Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: Your Hobby is Quite Unique
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‘Could Yumiho possibly be the female lead?’
I immediately shook my head. She hadn’t gained popularity during this period.
“I never forgot you, not even for a moment?”
Yeah, that made sense.
‘Must’ve left quite an impression.’
But that was Yumiho’s issue, wasn’t it? None of my business.
“Oh, really?”
I smiled again as I replied.
“Want an autograph?”
“Th-that’s not what I want!”
Got it.
I nodded and turned to open the door again.
“You really are an alien, aren’t you?”
She still hadn’t let go of that misunderstanding. As I was about to respond, Manager Han cut in first.
“Hold on a second. Are you Yumiho?”
“Yes?”
Manager Han adjusted his glasses.
“You’re the one who did something unpleasant to Dowon during the music video shoot.”
The manager immediately wedged himself between Yumiho and me.
“Please step back.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
‘Wow, he’s treating her like a criminal.’
Fair enough, it was easy to misunderstand.
“Dowon, how can you let someone like this get so close?”
“Ah, sorry about that.”
“Please step back.”
Yumiho glanced around helplessly, realizing no one else was there, then yelled as quietly as she could.
“I’m not that kind of person!”
“People like that always say they’re not.”
“It’s a misunderstanding!”
“Even if it is, please step back for now.”
Yumiho’s face turned beet red as she retreated. I flashed a bright smile.
“See you later.”
I finally entered the waiting room. From behind the door, I could hear Yumiho letting out a frustrated scream.
‘She’ll figure it out.’
She was good at reading situations.
Anyway, none of my business.
Manager Han closed the door and said,
“Dowon.”
“Yes.”
“Want a stun gun?”
“Huh?”
Manager Han rummaged through his bag and pulled something out.
“This one’s the smallest and most compact.”
“W-wait, you carry something like this around?”
“It’s my wife’s hobby. Collecting self-defense gear.”
The real estate agent?
‘Her hobby’s something else.’
Why would she collect these?
“My wife even has a license for carrying bladed weapons.”
Th-there’s a license for that?
“We have a bunch at home. Take one.”
“No way, it’s not like a stun gun’s a hamster!”
“You can’t just give away hamsters recklessly. They’re living creatures.”
He had a point.
“Y-yeah, true.”
“Dowon, you don’t realize how valuable you are. Trendsetters like you need proper protection.”
“We have security detail.”
“Of course they’re excellent and diligent, but the most important thing is your own vigilance, Dowon.”
Manager Han sighed.
“How can you let someone dangerous get that close?”
“Ah, she’s not that dangerous.”
“She’s someone from your past troubles. You need to stay alert—always.”
Well, things had just happened that way, but Yumiho wasn’t crazy.
‘Or... maybe a little crazy?’
Recalling her from before my regression, I tilted my head.
There was always that phrase I heard.
‘Dowon, I hope you stay just like this forever.’
What had I said back then?
‘The kimchi stew?’
‘That too. The braised old kimchi is amazing. The pork is perfection. The crunchy lotus root stir-fry, the savory dried anchovies—all top-notch!’
‘Ah. Yes. I see.’
‘Don’t change! You can’t change!’
I nodded.
“She is a bit odd.”
I should be careful. In a different way.
“Anyway, please keep this on you.”
“It’s not necessary.”
“Better safe than sorry, Dowon.”
Would I ever need to use it? When I wouldn’t take it, Manager Han stuffed it into my pocket himself.
“Stay vigilant. Please.”
I nodded, pretending to be convinced. Otherwise, he’d never drop it.
“By the way, this is trouble. Looks like we’ll keep running into her on set.”
“I hope she’s not the lead.”
She was a total pain.
“The lead’s presence felt pretty intimidating too, which worries me more.”
Oh, right—Jeremy.
I quietly gazed at the waiting room ceiling. ‘Saga of Melodies’ didn’t seem like a walk in the park.
***
The production press conference was a straightforward event.
“Actors, please take your positions.”
At the host’s cue, I entered in order. Yumiho appeared a bit later, but I ignored her.
As I went to sit, the director approached.
“Dowon, you look great today too.”
I beamed.
“Thank you. You look great too, Director.”
The director extended his hand. I shook it gladly.
“Oh, Dowon. What do you think of the revised script?”
“It’s great.”
Of course it was. My role got more screen time.
“Good. I think the changes make it much better.”
After the handshake, it hit me.
‘He shook my hand first, out of everyone.’
Because I’m a trendsetter? Or overflowing trust?
I glanced around and realized.
‘She’s nowhere.’
The lead of ‘Saga of Melodies’ was absent from the press conference.
‘I get why the director’s doing this.’
It wasn’t just that she wasn’t in front of me. I’d assumed she was already onstage since she wasn’t in the hallway, but she was completely missing.
The director’s eyes brimmed with trust. I smiled genuinely.
“Please take care of me, Director.”
“You too, Dowon.”
Camera flashes popped. It was a truly beautiful moment.
As time passed, I stepped aside so the director could greet others. Next, the female lead shook hands with him.
‘Someone I know a little.’
First time meeting her in person, though. Not a total stranger.
‘Sweet Kiss, was it?’
She’d been filming a drama and missed the year-end collab performance.
