Chapter 747: First Broadcast of Project I.O.A (3)

'

It must be a smartwatch

.'

The thick foundation case was more than big enough to hold a smartwatch without its strap.

"Mi-Hee... open the case."

"M-Mr. Jung. I, I..."

Holding the foundation case tightly with both hands, Song Mi-Hee began to tremble. At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee could tell something was wrong too.

At the same time, Woo Yeon-Hee shouted in a voice I had never heard from her before. "Song Mi-Hee. What are you doing? Open it, now!"

"Unnie..."

Even as Song Mi-Hee hesitated, Woo Yeon-Hee reached out and snatched the case from her.

Clack.

Woo Yeon-Hee opened the foundation case.

Click.

The moment it opened, Woo Yeon-Hee's hands began to shake. Inside the case was a thin smartwatch body with no strap just as I had suspected.

"You...What is this? Huh?"

At that moment, Song Mi-Hee collapsed onto the table and began to wail uncontrollably. She had brought something into the dorm that she couldn't possibly explain away, even if she were fired.

"

Sob...sob

..."

Just then, Woo Yeon-Hee, still holding the case with the smartwatch, also began to cry. Song Mi-Hee, who had spent ten years failing to become an idol because of her father, had now ruined her own chance.

"You idiot...you fool...why did you do this...?"

Listening to their heart-wrenching sobs, I could only close my eyes in silence.

***

Some time passed and the two's seemingly endless crying finally stopped.

Woo Yeon-Hee, eyes still brimming with tears, looked at Song Mi-Hee lying on the table. She then turned to me and spoke with difficulty.

"Yoon-Ho oppa..."

I already knew what her kind heart was going to ask. She wanted to ask me to look the other way and please forgive Song Mi-Hee just this once. The information hadn't been leaked yet, after all.

"Oppa, please help Mi-Hee. Just this once. I'm begging you. For my sake."

Woo Yeon-Hee was pleading with her hands clasped for someone no talent agent had helped in ten years. She claimed that it was true Song Mi-Hee had made a mistake, but it was a mistake born of neglect.

I hesitated, but the decision came quickly.

'

All right, I'll help her

.'

As Woo Yeon-Hee said, nothing had gone wrong yet. I was once Korea's top talent agent. If even after returning to the past I couldn't help a kid like her, it would be shameful. Besides, no information had actually been leaked thanks to Everyday. It was almost as if Everyday had intervened to stop this from happening.

So I decided to grant Woo Yeon-Hee's request. Helping Song Mi-Hee was also helping Project I.O.A. If this incident came to light—even just the possibility of a leak—it would destroy public trust no matter how much we promised tighter security afterward. In short, keeping Song Mi-Hee's mistake a secret was best for everyone.

Still, I needed to know why Song Mi-Hee did it. Only then could I use her to take down the ones who had roped her into this.

After a short breath, I called Song Mi-Hee's name. "Mi-Hee."

Song Mi-Hee answered without lifting her head. "I'm sorry... Mr. Jung..."

"Look up."

Slowly, Song Mi-Hee raised her head. Her makeup was a mess and she couldn't even meet my eyes.

"Who told you to do this?" I asked.

Song Mi-Hee replied with a defeated expression. "TNT Entertainment."

As expected, it was TNT Entertainment, the same company that had been tormenting me all day.

"Who exactly at TNT?"

"Director Ahn Chae-Seon."

Ahn Chae-Seon from TNT Entertainment was known as the right-hand of President Yoo Kang-Seok. But with Yoo Kang-Seok recently imprisoned, it seemed she had switched allegiance to Bang Sang-Yung. I had assumed it was Bang Sang-Yung behind this, but it turned out not to be.

I nodded and suggested, "Then in exchange for my forgiveness, can you tell me everything that happened?"

For the first time, hope appeared in Song Mi-Hee's eyes. "You... you're forgiving me...?"

"Yes. Though that doesn't necessarily mean you'll pass the audition."

