Scoldings, Apologies, and a Dangerous Makeover
The next morning, Suhyeon was riding in the van to the Seoul office, searching news on his laptop connected to his smartphone. Last night, the scene from Special Investigation Headquarters where Fist King stripped off his shirt and shaved aired. Since then, countless news articles had flooded the internet, and even now on the following day, they kept pouring in nonstop.
Fist King Suhyeon Shock-Reveals Muscular Body in Drama
Beautiful Man Suhyeon Shows Off Unexpected Charm in Drama
Beast Man Suhyeon Exposes Ripped Physique While Shaving
Beast Man + Brainy Hunk = Beast-Brain Hottie. Suhyeon Coins New Term
Suhyeon. Hallyu Fans Go Wild Over His Sexy Revealed Body
Beautiful Footage, Artistic Physique—Falling for Suhyeon
"Whoa, hyung. There's a ton of news about you. Did you see?"
"...."
With no reaction to his words, Suhyeon awkwardly turned back to the news. That's when a newly posted headline caught his eye.
"Whoa, hyung! Jackie Chan offered me a movie role? Have you heard anything about it?"
"...."
Suhyeon let out a short sigh as his manager showed no response again, then clicked the article to read it. After finishing, he clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"What the hell. It's just Jackie Chan posting on his SNS praising my body and saying he'd love to work on a movie with me someday if the chance comes up. And they hype it as an official casting offer? Geez... Hyung, still, Jackie Chan's a big name in China, so it'll help me out, right?"
"...."
Suhyeon looked up at the van's ceiling, exhaling a long sigh, then slowly closed his laptop. Leaning toward the driver's seat, he spoke in a voice laced with a hint of aegyo.
"Hyung, sorry. I won't do it again, so please stop being mad."
"...."
"You're pissed because I got you chewed out by Park Sil-jang and Yoo Sil-jang over me, and I'm super sorry about it!"
"...."
Even his aegyo apology got no response, so Suhyeon sighed deeply once more and threw out words in a low, serious tone.
"Hyung-nim, I'm worn out body and soul from filming this unfamiliar movie. If even you act like this, how am I supposed to relax in the car? Do you want me to collapse from exhaustion on set?"
Only then did the manager react.
"Suhyeon-ah."
"Yes, hyung-nim."
"It doesn't matter if I get chewed out. Over the past few years, how many times have I gotten reamed at the broadcasting station or office because of you? These days, it's just because you've got your act together and aren't causing trouble."
"I know."
"Like I said before, that's just what managers do. Taking the heat for their celebrity is part of the job. That's what we get paid for."
"I appreciate it. Always."
"Lying to me after lunch yesterday, saying you had a new melody idea and needed to grab the MIDI laptop from home? Fine. But do you know what I'm really pissed about?"
"That wasn't a lie."
"New melodies aren't the issue right now. What matters is you deciding and pulling off that insanely dangerous stunt all on your own, without consulting anyone. While I was away, no less."
"You being there, you'd obviously stop me saying it's too risky... Sorry."
"If you'd gotten hurt during that shoot yesterday, it would've been a career-killer for you as an entertainer. Me getting fired or whatever? Not the point. If you'd actually gotten hurt..."
Suhyeon replied softly to the manager, who trailed off in agitation.
"Hyung-nim, I know how much you care about me and worry. I promise—never again. So stop being mad and worrying. It was a calculated risk because everything got tangled up this time. From now on, I'll consult you and the company fully before moving forward."
"If you pull something like this again..."
"I'm your son, hyung-nim. Incheon little bro Bucheon at your service. Baek Bucheon!"
"Hoo... I'll believe this is the last time. Rest up—you must be tired."
Time passed, and upon arriving at the Seoul office, Suhyeon was immediately summoned to Actor Team 1 Manager Park Dongju's room, where he got absolutely demolished again.
Park Sil-jang's face was beet red as he bellowed at Suhyeon sitting before him.
"Are you insane? In your right mind? Jumping from a full-gallop horse to another? Is that what actors do? Even stuntmen avoid that shit nowadays—it's too dangerous. You young folks might not know, but back in the old Westerns, how many stuntmen died or got crippled filming crap like that?"
"I'm sorry."
After ranting for a good while longer, Park Sil-jang calmed somewhat and asked in a low voice.
"I heard about it last night and raced to the set ready to grind Jang Director and Jeong Director into bone meal... But they said you pitched it first? Even detailing the action path and camera techniques? That true?"
"Yes."
"What the hell got into you? At a time this crucial..."
