Chapter 181: Love for a Teammate
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181: Love for a Teammate
"Is filming that hard?" Jeong Seong-bin’s question caught me off guard.
"No. Why?"
I threw the question back at him, pretending it was nothing, and Seong-bin gave a sheepish smile as he answered.
"Hearing your questions, I wondered if there was a lot of territorial gatekeeping on set."
I guess my questions were too transparent. I didn't think they’d notice, but I must have been underestimating these guys.
"Gatekeeping? Who! Hyung, you only have two lines of dialogue!"
"Calm down. And those two lines might be something someone else is desperate for, so that’s probably why."
Kang Gi-yeon calmed Lee Cheong-hyeon down with a reasonable point. But Lee Cheong-hyeon wasn't about to settle down quietly.
"They shouldn't act like that to someone who was invited to audition. If they have a problem, shouldn't they take it up with the person who invited an idol or the person who did the final casting? That’s total 'strong against the weak' behavior!"
"Why are you so angry?"
"Because I just came back from a frustrating meeting, that's why!"
I told him to make a professional drama OST, and he ended up getting soaked in office stress. I’ll have to give him a mental "laundry day" soon.
"I’m approaching it with the mindset that I have to work hard so I don't embarrass myself in front of those who are desperate for the role. You don't have to worry about that part."
"No one’s worried about that. What’s the next problem?"
Kang Gi-yeon asked, resting his chin on his hand.
"There’s someone who isn't exactly pleased with my appearance."
"Which means they fucking hate it."
"Je-ho, what happened to our agreement to use kind and proper language?"
"I just translated it into normal-person standards."
With that, Choi Je-ho turned his gaze toward the other members.
No one refuted his words. He looked even more triumphant. Fuck, that’s annoying.
"Fine, there’s someone who isn't pleased. I wondered if this was just a natural phenomenon in the entertainment industry. But it seems that’s not necessarily the case."
"And if it were a natural phenomenon? Were you just going to sit there and take it?"
Lee Cheong-hyeon glared at me intensely. I thought he was going to bore a hole through my face.
"That won't happen. I’m tired of just taking things lying down."
"Now that’s what I like to hear."
Lee Cheong-hyeon crossed his arms and flopped back against the sofa.
Jeong Seong-bin, who had been lost in thought, finally spoke up.
"Hyung."
"Yeah."
"This is just my opinion, but regardless of the genre or the field, there are bound to be common reactions, but I don't think they're absolute."
Common reactions.
I had certainly been agonizing over it—the gap between a "career change" in society as I knew it and a "field shift" within the entertainment industry, and how to adapt to which side.
Seong-bin was saying that the boundaries of that "field shift" weren't absolute.
"Some people might want to teach you more because you came from a different major, while others might think you lack professionalism. In times like that, wouldn't it be best to gradually adapt to the new work alongside good people?"
They were nice words. If one were to be cynical, they might call it naive talk.
However, I could tell Seong-bin had put a lot of thought into this from what he said next.
"There might be difficult people right now. But there will definitely be good people too, and the number of good people around you will only grow. Everyone likes you, hyung."
It was a bit—no, incredibly—cringeworthy.
"It’s not like you have the kind of personality that wouldn't be loved wherever you go."
Those were the words I had said to him the day I got an apology out of Jang Jun-hu.
Seong-bin smiled as he threw them back at me.
He really is a strange kid. He knows how prickly my personality can be, yet he says things like that. It seems Seong-bin’s personality really has changed since My.Singer's.Genre.
"You guys have been getting along well lately, haven't you?"
The manager spoke up after the members, who had all come out to see me off, headed back inside.
"The kids have always gotten along."
"No, it’s been exceptionally good lately."
It’s all because those punks shout, "Spark’s representative handsome-personality guy! Have a good trip!" every time I head out to film In My Office. They seem to want to boost my self-esteem, but they’re only succeeding in increasing my sense of shame.
"You’re on set all day today, right?"
"Yes. We have the conference room scene during the day and the company dinner scene at night."
That puts me at over eight hours of work. At this rate, shouldn't I be asking for the 4 Major Insurances? It’s only a few months until the end of the year, and I honestly want to join any random company just to handle my year-end tax adjustment all at once.
Still, I’m glad I only have to say "Yes" twice in the conference room scene. The production company probably feels like they’re wasting money having to pay me an appearance fee per episode for this.
But I’m sorry. I need to earn my proficiency points. I’ll have to make sure at least the crown of my head gets some screen time.
The conference room scene wrapped up without a hitch, centering on the two leads.
The scene where the product the two leads collaborated on achieves massive profitability also went well. Gu Ja-han flubbed his lines twice, but since the name of the fund was so long, everyone was in a forgiving mood.
"MyNewVisionDynamicSecuritiesInvestmentTrust"... yeah, that must have been hard to memorize.
Perhaps because the leads' romance had hit a milestone, the atmosphere on set was more harmonious than usual. It also helped that the supporting actors were present whenever Gu Ja-han and Ha Seo-myeong appeared, neutralizing the tension.
'I wish every day was like today.'
