GIJS

Chapter 114 Karma

Since the rumors about Yu Gun-ja's motorcycle started circulating, Park Young-jae began going live on his broadcasts more frequently than usual.

This was a stark contrast to his previous image of maintaining an air of mystery and minimal interaction with fans.

"Hi hi~ I'm here again."

Every time he went live, Yu Gun-ja's story came up. Most of the discussions revolved around the recent accusations of gang-like behavior.

[Young-jae oppa! ] [Seems like you practiced again todayㅠㅠㅠ] [Is it tough? Did you have dinner?] [I'm happy you're going live often latelyㅎㅎ] [Please share some stories about ㄱㄱㅈ] [Rumors are just nonsense;;] [Our kid isn't a rumor] [ㄱㄱㅈ Rumors aren't even managed by chat managers] [ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Young-jae, please tell us some stories~]

Of course, mentioning rumors was prohibited during the live broadcasts. The Nations management team had been strict about banning fans who mentioned unfavorable rumors about Park Young-jae.

However, the response to Yu Gun-ja's rumors was different. Even if fans crossed the line, the chat managers didn't seem inclined to manage it.

Park Young-jae himself only fueled the fans' curiosity with his vague responses.

"Uh, I wasn't that close to him... So it's a bit awkward to talk about other artists. Please understand."

[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ No, that's not true] [I saw you were quite close in the Song Camp episode] [Ugh, the Song Camp thing makes me so angryㅠㅠ] [ㄱㄱㅈ That really crossed the line] [Young-jae, you must be upsetㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ] [Our Young-jae only knows singing and dancing] [Well, let's not be close from now on] [Anyway, it's going down the drain, lol] [But did he really ride a motorcycle?] [I'm curious] [If he was a bully, he'd have been famous in school]

"To be honest, I didn't know he rode a motorcycle. If I had known, I might have told him not to because it's dangerous..."

[ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ How kind] [Seriously, what's up with those who doubted our kid was a bully...] [Some even said ㄱㄱㅈ raised him up during high school] [They say Young-jae taught him all about singing and dancing] [Isn't that just madness? Betraying a benefactor is too much] [Young-jae, you must have had a hard timeㅠㅠㅠㅠ] [Why is he suspected of being a bully because of a crazy guy?]

"I'm fine. Since the No-Dyu days, I've been getting a lot of work... Even though it's tough, you all always comfort me."

As he spoke, Park Young-jae subtly wiped his eyes. Every time Yu Gun-ja's name came up, Park Young-jae often showed a pitiable expression, as if he had suffered emotionally.

Clips of Park Young-jae crying and subtly disparaging Yu Gun-ja spread across video platforms. Seeing public opinion slowly turn in his favor, Park Young-jae felt triumphant. Each live broadcast saw his comments become more intense.

"If I had known earlier, I would have stopped him from going down a bad path..."

"It was really unfair when I was accused. To be called the perpetrator..."

"Legal action? I'm not sure. The company will probably handle it."

While Park Young-jae was in the spotlight, Yu Gun-ja and Solar System were eerily silent. Fans, insisting that prompt action was crucial, were restless, but Solar system showed no signs of taking action.

Just when Park Young-jae's fans were sure of their victory, interpreting silence as an admission of guilt,

Solar system, who had seemed like they wouldn't move at all, suddenly called an emergency press conference.

* * *

The press conference held in the Seoul L Hotel conference room was packed with entertainment reporters. It seemed like all the entertainment reporters in South Korea were there.

On the podium were Team Leader Seo Eun-woo, Yu Gun-ja, and all the members of 7IN. Although the press conference was about an incident involving Yu Gun-ja, the members wanted to be there together. Dressed in formal suits for the serious occasion, the members all appeared sharp.

"Don't be nervous. I'm not at fault here."

"Yeah. We're here to clear up the misunderstanding."

"...Huh, hyung, it's okay..."

The colleagues held Yu Gun-ja's hand under the table to reassure him. However, Yu Gun-ja thought the colleagues seemed even more nervous.

"You all seem more nervous to me."

"What? No, do I look like it?"

"...Taewoong, are you saying you're nervous or not?"

"But how come you're so calm, hyung, making us look awkward?"

