Episode 33. Bad Relationship (2)
Ryu Hwangjin, CEO of LBH, introduced himself to Kang Dae-oh and Kang Yera with a bright smile.
To Kang Yera, Ryu Hwangjin’s appearance felt incredibly fake and brazen.
This was because the attitudes Ryu Hwangjin had shown towards Kang Yera were still imprinted in her mind, transcending time and space.
Because of this, Ryu Hwangjin’s words or expressions could not possibly look good to Kang Yera.
As soon as Kang Dae-oh saw Kang Yera’s expression rapidly worsen, he stepped forward first and exchanged words with CEO Ryu Hwangjin.
“I am Yera’s father.”
“You must be CEO Kang Dae-oh, right? I know you! You’re such a famous person, how could I not know you? Haha!”
Kang Dae-oh smiled back, following CEO Ryu Hwangjin.
Kang Dae-oh also knew well that Kang Yera harbored ill feelings towards CEO Ryu Hwangjin.
However, the CEO Ryu Hwangjin that Kang Yera disliked was CEO Ryu from the world line before she regressed, not the current CEO Ryu.
Given the situation, Kang Dae-oh intended to continue the conversation with him in the most businesslike manner possible, as if nothing had happened, rather than letting emotions take precedence.
Adding one more thing to this.
‘I should be careful not to let him talk to Yera if possible.’
She would know better than anyone that the current CEO Ryu was not the CEO Ryu she knew.
Because Kang Yera was not a child, contrary to her appearance.
Since she was already an adult on the inside, Kang Yera would also think that there was no need to show a cold attitude by expressing her grievances to the current CEO Ryu Hwangjin.
However, humans also have instincts.
They know well in their heads that they shouldn’t do that.
But it’s difficult to perfectly control how the body reacts.
This is especially true for Kang Yera, who is more spontaneous and emotional compared to her other sisters.
That’s why Kang Dae-oh decided to step forward.
“Were there any LBH artists among the celebrities who appeared together? As far as I remember, there weren’t any…”
CEO Ryu Hwangjin nodded his head widely, as if readily acknowledging Kang Dae-oh’s words.
“It’s not because our agency’s artist is here. Today, I came to meet the PD and writers here. Although there was no filming today, our main idol group is scheduled to appear in the next filming.”
Kang Dae-oh subtly turned his head to check Kang Yera’s reaction.
Kang Yera shook her head very briefly.
It was a gesture meaning that she was also hearing this for the first time.
Perhaps CEO Ryu Hwangjin also caught Kang Yera’s reaction, as he personally stepped forward to explain what had happened.
“It seems the PD hasn’t told you yet. Originally, a different idol group was scheduled to appear, but they suddenly canceled their schedule, so we decided to appear instead.”
“Ah… I see.”
The cast list had to be adjusted due to an unavoidable incident.
It was presumed that they didn’t have enough time to inform the other cast members because it changed so suddenly.
That’s perfectly possible.
It’s a natural mistake for things to be missed when you’re busy.
However, there was one problem.
‘As far as I know, Yera is also scheduled to appear next week.’
That meant.
He might see CEO Ryu Hwangjin at the filming site again next week, just like today.
Of course, he didn’t know if CEO Ryu Hwangjin would visit this place again next week.
But.
‘He said it was an idol group that the company was pushing as their main act. So, there’s a high possibility he’ll come.’
Because the weight of an employee showing their face and a CEO personally appearing on-site is different.
Kang Yera seemed to have the same thought as Kang Dae-oh, as she secretly swallowed a sigh.
“So, you called us briefly to ask for our cooperation for the next filming, right?”
“That, and…”
CEO Ryu Hwangjin’s gaze turned towards Kang Yera.
“I want to scout Yera. Actually, this is the bigger purpose.”
An unexpected bombshell statement popped out of his mouth.
“Scout, you mean…”
“Exactly as I said, father. Yera is a very talented child. But isn’t it a shame to leave such talent to a small agency like Lee-rowool Entertainment? With LBH, we can make Yera’s talent fully blossom. I guarantee it.”
CEO Ryu Hwangjin seemed to know through prior information that Kang Yera tended to follow Kang Dae-oh’s words relatively well.
So, CEO Ryu Hwangjin focused on appealing their company to Kang Dae-oh, not Kang Yera.
He had the expectation that if he could persuade Kang Dae-oh well, Kang Yera would naturally move to LBH.
However, his calculation was thoroughly wrong.
Of course, it was true that Kang Yera listened to her Dad well.
But Kang Dae-oh absolutely prioritized his daughter’s wishes.
If Kang Yera didn’t like something, Kang Dae-oh would never force her.
No, he wouldn’t even bring it up.
Unfortunately, CEO Ryu Hwangjin hadn’t grasped this relationship between Kang Dae-oh and Kang Yera.
“As you know, CEO, this is not something that can be decided immediately here.”
“Ah, yes. I apologize. I got excited without realizing it. Because of my desire to bring Yera to LBH no matter what… I was too impatient, wasn’t I? I apologize once again.”
“No, it’s alright. That’s perfectly understandable.”
LBH was not the only company that coveted Kang Yera’s talent.
In fact, there were surprisingly many agencies, besides CEO Ryu Hwangjin, who offered Kang Yera a transfer.
Among them were large companies that could be called major entertainment agencies without reservation.
