DLMS 38

chapter 38

The only thing lingering in Hongcha’s studio was cold air.

The editor and Hongcha sat there, both gripping their phones, unable to say a word.

“…….”

On Hongcha’s phone was an Instagram direct message window.
On the editor’s phone was a video rapidly circulating on Instagram.

It was a performance video of Yoo Jaehee that she had uploaded herself.
The background was one that any subscriber of Hongraebang would recognize immediately.

“What… why is this even showing up?”

In the video, Yoo Jaehee was performing Evin’s Moon on the streets of Hongdae.
From the front-facing shot, her skill was undeniable.
The audience standing behind her reacted with intense enthusiasm.

Even at a glance, she outperformed every other participant who had posted a video that day.
And the response she received was the most fervent.

“This bastard isn’t picking up his phone.”
“Did he read it and ignore it?”
“No, he isn’t even opening it.”

Hongcha had found Yoo Jaehee’s Instagram account and sent her a message.
But she hadn’t even read it.

Meanwhile, comments on the latest Hongraebang video were pouring in quickly:

• “Why was the audience member sitting front-left cut out of the video?”

• “Came here from Instagram. Why was the video cut? The reaction was great and they sang the best, so why cut it?”

• “So the rumor about being scouted is real lol. Hongcha was faking it all along lol.”

• “Was that the only person cut? Aren’t there others?”

• “Fake, sponsored content—it’s all disgusting.”

• “I was there that day, and only that person was cut.”

• “Is this really a fake broadcast?”

• “https://www.instagram.com/p/CYI-1B1Bcn… For those who missed it, here’s the cut participant’s video link.”

• “I knew it. Channels grow and everything changes the same way.”

“Ha… damn…”
“What should we do?”
“If that guy keeps not answering, we’ll have to post on the YouTube community.”
“What should we say?”
“Say that Yoo Jaehee’s video got cut and couldn’t be uploaded. What else can we do?”
“Ugh, this is driving me crazy…”

Hongcha and the editor wanted desperately to cover up the problem.
They had already thought of a way to handle this scenario in advance.
Their plan was to claim that Yoo Jaehee was cut due to the camera battery dying.

They had a plan, but they were still afraid.
Unexpectedly, Yoo Jaehee’s video had been recorded and was spreading faster and wider than anticipated.

Some of the comments about Yoo Jaehee had already become top comments, pinned at the top of the comment section.

They feared that if they followed the editor’s plan, something unpredictable might explode again.
Of course, admitting that their broadcast had been fake was out of the question.

“Ha… this is insane…”

[When are you going to check your DMs?]

“Hmm? Do I even need to check? What’s the point? The purpose is obvious anyway.”

Seolhee and Taehun had shared the video I posted on my account, and it spread faster than expected.

The post included countless hashtags related to Hongcha, and my account had been tagged,
so Hongcha found my account and sent a direct message.

I didn’t check the DM; I just left it there.
Surely, it was either a request to take down the video or some attempt at negotiation.
But what mattered to me now wasn’t negotiating—it was my recognition.

First, I needed to create an issue about myself.

[Wow, it’s really crazy. My followers are increasing super fast.]

“Exactly.”

Originally, my Instagram had 43 followers.
After posting the video, the number slowly rose to 374.
Many comments were being left under the video I posted.

While 300+ comments weren’t huge in absolute terms,
compared to before, it was a remarkable jump.

[But shouldn’t you manage your feed? A lot of people are looking now.]

“That can wait.”

As if cursed by the devil, more people were seeing my account.
The majority of comments were on my performance video, and they were largely split into two directions:

• “Wow, seriously amazing! Why was it cut?”

• “We support you! Don’t give up!”

• “Ah, the same person was sitting there clapping in the original video? LOL”

• “Cheer up. I really hope the full video gets released!”

• “Wow… this singing is insane.”

• “Never seen someone sing Evin’s Moon that well.”

Most comments praised my singing.
Some even encouraged me, treating me as if I were a victim.
I didn’t write anything about feeling unfair or questioning why the video was cut.

• “Just happened to perform on the streets of Hongdae.”

I had simply written one straightforward line.
Any comment that leaned toward a particular opinion could cause trouble later.

Then there were comments with another perspective under the video:

• “Is the mess in Hongraebang’s comment section because of this person?”

• “Take the video down. They probably just got cut because they weren’t good. Why make this a controversy?”

• “No high notes, seems average…”

• “Look at the hashtags. The purpose is obvious.”

There weren’t many negative comments, but some criticized my actions.
Likely fans of Hongcha or supporters of Hongraebang.
I couldn’t help it; I needed the recognition.
Besides, the truth about Hongraebang would soon be revealed anyway.

All day, I made no public moves.
I went to school as usual to attend lectures.

Nothing had changed about me, except for one significant difference.

