Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Pocari Aid (2)
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As soon as I greeted them, three people shot up from their seats.
They exchanged glances like they were playing some kind of staring game.
The youngest-looking one flashed a triumphant smile and approached me.
I had no idea how they'd decided who would be the guide—no rock-paper-scissors or anything.
Did you need telepathic powers just to get hired at a big corporation?
Whatever the case, they'd brought a whopping five people into the otherwise dead-quiet office, so I felt incredibly awkward.
I hurried along following the guide.
"This way, please."
"Yes, thank you."
True to form for Pocari's headquarters, the drinks they served were Pocari.
To enthusiastically promote how much I loved Pocari on the regular, I chugged half a bottle the moment I sat down.
"Pocari really hits the spot! I can't live without this refreshing taste."
Manager 1 started jotting something down, while Kim Gyu-jin stared at me like I was ridiculous.
'You don't even drink Pocari.'
'Be quiet. Can't you see I'm in business mode?'
As we traded looks,
the two staff who'd lost the staring contest earlier came into the meeting room carrying two boxes of Pocari.
"A gift for you, actress! We'd be so grateful if you enjoy it!"
"...I'm the one who's grateful. I'll drink it well."
"Eeeek, thank you!"
The bizarre scene where the gift-giver was even more thankful didn't last long.
The person in charge of the actual work arrived.
The client.
My lord.
"Ah, sorry to keep you waiting..."
"Hello, I'm Jeong Gyeowol..."
We both froze mid-greeting.
My own greeting ended up hanging awkwardly in the air.
"Whoa... you're nothing like how you look on TV!"
"...Should I take that as a compliment?"
"Of course! I feel enlightened right now. I've been here at the company a while and seen plenty of models, but you're the most standout one I've ever laid eyes on."
"Thank you!"
We exchanged polite compliments that propped each other up.
The usual lip service about how I loved Pocari so much I stockpiled and drank it daily.
The standard line about being the prettiest celebrity they'd ever seen.
The only concern was whether my image really matched Pocari.
To capture the vibe as best I could, I'd deliberately gone with a fresh blue-on-blue look, even wearing a crop top that bashfully exposed my midriff.
And yet, I still felt worlds apart from the models who'd carried the Pocari legacy before.
I voiced those worries, and they chuckled heartily, nodding in understanding.
"I get what you mean. Honestly, we were debating internally too—your image struck us more as seductive and elegant luxury, perfect for cosmetics or jewelry ads rather than Pocari. But then we saw your Nomen shoots and decided right away."
"Nomen? I've only done three shoots so far..."
"KS must've sent the photos, like, 'Check out this side of her too.'"
"Ah."
I was puzzled for a moment, but Kim Gyu-jin cleared it up.
He'd snapped photos and videos of me on shoots before, so I guess that's how they'd been used.
After that, we discussed how the shoot would go.
Wearing a rash guard in the white-and-blue combo that matched Pocari's colors.
Surfing out in the middle of the ocean...
Surfing?
"But... it's still only April, so the water might be pretty cold."
"...That's fine. I can tough it out with sheer willpower."
What my lord wanted, I'd deliver—no question.
I was ready to dive into the sea even in midwinter.
Seeing my determined expression and the suddenly stiff faces of Kim Gyu-jin and the managers, my lord burst into hearty laughter.
"Puhaha, we're not trying to pull some power-trip nonsense. Since the water's cold, we figured we'd go to a warm country to shoot."
"A warm... country?"
"Like Bali, for example?"
...!
This was a big corporation?
Ad shoots... overseas location?
I might be a battle-hardened supporting actor in films,
but in ads, I was just rookie Jeong Gyeowol.
No clue if this was standard or if Pocari was special.
Either way, it was a proposal with zero downsides for me.
The contract terms—ad fees, duration, etc.—had already been hashed out with the company.
This final meeting with me was the last step.
They were even sharing the storyboard, so it seemed their minds were made up.
Sweat from surfing, then chugging Pocari with a refreshing "Ahh! That's Pocari for ya!" vibe.
From the storyboard alone, it was hard to tell if this was a UCC college student contest entry or a TV ad.
Of course, my Pocari ad wouldn't be that low-budget. They'd pick the best lines, refine the scenes, whip up a proper storyboard in a few days, and send it over.
I'd thought they'd finalized everything before contacting me.
Turned out, they contacted me first, then locked it in.
"Would you be okay shooting bare-faced, by any chance? It fits the image we're going for—no makeup would suit it better."
"Absolutely! I'm more confident without makeup!"
The reason I went bare-faced wasn't laziness with makeup.
It was for moments like this.
Now I had something to brag to Geum Yuna about.
