Chapter 40

40

[When I see you, I feel like I'm walking on those distant clouds.]

[You don't need to consider]

Today's "Make Love" is a song about young love.

It tells the story of falling in love at first sight with someone he met at university in his early twenties.

It's a well-crafted song with a tropical vibe.

Jang Icha read through the lyrics and laughed for a long time.

"How did they manage to pull off such a fresh concept?"

"Why?"

I thought I knew the reason, but I didn't want to say it in front of Jung Dajun, so I just shifted my gaze.

Jang Icha, an early expatriate, couldn't stop the laughter that escaped her lips.

"Did no one at the agency try to stop them? This looks like it was slapped together by someone who doesn't know a single word of English."

"Make Love."

So... it means to share love.

I'll leave it at that.

"Isn't that what you think too?"

"Why didn't the lyricist stop them?"

"Look at this."

Sung Jiwan waved the printed lyrics.

[Lyricist: Yoo Hyuk]

We all (excluding Jung Dajun) facepalmed.

"So that's why."

"That's right."

"Ah, what's the point?"

We ignored Jung Dajun and continued discussing the arrangement.

"Going all the way with this, a sexy direction might not be bad. Adding strings could create a grand atmosphere as well."

"Then the arrangement direction is set?"

"Ah, I think I get it. The melody line is a bit bland, but I want to make it dramatic here."

Jang Icha kept jotting down ideas as they kept popping into her head.

"But how do you want to handle our concept?"

Good timing.

"Since we don't have much time, let's use a chance card."

"Chance card?"

I raised my phone and called someone who specializes in such matters.

Soon, with a loud bang, Lee Ji-hyun burst through the door.

"Me!"

"Yes, Miss Ji-hyun. You're here."

"I want to set the concept!"

Lee Ji-hyun was like a ghost possessed by settings. She quickly ran her fingers through her hair and said,

"Isn't a competition program the perfect place to try out a different concept, away from the main planning? I thought the glow concept last time was amazing! I also want to discuss who came up with the concept. Since Jung Dajun is the main, it's similar to the post-apocalyptic setting song last time, so while maintaining that position, a different universe concept..."

It began.

"Ah, ah..."

"Yes..."

The other members were mesmerized by Lee Ji-hyun's words.

Just as the concept discussion was about to heat up, I subtly raised my hand. At this point, Lee Ji-hyun and the other members would handle it well.

"I'll be gone for a bit. Can you take care of the rest?"

"Ah, yes."

"Where are you going?"

Kim Sung-hyun grabbed me. He was suspicious again, worried I might do something crazy on my own.

But I answered without blinking.

"I'm meeting my brother for a bit."

"Brother?"

"Ah, the one I saw at the hospital."

"Come back soon~."

Jung Dajun greeted me cheerfully. After roughly asking Lee Ji-hyun to take care of things and leaving the practice room, I saw the number of the scammer I had just contacted. Just in case, I brushed my bangs down and put on a cap.

Recently, with my rise on Nertube, more people recognize me. Ignoring the people who were glancing at me, I got into a taxi and called.

"Yes, I'm on my way."

I heard a voice from the other end of the phone. Looking out the taxi window, I saw a Shining Star advertisement bus passing by. The Today members were prominently featured. At the same time, Kim Sung-hyun's worried gaze came to mind.

Sung-hyun, I'm sorry.

"Confirmed information."

I'm really going to do something crazy.

"You won't regret it."

***

The profession of paparazzi is not common. However, with the recent Hallyu boom across Asia, especially after Chinese tabloids got involved, being a paparazzi has become a well-paying job.

If there was a suspicious smell, it would be everywhere. A job that digs into people's private lives, but for Kim Jae-yeon, who lacked a sense of ethics, it was very satisfying.

He had seen countless stars up close, but Kim Jae-yeon was particularly attentive to the man in front of him.

Seo Ho-yun was a rising star.

A large talent agency, Daepa-sung, had launched a new idol group, but it was a massive failure.

However, since Seo Ho-yun joined, the public opinion has turned. From the robbery incident, the egg incident, to the bold moves at Shining Star.

The timing was too perfect to be a coincidence. In every incident, Seo Ho-yun took an unpredictable direction.

Well, it didn't matter to Kim Jae-yeon.

Until Seo Ho-yun suddenly contacted him, a complete stranger.

"Mr. Seo Ho-yun."

"Yes, Mr. Jae-yeon."

Kim Jae-yeon was startled. He had always used a pseudonym, yet Seo Ho-yun knew his real name.

"Let's put aside how you know my name for now."

"Yes."

"How did you contact me?"

The man, Seo Ho-yun, ordered a lemonade after browsing the menu. Then, he propped his chin up and started talking strangely.

"If you write numbers on rose petals and scatter them on the ground... your number comes up."

"…What?"

Suddenly, he clenched his fist and hit the table. He muttered a few times, "lines," "damn system," sounding like a madman.

Kim Jae-yeon frowned more and more, but Seo Ho-yun sighed and continued as if nothing had happened.

