Chapter 91

Chapter 91. Social Media Is the Romance of Life

I told Na Young-hwan I'd think about it, then returned to the company.

The moment we arrived in Seoul, Dae-hun went home to shower.

I headed into the office and started thinking about Jo Chae-won.

〈Jo Mi-won Snack Bar〉 was filmed around university districts.

Jo Chae-won was a beautiful actress, so filming somewhere with a lot of male students, like an engineering college, would probably get a great reaction.

Then the part about her "putting on an act in front of engineering students" almost certainly happened during the filming of 〈Jo Mi-won Snack Bar〉.

Honestly, the whole idea of Jo Chae-won cooking was already the beginning of the act.

Then what was the part about 〈Tribe of the Jungle〉?

I knew that program pretty well.

Its undisputed star was comedian Kim Byung-min, known as Korea's King of Survival.

The other cast members' main job was basically to eat whatever fish Kim Byung-min cooked for them.

Sometimes they'd run into local tribespeople or something like a Komodo dragon, panic, and then Kim Byung-min would solve everything.

Was I judging Jo Chae-won too negatively?

From my point of view, neither 〈Jo Mi-won Snack Bar〉 nor 〈Tribe of the Jungle〉 seemed particularly suited to her.

Was she going to cause controversy by daring to suggest throwing Kim Byung-min into the water or something?

When I heard 〈Jo Mi-won Snack Bar〉 would be filmed at universities, I thought all the puzzle pieces would finally click into place.

But there were still too many things I couldn't explain.

There was one more line from the staff member in the future video that might be useful.

If nobody makes it a problem, then it isn't really a problem.

I thought I understood what that meant.

Like a celebrity who always played the idiot on variety shows, only to suddenly be criticized for lacking historical knowledge when some international dispute broke out.

Just like how Anna's Thai nationality had somehow become an issue during Zeus's "runaway dove incident."

In other words, whatever the problem was, it was probably something I couldn't even imagine becoming controversial right now.

I awakened the hidden professional complainer inside me and went over Jo Chae-won and the future video from every angle.

The only thing I knew for sure was the part about putting on an act in front of engineering students.

Normally, who cared if a celebrity acted a little fake?

But the fact that it became a controversy meant Jo Chae-won would have already become an unpopular celebrity by then.

...

There was no end to this if I kept thinking.

Maybe she caused trouble during 〈Tribe of the Jungle〉 by refusing to get dirty while everyone else suffered.

Just then, Dae-hun walked in.

"Feel refreshed after the shower?"

"Yeah. I finally feel human again."

If I still couldn't figure it out after thinking this much, that meant I didn't have enough information.

Or maybe the spam was simply telling me to prepare in advance.

Either way, if a controversy broke out, it would obviously become difficult for Na Young-hwan to keep working with Jo Chae-won.

If I kept building a good relationship with him, then putting Aran into her vacant spot would probably be the best preparation I could make.

"Keep an eye on Jo Chae-won from now on. See if anything happens around her."

"Jo Chae-won? That woman from earlier? Why?"

"She just feels suspicious."

Dae-hun would watch Jo Chae-won.

I'd watch Na Young-hwan.

For now, I followed or subscribed to every social media account related to Jo Chae-won.

The bait was in the water.

If I waited quietly, sooner or later there should be one or two things worth biting.

The break lasted for a full week.

Of course, I was extremely busy during that time.

I held the final 〈Rebooting〉 auditions.

And we uploaded the Prime Film documentary to Nutube.

It became quite popular, and several places even suggested making a second season.

People said the documentary had extra stimulation because the climax, where the new song was released, happened to include the live broadcast strike unfolding in real time.

My calm reaction during the chaos became a topic of discussion too.

In particular, the moment when I asked, "Did you get good footage of Blue Moon?" while the broadcasting station was practically collapsing around us.

-The broadcast is falling apart and Do-hyung is still calm... What even are you?

