Chapter 977: Youth, Once Again! (2)
Before my regression, the Ministry of Health and Welfare's three-part dementia public service campaign had been produced by HK Planning.
The problem was that HK Planning focused entirely on the actors and, claiming they were needed for filming, brought in fifty actual dementia patients from a nursing home. Then they left all fifty of them sitting under the blazing sun on the athletic field of an abandoned school without a single patch of shade. Two caregivers from the nursing home had accompanied them, but looking after fifty dementia patients by themselves had been impossible.
As a result, the more frail patients failed to stay properly hydrated and collapsed from heatstroke. Some of the patients even wandered out of the abandoned school grounds in search of relief from the heat. In the end, two elderly patients went missing and were not returned until late that night after being taken into police custody.
HK Planning tried to bury the incident with money. Unfortunately for them, a video recorded by a civilian who personally escorted the two elderly patients to the police station became public, triggering a massive backlash. Once the story hit the nine o'clock news, HK Planning was buried under public criticism, and the public service advertisements they had worked so hard to film never aired.
To make matters worse, Park In-Chang and Yoo So-Ae, who had participated with the sincere intention of donating their entire appearance fees, were forced to issue a nationwide public apology.
The fallout didn't stop there. For quite some time afterward, both Park In-Chang and Yoo So-Ae were subjected to vicious online abuse, and every project they had already been contracted for was canceled.
Records of that absurd incident still remained in my Everyday schedule entry.
[Everyday V13]
[Date: May 20, 2021]
-10:00 p.m.: Park In-Chang and Yoo So-Ae issue a public apology. "We sincerely apologize to the dementia patients and their families for what occurred during filming."
That schedule entry still hadn't disappeared. There was no way I was sending my precious singer, Seo Yeon-Woo, into that public service campaign.
I politely said, "Thank you for the offer, but there are plenty of people besides Yeon-Woo who can appear in a standard dementia awareness campaign. However, there aren't many people willing to actively promote the Ministry of Culture's Cultural Arts Dementia Therapy Program. That's why I was planning to have Singer Kim Hyun-Ji join Yeon-Woo as a special guest to help publicize the project."
To completely eliminate any lingering hope, I even stated that Kim Hyun-Ji would be appearing in the Ministry of Culture's campaign as well.
Apparently she had never imagined I would refuse. Shock spread plainly across Vice Minister Oh Song-Hyun's face.
"Hey, Chief Jung. We're talking about three hundred million won! Three hundred million! Public service advertisements don't offer deals like this. Do you think opportunities like this come around every day?"
I smiled. "Maybe not among public service advertisements. But among commercial advertisements, we've received more than ten offers worth over three hundred million won just today..."
My expression clearly said, 'We'll just take those instead.' Beside me, the corner of Han Yung-Bok's mouth twitched upward.
Flustered, Oh Song-Hyun shouted again. "Okay, fine! Four hundred million! I'll give you four hundred million!"
"I'm sorry, but we can't accept it. We've received about four offers at that amount too..."
"Th-Then how much will it take? Five hundred million! Is five hundred million enough? Huh?"
The pressure from Minister Tae Sung-Han must have been tremendous if she was willing to offer as much as five hundred million won.
"We've got three offers at five hundred million as well..."
Oh Song-Hyun opened her mouth again, but Secretary Lee Sun-Ye hurriedly stepped in. "Mrs. Vice Minister! Please calm down!"
"Calm down? You think this is the time to calm down?"
"We don't even have that kind of money!"
"Who says we can't find it?!"
"You, for one. And even if you somehow did, the year-end audit would tear you apart."
When Lee Sun-Ye refused to back down, Oh Song-Hyun practically vibrated with frustration. "Is now really the time to worry about year-end audits?!"
"Five hundred million is already more than enough."
"What's enough about it? Six hundred million—no, seven hundred million—"
With a sigh, Lee Sun-Ye slowly pressed several buttons on her phone.
"Hey. Who are you calling?"
"Mr. Minister."
Oh Song-Hyun flinched. Only then did she finally come back to her senses. "Alright, alright! I get it!"
Then she shot to her feet and glared at me. "Let's see how well this works out for you!"
I answered with a bright smile. "Yes, ma'am! I'll do my best."
Trembling with frustration, Oh Song-Hyun gave Minister Han Yung-Bok a brief nod, spun on her heel, and stormed out of the room.
Vice President Kim Gwan-Woo and Director Kang Ji-Yung hurried after her. "Ma'am! Vice Minister Oh!"