“Hyung! I told you! The reaction’s real!”
“Thanks, Taehun. And Seolhee too.”
“Hyung! But you should be more thankful to me, right?”
“Haha! No, thanks to both of you.”
“Ah! But a bit more for me, right?”
“Okay, fine, you got it.”

Seolhee and Taehun immediately talked about the incident upon meeting me.
Other classmates who saw the video on my account also asked about it.

I didn’t reveal details.
I simply said that I participated in Hongraebang but posted the video because it was edited and I was disappointed.

“Hyung, your Instagram followers grew a lot, right?”
“Yes. And the comments on that video are massive too.”
“Did Hongcha’s side say anything? Your account is tagged a lot; they must know.”
“I got a DM. Didn’t reply.”
“Why?”

I looked around and whispered.

“They’re probably trying to negotiate. No need to respond.”
“Really? But maybe they’ll offer you something good.”
“No, that’s not what I want.”
“Are you sure?”
“If I stay quiet, they’ll surely create public opinion against me.”
“Hmm? That’s not good, is it?”

Taehun and Seolhee seemed worried by my bold attitude.
They had reason to be.
No matter how good I was at music or had experience at a big company,
I didn’t seem strong enough to defeat Hongcha.

“This might be disadvantageous now, but it’s a sort of noise marketing. I need to stay quiet for now.”

They didn’t quite understand my plan.

“First, I’ve made myself known.”
“Right.”
“Then, when the positive opinion about me dies down a bit, I rise again—it’s better for leaving an impression.”
“Hmm…”

They exchanged a look.

“But do you have a plan? Aren’t you trying to fight too big a channel?”

Seolhee asked with concern.
Understandable—they didn’t know what I had with Lim Taehyun.

“It’s fine. I have a plan.”

I smiled confidently at my two juniors.
Though they nodded, worry remained in their eyes.

“Don’t overdo it, hyung.”
“Yeah, thanks.”

Meanwhile, Hongcha, still holding a phone with no reply, seemed to make a decision.

“Yeah, this is right. No response anyway.”
“Right. We should act before things escalate further.”

After worrying all day, Hongcha and the editor decided to post on YouTube and Instagram.
They couldn’t just watch malicious comments escalate suspicions.

“We’ll post it.”
“Okay.”

Since this involved a big channel, public reaction was heated.
Most attacked Hongcha, of course, but there were supporters as well.
Hongcha finally released a statement on community boards and Instagram:

• “Hello, this is Hongcha.
  Regarding the Hongraebang content controversy since yesterday, I am posting this to clarify.
  Many participants joined last week’s Hongdae Hongraebang content, but a participant’s video was omitted by accident.
  During the interview shoot of the previous participant, the camera battery died, so one participant’s performance could not be recorded.
  We apologize for not checking the battery before shooting.
  Also, rumors that we scouted participants are false.
  We sincerely apologize to any participant affected and our subscribers confused by this controversy.
  We will work to improve Hongcha in the future.”

The post quickly received a flurry of comments:

• “Ah, that makes sense. What controversy?!”

• “I believed you!”

• “Suspicious things can’t be helped. Hongcha, just go for it.”

• “Wasn’t Yoo Jaehee just seeking attention?”

• “Then why not upload the full video? Why end with just a post?”

• “The scouting rumor makes no sense. The battery died.”

• “No admission of fault lol”

• “There is.”

• “So many idiots in the comments. The video got cut, what more do you want?”

• “I really believed in you, Hongcha! Don’t get hurt by malicious comments, and keep making good content!”

Just posting stirred public opinion again.
Though some still criticized Hongcha, supportive comments now greatly outnumbered them.
Hongcha and the editor had anticipated they couldn’t completely suppress the controversy,
but this was sufficient.

Yoo Jaehee remained inactive.
Their own response was reasonable.
Now, it was up to the public to decide whom to believe.

“Damn, there are still idiots whining.”
“We just uploaded videos of people who sing well. How’s that wrong?”
“Those complaining are just jealous we got money.”

They cursed at comments that didn’t believe them.

“We’ll do better next time.”
“Ha, would we even get paid if we were scared of this?”

The editor’s careless remark made Hongcha flare up:

“What are you talking about? After this incident, even if we take real street performers again, will it go well?”
“No, I just meant that.”
“If only Jo Woo-hyun had arrived quickly that day…”

Jo Woo-hyun—the person after Yoo Jaehee’s turn at Hongraebang—pressured to exclude her from the video.
He opposed Yoo Jaehee being on camera, fearing it would diminish his own popularity.

“Don’t get close to Jo Woo-hyun in the future.”
“I won’t even look at that guy…”
“Anyway, at least one worry is gone. In time, people will forget this.”
“Yeah, probably.”

Hongcha and the editor believed the controversy would die down if no one acted further.
And that was correct, as long as no one moved.