boyutpedia Chapter 126: Year-end (3)
Chapter 126: Year-end (3)
The massive tax evasion scandal of EY Entertainment broke out, and the date was Thursday, November 26. Since yesterday, both online and offline platforms had been in chaos over EY Entertainment.《[Issue Pick] Multi-billion offshore tax evasion “When will ‘EY Entertainment’ break its silence?”》
But EY Entertainment remained silent all the way through Thursday morning. Thanks to that, the controversy and suspicions ballooned in no time, and twice as many articles were released compared to yesterday. The media went all out attacking EY Entertainment, and with no official statement from them, the only thing they could do was sit and take the blows.
EY Entertainment finally broke its silence just before noon.
《[Official] ‘EY Entertainment’ states “We will fully cooperate with the investigation, and we apologize to the disappointed public.”》
The CEO of EY Entertainment held a press conference in person, offering an apology and pledging to fully cooperate with the investigation. However, nothing changed. After their statement was released to the public, the media published articles with even more fervor, and public opinion had already hit rock bottom.
As a result, the outcome was as obvious as fire in daylight.
In just a single day, EY Entertainment's stock price plummeted.
《Emergency press conference had no effect, ‘EY Entertainment’ stock price crashes / Photo》
Next up was the broadcasting industry. Various programs began erasing EY Entertainment’s presence.
《Episodes of ‘Produce That 100!’ featuring EY Entertainment removed due to tax evasion controversy... Netflix also joins in》
The advertising sector also began making serious moves.
《[Entertainment Today] Panic for celebrities under ‘EY Entertainment’, advertising industry begins expulsion movement》
And that wasn’t all. Enraged citizens began digging up EY Entertainment’s past wrongdoings through SNS and online communities, and the situation spiraled completely out of control. Even chaos didn’t begin to describe it. All of this happened within 24 hours of the scandal breaking.
《National Tax Service initiates special tax audit on EY Entertainment》
《[Hot Issue] National Tax Service likely to file criminal complaint against EY Entertainment over offshore tax evasion》
It was terrifying even to roughly imagine how much more EY Entertainment would be beaten down in the future.
Building up a corporate image isn’t an easy task. Especially when it’s been shattered due to a scandal, recovery becomes even harder. Furthermore, it was inevitable that affiliated celebrities would start fleeing the agency one by one.
The final result would have to be watched, but predicting the outcome wasn’t difficult.
Confirmed descent into ruin.
Since EY Entertainment is such a large company, it’s possible that replacing the CEO and retracting their public presence could eventually lead to a recovery. However, it was obvious that for at least five years, they would be trampled on mercilessly.
Kang Rojun confirmed this situation inside the spacious practice room on campus.
“Yesterday, they were ranked No. 1 in the entertainment field, and today they’re just trash.”
He got goosebumps at the cold-hearted nature of the entertainment industry.
“Well, I dodged the shit, so that’s enough for me.”
Rojun once again praised the ‘AI Simulation’ app and soon erased EY Entertainment from his mind. That’s their business, and I’ve got mine. In the calm campus, having completed his Daily Mission early in the morning, Kang Rojun.
-Swish.
Warmed up for a few minutes and then recalled his stats. He wasn’t sure about the others, but at least his vocal, rap, and dance had surpassed 50 points. Rojun sang along to some familiar songs he hadn’t formally learned but had heard often, using the lyrics as reference.
-♬♪
Compared to his tone-deaf past, the difference was night and day. Settled in the practice room, Kang Rojun didn’t stop with just one song but sang several. From pitch to rhythm to high notes, it all felt decent.
“Compared to when my stats were in the 40s, it definitely feels better. At this level, maybe I’d get an okay evaluation among the trainees?”
Or maybe even rank among the top. Well, it was all just Rojun’s guess, but he wasn’t far off. However, the level of idol trainees rose rapidly every year, and those called geniuses were also appearing one after another. He might still fall slightly short of the top tier.
Realistically speaking, that may be true, but Kang Rojun still felt good enough.
‘I used to be tone-deaf and stiff, and now I’m at a level where I can keep up with trainees? That’s a miracle already.’
His dance and rap practice that followed were also at a similar level to his vocals. The interesting part occurred when he performed things he had already learned.
-♬♪
Starting with ‘Farewell’, every rap and dance routine he had already learned through ‘AI Automation’ now felt like they had even more tension and energy than before.
