<Episode 52>
After reporter Kim Yerin left, I was focusing on my work when Han Suseok approached me with a serious expression.
“Is something wrong?”
“Sir, an article just came out.”
Just hearing that, I could immediately picture what had happened.
‘So Kim Yerin went through with it after all.’
It was unbelievably foolish.
I had given her a chance, yet she still let her emotions take over and acted impulsively.
“First, make sure the Spade Joker members can’t check their phones for the time being. And tell them not to say a single word about this. There’s no need for any explanation right now. One wrong statement and they’ll fall straight into ruin. Also, tighten the secrecy around their return schedule.”
For a moment, I imagined the worst-case scenario.
If it came out that the members had skipped their schedule and gone to the Han River, there would be a flood of criticism.
But considering the image they had built so far, there would also definitely be people who would defend them.
The real problem was the possibility of regressing again because of this.
‘That’s the one thing I really want to avoid.’
Just the thought of going through an eleventh regression sent chills down my spine.
No… this was exactly when I needed to stay sharp.
“First, release an official statement. Make sure to reveal that Kim Yerin is the reporter who previously published an interview without our consent.”
“Yes.”
“The tone of the statement should be: the members indeed went to the hospital because they were sick, but we cannot disclose medical records as they are private information. Rather than revealing that, we’d rather endure misunderstandings. Because the company has a duty to protect the members’ privacy. Got it?”
Han Suseok nodded slightly.
“Don’t worry. That reporter wrote the article without any real evidence. The only thing she has is the photo that’s already been released.”
“Pardon? How do you know that?”
“There’s no way I wouldn’t. If she had solid evidence, she would’ve presented that first. Even if she didn’t trust us enough to show it, why wouldn’t she include it in the article? She knows we’d refute it.”
“Isn’t it possible she’s planning to release more evidence after we respond?”
I understood his concern, which was why I answered firmly.
“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already confirmed it.”
“How?”
I couldn’t exactly say that this world was like a game and that I had read her thoughts using a paid item.
“I probed her a few times during our conversation. You saw it too when you brought her in… she was completely consumed by her emotions and couldn’t think rationally.”
Han Suseok nodded again.
“That made it easy. The photo wasn’t even taken while investigating Spade Joker. It was just something captured by chance while covering another issue at the Han River, and she used it to take a shot in the dark. And even if she went to the hospital to check, they wouldn’t give her any information. Who would disclose a patient’s private records? That would destroy the hospital’s credibility.”
“Ah… that’s true.”
“So don’t worry. Go and release the statement first. Things are going to get busy from now on.”
“Yes.”
Han Suseok quickly left the office.
I immediately picked up my phone, then took out a notebook from the drawer and dialed a number written inside.
It was fortunate that I had written down essential information each time I regressed, so I wouldn’t forget.
‘I was planning to contact him soon anyway… but I didn’t expect it to be because of this.’
My heart pounded in sync with the ringing tone.
Maybe it was because I had to ask for help from someone I had opposed in most timelines.
[Hello, this is reporter Jo Minjun from K-Days.]
At the familiar voice, I greeted him right away.
“Hello. This is John Raid Lombardi, CEO of Ramos Entertainment.”
[Excuse me? Ah–hmm.]
Jo Minjun cleared his throat, trying to hide his surprise.
[Yes, hello. What can I help you with?]
“How about an exclusive interview?”
[An exclusive interview?]
“Yes. You’ve seen the article, haven’t you?”
As a reporter, there was no way he didn’t know what was happening.
Our company was currently being flooded with calls and emails.
[Of course, I’d love that. But why me? We don’t have any prior relationship. In fact, I’ve written articles that were almost harsh criticisms of Spade Joker and you.]
“That’s exactly why I’m asking you. Your articles were critical, yes… but they weren’t attacks.”
There was a fine line between criticism and slander.
Most past articles about Spade Joker had been close to ridicule.
Flop idols, clowns, a waste of money.
They were filled with unpleasant words and sentences, some even going so far as to use language that shouldn’t be printed just to make their articles more sensational.
Amid all that, Jo Minjun’s articles stood out.
“You understand how big that difference is. Many reporters didn’t hesitate to call underage members foolish or say they were ignorant and being taken advantage of. Sure, they’re young… they might not know everything. But do you really think they stayed because they were naïve or stupid? No. They stayed because they understood too well.”
The difficulty of leaving the company, and the fear of whether they’d ever stand on stage again.
That was why Spade Joker endured everything.
“I didn’t want to interview with reporters who hurt the members. That’s why I got your number.”
Jo Minjun was the only one who clearly examined the facts, the members’ perspectives, the company’s situation and wrote articles based on that.
Because of that, he had a reputation among the public as the only entertainment reporter they could trust.
Which also meant he had significant influence in the industry.
‘If someone like him writes the article, credibility follows naturally.’
[I see. When should I come?]
“I’m available right now. If you’re busy, we can even do it over the phone. The faster the article is published, the better for both of us, don’t you think?”
There was a brief silence.
Then I heard noise in the background… things clattering, something falling.
‘What’s going on over there?’
[I’ll come to Ramos Entertainment right now.]
“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”
The call ended quickly.
His voice had been calm, but it sounded like he was scrambling to leave immediately.
‘He’ll be here soon.’
Bzzzz.
My phone vibrated.
It was Cain.
[Hello.]
His voice sounded weak.
“Yeah.”
[Sir… I’m sorry.]
I could easily imagine his expression.
Head lowered, shoulders trembling, eyes filled with tears.
“In the end, it’s my fault. So I’ll take care of it. Even if the full truth comes out, I’ll be the one to apologize. So don’t worry about anything.”
[But…]
“That’s the company’s job. And you heard from Team Leader Han, right? That reporter doesn’t even have proper evidence, and she can’t verify hospital records either. It’s just a speculative article. She came at me with nothing but assumptions… and even tried to threaten me. And you remember how she eavesdropped at our company dinner and wrote an article without permission, right?”
Cain answered softly, “Yes.”
“There are plenty of charges we can use against her. So you don’t need to worry about anything.”
[We… can still make our comeback, right?]
His voice carried fear.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t you?”
I deliberately raised my voice.
“That’s not going to happen. So don’t think about this at all… just finish filming properly and come back. If your energy drops, the fans will feel it too.”
[Okay. Huh? Ah–yes.]
I was about to hang up when I heard him speaking to someone else.
[Sir, PD Yoo wants to talk to you.]
“Alright.”
Come to think of it, I needed to explain the situation to PD Yu as well.
‘I completely forgot.’
Spade Joker was still abroad filming their reality show.
They had about four days of filming left.
With this incident happening, I had a responsibility to inform him.
[Hello.]
“Yes, PD.”
[You don’t need to worry about the filming. From what I’ve seen, these kids don’t seem like the type to skip schedules.]
I was grateful that he was on our side… but at the same time, I felt guilty.
‘They did skip it. And I’m lying right now.’
[And besides, that reporter Kim Yerin has caused quite a lot of trouble already.]
“What do you mean?”
[You didn’t know? Aside from lying about interviewing you, she’s caused several incidents. She occasionally lands big scoops, so the company hasn’t been able to fire her easily, but she’s been a headache.]
I had no idea.
[With this incident on top of everything else, she probably won’t be able to continue as a reporter. It might’ve been her last desperate move. You must be going through a lot, stay strong. I’ll see you when we get back to Korea.]
“Yes. Please take good care of the members.”
Related Series
Comments (1)
You must be logged in to post a comment.
💛💛💛💛