Chapter 159
“Wow, Steel Blue is coming out on Shilla Car today.”
“Whoa.”
“Wasn’t there a controversy during their last live?”
“Why are they coming out if they’re going to get humiliated?”
“Huh.. why do you think they’ll get humiliated on your own accord? LOL.”
“Steel Blue does well on live….. Is this why fake rumors spread like wildfire? Seriouslyㅡㅡ The post from last time was fake.”
“What will Steel Blue sing today?”
“They’ll definitely sing the two title tracks.”
“They’ll probably sing about five songs, so I’m curious what else they’ll sing.”
“Will Yoon Cheong have a solo?”
“People who went to the audience said there wasn’t a Yoon Cheong solo.”
└ “Really??? Why?????”
**(Spoiler) Review of Shin Hyung-yun’s Live Cafe Steel Blue Episode**
“They sang five songs.”
1. Blue Call
2. Seo Baek-young solo (Sang ‘Live by My Side’)
3. Ryu Bo-ra + Kim Geum duet (‘You and Me and You’ pop song)
4. Yeon Juhong + Ryu Bo-ra + Yoon Cheong (‘White Noise’ What You Want arranged version)
5. ‘You’re My World’ first verse + ‘Paper Doll’ full version
“For someone who’s been watching since Steel Blue’s Make a New Color, it was a truly surprising broadcast.”
“I’m not a hardcore Steel Blue fan, but I did follow the Menucal.”
“I didn’t even know Steel Blue would be there and just went as part of the audience.”
“Seo Baek-young is a main dancer, but I didn’t know she could sing so well LOL. She didn’t sing for long, but she did it cleanly and well.”
“Personally, I find her tone clear and to my taste.”
“And Ryu Bo-ra and Kim Geum were funny yet sang well throughout LOL. Since it’s a sweet duet song, Kim Geum kept smiling while singing, but Ryu Bo-ra completely turned her back whenever they made eye contact……”
“Kim Geum usually raps, but she sang so steadily and well.”
“Ryu Bo-ra’s voice was great, and her diction was perfect, maybe because she’s an actress.”
“What You Want was truly a legendary stage.”
“Yoon Cheong was great, needless to say.”
“Yeon Juhong was really cute and flew around the stage.”
“All five of them sang well live.”
“Why did people say they can’t sing live?”
“Steel Blue’s Shilla Car legendary moment of today.”
(video)
(video)
(video)
“To all the live haters, shut up now.”
“It’s like a ten-year-old congestion just cleared.”
“My eyes and ears were opened after watching this video…”
“Wow, Seo Baek-young is really good.”
“Surprisingly, Ryu Bo-ra sings well….?? Not just for an actress, but like a real singer.”
“Yeon Juhong has really improved. Watching the stage, I just thought she was good LOL.”
“I love how Steel Blue’s visuals match their talent.”
“As these misunderstandings gradually cleared up.”
“The fans’ sorrow started to subside.”
★
@: “As expected, our girls came to save us.”
Steel Blue: “No, we came to beat your hearts.”
@:
“I don’t know why everyone’s so surprised (wiping tears). This is just our daily life (sniffling).”
“Steel Blue did what Steel Blue does…”
“Now, even when I see malicious comments, I feel nothing.”
“Trolls….”
“Have you experienced a spicy survival show?”
“Have your idols been through Mnet’s evil editing??”
“Have you dealt with Kim Mokyung and Hong Yeonseo??????”
“Have you buried Kim Ryeo-yu?????”
“If you haven’t experienced it, just don’t say anything, damn.”
“Even without your trolling, we’ve been trained enough by our internal villains.”
“True LOL.”
“20 years of stanning Colors idols… This level of trolling doesn’t even register as trolling.”
“If there’s nothing else to criticize, they go for an empty house raidㅡㅡ Bring your idols then.”
“I can’t believe I saw someone trying to troll Steel Blue’s live performance.”
“Steel Blue has become solid.”
Everblue was gradually becoming stronger.
***
Meeting room.
I gathered with Seo Baek-young, CEO Hong, and Director Sung to discuss Ryu Bo-ra’s stalker.
Director Sung was one of the few remaining board members after Director Kim left.
Although CEO Hong had urgently recruited new board members, since they were all still in their adjustment period, only Director Sung was present.
Director Sung was much younger than I had expected.
I had heard a lot about him, but this was my first time meeting him in person.
Director Sung had mainly been in charge of male idols.
However, thinking back to what I had heard from Burn Ash….
He was definitely someone to be cautious of.
Was CEO Hong more trusting of Director Sung than I thought?
I didn’t expect her to bring him to this meeting.
Moreover, inviting Seo Baek-young was truly unexpected.
Could it be because of the past connection between Seo Baek-young and CEO Hong?
Well, to CEO Hong, Seo Baek-young was the oldest member of our group.
They had been working together continuously.
“Upon investigation, it seems Bo-ra’s claims about the previous stalker are accurate.”
Director Sung started speaking, holding thick piles of documents.
Could these be related to Ryu Bo-ra?
“I’ve informed the police, and Bo-ra’s family as well.”
“…!”
“Why are you surprised?”
Ah, my mistake.
Since Bo-ra is still a minor, it’s right to inform her family immediately.
But… knowing the relationship between Bo-ra and her family, I subconsciously excluded them.
…Although I’m slightly worried, it is only natural.
“What did her parents say?”
