The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 183

‘President Do probably didn’t think much of it at first. He probably thought, “What’s the big deal about debuting one Chinese trainee alongside our members?” But guess what, it turned out to be a landmine.’

A massive landmine, even beyond the estimations of the fierce Director Shin Ki Ho.

There was a reason why PD Joo Cheol Yeong had come all the way to the Music Days headquarters despite his busy schedule at the filming location.

He was waiting.

Waiting for someone who would soon walk through the doors with a grave expression on his face, after walking down these very corridors…

Creeeak—

“Oh, you’re here early.”

That someone was Director Shin Ki Ho, who had just finished talking to President Do Jae Chan.

“…….”

Director Shin shot PD Joo a glare and wordlessly slumped into the chair opposite him.

Beneath his usually sharp and well-maintained eyes were rare, deep black circles.

‘You acted so arrogantly toward me during Logan’s incident, but look at you now. The tables have completely turned, haven’t they, Director Shin?’

PD Joo mocked the haggard appearance of Director Shin internally, amused at the shell of himself he had become. He maintained a cheerful smile as he spoke.

“You look exhausted. I have some leftover energy drinks from earlier. Would you like one?”

“No. Let’s get straight to the point.”

“Why so uptight? It’s not like you have anything more important than going back and cleaning up Liu Wei’s mess right now.”

“…….”

Director Shin’s face twisted horribly as Joo Cheol Yeong, who had seen through the entire situation, pierced through his weakness with precision.

After all, nothing PD Joo had said was wrong.

Ever since Liu Wei’s engagement scandal broke, Director Shin had barely managed to sleep two hours a day.

Investors had continuously bombarded him with complaints and threats from every possible angle.

“How could you fail to properly manage the trainee’s personal affairs?” “If we knew this was coming, we wouldn’t have invested in the first place.” “Is there really no other viable Chinese trainee to debut right now?”

And to make things worse, the fiancé’s family, who initially approached AG claiming they were simply “interested in Liu Wei’s talent,” had now completely gone dark, not responding to any attempts at communication.

“This damn mess….”

“D-director Shin, I think you should at least take this call—”

“What’s the point? They’ll just say to debut him at any cost again.”

“N-no, sir. This time it’s not from the investors… it’s from President Do Jae Chan.”

In the midst of this chaotic headache, he received one unexpected phone call from President Do Jae Chan himself.

“…Why are you suddenly calling me now?”

— I called because it’s beneficial for both of us. Do you think I’m calling just to piss you off? We’re from the same company.

“I’m already busy enough, even though I’m not President Do.”

— Listen carefully, Director Shin. It’s simple. Let’s use this chance for our next group. The China-focused group we prepared is basically a lost cause anyway. The investors themselves already recognize Liu Wei’s flaws. Debuting a trainee like that will only drag down the group’s overall evaluation.

“If that argument worked on them, I would’ve used it already. Somehow. They don’t think the engagement itself is the problem. Unless something bigger happens, Liu Wei absolutely has to debut—”

— I just happened to hear something about that “something bigger,” actually.

“…What do you mean?”

— I mean a problem even they can’t overlook, aside from the fiancé’s family’s investors.

“So, you mean this…”

“It’s the courage-test mission video. Don’t even think about deleting it. I’ve already backed it up on my personal drive.”

“…….”

Now faced directly with that very problem, Shin Ki Ho had no choice but to close his eyes, clutching his throbbing head.

On the handycam footage, Liu Wei was openly admitting he’d spread false rumors while confronting Kim Chunyong.

The reason Joo Cheol Yeong showed this to Shin Ki Ho was clear.

Even putting aside the engagement issue, if this got out, Liu Wei would undoubtedly…

be unable to debut.

‘My original goal was gaining greater AG shares through Liu Wei’s debut and ultimately taking over as a China-based global agency…’

Self-contradiction, was this it?

Shin Ki Ho had no choice but to admit he’d lost to both Do Jae Chan and Joo Cheol Yeong, and to the situation itself.

And that he’d have to stay at AG.

“…Haha.”

Watching silently as Shin Ki Ho replayed the footage, Joo Cheol Yeong smiled.

“Ah, PD-nim. I wanted to return this handycam.”

“…You could’ve given it to the assistant PDs.”

“No, I think you’d personally like to see it.”

‘He did that fully knowing I favor him,;

Joo Cheol Young recalled the trainee’s shameless yet cheerful expression as he handed over the handycam. As if there was no problem at all.

Of course, Joo Cheol Yeong hadn’t just sat idle after his talk with President Do Jae Chan.

He’d given Son Jae Ha a waterproof cam, placed Chunyong’s team directly behind Liu Wei’s team.

A setting where something was bound to happen.

‘All I had to do was set the stage, and he brought back a perfect scene.’

Kim Chunyong, that clever little guy.

Joo Cheol Yeong lightly licked his lips, stood up, walked over to Shin Ki Ho, and whispered casually:

“Of course, this part won’t be uploaded as WeTube Blue content. I’ve edited it out separately. Liu Wei’s footage will be shorter but still contain him looking appropriately scared.”

“…….”

“But if things don’t change… well, who knows what might happen.”

At Joo’s words, Shin Ki Ho sharply raised his dark brows.

Huu….

“…Alright, suppose the situation changes. If that happens, what exactly do you get?”

And as if he’d been waiting for that very question, Joo Cheol Yeong immediately said:

“Give me full control of the debut group’s reality content post-Targeting Star, and filming for their future album commentaries. Basically, entrust all original content filming related to this group to me.”

He exclaimed.

“…Full control?”

“Yes. I really think highly of these trainees about to debut.”

Joo Cheol Yeong shrugged and counted off on his fingers.

“Son Jae Ha, Ji Hwa Sung, Jang Si Woo—these go without saying, since AG has trained them thoroughly. Bang Yu Chan’s biggest selling point is being completely from a non-celebrity background. Logan’s a bit different, but essentially similar.”

“…And the last one?”

“You already know, don’t you?”

“…….”

“You see who orchestrated this entire situation. Aren’t you intrigued by someone who shook an entire agency director?”

Shin Ki Ho had predicted himself that he would get bitten by Kim Chunyong somehow.

Now, it was becoming a reality.

What PD Joo Cheol Yeong and President Do Jae Chan said, and what Shin Ki Ho can do right now.

How to convince the investors with that video leaked.

How to get out of that situation.

There are about ten days left until the last live broadcast of Targeting Star.

Closing and opening his eyes tightly, Shin Ki Ho spoke in a low voice, his eyes sharp.

“…I’ll contact you once everything’s sorted.”

“Of course.”

Before Shin left, he paused, picked one energy drink from the table, and left silently. A cherry-flavored drink, bright red like someone’s hair color.

And while these middle-aged men maneuvered carefully to win the chess match called Targeting Star…

Kim Chunyong, practically their knight….

“Sorry, but I voted for Si Woo, not you. It can’t be helped.”

“…Writer-nim, can we cut for a moment? I really don’t think this should air.”

…Was busy having questionable conversations with his own family.