Chapter 589: Bong Sook-Hee (4)

Since outsiders weren't allowed into the secure server room, Lee Doo-Oh had to work from a meeting room, under the supervision of Listener's server programmer.

But not long after, Lee Doo-Oh took his hands off the laptop keyboard and said, "Hyung, there's no trace of viewership ratings manipulation in this week's

Queen Jeong-Hee

broadcast."

"What?"

At that moment, Yang Gyu-Min shouted as if he had been waiting for this. "See? I told you there's nothing wrong with our server!"

The cornered Oh Han-Guk looked at me. "Hey, Chief Jung. You were so confident. What happened?"

The fact that episode 4 of

Queen Jeong-Hee

hit 20.9% without manipulation surprised even me. But since Everyday's schedule entry hadn't changed, I turned to Lee Doo-Oh and asked.

"Doo-Oh, then instead of just this week's data, can you check if there's a backdoor in the entire server?"

"It's possible, but... I will need full access to the server for that."

The server programmer from Listener, sitting next to us, immediately shook his head firmly. "For security reasons, we can't allow full access to the server!"

Yang Gyu-Min responded similarly. "You've gotten enough cooperation. What more do you want? We never did any manipulation, so let's end this here and get out!"

I said to Yang Gyu-Min, "Then please let us view only the viewership ratings data for the 2018 programs

Seoul Night Sky

and

The Barley Hill

."

These two were handled by Bong Sook-Hee and had higher-than-expected viewership ratings.

Yang Gyu-Min protested, "Oh, come on! Like anything's going to show up, huh? It's useless, I'm telling you."

I couldn't back down like this. If I couldn't uncover the manipulated data, defeating Bong Sook-Hee would all be for nothing.

"Mr. Yang. If nothing shows up, I'll even kneel and apologize. Please, just let us check one more time."

At that moment, Oh Han-Guk clenched his jaw and sided with me. "Mr. Yang, checking one or two doesn't make a difference, does it? Huh? If you let us check one more time, I'll do everything you ask."

Oh Han-Guk, who was about to become an executive at KBC, managed to catch Yang Gyu-Min's attention.

"You're making a promise?"

"Yes. You know I keep my promises."

Smiling, Yang Gyu-Min turned to the server programmer. "Team Lead Kim, let them access only the aggregate data for those two programs. And don't show anything else, got it?"

"Yes, sir!"

As Yang Gyu-Min confidently gave the order, Listener's server programmer tapped the keyboard a few times and granted access to Lee Doo-Oh.

Lee Doo-Oh's fingers began flying across the keyboard once again.

Clack clack.

As the cheerful sound of typing echoed, Lee Doo-Oh's fingers suddenly stopped. He looked at me and shouted energetically, "I found it, hyung!"

"Really?"

"Yes. Just like you said, it was altered. The data shows it wasn't changed internally but externally. This proves there's definitely a backdoor in the server!"

Just like the name suggests, backdoor was a hidden entry point allowing hackers to enter the viewership ratings survey company's server.

At that moment, I confidently asked everyone in the meeting room again, "Well? What do you say now?"

The expressions on everyone in the meeting room had completely changed from just moments before.

***

Evidence emerged showing that the viewership ratings data for seven programs handled by Bong Sook-Hee at Listener had been manipulated by up to 2.9%.

If it had gone over 3%, the server would have automatically triggered an alert. But since the manipulation stayed below that threshold, it had gone undetected until now.

Moreover, once Lee Doo-Oh, now with additional access, found the backdoor, Yang Gyu-Min turned pale. Manipulated viewership ratings data at a company that lived off audience measurements could mean the company's collapse.

"M-Mr. Oh... I... I think we should talk outside for a moment..."

Yang Gyu-Min, trembling as he spoke, was met with a sly smile from Oh Han-Guk.

"With this level of manipulation, I'm not sure we can keep it off the record anymore."

"T-That's... different from what you said earlier."

"Well, I didn't know it was this serious either."

