Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Waist Strength
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83. Waist Strength
2022.04.12.
The manager asked while driving.
“Who was it?”
“Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon.”
“Huh? Why her?”
“She asked about the movie.”
“You, you didn’t say yes, did you?”
Why refuse a ten-million-audience movie.
“Yeah. It’s just a small role, so it’s fine.”
“Hey, you still need to discuss it with the company at least.”
“I’m doing this one no matter what.”
Getting your face on the big screen wasn’t easy. Movies still carried more weight than TV dramas.
‘Especially for idols.’
Old-timers were the same everywhere.
‘If it weren’t for Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon, it wouldn’t have gone this smoothly.’
The cooking and the piggyback ride had paid off generously.
“Oh, the ‘Flower’s Choice’ team is all going on a talk show together. You too, for a while.”
“Really? Even though it’s a child role, they’re being generous with the invite.”
“They invited you because it’s you.”
Probably for the ratings. I smiled and looked out the window.
“They must’ve been desperate since even their adult roles weren’t pulling ratings.”
“They’re probably exploding with frustration. But that talk show—someone close to Sa-hyuk is the host?”
Oh boy.
“Should I not go?”
I shook my head.
“Why? Why turn it down? I haven’t done anything wrong. Is it a crime to act well and boost ratings?”
“What if that jerk makes you do something weird?”
“I’ll just act flustered and appeal to the fans or whatever.”
After the drama ended, I’d only done events and CFs, so the fans must be bored.
“An idol’s duty is to keep active nonstop. I have to keep providing content so the people watching me can enjoy it continuously.”
Sure, I was doing SNS, but it still felt insufficient.
“You’re amazing. If all idols were like you, the world would be in chaos.”
“They shouldn’t be like me.”
That wouldn’t be normal.
I gazed out the window. Downtown Seoul was always the same.
‘I’m hungry.’
It didn’t even register. I’d barely run 50 meters from the starting line. Just the initial leap.
“Still, what if it’s dangerous?”
“I won’t be picky about work yet. Once I’m on track, it’ll sort itself out.”
The manager turned the wheel left.
“Fine. Go. Go!”
“But we need to be careful with the pre-interview. The writers aren’t close to Sa-hyuk too, right?”
“Sa-hyuk isn’t close to the staff. Look at his personality. Maybe the PD, but even the PD only deals with the section chief.”
Oh boy.
‘Dodged a bullet.’
I kept staring out the window.
‘Celebrity connections are nice, but the real ones to impress are the staff.’
They did the actual work. Though many people often forgot that.
‘Depending on the situation, they can be dirty and vicious opponents too.’
So, what about this talk show?
I pictured Sa-hyuk’s face.
‘Hope he steps in shit and slips.’
Would be fun to see that shit-smeared face.
We arrived at the destination, and the car stopped. I got out with a slight smile. Felt good for some reason.
***
The talk show pre-interview went smoothly. It was wrapping up uneventfully. Just as I was about to say goodbye, a variety writer asked.
-Um, comedian Urami wants you to carry her.
For a second, I wasn’t sure what she meant. I adjusted the earphones plugged into the manager’s phone and asked back.
“How should I carry her? A hug?”
-Oh, like how you carried Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon.
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Ah, I see.”
-It’s fine if it’s too much.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll just pick her up during the show?”
-Oh my, yes!
I patted my waist.
‘But who’s Urami?’
Should I look her up? Once the interviews ended, I immediately typed “Urami” into the portal search.
“Ah…….”
Oh no.
Unfortunately, comedian Urami was a bit on the plump side.
‘No helping it.’
I pulled out my smartphone and switched to cheat mode.
[cheat mode 1/3]
[Cha Dowon Waist Strength]
[It’s C. Change it?]
[Change to S]
[……]
[Impossible with current body condition.]
As expected, S is no good.
[Then, change to A.]
[Changed to A-rank. Body is changing.]
[Side effect: Unable to move for 3 hours starting 3 seconds from now.]
[cheat mode 2/3]
Oh boy.
I patted my waist. Exactly 3 seconds later, my entire lower body went immobile.
‘Well, at least no schedule.’
Lucky I was just rolling around reading the script.
‘Always think this, but I need to be careful. A side effect like this during a schedule would be trouble.’
The manager would drag me to the ER again. That was getting annoying.
‘Any more fragile image here, and it’d be a problem.’
I stretched my arm to pull the script closer. The cover boldly displayed the movie title.
[Gwiju Victory]
Hello, ten-million audience.
I chuckled and opened the script. Just as I started the first page, the door opened, and Lee Seung-jun walked in.
“Oh, you’re here?”
“Dowon, don’t you have a schedule?”
“Dinner later. You?”
“I’m done.”
Lee Seung-jun plopped down on my bed. I looked away from the script at the bear-like guy.
“Something to say?”
“Not really.”
“Then why sit there.”
“Can’t I just sit here if there’s nothing to say?”
What’s with him today.
“Fine, whatever.”
I tried reading the script again but sighed heavily. The guy was wordlessly begging for conversation with his eyes.
“How’ve you been lately?”
“Fine.”
Hmm.
“That uncle?”
Lee Seung-jun’s body twitched for a second.
‘Something’s up.’
I closed the script and looked at him.
“Spill it.”
“He knows I made it big and smells money.”
“Holding your niece hostage?”
“Yeah.”
I shook my head.
“Give in once, and it never ends?”
“The niece is cute. He even sent videos.”
Total scumbag.
“Cute is cute, and getting played is getting played.”
Damn bastard.
“Not giving money yet. But her birthday came up, so I bought clothes and sent some.”
Lee Seung-jun let out a weary breath.