Song Mi-Hee's voice trembled with emotion. "Mr. Jung..."

"But don't ever do something like this again. And... I want you to remember that at least one person reached out to help you. Also, I'll take care of your father's situation, so don't worry."

Like Jang So-Yeon whom I had recently recruited, Song Mi-Hee was clearly someone who would never have gone astray if only someone had helped her sooner. Otherwise, Woo Yeon-Hee wouldn't have protected her like this.

At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee suddenly stood and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Yoon-Ho oppa!"

Woo Yeon-Hee was the leader of Cherry Blossom, now a top idol. Yet she didn't hesitate to bow for the sake of someone she knew. Working with someone that decent really felt good.

Song Mi-Hee also stood and bowed. "Thank you, Mr. Jung."

"Enough with the thanks. Just tell me what happened. Why did you do this?"

After wiping her tears, Song Mi-Hee began to explain how it all came about.

"Well, here's what happened..."

***

TNT Entertainment had once been rocked by the illegal wiretapping case involving one of their actors which I had reported. Their finances took a hit, and they ended up firing all their trainees except for a few key talents.

The team that Song Mi-Hee had been preparing to debut with was dissolved at that time. So in a way, it was my doing that made her a victim. I felt glad I had decided to help her.

Anyway, Song Mi-Hee said she had been in despair when she happened to see an ad for

Project I.O.A

's auditions. Thinking it was her last chance, Song Mi-Hee applied. However, she hit a wall at the audition—the other Korean hopefuls were just too talented. Even with ten years of experience, she couldn't be confident she can beat them.

Still, Song Mi-Hee practiced relentlessly, hoping that even if she didn't get into I.O.A., another company might offer her a contract.

Then one day, Song Mi-Hee got a call from her mom that her imprisoned dad was getting out on parole. She said her mind went blank at that moment. Unable to face her father's abuse again, Song Mi-Hee became desperate to debut as an idol. She believed that if she got in, the company would protect her mother from him.

And at that critical moment, she couldn't resist the devil's hand from TNT Entertainment—the very company that had dropped her. They promised that if she just followed their instructions, they would guarantee her debut.

Song Mi-Hee wrapped up the story. "...That's how it happened."

"So they told you that if you did what they said, they'd make you debut?" I asked.

"Yes. They said if I failed this audition, they'd put me in the girl group they're preparing Let Me In."

'

This is unbelievable.

'

That was exactly the kind of promise they never keep.

"But didn't you think it would be the end of your idol dreams if you got caught leaking internal information?"

"There are no cameras in the showers or changing rooms, so I thought I'd never get caught. And even if I did... TNT said they'd compensate me with money or whatever. But honestly... the biggest thing was that they said they'd deal with my dad."

My chest tightened. Song Mi-Hee believed that becoming an idol was the only way to save her mother. She had been forced into a situation where she could only fall victim to the adults who exploited that belief.

Tears welled up in Woo Yeon-Hee's eyes again. "You should've told me. I could've helped you both!"

"I'm sorry, unnie. I'm really sorry..."

Their sobs threatened to erupt once more. However, we didn't have time to cry. Out there, Ahn Chae-Seon was surely waiting for internal news.

And that was when several ways to completely screw over TNT Entertainment passed through my mind. It was almost like I had been waiting for this moment.

"Mi-Hee, do you think you can do exactly as I say?" I asked.

Song Mi-Hee wiped her tears with her sleeve. "Just tell me. I'll do everything."

"Good. Then let's make TNT Entertainment pay for threatening you with your own weakness."

I began laying out my plan to destroy TNT Entertainment.

***

After explaining the plan to Song Mi-Hee, I called PD Ji Yung-Sik to Practice Room 2.

When Ji Yung-Sik rushed over and saw the smartwatch inside the foundation case, he immediately became furious. It wasn't just that someone had tried this, but it was that it had been Song Mi-Hee—the trainee he had high hopes for.

