Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 67

67. Undermine the Slander (3)

* * *

As soon as Geon entered the company lobby, he was met by the main players in the unfolding drama.

Four individuals in striking black and red stage costumes, along with three others in casual attire, were pacing anxiously. They bowed deeply as he approached.

“Actor, Manager…”

The celebration party had ended on an awkward note, and they must have heard he was coming, catching them just as they were about to leave.

“We’re sorry, especially on such a good day,” the tall, black-haired man who had greeted him at the Entertainment Awards said, waving his hands, looking flustered.

“No, it’s really okay!”

“We’re fine, so please both of you stay strong. Nothing will happen!”

“That’s right, really!”

As one person spoke, the others from both teams chimed in, like a chorus of concerned chicks.

The platinum blonde, who seemed to be the leader of the group in stage costumes, bit her lip, as if she had made up her mind.

“I don’t know you very well yet, but I don’t think you’re that kind of person at all. So…”

“Your faith will not be betrayed.”

The faces, heavily made-up and mostly in their early twenties, looked up at him, each etched with worry and concern.

—That’s an absurd plot! Why would the Warrior collude with the Lord of Discord?

—Silence, Saintess!

—Our faith has been betrayed. Look, with what face will we meet the lofty heavens!

Perhaps due to the recent agitation, untimely hallucinations echoed in his ears. Geon nodded briefly and passed through the entrance security.

Enthusiastic cheers erupted from behind Park Sun, who was hurrying to catch up.

“Sunbae [senior colleague], stay strong!”

“We’ll help too, by asking our team leader!”

*

CEO Noh Joong-man and Head of Department Lee Sang-cheol were together in the CEO’s office.

The atmosphere was heavy. As Geon approached and sat down, Head of Department Lee spoke first.

“I’ve sent everyone else away. Team Leader Gong went out to investigate something, and Choi Phillip even called despite being in the middle of filming, saying to let him know if there’s anything he can do to help.”

“Is that so.”

“Shin Seung asked if he could come… but I told him not to, thinking it might be uncomfortable for the two of you. It hasn’t even been a year, but there are so many people who are worried.”

“Then we should resolve it quickly. Where did the rumor come from?”

“The first report was from Starazzi, the second from Sports Daily. The rest are pouring it out too.”

CEO Noh, who had been silent until now, spoke. Park Sun narrowed his brows as if trying to think of something.

“If it’s Sports Daily, they’ve written articles attacking Geon-hyung [older brother/male friend] a few times… and isn’t Starazzi a paparazzi media outlet that digs into celebrities’ private lives?”

“That’s right. There are a few magazines rumored to be backed by DG [likely referring to a powerful company or entity], and that’s one of them. Starazzi are vicious guys who poke around everywhere.”

“But why Starazzi…”

“This is the first article. You probably saw it on your way here.”

As CEO Noh spoke, Head of Department Lee pushed a tablet PC towards him.

[Rising Star P, Actually a School Bully?]

Under the headline that didn’t even hide the initials, provocative words were ruthlessly wielding their swords.

Since he was strong since he was young, he formed a group of bullies in high school. He beat up kids from other schools and stole their money. As evidence, he was suspended in his second year…

When he took his eyes off the article he had already read, CEO Noh Joong-man was looking at him with a stern face.

“How much of it is true? I need you to be honest so I can decide whether to put all our efforts into this.”

Geon answered without hesitation.

“I don’t remember.”

“…”

The three people’s expressions turned blank. The head of department, who was wringing his hands with a ‘what should we do’ face, asked.

“Should I leave, or should I cover my ears?”

“No. It’s a story I only told Sun-i… I had an accident right before I was discharged [from military service]. The doctor said it was short-term memory loss.”

Park Sun also lowered his head. It wouldn’t have been a problem if it hadn’t become one, but now he needed to know.

Head of Department Lee Sang-cheol’s face darkened in an instant.

“How much do you not remember? Is there a possibility that you really committed assault that could be a problem…”

“That won’t happen.”

Geon said firmly.

“I might have been hit, but I never hit anyone.”

