novelraw Chapter 200: Counseling Center (1)
Chapter 200: Counseling Center (1)
Kang Kiyeon finally agreed to counseling.
I heard the news from Jeong Seongbin because Kiyeon was still refusing to speak to me.
He hadn’t even left his bed, wrapped tightly in his blanket, refusing to communicate with me at all.
Because of that, I didn’t even see his face until I left for work today. My steps were heavy, even though we weren’t going to the Hanpyeong Industry.
“Kiyeon said that? That he’ll get counseling?”
Only the manager, unaware of the rift between Kiyeon and me, was delighted.
I forced a smile and agreed, then quietly called Choi Jeho.
“Hey.”
“What.”
“Give me some advice on how to appease Kiyeon.”“How would I know?”
Choi Jeho replied without even bothering to open his eyes.
Well, it couldn’t be helped. I had to be the bigger person.
I explained why he had to give me advice, presenting an irrefutable reason.
“You have a lot of experience fighting with Kiyeon.”
“Are you picking a fight?”
…His reply sounded rather unpleasant, but whatever.
At his raised voice, the other members turned to look at us in the back seats.
Oh, for crying out loud. How many times do I have to tell you to control your volume?
“Keep your voice down. The others are trying to focus.”
“The guy who’s worried about that is the one who yesterday…”
Choi Jeho trailed off, letting out a deep sigh instead.
He seemed to want to curse, but couldn’t find the right words, so he just shut his mouth.
Now there were two people in Spark who didn’t want to talk to me. I felt like all my experience in HR was useless.
I couldn’t risk provoking someone already upset with me. So, even though the back seats were more spacious than usual due to Kiyeon’s absence, I sat as close to the door as possible.
When Choi Jeho saw that, he shook his head slowly. His face seemed to say, ‘You’re really hopeless’.
Despite his annoyed expression, Choi Jeho shifted closer to me and gestured for me to come closer.
“I think this is your problem.”
“What is?”
“You do everything on your own.”
We huddled together and whispered, careful not to be overheard.
“Who told you to isolate yourself? Why do you keep everything to yourself?”
“What does that have to do with Kiyeon?”
“Don’t presume what others are thinking. Are you sure you actually got into S University?”
Seriously? Hitting where it already hurts?
But I understood what he meant, especially after Kiyeon’s outburst yesterday.
‘Is he saying I shouldn’t make assumptions and jump to conclusions?’
Indeed, I tended to make assumptions about them, based on years of observing Spark and my knowledge of future events.
But that data wasn’t always accurate. Lee Cheonghyeon, who I thought was the team’s mood maker, was constantly reading the room. Jeong Seongbin, who I assumed was strong, actually had deep insecurities. There were always variables.
“Kang Kiyeon said it before. He said my problem was saying things I shouldn’t, and yours was not saying things you should.”
“I wish you’d told me that sooner, Jeho.”
“Even if I did, would you have listened?”
Choi Jeho rarely hit the mark, but he did this time.
“Think about it. If this hadn’t happened, would you have listened to me or Kiyeon?”
He was right. I couldn’t argue with that point.
“And while you’re at it, work on your self-esteem.”
“What’s wrong with my self-esteem?”
“It’s broken. You have no pride.”
Just like Kiyeon, Choi Jeho was saying all sorts of things. I wanted to retort, but I held back. Getting worked up now was less important than getting some help.
“This isn’t about being too humble because people look down on you.”
“Then what is it?”
“You’ve gotten used to self-deprecation.”
Choi Jeho said it casually, but for some reason, his words pierced deep.
But what was I supposed to do?
‘Assistant Manager Kim, are you saying just because you graduated from S University, those who didn’t should just bow down and agree with everything you say?’
‘Even if we didn’t go to S University, both Team Leader Jo and I went to SKY universities. You know our alma maters, right? Your classmates from that year wouldn’t dare talk back to us.’
They wanted my opinions, but every time I spoke, I got attacked for unexpected reasons.
In the working world, people would beat you down until you broke, and if you didn’t break, they’d bend you until your spirit was crushed.
I needed a defense mechanism to survive. I needed to breathe.
My mind was a mess. Seeing my state, Choi Jeho added.
