Chapter 55: Reporter and Reportrash (2)
After finishing the meeting, I immediately went to Yoo-Jin's house.
"Uncle~!"
As I arrived at their house, shortly after 10 PM, Miso—clad in her Powertuff Girls pajamas—enthusiastically sprinted toward me, arms outstretched for a warm embrace.
"Miso, don’t run so fast. What if you fall?"
"I'm the fastest runner in my kindergarten. I've never fallen!" Miso boasted proudly, clutching the Powertuff Girls plush toy I had given to her.
‘Wow. Where did she find all this confidence?’
Yoo-Jin munched on konjac jelly and teased Miso. "Miso~ do you remember when you were three and you fell over and bumped your head?"
Miso turned slightly toward Yoo-Jin and denied it. "I don't remember!"
"Is that so? What about that time when you were four and scraped your palm?"
Yoo-Jin prodded further with a playful expression, but Miso shook her head.
"...That never happened."
"I see. Then, what about the time you fell and scraped your knee while running to me last year?"
“...T-that’s different! I just slipped, that’s all! I hate you, Mom!”
Miso's cheeks puffed up like a blowfish as Yoo-Jin continued to playfully bring up the times Miso had fallen in the past.
‘Hey, leave the kid alone.’
Miso reminded me of Pinocchio, yet I always sided with her. I locked eyes with her and spoke in the gentlest voice I could muster.
"Miso is the fastest runner. There is no way she'd fall, right? Maybe your mom's dieting made her so sensitive that she forgot. I'm on Miso's side!"
Only then did Miso's pout vanish. She broke into a beaming smile, and happiness radiated from her face. "Hehe, I'm on your side too."
As Miso snuggled closer to me, we allied against Yoo-Jin.
Yoo-Jin pretended to feel betrayed. “Wow. You are on Uncle Yoon-Ho’s side and not my side? I’m so sad.”
However, Miso and I simply high-fived, displaying our unbreakable alliance.
After playing with Miso for a bit, Yoo-Jin tilted her head with a puzzled expression. "Anyway, what brings you here at such an hour? Is there a new schedule or something? Miso, come here."
“Okay, Mom.” Miso ran into Yoo-Jin’s arms with a big smile as if she had forgotten about complaining just a moment ago.
"No, it's not about any schedule. But...can I have a private conversation with you?"
Yoo-Jin's face showed concern, perhaps because my voice sounded more gloomy than usual.
"Is it about Choi Jong-Hyuk or Ju Seong-Jin sunbae?"
"It's not about them."
Yoo-Jin shook her head, not wanting Miso to feel left out. "You can just say it in front of Miso. I think she should hear and be involved in whatever decision I make."
I sighed and shared the news from the company. "The company suggests it's time to reveal that you two are mother and daughter."
At that moment, Yoo-Jin froze on the spot.
“D-did Mr. Kang agree to reveal this?"
Yoo-Jin’s voice was trembling.
"Yes."
Upon hearing my reply, Yoo-Jin hugged Miso tightly with tears brimming in her eyes.
"Miso, you can now call me Mom openly. Isn't it great?"
Miso looked at Yoo-Jin whose eyes were welling up with tears. "Yes, it's great. But Mom, don't cry. If you cry, I'll be sad too."
Miso started to wipe Yoo-Jin's tears with her pajama sleeve, comforting her. At the same time, tears also welled up in Miso's eyes.
Watching them, my anger toward Ju Kang-Yong surged. Scum like him, who profited from crafting tabloid and sensational articles, have inflicted so much pain on so many.
Miso and Yoo-Jin hugged and cried for a while before sitting up again and wiping their tears. Then, I began to explain everything to them—what was going to happen and how we were to respond.
After hearing my explanation, Yoo-Jin nodded, while Miso didn't seem to fully grasp the situation due to her young age. Nonetheless, she seemed to have understood my intention to protect her.
Yoo-Jin was resolved to accept anything as long as she didn't have to hide Miso’s identity as her daughter any longer. She bit on her lips firmly and opened her mouth. "Do I just need to follow your instructions, oppa?"
"Yes, for now. I'll handle the rest on my own."
"Okay, I will."
"Miso, you need to be strong too, okay? Bad people are trying to slander your mom!"
