wavenovel Chapter 1500 Finding a Solution
Chapter 1500 Finding a Solution
Chapter 1500 Finding a Solution
Manager Kim Sang-min stood at the door, his sullen aura almost enveloping the entire practice room, his usually gentle eyes now filled with rage.
In an instant, the girls all lowered their heads, and even their breathing became much softer.
In the end, Kim Sang-min's gaze was fixed on Park Ji-hyo.
Park Jihyo shuddered violently, her fingertips clenched instantly, and her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand. A strong, unprecedented sense of unease swept over her body, and she instinctively shrank back.
Sure enough, the next second, Kim Sang-min could no longer suppress his anger. He took big strides and stormed towards Park Ji-hyo. His leather shoes made a heavy sound on the floor, and every step seemed to pound on everyone's hearts.
Park Ji-hyo!
Kim Sang-min lowered his voice and asked, enunciating each word clearly, "Are you in a relationship?"
These words struck Park Ji-hyo like a thunderclap, leaving her mind blank and her heart skipping a beat.
She abruptly raised her head, a hint of panic in her eyes, and shook her head, trying to appear calm: "No...no, Oppa, I..."
Her denial did not quell Kim Sang-min's anger; instead, it enraged him even more.
Kim Sang-min took a sudden step forward, almost roaring at her, "No? You're still hiding it now?"
Park Jihyo was so startled by the roar that she froze on the spot.
"You've really gotten quite capable!"
Kim Sang-min pointed at her nose and cursed, his tone full of exasperation: "In the middle of the night, instead of sleeping, you actually sneaked out of the dorm to go find your boyfriend. Ugh, Park Ji-hyo, you're really something!"
"Your dashing figure was captured by reporters, and you didn't even know that?"
Kim Sang-min's words were like ice water poured over Park Ji-hyo, leaving her frozen in place, unable to refute what she was about to say.
Upon hearing this, the TWICE members nearby immediately cowered, realizing that the matter could no longer be concealed.
"Who are you going to see? Kang Daniel, right?"
Kim Sang-min's words were like knives, each one piercing the heart without mercy: "Wannaone has only been around for a short time, and you're already dating him?"
“When Wanna One had that incident a while ago, you rushed out to comfort them. You’re so thoughtful, so thoughtful that you forgot about your own identity and the whole group!”
Kim Sang-min's curses were loud and harsh, echoing in the empty practice room, and the members around him fell silent.
Park Jihyo stood there, her cheeks flushed red, then turned deathly pale in an instant.
Having their privacy exposed in public and being so mercilessly berated, it felt like all their pride and dignity had been trampled underfoot.
The sight instantly reddened Park Jihyo's eyes, tears welling up and threatening to spill over. She bit her lower lip, stubbornly holding back her tears, remaining silent, though her shoulders trembled slightly.
"Do you know you're the captain?"
Seeing that she didn't speak, Kim Sang-min's anger intensified, and his voice rose several decibels: "You are the leader of Twice! You are the role model for the entire group! Do you know how much damage it would do to the group if news of your relationship were exposed? Do you even know that you are a female idol?"
Twice has always followed the route of energetic girls and approachable girlfriends, and its core fans are mostly male. Once a member is exposed to dating news, it will have a huge impact on popularity, reputation and commercial value, and may even directly affect the future of the entire group.
JYP is well aware of this, which is why they are so resistant to their members dating.
Or rather, it's not that they're against dating, but rather against being exposed... or rather, they're afraid.
Park Jihyo pursed her lips, holding back her tears in silence. Of course, she knew that the company had a no-dating policy, and she also knew that as the leader, she should set an example.
But when she fell in love, she always thought she could hide it well, withstand all the pressure, and not be discovered.
But being exposed in public and scolded harshly at this moment, the panic and pressure are really suffocating.
At the same time, an overwhelming sense of grievance and dissatisfaction welled up inside.
...Why? Why did the company completely ignore Mina's relationship from beginning to end? She still vividly remembers the scene where Kim Sang-min wanted to be angry but couldn't, and finally forced a smile.