I was picking up the papers we had scattered for the "Our profits hit the jackpot!" scene along with the assistant directors when someone tapped me on the back.
I turned around to see the members of Team Leader Gu’s team standing there, each holding a drink.
"I-wol, thanks for the coffee!"
"Huh?"
I’ve just been picking up paper here; I never bought coffee.
As I stood there bewildered, Ha Seo-myeong pointed outside.
"The members sent a coffee truck. Did they keep it a secret from you?"
"A coffee truck?!"
I dropped the papers on the table and bolted outside like lightning. No wonder a Spark Behind Cam staff member had been following me today; they ended up scurrying out after me.
There really was a small, cozy grey coffee truck parked there. Staff members were lined up in front of it, receiving their drinks.
"..."
I was speechless.
[Cheering for Yeong-hwan’s life at My Asset Management!]
The slogan at the top of the truck was shocking enough...
[Employee Do’s treat! Seniors, please recharge your caffeine!]
...but the banner set up next to it was even more of a shock.
'Do you have any idea how much this costs!'
Even a coffee truck sent to a music video set easily clears a million won.
And a coffee truck for a drama set with several times the staff? Sent by kids who haven't even received their settlement yet?
'I’m going to kill those... ah, I don't have my phone.'
The Behind Cam staff member must have seen my expression turn to utter despair as I patted my pockets, because they covered their mouth and laughed.
"Want to borrow my phone?"
"I would be very grateful."
If I called the manager’s number, he’d pass it on. When I explained the situation, I was immediately connected to the guys, who were in the middle of practice.
— Hyung! How’s the color of the truck? Do you like it?
Lee Cheong-hyeon chattered excitedly, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. My head throbbed.
"Did you guys do this?"
That question held many meanings. I was hoping he’d say, "The company paid for it!" like they did with the last reverse fan gift.
But Spark failed my expectations.
— Yup. We pooled our own money.
As always.
"You haven't even been paid yet, where did you get the money for this? You’re busy and don't have time, so who even ordered it? Did you write the slogans yourselves? I told you to tell me in advance when you’re doing something that requires this much attention to detail..."
— I can't take this hyung’s nagging anymore. Someone else take the phone.
I heard Lee Cheong-hyeon groaning on the other end.
— Hyung, it’s me.
"Right, Seong-bin. Shall we try to have a rational conversation?"
— I think you’re the only one not being rational right now, hyung.
I heard Kang Gi-yeon grumbling in the background.
From where I’m standing, none of you are sane. What kind of high schoolers send a coffee truck worth millions of won?
"Seong-bin, whose idea was this?"
— Ju-woo suggested it, and the majority voted in favor.
"So there was someone who opposed it? Who was that sensible friend?"
— Je-ho hyung.
Choi Je-ho!
He’s so useless in meetings!
He just sits there talking nonsense!
But as the oldest, he actually tried to keep the kids in check!
In all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never found you so admirable.
If only you had a bit more authority. I should give you more power in the future so you can maintain a balance with Jeong Seong-bin while I’m away...
— Je-ho hyung said that since you only drink lukewarm water, we should send a bundle of natural mineral water instead. We didn't think that was right, so we compromised on a coffee truck.
...Admirable, my foot. You punk, consider your voting rights in any non-work-related meetings revoked for life.
— Isn't it right to give the protagonist something to eat?
I heard Choi Je-ho muttering in the distance. You... I’ll see you back at the dorm.
— Ju-woo looked into the truck. Gi-yeon did the estimate, and I wrote the slogans. Oh, and Cheong-hyeon edited the photos!
— I did a great job clipping the backgrounds, right? Background transparency technology is amazing these days!
"And Choi Je-ho? Was he just drinking water next to you?"
— He took on the heavy responsibility of talking to the truck owner.
Lee Cheong-hyeon said solemnly. Right, there’s no one better for that than Choi Je-ho. He doesn't exactly have the kind of voice that people find easy to scam.
— Hyung, you know I get composing royalties, so what are you worried about? Kang-gyeon and Je-ho hyung get choreography fees. You think the five of us can't split this?
Lee Cheong-hyeon laughed.
It’s great that you’re talented and making money. But...
"Your money..."
Why would you spend it on something like this? You guys don't even spend money on yourselves.
— Don't talk like we’re wasting it. That hurts our feelings, you know?
— He’s right. We did this so people would look kindly on you, hyung. What does that make us if you scold us?
— Like Seong-bin said, you have to be loved...!
Without a single thought for the recipient's feelings, they chattered away in unison. I realized it wouldn't be easy to add subtitles to this Behind Cam footage.
I suppressed the sigh that wanted to escape out of habit. I looked at the coffee truck, then at the phone.
"Thanks. I’ll enjoy the drinks."
A chorus of happy laughter erupted from the phone. They shouted together.
— Take a hundred pictures in front of the truck!
After hanging up, I received a peach iced tea from the truck.
I took a photo of the truck. I asked the manager to take a few photos of me in front of it, but I also just wanted a photo of the truck itself.
After finishing the proof shots, I went back inside and sat in the warm seat of "Do Yeong-hwan" on the set, sipping my drink.
On the cup holder, my face was smiling brightly.