Chapter 1414. Closure (4)

The news anchor addressed the reporter.

“So... What you’re saying is that the former Prime Minister, Kim Myeong-Chan, contacted the Chinese politician to assassinate Mister Kang? The individual who was arrested for contravening the National Security Act not too long ago?”

The reporter nodded. “Yes, at least according to the information we have currently.”

The anchor alternated his gaze between the script in his hand and the reporter before readjusting the glasses on his nose. “If this allegation is true, isn’t this an unbelievably damaging situation for the former Prime Minister? What about Mister Kang? What’s his current status?”

“He’s currently released from detention, although the investigation into his matter is still ongoing.”

“Doesn’t that mean his innocence has been more or less proven now?”

“No, it’s still too early to say that. Investigating someone without detaining them simply means the authorities believe the suspect is not a flight risk or unlikely to destroy evidence, after all.”

“I see. So he’s not completely in the clear, but very close. Is it safe to assume that, then?”

“Seeing how unusually quick his release from detention was, yes, it’s safe to assume so.”

The anchor stopped talking there for a little while to build suspense before addressing the reporter again. “If all this is true, then... The former Prime Minister, Kim Myeong-Chan, tried to have Mister Kang killed in China, but when that failed, he had Mister Kang arrested on false charges instead. Is that the gist of it?”

“The authorities still haven’t released their statement regarding their findings. But the odds of what you’ve described being the correct version of events are quite high.”

“Wow. If this allegation is true, isn’t this an unprecedented scandal of historical proportions? Not only did our country’s Prime Minister try to assassinate his fellow countryman, but he even ordered the police and the prosecutors to do his bidding on top of that?”

The reporter cautiously replied.

“The thing is, you need solid evidence and credible information before investigating someone. If the former Prime Minister really had manufactured false evidence to kick start the investigation, then we can only accuse the police of acting on faulty evidence to arrest someone. It’s dangerous and also unfair to assume that the investigators had acted like puppets of someone in power.”

“I see. However, the possibilities are certainly there, aren’t they?”

“Yes, and hopefully, the investigators will uncover the truth soon.”

The anchor turned his head ever so slightly to stare straight into the camera. After crumpling his expression subtly to show his anger, he addressed the viewers at home in a clear, well-enunciated voice.

“Whether the former Prime Minister Kim Myeong-Chan had manipulated evidence or directly mobilized the police to do his bidding, it still doesn’t change the fact that he is under suspicion of trying to destroy an innocent young man’s life with a crime he didn’t commit.

“As the Prime Minister, Kim Myeong-Chan’s job was to protect the citizens of this country, so how could he do something this reprehensible? I must apologize to everyone at home for my harsh words, but I’m honestly at a loss by the anger, disgust, and sorrow I feel right now. Without a doubt, it’s time we must fix the rampant moral decay plaguing our political elite.”

With the sign-off monologue over, the producer behind the camera signaled the end of the broadcast. The anchor organized the script on the desk, then got up to leave. A PD sidled up to the anchor after the latter had walked off the set.

The anchor asked, slightly worried. “I think I went a bit over the top just now. You think it will be okay?”

“

Eiii

, you definitely didn’t go over the top, you know. That was perfect, actually.”

“If you think so... Still, what was that all about? Why the sudden order from the top to film this segment?”

“I guess the higher-ups are under pressure, too? I mean, they don’t usually order us to do these kinds of stuff on short notice, after all.”

“That youngster named Kang Jin-Ho? Does he have a connection to the opposition party or something? You rarely see the ones at the top trying so hard to clean up their mess like this.”

“I asked around, and it’s not just us, apparently. It sounds like the entertainment departments of other media companies are also reporting on this news.”

The anchor furrowed his brow. “Entertainment? Why them?”

The PD smirked deeply. “Did you forget about that whole Choi Yeon-Ha bombshell from not too long ago? The one about how she’s dating a North Korean spy?”

“

Uh

?

Oh

, that story! Yeah, I guess it now makes sense.” The anchor nodded weightily in understanding. “

Hiyaa

~, are you telling me they are also trying to fix that one, too?”

“Yup, they sure are.”

The anchor chuckled at this latest bit of information.

Trying to clean up a mess one had created sounded like an obvious thing to do, but people in politics routinely ignored such obvious things, now didn’t they?

Folks living in that big

house

feeling responsible enough to fix something? Now there was a rare occurrence the anchor hadn’t seen in a long while.

“Still, isn’t this weird? They usually stop past a certain point, don’t they? It’s really surprising to see them pummeling Kim Myeong-Chan this much for this long.”

The PD nodded. “Yes, I agree. I guess they want to bury Kim Myeong-Chan completely. But,

uh

, is the relationship between Prime Minister Kim and the

person higher than him

bad enough to go this far?”

“Of course not,” the anchor shook his head. “They used to be as thick as thieves back in the day.”

