Chapter 214. Before He Knew It, He’s Famous? (1)

“You must have had it hard.”

Lee HyunJi went to greet Min JinSeo, who came to the country using a VIP-only route.
Min JinSeo brightened after seeing Lee HyunJi, who had treated her well even while she was still at MG.

“Director-unni.”
“My dear. You’re here, JinSeo.”

Min JinSeo ran up to Lee HyunJi and ran into her embrace.
Seeing that, KangYoon and Kang GiJoon commented.

“She acts like an adult, but she’s still a kid.”
“…I didn’t know she had such a side to her.”

Kang GiJoon was surprised by her actions since all of her appearance on TV was that of an unapproachable goddess. Min JinSeo glared when KangYoon called her a kid, and everyone started laughing.

“Hahaha.”

Min JinSeo could also laugh at ease as well.
How long had it been since she last laughed like this?
At the airport, KangYoon told her that he would take her home, but she shook her head saying that her parents would be even more worried if she went home now.

“Then should I look for a hotel?”
“It’s fine. I don’t want you to spend money on something like this.”
“Wow, you can speak such words now?”

KangYoon gently pat Min JinSeo’s head.
Feeling good, she smiled and seeing that, Lee HyunJi, who sat on the passenger seat at the front, laughed.

“Someone might mistake you for lovers. Aren’t you two too close?”

It was a light joke, but KangYoon flinched.
He was still hiding their relationship because he had judged that it wasn’t the right time to reveal it.
It was decided that Min JinSeo would stay at Lee HyunJi’s house for the time being.
Lee HyunJi agreed and said that it was good to have someone living with her, while Min JinSeo also had no dissatisfactions. With that, her residence was settled.
The four of them headed to Lee HyunJi’s house like that.

“…What a nice house.”

Lee HyunJi’s house was a luxury apartment located on the 40th floor.
KangYoon drank some coffee that she brewed while looking out at the night scenery of Seoul.
Next to him was Lee HyunJi, who had changed to comfortable clothes.

“It hasn’t been long since I moved here. We’re doing pretty great, aren’t we? It’s all thanks to you.”
“I appreciate it.”
“It’s the truth.”

Lee HyunJi smiled contently.

“I did have to get a loan but… I like it. My next objective is Seongbuk-dong! How’s that?”
“Hahaha. Sounds nice.”

KangYoon laughed when he heard that she wanted to move to an even more expensive place.
Lee HyunJi turned around to see Kang GiJoon and Min JinSeo who were talking at the table.

“Those two, what do you think? Do you think they’ll get along well?”

KangYoon replied carefully to that question.

“From their personalities, yes. Both JinSeo and Mr. GiJoon are quite cautious when it comes to working. They aren’t people that would make mistakes. But I’ll have to see how it goes to know for sure.”
“Well, I guess that’s true.”

The two people turned around to the window and talked about the current situation.

“Thankfully, the situation in Korea was resolved rather easily. Your actions contributed a lot to this, director.”
“Not at all. It was sheer luck. I heard later that MG called for some journalists as well. That was an hour before our articles were published. Their intentions were obvious. They’re funny guys, or maybe they don’t have a brain… Did you tell me all that because you knew MG might retract their statement?”

Lee HyunJi was curious. She was thinking ‘Would MG really go that far?’ when it happened.
KangYoon nodded his head as he replied.

“Decisions there aren’t made by just one person at MG, right? The president and the directors. There’s plenty of room for confusion. Moreover, the directors might not be on the same wavelength… Also, Min JinSeo was one of their top stars. There’s no way there would be no rumors.”

Lee HyunJi agreed to KangYoon’s words.
Right now, MG’s internal was no different from chaos. The directors with power were practically directing the company on their whims.
Due to their pursuit of blind profit, the company as a whole was being driven up the mountain.
She made a bitter expression before switching topics.

“ChanYang-seonbae told me he has something to ask of you.”
“Ask of me? What is it?”
“It’s something he talked to you about a long time ago. Did you promise him to do a speech or do a special lecture?”
“A special lecture? Oh.”

Hearing that, KangYoon was reminded.

The next day.
KangYoon visited Professor Choi ChanYang immediately.