"In the past, many scholars were wrongfully exiled due to false accusations."

"Hyung, you're talking about the Joseon Dynasty again."

"That's not all. If they couldn't clear their name, some had to drink poison in exile."

"Wow."

"Those who died without clearing their grievances often became restless spirits wandering the earth..."

"Okay, I know you're mentally strong, so stop..."

"You're not just pretending to be okay, are you?"

"I don't think so. That hyung can't hide his expression well."

As he currently was, Yu Gun-ja was bad at hiding his emotions. If he were even slightly nervous, it would likely show on his face. However, Yu Gun-ja showed no signs of anxiety. Instead, his face was filled with confidence and dignity.

Flashes of cameras went off incessantly at Yu Gun-ja's calm face.

Click, click-.

His composed and dignified appearance amidst the controversy reminded some of an actor who calmly spoke about the gravity of false accusations.

"...He's quite handsome."

"Is this a press conference or a showcase..."

"Looks good in a suit too."

"By the way, I'm curious about how they'll clarify things."

The reporters were eager to know how they would address the controversy. However, for Team Leader Seo Eun-woo and Yu Gun-ja, this press conference was not just about making clarifications.

Clarification was a given. They also had to enforce retribution.

Before the press conference, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo had quietly gathered Yu Gun-ja. The collection of evidence was already complete.

Evidence proving Park Young-jae's school violence, as well as evidence of Park Young-jae making inappropriate comments to Noel, a trainee from the same agency, and several idol trainees and internet broadcasters.

Even Dispatch, which first reported the Park Young-jae-Hye-jin dating rumor, joined the investigation. They provided evidence that Hye-jin's departure from [Sing Along Duo] was not because of Park Young-jae cutting ties, but due to Park Young-jae's persistent harassment and inappropriate comments.

"With this, Park Young-jae will likely face irreparable damage."

"Indeed."

"But if Mr. Yu Gun-ja doesn't want it disclosed..."

"No, I want it disclosed."

"!"

"Retribution (因果應報). It is one of my favorite phrases."

Park Young-jae deserves to be punished.

Because of his bullying, the previous owner of this body was destroyed. That mental collapse indirectly led to death.

As the person who inherited this body and began a new life, the scholar had a duty to avenge that grudge. Perhaps the spirit still roams in the afterlife.

In the middle of the press conference, the scholar calmly and firmly addressed each controversy. The evidence supporting his claims was presented by Team Leader Seo Eun-woo.

He had ridden a motorcycle, but had no connection to the school violence circle.

Park Young-jae had relentlessly tormented the scholar from his 3rd year of middle school to his 1st year of high school.

Park Young-jae had trampled on and mocked the scholar's dream of becoming an idol, making him the laughingstock.

As a result, he began to skip school.

Eventually, he became a recluse who would not leave his room and even started riding a motorcycle in search of an escape.

There was substantial evidence for the claims: chat logs from Park Young-jae's group chat, and restored conversations from the scholar's old smartphone through digital forensics.

There were also numerous witnesses. No one could have forgotten Park Young-jae's atrocities. Their memories might have been distorted, though.

The scholar's statement that Park Young-jae was an "attacker, not a friend" corrected their distorted memories.

The testimony, organized according to the principle of six questions, was far more compelling than mere online rumors. The press conference was being broadcast on YouTube via Solar system's live streaming channel.

Fans of 7IN, as well as Park Young-jae's fans, all watched the broadcast. Yet none could counter the claims. All the evidence and testimonies seemed too clear.

"As we gathered more evidence and met with witnesses, our trust in our artist was further solidified. If Park Young-jae and Nations wish to refute these claims, we are prepared to validate the facts through a multi-party direct confrontation with additional witnesses."

Team Leader Seo Eun-woo's firm statement stirred murmurs among the reporters. It was a statement that could only be made with absolute conviction.

"However, they probably won't be able to do that. We are confident, but Nations will not be."

"!"

"We have identified the informant who spread malicious rumors about Mr. Yu Gun-ja through investigative agencies. It turns out they are an employee of Nations. We have made our stance clear through this public press conference. However, Nations seems to prefer spreading rumors anonymously."

The murmurs grew louder with each new piece of evidence. Even reporters were surprised that Nations would attack the scholar in such a petty manner.