“There’s an unsullied record of suspension. How did that happen?”

“Ah, right! Kim Jong-seung!”

The other three’s gazes suddenly turned to Park Sun, who had shouted.

Park Sun grabbed Geon, his face flushed.

“Hyung, remember that time? When you, Seung-ah noona [older sister/female friend], and Young-ho hyung were in the same class. The guy who broke his own bone while hitting someone and called his congressman dad!”

“Did that ever happen?”

“Yeah, and Mom and Dad were so angry back then. They came to school and fought every day before you got suspended…”

Geon paused to search his memory. When the camera wasn’t rolling, memories of the past, including the Iron Kingdom, were almost impossible to recall.

Memories from the military were as faint as a past life, so it was unlikely that he would easily remember his school days before that.

‘Kim Jong-seung… was there a guy like that?’

As he mulled over the vague name, a scene flashed before his eyes.

—What, you little punk?

—Kim Jong-seung. I heard you’ve been bullying the soccer team kids? The freshmen were talking about it.

The guy, who looked like a rich young master at first glance, spat out the cigarette butt he had been chewing.

—So what if I am?

—Go apologize to each of them. And don’t hit the kids again.

Hearing this, the hulking figures standing on either side of him approached threateningly. Kim Jong-seung, who stopped them, poked him in the chest and asked.

—This is a funny guy. Hey, did I hit you? Did I bully your classmates? I’m just trying to keep the team in line, so why are you making a fuss?

—This isn’t the military, it’s a school. Let’s stop playing military games among students.

—This little punk is asking for it…

Kim Jong-seung, distorting his face, walked over and swung his fist. The intent to ‘hit you’ was so obvious that it was hard to even get hit.

As he placed his elbow at the appropriate point of impact, the sound of bone cracking echoed.

—Agh, aaaaagh!

—Jong-seung, are you okay?

—Okay, my ass! What are you doing! Kill him!

Kim Jong-seung, clutching his hand and writhing on the ground, screamed, and the hangers-on rushed in.

Geon indifferently counted the numbers.

“Five people.”

“Um? What do you mean, five people?”

“The number of friends who broke their wrists and finger bones while hitting me. I could have just taken the hits, but I think I went too far.”

The head of department chuckled in spite of the serious situation.

“…Seriously, were you from a special forces unit since high school? How do you break people’s bones just by getting hit?”

“I was interested in self-defense.”

CEO Noh, who had been listening silently, asked.

“So, the suspension was because of that incident?”

Geon nodded. As the floodgates opened, unpleasant memories came flooding back.

He also remembered why his close friends Seo Seung-ah and Bae Young-ho had aimed to become lawyers.

“He was probably the son of a retired district councilor or something. There were no witnesses, and anyway, the other side was injured, and Kim Jong-seung’s father used his power. Thanks to my classmates’ defense, it ended with a short suspension.”

“We need to call those classmates.”

Park Sun hurriedly took out his phone.

“Yes, I have a close hyung and noona among them… I’ll contact them right away.”

“No, there’s no need to do that.”

“Yes…?”

“I’ve already called them. They should be arriving now.”

As soon as CEO Noh spoke, the door to the CEO’s office burst open without a knock. Two familiar faces walked in through the open doorway.

“Young-ho hyung, Seung-ah noona!”

“Oh, Sun-i, long time no see.”

“Are you both okay? Seriously, I’m going to just… ugh, to the guy who spread that ridiculous rumor.”

Geon’s eyes widened slightly, and Park Sun also stood up in surprise.

“How did you guys…”

“It was the CEO’s instruction. From the moment the article was published, he contacted Park Actor’s alumni. Thankfully, they said they would come running late at night, so we planned to gather them first and then move.”

While Head of Department Lee Sang-cheol was explaining the situation, the two alumni exchanged greetings with the heads of Roman Entertainment.

“I’m Bae Young-ho. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Park Geon’s classmate, Seo Seung-ah. Is this the CEO… or the head of department?”

CEO Noh Joong-man nodded briefly.

