Chapter 750: Qualification of a Parent (1)

Inside the taxi heading to the

Project I.O.A

set in Ilsan, Song Chang-Sik sat in the passenger seat and stared at his cracked phone screen.

[(

Project I.O.A

Character Focus – Team 5, Song Mi-Hee) The most prepared trainee.]

-Song Mi-Hee, the Korean member of Team 5, is considered the most complete candidate among the 132.

-Singing, dancing, visuals, variety, personality. She's said to lack nothing.

-After a decade of sweat and perseverance, will Song Mi-Hee finally have her moment to shine?

-Supporters, please leave a comment to cheer her on.

-Ranked 7th in the first round of popularity votes (Total votes: 23,123)

...

"

Heh heh heh

. The girl turned out alright."

Just before his release last night, Song Chang-Sik had heard from one of the prison guards that his daughter was on an audition program and was quite the fan favorite. The guard even asked him to send an autograph later.

He had known his daughter worked at an entertainment company before, but never once thought she would actually make it. This time, though, it felt different.

Just then, the driver looked to be in his early thirties, glanced over and frowned. He clearly seemed to have misunderstood something.

Song Chang-Sik waved his hands. "Hey now, don't look at me like that. She's my daughter."

"Really?"

"I'm telling you, I'm Song Mi-Hee's father. I've been working out of town for a while, so I've been away from her and her mom. It's been a long time since I've seen her."

The driver gave a reluctant nod. "

Oh

... right. Sure."

Still sensing disbelief in the driver's eyes, Song Chang-Sik pulled up a photo on his phone. "Man, you really don't trust people. Look here, will you?"

The driver sneaked a peek at the screen, and there it was—a real photo of Song Chang-Sik and a young Song Mi-Hee.

"

Oh

? You're serious?"

"I'm heading to Ilsan now to see her, actually."

Truth was, Song Chang-Sik was going because his wife hadn't picked up the phone. When he heard his daughter was filming

Project I.O.A

in Ilsan, he figured he could stir up a scene there.

Yet the driver, not knowing Song Chang-Sik's real reason, dropped the frown and lit up with a smile. "

Ah,

I'm sorry about earlier. I just became a fan of Song Mi-Hee after watching the broadcast last night. I was preparing for the civil service exam for seven years, but gave up and became a driver. Seeing someone like her go strong for ten years is impressive and inspiring."

"

Hmph

. Sounds like my daughter's pretty popular, huh?"

"Of course! You saw, right? She's ranked 7th! Out of 132! That's huge! She's got a real shot at making it into I.O.A."

The driver got all worked up, rattling off details he knew. That's when Song Chang-Sik couldn't help but grin.

'

Talk about a jackpot

.'

Song Chang-Sik's original plan had been to find out where his wife was through his daughter, then shake her down for cash and hit the tracks or the tables. But now it looked like there was money elsewhere. If his daughter was this popular, he could probably squeeze a decent sum out of the network. That meant he needed to learn more about the show.

Suppressing his grin, Song Chang-Sik leaned in toward the driver. "

Ahem

... truth is, I've just been working down south, so all I knew was that she wanted to be a singer. I didn't even know what show she was on. Since you seem like a fan, mind filling me in a bit? I'd hate to show up clueless."

From that moment, the self-proclaimed fan started explaining more than Song Chang-Sik expected.

"

Oh

, so this show is basically..."

Thanks to him, Song Chang-Sik gathered a surprising amount of information during the ride from the prison to Ilsan. As the two chatted, Song Chang-Sik arrived at the

Project I.O.A

set in Ilsan. A massive building with the show's title came into view. The taxi rolled smoothly into the parking lot.

Screech.

The meter read 48,200 won. However, Song Chang-Sik's shabby wallet only held thirty thousand.

With a mildly annoyed expression, Song Chang-Sik made his move. "Huh? Why do I only have thirty thousand won?

Ahem

. Hey, Mr. Driver. I'll just hit the ATM nearby and be right back. Wait here a bit."

Then the driver gave me a wide grin. "No need. You're Song Mi-Hee's father, aren't you? I can't give you a free ride, but I can at least give you a discount!"

Song Chang-Sik hadn't planned on paying more in the first place. He was going to pretend to hit the ATM and then disappear. Yet the driver was being friendlier than expected, which made the corners of Song Chang-Sik's mouth twitch upward.

'

What a sucker

.'

Chuckling to himself, Song Chang-Sik handed the driver thirty thousand won.

The driver clenched his fist and shouted a cheer. "Prepared idol, Team 5's Song Mi-Hee! Let's go!"

For a moment, Song Chang-Sik thought the nutcase was up to something weird. But since he gave a discount, Song Chang-Sik forced a smile and weakly raised his fist too. "L-Let's go!"

"Have a great day, sir~"

Watching the taxi disappear with an odd slogan, Song Chang-Sik smiled. "

Heh

. Guess that bitch Mi-Hee's finally useful for something."

