Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: School Violence (2)
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Hold on.
“The cafeteria food is expensive?”
“No. I just eat a lot.”
I turned around again. Lee Taejin was on the shorter side and had an average build. Actually, he was closer to skinny.
‘Oh, right. I remember now.’
Come to think of it, I knew this guy before my regression.
‘The Emperor of Mukbangs. T.J.’
It wasn’t the era of personal broadcasts yet, but this guy had started mukbang streams early on. Even after countless mukbang VJs emerged, none could topple T.J.’s throne.
‘Yeah, he flew around on planes, eating whatever he wanted.’
I’d heard personal broadcast ad revenue made up 50% of broadcast station profits.
I rubbed my forehead. Why hadn’t I remembered?
That’s when it happened.
“Hey, run!”
Cheolwoong bolted immediately. I shook my head. Like running away solves anything.
The teacher went even more ballistic, and I gripped Lee Taejin’s hand tightly.
“Lee Taejin.”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s be friends. Give me your number.”
I switched my smartphone back to the home screen.
“Read it off.”
“010-XXXX-XXXX”
I saved it right away and called. His pocket buzzed with the ringtone.
“That’s my number. Save it.”
“Uh, yeah. But Dowon, you’re an idol, right?”
“Yeah. So?”
“Can I actually contact you?”
I grinned.
“I gave you my number so you could. Oh, messaging apps work too. I might reply late sometimes, but I’ll get back when I see it.”
“Y-Yeah!”
Of course. You’re basically half a chaebol later on. Let’s be friends forever, okay?
That’s when the teacher finally snapped out of it.
“I won’t let those punks get away with this. Taejin, oh man, your cheeks are all swollen.”
“My face is fine, Teacher.”
“You know those kids have good hearts deep down, right? Just bear with it, Taejin. Let’s not make a big deal out of it.”
Huh. That’s how it’s gonna be?
‘Dirty. So dirty.’
There’s always one like this everywhere.
Lee Taejin stared blankly at the teacher. I was about to say something when the future Mukbang Emperor T.J. spoke up.
“I’ll call my grandfather.”
The teacher’s face drained of color the moment he said it.
What? Why’s he freaking out?
Lee Taejin turned to me.
“My grandfather’s the police chief.”
Ah, got it.
“To say it again, my family’s not hurting for money. We’re just comfortable enough.”
Doesn’t that mean you’re loaded?
‘Your family’s Engel coefficient must be insane.’
Lee Taejin declared to the teacher.
“I can’t take it anymore. I let the last one slide, but look what happened. I’m calling my grandfather.”
Oh boy.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Wow, this guy’s no joke.
I shook my head and patted his shoulder.
“Well, good luck. Oh, keep the recorder.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“I’ve got a schedule to hit.”
I had like twelve more pen recorders thanks to my aunt last time.
As I turned to leave, Lee Taejin called out.
“You really mean I can contact you?”
“Yeah.”
I heard his laughter behind me.
‘Why’s he laughing?’
Teenagers’ minds were a mystery.
Right on cue, my manager came rushing in. I checked the time on my phone.
‘Said ten minutes late, but it’s twenty-five.’
I sighed. Honestly, this manager was a puzzle too.
***
“Sorry, sorry. Had to drop a stray cat off at the animal hospital.”
For real?
“It’s true. Sorry. Not too late, right?”
I nodded and pulled out the script. The manager floored the accelerator and asked.
“What’re you doing?”
“A historical drama.”
I didn’t even need to look at the script. This was the only hit historical drama in my memories.
‘It was popular overseas too.’
I glanced down at the script. Playing a role I’d only seen on TV was definitely an honor.
“What role?”
“The child actor for the male lead.”
I looked at my school uniform. The main stuff would be the adult actor.
“What’s it called?”
“The Choice of Flowers.”
“What’s it about?”
“A pair of sisters both love the same man.”
The manager’s face twisted.
“Player?”
“Nah, it’s just fate’s cruel joke.”
The setup sounded infuriating, but once you knew the context, it wasn’t.
“The prince starts a rebellion, the throne changes hands. The guy can’t protect the princess he was betrothed to as a kid. Then by the king’s order, he’s forced to marry her older sister, the princess consort. They can’t open up to each other.”
Then they slowly fall in love. On the night of their belated first night together, another rebellion sweeps the nation. He tries to protect his wife, the consort, passes out, and wakes up in a strange house.
‘Cared for by the original princess.’
The deposed crown prince reclaims the throne. The princess who stayed by his side offers to marry the guy again.
“My role’s up to the first marriage.”
That’s where the child actor part ended. The adult role tempted me more, but I was only in middle school year three.
‘The key is nailing this role.’
Historical dramas were tough. They judged your diction properly.
“You got this?”
I flashed a grin.
“Who knows? Gotta try.”
Of course I’d nail it.
I was starving, perfect timing. Something good came, time to devour it.
“Oh, when’s your Village Life airing?”
“Today, I think. Got events, won’t catch it.”
“Excited?”
