Chapter Nineteen: A True Man Governs Fate, Not Rebels Against It

JYP Entertainment stated, “After discussions with our artist Somi, we have reached an agreement to terminate the contract. We sincerely thank all the fans who have supported us until now.”

Having no assignments, Chae Lunho thought to reach out to reporter Chen. His eyes widened in surprise—he hadn’t expected this person to quietly make such a significant move. What on earth had happened? Could it be that she wasn’t in the newly debuted girl group? That seemed unlikely! Didn’t they already record the debut song and even release the concept photos? JYP would never do something so self-destructive.

A vague worry stirred in his heart—could it be a health issue? That seemed improbable. Not long ago, she was still lively, even drinking heavily and causing a scene. She had trained in taekwondo for years, her physical condition was solid, and just yesterday she appeared perfectly fine.

Chae Lunho even sent a concerned message to her, but after receiving no reply, he refrained from pressing further. After all, they weren’t close, and overstepping boundaries wouldn’t be proper. Surely, Seojung had seen the message and would inquire about the situation from their close friend. He decided it was better to ask Seojung later.

Speaking of Somi, the recent blockbuster survival show Produce 48 had captured countless eyes. Unlike the first season’s IOI, where small companies took risks to gain popularity before retrieving their trainees, this Japan-Korea joint production was much larger in scale. But a casual glance didn’t reveal anything particularly captivating. In the military, he preferred groups like Girls’ Day and AOA, and couldn’t help but lament how K-pop seemed to be declining. Leaving it in these hands, how could K-pop thrive? There was no visual impact whatsoever.

Reporter Chen was progressing at a frightening pace, already preparing the initial materials for publication. Chae Lunho could guess the reason—when so many people are involved, the risk of leaks increases. His group numbered over twenty members, and Chen had contact with more than half. If someone sought other media outlets with different intentions, all their efforts would be in vain.

He understood the unpredictability of human nature. Since Chen had this plan, he ought to support it. Any additional leads could be supplemented later as needed. However, this meant he would have to give an interview eventually and should prepare himself accordingly.

“Considering his appearance, eloquence, and ongoing contact with Mr. Chae, we believe this opportunity should go to Mr. Chae.”

In his eyes, Chae Lunho’s features were quite remarkable. Unlike the fresh-faced youngsters in social circles, his facial features were evenly balanced and naturally harmonious, his gaze bright and clear. During conversations, he rarely displayed exaggerated expressions or emotional fluctuations, appearing steady and reliable.

Reporter Chen, well-versed in both Korean and Chinese culture, felt it was a pity such charisma didn’t remain within the military. Chae Lunho could even serve as a symbol for military promotional videos, potentially gaining a fanbase after broadcast.

…

Amidst widespread anticipation, Seoul Sports finally unveiled the project on a large front page, presenting it to the entire nation and leaving Chae Lunho deeply concerned about how public opinion online would unfold.

---

“Who is this mysterious figure? Unveiling Bae Suzy’s ‘Bodyguard’: Why Did This Loyal and Filial Son Fall From Grace?”

The sensational headline shocked many readers. How was this old news being rehashed? Was Seoul Sports on the brink of closure, scraping for stories? Hadn’t the rumors already been denied?

Despite the backlash, everyone clicked on the unusually provocative article. What connection could Bae Suzy’s bodyguard have to a loyal and filial son? The well-known national sweetheart was quite famous, but when did she become so prominent?

As they read further, the content seemed different—more like a supplement to last month’s report from the National Defense Department about the female leader.

“In 2017, Keiko Takagi and the Air Force Command agreed that if the impeachment case escalated, the military would proceed with the planned operation.”

The article even included detailed plans from the Air Force Command, such as phased emergency protocols, troop deployments to suppress unrest, control measures over Seoul, and stationing forces at over 400 key facilities.

This left the public stunned and bewildered. What did this have to do with Bae Suzy’s bodyguard? Why use such a headline for such grave news?

“The Air Force Command recommended establishing a martial law command under the female leader, subordinating the National Intelligence Service chief to this command, and arresting opposition lawmakers to prevent the National Assembly from lifting martial law.”

“Furthermore, the Air Force Command dispatched inspectors to eight news agencies including Yonhap News, 22 television stations including KBS, and 26 newspapers including the Chosun Ilbo.”

Though some of this had been declassified earlier, the comprehensive arrangement still sent chills down many spines. Had the female leader succeeded, it would have been akin to remaking the republic. Citizens with traumatic memories shuddered at the thought.

“In this time of crisis, a group of young officers resisted the pressure and refused to carry out the deployment orders. Though they were only junior officers, it was their stand that prevented the first domino from falling.”

“This spirit of refusal soon spread throughout the military, indirectly influencing the dangerous course of events and causing such barbaric disregard for public safety to be aborted before it began.”

---

The patriotic rhetoric stirred the hearts of the people. Everyone knew that if the female leader had succeeded, the consequences would have been disastrous. Upon reading that these young officers were promptly discharged after the incident, the public’s sense of injustice swelled.

Seoul Sports painstakingly revealed pieces of Chae Lunho’s story: born in a rural area, growing up impoverished and reliant on government food aid during his youth; through his own effort, he achieved scores that could have secured admission to prestigious schools, but family circumstances forbade it. To ease his parents’ burden and gain stability, he chose to attend military academy after graduation.

He graduated with exceptional marks, transforming his fate despite lacking power or influence. Yet, the outcome was bitter: he ultimately lost to internal political strife and, along with some colleagues, became a casualty of power struggles.

His fall to working at nightclubs and becoming a bodyguard for an actress only added poignancy to his story.

Seoul Sports spared no effort on this thread, sending teams to Gimje to interview locals, contacting his elementary and middle schools for firsthand accounts.

The narrative of an ordinary—indeed, below ordinary—family background and a studious youth resonated deeply with the public. His sacrifice for justice, defying orders and risking military tribunal, moved many with tender hearts.

Embellished, the image of this promising young man emerged vividly. The article employed storytelling techniques to enhance its artistic appeal.

Unluckily, Chae Lunho’s youthful, somewhat dramatic remarks from that time were dredged up, amusing yet oddly effective even now.

“Faced with pressure from superiors and a future seemingly doomed, young Lieutenant Chae Lunho, recalling his years of arduous study, resolutely gave his answer.”

“A true man governs his fate, not chaos!”