Chapter 235. Her Exam Life (2)

(T/N: Now, I’m not an expert in psychology, but something here looks pretty wrong…)

“Raise her to extreme heights?”

KangYoon sat down before speaking as he judged that this would take some time to explain.

“People become jealous of others that they deem are similar or at a lower level than them. This manifests in an especially dark form in the case of women. However, that changes if the target of jealousy becomes out of reach overnight.”
“I get it. So then, how are you planning to put her on a pedestal?”
“With this.”

KangYoon opened his social media app and got into Ji YoonSeon’s page before showing it to Lee HyunJi.

“What you need to pay attention to is right below that.”
“A wedding invitation?”
“Yes.”

Lee HyunJi was confused.

“You’re not saying that it would be solved as long as JinSeo attends that wedding, right? This is not right. The journalists might look at it differently….”

However, KangYoon shook his head before replying with confidence.

“Maybe that’s the case if JinSeo is the only one attending. So you and I, as well as the celebrities in the company, will attend as well.”
“Whaaat!?”

Was it really necessary to go this far?
Lee HyunJi felt that this was going overboard for just a friend.

“Do we really need to go that far? It’s not like our celebrities are free.”
“It is absolutely necessary.”
“……”

KangYoon stood up as he continued his explanation.

“If JinSeo is the only one attending, then it would be her private matter, but if all of us go, then it would be an official event. That will make the journalists calm down a little.”
“……”
“In fact, they would become curious instead. Just who is that person to receive the blessings of the celebrities of World Entertainment? It turns out he’s the older brother of Min JinSeo’s friend. World attends weddings of an acquaintance’s family? Looks like they have a harmonious relationship within the company – we can promote ourselves that way.”

Lee HyunJi was hesitant.
What KangYoon said definitely made sense. However, she couldn’t help but hesitate since this would expose their own artists to the public for private matters.
After thinking about it a little, she agreed with KangYoon and spoke.

“…Fine. I’m a little worried, but you do sound right… so since we’re doing it. Why don’t we promote ourselves properly?”
“What do you mean?”
“Assistant manager Han and Kang that Producer Oh brought are well-versed in promotion and dealing with the media. Why don’t you leave it to them?”
“I did hear that some of them were from the planning team, so they were skilled in that area as well, huh. Alright, I’ll leave that to you.”

Now that they finished their plan, KangYoon stretched his arms out.
The two returned to the room with refreshed faces.

***

KangYoon and Lee HyunJi did not talk about their plan to the other two immediately.
After that, Ji YoonSeon said that she was satisfied to have become Min JinSeo’s friend and that she would be fine no matter what happened.

‘She’s a good girl.’

KangYoon could feel that she meant those words.
Lee HyunJi was the same.
After the meal, KangYoon drove Ji YoonSeon home.
KangYoon was in the driving seat while Lee HyunJi was in the passenger seat, and the two talked about work as they drove.
Seeing the two get along so well with each other, Ji YoonSeon whispered into Min JinSeo’s ears.

‘Those two are the president and the director, right?’
‘Yeah, why do you ask?’
‘They look really close. They’re really on the same rhythm. So cool.’

Ji YoonSeon was nicely surprised that a man and a woman could talk so well regarding work.

‘Uhm, is the director dating the composer by any chance?’
(T/N: You stepped on a landmine!)

It was a careful question, but Min JinSeo’s eyes turned co in an instant.’

‘No, absolutely not.’
‘…Haha, ‘absolutely’ you say…’
‘They. Are. Not.’

This was the first time she saw Min JinSeo’s eyes so cold, so Ji YoonSeon panicked a little, but she soon changed the topic.

‘That director, she’s strict when it comes to work, isn’t she?’

Min JinSeo coughed awkwardly and replied.

‘Yeah. Those two are the people that raised World to its current status. If the president worked more with music and public activities, director-unni was in charge of office work or getting contracts signed. The president had full trust in what the director did, and the director also had complete faith in what he did.’
‘So cool….’

Ji YoonSeon’s eyes became sparkly.
She took glances at Lee HyunJi through the rearview mirror and blushed.
Lee HyunJi asked, noticing her actions.

“Is there anything you want to say to me, miss?”
“Eh? Oh, no, not at all.”

When Ji YoonSeon became flustered, KangYoon laughed.

“Sheesh, director. You should go easy on her.”
“Oh, did I look too strict again? I’m sorry about that.”

“When Lee HyunJi apologized, Ji YoonSeon waved her hand in a fluster.”

“Not at all! I, I’m fine.”
“Really? Anyway, thank you for getting along with JinSeo.”
“N, not at all. Leaving her status aside, I became her friend for the person she is.”

