yang has just told us.”

“Public opinion war?”

When I nodded, Director Jeong nodded and answered.

“It would have been better if the problem had been prevented in advance, if possible…, but the exposure article is already spreading rapidly. Public opinion criticizing Yoo Jeong is also growing.”

Certainly, because of the detailed evidence written in the expose, many people were already taking the article as truth and throwing stones at Park Yoo-jung.

If Park Yoo-jung leaves Rookies like this or there is even a little delay, the damage will be even greater.

“Since the incident has already happened… , we are just turning the situation around. Yoo-Jeong Yang is a justice seeker who is trying to save her friend, and the whistleblower is the one who committed the school violence.”

“Ah… .”

“Then, sympathetic public opinion will arise in support of Yoo Jung Yang, and Rookies will be able to continue group activities even if there is some noise.”

“… … .”

Director Jeong’s words were essentially a call for a head-on breakthrough.

Certainly, I think… it may be a bit reckless, but it seemed like the only way.

But problems immediately arose.

“First, please contact that person named Kim Young-hee. Ask her to write a rebuttal, and then we can release a statement based on that… .”

“… Director Jeong. I’m sorry, but I don’t have Younghee’s number.”

“… Yes?”

“Actually, after that incident, I couldn’t go to school because I was a trainee… and Younghee also moved to a different daycare center… .”

“Ah… , then maybe you can’t find it through SNS?”

“As far as I know, Younghee doesn’t use SNS… , I’ll look it up first… .”

Park Yu-jeong sighed and turned off her phone 30 minutes later, shaking her head.

“… Sorry. I still can’t find it.”

“… This is a bit tricky. In this case, a quick response is vital, but if it is delayed… .”

Director Jeong’s idea was to release Rookies’ statement at the same time as leaking Kim Young-hee’s rebuttal on the Internet.

If Kim Young-hee’s testimony becomes more convincing, Rookies’ statement will also gain strength…

In this situation, it was painful not to be able to contact Kim Young-hee.

But at that time.

‘ah….’

A way to solve this came to mind.

“Director Jeong… !”

“Yes, Miss Yerin.”

“I think I can find out where that friend named Kim Young-hee is.”

“… Yes? How did Yerin…?”

All I needed to do to find Kim Young-hee was make a phone call.

**

“Hoo… .”

Although I was talking big, I was nervous when I actually tried to make the call.

To be exact…, I felt pricked in my conscience.

I don’t even say hello to you normally, so how could I have the shame to ask you for a favor?

‘I feel like an unfilial daughter who can’t go home even on holidays… .’

Soon I made a phone call with a bitter smile.

Tour-, knock.

[hello.]

“… Boss.”

As if he had been waiting for my call, Kang Hyung-man answered the phone before it rang even once.

[Yerin.]

It may sound blunt to others, but I could tell that Kang Hyung-man was in a very good mood right now.

This made me feel even more sorry.

‘I should have contacted you more often…’

NAS Entertainment was quite reluctant and prohibited its members from having regular contact with their original company.

Because of that, I couldn’t contact the Hyungje Planning family, including Kang Hyung-man, often using the excuse that I was busy.

‘I’m so sorry that I’m contacting you now to ask for help… .’

Kang Hyung-man asked me with a relatively bright tone, not knowing whether he knew my true feelings or not.

[What’s going on?]

The moment I heard Kang Hyung-man’s voice, I felt guilty, but since this matter was urgent…, I got straight to the point.

“… I’d like you to find one person.”

[… People? What all of a sudden.]

“That’s true… .”

I also briefly talked about the current crisis facing Rookies and Park Yu-jeong’s situation.

And Kang Hyung-man, who heard the whole story… .

[Okay, I’ll find it for you.]

He gave an answer right away as if he had no hesitation at all.

“… We don’t have time right now. Is it possible to do it quickly?”

[Then. They say that we use Taoists to find people.]

Certainly… , that’s why I asked Kang Hyung-man.

Kang Hyung-man, who was a debt collector before starting his entertainment business… , will definitely be able to find people quickly.

[I’ll find out and get back to you within a few hours.]

“… That fast?”

Of course, I didn’t know it would be this fast.

“Thank you, boss! I really appreciate it!”

Thanks to that, I was able to let go of my worries and kept expressing my gratitude to Kang Hyung-man.

but….

