Chapter 780: The Price of Arrogance (3)

"The Mr. Jung I know is someone who tries to give people as many chances as he can. He did that for me, and he's doing the same for you."

When Han So-Won said this about Jung Yoon-Ho, Go Eun-Seo blinked her big eyes in disbelief. "Mr. Jung is giving me a chance too? Seriously?"

"Of course. You heard about that SBC executive who tried to interfere with the broadcast last week and got kicked out after getting chewed out by Mr. Jung, right?"

"Yeah, I heard..."

"Then do you really think he couldn't get rid of a single trainee like you?"

Go Eun-Seo gave it some thought and realized Han So-Won had a point. Even her father, a well-established figure in Incheon and a sitting member of the National Assembly, and her mother, a top actress who could throw her weight around at any network, had both been humiliated and kicked out after trying to pull rank on Jung Yoon-Ho.

Still, she couldn't quite understand it and asked again,"Then why is he going easy on me?"

Han So-Won shrugged. "I don't know why he's cutting you slack. Maybe it's because you're young. Maybe it's because you haven't crossed the line yet... But one thing I do know for sure."

"What?"

"When Mr. Jung gets really mad, he's terrifying."

Han So-Won started telling Go Eun-Seo how Jung Yoon-Ho had helped her and what had happened in the process. She shared how the money her mom sent was stolen by her aunt and uncle, leading her to become malnourished. And how Jung Yoon-Ho came to find that aunt and uncle and completely wrecked them.

Go Eun-Seo's eyes widened to twice their size as she listened.

"So my aunt and uncle had to return all the money they took, and their family completely fell apart. But he never did anything like that to you or your parents. That means he's definitely going easy on you."

Only then did Go Eun-Seo finally realize she had been on the receiving end of Jung Yoon-Ho's consideration this whole time. Even after all the trouble she caused, the worst she got was a scolding.

"Then if I really try my best, do you think he'll look out for me?"

Han So-Won chuckled. "If he didn't have any intention of doing that, why would he keep you around? Honestly, you were kind of a pain."

Nineteen-year-old Yang Bing-Bing, who had been listening nearby, nodded. "Yeah, agreed. Eun-Seo, you're kind of annoying."

Eighteen-year-old Kudo Minatsu also nodded slowly. "Yeah, you are. I know I can be selfish too, but you really rub me the wrong way. Even though you're the youngest, you talked back to the older members."

Go Eun-Seo pouted toward Yang Bing-Bing and Kudo Minatsu. Their comments clearly got under her skin. "Like you two are any better than me!"

Yang Bing-Bing and Kudo Minatsu nodded again.

"We know. We're not."

"Yeah, we know very well. We're annoying too."

Yang Bing-Bing had bullied Wang Lina on the plane, and Kudo Minatsu had ostracized Minamoto Aoi. They both had done things that were just as bad as what Go Eun-Seo had done. For this reason, the three of them looked at one another and let out a deep sigh. They had all just been reminded that they were on Jung Yoon-Ho's radar.

However, Han So-Won looked at the three and gently spoke up. "That's why we need to try harder. Don't you think so?"

At that moment, Go Eun-Seo clenched her teeth and stood up. The only way to make up for all the trouble she had caused was to work hard and prove she had changed.

"Unnies, go ahead and rest. I'll stay and practice a bit more."

Han So-Won stood up with her. "What kind of leader lets the youngest stay behind alone? I'll stay too. We still have time before the show."

Right then, Yang Bing-Bing and Kudo Minatsu also stood up, stretching their wrists and ankles.

"Hey, let's all do it together. Come on!"

"Yeah. Who knows? Today might be the last time we're grouped together as Team 1."

Han So-Won spoke in a slightly excited tone, thanks to how much the others had changed. "Okay. Then let's work hard and wrap up two hours before the live rehearsal. We'll take a short break and get ready for tonight's main broadcast."

Yang Bing-Bing and Kudo Minatsu both nodded.

"Got it."

"Okay."

That was when Go Eun-Seo, hesitating a little, said something she hadn't said before. "Got it, leader... unnie."

Go Eun-Seo, who had always been too proud to ever say "leader," had no choice but to acknowledge it now. She had to admit that Han So-Won was truly her leader.

