Chapter 243: Womans (1)

Given the high standards of

Womans

, the quality of pre-interview questions was quite satisfactory.

[Pre-Interview Questions]

(

Womans

) Could you please explain the character Cheongmyung you play in this drama?

(

Womans

) How do you feel about appearing in the drama with your daughter, Miso?

(

Womans

) Writer Lee Ji-Yeon is known for being strict, but she chose you as her persona. What is she like from your perspective, having worked with her?

(

Womans

) Despite being a supporting actress in all your works, you have enjoyed more popularity than the leads in other works. How long will you remain a supporting actress? Isn't it time to aim for leading roles?

After carefully reading the questionnaire, I handed it to Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong.

Lee Yung-Jin nodded after reviewing it. "This looks fine."

Jung Sang-Bong also showed a satisfied expression. "I expected the questions to be tougher since it's a women's magazine, but this seems acceptable."

I nodded at their evaluation.

"Their editorial independence is likely greater than most media outlets considering that they survived while other magazines disappeared. And the fact that President Jang Ji-Hye is the third daughter of Myungsung Inc. also adds to that."

"Then they probably won't publish tabloids either."

I nodded at Jung Sang-Bong's comment. "That's right. They consider publishing tabloids shameful. Their philosophy is to gather all the evidence and make it irrefutable before publishing."

The President of

Womans

, Jang Ji-Hye, was the third daughter of the 32nd largest conglomerate, Myungsung Inc.

For this reason,

Womans

didn’t need to publish tabloid-level articles like other magazines or media outlets.

Moreover, Jang Ji-Hye served as both the president and editor-in-chief until three years ago after founding

Womans

.

Currently, her cherished hoobae, Choi Yung-Eun, held the editor-in-chief position.

For these reasons, the interviews and articles in

Womans

often exceeded the quality of major daily newspapers.

I spoke to Lee Yung-Jin after reviewing the pre-questions."Let them know that we have no issues with the questionnaire. Inform me immediately once the meeting time is set."

"Yes, Mr. Jung."

"Then I'll pick up Yoo-Jin and head to the set."

"Alright. Take care, Mr. Jung."

After the meeting ended, I went straight to the underground parking lot and started the car engine.

At that moment, the Everyday app notification began to buzz.

[Notification: July 29, 2020. A new schedule has been added for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin.]

'

What now?

' I wondered.

I flipped to July 29 in my planner, only to find out that an absurd schedule had appeared.

[Everyday V10.1]

[Date: July 29, 2020]

-10:00 p.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Emergency meeting to respond to

Womans

August issue article. (Meeting topic: Jung Yoo-Jin dating rumor tabloid.)

"What?

Womans

is publishing tabloids?" I muttered in disbelief.

The praise I had just given

Womans

felt meaningless.

Womans

would never publish tabloids; their philosophy was to gather evidence and then conduct a formal interview after persuading the celebrities involved. In fact, famous actors had even exclusively disclosed their dating rumors through

Womans

several times.

'

But now they're about to publish a tabloid article about Yoo-Jin's dating rumor?

' I thought hard.

I didn't know why this was happening, but I knew who was behind it.

A name came to mind. '

Editor in Chief Choi Yung-Eun.

'

Ultimately, all articles and interviews in

Womans

would be reviewed by the editor-in-chief, so it couldn't happen without her involvement.

I thought about canceling the interview for a moment, but I quickly changed my mind because canceling an already accepted interview could lead to negative consequences in the future.

To prepare a countermeasure, I immediately turned off the car engine and went back up to the office.

After all, it had been a while since I sought help from Finance Director Jung Soo-Hyuk and the Intelligence Division.

***

When I informed Jung Soo-Hyuk that there was news of

Womans

planning to publish a tabloid about Yoo-Jin, he shared a possible explanation with a troubled expression.

"The first possibility that comes to mind is that a rival cosmetics company might have paid for it."

His plausible suggestion made me nod unknowingly.

Women’s magazines like

Womans

often included cosmetics or bags as freebies with each issue. Sponsors used the magazine to promote their new products through these samples, and the magazine boosted its sales with free gifts.

However, if the tabloid got published, it could severely impact the promotion of Yetterang’s new product line.

'

The one who benefits the most is the mastermind, isn't it?

' I thought.

In that case, the culprit was likely an existing cosmetics company that didn't want a new competitor entering the market.

I thought for a moment and said, "If that's the case, Choi Yung-Eun must have received a significant amount of money.

Womans

is known for not publishing tabloids, so breaking that tradition means a hefty sum."