‘......Hmm- what is this?’
They were things he had learned already, so of course they should be perfect, but now they felt more fluid and naturally fitting with his body.
‘Is it because I’ve kept repeating them even after learning? Or maybe it’s the result of combining that with my overall skill growth??’
As expected, being part of 'Produce That 100!' and the entertainment industry, Kang Rojun’s own abilities, aside from the 'AI Simulation', were naturally improving. Including his knowledge. Could the results be a combination of all those foundational capabilities? He would have to verify that little by little, but for now, it seemed to be the case.
Whatever it was, it was something for Rojun to smile about.
“Later on, once my base skills are solid, if I stack on ‘AI Automation’ learning, I might end up being insanely good?”
It meant he had no ceiling.
Meanwhile.
Netflix Japan was busy with its contracted project, 'Like a Kaleidoscope'. Executive Director Tom Cavill separately selected personnel dedicated to 'Like a Kaleidoscope', and those staff members immediately began searching for production companies within Japan.
Not that it was a particularly time-consuming task.
In Japan too, Netflix was an extremely hot platform, and the tide was turning. Due to Netflix’s highly flexible production methods, multiple Japanese production companies-
“There are over 20 production companies that want in, and five we’ve shortlisted on our end. We’ll select from these 25 total.”
Had an excessive preference for Netflix. They were feeling fatigued by Japan’s long-unchanged production system in the broadcasting industry. In any case, Netflix Japan officially kicked off the production of 'Like a Kaleidoscope', and their top priorities were selecting the production company and finalizing the director, storyboard, and cast.
At this point, Kang Rojun, the writer of 'Like a Kaleidoscope', was mentioned once again.
“Executive Director, it looks like Writer Rojun’s idol agency has been confirmed as GN Entertainment. Isn’t it about time we start discussing the actor you mentioned with GN Entertainment?”
“We should move on that. As soon as the production company is confirmed, contact them right away.”
At the same time, amid their busy schedule, Netflix Japan continued its steady promotion efforts and launched a major campaign in Japan.
《Netflix Japan to premiere Korean drama 'Rental Lover' this afternoon!》
Although 'Rental Lover' had already finished airing in Korea, it was just starting in Japan.
Thanks to Rojun being confirmed as the final winner of 'Produce That 100!' and the explosive popularity that followed, his fame was surging in Japan as well. Because of that, 'Rental Lover' received a blazing interest from Japanese fans even before it officially launched. After all, it was a drama written by Rojun in which he also acted, how could they resist?
'Rental Lover' was uploaded to Netflix Japan in the afternoon.
About an hour later, Japan’s major social media platforms exploded with praise for both 'Rental Lover' and Kang Rojun.
And by the next morning, Friday, 'Rental Lover' had overtaken even 'Produce That 100!' to rank first.
[Japan’s Real-Time TOP10 Content]
1. Rental Lover
2. Produce That 100!
3. Spy Amy
4. Strange Restaurant
5. Late-Night Diner
.
.
.
.
It stood proudly as number one on Netflix Japan.
At the same time, in Korea.
While 'Rental Lover' was topping the charts on Netflix Japan, Kang Rojun could be found at a clothing studio in Seoul. Specifically, a custom suit studio. The space was lined with suits, tuxedos, shoes, and more.
It was Rojun’s first time in a place like this, and his eyes were full of wonder.
‘Wow- everything here just screams expensive.’
Guiding him were Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa of 'Culture Drawer' and her team members.
“Writer-nim, please pick a design you like.”
She handed Rojun something that looked like a magazine as he sat on the sofa. When he opened it, it was filled with photos of handsome foreign models wearing suits and tuxedos.
‘Ohhh.’
Curiosity rising, Rojun began searching for the tuxedo he wanted. The reason he was picking one now was simple, he needed something to wear to the SBC year-end awards ceremony he was invited to.
‘There’s so much, it’s hard to choose.’
While he was browsing, the male and female staff of the studio subtly approached Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa and whispered.
“Rojun-nim looks absolutely insane in person.”
“He’s not even wearing any makeup.”
“He could probably steal the whole awards ceremony just as he is.”
“His body’s no joke either. He must work out a lot. With that face and that physique, seriously……”
Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa, her long hair tied in a single ponytail, felt her shoulders lift for no reason.
“Tuxedo’s going to look killer on him, huh?”
