Chapter 593: At the Jiri Mountain (4)

Choi So-Hye, unlike her usual self, had written a sensational headline. It felt like something out of a Jang Moon-Ki's article.

[(Breaking) Massive Avalanche Strikes

Jiri Mountain

Set!]

-The Korean thriller

Jiri Mountain

, starring popular actor Lee Tae-Poong, has made headlines.

A massive avalanche struck the filming site just ahead of its February 12 release, burying the set under huge mounds of snow, ice, and earth.

Details are still unclear, and we will provide updates as the situation unfolds.

...

(Video from the scene)

'

A massive avalanche? Isn't that a bit much, Ms. Choi?

'

The video attached showed equipment, gear, and pulleys buried in snow, with staff members digging through snow and dirt using shovels. In reality, it was just footage of the aftermath cleanup. However, most viewers misunderstood it as a rescue operation for missing people.

Ever since establishing Star Exclusive, Choi So-Hye hadn't written such sensationalized pieces. But today, I had clearly misjudged her.

Thanks to this, comments were flooding in under the article.

(Comments)

-Whoa, did something happen to Lee Tae-Poong?

-For an avalanche, there sure aren't many rescuers.

-My brother who was hiking there said it sounded like the mountain cracked in half and there was an avalanche.

-I heard more areas collapsed and some hikers were buried.

-Rumor has it that Cheonwang Peak dropped five meters.

There had only been a small landslide behind Cheonwang Lodge, but the public was reacting like an avalanche had hit the Himalayas.

I immediately tried calling Choi So-Hye.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

[The person you're trying to reach is unavailable...]

She didn't answer, so I sent a Kk Talk message.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Ms. Choi. Come on, noo-nim. Don't you think this is going too far?]

Choi So-Hye replied via Kk Talk.

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: Sorry, Yoon-Ho. I just thought this would get more attention from the public.

Teehee

❤]

'

Teehee? Did she seriously just send me Teehee?'

I was stunned. Now was not the time for teehee.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Noo-nim. Please, instead of teehee, just talk to me on the phone! Answer your call!]

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: Mr. Jung. I'm a bit busy, so I can't take calls at the moment.]

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Why the formal language all of a sudden? Huh? And if you have time to send Kk Talk messages, you surely can pick up the phone!]

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: The customer you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later.]

Choi So-Hye kept dodging calls but was freely responding on Kk Talk.

In the end, I sent another message.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Then at least put out a follow-up article quickly. Tae-Poong's fans are going to pass out after reading that avalanche article, noo-nim.]

Choi So-Hye fired back with lightning speed.

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: I was going to publish the article in ten minutes anyway. And we need this kind of clickbait to boost

Jiri Mountain

too. I'll take the blame, so just give me a bit of time, alright? I really want to promote both Tae-Poong and Mr. Jae-Soo a little more. Really, okay? I'm serious.]

At that moment, I realized why she was doing this.

Lately, I had been sending Choi So-Hye some on-site footage to support coverage of

Jiri Mountain

, and she was completely smitten with Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo's acting, calling it the perfect mix of passion and profession.

In other words, she had done this purely out of fangirl devotion. It was true that provocative articles brought in more views, so I had no choice but to agree.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Fine. But it's only for ten minutes, okay?]

[Reporter Choi So-Hye: Got it! And you know I'm Tae-Poong's fan. I'd never let Tae-Poong or

Jiri Mountain

take a hit. I mean it.]

Choi So-Hye said she had a dramatic follow-up ready. After ending the chat, I was about to tell Park Sun-Jae about this.

Buzz.

At that moment, I received another call.

[Caller ID: Jung Yoo-Jin]

She must have seen the article Choi So-Hye posted.

As I picked up the call, Yoo-Jin's panicked voice came through.

-Oppa. Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Nothing broken or scratched? Your arms and legs are still attached, right? No, never mind. As long as you're alive, that's enough!

I wasn't sure what she imagined, but I could tell she had been terribly worried.

"Uh, I'm totally fine. And about that article...Ms. Choi just exaggerated it to get attention. There was a small avalanche, but no one got hurt. The video just shows us cleaning up the aftermath, that's why we're using shovels."

