Top Star by Luck

Chapter 117

[Lee Min Ki Official Treatment Challenge: CKED]

It didn’t take long for CKED’s video to become a viral sensation on the internet.

Ten days.

In just ten days, Song Woo Dang emerged as a star with over 4 million views online.

If it had only blown up domestically, it might have been different.

However, since the "Treatment" challenge became a massive hit overseas, its influence also spread internationally.

And then, on top of that—

[CKED reveals history of school bullying]

The fact that CKED, the center of attention, had been a victim of ongoing school violence added fuel to the fire.

[Hello. I am CKED, Song Woo Dang.]

It seemed that Song Woo Dang had been gathering evidence and was waiting for the right time to expose it. The evidence came together quicker than expected.

[Song Woo Dang is not a victim. In fact, he is the perpetrator.]

The bullies at the time retaliated in the same manner they had in the past, framing Song Woo Dang as the aggressor.

They even went so far as to disclose their own identities.

Perhaps to emphasize their innocence, they shaved their heads to look more studious.

But—

[I anticipated this and recorded evidence.]

In just about two weeks, Song Woo Dang had carefully compiled a trove of evidence and released it like a trap card.

[You damn punk, because of you, we failed the audition.]

[Aren’t you just a useless piece of trash?]

[Lee Min Ki, that idiot, should have his eyes—]

The sheer amount of evidence was too overwhelming to dismiss with “we need to hear both sides.”

There was no counter-evidence from the bullies.

It was a case of one side having plenty of evidence versus the other making empty claims.

Which side would netizens believe?

Their choice was obvious.

[Paying homage to a legend.]

It turned into an online festival.

[Is this the meeting spot for Seongbuk-gu’s infamous group?]

[Big bros?? I’m broke??]

[Our cute students^^ Big bro is 182 cm, 91 kg, and a fitness buff. Want to collab?]

[???: Aren’t you just a useless piece of trash?]

[Lol, we hacked their KakaoTalk accounts.]

[Wow, their dads own businesses. Why did rich kids bully others?]

Just two hours after Song Woo Dang’s statement—

That was all it took for the perpetrators’ social media accounts to be completely exposed.

They threatened legal action, but unfortunately for them, it didn’t seem to hold much sway over Song Woo Dang.

This was because JC had assisted Song Woo Dang from the publicizing phase, helping to minimize any potential damage.

[Lololol]

[Getting bullied at school, practicing dance alone, and becoming an internet star.]

[This feels like an early 2000s novel plot.]

An impressive dancing skill.

A shocking backstory as a school bullying victim.

The Lee Min Ki Challenge as a platform.

With so many factors aligning, it wasn’t hard to see why Song Woo Dang was becoming a public figure.

‘He’s already famous.’

Of course, it was just one video so far.

Even though Song Woo Dang’s popularity had risen, there were still clear limitations.

This was partly because more focus was placed on the title “Lee Min Ki Challenge Participant” rather than on CKED as an individual.

[This challenge was really fun.]

[Will there be another one soon?]

[The original version is still the best.]

[It has that comforting feel of a classic dish.]

[The more I watch it, the more I’m hooked.]

[I can’t stop;; watching Lee Min Ki’s video once a day.]

Even viewers seemed more drawn to Lee Min Ki’s planning abilities than anything else.

Thanks to this, Lee Min Ki’s original video had exploded in popularity.

[Treatment Dance (Lee Min Ki Official)]

[Views: 8.31 million]

It was on track to surpass 10 million views soon enough.

Although Song Woo Dang performed well, it was ultimately Lee Min Ki who reaped the greater benefits.

As the saying goes, when the bear dances, the trainer pockets the money. But instead of taking it all, it felt like Lee Min Ki shared it in a 70:30 ratio, giving the bear its share.

Additionally, Lee Min Ki gained extra profits.

[If Actor Lee Min Ki hadn’t reached out to me, I might still be suffering in agony.]

It was his image.

In a clarification video, Song Woo Dang explicitly credited Lee Min Ki for discovering his talent and helping him.

[Let me take this opportunity to sincerely thank Actor Lee Min Ki and everyone at JC Entertainment.]

School bullying is a provocative topic.

Where there’s light, there’s also shadow.

As the perpetrators became reviled as trash, attention naturally shifted to the victim and the person who helped them—Lee Min Ki.

[While others face bullying controversies, someone is solving them.]

[For real, where else can you find a celebrity like this, lol.]

[Min Ki, I’m sorry for badmouthing you in the past.]

[The low-carb forum unanimously declares its support for Lee Min Ki.]

In many ways, Lee Min Ki gained a lot.

Though Song Woo Dang achieved much, Lee Min Ki’s overall benefit was greater.

However—

“Thank you. I got such a big opportunity thanks to you, sir. I had no idea how to get noticed through dance.”

It seemed Song Woo Dang was fully satisfied.

He had chosen dance as his career but was lost, wondering how to build his reputation from scratch with nothing.

“I honestly thought my life was over. I got so tangled up with those bullies. I even thought about changing my name.”

“Mr. Woo Dang, even without my content, wouldn’t you have gained recognition on your own? Your skills are naturally outstanding.”

Lee Min Ki casually tossed out the compliment.

"Actually, it's like this."

Song Woo Dang scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed to say it himself, then spoke.

"If it came to that, I was wondering if I should just do flash mobs on the streets every day."

"Flash mob?"

Wait.

