Big Life

Chapter 221. Laugh, Why Don’t You (9)

‘Yoon Mi-Ji...?!’

A woman whom Chae Bo-Ra knew very well stood by the door. The twenty-seven-year-old woman's name was Yoon Mi-Ji, and it had been six years since she had made her debut in television dramas. She didn’t have any representative work, so she wasn't that famous just yet.

“H-hello....” Yoon Mi-Ji put up an awkward smile as she greeted Chae Bo-Ra. She was perplexed, but she wasn’t surprised to see Chae Bo-Ra here. She had already heard about Chae Bo-Ra from Director Cho Cheol-Won before coming over.

Chae Bo-Ra was so speechless that she couldn’t even wipe her tears, and she glared at Yoon Mi-Ji with a murderous stare.

“I’m here to leave my things....” Yoon Mi-Ji mumbled. Her eyes glazed over the messy living room. She took a step back as she pulled her luggage with her. “I’m sorry; I’ll come back again in a few days.”

The moment she was about to close the door behind her, Chae Bo-Ra bolted to the door and blocked Yoon Mi-Ji.

“Why?”

“What do you mean...?”

“Why are you here?” Chae Bo-Ra pressed on with a sad look. However, there was no use asking Yoon Mi-Ji. She knew right away that Director Cho was sponsoring Yoon Mi-Ji from the moment she saw Yoon Mi-Ji standing at the door.

“Chae Bo-Ra.” Yoon Mi-Ji calmly collected herself and said, “I don’t hope for you to treat me like an industry senior. But shouldn’t you at least have some basic manners? After all, I’m older, and I've made my debut earlier than you.”

“What bullshit.” Chae Bo-Ra scoffed and remarked, “Is being old something to be proud of? You debuted hundreds of years ago, and have you ever been cast as a main character for even a one-act play?”

“...?!” The corners of Yoon Mi-Ji’s eyes twitched. It was becoming hard for Yoon Mi-Ji to conceal her facial expression.

Meanwhile, Chae Bo-Ra continued to provoke the older woman.

“Why don’t you act like a has-been that you are? Shouldn’t you at least look crushed, maybe? And basic manners? You still have some self-respect left?”

“Forget it. I’m a fool to even try to start a conversation with someone like you.” Yoon Mi-Ji gave up trying to talk to Chae Bo-Ra nicely and tried to walk past Chae Bo-Ra.

Chae Bo-Ra threw a fit and went to obstruct Yoon Mi-Ji again. “You just scoffed at me, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“You just snickered and scoffed at me! Do you think this is funny? Do I look funny right now?!”

Yoon Mi-Ji covered her nose and scrunched her face. Chae Bo-Ra’s breath had a strong alcohol smell to it.

“Why aren’t you answering? Am I not speaking human language?”

“I never laughed at you.”

“You did!”

“I didn’t want to say this, but look at yourself in the mirror if you still consider yourself a celebrity,” Yoon Mi-Ji said before turning around to leave.

Yoon Mi-Ji’s fluttering hair seemed to be taunting Chae Bo-Ra.

“You witch!” Chae Bo-Ra let loose a piercing scream.

“Ahhh!” Yoon Mi-Ji screamed at the top of her lungs and fell to the ground. Chae Bo-Ra had grabbed her by her hair and had pulled it back without mercy, like pulling on the reins of a horse.

“You should look at where you’re lying before stretching your legs! You couldn’t even see me in the eyes before when we met at the broadcasting station! How come you don't know your place, even though you're older than me?!”

“Aaack! L-let go!” Yoon Mi-Ji’s screams echoed through the long corridor. A few neighbors stepped out of their houses at the scream and saw Chae Bo-Ra smiling brutally while pulling Yoon Mi-Ji from behind like butchers handling livestock.

***

[Suspected Sponsee Chae Bo-Ra found in controversy over assault at her place of residence?]

[Chae Bo-Ra’s CCTV footage obtained, the woman assaulted identified as Celebrity Y, who debuted 6 years ago.]

[Dongah Osaka claims one billion won against Chae Bo-Ra for tarnishing company image.]

[Hard to find netizens cheering for Chae Bo-Ra on social media after the incident.]

[As the dark side of the entertainment industry surfaces because of Chae Bo-Ra, what deal did they strike?]

“It’s been noisy all day,” the manager mumbled as he watched the entertainment news on the TV in the small meeting room at ICU Entertainment.

A few people were gathered around the table: AppleT’s Lee Chae-Rin, HyperSoda’s Han Yu-Na, their managers, and ICU’s department head. Everyone was waiting for Ha Jae-Gun’s arrival.

“Let’s turn off the TV,” the department head suggested, “I think Mr. Ha will be here soon.”