Oh Han-Guk looked ready to start reporting immediately, but I stopped him. "Mr. Oh, I don't think reporting this would be wise."

"What are you talking about? How can we hide something like this?"

"If this goes public, all the executives and those involved from that time will be fired. That includes you too, Mr. Oh."

I had helped Oh Han-Guk to bring down Bong Sook-Hee, but if he disappeared, I couldn't be sure who might become KBC's president next.

"I... I see. Then we should meet with Bong Sook-Hee and ask her to step down voluntarily."

"Yes. Once Listener files charges against Angel Media Consulting for installing the backdoor, Mrs. Bong Sook-Hee won't be able to hold on."

Before the regression, when this incident occurred, the two sisters who didn't get along ended up blaming each other. So even without media coverage, the sisters were bound to collapse on their own.

Oh Han-Guk nodded and looked at Yang Gyu-Min. "What do you think, Mr. Yang?"

Dripping with cold sweat, Yang Gyu-Min replied, "W-We would prefer to handle this as quietly as possible."

"Understood. Then we'll keep it off the record as promised, but you need to file the lawsuit by Monday. Just know, if you end up settling or making shady deals with Bong Sook-Hee, it'll really be the end for you."

"O-Of course. We'll do as you say."

"Alright. We'll trust you for now."

Unlike earlier, Oh Han-Guk now spoke triumphantly.

"Chief Jung, shall we head to TNK next?"

"Yes, sir!"

We headed to TNK, and there too, we found the evidence in the same way. It showed that Angel Media Consulting, run by Bong Sook-Hee's younger sister, had hacked both TNK and Listener's servers to manipulate viewership ratings.

With the evidence secured, we waited for Monday when both companies could officially file charges.

***

Monday morning finally came.

Hearing that the viewership ratings survey firms TNK and Listener had filed charges against Bong Soon-Ja, Oh Han-Guk summoned me to KBC.

I headed straight to KBC upon his summon. After meeting Oh Han-Guk, we made our way to the president's office.

The secretary at the entrance blocked our way.

Oh Han-Guk raised his eyebrows and asked, "Bong Sook-Hee. She's in, right?"

He didn't even bother with titles anymore.

The secretary hesitated before answering. "I'm sorry, sir. She said not to let anyone in this morning."

Oh Han-Guk gave a sly grin. "That means she's inside."

He then walked forward, his steps as confident as a victorious general. Following behind, I slipped my hand into my pocket and started recording. It was to bring Bong Sook-Hee down as quickly as possible.

"Mr. Oh! Mr. Oh!"

As we grabbed the door handle to the president's office, the secretary rushed after us, calling out urgently. But Oh Han-Guk ignored her and flung the door open.

Bang.

As we stepped into the office, Bong Sook-Hee, who had been on the phone, looked startled and immediately hung up.

"What is this nonsense? Mr. Oh! Didn't you hear I said no one's allowed in?"

"This is important, so I'll need a bit of your time."

"Didn't you hear me? I said I'm busy, now get out!"

It was then when Oh Han-Guk's expression turned cold. "I heard something strange at TNK and Listener yesterday. Should I go ahead and report it?"

At that moment, Bong Sook-Hee's expression twisted, and she motioned to the secretary who had followed us in.

"Secretary Choi, step out."

"Pardon?

Ah

, yes, ma'am."

After bowing her head, the secretary closed the door behind her.

Thud.

As the door shut, Bong Sook-Hee stood from her desk and sat on the sofa. Then, as if nothing was wrong, she spoke.

"You said you heard... something strange at the viewership ratings agency?"

Oh Han-Guk sat me down on the sofa and began speaking. But he dropped the formality as if no longer acknowledging her as the company president.

"Hey, CP Bong. You seem to know what's going on, so don't play dumb."

A scowl formed on Bong Sook-Hee's face. "What are you talking about!? I'm the acting president right now. Show some respect..."

"Come on, it's all over. I'm talking about Angel Media Consulting. We know your sister blatantly manipulated the viewership ratings. TNK and Listener have already filed charges against her. Soon she'll confess everything. So don't make this harder on yourself and just step down voluntarily. That way, both you and your sister might face lighter consequences."