But why was she the one who was publicly scolded without any mercy as soon as she was discovered?
The more she thought about it, the more unbalanced she felt.
This feeling of injustice grew wildly in her heart, making her feel wronged and resentful. However, she dared not say a word in the face of her furious manager and could only hold back her tears.
"Even if you're really obsessed with dating, can't you be a little more discreet?"
Kim Sang-min continued his tirade, his tone filled with anger at his son's lack of self-control: "Don't you know how to disguise yourself when you go out? Don't you know how to find a private way to get around? Don't you know how to have someone pick you up? You just walked around like that and got photographed! How could you be so stupid? So brainless?"
"You insist on taking a taxi yourself? Can't you even find a private car? If you can't find one, can't you find that Kang Daniel too? If it's really impossible, just give me a call, and I'll send your van over, okay?"
The manager's sarcastic remarks elicited strange expressions from the other members, and Park Jihyo, the one being mocked, finally couldn't take it anymore and blurted out, "Didn't they say the dating ban was only for three years..."
"ah!"
Upon hearing this, Kim Sang-min seemed to have a fuse lit: "A dating ban? You have the nerve to talk to me about a dating ban?"
"Ah Xi, you've really grown up, all wings have hardened, you're actually using this as an excuse?"
"The no-dating rule is the bottom line set by the company for you. Let me tell you, even if the three-year period hasn't ended yet, you still have to keep your relationships completely hidden and behave yourself!"
Kim Sang-min's voice was like a roar. This usually mild-mannered manager seemed to have been thoroughly enraged by Park Ji-hyo's words: "Sneaking out in the middle of the night like this, without any sense of discretion, and being photographed by reporters, leaving solid evidence, no ban will work!"
Kim Sang-min was clearly very angry, and his voice was so loud that those around him even trembled upon hearing it.
Actually, such a private matter as dating should have been handled privately by calling Park Jihyo into his office. However, the reason for discussing it in front of others was that Kim Sang-min was extremely angry at the moment. The company was caught off guard by the news of the dating paparazzi.
Secondly, both the company and Kim Sang-min have sensed that Twice, who have been in the industry for over two years, are starting to make trouble. Several members have clearly become ambitious and are not easy to manage, so they deliberately gave them a warning in front of everyone as a way to make an example of them.
Park Jihyo was so scolded that she dared not utter another word in defense. She just held back her tears, stubbornly pursed her lips, and raised her chin slightly, refusing to bow her head and admit her mistake. But her tears quietly slid down her cheeks and fell to the floor.
Jin Shangmin gave her another stern scolding before glaring at her fiercely: "The company is urgently discussing countermeasures to suppress this news. For the next two days, you'd better stay in the dormitory and not go anywhere, do you hear me!"
After saying that, Jin Shangmin didn't look at her again. He turned around and slammed the door shut with a loud bang, making the walls tremble slightly.
The practice room fell into a deathly silence, with only the suppressed breathing of the crowd remaining, the angry shouts from before still seeming to echo in their ears.
Lim Nayeon, Yoo Jeongyeon, and the others looked at each other, their eyes filled with helplessness and worry.
They knew all along that Park Ji-hyo and Kang Daniel were dating, and they even joked about the factory with her privately.
They just didn't expect the company to find out so quickly, and they didn't expect the agent's reaction to be so intense. The agent's furious appearance just now really scared them.
"Waaah..."
After a moment of silence, Park Jihyo, who had been enduring the grievances and being severely scolded, finally couldn't hold back anymore. She covered her mouth, her shoulders trembled violently, and suppressed sobs leaked out from between her fingers. Tears fell like beads from a broken string.
Upon seeing this, the other members quickly surrounded her. Lim Nayeon gently patted her back, while Minatozaki Sana handed her a tissue and softly comforted her.
"Why do you say that about me..."
"I didn't do anything~"
"I didn't get photographed on purpose, I didn't want to either..."
As her tears were being wiped away, Park Ji-hyo choked back sobs and complained.