Letting out a hearty laugh, Song Chang-Sik turned toward the building. If he barged into the lobby and made a fuss, someone in charge was bound to come out. Then he would squeeze some money out of them.

'

She's one of the top contestants. So a little noise and they'll pay to shut me up

.'

With that in mind, Song Chang-Sik headed toward one of the two large buildings labeled Dormitory Wing. It was 6:15 a.m., so the place was dead quiet with not a single soul in sight.

Step, step.

Ignoring the morning chill, Song Chang-Sik walked up to the entrance in high spirits. Next to the automatic door was a security booth. Out came a guard wearing a black cap pulled low, a mask, and dark sunglasses with his face completely covered.

"Can I help you?" the guard asked.

The voice was vaguely familiar, but that didn't matter to Song Chang-Sik. "Hey there, my daughter's in there. I'm here to see her. Step aside, will you?"

"I'm sorry, but only authorized personnel can enter."

"Listen, I am authorized. I'm Song Mi-Hee's father!"

Song Chang-Sik raised his voice on purpose. The plan was to cause a scene and force someone important to come out. If they laid a hand on him, it would be even better.

However, the masked guard bowed politely. "

Oh

! You're Mi-Hee's father?"

Between the taxi driver and now this, Song Chang-Sik was honestly taken aback by how much weight the fact that he was Song Mi-Hee's father carried.

"Y-Yeah, I'm Mi-Hee's dad."

"You should've said so earlier. Please, this way. We can't let you into the dorm since the other contestants are there, but I'll call Ms. Song Mi-Hee over from the connected stage wing."

It was hard to kick up a fuss when the guard was being so damn respectful. On top of that, the grip the guard had on his arm was so strong that he couldn't really resist.

"Hey now... what the hell?"

Missing his window to raise hell, Song Chang-Sik was practically being escorted toward the adjacent building. When the two reached the stage wing, the guard placed a thumb on the door sensor.

Click.

The thick door unlocked and a long hallway stretched ahead.

"You'll need to go through here to reach the stage. That's where we can bring her out." With that, the guard walked ahead and pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Mi-Hee's father is here. He's coming in, so please let her know."

-Yes, sir.

Trailing behind, Song Chang-Sik couldn't help puffing out his chest a little. With them acting this meek, he figured he could get away with asking for a bigger payout.

'

If Mi-Hee's being treated like this, they'll probably pay whatever I ask

.'

Song Chang-Sik had that thought just as I reached the end of the hallway. The guard threw his weight into the door much larger than the last, and it creaked open with effort. It was so heavy even someone as strong enough to be a guard had to struggle.

The guard pointed into the dim space beyond. "Please, go in first."

Normally, Song Chang-Sik wouldn't have stepped into a dark room without question. However, the guard's polite tone had lowered his guard.

"

Ahem

. Alright."

Without much thought, Song Chang-Sik walked inside.

Flash.

Lights flicked on along the passage from the entrance to the stage. In front of him was a massive round stage big enough for all 132 contestants. Above it hung a colossal screen, visible from anywhere in the coliseum-style audience seating that rose around the stage. The audience area was still dark, but even through the shadows, he could see just how huge it was to easily fit lots of people.

Seeing the kind of concert hall he had only ever seen on TV, Song Chang-Sik's mind started racing.

'

Jackpot!

'

If his daughter could perform on a stage like this, Song Chang-Sik could milk this gig not just once but over and over.

'

I've got them right where I want them

.'

A smug grin spread across Song Chang-Sik's face.

"

Hahaha.

They've poured serious money into this, huh? So... this is where my daughter's gonna perform?

Hehehe

."

At that moment, the once-respectful guard suddenly dropped the formality and spoke casually, "That's right."

For a moment, Song Chang-Sik thought he had misheard it.

"What did you say?"

"Just like you said—your daughter will stand here, adored by the whole nation."

Song Chang-Sik hadn't misheard. The guard had indeed dropped the formalities. At the same time, he slowly took off his cap, then the sunglasses, then the mask.

"W-What... you are... Jung Yoon-Ho?"

It was the man from those Real Ramen ads glaring at him.

***

It was said that parents are supposed to sacrifice everything for their children and that kids grow up healthy under the warmth of that unconditional love.

Yet the man standing before me, Song Chang-Sik, was incapable of even grasping what love for a child meant. So I waited in the dorm wing disguised as a guard, just to make sure the other girls wouldn't find out this was Song Mi-Hee's father.

The moment I found Song Chang-Sik, I led him straight into the stage wing. No matter what happened in here, the place was soundproof, meaning no noise would escape.

Now, I took off my hat, mask, and sunglasses, glaring at Song Chang-Sik.

Snapping out of it, Song Chang-Sik shouted, "What the hell do you think you're doing!?"

"I've been waiting for you."

Song Chang-Sik looked around in confusion and barked, "I don't know what you're trying to pull, but bring my daughter out here. Now!"

