56 - Steel Abs and Fishing Therapy
Suhyeon rode in the car with Manager Baek Seongcheol toward the shoot, scrolling through the news articles he hadn't gotten around to checking the night before.
Luxury Abs, Luxury Face, and Luxury Actor Suhyeon.
Suhyeon's Fantastical Physique Leaves Handcuffs Blues Crew in Awe!
The Beautiful Man Suhyeon—His Bare Body Is a Work of Art.
Suhyeon's Surprise Cameo Stripping Scene in Handcuffs Blues.
Suhyeon's Epic Physique That Would Make Bruce Lee Weep—Fully Revealed.
Can't Take Eyes Off His Exposed Body. [Ultimate Bod] Suhyeon.
'This world's got no one who's properly cultivated their neigong, so even a body like this causes a frenzy. Back in my sect, physiques like mine were a dime a dozen...' Suhyeon muttered to himself as he read the news.
"Men making such a huge fuss over one bare male body... Anyone would think I'd filmed a sex scene or something."
Manager Baek Seongcheol replied as if he'd overheard Suhyeon's soliloquy.
"It's not just any good body that'd cause this uproar. It's that face paired with that physique. Sure, gyms are full of fit guys, but looking at them always made me feel kinda grossed out at first. Yours? The first thought is just how beautiful it is."
"Whoa, hyung. Rumors say you're up for a promotion soon, and now you're suddenly buttering me up like this? Climbing the ranks at the company and finally learning the art of office politics?"
"Butter me up? I'm just saying it like it is. And even if I get promoted, it's just from road manager to full manager—not exactly executive level."
"Oh ho, manager's not enough for you? Big ambitions. Should I tell Manager Yoo you said that?"
"Hey, hey! Do that and the witch'll squeeze me dry. You're joking, right, Suhyeon?"
"Yeah, joking... Hyung, I've seen Rush Man a bunch, so I get it's pro-level, but Urban Angler—you really just go film for two days and one night, fish the whole time, and that's it?"
"Yep. It's variety, but no scripts or forced setups—zero need for personal skills. Targets 30-50-year-old guys, and that's not what they want. Hop on a boat, head to sea, fish all day, slice up sashimi or make spicy stew from your catch, eat, and done."
"Man, total honey pot for fishing fans."
"Right? Guys go nuts fishing with buddies in their youth, but post-marriage, wives freak out about 'weekend widow' vibes and won't let 'em. It's vicarious satisfaction for middle-aged dudes."
"Got it."
"Heard the PD say it? Other shows, tell 'em to show up at dawn somewhere and they bitch endlessly. Urban Angler? They peel out like bullets, no complaints. Most variety has celebs grumpy about early wake-ups after overnight shoots—this one, they wake up themselves at dawn. Gotta get to the fishing quick..."
"Never watched it myself. But... it really pulls ratings? Just fishing, no other content?"
"Hell yeah! Cable variety hitting 3%."
"3%? Wow, shocking. Women must hate a whole day of fishing... How?"
"Crew says husbands watch undisturbed now. Wives nagged at first—'What crap is this?'—till guys blew up. They learned: don't touch this. Touch it, and he gets real mad. Sacred ground for guys who love fishing but can't due to work and family. Not daily like pro baseball, just weekly, so wives tolerate. Ratings climbing every episode."
"Makes sense. But... sounds like you're speaking from experience?"
"Haha, yeah, fished every weekend in my youth. Kids and marriage killed that dream... You ever done sea fishing, Suhyeon?"
"Never."
"First time on the shoot then?"
"Yep. Gotta do Urban Angler for you, hyung. So you can relax and fish after ages."
"I'd love that, but no need to force it with your schedule."
"Thanks to you, I can heal with a two-day break tomorrow or the next. So today, just Rush Man?"
"Right. Can't shoot two at once."
Meanwhile, at the YK building, Singer Team 1's Manager Yoo and Actor Team 1's Park Siljang were meeting.
"Like it, Park Siljang? Suits your taste?"
"Not bad. Pretty good..."
"Right?"
"What's it called?"
"Mate in Spanish. South America's green tea—big in Argentina, Uruguay."
"Out on business trips to South America, already hectic, and you bring a nice gift... Thanks, Yoo Siljang."
"No biggie. You built Suhyeon up big while I was gone."
