Chapter 685: We Are Friends, Aren't We? (2)

Around this time before the regression, Sae-Ri's friends Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri were already part of Oasis Entertainment. And in June of that same year, they even debuted as members of a girl group called Mirage.

The two became a hot topic right from their debut thanks to their actor-like looks and the novelty of being fraternal twins. But because their vocals and dance skills didn't match their visuals, they only enjoyed a short-lived burst of popularity before disappearing from the spotlight.

However, a year later, both of them found huge success as actresses and became top stars. That was because they had innate talent for acting. But that was when their tragedy began.

Oasis Entertainment, being gang-affiliated, used their popularity to squeeze every last bit of money out of them by overloading them with schedules. As a result, the two were forced to do overlapping shoots for different dramas and appear in every single commercial, which led to the public turning on them and accusing them of being greedy.

Then three years later, unable to take it anymore, the two sisters appeared on a live episode of KBC's

Good Morning, Hooray!

and exposed Oasis Entertainment. They revealed that they were constantly monitored by thug-like talent agents, that the company took all of their earnings, and that they had no say in choosing roles or commercial deals.

Right then, the MC of

Good Morning, Hooray!

Ahn Sung-Gyu immediately reported it to the police, and the sisters were able to receive protection from the authorities and media. As a result, the president and talent agents of Oasis Entertainment were all arrested, and the incident caused a huge stir across Korea.

Afterward, Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri, deeply disillusioned with the industry, left showbiz forever.

And now, those very girls were here to audition for

Project I.O.A.

That could mean only one thing—Oasis Entertainment was trying to use

Project I.O.A

to promote the soon-to-debut Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri.

If they passed the first round and moved into the dorms, even if they were eliminated later, just appearing on the show would be free publicity for their debut. And since no final contract would be signed, suing would be difficult even if it turned into a double-contract issue later.

'

But the moment I arrived, all of those plans probably crumbled

.'

Although I hadn't seen their second-round video interviews, there was no way I wouldn't have recognized Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri at the venue. And the moment I recognized them, I would have informed Ji Yung-Sik and had them removed.

If so, Oasis Entertainment would've retaliated. Sae-Ri would have been caught in the middle and the audition would've descended into chaos. That must be the reason the Everyday alert popped up today.

Though most of this was just speculation, I needed confirmation. I needed evidence of what was really happening, but before that, there was one thing I had to do first.

I gave an important reminder to the excited Sae-Ri. "Sae-Ri. Even if they're your friends, you know you have to judge them objectively, right?"

Sae-Ri nodded. "Yes! Don't worry. Work is work, and personal feelings are personal. I'm not even going to use my wildcard." After answering, she glanced at the clock. "Oh? Time's up! Oppa, I have to head to the judges' panel."

"Alright. I'll see you later. Good luck."

"Okay~"

Sae-Ri waved and ran toward the judges' table.

After waving back at her, I called Lee Soo-Chan. I needed to find out if the twin sisters were currently signed with Oasis Entertainment.

-Yes, hyung-nim.

"Do you know any private investigators around Busan?"

-There's a network of our guys all over the country. I've got some younger guys running one in Busan.

"Perfect. Can you give me their number?"

-Just tell me what you need, hyung-nim. It'll be faster if I handle it directly.

I asked Lee Soo-Chan to find out whether Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri were under contract with Oasis Entertainment.

-I'll look into it right away. Just in case, I'll also send you the private investigator's number via Kk Talk.

"Thanks."

Lee Soo-Chan ended the call after that. However, I couldn't just sit around waiting for the personal investigators to contact me.

Until I heard back, I decided to go check if today's Everyday alert really was related to the Shin sisters and headed straight for the waiting area.

***

The waiting area for the Busan round of

Project I.O.A

was the massive hall of Sajik Gymnasium. The audition itself was being held in a separate space next to the stage, so the contestants, wearing numbered badges on their chests, were waiting there with their families.

Amidst the crowd, I spotted contestant 198; Shin Hyo-Joo, and 199; Shin Hyo-Ri, sitting with their hands tightly clasped.

Shin Hyo-Joo, the older twin, stood about 172 cm tall and had a soft, puppy-like beauty. She had a bob haircut and wore a pink two-piece, clutching the handout pamphlet nervously.

Next to her sat Shin Hyo-Ri, who was about 170 cm with bright, cat-like eyes. She wore an ivory dress and had long hair. However, she was jittery with her leg bouncing nonstop from anxiety.

Of course they would be nervous before an audition, but their trembling felt excessive. Then I realized what was causing it—the two men seated on either side of the sisters.

