An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 309

309. #56 – The Hidden Truth (4)

“Junwoo!”

I spotted Jang Junwoo waiting for me in front of the building and immediately called out to him.

“Oh, Heeseong. Here.”

He greeted me warmly but gave an awkward smile, well aware of the current situation.

“Are you okay?”

A short greeting that seemed to encapsulate everything, as if consoling me.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

I nodded, took his hand, and walked into the building with Jang Junwoo, starting a conversation.

“How did you think to contact me?”

“After seeing the article about Yoona yesterday… I thought of you. But after seeing the article this morning, I talked to my father right away and then called you.”

“Thanks.”

At my words, he chuckled and patted my shoulder.

“What are friends for?”

We soon arrived in front of the office.

Jang Junwoo pointed to the firmly closed door and said to me.

“We’re here. This is where my father is.”

“Okay.”

I stopped, took a deep breath, and straightened my clothes.

It was also to seek advice from a lawyer who would represent Song Yoona.

And it was a meeting with my friend’s father, so it was only natural to present a neat appearance.

When I nodded once, Jang Junwoo smiled and opened the door.

“Father, I’m here.”

As Jang Junwoo opened the door and entered, a large desk and nameplate came into view.

‘Lawyer Jang Seonjin.’

Even before confirming the name, I could be sure that he was Jang Junwoo’s father.

A spitting image.

Like Jang Junwoo, he had striking and distinct features.

I approached him and bowed.

“Hello, I’m Jin Heeseong, a friend of Junwoo.”

At my words, he offered his hand with a kind smile.

“Nice to meet you. It’s an honor to meet a famous actor.”

“Not at all. I’m honored that you contacted me, sir.”

“Shall we sit down and talk first?”

“Yes.”

We sat facing each other, including Jang Junwoo, and immediately started talking about Song Yoona without any preamble [an introductory formality].

“I don’t know much beyond what I’ve read in the articles, so could you tell me more details?”

I nodded at Jang Seonjin’s words.

“First of all, what I’m curious about is…”

And what I saw in the dream, Song Yoona’s past.

Based on what I learned from that, I talked about the ‘narcotic drugs’ I found online.

I hadn’t told Song Yoona yet, so I couldn’t reveal the whole story.

But I told him what I could to help her in this situation.

Jang Seonjin, who had been listening intently for a while, nodded.

“Hmm… so it wasn’t intentional drug use, but for treatment purposes. And if she hasn’t used drugs since then…”

At his words, my eyes sparkled, and I asked.

“Then isn’t she innocent?”

At my question, he frowned and shook his head.

“No. She won’t be acquitted [declared not guilty], but there’s a high probability of getting a suspended sentence [a punishment that is not carried out if the offender complies with certain conditions].”

“Ah…”

I couldn’t help but sigh at the fact that she might not be innocent.

Jang Seonjin quickly started searching for information about the drug I mentioned, and soon his eyes lit up, and he opened his mouth.

“But that drug has been legally approved in Korea for several years now, right?”

I nodded at his words.

“Yes, but the problem is that it was illegal back in 2016.”

“Hmm… first of all, if we can prove that the subsequent prescriptions and treatments were not abuse, then there’s no problem.”

Jang Seonjin stroked his chin and thought, then looked at me and said.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to defend her for free.”

“Yes?”

At his words, I asked with wide eyes, and Jang Junwoo, who was next to Jang Seonjin, smiled and replied.

“Yeah. My father is very skilled. Give it a try.”

At his continued words, I waved my hands and replied.

“I’m really grateful for the thought, but I can’t accept it for free. Even if I do hire you, I’ll pay the fees.”

Jang Seonjin smiled at me with a kind face.

“I want to do it because Heeseong is Junwoo’s friend, but more than anything, I’m also a fan of Song Yoona.”

At his words, Jang Junwoo and I smiled.

“That’s right. My father is a fan of Yoona.”

“Ah, I’m really grateful for the thought.”

“So, I’m going to do my best to defend her.”

But since I hadn’t gotten consent from Song Yoona, I couldn’t rashly ask him to defend her.

“I haven’t told Yoona yet. I’ll talk to her first and then let you know.”

“Please do. Frankly, in my personal opinion, the maximum would be a suspended sentence. And there might be a chance of acquittal.”

I nodded at his words.

