Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Memories Strike Back
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A memory from before my regression suddenly flashed back.
‘No way, is it because I died choking on vomit?’
Wow.
I tilted my head, staring at my trembling arms.
‘Now, of all times?’
A bitter smile crossed my lips.
Memories were surprisingly delicate things. I’d forgotten about it until now, and it had to hit me like this.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
If it had been like this from the start, I would’ve adjusted the swimming scene entirely.
That was when it happened. The voice I’d heard earlier rang in my ear again.
“Hey!”
Calling me “hey” like that—who’s gonna respond to that?
“Hey!”
I told you, I can’t understand you.
In that instant, my head was shoved forward. It took a moment to register what was happening.
Ah.
‘Hit me on the back of the head?’
My head? Is this guy insane?
And this wasn’t a place where I was alone. I could feel the staff’s atmosphere freeze. A manager nearby came rushing over soon after. I paused for a second, weighing my options.
‘Should I play the pitiful victim, or the righteous citizen—no, entertainer—no, trendsetting idol who strikes back immediately?’
Which one’s better?
There was only one real option in a situation like this.
‘No choice. Gotta do both.’
Greedy as always—that’s my problem. For now, I flashed a big smile. They say you can’t spit on a smiling face, but my senior’s expression soured anyway.
“What’s the problem, Senior?”
“Rabbit my ass.”
His speech was so dated.
The manager who’d hurried over blocked my path.
“What the hell are you doing!”
Wow. Manager shield activated.
‘Not the most reliable, but better than nothing.’
Manager Heo Yongdam shoved me behind him and glared at Jeremy.
“Son of a bitch. Cocky little punk.”
“Hey, Jeremy! Why hit him on the back of the head? Our kid’s got a tiny head—where else are you gonna hit? You wouldn’t get it with that big melon of yours! Hit a little kid like that, and he’s done for!”
Damn. Is that really what he’s saying?
Am I a chick or something? One hit and I’m gone? It was so childish it was pathetic.
‘Verbal fights can’t exactly be classy, sure…’
But this was too much.
I looked at Jeremy. Hey, Senior. You really gonna keep this up?
‘From my extensive experience in service jobs, if one side gets childish…’
“Full of shit, you little bastard. My head ain’t big, got it?”
That’s the result you get.
‘The tragedy of both sides sinking to that level.’
Let me think. What’s the play here? In a situation where even kindergarteners would cry at the lameness, I picked the most effective move.
I slowly eyed Jeremy’s head.
That was it.
But my senior’s face flushed red.
“Son of a bitch! Hey, what’re you staring at!”
What else? Just admiring my respected senior’s head.
Jeremy looked ready to grab my collar. But the moment he lunged, the manager blocked him.
“Whoa, whoa! You wanna see this, old man? You gonna yank our kid’s hair?”
“Hey! Cha Dowon! You’re not getting away with this!”
Like there aren’t already a ton of people gunning for me. I pretended to be scared, hiding behind the manager while scanning the area. The director was fidgeting anxiously.
‘Too bad. He should get used to this. Probably gonna keep happening.’
Even so, this was a bit much. Not even Sa-hyuk would stoop this low.
Plus, now the staff were sneaking glances at Jeremy’s head. Of course, they didn’t forget to check me out too.
‘Comparing head sizes, maybe.’
Oops.
Unfortunately, no one knows better than the person themselves. My senior Jeremy must’ve sensed the mood turning, because he finally shut his mouth. Then he suddenly thrust his face forward. That brought him way too close to the manager.
“You’ll see.”
“Whoa! What the—why’d you come at my face and spit!”
Oops.
‘Manager Heo’s got some unexpected talent.’
I didn’t think he was a bad guy, but figured he wouldn’t be much help. Guess I was wrong.
‘He’s a pro at pissing people off.’
That’s probably why the company keeps him around.
I politely bowed at the waist in greeting. Of course, I didn’t forget the bright smile for the situation. Maybe that’s why—my senior didn’t cool off and just stormed past.
No idea why. Isn’t this the picture of a good junior?
“Damn, what a temper. Dowon-ah, you okay? He’s nuts—why hit your head?”
“Who knows. Probably just picking a fight? But in our country, hitting someone’s head means you’re ready to draw blood.”
“What country starts fights by hitting heads? Oh, Japan does that? I think I’ve seen it.”
“Really?”
News to me. But that’s over there, and this is here.
“Anyway, wow. Don’t stay alone, okay? With this many people around, he could stage a hit-and-run and get away with it.”
Huh. Sharp.
‘How’d he guess?’
I stared at the manager. Did I misjudge this guy? Maybe he’s more capable than I thought?
“Don’t stare like that. What, seeing me in a new light? I’m one of a kind, Dowon-ah.”
There it is.
I shook my head and said,
“Well, thanks for having my back.”
“No big deal. It’s my job. Who are you? Korea’s trendsetting idol right now. If I let you get hit, I’d be the one in trouble.”
“No way I’d get hit. Right?”
Nah, I could. But I’d make him pay for it.
“Something feels off, though.”
“What?”
“It’s too obvious. Was he always like this?”
“W-well, probably just how he is.”
No way. Even so, this is way too childish.
I quietly scanned the surroundings. Sure enough, there were a few non-staff faces mixed in.
Makes sense—the first shoot was underwater. Calling in reporters would make for good buzz.