The PD chuckled helplessly. “Wowsers. Politics can be so scary, no? To think he’d trample so ruthlessly on a friend like that.”

“Well, you deserve to be punished if you’ve committed a serious crime. Personally, I think he’s made the right call. You gotta clean house and take out the trash when you get the chance, right?”

“You have a point there.”

The anchor smiled and turned around to leave, only for the PD to ask in a slightly raised voice. “Oh, and...”

“Yeah?”

“Why would Prime Minister Kim try so hard to destroy that Kang Jin-Ho fella?”

“Not sure. A personal grudge, maybe? I’m telling you, politicians can be incredibly vicious. But you have to be vicious in that line of work. Otherwise, you’d be too afraid to speak your mind, what with enemies constantly threatening to cut your head off.”

“Sure, I get that. But...”

“Don’t get too nosy about this, okay? We deal with truths, not gossip.”

“Of course.”

The anchor headed to the dressing room, while the PD stayed behind and studied the crew members organizing the filming studio.

He sighed softly.

How many days will we be forced to talk about this story, I wonder?

It was a good idea to cooperate with those in power when they had the opportunity. Besides, the politicians weren’t asking the journalists to hide the truth here. No, all they wanted to see was an honest report on the facts. Even if the journalists were asked to report on these “facts” as many times as possible, why would they refuse?

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Better still, the politicians themselves were providing all the dirt needed to bury Kim Myeong-Chan, anyway.

By mending the relationship with the politicians now, the journalists would have a slightly easier time when they inevitably have to report on a different but just as sensitive issue.

“Still, what a strange situation this is.”

The PD shook his head. Regardless of what, this was not a bad thing, no? Covering this situation had been very good for the ratings, after all.

***

Han Eun-Sol cried out in excitement.

“Noona! The public sentiment! It’s been completely flipped around!”

Choi Yeon-Ha cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Look! Everyone online has gone absolutely mental right now! They are all saying you weren’t dating some North Korean spy, but sticking faithfully to a falsely accused man instead!”

Choi Yeon-Ha nodded, although she looked a bit disinterested. “Sure. That sounds nice.”

“Wha? I’m being serious, noona!”

“Yeah, I know.”

“And, and! The ad agencies that canceled on us? They called us back not too long ago, too! They want to work with you again, noona!”

“Tell them I’m not interested.”

“

Ehh

?”

Choi Yeon-Ha frowned at Han Eun-Sol while raising her middle finger. “Humans should be loyal, right? Anyone who only likes sweet stuff but spits out something bitter? I don’t want to be around such people. It’s not like I’m hurting for money and simply have to be in commercials, anyway. In that case, why the heck should I even humor them? No thank you!”

Han Eun-Sol cocked an eyebrow. “But they are willing to pay you double the original amount?”

“When do they want me, then? Tell them I’ll be in tip-top condition regardless of when and where.”

“...”

What a professional she was. Utterly, totally professional, indeed!

“I’m serious about the chaos online, noona. Everything’s been flipped on its head, and your stock’s been going through the roof again!”

“I see, I see. What about the haters, though?”

“Eh? Since when did you care about those morons? The antis will always be antis even in situations like this, you know? They don’t matter, anyway. Instead, look at all these comments praising you, noona. Look, this one says,

‘I thought Choi Yeon-Ha was an egotistical man eater who only cares about herself, but who knew she could be so loyal?’

There are lots more comments like this.”

“What the...? Are they praising me or insulting me? Which is it?”

“Definitely praising. Since everyone’s been crapping on you online for a while.”

Choi Yeon-Ha massaged her forehead as if a migraine had begun assaulting her. “

Wooow

, you must be so happy, Mister Han Eun-Sol. Now you can kick back and rest easy.”

“

Oww

, come on. I’m being serious! It’s not only online, too. It’s just as hectic on TV, too! They are all saying you’ve been innocent all along!”

Choi Yeon-Ha grunted disinterestedly. “I’m not surprised. At all.”

Han Eun-Sol furrowed his brow. “Why... are you so down, noona? Did something happen?”

“Tsk, tsk...” Choi Yeon-Ha tutted while reclining relaxedly against her couch. “We all knew something like this would happen when Mister Jin-Ho got released, so why all the shock, Eun-Sol?”

“...”

“You know Miser Jin-Ho will take care of everything, anyway.”

This had to be an illness. Indeed, at this stage, she must be suffering from some kind of mental illness!

What the heck? Since they’ve been dating for a while, she should have come down back to Earth by now

,

no?

This woman was none other than Choi Yeon-Ha. THE Choi Yeon-Ha! Watching her act like this triggered twice-as-bad goosebumps to break out all over Han Eun-Sol’s body.

He tutted loudly. “Gee whiz. You sure are showing all the man-less ladies how to do it, aren’t you?”

“Sure thing. If you’re jealous, get a girl yourself. I’ll cheer you on.”