But just then, Yang Bing-Bing and Kudo Minatsu chimed in as well.

"Well, I'll be counting on you too, Leader Han."

"

Tch

. If you put it like that, what does that make me? I'll count on you too, Leader unnie!"

On their final day as Team 1, Han So-Won was finally recognized as their leader.

"Thanks, guys. Then should we do a team cheer, all hands in?"

At Han So-Won's words, the four of them joined hands for the first time.

With their hands stacked together, they shouted out loud, "Team One, Team One, fighting!!"

On the day of the first evaluation of week two, the four of them had finally come to accept one another as a true team.

Maybe that was why the group dance, which had been slightly off until now, was finally coming together during practice.

***

When I entered Practice Room 2 where Team 2 was training, Do Ran-Hee was keeping watch.

"

Oh

, Mr. Jung. You're here."

"Yeah. How's it going?"

"It's going well here."

Following Do Ran-Hee's lead, I checked the situation inside the room. However, Team 2 was in a different situation from Team 1. That was because their leader was Sung Na-Ra, a former member of FIVE Angels.

Having spent a year as an idol, Sung Na-Ra knew better than anyone how steep the professional wall could be. So even while sweating from start to finish, she never lost her smile.

"Okay. Let's take a short break."

Since it was break time, I called Sung Na-Ra over. "Na-Ra. How's it going?"

Even though her whole body was drenched in sweat, Sung Na-Ra greeted me with a smile on her face. "Hello, Mr. Jung!! I'm doing great."

The rest of Team 2 bowed at once after Sung Na-Ra's cheerful response.

I smiled. "I see. You're all sweating a lot. Good work."

"Yes. I'm just happy we get the chance to sweat like this."

Thanks to Sung Na-Ra, I figured this team didn't need any separate training in attitude.

'

What a textbook example of a great team. With model students, self-study works best

.'

"Good. Keep it up and do well at today's broadcast taping.

Oh,

and Na-Ra—you remember the things I warned you about, right?"

Sung Na-Ra's eyes flashed with focus. "Yes, Mr. Jung."

Sung Na-Ra's PR video was currently the second most-viewed. But in the comments, fans from her days in FIVE Angels were swarming in, hitting the dislike button and leaving malicious comments.

[I.O.A Top Viewed Videos]

...

2. Sung Na-Ra (Team 2) PR Video

(Views: 359,234 / Likes: 14,534 / Dislikes: 2,923)

(Comments)

-Sung Na-Ra. Happy you left FIVE Angels?

-Wow, she broke up one group and now she's on another audition show.

-I'll make sure you get eliminated no matter what.

-Na-Ra, stay strong!

-Geez. She's trying to work hard again. Why torment her like this? I see a few trolls following her around.

-Don't you know Sung Na-Ra was bullied in FIVE Angels? The so-called fans didn't even protect her. Why are they making a fuss here?

-Ugh, whatever. She's a traitor.

...

However, Sung Na-Ra just smiled and brushed off the hate comments like they were nothing. "I'll turn even the haters into my fans."

Compared to her days of being bullied in FIVE Angels, Sung Na-Ra's mental strength had clearly improved.

"Alright. If you run into something you can't handle on your own, talk to the talent agents. Got it?"

"Yes, Mr. Jung!"

After we exchanged farewells, Sung Na-Ra turned to the trainees beside her and called them to attention.

"Guys, let's greet Mr. Jung properly!"

With Sung Na-Ra's cue, the group all bowed in unison. "Thank you for your hard work!"

"Yeah, good job, everyone."

Since Sung Na-Ra had shown such a solid presence as team leader, I left the practice room feeling reassured.

After that, I made my rounds to check on the other trainees.

At Team 3, I advised Wang Lina to perform with more confidence. At Team 4, I gave a firm warning to Wang Lan, who was a part of the Shanghai clique, for exaggerating her condition. Song Mi-Hee from Team 5, a trainee with ten years of experience, needed no criticism—just a cheer. And when I visited Minamoto Aoi of Team 33, I confirmed that she was no longer being ostracized, then offered a few tips.

I spent the entire day moving around the dorm building, freely offering the kids whatever advice I could.

