The Gates Opened on the First Day of Debut - Chapter 82

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Gate Burst Open on My Debut Day (82)
“Ah, yes, of course. I’m available to talk right now.”
The Loud Sound CEO, finally regaining his composure, nodded as he spoke.
[“You gave bribes, didn’t you? To our PD.”]
But before the CEO could even grasp the situation, Jang Hyuk-soo threw a direct punch right at his core.
The flustered CEO involuntarily drew in a sharp breath.
Hearing the CEO’s intake of breath, Jang Hyuk-soo added with brazen composure.
[“Ah, well, I’m just asking to confirm the facts, so there’s no need to be too alarmed.”]
“Yes, um… that’s correct. I apologize. I made a grave mistake….”
[“No, CEO.”]
Jang Hyuk-soo cut off the CEO mid-sentence.
[“There’s no need to apologize. If I’d wanted an apology, I wouldn’t have called you.”]
“Then… why…?”
[“Why? I told you at the beginning. I had something to discuss regarding Han Theo’s trainee situation.”]
The CEO swallowed hard, his throat dry.
Jang Hyuk-soo continued with unflappable ease.
[“To put it bluntly… we’re planning to release an official statement soon regarding the suspicions of Han Theo being a parachute hire.”]
And now, after all this time pretending it was someone else’s problem?
The CEO suppressed the surge of emotion rising within him.
[“I apologize for contacting you so late. We’ve been so busy that we haven’t had time to pay attention to matters concerning Han Theo’s trainee status until now.”]
Jang Hyuk-soo spun a blatant lie without batting an eye.
But the CEO could say nothing in response.
Right now, Jang Hyuk-soo held all the cards, and the CEO held none.
‘Just think of our Theo, only Theo!’
The CEO slowly took a deep breath, composing himself.
[“In any case, though it’s a bit late, I felt I should inform you before releasing the official statement.”]
“I, well… may I ask what you’re planning to include in the statement?”
Jang Hyuk-soo had only mentioned releasing a statement, but said nothing about what that statement would actually contain.
He could very well release a statement unfavorable to Han Theo.
One had to suspect, and suspect again.
[“The PD contacted me separately yesterday. The one you gave bribes to.”]
Wait, the PD?
The PD contacted Jang Hyuk-soo?
‘While ignoring my calls for days!’
But whether the CEO was shocked or not, Jang Hyuk-soo paid no mind and continued speaking calmly.
[“She left on bad terms, but she was still my junior once, and seeing her struggle without finding work troubled me. So I connected her with a decent position.”]
The CEO’s suspicions had been correct.
The PD had never intended to comply with the CEO’s request.
Everything had already been settled with Jang Hyuk-soo!
‘Damn it, if this was going to happen, why did I say I’d think about it? No, never mind the PD—focus on our Theo first….’
The Loud Sound CEO, struck by this bombshell, began contemplating how to get Han Theo debuted.
First, debuting from the EX-Grade K-POP Idol program would be difficult.
Debuting through Loud Sound was also hard, and the only option left was transferring to another Entertainment Agency….
‘Will any Entertainment Agency accept our Theo?’
Han Theo’s image had been consumed to an irreparable degree, and on top of that, he’d been branded with the label of a parachute hire….
Just as the CEO’s worries deepened.
Jang Hyuk-soo broke the silence and continued speaking.
[“If you don’t release a proper statement, he said he’ll speak to the press himself.”]
“Pardon? What do you mean….”
[“He’ll find journalists and reveal everything. That there are no high-ranking officials involved with Han Theo, only that he himself—a mere PD—accepted bribes. He claims that even without accepting the bribes, Han Theo would have definitely passed the audition.”]
The CEO couldn’t immediately grasp what Jang Hyuk-soo was saying.
Jang Hyuk-soo let out a scoff and continued.
[“I’ve never seen someone who accepted bribes speak with such confidence. At first, I thought about just letting him do as he pleased, but if that happens, the situation will become far too complicated….”]
An awkward silence descended.
After a brief moment of thought, Jang Hyuk-soo spoke again.
[“So I was thinking, what if we release a statement that all three of us—myself, you, and the Departed PD—can agree with? What do you think?”]
Good, of course it’s good.
It would solve every problem that had been tormenting me until now.
But something kept nagging at me.
“Why would you go this far?”
[“Pardon?”]
“You wouldn’t have to do this at all. The PD wouldn’t be your concern.”
Whether the PD released a statement or not, from Jang Hyuk-soo’s perspective, it was something he could easily bury if he wanted to—a trivial matter.
‘From Jang Hyuk-soo’s standpoint, there’s no reason and no need to concern himself with an incompetent CEO and a powerless PD.’
Therefore, I couldn’t help but suspect that Jang Hyuk-soo had some ulterior motive.
[“Well… you have a point, sir.”]
Jang Hyuk-soo on the other end of the phone speaker wasn’t flustered at all, even though I’d struck a nerve.
Instead, he posed a question to himself.
‘That’s right. Why am I calling the Loud Sound CEO and making this proposal?’
If I’d intended to cover this up from the start, I wouldn’t have let it escalate this far.
