FALLEN WONDERLAND 「LEE SOO HYUK & SEO YEA JI FICTION」

22: It was not meant to be

As they approached Incheon International Airport, the flight was coming to an end. They were all hunched over their iPads, scrolling through social media and reading articles about their recent successful runway show. Manager Kim couldn't help but be proud of their efforts, and he knew they had worked well together as a team.

Lee abruptly stopped what he was doing and gave Seo the link to their interview. "Look at this," he continued, a grin spreading over his face.

Seo felt a wave of comfort flood over her as she watched the interview. They were obviously on friendly terms, and their responses were both professional. "I'm glad we were able to put our differences aside and work together," she said to Lee.

Lee agreed with a nod "Me too. It is critical that we demonstrate to the world that we can communicate and produce excellent work."

Manager Kim grinned, as he couldn't help but observe Lee and Seo's calm demeanor. They had clearly settled their differences and were ready to move forward. "That's correct. We all have our own set of abilities and shortcomings, but when we work together, we can do amazing things."

After a brief pause, he said, "So, what's next for you, Miss Seo? I'm sure you'll have plenty of tasks ready for you," Manager Kim smiled, trying to sound optimistic, after all, despite Seo's scandals and bitchy attitude, the girl was a professional actress. Even though most agencies and producers disliked her, she was always able to find work. "We should include you again in the next runaway show, you did such an excellent job," Kim continued, looking at Lee for a good answer.

Lee adjusted his weight in his seat "I understand, but it's not that easy. While posing as a fashion model, there are a few things to keep in mind. Yea-Ji certainly has the beauty and manages to walk the catwalk, but her attitude is a major concern."

Manager Kim agreed with a nod "Yeah, working as a model may be difficult, and you must exercise caution while communicating with the employees and designers. Miss Seo, I feel you did an excellent job this time."

Seo didn't seem offended by Lee's words; in fact, she agreed with him that every job has a limit to the attitude you can bring with you. It didn't take long for them to talk about the problems with runaway shows and the dangers that a model could face.

When they chatted, they discovered they all had the same goal: to make the business more inclusive and trustworthy. They talked about how important it is to break down stereotypes and embrace different body types, ages, and ethnicities in entertainment. They also made some remarks about the shady agencies and individuals who are causing harm to the people who work there.

As the flight continued, the three of them lapsed into a comfortable silence, scrolling through their iPads and catching up on the latest news. Manager Kim, in particular, had a habit of checking up on the Nang Family, a powerful and notorious conglomerate that Lee Soo Hyuk had worked for in the past. He kept tabs on their business dealings and any news or rumors surrounding the family.

So when Nang Unji's late-night show appeared on Manager Kim's radar, he clicked on it without much thought. The first guests were discussing trivial topics like fashion and music, but his interest was piqued when the last guest was revealed - Lee's younger sister, Lee Su-Ah.

Manager Kim's expression shifted as he watched the interview. He didn't say anything to Lee or Seo, not wanting to alarm them until he knew what was being discussed. But his concern grew as Su-Ah began ranting about Seo Yea Ji, revealing personal details about her feud with Lee. Manager Kim knew that this would not only damage Seo's reputation but also raise doubts about the authenticity of the interview they had given in France to address the feud.