"Song Mi-Hee, what the hell is this!?" Ji Yung-Sik screamed.

I quickly stepped in to calm Ji Yung-Sik down. "TNT Entertainment threatened Mi-Hee and tried to extract internal information through her. She was torn, reached out to her close friend Yeon-Hee, and then reported it to me."

"She reported it?"

I nodded. "Yes. They were discussing it just outside the room earlier. She brought this because they threatened her, saying there was someone planted even inside the station."

Ji Yung-Sik glared at Song Mi-Hee, still breathing heavily. "Song Mi-Hee! If something like this was going on, you should've told me right away! What am I supposed to do now with this suddenly being thrown at me?"

At that moment, Song Mi-Hee lowered her head just as I had instructed, wearing a face full of guilt. "I was scared you'd cut me before I even got to film. I know entertainment PDs are so quick to drop people. Especially in audition shows, they're known for those devil edits."

"We... we don't do that kind of thing..." Ji Yung-Sik trailed off.

What Song Mi-Hee said was true. Those devil edits for drama and viewership ratings were business as usual in audition programs.

Ji Yung-Sik let out a heavy sigh. "

Sigh

... yeah. You're right. If not me, CP Kang Dae-Woong definitely would've cut you."

Song Mi-Hee bowed even lower, nearly touching the table. "I'm sorry, Mr. Ji."

Her repeated apologies seemed to soften Ji Yung-Sik's tone a bit.

That's when I stepped in. "Since Mi-Hee had the courage to confess, I hope there won't be any repercussions... What do you think, Mr. Ji?"

Ji Yung-Sik hesitated, then spoke. "Well, I'm not a complete hardass. Nothing's been leaked yet, so let's keep this between us and bury it."

'

We did it.

'

That was the toughest hurdle cleared. If Ji Yung-Sik had insisted on cutting Song Mi-Hee no matter what excuse she gave, there would be nothing I could do. But thankfully, he agreed to forgive her.

Then Ji Yung-Sik asked, "Do you have a solution in mind?"

I nodded. "Of course."

With the biggest challenge behind us, it was time to make TNT Entertainment regret everything.

"Are you planning to press charges?"

"No. Not for this."

"Why not? You should sue them and ban them from the station."

"Doing that would be an official admission that internal info was leaked. So I plan to take a different route."

"What kind?"

"I'm going to feed TNT false information and use it for some noise marketing too."

Rather than hide everything, I had decided to use Song Mi-Hee to spread fake intel.

I smiled. "If the first leak is completely off the mark, the public will stop trusting any follow-up articles."

"So we promote our program while tanking the credibility of the leaks?"

"Exactly. And after this, no one will dare to spoil anything again."

A smirk twitched at the corner of Ji Yung-Sik's mouth. "Just thinking about it feels so satisfying."

"Then is it okay for Mi-Hee to hand over the fake list to Director Ahn Chae-Seon at TNT Entertainment?"

Ji Yung-Sik nodded slowly. "Yes."

With his permission granted, I immediately turned to Song Mi-Hee.

Song Mi-Hee's eyes sparkled as she asked, "Then what should I say to Ms. Ahn Chae-Seon?"

I began typing the names on my tablet. "Just tell her exactly this. Team 1: Ye Sung-Yeon, Choi Yeon-Mi, Liu Lan, Minamoto Aoi. Team 2: Go Eun-Seo..."

I wrote out a fake list where not a single member belonged to a real team.

Ji Yung-Sik chuckled as he looked at it. "If this gets leaked, no one's going to trust the media again. This is about as likely to be accurate as me winning the lottery."

Ji Yung-Sik bought lottery tickets every week, but the best he had ever won was a five-thousand-won prize. Station staff even avoided the numbers he picked.

"Should Mi-Hee call now?"

"Please do."

With Ji Yung-Sik's go-ahead, Song Mi-Hee reached for the power button on the smartwatch with trembling hands.

