Chapter 181:
I once saw an article where a famous actor posted pictures of themselves going to the supermarket in front of their house. There was nothing particularly special about it; the article simply listed the clothes the actor was wearing.
At first, I wondered why such an article was written, but to be honest, I felt a bit envious. I, too, wanted to become someone whose daily life could be a topic of interest.
However, when it happened, it was a bit bewildering.
"Kang Jinseok becomes the model for ‘Hermes,' adorned with luxury… How much did he earn for all of them?"
"Targeting the Asian market, ‘Hermes,' first model Kang Jinseok, second model Yeo Hyemin?"
"From ‘Maserati' to ‘Hermes.' How much did Kang Jinseok earn exactly?"
"So this is why celebrities don't worry. Kang Jinseok's one-room where he lived?"
It wasn't necessarily bad news for me, but depending on the viewer, the headlines could be somewhat off-putting.
Well, there were intentionally provocative articles too.
"Hmm…"
As I read the online article with a slightly puzzled expression, Jang Sunho, who was sitting across from me, asked.
"Is there a problem?"
"Uh? Oh, no. It's nothing."
Afraid of unnecessarily bothering Jang Sunho, I quickly put my phone in my pocket. However, Jang Sunho, whether he already knew I was reading the article or not, brought up the topic.
"It seems like you're bothered by the flies buzzing around due to the ‘Hermes' ad shoot this time."
"Flies… Haha, it's not that big of a deal."
"Now you have to get used to it. Fans come, and with them, anti-fans also appear as much as a celebrity gains popularity."
Jang Sunho said as if comforting me. Nodding in understanding, I put my phone away, but Jang Sunho spoke once again.
"Still, we can't just stand by. We'll release some articles to address these rumors. It's also a practice for dealing with these kinds of sensational articles."
—
"Hmm…"
Go Seoyeong, taking advantage of a rare day off, was sleeping in at home. At that moment, a vibration interrupted her short nap.
Woo-woo-woong.
At the first vibration, Go Seoyeong showed no signs of movement.
Because she had been working overtime for the past few months, preparing to respond to KL Entertainment's moves, she had vowed to sleep in until the afternoon today.
However.
Woo-woo-woong.
Woo-woo-woong.
Woo-woo-woong.
As if testing her patience, the mobile phone continued to ring.
"Ugh, who… uh?"
Checking the mobile phone with an annoyed voice, Go Seoyeong's attitude changed when she saw the name displayed on the screen.
[Team Leader Jang]
‘Why is this person contacting me first… Oh, could it be because of the promise to treat me to a meal on the weekend?'
"Hmm!"
Go Seoyeong cleared her throat with a fake cough. She couldn't afford to speak with an irritated tone while talking to Jang Sunho.
"Hello…?"
[Oh, Assistant Manager Go. Are you busy today?]
Upon hearing these words, Go Seoyeong thought it was what she had been expecting. However, she couldn't show too much excitement. So, Go Seoyeong casually bounced back.
"I do have some work, why?"
[You remember last time I said I'd buy you a meal because Assistant Manager Go was working overtime a lot? I thought today might be a good day for that.]
"…"
Go Seoyeong clenched her fist and silently mouthed, "Yes!" in excitement.
[Assistant Manager Go?]
When Jang Sunho called her again, Go Seoyeong, managing her expression, spoke calmly as before.
"Oh, you want to have lunch today? Um… I did have a prior commitment, but if the Team Leader calls, I can't refuse. I guess I'll have to reschedule."
Of course, there was no prior commitment whatsoever.
"At what time and where should we go?"
Go Seoyeong asked casually as she headed quickly to the bathroom.
However, at that moment, a message came that shattered her expectations.
[Right now, I'm at the filming location of Kang Actor's . Come to the beef soup restaurant in front of the company by seven… no, eight. You know the one we used to go to when working late, right? Oh, and bring your laptop. There's something urgent that needs handling.]
"…"
[Is it okay?]
Go Seoyeong sighed and replied, "Sure."
—
OS Entertainment, Kang Jinseok Team Office.
Go Seoyeong was typing on the keyboard so quickly that she seemed almost invisible. At a glance, it seemed like she was completely focused on her work, but all her attention was directed towards Jang Sunho sitting across from her.
Tap-tap-tap!
"Assistant Manager Go."
Jang Sunho called Go Seoyeong.
"Yes, yes?!"
"Why are you so startled? I just called you."
"Oh… I was so focused on work that I got startled. Why?"
"I was wondering if you've finished the draft I asked for."
Nodding, Go Seoyeong handed a file to Jang Sunho through KakaoTalk.
"I sent the file. I wrote a brief article focusing on Kang Actor gifting presents to those who helped him when he was struggling in the past, related to the recent ‘Hermes' ad shoot."
