Chapter 202. A Very Scary Christmas For Some (2)

“What? Do I sound strange?”
“Not really. It just feels novel coming from you.”

KangYoon had a look at the current status report.
It stated that they could look forward to good results by mid-January as the materials provided by him as well as the current situation of the media was very good.
On the last page, they also warned him not to negotiate any settlement money on a personal basis.

“So they’re doing their best as well.”

Getting results by January was unusually quick.
This meant that the lawyer she had hired was someone very powerful.
Lee HyunJi looked proud of herself.

“I told you to leave it to me.”

KangYoon gave her back the report and headed to the studio in order to meet Kim JiMin.
Kim JiMin and In MoonHee were talking to each other in the studio.

“Sir.”

When Kim JiMin was about to stand up, KangYoon waved his hand at her, gesturing to her to sit down again.

“Sit down. Are you alright?”
“Yes.”

Kim JiMin made a resolute smile at KangYoon’s question.
Although she had almost no schedule right now as this was her rest period, she participated in some events for fundraising for disabled people. However, a photo taken of her when she was frowning due to the bright light became a problem.
An article that ‘suspected’ her that she disliked disabled children, was published.

“The articles these days are becoming weirder and weirder. It usually isn’t like this…”

In MoonHee also bit her lips. Her expression was flushed due to anger.
KangYoon calmly explained to them the current situation.

“Right now, journalists think that putting a question mark at the end will solve everything. However, the celebrities mentioned received damage. I uploaded explanations and corrections as soon as those articles were released in order to decrease the damages as much as possible. Also, the readers are becoming more immune after all that, so they won’t be as radical as they were before.”
“I knew that you would take care of everything, sir.”

Kim JiMin had complete faith in KangYoon.
This was why she wasn’t shaken that much. Her eyes were calm.
KangYoon chuckled.

“Looks like I will have to do better, then. Please bear with it for a while. I’ll make sure that things like this will not happen again.”
“Yes.”

A star that had 100% faith, as well as a President that was trustable.
In MoonHee was witnessing such a scene before her eyes.

‘So cool.’

This wasn’t a small situation, but she felt like this crisis would be dealt with soon enough.

***

A high-class Japanese restaurant in Yeouido.
In the VIP room of a very expensive Japanese restaurant known for having several first-class chefs, President Kang ShiMyoung had a faint smile on his face as he picked up sushi.

“…You said you wanted help?”
“…….”

President Yoo MyungHoo of Hidden Catch was seated opposite to him and had a stiff expression on.

“Lee HyunAh, Kim JiMin, Kim JaeHoon, and even Eddios. You’ve written articles about all of them. The reactions were immensely popular since the contents were so stimulating. Not only did you take the rankings, but your very own website was also the topic of discussion for many. You should have earned a lot this time. Just in what way can I help?”

On the surface, the situation didn’t look bad at all.
Noise marketing was going extremely well, and the name Hidden Catch was firmly engraved in the minds of the people.
However, the reputation of Hidden Catch, known for telling the masses stimulating ‘facts’, was starting to crack, after focusing on the celebrities of World Entertainment. Whenever they published something, World retaliated with a correction article in less than an hour, and the switch in public opinion was happening quicker than ever.
The war between World Entertainment and Hidden Catch.
As World Entertainment had strict control over its celebrities, Hidden Catch was having a hard time.

“Do you know about Lee KangYoon?”
“Lee KangYoon? Isn’t he World’s President?”

Since he himself was a famous composer, there would be an effect if there was some information about him.
However, President Yoo MyungHoo had no information, however little, about Lee KangYoon. All he knew that he was extremely doting towards his celebrities and that his schedule was all over the place.
He had expectations about President Kang ShiMyoung knowing a thing or two about him.

“Yes.”
“Lee KangYoon, huh. There’s not much information about him….”

President Kang ShiMyoung did not speak easily.
As the more desperate one, President Yoo MyungHoo lowered his stance.

“Even a small one is fine. Like a woman, or even a small habit…”
“A woman, huh. He’s known for not having any wome… oh.”