'

They must be the watchdogs.

'

Flanking the sisters were two intimidating men, both about 180 cm tall with buzz cuts and bomber jackets. They were Team Lead Gong Tae-Sang and Team Lead Jeon Yoon-Gi from Oasis Entertainment, former gangsters from Ohsung gang.

At that moment, I knew all my suspicions were confirmed.

'

So that's why Everyday issued that alert.

'

Those two thugs beside the Shin sisters were exactly the type to storm the production booth if the twins didn't pass the audition. Now that I knew the cause, it was time to act to protect Sae-Ri from getting hurt, and to prevent the Busan audition from being derailed.

'

I'll have to move during the break.

'

I made up my mind to use the first break to get the Oasis Entertainment talent agents kicked out of the venue. Telling Ji Yung-Sik would come afterward.

Just then, the event MC appeared onstage and grabbed the mic.

"Alright! We're starting the Busan auditions. Contestant number 1, please enter through the hallway on the far left of the waiting room."

The Busan round of

Project I.O.A

had officially begun.

***

The Busan auditions for

Project I.O.A

kicked off with high energy.

Compared to other regions, the contestants here were far more expressive with their emotions. Thanks to that, the filming crew was delighted, saying they would capture plenty of footage for the broadcast. After all, reactions were the lifeblood of TV.

With the auditions running hot, the first scheduled break arrived at 9 p.m.

The MC came out and announced, "We'll resume after a ten-minute break. Restrooms are available on each floor and portable toilets are also outside, so go ahead and use them."

At that moment, the nervous Shin sisters glanced around and stood up.

"Um... we'd like to go to the restroom..."

The talent agents flanking them answered.

"We'll go with you."

Shin Hyo-Joo, Shin Hyo-Ri, Gong Tae-Sang, and Jeon Yoon-Gi headed off toward the restroom together. That's when I got a Kk Talk message from Lee Soo-Chan.

[Lee Soo-Chan: Hyung-nim. It's confirmed. Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri are with Oasis Entertainment. (Attachment)]

The file Lee Soo-Chan sent was full of photos proving that Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri were indeed trainees at Oasis Entertainment. Now that I had hard evidence in hand, it was time to wrap things up.

I immediately followed the Shin sisters and their handlers toward the restroom.

***

In front of the women's restroom, Gong Tae-Sang and Jeon Yoon-Gi, both around 180 cm tall, stood with their arms crossed while waiting for Shin Hyo-Ri and Shin Hyo-Joo to come out.

'

Let's get started.

'

I took a deep breath and approached the Gong Tae-Sang and Jeon Yoon-Gi. "What do you think you're doing standing in front of the women's restroom? Please leave immediately."

Gong Tae-Sang, with his menacing face, glared at me. "Hey! You better walk away while I'm being nice!"

Even though they worked in the same industry and probably knew who I was, they were pretending not to and trying to intimidate me.

I responded with a mocking tone. "I know both of you are from Oasis Entertainment. Let's stop the act, shall we?"

The two flinched, then tried to change the subject. "O-Oasis? What's that supposed to be?"

'

What do you think it is? It means you're both screwed.

'

From now on, I was going to crush them to erase the Everyday alert and to help Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri.

'

And more than anything... Hyo-Joo and Hyo-Ri are Sae-Ri's friends, aren't they?

'

There was no way I would sit back and watch Sae-Ri suffer over her friends. Taking care of a performer's mental health was part of a talent agent's job too.

However, Gong Tae-Sang and Jeon Yoon-Gi kept denying it, still waiting for the Shin sisters to come out.

I snorted and spoke firmly. "Mr. Gong Tae-Sang, Mr. Jeon Yoon-Gi. That's enough, don't you think?"

As soon as I said their names, they couldn't deny it anymore. Nevertheless, that didn't mean they backed down. Instead, they fidgeted nervously and glanced toward the restroom. Now that their cover was blown, they were clearly planning to pull the girls out and run.

At that moment, a better idea came to mind—something more effective than throwing punches. That was to separate Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri from these thugs right now. If I could do that, even without lifting a finger, those two would surely get torn apart by the higher-ups at Oasis Entertainment for letting the situation fall apart.

With that decision made, I quickly stepped in front of the restroom door to block their access. At the same time, I called Ji Yung-Sik.

"Mr. Ji. I'm in front of the women's restroom in Zone A. Could you send some security over? Talent agents from Oasis Entertainment have infiltrated the site."

