S301

Society Protocol Season 3, 1

Min-hyuk Joins the Team

The initiation ceremony for the organization for Min-hyuk took place three weeks after he filmed the commercial.

During those three weeks, Kang Min-hyuk became a global star.

‘Red Over Pink,’ a drama starring Min-hyuk that was released on one of the world's leading video streaming services, became a massive hit.

Although the storyline was ordinary, it somehow became a sensation.

Global celebrities praised the drama on their social media,

and among them, there were many posts asking who Kang Min-hyuk was.

Following those posts, the public also began to take an interest in Kang Min-hyuk.

Furthermore, the corporate image advertisement created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of a telecommunications company spread not only throughout Korea,

but across the entire world.

Min-hyuk's photos were hung on streets and buildings in places like Rwanda in Africa and Vietnam,

and a department store in Japan displayed photos covering an entire wall.

Thanks to the drama's popularity, he secured a contract for an image advertisement in Japan as well. In Southeast Asia, the volume of searches for Min-hyuk exploded due to the drama's popularity.

In Europe, as the theme song of the drama starring Min-hyuk gained popularity, the view counts of music videos based on scenes from the drama skyrocketed.

Min-hyuk's photos began appearing in corporate advertisements hanging on highways in Manhattan and across various regions of the United States.

This all happened in exactly three weeks.

Min-hyuk's social media followers went from 2,000 to 20 million in an instant.

Korean news outlets continuously broadcasted the drama's hit news day after day.

However, the pace at which Korea became famous was actually slower.

It was a case where the increase in followers overseas was reported in Korean news articles, thereby making him known to the public.

Of course, since Korea is the home base of telecommunications companies, advertisements for Min-hyuk were overflowing on every street.

However, Ha-kyung's image was actually even more famous than Min-hyuk's. However, as news of his popularity overseas continued to pour in, people began searching for Minhyuk.

That was how his recognition rose.

While many rookie players have gained public affection or quickly risen to social status,

Min-hyuk’s popularity soared faster and wider than anyone else's.

This was not something that could be achieved simply through media manipulation.

It was likely possible because Min-hyuk himself possessed such inherent charm.

Ji Seo-hoon, a former manager, was also quite famous,

but he did not enjoy such widespread and explosive popularity among the public.

Although the organization promoted him, Min-hyuk rose much higher than expected.

Because fans and media reporters were always lining up to wait at Min-hyuk’s home,

he moved his accommodation to an apartment provided by the company.

For the first few days, Min-hyuk’s mother stayed with him, but because he had become such a star, they couldn’t go out together,

and since he was constantly filming, they couldn’t meet either, so she soon returned home.

Min-hyuk only managed to get a brief nap at home before spending the entire day filming and doing commercial interviews, completely losing track of time. Not only the Korean press but also foreign media were flying in to interview Minhyuk.

They had planned to hold the induction ceremony immediately, but due to Min-hyuk's schedule, it was held briefly three weeks later.

Cars began to pull into the golf practice range, the SS Korea branch, one by one.

Min-hyuk was coming in with Ji Seo-hoon in his car.

They exchanged only brief greetings in the car. There was nothing special to tell him in advance.

Then, seeing that Min-hyuk looked so exhausted, they played some mellow music.

Having distributed only dance music, he actually wanted to listen to this kind of calm, jazz-style music when he was resting.

He thought it would be nice if K-pop also released quiet music like this someday, but the possibility of that happening was not high.

As he entered the golf practice range where the Korean headquarters was located, everyone's eyes were drawn to him.

Since he was the man who appeared on the internet whenever you turned it on these days, his general outline was visible even with a mask on, so they recognized him.

The female employee at the headquarters entrance, who had never once shown such an expression toward him, also smiled and greeted Min-hyuk.

Ji Seo-hoon felt a slight sense of jealousy, but since he was his player and he was the team owner,

he considered it a reflection of his own value and let it slide.

Seniors and juniors had already taken their seats.

As a rookie player for the Korean branch, he hadn't been publicized globally, but the branch managers from each chapter had sent messages via text. And while Min-hyuk's video was sent to them, their images were not sent to him.

Since he was still a newcomer, a certain level of security was required.

“He is the first new player to join in three years, and he is our new pillar whom I am serving for the first time since becoming branch manager. Mr. Kang Min-hyuk, please come forward.”

The surrounding members clapped and welcomed Min-hyuk. Min-hyuk stood before the podium.

The lighting was so bright that he couldn't see the faces of the people around him, but he could sense the atmosphere.

He felt a sense of welcome, yet also wariness.

The female members wore expressions of approval.

“Hello. I am Kang Min-hyuk. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will do my best for the growth and development of everyone, and for the prosperity of humanity. Thank you.”

One of the members watching spoke to the others next to him while clapping.

“Maybe because he’s an actor, his pronunciation is good and his voice is full of energy. He’s good. He’s young.”

The member listening nodded.

“It feels like the members of the organization are getting better and better as time goes on.”

Among his seniors, there were medicine peddlers, street vendors, and truck drivers.

However, now there were many sports stars and professionals.

