GIJS

Chapter 73 Why Write an Apology?

After filming for Masterpiece Genuine Antiques ended, the first thing to explode was Professor Won Gyun-sang's SNS post.

"Filming with a famous idol, a bitter aftertaste."

[He had been a consultant on *Masterpiece Genuine Antiques* for three years. Though he had interacted with various guests, last week's experience was special.

Though he didn't expect extraordinary respect, he hoped for at least minimal courtesy.

Especially considering that the guest was supposed to be someone embodying the 'scholar' concept.

However, his demeanor was far from what one would expect from a scholar.

He was likely much older than the young idol.

To be mocked by someone so young was unimaginable.

Especially in the middle of the *Masterpiece Genuine Antiques* studio.

Nowadays, it seems agencies even provide character education.

Was I wrong in my understanding?

The thought of creating another 'character controversy' weighed heavily on me.

But who would dare discipline a newly debuted idol?

I leave this message hoping for a bright future for him.]

Won Gyun-sang was already not in his right mind. Facing the risk of missing the authentic painting of Sim Sa-jeong, he had been mocked with a poem at the end of the shoot.

Though he was knowledgeable, Won Gyun-sang knew the meaning and tone of the poem written by Gun-ja.

"Paga-ya? That young brat..."

Even knowing the possibility of backlash, Won Gyun-sang posted his message. At this point, he had lost his rational judgment.

Won Gyun-sang's SNS post spread rapidly through major communities.

"Professor's review after filming with a famous idol.jpg" 
"Eh, what's this?" 
"Is this really the professor's account?" 
"It seems like it, haha. I checked earlier and the post is still there." 
"Is this about Yu Gun-ja?" 
"Is there another famous idol who filmed recently other than him?" 
"Haha, this is crazy." 
"Is this really a character issue?" 
"Wasn't he just playing nice on A-Yuk-Si2?" 
"How can there be a character issue from the first variety show?" 
"Does Solar System not manage such things?" 
"I thought even if he was a character player, he had good character." 
"Goodbye, Gun-ja. Don't go too far~"

Negative sentiment spread quickly. The attention on the rookie idol, just for appearing on Masterpiece Genuine Antiques, was already high.

The anti-fans, who had disappeared after the audition, seemed thrilled. Character controversies were the tastiest bait for them.

With the controversy heating up, Solar System, the agency of 7IN, was in crisis.

Of course, there was no need to verify the facts. Team Leader Seo and Manager Lee were present at the scene.

Professor Won Gyun-sang's SNS post was not true. Although there was a debate between Gun-ja and Won Gyun-sang, Gun-ja had not acted particularly rudely.

However, what mattered to netizens was not the facts.

The controversial concept idol being a character disaster was too juicy a topic to ignore.

Now Solar System and Team Leader Seo had to make a decision.

"What should we do, Team Leader?"

"..."

"First, we need to quickly prepare an apology..."

However, Team Leader Seo shook his head.

An authentic apology might help calm the public, but writing one essentially meant admitting wrongdoing.

Of course, if there was any fault, an apology was necessary, but Seo felt that Gun-ja had no reason to write one.

"An apology is premature."

"Then should we issue a clarification?"

"No."

"Then what..."

"Let's wait for now."

"Pardon?"

After filming for Masterpiece Genuine Antiques concluded, Team Leader Seo had already summoned Gun-ja to understand the situation.

Why was Gun-ja so fixated on that painting?

Why did he go so far as to suggest burning the painting and argue with Professor Won Gyun-sang?

Gun-ja believed the painting was authentic. He thought Professor Won Gyun-sang, despite knowing this, was trying to lower the value of the item for some reason.

Team Leader Seo found it hard to believe, but Gun-ja was firm. He had already requested a re-evaluation from another consultant, Professor Kang Yun-sung.

The re-evaluation results would likely come out tomorrow.

If the re-evaluation results confirm Professor Won's claims, then a formal apology would be necessary. It would mean that the program's advisory professor was indeed correct, and there was no basis for the argument.

However, if Gunja's belief proves to be accurate, and Professor Won turns out to be truly deceitful while Gunja exposed this, public opinion would dramatically shift.

The exposure of a villain who deceived with the authority of an advisory professor would be a sensation, potentially making international news. Furthermore, Solar System wouldn't even need to clarify the facts publicly.

"Hey, team leader, look at this. The staff from [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques] posted something on SNS."

Even without the agency taking action, the staff and cast of [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques] began defending Gunja.

The first post came from the show's production manager:

"I've been with [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques] for two years now. Honestly, it's not a high-paying job. But when they call, I go without question. It's a joy to experience our culture.

I've met many guests, but very few are like Gunja. Especially younger ones who often just kill time.

But Gunja was different. His sincerity towards each item was evident. He was incredibly kind to the staff and greeted us with 90-degree bows, making us feel more embarrassed than anything.

I'm sure everyone who was there would agree. My team and I have all become fans because of this opportunity!"

The production manager's post sparked a wave of positive testimonials from the staff. This unexpected turn of events was a boon for Solar System.

"Team leader, it seems like [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques] has cut ties with Professor Won."

"It seems so."