“I should have been the one to go to you. I’m sorry.”

Professor Choi ChanYang greeted KangYoo who came to his office.
The female assistant, who just entered his office, looked at KangYoon and couldn’t hide her shock.

“Assistant Yoon, I’m sorry to ask but can you get us some…”
“Yes!”

Before he even finished his words, she brought them coffee.

“Hello. I’m Yoon SangHye.”
“Hi there.”

KangYoon greeted her lightly.
In that short period of time, she had taken off her glasses and untied her hair.
She put down the coffee and left very slowly.
After sipping the coffee a little, Professor Choi ChanYang talked about the special lecture while pointing at the calendar.

“When’s a good time for you?”
“I have to finish what I’m doing right now, so… I think I’ll have time in April.”
“April, huh… then how about the week after mid-terms? I think students will lose their motivation to listen to lectures, so I think that’s a good time. Everyone will love it.”

KangYoon nodded.

“Okay. But I think the students here are better than me, so I’m somewhat worried.”
“Not at all. How can someone like you say that?”
“I don’t know what I can teach them… but okay.”

Professor Choi ChanYang noted down KangYoon’s special lecture day on the calendar.
Meanwhile, just as the assistant’s phone was about to be put on fire, Professor Choi ChanYang softly spoke.

“Assistant Yoon. This is a secret between the three of us.”
“…Yes.”
“I trust you.”

Professor Choi ChanYang’s words made her dejected since she wanted a lot of thumbs-up from the internet by posting this news.

***

Lunchtime.
Kang GiJoon was headed to Lee HyunJi’s residence in order to meet Min JinSeo.
As Min JinSeo was refraining from going outside in order to prevent her exposure to the public as much as possible, he had come all the way here.

“There’s nothing you want to do?”
“…Yes.”

Her tone of words made Kang GiJoon puzzled.
She was so cheerful when KangYoon was present, but she was like a stone doll when he wasn’t here.
Despite that, he asked her for any genre that she wanted to do in the future, but she shook her head saying that nothing came to mind.

‘Is she burned out?’

It was rather plausible considering what she went through until now.
Ever since her debut, Min JinSeo had practically no rest.
She needed rest, but Kang GiJoon had to consider the company’s situation as well.

‘Although it’s a 6-year contract, the company spent 1.7 billion won on her. I also need to show them what I can do. Ugh, do I need to persuade her to do something?’

However, that didn’t seem right.
He was in a difficult position.
At that moment, the bell suddenly rang and when he had a look at the interphone, he could see KangYoon.
Although it was a sudden visit, Kang GiJoon opened the door.

“President, you didn’t tell me you were coming…”
“I’m here to see the two of you. Is JinSeo inside?”

When KangYoon went inside, Min JinSeo’s expression turned bright in an instant.

“Sir!”
“Hi. Have you been resting well?”
“Yes!”

Kang GiJoon couldn’t help but laugh at himself when he saw the change in Min JinSeo.
This lady, when she could make such a beautiful smile, she…
KangYoon sat opposite the two in order to discuss plans for the future.

“JinSeo. Is there anything you want to do in the future?”
“Something I want to do? Uhm… actually…”

Min JinSeo hesitated a little before replying carefully.

“Actually… I want to… study.”
“Study?”
“I… want to go to college.”

She replied in a small voice since she knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
Kang GiJoon’s eyes widened since he never got anything out of her, while KangYoon crossed his arms.

‘Thinking back, JinSeo only graduated high school right?’

It seemed that she wanted to study acting properly at a college and also enjoy campus life.
Hearing that, Kang GiJoon objected immediately.

“Even if you go to college now, there’s nothing for you to lea…”

At that moment, KangYoon raised his hand, gesturing him to stop. He was gesturing that they should listen a little more.
Kang GiJoon coughed awkwardly and Min JinSeo continued speaking.

“I don’t care if it’s just for a short period of time, but I want to live like an ordinary person. I know that it’s impossible, but even if it’s all false… For just one year, no a month, no even a week is fine…”
“…..”

