Chapter 135

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Translated by Sylph

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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…First, I continued listening to the recording.

The more I listened, the more certain it was that it was the conversation I had with Choi Wongil on the remote stairs of the MBS broadcasting station.

‘Damn it.’

[Everyone lives like that originally! Like it’s only me… Everyone fought over parts, cursed at each other, and did that.]

Choi Wongil’s self-justifications, which he had poured out by mentioning others in detail, continued in low quality.

Actually, even listening up to here, it was a buildup where people to curse at him would overflow. Since he had picked a fight out of nowhere and was only making whiny sounds while blaming others.

But after this, the magic of editing had even been applied.

They had rearranged a single word.

[Because everything went well for you, hyung.]

[…That’s not it. If I told you to swap with me, would you do it?]

[…You can’t swap!]

[It means you have the heart to want to swap. Hmm… But honestly, you wouldn’t want to swap your family.]

[Yes.]

[…….]

Originally, Choi Wongil’s answer that would have come out for the question about his family’s well-being afterwards had been placed as the end of that conversation out of nowhere.

Thanks to that, the nuance became much weirder.

‘Choi Wongil came out much more rude than he actually was.’

As soon as I brought up my family history, didn’t it look like he immediately answered, ‘Yeah, living as an orphan like you is a bit much, and I’m just envious of your career’?

Naturally, there was no trace of the apology Choi Wongil had made afterwards. The video ended after a few more seconds of static noise were played.

It was a blank space made to feel as if Park Moondae was speechless, flustered by Choi Wongil’s immediate answer.

This also seemed intentional.

“……Hmm.”

I looked through the comments again.

First, a best comment that interpreted and wrote Choi Wongil’s words in a more aggressive tone than original.

It was the comment I had read earlier.

And the comments that received the most recommendations next were… well, they were exactly as expected.

It meant that half of it was about me.

-Wow, is the picking a fight crazy
-Park Moondae’s parents both passed away, goodness, what’s with that reaction…
-ㅋㅋㅋ Look at the way he talks, his personality seems amazing
-I’ve been feeling off about Choi Wongil since I first saw his face, he’s full of greed and went crazy with inferiority complex, Moondae who has a good character keeps reaching his peak visual too tsk tsk tsk
-It seems like Park Moondae kept trying to reason with him well, but to hear such words… Ah… My heart feels bad…ㅠㅠ
-Is it for real to tell a kid whose parents passed away that it’s good that his life worked out well
-There’s no evidence, do you really believe this? Are all the comments TeStar fans..
└Fan girls rushing in even at the smell of fabrication lol go do some filial duty at this time~
└There’s recording number 1 too, and there’s a video there too so it’s undeniable
└Aren’t you embarrassed to bring up things like fan girls in a matter like this?
-★☆Recording number 1 is there, everyone go listen (link)☆★

‘…Number 1.’

The video title had ‘2’ attached to it, so it seemed there was even a number 1.

I clicked the link in the comment.

A shaky low-quality camera was capturing Choi Wongil murmuring alone while sitting on the remote stairs of the broadcasting station.

‘They pulled it in as much as they could.’

It was clear that it was filmed and zoomed in with a smartphone.

Choi Wongil was murmuring something alone, but perhaps because he was pushed to his mental limit, he didn’t seem to know that he was speaking out loud.

The problem was… the content was a sniper shot at netizens.

[Originally, the bastards who write comments all write without thinking…… They don’t even know what they wrote, and they forget quickly…….]

Actually, from Choi Wongil’s perspective, it wasn’t something he couldn’t say.

Since he had been lynched like that on the internet, he could say such words when receiving counseling or making a resolution alone.

Actually, it was a sight that could evoke sympathy.

However, it was perfect for people who had cursed at Choi Wongil during to feel their stomachs turn.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ The mental victory is pathetic
-He got cursed at because his own personality exploded, but look at him blaming others ugh…
-Yeah, there are cases like that, but it’s not you

Here too, the criticism and sarcasm in the comments were relentless.

It would be thanks to the justification given by that recording, which had well-edited the conversation he had with me.

“…….”

My head throbbed.

