LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 209
Chapter 209
Usually, explanations garnered less attention compared to exposés, but a post that combined fun, emotion, and stimulus spread rapidly across various communities, completely overturning the previously unfavorable public opinion towards Gyun Seong-ha and Gyun Ha-ram.
– “Ah, just imagining a sixth grader erasing the bad words about their sibling and swapping desks is making me cryㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ A kid not even in middle or high school, not even in a uniform!!!”
– “What’s happening.. Why am I cryingㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ”
– “Seong-ha, I believed in youㅠㅠㅠㅠ Those who falsely accused such a kind and gentle person should just disappear.”
– “[Entertainment Column] Bullying Accusation Idol Turns Out to Be First Love.txt”
┗ “Don’t clickbait with titles like this.”
– “Wow, this looks real. If they get a signed statement, it’ll be properly verified. I wonder how the accuser will respond.”
– “It’s disgusting how the bully tries to ruin someone’s life by pretending to be the victim just because the victim became a celebrity.”
– “Mom, give me a brother like him.”
┗ “There’s no other brother like him in the world, especially if the age difference is just a year.”
– “This shouldn’t just be on an entertainment site; it should be on a touching radio story or something..?”
– “There are still people in the entertainment column making false bullying claims in the comments (link). This post has tens of thousands of views, but the top comments are a mess. Let’s push the explanation post higher.”
– “Seong-ha, you must have been so anxious all this time, but now you can finally rest.”
– “But if the only people who know about this are the writer and Seong-ha, couldn’t their company have easily fabricated it? The supposed signed statement from the actor could be anything.”
┗ “Here’s someone stirring up troubleㅉㅉ.”
– “Those who kept insisting on Seong-ha’s withdrawal without waiting for the facts, are you watching? Never call yourself an Aeri again if you claim you believed him but doubted him.”
– “Orca and Aeri, you all worked so hardㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I hope the final statement includes a lawsuit against those who spread false information.”
– “Make sure to sue those false accusers from Baekdo and Seede. This is really malicious and worth suing for.”
* * *
When Gwak Sang-hyun and I urgently returned from the hospital to the company, a few members and staff were gathered in a corner of the practice room, comforting a tear-streaked Gyun Seong-ha.
“Seong-ha, you really worked hard this time.”
“Yeah, you’ve been through a lot.”
“I checked the atmosphere, and it looks like the remaining doubts will be cleared up soon, so now you can truly relax.”
“Ah, why do I feel like crying too…… sniff….”
“It’s heartbreaking to see young kids suffering because of bullying.”
“CEO, please sue those who spread ridiculous rumors. Include all the malicious comments too.”
“Yeah, sue them. Baekdo won’t just stand by, right? They’ve known Ha-ram since he was very young, and they definitely won’t let this slide.”
“I’m already looking into it.”
CEO Ban Ga-eul, who had just entered the practice room, noticed us and spoke.
“Ah, Raon and Sang-hyun, you’re here?”
Given the situation, it was inevitable that the staff’s gazes first went to my neck rather than my face, having heard about Seo Moon-gyeol’s brother strangling me last night.
Well, when I woke up today, I was startled to see the clearly visible purplish bruises that made it obvious something had happened, even to a casual observer.
It was summer, so covering it with a scarf or turtleneck wasn’t an option, making it quite troublesome.
“Raon, I heard from Sang-hyun that you’re not seriously injured… Are you okay?”
CEO Ban Ga-eul’s expression subtly changed as she looked at my bruised neck and the other visible injuries on my arms and legs.
“I don’t mean to say it’s nothing, but seeing the kid like this and saying it’s no big deal, I wonder how cold-hearted that person must be….”
The staff chuckled at the CEO’s half-joking comment.
Gwak Sang-hyun, understanding the situation, explained.
“Raon has sensitive skin and bruises easily. Applying a cold pack for 5 to 10 minutes three times a day should help the bruises heal faster, so please take care of him at the dorm.”
“Yes.”
“Anyway, it will be sore for a while, but other than the visible bruises, he should be fine, as I mentioned earlier.”
“Raon’s schedule this week is… Music Pang Pang, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“It involves using your voice. Can you manage? Ha-ram might return this week, so if it’s too hard, you can skip it.”
“I have to go. Sun-hye told me that makeup can cover the bruises on my neck. At least my face is uninjured, which is a relief.”
If he had hit my face, I wouldn’t have let Eun-chong or Seo Moon-gyeol’s brother off the hook.
“I guess you got injured everywhere except your face.”
Ban Yo-han corrected my statement whimsically.
A moment later, CEO Ban Ga-eul called me to the office separately.
“I talked to Seo Joo-won yesterday. In short, they want to apologize and settle with you.”
