Chapter 398: Fame (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 398: Fame (2)
The adolescent Cheon Yun-seong was an ordinary schoolboy. With his unstyled, straight hair and stiff school uniform, he bore a resemblance to his current self in some ways, yet gave off a completely different impression in others.
However, his dark, obsidian eyes were exactly the same, as if he had possessed them since birth.
『Cheon Yun-seong.』
A voice that one could hardly imagine belonged to a parent calling their child—a voice so devoid of even coldness that it felt utterly hollow—pierced the air.
『To think the day would come when you, the once-flawless successor, would nearly leave a scratch on this company.』
The study desk was covered with documents and photos taken of Cheon Yun-seong in secret. Beyond the desk stood Cheon Gang-hyeok, and at his feet, Cheon Yun-seong’s blurred, out-of-focus silhouette was hunched over.
The camera slowly zoomed in on a printed message.
Young Master
[Something has been weighing on my mind.]
[Could you please look into this for me, Division Chief?]
『I suppose it isn’t entirely your fault. With an adult nearby whose head isn't screwed on straight, it’s possible you’d entertain a foolish thought or two.』
Cheon Gang-hyeok adjusted his grip on something off-camera.
『But do not forget. The moment you invited suspicion, you ceased to be the "perfect successor," and…』
A complex swirl of emotions flickered through Cheon Yun-seong’s eyes as he looked up at his father.
『…this record will follow you until the day you die.』
A golf club sliced through the air. Blood splattered across the floor at Cheon Gang-hyeok’s feet.
Cheon Gang-hyeok’s shoes stepped toward Cheon Yun-seong’s trembling arm. The sleeve of his white school shirt was pathetically crumpled.
『Still, it seems our Yun-seong truly is a child blessed by the heavens. Seeing as there are two reasons for you to be forgiven.』
『Ugh…!』
Cheon Gang-hyeok spoke as he looked down at his son, who was groaning in pain but couldn't even let out a proper scream.
『Remember this. The reason you didn't die today isn't because you possess some great value.』
『…….』
『It is because there is no other pure bloodline of the Cheonju Group besides you, and because you are still young enough to be reformed. These two things are what saved your life.』
Even after seeing the hostility filling Cheon Yun-seong’s eyes, Cheon Gang-hyeok did not show anger or mockery. He was merely focused on finishing the task at hand.
『Ah.』
Cheon Gang-hyeok paused as he set the blood-stained golf club down on the desk.
『I forgot to mention one thing.』
The camera looked down at Cheon Yun-seong from Cheon Gang-hyeok’s perspective. His gaze bore down on the boy’s dark-red stained back.
『The adult will be held to a much greater accountability.』
Cheon Yun-seong snapped his head up. His breathing hitched.
His pupils shook with terror.
『Father, Father…!』
Cheon Yun-seong reached out to grab the hem of Cheon Gang-hyeok’s trousers, but then he clenched his hand into a fist.
A successor must not grovel before others for personal reasons.
That would be a disqualification of his status…
『A new secretary will take you to your room.』
…and would only invite a harsher punishment.
Time passed, and Cheon Yun-seong, now the "seemingly perfect" successor, brought a wine glass to his lips while gazing at the night view.
His face, eyes closed gently, was reflected in the dark windowpane.
Cheon Yun-seong set the empty glass down on the nightstand. As he prepared to end his day, his fingertips moved to loosen his tie and unbutton his shirt.
The Division Chief from back then was gone.
The only evidence that someone had once been by the young master’s side remained as a large mark on Cheon Yun-seong’s back. Like a shadow cast over his life.
Jeong Seong-bin had to press the pause button several times to finish the ten-minute video. Once to take a deep breath, and another to squeeze his eyes shut before opening them again.
Every time he did, Kim I-wol told him they should stop watching. Jeong Seong-bin insisted he was fine.
“Did you know about this, Hyung?”
“I didn't. It was a coincidence.”
Jeong Seong-bin sat up on the bed. His agitated heart wouldn't settle.
He couldn't forget the look in Cheon Yun-seong’s eyes revealed beneath his messy hair.
Those eyes, so vivid they seemed etched with hatred and resentment; those eyelashes trembling with rage; those eyes that met a wall of helplessness, forced to give up even on pleading.
The traces of deep despair that made even the viewer feel suffocated.
