Chapter 1059: Needing Miso (2)

I decided to wipe out the people leaving hateful comments about Miso in one stroke and sent Team Lead Kim Mi-Hye a Kk Talk message.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Leak a rumor that Miso collapsed because of the hateful comments on social media. Cancel all of her appearances too, including the theater greetings and every TV schedule.]

Once someone became a celebrity, they were expected to accept hateful comments as part of the job. People told themselves it was simply the price of becoming—or one day becoming—popular and making a great deal of money. Jealousy and envy from the public came with the territory.

However, child actors were different. Saying things like that to children whose biggest concerns should have been tteokbokki and fried snacks wasn't criticism. It was abuse.

I wanted to teach those trolls the full weight of the law right away, but that would take too long. Instead, I was going to enlist the help of Miso's fans and the public to turn their anger against those social media accounts.

The moment news spread that Miso had collapsed from the shock and all of her broadcasts were canceled, public outrage would come crashing down on the people responsible for driving her to that point.

[Team Lead Kim Mi-Hye: I agree. People like this only learn when they get a taste of their own medicine. How far should we push the rumor?]

'How far? If we are doing it at all, then we are going all the way.'

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: I'll leave that to Ms. Kim's... creativity.]

[Team Lead Kim Mi-Hye: Got it. I'll make sure it blows up~.]

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Oh, and that doesn't mean we're dropping the legal action the company is preparing.]

[Team Lead Kim Mi-Hye: Of course not! Mr. Kwak Moo-Hyuk is already furious and raising hell.]

If it was Chief Kwak Moo-Hyuk, who treasured Miso like his own daughter, I didn't have anything to worry about. As soon as I finished messaging Kim Mi-Hye, I immediately contacted Lee Doo-Oh.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Doo-Oh, I need information on everyone posting hateful comments about Miso on social media. Don't hack their accounts.]

[Lee Doo-Oh: There's no need to hack social media. Just analyzing the photos they post regularly and their text tells you pretty much everything about them.]

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Then I'm counting on you. Thanks!]

After giving my instructions, I looked over at Miso, still crying in Lee Sa-Yeon's embrace, and silently made myself a promise.

'Miso... Uncle's going to make every single person who hurt you pay for it.'

***

We came back to the hospital room on the fifth floor, where filming was taking place.

When PD Ju Se-Hyung saw us return, a trace of tension crossed his face. "Chief Jung. A moment. Over here."

He called only me over to one side of the room. When I walked over, he lowered his voice to a whisper. "Are you sure about this?"

I nodded. "Yes. We can start right away."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Hmm... I trust your judgment, Chief Jung, but you know if she has another NG, things are going to get really difficult."

Without the slightest hesitation, I answered, "That won't happen."

"...All right." Ju Se-Hyung nodded before turning to the staff. "Okay, everyone. We're resuming with Episode 17, Scene 5. Stand by, and actors, take your positions."

After reassuring the PD, I walked over to Miso, who was standing with Lee Sa-Yeon near the entrance to the hospital room.

"Miso, don't worry. Just focus on your acting. And while you're doing that, I'm going to deal with every one of those bad people."

"Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho."

Lee Sa-Yeon smiled and cheered her on as well. "You've got this, Miso."

"Thank you."

Answering in a small voice, Miso took a long, deep breath before making her way to the old wheelchair beside bed number four, where Jin Gong-Ju lay. With a dejected expression, she quietly lowered herself into the wheelchair.

I couldn't help feeling nervous.

'Would Miso really be able to act?'

"We're rolling. Episode 17, Scene 5. Ready~ Action!"

Just like that, the filming resumed.

***

The title of Episode 17 of Land of Happiness was Change.

It told the story of Yoon Kkot-Nim, who, after being adopted by her foster parents, visited a rehabilitation center for a medical checkup. There, she befriended Lee Sol-Ji, a young leukemia patient, and through that friendship gradually grew into a brighter, more cheerful child.

In the scene they were filming, Miso's character rushed over with her test results to tell Sol-Ji, who had only recently completed her leukemia treatment.

As the scene began, Miso gripped the bedsheet tightly with both hands. Then, suppressing her joy while letting guilt pour through her trembling voice, she delivered her lines.

『Sol-Ji... They said I'll be able to walk after just a little more treatment. So... when I finally start walking, let's leave the hospital together, hand in hand. Okay?』

'She did it!'