Leaning back in his chair, Jang Hyuk-soo slowly closed his eyes.
‘The Female PD always said Han Theo lacked narrative and character. But listening to this explanation now… even if the character is questionable, doesn’t he have enough narrative?’
The Female PD’s words came to mind.
‘Han Theo, get off the show! Or clear up the parachute hire suspicions!’
Next came the memory of people hurling insults at Han Theo.
‘But is Han Theo really a parachute hire? He’s too skilled to be called that;;’
Finally, the shifting public opinion that changed with each new stage reveal came to mind.
‘But the decisive turning point that changed my heart was… that stage.’
The Guerrilla Stage that Kim Chowol conceived and Han Theo proposed.
‘Beneath the descending sky, O Fortuna—was this too the will of the divine.’
Jang Hyuk-soo watched the stage as well.
He saw Han Theo on stage, dancing with every fiber of his being and singing with all his heart.
After a moment of choosing his words carefully, Jang Hyuk-soo finally spoke.
[“I just… if Han Theo doesn’t debut after all this, I think I’d feel a bit regretful.”]
* * *
The official statement from EX-Grade K-POP Idol went live.
[Hello, this is the production team of EX-Grade K-POP Idol.
First, we sincerely apologize to all viewers and participants for the concern caused by this incident.
Following our internal investigation into the allegations that have surfaced, we have confirmed that one PD from our company independently conducted a financial transaction with a specific Entertainment Agency CEO.
This was solely an independent action between the two individuals, and we clearly state that the main PD and all other production staff members were completely unaware of this fact. Furthermore, the trainee who participated in the program is entirely unrelated to this matter.
The PD in question has already resigned from their position given the severity of the matter and will take legal responsibility according to applicable procedures.]
Jang Hyuk-soo placed all responsibility on the Bribed PD and the Loud Sound CEO.
[Additionally, we would like to emphasize that the trainee in question is a participant with sufficient skill and capability to appear on this program. Regardless of whether any financial transaction occurred, the production team certifies that this individual is talented enough to deserve a place on stage based on their own abilities.
Going forward, we will completely overhaul our internal audit system to prevent such incidents from recurring, and we will do our best to ensure fair and transparent program operations.]
And finally, he made his position on Han Theo crystal clear.
As the official statement went live, related articles began pouring out.
[‘The Real Victim Was Someone Else’… EX-Grade K-POP Idol Production Team Had No Knowledge of Bribery]
[‘Would Have Made It Without the Bribe’… Han Theo Unfairly Branded as Nepotism Case]
[Han Theo Nepotism Scandal: The True Victims Were the Production Team and Trainees]
Whether Jang Hyuk-soo had pulled strings or not, most articles were favorable toward Han Theo and Jang Hyuk-soo.
Public opinion about Han Theo began shifting in one direction.
[[HOT] Jang Hyuk-soo and Han Theo’s Official Statement Released
There was a bribery transaction, but Jang Hyuk-soo and Han Theo didn’t know about it
└So basically, it’s the Bribed PD and the CEO who gave the bribe who are at fault?
└Seems like it? Jang Hyuk-soo and Han Theo are the victims
└But did they really not know? Feels like they’re just covering their tracks ;;>
└Well, both Jang Hyuk-soo and Han Theo’s Agency say they didn’t know, so I guess they didn’t ;;]
[[HOT] It Never Made Sense in the First Place
Han Theo of all people being a nepotism case? ;;>
└A competent nepotism case? That’s like saying a warm iced americano lol
└When everyone was happily tearing him apart for being a nepotism case, where were they? Now suddenly he doesn’t seem like one, and this flip-flopping is absolutely disgusting
└Why so angry? If you don’t like the official statement, go to the viewer forum and complain lol
└For real, Jang Hyuk-soo said he’s not a nepotism case, so what do you want us to do about it ;;]
[[HOT] People Still Insisting Han Theo is a Nepotism Case
Go watch the Guerrilla Stage direct cam footage first
Other stage direct cams barely break 50,000 views, but Han Theo’s team already has 500,000
Of course some of that is inflated because of this controversy, but once you watch the footage, any nepotism talk will disappear
└For real, Han Theo is seriously talented lol
└Han Theo is great, but the other team members were impressive too
└I was shocked at how good Kim Chowol was ;; I honestly thought Yoo Sung came up pretending to be Kim Chowol
└I really appreciate it. Compared to the stat evaluation stage, the person has really changed. It looks like he practiced really hard.]
I caught sight of my name being mentioned repeatedly, no less than Han Theo’s, and allowed myself a subtle smile.
‘It was worth using that S-Grade item.’
I nodded in satisfaction and checked my stat window.
[Basic Stats
Vocal: B-
Dance: C+
Appearance: A-]
Thanks to the EX-Grade trait ‘Mediocrity That Cannot Become Genius,’ my Vocal and Dance stats, which had been C- and D+, rose to B- and C+.
And my Charm stat, which had been B, was….
[Charm: A-]
I’d used an S-Grade stat growth voucher to raise it to A-.
In other words, when it came to charm, I was no longer inferior to Yoo Sung or Han Theo.

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