It was definitely a good thing that she could be acquitted, but what worried me the most was something else.

“But the problem is… the perception, I’m worried.”

“That’s right. It’s not just anyone, but the fact that a celebrity is caught up in rumors related to drugs is enough to damage their image.”

I kept sighing at the thought of Song Yoona’s worries.

Then, as if something came to mind, Jang Seonjin snapped his fingers and said.

“Then let’s do this.”

“Yes?”

“Actually, the most important thing right now is the image…”

* * *

Meanwhile, at WG Entertainment.

With the continuous articles about Song Yoona, the story of Jin Heeseong was also being mentioned.

Song Yoona and Jin Heeseong were being criticized more and more for being involved in drugs together, just because they were lovers.

-Actress Song Yoona is still remaining silent.

Attention is being paid to what kind of answer she will give regarding the drug allegations, and when she will open her mouth.

In relation to this, actor Jin Heeseong is….

Beep-

CEO Park, who was watching the entertainment news on TV, pressed the remote control button to turn off the power with a satisfied expression.

“I only released the Song Yoona article, but they’re taking down Jin Heeseong on their own.”

At his words, a department head nodded and replied.

“That’s what I’m saying. Before we could even sway public opinion, the public is taking Jin Heeseong down on their own.”

“It’s good for us to get away with it without lifting a finger.”

“But I’m worried because Song Yoona still hasn’t contacted us or responded.”

At his words, CEO Park smirked and said.

“Leave her alone. The more time passes, the more disadvantageous it is for Song Yoona, not us. And Song Yoona is now falling.”

CEO Park crossed his arms and continued with an evil smile.

“I treat her well if she goes with me, but she’s acting up so much because her contract is almost over… she should have expected this much. Don’t you think?”

At his question, a department head nodded his head.

“Ah, that’s right.”

“How dare she talk back to me so rudely. Song Yoona… she’s been in this industry for a while and thinks she’s all that.”

CEO Park looked at his watch and got up from his seat.

“Ah, we have a meeting soon, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Shall we leave right away?”

“Let’s do that.”

An hour later.

CEO Park and a department head, as well as Seo Gyuri, arrived at the meeting place.

They arrived at a building and headed to the appointed place.

“Gyuri, you have to do well.”

“Yes, CEO. I will do my best.”

CEO Park looked at Seo Gyuri and said with emphasis in his eyes.

“A lot of WG Entertainment depends on you. Don’t just work hard; you have to do well.”

At his words, Seo Gyuri felt burdened, but she knew very well that a lot depended on her.

“It’s as if you made Yoona that way. You know?”

“…Yes, I will do my best.”

Seo Gyuri’s pupils shook rapidly at CEO Park’s words.

CEO Park was telling Seo Gyuri everything, including how she was taking over Song Yoona’s roles.

That what Seo Gyuri was taking on was not entirely her own strength, but something she had taken from Song Yoona….

He was trying to make Seo Gyuri feel several times more burdened and work harder.

Seo Gyuri bit her nails anxiously and headed to the meeting room with them, and one person was waiting for them.

It was film director Choi Hanbeom.

“Have you arrived?”

Director Choi got up from his seat and approached CEO Park.

“Hello, Director Choi.”

They exchanged brief greetings, sat down, and began to discuss the main topic.

CEO Park asked Director Choi directly.

“Director, about Song Yoona in the work you’re going to start this time.”

“Yes, Yoona?”

“As you know, she’s been tested positive for drugs, and it’s a mess. So, I was wondering if you could replace that role with our actress Seo Gyuri.”

At his words, Director Choi hesitated to answer.

“Yoona is currently under investigation, but nothing has been confirmed yet, right?”

“That’s right. But you know that if you keep holding on to an actress who is now declining, it won’t be good for your work either. Gyuri is outstanding in everything from her mask [referring to her on-screen presence] to her acting.”

Then he snapped his fingers at a department head.

“Bring that out.”

“Yes, CEO.”

A department head took out Seo Gyuri’s portfolio and handed it to Director Choi.

“If you look at it, she’s doing well in acting and seems to be enough to replace Song Yoona.”

“Hmm…”

Director Choi was flipping through the portfolio and looking at it, but his face didn’t show any conviction about Seo Gyuri.

Seeing that he didn’t seem to like it very much, CEO Park raised his eyebrows and made him an offer.

