Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Gwiju Daecheop Premiere
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Leader Hyung nodded.
"You're right."
Yoo Hajin stroked my head and let out a deep sigh. Then he whispered softly.
"I'll do my best too."
Oh. Reliable.
A chuckle escaped me. Soon, hellish recording began for Ki Jaeyoon. I closed my eyes, watching Kang Minje's back.
Though I had sung it earlier, the album tracks were pretty decent too. Maybe that's why I was really looking forward to the comeback.
***
"Ah, you look pretty."
Stylist Noona said as she adjusted my sleeves. I smiled brightly and handed her the snacks I'd bought in advance.
"You know I'm always grateful, right?"
"Oh my, I always think this, but you sure know how to say the sweetest things."
Stylist Noona hurriedly opened the paper bag.
"Macarons?"
"Ah, you don't like them?"
"I can't get enough. Our Dowon has great taste too."
I was glad she liked them. Stylist Noona popped a macaron into her mouth and said.
"I'm gaining weight because of you, Dowon."
Oh dear.
"Should I stop bringing them?"
"No, it's fine. I'm gaining happily."
Stylist Noona quickly made excuses and turned me around. After checking my back, she quietly gave a thumbs-up.
"Perfect. You look pretty."
She was starting to hold back on calling me handsome now.
"Premiere outfits are tricky. Can't go too formal, but not too casual either."
I looked down at my clothes.
"Ah, so that's why."
A slightly open dark knit sweater and fitted pants.
'No matter what I wear, as long as it's easy to move in, it's fine.'
I rotated my arms a bit. They moved decently.
"This is the latest from FF. It's expensive."
"Oh, what an honor."
"It suits you perfectly, Dowon. Worth the effort to get it."
I bowed my head slightly and looked up.
"You know I'm always grateful, right?"
"Ahh, you really say the sweetest things. Dowon, what wouldn't I do for you!"
Respect welled up naturally. Becoming an idol taught me that stylists have a tough job.
"If all idols in the world were like Dowon, I wouldn't die."
"Why, Noona?"
"The world would already be heaven! I'd cling to life no matter what."
Oh dear.
"Once again, what an honor."
"Oh my, heaven's right here! Alright, Dowon, head out. Movie premiere, right?"
I nodded slightly.
"It's the Gwiju Daecheop premiere. Not the lead, but I'll come whenever invited."
"Didn't you say comeback?"
"Yeah. If schedules don't overlap."
"You're going to be busy."
"When I get busy, you get busy too, Noona."
"Dowon, Noona can handle being busy anytime. Still so much I want to dress you in."
Professional spirit or sincerity.
"You turn heads wherever you go when dressed up, so it's rewarding."
Hadn't realized that.
"You're not just called a trendsetter for nothing."
"Ah, I see."
"It's not 'I see.' Sometimes I think you don't realize how popular you are."
Do I?
Just then, the manager munched on macarons and said.
"Dowon, let's go!"
"Ah. Yeah. Coming, Noona!"
Stylist Noona waved while eating a macaron.
"These are good. They nailed it here."
I stared at the manager waving crumbs from his hands while eating macarons.
"Why... why? Want some?"
"No. Didn't you say you're worried about your blood sugar?"
"Huh, how'd you know? D-did Mira tell you?"
You were the one flaunting your blood sugar worries everywhere.
'Mira's probably his wife, I guess...'
Not my business anyway.
"I'll let her know sometime when I get her number."
"Huh?!"
"Let's hurry."
I quietly boarded the van. The manager sat in the driver's seat and said.
"Not nervous?"
"It's not a stage, just a premiere."
"Your first movie."
Ah.
"It's not like my first movie will be my last, so why be nervous."
"Whoa~ That's Cha Dowon for you."
The car sped off smoothly. I reviewed the premiere schedule and drama script at the same time. Multitasking was really helpful in moments like this.
"Supporting role, so just stick close to the side."
"Yeah, better not to show off and be polite."
That's when it happened. The car suddenly braked.
"Ah! That jerk!"
The manager rolled down the window and yelled.
"Are you crazy? Trying to die? Why jaywalk!"
Oh dear.
I picked up the scattered scripts.
"Dowon. You okay? Nothing wrong?"
"I'm fine. Just the script fell."
"Jaywalking like that. Ugh, scared me half to death."
No big deal. I settled back and opened the script.
"Well, even on open roads, you stop sometimes."
"Our Dowon's first movie premiere, and it's bad luck!"
I blinked. I'd thought it was nothing until moments ago, but now it felt ominous.
'Well, it's just a feeling.'
Obsessing over things like this turns you into a fool in no time. I shook my head and opened the script again.
***
I entered the waiting room and grinned widely. The ever-elegant Teacher Yun Mihyeon spread her arms and beckoned me over.
"Have you been well?"
"Of course I have. What could go wrong for an old lady like me? Anyway, our Dowon. Let me see your face."
Teacher Yun Mihyeon hugged me and examined my face closely.
"You look okay for someone who went through something big."
"I really am fine."
"You were shocked, right?"
"At first."
She pulled me into her embrace and patted my back.
"You did well. Really well. I'm so proud."
Such lavish praise.
I smiled brightly and handed her a pre-bought pink rose.
"I have a habit of giving flowers to beautiful women."