That sounded familiar.

"You know, places like Hongdae, Konkuk University, or Gangnam Station. I thought about playing music and dancing there every day. Haha... even I think it's a bit much. I mean, who's going to notice if I just do that silently?"

No.

It's not too much.

In fact, you actually did that, and it was a huge success.

Lee Min Ki twitched the corners of his eyes for a moment before asking cautiously.

"You mean dancing with your face shown?"

"Yes? No, not like that. I was planning to use the title CKED instead of my real name."

"..."

"Was that too much as well? Haha. Wow."

Not at all.

That plan of yours becomes a massive hit, and the name Song Woo Dang becomes synonymous with the best dancer in Korea among people in their twenties.

"It was such a dreamy idea that I don't usually mention it, but since it's you, I let it slip."

"..."

"You know that person in England, Banksy? The artist who hides their identity and paints? I got the idea from that... but honestly, it doesn't suit dancing, does it? I'm not some kind of terrorist."

No.

That "terrorist" nickname ends up becoming your alias later on.

Lee Min Ki, feeling a strange sense of defeat, raised his hand to cover his eyes.

Whether or not Song Woo Dang noticed him ignoring the conversation, he continued speaking enthusiastically.

"By the way, this is a secret too. I was actually planning to reveal my face and real name if the nickname got famous after a few years of activity."

"On a broadcast?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

Of course, I know.

I know everything.

I've seen how you do it and what happens afterward.

I saw how the perpetrators tried to flip the narrative and frame you, and how it fizzled out because you couldn't handle it properly.

‘This world.’

Lee Min Ki smirked bitterly to himself.

‘This time, you handled it properly.’

It was bold.

Perhaps Lee Min Ki had underestimated Song Woo Dang.

He assumed that as a victim of school violence, it was natural for Song Woo Dang to use anonymity to overcome his trauma.

After all, he himself had revealed that in his whistleblowing video.

But the Song Woo Dang Lee Min Ki saw wasn’t that simple.

‘He’s much sharper than I thought.’

Song Woo Dang had turned anonymity itself into a character and used it as part of his identity.

Even being a victim of school violence was just another aspect of his persona.

Strong.

He was incredibly strong.

This was the source of the strange sense of incongruity Lee Min Ki had felt when he first met Song Woo Dang.

‘The guy is solid.’

Just because someone was a victim of school violence didn’t mean they’d always be gloomy and pessimistic.

But what about in reality?

"Wow, it feels so weird seeing myself on TV. What if people start recognizing me on the streets? Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. Still, I think I should start looking for a practice room starting tomorrow."

He was endlessly bright and positive, with a boldness typical of someone his age.

He didn’t seem ashamed of what had happened to him at school.

And he was right.

Victims had no reason to feel ashamed.

Shame.

That should be something the perpetrators carried with them for the rest of their lives, not the victims.

What victims deserved was...

"Those guys ruined their lives, didn’t they? Serves them right. Oh, it feels so good."

...a sense of triumph.

Seeing Song Woo Dang affirm himself despite being a victim brought a faint smile to Lee Min Ki’s lips.

‘People like him are the ones who succeed.’

Maybe that kind of personality was exactly what he lacked.

Just as Lee Min Ki was quietly reflecting on that thought.

"Come to think of it."

A calm voice spoke from right beside him.

"If you’re someone who dances, you’ll need a quiet practice room. Ideally, a place that can double as a studio."

"Who are you?"

Surprised by the sudden interruption, Song Woo Dang asked with a puzzled look.

The man answered casually, as if it was nothing.

"I’m from the same company as the actor."

It didn’t seem like much, but it was none other than Director Seo Jung Woo speaking.

Though his title was director, he was practically the real power behind the scenes.

While CEO Goo In Mo handled things externally, Seo Jung Woo practically managed everything internally. With a relaxed expression, he continued.

"JC Entertainment has an unused practice room. I think we can lend it to you for the time being."

"Really?"

Song Woo Dang asked, his face full of surprise.

Seo Jung Woo still replied in an easygoing tone.

"Why not? It’s just an unused workspace. The first one to occupy it should be the one to use it. Isn’t that right, actor?"

"..."

"See? The actor agrees too, so there’s no problem."

Of course.

Agree or not, he’s the one in charge here. What could anyone say against him?

‘What’s he up to all of a sudden?’

Thinking there might be some ulterior motive, Lee Min Ki tilted his head and studied Seo Jung Woo’s expression.

The thought flashed through his mind like resin dripping from a summer pine.

‘Recruitment?’

That’s right.

Seo Jung Woo was trying to recruit Song Woo Dang.

JC Entertainment wasn’t just an actor management company; they handled everything from singers to entertainers.

There was no reason why they couldn’t take in a dancer.

‘Not signing a contract outright but offering a practice room...’

It was likely a way to plant a seed without committing yet.

That explained Seo Jung Woo’s subtle tactics.

"Um, but who are you?"

"I’m someone who works at the actor’s company."

"Are you their manager?"

"Something like that."

Not sure what was up with that evasiveness.

Maybe he had been reading too many hidden-power novels.

They had squeezed every last drop of nectar from the flower of "treatment."

To sum it up.

[immigrant_power]

Lee Min Ki’s social media achieved its initial goal.

[Followers: 3.12 million]

And exceeded it by an overwhelming margin.

‘Unbelievable.’

Lee Min Ki twitched his eyes as he held his phone.