Chapter 1025: Ms. Cheon (3)

The scene being filmed at the MBS Open Hall was the competition for first place in She Was Beautiful. A thin layer of smoke spread across the stage floor as a pinpoint spotlight shone down over Yoo-Jin's head.

The moment the accompaniment to 'Dreams Come True' began, Yoo-Jin steadied her breathing and slowly raised the microphone to her lips. At that instant, a singing voice identical to Yoo-Jin's began pouring from the speakers.

『A long, dark tunnel with no end in sight.......』

Not only was the voice identical, but the song began at the exact moment Yoo-Jin opened her mouth. Even I found myself wondering if Yoo-Jin might actually be singing.

The extras playing the audience began to fall under the spell of Yoo-Jin's song, never even imagining that a ghost singer could be involved. They simply assumed Yoo-Jin had been hiding her true singing ability all this time.

On top of that, the veins in Yoo-Jin's neck were bulging, making the extras believe she was truly singing her heart out. Veins bulged in the neck while singing because the rise in blood pressure caused the blood vessels around the neck to expand.

'How did she even make her veins bulge?'

Just as I was marveling at Yoo-Jin's acting, she went a step further and began expressing the emotions in the lyrics with her entire body.

During the opening verse, when Lee Byul-Bit sang of despair, she clutched the fabric over her chest and wore an expression of pain. As the song moved into the part about escaping her suffering, her expression gradually brightened as though she had found a ray of hope in the darkness.

Then, when the lyrics finally reached the part about achieving her dream, a single tear of joy rolled down her cheek. The veins in her neck bulged even more as she pulled the microphone away from her mouth in a powerful performance.

Even as Yoo-Jin played Lee Byul-Bit, she was pouring out to the world the painful frustration Cheon Song-Hee had endured after being denied the chance to become a singer despite her extraordinary voice, all because of the coffee-colored birthmark on her face. It was almost as if Yoo-Jin were Cheon Song-Hee's stand-in actor as well.

As Yoo-Jin's acting and Cheon Song-Hee's singing blended into perfect harmony, I began to feel as though Lee Byul-Bit, the fictional heroine of She Was Beautiful, had truly come to life and was singing onstage.

***

『My dream will surely come true~』

After Yoo-Jin finished the final line, she thrust the microphone high into the air. She hadn't sung a single line, yet she was breathing heavily and staggering as though she had just sung an entire album from start to finish. And with that, the greatest lip-sync performance ever, one that had brought the fictional character Lee Byul-Bit to life, came to an end.

At that moment, all two hundred extras playing the audience rose from their seats at once and gave her a standing ovation.

Thud.

"Wowwww!"

"Lee Byul-Bit! Lee Byul-Bit!"

"Han Bit-Na! No, you're Lee Byul-Bit now! Byul-Bit! Congratulations on your comeback!!"

"Congratulations!"

Completely fooled by Yoo-Jin's performance, the extras applauded until their palms hurt as though they were the real audience in She Was Beautiful. Seeing them, Yoo-Jin clasped her hands together and bowed deeply to the actors playing the audience.

The thunderous applause echoed through the performance hall.

As everyone was swept up in the excitement, Director Yeo Ik-Hwan shouted with joy, "Okay! Cuuuuut!"

***

Two takes was all it took to film 'Dreams Come True.'

Yeo Ik-Hwan greeted Yoo-Jin onstage with an excited expression, then turned toward the audience seats. "That's all for today's filming. Great work, everyone!"

Unlike the delighted Yeo Ik-Hwan, the extras in the audience began murmuring with worried expressions.

"Excuse me, Mr. Yeo. It's not even five yet. If we're done already, what happens to our day's pay?"

The two hundred extras, who had come prepared to film until midnight, looked tense. At most filming locations, extras were paid less if filming ended early.

Yeo Ik-Hwan grinned and said something they hadn't expected. "No. Thanks to your great reactions, we finished filming early, so we'll pay each of you an extra thirty thousand won."

"What~?"

Managing Director Lee Eun-Joo seized the moment, grabbed the microphone, and called out, "Also, on your way out, there are bags containing the boxed dinners, drinks, and souvenirs that were supposed to be handed out this evening. Make sure you each take one."

The extras began cheering.

"This is amazing. Extra pay and a boxed dinner too."

"They didn't pay us even when filming ran thirty minutes over on the set of A Week with a Top Star."

"LT Entertainment really is the best. And She Was Beautiful is the best too!"

That was when the man in black glasses in the fifth seat of the second row spoke regretfully. "Ah. This is exactly the kind of thing I should post on social media, but I can't because of the confidentiality agreement. What a shame."

As if she had been waiting for those words, Lee Eun-Joo continued, "Oh, and the confidentiality agreements you signed are hereby lifted as of this moment."

"Really?"

"Yes. You should be getting a message right about now..."