“Checked a secondhand site—already selling them.”
Crazy bastard.
“Not his own kid?”
“You’d think.”
I patted his shoulder. Really, nothing to say.
“Why’d sis marry a guy like that.”
Lee Seung-jun leaned his back against me. I got flattened in an instant but said nothing.
“How’s work?”
“Work? Modeling? It’s alright.”
“Good.”
The bear guy fell silent. I sighed.
‘What even is family.’
I thought of my sister. If she’d died giving birth, I’d be worse off than him.
But no solution.
“Want me to make something tasty?”
Lee Seung-jun smiled. I kept patting his shoulder.
How long we stayed like that. The door opened again.
‘What now.’
In walked Yoo Ha-jin.
“Leader Hyung?”
“Yeah, busy?”
“No. Why?”
Yoo Ha-jin patted my back and held out another A4 sheet.
“The kids want autographs again.”
“Hyung, seriously…….”
Flattened as I was, I signed the paper.
“What’re you doing anyway?”
Good question. What am I doing right now.
“Lee Seung-jun’s heavy.”
“Yeah.”
He sprang up. I’d been signing while leaning on his back, so my balance shifted.
“What’re you two really up to?”
“Was asking what he wants for dinner later.”
Yoo Ha-jin grinned.
“Fried rice for me. The sticky black sauce one with green onions.”
“Oyster sauce? But that’s not green onions, it’s chives.”
“Whatever, that one.”
I sighed.
“Got the ingredients?”
Yoo Ha-jin’s eyes sparkled.
“Want me to buy some? I’m free.”
Better not refuse or it’s trouble.
“Yeah, please.”
“Okay. Oh, right. I gotta go to physical therapy.”
Yoo Ha-jin kept patting my back.
“Hurt?”
“Tripped during the kids’ excited welcome.”
“Ouch. Back’s tough.”
“Should’ve listened to the baby shaman…….”
What’s this now.
“You visit fortune tellers, Hyung?”
“No. She’s on an educational show. Comes to the studio every two weeks to show job variety.”
Wow, impressive.
‘Korea’s changed without me noticing.’
I thought shamans were still subtly looked down on, but the world moves fast……. Wait, no. This is the past. Almost forgot.
“Anyway, she said watch your backs—me and everyone around me.”
I smiled awkwardly.
That includes me, right?
“She’s something.”
Weird. Feels like mom’s memories from a strange baby shaman.
“Got scolded for ignoring her after getting hurt.”
“You deserved it. Should’ve listened.”
“Didn’t think it’d be real. Plus, I don’t buy into that stuff.”
Got it.
“Anyway, both of you watch your backs.”
I chuckled. Speaking of backs.
‘Without cheat, my back would’ve given out?’
I shook my head. Having a shaman mom with aides lining up during elections taught me something.
“Willpower matters. Forge your fate—following it blindly is pointless.”
“Huh? What’s that mean?”
“Nothing. Hajin Hyung, grab ingredients on your way back from the hospital.”
“Got it. See ya!”
The kind-hearted leader waved and left. I sighed and shook my head. Lee Seung-jun muttered with pursed lips.
“I don’t like fried rice…….”
What now.
“Then what do you want?”
“Spicy chewy noodles?”
Simple enough.
“I’ll make it with you.”
Lee Seung-jun beamed. The usual bear turned puppy-like.
‘Back, huh…….’
I picked up my smartphone again.
[cheat mode 2/3]
[Yoo Ha-jin Back Muscle Recovery.]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: Breath blocked for 3 seconds.]
[cheat mode 3/3]
Recovery and healing always had light side effects. I set aside my smartphone, cheat uses maxed for the day, and picked up the script again. Glanced at Lee Seung-jun—he was wriggling back onto my bed.
‘Fine, whatever…….’
Probably lonely. Big guy, but still a minor. Weak to unsolvable problems.
Make something tasty later.
‘Why am I cooking for the members?’
Not like I have to.
I sighed deeply. Felt like I was getting scammed. Feed and shelter them—what next? I fidgeted irritably.
***
“Oppa, you look pretty today too.”
“Can’t you say handsome instead?”
“Still pretty for now.”
My princess was firm as ever. I chuckled and met Ah-yeon’s eyes.
“You’ve been well?”
“Yep. Oppa too? Saw you working hard.”
Oh.
“Thanks for the praise. Honored.”
Ah-yeon shrugged and held out her hand. I took it and realized.
“Princess, you grew again.”
“Shooting up lately.”
Growing so fast. Is this how she becomes an actress.
“Didn’t know you were coming to the talk show today.”
“Should’ve invited the child actress? Ratings were better then.”
We smiled at each other.
“Kinda sorry for the adult actors.”
“No need. Sa-hyuk or whatever ruined it with his awful acting. He was the problem. Others were great.”
True that.
“Ruined the set vibe and tanked ratings! Annoying. Isn’t he country soup?”
What?
“Ruined the flavor.”
Ah, that meaning. I covered my mouth and smiled faintly.
“Ah-yeon, don’t say that.”
“Why?”
“Waste for country soup. It’s so tasty.”
Ah-yeon nodded right away.
“Oppa’s right. Country soup’s delicious. Let’s go sometime. I know good spots near the station.”
“Really? Definitely.”
Deeply honored. Ah-yeon shook our joined hands excitedly at the thought of country soup with me.
“Wasn’t gonna come, but said I would since I’m worried about Oppa.”
Huh?
“Me?”
“Yeah. Worried about Oppa. What if that guy messes with you again!”
Wow.
‘First girl protecting me.’
Falling for her. Truly my princess.
“Oppa’s not that weak.”
“I know. But he looked sly.”