Chapter 131 Everything in 2023…

2023 was a year of positive developments, but for Kwon Ji-yong, it was destined to be an eventful one. The protracted negotiations with YG Entertainment officially began after the New Year.

An unseen tension filled the conference room of the YG building. Kwon Ji-yong remembered when he was very young. He was the one standing outside the glass room, unable to comprehend the tense atmosphere within. Now, he was the protagonist. Kwon Ji-yong tapped the contract appendix page with his pen, the ink spreading into a small shadow.

"Impossible." Kwon Ji-yong slammed his pen down, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Solo performances and group songs with high participation. No discussion."

The air conditioning in the conference room was blasting, and the agent's neck was beaded with sweat. The newly appointed operations director sitting opposite him, surnamed Li, was from a new shareholder faction that had been parachuted in last year. He was currently flipping through reports at a leisurely pace: "GD xi, your business value assessment has dropped by 37% in the two years since your military discharge."

"Because of the ads you got me? The arranged dating rumors?" Kwon Ji-yong suddenly laughed, his mockery undisguised. "Or is it... the company itself that's indiscreet?"

Director Li's face stiffened.

The noise of trainees drifted in from outside the window. Twenty years ago, I was just like that, so naive.

As night fell, in a private club in the Gangnam district, these days, since the tug-of-war began, such meetings had become much less frequent. Taiyang slammed down his soju bottle: "They've contacted me."

"who?"

“Director Lee’s faction said that as long as I persuade you to renew your contract, they will give me corresponding resources.” Taeyang stared at Kwon Ji-yong: “They also implied... that your problems can’t be suppressed for long.”

Kwon Ji-yong was using tweezers to pick up an ice cube when he heard this, his hand trembled, and the ice cube fell into the whiskey.

What about me?

"They said there was a problem with the urine test report." Taiyang lowered his voice: "And they said there's 'new evidence' regarding the previous tax issues."

Kwon Ji-yong suddenly remembered the private studio that was raided last month. At the time, he thought it was a simple tax investigation, but now he thinks that someone might be looking for "materials".

“And…” Sun hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I heard they wanted to buy from the paparazzi… the photos of you and her in Las Vegas in 2016.”

In an instant, Quan Zhilong's aura turned cold. What he hated most was others using her as a bargaining chip to threaten him and drag her into these dirty affairs. It would always remind him of that year when he was most powerless, hiding in the shadows like a turtle. It was a constant reminder of the first 30 years he had lived like a puppet.

He was prepared to be severely punished for terminating the contract, but he also clearly defined his bottom line. He would let them know if they dared to set their sights on her. He wasn't someone to be trifled with.

"We've received a tip," the PR team leader said, her voice trembling. "They're saying you were involved in an incident at an Itaewon nightclub in 2020..."

"Let them release it." Kwon Ji-yong was adjusting the mixing of his new song, not even looking up. "I was shooting a Chanel ad in February 2020, and then preparing for Fashion Week. I have customs records for all of that." Ever since he decided to stand up to his company, he had started building his own public relations network.

Outside the glass door, a new intern stood holding a coffee, hesitant to come in. Kwon Ji-yong saw the boy's terrified expression through his reflection. Now, everyone in the company was wary of him, afraid of accidentally choosing the wrong side and losing their jobs.

My phone suddenly popped up a news notification about Ren Xiyao. She was being interviewed while wearing her national team training uniform, with the Shougang training base in the background: "The new cycle will focus on adjustments..."

He could understand most of the interview now, but the specific written language of the news was still waiting to be translated. Kwon Ji-yong zoomed in on the photo and frowned; the familiar kinesiology tape on her wrist had been replaced by an unfamiliar brand.

Mid-2023. The summer cicadas' chirping added a touch of restlessness to the heated negotiations. During this period of maneuvering, both sides were offering more and more bargaining chips. Among these chips, he keenly noticed a cryptic textual description.

Those were backup files obtained from the legal department by his supporters. After the company's troubles in 2019, a large amount of data and documents were destroyed, but some clues related to him could still be found. The tablet contained encrypted backups of the company's international affairs from 2017-2018. He quickly scrolled through the pages; most were tour contracts and tax documents, until he saw a folder named "Sports and Culture Association-17-1020".