-

Phew

~~~ thank goodness.

Yoo-Jin let out a long sigh, then asked again.

-But why did Ms. Choi write the article like she was searching for a missing person?

"That's just entertainment reporters' clickbait technique, I guess?"

Yoo-Jin declared with resolve.

-Ms. Choi... I don't think I'll be doing any interviews with her for a while.

'

Sorry, Ms. Choi. In exchange for promoting Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo, it looks like Yoo-Jin's interviews are off the table for now.

'

Only after learning that Lee Tae-Poong, Go Jae-Soo, Kang Si-Ah, and everyone else on-site were completely unharmed did Yoo-Jin finally hang up.

But as soon as the call ended, phones started buzzing around the Cheonwang Lodge.

"What's going on?"

"Why is Reporter Choi from Weekly Entertainment calling me?"

"I'm getting a call from Reporter Ahn at Star Bang Bang Bang. I haven't heard from him in half a year. What's this about?"

Thanks to Choi So-Hye's sensational article, the reaction was more explosive than expected. Articles about

Jiri Mountain

were flooding entertainment news portals, and reporters were all calling to check the situation.

What was done was done. I decided to make the most of this opportunity. I immediately went to Shin Jong-Ki and made a suggestion.

"Mr. Shin, what do you think about uploading the promotional video for

Jiri Mountain

right now?"

The official trailer for

Jiri Mountain

hadn't been released yet. Originally, the plan was to post it tomorrow to build momentum, but with this much buzz, it was better to release it right away.

Shin Jong-Ki turned to Park Sun-Jae to explain my idea. "Director Park, what do you think?"

"Uh... I'm not really familiar with this kind of stuff..."

As a first-time director, Park Sun-Jae couldn't make a decision.

Then Production Chief Ahn Yoo-Joo spoke up on his behalf. "I'm not an expert in promotions either, but I agree with Mr. Jung. This seems like the right moment."

Shin Jong-Ki nodded. "Okay, let's do it. Is the promo video ready?"

"We just need to shoot a few highlight scenes and add them in."

"Then shoot the scenes and hand them over to the promotion team. We'll handle the editing and release it this evening."

"Thank you."

Shin Jong-Ki immediately gave instructions to Team Lead Lee Eun-Joo from LT Entertainment, who had come along.

"Team Lead Lee, contact the portal ad agency and check if there's a slot available for a banner ad this evening. Also, confirm the MeTube channel and social media ad schedules and report back."

"Yes, sir."

Lee Eun-Joo wasted no time pulling out her phone and stepped aside to start making calls.

There were about two weeks left until the release of

Jiri Mountain

.

After overcoming countless hardships,

Jiri Mountain

was finally taking its first step toward success.

***

Ten minutes after the first article was published, Choi So-Hye began uploading a flood of follow-up articles as promised.

[BREAKING: Lee Tae-Poong. Confirmed Alive!]

[BREAKING: Lee Tae-Poong. "What scared me most was never seeing my fans again."]

[Lee Tae-Poong. "We overcame the landslide. Please support

Jiri Mountain

in theaters."]

[BREAKING: Go Jae-Soo. "February 12th, 11:50 p.m. We risked our lives filming

Jiri Mountain

—we truly want you to see it."]

[EXCLUSIVE: Miracle at the landslide site of

Jiri Mountain

. "Not a single injury, as if protected by divine power."]

[

Jiri Mountain

, blockbuster hit incoming?]

Just like Choi So-Hye said, the articles painted Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo as if they had been resurrected. Thanks to this, public interest in

Jiri Mountain

skyrocketed.

Soon, my phone was flooded with advertising inquiries for Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo. But sensing the film's success, I replied that we would resume ad discussions after the release.

Shin Jong-Ki, now in high spirits, suggested we also run an article about how I saved someone. However, I shook my head. The stars of

Jiri Mountain

had to be Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo, not their talent agent.

After the storm died down, I stayed until the remaining scenes were shot at Jiri Mountain, then flew back to Seoul with Shin Jong-Ki by helicopter.