-Seok-gi hyung says the documentary made the challenge video popular again, so please take the post down.

-The Geoje episode of Shin Restaurant is hilariousㅋㅋㅋ He knew every random old guy they showed himㅋㅋㅋ Guess not just anyone can be a manager.

-I heard Blue Moon went there to relax and got cast on the spot. Then were they not wearing makeup?

┗ No way that's barefaced. They at least had base makeup on.

┗┗ Our goddesses do not require makeup!

┗┗┗ Please live in reality.

Na Young-hwan, already considered one of the kings of variety shows, further cemented that reputation with the Geoje episode.

As he became more satisfied with the response, he even started asking when I'd finish "thinking about" his offer.

I didn't know what would eventually happen with Jo Chae-won.

But I figured I should at least get my foot in the door first.

So I coolly agreed to appear.

Kim Min-jun, who had been enjoying a leisurely break, also chose his next project.

Production had been confirmed for 〈Lawless Village 2〉, the sequel to his most recent major hit, and Kim Min-jun had been cast again in the same role.

This wasn't the old Kim Min-jun anymore.

His acting had grown much deeper.

And apparently, his character would have a much larger role in 〈Lawless Village 2〉.

Before long, the day of the Video Culture Grand Awards, which had been scheduled far in advance, finally arrived.

Naturally, Serin, one of the leads of the drama version of 〈Good Pro〉, had been invited.

She'd exhausted herself choosing a dress with the stylist since the day before.

Still, seeing her in the final choice made all that effort feel worthwhile.

Of course, Serin wasn't the only one attending.

More precisely, Serin was the only one walking the red carpet.

But the other members had business at the Video Culture Grand Awards too.

Blue Moon had been chosen to perform the congratulatory stage.

"Wow, unni. Your dress is so pretty."

Anna, who had come over to the award nominees' seating area, complimented Serin's dress.

It was a clean black dress, matching Serin's hair.

Maybe because she was dressed in black, her skin looked even whiter.

While the members chatted, I went around greeting the people gathered at the venue one by one.

The drama version of 〈Good Pro〉 had been much more popular than the movie version, so the drama would probably take the top award.

And if they'd even arranged for Blue Moon to perform the congratulatory stage, that made it even more likely.

"Oh~. You're CEO Do Jun-hyeok, right?"

Someone called out to me.

It was one of two casually dressed men.

Both looked familiar enough that I was sure I'd seen them on television a few times.

"I'm Choi Gyu-sik, director of 〈Lawless Village〉. And this is Director Yoo Dong-heon."

"Ah! It's an honor that you recognized me. I really enjoyed 〈Lawless Village〉. I'm looking forward to the sequel too."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you."

Choi Gyu-sik said he knew about what had happened between me, Kim Min-jun, and Turb Entertainment.

"It sounds like we almost lost Min-jun from the cast entirely. I heard they even tried to sabotage him."

"Come on. If the project is good, he should be in it somehow. You make great films. Please keep our Serin in mind too."

"Kim Serin?"

Yoo Dong-heon and Choi Gyu-sik both looked toward where Serin and the members were gathered.

A sequel to the hugely successful 〈Lawless Village〉 would've been a good opportunity.

Unfortunately, Choi Gyu-sik said it would be difficult.

"〈Lawless Village 2〉 is the same kind of genre. She could appear in a minor role, but there isn't really a lead character suitable for her. They're basically all men."

"I see..."

"Still, aside from 〈Lawless Village〉, I'm preparing another film right now. How about I send you the script later?"

Apparently, Yoo Dong-heon was handling 〈Lawless Village 2〉.

Choi Gyu-sik had a separate movie where he was writing the screenplay and serving as the overall director himself.

"I'd definitely like to read it."

The awards ceremony began, and the nominees for various categories were announced.

Yoo Dong-heon and Choi Gyu-sik said they'd come to support a drama PD colleague of theirs.

