Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Jealousy
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Friends Entertainment trainee Heo Suyong thought he was handsome.
Even doing the same job, a good-looking kid always had the advantage. Girls were kind to him, and he could make friends easily.
When he was young, people saw little Heo Suyong and called him a natural talent. So he believed without a doubt that he would become a celebrity.
On the day he turned fifteen, he got a business card on Myeongdong Street. The white card had the name of an agency that managed one of the hottest singers around.
When he showed it to his friends, they were envious. Heo Suyong went to the audition like that, but the result was disastrous.
Rejected—
Heo Suyong didn’t give up. He nagged his parents until they sent him to a dance academy. Before long, his dream had shifted from “celebrity” to “idol.”
And he auditioned again.
He became a trainee at the very agency that had rejected him before.
His parents celebrated. He believed without a doubt that his life was now heading into the spotlight.
But his dream shattered the moment he walked in. The agency was already overflowing with guys even more handsome than him.
Some were great at dancing, some could sing like pros.
There was even one who was outstanding at composing.
Heo Suyong practiced hard at first. But irritation built up. The gap didn’t close easily.
Trainee life grew tougher. He started out confident, but doubt crept in.
Now twenty years old already.
Four years of grinding it out.
Still, Heo Suyong had confidence. Excluding the truly exceptional ones, everyone’s skills were about the same.
It was one such day.
“I’m Cha Dowon.”
A pretty boy flashed a bright smile. The fifteen-year-old kid started getting on his nerves from then on.
The kid danced well.
His singing was just okay.
But he worked out every single day. Up to here, it wasn’t anything special.
‘Think that’ll make you better?’
Even when he sneered like that, the kid didn’t care.
Something smelled off.
‘He’s gonna make it big in one shot.’
Heo Suyong couldn’t figure out why he felt this ominous vibe.
Then one day.
‘That kid’s in Yumi’s music video.’
The hunch was right.
‘Fuck!’
How? Why did a punk like that get such a chance?
He was boiling with rage, but the kid didn’t even brag. Eerily calm—it pissed him off even more.
Plus, whenever he looked, the kid was doing abs workouts.
“No way he’s already in a debut group, right?”
In the monthly evaluation, the kid danced impressively. Afraid he’d make debut group like this, Heo Suyong impulsively shoved him down the stairs. But the kid’s bones were sturdy—he didn’t even get hurt.
‘No way. Debut groups aren’t just for the skilled.’
Debut wasn’t based on skill alone. Heo Suyong was certain. The kid was about to taste bitterness in life. The world wasn’t easy.
‘I’ll laugh in that face.’
Or maybe scar up that pretty mug.
That’s when Heo Suyong entered the lobby.
Friends Entertainment’s lobby had a massive TV. Heo Suyong stopped in his tracks.
‘Yumi’s music video…’
People were already watching it. The annoying punk filled the screen with his eyes closed.
“Wow, he’s a pretty boy.”
“Who is that? A trainee?”
Heo Suyong glared at the high school girls in the lobby.
“It’s not just handsome—looks young and pretty still.”
“Is he really a trainee here?”
Heo Suyong bit his lip. No way. He’d suck at acting. First time on camera.
The music video passed the midpoint with no real acting. The kid just kept his eyes closed.
‘See!’
I could do a role like that. Just no opportunity.
Then.
In the video, the kid opened his eyes. High school girls cheered. Heo Suyong stared blankly at the TV.
The kid looked at the collapsing Yumi. His face was full of regret.
‘No way…’
In the next scenes, he acted naturally. Brushing Yumi’s hair aside, stroking her cheek. He smiled genuinely happy each time.
‘Why’s he good at acting?’
First time. Shouldn’t he suck?
No matter Heo Suyong’s feelings, the video rolled on. Soon their hands clasped, fingers interlocking. The girls cheered wildly.
“Oh my god!”
“Wow, what is this! Oh! So good! Kinda steamy!”
The screen ended. The word “Sacrifice” faded out last.
“Lingering impact is insane.”
“Is that kid really a trainee?”
“Probably. Friends always puts their trainees in MVs!”
That’s when.
Cha Dowon appeared before Heo Suyong’s eyes.
‘Fell but looks fine?’
He walked slowly with his manager. The girls, chattering among themselves, finally spotted him.
“Eek!”
“Wait!”
Cha Dowon, unaware of the screams aimed at him, stopped only when his manager grabbed him. The girls rushed over.
“We just saw your MV!”
“Look at that skin!”
“How old are you?”
Cha Dowon looked flustered, eyes darting. The manager blocked them smoothly.
“This is Cha Dowon, fifteen years old. He’s still a baby, so go easy. He’s supposed to rest today ‘cause he’s sick but insists on practicing anyway.”
“Oh my!”
The girls covered their mouths, scanning Cha Dowon up and down. The exact look Heo Suyong craved.
He clenched his fists.
Why did all the good stuff happen to that punk?
“Come on, let him go. Princesses.”