“I’m Noh Joong-man. The situation is urgent, so let’s get straight to the point. Please gather signatures from Park Geon’s classmates and teachers.”

“Signatures for what?”

“At least 20, or more. From 1st to 3rd grade, especially all the classmates who were in the same class at the time of the suspension are important.”

“The staff has secured most of the contact information, and they are still securing it. You can assume that the list will be compiled by today.”

After the head of department added, CEO Noh leaned forward. A chill ran through his face, which was more rigid than ever.

“Sexual harassment, drugs, and school violence all have a big impact on an actor’s image just by being mentioned. We need to respond immediately and sink them to break even.”

Seo Seung-ah took out a business card and handed it over.

“Don’t worry. We’re not as good as the legal team here, but we’re sure to get the job done.”

As the lawyer friend exchanged business cards, Bae Young-ho also shrugged.

“Well, I’m a civil servant. If something happens in a different direction, I’ll talk to my seniors.”

“But will a statement or signature be enough? Some people won’t believe it no matter what.”

“It’s important to officially dispel the controversy. First, after that, the source of the rumor…”

At that time, a knock was heard, interrupting the head of department’s words. CEO Noh tilted his head.

“Did anyone say they were coming again?”

And this time, people were speechless. The person who opened the door and came in was not a public relations team employee or a manager, but an actor.

“Oh, there are a lot of guests.”

Jin Ji-yu, taking off her hat, wiped away sweat as if nothing was wrong. Head of Department Lee Sang-cheol asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“Jin Ji-yu, why are you here?”

“I was passing by. I’ve been taking walks around here these days.”

“That’s ridiculous…”

“Just kidding, I have a savings account. I can’t let the bank go bankrupt before I break it [referring to supporting Geon by investing in him].”

Gazes were now fixed on the opposite side. As the two friends kept poking him in the side, Geon, who was holding his forehead, declared.

“I didn’t borrow money from that person.”

*

The next afternoon, Roman Entertainment’s official position was announced.

Unlike the previous consistent non-response, it was a clear and definite statement.

The gist was as follows:

First, the school violence controversy of the affiliated artist has been confirmed as a malicious rumor.

Second, the names of the classmates and teachers of the school he attended at the time are attached separately.

Third, we will take legal action against the primary distributors and malicious comments that spread unconfirmed rumors.

[Roman, Strong Response to School Violence Allegations, “Will Protect the Reputation of the Agency and Actors”]

[Park Geon’s High School Alumni and Teachers Submit Statements from Over 30 People… School Violence ‘Unfounded’]

[‘Rising Star’ Park Geon, School Violence Controversy Out of Nowhere… Suspension is True, Assault is False?]

Comments [851] ON / OFF

-Park Geon is falling lol Come down as fast as you went up, that’s not your place

-Breaking) Park Geon missile explosion ㄷㄷㄷㄷ [Korean slang expressing shock or a big event]

└Don’t these guys even read the article? All the alumni say the school violence is unfounded

└└What do you mean unfounded. Roman paid them off and shut them up.

└└└Yeah, how many times have we seen celebrities’ agencies handle things

-I liked Park Geon, but… you’re really disgusting! Quietly reflect on yourself and receive a reasonable punishment..

└This guy is more disgusting; No official has been released yet, and you’re already starting with personal attacks lol

└Okay, then what about the suspension? Why was a high school student who was doing well in school suspended?

└└Why? Because he was a school bully~

└└└??? What are you guys doing here? A new article has been uploaded

16 hours after the ‘Park Geon scandal’ broke. News that even the hyenas who were tearing and biting would be surprised by flew in.

A classmate who was not on the list of statements appeared.

However, the person who spoke was more of a problem than the content of the testimony.

[Park Geon is a Victim, Not a Perpetrator of School Violence… At the Time, I Was a Bystander and Accomplice]

4th generation of Changjin Group, the third son of Jin Seong-han of Changjin Chemical and the head of C&J Content Business Division.

Jin Gyu-il, who identified himself as a 31st graduate of Kyungil High School and Park Geon’s classmate, jumped into the mud.

* * *