Days have come and gone when the 'Star of the Republic, Ms Han Byeolbit,' world-renowned as the 'Heavenly Maiden' was unmasked. However, during the period, the Han family had remained silent on the matter until today.
The Han family have post on their socials to hold a life event, to address the issue at hand. The stream is scheduled for 19:00 across all their streaming platforms and designated channels.
Purr… purr… purr…
"Hello, Mr. Jo."
"Mr Sun, where are you?" The voice from the other side of the phone asked.
"I'm in the outskirts," Mr Sun answered as he stepped out from the dark shelter, with a shovel in one hand. "Is there something going on in Souel I should be aware of?"
"Before I answer that… is Ms Han with you?"
"She is," he said as he watched Byeolbit run around with the children as though this were her first. "I brought her with me for a change of pace and a breath of fresh air from everything going on. But is there something ongoing?" He asked his voice turning stern.
"Is she within your immediate vicinity?"
"She's not, but I'll be in ours if you keep dragging things out."
"Sir, please calm down."
"Jo Woon, I am as calm as I could ever be." The tension in his muscles began to relax, "So what is it?"
"Its the Han family, Sir." Immediately the now relaxing muscles stiffen as he heard the mention of that cursed family. Silence reigned, save for the distant laughter of the children and the operations of machinery.
"Sir, sir? Mr Sun are you there?"
The call of his name finally brought him back, "What are they up to now?"
"The Han family is going to address issues surrounding Ms Han."
"What are they going to do? They've been silent and now they want to talk, bullshit." He threw the shovel with great force, his anger was palpable. "This ulter bullshit. For fuckers sake, when she was all alone with nowhere to go, where were they? Now they're coming to sing and cry for sympathy."
"Sir please remain calm."
"Remain calm for what, Jo? Remain calm for what?" His eyes burned with righteous fury. "Do you even understand this industry and the rotten who worship it. You very well know my experience and youre tell me to remain calm!"
"I'm truly sorry for bringing up things meant to be buried. However sir, please refrane Ms Han any possible access to the media, until it ends. Depending on what they paint you can make the right choice."
"Ive heard you, Jo." He hung up the call, staring at the happily playing with mixed emotions.
Joonseo shoved the phone into his pocket, his knuckles white against the fabric. He looked at Byeolbit—she was laughing, actually laughing, as she chased a toddler through the tall grass. It was a sound he hadn't heard in the city. The thought of the Han family using their "Life Event" to twist the narrative and reclaim or discard their "Star" made his stomach churn. He knew how they worked: tears on camera, rehearsed apologies, and a subtle redirection of blame onto the victim.
He decided then that he wouldn't just hide the media from her; he would build a fortress around her mind. He picked up the shovel he had thrown and began to walk toward her, forcing a mask of calm over his features. He couldn't let his shadow touch her light—not today.
Knowing he couldn't restrain the people from viewing the current trends and news in the media, Joonseo had to find a way to distance Byeolbit from everyone and everywhere.
Picking up the shovel which had fallen a considerable distance, Joonseo walked through the field as he approached Byeolbit. Now looking at her, she was far from what she was. Without the heavy makeup and the "Heavenly Maiden" persona, she was just a child in a woman's body, living out the life she was robbed of. Her stylish hair had partially come loose from its intricate tie as she chased a toddler. Getting mud and dirt on her ever-pristine body.
"Ms Han," she turned around mid-run a wide smile spreading across her face. This wasn't one for the stage or for fansigning, this was a true, genuine smile. The sight left Joonseo awestruck, he had never known this side of hers, 'I shall immortalise this scene.'
"Mr Sun you're here," she ran towards him, grabbing hold of his workfit while pulling him to where the children are, "come join us."
"I'm sorry Ms Han, but another." The words left Byeolbit disheartened, driving her back.
"Did I do something wrong, Mr Sun?"
"No, no," he raised his hands in the air in protest before settling them on her shoulders. "I have no such intentions, Ms Han, I was thinking maybe we could do something together. Ms Han, how much have you seen of the Republic outside concerts and idol activities?"
"Not much," she became more downcast.
"Then why don't we go on a road trip just you and me?"
"Really," she brightened like the star is, her joy casting away their shadows. "When do we leave?"
"Its almost 13:00, so in two hours?"
Joonseo's words didn't even land when Byeolbit had already sprinted to the house they were living in. "Ha ha, seems she can't contain herself."
'Phew, that almost caught me off, guard. Now Han' his thoughts becoming cold, 'I am all ears. I hope you choose words carefully.'