The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 170

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places – Episode 171

The Art of Manipulation (1)

“Thank you for taking the time despite your busy schedule with the party primaries just around the corner. You must be going through a lot these days.”

“Not at all.”

Ko Seong-tak grinned.

“I don’t know how you managed it, Prosecutor, but Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong is really pushing for me, so I honestly don’t even have to worry about the party primaries.”

Of course, that would be the case.

He’s aiming for the Seoul mayorship and even switched his party affiliation; if he struggled in the party primaries, he wouldn’t be able to exert any influence in the main election.

The current party primary itself is a process of empowering Sung Tae-hyun.

Politicians with strong support within the party and well-known party officials are evaluating Sung Tae-hyun as a promising figure, naturally solidifying his image as a capable and talented individual recognized by the MinGuk Party.

This is the most basic process of the election mechanism.

“I’m counting on you. I’m relying solely on you, Ko Pro.”

“Oh, Prosecutor, don’t you worry. Just prepare the dirt on Mayor Na Kyung-joon that you mentioned last time.”

“Understood.”

I clinked glasses with him and lightly tossed back the drink.

The lemon scent of the gin and tonic filled my mouth, cleansing it neatly.

“It’s been a while since I had a cocktail, but it’s very delicious.”

I scanned the bar, adding praise for his taste.

“The atmosphere is great, and the music selection is excellent. How did you find this place?”

The Hand of God shrugged and smiled.

“When you live the life of a ‘goose dad’ [a father who lives apart from his family so they can study abroad], you have to get used to drinking alone. I found it by chance.”

“You’re going through a lot. By the way, how are your children in the States…?”

I listened to his compliments, admiration, and poignant stories about his ‘goose dad’ life, constantly raising the level of intimacy while continuously pouring alcohol.

Before we knew it, we were both naturally tipsy, and I naturally brought up the topic.

“Ko Pro, you’re very skilled at talking to people, aren’t you?”

“Isn’t that what I make a living doing?”

“What’s the secret to capturing people’s hearts?”

I constantly praised him, pretending to be curious about how he turns people into puppets, which was one of his methods.

“I really don’t know.”

“Hahaha, is that so?”

He laughed, trying to gloss over it.

He wasn’t going to reveal his know-how.

Actually, that’s not what I’m curious about. What I really want to find out is how he manipulates the media.

If I pretend to be curious about how to control people’s minds, his defenses against that might increase, but he’ll be less wary about other things.

“How do you feel when you see those marionettes?”

I kept asking about the method, pretending to dig deeper.

“Do you feel superior, or do you find it amusing?”

“Well, it’s all the same. That’s how people’s minds are…”

Eventually, he subtly changed the subject.

“Let’s skip that. Do you have any other questions?”

Nice!

I smacked my lips as if I was disappointed and casually asked.

“When you frame celebrities for crimes, do you use any special methods there?”

The answer must be the media.

If that’s the case, my plan is 90% successful.

“Oh, that’s obvious.”

To him, it’s outside my primary interest, so it’s an area where his guard is lowered.

Moreover, with alcohol involved and a constant barrage of praise, he felt proud and freely told me everything.

“You just have to keep the media talking about it.”

I pretended not to know and asked again.

“The media?”

“Yes. Politicians are most sensitive to public opinion, and the media shapes that opinion, right?”

“That’s right.”

“So, you use the media.”

“But there seems to be a limit to using the media…”

I subtly scratched his pride.

“Isn’t that not enough? Other people seem to have special know-how. Of course, you might not have any…”

“No, the method of media play is different.”

Ko Seong-tak turned to me and continued.

“I’m different from those amateurs who just release articles unilaterally.”

“How so?”

“In a word, it’s about keeping them mentioned continuously.”

He flashed his eyes and said.

“Ordinary people don’t know how to keep things repeatedly mentioned in the media. I know that.”

“What is it?”

Ko Seong-tak puffed out his chest and said smugly.

“Celebrities.”

“Celebrities?”

