Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Rising Star
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Geum Yuna covered the first round.
PD Yoon Jong-pil picked up the second. Kang Min-hyuk handled the third.
The after-party that kicked off around 6 p.m. didn't wrap up until 6 a.m. the next morning.
It was your typical entertainment industry gathering—half a day lost to booze, booze, and more booze.
With no shooting schedule the day after, they could play and eat like office workers blowing off steam on a fiery Friday before the weekend.
'...We probably would've drunk this much even with a shoot the next day.'
The entertainment world.
It was a pretty harsh environment for anyone who couldn't hold their liquor.
Thankfully, Jeong Gyeowol had paced herself to avoid becoming the third black history moment of the season.
Even after sticking it out till the end, she managed to get home and crash without a hitch.
Just in case, she'd checked both sides right upon waking. Fortunately, she was alone in the bed.
She'd dodged the black history bullet, but another problem crashed down on Jeong Gyeowol.
How were they all so damn diligent?
KakaoTalk notifications wouldn't stop pouring in from the morning.
The vibrations alone were enough to wake her.
Vrrr—
[Sameg Screenwriter Cha Joo-eun sent you 3,000,000 won!] Vrrr—
[Sameg Lighting Team Maknae Min Chan-gi sent you 200,000 won!] "Ughhh! Stop sending money!"
Money kept piling up in Jeong Gyeowol's KakaoTalk.
Some had somehow found out the full after-party bill and covered it entirely.
Others chipped in partial amounts to help out.
Before she knew it, the total had surpassed the actual bill.
Her KakaoTalk balance, which had been at zero, broke ten million won by morning.
No one seemed keen on sticking a 20-year-old Jeong Gyeowol with the tab.
It started as touching, but there was a limit.
Vrrr—
[Sameg Actor Kang Min-hyuk sent you 2,000,000 won!] It was starting to feel serious enough that gratitude alone wouldn't cut it.
In the end, she updated her KakaoTalk status message to [Don't send after-party money!!!]
And posted in the <Sameg> group chat.
It was a chat reserved for announcements and important stuff only, but she had no qualms.
'...If this isn't important, what is?'
[Actress Geum Yuna covered the full after-party bill. Please don't send me money!]
No replies, but the reactions were flooding in.
It looked like no one would torment Jeong Gyeowol with more deposits.
She refunded the money that had come in so far, sending thanks along with it.
KakaoPay transfers could be canceled if unclaimed, but... some folks might not handle their phones well.
It was faster for Jeong Gyeowol to receive and resend.
The refund challenge, which started past 1 p.m., barely wrapped up after 2.
Blame the few who kept sending without checking announcements or her status.
'...Haven't even eaten.'
It was her day off, perfect timing.
She hadn't eaten yet.
And no workout yesterday thanks to the party?
'Gotta head to the company no matter what!'
Jeong Gyeowol had once bragged she'd eat well and live well even sleeping in the company bathroom.
But cafeteria visits: once. Gym usage: a grand total of zero.
She'd only been to KS Entertainment twice anyway, so it was inevitable.
'At last, today, finally, the dream I've longed for.'
She resolved to visit the company.
Her first iron-pumping session at the gym, not the action school, in ages.
Not even a gym rat, but her heart was pounding.
'Two hours or so... By the time I'm done showering, it'll be mealtime.'
The cafeteria only opened at set hours.
If she finished early, she'd kill time at a cafe or the basement arcade.
Anyway.
She got ready with excitement bubbling over.
And headed to the company.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
But how the hell did it come to this?
The company, a twenty-minute walk away at most.
She'd been circling it for an hour without even getting a glimpse inside.
'Ughhhh... Jun-seung... Executive Manager Gyu-jin...'
No time to pull out her phone and call for backup.
"Whoa! Unnie! You're so pretty!"
"Th-thank you."
"Can I get an autograph?"
She was scribbling signatures so fast she couldn't tell if she was signing or the pen was puppeteering her.
"Photo too, please!"
"Me too, take a pic!"
Her face hurt from smiling as she posed for shots.
Some touches in the crowd felt a bit too invasive.
But with so many people packed in, it was unavoidable.
Greetings, handshakes.
Autographs, photos.
It started with just one.
A little girl fan who recognized her—not Jeong Gyeowol, but Doctor Helena.
Overflowing with gratitude and joy, she'd signed, snapped pics, even bought snacks from the nearby convenience store to send her off.
