Chapter 341: Cha Do-Hee (3)

Chapter 341: Cha Do-Hee (3)

In some cases, small agencies, struggling financially and often burdened by chronic deficits, would eagerly include the daughter of a wealthy family in their debut lineup when she brought in money, hoping to become an idol.

In return, the wealthy family funded album production, outfits, operational costs, and music videos. So everyone from the president to the talent agents treated her like a princess.

However, it was impossible that Ace Entertainment, the top company in the industry, had a shortage of production funds.

This meant there could only be one reason.

Since entertainment companies were being criticized for their shady financial dealings with the ruling party leader, they needed the protection of Assemblyman Cha Sang-Tae.

That's why Im Sung-Hak was casually accepting something that usually only happened at small agencies.

It was absurd, but not entirely incomprehensible.

Even during my time at Top Entertainment in my past life, Kim Dong-Soo often resolved situations that were way over his head by relying on politicians.

'So the one in control here is Cha Do-Hee,' I thought.

I immediately turned my gaze to the sixteen-year-old Cha Do-Hee.

Cha Do-Hee blinked her large eyes and asked, "Talent agent oppa, did you come all the way here to ask us to take the article down?"

"Yes, that's correct," I responded firmly and politely.

Cha Do-Hee pouted and began to complain. "But why are you talking so harshly? I just answered what the reporter asked me..."

"How did you do the interview for such nonsense to be published?"

Cha Do-Hee stuck her tongue out slightly and answered, "The reporter just twisted what I said. You have no idea how shocked I was."

Looking surprised, Cha Do-Hee placed her hand on her chest. Her expressions changed so naturally that I thought she would be good at acting.

"Stop beating around the bush and answer me. What are you planning to do now?" I questioned her.

"I'm sorry~ I'll call my mom right now and ask her to have the article taken down. Is that good enough?"

I had met many people in my past life but never encountered anyone like Cha Do-Hee.

Usually, those who relied on their parents' influence refused to admit their mistakes and acted even more aggressively—like Director Jo Jae-Kyung.

However, Cha Do-Hee easily admitted her wrongdoing and even apologized. She even called her mom and asked her to handle the issue right away.

"Mom. Yeah, it's Do-Hee! Can you please have the article about Sae-Ri and Haru taken down? Huh? Yeah, that's the situation. Love you. See you at dinner~"

After finishing the call, Cha Do-Hee spoke nonchalantly."My mom said she'll handle it right away!"

At that moment, Im Sung-Hak sitting beside her joined the conversation. "Team Lead Jung, just wait a bit and the article will be taken down! Do-Hee made a mistake since it was her first interview, but we'll make sure she's more careful in the future."

It was obvious that he was lying just looking at his expression. However, arguing over that wasn't as urgent as having the scandal article about Sae-Ri and Haru corrected.

I made a request. "Mr. Im, Ace Entertainment should also release a correction article that Miss C is Cha Do-Hee here and her testimony is false."

Im Sung-Hak agreed. "Okay. Since Do-Hee made a mistake, I'll take care of it. We'll do as you say."

Surprisingly, Im Sung-Hak readily picked up the intercom and called the director of the promotion team. "Hey, it's me. Release a correction article right away. Include an apology to Hoop Entertainment as well."

Im Sung-Hak looked at me after ending the call. "Is that good enough?"

"I'll give you my response after confirming the article. And our president will be calling separately," I replied.

"Alright."

A moment later, I got a call from Do Ran-Hee.

-Mr. Jung! Entertainment Big News just called to say they're taking down the article! They'll post an apology article right away too!

Cha Do-Hee smiled brightly and said, "See? I told you my mom would handle it."

The issue was resolved faster than expected.

As the main tabloid article from Entertainment Big News was taken down, other related articles started disappearing quickly.

Cha Do-Hee continued. "By the way, can you please let me meet Sae-Ri? I want to apologize to her in person for what happened today!"

'No way,' I remarked inwardly.

Unless Sae-Ri wanted to meet her, I had no intention of letting that happen.

Since the urgent matters were now resolved, I decided it was time to put Cha Do-Hee in her place.

'If I let a person who was bold enough to use the media get away with it, who knows what she might do next,' I thought.

Cha Do-Hee persistently asked me with a playful charm if I could help her arrange a meet-up with Sae-Ri.

However, I responded coldly. "Miss Do-Hee, do you know that a bullying rumor is scarier for an idol than a dating scandal?"

"Oh, come on~ Who doesn't know that?"

"I'm glad you're aware. Then consider this a warning. If you dare spread any more nonsense about celebrities from our company, we'll release an article claiming that you bullied Sae-Ri."

Cha Do-Hee tilted her head. "What? Did Sae-Ri say that? That I bullied her?"

"Not just Sae-Ri but Haru said the same thing. If necessary, we can go to Andong to find more witnesses."

For the first time, Cha Do-Hee looked flustered. "Haru said that? That's ridiculous. He's not the kind of kid who would say something like that..."

