AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 60

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017

 

"Morality must include humility, or we're just hypocrites putting abstract ideals before the lives of real people." -- Yoon Hyung-Chul

 

 

MBS HQ, YEOUIDO, SEOUL ...

 

"I prepared the file you requested, Director..."

 

Hyung-Chul turns away from the window of his office overlooking the street in front of MBS, where a layer of white powder is accumulating from an early snowfall.

 

"Lock it away in the office safe," he orders his Assistant Director, Kim Sun-Dal.

 

"But..."

 

"I don't need to see for myself," he explains, "I've heard more than enough from everyone else. Did you find out the source yet?"

 

"No, but my people are still digging," Sun-Dal affirms. "We did determine that it's legitimate. The photographer, and the filming studio, if that is what you can call a porn shop, are located in the LA area, just like the anonymous post claimed."

 

"It is what it is," Hyung-Chul sighs, unhappily. "There's no denying the facts."

 

Sun-Dal's mobile buzzes...

 

"Yes?" he answers with a clipped voice. "Okay..."

 

"Everyone is waiting for us," he tells Hyung-Chul. "I'm afraid that Director Kim is..."

 

"I'll handle Director Kim," Hyung-Chul interrupts. "Let's do this like we planned, okay?"

 

"Sure. Boss..." Sun-Dal answers skeptical they can pull it off...

 

 

The Executive Conference room is only a few steps from Hyung-Chul's office. As Hyung-Chul enters, followed by Sun-Dal. His executive assistant, already in the room, hovers unobtrusively near the door.

 

Everyone rises from their seats, with the exception of Director Kim Eun-Ki, who merely nods acknowledgement of his rival's appearance.

 

"As you were," Hyung-Chul commands as he takes the presiding seat at the head of the long conference table.

 

Sun-Dal slumps into the first chair, next to Hyung-Chul's, on the left side of the table; Director Kim is seated in the first chair on the right side. Public Relations Manager Oh is next to Sun-Dal, with Manager Ryu of Personnel Affairs next to Kim. Other corporate managers fill out the remainder of the seats.

 

The room is tense, with everyone anxiously awaiting to see how the competing top brass will jointly handle the brewing scandal.

 

"Gentlemen, thank you for assembling at such short notice," Hyung-Chul opens the meeting. "You all know why we are here. The floor is open for comment."

 

Director Kim is the first to speak: "This couldn't have come at a worse time, Director Yoon, with the year-end sweeps at hand. But you already know that...

 

All eyes travel from Director Kim to Director Yoon, watching with bated breath for Hyung-Chul's reply, but he remains silent, tight-lipped.

 

"Don't you vet your actresses before casting them?" Kim goes on to criticize. "I thought it was standard procedure these days. What will the Board think about your ability to lead this company, if you can't produce a simple TV program without a scandal?"

 

"Let's leave speculations for another time, and deal with today's problems today," Hyung-Chul replies emotionlessly, determined not to take Kim's bait...

 

"As far as I'm concerned, we have only one reasonable choice: cancel the program and fire Park So-Won," Eun-Ki offers his resolution. "We have to make an example of her, to separate MBS as much as possible from any taint that this scandal might bring. Our reputation is at stake..."

 

"I agree that the reputation of MBS is at stake, "Hyung-Chul concurs, "But I disagree about what that reputation should be, and the steps needed to protect it. So I'm considering not cancelling the program, and not firing Park So-Yon..."

 

Murmurs of surprise break out around the room, as managers and staff whisper among themselves...

 

 

Believing that Hyung-Chul's approach will lead him into a morass of further problems, Eun-Ki strategically backs off from his stated position. "Very well, Director Yoon, do as you wish. I'm washing my hands of the entire situation, and will let you explain your decision to the Board."

 

Eun-Ki nods to his staff as he announces, "I have another meeting already on my calendar. Good day, Director..."

 

 

Amid the commotion of Director Kim and his staff exiting the conference room, Sun-Dal leans closer to Hyung-Chul and quietly remarks, "He seems perfectly happy about this. I'd give odds that Kim and his sister had a hand in it somehow."

 

With the conference room doors closed again, Hyung-Chul brings the meeting back to order. "Does anyone else have an opinion? I'd like to hear your assessments. Manager Ryu, any comment?"

 

"I agree with Director Kim, we have to fire Park So-Won, immediately!" Manager Ryu strongly insists. "We can't have such a woman of ill repute representing MBS!"

 

A Senior staffer then proposes, "Given the circumstances, I agree with Director Kim, too. Cancel the program immediately, before it becomes a ratings disaster."

 

"Director Yoon. I won't work for a company that employs a slut like her!" Assistant PR Manager Song airs his opinion forcefully.