Then, KangYoon closed the windows and spoke.

“I know. Come visit the company some time. We’ll welcome you.”
“Thank you.”

Lee HyunJi added as well.

“Though, the president isn’t usually present when people do make a visit.”
“Hahaha, I guess that’s true. There’s the director, though, so it’s fine.”
“Ah, I’m flattered.”

KangYoon and Lee HyunJi joked around.
Min JinSeo also laughed, seeing the two.

‘Those two suit each other so well…’

KangYoon and Lee HyunJi.
The two figures were deeply engraved onto Ji YoonSeon’s heart.
As the traffic was rather bad, they could only arrive at Pangyo, where Ji YoonSeon lived, after driving for quite a while.

“Thank you.”

Leaving behind Ji YoonSeon, who waved her hand in front of her house, KangYoon and the rest headed to Lee HyunJi’s house.
After the car gained some speed, Lee HyunJi asked.

“JinSeo, did you perhaps get anything from that girl?”
“Get what?”

When Min JinSeo looked confused, KangYoon asked.

“Like a wedding invitation.”
“A wedding invitation? Oh, you mean to YoonSeon’s brother’s wedding? I did hear about it, but I haven’t heard about the date and place. She did want to invite me, but she said that she felt sorry inviting a celebrity to such a place.”
“So you did hear about it, huh?”

So now they had an excuse to go.
Min JinSeo nodded at KangYoon’s question.

“What about it? Are you planning to go?”

When Min JinSeo asked worriedly, KangYoon nodded.

“I do.”
“Do you know the time and place?”
“Of course. So JinSeo, you should be prepared to go as well. The time is…”

KangYoon told Min JinSeo the time and place he read on social media.

“Okay. So GiJoon-Oppa and I should go together, right?”
“I’ll tell you that later.”

Min JinSeo was puzzled but still nodded.

***

ゆりーちゃん(Yuri-chan)
Summer of 2013.
This name could be heard everywhere in the islands of Japan.
Even in Osaka, considered to be the second capital of Japan, was no exception, and her songs could be heard in many places throughout.

[…It’s my song. Hehe.]

The sky was starting to turn dark and In MoonHee giggled to herself while hearing her own song being played faintly.
Beside her was Producer Tsukasa, who was likewise overjoyed to hear that music.

[To think that the song is still being played in Dotonbori…]

In MoonHee’s songs were still being played in a famous street in Osaka.
This signified that her song was still popular even though it had been two months since the album was released.
Naturally, Producer Tsukasa was thrilled.
Covering her face with a hat, In MoonHee leaned against the handrails so she could see the stream.
Listening to the sound of flowing water, she took out her phone.
When she opened up FinesTok, the top chat room had over 200 unread messages.

– Jimin-sensei: Have a good day, everyone~!!
– Hyuna: Jiminnie, did something good happen to you today?
– Jimin-sensei: No~ nothing… T^T
– Mina-chan: I smell something suspicious.
– I’m Jennie: Here’s miss mina with her conspiracies again~
– Mina-chan: Now that’s a conspiracy? -_- you wanna fite?

The group chat was named ‘noraebang’ (Korean equivalent of karaoke). It was joined by all the artists of World entertainment.
In MoonHee giggled and participated in the chat.

– Me: Did something happen to you today, Jimin-seonbae?
– Jimin-sensei: Eh? Nothing happened.
– Hyuna: I don’t think that’s true though…
– Kim JaeHoon: It’s quite noisy today as well

Kim JaeHoon has left the chat
Hyuna has invited Kim JaeHoon to the chat

– Jimin-sensei: Nice to meet you~ my name is Lee SamSoon.
– I’m Jennie:… you what?
– Kim JaeHoon: ….

Perhaps due to the high proportion of females here, there was no end to the chat.
The chat history could be scrolled up almost infinitely. There were many pictures uploaded as well, from photos taken from concerts to just funny memes.
Jung MinAh then chatted.

– Mina-chan: who here heard about the wedding?
– Jimin-sensei: I just heard from manager-Oppa. I heard it was a brother of JinSeo-unni’s friend, am I right?
– I’m Jennie: Is that someone important?
– Hyuna: Who knows… I’m not sure…
– Me: A wedding? But wait, everyone’s going?
– Kim JaeHoon: For now, yes. Except for you, Miss MoonHee.

As the topic was about weddings, the ladies chatted nonstop.
Since all the available artists were attending, this was a hot topic of discussion. The chat scrolled down endlessly.

