Ch#61
61. Dating Rumor
Kang-woo gave a vague response to Ha-young's words.
"If the opportunity arises. But it won't be easy. I have a prior engagement, so I'll head out first."
Ha-young called out to Kang-woo's back.
"Goodbye, President."
Feeling somewhat satisfied that she'd managed to extend the conversation even a little, Ha-young smiled triumphantly when the makeup artist approached and asked.
"Ha-young, do you know CEO Choi Kang-woo personally?"
"Yes, we're somewhat close on a personal level."
After Ha-young's comment, rumors began spreading throughout the broadcasting station. The rumor was that Ha-young and Kang-woo were dating. Word of mouth quickly carried it to the internet, where posts about Myeongseong Media CEO Choi Kang-woo dating actress Han Ha-young started appearing.
Everything was unfolding exactly as Ha-young had intended.
A few days later, Chairman Choi Hoe-jang received the report.
"What's this? Our Kang-woo is dating a celebrity?"
Most reports regarding Myeongseong reached the chairman. He knew Kang-woo was close to Teacher Han Na-eun because of Min-ho. But he was outraged to learn that the woman in Kang-woo's dating rumor online was Teacher Han Na-eun's sister. Chairman Choi immediately called Kyung-hye.
-Yes, hello. Is something urgent? At this hour.
The chairman bellowed in response.
"How do you even run the house? Don't you know how your son is living? What's this scandal with a celebrity?"
-What? Why?
"A ridiculous dating rumor blew up between Kang-woo and that celebrity."
-What did you say?
Kyung-hye had been wary of Na-eun. But the dating rumor involved a celebrity instead? Something felt off. Still, Kyung-hye thought the situation was even worse.
Online, various dating rumors surrounding Ha-young and Myeongseong Media CEO Kang-woo were making headlines daily. Two videos with sensational titles were drawing the most attention, racking up views rapidly. The first was uploaded by StarRise, a channel deeply covering celebrities' private lives.
The video title was "Han Ha-young's Secret Date with Chaebol Heir? Truth Behind Her Relationship with Myeongseong Media CEO?" The content reconstructed Ha-young standing with Kang-woo at the filming site and their conversation that day. The narration analyzed when their relationship started and their subsequent movements, piquing viewers' curiosity.
-Han Ha-young has previously revealed close ties with chaebol heirs. Now rumors are swirling that she's in an intimate relationship with Myeongseong Media's CEO...
It was the perfect video to stoke public curiosity.
The second video was from GoldLine, a channel covering chaebol news. The title was "Myeongseong Group's Choi Kang-woo in Scandal with Glamorous Star—What's His True Intent?" The video captured Kang-woo at a public event seemingly deliberately avoiding the direction where Ha-young was. Sensational editing questioning the scandal's truth throughout, paired with tense background music, heightened the suspense.
-CEO Choi Kang-woo has been known for his impeccable private life, free of scandals. But he's remaining silent on his relationship with Han Ha-young.
Other videos followed, pulling in views with provocative titles. "Choi Kang-woo: The Woman He Chose—Truth of the Entertainment Rumors?" "Chaebol Heir and Celebrity: Their Complicated Story," "Han Ha-young and Myeongseong Media CEO's Relationship," and more—all aimed at boosting clicks.
These videos spread rapidly regardless of their veracity, with comments mixing speculation, support, and criticism about the pair's relationship. Regardless of the truth, public interest was firmly fixed on the two.▲
Ha-young was thrilled watching the videos and reactions.
"Mom, I think I'm blowing up."
"What? Blowing up? Your feet are firmly planted."
"Mom, you say the weirdest things sometimes. Check the internet. Here, look at this."
"Oh my. Are you really dating the Myeongseong Media CEO? Well, despite everything, Na-eun must have helped her sister again."
Mi-suk's eyes sparkled with interest as she continued. Ha-young pursed her lips and glared at her mother. She was annoyed that Na-eun's name kept popping up lately.
Ha-young snapped at her mother with a sullen face.
"Why bring up Na-eun here?"
Mi-suk shrugged, looking surprised.
"Then how else would you run into the Myeongseong Media CEO? Na-eun must have helped."
Ha-young tossed her hair back irritably and said sharply.
"Don't even mention that girl. I asked her for help and got an earful."
Mi-suk asked curiously.
"An earful?"
Ha-young gritted her teeth, avoiding her eyes, and muttered.
"I said I'd take Ji-ho, and she threatened to sue."
Mi-suk's face froze in shock. She gaped, unable to speak for a while, then finally opened her mouth.
"What? Sue over the biological mom taking her kid? And you're taking Ji-ho?"
Ha-young scoffed incredulously and shook her head.
"Mom, how would I take Ji-ho?"
"Then why say that?"
Mi-suk asked cautiously. Ha-young drummed her fingers on the table and said.
"I was pissed. She treats her sister like a joke and won't even set up one meeting with the CEO no matter how much I ask."
Mi-suk sighed as if her insides were burning.
"Don't say things like that lightly. What if Na-eun actually brings Ji-ho here?"
Ha-young rolled her eyes and shook her head as if it were absurd. But the thought that Na-eun might really do it made her anxious, her vision darkening as her plans teetered.
"No way she'd do that. After raising him for five years, she's attached."
Ha-young said firmly on purpose, but her voice wavered at the end.
Mi-suk rubbed her chest, frowning.
"You. Na-eun's the scary type precisely because of that. What if she really drops Ji-ho off? With rumors spreading this fast, it'll be fine? The Myeongseong Media CEO will hate it!"
Ha-young shrugged mockingly.
"It's all baseless rumors."
Mi-suk's eyes widened, her wrinkled forehead deepening.
"What? Baseless? With photos and videos looking so real?"
Ha-young shook her head with an irritated sigh.
"That's how it works. These gossips look real, but plenty are fake."
Mi-suk scolded her daughter with worried eyes.
"You said you're blowing up because of this online frenzy. What if it's all fake?"
"Mom, it's all rumors!"
Ha-young widened her eyes and waved her hand at her mother.
"That's why some are fake! I know. But this can make me even more famous."
Mi-suk shook her head incredulously and muttered to herself.
"The world these days is really scary..."
Then Ha-young's phone rang.
"Hello."
-Is this Han Ha-young? I'm the CEO of K Entertainment.
Ha-young smiled triumphantly at the phone. Unexpected calls weren't rare, but from K Entertainment's CEO? It was her first direct contact from such a major agency.
Ha-young steadied her voice and said.
"Yes. Hello. It's surprising to get a call from you directly, CEO. What brings you to call?"
The confident, upbeat voice of a businessman came through.
-Yes. Han Ha-young is getting a lot of attention lately. The dating rumor with Myeongseong Media's CEO is hot, and your videos are topping views. In this situation, how about expanding your image and career properly? That's why I'm reaching out with a proposal.
Ha-young's heart raced. Dopamine surged. Just imagining the future unfolding before her filled her with bliss. Her past days without major spotlight flashed by.
She'd struggled even for bit parts or MC gigs, but this chance could launch her big.
"Thank you so much for saying that. I'm very interested. But what exactly is the proposal...?"
The agency CEO chuckled lightly.
-We're thinking of having you as a fixed panel on our major variety project. Plus, offers for various shows and ad models are coming in. You're ready to take center stage now.