I didn’t answer. Obviously.
‘More excited for the CFs after Village Life, though.’
Food commercials were surely incoming. Wonder which ones.
I stretched. Hopefully the pricey ones. I muttered to myself.
***
Village Life’s ratings doubled with each episode. Today was the third live broadcast.
Heo Suyong glanced at the lobby. The girls who’d fawned over trainees were gone, chasing a new group instead. They’d forgotten they were Vita fans.
‘That group’s Zenith…’
Heo Suyong ground his teeth. That slick Cha Dowon’s face popped into his head. They’d been equals as trainees, but the guy shot ahead.
‘Hope he debuts and flops.’
All that injury and fainting drama, and now he was already number one on TV.
He heard the trainees whispering. With Zenith blowing up, no other groups launching—some had already quit.
‘It’ll happen for real.’
But Heo Suyong couldn’t leave. Being a Friends Entertainment trainee was precious to him.
‘What’s the difference between me and that bastard?’
Anyone could do that with a push after debut. He wasn’t some insane talent.
Heo Suyong gritted his teeth and headed inside. Just then, a program with Cha Dowon came on in the lobby.
He stared blankly at the screen. Cha Dowon, in tacky country clothes, beamed happily.
‘Fucking bastard.’
I could do that crap too.
As he turned away grumbling, the people in the lobby gasped softly.
‘What?’
Heo Suyong turned back. On screen, Cha Dowon was cooking massive pots. Sweating, he bustled around the food.
Living together, he knew the guy could cook decently.
‘Took lessons beforehand?’
As he cooked, the cast’s eyes lit up. Yumi, who he liked, was there too—Heo Suyong bit his lip hard.
‘I could do it!’
All scripted. He learned it ahead. He’s got time. No schedule?
He knew that wasn’t true. A number one group wouldn’t lack schedules. Events were lined up even without broadcasts.
Heo Suyong couldn’t watch anymore. He bolted out of the company. Something dirty and hot surged inside. No matter how he breathed it out, it wouldn’t fade.
***
Executive Director Joo sat quietly in the corner of the PR team. Bells rang frantically everywhere. She dazedly looked around.
‘This isn’t a dream, right?’
Some checked emails, took calls. Executive Director Joo focused on those lovely sounds.
“Yes? Dumplings? New product?”
“Yes? Clothes? From where? Shinhyong Trading?”
“Magazine? Sorry, we’re swamped with inquiries right now…”
She raised both hands like conducting an orchestra. Their voices were pure music.
‘Ahh, Dowon.’
What have you done?
Executive Director Joo suppressed the urge to dance. She wanted to bask in this sacred harmony forever.
‘Love it. Absolutely love it.’
She planned to release within image usage limits. The fancier, the better.
‘Of course. Our Dowon will sell food and clothes alike.’
The image from Village Life was beyond “good.”
‘Fixes faucets, cooks well, hardworking, loved by middle-aged folks…’
Best was singing at the butcher shop. She’d jumped up clapping. Stepping up like that was a declaration to monopolize the aunties’ love.
‘And one more episode left.’
Dowon, what have you done? I’m dying here.
‘Money’s rolling in.’
Her gut told her. A CF tornado approached.
The internet overflowed with ability_user_cha_dowon.GIF. “Village Life” trended everywhere.
“Bliss.”
Executive Director Joo stood, hands raised, spinning in circles. Endorphins pinged in her head from sheer joy.
Then a PR team member urgently stopped her.
“Director!”
“I said hold them off. Say we’ll review and pass.”
“We can’t.”
She tossed her hair back.
“Why? Our Dowon has to pick from stock now.”
“No, it’s…”
The staff whispered.
“It’s a government agency. Police…”
Her eyes trembled.
“Wh-who caused trouble? Who? Vita? Cra-crazy! What? DUI? Gam-gambling? What is it?”
Heaven to hell in seconds. She grilled the staff desperately.
“N-no, doesn’t seem like it.”
“Right, reporters would’ve called first.”
She took a deep breath. Then what?
“The police want Dowon on their promo posters.”
“Ah…”
No need to think. Prioritize it.
‘Even if it doesn’t pay.’
National posters had great promo value. Government endorsement boosted trust.
“And police? He’ll wear the uniform? Wait, isn’t that usually sahyeok?”
“Been sahyeok for seven years.”
“Our Dowon doing it?”
“Yeah, apparently. Need to iron out details.”
“Sounds good, but weird.”
Why Dowon? Sahyeok image is still solid.
“They want to focus on school violence.”
Ah, that angle. That’s why they need our young, fresh Dowon. Village Life gave him that upright image.
Executive Director Joo nodded.
“If it’s that, say yes right away.”
“Got it. I’ll proceed.”
She gazed at the happy chaos again. Raised her hands, spun two more circles. Bells rang everywhere.
Executive Director Joo whispered.
“Dowon. I love you.”
Though you don’t need my love.
Another staffer came panting. She beamed. Felt like another big fish. What’d our Dowon snag now?
She raised her hands again, welcoming the CF.