“Yes. The public is most interested in celebrities. It’s even better if they’re top stars.”

He closed his eyes and continued.

“Everyone is curious about their private lives. What they do, what they eat, who they meet—everything. So, if you just slightly involve them with a celebrity, it’s smooth sailing.”

Ko Seong-tak raised his eyebrows and looked at me.

“Among them, the most interesting thing is scandals. Just get a toe in the water, and it’s game over.”

He wrinkled his nose and raised his glass again.

At that moment, a wonderful plan came to mind.

A wonderful scenario where I and my family can all be happy.

Ko Seong-tak opened his mouth as if he had forgotten something.

“Oh, but the most important thing while preparing all this is the art of manipulation.”

“By the art of manipulation, do you mean eloquence?”

“No. That’s *hwasul* (話術) [the art of speaking], and this is *hwasul* (化術) [the art of transformation].”

*Hwasul* (化術).

The dictionary definition is the art of transformation. Or the art of responding to all situations.

“The public gets bored easily. Even if you hit the media with the same content, you have to keep changing and stimulating them. At the same time, you have to prepare for how the other side will react. It’s even more important when dealing with a big shot like Choi Kyu-hyun. He might bring out an unexpected card and launch a counterattack.”

In fact, it’s the most basic of basics. That’s why it’s easy to forget.

But this is the core of media play.

The plan that came to mind was neatly organized.

“In other words, you’re drawing out how the other party will respond to your strategy?”

“Bingo.”

I’m confident in that.

My strength is seeing right through the other person’s mind.

***

“I’m sorry for calling you out so late, Manager Kang.”

“Not at all, sir.”

Kang Seong-do, Han Ji-yoo’s manager, got into the passenger seat and greeted me politely.

“But what brings you to such a humble place at this hour…?”

“It’s about a project that Ji-yoo wanted to be in recently but was rejected during casting, right?”

“If you’re talking about ‘Extra in the Entertainment Industry,’ then yes.”

“Was she eliminated in the final round because of the audition?”

“No. Someone like Han Ji-yoo doesn’t need to audition… Jung So-min lobbied the director. That bitch… Ah, I’m sorry. I got carried away.”

“It’s okay.”

“From what I overheard, Ji-yoo was the only one who got a casting offer, but Jung So-min was jealous and tried to take it by offering the director this and that. So, in the end, Jung So-min was confirmed for the final casting.”

Jung So-min.

A figure considered Han Ji-yoo’s biggest rival among Korean actresses.

It’s no exaggeration to say that they form the two major mountains as actresses, to the extent that if Han Ji-yoo is cast by A Communications, Jung So-min is cast by B Communications.

In short, they see each other as rivals and thorns in each other’s sides.

“Was Jung So-min affiliated with RK Entertainment?”

“That’s right.”

“If Jung So-min were to drop out of that role, could Ji-yoo get in?”

“It’s probably possible. The script reading is next month, so there’s still plenty of time before filming starts…”

He asked cautiously.

“But do you have any ideas?”

“No. It’s nothing much.”

This is enough.

This will allow Han Ji-yoo to rise to the top without a doubt.

If I’m going to use it, it’s better to move in a direction that benefits my people.

“Oh, and just in case, please keep today’s conversation a secret from Ji-yoo.”

“Understood. Don’t worry.”

I took out a bulging envelope from my pocket and handed it to him.

“You’re always working hard to take care of Ji-yoo, so please use this to buy a suit.”

“No, you don’t have to…”

I shook my head and forcibly stuffed the envelope into his pocket.

“Then, please continue to take good care of her. Please keep today’s conversation a secret…”

“Don’t worry. Thank you so much!”

“Go in.”

“Yes!”

The manager greeted me energetically and headed to the elevator from the passenger seat.

RK Entertainment’s president was affiliated with Line 1, right?

It’s been a while since I showed my face to Line 1.

***

“Oh, it’s been a while, Chief Choi.”

“Assemblyman Seo, you look even brighter.”