Cha Dowon bowed with a bright smile, and the girls squealed again.
“Dowon, elevator’s broken.”
“Ah, stairs it is.”
The manager and Cha Dowon headed for the stairs. Heo Suyong followed.
“You might get this a lot now.”
“Really? Any tips?”
“Play it cool.”
“Service mindset, got it.”
Fans Heo Suyong desperately wanted.
‘Why’s that everyday talk for him? Why not me?’
He couldn’t take it. Heo Suyong charged at Cha Dowon.
Thud—
“Dowon!”
Heo Suyong blinked. He couldn’t believe what he’d just done.
***
Damn. What the hell now.
I tried to stand but sat back down. Checking my leg, my ankle seemed sprained.
I checked my body first.
‘Wrist hurts too.’
But no broken bones.
“Heo Suyong! What the hell are you doing!”
Right.
I looked ahead quietly. The guy who shoved me suddenly trembled.
‘Idiot.’
I staggered, grabbing the wall.
“Dowon! You okay?”
“Not okay. What’s your deal?”
My dear roommate wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“Why…”
I furrowed my brow.
“Why you of all people!”
Whoa, chill with the yelling.
“Why! Why you!”
“Suyong!”
The manager grabbed his collar. Heo Suyong sobbed.
“Why him! Why not me!”
Ah. Now I got it.
‘Jealousy.’
Bad case.
‘Crazy.’
Never seen anything like this. I checked my body again. Wrist and ankle throbbed. Back bruised too.
‘Rolled down stairs, but not too bad.’
Head seemed protected. Cheat could fix this. With recoil, sure.
“Heo Suyong! Snap out of it!”
The manager slapped his cheeks. Slap-slap—sounded painful.
‘That won’t fix him.’
He’s lost it.
“Why hit me!”
“‘Cause you deserve it! Do you even know what you did?”
He stared at his hands, bawling. Suited him, but not my problem.
“Manager, CCTV here, right?”
“Huh? Of course.”
I looked up. Blinking red light on the CCTV looked beautiful.
“Call someone and secure the footage.”
Heo Suyong’s eyes shook.
You’re done, punk. Dare hurt this precious body?
“Huh? Yeah! Hey! Over here!”
Security ran up. Watching the manager leave, I limped up the stairs.
“Never met a guy like you. Popularity?”
I thought of the screaming high school girls.
‘Felt good.’
Cute too.
“Flipping out over this little fame…”
Couldn’t help laughing.
“Scale’s too small, it’s hilarious.”
I whispered to him.
“Petty punk.”
Oh man, senior. How do you live like this? World’s full of sharks, and you lose it over one MV?
“Hey!”
Security grabbed him as he yelled.
“Hey, kid!”
I smiled at my dear senior.
‘How to handle this to make him infamous.’
Sue? Press charges?
I rubbed my arm, leg, back.
‘Korean criminal law’s weak.’
Probably no indictment. Even with intent.
‘Unless I go at him with a knife.’
Law needs changing. Why’s criminal code stuck a decade later?
‘What hurts more than law?’
Soon people rushed in. Mostly strangers, but some familiar.
“What the hell happened!”
A short-haired woman in a black suit trembled in disbelief.
Perfect timing, perfect person.
“Director Joo.”
I called her name and smiled brightly.
***
CCTV secured fast. I went to the hospital, got half-casts, and got delivered to the director’s office. Manager cried about me being like this thirty minutes after discharge.
‘Arm and ankle hurt less than that.’
Noise terrorism, that.
I sipped job’s tears tea on the plush office sofa. The presumed secretary kept refilling it.
“So…”
Director Joo sighed deeply across from me.
“This crap went on at the dorm too?”
“Yes.”
“How the hell is management run?”
“Left it to a nice guy like the manager.”
I thought of the crying manager.
“Too nice.”
Soft, thoughtful. But saw the best in people.
“Too lenient with trainees.”
Good comprehension, fine. Problem: couldn’t draw the line.
“Drinking age means obvious.”
“When’d booze enter the dorm.”
“Ah, so it wasn’t allowed.”
“Of course not! Minors there!”
Stricter than expected.
“Three times a week.”
“Insane. Total mess.”
Director Joo shook her head, sighing. Then spun around yelling.
“Secretary Lee! More cola!”
“You’ll get diabetes!”
“I’m stressed to death!”
Secretary Lee brought cold cola. Director Joo cracked it open, chugged, patted her chest.
“Sorry. Management failed.”
Huh. Apologizing.
Unexpected. I just blinked. Director Joo was high up. Sincerely sorry to a fifteen-year-old.
‘Good person.’
Thought pervert for asking me to strip, but nah?
“What punishment do you want?”
Straightforward. I rubbed my neck.
“Thought legal route.”
She bit her lip.
‘Manager type.’
Hates scandals.
Not my concern.
“Might not even indict, let alone punish.”
This injury? No chance. Even with intent.
“R-Really?”