Bong Sook-Hee's face twisted as if she had bitten into a bitter fruit. But she quickly responded with a brazen look.

"Why should I step down? And I have no knowledge of anything my sister did."

"So you're saying you never ordered the manipulation of viewership ratings?"

"Exactly! I don't think Soon-Ja would've done that either, but...even if it turns out she did, it must have been because of pressure to perform. She would've acted on her own."

Even before the regression, she had stubbornly denied ever ordering the manipulation. But just like back then, the moment her sister hears that she's being blamed for everything, Bong Soon-Ja will spill all the truth. That was why I had been recording since we entered.

And as expected, Bong Sook-Hee had just pushed all the blame onto her sister.

'

This is your end, Bong Sook-Hee.

'

At that moment, I stopped the recording.

While Bong Sook-Hee and Oh Han-Guk continued to argue, I quietly sent the audio file to her sister, Bong Soon-Ja.

[File sent]

Once I confirmed the file had been delivered, I joined the conversation with Bong Sook-Hee. "Mrs. CP, would you listen to what I have to say?"

Bong Sook-Hee shouted angrily. "Who are you calling CP? I told you I'm the president of KBC!"

"Technically, you're just the acting president, not the official one."

Bong Sook-Hee trembled and glared at me with a look full of curses. "Fine. Not yet. But the moment I become the president, I'll ruin both you and Hoop!"

Last year alone, several drama investment plans had been canceled because of me, so she had deep resentment. However, I doubted she would ever get the chance to act on that resentment. After today, she would no longer be associated with KBC.

Looking straight into Bong Sook-Hee's blazing eyes, I revealed what only I knew. "Did you know that every request you made during your dealings with your sister was recorded by the black box in her car?"

"What?"

"Your sister, Mrs. Bong Soon-Ja, recorded all the evidence of your dealings."

Bong Sook-Hee's face turned ghostly pale. "S-Soon-Ja has a video of our dealings? That... that bitch?"

"Yes."

Just then, the original soundtrack of

Queen Jeong-Hee

, titled 'Falling Blossoms,' echoed through the meeting room.

『On crimson petals scattered by blades, The spirits of our ancestors fall~』

Bong Sook-Hee looked at her phone and answered the call in a fury.

"Hey! Bong Soon-Ja! Did you really record our money exchange without telling me?"

Over the phone, Bong Soon-Ja shouted, indignant and furious.

-Yeah! I did! So what!?

"What? Are you out of your mind!?"

-Yes, I sure am! And what's this about me doing all the manipulation? You seriously said you don't know anything? Fuck you! You're trying to save yourself by blaming me, is that it? How pathetic. Do you think I'm going down alone?

It was clear she had listened to the audio recording I sent.

"Who said that?"

-You did! You said it yourself!

At that moment, Bong Sook-Hee turned red and glared at me. She realized that I had recorded her words and sent them to her sister.

"Ch-Chief Jung... you... how dare you..."

"Well, why did you try to save yourself alone without any loyalty?

Hmm

?"

Just then, the final words from the phone came through.

-Hey! Bong Sook-Hee! You're not even my unnie anymore. I'm going to spill everything you told me to do, so just know that!

Click.

"Soon-Ja! Soon-Ja! Hey! You idiot~!!!"

Bong Sook-Hee desperately tried calling her back, but there was no way she would answer. After all, the two sisters hadn't gotten along in the first place.

Clutching her phone tightly, Bong Sook-Hee began trembling, not knowing what to do.

Watching her, Oh Han-Guk spoke. "If you don't want this to blow up further, call the chairman now and resign. Otherwise, I'll call him myself and leak this to the press."

After delivering his ultimatum, Oh Han-Guk stood up.

"Chief Jung, let's go. I'll treat you to a nice meal today."

I nodded and followed Oh Han-Guk out of the president's office.

Just like the original soundtrack 'Falling Blossoms' from

Queen Jeong-Hee

, Bong Sook-Hee was becoming a fallen petal.