Seo Baek-young, who was beside me, asked.
“They want her to stop her activities immediately.”
I could feel a sharp gaze behind Director Sung’s glasses.
However, it wasn’t directed at Seo Baek-young but at me.
Was he trying to size me up?
I acted as innocently as possible, like a naive newcomer to society.
There was no need to reveal our full hand.
“I see…. So will Bo-ra take a break during the remaining activity period?”
While it might be disappointing for the fans, it might be safer this way.
Just until the perpetrator is caught.
…Though I’m not sure if Bo-ra would agree.
“No. This week, Bo-ra’s schedule is fully booked with music shows. Considering the current trend, we might achieve first place on at least three shows. Suddenly halting activities in this situation would be difficult.”
“…Did Bo-ra’s parents agree to this?”
“They are still being persuaded. I told them the company has invested money, so we can’t suddenly stop her activities. Also, the company is very concerned about Bo-ra’s safety.”
Director Sung pushed up his glasses.
“It’s impossible for an ordinary person to break through our security personnel.”
“But isn’t there always a ‘what if’?”
Seo Baek-young asked in a very worried voice.
“‘What if’ doesn’t pay the bills. However, stopping activities immediately causes financial loss. It doesn’t just end at the group’s image. Halting activities will eventually affect the company’s stock price. That leads to financial loss. Baek-young, are you going to cover that loss?”
Wow.
This person had a different way of infuriating people compared to Kim Mokyung.
He sounded like a money-obsessed person, talking about money from beginning to end.
I guess it’s time for me to step in.
“Well. But you do know that money can’t compensate for a person’s life, right? If Bo-ra gets hurt, will the company handle the compensation?”
“….”
“Even if you compensate with money, you don’t think that’s real compensation, do you? You wouldn’t just see us as mere objects, right? There’s no way the company views us like that.”
I looked at Director Sung with eyes that said, ‘You wouldn’t think like such a scumbag, right?’
Then, the smile vanished from Director Sung’s face.
“…Of course not. Colors prioritizes the safety and well-being of its artists. That’s why we’ve hired the maximum number of security personnel.”
“Yes. We really appreciate that.”
I didn’t say anything more.
Even if I didn’t make a fuss, Bo-ra’s parents would probably handle it well enough.
Whether they had a good relationship or not, no parent would want their daughter to get hurt.
“Yoon Cheong, you’re focusing on the wrong point right now.”
“…?”
“What Bo-ra’s parents want by ‘stopping activities’ isn’t just about halting her current activities.”
What was this now?
“Then what?”
“They want her to withdraw completely. That’s what they want.”
What?
***
“Oh, yes. I knew about it.”
Ryu Bo-ra looked at me and Seo Baek-young with a nonchalant expression.
Fortunately, Ryu Bo-ra didn’t seem uncomfortable with Seo Baek-young being here.
“You knew your parents wanted you to quit? Then why on earth—”
“Why didn’t I say anything? Because I have no intention of quitting.”
“…!”
Ryu Bo-ra put down the carrot she was eating onto her plate.
“No matter what my parents want, it’s none of my business. And it’s certainly none of the company’s or you guys’ business.”
“Bo-ra, you’re a minor. Your parents are still your legal guardians,” Seo Baek-young said worriedly.
“There are only nine months left.”
Ryu Bo-ra chuckled.
“Even if my parents sue Colors to break the contract, it will take more than nine months. By then, I’ll be an adult. It’s a pointless fight. They know that too.”
“Then… why….”
“They’re just protesting for money.”
Ryu Bo-ra, as if tired of the conversation, put the plate of carrots back in the fridge.
“They think if they stir up trouble with me and the company, I’ll get tired of it and give them money.”
“….”
I wasn’t surprised, as I had somewhat anticipated this.
However, Seo Baek-young’s face had turned pale.
It seemed like she had a good relationship with her family.
For Seo Baek-young, this might be unimaginable.
“They’re just mad because I turned down all the drama castings this time. Don’t worry about it.”
“Bo-ra.”
Seo Baek-young grabbed Ryu Bo-ra, who was about to go into her room.
“How can you say that’s okay? It’s not….”
“You wouldn’t understand, because you have good family members. But this is normal for me.”
Ryu Bo-ra gently, but firmly, pushed Seo Baek-young’s hand away.
“I’ll talk to my family. I’ll tell them I’ll give them money, so they should stop. It’ll get quiet then, so don’t worry.”
“Ryu Bo-ra.”
I also tried to hold Ryu Bo-ra back.
“You said it yourself. When I become an adult, I can decide for myself.”
“….”
“It’s just one year.”
Ryu Bo-ra looked directly at me and Seo Baek-young.
“If I give them money for just one year… no one will suffer.”
“Bo-ra, why not consider hiring a lawyer?”
Seo Baek-young, looking frustrated, spoke up again.
“A lawyer?”
Ryu Bo-ra sneered.
“As long as I’m a minor, not even God can help me, let alone a lawyer.”
“Still, if you try—”
“Baek-young unnie.”
Ryu Bo-ra sighed.
“I must look pitiful and sad to you, and you think I should fight back. Maybe it’ll get resolved. Is that what you think?”
“…!”
“That’s because you grew up with good adults around you.”
Ryu Bo-ra opened the door and went into her room alone.
“Not everyone can be as happy as you. Still, I don’t want to cause trouble. Isn’t that enough?”
And with that, she slammed the door shut.