Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Housewarming
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I thought the PD loved screwing over the cast, but in reality, he was incredibly kind, sweet, considerate, and utterly worthy of respect as he smiled at me.
If it had been just a moment ago, I would've thought it was a sneer like, "Try matching this one too!"
But now, it just looked like the benevolent smile of Buddha.
Absolutely not because of the Hanwoo beef and prize money.
Really.
"Need a hint? Normally I'd give you just one of the two... but one cute act and I'll give you both the hint and the choices."
I'd anticipated a day would come when I'd pull off something on the level of "Oppa! Eat some Tteokbokki, Tteokbokki!"
But not today, at least.
"I'm good... I'll pass."
"For real? Hint too? Choices too? Miss this and it's 2-2... one more miss and it's punishment?"
"Ugh! Cancel! Cancel! I need the hint and choices! We need them!"
"Me! I'll do the aegyo! Please!"
The Connect members begged for hints, saying they'd do the aegyo themselves.
If I were them, I'd have taken the punishment instead.
To think of doing aegyo in front of the camera.
'Is aegyo something you have to take lightly to be an idol...?'
But don't worry, kids.
I'll protect you.
'First... let's tease them a bit.'
This was punishment for inviting me onto this evil show.
"Lake, Chan, sorry."
"...No. Don't, don't set that weird flag!"
"Noona! You heard the PD earlier! You'll get punished too!"
"...Just how bad is the punishment, anyway?"
I steered the mood like we were doomed to fail.
I put on the most dejected face while asking about the punishment's intensity, even waiting for the crew to fantasize about an afterparty with the remaining Hanwoo.
"...Beyond your wildest imagination. The easiest one was going to the CEO and doing aegyo to get him to call you cute."
Crazy.
Aegyo in front of CEO Kim Seul-ong, who seems 70% charisma instead of water?
And you even have to hear him call you cute?
If that's the easiest, what's next?
Going to another company's CEO for a "you're lovable" compliment?
Hunting down an anti-fan to win them over?
Whatever it is...
I suddenly wanted to rush to Psychometry Her screenwriter Cha Joo-eun and kowtow right then.
When I first saw the script, I was a bit resentful because it felt more like a textbook than a drama.
Thanks to that, I survived.
"...Is that... even possible?"
"...We didn't want to know either."
"What came after?"
"Noona, you've never watched Connect Goes Even Once, have you."
And just like that, I'm exposed...
"N-No way. But, have you two eaten? What about the crew?"
Kuhaha!
Behind the screenwriter's suspiciously booming laugh.
The Connect members' interrogation began.
"Changing the subject like that? You really haven't watched!"
"...Sorry, I've just been so busy lately..."
I'd been with Nutube in every spare moment between schedules.
But let's play it off as being too busy.
"...Do you even know who we are?"
"...I'm not that clueless."
I killed some time with small talk.
By the time the crew was simulating shoving half-bloody two-plus Hanwoo into their mouths.
"Shall we... shout the answer and wrap it up?"
"Noona! Don't give up! We still have one question left!"
"Lake, today's quiz difficulty is historic. Let's just forfeit. Punishment? Whatever! Let's take it! Sniff!"
Kang Ho-su's eyes wavered.
Timing seemed perfect.
"The answer is..."
The crew, Kang Ho-su, Lee Kang-chan.
The company staff watching our show from another table.
Yoo Jun-seung spectating behind the crew.
All wore expressions of zero expectation.
"...Catecholamine."
Like hitting a 25-ton wing-body truck dead-on.
Silence fell.
This couldn't be wrong.
Screenwriter Cha Joo-eun was famous for her thorough research, always consulting experts.
No way they'd want the chemical formula.
'...If they do, I'll call CEO Kim Seul-ong and beg him to scrap the show. On my knees.'
Soon the PD confirmed it was correct.
The two beagles went berserk.
"Correct..."
"Kyaah! Noona! Golden Bell champ or what?!"
"Insane... How, why is someone like this... Kang Ho-su's connection..."
"Whoa, hyung, that almost hurt my feelings."
"...Success. Here's your prize."
Right there, we got an envelope with 1 million won and two sets of Hanwoo.
Seeing the crew's regretful faces finally eased my mind.
Buoyed Lee Kang-chan handled the closing remarks.
"Actress Jeong Gyeowol, one word on your thoughts today."