“What’s there to even say? At that level, it’s not the tuxedo making Rojun-nim look good, it’s Rojun-nim making the tuxedo look good.”
As the murmuring in the studio grew louder, Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa glanced at Kang Rojun, who was carefully selecting a tuxedo.
‘How should I put it... he looks even more handsome now. A little more mature? His presence is even more magnetic-’
Compared to the first time she saw him, the current Rojun felt far more overwhelming.
‘Maybe it’s because his body’s improved? Looks like he’s lost some weight, too.’
At that moment.
“I’ve decided.”
Rojun made eye contact with Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa.
“I’ll go with this one.”
“......Huh? Ah! Yes, yes!”
Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa, momentarily dazed by Kang Rojun’s visuals, quickly snapped back to her senses and requested the tuxedo he chose from the surrounding staff. After they finished taking his measurements, about an hour had passed.
‘That wrapped up faster than I thought.’
As Kang Rojun checked the time, Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa approached.
“The order is complete. Once the tuxedo is ready, we’ll deliver it right away, Writer-nim, is something wrong??”
She asked, seeing the odd expression on Rojun’s face. He pointed to a tuxedo hanging on the wall with his index finger.
“Would it be possible to try on a tuxedo similar to my size?”
Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa blinked and smiled.
“Of course.”
“Thank you. I’ve never worn something like this before, so I wanted to try it on at least once.”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
Calling over a staff member right away, Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa explained what Rojun wanted, and a few minutes later, Kang Rojun entered the fitting room with one of the studio’s male staff members. Soon, both the 'Culture Drawer' staff, including Ryu Jung-hwa, and the studio employees waited for Rojun to come out.
Kang Rojun stepped out of the fitting room.
-Swish.
About fifteen minutes later.
Perhaps feeling awkward in the tuxedo, Rojun cleared his throat.
“Ahem, how is it?”
In contrast, Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa and the dozen or so staff members looking at him.
“......”
“......”
Stood frozen, mouths slightly open.
Around that time, public broadcaster SBC dropped new bait on the internet.
《[Official] ‘Rental Lover’ Rojun confirmed to attend this year’s SBC Drama Awards as a writer》
It was news of Kang Rojun attending the year-end awards ceremony.
Early afternoon, at the 'Produce That 100!' campus.
After having lunch with Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa and the 'Culture Drawer' staff, Rojun returned to the campus. Looking up at the still-empty dorm building, Rojun muttered to himself.
“When are the others coming back?”
It was already Friday. So the members should be returning soon. Probably tomorrow, Saturday, or the day after.
I'm starting to get a little bored.”
Just as he murmured and was about to move, his phone vibrated briefly.
-Buzz buzz.
It was a message from Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa, and she had sent a photo, Kang Rojun in the tuxedo. Looking at the photo, Rojun awkwardly scratched his chin.
'I can't get used to it.'
As he lowered his phone, another message came in.
-Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa: Writer Rojun! Rental Lover is No. 1 on Netflix Japan!! Congratulations once again!
Though it was something he had already heard over lunch and seen the reactions to on the way back.
“‘Rental Lover’ No. 1 on Netflix Japan. Wow- amazing."
He still couldn’t help the twitch at the corner of his mouth. Maintaining the ranking would be key moving forward, but wasn’t this enough of a reason to break into a shoulder dance? Rojun looked around and actually gave his body a quick shake.
Just then.
-Buzz buzz.
-Buzz buzz.
Several short vibrations followed. Was it Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa again? No, this time it was notifications from the 'AI Simulation' app.
-[You have achieved the Title Mission ‘Growing Recognition Without Rest!’]
-[Title ‘Recognition Monster’ has met the conditions and is now enhanced +1!]
-[With the enhancement of title ‘Recognition Monster', a bonus Coin has been added to mission rewards.]
-[Congratulations! Title ‘Recognition Monster’ has reached +5!]
-[First +5 Title Completed! You have been awarded an ‘AI Automation One-Time Free Pass’ item.]
Seeing the flurry of notifications, Kang Rojun let out a small exclamation.
“Oh- +5 Enhancement! Huh? But +5 is the limit for titles??”
As if responding to him.
-[Title evolution is now available.]
The 'AI Simulation' displayed an additional notification.
-[Would you like to evolve the title ‘Recognition Monster', which has reached +5, into the title ‘World Star’?]
*****
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