Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Please Treat Me Roughly
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“Don't get cocky!”
Huh. Starting again? I toweled off my hair and looked at the guy. Fortunately, it was just one this time.
“You think you're something just because you got cozy with Lee Seungjun?”
I hadn't known. What did getting friendly with Lee Seungjun make me? Did it level me up or something?
It was so unexpected that I just blinked, and my esteemed roommate graciously explained.
“You got one music video shoot and now you're acting all high and mighty!”
Cocky, huh.
I smirked. He wasn't worth engaging with. But the info was useful.
“What kind of guy is Lee Seungjun?”
I asked humbly, like a student eager to learn, and the guy's face twisted even more.
“You don't know what kind of guy he is?”
“Nope.”
I really didn't. He was a coworker—correction, a friend—forced on me by blackmail.
“The guy who boxes dogs!”
Ah, so that's why he was built like that?
‘His muscles looked battle-hardened.’
If I learned boxing, would I get muscles like that? Maybe I should give it a try.
‘Cheat mode would be nice for that.’
I fiddled with the smartphone in my pocket and lay down on the bed. I'd gotten the info I wanted, so he wasn't worth any more time.
“Hey!”
Naturally, I ignored him.
“You ignoring me?”
Whatever, seriously. As my dear roommate started to get up from his spot, I wondered if I should punch him in the gut if he came at me swinging. Then I heard footsteps.
“Madman, you here?”
The manager and Lee Seungjun came stomping in together. I got up, bowed my head, then lifted it.
“You're here?”
The manager, quick despite his size, rushed over and plopped down on my bed. Then, like a chubby squirrel handing over an acorn, he dumped a stack of papers into my lap.
“They said give this to you quick!”
I beamed at the pile of papers.
“Music video, so not a script...”
I pulled out the sheets and flipped through. I got it right away.
“It's a storyboard.”
It had drawings of the scenes to be shot. I checked a few pages immediately. It was pretty detailed.
“They even drew the expressions in detail.”
So this is how music videos work.
Just from the storyboard, scenes played out clearly in my head. The camera angles were explained too, making it super useful. I dove into studying it intently.
When I looked up after a rough scan, my eyes met the manager's. The round-faced guy was watching me like I was some curiosity.
“You've got great focus.”
“Oh, really?”
Lots of eyes were on me. I turned to look at Lee Seungjun. The bear-like guy had plopped down on my bed too, just like the manager. Now the single bed felt cramped.
“You did boxing?”
“You heard?”
I nodded toward the guy now sidelined in this situation.
“Senior told me.”
Lee Seungjun smirked.
“Senior?”
His low voice carried surprisingly well. I quietly glanced at my dear roommate. His face flushed red as he scurried out.
Bang—
The door slammed shut, and the manager shook his head.
“Why's he like that?”
“Obvious, right? Jealousy.”
The manager slapped my leg.
“Nothing you can do about it. Everyone's super jealous of you right now, you know?”
“Really? You too, Seungjun?”
The bear guy's eyes went wide, then he chuckled a bit. He pointed at the storyboard.
“I couldn't pull off a role like that.”
The board showed Yumi petting me while I sat there like a doll.
“Hmm, yeah, no way.”
Too big a guy for this.
He smirked and said,
“Besides, I don't get jealous of friends.”
Huh.
“Unless they don't help out.”
I narrowed my eyes. Look at this guy.
“Shoot's in two days, right? Spill some after-meeting deets on Yumi noona when you go.”
He patted my shoulder. I shook my head in disbelief. Blackmailed me into friendship, and now he talks big.
‘Well, I'm generous.’
Maybe include him in stamina recovery sessions from now on. We were split for dance and vocals, but otherwise did almost everything together.
‘Recovery's cheap payback anyway.’
I was lost in such thoughts, flipping back through the storyboard, when an unwelcome sob hit my ears.
“Sniff sniff.”
What now? Bewildered, I turned toward the sound. The manager was rubbing his eyes with a handkerchief.
“Why are you crying? For real?”
“Such a great friendship.”
Chills ran down my spine instantly. What! There were actual tear stains on the handkerchief!
“Maybe it's my age. Stuff like this hits different. Anyway, Dowon. Take care of yourself. May your friendship last forever.”
I couldn't hide my grimace. Whether he noticed or not, the manager sprang up nimbly and headed out.
“G-Gross.”
I brushed down my arms, and Lee Seungjun burst out laughing.
“Puhahaha!”
What's with him? I shot him a side-eye, and he was laughing like a regular guy his age for once.
‘Yeah, laugh it up.’
He needs to smile more.
I shook my head. Well, it was nice to see.
***
Stepping into the out-of-town shoot location, a drab gray greeted me. The manager who'd driven me grabbed my arm and hustled to introduce me around.
“Hello. Whew, this here's our Ambition—no, Dowon.”
Pick one. I let out a small sigh and flashed a big smile.
“Cha Dowon.”
The guy who looked like the director eyed me up and down.
“How old?”