First, I could see that it wasn’t intended to target me.

‘They’re trying to catch Choi Wongil.’

It was certain seeing that they even edited the recording with care and uploaded it.

The guy I saw under the broadcasting station stairs back then must be this bastard.

Seeing that he didn’t upload it then and held out until the article about Choi Wongil’s group debut popped up, he was a guy who had made up his mind.

‘And he used me here.’

It was maddening that this bastard used Park Moondae as fuel to grow the scale.

Did you see the string of comments pitying and defending me?

It was easy to mistake it for a good thing since public opinion was favorable, but it was absolutely not.

It meant that the image of an unfortunate family history, which had barely been buried in the background narrative, surfaced above the water again openly.

The posts appearing on SNS right now were like this.

-To use the wording ‘I’m glad you’re doing well continuously’ to a person who lost their parents in an accident and even dropped out due to school violence is a problem of empathy intelligence.
-Thinking about how Park Moondae must have been at that time makes me feel like I’m going to cry, Choi Wongil is really out of his mind

It wasn’t even a TeStar fan account.

‘…The stage where I could benefit from something like this has long passed.’

Right now, not during the audition where a single vote was precious, but now that the group had succeeded in establishing itself, such a topic was rather a hindrance.

Because the image would be distorted.

Think about people thinking of the shockingly unfortunate past history before the stage or group image when they see Park Moondae.

That too, during the activity period of TeStar’s new album.

Even the contents that should be thoughtlessly joyful and fun were perfect to become tiring.

‘…I’d rather be a crybaby, that’s at least funny.’

In a word, this was a bad omen for me too.

‘What is this on the day of the first comeback broadcast…….’

I was already tired.

“……Whew.”

First, let’s control the situation within reach.

I immediately informed the manager of the situation.

And after confirming that the manager rushed out holding his smartphone, I immediately looked for Gold 1 in my contacts.

Ryu Chungwoo, who confirmed my actions, immediately spoke to me.

“What’s the matter.”

“……Check the 5th… no, 3rd popular video on Wetube.”

The real-time ranking was already rising rapidly. It was driving me crazy.

Big Sejin, who had perhaps already checked, ran over.

“Is this Choi Wongil for real?”

“The nuance changed because it was edited. Wait.”

Gold 1 finally picked up the phone.

“Hyung.”

-Moondae-ya, you by any chance that….

“I saw it.”

-Right. Then I’m sorry for asking, but by any chance, the words Wongil said….

“It’s edited. It wasn’t a reckless remark of that level, and Choi Wongil apologized afterwards too.”

A sound of inhaling breath, as if relieved, was heard.

-Ha……. First, it’s a relief because it’s really, really not, but ah… I’m going crazy.

“Does the company over there know everything?”

-Yeah. They already went into a meeting. But…….

Gold 1 let out a long sigh.

-……Actually, Wongil’s condition is a bit, very bad right now. The company doesn’t know what to do either. It would be good if it’s resolved well, but…….

“…….”

-First, I’ll try talking to the company about the situation again too. Does your company know by any chance?

“Yes. I told them.”

The agencies would have already entered into contact with each other.

-Then it seems like it’ll be settled somehow. But, whew……. What to do about Wongil.

“…….”

Gold 1 hung up the phone hurriedly after saying a few words of comfort to me too.

And I roughly grasped the situation.

‘Choi Wongil… might even be cut from the debut lineup at this rate.’

Since the public opinion over there was disastrous too, it seemed they were slowly looking for a chance to cut him off. It was a nuance as if they would take him out if the response wasn’t good even after explaining.

And seeing that they say Choi Wongil’s condition is bad… wait, I have a bad feeling about this.

This bastard isn’t thinking of something strange, is he?

“…….”

Cold sweat broke out.

This… the speed of settling might be the lifeblood.

‘If it’s late, won’t the backlash become enormous?’

Let’s say this controversy continues to be reproduced and becomes damn big, the agency looks for a chance to cut him off, and Choi Wongil, who is in bad condition, hits rock bottom before the explanation is made.

Even if the situation is settled then, the backfire will pour onto me.

Why?

Because right now, a one-on-one good-versus-evil structure has been established with me and Choi Wongil.

