novellhall Chapter 33 Gratitude: I'm quitting this entertainment industry!
Chapter 33 Gratitude: I'm quitting this entertainment industry!
In just a few hours, a media storm triggered by a few blurry candid photos swept across the entire internet.
With "Haeundae" about to surpass 10 million views, Lee Ji-hsing, as the "Prince of the Ocean" who is reaping the biggest benefits and currently enjoying great popularity, has been the focus of attention for countless media outlets and the public.
At this critical juncture, the bombshell scandal of "carrying an underage female singer on his back late at night" has been exposed, and its explosive nature is unimaginable.
On Naver and Daum's real-time search rankings, terms like "Lee Ji-hyung IU", "Lee Ji-hyung pedophilia", and "Haeundae male supporting actor scandal" have rapidly taken over the top spots.
Countless onlookers, envious rival fans, and self-proclaimed righteous netizens flocked to the scene like sharks smelling blood.
LOEN Entertainment's official website message board was almost paralyzed by angry fans.
Not only that, conspiracy theories have even begun to circulate online, claiming that Lee Ji-haeng got the role in "Haeundae" from Lee Joon-gi through shady means.
One-sided abuse and accusations completely overwhelmed Li Zhixing.
Although many rational fans defended him and called for waiting for the truth, their voices were insignificant in this frenzied online bullying.
Entertainment reporters across South Korea were frantically dialing Lee Ji-hyeong's number, but it was constantly busy.
Reporters who then surrounded LOEN Company were only met with the official platitude, "We are verifying this and will clarify it later."
The entire internet is waiting for an explanation from Li Zhixing.
......
At the same time, COEX Indian Ocean Hall in Samseong-dong, Seoul.
The "2009 Dungeon & Fighter Carnival" is in full swing.
Outside the venue, tens of thousands of enthusiastic young gamers lined up in long queues, while inside the venue, the atmosphere was bustling with noise, and the laser show and game sound effects were deafening.
With her outstanding performance during the promotional period for "Boo", Lee Ji-eun, with her fresh and lively "teenage girl" image, was spotted by the game developer and invited to become the sixth generation "DNF Girl".
As a guest performer in the afternoon session, Ji-eun was sitting in her private waiting room, dressed in a cute and playful stage outfit, adjusting her breathing to prepare for going on stage.
Just then, the door to the waiting room was suddenly pushed open.
The agent, Bae Jong-han, burst in, his face beaming.
"Jie-eun, it's gone viral! Your search terms have completely exploded!" Bae Jong-han excitedly waved his phone. "The whole internet is talking about you now. We're really going to be a huge hit this time!"
Lee Ji-eun paused, her eyes filled with confusion: "Jong Han oppa, what exploded?"
"You're number one in real-time search!" Bae Jong-han leaned forward, gesturing excitedly. "This is the kind of treatment only top idols like Girls' Generation get! You're the focus of the entire internet right now!"
Lee Ji-eun's eyes lit up, and she suddenly stood up: "Really? Did my stage photos as a DNF girl go viral today?"
"Oh, see for yourself. Come to think of it, we actually benefited from Zhixing this time. We turned misfortune into blessing." Pei Zhonghan smiled and handed over the phone.
Upon hearing that it was related to her oppa, Lee Ji-eun took the phone with a look of anticipation.
However, just a few seconds later, the bright smile on her face froze completely.
After seeing the bolded headlines on the screen and the dense, vicious comments below, Lee Ji-eun felt her head buzz.
"What a beast in human clothing! He even preys on minors, it's disgusting!"
"I suggest banning this pedophile out of Chungmuro immediately and getting him out of the country!"
"Abducting a young girl who's just starting out in the entertainment industry in the middle of the night, don't the police arrest them?"
Ji-eun's fingers trembled slightly as she swiped the screen, and her face gradually paled.
She abruptly looked up: "Jong Han oppa, this is the good thing you were talking about? What kind of good thing is this?!"
Pei Zhonghan's smile hadn't faded yet when he said matter-of-factly, "How is it not a good thing? Zhi'en, Zhixing is your brother. This was originally a misunderstanding, but the buzz it generated is undeniable!"
"This is a massive online discussion. If we clarify the sibling relationship tomorrow, those netizens who criticized you will definitely feel guilty. Not only will your popularity skyrocket, but Zhixing will also gain a huge wave of die-hard fans. This is a perfect PR strategy!"
"How can it not have an impact!" Lee Ji-eun raised her voice angrily, her eyes instantly reddening. "They're all using the most vicious words to curse my oppa right now!"
Pei Zhonghan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly reassured her, "Ji'en, don't worry. Just let the public opinion ferment tonight, and we'll clarify it immediately tomorrow morning. It will definitely not cause any substantial harm to Zhixing. We know what we're doing."
"No, absolutely not!" Lee Ji-eun shook her head desperately, tears welling in her eyes. "Jong Han oppa, you need to clarify this now! I won't allow them to insult my oppa like this! Call the company right now!"
"Oh dear, why are you so stubborn?" Pei Zhonghan sighed helplessly. "This is such a rare opportunity for exposure, and... Zhixing has already agreed."