Jung Soo-Hyuk nodded. "She must have received at least 500 million to 1 billion won."

After a moment of thought, I asked Jung Soo-Hyuk for a favor. "Could you find out which company is behind this?"

Jung Soo-Hyuk nodded. "I’ll start by identifying the companies providing freebies. And I'll see if there's any reason why Choi Yung-Eun might dislike Miss Yoo-Jin."

"Yes, please, and thank you."

"Oh, and it might be worth discussing this with Director Kang Ji-Yung. Our director is quite close with President Jang of

Womans

. Did you know that?"

I shook my head. "No, I didn't."

"Pressuring through higher-ups might be the fastest way, so talk to her."

"Understood."

I called Kang Ji-Yung right then and there. Fortunately, Kang Ji-Yung was in her office right now.

"Then I'll go see her in the director's office."

"Alright. Contact me as soon as you get any useful information."

After bidding farewell to Jung Soo-Hyuk, I got up from my seat.

***

"Ji-Hye unnie? I know her well. Why do you ask?"

The fact that Kang Ji-Yung called

Womans'

50-year-old Jang Ji-Hye "unnie" suggested their close relationship.

She explained that they got along well and treated each other like siblings despite the age difference.

Adding to what I heard from Jung Soo-Hyuk, I informed Kang Ji-Yung that

Womans

was planning to publish a tabloid about Yoo-Jin.

"

Womans

publishing tabloids? No way, I'm sure you're mistaken. Why would they do that?"

Kang Ji-Yung reacted just as incredulously as others upon hearing the news.

"I didn't believe it at first either, but the rumor is quite specific."

I spoke as if the rumor was already circulating when it was merely suggested by the planner.

On top of that, I also mentioned the tabloid about Yoo-Jin that Choi Ji-Yung had told me at Jo Soo-Yung's house.

"They say the rumor about Yoo-Jin is even circulating among the actresses' waiting rooms."

"What exactly is the content of the tabloid?" Kang Ji-Yung questioned.

After a brief sigh, I answered with a troubled expression. "They say Yoo-Jin and I are dating..."

As I hesitated and stuttered, Kang Ji-Yung's face twisted. "That's quite serious."

I expected her to scoff with a dumbfounded expression, but she cautiously watched my reaction instead and asked again, "That's not true, is it?"

I was momentarily puzzled by her reaction but quickly answered to avoid any misunderstanding.

"Why would a talent agent date their own celebrity? It's absolutely not true," I explained.

A scandal involving a talent agent and their celebrity could be even more problematic than a scandal with another actor, considering they spent almost all their time together.

Advertisers would sue the company like crazy and fans would leave like a summer rainstorm.

When I protested vehemently, Kang Ji-Yung let out a long sigh. "Alright then. I was just a bit shocked."

Kang Ji-Yung spun the teacup she was holding and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, she slowly spoke up.

"Ji-Hye unnie wouldn’t have approved of publishing a tabloid... Maybe she’s been hands-off with the editing lately?"

Kang Ji-Yung sighed deeply in contemplation.

Then she added, "Miss Yoo-Jin rose to fame so quickly that she made enemies everywhere. She's in an awkward position and that's why the scrutiny is intense."

"However, that means she's also seen as a significant threat," I added.

Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Indeed, with the Cocari Sweat and Seven Stars Electronics ads as well. She’s grabbed all the hot ads of the first half of the year..."

Currently, Yoo-Jin's ad exposure rivaled that of S-class lead actors.

"What to do..." Kang Ji-Yung muttered, falling into deep thought.

I said to the pondering Kang Ji-Yung, "Could you arrange a meeting with President Jang so I can meet her myself?"

"However, this is just a rumor for now, isn't it? What do you intend to do without any evidence?"

"Mr. Jung is currently looking for evidence."

Kang Ji-Yung hesitated for a moment and asked just in case, "What if there’s no evidence?"

"We'll still have to give it a try. Just the rumor that

Womans

is going to publish a tabloid alone isn’t something she’d take lightly, is it?"

"That's true, but..."

Kang Ji-Yung kept glancing at me and then spoke again.

"Um, Mr. Jung, have you ever played golf? She practically lives at the golf course these days. We’d need to schedule a golf game to meet her."

Kang Ji-Yung knew I was an orphan and hadn’t had the means to play golf until recently. Nonetheless, she thought she'd asked just in case. However, she soon retracted her statement.

"Never mind. That was thoughtless of me. I'll just meet her myself."

Kang Ji-Yung looked apologetic, but I smiled and responded, "I'm a single handicapper."