With a sigh, Lee Sun-Ye bowed to everyone. "I apologize. The Vice Minister has been under a great deal of work-related stress lately, so please understand. Sir, we'll be taking our leave now."
Han Yung-Bok laughed heartily. "Looks like the secretary has it rough. It's fine. Go on now."
"Yes, sir."
Lee Sun-Ye quickly chased after her superior.
Watching them leave, Han Yung-Bok let out another hearty laugh. "Chief Jung. Thank you. Truly."
Apparently delighted that I had chosen him without being swayed by money, he couldn't stop smiling.
I answered, "It was nothing."
"No, it wasn't. Since you've chosen me, I'll make sure you never regret it." Then Han Yung-Bok turned to Secretary Lee Chil-Sung. "Secretary Lee. For the foreseeable future, make Hoop Entertainment our top priority for culture-related projects. Needless to say, not only Project I.O.A, but also anything that can help our actors expand overseas. Everything. And..."
Growing increasingly excited, Han Yung-Bok began listing proposal after proposal. Of course, accepting everything a minister offered without restraint was a good way to end up facing questions at a parliamentary hearing. So I had to stop him and ask that he limit the support to roughly doubling the budget for Project I.O.A and the K-POP Landmark Project.
Even so, the additional support alone came to one billion won.
'This is turning into a pretty profitable deal.'
***
"Please take care on your way!"
President Kang Gam-Chan and the company's executives followed Han Yung-Bok all the way to the lobby and bowed in unison as he departed.
Han Yung-Bok waved his hand. "Hahaha. It's not as though someone important is leaving. Keep up the good work, everyone. And Chief Jung, I'll be seeing you again soon."
"Yes, Mr. Minister. I'll contact you after we've selected the director."
Han Yung-Bok climbed into his car, and only after it disappeared into the distance could I finally relax.
"Phew..."
Kang Gam-Chan patted my shoulder. "You worked hard today."
"It was nothing."
"Still, why did you reject Vice Minister Oh's offer? In the end, we received more support funding, but that couldn't have been your original plan."
Kang Gam-Chan had sensed there was another reason behind my decision. However, I couldn't exactly tell him that HK Planning was destined to cause a major scandal. Instead, I decided to reveal one of the other reasons I had kept to myself.
"To begin with, I figured we could make up the advertising fee through other commercials. More importantly, I wanted to repay the Ministry of Culture because Seo Yeon-Woo's grandmother is genuinely benefiting from the program they're running."
"Ah... is that so?"
"Yes, sir. I heard that simply singing trot songs at the senior welfare center and reminiscing about her younger days has helped improve her symptoms. I wanted more people to know about that."
"Hmm. I see."
"And this was the deciding factor. Once Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ji begins promoting 'Youth, Once Again!', I plan to get her booked for senior welfare center events."
Performance fees for senior welfare center events weren't particularly high. But for Kim Hyun-Ji—the mother of Kang Ha-Na, who had quit singing because she hated performing at shady nightlife venues—it would be one of the best stages she could possibly stand on. Because events were held year-round, there was no off-season, and every event took place indoors where performers didn't have to worry about getting sunburned.
That was why I intended to bring it up when the opportunity presented itself. My plan to have Kim Hyun-Ji make a special appearance in the Cultural Arts Dementia Therapy Program advertisement was part of that strategy as well.
Kang Gam-Chan's eyes widened. "Huh. You thought all that through?"
"Yes. If I bring it up right away, she might feel pressured, so I was planning to mention it the next time we meet."
"Hahaha. Mr. Minister is going to end up completely wrapped around your finger, Chief Jung. Well done." After laughing for a while, Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Then take good care of Yeon-Woo and Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ji, and make sure this advertisement turns out right. If you need support, you'll have my full cooperation."
"Yes, Mr, Kang."
I bowed, and Kang Gam-Chan headed back upstairs, saying he had more work to attend to. Afterward, I checked Everyday's schedule entry.
[Everyday V13]
[Date: May 20, 2021]
-10:00 p.m.: Park In-Chang and Yoo So-Ae issue a public apology. "We sincerely apologize to the dementia patients and their families for what occurred during filming."
The schedule entry still hadn't disappeared, which meant the future hadn't changed yet. It looked like I would have to meet Park In-Chang.
If I could get my hands on the public service advertisement storyboard he received, there might be a way to prevent the disaster.
***
After several years, I finally met Park In-Chang again and exchanged greetings in Private Room No. 2 of Café M near Gangnam Station.
Park In-Chang was an actor who had once worked under Kim Dong-Soo in Actor Division 3 before leaving after a falling-out. We were on fairly good terms. At my request, he had left his talent agent waiting in the car and came into the café alone.