"Oh dear, what do I do with this."
Teacher Yun Mihyeon was delighted with the single rose.
"Where did such a gem come from? If I didn't adore you, I wouldn't be Yun Mihyeon. I'd change my name."
Please don't change your mind.
"Please take care of me from now on too."
She laughed and patted my back. That's when a low voice came from behind.
"Do you only see the teacher?"
Oh.
I turned slightly. Jeong Jiseok was looking at me with a dissatisfied expression.
"Ah, hello."
"Yeah. Hard to even get a greeting. Son."
Son?
"No flower for me?"
"Want one?"
"I'll take it if you give."
Wanting something like this.
I handed him the rose the manager was holding.
'Meant for the director originally...'
Oh well.
"As expected. My son."
Not your son.
"Yeah. Good work. You're in a lot more now?"
"Lucky. Seems like that incident's fading."
"The public maybe. But not the reporters."
Is that so.
"No big deal."
"Don't underestimate reporters. They'll do anything for clicks."
I nodded. Advice from someone experienced is worth heeding.
Just then, a staff member opened the door and said.
"Cast, please prepare!"
I offered my hand to Teacher Yun Mihyeon. The elegant middle-aged actress gladly took the escort.
"Ah, really, he's so smitten with Teacher he ignores me again."
Oh dear.
At Jeong Jiseok's grumbling, Teacher Yun Mihyeon laughed.
"Jiseok, men who complain a lot aren't attractive."
"Teacher!"
"Let's go, Dowon."
"Yes."
As soon as we entered the venue, camera flashes sparkled. It was a film already tipped for box office success from the blind premiere.
'Jeong Jiseok's representative work in his filmography.'
While escorting Teacher Yun Mihyeon up the stairs, she suddenly staggered.
"Teacher?"
I immediately grabbed her shoulder. Teacher Yun Mihyeon shook her head and sighed.
"Oh dear, I'm imposing. My legs have been weak lately."
"Not a health issue, right?"
I quickly recalled the past. Before regression, Yun Mihyeon wasn't perfectly healthy but had no major problems.
"No. It's a known issue."
Good.
"Ran too much last night."
Oh dear.
'Passionate one.'
I seated her and found my nameplate.
'Hm.'
Unexpected.
'Right next to Jeong Jiseok?'
Don't they usually seat by screen time from the back?
I tilted my head, and Jeong Jiseok beckoned me over. I sat beside him and asked.
"Why am I here?"
Staff handed over mics. Jeong Jiseok pointed to the director next to him.
'The director arranged it?'
Why?
Our eyes met just then. He answered simply.
"You're the trendsetter these days, Dowon."
That was it.
I accepted readily.
"Having you on screen together makes it really bright."
"What, so I'm not?"
"Jeong Jiseok isn't bright."
True.
I whispered to the middle-aged actor.
"Leave the brightness to idols."
Jeong Jiseok laughed loudly while mic'ing up. In the warm atmosphere, the host announced.
"The Gwiju Daecheop premiere begins!"
The host progressed smoothly. I paid moderate attention while scanning the room. Quite a few reporters.
'Easily over ten million viewers.'
Wonder how I looked.
'Haven't seen the movie myself.'
I knew the plot from before regression, but not my scenes.
'Wonder how much screen time...'
The premiere continued. A few questions passed. Nothing major, some substance.
'My job here is to sit pretty for photos.'
Prettier the better.
I stuck to that. So far, no issues. No questions for me.
Then the host said.
"Yes, the gentleman in the brown tie, third one back?"
A balding reporter turned to me.
"I have a question for Cha Dowon. You delivered a successful performance in the film. Congratulations first off."
I smiled brightly in response.
"Thank you."
"Have you heard? Your grandmother wrote a letter forgiving everything. It aired on VBC."
What was this? VBC, cable channel?
I stared at the reporter. He smirked and continued.
"Will you accept your grandmother's feelings?"
Oh.
'Right in the face with a slap.'
How to satisfy this reporter?
Murmurs rose. Jeong Jiseok gripped my hand worriedly. The director seemed ready to cut the question.
I met the director's eyes and smiled brightly. A signal not to worry.
"I just learned about that letter here."
I locked eyes with the balding reporter. The lights gleamed off his oily scalp.
"You asked what I have to say... um..."
I smiled as brightly as possible. Camera shutters clicked wildly.
Maybe that's why I felt great.
"Nothing to say."
The reporter's face soured. I signaled the host. The seasoned host moved on smoothly.
"Next question. Ah, sir. Movie-related questions if possible."
A few reporters raised hands.
"Yes, the beautiful reporter in the red brooch?"
"Yes. So, Cha Dowon. Even though your grandmother's in debt and struggling, no intention to help? She's still blood. A word for her?"
Oh dear.
'Hadn't realized.'
The oldest leech was already in debt.
Makes sense. Before regression, that leech blew through my late mother's money happily.
'Isn't the lender the crazy one?'
Probably meant for me anyway.
"I don't know about that."
Just learned, and it's none of my business anyway.
"Same answer as before. Still nothing to say."
There's a magic answer in political hearings.
'I don't know. I don't remember.'
No law saying only politicians can use it.
'They might not believe me, but I really didn't know...'
I narrowed my eyes.
'Executive Director Joo knew but hid it.'