***

While having lunch with Oh Han-Guk and Han Yoo-Sik, we received news that Bong Sook-Hee had announced her voluntary resignation.

Later, Oh Han-Guk spoke with the chairman of the broadcasting commission. In exchange for keeping the matter out of the press, he asked for the president position. The chairman conditionally agreed with the stipulation that any personnel decisions already approved by Bong Sook-Hee would remain unchanged.

Bong Sook-Hee had already recommended CP Na Tae-Hwan as a KBC director and signed off on PD Jeon Doo-Hyun as the drama division head. She had also approved the promotions of Yook Sung-Ah and Lee Ji-Sung as CPs.

After some thought, Oh Han-Guk had no choice but to accept.

Soon after, acting as interim president, Oh Han-Guk officially rescheduled the airing of

Haze

to sometime between June and August. He also confidently stated that he would personally handle everything related to Bong Sook-Hee.

Thus, the matter surrounding Bong Sook-Hee was brought to a close.

The next day, as soon as I opened my eyes in the early morning of January 26th, I packed up and headed to LT Entertainment. Because of a record-breaking winter storm a few days prior, the final shoot for

Jiri Mountain

had been delayed and Shin Jong-Ki had invited me to join him on-site via helicopter.

When I got to the rooftop of LT Entertainment, Shin Jong-Ki was already seated in the helicopter, waiting for me.

"Oh, Chief Jung. Hurry in."

"Yes, sir."

I bowed and stepped into the helicopter, then shut the door.

The helicopter soared into the clear sky, heading toward Jiri Mountain.

***

Whirrrrr.

The helicopter landed in the open space in front of Cheonwang Mountain Lodge, the filming site for

Jiri Mountain.

Around 50 cm of snow had fallen the day before, covering the ground, and snowflakes blew in all directions.

Thud.

As I stepped out of the landed helicopter, Director Park Sun-Jae approached with a bow. "Mr. Jung~~! Mr. Shin~~!"

He hadn't shaved in a while and looked like a true mountain man.

I smiled and said, "Looks like the newlywed has turned into a mountain bandit after spending the winter shooting in the wilderness."

"

Hahaha

, yeah. That's pretty much what happened. My wife's hair has grown out a lot too."

One was a director and the other was a production chief, so the couple had basically spent their honeymoon stuck in Jiri Mountain throughout the winter.

Just then, Shin Jong-Ki laughed and said, "If the film turns out great, I'll send you two on a proper honeymoon."

"Wow, I'll be looking forward to that."

Park Sun-Jae smiled confidently about the shoot. With a great script, the cinematographer I introduced, and the cast I brought—Lee Tae-Poong, Go Jae-Soo, and child actor Kang Si-Ah—everything was top-notch.

After greeting each other, we started walking toward Cheonwang Mountain Lodge when a strong gust of wind blew in.

Whoooosh~

The piled-up snow scattered in the wind, blurring our vision.

"The weather's warm, but the wind's pretty intense. We'll need to be careful."

"Yes, we should. In the final chase scene we're filming today, we have to go down a slope and hang off a cliff, so I'm a bit worried."

Since the filming schedule had already been delayed, we couldn't afford to postpone it any longer.

Shin Jong-Ki also looked concerned but spoke with resignation. "I understand the situation, but we've already locked in the premiere and screening schedule, so it's hard to delay again."

"Understood. No matter what, we'll finish the shoot today!"

Park Sun-Jae reassured us, saying there's always some risk, and pointed toward the lodge.

"Alright, the staff and actors are inside the lodge. Let's head in. We'll eat and start filming right after."

"Alright."

Following Park Sun-Jae's lead, Shin Jong-Ki and I headed toward the lodge.

Buzz.

But just then, my phone started vibrating.

[Notification: January 26, 2021, A new schedule entry has been registered for Lee Tae-Poong.]

I stopped walking and checked the schedule entry for today. But in the new entry, I saw something that sent chills down my spine.

'

What... what is this?

'