"Uh... It was short, but my first variety show. I was nervous, amazed, dazed, but it was fun. I was tense and worried at first, but Ho-su and Kang-chan were so great that we made it through safely."
"Whoa, rattling it off like you prepared! Is this genius at work!"
"Thanks so much for appearing. Everyone, watch Psychometry Her live!"
I smiled awkwardly and chimed in appropriately.
Somehow it felt like I'd come for promo, but I didn't spoil anything or ruin my image.
The drama production side should see this favorably.
"This has been Connect Goes! Kang Ho-su."
"Lee Kang-chan here! Thank you!"
Shooting ended with the closing remarks.
"Good work!"
"You all did great!"
Exchanged greetings with the crew.
Removed and returned the mics.
I'd tackled quizzes with zero common sense.
Deranged quizzes too, even nearly got punished.
More fun than expected.
"Whoa, noona, thanks so much. You didn't hesitate at all."
"...Huh?"
"...?"
Come to think of it, I'd only washed up after waking.
Then got chased to the company for moving.
Hair and makeup? Hadn't crossed my mind.
'...Have I lost my actress instincts?'
Geum Yu-na would probably smack my arm three times if she found out.
The PD, packing up, approached with a worried look.
"You didn't realize...? Should we scrap the footage?"
"No, it's fine."
As if the guy who tried making me a traitor with a Taegukgi quiz would delete footage.
Bare-faced actress... whatever.
No need to delete anyway.
Sudden variety booking while at the company on a day off.
The cameras caught that process too.
If the PD's sane, he won't cut the booking part.
I requested they at least show the booking process properly.
He promised readily.
Who'd complain about my bare face then?
Plus, from experience, bare face had more impact than made-up.
Made-up is "Whoa... so pretty..."
Bare is "Insane... freaking insane..."
If anyone complains, it's just envy and jealousy.
Those types bash you for wearing makeup or not.
In the end, just a light scolding from Geum Yu-na about an actress's duties.
...Probably?
Yoo Jun-seung and Executive Manager Kim Gyu-jin said nothing. Should be fine...
...Probably?
"But why were you at the company, noona?"
"Ah... I'm in the middle of moving."
"Moving? Whoa! Time for a housewarming!"
"...Housewarming?"
My house? What housewarming...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd thought that once.
After professional movers finished.
Eating delivery Chinese with the managers at the new place.
Killing time responding to Geum Yu-na's endless texts from set.
Popping into the Atelier group chat to remind everyone I exist.
Savoring rare downtime with a nap.
By the time I rolled around and hit action school, it was 7 PM.
Housewarming time.
'How did this happen...'
Drama not even done, Nomen cranks in.
Drama airs, fame rises.
Then more projects, ads, variety, photoshoots.
-Just do it today. You'll feel better.
I fell for Geum Yu-na's smooth talk hook, line, and sinker.
Felt like going for a morning coffee and driving home a Genesis.
Somehow, Geum Yu-na and Kang Ho-su were coming over for dinner.
Got permission from Executive Manager Kim Gyu-jin.
Screw it. Texted my few acquaintances.
Thanks to that.
Light heart, heavy hands.
My lovable contacts gathered at the dorm, honoring housewarming tradition.
"Hair products here, skincare basics there. Embarrassing, all stuff I endorse, but I love 'em, so try and... Min-hyuk oppa and Ki-tae oppa couldn't come from shooting, so I took their cash."
Our drama's top delinquent Geum Yu-na squeezed money from uninvited actors Kang Min-hyuk and Kim Ki-tae.
Said sponsored cosmetics can't count as gifts, brought her own cash too.
50k each. Total 150k in hand.
This... celebrity life?
This... actress housewarming?
"I brought an air fryer."
Kang Ho-su with the solo living essential air fryer.
CEO Kim Seulgi with a coffee machine. Manager Lee Arang with diffuser and candle set.
FM Coach with FM-worthy wet wipes, box tissues, toilet paper.
Thought screenwriter Bae Jong-wook's robot vacuum was the pinnacle.
-Heard from Gyu-jin the second room's empty? Soundproof home theater setup for you. Watch movies in peace.
CEO Kim Seul-ong took the cake.
'...Should I have invited him?'
But... how to invite noble CEO Kim Seul-ong to my shabby housewarming...
Which Samsung guy invites Jay Dragon to his?
Only those who call Son Heung-min for futsal or Ohtani Shohei for catchball can judge me.
I'm innocent.