Everyone had been holding their breath, afraid Miso might make another NG, and silent sighs of relief spread throughout the set. Without even taking his eyes off the monitor, Ju Se-Hyung raised a thumbs-up behind him.

From that point on, Miso's performance became even more emotionally powerful than usual. It was as if every feeling she kept buried inside had finally burst free.

Then came the scene where Jin Gong-Ju portrayed Sol-Ji taking a sudden turn for the worse. Still talking with Miso, Jin Gong-Ju began gasping for breath before her arm fell limply to her side.

Startled, Miso grabbed her hand tightly and shouted.

『Nurse unnie! Sol-Ji's really sick!』

『Cough! Cough!』

As Jin Gong-Ju clutched her chest and broke into a fit of coughing, Miso screamed through her tears. However, no nurse came.

At that moment, the extras in the neighboring beds also began shouting in panic.

『Where's the doctor?!』

『Ms. Yeo-Jin! Mr. Dong-Hee! Hurry! Sol-Ji's dying!』

『Doctor Park!! Get over here!』

Since the scene was set forty years in the past, there were no nurse call buttons in the hospital room. Everyone could only shout for help.

When no one came, Miso finally decided to act herself. She backed up her wheelchair before straining to turn it toward the doorway.

Screech.

One of the wheelchair's wheels squealed loudly, as though it were broken. With a strained grunt, Miso spun both wheels as fast as she could.

Rattle!

Without warning, the wheelchair suddenly veered sharply to the right. It was a terrifying moment. The wheelchair was on a direct collision course with one of the beds.

The staff instinctively reached out, and I broke into a run myself. However, it was already too late to stop what was about to happen.

Clang!

The metal handle of the wheelchair slammed into the end of the bed, launching Miso out of the chair. Yet even as she fell, she never used her legs. Instead, she instinctively thrust both hands forward and pitched headfirst toward the floor.

Crash!

The extras all screamed in horror. To them, it looked as though Miso had just been involved in a terrible accident.

『Oh my goodness!』

『Good heavens! What do we do? Somebody get over here!』

Ju Se-Hyung jumped to his feet in alarm, and the staff rushed toward the set. I started running in as well. And then, just as I was about to reach her, Miso slowly lifted her head. With great effort, she continued her lines. She was telling everyone that she intended to keep acting despite what had just happened.

『Nurse unnie...! Sol-Ji... she's hurting...』

Fighting back tears, Miso desperately called for the nurse. When no one came, she began crawling forward, dragging herself along with only her arms.

Slide.

Scrape.

The sound of her clothes dragging across the hospital floor echoed through the room. Ignoring the pain from her fall, Miso pulled herself forward with nothing but her arms.

The sight completely overwhelmed everyone on set. And yet, even after Miso had crawled more than halfway across the room, Ju Se-Hyung was so stunned that he forgot to call the next cue.

I immediately hurried over and whispered into his ear, "Mr. Ju. Your cue!"

"R-Right."

Finally snapping back to reality, Ju Se-Hyung signaled actress Han Seo-Jin. Han Seo-Jin, who played Yoon Kkot-Nim's adoptive mother, had been frozen as she watched Miso's performance. Only after seeing the signal did she rush over and wrap Miso in her arms.

『Kkot-Nim! What are you doing?』

Grabbing Han Seo-Jin's arm tightly, Miso cried out.

『Ma'am[1]... Please help her! Please!』

『Help... who?』

『Sol-Ji. Sol-Ji's really sick! Please... please... help her. Please?』

Yoon Kkot-Nim's adoptive parents were fairly wealthy. Sol-Ji, on the other hand, had fallen into poverty after years of leukemia treatments had drained her family's savings. With proper treatment, she could recover, but because they couldn't afford the medical bills, they hesitated to use the necessary medication, leaving her condition to worsen again and again.

Completely immersed in Yoon Kkot-Nim, Miso pleaded for someone to save her only friend.

At that moment, Han Seo-Jin slowly nodded.

『For my Kkot-Nim... No, for my daughter... What couldn't I do? Don't you worry about a thing. Stay right here. I'll bring every doctor and nurse I can find. Okay?』

『Okay.』

With a strained grunt, Han Seo-Jin carefully lifted Miso off the cold floor and placed her back into the wheelchair. No matter how urgent the situation was, she couldn't leave her adopted daughter lying on the cold floor. That single action conveyed her resolve.