As soon as he heard what I had to say, his eyes widened. "If I do this advertisement, my image gets destroyed? But it's a public service campaign."
The expression on the face of thirty-seven-year-old actor Park In-Chang, widely regarded as an A-list actor, hardened instantly. He was known for actively participating in public service campaigns and charitable donations, using the reputation he built to encourage even more giving. So hearing that his image could be ruined clearly shocked him.
I nodded. "Yes. From what I've heard, there are quite a few problems with it. You didn't know?"
"What kind of problems could there be?"
"Do you happen to have the storyboard?"
Park In-Chang fiddled with his phone. "I do..."
"The storyboard mentions dementia patients participating in the filming, doesn't it?"
"Yeah."
"Do you know those people aren't actors? They're planning to bring in actual dementia patients. For realism, HK Planning intends to transport them from H Nursing Home in Gyeonggi Province."
Park In-Chang practically shouted, "Have these people lost their minds? What if something happens to those patients?"
"Exactly. And what's even more concerning is that there's a chance they haven't properly obtained consent from the patients' families. HK Planning is apparently putting Director Choi Han-Joong in charge of the project. Doesn't that tell you everything?"
Commercial Director Choi Han-Joong was notorious for being extremely arrogant. He was also the type of person who showed little consideration for others, which often left actors and extras suffering through difficult shoots. And when problems arose, he had a habit of dumping responsibility onto assistant directors and staff members.
Park In-Chang clicked his tongue in frustration. "Damn it. I was happy because the pay was unusually good for a public service advertisement. What am I supposed to do now?"
Having already signed the contract, he scratched his head helplessly.
That was when I casually offered a solution. "Why not just leak the storyboard?"
"What?"
"And leak the information that they're planning to use real dementia patients. Once that gets out, the production company will be forced to tear everything apart and start over."
Rather than killing the entire advertisement, leaking the details ahead of time and forcing a change of direction would minimize the damage.
"There's a confidentiality clause that says I can't disclose it..."
"Then hand it over to me."
"To you, Yoon-Ho?"
"Yes. I'll leak it quietly myself. In-Chang hyung-nim, if you get caught up in this, it'll ruin your career. You need to get out of this advertisement somehow. And that director absolutely has to be replaced."
Park In-Chang gripped his phone tightly, unable to hide his unease. "Ah... I get that, but... this is difficult."
He was worried that directly leaking the storyboard could come back to haunt him legally. Even if there was a good chance what I had told him was true, he still wasn't completely certain. In that case, there was another way.
"Hyung-nim."
"Yeah?"
"Do you trust me?"
"I do trust you, but..."
"Then pull up the storyboard on your phone and leave it on the screen. Go to the restroom for a minute. I'll take pictures myself and leak it."
Park In-Chang's expression changed. "You're really that sure about this?"
"Yes. You can leave all the risk to me."
He clenched his teeth and said, "No. If you're going this far, I'll just give you the file. Later I'll deny knowing anything about it."
Even though Park In-Chang was willing to take the risk, I shook my head. "No. You're not good at lying, remember? If anyone questions you, it'll show on your face. Just... go to the restroom for a minute."
After hesitating for a moment, Park In-Chang sighed and nodded. "I owe you one, Yoon-Ho."
"Don't mention it."
After unlocking his phone and opening the storyboard, Park In-Chang stepped outside. The moment he was gone, I photographed every page with my phone and sent them to BM Report, a tabloid outlet. I also attached details of the insane plan to use fifty actual dementia patients in the advertisement.
The instant I sent it, the schedule entry in Everyday began disappearing.
[Everyday V13]
[Date: May 20, 2021]
-10:00 p.m.:
(Deleted Schedule Entry: Park In-Chang and Yoo So-Ae issue a public apology. "We sincerely apologize to the dementia patients and their families for what occurred during filming.")
***
After Park In-Chang returned from the restroom, I explained what would happen next. "The article will probably break tonight. If anyone asks, just get angry."
"Don't worry about that. I can get genuinely angry if I need to. I'm an actor, aren't I?"
"Your angry acting really is top-notch, hyung-nim."
"Ah, but Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja won't get cut from the project, right?"
'Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja?'
Kim Hyun-Ja was the legendary trot superstar who had retired ten years ago. I couldn't understand why the name of the top star whom Kang Ha-Na's mother, Kim Hyun-Ji, had once imitated in her youth suddenly came up now.
"What do you mean? Why would Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja get cut?"
"You didn't know? Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja is supposed to appear in our advertisement."