At that moment, he clapped as though he had remembered something.

“You are aware of the fact that MG doesn’t have a good relationship with Min JinSeo, yes?”
“What? Ah, yes, I do. Just what about it though….”

Why would Min JinSeo appear here?
When President Yoo MyungHoo tilted his head, President Kang ShiMyoung smirked.

“As you know, Lee KangYoon is originally from MG. From what I’ve heard, he’s the one who excavated Min JinSeo.”
“…Isn’t that a story most people know about?”

President Yoo MyungHoo’s reaction was bland. However, the important part came after.

“When he was still there, Min JinSeo listened to the company’s instructions very well. However, once he left, she changed 180 degrees. She now became the most uncooperative star of the company. However, the company isn’t able to do anything to her despite knowing that. However, she still does not accept offers from other companies.”
“Perhaps you’re implying there’s a relation between Lee KangYoon and Min JinSeo, but wouldn’t she have switched over to World Entertainment as soon as it was founded?”
“That’s precisely what I’m talking about. She didn’t. That’s why…”

President Kang ShiMyoung looked at President Yoo MyungHoo with a smile that was not a smile.

“You should look into that, no?”
“…Oho.”

If things went well, a super scandal on a scale completely incomparable to before would erupt.
The two shook hands with one mind.

***

“… That damned devil’s bumfluff….”

3 a.m.
Han JooYeon frowned while looking at the snow in the sky.
Lee SamSoon, who was rejoicing because of the snow, was shocked at Han JooYeon’s reaction.

“JooYeon, what’s up?”
“My brothers have to clear the snow.”

Han JooYeon pouted.
Any sorts of girly emotions towards White Christmas was all but gone, and she was talking like a soldier, so it wasn’t that surprising that Lee SamSoon was surprised.
However, there was a reason for that.

“Oh yeah, your brothers are in the military.”
“Yeah. I have to visit before the year passes….”

Originally, she was planning to go during the rest period, but she wasn’t able to due to the scandal.
However, Han JooYeon resolved to herself that she would definitely make a visit once their current period of activities was over.

“Today’s our last day of activities, no? Should I go with you this time?”
“Really? My big brother is a fan of yours, so I’d be thankful if you do.”
“Okay, what about your second brother?”

Lee SamSoon knew that Han JooYeon’s brothers were twins so she had some expectations as she asked.
A ‘handsome brother’ of a friend. It was no wonder she took an interest.

“The second brother likes JiMin…”
“…Tch.”

Just when Lee SamSoon was pouting, the rest of the members of Eddios left the building.
Manager Kim DaeHyun had checked on everyone before driving them to Mokpo for their next schedule.
Eddios’s day started off very busily with an event at a department store in Mokpo.
Mokpo, then Daejeon, then Seoul.
Their schedule began during the night and now they only had one event left to attend to.
Their van was headed towards the ‘World Cup Sports Complex’.

“Why don’t we eat out tonight?”
“Yeah!”

At Lee SamSoon’s words, Ailee looked at manager Kim DaeHyun with expectant eyes.
When the other members looked at him with glistening eyes as well, manager Kim DaeHyun chuckled before speaking.

“…Of course, we’re holding a party today.”
“I knew it! Meat! Meat!”

Just as everyone was shouting meat, manager Kim DaeHyun shook his head and spoke.

“Meat is fine and all… but let’s hold the party at the dorms.”
“What? At the dorms?”

When Christie asked him while blinking several times, manager Kim DaeHyun sighed as he spoke.

“The Hidden Catch guys are annoying these days, you know.”
“But eating out should be fine, no?”

When Christie felt it unfortunate that they couldn’t eat out, Jung MinAh stepped in.

“Ris, let’s hold one at the dorms this time. The President will have a hard time if they do something.”
“…Whew, MinAh. You can act a little mature now?”
“Heh. I was always like this. However, oppa, let’s go with beef, yeah?”