By the time I drove home, it was already past 11 p.m. Since Miso was probably asleep, I parked quietly in the yard.

Just then, the front door creaked open.

Yoo-Jin appeared on the first floor, wearing pajamas. "Oppa?"

"Yoo-Jin, what are you doing here?"

She was supposed to be on set for

Hwaranjeon

today, but had come up to Seoul.

"Why do you think so? I was worried about you, so I came."

At that moment, Miso followed her out, rubbing her sleepy eyes. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, you're home~?"

"Yeah. Miso, did I wake you up?"

"Nope. I was waiting for you."

Despite her brave tone, Miso's eyes were half-closed and her slow steps looked a bit wobbly.

Then Yoo-Jin gently took Miso's hand and walked over to me. With Miso, Yoo-Jin checked around me once.

"

Hmm

~ you really are okay. Thank goodness, right Miso?"

Miso blinked sleepily and said, "Yeah. Mom. He's okay."

"Yeah.

Phew~

"

Only then did Yoo-Jin and Miso finally breathe a sigh of relief.

I said, "I told you I was fine earlier."

Yoo-Jin pouted. "Every time you say you're fine, you never actually are. Sure, you're not hurt, but it was still super dangerous."

I was about to deny it, but her next words shut me up.

"And Tae-Poong oppa messaged me about it. He said you saved someone on set today, again?"

'

Busted. She already knows everything.

'

This was probably why she checked me over the moment she saw me.

I placed a hand on my chest and struck a repentant pose. "I'm sorry~"

Only then did Yoo-Jin let out a laugh. "Seriously, you always take on the world's hardest jobs by yourself, oppa."

"

Hahaha,

well, you know..."

"It's okay. As long as no one got hurt, that's what matters. Anyway, Mrs. Jung and Mr. Han Yoo-Sik were really shaken up too, so go comfort them and rest. They're still awake, waiting for you."

Thankfully, Yoo-Jin wasn't too mad.

"I was going to do that anyway. Oh right. What happened with the

Hwaranjeon

shoot?"

"Of course I finished it before coming back."

Apparently, filming for

Hwaranjeon

was now picking up speed. Episode 4 of

Hwaranjeon

recorded an impressive viewership rating of 23.7%. However, the competing show

Queen Jeong-Hee

scored 20.9%.

With Oh Bok-Hee and most of the filming crew feeling a strong sense of rivalry, they continued shooting without taking breaks. It seemed that former president Bong Sook-Hee had left behind a valuable parting gift.

"

Brrr

~ it's cold, oppa. You'll catch a cold. Everyone, let's go inside quickly."

Yoo-Jin, still in pajamas, wrapped her arms around herself and headed back inside.

Just as I was about to follow her, Miso grabbed my arm. "Uncle Yoon-Ho."

I knelt down to meet her gaze. "What is it, Miso?"

"Mom was super worried you might be hurt."

"She was? Was she really that worried?"

Miso stretched her arms wide, drawing a big circle. "Yes. She was worried thiiiis much!"

"I'm sorry. You must've been scared too, right?"

Miso nodded and again stretched her arms in a big circle. "Yup! Me too—thiiiis much."

I suddenly felt a wave of guilt. Next time something like this happened, I promised myself I would send her a message right away.

Since Miso had been scared, I held out my pinky finger to her. "I promise you, Miso. Uncle Yoon-Ho will never, ever get hurt."

Miso blinked and asked again. "Really? You can't break a promise. If you do, that's bad, right?"

"Of course. Especially a promise with you."

"Then... pinky promise!"

Miso hooked her pinky with mine and smiled brightly.

"Yup. Promise!"

I picked Miso up and headed inside through the front door, raising my voice to the worried folks inside.

"I'm home safe!"

At that moment, Han Yoo-Sik, Lee Ah-Eun, and Jung In-Ji rushed out from the living room.

"Oh my~ Chief Jung. Are you okay?"

"Chief Jung. Are you alright?"

I bowed my head to them. "Yes, I'm fine. And I'm really sorry for worrying you."

Only then did everyone finally breathe a sigh of relief.

This warm place where people welcomed me with open arms was home. And it was the place I must always return to, safe and sound.

***

The day after the final shoot of

Jiri Mountain

, news of the landslide made headlines, placing the film