“Second year middle school.”
“Face looks young, but you're taller than I thought.”
The storyboard labeled it “boy.”
‘Too tall for that?’
I tilted my head, and the director said,
“Good proportions make you look taller. All kids these days like this? Jonghyun! What's Yumi's height?”
“174!”
“That'll work. So, name's Ambition?”
“Cha Dowon.”
Damn. This one or that one.
“Ah, figured it was a weird name. You can handle today's shoot okay?”
I grinned.
“You'll see.”
“Huh. Cheeky one.”
The manager tugged my clothes.
“Ambition—no, Dowon. This guy's famous.”
“I know.”
“Feeling confident?”
I bowed and lifted my head amiably.
“You'll see.”
The director adjusted his cap and clicked his tongue. But he didn't seem too annoyed.
“I'll do my best.”
“Best is the minimum.”
“Then I'll show you more than your best.”
As the director's lips twitched, word came that Yumi had arrived from afar.
“If you're bad, you're done.”
“Yes. Do it. Director.”
“Crazy. Total madman?”
Then the manager chimed in.
“That's his nickname.”
Did you have to say that? But the cat was out of the bag.
“For real?”
“Dowon's been here a short time, but he's got two nicknames already. Madman and Ambition. But he's polite. Solid kid deep down.”
The director covered his mouth and laughed. Damn. Embarrassing.
“Manager...”
“Got it. Prep time, Ambition boy.”
Damn. Ambition boy here too.
“Let's go quick, Dowon. Wardrobe and all that.”
No time to explain. I got dragged off by the manager's hand.
‘This won't bite me later even after debut?’
Just try calling me Ambition boy.
I clicked my tongue and headed to change. Even without that, there were tons more people to greet. I pulled out the smartphone from my pocket and tapped the screen.
[Cha Dowon Insight]
[C. Change?]
[Change to B-rank]
[Impossible in current physical state.]
Still no, huh.
‘What triggers the upgrade?’
If current state won't cut it, train up?
“Dowon! Makeup!”
“Ah, yes.”
No time to think. I rushed over and sat in the chair.
***
Yumi's new music video “Sacrifice” features a sexy vampire and her boy sacrifice. The storyboard boy barely moved, like a doll.
The sexy vampire toys with him playfully. Dressing him in a shirt, tying his tie, brushing his hair. Seating him at a dining chair, laying him on her lap.
‘This is the steamy scene.’
The sexy vampire puts a red gem in the boy's mouth. If it doesn't fit, she puts it in her own mouth and passes it with a kiss.
‘Too bad it fades to black.’
But K-pop videos always have a twist.
As the sexy vampire gives the boy the red gem, she weakens. On the day she barely hands it over, pale-faced, the boy opens his eyes. But she's too weak to notice and collapses.
Then their past unfolds.
A dying vampire. A ragged boy approaches and offers his blood. She revives, and they're happy for a bit.
But she's hunted by people, one shoots. The boy takes the bullet for her and falls.
Screen shifts: now the boy in a black suit cares for the vampire. He gently combs her hair, kisses her lightly, and her finger twitches as the video ends.
‘Both are sacrifices for each other.’
Dark, but a decent fairy tale. Thought she was toying with him, but true love twist? Pretty good.
I closed my eyes, then opened them.
“Shooting starts.”
Lights blazed down from above. I sat in position. Then Korea's top female singer Yumi approached from the side.
‘Beauty doesn't cover it.’
No time to greet since Yumi was late. I gave a slight bow and nod; she patted my arm knowingly.
Weird having someone I'd only seen on TV right next to me.
“Standby!”
Per the storyboard, I sat in the chair and closed my eyes.
“Action!”
Lights hit my skin, but I didn't twitch. I was Yumi's plaything doll now.
Soon, a hand touched my cheek. I heard the camera move.
“Cut! Again!”
Huh.
I opened my eyes and looked at her. Yumi sighed and shook her head.
‘Not me—Yumi?’
What'd she do for an NG?
“Yumi!”
“Sorry. Let's go again. Not feeling great.”
Yumi apologized quickly.
‘Not a bad personality.’
Her expression seemed genuinely sorry.
‘But why the NG?’
Watching Yumi's face, the director said,
“Yumi, tense again?”
Huh.
Yumi smiled cutely.
“A little.”
Even Korea's top singer gets nervous? Why? Not used to acting?
‘Come to think of it, Yumi's never acted.’
Top star could've tried, but she's stuck to stage.
“Big problem. You tense up and it shows.”
“Yeah. And groping a kid feels weird.”
Oh.
Yumi sighed and rolled her shoulders. I watched her closely from nearby.
“Senior.”
Yumi's gaze turned to me.
“Please treat me roughly.”
Her eyes widened. I grinned wide.
“Anything goes. Do it, senior.”
Her eyes shook. But soon her red lips curved nicely.
“ What's your name?”
“Cha Dowon.”
She chuckled softly and shook her head. I could tell right away.
‘Tension's gone.’