At that moment, the extras' phones began vibrating with silent notifications. They were notifications confirming their payments and the termination of their confidentiality agreements.

"It's been lifted!"

"The money came in too!"

"Wow, I've never been on a set like this before."

"This is incredible. The song was amazing, and the treatment was even better!"

Lee Eun-Joo smiled with satisfaction and said goodbye. "Then please get home safely."

The extras expressed their delight once again, repeatedly thanked us, and left the set together.

Watching them disappear, Lee Eun-Joo spoke excitedly, "It's just like you said, Mr. Jung. The response is extremely enthusiastic."

An extra thirty thousand won in pay calculated and paid immediately, boxed dinners, and the lifting of the confidentiality agreement—all three had been ideas I proposed to turn the extras who came to the set into fans of the movie.

"We'll probably start seeing positive reactions on social media soon."

"Come on. They only just left..."

That was when it happened.

Ding.

[@PRO_ALBA]

-Went to work as an audience extra on the set of She Was Beautiful and heard Jung Yoo-Jin sing. It was insane.

She's good enough to debut as a professional singer and hit number one immediately.

What a performance! I still have goosebumps.

And today's gig was ridiculously easy.

They paid us on the spot, and even though we finished early, they still sent us home with boxed dinners.

For extra work, choose LT Entertainment!

(Comments)

-Agreed. I was there today too, and the treatment was on another level. I'm never skipping an LT Entertainment gig again.

-I was there too. And seriously, Jung Yoo-Jin's singing was incredible!

-Agreed. I hope they release the original soundtrack before the movie.

-I'm planning to catch the earliest showing when the movie comes out.

-I heard they're submitting it to the Bucheon International Film Festival first. We can see it in July.

...

As soon as the owner of the professional extra account, which had two hundred thousand followers, posted, replies from the extras who had been on set began appearing rapidly.

I said, "It's up."

In fact, I already knew that the man in black glasses sitting in the fifth seat of the second row was the owner of the professional extra account. That was why I had arranged today's event.

When I showed her my phone, Lee Eun-Joo stared at it in shock and flustered. "Already...?"

"Shouldn't you be getting an article ready?"

"Oh, right. I'm going!"

Lee Eun-Joo ran off excitedly.

I asked Yeo Ik-Hwan to do a good job on the rough cut, then headed to the basement recording studio with Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In.

***

Cheon Song-Hee was waiting for me in the basement recording studio with an excited expression. "How was it, Mr. Jung?"

"It was the best."

"Sigh. Thank goodness......."

The moment Cheon Song-Hee sighed in relief, Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In ran over and hugged her tightly. "Ms. Cheon! That was by far the best I've ever heard you sing! You should've seen the faces of the staff who had no idea there was a ghost singer!"

Cheon Song-Hee nodded, then thanked Yoo-Jin. "Miss Yoo-Jin, you expressed the song so passionately onstage that it was easier for me to immerse myself than usual, even though I was singing as a ghost singer. It was all thanks to you."

Yoo-Jin typed on her phone and held it up in front of Cheon Song-Hee.

[Lovely♡Yoo-Jin: All I did was act while listening to your song, Ms. Cheon. And... the stage I performed today will become your future!]

Moved, Cheon Song-Hee trembled slightly. Now that we had finished today's filming with the help of a ghost singer, it was time to take care of the remaining matter.

"Ms. Song-Hee. Let's go. It's time to solve your brother's problem."

Cheon Song-Hee nodded in a trembling voice. "Please...."

***

In front of a PC cafe near Sangsu Middle School by Hapjeong Station was a hangout for the local bullies and the place where Cheon Song-Hee's younger brother, Cheon Min-Hyung, spent time with older bullies from his middle school.

A little earlier, I had asked Lee Yung-Jin, who had come to the set, to take Yoo-Jin to the hospital. Then I came here with only Cheon Song-Hee. I parked in a nearby empty lot, told Cheon Song-Hee to wait, and headed toward the PC cafe.

Kang Eun-Gi, wearing a black hat, was waiting for me at the entrance and bowed. "You're here, Hyung-nim?"

Ten men, including Lee Soo-Chan and the younger guys, bowed along with him.

I looked at Kang Eun-Gi with surprised eyes. "You brought a lot of people. I only called Soo-Chan, so why are you here, Eun-Gi?"

Kang Eun-Gi grinned. "I heard you called, hyung-nim. It sounded fun, so I tagged along. I'm worried I've been working as a talent agent for too long, though. I don't have the same presence I used to."

"That way of talking sounds weird, so stop it. Anyway, you got all the information on the kids who were bullying Min-Hyung, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then only you and I will go down. Have the others get ready to block the back door."

"Okay."

Kang Eun-Gi nodded and gave the orders. Then Kang Eun-Gi and I headed down the basement stairs to the PC cafe.

***

Jingle.