 

"Right!" another voice speaks up. "Most of us here also agree!"

 

The room breaks out in a buzz of side conversations...

 

Hyung-Chul does not reply to the challenge from his own staff, but nods a silent signal to Sun-Dal.

 

Standing to get attention, Sun-Dal commands loudly. "Enough! Anyone with more complaints, voice them in turn..."

 

The room quiets down, but no one speaks up. Everyone is on edge to hear what Hyung-Chul has to say.

 

 

"No one else?" Hyung-Chul asks, knowing that now he has to make his case...

 

"First, let's look at things logically, and set the hysterics aside," he lays the ground work. "What do the InstaPolls say?"

 

"They're split. About half think it's no big deal, while the other half think Park So-Won should never be on TV again," PR Manager Oh reads from the report in his hands.

 

"And the Netizens?"

 

"The fansites are buzzing, of course, with speculation that there's more salacious revelations still coming. But aside from the usual group of anti-fans, most seem to be taking a ‘wait-and-see' attitude."

 

Hyung-Chul nods. "Good. Let's build on that. Have the writers work a similar scandal into the storyline. A main theme of ‘Catwalk' is about overcoming obstacles and picking up the broken pieces to achieve ultimate success. Having the aura of this scandal will only add to the program hype, right?"

 

"Then you really have no intention of firing Park So-Won?" Manager Ryu asks.

 

"I'm reminded of a certain story," Hyung-Chul begins. "One day, a scandal is brought to the Founder of a prominent well-regarded organization: a woman from the lowest ranks of the organization is accused of violating company rules against employee-supervisor relationships. Evidence is presented, and the case is proven true without a doubt. The Founder's advisors clamor for this woman's dismissal, to remove any stain on the organization. Would anyone like to venture how this was resolved?"

 

Hyung-Chul looks around the table for anyone to respond, but no one dares to make a guess.

 

"Very well, I'll tell you the outcome," he continues. "The Founder puts the decision into the accusers' hands, on the one condition that whoever steps forward to condemn the woman first be without fault himself..."

 

After a long pause, he asks, "Gentlemen, which of you can honestly, in good conscience, step forward and cast the first stone here?"

 

No one is willing to speak, and Hyung-Chul nods. "I thought so... How many among us have ever looked at similar pictures and videos? Doesn't that make the men as guilty as these women society wants to condemn?"

 

He slowly looks around the table again, pausing to assess each man's reaction. Some glare back unrepentant, some nod in agreement, while others avert their eyes guiltily.

 

"I want MBS to be known as an organization with the highest standards, and each of us is responsible for achieving and maintaining that reputation for morality and excellence. But morality must include humility, or we're just hypocrites putting abstract ideals before the lives of real people."

 

He sees heads are nodding, more than before, but some still hold out...

 

"I'm not putting this up for a vote, the weight of this decision, and the consequences, rest on me alone," Hyung-Chul defines his responsibility. "But agree or not, I'm holding all of you accountable for one thing... If I hear that anyone in this company has uttered a single derogatory word toward Miss Park, I will hold YOU as their managers directly responsible. Do I make myself clear?"

 

Sun-Dal speaks up, "Yes, Director. Loud and clear."

 

"Then this meeting is dismissed," Hyung-Chul announces.

 

 

After the room is empty except for Hyung-Chul and his assistant, Sun-Dal offers his assessment: "You're skating on thin ice, as everyone knows of your ‘secret engagement' with So-Won. They're only going to see this move as protecting her, like everyone did with Sun-Mi before."

 

"Let people think what they want," Hyung-Chul brushes off the concern. "What I did today was right. Regardless of the outcome I won't regret it."

 

 

A knock sounds at the door... Hyung-Chul looks to see who it is.

 

"Come in, PD Kang," he invites the man in. "What brings you all the way up here?"

 

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Director. We have an emergency," he announces breathlessly. "It's Park So-Won... she didn't show at this afternoon's shoot, so I sent someone to look for her. They found this, addressed to you..."

 

Hyung-Chul takes the note and reads it aloud:

 

... ‘Director Yoon -- By now you must have received the news about a part of my life I've tried to hide in shame. Let me just say that I've made decisions which I have since regretted. I've said this before, but knowing you is still the best gift I've ever had. It's too bad we never had the chance for that cup of coffee again. -- Park So-Won' ...

 

Hyung-Chul looks shaken. "How long since she went missing?"

 

"Maybe an hour or two?" Kang guesses. "Do you know what is she talking about?"

 

Hyung-Chul is on his feet before PD Kang finishes. "I think I know," he replies, "and if I'm right, we don't have a moment to waste!"