Manager Kim DaeHyun wordlessly showed them the company card he got from KangYoon and everyone cheered.
The van entered Seoul now.
The road was slippery due to snow as they approached the ‘World Cup Sports Complex’.

“It’s snowing so don’t be in a rush, drive slowly.”
“Yes.”

Manager Kim DaeHyun warned the new addition to the management team, Oh TaeJoon.
Inside the van, the members were busy chatting.

“Damn, the couples can go to hell! Victory to singles! Ah, I feel lonely….”
“To hell with couples! Singles shall go to heaven! Oooh!”

Lee SamSoon and Ailee looked at the snow outside the window with spite.
Lovers could be seen in the streets, but they had no lover to speak of.

“To hell with couples!”

Even Christie chimed in. The ladies with men by their side had pissed them off. Unlike during their trainee days, no one tried to flirt with them so they hated Christmas more and more as time went on.
However, there was someone who thought differently.

“Men are no good. Being alone is the best.”

Han JooYeon lied down after speaking her bit.
This incident seemed cruel to her and she didn’t seem to want to get involved with men anymore.
Seo HanYu sighed after seeing her so dejected.

“But still, you will have to meet someone some d… kayak!”

Bam!
The vehicle suddenly shook and the members of Eddios started wobbling.

“Kyaak!”
“Ack!”

Jung MinAh and Han JooYeon were barely able to hold on, but Ailee Jung and Han JooYeon lost balance and fell over. Lee SamSoon and Christie An were able to hold on by leaning against the seats in front of them.

“I, is everyone okay?”
“Urgh….”

Jung MinAh asked after barely calming down.
The peaceful van had turned chaotic in an instant.

***

“I told you you can rest for today.”

KangYoon smiled as he spoke to In MoonHee who had come to practice.
In MoonHee smiled back saying that it was okay.

“I had a lot of assignments given to me by Sir Namhoon, and also…”
“Also?”
“I also want to become like JiMin-seonbae quickly.”

In MoonHee was full of motivation after she had come to a decision.
As for KangYoon, he was glad that she was adapting well since she had a hard time adapting to World Entertainment at first. Moreover, she was very motivated when learning from Namhoon.
It seemed like he didn’t need to be worried about In MoonHee anymore.

“I am waiting—”

Savory music flowed within the studio.
As her voice was creating a silver light, KangYoon became more greedy.

‘Why don’t I try having her debut in Japan first?’

Normally, going to Japan after spending some time in Korea was the norm, but he felt that going over to Japan first and having her debut there was a good idea. Her voice was just that charming.
He felt like it could even bridge the gap between cultures.

‘If we can do that, we’ll be able to make a branch in Japan and…’

KangYoon wrote down what was in his mind.
He thought of methods to collaborate with other companies as well as creating his own business there.
He was writing down his thoughts while listening to her voice when his phone suddenly started ringing. He saw that Manager Kim DaeHyun had called.
Usually, he sounded calm, but he shouted in urgency this time.

– …We’re at XX junction, and we got into a car accident. We were waiting for our signal, but another car crashed into us after violating their signal.
“An accident?”

An accident?
KangYoon’s eyes twitched.

“Are you okay, Team Leader? What about the girls?”
– I’m fine. The girls aren’t severely hurt, but some of them have abrasions.
“What hospital are you at?”

KangYoon wrote down the hospital on his memo and immediately headed towards the office.

“Eddios got into an accident!?”

Lee HyunJi’s eyes widened after hearing about the circumstances.

“Are the girls okay?”
“They don’t seem to have any severe injuries. But still, it looks like both of us will have to get involved this time.”
“Okay, what should we do?”

KangYoon asked Lee HyunJi to call for Kim JiMin and Kim JaeHoon, while he called the parties involved for the event ‘Christmas party with STN’, which was the destination for Eddios’s next event.

– An accident? Whoa…

The hosts were very confused.
STN was a company that was just getting big, and had planned a Christmas party to promote themselves, and had scouted Eddios to participate in the event, but there were problems with that…

“I’ll have to apologize. It seems that Eddios will not be able to make it there.”
-……

The other party had nothing to say to that.
In any case, they had to accept the losses since this was an unfortunate event.
However, KangYoon’s words didn’t end there.

