EPISODE 37: The Truth of the Melody
**SCENE START]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - RECORDING STUDIO - DAY
The studio is dark, save for the glow of the mixing board. The five members of ECHO are crowded in the recording booth, headphones on. The new song, written and composed in a single night of raw emotion, is their answer to the scandal. The lyrics, written by Hyun-woo, are a poetic, powerful defense of their group.
HYUN-WOO (Singing, his voice filled with emotion) They try to haunt us with a ghost from the past A broken melody, a shadow that's cast But the truth is a light, a beat in the dark This is my new story, a brand new start...
The producer, a veteran of the industry, looks at the CEO with wide eyes. This isn't just a song; it's a statement.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - CEO'S OFFICE - DAY
The CEO, CEO LEE, sits at his desk. His phone is pressed to his ear, his voice sharp and determined.
CEO LEE (Into phone) I don't care how deep they are. We have legal grounds for defamation and malicious intent. I want a full lawsuit filed against Nexus Entertainment. We're not just taking down the post; we're taking down the source.
He hangs up, his eyes filled with a quiet fury. He will protect his group at all costs.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - MEDIA ROOM - DAY
The five boys are crowded around a large monitor. The new music video for their song, titled "Echo," is about to be released. The video is simple: just the five of them in a white, empty room, their raw emotion the only special effect.
The moment the video goes live, the comments explode. The negative comments from the scandal are immediately drowned out by an outpouring of love and support. Fans are connecting with the song, recognizing its honesty and vulnerability.
Comment 1: "This is their response? It's beautiful. I'm crying." Comment 2: "Don't listen to the haters! This song is pure fire!" Comment 3: "This is what K-pop is all about. Talent and heart. Not rumors."
The boys look at each other, their faces filled with a quiet triumph. The plan worked. Their music spoke for them.
[SCENE END]
INT. DIRECTOR LEE'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
DIRECTOR LEE sits alone, watching the comments on a live feed. The flood of positive messages enrages him. He throws his phone across the room, smashing it against the wall.
Suddenly, the door to his office is kicked open. A team of police officers floods the room, their faces stern and unyielding.
POLICE OFFICER Director Lee of Nexus Entertainment. We have a warrant for your arrest.
Director Lee's smug, confident facade shatters. His eyes are wide with disbelief. He can't believe this is happening. The power he believed he had has vanished.
[SCENE END]
INT. HYUN-WOO'S GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE - EVENING
The house is quiet and peaceful. Hyun-woo is home, enjoying a bowl of his grandmother's stew. His grandparents look at him, their faces filled with worry.
GRANDMA (Her voice is a soft whisper) Hyun-woo, we got a strange call today. A man... he said he was an old friend of your father. He knew about your father's business, about the family's secrets. He said… that if you didn't give up your music, he would reveal your family's biggest mistake.
Hyun-woo's blood runs cold. He had forgotten about this. In his past life, his father's business had a scandal of its own, a secret that could ruin his family. Director Lee's reach is much wider than he imagined.
He excuses himself and walks to his room, his mind racing. He knows Director Lee's plan. He won't just attack him; he'll attack the people he loves. He's fighting for his career, but he's also fighting for his family.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - MEDIA ROOM - NIGHT
A few hours later, the CEO's team has successfully removed all the posts and fake news stories. The internet is clean. The rumors are gone. The CEO is on a call with the police, his face filled with relief.
CEO LEE (Into the phone) Yes, we have all the evidence. Director Lee has been arrested, and the entire agency is being investigated for criminal conspiracy.
He hangs up and smiles, a triumphant look on his face.
CEO LEE (To the boys, who are watching him) It's over, boys. We won.
Min-su, Seung-ho, Jaehyun, and Taeyang cheer, a deep, joyful sound that fills the room. But Hyun-woo remains quiet. He knows the truth. Director Lee may be behind bars, but the man's allies and secrets are still out there, lurking in the shadows. He's won the battle, but the war is far from over.
FADE OUT.
[SCENE END]