“Did no one tell you that being too self-deprecating is not a good look?”
“Huh?”
“My sister always gets scolded by my mom for the same reason. On the other hand, I get criticized for not being humble enough, so I never understood.”
“…….”
“But looking at you, I get it now.”
Sitting sideways, I made eye contact with Choi Jeho. My reflection was clear in his dark eyes.
“You’re overdoing it.”
“That’s…”
“Imagine Jeong Seongbin or Park Joowoo suddenly coming to the dorm and saying, ‘Hyung, I don’t think I’m cut out to be a singer.’”
“I’d immediately start reprogramming their minds.”
“Well, I hope you reflect on yourself now.”
Just as I was about to retort that Jeong Seongbin and Park Joowoo couldn’t be compared to me, Choi Jeho turned back and leaned his head against the window, closing his eyes again.
At least he didn’t seem as uncomfortable around me as before.
* * *
The schedule went smoothly, aside from the fact that it gave me a lot to think about.
If there was anything else that bothered me… it would be that every time Lee Cheonghyeon found a spot with Wi-Fi, he would use the spare phone to search whether dark circles were a known side effect of headache medication.
I confiscated the phone, since he kept looking down while getting his makeup done for the fansign. With Kang Kiyeon missing, the rest of us had to work harder to maintain the group’s visual average.
The fansign went without a hitch. We told them that Kang Kiyeon was resting well, and the five of us worked hard to keep the energy up and minimize his absence. Even from my perspective — as someone who had read hundreds of fan accounts, from ‘dead-fish eyes’ comments to ‘cost-effective fan signing’ reviews — I could confidently give us a passing grade.
What was remarkable was that they worked harder than usual without me having to say anything.
I had to admit, I was quite proud of them for that.
After the signing event, my destination split from the other members.
“We’re dropping Iwol hyung off first and then heading to the company, right?”
“Yes. We have to if we want to make it on time.”
The manager answered Jeong Seongbin’s question while operating the navigation system.
Today was the filming day for the promotional variety show for In My Office. I found myself thinking why it had to be today of all days, but in a way, it was probably better that I wasn’t at the dorm — it would help the atmosphere.
Oh, right. Choi Jeho told me not to overthink things like that.
“Did you hear about what you’ll be doing?”
Lee Cheonghyeon asked. He knew it was confidential information, so he was probably just trying to lighten the mood from yesterday.
“Not really. I just hope it’s not an office worker experience.”
The show was famous for visiting unique locations tailored to the guests. Considering the theme of In My Office, it wouldn’t be surprising if they rented an office… but that would be too predictable.
Perhaps because he hadn’t yet become a popularity monster, Lee Cheonghyeon asked innocently.
“Why? Isn’t that the most likely concept? You went viral because of that.”
In an era overflowing with content, In My Office hadn’t been a huge success.
But it did leave a mark.
『5 minutes of viral ‘In My Office’ moments』
『Guan: Ah… I want to quit my job.』
『Younghwan: Assistant Manager, our salaries have been deposited.』
『Guan: I’ll work hard just for today.』
『A brand name that’s surprisingly pronounceable』
『Younghwan: Assistant Manager, have you seen the surge in MyNewVisionDynamicSecuritiesInvestmentTrust?』
『Guan: Yeah. This could be jackpot.』
『Suna: What are you guys talking about? …Gasp, is that the MyNewVisionDynamicSecuritiesInvestmentTrust graph?』
『Guan: Yes. Team Leader Ji is going to make a killing!』
Short clips kept being posted.
This was the area that Ha Seomyeong and the PDs had invested in, seeing its potential.
And among those, the most popular clips were…
『Guan: Mr. Younghwan’s desk is so bare. Are you not interested in having a plant, like a cactus?』
『Younghwan: The feng shui of my seat isn’t suitable for keeping living things. It’s tough just sitting here.』
『Guan: …You don’t have a resignation letter hidden in your drawer, do you?』
『Younghwan: Of course not. We have to submit our resignations electronically.』
『Guan: …』
『Seongin: As the maknae, what do you think, Mr. Younghwan? Am I really a difficult team leader?』
『Younghwan: No. We all know you’re working hard for the best results, Team Leader.』
『Seongin: Not exactly the answer I was hoping for.』
『Younghwan: (A look that says, “Then why did you ask?”)』
『Guan: Mr. Younghwan, what would you do if you won the lottery?』
『Younghwan: I’m thinking of throwing a party with my team members.』
『Guan: A lottery party?』
『Younghwan: A farewell party for myself.』
…Surprisingly, it was a compilation of relatable office worker moments featuring Do Younghwan.