"Hmm."
Jang Sunho nodded as he looked over the draft. Despite Go Seoyeong's downplaying it, the article was well-written.
"Good. Then, Assistant Manager Go, please ask your acquaintances to proceed with articles in a similar tone."
"Yes."
With a short reply, Go Seoyeong posted the article in the reporters' group chat. Immediately, junior reporters who were still looking for weekend news stories rushed in like hungry baby birds, tweaking her article bit by bit before reposting it.
"Everyone seems quite proactive about Kang Jinseok's article. Well, it's natural since there aren't many keywords that generate as many views as Kang Actor's."
"It's fortunate. It seems like we're united. If we have about thirty articles, it should be enough."
"Why? Wouldn't more be better?"
"I just have a feeling that if it's KL Entertainment, they might be closely watching this situation. We don't need to let them know that we can mobilize over a hundred reporters. This case isn't big enough to warrant that."
"Uh… Well, I understand. Since it's the Team Leader's suggestion, we should follow."
"Thank you."
Jang Sunho spoke without taking his eyes off the monitor. Go Seoyeong glanced at Jang Sunho for a moment.
Additional work on a weekend. If it were with someone else, it would undoubtedly be irritating and challenging, but working on additional tasks with Jang Sunho wasn't so bad. The work was somewhat enjoyable.
"Sorry for calling you on the weekend again."
When Go Seoyeong didn't say anything, Jang Sunho cautiously spoke. Once again, his gaze was fixed on the monitor.
"I thought Assistant Manager Go could handle it or that working together would be good, so… I didn't consider what Assistant Manager thought at all."
"…"
"So, I mentioned it to the CEO earlier. I told him that I might be giving Assistant Manager Go too much work, and it seemed tough for her. Then the CEO suggested, ‘What if we move the team?'"
"Move the team?"
"Yes. Anyway, even if we move the team, we can still work together. And if we're separated, the workload will decrease significantly."
Upon hearing Jang Sunho's words, Go Seoyeong was surprised, her eyes widening. She was startled by Jang Sunho's statement that sounded like sending her to another team.
"…"
As Go Seoyeong remained silent, Jang Sunho coughed lightly and continued, "I don't know how Assistant Manager Go feels, but I felt that we worked well together in many ways. I don't know if it's just me."
"…"
"Even if you go, it would be better to wait until the KL Entertainment matter is resolved."
Jang Sunho continued speaking without looking at Go Seoyeong. It was a bit strange for him to act this way, considering he usually looked at the person he was instructing or talking to.
Go Seoyeong paused for a moment, then asked, "How would you like it, Team Leader Jang?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"The CEO mentioned promoting me and sending me to another team. What if you were in my position? What would you prefer?"
"Well… it's indeed a good opportunity. As long as I'm holding the fort from above in our team, there's no exceptional chance for you to stand out or get promoted. So, if we think about your career-"
Interrupting him mid-sentence, Go Seoyeong said, "No, not that. I mean, what would you want, Team Leader Jang?"
"…"
"If I were to go to another team, would that be better for you?"
In response to the repeated question, Jang Sunho nodded without much hesitation.
"It's true that it's a good opportunity. As long as I'm holding the fort from above in our team, there's no exceptional chance for you to stand out or get promoted. So, if we think about your career-"
During his explanation, Go Seoyeong cut in, saying, "No, not that. Apart from that, how would you feel if I went to another team?"
"…"
"Do you want me to go to another team?"
With this follow-up question, Jang Sunho raised his head without much hesitation.
"Honestly, I would prefer if you didn't go to another team."
"…"
"I've chosen you, and while it might not be apparent, we've become quite close through working together."
After quickly finishing his words, Jang Sunho stood up from his seat. Then, he approached Go Seoyeong and spoke with a serious tone.
"Please stay in our team. I'll compensate for the insufficient salary due to not getting a promotion, even if it means deducting it from my salary."
Upon hearing Jang Sunho's words, Go Seoyeong turned her head slightly to the side. Hearing such words made her cheeks warm, and they flushed slightly.
With her head turned, Go Seoyeong said, "Just tell me to stay. Why do you have to make it sound so difficult?"
At that moment, a ringing sound echoed.
Woo-woo-woo-woong!!
Suddenly, both Jang Sunho and Go Seoyeong's phones rang simultaneously. Startled, they each checked their mobile phones.
After checking, they looked at each other and said,
"The group chat is going crazy right now. It seems KL Entertainment has started posting articles."
"Yes, I'm checking the portal sites right now. It's better this way. It was always difficult waiting for when it would start."
"That's true."
Nodding, Go Seoyeong smiled slightly and concluded,
"Shall we take out the things we prepared one by one?"
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