Lee Ji-eun was suddenly stunned.
She stared intently at Bae Jong-han and shouted angrily, "How could my oppa disagree?"
"Now I disagree! If I want attention, I'll earn it myself. I'll handle the schedules myself. I'm willing to be a background character on variety shows every day!"
"But I absolutely will not allow anyone to use my oppa to gain popularity; that's my bottom line!"
Pei Zhonghan gave a wry smile: "Why can't I understand you, child..."
He was about to continue persuading her when he saw Lee Ji-eun rip off her hair accessory and throw it onto the dressing table.
"I quit."
Bae Jong-han's face stiffened, and his tone became slightly angry: "Lee Ji-eun, what nonsense are you talking about? Tens of thousands of audience members are waiting outside, and she's about to go on stage!"
Lee Ji-eun stopped making a fuss, and her tone became calm.
"Jong Han oppa, if the company insists on using methods that harm my oppa for publicity, then I will not go on this show, and I will quit being an artist."
After saying that, she turned around without hesitation and walked out of the waiting room.
Pei Zhonghan was left standing there, stunned.
After a long while, he finally slammed his fist into his thigh in frustration: "Damn it, what kind of mess is this?!"
Outside the waiting room, the corridor lights were dim.
Lee Ji-eun had just rushed out the door when she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
A tall figure was seen leaning against the wall outside the door.
It was Girls' Generation member Yoona, who was the closing guest of the afternoon session.
At this moment, Lim Yoona was holding her phone and quietly observing her.
Lee Ji-eun was startled, but still instinctively bowed and greeted, "Yoona sunbaenim."
Lin Yoona nodded slightly, her gaze still fixed on the stubborn little girl in front of her.
Lee Ji-eun felt a little uncomfortable being stared at. This gaze reminded her of Seohyun at the preview screening that day, but Yoona's eyes seemed to hold more emotions that she couldn't understand.
Just as Lee Ji-eun was about to leave, Lim Yoon-a spoke up.
"IUxi, is it worth giving up such a good opportunity, even quitting being an entertainer, just to avoid him getting criticized?"
Lee Ji-eun was already seething with anger, and hearing this only fueled her temper.
You're the visual center of a popular girl group, and you're already eavesdropping, but why do you have the right to point fingers?
She stared at Yoona without backing down and replied stiffly, "Oppa is the most important person to me. I'd rather not have this kind of popularity gained by hurting him."
The corridor fell silent.
Looking at her, Lim Yoona's eyes flashed with a hint of approval, and also with some undisguised envy.
Immediately, a gentle smile appeared on Yoona's lips, and she said softly, "You're right, I support you."
At this moment, Bae Jong-han, who had been weighing his options in the waiting room for a moment, hurriedly chased after them: "Ji-eun, come in with me first..."
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly saw Lin Yoona standing to the side and was immediately stunned.
Yoona bowed slightly to him politely, then turned and walked towards Girls' Generation's waiting room.
Bae Jong-han didn't bother to investigate further and pulled Lee Ji-eun back to her room.
Meanwhile, walking down the corridor, Lim Yoona slowly raised her hand and turned on her phone screen.
On the screen was a candid photo of Li Zhixing carrying Zhi'en on his back, with Zhi'en pressing her cheek against his neck.
Yoona's fingertips gently traced the broad silhouette on the screen, her eyes gradually dimming with longing.
"He's so good to you..." she murmured softly, as if talking to herself, "Before, I had to beg him for ages before he'd carry me..."
......
In the waiting room, Lee Ji-eun sat on the sofa with her arms crossed, her little face expressionless and silent.
Pei Zhonghan paced anxiously back and forth in the room, sighing heavily every now and then.
Finally, he stopped, as if he had made up his mind.
"Alright, I'll call Chief Cui right now and persuade him to abandon this PR plan!"
Pei Zhonghan gritted his teeth. "I'll try my best to persuade him, but I might not be enough on my own. If they start arguing later, remember to express your opinion from the sidelines!"
Then, he took a deep breath, with a look of resignation, and dialed Choi Gap-won's number.
"Hey, Chief, I think... we should clarify this as soon as possible!"
"This matter will inevitably hurt Zhixing, and Zhi'en is also very conflicted. She even said..."
Just as Bae Jong-han was about to pour out the prepared speech, Choi Gap-won's laughter suddenly came from the other end of the phone.
"Haha, I knew it would be like this!"
Then, Bae Jong-han vaguely heard Choi Gap-won instruct someone next to him: "Release the prepared clarification statement. Also, immediately invite familiar reporters over and quickly spread the press release across the entire internet."
After giving the instructions, Choi Gap-won said into the phone, "Alright, that's settled."
"beep--"
The call was abruptly ended.
Lee Ji-eun blinked, looking at her manager who was staring blankly at her phone with a puzzled expression.
Bae Jong-han was completely dumbfounded.
After a long pause, he suddenly slapped his thigh and wailed in grief and indignation:
"Damn it, am I the only bad guy?"
......