“

Urgh

... I give up.”

Han Eun-Sol shook his head, then spoke in a more serious tone.

“Noona, we gotta time your comeback perfectly. If you go back to work too quickly, people might say you’re trying to show off or something. But waiting too long might mean we could miss the boat, too. How about we start around, say, sometime next week?”

“Okay, sure. Why not.”

“Seriously?! Why are you being so uncooperative, noona?”

“Because it feels like everything is in vain. Hollow. Empty and stuff. You know what I mean?”

“

Eh

?”

Choi Yeon-Ha rested her head on the couch and dazedly muttered away. “Even though I have done so much already... Those people slagged me off all they want, but now that the truth is revealed, they want to praise me for being loyal? Why should I be grateful to people like them?”

“Well... I get what you’re saying, but it can’t be helped, right? People are like that, after all. You probably would’ve reacted the same if you were in their shoes, noona.”

“Sure, I might have. Look, it’s not like I’m angry at the people slagging me off, okay? It’s more like... A fundamental regret? For being an actor and stuff? Nothing will change for me if they praise me. And nothing will change even if they badmouth me. So this whole idea of being happy about the media giving me their fifteen seconds of attention and losing my cool over the haters online is just... I don’t know, I’m just tired of it all.”

Han Eun-Sol tensed up as he tried to read Choi Yeon-Ha’s expression. Could this be the start of that...

thing

?

Countless celebrities buckled under the stress from the thing Choi Yeon-Ha mentioned. Many of those who experienced an excessive case of

emptiness

would develop depression of varying severity and even panic disorder.

Being under constant scrutiny every second of your life and people judging you for it placed a soul-crushing burden that most ordinary people couldn’t even imagine. And it was particularly worse for actresses like Choi Yeon-Ha.

At least Choi Yeon-Ha was a headstrong woman, which gave her plenty of strength to endure it all. That was what Han Eun-Sol thought, but now...

Then again, things have been way too hectic this time.

Not too long ago, everyone was treating her like this country’s worst traitor b*tch, yet in the proverbial blink of an eye, she morphed into a loyal, righteous woman. Who in their right mind would be able to wrap their head around such an extreme shift in public evaluation?

Human minds were fragile enough to crack from, say, hate comments flooding one’s poorly conceived online post. So imagine how much worse it would be when the entire country was making fun of you.

Just as Han Eun-Sol began wondering what to say to console Choi Yeon-Ha, she turned her head and glanced at him.

“So, I was thinking...”

“Yes, noona?”

“Can we, like, let the talents in our roster handle one of the ad shoots?”

“Mm? You don’t feel up to it, noona? In that case, we could reduce your work schedule a bit, and...”

“

Oh

, it’s not that. But,

mm

...”

“Yes?”

Choi Yeon-Ha furrowed her brow. “You know, while going through this nonsense, I realized something. I should just run a business instead.”

“

Huh

? What are you on about this time?”

“Look at Mister Jin-Ho. He’s got his own business filled with lots of people, right? So, even after he got thrown in jail, he didn’t even have to lift a finger while people under him ran around like headless chickens to get him out of there. Plus, they were making money for him on top of that, too!”

“...

Oh

.”

“But look at me. I had to work my butt off all these years for what, exactly? Isn’t this too unfair?”

Han Eun-Sol’s jaw fell more and more. “When you said you felt empty and stuff... Did you mean this?”

“Yeah. Can’t we ensnare some up-and-coming talents in a slave contract or something? And then, after we raise them up to a certain point, won’t they start, I don’t know, pumping money out for me like an infinite money glitch? So, like, I was thinking that maybe this was something worth exploring... Hey, where are you going, Eun-Sol?”

Han Eun-Sol was already near the exit of the living room.

“You know what, noona? Keep exploring that

something

on your own, okay? Meanwhile, I’m gonna get in touch with a few media companies, see what they have to say.”

“Hey! I’m not done talking to you! That’s rude!”

“I ain’t in the mood for your nonsensical jokes, noona!”

Han Eun-Sol yelled back before exiting her house altogether. That was when Choi Yeon-Ha’s expression changed a bit as she sagged on the couch.

She then sneakily pulled out her phone. But her movements were considerably swifter while accessing her favorite social media site.

She typed “Choi Yeon-Ha” in the social media site’s search bar.

[Wow, didn’t think Choi Yeon-Ha was such a loyal person. I wouldn’t have been as ballsy as her in that situation. Full kudos to her, her ballsiness is world-class.]

[I knew Choi Yeon-Ha was the queen of girl power, but I thought she changed her class to the queen of f*ck-ups recently... I guess not. She’s still the queen of girl power, alright!]

[I was rewatching Choi Yeon-Ha declaring her romantic status again. Now that I know the context, isn’t she so damn cool? The vibe’s totally different now.]

The corners of Choi Yeon-Ha’s lips curled up in satisfaction.