“How did it go yesterday? Not just the conclusion, but the process.”
CEO Ban Ga-eul, looking troubled, sighed deeply before explaining.
“His father couldn’t come due to work in the provinces. His mother and an aunt of Seo Joo-won were there, and the aunt seemed formidable. Seo Joo-won kept insisting he never did such a thing….”
“Please explain in more detail.”
“Seo Joo-won was so resentful that anyone would have been fooled. He said he didn’t even remember going to your dorm or know the dorm’s password.”
“Oh…”
“But since Young-min and Gyeol are witnesses and CCTV captured Seo Joo-won entering the dorm, we naturally dismissed that claim.”
In fact, it was understandable why Seo Joo-won felt resentful about that part.
Did Zero find out the dorm password and give it to Seo Joo-won?
“But when I mentioned that you were willing to settle because you are Gyeol’s younger sibling, his aunt said it was as if you were after their money.”
I was speechless.
“She didn’t believe Young-min and Gyeol when they said they saw Seo Joo-won choking you. So, Seo Joo-won kept quiet. They even boasted that they could ruin your image and get acquitted if it went to trial. I hate to say this, but I’ve never seen someone so vulgar.”
“If it goes to trial, we would definitely be at a disadvantage outside of court.”
I barely managed to stay calm.
More than anything, thinking about Seo Moon-gyeol being tormented by such people since he was young made me furious.
“Anyway, they said they want to talk to you directly.”
“Yes, I understand. Can I choose the date?”
“Yes. And I contacted your parents yesterday.”
As I quietly waited for what came next, frozen by the sudden news, Ban Ga-eul continued.
“They asked about your condition, so I told them. But both are too busy with work to come to Korea anytime soon. Instead, they’re introducing you to a trusted Korean lawyer. I’ve got the contact information…”
I sensed Ban Ga-eul watching my expression.
I responded nonchalantly.
“It’s okay. It’s not like I’m about to die. Please tell them they don’t need to come.”
* * *
That afternoon, I received a message from Juan.
Juan [It looks like Seong-ha’s issue will be resolved well.]
Juan [He seems to be a really good kid.]
Juan [That’s great.]
Me [Thank you.]
Juan [Is your company not going to sue?]
Me [I’m not sure yet.]
Me [But, hyung,]
Me [I have something to ask you.]
Juan [?]
Me [Is there anyone around my age]
Me [who recently had an interview with MBS’s PD Chun Hae-gyeong?]
Juan [PD Chun Hae-gyeong?]
Juan [Pisachoo?]
Me [Yes.]
“Pisachoo,” short for PD’s Incident Notebook.
It’s MBS’s flagship current affairs program, sometimes dealing with dangerous topics like allegations against politicians, and other times with lighter subjects like exploring regions where historical relics might be found.
PD Chun Hae-gyeong, whom I briefly spoke with on the stairs before, was one of the main PDs of that program.
If PD Chun Hae-gyeong’s recent interest in young celebrities was what I hoped it to be, my current plan would proceed more smoothly.
Though I was considering directly contacting PD Chun Hae-gyeong if necessary.
‘But that would seem too obvious.’
I aimed to find out PD Chun Hae-gyeong’s exact purpose indirectly through Juan, who had wide connections.
Juan [Why do you ask?]
Me [I met them briefly before.]
Me [It’s been on my mind.]
Me [So I’m wondering if there’s anyone else like me around you.]
Me [Hyung, you’re known for having broad connections in the entertainment industry.]
Juan [ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Juan [Wait]
Juan [I’ll ask around.]
After a short wait, Juan responded.
Juan [I found someone.]
Me [Wow, really?]
That was faster than expected.
Juan [But they won’t tell me anythingㅎ..]
Me [Ah….]
I sighed deeply.
I could easily guess why they were being secretive.
Telling someone as talkative as Juan would mean the information could spread everywhere.
If it was something that needed to be kept secret, I too would avoid sharing it.
‘So this method won’t work…’
As I was considering checking the PD’s Incident Notebook website to find a way to contact PD Chun Hae-gyeong directly, I received another message from Juan.
Juan [So they want to contact you directly. Can I give them your number?]
“!”
I responded positively, delighted.
* * *
After successfully connecting with the person Juan introduced, I immediately contacted Go Kyung-yoon.
– Hello?
“Can you talk now?”
– Yes. But why does your voice sound like that?
“Don’t worry about it. Is everything ready as we discussed?”
I got straight to the point.
– Yes. I’ve done all the preparation I can on my end.
Go Kyung-yoon didn’t ask further about my nearly recovered voice and continued.
– The only issue is that the person who will testify is a bit scared, so they’re hesitant. But if there’s a significant issue, they’ll step up.
“Really?”
I decided firmly.
“Then let’s end it now.”