…And the look in Kim I-wol’s eyes when he looked at his family not too long ago.
“Wasn't it hard to act that out?”
“Not at all.”
Kim I-wol said as he rolled onto his back to face the ceiling. Their eyes met.
“It wasn't hard in the slightest.”
“…….”
“In fact, it was strangely easy.”
Kim I-wol gave a weak laugh.
“But I’m okay now.”
It didn't sound like an empty remark. The layers of suffering that had once clung to Kim I-wol were no longer visible.
“I don't know much about it, but maybe there’s such a thing as acting therapy? I felt a sense of relief, like I’d finally vented my frustrations. Or maybe my heart felt lighter because I said everything I wanted to say when Mom and Dad came over.”
Seeing Jeong Seong-bin’s expression, the laughing Kim I-wol sat up.
“I—I’m not being self-deprecating, I’m serious.”
Kim I-wol stammered out an explanation.
“I… almost never raised my voice at home.”
“…….”
“Especially regarding my own business, that was the first time. When I say I felt relieved, I’m not just trying to put a positive spin on it.”
He didn't seem to be lying. While the pain from his gastric ulcer was unavoidable, Kim I-wol hadn't clutched his head even once when his family was mentioned ever since he let it all out at the press conference. If anything, he seemed a bit less sharp than usual.
“I’m going to stop thinking about it now,” Kim I-wol said with a smile. “If it comes to mind occasionally, I’ll resent them. And since I don't want to forgive them, I won't.”
“You don't mean you're dropping the lawsuit, right?”
“Of course not. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Despite his grim determination, Kim I-wol’s face quickly relaxed again.
“From now on, I plan to just… live like that.”
It was exactly what Jeong Seong-bin had hoped for more than anything.
His heart swelled. He knew it was because he was happy.
“Can I ask you one thing?”
“What is it?”
The confident Kim I-wol suddenly started acting cautious. Jeong Seong-bin watched, wondering what on earth he was going to ask, when…
“By any chance, did I earn any ‘Patience Marks’ this time?”
…An utterly useless question came out. Jeong Seong-bin burst out laughing.
“Not a single one.”
“Really?”
Kim I-wol reacted as if he hadn't expected that. But Jeong Seong-bin was being sincere.
“You didn't do anything wrong, Hyung.”
Even with Jeong Seong-bin’s affirmation, Kim I-wol couldn't easily let go of his doubt. It was only after seeing the notebook with his own eyes that Kim I-wol breathed a sigh of relief.
≫ The goosebump-inducing correlation between Cheon Yun-seong and Kim I-wol
≫ The fateful reason Kim I-wol ended up playing Cheon Yun-seong
≫ An actor who took on a role with the exact same past
‘Ever since Episode 5 aired, similar posts keep popping up.’
The impact of Exclusive Report showed no signs of cooling down. If anything, the fire was spreading. The fact that the drama’s plot had gained momentum also played a part.
≫ I was so shocked when Chairman Cheon died right after Cheon Yun-seong warned Ham I-seo that she’d get tangled up with him… but then seeing President Cheon immediately become Chairman and revealing he had Yun-seong on a leash the whole time? I literally held my breath watching that.
└ Cheon Yun-seong knew President Cheon was the real black curtain and warned her because he figured the President would eventually kick out the grandfather and take the Chairman seat… Save Yun-seong-ssi T_T
≫ No, I seriously just thought the Young Master and the Division Chief had bestie chemistry…
I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS THIS KIND OF RELATIONSHIP!!!!! ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└ How can the world be this cruel ㅠㅠ…
└ Did something happen in today’s Exclusive Report?
└ You have to watch this without spoilers…
≫ To my friends who are watching Exclusive Report, I’m seriously disappointed (Spoilers included)
I told you to call me when the Division Chief’s episode came out.
Did I really have to find out 13 hours late that the Young Master actually had a first secretary who was murdered because of the Young Master’s righteous attempt to uncover the family’s corruption???
And that Cheon Gang-hyeok assigned Division Chief Go—the dead secretary’s friend—as the second secretary just to make the Young Master feel guilty?????
And that Division Chief Go has been staying loyal to the Young Master, who caused his friend’s death, just to get revenge on the murderer who killed his friend? Did I have to suffer through this realization all alone while being late to the party?!!!!!!!!!!
└ Our throats are already hoarse from screaming.
