Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Dowon Needs More Praise
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“Now I’m fine. I just need consistent care. I’ve cut back on drinking, watch what I eat, and exercise regularly.”
Jung Jiseok grabbed the mic and glanced at me.
“I almost had a major incident during filming. If it weren’t for someone’s nosy interference, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
Was that nosy someone me?
“Health is the top priority. And you have to be humble about it. Don’t take your youth for granted, everyone. Start taking care of yourselves even one year earlier. And Cha Dowon.”
I turned my head toward Jung Jiseok.
“Thanks for taking me to the ER.”
Now? No, more importantly, didn’t I already thank him back then?
‘Did I not?’
I couldn’t remember. Whatever, it was fine. Why bring it up here all of a sudden?
“Wow, such a heartwarming atmosphere. Cha Dowon, say something to Jung Jiseok.”
Damn it. What was I supposed to say in this mood?
I gave an awkward smile and made a troubled face.
“Uh, well. I didn’t do it expecting thanks like this. Plus, I went with my manager brother. I’m a minor, so I can’t drive. But that’s not the point. Anyone there would’ve taken Jung Jiseok to the ER. Anyone, not just me. So don’t worry about it.”
I desperately looked at the director. Help me out. You would’ve done it too.
But my hopes shattered. The director shook his head. One person was fine, but almost every actor in front shook their heads.
The director grabbed the mic.
“Dowon needs more praise. We thought he needed the ER too, but we didn’t send him right away.”
Clap clap clap—
Someone suddenly started clapping. Then applause erupted like they’d been waiting.
‘Damn it. Why is the vibe like this?’
If I could turn back time, I’d just send Jung Jiseok and the manager to the ER. Why did I do that? This was such a hassle.
I covered my face and bowed my head. Wow, this was mortifying.
My face burned so hot I covered it with my hands. Then I heard snickers from around me.
The host laughed as he spoke.
“Whoa, an idol getting shy.”
This was embarrassing on a human level, idol or not.
The director replied.
“He’s weak to praise in a subtle way.”
“‘Subtle’? He’s blatantly weak to it.”
Please, stop.
My face flushed. And the cameras mercilessly kept filming. Come on, I was just covering my face and bowing my head. What’s the big deal?
“Aigoo, Dowon’s face must be on fire. Alright, next question!”
“I have a question for Cha Dowon too. Dowon, could you lift your head...”
I took a deep breath and raised my head. I forced a small smile, and everyone around burst out laughing, clutching their stomachs.
‘Damn it.’
But I couldn’t drop the smile. I quietly waited for the question.
“At the awards ceremony, Jung Jiseok received flowers. But why did you only give flowers to the male actors and senior actresses, Cha Dowon?”
What did that have to do with Gwiju Conquest?
I blinked in bewilderment, and the questioner said in a clipped tone.
“Tell the truth.”
Scary.
I quietly took a deep breath and lifted my head. The person in front of me wasn’t some trash reporter. High chance they were a Zenith fan who loved us.
‘But the question’s sharp.’
The truth was the agency told me to, but saying that would make me look pathetic.
I smiled brightly.
“Well, we were told in advance to give flowers mainly to the seniors.”
I turned my head toward Teacher Yun Mihyeon.
“I had no idea. Were there senior teachers at that film festival? It was all young people...”
A brief silence hung in the air. But soon laughter broke out.
Teacher Yun Mihyeon looked at me and covered her mouth. Seeing her shoulders shake was satisfying, and I turned back to the questioner.
“Does that answer it?”
“Giggle! Yes!”
The atmosphere in the hall was perfect. The host gave me a thumbs-up.
‘No choice.’
I smiled back.
“Aigoo, you’re too good with words. You’ll go far, Dowon. I was a little scared just now.”
Scary? Really?
“Alright, from now on, only questions related to the movie!”
The next questions were truly about the movie. I listened quietly, glancing down at my smartphone. No message from the manager yet.
He’s reliable, but not one to ghost on contact.
‘Did something happen?’
I scanned the hall, but no manager. I furrowed my brow slightly when the host’s voice rang out.
“Next question.”
“I have a question for Cha Dowon.”
A Zenith fan. I smiled and grabbed the mic.
“Um, can I make one request?”
I blinked. What request? No, tell me something I can actually do...
“D-Dowon!”
Huh? Suddenly casual?
It was confusing enough, but the woman took it further.
“Sob! Sob! Dowon!”
I blinked. I couldn’t process what was happening right in front of me.
‘Why is she crying?’
Murmurs spread around. I had no clue why, so I calmly waited for her next words.
“Dowon, don’t get hurt!”
Huh?
I just blinked in confusion. The questioner started shedding big tears like a chick.
“You keep getting hurt—don’t get hurt!”
Oh.
That’s when it clicked.
‘A fan loves me so much she’s saying this.’
I was truly grateful. If this were a Zenith fan meet, I’d hug her on the way out. But this was an audience Q&A.
‘Damn it.’
No ideas came no matter how I racked my brain. Then the questioner grabbed the mic with trembling hands.
“Sorry. Sob sob. But I really wanted to say it. Every time I see you on TV, you’re hurt, so I can’t even turn it on.”