“Ah, yes, sir.” Han Yu-Na’s manager quickly turned the TV off, knowing full well that Chae Bo-Ra was a sensitive topic for Ha Jae-Gun.

As predicted, footsteps could be heard approaching from outside. The door to the meeting room opened, and Ha Jae-Gun appeared under the guidance of an employee.

“Welcome, Mr. Ha. I apologize for making you travel the long distance.”

“It’s fine. All of you came early.” Ha Jae-Gun said as he sat down at the designated seat.

After a while of small exchanges, the group officially began their discussion in earnest. Everyone had gathered today to discuss Ha Jae-Gun’s task, which was to write the lyrics of the song to be sung by the duo unit involving Lee Chae-Rin and Han Yu-Na.

“I think it’ll be great if you can write lyrics for two songs.”

“Mm, I see. Two songs.”

“One for a dance song that follows the current trend, and the other, a ballad.”

Ha Jae-Gun nodded his head and noted down all the key points. There were two reasons behind his decision to accept the proposal. First of all, he wanted to try and challenge song lyric writing, and secondly, he was doing it for both Lee Chae-Rin and Han Yu-Na.

He was especially grateful to Lee Chae-Rin.

“Do you have any questions, Mr. Ha?”

“I am more worried than anything.” Ha Jae-Gun smiled awkwardly. “I did think of going into lyric writing when Ms. Chae-Rin had to sing an OST for Gyeoja Bathhouse, and that’s why I decided to accept this proposal, but....”

Ha Jae-Gun swept his gaze across the people before him and added, “Will I have an impact on the song’s popularity or sales?”

“Yes,” The department head said without hesitation. “I’m not sure if you know, but you’ve appeared with Chae-Rin across various media forms lately, and the public has become increasingly familiar with how strong your relationship is with her.”

“It’s amazing that Ha Jae-Gun oppa and I still haven't gotten into a scandal.” Lee Chae-Rin joked, grinning from ear to ear.

The department head smiled lightly as well and said, “The reception for I Live Alone was great for both Ms. Chae-Rin and our Han Yu-Na. If Mr. Ha can write the song lyrics for us, it’ll be monumental.”

The department head then looked at Han Yu-Na with pride. Unlike her lively appearance on TV, Han Yu-Na hung her head low shyly and muttered, “I’ll try my best.”

Ha Jae-Gun soon replied. “As lyric writing is an area I have never ventured into before, I won’t say things like I’ll try my best—I’ll definitely do my best.”

“Ah, I’m indebted to you. I’m not worried at all because it's you, Mr. Ha.” The department head rubbed his hands together as he stood up. “Then shall we discuss the rest over lunch? I've made a reservation at a good restaurant.”

“Sure, let’s do that.” Ha Jae-Gun and everyone else stood up from their seats. Each and every one of them was all smiles as they left the room.

***

The CEO of ICU Entertainment looked stiff. He had to drop by the hospital today, as he hadn't been able to sleep properly recently. He was on his way to visit Ha Jae-Gun, but an unsolicited guest stopped him in his tracks.

“How dare you come here?!” The CEO yelled.

Chae Bo-Ra didn't blink even once. The receptionist had failed to stop Chae Bo-Ra, and she started trembling at the consequences she would face for her failure.

“Ah, okay. What? What is it?” The CEO loosened his necktie and plopped down on the sofa. “Hurry up if there’s something you want to say; I have somewhere else I need to be. As for you, you can go.”

“Yes, sir.” the receptionist left the office and closed the door behind her.

Chae Bo-Ra instantly went on her knees and begged, “Please save me, sir.”

“Save you?” the CEO scoffed.

Chae Bo-Ra nodded profusely with clenched teeth, her eyes filled with tears.

“So, how do you want me to help? Hmm? Tell me.”

“I need some money.”

“Money?”

“I borrowed as much money as possible, and I've used them all up. I was chased out of the apartment, and now—please... please save me.”

The CEO squinted his eyes. “You’ve got to work if you need money.”

“I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever you ask of me. I’ll get my act together and do my best from now on.”

However, Chae Bo-Ra’s earnest pleading didn't get to the CEO. There was still some time left until the end of her contract with the agency, but the company had already considered her a discarded asset. To make matters worse, no other agency would take in the celebrity Chae Bo-Ra, as she had totally lost her value as a commodity.

Furthermore, the CEO was completely exhausted due to Chae Bo-Ra's assault on Yoon Mi-Ji.

“There’s the recent incident with Yoon Mi-Ji, and... I need money to pay the rent at my friend’s place where I’m currently staying. It’s fine if it’s not in Gangnam; I just hope for a suitable apartment in Seoul and just one car.”

The CEO was speechless at the ridiculous request, and it seemed to him that Chae Bo-Ra was still unaware of her current situation. She was young, yes, but how come she was so naive?