“Instead, we can send you other artists, Eunha and Kim JaeHoon if you so wish. I’m sorry for causing an inconvenience when you have called Eddios for a specific reason.”
– Eunha and Kim JaeHoon? Hm…

It wasn’t a loss, monetarily speaking.
Eunha and Kim JaeHoon combined were more expensive than Eddios to call.
After a while, KangYoon got an answer.

-… Since this is an unfortunate event, okay. But still, thank you for doing this.
“Not at all. We’re sorry for worrying you. I think they’ll be able to make it if they depart now.”
– Okay. I hope Eddios makes a quick recovery.

After the call, Lee HyunJi called him.

– JiMin will arrive in 5 minutes, and I’ll be picking up Mr. JaeHoon.
“I’ve already called the host. You can go there directly.”
– There was no problem with the contract, right?
“Yes, then please take care of the two.”

After sending Kim JiMin and Kim JaeHoon, who were both resting at home, to the World Cup Sports Complex, KangYoon headed to the hospital.
When he arrived at the ER, manager Kim DaeHyun greeted him with a bandaged head.

“Team Leader, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s just an abrasion on the head. Go have a look at the girls first. They seem shocked.”
“What happened?”

Manager Kim DaeHyun said that a car had violated traffic lights and skidded right into them. He comforted KangYoon by saying that he was the one with the most injuries.
KangYoon then immediately headed towards where Eddios was.

“President!”

The members of Eddios had bandaids plastered on their knees and elbows and teared up after seeing KangYoon. Seeing that, the doctors and nurses that were treating them were surprised.
KangYoon patted Seo HanYu, the one closest to him, and asked the doctor.

“Is anyone seriously hurt?”

The doctor, who seemed like a medical resident, spoke calmly after fixing his glasses.

“From the x-ray, there’s no one with a serious injury. Thankfully, it’s just scratches and bruises. But even so, it’ll be better to keep watching them since this is a traffic accident after all.”

The doctor said that there weren’t any problems, KangYoon couldn’t stay still when he saw that Ailee’s knees were red.

“Aren’t they injured a lot for just being an abrasion?”
“We checked, but it’s just a big scratch.”

KangYoon had the 6 members of Eddios as well as the two managers hospitalized after checking up on the members.
Although there weren’t any serious injuries on the surface, it was customary to keep watching for a few days as this was a traffic accident. It was unknown when symptoms would appear.
After going through the hospitalization process, KangYoon returned to where Eddios was.

“You girls were shocked, weren’t you?”
“What happened to the event?”

The clock was already pointing towards nine.
Jung MinAh was worried that the company may be inconvenienced because they weren’t able to participate in the event.
However, KangYoon patted Jung MinAh’s head saying that it was okay.

“It’s fine. I’ve taken care of it. You girls just have to have a long rest in the hospital for a few days.”

She would have asked how he took care of it if it was someone else, but Jung MinAh didn’t ask since it was KangYoon. Not only her, but the rest of Eddios were also the same.

“I’m sorry for causing you trouble…”

When Seo HanYu looked like she was about to cry, KangYoon shook his head.

“It’s not you who caused the accident. There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”
“But even so…”
“You should be very shocked right now. So you can just rest at ease. Don’t think about anything, okay?”
“…Yes.”

KangYoon told them that they would be taken to hospital beds soon and was about to leave.
At that moment, Lee SamSoon, who was looking at the phone, approached KangYoon.

“President. Have a look at this.”
“What is it?”

KangYoon received the phone from her.

– Eddios gets into an accident at XX junction, Seoul. Signal violation called for misfortune?

It didn’t mention who violated the signal and did not mention what caused it. It just ‘implied’ that Eddios was in the wrong. The article was being popularized since it mentioned traffic signal violation by a celebrity vehicle.

‘Desperate final struggles.’

KangYoon’s eyes flamed up after seeing the article published by… Hidden Catch.