He wasn't sure which was better, but he was a member who simply felt that way.

It was Min-hyuk's turn to have his solo photo taken. And that photo would be hung on the wall.

People approached Min-hyuk while drinking champagne and began greeting him one by one.

Then, they continued the conversation, asking each other how the members were doing.

The members were happy that a new recruit had joined after a long time, but it also brought back memories of the past.

Just then, the screen turned on, and the Chairman of the European Headquarters appeared.

“Have you started the party? First of all, welcome to the new recruit, Mr. Kang. I am the President of the Headquarters.”

Min-hyuk could understand English without realizing it and could hold a simple conversation, but

he felt himself answering in English without even realizing it.

The Chairman began his story.

“I am contacting you so suddenly today because I felt Korea needed to know. It appears that organization is preparing to begin operations in earnest. They are known to be manufacturing specialized weapons and utilizing technology that has never been used before. Unfortunately, however, that technology is one that we possess.”

Ji Seo-hoon continued the conversation from the headquarters chairman.

“Then, has the technology been leaked? Or is there a traitor within?”

“Oh, Mr. Ji, that is not the case. I will simply say that we were in a situation where we had no choice but to hand over the technology. However, the problem is that we had less information stored regarding that technology than we expected. But we have discovered that Korea was the first to create that technology. So, I would like you to find out what exactly they made.”

“Understood. We will look into it and get back to you immediately. Thank you.”

“Thank you. And the young man who just arrived today? It seems my land likes you too. If you come to the UK later, let’s have a cup of tea together. Once all of this is over, that is.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

Min-hyuk gave his final farewell. Then the screen went dark.

The party atmosphere subsided slightly.

It was because it was the first time the Chairman had contacted someone personally.

They had to decide who would handle the matter. That was the authority of the Head of the Korean Branch.

“I would appreciate it if you could take charge and handle this, Senior. It would be even better if you could help with the new recruit training as well.”

There was a man who always bickered with others, yet was always chosen in moments of crisis.

He wanted to snap at them, but the situation didn't seem right for that, so he just held back and finished drinking his champagne.

“Junior, is your schedule okay?”

“Yes, I have nothing to do today.”

“Call them and clear your schedule for this week. I’ll get ready and come down, so wait outside first. Let’s leave right away.”

Min-hyuk looked at Ji Seo-hoon. Ji Seo-hoon gestured for him to do so. Min-hyuk had left his phone at the counter, so he had no choice but to go out to retrieve it.

Ji Seo-hoon approached the senior.

“Senior, please be careful. Please let me know if you need anything.”

“Don’t make that face; it’s scary. Text me the details as soon as you get them. I’ll gather the others.”

The senior whispered something to the senior member standing at the door, then went outside.

The senior member shouted loudly to the entire group.

“The protagonist went to take care of some business, so shall we play a game just the two of us for the first time in a while?”

The members came out of the basement and retrieved their cell phones from the counter.

Then, they began to line up and head up to the golf practice range above.

There was a single golf club and a ball dispenser ready.

The members stood behind the netting, each sending text messages or making phone calls.

When it was their turn, they started a game where they used drivers to hit targets hanging in the net, just as if they were stepping into a tee box.

They narrowly missed the center.

“What kind of club is this? Does it make sense if you miss?”

“That’s the beauty of the game, seniors.”

Ji Seo-hoon forwarded the text message he had received to Min-hyuk.

Min-hyuk was traveling in the senior’s car.

Similar cars were moving around the senior’s vehicle, both in front, behind, and on both sides.

He was not someone who operated in the open like the other members.

It was a basic requirement for the members that everyone had to cross the line of the law at least once. However, he was always working with the toughest people.

Min-hyuk read the contents of the text message he had received to his senior. The senior turned on his headset and pressed the button on his phone.

“Send the guys out and find them right away. The keyword is Brain Wave. It’s a company name.”

Not long after, information about Brain Wave was delivered to the senior’s phone.

The senior’s phone rang.

“Yeah, right. Did you find it?”

“Yes, the key members have left Korea. But this is that item you know well, Mr. President?”

“What? What kind of item is it?”

The senior was surprised that he knew the item, even though he had never heard the company name before.

“You know, the Gyeongnam Apartment case.”

The senior felt dazed for a moment.

“Ahhh... Is that it? Hmm... This is serious. Alright, everyone, withdraw. And catch the guy who was operating it and send him to the convenience store by the Han River. Let's meet there.”

Min-hyuk, who had been quietly watching from the side, looked curious.

“You might be curious, Junior, but I should hold back a little. This is a bit too heavy a toy for a newborn to play with.”

The senior called Ji Seohun.

Ji Seo-hoon, who had been watching the driver shot, spoke.

“Leave Min-hyuk at the Han River. I’ll have the manager collect him. I should have the manual too. Just let me know what other functions it has. Yes, Senior, thanks to you, I bought some time. Yes. Thank you.”

As soon as Ji Seo-hoon hung up with the senior, he called headquarters in the UK.

Ji Seo-hoon knew all too well that it had fallen into the enemy's hands. It was the very equipment he hated and feared the most.