Kang Ji-Yung looked surprised. "Single?"

In golf, a single handicap meant an amateur capable of completing 18 holes in 73 to 79 strokes. It was a level that all amateur golfers dreamed of reaching.

"My goodness, when did you learn to play golf that well?" Kang Ji-Yung exclaimed with surprise.

In my past life, I had started playing golf after becoming a director at Top Entertainment. Thanks to my natural athletic ability, I reached single status without much difficulty and I had been playing social golf since then.

"I have quite good athletic skills. They say tennis and golf are essential for networking, so I picked them up in my spare time. However, please keep my single handicap a secret," I said with a wink.

The idea of me playing social golf made Kang Ji-Yung's face brighten.

"Got it. We’ll say your score is around 82 then. She scores about 80 with lessons."

"Tell her I can go up to around 80 if I'm on a roll."

Social golf was the most effective when you subtly lose to your opponent on purpose. However, to maintain long-term relationships, you occasionally had to win as well.

"She practically lives at the golf course these days, so I'll check her schedule for tomorrow."

When Kang Ji-Yung called, the other party answered shortly after.

"Yes, unnie. Are you going to the golf course tomorrow morning? What? Play together? Okay. And I'll bring a team lead from our company."

After a brief conversation, Kang Ji-Yung set a date.

"If you cancel on me, you’ll regret it! Make sure you’re on time, unnie!"

Kang Ji-Yung made an okay sign with her thumb and forefinger.

"Alright, see you at the H Golf Club lounge at 6 a.m. tomorrow."

Kang Ji-Yung let out a sigh after finishing the call and said, "Mr. Jung, you know it's a big deal if you miss the golf appointment, right?"

"Of course. You only miss a round if you’re dead."

Kang Ji-Yung smiled. "Sounds like you really do play golf. Alright, be at my house by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow then. We’ll go together."

"Okay."

"However, you don't have golf clubs, do you?"

"I'll rent some."

Kang Ji-Yung thought for a moment and shook her head. "Don’t bother renting equipment and just come."

"What are you planning?"

"I'll take care of everything."

Having arranged a golf appointment with Jang Ji-Hye, we began gathering information using all available connections.

***

The panting Jung Soo-Hyuk burst into the director's office exclaiming, "I found out what's going on."

Jung Soo-Hyuk discovered that the global cosmetics company, Blanc, was involved in this matter.

"Wait a minute. Did you say Blanc?" I asked.

"What is it? Have you heard something about them?"

Blanc, the fifth largest global cosmetics company, was a French company—and the current major shareholder of Blanc was Hwayeon Media Inc.

Hwayeon Media Inc. was the largest investor in the competing drama

Festival of Money.

Moreover, it was a secret known only to insiders but Blanc would soon be wholly acquired by President Jiang Wei.

That information was still recorded in my planner.

[Everyday V10.1]

[Date: November 13, 2020]

- 03:00 p.m. (Report) Global cosmetics brand, Blanc, acquired by Hwayeon Media Inc.

Jiang Wei seemed to be planning to use the global cosmetics company, Blanc, to spread a rumor about Yoo-Jin.

'

Jiang Wei, you're quite cunning,

' I thought.

If Yoo-Jin couldn't withstand the scandal and faltered, the competing drama

Festival of Money

would benefit. Furthermore, it could also harm Yetterang, the cosmetics brand Yoo-Jin was modeling for.

"It seems like Jiang Wei's side is involved. Hwayeon Media Inc. is the major shareholder of Blanc."

At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk turned their heads sharply.

"What?"

"What did you say?"

Only a few people currently knew that Hwayeon Media Inc. held shares in Blanc. For this reason, Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk showed surprised expressions when they heard it for the first time.

"Hwayeon Media Inc. recently became the major shareholder. So they can exert significant influence over Blanc."

Jung Soo-Hyuk asked with surprised eyes. "Where did you hear that from?"

"A friend of mine in the stock industry mentioned it by chance. I've been interested since I started buying Yetterang stocks."

"I see..."

Now that we knew exactly who was behind this, it was time to figure out how to respond.

Kang Ji-Yung spoke with a determined expression. "Mr. Jung, we have a golf appointment with President Jang of

Womans

early tomorrow morning. I know it’s a lot to ask, but do you think you can gather all visible evidence by then?"

"Got it. You can count on me."

After Jung Soo-Hyuk left the office, Kang Ji-Yung and I began preparing for tomorrow's meeting with Jang Ji-Hye.

After all, we needed to handle Choi Yung-Eun to stop the tabloid.