Chapter 98

< Block (2) >

A large scandal involving Seo Chae-eun? It was a piece of news that was bound to be absurd and ridiculous. Moreover, it was too sudden. However, Director Kwon Gi-taek, whose face had become unusually serious, remained surprisingly calm.

"Seo Chae-eun is about to be hit by a scandal, and it's going to be a big one."

From the speaker, Choi Sung-geun's response was immediately heard.

"Yes, it seems that way."

"Is that a certainty or a guess?"

"Right now, it's a fifty-fifty chance."

"Hmm-"

Director Kwon Gi-taek let out a short sigh. Despite this, he fell into deep thought while stepping on the accelerator on the open road. The first thing that came to mind was Choi Sung-geun.

'If President Choi isn't crazy, he wouldn't be joking around this morning.'

Moreover, Director Kwon Gi-taek had always held Choi Sung-geun in high regard. He was a person worthy of such respect. Most people in the entertainment industry, including actors and industry insiders, knew Choi Sung-geun. Despite his extensive network, Choi Sung-geun had maintained his connections without any significant issues, which was remarkable in the jungle of the entertainment industry.

Of course, Choi Sung-geun was also highly capable. He had a good head for business and was perceptive. Even during his successful days, he had nurtured many actors but boldly went independent with only Hong Hye-yeon. This was a decision based on future prospects. Recently, he had also taken on the rapidly rising Kang Woo-jin.

Despite the fierce competition.

Such a person would not waste his time on trivial matters with a major figure in the film industry like Director Kwon Gi-taek. He must have heard something through his extensive network.

'Even if I don't fully trust him, delaying the publicity for a few hours isn't difficult.'

Risks need to be nipped in the bud. Director Kwon Gi-taek decided to temporarily trust Choi Sung-geun's words.

"Let's do that. I'll put all the planned publicity on hold for a while."

"Yes, Director."

"I'm heading to the distributor now. Can you come over?"

"Of course. I just turned the car around and will come to see you."

"How long will it take?"

After a brief silence, Choi Sung-geun's voice came through the speaker again.

"Probably less than an hour. Oh, and Director, only you should know about this matter."

"Are you already doing something about it?"

"Yes, for now."

"I understand. I need to call the distributor, so I'll hang up."

"Yes."

-Click.

As soon as the call with Choi Sung-geun ended, Director Kwon Gi-taek made a left turn and called the distributor of 'The Missing Island,' whom he had contacted earlier. The call was answered quickly, and Director Kwon Gi-taek gave his instructions.

"Let's put a stop to all the planned publicity starting today."

Meanwhile, in his car, Choi Sung-geun let out a small sigh of relief.

"Started by saying it's a big scandal to block the proceedings, but did I overdo it?"

Now the fuse of the bomb was lit. Whether he liked it or not, he had to move forward. Even if Kang Woo-jin's intuition was off, Choi Sung-geun increased his speed and smiled.

"It's fine. Whatever happens, it happens. If it comes to it, I'll bow in penance."

Back at the distributor's medium-sized meeting room, Director Kwon Gi-taek sat alone. The atmosphere was calm, and his tapping of the desk with his index finger seemed rigid.

"......"

Director Kwon Gi-taek's face was filled with deep thought. At that moment, a knock was heard, and the glass door opened. It was Choi Sung-geun with a topknot, who also had a serious expression and greeted Director Kwon Gi-taek.

"Director, hello."

"You came quickly. Please sit down."

Director Kwon Gi-taek pointed to the opposite seat, and Choi Sung-geun pulled out a chair and sat down. Director Kwon Gi-taek was the first to speak.

"So, let's hear the details. A big scandal involving Seo Chae-eun."

His tone was gentle but firm. Choi Sung-geun, who was relatively calm, delivered his prepared lines.

"I don't have enough time to explain everything. In short, I obtained some troubling information and decided it couldn't be ignored. I'll provide a detailed report after completing the matter."

"Information? What kind of information?"

Naturally, Choi Sung-geun didn't know the specifics of the information at the moment. So, he spoke in vague terms.

"It seems that some media outlets, like 'Power Patch,' have caught a whiff of something. However, I need to confirm whether they are suppressing it or waiting for the right timing."

"How accurate is that?"

"As I said, it's fifty-fifty. But even with this level of ambiguity, it's uncomfortable to ignore. What do you think, Director?"

