NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 312

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 312. Early Evolution is the Best Evolution

South Korea was turned upside down by the major news that broke from the morning.

– ‘Famous entertainer Mr. Ryu suspected of tax evasion’ Effectively heading toward suspension of activities? What happens to overseas schedules?

The internet article that went up without any substantial evidence was instantly transferred here and there, spreading at rapid speed.

– Who is Mr. Ryu? Don’t tell me it’s the RYW I’m thinking of?

└ No way, surely not that

– Based on the circumstances, it’s definitely RYW. Who else surnamed Ryu has global recognition?

└ Could it be RGH?

└ What’s RGH, some nobody? Since you don’t know, it’s probably not

Public opinion immediately concluded that the famous entertainer Mr. Ryu in the article was Ryu Yeon-woo, and those who usually couldn’t easily leave malicious comments on the internet due to his strong fandom rushed in, thinking this was their chance to tear him apart and enjoy it.

– Honestly, I expected this. Of course his background would be dirty lol

– In my opinion, his success so far might have been because he used the tax-evaded money to bribe people here and there

└ Who would he bribe?

└ Well, I wouldn’t know about that ㅇㅇ They probably gave it to the broadcasting station or advertisers

└ Broadcasting stations are lining up asking him to appear and he barely accepts ads, what kind of nonsense is this lol Are you in middle school?

– Ryu Yeon-woo is shocking. I think he said on some broadcast that he doesn’t drink or smoke, but instead of alcohol and cigarettes, he did tax evasion haha

└ ?? It’s not even confirmed as charges yet, but if you just throw out real names like that, you’ll get sued

– The advertising penalty fees they’ll have to pay now are probably going to be insane ㄷㄷ I heard they recently became a model for like two luxury brands at the same time

Various reactions continued on the internet besides criticism.

There were also those who doubted the credibility since it was an article that suddenly broke without clear evidence, and fans actively defended him too.

– Yu-ri Rabbit: I’m checking all the people cursing in comments and spreading rumors right now and handing them all over to Saebyeol Entertainment

– Sigorjajabong: That article is too malicious, isn’t it? There’s no evidence and no investigation has started, but they suddenly put up just the surname based on hearsay, not even the full name, making only speculation rampant

└ For real lol : If you’re gonna fight head-on, you gotta reveal your name and face it boldly – this is a textbook example of sneaky journalism

– Attention King: Foolish netizens, when you don’t know well in times like this, just stay neutral. Don’t act up and get sued for nothing. I think Ryu Yeon-woo is absolutely not that kind of person

└ Our Downfall Hooray: Yeah right, but now RYW is going down anyway!

Just as YouTube vultures were excitedly about to tear into this plump, well-fattened meat as reactions grew hotter.

At that moment, one article was published on the internet.

[Breaking News] Full text of the National Tax Service’s official response regarding actor Ryu Yeon-woo’s tax evasion allegations.

– Hansae Daily reporter Kim Jun-kyung

Kim Jun-kyung’s article was uploaded 37 minutes after the baseless allegations were raised.

***

Meanwhile, this morning.

One hour before the speculative article about tax evasion allegations came out.

“Whew.”

Yu Do-hyun and Oh Young-jin looked at their reflection in the glass door in front of an apartment building entrance near the Government Sejong Building and adjusted their appearance one last time.

Even until they went to bed last night, they never dreamed they would be standing here from such an early morning.

They had hurriedly prepared and come out after receiving an urgent call early in the morning, but they hadn’t expected that the truth about Lake Film they had gathered to reveal for the sake of justice would spark in such a different direction and cause harm to someone else.

Of course, even so, they weren’t obligated to step forward and suffer from early morning like this, but after hearing the story through actor Ryu Yeon-woo’s group call that came early in the morning, they gradually felt as if bewitched by a sense of mission that this was something they must do as public servants carrying out the nation’s tax administration duties.

“Young-jin, doesn’t my necktie look a bit crooked?”

“You’ve never tied your necktie straight anyway. Are you nervous?”

“A little? Of course I’m nervous since I have to meet the Commissioner. Ah, I want to go to the restroom…”

While the two were talking, the automatic door opened.

“Hup.”

“…?”

The elderly gentleman who came out of the apartment entrance tilted his head as the two men stared at him intently.

“Hmm? Now that I look, these are familiar faces.”