“VIP’s agency. Close with the press?”
“Pretty tight, yeah? The entertainment world knows how to wine and dine.”
Ah, so that’s it.
‘Stir up drama, then slip away clean.’
If I’d countered, they’d clip just that part for the article. Korea’s media specializes in twisting stories.
‘Our side wouldn’t just take it, but the noise until then would be insane.’
And if it blew up, more people would pile on. The set’s vibe would be ruined, obviously.
‘Close call.’
My refined, beautiful image almost got trashed thanks to my senior.
‘I’ve got a mountain of ads left.’
No plans to fall from trendsetting idol status over some sleazy scandal. The road up is 90,000 miles long—can’t trip here.
I turned to look at the underwater shoot pool. My body started trembling again.
‘I’m not that small theater actor anymore.’
I’m Korea’s trendsetting idol, Cha Dowon.
My body still shook. But I smiled faintly.
‘Can’t back down from this.’
Plus, there are reporters here. No way I’m leaving a blemish.
‘Maybe it’s nothing.’
But I’m climbing high—no dust allowed.
I said to the manager,
“Manager, can I have my phone?”
“Yeah, here!”
I switched the screen to cheat mode. Then I carefully tapped the display.
[cheat mode 0/3]
[Cha Dowon Trauma Recovery]
[Impossible with current physical condition.]
Damn.
‘Stingy at the crucial moment.’
I carefully typed.
[cheat mode 0/3]
[Cha Dowon Swimming Ability]
[A rank. Change?]
I hit cancel right away.
[Canceled.]
Swimming ability was fine. The problem was my mind. I stared blankly at the screen. Black background, blinking text.
[cheat mode 0/3]
[Cha Dowon Underwater Trauma Regression Reversal]
[…]
[Impossible with current physical condition.]
Tried on a whim—no dice. I clenched then unclenched my fist.
The pool bottom was just blue tiles.
‘I’m not that obscure theater actor.’
The water rippled slightly. I whispered softly.
“I’m an idol.”
My reflection stared back from everywhere. I was the trendsetter now. Lots of people knew the name Cha Dowon.
I thought of the little kid I met in the pediatric cancer ward. Then a chain of people from after regression: fans and guests at the premiere, actors, managers, Friends, Jung Ji-seok, aunt and uncle, my med student sister, Zenith.
Finally, Kang Min-jae flashed and faded.
“Yeah. I’m Cha Dowon.”
I dipped my hand in the water. A bit cool, but the shaking had stopped.
A chuckle escaped.
I wanted to do this shoot for real. Even the ocean would be fine.
‘The camera I dreamed of back in my no-name days.’
Now I was the lead. Back then, I’d do anything for a corner of the frame.
‘I have to. No—I can do it now.’
Smiling, I turned.
“Manager, phone back.”
“Yeah, got it. Huh?”
Manager Heo Yongdam looked me up and down.
“Dowon-ah. Something’s different about your vibe?”
So oblivious, yet not clueless.
I acted casual, like always.
“What do you mean?”
“Your eyes look fiercer?”
I snorted a laugh.
“Must be your imagination.”
“R-really?”
“Well, fierce might not fit. Next scene needs to look desperate.”
I recalled the script. A narration scene—swimming desperately to grab the box from the bottom. Had to sell the desperation.
‘Maybe tweak the eyes?’
Smiling, I exhaled. Hot breath fluttered my shirt collar.
Then a staffer called.
“Cha Dowon-ssi! Get ready!”
“Yes! Coming!”
I turned and walked right over.
“Hey, hey, wait up.”
The manager scurried after. I smiled a little. Felt good to smile.
***
“Cha Dowon-ssi, you said you’re good at swimming? Any underwater shoot experience?”
“None at all.”
That was true.
“Normally, you’d train a few times for this.”
“Yeah, normally. But this got scheduled last minute.”
“Risky. We’ve got lifeguards on standby just in case. Worst-case scenario, though.”
Of course—the goal was the shoot. And I wanted great footage.
“Let’s test a bit first. Hop in and swim. If you need air, we’ll hand you the hose.”
I nodded, eyeing the pool.
‘Definitely deep and wide.’
Earlier, no way I’d jump in.
Smiling, I dove in properly. Splash—white foam rose, chlorine scent hit.
‘Lucky. I get to shoot this.’
I glided inward smoothly.
‘Swim to the bottom, find the box, open it?’
I descended steadily. As I swam down and prepared to surface, a diver assisting the shoot handed me the breathing hose.
They saw I could swim well, so the cameraman signaled to go up. I gave the OK and surfaced.
Splash—
I gulped air. Not bad.
The director yelled,
“Wow, Dowon-ssi. You swim great!”
“Lived in the pool as a kid.”
“Your arm strokes are so clean. Gonna get some killer shots.”
“Thanks.”
Out of the water, staff handed me a robe right away.
‘Body temp’s key.’
I shivered. That’s when Jeremy—still dry—brushed past.
‘Shit.’
Instinctively, I stepped back. Sure enough, his swinging elbow missed me.
That could’ve cracked Hajin hyung’s head.
‘This bastard’s hobby.’
What kind of guy is like this? I eyed my dear senior.
“What’re you gawking at?”
Reporters were still around. I beamed.
“Sorry, Senior.”
How obedient. So wholesome, it almost brought tears.