"Sil-jang-nim, that's exactly why I did it—because it's such a crucial time. Entertainers are products, right? To get top dollar, you don't hide the product's excellence—you broadcast it far and wide. So I took a gamble. And I was pretty confident it'd pay off."
"No one thinks you're anything less than an excellent product. So no more of that risky crap. Ever."
Suhyeon thought to himself at Park Sil-jang's words.
I can't exactly reveal to the world that I've completed Microcosmic Orbit and become a peak expert... Talk about inconvenient.
Suhyeon met Park Sil-jang's gaze squarely.
"I understand completely, sil-jang-nim. I have no intention of risking danger for action scenes willy-nilly anymore. But if the movie calls for it, I might have to. Of course, only after full consultation with the company and safety measures in place. There's an age-old truth passed down for generations, right? Sparing too much turns shit into gold... Sometimes you gotta do what it takes."
"Hm. I know you're good at action and confident. But there's another old truth: Even monkeys fall from trees. So promise me. Consult first. And follow the company's decision."
"I promise."
"Enough nagging. Get out."
"Where to?"
"Makeup. Might as well go all out for the Busan Film Festival."
Suhyeon headed down to Actor Team 1's dedicated makeup room with Park Sil-jang. As soon as they entered, Park Sil-jang bellowed.
"Brought Suhyeon-kun. Byeong..."
At that moment, Kim Team Leader in charge of the room shrieked in a piercing high tone.
"Sil-jang-nim! Watch your mouth!"
"Huh? Why are you mad? I brought the Suhyeon-kun you've been dying to see..."
"Sigh. Really? How many times have I told you? Don't call him that... Because of you, women keep giving me Dulcolax as thank-you gifts after makeup. Sneaking up all sly and whispering, "Suppositories work the best." Do you know how embarrassing that is?"
"That's on those people misunderstanding. I still think it's a cool nickname..."
"I hate it! Sigh... Anyway, leave Suhyeon-ssi and go, sil-jang-nim."
"Alright. You've got the Busan Film Festival tonight, so take good care of Suhyeon-kun."
"No worries. Already coordinated with Kim Hae-su-ssi."
"Good. I'm off. Ppien-rian-nyu~"
As Park Sil-jang left, Kim Team Leader tilted her head at Suhyeon.
"What was that last bit Park Sil-jang-nim said? Sounded like Chinese. You speak it well, Suhyeon-ssi—any idea?"
"Dunno. His pronunciation's so off... No clue."
"Really? Suspicious... Sit in the chair anyway."
A bit later, Kim Team Leader, her face flushed as she busily brushed away, suddenly stopped and gazed at Suhyeon's face with dreamy eyes, murmuring.
"I did it myself, but he's so handsome... Original material's top-tier, so it turns into artwork."
Hearing that, Suhyeon opened his eyes.
"Makeup done? Can I get up?"
Kim Team Leader startled.
"Ah, makeup's done, but... Hair will take time, so stay seated."
"Huh? Hair takes long? Mine's not long—should be quick."
To Suhyeon's puzzled question, she hurriedly explained.
"Kim Hae-su-ssi's outfit for the festival with you is a crimson off-shoulder dress. To match as a couple... Men's tuxes are standard black with bow ties—no big changes there. So we're adding bold red highlights to your hair."
"Red highlights? That means bleaching?"
"Can't do that—you're mid-filming. Just a temporary tint for a day."
A little later, Suhyeon held a transparent plastic face shield—what's commonly called a beauty spray guard—while Kim Team Leader shook the hairspray vigorously beside him.
- Click-clack. Click-clack. Pssshhh~
The quiet makeup room filled with the distinctive rattling of the spray can and the hiss of it firing.
"Suhyeon-ssi, all done. Open your eyes and remove the shield. How's it look?"
Suhyeon opened his eyes and checked the mirror. His handsome face was unchanged, but the red highlights streaked through his hair gave it a dangerous, slightly decadent vibe.
"This... kinda gives off delinquent vibes."
"Oh my! Delinquent? What are you saying... It's the sophisticated, handsome bad boy look all the world's women would swoon over."
"Hm. You think?"
"Absolutely. Trust my eyes. At the festival like this, women seeing your face will lose it. I'm feeling it right now... Ohoho."
"Got it. Thanks for your hard work."
As Suhyeon stood with thanks, Kim Team Leader said,
"Suhyeon-ssi, hold on."
She whipped her head back and yelled,
"Myung-sook-ah! Myung-sook-ah! Come here quick!"
Moments later, Suhyeon stared blankly at the two women eyeing him.
"What... is this? I'm not Dracula or anything..."