After Team Leader Seo Eun-woo's remarks, the scholar took the microphone again.

Addressing the camera as if speaking to someone beyond the streaming lens, the scholar spoke directly.

"I am an idol. Therefore, it was difficult for me to announce that I was a victim of school violence. Even if I am innocent, controversies do not benefit an idol."

"···."

"But if the victim cannot speak out, something is terribly wrong."

"···."

"I want to ask Park Young-jae, who claimed to be my friend. Were we truly friends? Were all his actions just jokes?"

"···."

"Of course, I will not believe his words. He said I would never become an idol, but as you can see, I have achieved my dream."

A low murmur of awe emerged among the reporters. Colleagues also tightly held the scholar's hand. But the scholar seemed to have more to say.

His previously confident expression had darkened slightly.

Having said enough about Park Young-jae, it was time to apologize to those who were concerned.

"However, I am deeply sorry to my fans. I have caused worry instead of being loyal to those who always supported me. This is an act of disloyalty."

Fans watching the broadcast felt their hearts breaking.

Tears flowed not only from proving his innocence but also because the scholar, who must have suffered the most, was apologizing. Fans' eyes were brimming with tears.

[ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ] [ㅠㅠㅠ I'm really crying right now] [This is the first time I've cried so much while being a fan] [Why is he so dignified even in this situationㅠㅠㅠㅠ] [You've suffered··· You've been through so much, Gun-ja] [What disloyalty are you talking aboutㅠㅠㅠㅠ] [You don't need to apologize to usㅜㅜㅠㅠㅜ] [We are sorry··· We were happy just because you appeared on NoDyu without knowing] [How much you must have sufferedㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ] [When I think about Park Young-jae pushing Gun-ja during live broadcasts, it makes me really angry] [I want to say pretty things, but it's really hard]

"I also apologize to my parents. They probably didn't know. The reason I didn't want to go to school, the reason I locked myself away in a room like a coffin. The late revelation of the truth that hurt my parents' hearts. This is an act of unfilial piety."

The scholar's parents, Jo Yeon-soo and Yu Sang-hyeon, were also watching the broadcast. Tears were also streaming from their eyes.

"···We didn't know..."

"What do we do, dear? How much our Gun-ja must have suffered···"

Jo Yeon-soo and Yu Sang-hyeon were consumed by immense guilt. They had been frustrated without knowing the reasons behind their son's suffering. Fans felt similarly guilty. Who would have known that behind the always cheerful Gun-ja, there was such a past?

The dark expression on the scholar's face was due to this.

The revulsion towards Park Young-jae was bearable. But enduring the guilt of those precious to him because of himself was not easy.

With an effort to smile, the scholar poured his sincerity into every word.

"Parents, and dear fans. Please do not blame yourselves. Just as you empathize with my sorrow, I too feel sorrow when you are sad."

"···."

"I will not forget today's disloyalty and unfilial piety. I will live a life where no one is bullied, and where I am not bullied by anyone."

* * *

As soon as the press conference ended, a flood of new articles began to appear. After the "motorcycle rumor" broke, the public seemed to support Park Young-jae. However, now everyone was united in their stance.

The evidence provided by the scholar and Solar system was flawless. Park Young-jae seemed to have no way of escaping the net of testimonies. To make matters worse, the flow of reports continued online.

Reports that someone had seen Park Young-jae making Yu Gun-ja sing and dance.

"Ahhhhhh—!!"

Park Young-jae screamed as he threw his smartphone onto the bed. Since yesterday, he had been avoiding any schedule and laying low.

Actually, it was even difficult to call it just laying low. All TV shows, radio programs, and advertisements had started to cut ties with him.

But this was only the beginning of retribution.

[[Dispatch Exclusive] Park Young-jae – Hye-jin, The Truth Behind the Sudden Departure on the Sing Along Duo.] [[Dispatch Exclusive] 'School Violence Controversy' Park Young-jae, Now There's a Women Issue.] [[Dispatch Exclusive] Active Idol Harassing Fan? Dispatch Reporters Stunned by the Unprecedented Evidence.]

Before Nations could recover from the right hook, Dispatch delivered a merciless left hook.