The more people around her tried to comfort her, the more resentment welled up inside her. Finally, she couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out the words that had been stuck in her throat for so long:
"...Mina never mentioned it when she was dating before, so why are you saying this about me?"
Upon hearing this, the members who had been gently comforting each other froze instantly, their movements stopping abruptly. Their eyes darted around, exchanging complex glances, and no one dared to respond.
Last year, when Mina and Ji Kyung-won started dating, the company turned a blind eye from top to bottom, not only not stopping them, but also being very tolerant.
Everyone knew it in their hearts, but they just kept it to themselves. Everyone had secretly grumbled about it, feeling that it was unfair, but no one said it out loud.
Now this differential treatment has been laid bare.
Mina, who was called out, stood on the outside of the crowd, blinked, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she pursed her lips slightly. There was no embarrassment on her face, nor did she say anything to defend herself. She just stood quietly and looked at Park Jihyo with concern.
After finally saying it, Park Jihyo couldn't hold back her tears any longer. After crying a few times, she started complaining even more: "That's just how it is... the company..."
“The company didn’t really care about it before.”
"I was watching too..."
Before she could finish speaking, the practice room door was suddenly pushed open again.
The agent, Kim Sang-min, surprisingly returned and came in again.
His face was even uglier than before, and his anger seemed to be spitting out from his eyes.
...He left in such a hurry that he forgot to come back and take Park Jihyo's phone. He made a special trip back, but before he even entered the room, he heard Park Jihyo complaining about the company's unfair treatment and other such complaints.
Every word he uttered hit the company's secrets, which instantly enraged him, making his anger even greater.
Because... everything she said was true.
"Oh dear! Park Jihyo, it seems you're hopeless!"
Kim Sang-min stormed in, pointing his finger at her nose, his finger trembling slightly: "I just finished teaching you a lesson, and you dare to talk about the company behind your back? Do you have any sense of discipline? Do you have any self-awareness as an idol?!"
"What do you mean the company doesn't care about Mina... Since you've figured it out yourself, I won't hide it anymore."
"Not to mention that Mina herself is very low-key in her relationships and doesn't cause any trouble for the company. She would never do something as stupid as sneaking out of the dormitory in the middle of the night to find a man by herself."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Minami paused slightly.
Memories from the past seemed to have been unleashed, inexplicably surfacing in my mind.
She had actually experienced something similar... She remembered that once, because she really wanted to see Chi Jingyuan, she offered to take a taxi to see him late at night.
What did Yuan-chan say back then?
"What are you saying? I'll come pick you up."
The familiar voice seemed to echo in my ears.
When Chi Jingyuan heard her say that, he seemed... a little angry?
Mina lowered her eyes slightly, a peculiar emotion beginning to brew in her heart.
"And do you know who Mina is dating? It's Kyungwon! It's Ji Kyungwon, you understand? Do you know that even if something really happens, our company doesn't need to lift a finger. SM will keep all the news under wraps, and there won't be a single disturbance. We won't have to worry about it at all!"
"You're comparing Kang Daniel and Ji Kyung-won? How are you comparing them? Come on, tell me how you're comparing them?"
Kim Sang-min was furious, and he almost roared, "Ya yish bah!"
He only became angry when something touched a nerve. As his agent, he was aware of the company's differential treatment, and he himself felt there was nothing wrong with it.
But that's why I was even more annoyed after it was said out loud.
"You've been in the industry for over two years, and you still say such childish things. I think you really need to teach you a lesson."
After giving him a dressing down, Kim Sang-min added a politically correct remark at the end: "And even for Kyung-won, the company clearly opposes Mina's relationship, let alone that Kang Daniel."
Give me your phone!
Park Jihyo was completely stunned by the scolding. She even forgot to cry. She stood there blankly with empty eyes. The grievances and resentment in her heart were shattered by the naked reality. She couldn't say a word.
She slowly took out her phone and handed it over.
Kim Sang-min snatched the phone, gripped it tightly in his hand, glared at her, turned around, and slammed the door shut as he left again.