“Hahaha, is it that obvious?”

He chuckled and continued.

“I recently found a great establishment, and the service is amazing…”

Assemblyman Seo proudly recounted a story that would make anyone frown.

Ugh, you old man. You’re old, but you still have too much energy.

I listened to the story and casually asked.

“By the way, Assemblyman Choi Kyu-hyun doesn’t seem to be here today.”

“He’s very busy these days because of the local elections, so he doesn’t come often. It’s hard to even see his face. Well, I guess everyone’s similar.”

As he said, it was difficult to find people related to the local elections at Dobby Hotel.

Unless there was something special, they were busy working at their respective election camps during the election period, so it was only natural.

However, unlike politicians, businessmen were still gathering here.

Lobbying activities can be done here as well.

Of course, the president of RK Entertainment, who has been affiliated with Line 1 for over five years, was also enjoying alcohol and pleasure in the penthouse.

I was talking and casually approached RK Entertainment’s President Bong Man-soo.

“Hello, President.”

“Oh, who is this? Isn’t it Prosecutor Choi Seo-joon?”

He greeted me, shaking my hand happily.

“It’s been a while. You’re here today.”

“I came to see President Bong.”

President Bong Man-soo laughed loudly, thinking it was just a pleasantry.

But I took a serious step closer to him and said.

“I mean it. I came here today because I have something to talk about with President Bong.”

“With me?”

Of course, it was an unexpected situation.

I smiled lightly and turned my gaze to the corner.

A waiter who was passing by picked up two glasses of wine from the tray he was carrying and handed one to President Bong Man-soo, then approached the window.

In the distance, on the billboard of the tallest building, there was an advertisement for cosmetics featuring Han Ji-yoo.

I looked at it and said with satisfaction.

“She’s very pretty, isn’t she?”

“Yes. She’s truly one of the top actresses in the entertainment industry. Her beauty is dazzling.”

“I hope she’s not just one of the top.”

I looked at Han Ji-yoo’s billboard and raised one finger.

“I hope she’s the only one at the top.”

President Bong Man-soo swallowed hard, perhaps flustered by the unexpected development.

I turned to him and continued.

“Jung So-min seems to be doing well these days?”

“Ah, yes. She’s going into a movie this time…”

“You’re talking about the movie that Ji-yoo was about to be cast in until the role suddenly changed for no reason, right?”

As soon as he said it, he seemed to realize his mistake and quickly praised Han Ji-yoo.

“Han Ji-yoo’s recent movie was a huge hit, wasn’t it? It surpassed ten million viewers… Congratulations, though it’s late.”

I didn’t respond and instead took a step closer to him.

“When you work as a prosecutor, you get a lot of tips and intelligence. For example, embezzlement or discrepancies in the books.”

I glared at him and said.

“It seems that RK isn’t entirely clean either…”

He emptied the wine he was holding in one gulp and put the glass down as if it was difficult.

“Is there anything you want?”

He spoke directly without a moment’s hesitation.

“Get rid of Jung So-min.”

“……Yes?”

He finally threw away his mask and hardened his face.

“Ji-yoo is the face of our company. Even if you’re a prosecutor, if you come at us like that for Han Ji-yoo, we will also…”

I cut him off and jumped in.

“The face of the company only exists if the company is still standing. What good is a face if the company disappears?”

I twisted my lips and continued.

“I’ve been to the detention center for a while, and it’s not a place where people can live.”

President Bong Man-soo couldn’t hide his bewildered expression at my strong attitude.

“Are you serious?”

“I don’t joke around.”

He couldn’t overcome the shock and blinked his eyes blankly.

“The prosecutor who’s been revealed in the media is completely white… Why have you suddenly become so close to gray?”

I scoffed at President Bong Man-soo’s words and shook my head.

“I’m not gray, I’m black.”

I glared at him with a fierce look in my eyes.

“A very dark black.”

It’s been a long time since I covered myself in ink for my success and advancement.

One more drop of this filth won’t even be noticeable.”