Daunting Adulations

<p>"The representative from D Corporation just called. They wanted to say thanks for making the commercial go viral," Mrs. Choi said through the phone. <br/><br/>"I didn't do anything," Yeo Ri shook her head, her voice small and humble. <br/><br/>"They said that the first batch is sold out already, and the factory is working hard to restock," Mrs. Choi remarked with a slight laugh. "You'll probably get a bonus or something from that boy—I mean, Mr. Do. He must be ecstatic to know that his first project is doing so well."<br/><br/>"Anyways, good work, Yeo Ri-ah. Congratulations on your debut."<br/><br/>Despite the fact that Mrs. Choi could not see her, Yeo Ri still made a helpless face. She sighed, "Auntie..."<br/><br/>Yeo Ri had no intentions of making it big. All this time, she had merely treated the experience as something like an interesting job to pass the time. She had planned to fade out from the media once the contract ends, living a peaceful life in her new home with Gun, and later with Hyuk too. <br/><br/>But now, that was impossible. With so many people now knowing her face, even if she faded out, she would still linger in the back of everyone's mind, what with her face floating around the internet for what seemed to be forever. <br/><br/>"Oh, that's right. The D Corporation representative also told me that they'll release a statement saying that you're a newly-signed talent from our agency. Will you be fine with that?"<br/><br/>Yeo Ri sighed internally. Was there any choice for her to say no? Even if she stopped D Corporation from releasing the news, the netizens were bound to find out about her sooner or later due to her rising fame and the power of social media. She could only hope that the keyboard warriors wouldn't go around digging about her past too deeply. <br/><br/>"...It's fine," Yeo Ri smiled thinly at the empty space in front of her. "I don't mind as long as they don't release any personal information."<br/><br/>"Then, it's settled," Mrs. Choi heaved a breath of relief. "Don't worry; they'll only say that you came from us, and your name and the like won't be said."<br/><br/>"Okay."<br/><br/>"I'll have to hang up now, Yeo Ri-ah. Do check your bank account later when you have the time~" Park Soo Yeon bade goodbye with a hearty chuckle. She was in a good mood thinking about all the business that would come her way once D Corporation releases the statement. <br/><br/>After the call, Yeo Ri tapped the internet browser's icon and pulled up the tab she had kept to monitor the situation online. Now that night had turned into day, the people's online activities seemed to be more active. The views on the video clip kept multiplying.<br/><br/>A million... two million... five...<br/><br/>There was now over five million views and it had only been the second day. <br/><br/>Yeo Ri was scared. <br/><br/>It was scary to think that so many people were paying attention to her. <br/><br/>She was already uncomfortable with her admirers at school, so getting this much attention from the rest of the world was extremely overwhelming. <br/><br/>She could only hope that her fame would die out as quickly as it came. <br/><br/>With those thoughts in mind, she continued reading the good and bad comments the netizens had left behind as if she was possessed. <br/><br/>And that was how Yeo Ri spent the next three days of her life—cooped up in her home, shunning out the rest of the world, hoping that something more interesting would catch the netizens' attention.</p>