Oh no.
“Uh...”
I grabbed the mic and gave an awkward smile.
“S-Sorry. I won’t get hurt anymore.”
“Don’t get hurt for real! Really! Ah, sorry. For a movie question. To the director. About Lee Sae’s actions in the film. After her son dies, she finally resolves herself. If Lee Jeong hadn’t died, would Lee Sae have lived like a wastrel forever?”
Clean question. Actually movie-related.
The director grabbed the mic and answered.
“Probably. But without a son to look after her, she couldn’t keep living like that. There might be a chance to start over, but she’d never forget Jeong.”
The questioner wiped her tears like she’d never cried. I smiled awkwardly and sighed inwardly.
‘First time.’
Hearing a fan’s feelings so directly.
‘Worrying about my health more than my own sister.’
Not quite. Mom worries too. Mostly “Are you eating well?”
‘That’s because she knows I’m sturdy.’
Never had a single minor illness since childhood. As long as I don’t starve, I’m healthy—sister knows that.
‘Don’t get hurt...’
Damn. A little touched. What did I do to deserve such tearful pleading?
‘I knew I had fans as an idol, but it’s hitting me now.’
Someone worrying about me for no reason.
My face suddenly heated up. Once I realized it, it felt like hot water splashing on me. As I ducked my head in embarrassment,
“That wraps up the Gwiju Conquest 10-million-viewer audience Q&A. Cast, come here. Let’s take a photo.”
The host finished, and people stood up in droves. As I followed, Jung Jiseok grabbed my shoulder.
“Why can’t you show your face?”
“A bit shy.”
“You? Getting shy?”
Yeah, I’m human.
We faced the audience, and cameras lined up in a row.
“Taking the photo! One, two, three!”
Flashes popped continuously, ending the event. I stood and looked for the Zenith fans. Luckily, they all approached me.
I smiled.
“Let’s take pictures too.”
“Oh my! Oh my!”
The fans lined up immediately. Like pros, they stuck next to me one by one for selfies.
After the last one, I bowed and lifted my head.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Dowon, don’t get hurt now?”
“Yeah, yeah. You get hurt too much.”
“Your fans’ hearts shrink to peas every time.”
Oh.
‘I really can’t get hurt.’
I chuckled and waved goodbye. The fans smiled brightly and left.
After the last one was gone, I checked my smartphone right away. A message had come.
-At the waiting room. Come when done.
Late, but looks like he parked fine. I checked the time slowly and left the hall. No rush in the message, so plenty of time before music show.
Greeting staff, I reached the waiting room door. As I went to open it, odd sounds came.
-Thud! Thud!
I tilted my head. Sounded like pounding leather. Why in a waiting room? I opened the door immediately.
“Oh, you’re here? Good job?”
“Yeah, you were late. What are you doing?”
The manager held a bag of instant ramen and grinned.
“Warding off bad luck.”
With instant ramen?
“Argh, today’s luck was utter shit. Dowon. You trust me, right?”
I blinked. Trust who? Me? The manager?
‘No way...’
But I couldn’t say that. Social life isn’t about brutal honesty. I smiled wide.
“Sort of.”
“What kinda answer is that! ‘I wholeheartedly trust Manager Brother!’ That’s how it’s done!”
“Hmm, there are some hitches for full trust. Anyway, sort of. What happened?”
Manager Heo sighed deeply.
“Well... I was late. So I floored it. You know I drive really well.”
I nodded. Honestly, driving was one thing he was genuinely good at.
“But suddenly, some car kept trying to hit me.”
“Huh?”
“It came barreling from the opposite lane. I swerved with my god-given racing skills.”
“Crazy. You okay?”
“Huh? Of course. But my heart was pounding. Got some Uhwang Cheongsimhwan at a nearby pharmacy. That’s why I was so late. Sorry for the late text.”
I shook my head.
“No. You’re safe, that’s what matters.”
“So, while taking the pills, I thought, today’s cursed. Gotta ward it off. So I bought these!”
The manager shyly held out five bags of instant ramen.
“What does that have to do with warding off bad luck?”
“You gotta break something, but glass is dangerous. So I’m smashing ramen.”
Does that work?
So much to say, but I shut my mouth.
‘Superstition anyway.’
If it calms him, not my problem. I sighed.
“Gotta head to music show. Let’s go.”
“Oh right. Wait, gotta finish smashing!”
The manager put the ramen on the sofa and thud-thudded it. Now I knew what the sound from outside was.
‘Good grief.’
After smashing all five in a row, the grinning manager packed up.
“Anyway, didn’t see the event. Did good? Of course you did. You nail everything.”
“You trust me weirdly much.”
“You don’t flinch easy. Scary level.”
Heading down the hall, I muttered.
“I was super flustered today.”
“Why? Someone ask when your first kiss was?”
“Am I a student teacher on her first class? Getting first-kiss questions.”
Though I did get that on my first variety show.
‘Leader brother got it, not me...’
The manager peeled open a ramen bag and munched as he spoke.
“Could happen. But it’s an audience Q&A.”
“No such questions. But I was really flustered earlier.”
Suddenly, the manager stopped walking.