‘What was her name again?’
As I pondered, her name came up first.
“Bitna, looking forward to working with you.”
“You too, Director.”
Ah, Bitna.
‘Not bad.’
She had a solid reputation for acting. She’d handle it smoothly.
After the lead actors shook hands, everyone took their seats. Mine was right next to the director, which made me grin for real.
‘Wherever could our VIP senior Jeremy be?’
The host proceeded.
“‘Saga of Melodies,’ a highly anticipated project. Oh, looks like our lead Jeremy is arriving now.”
Wow.
‘So he is coming.’
But this wasn’t normal. Still, the host handled it smoothly.
“The lead always enters last. Everyone, give a round of applause for VIP’s Jeremy!”
It was a desperate attempt to lighten the mood. I clapped with a smile.
But when I glanced at him casually, I was genuinely shocked.
‘Why show up looking like that?’
Jeremy’s outfit was insane. His upper body was half-exposed, and his pants had all sorts of things dangling.
‘I go with whatever they give me too, but that looks like a neighborhood bum.’
Did the stylist go on strike?
‘Even grabbing stuff straight off a store rack wouldn’t look that bad.’
Jeremy strode in boldly, clearly enjoying the attention. Nothing to say about that.
‘Senior, those aren’t good looks you’re getting.’
The director’s mouth hung open in shock. Others reacted similarly. The actors quickly composed themselves, though.
Jeremy walked over and sat beside me. Camera flashes erupted again.
‘Caught in the shot together.’
Better look good, then.
I smiled softly. Jeremy seemed to be smirking smugly, but none of my business.
“‘Saga of Melodies’ production press conference begins. Let’s start with the teaser.”
The screen behind lit up. I didn’t need to turn—I could hear the water sounds.
Onscreen, someone in white swam.
‘Oh, not me.’
That was Eeyul, the villain of ‘Saga of Melodies.’
Eeyul swam frantically, searching for something. He found a box on the seabed and opened it.
Subtitles appeared.
[Even finding Hemair, you can’t know what’s inside.]
The scene shifted; Eeyul closed his eyes and sank deeper.
[But rest will be sweet.]
I smiled bitterly.
‘Classic Eeyul.’
He’d resist desperately, but when rest came, he’d close his eyes without hesitation.
‘That’s where we differ...’
Subtitles again.
[But for someone, it’s all too easy...]
Jeremy appeared onscreen, swimming in the same spot.
‘Oops.’
Same outfit made it stark on camera.
A small groan from the press seats—like when Jeremy’s shocking fashion debuted.
‘Idols fall apart without maintenance.’
Pity those unseen muscles cutting through blue water.
‘What made him skip it?’
I glanced at my senior. Knowing the comparison, his face was priceless.
‘Gotta watch my body.’
He knew, so no need for me to say—would cause a fuss.
‘Though I’d love to see it.’
The unmanaged look was raw. Still, in the scene, Senior Jeremy—no, Hanseon—opened the box.
Subtitles.
[Their box holds something different from mine.]
Jeremy’s grin flashed onscreen.
‘Don’t smile like that.’
Looks villainous. Script said ‘smiles joyfully,’ right?
‘Well, emotions are tough.’
Teaser ended. I turned back to the reporters. Some alternated glances between Jeremy and me.
‘This’ll be fun.’
The drama opened not with protagonist Hanseon, but villain Eeyul. Entertainment reporters would know what that meant.
‘Promising.’
Reporters’ eyes sparkled like flashes. In the odd atmosphere, the host continued.
“Yes, great teaser for ‘Saga of Melodies.’ Underwater shooting must’ve been tough. Director, what kind of drama is ‘Saga of Melodies’?”
The director took the mic.
“It’s a story of jealousy and love among music high schoolers. Eeyul, abundant yet endlessly pressured by peers, versus Hanseon, poor but rich in talent and love.”
No mention of birth secrets later. I listened quietly.
“Thrilled to work with great actors and staff.”
Oddly, the director glanced my way, then forward.
‘Showering me with attention.’
An honor, Director. I’ll give my all.
Clean response. The host pressed on.
“I’m looking forward to ‘Saga of Melodies’ too. Questions from Sports B’s Gwang Dongwoo captain and Weekly SL’s Ishidin reporter—for lead Hanseon, Jeremy. ‘Playing a teen—what are your thoughts?’”
Jeremy smirked crookedly and took the mic.
“For starters, I’m still young, reporters.”
That was fine. But my senior stayed true to form.
“Don’t think it’s a stretch. I can handle it. Paying attention to the costume, though.”
Oh boy.
‘Is our senior an idiot?’
Standard answer for that: ‘I worried it might be a stretch, but staff are doing their best to make me look youthful.’
That’s what I’d say, but his was unique. Weird articles incoming, but not my problem.
“Ah, I see.”
The host’s pupils quivered slightly.
“Next question. From Monthly Chaejin’s Jeong Gwanju, Newreo’s Gajin Kyung, Linear Time’s Yoo Hansung—for Zenith’s Cha Dowon. The trendsetting idol! Your role’s the jealous musician. How are you approaching the character?”
I smiled brightly.
“I got a lot of help from Hyung Minje.”