Apparently that person hadn't been nominated, because they looked genuinely disappointed.

Both the movie and drama versions of 〈Good Pro〉 were nominated.

"And the Grand Prize goes to... Director Go Won-jun's 〈Good Pro〉!"

When the top award was announced, Go Won-jun stood with a delighted expression and bowed.

The Best Writer Award naturally went to Go Won-hee as well.

As the awards for Best Actress and Best Actor continued, I talked with Choi Gyu-sik about his new film.

"I watched 〈Good Pro〉. Serin is good at romance, but I think serious acting suits her really well too. The new film is about a deaf man who immigrates to America. I think she'd be perfect as his adult daughter."

The script had been finished for a long time.

But because it lacked commercial entertainment value, production had been delayed.

This time, however, Choi Gyu-sik was determined not to postpone it anymore.

He intended to turn it into a masterpiece no matter what.

"The father can't hear because of his disability, and he doesn't speak English either, so he's treated as a complete outsider. The movie is about that kind of immigrant pain and hardship."

"That sounds meaningful. You wrote the script yourself too?"

"Yes. It's a very old script. At least as far as the screenplay goes, I'm confident."

Choi Gyu-sik began explaining in detail why he wanted to make the movie.

Apparently, there was a personal reason behind it.

Watching him talk with such passion, I couldn't tell whether the movie would be commercially successful, but it definitely felt like the sort of work that could attract attention at film festivals.

Didn't geniuses always succeed when they worked on something they genuinely loved?

"Then we should seriously prepare for the audition."

"I think she'd suit the role very well."

A Choi Gyu-sik film was already attractive on its own.

Of course, I'd still have to judge for myself whether the role really suited Serin.

"Before we present the Rookie Award, let's enjoy a congratulatory performance. The idol group of actress Kim Serin, who starred in 〈Good Pro〉. Please welcome Blue Moon!"

The actors applauded as the members came onto the stage.

Since it was an awards-stage setup, the platform was fairly low.

That actually made the performance feel closer, which was nice.

Their first song was 〈N.Dolphin〉.

Since Serin couldn't change out of her dress, the other members had also come out in stage outfits designed like dresses.

Plenty of singers had tried all kinds of things at awards-show performances before, but this was the first time I'd seen a full stage done in dresses.

The skirts had been shortened enough for dancing.

The heels and dress hems had to be uncomfortable, yet the members danced without looking awkward at all.

Watching them perform the Endorphin choreography in elegant dresses...

And in front of some of the country's biggest actors.

I felt almost like some great master.

I was completely absorbed in the Blue Moon stage when Dae-hun called.

"What is it, punk? I'm busy right now."

"I just sent you a picture. Look at it right now!"

Then he hung up.

Unless it was an ultra-high-resolution photo of the members performing, there was no way I'd forgive whatever he'd sent.

I opened the messenger.

Two messages from Dae-hun were waiting.

One was a PeopleStar link.

The other was a screenshot of what looked like someone's post.

It wasn't even Blue Moon.

It was a picture of Jo Chae-won.

In the photo, Jo Chae-won was sitting at a vanity with a huge mirror, touching up her makeup.

She was wearing a dress, so the photo had probably been taken just now.

Jo Chae-won was attending the awards too.

Come to think of it, I vaguely remembered seeing her earlier in a dress like that.

PeopleStar addiction truly was terrifying.

Even in the middle of a proper formal schedule, she still thought to take a photo and upload a post.

Then I opened the second link Dae-hun had sent and entered Jo Chae-won's PeopleStar page.

The post had been uploaded about five minutes ago.

Now that I was viewing it on the actual page, I noticed the short caption she'd written beneath the photo.

I read it carefully.

And unexpectedly...

I finally understood the entire conversation Na Young-hwan and his staff had shared in the future spam video.

This PeopleStar post from Jo Chae-won was the final puzzle piece that made that future conversation possible.