Miso nodded vigorously. "Okay! Even if people lie, I know my mom best!"
Miso crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking a pose from the animation Powertuff Girls. It was the pose the characters would do whenever they exclaimed 'Together with Powertuff Girls, we are the strongest.'
"I’m so proud of you, Miso."
Watching Miso, I also adopted the same pose and resolve. I vowed that I would never let trash like Ju Kang-Yong harass these two again.
Then, I briefly shared the situation with the landlord, Jung In-Ji, who had just brought some sikhye[1] to the second floor. After learning what had happened, she was equally, if not more, furious.
"Mr. Jung, don't you worry! I'm good with phones. I'll record everything that rotten guy says."
"I trust you, ma’am. Please take good care of Yoo-Jin and Miso."
Knowing that the landlord treated Miso and Yoo-Jin as her own family, I felt more assured than ever. After discussing our strategy, I had only one concern.
Miso was clinging to her mom and blinking her eyes. I gently asked her, "Miso, it seems like Uncle's vacation might be delayed. Can we go to the sledding park after all this is over? Is that okay with you?"
Miso closed her eyes and placed her fingers on her temples as she fell deep in thought.
"Hmm."
Her serious expression reminded me of The Thinker by Rodin. After a short while, she exclaimed, "One night, two days!"
With a bright smile, Miso held up her index finger on her left hand, and thumb and index finger on her right hand.
"One night, two days?"
"Yes! I’m fine with it being delayed. But in return, can we stay one night at the sledding park and play another day? Oh, and I want to sleep in an igloo!"
‘Huh? Igloo? Which sled park ad did she watch?’
I wondered where she got the idea of sleeping in an igloo from, but I nevertheless agreed. "Of course. Once this is over, let's go for a one-night and two-day trip to the sled park! In an igloo!"
Miso's face lit up with excitement. "Wow, wow! Really? Are we really going to sleep in an igloo?"
"Y-yes!" I replied, unable to say no.
“Yay!”
Miso jumped up and down with joy, filling the room with her laughter.
Thanks to Miso, I could forget my worries about Ju Kang-Yong for a moment and spend my time with them searching for a sledding park with an igloo.
***
At SBC's Documentary Department, Producer Na Hun-Seok led us to the Director's office. After greeting Documentary Department Director Woo Ji-Han, we got straight to the point.
Na Hun-Seok said with a stiff expression, "I've heard about the situation from Mr. Kang. Since Human Stories is scheduled weekly, it's just a matter of adjusting the broadcast schedule."
Kang Ji-Yung responded with a request. "We appreciate your cooperation. Also, could we possibly request a two-part series?"
"Although it's tight, that shouldn't be a problem. And you are the talent agent, correct?" Mr. Na asked, pointing to me.
I immediately stood up and greeted him. "Yes, Mr. Na."
Na Hun-Seok would become the head of the Documentary Department in about six years. Known for his good reputation and tear-jerking productions, he would become everyone’s favorite PD in the future.
Na Hun-Seok laughed and waved his hand. "Haha, you have good social skills. Also, you have a camera-friendly look as well, Mr. Jung. Would you consider appearing in the documentary as a handsome talent agent? It might help boost the ratings."
I immediately accepted Na Hun-Seok's offer.
"If it will increase the ratings, feel free to use me in any way. I'll do everything you ask."
Although I had declined a personal offer for a Burger Queen ad before, the situation was different this time. Sacrificing a bit of myself was not a big deal at all.
Na Hun-Seok smiled, pleased with my response. Although he worked in the documentary department, he was still a broadcaster who was focused on and cognizant of viewership ratings.
"Understood, but should we inform the Drama Department as well about this matter? I feel like things would be easier that way. However, I’m not sure how much I can disclose?"
"Please speak only to Mr. Jung Sam-Ryong for now. We will personally reach out to Ms. Kim Soll-Ip."
"Right, that makes sense since Miss Yoo-Jin was recommended by Ms. Kim Soll-Ip."
Then, we started discussing how to structure the story for the episode of Human Stories. The shoot for SBC's Human Stories was scheduled to start the day after tomorrow and the broadcast was scheduled for the end of January.