Park Siljang chuckled at Yoo Siljang's words.
"Yoo Siljang, watch your words, even if flattering."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Me building and raising Suhyeon while you were away? Flattery's fine, but don't make shit up. Kid rocketed on his own..."
Park Siljang sipped the mate tea, eyeing the flustered Yoo Siljang, then continued.
"Never made him get plastic surgery for a handsome face, tutor for smarts, acting classes for skills, or gym for the bod. Suhyeon doesn't need help. We just manage schedules, contracts, block scandals."
"Hmm..."
"Not called a genius for nothing. We just watch from the sidelines, eat the rice cakes."
"But he's so young. Could slip up—we should..."
Park Siljang's phone rang then. He checked the caller and excused himself to Yoo Siljang.
"Sorry. Gotta take this. Can't ignore it..."
"Sure, go ahead."
Park Siljang answered, beaming.
"Whoa, Actor Kang! Long time. What's up?"
Mid-call with "Actor Kang," Park Siljang's face hardened.
"Yeah, I know. Heard it's your last year. But..."
"Got it. Yeah. Fellow old-timers gotta help. I'll pull strings."
"Phew. Fine. Quit nagging. Yeah, yeah... I'll make sure he goes. Promise. Consider it set. Yeah, hang up now."
Park Siljang hung up grimly. Yoo Siljang couldn't hold back.
"Who's Actor Kang?"
"Sigh... Kang So-yeon."
"Kang So-yeon? From the movie C-Pants?"
"Yeah."
"Heard something about this year being her last... Retiring for marriage?"
"Nah. BIFF."
"BIFF? Busan International Film Festival?"
"Yep. She's executive chair. Four years left, but announced last month she'd step down after this year."
"Ah. Why the long face?"
"Sigh. Their VP programmer Kim Soo-seok died of heart attack at Cannes in May. They're making a new award in his honor—lifetime BIFF devotee. But since it's new, they want a fresh rookie actor for the announcement. More meaningful."
"No way?"
"That no way. Wants Suhyeon as announcer. I refused—tricky—but Kang's persistent. Old friend from youth... Sigh. Executive chair acting like a kid, begging. Couldn't say no. She'd storm the office and kill me."
"Hmm. Suhyeon's film cred is thin, bit awkward. But not bad? Network with filmmakers, boost name. Good spot—no need to refuse fully. Smart call."
"Sigh. Singer team—you don't get my pain. As BIFF nears, famous actresses hounding me over Suhyeon? Unimaginable. Can't spill their privacy, but I'm going insane..."
"Huh?"
"What huh... You know actresses. Want max spotlight at events. Not just any—world-famous BIFF. For attention, bold exposure, slutty shows—no limits. Sigh. Killing me."
"So the actresses want Suhyeon?"
"Yeah. Hottest now—Suhyeon. Pair with him, soak up attention from crowds, press. Handsome face, tall, stylish—total style boost. Escorted by Suhyeon on BIFF red carpet? Endless pressure from actresses."
Park Siljang sank into the sofa, sighing deeply.
"Whew. Dizzying... Barely fended 'em off saying Suhyeon's green in films, skipping BIFF. Rumors died down, survivable... But if word spreads he's announcing at BIFF..."
Then Park Siljang's phone and office line exploded.
He clutched his head in agony.
"Already? Damn it..."
At that moment, Suhyeon arrived at Ilsan SBC Production Center, stepping out of the car.
Heading to the Rush Man cast lounge, his heart raced.
'Finally meeting national MC Yoo Jae-sik... Sparta! Kim Jung-guk too... Whew, kinda thrilling.'
Suhyeon took a deep breath at the lounge door, knocked lightly.
— Knock knock knock —
"Come in."
Suhyeon turned the handle, easing the door open.
Meanwhile, Manager Baek Seongcheol, heading to park, answered his ringing phone while driving.
"Hello?"
[Ah, Park Siljang here...]
"Yes, Siljang."
[You with Suhyeon now?]
"No. Safely at Ilsan SBC. He just headed to lounge. Parking now."
[Right? You've been glued to him lately, Baek.]
"Yes. Always by his side."
[Yeah... Big issue now. Need you to decide.]
"Me? What issue?"
[Know Suhyeon's favorite actress?]
"Uh...?"