Chapter 97: < Protect – Episode 96 – The World’s Top 4 Beauty Pageants [2] >

If a person had to pick the most mysterious job, he or she wouldn’t leave out being a political activist. What on earth was it that they do? There were many professionals such as doctors, nurses, and lawyers among these activists, but most of them were just popular people.

What people need to spread the word wasn’t expertise but popularity. Come to think of it, makeup artists didn’t need to be makeup-creating scientists. However, for the group organizations that seek public interest, they preferred to pick goodwill amba.s.sadors rather than just anyone with high popularity.

It wasn’t just diplomats who were on the international stage. No matter what people said, superstars had more influence. People knew Justin Bieber more than the Canadian amba.s.sador. And there were countless international events that were shown around the globe. The G7 and the BRICS summits were a few examples.

Technological shows such as motor shows and game shows took place every year in different countries. Then what about academia? Forums and seminars took place on a regular basis as well. Of course, there was another event that was more prestigious. If Ahn Soo Ho had to pick the most useless event, he would have picked this one.

‘World Beauty Pageant’

What does beauty have to do with world peace? If global leaders would send pretty women to the battlefield, would the bullets stop in midair? If they were sent to Africa, would their hunger end? That was ridiculous. All they could do was pose in front of a camera and look pretty.

It was a business that had nothing to do with public interest. It was pretty much a human advertis.e.m.e.nt. Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth were the world’s top 4 beauty pageants, and in order to advance to that level, contestants had to win their regional compet.i.tions first. It was the biggest event that the world with luxury brands and the world beauty industry.

It was just Eric Rupi and the Italian intelligence agency’s threat that helped wrap up Han Chae Kyung’s case. Ahn Soo Ho told Kim Na Hee to put down the reputation that she had acc.u.mulated over the years. Since she was in the fas.h.i.+on world, telling her to let go of her brand was like a death sentence. However, that was the only way to satisfy the stakeholders.

No one liked to be put at a loss.

“A L’Oreal scouter?”

“Yeah. They asked if I wanted to become a model.”

“Haha. That’s hilarious.”

The person that Ahn Soo Ho met at the outdoor café told him funny stories. She was particularly proud that a scouter from L’Oreal offered her a modeling job. Could makeup be the determining factor for a top star’s value and recognition? However, it was still funny.

Even if they couldn’t recognize Jang Seol Hyun, how could a L’Oreal scouter not recognize Lila? Didn’t that mean they were a scam artist? Maybe once the filming crew left, they couldn’t even imagine that she could have been a celebrity.

“You keep calling yourself a world star, but it looks like you’re only famous in the States, Lila.”

“Hey! That’s not true!”

Lila got mad at Ahn Soo Ho’s mockery. She also felt a little embarra.s.sed. They thought the café only sold coffee or beverages, but as soon as night came around, they started selling alcohol. But then again, Monaco was influenced by France, so they considered alcohol as just regular beverages. But that didn’t mean drinking laws were less strict.

People thought high schoolers abroad partied, did drugs, and had s.e.x, but that stereotype was made up by the media. American dramas made it look like the police and gangs shot at each other all the time, but it was just like how public order depended on what area a person lived in. In that sense, Monaco was one of the few cities in Europe where it was safe to walk around at night alone.

“Cheers!”

“But that’s weird. There were so many paparazzi here before. But once you showed up, they disappeared.”

“You’re right. What happened, Soo Ho?”

Jang Seol Hyun and Lila looked around in fascination. It was surprising because there were dozens of paparazzi buzzing around like flies earlier.

“You taught them a lesson, didn’t you?”

The truth was, he used magic to get rid of them, but he would have sounded crazy if he said that.

“Wow! Those persistent b.a.s.t.a.r.ds listen to Soo Ho?”

“Don’t you remember, Lila? Back in the States, he totally destroyed some of them.”

“Oh! Stanley Howard. That’s right. He got his a.s.shole ripped, right?”

“Hey! Stop talking about a.s.sholes while we eat.”

Did that come out of the princess of pop’s mouth? All Americans were being scammed. While the two women talked and laughed, Ahn Soo Ho got out of the conversation and patted Han Kyung Il who just sat there blankly.

“Was that hard?”

“Of course. I see why they say that when three women get together, plates break.”

“My Seol Hyun isn’t the type to hara.s.s anyone though.”

“She’s not too bad. But Lila…”

It was just a few days ago when he said he was blinded by the princess of pop, but he appeared to have snapped out of it.

“The filming crew left because they couldn’t handle her anymore. They were originally supposed to be on her all day.”

“What did she do?”

“I can’t even say it.”

Han Kyung Il had a fair bit of experience abroad, so even if he shook his head, that meant she did something crazy. He knitted his brows and looked back at Lila.

“What on earth did you do?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Did you pee on a man’s back again?”

Her face turned pale and red. Lila liked to drink, but she didn’t have a high tolerance. She was overall pretty good in her private life, but she wasn’t so good when she got drunk. One time, she got so drunk that he had to carry her, but she must have had to pee because she peed on his back.