The mention of Haru wiped the relaxed smile off Cha Do-Hee's face in an instant.

I warned her. "In any case, I don't let it go easily once I start something. So you better keep my words in mind!"

As the atmosphere turned serious, Cha Do-Hee looked at Im Sung-Hak as if pleading for help.

Recognizing her gaze, Im Sung-Hak turned to confront me. "Team Lead Jung, isn't it a bit too much to go after her just because she made one mistake? If you keep this up, we won't just sit back and watch."

Epil K and Lee Chan-Dong joined in. "Team Lead Jung, don't overdo it. Who targets someone before they even debut?"

"For the comeback stage, all of our team talent agents will be there to support you. So just focus on your performance. If reporters ask about this incident, direct them to the talent agents. Sae-Ri, make sure to tell them that Haru is just your childhood friend."

All four nodded.

"And Sae-Ri. Just so you know, your grandparents will be coming up for your comeback."

Sae-Ri blinked in surprise. "Grandpa's coming?"

"Yes, they're coming to see your performance."

With her grandparents coming, I didn't have to worry about Sae-Ri's mental state even if Cha Do-Hee tried to provoke her. After all, Sae-Ri would only want to show her best side in front of the grandparents she loved.

"Anyway, the new song turned out great, so let's aim for first place. We can't lose to someone like Girlfriend7, right?"

Sae-Ri responded enthusiastically and the rest of Cherry Blossom joined in.

"Of course not!"

"We got this!"

Just as they were shouting with determination, Sae-Ri's face suddenly fell.

"Sae-Ri, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I was supposed to cheer for Haru at his final match tomorrow. But now that my schedule's been canceled, I'm worried. Haru has no family..." Sae-Ri explained sadly.

"Canceled? Who said that?"

Lee Ju-Yung sighed and answered. "Mr. Bang Sang-Yung."

Then Woo Yeon-Hee added, "Yes, he said we should take it easy for a while since the activities are coming up."

Bang Sang-Yung was giving instructions to Cherry Blossom in his own way.

However, my approach was different.

At times like this, I preferred to boldly face the public rather than hide away.

"Don't worry, Sae-Ri. I'll report it directly to Mr. Kang, so just stick to your original schedule for tomorrow."

Sae-Ri's face lit up. "Really?"

"Of course! Who would dare stop you if you want to do something?"

Sae-Ri jumped into my arms. "You're the best, Yoon-Ho oppa!"

At that moment, all the exhaustion from today's struggles seemed to vanish.

***

After a whirlwind day, I woke up and immediately checked the entertainment news section.

The atmosphere in the entertainment news had completely shifted overnight.

[Hoop Entertainment files a 700 million won lawsuit against Entertainment Big News for malicious scandal articles.]

[Ace Entertainment issues another correction.]

[Cha Do-Hee from Girlfriend7 explains tearfully on social media: "Sae-Ri and Haru are childhood friends. I'm truly sorry to both of them."]

[Hoop Entertainment prepares to sue malicious commenters.]

Despite Entertainment Big News repeatedly publishing apology articles, Kang Gam-Chan refused to accept them and went ahead with the lawsuit.

He also threatened to sue Ace Entertainment, forcing them and Cha Do-Hee to issue public apologies again.

Thanks to Kang Gam-Chan's bold legal action, malicious comments quickly disappeared. The few remaining malicious commenters were swiftly dealt with by the Hoengseong High School girls.

Just as I was feeling relieved while reading the news, I heard Haru's voice calling me from the living room. "Hyung~ it's time to eat!"

"Okay~"

When I went out to the living room, the dining table was set with steaming white rice, soybean paste stew, rolled omelet, and four types of pickled side dishes.

"Why did you go through so much trouble this morning when you have a competition today? I was planning to make breakfast for you," I remarked.

"Ah, I was just practicing."

"Practicing?"

"Yes. This is the breakfast I'll be presenting on today's show."

The dish Haru had to prepare today was 'Three Meals a Day for a Precious Person.'

The meal he prepared for the competition was the first meal of the day, breakfast.

I scratched my head. "I don't know if I'm worthy of eating such a special meal."

"Come on~ Of course you are, hyung. Please try it and give me your feedback."

If Haru was cooking for a precious person, it was probably for his mother.

Feeling a bit guilty, I picked up my spoon. The steaming white rice was chewy and each grain seemed to burst gently in my mouth.

Next, I tasted the soybean paste stew. The savory and salty taste of the soybean paste combined with the soft tofu and perfectly cooked zucchini complemented the rice perfectly.

Lastly, the rolled omelet melted in my mouth, harmonizing sweet, salty, and umami flavors in a delightful way.

Lost in the deliciousness, I found myself eating eagerly. "This is amazing!"

Haru beamed brightly. "Really?"

Just then, a long-awaited message from Lee Soo-Chan arrived on KkTalk..

[Lee Soo-Chan: Hyung-nim, I found a lead on Haru's mother.]