Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Please Work Me Hard
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‘Unfair, I tell you.’
That guy over there was swinging his elbows around.
“Splitting again? Hey, you think I’m a joke?”
If he just thought I was a joke, that’d be lucky.
The stares from around us stung. How many reporters were attached to this jerk?
“No, why would you think that? How could I ever look down on Jeremy sunbae-nim? You’re the leader of VIP, who’s already conquered Korea and expanded overseas. Hitting number one on the Japanese charts must be a breeze for you, right?”
Of course, he’s past his prime these days. He’s losing to us domestically, so he’s gotta be getting reactions from Japan. I didn’t know their market loyalty, but the fall was obvious.
‘Your single will lose to Kang Minje, and you won’t succeed in this drama either.’
One step back for ten steps forward, kid. I kept my smile plastered on.
“Our goal is to go overseas someday too. We’ll end up following in your footsteps.”
Footsteps, my ass.
“There’s so much to learn from someone like you—why would I ever disrespect that?”
Hey, Executive Director Joo would know the way. Borrowing ideas is for planning. Though right now, you guys look pretty screwed.
“Better clear up the misunderstanding. I’ve never disrespected Jeremy sunbae-nim, not once.”
“You slimy bastard, glib tongue and all. This punk really thinks I’m a joke?”
If he just thought that, he’d be lucky, kid.
“You think you’re hot shit now and look down on people! I won’t let you get away with this.”
What, like you’ve ever let me off easy before?
The cameraman, unable to stand it, held Jeremy back.
“Hey now, Jeremy-ssi. Why get so worked up? Cha Dowon’s famous, sure, but he’s still a rookie. Calm down. You’ve got filming to do.”
I slowly wiped the smile from my face and glanced around. The staff were watching us like mice that had frozen in fear.
‘At this point, does it look like Jeremy sunbae-nim is picking a one-sided fight with me?’
If you see it that way, I’d be thrilled. Gallery folks.
“Hey, Dowon-ah. Scared of shit, are ya? Or just grossed out? Let’s go somewhere else.”
I could feel him huffing behind me. I ran a hand through my wet hair, pretending to be dragged off reluctantly by the manager.
Of course, I didn’t forget to glance back with a little smile. He must’ve misinterpreted my gesture of goodwill, because Jeremy yelled even louder.
“Hey! You slimy bastard!”
I let out a small sigh. He was so heated, it was making me feel warm too.
“Would’ve been better if he picked a fight somewhere with no one around.”
Then I could’ve dealt with him with all my heart and soul.
“No way that guy would. He knows people are on his side, that’s why.”
“The whole drama crew? Wow, did I walk into enemy territory?”
“Not exactly, but it’s already sold in Japan, right? Articles say it’s broken even.”
Didn’t know that.
‘But this drama won’t do that well, will it?’
Not with a lead like that.
‘There, our sunbae-nim barked his fill.’
A reward for me after listening to all that nonsense. I said to the manager,
“Give me my phone.”
“Yeah, sure. What’s up? You’ve been ignoring it like a good kid lately, but today you’re checking it nonstop.”
“Time to act like a modern kid from now on.”
I switched the screen back to cheat mode.
[cheat mode 0/3]
[VIP’s Jeremy speaks exactly what he’s thought about for the past week]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: One strand of hair will fall out 3 seconds from now.]
[cheat mode 1/3]
I tilted my head.
‘Is that the side effect?’
Just one strand of hair.
That’s when I saw Jeremy yelling.
“Get lost! Fuck! Why do I have to do this shit! Hey, I’m Jeremy!”
Wow. He’s losing it.
The manager saw it too and slapped his belly.
“That Jeremy guy’s been at it since earlier. Though, sounds like he’s always like that.”
“Yeah? Not just in bad shape today?”
“Look at the managers’ faces. They’re all like, ‘Here we go again.’”
Aha.
I looked at my smartphone. Now I got it.
‘No big deal, so light side effect.’
Ah, then what’s the point of using the cheat? Feels like a waste on something trivial.
‘Gotta use it wisely.’
Only three times a day, precious cheat.
Time for a little reflection. Then Jeremy’s voice rang out again.
“Happy now? Hey! I gotta take a shit!”
“Jeremy, come on, filming’s ready!”
“Then what, shit right here? Drank last night, stomach’s wrecked! It’s diarrhea! Want me to go here?”
Oh no, cancel. Self-destruct.
I bowed my head to the smartphone.
‘I underestimated your power.’
A chuckle escaped me. I could sense the underwater filming crew panicking. No wonder—everything set up, and he pulls this.
‘This works out great for me.’
Lead actor bails on first shot to take a dump.
The manager muttered beside me.
“Disgusting, so disgusting.”
When thoughts spill out your mouth, they all turn to shit. Even if that’s how he lives normally.
I handed the smartphone back to the manager. Time for some warm-ups, maybe.
The director rushed over to me.
“Cha Dowon-ssi. Can you film now?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“It’s just, Jeremy-ssi went to the bathroom.”
“But the setup’s for the lead, right? Scene’s different.”
“Yeah, but... the writer didn’t say stick strictly to the script.”
Huh, didn’t know that.
“You know the writer well?”
“It’s their debut. They’ve been a sub-writer for ages. Solid, hardworking friend. Took 12 years to debut.”