Her voice became smaller and smaller.
Her voice contained deep yearning for an ordinary lifestyle. Not acting one through a drama, but actual ordinary life.
This didn’t mean that she wanted to give up acting because she signed the contract.
What it did mean, however, was that she possessed two desires that conflicted with each other.
When her words ended, KangYoon calmly spoke.

“JinSeo, you should know as well that what you just talked about isn’t easy, right?”
“…..”
“However, Team leader Kang here will do something about it.”
“What?”
“S, sir.”

Both Min JinSeo and Kang GiJoon were deeply surprised and looked at each other.
Regardless, KangYoon just smiled and continued to speak.

“Team leader Kang.”
“Yes, president.”
“From this moment onwards, JinSeo is under your care. I will not bother you whether you have her do a drama or do some training. You will decide the matters about college, no, everything that is related to JinSeo in the future. Just report me on your activities. I won’t interfere with anything. As for the budget, you can talk to the director about it.”
“President…”

KangYoon was telling him that all authority in regards to Min JinSeo was given to him.
Kang GiJoon always had his doubts so he couldn’t hide his shock.

“I, I understand.”

Kang GiJoon nodded, still confused.
Hearing an answer, KangYoon turned around to Min JinSeo.

“JinSeo”
“Yes.”
“Consider Team leader Kang to be me in the future and follow him. He’s a very capable and a good man, okay?”
“……”

She was a little dissatisfied that KangYoon wasn’t in charge of her, but she still nodded her head without a word.

“One year. I think that should be plenty. Right?”
“…It’s more than enough, president.”

Who else had so much faith in him?
Kang GiJoon’s shocked eyes turned into that of motivation.

***

In March and April, World Entertainment was rather busy with matters about Min JinSeo.
The media relentlessly talked about whether World Entertainment wanted to switch from a music-specific company to a general entertainment company.
They especially asked for interviews regarding what piece Min JinSeo would return with, but Kang GiJoon declined all interviews and hid her deeply.
By the end of April, people’s interest in her started fading.

“Oppa, quickly! You’ll be late.”

Inside the studio, HeeYoon urged KangYoon on after instructing In MoonHee on things to practice.

“I know. Wait. Don’t practice too much today, and…”
“Ah, oppa. You don’t have to tell her that so many times.”

HeeYoon was excited today.
Today was the day she went to Hallyeo Arts University with KangYoon for his special lecture.
She looked forward to seeing what Korean universities looked like as well as how her brother would look in front of an audience.
However, unlike her, KangYoon told In MoonHee the same thing three times before leaving the studio.

“Sheesh, MoonHee-unni isn’t an idiot. She won’t like it if you tell her the same thing over and over again.”
“But she’ll forget if I don’t go that far.”
“That’s true…”

The siblings drove to Hallyeo Arts University.
When they went to Professor Choi ChanYang’s office, he was waiting for them.

“Welcome, Mr. KangYoon. Is she perhaps… your sister?”
“Hello. My name is Lee HeeYoon.”

HeeYoon smiled and greeted him with a bow as though she liked the fact that she was recognized as KangYoon’s sister.
After shaking hands, the three of them headed to the lecture room after a brief conversation.
When they entered the lecture room, the 30 people that had applied for the lecture were…

“There’s… a lot of students.”

Due to the lack of seats, some people were standing at the back and even in the corridors. The three of them laughed awkwardly.
The lecture room was meant to house 30 people, but there were at least 3 times that today, nearing 100.
Before he started the lecture, Professor Choi ChanYang asked a student who was sitting down at the very front.

“I haven’t seen you before. What brings you here?”
“I’m sorry. I heard from her that the composer Muse will be doing a lecture today. Can’t I… listen in?”

The girl made a cute expression and pointed at the student next to her, who actually applied for the class.
Professor Choi ChanYang never told anyone who was going to do the lecture today.

‘Assistant Yoon….’

There was only one person that could do this, so the culprit was obvious.
He could prevent her from posting anything online, but it seemed he couldn’t do anything about her mouth.
His kind expression turned dark.

‘Oppa, you’re quite popular.’

HeeYoon poked on KangYoon’s waist and chuckled.
(T/N: HeeYoon, you’re technically Muse as well…)