Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 171

At the online entertainment news agency Daily Happy, chaos was unfolding.

"Is the school violence allegation about Kim Donghu true? Find out quickly!" "Shouldn't we publish the article first?" "This is huge. What should the headline be? 'The True Violence of a National Gold Medalist'? Ah! What to do!"

The controversy over Kim Donghu's alleged school violence was too provocative a topic to pass up.

No matter how it was spun, it would undoubtedly stir up a sensation. Publishing the article would guarantee views.

However,

"Stay quiet until the agency releases a statement. We're not responding," instructed Daily Happy's editor-in-chief, Gilgildong, forbidding his staff from publishing any articles.

"What? Yes, yes? Chief? Editor-in-chief?!" "Put your phones in the central basket and gather in the conference room—every single one of you."

"N-No, but still! Chief, are we really going to miss out on this? Isn't it odd not to cover this?"

Some employees resisted Gilgildong's orders, but as is often the case in workplaces,

"Just gather."

When the boss commands, one must comply. The employees couldn't help feeling disappointed as they watched the rising views on other articles criticizing school violence.

"Why are we doing this?" "What did I say is the most important thing when writing an article?" "The number of hits? Sensational headlines? Tasty material?" "No, the instinct." "Huh?" "Instinct is the most important." fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Saying this, Gilgildong took a seat at the center of the conference room.

He glanced at the corner seat he used to occupy years ago, reminiscing about the times he had met Kim Donghu back then.

'That guy, hitting someone? And back in middle school?'

That would mean it happened during the HiDream era. In Gilgildong's view, Kim Donghu back then wasn't the type to oppress anyone with strength.

'About an hour since the incident broke, the agency hasn't responded yet.'

Normally, this would be discussed with the actor to decide on a response, which typically takes at least 12 hours.

'So, journalists usually have a field day for those 12 hours.'

A feeding frenzy begins. But something felt off about joining the fray this time.

'The most definitive way to verify this intuition is...'

To monitor the moves of competitors.

"Has Dispatch released an article?" "No? That's why we were planning to move faster..."

They haven't moved on such a juicy topic?

"Really? Then start preparing an article countering the school violence controversy. Say it seems strange, like a fabrication." "Huh?" "Pack it full, like setting up a counter-argument in a debate, you know what I mean?"

It was suspicious. No, there was a dangerous scent in the air.

'Acting rashly could be fatal.'

Dispatch might be raking in views even if it gets flak. People watch because they provide sure entertainment.

And they're not touching the hottest topic, Kim Donghu?

'It's a sure thing.'

This is poison.

Just a brief thrill of pufferfish toxin for exactly 12 hours.

'There's too much at stake.'

If the school violence is true, it would be a perfect opportunity to really hit Kim Donghu hard. He's currently involved in three big projects.

The variety show We Got Married, the drama Our Fake Wedding, and the movie True Hero. All of these could be directly impacted, and it could even affect sponsorships and advertising contracts.

But what if it's all lies?

'Then we'd get the cold shoulder from all those corporations. Throwing stones without proper fact-checking, the companies would definitely disapprove.'

The entertainment industry is a tight-knit community. And that community is driven by money. And that money comes from corporations.

"We're facing something way too big for us to handle."

Swallow this wrongly, and it's over. Intuition says so.

Bet on the advantageous side, the side that everyone can see is on the rise. Fools bet on throwing stones at such times.

'It's all in.'

Gilgildong placed his bet on the side being stoned. Why? Because it's Kim Donghu.

++++++

"Insufficient evidence, just one album photo? That's hardly enough proof."

ㄴDidn't expect this from Daily Happy, defending a celebrity accused of school violence, lol. ㄴSo much for unbiased reporting, just all trash. ㄴSo, just opposing for the sake of it, Gilgildong? Remembered your name, buddy. ㄴThe victim is right there, and they even added hospital records later, lol. ㄴUnderstand sucking up to Kim Donghu because he's successful, but this is a bit much, lol.

Suddenly, an article defending Kim Donghu appeared, mismatched to the situation, thus attracting more criticism.

"Still, there's someone who really knows how to see the real picture."

Choi Seokho nodded in satisfaction upon reading the criticized article. Indeed, those with keen instincts survive any situation.

"Yerim's busy with overseas modeling, so she's out."

But even this was enough because

[Why did Kim Donghu's school violence controversy even erupt? He's genuinely kind;] [I went to Shinbit Middle with Donghu; does posting an album photo make it all true? I'll post mine then;] [I was at middle school with Donghu; he wasn't like that. Couldn't even talk to him... too handsome and radiant;] [Clearly looks like a gang from Shinbit Middle, won't name names, but honestly, I know what happened back then;] [Are you writing this because you got hit by Donghu now? I know who you are lol] [It's about an incident in 7th grade, why no mention of the police involvement after that? Because it's inconvenient? lol] [Police came to Shinbit Middle once when Donghu was there, how could you not know? Why does no one talk about it?]

Fans of Kim Donghu and anonymous sites were filling up with posts countering the school violence claims.

"They must have enjoyed their moment, that poster... what was their name? Whatever."

Choi Seokho scraped together articles supporting Kim Donghu's defense.

"We won't have to face them anymore."

No interviews, advertisements, or promotions. And incredibly, no major media outlet touched Kim Donghu until the end, as if they knew it would turn out this way.

"Smart, definitely."

Choi Seokho shrugged his shoulders and rubbed his hands together.

"Now, let's pay back that so-called middle school classmate who showed their ill will."

"Yeah, their intentions were impure."

After trying to exert violence so casually back then. Looks like they haven't changed.

"It's time we helped them change."

++++++

The controversy over Kim Donghu's alleged school violence ended as if it was nothing, just three hours after it erupted, with a response so swift it left people questioning if it had even happened.

Today was a filming day for <True Hero>.

"To catch a human trafficker, an action scene in a warehouse."

A moment to overwhelmingly display brutality. Before the official shooting began.

I entered.

Into the script. And the first thing I saw was.

"What's this?"

Fragments of a brutal, violent world.

"Is this worse than back then?"