Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Wara. CF
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I faced the camera and said.
“I hope you eat it well.”
Wara. Food CF. I pulled the marinated soy sauce from the fridge.
“This is one of my cooking secrets. I was planning to bring it along. Oh, do you need dried mushroom powder too?”
I rummaged through the cabinets, pulling out this and that, and carefully packed them into a large bag. The writer watched me in fascination, unable to close her mouth.
“Do you like cooking?”
I grinned widely and replied.
“Didn’t you know that before coming?”
The writer’s face turned red. Hey, do your homework.
“That’s why I thought they cast me for Rural Life from the countryside!”
I casually added more items. The bag was soon packed full. I zipped it up and looked at the camera.
I smiled as much as I was annoyed.
‘Isn’t this the image you wanted?’
But oh well. I had to take this with me anyway.
I quietly stepped forward. The camera and writer followed along.
“Uh, I’m going to wash up now, so if you follow me to the bathroom……”
“Oh! Right!”
The camera stopped immediately. I neatly removed the mic and handed it to the writer before heading inside.
‘Damn it.’
A sigh escaped me naturally.
As I washed up hurriedly, voices from the production crew drifted in from outside the door.
“We got some pretty good stuff. That kid’s great on camera. It’s different from what we expected, but there’s plenty to watch.”
“Did you film the other member’s bare body earlier?”
“Yeah.”
Oh no.
‘Sorry, Lee Seungjun.’
Still, it wouldn’t hurt for people to know you’ve got a great physique. You might even land a sports apparel CF.
There was no more time. I quietly hurried.
***
The camera followed us everywhere. Carrying the trunk and the bag of side dishes, I made eye contact with the lens and said.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I love Rural Life. I’ve watched every episode tons of times.”
No one hates hearing that you love their show. Sure enough, the cameraman cracked a slight smile.
That’s when the manager spoke up.
“Dowon, give me the bag.”
“Huh, it’s pretty heavy though.”
I handed over the bag, pretending to be cautious. Sure enough, the manager staggered under its weight.
I feigned concern.
“Manager hyung? You okay?”
“Hey, why are these side dishes so heavy?”
“You didn’t throw your back out, did you?”
It would’ve been perfect if he’d tweaked it just a little. Not too much, just a bit.
“I might not look it, but I work out.”
Tch. Tough as nails.
I flashed a bright smile at the camera.
“That’s a relief.”
I pulled out the onigiri I’d warmed slightly in the microwave that morning from my pocket.
“Did you have breakfast?”
The camera didn’t budge, but the writer made an X with her arms.
“Want one of these then?”
The cameraman had no free hand. I popped one into his mouth with a smile. I’d made them bite-sized on purpose so you punks would eat well.
“How’s it taste?”
The camera gave a thumbs-up as the cameraman said.
“Delicious!”
I quietly boarded the van. The cameraman set up his shot and kept munching on the onigiri.
It’s human nature to soften up to someone who feeds you when you’re hungry.
So, film me well, you bastards.
“Dowon, me too.”
I gave onigiri to the manager and writer as well. They dove in like crazy.
‘They’re gonna choke.’
Well, I fed them, so they’ll handle the water themselves.
Only then did I bite into one I’d made. The salty soy sauce, sesame oil, and stir-fried anchovies inside were pretty good.
That’s when it happened.
The cameraman started coughing wildly. Then, like they’d planned it, all three hacked away.
“Water, where’s the water?”
I pretended to search every corner of the van before finding it. I knew where it was but acted like I didn’t.
Once they’d teared up enough, I finally handed over a bottle.
“Oh, here it is.”
From the cameraman to the manager. They chugged the water bottles desperately.
“You should’ve eaten slower.”
The writer, tears and snot streaming, said.
“You made it so good, if I didn’t eat it now, someone else would’ve taken it all.”
Oh dear.
“It’s nothing special……”
“How is this nothing special?”
Of course it’s special. You think time and ingredients are free?
I smiled innocently and said.
“By the way, writer noona. What should I say to the camera?”
“Oh, like where we’re going today? Can you do that?”
Of course I can. I asked on purpose, pretending I wasn’t used to TV. This raw feel is what you want, right?
“Got it. Yeah, I can. Should I do it now?”
The writer gave a thumbs-up. I looked at the camera and said.
“Hello, I’m Cha Dowon from Zenith. I’m heading to Rural Life starting at dawn today. It’s a show I really love, so I’m excited.”
I patted the Boston bag. The camera naturally caught the shot.
‘Why’s there only one cameraman?’
For this, they should’ve set up a few cameras in the van beforehand.
The cameraman focused back on my face.
“I prepared a bit, but I wonder if the Beauty Trio will like it.”
Then the writer said.
“Beauty Trio?”
Oops.
‘It’s a nickname from Season 4.’
A comedian guest had coined it in a fun episode.
‘Whatever. I’ll use it first.’
I scratched my cheek shyly.
“Oh, is that not it?”
The writer covered her mouth and laughed.
“No, it fits perfectly. Suits them great.”
Pushing it further would be amateur hour.
I grinned brightly and glossed over it.
“That’s why I’m excited. Um, once we get there, will there be a lot for me to do?”
The writer asked again.
“What are you good at, Dowon?”
I smiled with my eyes.
“Oh, are we doing the interview here?”
The writer, who laughed easily, covered her mouth and giggled again.
‘Normally, the pre-interview should’ve been done ages ago. Oh well, last-minute replacement.’
I appealed to the camera about my skills.
“I’m good at fixing things.”
“Oh my, and you’re so young?”