Nevertheless, Kang Yera still maintained her loyalty to Lee-rowool Entertainment.
No, in fact, rather than loyalty.
‘Because Yera knows that this place will skyrocket in the future.’
That’s why Kang Yera signed a contract with Lee-rowool, which was then a very small company with nothing to boast about.
Kang Yebin also had a similar reason to Kang Yera.
However, CEO Ryu Hwangjin, who knew none of this, seemed to believe that if he could just coax her well enough, he could easily bring Kang Yera over to LBH.
‘That won’t happen.’
Kang Dae-oh, who had roughly concluded the conversation, sent CEO Ryu Hwangjin away first.
Afterward, Kang Dae-oh asked Kang Yera if she was okay.
Kang Yera nodded briefly and said,
“At first, I was very flustered, but I’m fine now.”
“Did CEO Ryu do something terrible to you in the past?”
“He played around with the contract… and when I said I wanted to leave the group, he half-threatened me, saying I had to pay back all the money invested in me so far if I wanted to go. Because of that, even though I wanted to leave, my feet were tied, and I had to continue promoting reluctantly.”
“He’s a bad person.”
It turned out he was a very despicable man.
Even though it was an event from before the regression, hearing Kang Yera recount the atrocities committed by CEO Ryu Hwangjin made his teeth clench.
Kang Dae-oh could never forgive anyone who dared to touch his family, no matter who they were.
“Will Dad come to the next filming site too? This time, not after it ends, but I’ll be with you from before it starts.”
“It’s okay, Dad. Anyway, I’m going to refuse CEO Ryu Hwangjin’s offer. You don’t necessarily have to take time off to come.”
“It’s a parent’s role to stay by their child’s side when they’re anxious. So, you don’t have to think you’re burdening Dad for nothing.”
“……”
“And I was also curious about how the filming here goes. Our daughter knows well that Dad is considering appearing in other programs recently, right? I’ll take this opportunity to observe and learn how other sets operate.”
Kang Dae-oh attached various reasons for why he should come to the set next week, trying his best to make Kang Yera feel less apologetic.
Nevertheless, Kang Yera knew.
That her Dad’s words were solely because he worried about her.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Kang Dae-oh nodded briefly and urged Kang Yera to hurry.
“Mom said she’d make something delicious today. Let’s go quickly.”
“Yes!”
It was a great relief that his eldest daughter had cheered up even a little.
Kang Dae-oh, who returned home with Kang Yera, encouraged his daughter to wash first, then returned to the living room and took a moment to catch his breath.
‘I was surprised when the person who was Yera’s former agency CEO suddenly appeared.’
However, if Kang Dae-oh also showed signs of being flustered, Kang Yera would become even more anxious, so he deliberately didn’t show it.
At the same time, he accumulated considerable fatigue from constantly racking his brain.
It was only after he was alone in the living room that Kang Dae-oh could finally let out a sigh of relief.
It was then.
“Dad.”
Kang Yeyoung, who quietly approached Kang Dae-oh, asked him.
“Did something happen on the way?”
“Huh? Why, suddenly?”
“Because unnie’s expression doesn’t look very good. I heard today’s broadcast went well. It’s strange.”
Perhaps the sisters had exchanged messages before meeting CEO Ryu Hwangjin, as Kang Yeyoung already knew whether Kang Yera’s broadcast went well or not today.
Kang Yebin, who joined Kang Yeyoung a moment later, also seemed to have something to hear from Kang Dae-oh, so she sat down in the living room with her younger sister.
She seemed curious about why Kang Yera was feeling down.
Even though they squabbled with each other.
From the younger sisters’ perspective, they couldn’t help but worry about their unnie.
Kang Dae-oh subtly glanced at Kang Yera, who had gone into the bathroom.
Then Kang Yebin said to Kang Dae-oh,
“Unnie won’t come out for at least 20 minutes once she starts showering, so it’ll be fine.”
In that case.
It was enough time to tell the story.
Kang Dae-oh decided to honestly tell his second and third daughters what had happened at the filming site.
The moment CEO Ryu Hwangjin’s name was mentioned, a gasp escaped both daughters’ mouths first, even without Kang Dae-oh specifically explaining who he was.
Just by this, Kang Dae-oh realized that Kang Yebin and Kang Yeyoung also knew about the misdeeds CEO Ryu Hwangjin had committed against their eldest daughter.
However, Min Seung-yeon showed a reaction indicating she didn’t know much about CEO Ryu.
“Why him?”
Kang Yebin stepped forward to satisfy her Mom’s curiosity.
“He’s unnie’s former agency CEO. Actually, the reason unnie remained unknown despite her talent was partly because of that agency’s CEO.”
Min Seung-yeon and Kang Dae-oh, both their eyes simultaneously widened.
Even Kang Dae-oh, who had heard a few things about Kang Yera’s past compared to Min Seung-yeon, had never heard such a story before.
Kang Yebin and Kang Yeyoung exchanged glances.
Afterward, Kang Yebin first made a promise to Kang Dae-oh and Min Seung-yeon.
“Please keep it a secret from unnie that we told you this. Then I’ll tell you.”
It might be a dangerous moment where they could see Kang Yera’s darker side.
Nevertheless.
Kang Dae-oh and Min Seung-yeon nodded without hesitation.
Because parents are the only ones who can look into and embrace their child’s darker side.