I scoffed through my nose. "Your daughter? Where exactly do you think she is?"

"What?"

"You've never once acted like a real father. What gives you the right to call yourself one now?"

Song Chang-Sik's face twisted with disbelief as he raised his voice. "You son of a bitch. I was trying to play nice since today's the day I got out, but forget it! Whatever happens now is on you!"

At that moment, Song Chang-Sik spun around and ran to the door, straining to push it open. However, it didn't budge.

"

Ughhh

... what the... why won't it open?"

He was probably hoping to head to the dorms and make a scene, but that wasn't going to happen. Outside the door, people I had called were already blocking it. And there was only one way out.

"If you want to leave, you just need to agree to one thing."

"Agree, my ass! Open this damn door right now!"

"I told you—just make the promise and I'll open the door."

Struggling, Song Chang-Sik demanded, "What promise?"

"Promise you'll never show your face in front of Mi-Hee or her mother again. Do that, and I'll let you go wherever you want. I'll even give you some money."

Song Chang-Sik exploded in anger. "Bullshit. You think I'm an idiot? You want me to give up a cash cow I can bleed dry for the rest of my life? Screw that! I'm gonna suck that girl dry till there's nothing left, you bastard!"

Just as I expected, this man never strayed an inch from the worst-case assumptions.

With a sigh, I spoke into the radio. "Turn on the audience lights."

-Yes, sir.

Click.

The once-dark auditorium lit up. Up in the seats, two people were holding hands while watching from above. The two people were Song Mi-Hee and her mother, Lee Yung-Seon.

The private investigation agency team had explained the situation and brought Lee Yung-Seon here. Unlike Song Mi-Hee, who overcame her fear and asked for help, her mother had been unable to make a decision.

So I brought them both into the audience and had them sit in the dark so they could hear everything for themselves. If Lee Yung-Seon couldn't decide now, I needed her to see exactly what would happen to her daughter.

I spoke to Lee Yung-Seon. "If you don't choose, ma'am, that man will torment Mi-Hee for the rest of her life. Only your courage can save her!"

Lee Yung-Seon answered in a trembling voice. "I-I want to trust you, Mr. Jung... but if she doesn't make it as an idol and you just turn your back on us...? What are we supposed to do then?"

When Lee Yung-Seon came out just as I expected. I replied firmly. "Yesterday, Mi-Hee ranked 7th. Even if she doesn't make it into I.O.A., other agencies will line up for her. And if she does fail, I'll take full responsibility and help you myself."

At this point, Song Mi-Hee's chance of making I.O.A. were high. But even if she didn't, I could connect her with Reverse Entertainment or another agency. After all, there weren't many idols out there with both her looks and skill.

That's when Song Chang-Sik suddenly screamed, "Hey! Song Mi-Hee! Lee Yung-Seon! You two trying to screw me over? What, did you forget who I am just because it's been a while? Fine! Die, all of you! You're all dead!"

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

As Song Chang-Sik caught on, he tried to push past me toward the seats. At that moment, I grabbed Song Chang-Sik's wrist and pressed him down hard.

Groaning in pain, Song Chang-Sik fell to his knees. "

Ughhh

! Let go, you son of a bitch! Let go of me!"

Song Chang-Sik screamed and thrashed, but I ignored him and spoke toward the audience seats.

"Ma'am. Please make your decision. If you give me the word, I'll make sure this man never shows up in front of you and Mi-Hee again."

Lee Yung-Seon turned with tearful eyes to her daughter. "Mi-Hee... can we trust that man?"

Through streaming tears, Song Mi-Hee replied, "Yes, Mom. You can trust Mr. Jung. I'm only here because of him. So please... from now on, let's live just the two of us. Okay? I don't want to live getting hit anymore. I don't want to see you get hurt either. Please..."

At the same time, Song Mi-Hee pulled her mother into a tight hug. Lee Yung-Seon held her daughter close and began to cry.

Then, from the floor, Song Chang-Sik screamed again. "If I get out of here, I'll burn that house down with all of you in it! Then I'll kill myself too!"

That's when Lee Yung-Seon spoke in a trembling voice with resolve. "Mr. Jung... please. Make sure he never comes near us again."

Finally, a permission was granted.

I nodded. "I'll take care of it as you wish."

I had seen many men like Song Chang-Sik before the regression. They weren't afraid of prison. Even if they went in, they would be out in no time and they always came back worse. So handling people like him required special methods.

I pressed my radio and called those outside the door. "Come on in."

Creak.

The heavy door opened again and in walked four suited men who were blocking the door. Each had close-cropped hair and an air of menace. One of them dragged in a massive suitcase behind him.

Clack, clack.

The sound of the wheels echoed through the hall.

Song Chang-Sik's eyes started to shake. "W-what are you doing? What the hell is this!?"

'

What do you think? I'm about to take care of you for good, Song Chang-Sik.

'