“An apartment? That’d be nice," said the CEO with a nod. He seemed to have understood Chae Bo-Ra's concerns. However, he was a man with experience and wouldn't be easily fooled by Chae Bo-Ra’s words.

“Try calling Joon-Gil.”

“Joon-Gil oppa?”

Joon-Gil was the name of Chae Bo-Ra's previous manager. He was an employee of ICU Entertainment and was currently looking over the girl group—HyperSoda.

“Yes. And do a tour around the country all the way to Busan.”

“...?!”

The CEO continued as Chae Bo-Ra’s eyes widened in shock. “If you do a total of a hundred events, then well, we can arrange for a settlement with Yoon Mi-Ji and prepare money for you to get a small apartment. I think it’s too late to worry about damage claims since the lawsuit has already been filed; it's your problem as well.”

“Sir. You’re... you’re asking me to appear at events in rural areas?” Chae Bo-Ra asked, her face turning pale.

The CEO nonchalantly said, “I think the response shouldn’t be that bad if you go to nightclubs. People like you are hot topics among drunkards. It’s hard for those in Seoul to see celebrities around, so imagine how excited they’d be to see you?”

“H-how...? Sir, I’m Chae Bo-Ra. How could you ask me to do such a lowly job?”

“Well, those are the only jobs you can do right now,” the CEO said.

Chae Bo-Ra's eyes were filled with tears, and she was shivering as if she were in the middle of a blizzard.

The CEO mocked, “Why don’t you smile? You’re always full of smiles, aren’t you? We should keep smiling as we live.”

“...!” The CEO, whom Chae Bo-Ra had considered to be her last bastion, had decided to abandon her as well.

Chae Bo-Ra’s face turned red, and hot tears spilled down her face.

“Until when do you plan to stand there? I’m busy, so you should leave.”

Chae Bo-Ra left the building after getting kicked out by ICU Entertainment's CEO. The elevator doors opened on the ground floor. Chae Bo-Ra walked out mindlessly as if she were possessed.

Just then, a group of people standing by the entrance caught her attention, and she quickly ran away from the corridor as if she were a fugitive.

“It’s Korean cuisine. Would that be alright, Mr. Ha?”

“Why are you asking when I’m a Korean?”

The group of people was composed of Ha Jae-Gun, the department head, Lee Chae-Rin, and Han Yu-Na. Han Yu-Na looked so dazzling in Chae Bo-Ra’s eyes that she could no longer look at her directly.

‘How... How did I turn out this way...!’

Chae Bo-Ra covered her mouth to stifle her sobs. She had only come to his huge realization of how great her negligence was after arriving at a dead end. Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets. She clearly knew that as well, but she couldn't help but sob silently as Ha Jae-Gun and his group headed out into the sun.

***

“It’s been a while, Mr. Ha.”

“Yes, how have you been? I feel like you’ve gotten younger even after a year has passed.”

“Oh, my, our Mr. Ha’s humor has increased during the time we haven’t met. Hohoho.”

It had been a while since Ha Jae-Gun had dropped by Park Seok-Ji’s editing office. The post-editing work for the movie Storm and Gale starts today.

“Let me answer this call real quick. Do-Joon, hang out with Mr. Ha for the time being.”

“Take your time, noona.”

As Park Seok-Ji walked out of the office, Ha Jae-Gun turned to Park Do-Joon and said, “You did a great job, Do-Joon.”

“Well, I only did as instructed. As always, it’s all thanks to Director Tae-Sung and the staffers.” Park Do-Joon put his hands behind his head. His fingers intertwined as he mumbled, “How did this happen....”

“What about?”

“Chae Bo-Ra.” Park Do-Joon whispered into Ha Jae-Gun’s ear, “Reporter Hyun has remained tight-lipped about the source of those photos.”

“What’s the use of knowing that? It’s the past, and it's not related to us either way.”

“It must be easy living as you since you’re not really curious about stuff. But fine... it is unrelated to us.” Park Do-Joon stared into the space and nodded. “You never know what will happen to people in the future.

"I heard from Joon-Gil hyung that Chae Bo-Ra is now half out of her mind. She’s been abandoned on both sides, which means her career is over. However, Chae Bo-Ra is vengeful. Well, there’s nothing she can do, anyway.”

“How’s Reporter Hyun doing recently?” Ha Jae-Gun changed the topic. He had always been unwilling to talk about Chae Bo-Ra. “He doesn’t really talk to me much. He only says he’s doing well, but it’s bothering me.”

“Unexpectedly, nothing bad has happened to him. He’s doing really well, so don’t worry about him.”

“Sounds great.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, they heard knocking on the door.

Ha Jae-Gun and Park Do-Joon paused their conversation as the other lead character of Storm and Gale walked up to them.