Let’s look at it objectively. The words I said in this recording aren’t particularly virtuous remarks either.

They’re just words an idol would say while moderately playing it safe in the face of a fight.

But right now, they’re mercilessly hyping this up as if it’s a sage’s remark.

It’s because the angle for cursing at Choi Wongil comes out better only when they make me into a pitiful and kind victim.

However, if Choi Wongil gets beaten up as much as he can and the explanation is made only later, causing sympathy public opinion to rise, the situation will turn exactly the opposite.

-Honestly, the one who suddenly dragged it into family talk was Park Moondae, but it seems he was able to play the victim because he has many fans.
-Choi Wongil got caught in ‘guilty of having no fans’ ㅠ

Probably in this way, there was a high probability that I would get beaten up, saying that Park Moondae’s fans image-made Park Moondae as a victim and drove public opinion.

Of course, in that process, Park Moondae’s past controversies would also surface one after another.

They would hit another round of exciting realization of justice like that.

‘Absolutely not.’

I’ll settle it at the level of a happening before it develops that far.

Also, Choi Wongil had tasted too much bitterness for a young guy to suffer more from such a misunderstanding.

‘I have to shake it off quickly.’

There was no choice but to wrap it up before the article hit the main page and make it so that Choi Wongil wouldn’t be screwed.

After I quickly had an interview with the company over the phone through the manager, I immediately received confirmation.

“What are you going to do.”

Bae Sejin came over slinkily and asked. Seeing the atmosphere, it seemed the situation had already spread to all the members.

“I have to explain.”

“On TeStar’s account?”

“No.”

Bae Sejin seemed to be thinking of when he uploaded his own position statement, but it wasn’t such a case right now.

‘If I upload it directly, the topicality becomes bigger.’

Then the controversy might even eat up the interest TeStar’s comeback receives.

On the other hand, if I just let the official position from the company pop up, words like ‘The companies already matched their stories, only Park Moondae is pitiful’ will definitely come out.

Then there’s only one way.

Use a third party.

I called Gold 1 again.

-Yeah, why?

“Hyung, do you have time?”

-I do, but by any chance, did some urgent news come up?

“It’s similar. I’m thinking of making some message records.”

-……??

The live stage was also just around the corner. Let’s make the evidence within 30 minutes.

* * *

Choi Wongil began to be beaten from all directions by excited attention seekers, the public who were immersed in the situation, and Park Moondae’s fans who were extremely furious.

Since there were almost no people who defended him with a proper angle, the news of the recording was spreading far and wide without reinterpretation.

In the meantime, the stock price of Park Moondae’s personality reached its peak temporarily.

[Park Moondae crying at the fans’ sing-along at the concert]
[Collection of testimonies that Park Moondae took care of other participants throughout Ajusa]
[Park Moondae’s situation at the time of dropping out.jpg]

All sorts of beautiful stories from recently to the early days of ‘s broadcast were dragged out and uploaded.

However, Park Moondae’s fans were in a complex and subtle state of mind.

From people who were just angry at Choi Wongil to people who were worried about the aftermath, various public opinions swirled, but it was the same that they were flustered by this sudden situation.

-Is it normal if I feel bad that our kid’s past history is being uploaded like some public good?
-I’m so angry listening to the recording that I think I’m going crazy
-ㅊㅇㄱ really makes me so pissed off, he has to do the comeback stage in 30 minutes right now ㅅㅂ I wish the kids just pass by without knowing..ㅠㅠ
-Still, it’s a relief that everyone recognizes that Moondae is a kind puppy

It was exactly at that point that a post was uploaded on Gold 1’s SNS.

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(Photo)
I worried a lot after hearing Wongil’s words and asked directly. He’s a friend who really works hard, so I hope you don’t look at him too hatefully.
Wongil doesn’t have an SNS account, so I’m uploading it on his behalf with my account.
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What was uploaded as a photo was… a capture of Gold 1’s own chat room.

And the name of the room displayed at the top was none other than ‘Park Moondae Dongsaeng’.

The content of the capture started with Gold 1’s first message.