"......"

What's the point of talking about it? It's more than just uncomfortable. Many movies are released each year, and over 70% fail even without any issues. Director Kwon Gi-taek, who knew this all too well, sighed.

"It's bothersome."

"Yes, it is. Of course, the decision is ultimately yours. You don't have to trust me. I will do what I need to do regardless."

"It seems you plan to act quietly. If I wait for you, when can I expect results?"

Choi Sung-geun, who had been silent, responded.

"As soon as today. At the latest, within three days. I'll get a response within three days."

A confident answer. Soon, Director Kwon Gi-taek, who had been leaning back with his arms crossed, smiled slightly.

"Three days? Can you do it alone?"

"I have to do it alone."

"Alright, three days. I can delay things for about three days."

"Thank you. I'll go for now."

-Swoosh.

Choi Sung-geun, who seemed to have another appointment, immediately stood up. Director Kwon Gi-taek stopped him.

"But President Choi, you said it's fifty-fifty. What if the information turns out to be wrong?"

Choi Sung-geun, who had stopped, smiled slightly.

"Then we can just be relieved and move on. I'll take responsibility for the delay."

Director Kwon Gi-taek shook his head, slightly annoyed.

"Why go to such lengths? Haha, I see you're quite the smooth talker, President Choi."

Around lunchtime on the same day.

In the van transporting Kang Woo-jin, who was moving to his next schedule. Among the usual team of three, Choi Sung-geun was not present. Kang Woo-jin, noticing the empty passenger seat, wondered.

'Did he find out something?'

His curiosity was growing, partly due to a message he received from Choi Sung-geun that morning.

-President: It's started.

A very brief message. What had started? Of course, Woo-jin, who knew only half of the entertainment industry, couldn't guess.

'Well, I just need to focus on my work, right?'

There was nothing to do but burn with passion instead of cheering. It was also funny that Kang Woo-jin was worried about his capable representative.

At that moment, Choi Sung-geun was.

"Alright- next, the editor-in-chief of 'Power Patch.'"

He was busy. He had just been contacting influential figures in the media. He dropped hints over the phone to those he didn't need to meet in person and set up meetings with those he needed to see face-to-face, like the editor-in-chief of 'Power Patch.' Kim Hak-hyun, whom he had met the day before, was also included.

"If I meet a few more, including the editor-in-chief of 'Power Patch,' I should get a response from somewhere."

While 'Power Patch' was the most likely, he couldn't ignore other media outlets. Choi Sung-geun meticulously executed his plan. His car, which had been driving, reached the vicinity of Gangnam Station.

Choi Sung-geun parked his car in the parking lot of a high-end sushi restaurant.

-Clunk!

He got out of the car and immediately checked the time. Entering the sushi restaurant, he said to the entrance staff.

"I made a reservation under Choi Sung-geun."

"Please wait a moment- Yes, this way."

It was lunchtime, so the restaurant was crowded. Choi Sung-geun was led to a room, and the staff opened the door to the second room.

-Swoosh.

Inside the room, Choi Sung-geun saw a man sitting alone. He was quite large and had a broad face. This was the editor-in-chief of 'Power Patch.'

Soon, Choi Sung-geun put on a business smile.

"Ah, Editor-in-Chief Kim. You're already here?"

The editor-in-chief of 'Power Patch,' called Kim, put down his phone and smiled wryly.

"Hurry up, President Choi. Your belly will stick to your back."

Due to Kim's urging, Choi Sung-geun quickly pulled out the chair opposite him. At the same time, Choi Sung-geun asked about the menu.

"What would you like?"

"When do you usually choose? How about we go with a set menu?"

"Ha-ha, that sounds good."

After deciding, Choi Sung-geun ordered from the staff who had just entered. He rubbed his hands in anticipation and observed Kim's reaction.

'He doesn't seem too upset.'

If so, it was safe to start the conversation. Choi Sung-geun lifted his water glass and began.

"Let's see- 'Power Patch' has been quiet lately? Why? Haven't you found anything?"

"You start asking as soon as you see me. And what do you mean, nothing? We had a big one last week, didn't we?"

"Ah, idol romances are common these days, aren't they?"

"Then how about you give me something? Does Kang Woo-jin have anyone he's seeing?"

Choi Sung-geun, who had suddenly brought up Kang Woo-jin, sighed deeply.