"Rose petals... or something like that, it's a common method. I don't think it's much different from the methods you know, Mr. Jae-yeon."

Sweat trickled down Jae-yeon's back. This guy isn't just an idol. Seo Ho-yun's gaze swept over him.

"Whether I know you or not isn't particularly important."

"..."

"What I know is more interesting, I think."

Jae-yeon nervously tapped his foot. When the lemonade arrived, Seo Ho-yun took it and slowly stirred the straw.

"Is this confirmed information?"

"Dig a bit."

Seo Ho-yun smiled.

"Today, a drug scandal."

'Jackpot...!'

Jae-yeon covered his mouth in excitement. Today was a popular idol group in China these days.

They were also from a major agency. If he dug, he would likely uncover a series of stories. As Jae-yeon calculated in his head, Seo Ho-yun's face hardened.

'Ah, paparazzi.'

I sighed.

Jae-yeon was a figure with some connections from his days as a PD. In his mid-30s, with a clean-cut face, he could easily pass for a businessman.

Paparazzi are like this. They dig for information bit by bit, and once they get what they want, they discard the source without a second thought.

When I gradually extracted club information from the Mars vocalist, it naturally led to the mention of drugs. There was no way Today, who frequented the place like it was their home, didn't know about it.

"If you dig around the place I mentioned last time, it should come up quickly. But Mr. Seo Ho-yun, why not dig into the sponsorship issue as well?"

"It's already well-known."

Nonsense. He just didn't want to involve Sung Jiwan.

If he wasn't careful, it could also tarnish Sung Jiwan, who had been with Today's agency and almost became the center.

I poked the thinly sliced lemon in the lemonade with the straw.

"Even if you expose it, it will be quickly covered up. If you want to maximize your impact, you should go for something that will make a big splash. A celebrity drug scandal is a goldmine."

"…You know that too?"

"I know everything."

A news story will come out soon.

Jae-yeon was excited but still suspicious. He shrugged.

"The timing is up to me."

"That's a bit difficult. Our principle is to break the story as soon as possible."

"The best part should be saved for last."

"Ha-ha! That's true."

Jae-yeon laughed, finding it amusing.

It wasn't a bad deal for him either. Not all information is better the faster you get it.

The value of the information Jae-yeon provides will be highest when it's released at the most opportune time, when Today's stock is at its peak.

"Since it will take some time to investigate, and it's not a bad condition, I agree."

"Okay."

"Strange. It's good for me that you're giving me this information. Isn't it too risky for Mr. Seo Ho-yun to get involved? Doesn't the company know about this?"

Jae-yeon, intrigued, kept asking.

"Why do you want to expose Today's drug scandal?"

"Mr. Jae-yeon doesn't need to know such unnecessary details."

"What if I reveal your source? You'll sink with me."

I burst out laughing. That's what makes a paparazzi. Always prepared to stab you in the back, so you need to tie them down.

This is definitely a threat with some ulterior motive.

"Try it."

So cute.

"Mr. Jae-yeon, do you want to sink with me?"

Here, let me explain Seo Ho-yun's method of dealing with paparazzi:

First, throw out a juicy piece of information.

Second, try to charm them.

The most important third!

If they bite, give them a good beating!

"Mr. Jae-yeon, you've worked very hard. It's time to take a break in prison, don't you think?"

"Excuse me?"

Jae-yeon stiffened, hesitated, and then gulped down his Americano.

"…I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

"I'll pretend I didn't say it either."

We calmly buried each other's weaknesses like landmines. Then we shook hands and stood up.

"Thank you for your cooperation."

"Yes. I don't know how to thank you."

Jae-yeon, whose expression had returned, smiled. It must feel good. The table is set, and he just needs to pick up the spoon. He'll likely enjoy the feast.

As we were about to part ways, Jae-yeon gave a nasty smile.

"Ah! But."

"Yes."

"This isn't a threat, just a favor. Since you're grateful, I'll give you a bonus."

What is it? I raised an eyebrow.

Whenever this happens,

"Mr. Kim Sung-hyun."

Jae-yeon leaned in and whispered.

My eyes narrowed as I heard the whispered content. I slowly calculated in my head.

The innocent but meticulous Kim Sung-hyun. I matched the content of the whisper with what I knew about him.

"Is this a delusion?"

"Ah? Why are you being so naive? That's not like you."

"Source?"

"It's confirmed. I checked before meeting Mr. Seo Ho-yun. You should prevent it in advance."

I nodded. Even though I felt I had said everything, Jae-yeon didn't move away, just stared at me blankly.

"What is it?"

"Mr. Seo Ho-yun, you're close with Joo U-seong, right? What if Joo U-seong..."

"..."

"..."

"Got it, got it. Damn."

My fierce gaze must have worked; he quickly moved away, afraid of getting burned.

I took a sip of the lemonade and tilted my head back, feeling frustrated.

"Trying to stop one thing just makes everything else pop up..."

What should I do?

Kim Sung-hyun.

The high school incident.

Bullying.

And dropping out.

These words, which didn't fit him, swirled in my head.