'Why would Kim Hyun-Ja be appearing in a dementia public service advertisement?'
I couldn't make sense of it.
I asked, "Why? She doesn't even film commercials anymore. She's completely retired."
Park In-Chang nodded. "Yeah, she was. But I heard she's appearing this time as a dementia patient."
'Kim Hyun-Ja? Dementia?'
That was something I had never heard before, not even before my regression.
"You're saying she has dementia?"
"Yeah. I don't know how severe it is. But it sounds like she's not doing well financially. I heard she decided to appear for a five-million-won appearance fee."
I couldn't believe it. A trot superstar appearing for five million won seemed ridiculous.
"What do you mean? She has two children, doesn't she?"
"I don't know. I don't know the details..."
Even though Kim Hyun-Ja had always lived modestly, she should have earned billions of won in cash every year during her prime. If I remembered correctly, she had owned at least four buildings. I couldn't understand what had happened, but now that I heard about Kim Hyun-Ja, I couldn't just sit still.
"I'll look into it."
"Please do. She was a respected elder of the music industry. Just hearing that she might be struggling leaves a bad taste in my mouth. You helped me, so I'll help Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja."
I smiled. "Hyung-nim. I make pretty good money these days too."
Park In-Chang scratched his head awkwardly. "Heh... my mistake. Everyone knows how well you're doing, Yoon-Ho. Sorry for the late congratulations. Come to think of it, I said something ridiculous in front of a rich man."
"Come on. What rich man?"
"Anyway, if there's anything I can do to help, let me know."
"Will do."
"Then I'll get going."
After seeing him off with a bow, I immediately called The Best Detective Agency.
"Please find someone for me."
***
[Chief Choi Go-Yoon: Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja has a small house in Dunchon-dong under her husband Mr. Lee Taek-Hyun's name. But seriously... are you sure Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja actually lives there?]
The agency found the location within a few hours. Even they seemed unable to believe it. After all, a superstar who had possessed enormous wealth before retiring ten years ago apparently no longer owned any property in her own name.
[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: I'm not sure either. That's why I'd like you to investigate her children as well.]
After sending the message, I checked the schedule entry concerning her that still remained in Everyday.
[Everyday V13]
[Date: July 7, 2022]
-02:00 p.m.: General Room No. 3, Seven Stars Hospital Funeral Hall, Gangnam. Veteran trot singer Kim Hyun-Ja.
Kim Hyun-Ja's funeral was to take place in one year from now. Before my regression, I hadn't been able to attend the funeral because of an overseas schedule in Japan with Ju Yung-In, so I had only sent flowers.
At the time, I heard the funeral was being held in a standard room rather than a VIP room and assumed it was simply because she had remained frugal throughout her life despite being a superstar. However, after hearing what Park In-Chang had told me, I began to wonder if that wasn't the case.
I found myself wishing I had paid a little more attention. Since regressing, I have solved countless problems and overcame countless difficulties. Yet there were still things in this world that I hadn't been able to fix.
Suppressing the growing sense of regret, I headed straight for Dunchon-dong.
***
I arrived at a residential alley in Dunchon-dong. It was only a few minutes away from my home in Cheonho-dong.
I parked at a public lot and walked toward the address Director Choi Go-Yoon had provided. Even while walking through the tightly packed neighborhood, I couldn't believe it.
"There's no way she'd live somewhere like this..."
People said that even a ruined rich man could live comfortably for three years.
'So where did all those hundreds of billions of won go? Why is she living in a place lined with aging houses?'
Puzzled, I tilted my head. Then I came to a fork in the road. I needed to take the path on the left.
Just as I turned, I noticed an elderly woman sitting motionless at the end of the right-hand alley, her head buried between her knees. My steps stopped immediately.
The weather had grown warmer, but she was wearing only a thin outer garment that looked more like sleepwear. Her body trembled uncontrollably. One shoe was missing entirely, leaving only a dirt-stained sock on her left foot. The shoe on her right foot was half torn apart.
I was anxious to meet Kim Hyun-Ja, but seeing the old woman's condition made my chest ache.
'I should at least check if she's alright.'
If something was wrong, I could call an ambulance. With that thought, I headed down the right-hand alley. Not wanting to frighten her, I approached slowly and stopped about three meters away.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Are you alright?"
At that moment, the gray-haired woman slowly lifted her head.
"I'm sorry, young man. I... seem to have gotten lost. Could you... take me to a police station?"
And in that instant, I froze. The woman was the superstar who had once ruled the trot music world—the great Kim Hyun-Ja herself. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I would find her sitting here with one shoe missing.
"Mrs. Kim...?"