"I'm not crazy. And our Woo-jin is busy with acting."

"Is that so? He's practically eating everyone up. But where did you find such a gem? I hear he's causing a stir in the industry these days."

The conversation about Kang Woo-jin continued for a while. Then, Choi Sung-geun subtly changed the subject.

"Ah, right, this is just out of curiosity. What's going on with Seo Chae-eun lately?"

"Out of the blue?"

"No, I've been hearing faint rumors here and there. They might be false, but it's strange that they're circulating around the same time. Even Kim Hak-hyun, whom I met a few days ago, mentioned it."

"......Oh, really? It's that noticeable to President Choi?"

"No, it's not that noisy. Just a few times in passing. Ha-ha, you seem to be unaware, Editor-in-Chief Kim. Is it less than tabloid gossip?"

Choi Sung-geun gently probed Kim. He dropped hints but didn't push too far. Just enough to pique interest and then pull back.

"By the way, have you met the acting trainer I introduced you to? The youngest son, I think?"

There was no need to delve deeper. Kim, who thanked him appropriately, had a slightly stiff expression, likely due to the brief mention of Seo Chae-eun. Kim knew Choi Sung-geun was well-connected in the entertainment industry.

'Seo Chae-eun is being talked about?'

About an hour later.

At 'Power Patch,' a large media company near Gangnam Station, which occupied two floors of a large building. In the noisy entertainment department.

-Swoosh.

The broad-faced Editor-in-Chief Kim entered hurriedly. His steps were urgent. He looked to the right side of the office and loudly called out a name.

"Hey! Im Sang-moon!!"

A man with dark circles under his eyes and a generally dark complexion turned his head from the back. He was one of the three reporters who had been investigating Seo Chae-eun.

"Ah, Editor-in-Chief. You're back from a delicious meal, I see."

The reporter, who spoke casually, was quickly approached by Kim. Kim lightly tapped the reporter's head and whispered coldly.

"Come to my office."

No explanation. Kim walked briskly to his office. Soon, Im Sang-moon, who had been scratching his head, let out a small sigh.

"What is it now, damn it."

With no choice, Im Sang-moon followed Kim into the office and closed the door.

"Im Sang-moon."

Kim pressed his broad face close to Im Sang-moon, his eyes filled with urgency.

"Are you still far from breaking the story you're working on?"

Im Sang-moon, who flinched, tried to deflect.

"Breaking the story? What story? I haven't found anything recently."

"Don't bullshit me. I know you've been following Seo Chae-eun. Just spill it."

"......"

"Is it about the habitual propofol use?"

At this point, Im Sang-moon let out a long sigh, realizing Kim knew everything.

"Ha- They told me not to say anything. There's no secret."

"If it came from your mouth, it's no longer a secret, you idiot."

"......Tsk. No, I just wanted to wait until the story was fully ripe. There was a lot to gather. I thought you'd tear it apart if I told you."

"Enough of that. How far are you with it?"

"The Seo Chae-eun part is almost done. I'm still gathering additional information from side connections and the hospital."

Kim, who heard the response, gave a low command.

"Break the story with the side connections and the hospital."

"No! Editor-in-Chief, that's why I didn't tell you! I'll hit it big, just give me a little more time! Not much, by July!"

"Shut up and do it now."

"But I have a plan! If we break it now, we'll only get Seo Chae-eun, and the rest will slip away! The side connections are also juicy."

"I know you have a plan, which is why I waited. But it's not possible. You know President Choi Sung-geun, right?"

Im Sang-moon blinked.

"Choi Sung-geun? Of course, I know him. But why is President Choi suddenly involved?"

"I just had lunch with him, and he mentioned Seo Chae-eun in passing. He said he's hearing rumors about her. If it's in that guy's ears, it's probably already made a few rounds."

"Is that... really?"

"Of course. Do you think I'd lie to you? It doesn't seem to have spread widely yet, so break the story before it hits the tabloids. You're a journalist, not an artist."

Kim coldly warned.

"Finish it quickly and break the story by this afternoon. Make sure to hit Seo Chae-eun hard. You have a big scoop, so are you going to go solo?"

Im Sang-moon, who was slightly dazed, suddenly turned and kicked open the office door, running to his desk.

"Damn!!"

He was rushing to break the story he had been nurturing.

< Block (2) > End