“If you change the lead role to Seo Gyuri, we at WG Entertainment would like to invest more.”

“…Yes?”

“That’s right, Song Yoona suddenly dropped out and… we will support 5 billion won [approximately $3.7 million USD] in production costs as compensation.”

It was a sweet offer that Director Choi couldn’t help but be swayed by.

It was clear that an investment of 5 billion won was not easy to receive.

However, Director Choi frowned and pondered while looking at the portfolio.

He didn’t know what kind of effect it would have when he ate the fruit of that 5 billion won investment.

In any case, investing even at a loss to the company was a gamble for WG Entertainment as well.

Seeing his eyes shaking at the story of the investment amount, CEO Park seized the momentum and made another offer.

“In addition, we will put one of our male actors in the lead role.”

“Which actor?”

“Let’s use actor Na Hyunwoo as the male lead. Director Choi, you know him, right? Actor Na Hyunwoo’s value is no joke these days, so you can’t easily use him as the lead.”

“…….”

Actor Na Hyunwoo was one of WG Entertainment’s representative actors and a top star on par with Song Yoona.

He was the number one actor that any director wanted to cast.

They were offers that could not be refused.

With the investment money and the casting of a guaranteed box office actor, Director Choi made a tsk sound and pondered.

Tak-

CEO Park slammed the table with his hand and smiled slyly.

“From the investment money to Na Hyunwoo’s lead role, we will confirm everything today. Director Choi, what do you think?”

* * *

With her hat pulled down low and a mask on, so that only her eyes were visible.

Song Yoona was trembling and grabbing the car door with her head bowed.

“Oppa [term used by a female to address an older brother or close male friend], can I get off now?”

At her question, Chief Manager Choi closed his eyes tightly and nodded.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

“Haa, okay.”

Song Yoona’s voice trembled.

The sight in front of her, who was frozen stiff, was a crowd of reporters and people who had come to see her.

“It’s Song Yoona!”

“Song Yoona has arrived.”

“She’s here!”

The sounds rang out as soon as she got out of the car.

People who had come to see Song Yoona, who had appeared to be investigated on drug charges, surrounded the car.

Song Yoona bowed her head deeply, pulled her hat down again, and walked forward.

Chief Manager Choi also stuck right next to her and walked forward with Song Yoona.

At that moment.

Pak-!

Taat-!

“Aagh….”

An egg was thrown at Song Yoona.

The egg that fell on her shoulder and broke soaked Song Yoona’s clothes, and the sound of camera shutters was heard rapidly.

Click, click-

“Song Yoona is a drug addict!”

“Can a national actress betray us like this!”

“Get out, Song Yoona!”

Song Yoona bit her lip inside her mask, barely swallowed the tears that were about to flow, and bowed her head.

“…I’m sorry.”

Chief Manager Choi sighed, hugged her, pushed through the reporters, and moved forward.

“Excuse me, please move aside.”

However, it was not easy to move forward due to the crowded crowd, and the voices of criticism and condemnation from fans towards her, as well as the questions from reporters, did not stop.

“Ms. Song Yoona, is it true that you took drugs?”

“Is it true that you abused narcotic treatments?”

“Please say a word to the fans who have supported Song Yoona all this time.”

“Do you have anything to say last?”

Their questions and the cameras coming towards her face.

In the end, Song Yoona stopped walking.

Then, still bowing her head deeply, she opened her mouth.

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse….”

“Then do you admit to all the charges?”

“Ms. Song Yoona, will you faithfully cooperate with the investigation?”

“Ms. Song Yoona….”

Just as questions continued to pour out, someone suddenly appeared.

“Huh? Isn’t that Jin Heeseong?”

“It’s Jin Heeseong!”

The reporters and the crowd began to buzz, and Jin Heeseong was running towards Song Yoona, pushing through the crowd.

At that sound, Song Yoona raised her head and looked forward, and found Jin Heeseong standing in front of her.

“Wh… what is it?”

She asked him with wide eyes.

Jin Heeseong whispered softly in Song Yoona’s ear so that only she could hear.

“We were going to go on a trip this weekend. We have to solve it to go on a trip together.”

Song Yoona’s eyes trembled at his words.

And Jin Heeseong stood in front of her, blocking her, and shouted at the reporters.

“This is to frame Song Yoona….”

Jin Heeseong’s remarks caused a stir in the venue.