Jiri Mountain

and the names Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo at the top of portal news sites.

As a result, public interest in

Jiri Mountain

reached its peak.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Episodes 5 and 6 of

Hwaranjeon

, featuring Yoo-Jin, recorded viewership ratings of 24.1% and 24.6%, respectively. In contrast,

Queen Jeong-Hee

saw its viewership ratings drop slightly from Episode 4's 20.9% to 18.2% for Episode 5, and 18.1% for Episode 6.

It was the fallout from Bong Sook-Hee's departure.

Hwaranjeon

widened the gap over its rival by more than 6%, and topped its time slot across all age demographics.

As a result, Kim Ae-Ryeon, Vice President of Daechon Inc., contacted us to move up the department store fashion show she had promised. She suggested holding the L.M.L Black Label fashion show for VVIPs on January 31st on the top floor of Daechon Department Store with Yoo-Jin as the main muse.

The main muse was the centerpiece of the show, personally chosen by the designer. Being the lead in a VVIP fashion show would elevate Yoo-Jin's status even further. I agreed without hesitation.

Then came the morning of January 29th. As I opened my eyes to sunlight, a breaking article appeared on the society news page.

[Jinseong Hotel & Resort discovers massive accounting fraud after acquiring Sejin Resort.]

[Jinseong Hotel & Resort. Estimated damages exceed 100 billion won.]

[Stocks of Jinseong Inc. affiliates plummet in today's market?]

Jinseong Hotel & Resort had acquired Sejin Resort, and it was discovered that after the acquisition, they falsely claimed profits that never existed.

"It's begun."

I immediately called Go An-Na, who used to work at Club Lucy.

The time was just past 6 a.m. She had recently started working as a trainee stylist at Reverse Entertainment, so it was a time she was likely already awake.

-Hey, Yoon-Ho.

"Did you get the file I asked for?"

-Yeah. I got it.

Before the regression, Kwak Sang-Hyo, Executive Director of Jinseong Hotel & Resort and the right-hand man of President Jin Myung-Hee, had colluded with President Park Eun-Soo of Sejin Resort, the acquisition target, after receiving a large sum of money.

That collusion had taken place at Club VIXX, so I asked Go An-Na, who had once worked at the club, to introduce me to a female staff member from VIXX. I promised proper compensation and asked her to record their conversation.

I had worried it might not work out, but it turned out Go An-Na's friend had successfully secured the recording.

"I'll make it up to you."

-Okay. I'll send the file now.

Go An-Na then sent me the audio file via Kk Talk.

[Audio File: Conversation between Executive Director Kwak Sang-Hyo of Jinseong Hotel & Resort and President Park Eun-Soo of Sejin Resort]

"Thank you."

-Don't mention it~ and thanks again for connecting me to this job.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it."

After telling Go An-Na that we should catch up soon, I ended the call.

A little while later, just as I finished showering, a call came to my phone.

[Caller ID: President Jin Sung-Joon of Jinseong Foods]

It was now 6:30 a.m.

Jin Sung-Joon, who was now the president of Jinseong Foods, spoke.

-Mr. Jung, it's time to begin.

"Yes. I'll be on my way soon."

After ending the call, I recalled something from before the regression.

Around this time back then, I had visited Jinseong Hotel & Resort, who had just acquired Sejin Resort, to collect overdue advertising fees for Cha Tae-Hoon, who had been the face of Sejin Resort's ad campaign.

Back then, Jin Myung-Hee had been scolded by Chairman Jin Dae-Woon for acquiring a company with falsified financials and had stormed off to drink with her executives. So I went to Club VIXX, a place she frequented, and pleaded with her to settle the unpaid advertising fees.

But Jin Myung-Hee slapped me, saying I had no sense of timing. Even though it was before the regression, the memory remained vivid.

To move past that memory, I was determined to help Jin Ah-Ram become the new president.

'

President Jin Myung-Hee, I'll personally see you removed from your position.

'

With that, I put on my suit and headed straight for Jinseong Inc.