“Wh…what are you talking about, Soo Ho? What if people actually believe you?”

“It’s true. That was my first time getting peed on by a woman.”

“Shut up!”

“And you were heavier than I thought.”

“I’m light for my height, okay?”

“That’s your delusion.”

“Fascist!”

“p.i.s.ser!”

Han Kyung Il seemed restless, but Jang Seol Hyun just watched the fight with her eyes opened wide. She didn’t miss Hollywood. But while she was away from Korea, she had a brief time of freedom. She knew she was loved by her fans, but she also often wanted to run away.

‘But, I’m a pro broadcaster.’

She sometimes heard of rookies being arrogant, but that kind of pride was all useless. If a top star showed off but didn’t want to stand in front of the public, it was all downhill from there. Jang Seol Hyun took out her phone to take a selfie as well as a photo of the fight.

She thought about what to t.i.tle it.

‘What a beautiful night in Monaco.’

She typed in all of their names for the hashtags. As soon as Jang Seol Hyun updated her social media, netizens went crazy all over again.

Seol Hyun is the best! She’s a.s.sisting Ahnsour!

She must be really close to Lila. Look at their chemistry.

Is the man mentioned in Lila’s interviews Ahn Soo Ho?

You have a keen eye. I think so, too.

Huh? Isn’t that the diplomat, Han Kyung Il? He’s so handsome!

They’re so untrustworthy. The national inspectors resigned, too!

Geez! Isn’t that what you wanted?

Here we go again!

I’m against this! Let’s go for a premium league!

What a bunch of bulls.h.i.+t. Get out of here!

Didn’t they say they filmed something in Monaco? When will that start?

Regardless of whether it was Producer Yoon Seok Joong or JTV’s doing, the news about Jang Seol Hyun, Lila, and Ahn Soo Ho being gusted on their show leaked out in the public. The bulletin board was bombarded with messages telling them to air it as soon as possible, but the program, producers, and JTV’s recognition skyrocketed.

In order to ride the wave, they started the airing 2 weeks before the planned date. What strongly influenced the broadcaster’s decision was that they had all the advertis.e.m.e.nts set for the first episode, as well as the ones for episodes 2, 3, and 4 increased in cost. The editing team was going to die, but they had no choice but to push ahead.

Even though Ahn Soo Ho was drawing all the attention, the leads of the program were still Jung Ah Young and the cast. Jung Ah Young was often criticized for getting by with just a nice face and body but no talent, but her face was very nice indeed. The other cast also received positive responses for not acting and being natural on the show.

The responses of the first episode were shared in live.

I guess Ahn Soo Ho isn’t in the first episode?

This isn’t just a one-day show! The lead usually shows up later!

The leads are Jung Ah Young and the cast though.

Are you crazy? JTV is only getting all the advertis.e.m.e.nts because of Ahnsour!

Jung Ah Young is cute. I thought she was just chic, but she’s kind of clumsy!

Women like that are scary! Be careful!

Ahn Soo Ho and Lila showed up right at the end of the first episode. Many viewers criticized it for using such trickery, but JTV avoided too much criticism by announcing that the second episode would air the next day. What made them more excited was Lila’s appearance and broadcast media from abroad. In particular, the States responded favorably.

They were helping each other out.

However, an official doc.u.ment poured cold water over the heads of the management. Both Hosoo Entertainment and Holly Entertainment send them official doc.u.ments stating that they weren’t asking for appearance fees, and selling the program abroad would violate portrait laws. Most would have pushed ahead anyway. But JTV was going against a huge foreign corporation that could knock them over in one go. In contrast to the broadcaster’s troubles, the impatient viewers went crazy as soon as the second episode began.

So this is why everyone’s crazy about Monaco! They have everything!

That’s nothing! In the next episode, they’ll be in supercars, yachts, and beautiful women!

It looks great and all, but it’s crazy expensive there!

I’m sure it’s not as bad as Seoul. This place is expensive without the pretty women!

Are you looking down on Gangnam girls? There are tons there!

Yeah right! That’s funny!

The peak was a meeting that took place on their yacht. Among the women that hopped over from another yacht was a world-famous star.

Oh my G.o.d! Mich.e.l.le Martin? Am I seeing this right?

Who’s that?

Are you crazy? She’s the Miss Universe from France!

How would I know that? I don’t even know Miss Korea!

Martin? Isn’t that an alcohol brand?

Hahahaha! You crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Soju is the best!

The more surprising part was that Ahn Soo Ho ignored her.

Oh! That’s our Mr. Ahn! You can do better!

Give her to me! d.a.m.n it!

Miss France? Ha! He’s only good to his woman!

I’m disappointed. He probably just did that because of Seol Hyun.

The bigger controversy happened the next day. Some crazy Yankee impersonated a reporter and got a comment from Mich.e.l.le Martin.

He’s a cool man! I’d love to get to know him better!

< Protect – Episode 96 – The World’s Top 4 Beauty Pageants [2] > The end.