Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 180

180. The Eve of the Storm (2)

2022.04.29.

The rumors spread quickly, like fire consuming a dry field.

Those who had been displeased with Yeon-woo saw this as their chance and added their voices, one by one.

-How could he get a leading role in a movie right after doing a supporting role after debutㅋㅋㅋ It was possible because he acted like thatㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Even stories completely unrelated to the plagiarism issue were dragged out.

Those who saw an opportunity eagerly began to chew, tear apart, taste, and enjoy Yeon-woo.

Among them were people who enjoyed the discord itself.

Those who revel in the misfortune of others were exactly that kind of people.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㄱㅇㅇ [Korean slang, similar to ‘lol’] I knew it when he talked about his studio while filming the reality show. I guess he was trying to push an artist gimmick ㅋㅋㅋ Ah~ He’s screwed because of plagiarism~

ㄴㄹㅇ [Short for ‘리얼’, meaning ‘real’ or ‘true’] It seems like he was trying so hard to create an image, but it’s good to see him failㅋ He should just focus on acting if he’s an actor, why is he trying to be something else ㅅ1ㅂ [Abbreviation for a Korean swear word, similar to ‘fuck’]

Of course, there were people who disagreed.

Yeon-woo’s fans were the prime example.

They stepped forward to try to quell the low-quality rumors, but it was not enough.

Instead, they were criticized for trying to manipulate public opinion.

It was because, as fans, they would naturally try to protect Yeon-woo.

Slowly, slowly.

The unpleasant rumors slowly revealed their true nature, like a snake showing its venomous fangs.

The rumors that started secretly online.

That was,

“Hey, did you hear? That guy you said you liked back then…….”

“I heard this kind of story is going around online these days. Did you hear? Kang Yeon-woo…….”

“You said you were going to watch ‘Jeonggeom’? That OST [Original Soundtrack] that comes out there, someone said Kang, Kang Yeon-woo plagiarized it?”

Gradually, it began to spread subtly offline as well.

The controversy had become too large to quietly sink beneath the surface.

*

“Hmm. Is that so?”

While the nasty rumors were spreading beyond the internet, what was Yeon-woo doing?

“Ugh. The taste is weird. It’s slippery.”

He was busy relaxing his throat, which he had been using diligently for a while.

[Aigo! [Expression of frustration or annoyance] This is not the time to be leisurely saying ‘Hmm. Is that so?’ and complaining about the taste! You are now being seen as a complete con artist!]

“If the taste is weird, I should say it’s weird. What else should I say?”

[Aigooo!]

Dongja-ryeong, with all its feathers standing on end, looking like a round ball of fluff rather than a sparrow, couldn’t contain its anger and bounced around.

Regardless.

Yeon-woo put down the drink he had just finished.

“But you still have to drink it all.”

“……It really tastes weird though. Are you sure this is really helpful……?”

No matter how he thought about it, this was not something a human should eat.

“You’ve been overusing your voice until just now, so you need to soothe it.”

“No…… it’s too slippery and the smell is weird too……”

The drink Yeon-woo had just drunk was yam juice.

It was mixed with raw egg yolk and some kind of sprout powder that was said to be good for the body, so the color was greenish, looking like green algae floating in a summer stream.

“It’s good for your body. Drink it all to the end.”

He was determined not to let go unless he drank it all.

When Kwon Seong-hyun acted like this, listening obediently was the way to save time and mental energy.

“How long do I have to keep drinking this?”

“Well, until Yeon-woo’s vocal training is over? No, since singing means constantly using your voice, probably forever?”

“…….”

Yeon-woo seriously considered it for a moment.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to give up singing than to drink this every day?’

He’d been drinking it for several days, but he couldn’t get used to it, so he probably wouldn’t get used to it for the rest of his life.

The only good thing was that, as Kwon Seong-hyun said, the devil’s drink had some effect.

‘No, isn’t it kind of fun? It’s a bit of a waste to give up, right?’

These days, Yeon-woo was completely absorbed in vocal training.