“Commissioner, good morning. We’re sorry for being discourteous by visiting you directly like this from early morning! I am Oh Young-jin, Inspector General.”

“I’m Yu Do-hyun, Investigation and Analysis Division Chief.”

Then National Tax Service Commissioner Im Jung-gwon nodded.

“I thought the faces looked familiar, and they were people from our service. But what brings you here from early morning…?”

“We have something urgent to tell you, and it’s a matter of every second counting…”

“Hmm, if you came all the way here, it must be so naturally. Get in for now. Let’s hear it while commuting.”

Commissioner Im Jung-gwon pointed to the official vehicle.

“One of you two will have to sit in the passenger seat, right?”

“Yes! I’ll sit there.”

Yu Do-hyun and Oh Young-jin, still with stiff faces, got into the National Tax Service Commissioner’s official vehicle.

***

And an hour and a half later.

Reporter Kim Jun-kyung’s article was uploaded 37 minutes after the tax evasion allegations were raised.

[Breaking News] Full text of the National Tax Service’s official response regarding actor Ryu Yeon-woo’s tax evasion allegations.

– Hansae Daily reporter Kim Jun-kyung [Written at 11:07]

The National Tax Service delivered an official response in an interview with this newspaper at approximately 10:30 AM on the 17th.

The National Tax Service clearly stated, “We officially certify that actor Ryu Yeon-woo has no record of tax evasion or delinquency.”

The following is the full text of the official response received regarding inquiries made through the National Tax Service’s official website.

[Full Text]

This is our response to your inquiry.

The tax evasion allegations against actor Ryu Yeon-woo that arose this morning (17th) are groundless, and this actor is actually one of the exemplary taxpayers designated annually by the government. The National Tax Service has twice expressed its intention to invite him to receive commendations on Taxpayer’s Day, but he has consistently declined, saying ‘It would be embarrassing to receive an award for doing what’s natural,’ demonstrating what a conscientious taxpayer he is.

While there are indeed high-amount habitual tax delinquents throughout our society, there are also exemplary taxpayers like this. Although our National Tax Service works hard every year to create a mature tax culture where exemplary taxpayers can receive social respect and preferential treatment, we deeply regret that such unfounded rumors targeting someone selected as an exemplary taxpayer are spreading indiscriminately.

Therefore, our National Tax Service is stepping forward directly to create a mature tax culture and officially certifies that actor Ryu Yeon-woo has no record of tax evasion or delinquency.

National Tax Service Commissioner Im Jung-gwon.

As soon as the article was published, public opinion instantly flipped 180 degrees.

The original article raising suspicions was already close to groundless speculative tabloid journalism with weak evidence, but shortly after, a rebuttal article with solid evidence was published.

That solid evidence was none other than an official response from the National Tax Service.

With even the National Tax Service Commissioner’s name prominently displayed, there could be no greater credibility.

Then, public opinion that had been in a standby state, unable to determine whether the tax evasion allegations that had heated up since morning were true or false, began pouring out articles all at once.

– [YNC] National Tax Service’s Unusual Move: Directly States ‘Ryu Yeon-woo Related Allegations Are Groundless’

– [Seoul News] Ryu Yeon-woo Actually Declined Exemplary Taxpayer Commendations Twice? Contents of National Tax Service’s Official Response

– [Korea Economic Daily] Correction Report “Ryu Yeon-woo’s Tax Evasion Allegations Are False.” What’s the Background?

Media outlets that had maintained neutrality and waited began confidently publishing articles with reliable sources, while those that had followed the initial report with their own articles worried about potential backlash and immediately issued correction reports.

And news-focused YouTube channels that couldn’t let such an interesting incident pass by competed to broadcast live shows.

– [Want to Know That?] Public Opinion Reversed in Just 37 Minutes. Internet Reporters, Is This Really Okay? Intensive Investigation of False Articles 《Live Viewers: 748》

– [Wrecker King] What Are the Standards for Exemplary Taxpayers? Summary of Actor Ryu Yeon-woo’s Earnings to Date 《Live Viewers: 4,155》

Watching the reversal of public opinion in real-time, community and article comment sections heated up once again.

Since this was a follow-up article about tax evasion allegations, it wasn’t in the entertainment section where comments are usually disabled, but in the social affairs section where comment sections are active, making it heat up even faster.