A small bell rang as we opened the glass door to the PC cafe on the second basement level.

When the owner, who looked to be in his forties, saw Kang Eun-Gi and me with our faces hidden behind hats and masks, his expression stiffened. "Um...... what brings you here......."

Kang Eun-Gi immediately threatened him in a rough voice. "Hey, boss. I heard my nephew was being beaten by a group of bullies in here, and you pretended not to see it. Is that true?"

At Kang Eun-Gi's low, menacing voice, the owner shook his head frantically. "N-No! I always report things like that! It must've happened while one of my part-timers was watching the place! I'm telling you the truth!"

"You answered without me even saying who I'm talking about, so I don't believe you. Still, I'll let it slide for now. Anyway, I heard my nephew is here today, so don't think about warning anyone. Just stay put."

"Yes, yes. Of course. Feel free to look around."

I took out a hundred thousand won, placed it on the counter, then left Kang Eun-Gi behind and headed down the aisle beside the desk alone. "I'll be back."

The PC cafe had around fifty computers, and kids who had finished school were busy playing games.

"Fuck. I can't last-hit properly!"

"Hey! Why'd you back out during the team fight? Are you an idiot?"

I considered looking around for Cheon Song-Hee's younger brother, Cheon Min-Hyung, but there was no need to make much effort. Cheon Min-Hyung was standing beside a middle schooler in the corner like a servant waiting on him.

Just as I was about to raise my hand and call out to him, a long-faced bully sitting in a chair ordered him around.

"Hey, Cheon. Go get me a Coke."

"I... don't have any money."

"Fuck. Guess you haven't been beaten enough. Find a way to get it, you bastard."

When Cheon Min-Hyung hesitated, the long-faced bully, who looked about 175 centimeters tall, raised his hand. Cheon Min-Hyung covered his face with both hands.

I immediately walked over and warned him in a low voice. "Touch my nephew and you're dead."

Flinch.

The middle school bully stopped his hand in surprise. Seeing me in a black hat and mask, he looked puzzled and asked Cheon Min-Hyung, "Hey. Didn't you say you only had one spotty-faced sister? Who's this shady-looking old man?"

Cheon Min-Hyung trembled and said, "Hyung. Don't call my sister... that."

The middle school bully shot to his feet and jabbed Cheon Min-Hyung in the chest. "What are you gonna do if I do? Get that old man to beat me up? Or maybe your spotty-faced sister..."

"I told you not to call her that!"

Furious, Cheon Min-Hyung closed his eyes and threw a punch.

Thud.

The bully took the punch square on the jaw, dropped back into his chair, and passed out.

'Not bad.'

Even after throwing the punch himself, Cheon Min-Hyung panicked and had no idea what to do. "Uh... uh..."

That was when three bullies gaming at the next seats jumped up.

"What the hell? You bastard! You knocked Jong-Hyuk out?"

"Hey, what are you doing? Beat that bastard down!"

The bullies left their computers and moved toward Cheon Min-Hyung.

I stepped in front of Cheon Min-Hyung and said, "Min-Hyung. I'm your sister's talent agent. From now on, stay right beside me and don't move away."

"My sister has a talent agent?"

"Yeah. Your sister became a singer. I'll explain everything later, so stay close to me."

"Okay...."

I took a proper stance and shielded Cheon Min-Hyung.

One of the flustered middle school bullies shouted toward a corner of the PC cafe. "Dong-Gyu hyung! Help us out!"

At that moment, a high schooler around 180 centimeters tall and nearly twice my size stood up.

Bang.

"Ah, fuck. I died." He looked at me and jerked his chin toward one side. "Hey, mister. Let's step outside for a minute."

He looked like he had trained a bit, but he was still just an ordinary person.

I asked, "Outside where?"

"Go up through the back door over there."

"Fine. Lead the way."

Then the guy named Dong-Gyu looked at three other high schoolers beside him. "Hey, you guys come too."

"Ah, fuck. I was in the middle of a game... Fine."

The other three high schoolers followed the guy named Dong-Gyu toward the back door of the PC cafe. The middle school bullies watched us closely to see if we would run.

At that moment, Cheon Min-Hyung tugged on my arm. "Mister. That hyung did judo. If we follow them out the back door, both you and I are dead, so we need to run right now."

"No. We won't be the one dying. They will."

"What?"

That was when I saw Kang Eun-Gi peeking out from near the entrance to watch. I signaled him to get ready, then took the frightened Cheon Min-Hyung out the back door.

The three middle school bullies followed us upstairs.

***

Outside the PC cafe's back door was a narrow alley enclosed by high walls on both sides. There were no security cameras, so even if someone threw a punch, no one would find out.

Two of the high school bullies quickly slipped past me and blocked the path with smug grins. The three middle school bullies who had followed us out stood beside the biggest guy, the one they called Dong-Gyu.