He felt the need for it after singing without any technique at the amusement park.

-You’ve never sung before? Really?

-Yes.

-Why?

-……?

The vocal trainer Kwon Seong-hyun had selected asked that on their first meeting.

-How can you have such a voice and not sing?!

He had done something similar to singing.

To be exact, it was like pansori [Korean genre of musical storytelling performed by a vocalist and a drummer]?

The singers who were called in to perform during shamanic rituals had taught young Yeon-woo a few times for fun.

And Yeon-woo had followed along well.

‘Thinking about it, it was fun since I was young.’

After he grew older, he consciously tried to avoid anything related to ‘that side,’ so he quickly forgot about singing.

Perhaps that’s why.

-That’s strange……? Have you ever learned vocalization before? Didn’t you say you didn’t sing……? It’s not easy to put strength into your diaphragm from the start……?

The vocal trainer tilted his head, watching Yeon-woo absorb everything he taught right away.

At the same time, he said it was fun to teach and did hard training with excitement.

Thanks to that, Kwon Seong-hyun, who was a health worrier only for Yeon-woo, came up with the result of making a mixed drink.

[Aaaani! Actor, you shouldn’t be focusing on that either! What’s important now is not that!]

“But Dongja-ssi. It’s also a very important issue that Yeon-woo’s throat is getting damaged. Yeon-woo is the type who doesn’t pay attention to other things once he gets into one thing, so I have no choice but to take care of him, right?”

[That’s…… true. Kkeueung [Sound of agreement or acknowledgement]. Our Yeon-woo is a bit stubborn, so once he sets his mind, he doesn’t try to back down. Honestly, Kang Yeon-woo is the only person I’ve seen who stares straight into Yeonhwa-ssi’s eyes and talks back. When you think about it, he’s not an ordinary person either…… No, that’s not it!]

The little sparrow puffed up its feathers and chirped.

It was very ferocious, but too small to be anything but insignificant.

[What if our Yeon-woo keeps suffering from these strange rumors?! What’s the point of practicing singing! There might be no chance to use it! What if he gets buried like this!]

“Why do you care about such things one by one? You know it’s not true anyway.”

[Even so…… I’m worried! This industry is so sensitive to rumors. You know that too!]

“That’s right.”

Yeon-woo nodded.

In fact, Yeon-woo was very familiar with this kind of negative rumors and reactions.

What should I say?

Rather, the undeserved kindness he had received so far was more unfamiliar.

‘Actually, if there are no expectations, there is no disappointment.’

So he wasn’t particularly angry.

It’s not that he didn’t know why Dongja-ryeong was indignant……

[It’s not someone else’s business, it’s your business!]

“I know.”

If people’s reaction this time was favorable, Yeon-woo’s reaction would have been different.

The unconditional kindness he had received so far was even more unfamiliar to Yeon-woo.

It was such an unfamiliar and amazing thing?

Feeling the pleasant warmth full of affection was quite unfamiliar, but very welcome.

That’s why he wanted to repay those who showed him affection in any way possible.

‘To do that, I need to increase my influence a little more.’

The best way he can give back is still one.

Because he can’t meet each and every one of them.

That’s also why Yeon-woo is looking for ways to increase his influence.

Vocal training was one of those methods.

[Do you really know?!]

“I know.”

[You’re being criticized a lot right now! You’re being criticized so much that you’re being turned into powder!]

“I know. You showed me.”

[But why are you so calm?!]

“It’s originally a familiar thing. You’re being so new about it, Dongja-ryeong.”

[Th-that’s true……. That’s the past and this is the present!]

“It looks similar to me.”

Yeon-woo was calm despite Dongja-ryeong’s resentment.

The reason was simple.

‘The kindness they send me is appreciated, but that doesn’t mean it’s a given.’

It’s a simple principle.

Kindness is not an obligation.

You must not forget that.

If you only rely on someone’s kindness, there will be nothing left when that kindness collapses.

Yeon-woo knew that very well.

[Actor, say something! Why is he so calm? If it were me, I would have already gone crazy!]