– For real, incompetent shamans kill people – an innocent person’s head almost rolled from a reporter’s reckless sword dance

– This kind of thing really needs legal punishment

└ Then protests will break out saying it oppresses press freedom, right?

└ Then when they make false reports, we should sue them like in the US and get punitive damages ㅇㅇ

– Those who were cursing earlier amazingly burrowed away instantly, didn’t they?

└ They’re so fast at times like this lololol S-tier Diglett

– But doesn’t Ryu Yeon-woo have backing? Why would the National Tax Service immediately clarify for him?

└ Got a Dugtrio here lol

***

Yeon-woo watched the reversed public opinion on his smartphone while reading the report from Han Hae-woon once more.

– National Tax Service Commissioner Im Jung-gwon

In his second year of appointment, scheduled to retire soon.

According to recently obtained information, there’s a possibility he may receive nomination for next year’s by-election.

Known for his upright character and integrity, though there are some criticisms of populist tendencies.

Yeon-woo nodded as he read the report.

His expectations had been correct.

Korea’s bureaucratic society is very rigid, and public officials themselves often raise criticisms about the strong tendency toward complacent passivism that tries to avoid potentially problematic incidents.

‘The psychology of just quietly getting through their term without causing unnecessary trouble.’

It’s not right, but it’s not incomprehensible either.

After all, their livelihoods depend on it.

‘But Im Jung-gwon is scheduled to retire soon and has a high possibility of entering politics afterward. And considering his usual character, I judged he’d be unlikely to refuse implementing justice and karmic retribution…’

Fortunately, it worked.

Actually, Im Jung-gwon had nothing to lose.

Since Yeon-woo was a celebrity with good popularity and image, and even already designated as an exemplary taxpayer by the National Tax Service, taking a stern response to groundless speculative tabloid articles was a good opportunity to enhance both the National Tax Service’s image and the commissioner’s personal image.

The important thing was timing.

Before public opinion flowed in a worse direction, losing its essence and turning to blind criticism, they had to slam down the fire extinguisher and put out the flames.

‘The two people at the National Tax Service must have worked hard on foot since morning. That’s fortunate.’

Of course, that didn’t mean he had waited with absolute faith that the National Tax Service would provide an official response.

The plan had three total stages, and if the National Tax Service’s official response was too delayed or rejected, he had prepared plans involving help from Ihan Group or SL Group, but among them, the National Tax Service was naturally the best option for early containment without borrowing others’ hands.

When Yeon-woo looked at internet public opinion again, the direction of the arrowheads had now reversed.

Public opinion was forming to demand that NK News reporter Choi Un-gyu, who made the initial report, reveal the reason for reporting false information and clarify the ‘personally obtained source.’

Once netizens start developing a sense of justice and catch the flow, there’s no stopping them.

Since legitimate hunting begins, going against that tide only results in being branded a traitor.

‘This will resolve itself if I wait. The source is obvious. It’s either Director Jo Hun-gwang or CEO Jung Yang-gi. Maybe even both.’

Bang bang bang─.

– Actor─!

Just then, Manager Kim Min-su’s voice could be heard desperately calling out from the hallway while knocking on Yeon-woo’s hotel room door.

When Yeon-woo got up and opened the hotel room door, Manager Kim Min-su rushed in with his face covered in cold sweat.

“A-Actor! This is terrible. It seems rumors have spread in Korea right now!”

His panicked face seemed genuinely filled with worry as if it were his own problem.

Though he seemed a bit slow at getting the latest news…

“You mean the false tax-related article?”

“Y-yes. Have you already been contacted about it?”

Looking at Kim Min-su asking urgently, his hands were empty.

He probably rushed out after hearing the news and left his smartphone in his hotel room.

“Min-su hyung. Fortunately, that’s been resolved well.”

Then Kim Min-su tilted his head with a dumbfounded expression.

There was no way actor Ryu Yeon-woo, whom he managed, would commit tax evasion, and he knew the company managed everything meticulously to prevent any mistakes, so he never doubted that the truth would eventually come to light.

However, having worked in the entertainment industry for several years, he knew all too well how troublesome these speculative tabloids could be because of the vicious types who would cling to them until the end no matter how much you tried to clarify.

But suddenly it was resolved.

“Fortunately, a follow-up report came out right away. Check it on your phone.”

When Yeon-woo handed over his smartphone, Kim Min-su took it and checked the article.

Then he immediately made a deflating sound.

“Huh? The National Tax Service…?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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