It wasn't in the script. Yet even Han Seo-Jin, a veteran actress, had been swept up in Miso's performance and begun improvising.

After settling Miso into the wheelchair and straightening her clothes, Han Seo-Jin turned to leave. Just then, Miso's tiny hand caught hold of the hem of Han Seo-Jin's dress.

Grip.

Han Seo-Jin turned back.

『What is it, Kkot-Nim?』

Miso slowly parted lips that seemed unwilling to move.

『Thank you... Mom.』

Though soft, Miso's voice carried unmistakable emotion. Han Seo-Jin looked as though she had been struck speechless. Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded.

『That's right. I'm your mom, Kkot-Nim. Your mom. So trust your mom, okay?』

After giving Miso one last nod, Han Seo-Jin sprinted toward the hospital room door with all her strength.

『Doctor! Nurse! Please hurry! Our children are dying!!』

Her voice echoed through the hallway.

Then Ju Se-Hyung shouted at the top of his lungs, "Cut! Bravo!"

Miso's complete immersion had elevated the performances of every actor around her.

***

After that, Miso finished all of her remaining scenes without a single NG.

"Okay! Great work, everyone! And Miso, you were absolutely incredible today!"

Although Ju Se-Hyung showered her with praise, Miso couldn't answer. She was simply standing there, breathing heavily. The strain of forcing herself to stay focused so she wouldn't make another NG had finally caught up with her.

I rushed over and supported her. "Miso. Are you okay? How's your arm?"

Miso struggled to answer. "I'm okay... but I'm sleepy..."

I wanted to check for bruises, but letting her rest came first.

"Then sleep. I'll carry you."

"...Okay."

I scooped Miso up into my arms. Clinging to me like a koala, she rested her chin on my shoulder and drifted off to sleep almost immediately. Miso's ragged breathing echoed softly in my ear.

Holding her close, I turned to Ju Se-Hyung. "Would it be okay if Miso wrapped up here for today, Mr. Ju?"

Ju Se-Hyung nodded. "Y-Yeah. Let her get some rest. Actually, since we're already at a hospital, why don't you have her get an IV while you're here? They should check where she fell, too."

"I was thinking the same thing."

"Good."

Just then, AD Park Byung-Seo glanced nervously at his phone before cautiously speaking. "Chief Jung... But... will tomorrow's shoot be okay?"

Ju Se-Hyung shot him an irritated look. "Seriously? The kid practically collapsed, and that's what you're worried about?"

"I'm sorry. I wouldn't normally ask... but after seeing these rumors, I couldn't help it."

Park Byung-Seo held out his phone. The screen was already filled with the rumors Kim Mi-Hye had deliberately leaked.

[Child actress Miss J collapses from shock after reading hateful comments during filming of the hit daily drama Land of Happiness.]

[Beloved child actress Miss J halts all activities indefinitely.]

[Child actress Miss J suspends all filming due to panic disorder?]

[Child actress Miss J refuses food after being traumatized by online hate.]

[Will the industry lose its child acting prodigy? Retirement being discussed?]

[Child actress Miss J reportedly considering retirement from the entertainment industry.]

...

Kim Mi-Hye must have been furious. The rumors had escalated to the point of claiming Miso was even considering retiring from show business.

Only then did Ju Se-Hyung swallow hard and look at me. "Chief Jung... What's all this? Wait... don't tell me... is the company doing this because we pushed ahead after the NGs?"

"As if. The hateful comments got way out of hand, so the company's trying to suppress them through the media. Don't worry."

Only then did relief spread across Ju Se-Hyung's face. "Man... you should've told me that sooner. Phew..."

Park Byung-Seo also let out a relieved sigh.

I continued, "In the meantime, until we get the social media situation under control, I'd appreciate it if everyone stayed on the same page. You all saw how hard Miso pushed herself today."

Ju Se-Hyung nodded before addressing the staff. "Everyone saw it, right? That little girl fought through all that and acted until she collapsed from exhaustion. So if any reporters call, tell them Miso fainted and was admitted to the hospital. Got it?"

"Yes, Mr. Ju!"

After witnessing Miso's incredible performance, the entire Land of Happiness production crew had thrown their full support behind us.