[…Yerin.]

“… Yes?”

[It’s nice to hear your voice after so long.]

“… … .”

[If you need my help, always contact me first.]

Kang Hyung-man simply answered calmly, as if he was grateful.

At this, my heart ached and I could not easily continue speaking.

Kang Hyung-man, who always helps me without asking for anything in return… I was so… truly grateful.

[Oh, I’m sorry for taking so long when you’re probably busy right now. I’ll send you the information about that friend named Kim Young-hee within a few hours. I’ll hang up now.]

“… Boss.”

[hmm…?]

“… I will contact you often. Really… , thank you so much.”

[…okay.]

So I ended the call with a mixture of regret and gratitude.

And a few hours later.

Jiying.

Kang Hyung-man is currently living in the same place as Kim Young-hee and attending the same school.

He even found out my phone number and gave it to me.

Based on this, we were able to contact Kim Young-hee.

**

The next day.

As soon as the morning came, Park Yu-jeong waited for Kim Young-hee at the cafe where they had met.

Since I had to ask a difficult favor, I decided to actually meet Kim Young-hee.

‘Something feels shaky.’

To begin with, I wasn’t close with Kim Young-hee, and it’s been years since we last met in person.

Park Yu-jeong took a sip of the coffee in front of her with a trembling heart.

That was when.

Daughter.

The cafe door opens… .

“Ah, Yoojung.”

“… Huh?”

As soon as a female student in uniform noticed her in the corner and approached her as if she was happy to see her… Park Yu-jeong couldn’t help but be surprised.

[Kim Young-hee]

The name tag clearly states Kim Young-hee.

The face also retains its old appearance.

but….

“Younghee…, right?”

“Yeah, it’s me. Long time no see.”

It was because the atmosphere of Kim Young-hee, a second-year high school student, had changed to the point where she felt like she was a different person.

Park Yu-jeong was taken aback by this and froze, so Kim Young-hee was the first to speak, scratching the back of her head.

“Sorry. I suddenly had to move to a new daycare center, so I couldn’t contact you. That shouldn’t have happened.”

“Oh, no. It’s okay.”

“I got a call from that guy, Chief Jeong, yesterday. He said he needed my help… .”

“… … .”

Finally, here’s the main point.

From the perspective of an ordinary person, not a celebrity, it would be quite burdensome to suddenly be asked to get involved in such a huge incident.

Park Yu-jeong planned to use all her speaking skills to somehow persuade Kim Young-hee.

however….

“I’ll help you.”

“… Younghee, please help me… , Huh? What did you say?”

“He said he would help me.”

“… … .”

Kim Young-hee said she would help Park Yu-jeong even before she could say a word.

And then he continued speaking as if he felt sorry.

“Actually, I don’t use the internet much… , so I didn’t know you became an idol and that you were going through such troubles now.”

“… Younghee.”

“If I had known, I would have helped you right away. I know you did nothing wrong.”

Kim Young-hee’s speech was confident and straightforward.

It’s an unimaginable sight compared to the gloomy and timid Kim Young-hee of old.

At this, Park Yu-jeong muttered with blank eyes.

“… Younghee, you. You’ve changed.”

Kim Young-hee answered Park Yu-jeong’s question with a bright smile.

“Thanks to you, Yoojung.”

“… Me? What did I do?”

“You told me then. Don’t hold back.”

Kim Young-hee continued speaking with a slightly blushed face, perhaps recalling Park Yu-jeong’s past appearance.

“More than anything, the way you looked back then… . You were so cool. I wanted to be like you.”

“… … .”

“Idols are a job that gives people a sense of admiration, right? I hope you, Yujeong, continue being an idol. You suit each other so well.”

“… Ah.”

The moment she heard those words, Park Yu-jeong felt the frustration inside her being pierced and something welling up inside her.

Kim Young-hee grabbed Park Yu-jeong’s hand tightly and asked with hard eyes.

“So tell me. What should I do.”

“… … Younghee.”

An hour later.

In various communities, posts supporting Park Yu-jeong under the name of Kim Young-hee were posted.

Journalists sympathetic to NAS Entertainment were quick to spread the word and tell people the truth.

And in response, NAS Entertainment also released a statement regarding Park Yoo-jung’s case.

This caused public opinion to begin to turn around.