“Stop it. What if you evolve into an evil spirit? Please don’t make me have to exorcise you.”

Jjaeak!

The mouse-sized sparrow made a suffocating sound and flipped over.

It was a gesture that it felt like it was going to die from burning inside.

“I don’t particularly like the current situation either, Yeon-woo-ssi.”

Kwon Seong-hyun said with an ambiguous smile.

“If Yeon-woo-ssi wants, I can catch them all and throw them in right now.”

He sounded like he really wanted to.

“To be honest, I was a little angry when I saw that dirty rumor resurface.”

There was still a smile on his face, but his voice was fierce.

“That human, seeing that he can’t even get rid of a rumor properly, he’s completely useless.”

If Woo Do-gyeom was in front of him, he would have twisted his neck.

“Well, you can’t erase people’s memories.”

Come to think of it, it was strange.

‘Why aren’t I angry this time?’

The first time he heard the sponsor story, he felt very dirty.

It felt like all the efforts Yeon-woo had put in were completely evaporated by the single word sponsor.

Even at that time, other people were being harmed by the rumor.

People who had shown Yeon-woo kindness without any conditions.

‘Well, it’s familiar to be poured on me anyway.’

It’s always unfair to be criticized for something he didn’t do, but even that is familiar.

Moreover, the situation was different in many ways then and now.

Besides, in two weeks…….

“The issue of preferences is understandable. But Yeon-woo-ssi. Like Dongja-ssi said, plagiarism is a slightly different issue. I’m not using my hands because it seems like Yeon-woo-ssi doesn’t want it, but…… if you just tell me, I’ll take care of it right away.”

“No. You don’t have to. It’s something that will be revealed soon.”

It was something that would be resolved naturally when the reality show aired.

Yeon-woo thought so.

Because the rumors would all disappear after waiting a little bit.

Yeon-woo thought so.

Until the increasingly large rumors crossed the line.

*

The negative rumors about Yeon-woo continued to grow day by day.

The fact that Yeon-woo, the person involved, was staying still seemed to make them even more sarcastic.

“Isn’t he hiding because he’s pricked by his conscience?”

“If he was confident, he would have held a press conference or something to explain. Isn’t staying still admitting it?”

Some people even believed that Yeon-woo was staying still because he had something to hide.

So much so that,

“Why did you call?”

-“I’ve been hearing rumors these days…….”

Woo Do-gyeom even called.

“They’re just rumors, so ignore them.”

-“My kids are crying. They’re even telling my kids to leave comments.”

The targets referred to by ‘my kids’ in the front and ‘my kids’ in the back were completely different.

“I thought you would tell them to take advantage of this situation.”

Wasn’t Woo Do-gyeom a human who would even use his children for profit?

I thought he would like it as noise marketing.

It seems that even that human thought the situation had gone a bit too far.

-“It’s embarrassing that the annoying rumors I, Woo Do-gyeom, had said have resurfaced.”

It seems that this human also heard the sponsor story.

As bad rumors began to stick to Yeon-woo, the sponsor story that Woo Do-gyeom had once eradicated resurfaced.

As if trying to end Yeon-woo’s entire career this time.

-No. There was a sponsor story in the past. It disappeared all of a sudden? Isn’t that very strange? It’s a bit strange that all the news has been taken down and no one is saying a wordㅋㅋㅋ It’s really strange, right?

ㄴㄹㅇ It doesn’t make sense that it disappears in an instant as if someone deliberately cleaned it all upㅋㅋㅋ It’s definitely certain that someone is attached to him

-Frankly speaking, it’s true that the movie he appeared in did well, but isn’t a solo reality show a bit too much? It’s not like the movie went over 10 million~~

ㄴ It’s an accepted theory in academia that there are no reality shows of actors whose movies went over 10 million

ㄴㄹㅇ Special treatment is severe

-“Shall I help you?”

A deep bass voice coming through the receiver asks cautiously.

It was a voice that seemed to entice him as if he would solve anything right away if he just answered.

However.

“No, thank you.”

The answer was firm.