***

Carrying the exhausted Miso in my arms, I took her to the private hospital room Lee Sa-Yeon was using. There was a spare bed in the room.

After gently laying Miso down, I messaged Yoo-Jin first to explain exactly what had happened.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Yoo-Jin, don't worry too much. Filming's finished, and Miso's asleep. The company intentionally leaked those rumors to crack down on the people posting hateful comments online.]

[Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Oppa, could you find those trolls' home addresses and send them to me? Okay? ^_^]

Yoo-Jin was sending a smiling emoji, which somehow made it even more chilling.

'What on earth is she planning to do if she actually got their addresses? Not a chance.'

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Don't worry about it. Just come to Hope Hospital as soon as you're done with your schedule. Miso's staying here tonight.]

[Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Oppa. I said... give. me. their. addresses.]

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Message failed to send.]

After finally calming Yoo-Jin down, I started checking the aftermath of the rumors. Just as I had expected, the social media accounts that had been posting hateful comments were dropping one after another.

[This account is private.]

[Account not found.]

Everything had gone exactly according to plan. Members of You & Me, the official fan club for Yoo-Jin and Miso, had risen up like wildfire, flooding those accounts with comments. Then the general public joined in and piled on. Terrified, the trolls began locking their accounts or deleting them altogether.

Of course, some still stubbornly continued posting hateful comments. But even they ended up editing their posts and making ridiculous excuses, only to get buried under even more criticism.

[@ANTI_MISO]

-I'm not a troll. I was just giving an objective critique of Jung Miso's acting.

I've got nothing more to say to fangirls and fanboys. If you keep harassing me, I'll sue every single one of you.

(Comments)

-Fuck you. Miso stopped filming because of people like you! You want to sue? Alright, sue me then. See you at the police station.

-If I ever get my hands on you, you're dead. Sue me? Go ahead! (You & Me Fan Club, First Generation)

-What kind of person trashes an eight-year-old kid? And you call that an objective acting critique?

-(Original post from this person: "Everyone knows Jung Miso's personality is trash. Even at school she's such a brat that the teachers can't stand her. Yoon Kkot-Nim in Land of Happiness is basically her real personality. Trash stays trash.")

-I live in the same neighborhood as Miso. She bows politely to every adult she sees. What bad personality are you even talking about?

-Judging by the photos you posted, you live in Seongsu-dong, right? I'll find you before today is over. Everyone, just wait. I'll let you all know exactly who this person is.

...

Lee Sa-Yeon looked through social media herself before clicking her tongue. "Almost... all the hateful comments... disappeared."

I nodded. "Yes. People like that usually have the weakest resolve."

"True... Still, going after Miso like that crossed every line."

"It did. I'm not letting a single one of them get away. Oh, right... Noo-nim, thank you. I truly appreciate everything you did for Miso."

"It was nothing. I just helped my niece. Besides... you already agreed to pay me... three days' wages. That's enough."

"I can't do that. I'm very particular about settling my debts. I'll make sure I repay this properly."

"You really don't have to..."

"I do, noo-nim." I firmly shook my head and stood up. "Then I'll head back to the office and wrap up everything that happened today."

Lee Sa-Yeon nodded. "Okay. Catch every one of the people who hurt Miso... and make sure they never forget it."

I glanced once at the sleeping Miso before telling Talent Agent Choi Pil-Seop to stay by her side until Yoo-Jin arrived. And once Miso woke up, they could begin her treatment.

Just as I was giving those instructions, my phone rang.

Ring.

It was Lee Doo-Oh, the person I had asked to investigate the trolls' social media accounts.

[Caller ID: Lee Doo-Oh]

As soon as I answered, Lee Doo-Oh spoke in an unusually angry voice.

-Hyung-nim, I looked into it. This whole social media attack appears to have been coordinated by a marketing company called Talk & Joy.

Talk & Joy was the third-largest social media marketing company in the industry. If a company like that had orchestrated this, then someone had paid them to make it happen. That meant there was only one thing left to do—I would go there myself and find out who was behind it.

And once I did, I would make sure they never forgot that they crossed a line they never should have.

1. The original Korean here is ajumma. Depending on context, it can be an insult since it carries unpolished or aging connotations, but in this case, it's more the literal meaning for a married woman or aunt-like figure. ☜