From A Producer To A Global Superstar-Chapter 271: Narrative remains

The car slowed as it approached the studio entrance.

Dayo noticed the reporters immediately.

They were scattered along the roadside, some standing near parked vans, others pretending to be on their phones while clearly watching every vehicle that passed. Cameras were already raised. A few people whispered as the car went by.

Dayo didn’t react.

He didn’t slow down further. He didn’t roll down the window. He didn’t acknowledge them in any way.

This were reporters hidden around the set.

The car passed through the gate smoothly.

Behind him, a few reporters cursed under their breath. Others quickly sent messages.

"He ignored us."

"He didn’t even look."

"He’s really staying silent." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"I don’t really understand how he can stay silent without giving a statement."

Inside the compound, filming was already in progress.

The set had become busy again. Crew members moved equipment, assistants shouted instructions, extras gathered in small groups, and the set buzzed with controlled chaos. If anyone felt the tension from the outside world, they hid it well.

After all, they were professionals.

Dayo stepped out of the car and walked straight toward the set.

No one stopped him.

No one asked questions.

Work continued.

***

At the same time, in the hospital, Dae-Seok was being discharged.

The doctor handed over the final documents while his manager stood beside him, phone pressed tightly to his ear.

"It’s fine," the doctor said. "Just avoid strenuous movement for a while."

Dae-Seok nodded politely.

The moment he stepped outside the ward, noise exploded.

Reporters.

Dozens of them.

The hospital had relaxed its restrictions earlier that morning, and the media had taken full advantage of it. They crowded the exit, blocking the doorway completely.

Cameras flashed.

Microphones were pushed forward.

"Dae-Seok!"

"Are you okay?"

"Is it true Director Dayo shouted at you?"

"Were you bullied on set?"

"Why haven’t you said anything?"

"Are you afraid?"

The questions overlapped, fast and aggressive.

Dae-Seok froze for a second.

Then he lowered his head slightly.

His shoulders tensed.

His hands clenched.

He didn’t answer.

To the reporters, it looked like fear.

One of them pressed harder. "You don’t have to be scared. If something happened, we can help you."

Another voice followed quickly. "Yes, speak up. This industry protects powerful people. We’re on your side."

Dae-Seok swallowed.

He glanced at his manager, then back at the crowd.

His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to speak.

Then he stopped.

He shook his head once.

"No comment," he said quietly.

That was all.

But it was enough.

The reaction was immediate.

"He seemed scared, right?"

"He’s scared."

"Did you see that?"

"He’s clearly under pressure."

"He didn’t deny it."

The cameras captured every second.

Dae-Seok gently pushed forward, guided by hospital staff. His expression stayed tense, conflicted. He avoided eye contact, exactly as if he were someone hiding something painful.

In reality, he was acting.

And he did it well.

When they finally reached the car, he let out a long breath and leaned back into the seat.

His manager shut the door quickly and locked it.

The noise outside faded.

Dae-Seok rubbed his face.

"...That was exhausting," he muttered.

His manager looked at him through the rearview mirror. "You did fine."

Dae-Seok sighed. "Acting like that... like he actually did something to me. It doesn’t feel good."

"I know," his manager said calmly. "But you’re doing it for a reason."

Dae-Seok nodded slowly.

"I know," he repeated. "Let’s just go home."

The car pulled away.

Behind them, headlines were already being written.

Back on set, filming continued without interruption.

The scene was intense. The entire set was in motion. Extras ran. Crew members adjusted lighting. The assistant director counted down loudly.

"Rolling!" "Action!"

Dayo stood behind the monitor, fully focused.

For him, nothing else existed in that moment.

Then his phone vibrated.

Once.

Twice.

He noticed it immediately.

"Cut," he said calmly.

Everyone froze.

"I’ll be right back," Dayo added, stepping away.

He checked the screen.

Min-Jae.

He answered.

"Min-Jae," he said. "Sorry I didn’t call earlier."

"No, no," Min-Jae replied quickly. "That’s not why I called."

Dayo leaned against a wall. "What’s up?"

"I just wanted to ask," Min-Jae said carefully. "What’s your decision about everything going on?"

Dayo didn’t hesitate. "I’m not doing anything."

There was a brief silence.

"...Not doing anything?" Min-Jae repeated.

"Yes," Dayo replied. "I’m letting them push the narrative."

Min-Jae processed that.

"...Wow," he said finally. "You’re really going with that."

"It’s free promotion," Dayo said plainly.

Min-Jae laughed softly. "That’s insane. But also... smart."

He paused. "I’ve heard stories about how you think. But hearing it directly is different."

Dayo smiled faintly. "People exaggerate."

Min-Jae chuckled. "Still. I called to check in. If that’s your plan, I’ll support it."

"Thanks," Dayo said. "I appreciate it."

"Oh, by the way," Min-Jae added. "I saw your sister’s post earlier. Your family is in Korea, right?"

"Yes," Dayo replied. "They’re visiting."

"That explains it," Min-Jae said. "Alright. You guys should visit if you’re free. Okay, alright, I won’t bother you anymore. Good luck on set."

"Sure, I’ll let them know. I’m sure they would love to meet you. Alright, talk later," Dayo said.

He ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

When he returned to the monitor, the assistant director looked at him carefully, as if trying to read his mood.

Dayo simply nodded.

"Let’s continue," he said.

"Action!"

The scene resumed.

***

Across the city, in a high-rise office, a man watched the footage of Dae-Seok leaving the hospital.

The bowed head.

The silence.

The tension.

He smiled slowly.

"He’s playing his part well," the man said, not knowing why Dae-Seok behaved like this, but he didn’t care.

One of his subordinates nodded. "Public opinion is shifting exactly as expected."

"Good," the man replied. "Keep pushing it."

"But what if Dayo releases the real footage?" the subordinate asked.

The man laughed softly. "Even if he does, it won’t matter. The story has already settled in people’s minds."

He leaned back in his chair.

"And the longer he stays silent, the more powerful it becomes," he said, not knowing he was falling into a trap he couldn’t see.