***

When I returned to the monitoring room two hours before the broadcast, Park Han-Jong, the variety department chief at SBC, and CP Kang Dae-Woong were already there, checking the progress. Ji Yung-Sik, the main director, was reviewing the pre-recorded footage on a large monitor.

-Guys. We have to meet again after this mission, okay?

Sniff.

-Mi-Hee unnie!

Sob sob.

On the screen, Team 5's leader Song Mi-Hee was shown hugging the other girls and crying after their final night of practice. Ji Yung-Sik had been capturing the raw emotions naturally expressed during practice.

"Okay, cut! Send this to the editing team. Let's use it toward the end of Part 1 in tonight's broadcast."

"Yes, Mr. Ji."

Having given his instructions, Ji Yung-Sik finally let out a deep breath. I greeted Park Han-Jong and Kang Dae-Woong before asking Ji Yung-Sik a question.

"Did you finish gathering all the pre-recorded footage?" I asked.

Ji Yung-Sik nodded. "Yes. All that's left now is to tally the pre-vote results."

Project I.O.A

calculated scores in two phases. One was the total of the week-long mission evaluations plus the preliminary popularity vote from fans. The other was the real-time scores from judges and viewer voting during the broadcast.

That's when Engineer Jang Dae-Joon called out, "Mr. Ji! The pre-vote just ended!"

"Yeah? Put the combined results up on the main screen."

"Yes, sir."

The giant screen began displaying the results of the pre-broadcast voting.

[Pre-Vote Score Ranking]

[Mission Evaluation: Average score from five judges]

[Viewer Vote: 1 point per 10,000 voters. Decimals rounded (e.g., 122,324 = 12 pts). If tied, decimals are used for ranking.]

1. Sung Na-Ra: 86 points (Judges: 48/50, Viewer Vote: 38/50)

2. Song Mi-Hee: 85 points (Judges: 50/50, Viewer Vote: 35/50)

3. Han So-Won: 84 points (Judges: 40/50, Viewer Vote: 44/50)

4. Yang Bing-Bing: 77 points

5. Minamoto Aoi: 76 points

6. Wang Lina: 72 points

...

13. Go Eun-Seo: 65 points (Judges: 35/50, originally 45 but with a –10 penalty, Viewer Vote: 30/50)

...

Suddenly, murmurs of confusion filled the monitoring room.

"What is this?"

"Are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

"Go Eun-Seo is in 13th place?"

Despite having the most viewed video by far, Go Eun-Seo's pre-vote result had dropped significantly. Her strong base skills had earned her high marks during the week's missions, but the 10-point deduction I gave her had cost her dearly.

The real issue, though, was that her viewer vote score came in far lower than expected even after ranking first in video views.

Ji Yung-Sik asked again for confirmation. "Dae-Joon, is this really accurate?"

"I thought it was strange too, so I double-checked. I had Programmer Lee Doo-Oh verify it just to be sure and he said it's accurate."

The murmurs in the room grew louder again. Everyone had assumed that Go Eun-Seo would hold her spot at the top even with the penalty, yet she had dropped all the way to 13th.

Team Lead Baek Hee-Yung, who had been trailing me all day, swallowed hard and muttered beside me. "You were right... Eun-Seo dropped that far."

"I told you. High views alone aren't everything."

It was just like I said. Despite the view count, the large number of dislikes had turned out to be a critical blow.

Then Ji Yung-Sik urgently shouted to the staff. "Everyone, keep your mouths shut! No leaks until Part 1 airs. Understood?"

Shortly before Part 1 ended, the pre-vote results would be revealed. And in Part 2's live broadcast, not only the viewers but the idol contestants themselves would step onstage knowing their scores, giving them a chance to make up for it in real time. Especially since real-time voting during the show allowed for bonus points beyond the base 100, the gap was still more than recoverable.

Just then, Park Han-Jong cleared his throat and called us over. "Chief Jung. Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"What about?"

"

Oh

, it's not something to discuss here. Let's step outside with PD Ji and CP Kang too."

Park Han-Jong wore a stiff expression as he left the monitoring room ahead of us. It was obvious he wanted to talk about Go Eun-Seo's unexpected ranking. After all, he knew exactly who Go Eun-Seo's parents were more than anyone else.