└ LOL
└ We talked about nothing but Yun-seong and Su-gyeom all day yesterday hahaha Where have you been? hahahahaha
└ [Author] I can’t function in daily life right now, I feel like I’m losing my mind. I cry every time I think of the Division Chief.
I felt the buzz was already huge during In My Office.
But the influence of a work labeled a "mega-hit" was on a different level. I heard that while UA is rejecting everything on the grounds that I need rest, dozens of requests for variety shows and interviews are coming in every day.
≫ Kim I-wol’s acting skills are definitely proven as of Exclusive Report.
I thought he was good during the Chairman’s funeral scene, but there’s no room for debate after this episode.
└ My mom is a drama fanatic and is super harsh with acting critiques, but she hasn't said a single word about why Kim I-wol is there or that he can't act haha
└ Mothers’ evaluations are always the most accurate hahaha
└ High school Cheon Yun-seong looked so young that I was like, "How did he pull off a student role so well??" but then I realized he’s actually closer to that age in real life LOL ㅠㅠㅠ After seeing him as Do Yeong-hwan and then Cheon Yun-seong back-to-back, drama geeks have him ingrained in their heads as being in his 30s…
≫ It’s a fact that his acting is good.
I saw some comments saying it’s only good because it’s based on his own experience, but reenacting an experience and conveying it are two different fields.
He barely had any lines other than calling for his father, yet he conveyed the character’s entire emotional state.
The depth might change, but having a similar experience doesn't automatically make your expressiveness better.
It’s certain that his ability to immerse the audience in the character is top-tier.
└ I think it was brilliant how they kept showing Cheon Yun-seong as a villain from Ham I-seo’s perspective—someone who overlooks evil and thinks the sacrifice of a few is inevitable—and then split everyone’s opinions with one shot of his past.
└└ It’s amazing how he made us think, "Cheon Yun-seong made the best choice!" in a situation where he didn't even properly attempt anything, just looked into it, and ended up with his secretary dead because of him + his secret investigation getting busted + etc.
└ Viewers these days have high moral standards, so to convince them of that? It’s partly because of the premise that Ham I-seo wouldn't justify his actions, but it’s mostly thanks to him expressing that suffocating, maddening atmosphere so well.
≫ It’s incredible that he showed the scar on his back as is.
It wasn't caused by a normal accident, so it couldn't have been an easy decision. Seeing how he decided to do it to enhance the character shows he’s sincere about every job he takes.
└ I was shocked because it was bigger than I thought…
└ He said he doesn't think much of the scar himself and hopes fans won't take it too heavily, so I was like "Okay, I will…!" but my heart is still breaking ㅠㅠ
└ He’s been hiding it well until now;; I was wondering why I didn't know even though he’s shown his back before, but I looked it up and he had it all covered with stickers.
≫ He’ll do another project, right…?
This is the first time in my life I’ve wanted an idol to act this badly.
└ I thought he was only good at playing haggard office workers, but it turns out he’s an all-rounder haha
└ Before, he already had the physique, looks, voice, and diction, but now his acting skills are verified too hahahaha He’s going to get so many synopses.
└ He’s a literal waterfall in the middle of a male actor drought.
≫ How does a person even act with the glint in their eyes?
There was light in his eyes when he was glaring at President Cheon, but the moment he found out his dad killed the secretary, the glint vanished. It gave me chills.
└ I went back and rewatched the video after seeing this comment;;;; It’s true.
└ I would’ve missed it if not for the comment hahahahaha He’s a maestro of natural light.
Where there is light, there is shadow. While many Sparklers were happy about Kim I-wol’s success in his acting career, there were also voices of concern.
≫ I’m so happy and proud that I-wol’s acting is getting praised everywhere, but I’m a widdle bit worried if he’ll want to keep building an acting career from now on…
Of course, I’ll support whatever I-wol wants to do! But since many idols move to acting agencies once their contracts end if they decide to act…
I couldn't say it directly, but they didn't need to worry.
I have no such greed at all. Just being an idol is overwhelming enough. Unless the system pushes me to do another project, I’ll just quietly sing and dance.
Manager Im Chan-yeong
[The concept art for the digital single is out! If anyone didn't get the Challenge notification, let me know!]
It seems I’m not destined for a long rest, as new work has arrived. It was time to go back to being an idol.