No more 'duty as an actress' lectures for a while.
"Then, let's iron out the details through the company. Thank you so much for making time in your busy schedule."
"No, thank YOU! And the Pocari gift is so appreciated!"
The meeting wrapped up in a warm, harmonious atmosphere from start to finish.
First ad meeting ever, so I had no idea if this was normal or just good people,
but...
Me! Pocari! Exclusive! Model!
'The 33rd Pocari Girl!'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back at the Sameg set after so long.
First time since becoming the 33rd Pocari Girl.
What a feeling!
"Hello! I'm Jeong Gyeowol, the 33rd Pocari Girl!"
"Whoa, no way! You landed an ad? Congrats, Gyeowol!"
"Thank you! I'll channel that 33rd Pocari Girl energy into today's shoot!"
"Pfft, you're all fired up. First time you've seemed like a rookie, Gyeowol."
"Right? She dominates the set like a 10-year vet, makes you forget she's new. You're kinda cute today."
The makeup team that always doted on me, and every staff member I locked eyes with—I proudly declared myself the 33rd Pocari Girl to all.
It felt just like becoming Miss Korea.
It was already settled with the Pocari company.
Articles would drop in a few days, so no need to hide it.
And lastly... couldn't forget bragging to Geum Yuna.
"Hello! I'm Jeong Gyeowol, the 33rd Pocari Girl!"
"...Pocari Girl? Wow, there wasn't a peep about it yesterday."
That's right.
It had only been yesterday that I'd gotten blackout drunk in the childish spat between Geum Yuna and Kim Ye-rim.
While you two were fighting over me like kids, I snagged a Pocari ad!
So, who's the teacher now?
I puffed out my chest, looking down at Geum Yuna with smug pride,
when...
"33rd, huh... I was the 26th Pocari Girl. Time flies."
"...Senior! My apologies!"
I had no choice but to bow immediately.
Geum Yuna was untouchable.
Like heaven and earth apart.
"You know Kim Ye-rim was the 29th?"
"...Huh?"
This wasn't some Pocari reunion.
Geum Yuna 26th, Kim Ye-rim 29th, me 33rd?
"So, who're you picking now? 26th's gotta beat 29th, right?"
"...I have to do makeup, so excuse me."
"Excuse what? I'll sit right next to you."
"...No seats in the makeup room."
No seats—I hadn't checked, but there weren't any.
Even if there were, there wouldn't be.
But Geum Yuna was always one step ahead.
"It was totally empty a bit ago."
"Not anymore. Other actors need to get ready too."
"Everyone knows you're the last one."
"...Wow, you know my schedule better than I do."
Suspiciously well-versed.
I nodded and headed to the makeup room with her.
"Today's your last shoot, huh?"
"Yeah, time flies. Feels like yesterday I was meeting with PD Yun."
"That's how it goes when you're busy. You finally adjust to the project, and boom—it's over."
Sameg was 16 episodes, but I only appeared up to episode 14.
"And it's an action scene for the finale. At this rate, I'll end up with some 'Action Queen' nickname."
"...That sounds good? Better than 'Geum Yuna Steps Aside! Jeong Gyeowol Charges In!'"
The article we'd seen while drinking with Geum Yuna and Kim Ye-rim.
Kim Ye-rim had screenshotted it because it cracked her up.
'Geum Yuna Steps Aside! Jeong Gyeowol Charges In!'...
A headline that'd get you flamed even in the 2010s, alive and well in 2024.
Just call me Action Queen instead.
"Pfft, I laughed so hard at that. Step aside what—you were right beside me the whole time."
"Flirting? Almost fell for it."
"Mission accomplished, then. Wonder if I can beat Kim Seulgi and Lee Arang now?"
"...Secret, but you're actually number one, sis, so cut it out."
I didn't usually call her sis, but desperate times.
Had to draw the line somehow.
"Feels gross, like you're kowtowing. I'll ask again in front of Kim Seulgi, Lee Arang, and Kim Ye-rim."
"..."
This woman came to set just to tease me.
Geum Yuna on Sameg.
Kim Ye-rim on Nomen.
I hoped the next project had zero teasers.
Better to be the teaser than the teased.
"After today's shoot, we're doing a send-off party—no skipping."
"...Send-off?"
Once my scenes wrapped, Sameg only had two episodes left.
Why make it my send-off when we could all wrap together?
"You die today."
"...Saying it like that feels weird. I'm MIA, technically kidnapped."
"Season 2 means you live, no season 2 means dead. Either way, it's sad, so let's drink."
"..."
She just wants to drink.
Thinking about it... I'd never seen her skip a group dinner,
or get drunk even once.
Geum Yuna... what are you...?