Chapter 2: Public Eye

[169 comments]

• Kang Woo-joo’s skill is undeniable, but his personality is… really something~ What is he thinking, acting like that toward a much older senior player~

└ Those old-timers always whining about age lol. Look, it was Lee Geon-woo who crossed the line first, but everyone blames Woo-joo;;

• Everyone should watch the video. Lee Geon-woo clearly overdid the celebration first.

└ True, but Woo-joo also went too far. Not exactly appropriate behavior toward a senior.

• Honestly, the level of some journalists is unbelievable;; Speaking as someone who was at the stadium, Lee Geon-woo did go overboard. Everyone was cursing him, it was chaos, so learn and curse properly.

└ So that’s why people become famous? Fans defending him like this… Woo-joo must be happy.

└└ He’s basically a “top star” in the domestic league lol.

• Isn’t Woo-joo already notorious for his personality? Didn’t he return to the domestic league after a brief year overseas because of conflicts with teammates?

└ Yeah lol probably. Fans defend him just because of his face, so he thinks nothing can touch him.

└└ What are you talking about? That’s all rumors. He just returned because the contract negotiation fell through, so don’t jump to conclusions if you don’t know.

• Skilled, filming ads, fans pampering him~ Thinks he’s someone special, acting up toward elders!!

The match ended in conflict between the two players, and reporters covering it excitedly spread the story.

Not only the article Park Hyun-jin had sent, but countless others appeared online in real time.

The problem was that the story exaggerated things Woo-joo hadn’t even done.

Rumors spread that Woo-joo had sworn at the other player, or that he had provoked first, all nonsense on social media.

Of course, the root cause was Lee Geon-woo’s over-the-top celebration that made people frown.

Some netizens defended Woo-joo, but most dismissed it as “fan’s blind defense.”

[ㄷㅊ]

Woo-joo sent a simple message and put his phone down.

He didn’t care about this kind of thing anyway.

For people who already decided to criticize him, the truth of the event didn’t matter.

Just as he picked up his spoon again, his phone buzzed briefly.

He thought it was Park Hyun-jin again, but it was someone else.

[Player Kang, could you come to the office around 2 PM?]

It was an agent from the agency he belonged to, not the team.

“Ah, really.”

Woo-joo muttered a curse quietly.

By now, the cereal was soggy and tasteless.

Baek Young Construction setter, Kang Woo-joo.

The first Korean player—and the youngest—to play in a European volleyball league, he returned to the domestic league after a year abroad.

He was regarded as a key member who led Baek Young Construction, a perennial 3rd-4th place team, to back-to-back league championships.

Among players of a similar age, he was clearly the top star.

Thanks to his remarkable looks, he was almost as famous as any celebrity in Korea.

Because of this, he had an agency supporting his external activities beyond the team.

Today, Woo-joo visited that office for the first time in a while.

“They published a rebuttal article, but the comments aren’t very favorable.”

Sitting around a table with the staff in the conference room, Woo-joo felt as if he were being interrogated.

“Also, ridiculous feeds keep circulating on social media. We’re requesting deletion, but the information spreads so fast…”

Woo-joo’s public image was literally that of a genius player.

But his popularity had another reason.

During matches, he was sensitive, but in usual promotional videos or team content, he acted embarrassed or awkward, showing a very different side.

Fans loved the contrast between the two sides.

But now, that sensitive image during the game was the problem.

“Ah, Woo-joo. I knew that bastard would cause a huge incident.”

Lee Ki-cheol, the agency director and Woo-joo’s close senior-friend, slammed the desk in frustration.

“You should’ve maintained that sensitive image you’ve built!”

“I never asked for image-making. That bastard Lee Geon-woo provoked first, so why blame me?”

“You should’ve restrained yourself. People are watching…”

The staff sitting between them shifted uncomfortably.

“Forget it. Don’t respond. Just let it die down. Player clashes aren’t new.”

It would be ridiculous to respond to every false accusation.

Probably Sanhae Life was planning a media play too, but he didn’t want to engage.

“But… the public opinion is worsening fast. Even the official team accounts are getting hate comments, and there are inquiries about refunds for this week’s fan events…”

The staff hesitated to say outright they couldn’t ignore it, and Woo-joo bit his lip.

Even if unintended, if it caused harm to others, he had to admit some fault.

“I’m sorry. It’s all because of me.”

He bowed to the staff, except Lee Ki-cheol.

“No! We’re on your side. No need to apologize.”

“Yeah. Honestly, everyone knows Lee Geon-woo crossed the line first. People just bite when they see an opportunity.”

Ki-cheol also scolded Woo-joo but knew the reality: public opinion was boiling excessively.

Woo-joo sighed.

Even so, if he returned to that match, he’d probably act the same way.

“Boss, I think we should consider this method…”

The highest-ranking staff whispered to Ki-cheol.

Other staff nodded in agreement.

The atmosphere felt like a secret operation, making Woo-joo nervous.

“Kang Woo-joo.”

“Don’t call me like that, it’s unnerving.”

“Our priority is to restore your image. Do you know how many ads are pending? If they fall through, I’m screwed too.”

“So what, I pay the penalty?”

“No. I said we focus on your image restoration.”

Woo-joo furrowed his brow.

Whenever Ki-cheol spoke like this, it usually meant bad news for him.

“Woo-joo, let’s shoot a variety show.”

Ki-cheol’s sudden proposal made Woo-joo react half a beat late.

He didn’t understand it, just tilted his head, and Ki-cheol quietly handed him a tablet.

An observational show called Living Together, Two People.

The program put two people, who didn’t know each other well, together in a prepared residence and filmed their natural interactions.

Before airing, it received criticism because the public doubted the appeal of forcing strangers to live together.

Yet, as always, you never know until you try.

The show’s first season achieved over 15% viewership.

The cameras captured the process of the cast growing closer and the unexpected chemistry that emerged, captivating the audience.

The main PD’s eye for casting was exceptional, pairing seemingly incompatible or unexpected personalities to create perfect dynamics.

Many viewers commented, “I didn’t expect their chemistry to be this good.”

Thanks to this success, the show had reached season 3 and was now preparing for season 4.

The public eagerly awaited it, especially the cast.

“So you want me to do this?”

Woo-joo frowned, staring at the tablet.

It showed the program introduction and a basic plot summary.

“Yes. I was contacted a few days ago. The PD really wants you cast.”

“I told you I don’t do this kind of stuff.”

Woo-joo sighed and set the tablet down.

By now, only Ki-cheol and Woo-joo were left in the conference room.

The staff had returned early to manage the controversy.

“I said I’d only do commercials.”

As a star athlete, Woo-joo often received offers to appear on variety shows or cameo in dramas.

But he always firmly refused.

Athletes are supposed to train, not sit around filming.

He initially disliked commercials too but accepted them because they were one-time shoots.