After opening, there are only two pages of scanned documents:

The first page contains the minutes of an internal meeting of the Korean Ice Hockey Association on October 20, 2017. Large sections are blacked out, leaving only a single, fragmented line: "Training data from the Chinese side in Korea is kept under the highest level of confidentiality… Treatment facilities for athletes under Seongbuk… Seizure of drug-related facilities… Reporting to the World Anti-Doping Agency… Psychological issues… Doping tests… Pyeongcheng must ensure the gold medal…"

The second page contains YG Entertainment's international public relations plan. The third point, highlighted in red, states: "All content related to GD's relationship with the athlete, including related keywords, must be blocked. Leaks are strictly prohibited. Public opinion monitoring is at its highest level..."

Kwon Ji-yong's fingernails left white marks on the edge of the tablet. The training and physical data that couldn't be retrieved, the clinic that had been shut down, the increased number of doping tests, even YG's public relations contingency plans. This information was fragmented, yet clear enough, and alarming enough, almost all pointing to one thing: something he didn't know about. That year, Ren Xiyao might have experienced unimaginable difficulties, and Han Bingxie had also been involved.

"The information we found is very limited, or rather, quite different from what you imagined." The reporter spread the folder on the coffee table: "You're not in the sports system, so you probably don't know. Their methods are quite different from those in the entertainment industry... It's too easy to kill someone silently within the system. The International Skating Union has many graduates from the China University of Sport, and the anti-doping organization is already keeping a close eye on Asia. All they need to do is pass on a few words. They don't even need to hide their purpose."

"What I can find is that the number of doping tests on Chinese athletes reached a peak that year. Even though the athlete only participated in the Winter Olympics in the 2017-2018 international season, she had the most doping tests in China, more than twice that of other athletes. From August to February of the following year alone, she underwent a staggering 32 doping tests, averaging one per week. Moreover, I found that the athlete didn't have a fixed coaching team that year, lacked standard training facilities for a considerable period, and had no medical support team… As for the injury, it occurred around November at the third stop of the Elite League. Specific medical records are unavailable, and the specific match video is not publicly available. But according to internal sources within the sports industry at the time… it was very serious, with multiple fractures. As for the subtle and grueling tactics used during that period, they were countless. To put it simply, they 'said half a sentence' and 'did half a thing,' weaving an invisible net with hints, and everyone followed the direction of the net. In the end, the matter was accomplished, and they could extricate themselves completely."

"The issue of body data is just a microcosm. It's just a meeting transcript, which can be said to be just the recorder's own interpretation and doesn't represent anything. The university wanted to freeze her data without issuing any official documents. They just told the clerk to 'follow the procedure' and 'wait for approval.' If pressed, they would say, 'The relationship between the two countries is sensitive right now, so it's better to avoid trouble.' With just one word, 'sensitive,' they could shut down all reasonable requests, and no one could find fault with them."

Kwon Ji-yong stared at the line graph of doping test results, the paper trembling slightly in his hand. He was preoccupied with his own chaotic period before enlisting; what had she gone through? China had very few long-distance skaters, and she was their mainstay. Yet, ironically, she hadn't participated in a single competition throughout 2017. To miss a competition without a valid reason was definitely not her style. Before the Winter Olympics, as long as she could still skate, she would never give up on a single competition.

"You asked me to investigate, but I actually won't find anything, because everything is 'reasonable and compliant,' but these 'reasonable and compliant' things weave a web. These light words and ambiguous hints, if it were a sports accident or something, could still be used to hold someone accountable. But these hints have no main body, no trace, and in the end, once the matter is settled, everyone can say, 'I was just following the rules.' This is the web that the players are facing, where each node seems accidental, but they are all connected seamlessly; each link seems 'reasonable,' but when put together..."