[Me : Moondae-ya, I’m sorry, but can you take a look at this? By any chance, is it real? (Video link)]
[Park Moondae Dongsaeng : ?]
[Park Moondae Dongsaeng : Just a moment]

The link was, of course, ‘Choi Wongil Recording 2’.

And after exactly as much time as the video playback time passed, an answer came.

[Park Moondae Dongsaeng : No, what is this]
[Park Moondae Dongsaeng : It wasn’t such a feeling…]
[Me : ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[Me : Right, it’s not this, right…?]
[Park Moondae Dongsaeng : ㅇㅇ it seems like it’s been put together]
[Park Moondae Dongsaeng : I think it ended with me and Wongil exchanging well wishes at this time]
[Park Moondae Dongsaeng : Tell Wongil to sue the person who uploaded this for defamation, they changed the order of words as they pleased]
[Me : ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠ Got it! Thanks (Heart-shooting emoticon)]
[Park Moondae Dongsaeng : For what (Yellow dog bowing emoticon)]

The capture ended with Gold 1 asking ‘Is it okay if I capture this and upload it by any chance?’ about 14 minutes later, and receiving Park Moondae’s readily given permission.

-Hul…
-Things like this are fabricated these days too
-This is Ha Iljun’s public account, right?
-Crazy, goosebumps

And Gold 1’s agency, which worked well unlike a certain agency, distributed articles and dominated Wetube’s best comments according to the fluctuating public opinion.

-They say this is a fabrication (link)
-Park Moondae’s testimony came out, he said it’s a hack job and told Choi Wongil to sue lol ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-The article is up, the agency said they’re really going to sue, tsk tsk crazy bastard

In that way, the criticism of Choi Wongil began to subside before the level reached an irreversible point and before it hit the portal main page.

At the level where the people who were cursing felt a bit embarrassed and their excitement cooled down, the arrow of criticism could turn to the party who fabricated the recording.

Park Moondae, who grabbed his smartphone as soon as the music broadcast ended, also confirmed the situation in an instant.

* * *

‘First, the urgent fire is put out.’

I let out a sigh as I turned off the smartphone screen.

However, this response right now is only a stopgap measure.

First of all, if the bastard who uploaded this recording is holding something else, Choi Wongil might get hit with a roller coaster-level direct drop again.

And I still had a long way to go.

The story of the family history that popped out once hasn’t been sealed yet.

Furthermore, the reaction of the comments on the explanation article I just saw was also uncomfortable.

-He must have had many things that would hurt him because of this while growing up, but he’s a young man with such a beautiful heart. I hope Choi Wongil-gun also thinks he had a great experience and uses it as an opportunity for cultivation~
-A good person like Park Moondae should do well ㅠㅠ I hope he does better in the future!
-Wow, Choi Wongil was saved thanks to Moondae…

To summarize, it’s ‘Kind Moondae is letting it go nicely’.

No matter how much it’s a hack job, the fight Choi Wongil picked in the front doesn’t disappear, so my correction message sent to Gold 1 was distorted into a kind heart full of consideration.

If it had ended there, it would have fizzled out, but the problem was that the work had started.

Choi Wongil’s agency seemed to have worried that the explanation article itself would be like scratching a wound to make it worse.

So, as if they wanted to turn the topic away entirely, they focused on Park Moondae’s ‘kind response’ rather than Choi Wongil and released articles and pushed public opinion.

The result was the comments I saw earlier.

‘This is fishy.’

I have a bad feeling.

God-like personality, angel-like. Such modifiers can be taken off in an instant the more urgently they are attached.

I don’t know if the image will be ruined by being smashed by even one flaw, but the problem was that the bastards waiting to catch that flaw wouldn’t be just one or two.

‘The bastards who even made card news to make us unable to receive the Rookie of the Year award wouldn’t have suddenly disappeared.’

In this situation, it was enough to just look like an implicitly kind guy without being highlighted. Such an openly kind image was a burden.

‘There’s a reason why people avoid marketing personality for no reason.’

So overall, the conclusion came out.

‘I have to change the image.’

A strong, strong impact was needed, enough to cover this fuss right at the beginning of this activity.

‘The answer is… only variety shows.’