“Yeah, the place I used to live was pretty run-down. Calling a repairman cost too much. I learned by watching over Mom’s shoulder as she fixed stuff with tools.”
“Not your dad, your mom?”
I grinned.
“Mom was the handy one.”
“She sounds unique.”
Is it really unique? She just learned it because we had no money. Her old job as a shaman in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do was way more unusual.
Anyway, dad, huh.
‘He left when I was little and never came back.’
Gone before elementary school. Later, his family showed up and just took all the inheritance.
‘Wonder if he’s dead or alive.’
All I knew was his name.
‘He’s probably living well.’
No one said those money-grubbing bastards who took Mom’s stuff were dead.
‘Random thoughts. Focus on the show.’
I shook my head to clear it.
“Are there a lot of things to fix?”
Obviously. That’s the show. Season 3 had that leaky faucet nightmare.
The writer nodded.
“I hope I can help.”
Just leave it to me.
‘Handyman image is great.’
If they like this, maybe snag a CF out of it.
The car glided smoothly along. I stared out at the dark road.
‘The filming location’s in Gangwon-do, near the sea.’
That’s why there were lots of seafood dishes.
‘Seafood means spicy fish stew, right?’
Wonder what the Beauty Trio likes.
Then the cameraman set down his camera.
“Great framing right to the end.”
“You’re done filming?”
“Yeah. I was just gonna catch you waking up a bit, but you frame yourself so well.”
I grinned.
“That’s good. It’s my first time with this kind of shoot, so I was nervous.”
“Nervous? Really? You seemed totally natural.”
Of course not. You buying that?
‘Well, I just debuted, so……’
I handed the remaining onigiri to the cameraman.
Eat up and give me lots of praise.
“Hey, this is seriously good.”
“I made a bunch. Writer noona, have some. Manager hyung! You want one?”
The manager held out his hand. I shoved a bite-sized onigiri into it.
“You eat like this every day?”
“No, I’ve been busy lately. Only make them when I have time.”
I did prep some side dishes, though.
“Get some sleep. Won’t have time when we arrive.”
“Yeah.”
I took a sip of water and closed my eyes. The onigiri I’d made plenty of was already gone.
“Then I’ll sleep now.”
As soon as I shut my eyes, sleepiness hit. I vaguely heard them talking, but couldn’t focus.
***
“You’re grinning like an idiot again?”
The writer glared at the cameraman.
“A pretty boy feeds you, and you don’t smile? Your stomach doesn’t rumble?”
“No, this kid really lives up to his looks. I was surprised. Thought guys’ dorms were all filthy……”
The dorm was spotless—almost empty. Even the room for two had nothing in it. So bare it felt like a temple.
The manager driving chimed in.
“Dowon has no material desires.”
“Really?”
“Most rookies go nuts shopping after debuting. Especially with all the sponsorships. But Dowon? Until settlement, he’s like a debt collector—won’t touch it.”
The writer looked at the sleeping idol.
“Impressive for someone so young.”
“Tell me about it. Looks like a middle schooler, acts like my age. Haha.”
The writer gazed curiously at Cha Dowon. His eyelashes looked long in the sunlight, somehow……
“You grinning like an idiot again?”
“Hey, let me appreciate this. Opportunities like this don’t come every day.”
“Hmm……”
The cameraman quietly raised his camera.
“Shh. Gonna catch some ambient sound with it.”
“This’ll be usable?”
“Trying for five minutes.”
The camera adjusted resolution and framed the sleeping idol. The writer trembled watching the screen.
‘Damn, killer.’
Why do handsome kids look cool even sleeping?
When the cameraman lowered the camera, the writer whispered.
“Add some BGM.”
“You think so too? That’s why I shot it.”
Before arriving at the dorm, the staff really had little info on ‘Cha Dowon.’ Just a bright, polite kid—might goof up but get work done.
‘We themed it around mistakes, after all.’
City boy, clueless about rural life. Rushed casting for clumsy work shots, but this was unexpected.
“Thought we’d pair him with Yumi for visuals, but surprise.”
“Still made good content. Gotta call the director. Might need to reset the setup.”
“That’s why last-minutes suck. No pre-interview.”
Grumbling didn’t bring back the departed cast.
“Who knew E&J would be gambling in Macau?”
The cameraman called the director. The writer pouted, then went back to admiring the sleeping idol.
‘Damn, nice.’
The cameraman sighed at the grinning writer.
‘Come to think, it’s been ages since I felt this drawn to film someone for their looks.’
Usually only with top stars.
‘This guy looks more actor than idol.’
Soon the director picked up. The cameraman started explaining.
The van rolled quietly down the road. The manager yawned hugely listening to the cameraman. Dawn made him sleepy as hell.
***
“Uh, we’re here.”
“Ah……”
I turned my face toward the camera, angling for the best shot.
“Really rural, huh.”
“Nearest hospital’s 30 minutes by car.”
Not an island, but still places like this on the mainland.
I grabbed my luggage and got out. Pulled the trunk, hoisted the bag. Pretty heavy, but muscle training paid off—it was manageable.
“Gotta walk 20 minutes from here.”
“What about the camera?”
“We’ll follow, of course. Sometimes we go ahead to film. Need your arrival shot too.”
“Yeah. Signal me then.”
Broadcasting pricks.
‘Wanna film me dragging heavy luggage.’
Like watching people suffer?
‘Not that tough, but gotta act.’
I slung the Boston bag over my shoulder and pulled the trunk. Road was paved, thankfully. Quick pace got me sweating naturally.
I panted on purpose.