It wasn't difficult to infer why the production team had distanced themselves from Professor Won. Just as Gunja claimed, Professor Won had indeed caused trouble.

The next day, the re-evaluation results led by Professor Kang Yun-seong were announced. The result confirmed that the artwork was authentic. Gunja's assessment had been correct.

The artwork brought by the client was one of Shim Sa-jeong's old sketches, worth several million won.

Gunja, who remained unfazed during the controversy, was elated when the authenticity of the client's artwork was confirmed.

"Team leader! Manager! It turns out the painting was real!"

"...Yes, Gunja was right."

"Wow, it's amazing. Gunja, how did you know?"

"It was obvious Shim Sa-jeong's current work!"

"Oh, really?"

"I should thank Professor Kang Yun-seong as well."

Seeing Gunja converse politely with Professor Kang, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo grew to trust Gunja deeply. It seemed that this young man's character would not be an issue.

* * *

The public's reaction remained polarized until the airing of [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques]. Some believed that there must have been an issue if a professor posted on SNS, while others argued that the professor was speaking nonsense, based on staff testimonies.

The truth would be revealed during the broadcast.

Naturally, interest in [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques] surged to unprecedented levels.

On the day of Gunja's episode, although [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques] typically had a viewership rating of about 5%, it achieved a remarkable 19% rating from the start.

"...Unbelievable."

For PD Han Gu-heon, it was the highest level of attention he had ever experienced. Moreover, he felt that this episode was the best he had ever produced.

A young guest engaging in an argument with an advisory professor was unprecedented in the history of [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques].

If it had been any other time, the argument would have been cut from the show, but Han Gu-heon decided to follow the lead of PD Kim Seok-hoon from [Ayuksi].

Why cut something interesting? Put it all in.

As a result, Gunja's screen time was substantial from the beginning.

He explained the difference between a nobleman and a vagabond accurately and continued to showcase his extensive knowledge of ceramics and wooden furniture, ensuring he had ample screen time.

[LOL Gunja is so funny] [Where's the controversy over his character?] [So cute how he knows all that stuff] [Why is a 20-year-old idol so good at Joseon white porcelain?] [Fans are so excited, LOL] [Isn't that all scripted?] [Did they let him know in advance?] [Why bother with [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques]?] [Why boost Gunja?] [Isn't this setup by the agency?] [Solar System is doing a good job] [I'm curious, isn't it tiring to scrutinize everything so closely?]

Throughout the broadcast, public opinion remained sharply divided. As the episode revealed the current artwork and the argument between Gunja and Professor Won continued, viewership soared beyond 20%.

"20% viewership for [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques]?"

Even as he looked at the graph, Han Gu-heon couldn't believe it. He thought he would never see ratings above 10% in his career.

But 20%? Was this the power of an idol?

However, idols didn't always bring such results. Sometimes, ratings even dropped when unfamiliar idols appeared.

This wasn't about the idol; it was about Gunja. He was exceptional.

As the heated debate between Gunja and Professor Won continued, the 'Anti-Gunja' faction grew more active, citing his disrespectful behavior towards the advisory professor as evidence.

Gunja's fans could only momentarily retreat. Although the argument wasn't inherently wrong, they saw Gunja's behavior as somewhat uncouth.

Moreover, the proposal to set the painting on fire if it was fake seemed like a drastic measure to viewers.

[LOL So that's why the professor's SNS post was about that] [No wonder, so irritating] [Old-timers, can't a guest argue with a professor?] [So Gunja knows more about the painting than Professor Won?] [Isn't suggesting burning it a threat, not an argument?] [What if Professor Won had actually set it on fire?] [Have you considered that Gunja might be right?] [Fans seem brainwashed] [How can he be right? He's not a top scholar] [LOL, really at a loss for words]

As the argument between the two neared its end, viewership climbed to 25%.

With only Gunja's segment on writing poetry left, the 'Anti-Gunja' faction was thrilled.

Gunja, who was expected to succeed, had caused such a problem, especially related to his character.

[LOL, should we re-evaluate Joo Ha-sung?] [What, are you Joo Kwi?] [LOL, here comes the fanboys' typical response] [They've been like this since [Ayuksi], no words left] [Wow, the fanboys are still around, like cockroaches] [Sorry fans, but can you retreat today?] [Don't you see Gunja's downfall?] [Re-check the viewer votes] [How can such a concept-driven person win first place?] [LOL, let's reveal everything] [Let's bring it up at the national audit]

However, as the debate between Gunja and Professor Won was wrapping up, articles about [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques] flooded the internet.

[[Masterpiece Genuine Antiques] Re-evaluation Ends with 'Genuine' Judgment... Current Painting by Shim Sa-jeong] [Rare 'Big Breakthrough' on Masterpiece Genuine Antiques: What's the True Value of Shim Sa-jeong's Landscape Painting?] [Ho Won-gi, President of the Korean Antique Art Research Society, Confirms: "It's Definitely Shim Sa-jeong's Painting."] [The Controversial Re-evaluation: How Did an Idol Recognize Shim Sa-jeong?]

At the same time, Gunja's poem aired on the broadcast, and public opinion began to dramatically shift once more.