– Hyuna: I want to get married too. T_T
– I’m Jennie: Me too… T_T
– Mina-chan: So quickly? You should play around some more.
– Jimin-sensei: Looks like you want to marry late, Mina-unni?
– Mina-chan: Well, if there’s someone good, I’m gonna get married immediately.
– I’m Jennie: Right. Mina will probably get married the fastest out of all of us.
– Mina-chan: (You can’t clap with one hand…)
– Kim JaeHoon: I’m not sure

Kim JaeHoon has left the chat.
Jimin-sensei has invited Kim JaeHoon.

– Jimin-sensei: You still can’t leave.
– Kim JaeHoon: Tch
– Me: Marriage, huh… uu, I wanna get the bouquet…

She was messaging, when Producer Tsukasa tapped on her shoulders.

[Yes?]
[Let’s go now. It’s time.]
[Yes.]

There was an event nearby today.
In MoonHee put away her phone and slipped through the crowds while covering her face with her hat.

***

“Sir Ji, I thought just your son was handsome, but… your daughter’s quite the beauty too, hahaha!”
“Thank you. Your daughter is quite the beauty too, Sir Jung.”

Two men clad in suits were exchanging flatteries.
This was a wedding hall with white-colored walls and beautiful lights.
Ji YoonSeon was meeting the guests beside her father, who had white gloves on.

“YoonSeon, you’ve grown!”
“Hey! It’s been such a long time!”

She greeted the brother of a friend of hers and gave out drinks to the guests who just arrived. She was very busy.
This was not different from any other wedding.
Until… 10 minutes before the ceremony started.

“Eunha? There’s Kim JaeHoon as well?”
“Where? Where?”

People suddenly started flocking towards the entrance.
The guests in their 40s and above kept their places since they didn’t really care much about celebrities. Still, the younger people caused a ruckus due to the sudden appearance of celebrities.

“Kim JiMin’s so pretty! Her head is as small as a fist!”
“Kyaa!”

(T/N: It’s apparently a compliment for your head to be small…)

Meanwhile, Kim JaeHoon and Kim JiMin were in a predicament due to the sudden wave of people.

‘Uhm, Oppa. When is the president coming?’
‘He’ll be here soon. I guess that’s the one?’

Kim JaeHoon led the panicking Kim JiMin to the third floor.
He found a place that said ‘Ji ChangHoon & Shin HyeRin.’ in the lobby and walked towards it.

‘Whose wedding are they attending? Eek?’

Ji YoonSeon’s younger cousin, who was in charge of receiving the groom’s wedding gifts, was flabbergasted when Kim JaeHoon stopped in front of her.

“H, hello…?”
“Hello there.”

Kim JaeHoon smoothly handed his congratulatory money envelope and wrote his name on the visitor’s list.
Kim JiMin followed suit and gave her an envelope as well.
The younger cousin gave them two meal tickets while receiving the two envelopes with somewhat confused eyes.

“Thanks.”

When Kim JaeHoon turned around, he saw the groom’s family, who were likewise shocked.
They were wondering why such famous celebrities appeared in this place all of a sudden.
Ji YoonSeon was amongst the crowd.

“So here you were.”
“Yes? What?”

When Kim JaeHoon and Kim JiMin stood in front of her all of a sudden, Ji YoonSeon’s eyes colored in shock.

“We’re here with Miss JinSeo. The others should be here soon.”
“J, JinSeo is coming? No, wait, ‘the others’?”

As soon as she said those words, an even bigger ruckus occurred in the lobby.
At the same time, KangYoon, Lee HyunJi, Min JinSeo, as well as all the members of Eddios and White Moonlight showed up.

“Th, this…”
“Hyung.”

When Kim JaeHoon waved his hand towards KangYoon, everyone came to where Kim JaeHoon and Kim JiMin were.
Ji YoonSeon and her parents forgot to greet them due to shock.
The lobby was filled with people, not because of the groom and the bride, but the superstars’ sudden visit.
Amidst the ruckus, KangYoon lightly pushed Min JinSeo’s back so she could step forward.

“YoonSeon, I’m here.”
“J, JinSeo. What is all…”
“Hahaha.”

JinSeo shrugged and greeted Ji YoonSeon’s parents.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Min JinSeo, and I’m a friend of YoonSeon.”
“R, really? I, I’m YoonSeon’s father.”

Ji YoonSeon’s father was somewhat flabbergasted to see a superstar he only saw on TV programs standing right in front of him.
Although he had many connections as he was recently successful with his business, he didn’t have the slightest connection to the entertainment industry.
When Min JinSeo finished her greetings, KangYoon stepped forward.