Was that too showy?
'...Where do hundreds of people even come from on a weekday afternoon?'
Hundreds, easy, just eyeballing it. She wasn't on Garosu-gil; just strolling a Nonhyeon-dong alley.
She'd moved to the widest spot possible to handle the fans.
But the street was too narrow for this mob.
People shoving this way and that.
"Ugh! Don't push!"
"Hey, back off!"
Pained cries echoed here and there.
This wouldn't do.
"I'm so grateful you all came out for me, but others are getting inconvenienced. If you could just keep some order..."
"Waaah! Noona! You're freaking gorgeous!"
Why were high schoolers even here mid-afternoon?
But that wasn't the point.
"Everyone, quiet!"
She tensed her core and belted out her loudest voice.
Finally focused on her, the chaos started dying down.
"I'm not going anywhere, so please keep order. Someone could get hurt!"
A few burly guys stepped up like bodyguards.
Thanks to them, order was finally taking shape.
The convenience store manager, who'd been watching, jumped in too.
"How about sitting here for a fan signing like event? Safer that way, and more comfy for you and the fans."
He dragged over tables and chairs from the outdoor terrace.
The guys who'd stepped up directed traffic like staff.
And so.
The inaugural Jeong Gyeowol Fan Signing Event commenced.
Venue: Nonhyeon-dong street.
Convenience store chairs, tables, and bottled water sponsored.
Staff: Passing citizens.
Security: Also passing citizens.
'...Is this okay?'
Ultra-low budget.
No, zero budget fan signing.
But it gave the fans breathing room.
No more shoving and suffering.
Now it felt satisfactory.
Grateful for the love, but no one should get hurt.
Give 'em an ordered space, and they keep it orderly themselves.
This had to be proper fan culture.
Of course... Over half the crowd was probably just swept up in the mob mentality.
Not real fans.
"Helena who...?"
"Who's that? Why the fuss?"
"Actress? Idol? Damn, she's pretty."
"I'm in a rush—sign mine first."
A few tried breaking order now and then, but the sturdy security/staff/fans handled it.
Vrrr—
Signing one by one, vibrations hummed from her clothes.
Things were way more relaxed now, thanks to everyone's help.
She excused herself from the fan in front and checked her phone.
[Manager Yoo Jun-seung: Gyeowol! Where are you! Pick up now!] 64 missed calls.
122 unread messages.
'...'
She was chaos, but her phone was pandemonium.
A Yoo Jun-seung and Kim Gyu-jin collab.
Vrrr—
This time, an actual call.
'...Do they know what I'm dealing with?'
She dreaded answering.
But guilt from her screw-up gnawed too hard to dodge it.
"...Hello?"
"Yaaaaaaah!"
"...Whoa."
If he aimed to deafen her, mission half-complete.
"You hurt anywhere?"
"...No, I'm fine."
"Stay put! Don't move a muscle!"
"...?"
"Keep doing what you're doing and wait just a bit. Be right there."
"...?"
She'd braced for a "Get your ass to the company now!" bark.
Instead: stay put, even coming soon.
How'd he know where she was?
Yoo Jun-seung hung up, so she focused on the fan ahead.
Less than five minutes later.
Manager Yoo Jun-seung and Executive Manager Kim Gyu-jin approached the convenience store, dozens of security guards in tow.
'...'
Like a scene straight out of a noir film.
Any second, they'd whip out sashimi knives from their coats or belts and skewer every civilian here.
Or pull guns for headshots all around.
Maybe her guilt painted it that way, but her body froze solid.
"...Excuse me, if I get in trouble, can you all protect me?"
She pleaded desperately with her self-appointed security/staff/fans.
"Nah... that's a bit..."
"... "
Cold rejection.
Fans abandoned her. The black legion approached.
She'd be nabbed by boss Kim Gyu-jin and his lackey Yoo Jun-seung for hours of scolding.
And that wasn't all.
Kim Gyu-jin knew Geum Yuna was top dog in handling her.
He'd surely tattle today's mess to Geum Yuna.
Cue a lecture on "an actress's duties."
'Kinda feel wronged...'
Did she plan for this?
Never been a star before—couldn't predict it.
One quick YouTube variety appearance.
Supporting role drama just aired episode one.
Who could've foreseen this?
Handled it decently, all things considered...
She was confident.
Probably...