That was when the high school bully called Dong-Gyu shouted confidently. "Mister. I'm Ahn Dong-Gyu, a senior at Cheongjin High. My game character died because of you, so if you don't want to die too, hand over all the money you've got. Pretty chill, right?"

Lee Soo-Chan had already found out everything about them, so I crooked a finger at him. "I'm not giving you any money."

"This old man really has no fear. Hah. Let's talk again after you've taken a beating."

"Cut the crap and all four of you come at me at once. I don't have time."

Ahn Dong-Gyu snickered, clenched his fist, and approached me. "What bullshit. You're dead... Gah."

Before he could finish, I quickly closed the distance and drove my fist into his stomach.

Thud.

Ahn Dong-Gyu clutched his stomach and dropped to his knees.

I immediately called out to the remaining high schoolers, "Next!"

The other three rushed me from both sides. All three took a single hit each and dropped to their knees. The three middle school bullies went pale and froze.

Just then, Lee Soo-Chan and eight of the younger guys came running over with excited expressions. When they saw the boys already down, they pouted.

"Ah, Hyung-nim. You should've left some for us."

"That's why I only hit them lightly and didn't knock them out..."

"Hyung-nim. How many times do I have to tell you? Your fists are weapons. You shouldn't have touched them at all!"

"How was I supposed to know they'd be this weak? Anyway, handle the rest."

"Tsk. Hyung-nim had all the fun."

Lee Soo-Chan grumbled, then shouted at the high school bullies who were still conscious. "Hey. Ahn Dong-Gyu, Park Song-Tae, Jo Hee-Min, Yoo Hyun-Sung. We know where you live and everywhere you hang out, so don't ever come near Min-Hyung again. Otherwise, Yung-Joon, the Hapjeong Station crew boss you follow, will get beaten half to death in your place. Got it?"

Seeing Lee Soo-Chan's menacing expression and the younger guys behind him, Ahn Dong-Gyu clutched his stomach and nodded fearfully.

"Yes, sir......."

Then I spoke to Lee Ho-Jae. "Ho-Jae. You brought what I asked for, right?"

"Yes."

Lee Ho-Jae held out the gloves he had prepared. I took the junior boxing gloves and offered them to Cheon Min-Hyung.

"Min-Hyung. You should give back what you received. Put these on and hit each of those frozen guys over there once. And don't worry. Once you move, you'll never have to see them again."

Cheon Min-Hyung asked, "I really won't have to see them again?"

"That's right. What do you want to do?"

"Then... I'll do it."

I slipped the gloves onto Cheon Min-Hyung's hands and said, "Only one hit each. Got it?"

"Yes."

Cheon Min-Hyung clenched his teeth and approached the middle school bullies with the boxing gloves on. Then, filled with pent-up rage, Cheon Min-Hyung knocked out each middle school bully with a single punch.

"My sister!! She's so, so beautiful, you fucking bastards!"

Cheon Min-Hyung's anguished voice echoed through the alley.

***

After Kang Eun-Gi arrived in the back alley, he called the boss of the Hapjeong Station crew and made sure the bullies wouldn't get any other ideas. Afterward, I parted ways with Kang Eun-Gi's group and headed to the company with Cheon Song-Hee and Cheon Min-Hyung. I planned to show them DH Villa, where the two of them would be living from now on, and introduce them to President Kang Gam-Chan as well.

On the way, Cheon Song-Hee sat in the back seat with her arms around her brother and asked, "Mr. Jung. What'll happen to those kids now? Even if they don't bully Min-Hyung anymore, they'll just pick on someone else."

I answered, "In about a week, we'll gather evidence of everything they've done and hand it all over to the police. After that, they probably won't be able to play at being bullies ever again."

"Thank... you."

I could see Cheon Song-Hee repeatedly bowing her head in the rearview mirror.

Meanwhile, we entered the alley in Apgujeong where Hoop Entertainment was located. I was about to show them DH Villa across from the company when I noticed a man in his late twenties pacing in front of our building while holding the hand of a girl who looked about eight years old.

However, the eight-year-old girl was someone I knew.

"Jin Gong-Ju?"

Before my regression, Jin Gong-Ju was the daughter of Jin So-Mi, who had served as Kim Dong-Soo's legal representative at Top Entertainment.

Screech.

I hurriedly stopped the car and got out of the driver's seat. "Gong-Ju. What are you doing here?"

The moment Jin Gong-Ju saw me, her eyes filled with tears. "Mr. Jung..."

"What's wrong? Hm?"

At that moment, Jin Gong-Ju burst into heartbroken sobs. "Mom... Mom...She abandoned me! I have nowhere to go! I have to join Hoop Entertainment no matter what! Waaaaah!"

'Jin So-Mi abandoned the daughter she treasures more than her own life? And that daughter came to me for help...What in the world is going on?'