Outside, the rain poured down. Quan Zhilong recalled Ren Xiyao's gesture pointing towards the stands during the Pingcheng Winter Olympics. He had initially thought it was just dissatisfaction with the ruling, but now he understood who the knife was truly aimed at. He was the foolish one; how could a dozen injections be just a common injury? Why hadn't he investigated further back then? He could now almost piece together the general outline of what had happened. He couldn't even imagine the immense pressure and pain she had endured alone, unbeknownst to him. And how many people were involved?

But unfortunately, now is not the time to talk about these things...

The negotiations were becoming increasingly heated. These days, his side was clearly gaining the upper hand. In late autumn, fallen leaves blanketed the streets and alleys of Seoul. With the vast majority of contract terms approved in his favor, he was just about to catch his breath.

This day saw another back-and-forth negotiation in the conference room. But it was clear that his side held a more advantageous position.

"The police have received a tip!" Director Lee slammed down a stack of photos: "Your private party at the villa in Hannam-dong..."

Kwon Ji-yong slowly put on his glasses: "Should we call the police?" He took out his phone: "I happen to have saved the complete surveillance footage from that day."

But how could such accusations end so easily? Members of the group have prior convictions, and he himself has a history of similar controversies. The controversy reached its peak almost instantly upon being exposed.

The company's swift distancing made it clear to Kwon Ji-yong what their intentions were. Not renewing his contract was a done deal. However, a sudden announcement of non-renewal would have had a significant impact on the company. Instead, he was now a problematic artist, and the company was proactively cutting ties. From any perspective, this was a typical public relations tactic used by the company.

His PR and legal teams, which he had prepared in recent days, were not to be underestimated. They clarified the situation as soon as the public opinion emerged. As the accusations intensified, he also decided to prove his innocence. He believed that the drug case was enough to be brought down, and that dragging it out would not benefit him for the vast majority of people.

He went to the police station to undergo the necessary tests. In fact, from any perspective, if someone is innocent, going through the legal and judicial process is the fastest way. A simple test almost immediately confirmed his innocence. He underwent further testing afterward. Although the prosecution probably received money and was delaying issuing the relevant certificates, public opinion had already shifted. There are still people accusing him, but many also believe in his innocence, and that's enough.

In December, almost everything settled down, and the company completely compromised.

In the conference room.

"Sign it." The minister of the Foreign Propaganda Department handed over the final agreement, his eyes swollen with dark circles.

Kwon Ji-yong's quick overview of the terms: All music copyrights are returned, his stage name is redeemed, and he will be publicly stated that it was a gift from the company.

After signing, Kwon Ji-yong suddenly asked, "What did the China Sport University say to you in 2017?"

The minister's expression froze, but looking at Kwon Ji-yong's expression, he finally compromised and said, "I didn't say anything. These things are things you have to experience for yourself... Since 2017, every time the president came back from meeting with people from the Sports University, he would scold everyone... The last time he got angry because of the Sports University, the president said to shut your mouths now, because if you and that athlete's affair were to come out now, no one would be happy."

"Who gave the order?"

“Nobody.” The minister shook his head and lowered his voice: “Just a director from the university hinted at it at a drinking party, and then another director asked the president out for drinks twice. You were about to enlist in the military at that time, and the company was afraid of causing trouble…”

"What's the deal with that public relations plan?"

"The company and the Sports University are basically keeping to themselves. Although we belong to the same faction, the Sports University has a much deeper foundation than us; they're not on the same level. The Sports University has been trying to gauge our intentions since 2016, and the club president has been suppressing them. Later, the Sports University's hints were actually a win-win situation for all three parties. This PR plan was brought up by the PR department at a dinner party, 'emboldened by alcohol.' No one agreed, and the director just toasted the club president, and we all knew what to do." After the department head finished speaking, he put on a serious expression: "GD, no matter what the reasons were, at least in the turmoil back then, the company, despite the pressure from the Sports University and the Ice Hockey Association, prioritized protecting you..."

As Kwon Ji-yong stepped out of the conference room, he felt nothing but irony. This company, from top to bottom, had truly inherited President Yang's teachings. If he had used such manipulative tactics at 18, he would have been incredibly grateful to the company. But at 35, he understood all too well that it wasn't the company that protected him, but rather the commercial value the company needed from G-Dragon that protected Kwon Ji-yong.