Buzz~

The device powered on. As the rest of us held our breath, Song Mi-Hee initiated the call. The moment the ringtone ended, someone picked up.

Song Mi-Hee spoke softly. "Ms. Ahn... I'm sorry for the delay... I had to sneak away to the bathroom..."

Ahn Chae-Seon whispered back.

-It's fine. Just talk. The list, any updates—whatever you've got.

"There's nothing big on the girls, but I do have the team assignments. I'll read them to you."

-Hurry. Reporters are waiting.

"Yes, ma'am. Team 1: Ye Sung-Yeon, Choi Yeon-Mi, Liu Lan, Minamoto Aoi. Team 2: Go Eun-Seo..."

Keeping her voice low, Song Mi-Hee began reading the list I had given her.

***

Once the call ended, Song Mi-Hee glanced at me nervously. "I'm done."

I nodded. "You did great. Now leave the rest to me and just focus on practice."

"Yes, Mr. Jung. Thank you so much. Really, thank you."

As Song Mi-Hee bowed repeatedly, Woo Yeon-Hee stepped in. "Come on, let's go. Yoon-Ho oppa is busy."

"O-okay, unnie."

Woo Yeon-Hee led Song Mi-Hee out of the practice room. And I, ready to handle the aftermath, headed to the third floor with Ji Yung-Sik.

Shortly after, I turned to Ji Yung-Sik outside the third-floor monitoring room. "Mr. Ji, I'll handle public sentiment. Just stay steady no matter what."

Ji Yung-Sik reassured me. "Even if the president shows up, I won't budge. Don't worry."

At that moment, the fake team list began hitting the news.

Buzz~

[(Exclusive)

Project I.O.A

Week 1 Team Assignment List Leaked! (Entertainment All Times, Reporter Song Gi-Beom)]

-Breaking scoop.

A total of 33 teams formed.

[Team 1]: Ye Sung-Yeon, Choi Yeon-Mi, Liu Lan, Minamoto Aoi.

[Team 2]: Go Eun-Seo, ...

...

(Comments)

-There's still 30 minutes till the broadcast. How's this out already?

-LOL.

Project I.O.A

hyped up their security and still blew it before it even started?

-Please keep the exclusives coming.

-If this kind of info leaks so easily, what else might be happening? Rigging? Total security failure?

[(Exclusive)

Project I.O.A

Team Info Leak. So much for 'top-tier' security. (Baro Star, Reporter Lee Ji-Woo)]

Ji Yung-Sik clenched his jaw at the articles. "Unbelievable. These guys drank with me all the time, and now they stab me in the back?"

Reporter Song Gi-Beom had been one of Ji Yung-Sik's most friendly contacts. But in the industry, Song Gi-Beom was nicknamed Mosquito—buzzing around everywhere, draining info with his straw. Yet this time, he had sucked down fake blood.

I said, "Just trust me. I'm going to blow this wide open."

Like a pro exterminator called to handle pests, I saw the tension ease from Ji Yung-Sik's face.

"Right. I'm counting on you, Mr. Jung. Teach them a real lesson."

"Yes, sir."

"Then I'll head in to prepare for the broadcast. I've got work to do myself."

It was now 9:30 p.m., only thirty minutes left until airtime.

After a final nod, Ji Yung-Sik turned and opened the heavy, soundproof door to the monitoring room.

Creak.

Inside, chaos had erupted over the fake leak.

"Mr. Ji! We've got a situation!"

However, Ji Yung-Sik stood tall. "Since when did we let fake news from reporters shake us? Don't worry. We've got this covered!"

'

Damn right. Because they've got me

.'

Leaving things to me, Ji Yung-Sik shut the door behind him. Now that Ji Yung-Sik was inside, I could stop worrying about that side.

"Now... I guess it's my turn."

Taking a deep breath, I reached for my phone.

'

Bang Sang-Yung. You picked the wrong person to mess with. It's time for you to pay for everything you've put me through today

.'