Na Hun-Seok announced the set schedule and said confidently, "Miss Yoo-Jin is too precious to be trampled by a scumbag like Joo Kang-Yong. I will do my best to create a good piece, so don't you worry."
Na Hun-Seok was known to be a gentleman, yet he couldn’t help but curse at Joo Kang-Yong, demonstrating his determination to get back at him.
"Thank you so much. We're counting on you."
After exchanging greetings, we immediately went about our respective tasks.
***
When I arrived at Kim Soll-Ip's house, she was busy with script revisions but got up to greet me. Upon hearing about Yoo-Jin’s situation, she quickly became concerned as Yoo-Jin was one of the main characters of Blue Sky and negative press would impact the ratings of the drama.
"I promise the situation will be resolved before the drama airs, Ms. Kim. It might even boost the viewership ratings."
Kim Soll-Ip looked puzzled. "What do you mean, the viewership ratings will increase? Even though a key supporting character gets mentioned in a tabloid article?"
"Without the rivalry issue with Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon, there's no way for Blue Sky to receive a strong push from SBC now."
Kim Soll-Ip seemed convinced and nodded.
"So, if Yoo-Jin’s name is mentioned in those...sigh, I’m sorry. If Yoo-Jin’s name is mentioned in those tabloid articles, it will naturally bring up the name of Blue Sky. If you could bear with it..."
At that moment, Kim Soll-Ip's eyes sparkled. "So, you’re saying it's better to have bad publicity than no publicity at all."
‘Exactly. After all, noise marketing is a form of marketing.’
"That's right, Ms. Kim."
Kim Soll-Ip smiled. "Then, let's try it. But how is Miss Yoo-Jin doing right now? It will be hard on her once those kinds of articles are published..."
"This is just a phase. Once it's over, she can live freely without hiding her relationship to Miso. That's what Yoo-Jin is focusing on."
"True, it's not something that can be hidden forever. Please tell her I'm rooting for her."
Then, the door opened with a squeak.
Writer Lee Ji-Yeon entered.
"Huh? Yoon-Ho~? Chief Gu? When did you guys get here?"
Seeing Lee Ji-Yeon's cheerful face, I was at a crossroads.
‘Should I tell Lee Ji-Yeon this story or not?’
However, Lee Ji-Yeon immediately noticed something was amiss as soon as she took off her shoes.
"What's going on? I can already tell you're hiding something. I'm Lee Ji-Yeon, you know. Not even ghosts can deceive me."
Eventually, upon Kim Soll-Ip’s cue, I decided to tell Lee Ji-Yeon what was happening. Besides, Lee Ji-Yeon was the writer for Yoo-Jin's next work, In the Name of God, and I had to prevent her from forming prejudice against Yoo-Jin due to Joo Kang-Yong's articles.
After hearing my story, Lee Ji-Yeon made a suggestion.
"Yoon-Ho~ When does the shoot for the Human Stories documentary start?"
"We start shooting next week."
"Is that so? Then, could you send the documentary team over to me for a bit?"
Lee Ji-Yeon was known to have an aversion to being photographed. For this reason, she strictly prohibited the making film team from filming her even during her script readings.
"Ms. Lee. Does that mean...?"
"I'll offer a few words of help. Don't you need it? If not, never mind."
"No, we definitely need it! We really need it!"
Extremely grateful for her kindness, I quickly stood up and bowed.
"Thank you so much, Ms. Lee."
Kim Soll-Ip also said she'd appear in the documentary as well to provide some good insights. She would mention Yoo-Jin’s diligence in acting, her enthusiastic attitude toward her work, and her kind treatment of her fellow actors.
As if things couldn't get better, I received good news from Kang Ji-Yung, who was in charge of having a conversation with the broadcasting station. She had received a promise from Jung Sam-Ryong, the CP of Blue Sky, that he would protect Yoo-Jin's role from any external pressure.
Now, the only thing left was meeting the most crucial person who could defeat Joo Kang-Yong—Reporter Choi So-Hye. I thought it would be hard to meet with such a high-profile daily newspaper reporter, but meeting Choi So-Hye turned out to be surprisingly easy.
Choi So-Hye, the team lead of the entertainment and culture department of Central Daily Newspaper, one of the top three newspapers, happened to be drinking buddies with Kang Ji-Yung.
1. Korean traditional sweet rice drink ?
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