From Stage To Barracks

chapter 15

As Twice members finally made it back to the company, a mixture of anger and frustration simmered within them. They knew they couldn't protect themselves as idols, and the fact that they had been put in such a vulnerable position grated on their pride.

In the company's meeting room, JYP and other officials gathered to address the situation. There was a tense silence as everyone awaited the invester's decision. He leaned back in his chair and eventually signed the documents, signifying that they were safe for now. However, he couldn't contain his displeasure, and he spoke out, "I've lost a hundred million won because of this ordeal."

JYP himself was visibly angry about the comment, but before he could respond, it was Jihyo who broke her silence, her voice seething with frustration. She said, "We've worked hard, given countless hits, and made you a lot of money. With all that income, you couldn't even provide us with proper protection. Don't you feel ashamed?"

Nayeon chimed in, her tone equally reproachful, "You didn't even send a single bodyguard who could have offered even a modicum of protection. Isn't it your responsibility as our agency?"

Jeongyeon took the floor, her emotions raw with anger and frustration as she began to list a series of concerns and shortcomings that had plagued the members of Twice during their harrowing ordeal. Her words emphasized the ways in which the agency had failed to fulfill its primary duty - protecting its artists.

"Firstly," she declared, her voice seething with anger, "there was a glaring lack of security measures in place. We were left without proper protection, no bodyguards, and no surveillance to ensure our safety."

Jeongyeon's frustration was palpable as she continued, her voice carrying the weight of their distress, "Secondly, the agency's response to our distress signals during our abduction was inadequate, to say the least. Our pleas for help were met with delays and insufficient action."

The gravity of their situation weighed heavily on her as she went on, her anger intensifying, "Thirdly, we were allowed to attend a schedule without any form of protection. This recklessness led directly to the dangerous situation we found ourselves in."

Her voice grew even firmer, bordering on incredulity, as she addressed another major issue, "Fourth, our personal privacy was invaded without our consent. This breach of trust is unforgivable."

Finally, Jeongyeon didn't shy away from addressing the financial repercussions, stating with a bitter tone, "Fifth, we are aware of the financial impact on the investors. We understand the cost, but it's the price we paid for neglecting our safety."

Jeongyeon's impassioned words were a powerful indictment of the agency's negligence, laying bare the failures that had left them vulnerable. It underscored the urgent need for the company to prioritize the safety and security of its artists moving forward.

JYP himself, confronted with the gravity of the situation and the impassioned plea from Jeongyeon and others, felt a deep sense of remorse and sadness. The weight of their ordeal weighed heavily on him, and he realized that there were more important matters than money.

Instantly, he transformed from a stern and composed figure into a genuinely contrite and compassionate leader. With sincerity in his voice and eyes, he addressed the members of Twice, "I am truly sorry. I didn't consider the full extent of the distress you went through, and I neglected my responsibility to ensure your safety. Money is insignificant compared to your well-being and peace of mind."

JYP's heartfelt apology and change of demeanor conveyed his genuine remorse and commitment to addressing the issues at hand. It was a pivotal moment in which the focus shifted from financial matters to the well-being and security of the artists under his care.