-Are they seriously trying to mess with me? I sent out multiple notices that no outside agency staff are allowed in...

"They came in anyway."

Even though Hoop Entertainment was funding the production,

Project I.O.A

was still SBC's responsibility. Just the fact that Oasis Entertainment had interfered in such a show could bring serious consequences from the network.

Gong Tae-Sang panicked and shouted, "Hey! Hang up the phone right now!"

I ignored him and asked for security to be dispatched as quickly as possible.

As soon as I hung up, Gong Tae-Sang turned toward the restroom and yelled, "Hey! Hyo-Joo and Hyo-Ri! Get out here now! If you don't, I'm going straight to Jagalchi Market to visit your mom, got it?"

'

These bastards.

..'

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Right then, I heard the creak of a door opening. Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri came running out, pale as sheets. Water still dripped from their hands as they hadn't even had time to dry them.

I was left speechless to think they had threatened girls who were barely high school freshmen like this.

'

I'm not letting you go unpunished, Gong Tae-Sang

.'

I immediately stepped in front of Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri and shouted, "Hyo-Joo, Hyo-Ri. Sae-Ri asked me to come, so you don't have to go anywhere. You know who I am, right?"

Because the girls were so frightened, I used Sae-Ri's name to stop them from making a rash decision.

As expected, Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri flinched.

"Did Sae-Ri really ask you to come?"

"Sae-Ri asked you to help us?"

I nodded. "That's right. I'll protect you, so you don't have to listen to those guys. I'll make sure your mom's safe too, so just stay behind me."

"O-okay..."

Thankfully, Shin Hyo-Joo and Shin Hyo-Ri stopped in their tracks and hid behind me.

Just then, the restroom door creaked open and a few girls peeked their heads out.

"What's going on?"

"Why are they yelling?"

"Is someone fighting?"

The girls clustered together, craning their necks to see the commotion. Eventually, one of them subtly raised her phone.

But seeing that, Gong Tae-Sang barked, "Put those phones down, now!"

"

Kyaaah

!"

Creak, slam!

The girls quickly lowered their phones and slammed the door shut.

'

Good. It's better they don't come out. That helps me more.

'

Growing desperate, Gong Tae-Sang now reached toward the girls behind me. "Get over here, now!"

At that moment, I swiftly knocked away Gong Tae-Sang's reaching hand.

Thwack.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Gong Tae-Sang recoiled, clutching his hand that had been struck. "

Argh!

You bastard!"

But right then, Gong Tae-Sang slipped on a puddle on the floor. He lost his balance and landed hard on the ground, right on his butt.

"Wh-what the..."

Thud.

The marble floor in front of the restroom echoed from the impact.

"

Ughhh

..."

Gong Tae-Sang held his tailbone and groaned. That's when Jeon Yoon-Gi charged at me. However, I timed it perfectly and drove my fist forward.

Thwack.

As my punch hit just below his sternum, Jeon Yoon-Gi collapsed forward.

Thud.

Jeon Yoon-Gi helplessly crashed right on top of Gong Tae-Sang. "

Argh!

" Groaning and clutching his stomach, Jeon Yoon-Gi wheezed, "H-hyung-nim.. y-you okay?

Oww

~"

"No, I'm not!"

Just then, four security guards ran in, shouting from the end of the hallway. "You there! What do you think you're doing?"

In that instant, Jeon Yoon-Gi and Gong Tae-Sang gritted their teeth and stood up.

"Hyung-nim... let's just get out of here."

"Fuck! Got it."

The two shot me a look like they wanted to tear me apart, then stumbled off toward the opposite exit, away from the approaching guards.

The security guards hurried up and scanned me. "Are you alright, Mr. Jung?"

"I'm fine."

After confirming we were safe, the guards said they would block off the entrance and took off. At the same time, I checked my planner.

[Everyday V12.2]

[Date: February 26, 2021]

-10:10 p.m.: [NEW. Kim Sae-Ri] Transported to Busan University Hospital Emergency Room. (Emergency Meeting:

Project I.O.A

Busan preliminaries suspended.)

The schedule entry still hadn't disappeared.

'

Of course it didn't go away. I never expected it to be this easy anyway.

'

If today were the final day of the Busan auditions, I might have asked Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill for help. However, I couldn't risk it since the auditions continued through the weekend and those days were even more important. If I involved the prosecution and erased today's schedule entry, Oasis Entertainment might retaliate and sabotage the weekend's auditions.

So there was only one way left to erase this schedule—I had to confront the president of Oasis Entertainment directly.

'

President Jang. Just wait a little longer

.'