pjbooks Chapter 24 Unexpected Popularity
Chapter 24 Unexpected Popularity
The hotel restaurant was unusually quiet on Tuesday morning.
Most of the Korean idols and their teams who had retrieved their passports chose to take this morning's flight back to Incheon. Right now, only a few familiar Japanese celebrities and their managers were left in the restaurant, sitting in twos and threes in different corners to eat.
Eri Uchinaga from Aespa sat down alone with her manager, joining Sana Minatozaki, Momo Hirai, and Mina Mina at a table.
Mina was engrossed in playing on her phone, perhaps because she was playing so many games—rhythm games, otome games, otome games… So even if she was just doing daily tasks and clearing her stamina, she would play from morning till night.
Hirai Momo has been out having fun for the past few days, and right now she's drinking yogurt while posting on social media.
"The diplomats have left too? I wonder when the Japanese embassy will be able to retrieve your passports."
Aespa's manager, Yin Xiuhe, rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. Since arriving in Indonesia, she had been suffering from acclimatization issues and had been longing to leave as soon as possible. But who would have thought she would have to stay a few more days with Uchinaga Eri, who was temporarily unable to return home?
If there were a specific date, that would be fine; at least there would be something to look forward to. We could just count down the days and it would all pass eventually.
But now all the stranded people in the hotel are facing a countdown with a question mark on their heads; no one knows when they will be able to get their passports back.
TWICE's manager, Lee Sang-won, comforted her colleague: "These kinds of emergencies are not something that can be resolved in a day or two. The fact that the others were able to go back early was thanks to Secretary Do-hoon's efforts. Don't worry, he left the documents. If we follow the normal procedures, it shouldn't take more than a few days."
That being said... but when I was stranded in Indonesia, at least I had a couple hundred people with me, so I had a sense of sharing the hardships. Now, looking around this empty restaurant, there are more diners than waiters, so it's hard not to feel a bit disappointed.
Sana Minatozaki rested her cheek on one hand and picked up a fork with the other, putting a piece of meat into her mouth, but she didn't seem to have much of an appetite.
She couldn't figure out what she was regretting. Perhaps she liked the lively atmosphere of yesterday when everyone was forced to stay in the hotel? Or perhaps this desolate scene was affecting her mood, or perhaps...
It's probably related to Jung Do-hoon taking a taxi to the airport early in the morning.
While everyone was checking out, Sana Minatozaki used the excuse of seeing her teammates off to go downstairs and met Jung Do-hoon.
She wanted to thank him for the laundry room incident the night before, but all she noticed was a string of orange bear pendants hanging from his keychain, the same kind as the ones on her suitcase.
Although it's said to be a gift given for purchases of 200 million won or more at convenience stores, and many people in Korea probably own this orange bear, why does Jung Do-hoon have it too? And why did Mina use the orange bear as a bet in the first place?
Thinking of this, Minatozaki Sana glanced at Mina, who was engrossed in the game, and parted her lips slightly, about to say something, when Hirai Momo slapped her forehead:
"Oh no, I think I've messed up."
The attention of the others dining together was instantly drawn to Hirai Momo, and they all looked over—
"Yesterday I comforted my fans in the chat room, saying that I couldn't return to Japan for events because I was still stuck in Indonesia, and it seems like I trended on Twitter." Hirai Momo smiled wryly, showing everyone the trending topics on Twitter—
#Momo stranded in Indonesia#, #Japanese celebrity stranded in Indonesia#, #Japanese Embassy#, #South Korean diplomat#...
"It's okay, Momo. You didn't say anything wrong. You were just comforting the fans," Lee Sang-won patted Hirai Momo on the shoulder. "Look at it from another angle. If we trend on social media, public opinion will force the authorities to come forward and explain. Maybe we'll be able to get our passports soon."
"Yeah, now the Japanese embassy can't play dead anymore." Yin Xiuhe's tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction and complaint.
"I hope it's a good thing..." Mina suddenly added, but her voice was very soft, and probably no one heard her.
Sana Minato wanted to chat with Mina, but the atmosphere shifted entirely to the sudden trending topic, so she had to swallow her doubts and click on the fourth trending topic.
As expected, there was a lot of discussion about South Korean diplomat Jeong Do-hoon.
Many fans who greeted Jung Do-hoon at Incheon Airport have already uploaded photos and videos of his return to South Korea.
In the video, Jung Do-hoon was still dressed in his classic suit and tie. Even though he was trying to keep a low profile as he walked through the crowd, he was still recognized by the fans and media who came to greet him at the airport. Many people even cheered for Jung Do-hoon in the video.
But why did they know Zheng Daoxun?
After scrolling down a few pages, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press conference this morning provided the answer for Sana Minatozaki.
In the video, when the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was answering a reporter's question, the reporter mentioned that several idols and their accompanying staff were stranded in Indonesia, but had successfully embarked on their return journey this morning. The reporter wanted to know what role the Ministry of Foreign Affairs played in this.
"This is obviously a pre-arranged problem." Mina's voice suddenly came from the right, startling Sana Minatozaki, who looked at her with a hint of reproach.
Why does Mina always jump on the bandwagon whenever there's a topic related to Jung Do-hoon?
Was this arranged in advance? What does it have to do with Mina?
Sana Minatozaki ignored her and simply clicked play to continue watching.
"Faced with a sudden diplomatic issue, Secretary Jeong Do-hoon of the Cultural Exchange Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately led a delegation to Indonesia to conduct effective communication with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the tax authorities, and other relevant parties, achieving excellent results. The passports of all South Korean personnel stranded in Indonesia were returned on the same day… This incident not only demonstrates Secretary Jeong Do-hoon's outstanding work ability and responsible attitude, but also shows that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs always puts the personal safety of its citizens overseas as its top priority…"
In a very official manner, the video released by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs even thoughtfully included Jeong Do-hoon's ID photo.
No wonder these fans recognized him at the airport; they probably saw the name Jeong Do-hoon in a video posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"His ID photo makes him look even more dashing and mature than he actually is. In person, you can tell he's only twenty-five," Mina commented calmly, her demeanor revealing a clear contradiction.
If she were interested in Jung Do-hoon, she wouldn't have reacted so coldly.
But if she wasn't interested, why did Mina insist on coming over? She had paused her game halfway through.
Could it be... that she's testing Sana Minatozaki? But why?
Sana Minatozaki turned off her phone screen and said, pretending to be nonchalant:
"Mina, do you remember our bet last time? I lost. Come back to my room with me later, and I'll give you the teddy bear pendant."
Mina frowned slightly; she sensed something strange in Sana Minato's words.
Is it a murderous aura? It shouldn't be; it's just an orange bear pendant, it's not worth much.
"I don't want it anymore."
"Come on, take it. It's not like I can't afford to lose." She looked up at Mina, her eyes showing a hint of stubbornness that was barely perceptible.