Aha.
‘This could get fun.’
Wonder if our writer’s into on-set stuff.
“They’re desperate for this debut—can’t afford to miss it. But the vibe’s a bit...”
I beamed. Perfect chance to score points.
“I get it, Director. I’m flustered and worried too.”
“Haha. Feels weird saying this. You’re a trendsetter idol, but me, the director, venting to a young guy...”
Better than some stubborn ass. Plus, confirmed why he puts up with Jeremy’s temper. Pretty nutritious info.
What to say here? I kept the eye smile going.
“I’ll do my best anyway.”
Such a dutiful actor, right, Director?
“I’m still a rookie, no seasoned experience. Want to help, but I’m not the one who broke even.”
I know my place. How’s that feel?
Humility’s the best medicine sometimes. The director looked genuinely touched—his eyes changed.
“Th-thank you.”
“No problem. Kinda funny, though. An actor working hard on set should be normal.”
“Not always.”
Yeah, look at Jeremy-sunbae in the bathroom.
“I’ll get ready.”
“Yeah. I’ll update the writer on set stuff. You too, Dowon-ssi.”
Writers who don’t communicate are common, but debut makes sense. Interesting person.
“Got it. Off to prep.”
I bowed politely and headed to the set. Felt satisfying for once in a while.
‘Play this right, and fun stuff unfolds?’
Not just a little sabotage—a big one.
‘Might go beyond just acting to screw him over.’
Slipped off the robe, and an assistant said,
“Yeah, got the word. Dowon-ssi, swim from here to there. If you need air, scissors sign. We’ll give oxygen right away.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
“Standby!”
Costume pulled the shirt taut. I glanced at the two middle buttons done up and smiled faintly.
‘Almost forgot. Same outfit as Jeremy sunbae-nim.’
That’s where you were doomed from the start. Dramas get touch-ups, but not this one.
I dove lightly into the water.
Splash—
The slightly cool water felt good against my mild fever. Felt the camera lens turning.
‘Good eyesight won’t help—special underwater shoot, hard to predict the frame.’
But instinct told me. These crew looked pros.
‘Gotta be getting good shots.’
And this scene was originally Jeremy’s.
‘Thanks for the meal, sunbae-nim.’
I pushed through to the back. No waves like the sea—just pleasant resistance.
They signaled if the footage worked, then bit the hose from the oxygen tank.
I gulped enough air and surfaced. My body shivered coming up.
The underwater cameraman shouted.
“Great! Dowon-ssi!”
“G-good thing.”
I threw on the robe and went to monitor. Director grinned, showing the take.
Me swimming in blue water, white shirt on. Expression wandering for the melody per script—nailed it.
‘Not bad.’
Director agreed, clapping.
“Wow, Dowon-ssi. Looks amazing on screen. Heard you were good, but damn. Sent this clip straight to the writer.”
“No biggie.”
Why I’m the trendsetter.
“Said I’d work hard.”
“Hahaha!”
Why you too, Director? I don’t talk out both sides of my mouth.
Then, a phone rang. Director grabbed it hurriedly and walked off.
I crossed my arms, eyeing the screen again. Honestly, just a few seconds.
‘But hours of filming for this.’
Normal stuff. Wonder if reshoot since it’s good, or new scene. Pondering when Director suddenly went to the cameraman, deep in discussion.
Instinct kicked in.
‘Something’s changing.’
In my favor, too.
Finished talking, Director hurried over.
“Uh, Dowon-ssi. Can you do more filming?”
“What scene?”
“Sinking one. Writer suddenly requested it urgently.”
Not even side-script. Possible?
“Yeah, not usually like that, but seemed hyped after your footage.”
Oh.
‘If an actor can win over the writer, what can’t you do?’
Feels like my screentime’s growing?
Pretended to check, then answered.
“Underwater guy says it’s fine?”
“Yeah, but worried about you. Sinking scenes eat water, he says.”
Translation: I’ll suffer.
“Director.”
“Yes.”
“I like hard work. Please work me hard.”
I smiled wide with all my heart and soul.
Especially for stuff like this. Water’s nothing. My screentime’s gonna uniquely balloon—why pass?
“Huh? Hahaha!”
“Let’s shoot now!”
“Lights need changing!”
Damn, momentum’s hot.
‘No, gotta prep too.’
Called the manager right away.
“Manager-nim! Phone!”
“Here, here. Why’s your face so flushed?”
“Excited.”
“Huh?”
“More underwater. New scene added.”
“Oh, that’s the excitement. Almost misunderstood.”
What’d you imagine?
“Tough shoot and you’re pumped. You too, Dowon. True ambition incarnate.”
Ah, crap. Forgot since it hadn’t come up.
“That sounds like it could be misunderstood too.”
“Uhahahaha!”
Gotta give Kay-sensei who coined that a good thrashing.
But kinda fits. Guy who trembled from trauma now pulling this for more screentime.
Switched smartphone to cheat mode again. Calmly tapped.
[cheat mode 1/3]
[Cha Dowon’s breath-hold capacity skyrockets for 4 hours]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: Body temperature rises to 39.5°C for 2 hours 3 seconds from now.]
[cheat mode 2/3]
Oh no. Got greedy.
Fever hit instantly. Head spun for a sec.