“Hello. I’m Lee KangYoon. I guess you can call me in charge of everyone here.”
“My name is Ji YoungHo. To think that I’d see people from TVs like this…”
“We came here since JinSeo told us that she’s made a good friend. Where is the groom?”
“H, He’s in the waiting room. I’ve only seen you through a screen, but you’re all very handsome and beautiful.”

KangYoon shook hands with Ji YoonSeon’s father before giving the wedding gift money to the reception.
Eddios, Min JinSeo, and White Moonlight all blessed the groom, Ji ChangHoon, and his parents for the wedding.
The people whispered amongst each other, seeing that.

‘Min JinSeo was a friend of the groom’s brother?’
‘Wow, they raised their daughter well, receiving visits from celebrities.’
‘I’m gonna post this on the internet.’

Regardless of other people’s reactions, KangYoon and the celebrities headed towards the bride’s waiting room.
The bride was also shocked when she saw KangYoon and the celebrities.
KangYoon introduced himself to the bride, saying that they were visiting as guests of the groom’s sister, and made everyone stand around the bride.

“Say cheese!”

Along with the photographer’s words, the camera shutter made noises.
A one-of-a-kind wedding photo was taken, with all the celebrities standing around the bride.

‘I’m so envious.’
‘Would I be able to receive guests like them too?’

The friends of the bride were very envious.
Just as they became dejected with envy, Jung MinAh spoke to them.

“Uhm, why don’t you join us for a shot?”
“Yes!”

With the bride’s friends in the picture, the wedding photo became more plentiful.
The bride’s waiting room was soon filled with fans as the celebrities started taking selfies with the visitors.

“Thank you!”

Leaving behind the delighted bride and her friends, KangYoon and the celebrities soon entered the wedding hall and took their seats.
They sat at the front of the groom’s side, where people did not usually sit.
KangYoon approached the presenter, who was the groom’s friend.

“We want to sing a congratulatory song in surprise…”

He naturally received an OK.
KangYoon gave over a USB containing the soundtrack saying that Eddios will sing one song. Kim JaeHoon and Kim JiMin will then sing another one together.
When he moved around busily, it soon became time.
The groom made an entrance, and after that, the bride made an entrance with her father.
The visitors yawned when the officiant took such a long time blessing the marriage, but they soon focused back when a video started playing.
And finally.

“The next segment is a festive song. The groom is a friend of mine, but man, I gotta say, he has a good sister. You won’t get to hear this anywhere else. The first one is from Eddios, and the second one will be a duet of Kim JaeHoon and Eunha.”

Along with loud cheers, Eddios stood, facing the newlywed couple.

***

“Hey! Drive faster!”

Journalist Kang SangTae of Star Space, a celebrity-focused news media, nagged at his junior.
The female junior, wearing glasses, looked very depressed even while pressing down on the accelerator.

“Seonbae-nim, we’ll get a speeding ticket at this rate. We got three just last month.”
“I said I’ll pay the fine! Do you think a speeding ticket is a problem right now? Guys from World just appeared! Quickly!”
“Noo….”

The female junior stepped on the accel.
However, a problem occurred.
There was a traffic jam in front of the wedding venue.

“Goddammit! We’re gonna miss out at this rate! We need to be there before anyone else.”
“Seonbae-nim…”
“I guess there’s no choice. I’ll go there first, so follow me on your own.”
“Seonbae!”

Kang SangTae got off the car in the middle of the road since traffic was backed up and started running.
His head was filled with the word ‘scoop.’

‘If that Kang Ha-In guy is the source, then it must be accurate. You don’t want me to write an article about it? That’s like telling me to do everything to make an article.’

This was a leak from Assistant Manager Kang Ha-In, who recently moved over to World Entertainment.
He could still see his figure, wondering why the celebrities at his company were attending an ordinary person’s wedding. Moreover, he said to not make an article about it with a smile.
Other than that, he was told of this news 1 hour before the wedding; there was nothing else off about it.
He was a journalist who cared about ‘scoops’ more than anything else.

“Wait for me, exclusives! I’m coming for you!”

His heart was jumping up to his throat, but his running did not stop.

***

Meanwhile, over at World Entertainment.
Assistant Manager Kang sent a message to KangYoon.

– He should be there soon.
– Thanks for your work, we’ll get ready here as well.
– Tell me if you need anything else.

Assistant Manager Kang Ha-In put down his phone on his desk.

“The species known as journalists will always write better articles when they’re enthusiastic about a topic. I look forward to what he’s going to write.”

The salaryman, who finished his work, stretched his arms out, feeling refreshed.