Nevertheless, I played dumb and followed after him with Ji Yung-Sik and Kang Dae-Woong. I had absolutely no intention of entertaining what he was about to say.

***

"I won't ask for anything else, Chief Jung. Just cancel the penalty you gave Eun-Seo, okay? I'm not even asking you to boost her score—just this little adjustment. That much you can manage, right?"

Park Han-Jong, clearly anticipating the arrival of the SBC's director and high-ranking officials, lowered his pride and pleaded with me. Normally, it was expected to grant such requests from a station chief. Once someone set aside their pride like this, rejecting them was like drawing a line in the sand.

Yet before I could speak, Ji Yung-Sik cut in. "Mr. Park, are you ordering us to manipulate the scores?"

"Who said anything about rigging? I'm just asking to reduce the penalty a bit."

"That's the same thing!"

"Hey! Watch your tone! And how are we even supposed to explain a 10-point penalty? Among the top-ranking trainees, the only one with a deduction is Liu Lan and that was just 2 points! But 10? There's no way to explain it!"

"Why not? We clearly laid out the rule violations and the corresponding deductions."

"And who's going to believe that?"

This time, Kang Dae-Woong stepped in on my side. "Mr. Park, Eun-Seo calling her father alone was enough to kick her out of the show. She should be grateful we stopped at a 10-point deduction."

"Come on, CP Kang. Do you even have proof Eun-Seo called him? Huh? Chief Jung's just making assumptions and jumping the gun!"

Just as Park Han-Jong said, Go Eun-Seo had never admitted it outright. Caught off guard, both Ji Yung-Sik and Kang Dae-Woong fell silent.

Park Han-Jong puffed up with confidence. "You clueless idiots. Her dad's on the Science, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee. He said he wouldn't interfere again, but if he finds out she got penalized, do you think he'll sit still? He'll sabotage this show in every way possible. And I've heard that the VIPs are coming tonight with the president. They're from that same committee!"

Frustrated, Park Han-Jong pounded his chest. In that case, there was only one solution.

"Mr. Park. Why don't we ask Eun-Seo directly?" I suggested.

"What?"

"Let's ask Eun-Seo, just like you said. If she did call Assemblyman Go Joon-Taek, the penalty stays. If she didn't, we cancel it."

Earlier, Han So-Won—the leader of Team 1—had come to me privately, asking me to give Go Eun-Seo another chance because she had changed. This felt like a good opportunity to find out if that was really true.

"You're serious? You're really making that promise?"

"Yes."

"Okay then."

Park Han-Jong immediately ordered someone to bring in Go Eun-Seo.

***

Moments later, Go Eun-Seo appeared, wearing a top of white with blended blue and red tones and a light pink flared skirt.

"Hello, I'm Go Eun-Seo from Team 1!"

After receiving Go Eun-Seo's deep 90-degree bow, Park Han-Jong spoke to her gently. "Eun-Seo. You're doing well, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Park. But why did you call me? I was about to run through one last practice with my team."

"

Ah

, about that. I just wanted to ask something regarding your penalty."

"Please go ahead."

"Last week, about your dad... You didn't call him, right?"

Startled, Go Eun-Seo blinked and looked toward me.

However, Park Han-Jong quickly intercepted her gaze and said in a sweet tone, "If you say no, Chief Jung promised the penalty would be removed. I just brought you in to confirm that."

'

Tsk, tsk. This—this is exactly how adults ruin kids

.'

"Really? The penalty will be gone?" Go Eun-Seo asked.

"Yes."

Ji Yung-Sik looked like he was about to protest, but I stopped him. Depending on Go Eun-Seo's answer, I'd simply adjust how I treated her moving forward. Up until now, I had shown leniency because all her past mistakes stemmed from her parents' overbearing protection. But this was different. If she lied to avoid a penalty and refused to admit to what she had done, then she no longer deserved that leniency.

'

Go Eun-Seo. Your life is your choice.

'

The version of Go Eun-Seo I knew before my regression would have lied without hesitation to protect her own interests. With my arms crossed, I waited to see whether the current Go Eun-Seo had changed.

Then she opened her mouth to answer, unable to look in my direction, as she chose the words that would decide her future.