The paramedics said they would arrive within minutes of the attack.
At that moment, another challenge faced Min-soo's manager.
It wasn't just about saving his life, nor about his lack of first-aid knowledge. Years of experience in the industry had given him enough instinct and quick thinking to act under pressure.
From a distance, he noticed people approaching.
A screaming girl. Raised phones. Hurried footsteps.
He quickly opened a large black umbrella from the car, then sat on the ground beside Min-soo and raised it over them, blocking his face and the upper part of his body, where the stab wound was located in the lower abdomen.
He leaned closer, whispering:
"Min-soo… stay strong."
"You're going to be fine."
Min-soo's breathing was becoming increasingly irregular.
His face was pale, while cold sweat gathered on his forehead.
He tried to extend his trembling, blood-covered hand toward the knife still lodged in his body, but his manager immediately grabbed his wrist.
"No."
"Don't… you'll only hurt yourself more."
He swallowed painfully, then continued in a tense voice:
"The ambulance will arrive any moment."
Dim lights began to flicker in the area, reflecting in Min-soo's eyes despite the umbrella.
He let out a bitter breath and smiled weakly.
"You see…?" he murmured.
"Even while I'm dying…"
"My photos are still something valuable."
The manager lifted his head toward the crowd gathering around them, people recording with their phones.
He pointed sharply at the surveillance cameras spread in front of Min-soo's house and the neighboring buildings.
"All these cameras are recording everything."
"Every face here… and every phone too."
He paused, then added firmly:
"Anyone obstructing the crime scene or increasing the victim's psychological distress will be formally questioned."
His words were enough to make several people step back.
But the news…
had already begun spreading.
And at a merciless speed.
After Min-soo was transferred to Seoul Hospital, he was immediately taken into the operating room.
Meanwhile, the executive director, Han Sera, prevented the other members of the group from going to the hospital, trying to control the situation before it turned into a full media disaster.
Her phone did not stop ringing.
The journalists were like predators in moments of weakness.
"Is he dead?"
"We heard he lost a lot of blood."
"What did the doctors say?"
Outside, the staff of KAVA Entertainment struggled to answer the press:
"Star Park Min-soo is still in surgery."
"Any official updates will be announced personally by Executive Director Han Sera."
In one of the hospital's cold corridors, faint footsteps approached amid the sounds of crying and heavy whispers.
Himi.
As always…
She arrived running without even realizing it.
She stopped in front of Han Sera, tears covering her face and clothes.
"Please…" she choked out.
"Ma'am… tell me he's okay."
Her voice broke suddenly.
"No… no…"
"How did this happen?"
Then she turned quickly toward the manager.
"Tell me, Mr. Song-ho…"
"Be honest with me."
Her lips trembled.
"He… he was in pain, wasn't he?"
Her voice lowered further.
"It's my fault…"
"I should have been there."
Han Sera grabbed her shoulders firmly.
"Calm down."
"Pull yourself together."
Then she added more gently:
"He is now in the hands of the best surgeons."
"He will be fine."
An entire hour passed without any news.
Himi kept biting her nails, her legs shaking uncontrollably.
After a while, Soo-hyun finally arrived.
Steady steps. Calm gaze as usual.
He approached Himi and sat beside her, trying to comfort her.
But the moment he came close, clear discomfort appeared on her face.
She forced herself to stay composed, but her body instinctively pulled away from him without her realizing it.
Soo-hyun noticed.
But he understood immediately.
He stood up quietly and moved to another seat without saying anything.
Time continued to pass in a cruel, slow motion.
Hours felt like days.
From time to time, Himi would stand up, holding her head in frustration.
"I'm going to lose my mind…"
"Why isn't anyone coming out to tell us what's happening?"
And after four long hours…
The doctor finally came out.
Exhaustion was visible on his face.
He slowly removed his surgical mask, then said:
"We managed to control the internal bleeding and repair the damage caused by the stab wound to the vital organs."
Silence fell.
Then the doctor continued more seriously:
"But his condition is still extremely critical."
Himi's face turned pale instantly.
"We placed him in an induced coma to relieve the pressure on his exhausted body."
Everyone exchanged worried glances as the doctor continued:
"The next 48 hours are critical."
"Any complication—whether infection or organ dysfunction—could worsen his condition."
He finished in a calm, decisive tone:
"No visits are allowed at the moment."
"What we need from him now is response to treatment…"
"…and what we need from you is patience."