≫ Younghwan’s eyes are dead inside
└ His acting is excellent. It’s like he pulled a real office worker from Yeouido
└ What do you mean ‘pulled’? Yeouido office workers are people too!!!!!!!
≫ I saw someone like that on the subway
Holding the handrail with one hand and reading something clipped to a paper with the other
And sighing every 30 seconds
└ Don’t lie. I’ve been commuting on Line 2 for four years and have never seen such a handsome man
└ That’s why you should have taken Line 5 or 9
≫ Is In My Office’s Do Younghwan an idol????
He’s so handsome
└ Yes
└ His acting isn’t bad either
└ Not enough screen time to call it acting though
└ So many people ruin the mood with even less screen time… Kim Iwol is above average
└ Is Kim Iwol his real name?
└ Yeah, he’s a member of a group called Spark
≫ Finding out that my one-pick, who looked so worn down by life, is actually a 21-year-old baby…
└ Wow, the actor who plays Do Younghwan is 21?
└ I thought he was at least in his late 20sㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ I’m not saying he looks old, but really… His sighs and attitude are that of a working adult. It’s definitely not a vibe you get from a young’un.
≫ Give Do Younghwan to our team
I’ll put our team’s Mr. Heon under my pillow, so please replace him with a new Do Younghwan
└ Mr. Younghwan has lived a virtuous life
└ I’ve lived a virtuous life too, dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!
≫ Let’s talk about episode 5 of In My Office
.
.
.
And Mr. Younghwan… what a captivating characterㅋㅋㅋㅋ
He’s completely focused on work, but he’s the fastest to reply when Guan messages himㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
He even uses super cute emoticons
So far, Mr. Younghwan seems to be the scene-stealer, but it’s sad he doesn’t have many lines… Is anyone a Younghwan stan???
└ I’m a Do Younghwan stanㅋㅋㅋ He’s so funny because he only says what’s necessary. He’s like a chatbot coded by a developer with a great sense of humor
└ That analogyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I wasn’t sure what you meant, but it’s perfectㅋㅋㅋ
└ If you’re a Younghwan stan, it’ll get more and more funㅇㅇ I’m happy his screen time increases
└ [Author] OMG really??? I’m going to binge-watch until the last episode tonight
And that was why I ended up appearing on the promotional variety show alongside the two main leads.
Thanks to that, they rushed to book me the day before filming. Honestly, the haphazard way things were progressing felt eerily similar to our own company.
When I arrived at the filming location, I greeted the staff until the signal for final prep was given. People politely said they enjoyed the drama. Since I hadn’t contributed much to the final product, all I could do was bow and thank them sincerely.
Ha Seomyeong arrived next. After exchanging brief greetings with the staff, she strode towards me.
“Mr. Iwol, it’s been a while!”
“How have you been? It’s good to see you again.”
“Yeah, really. Your clips are all the rage. They keep popping up on my feed.”
Ha Seomyeong was as energetic as ever. She even gave me a big thumbs up, as if words weren’t enough.
Then, her voice lowered slightly.
“Things are hectic these days, huh?”
It was an indirect question. She must have heard about Kang Kiyeon.
Since she’d been supporting Spark’s activities on her personal SNS even before In My Office was released, it wasn’t surprising that she’d seen the news.
“Yes, a little.”
“It must be a strange feeling filming a variety show at a time like this.”
Ha Seomyeong smiled sympathetically. Since I wasn’t exactly feeling great either, the best I could do was offer a small smile in return.
“I know this won’t help much, but if you need anything, let me know. If necessary, I’ll pull out the story of how I once fought with Gu Jahan on set.”
She sounded serious. If I didn’t stop her, she would probably reveal everything that happened between her and Gu Jahan on set.
I couldn’t let her turn someone else’s filming set into a battleground. I thanked her, saying her words were enough.