The practice room fell silent again, even more so than before.
No one expected the agent to make a surprise return, let alone bring all the realities to the forefront.
We're not children anymore; we all understand the realities of the entertainment industry and know that what the agent said is true.
But when this blatant discrimination actually happens right before my eyes, it still feels incredibly bitter.
Sana Minatosaki, in particular, felt this deeply. She had been severely reprimanded by her company for simply spreading a false rumor.
After a long silence, everyone gathered around to comfort Park Jihyo again. But this time, Park Jihyo's lips trembled, and she murmured softly, unable to utter any more complaints. Her eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness.
"Jihyo, don't be sad."
Mina stepped forward, gently patted her arm, and softly comforted her.
Although Mina and Park Jihyo had a few words exchanged because of Mina's relationship, Mina and Park Jihyo did not become enemies because of it. Coincidentally, they were the same age, so their relationship was actually quite good.
Moreover... Park Jihyo just called out her name, accusing her of injustice.
But actually, these words didn't make her feel dissatisfied.
...On the contrary, there is a hidden, inexplicable sense of exhilaration.
While everyone comforted Park Jihyo, a strange feeling arose in their hearts. The company's feeling was right; many members of Twice did indeed have feelings for each other, and some were even secretly dating.
After all, they are a top-rated girl group. They've been in the industry for so long and are surrounded by praise and handsome guys. Given this environment, it's perfectly normal for them to want to date.
But seeing Park Ji-hyo's treatment at this moment, I felt a pang of anxiety.
After a while of comforting her, Park Jihyo calmed down a bit. Lim Nayeon handed her a tissue and asked softly, "Jihyo, what should we do next?"
"They've all taken away your phones."
"They'll probably make Jihyo break up with that guy right away," a few people whispered among themselves.
"I won't break up!"
Upon hearing this, Park Jihyo suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with stubbornness.
Everyone looked at her and sighed, unsure of what to say.
Anyone can say harsh words, but...
"By the way, how's Kang Daniel doing? If our company knows, his company should know too, right?"
Lim Nayeon quickly changed the subject to break the awkward silence.
"Of course I know."
"Then what should he do?"
"What else can I do? I'll just get yelled at by the company. Do you really think he's..."
Before Hirai Momo could finish speaking, she asked, "Is... um, what time is it?"
This pabo seemed to realize that his words were somewhat inappropriate and clumsily changed the subject.
But those around her actually knew what she was talking about.
He nodded reflexively.
Indeed, although they are both boyfriends of Twice members, do you really think he is Ji Kyung-won?
How can Kang Daniel compare to Ji Kyung-won?
The members' gazes lingered between Park Jihyo and Mina, their emotions growing stronger.
Mina's relationship is the first one since TWICE's debut, and she even confessed it directly to the company, which is truly shocking and incredibly audacious.
But when the company found out, they didn't say anything, didn't reprimand her at all, and even treated her better, and even subtly created conditions for her to date.
Park Ji-hyo, however, was publicly berated, had her phone confiscated, and was forced to break up with him as soon as she was discovered.
This disparity is starkly evident before their eyes, and even though they are not directly involved, as bystanders, they feel it even more deeply.
For a moment, several people with ulterior motives were preoccupied.
"..."
Hearing this, Park Jihyo felt even more resentful and muttered a few words under her breath, so low that the people next to her couldn't hear her.
Those nearby didn't hear it, but Son Chae-young, who was close by, overheard something like, "He doesn't dare to deal with Chi Kyung-won, all he does is scold us..."
"Oh, what's wrong with that?"
Son Chaeyoung secretly pursed her lips, but her expression remained unchanged. Her dark eyes darted around, and she offered a suggestion: "Oh, Mina unnie's situation that time was because Kyungwon oppa had already spoken to the company beforehand, that's why it happened."
"This time... how about Jihyo unnie gives him a call and see if Kang oppa has any ideas?"
"You can't just worry about this all by yourself, can you?"