Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Gwiju Victory Production Press Conference
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86. Gwiju Victory Production Press Conference
2022.04.19.
The manager bowed his head, then opened his smartphone. Pretending to contact someone, he stepped out the front door.
He closed the door. Limping toward the stairs, he whispered.
“Once the production press conference happens, the casting is locked in.”
Of course, it could change midway. But even if he were with the production company, he wouldn’t let a rising star like this slip away.
Sa Hyeok had no idea. Cha Dowon couldn’t be stopped at this point.
“Idiot.”
The manager crouched in the apartment hallway. He had to at least pretend to do something, but he had no way. Besides, he didn’t even want to block the kid himself.
He brushed the recorder in his upper pocket.
‘He must’ve helped me out, right?’
How could he sabotage a kid like that?
The manager kneaded various parts of his body. His shin, bruised by Sa Hyeok, throbbed.
‘No, it’s not just the shin.’
Truth be told, his whole body ached. Sa Hyeok hadn’t hit just one spot. His cheek and nose hurt the most, for starters.
He quietly stared at his smartphone screen. A photo of his daughter and wife appeared.
“Sorry, honey.”
He was scared. But he couldn’t live like this anymore. With trembling hands, he pressed the call button for ‘Nearby Chicken Place.’
The dial tone rang. In a quivering voice, he barely managed one word.
“Hello.”
The manager’s voice echoed softly. He continued calmly.
“Cha Dowon gave me this number.”
Surprisingly, taking that first step made the rest easy. The manager calmly explained his situation.
***
The manager excitedly patted my shoulder, brushing off imaginary dust.
“This won’t cut it for press conference attire, will it?”
I shook my head.
“A decent suit should be fine, why?”
“Well, you need some accessories or something……?”
“This isn’t a stage outfit.”
“No, but you’ve gotta look the most handsome.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I’m not the star of this press conference. Let’s just blend in.”
I walked ahead and glanced at the stage. The press conference was a simple reporters’ room. But there were surprisingly many industry folks around.
‘Oh right, this was a big-budget film.’
That explained it. There were quite a few reporters too. That’s when someone called my name from behind.
“Dowon!”
I turned with a smile. The person who’d placed me here beamed brightly.
“How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been great. Our Dowon got here first, huh. Must’ve been waiting alone. Anyway, you’ve looked busy lately?”
“Ah, that. I’m free again now.”
“Oh my, really? Popularity already dropping?”
I shook my head slightly and whispered so only she could hear.
“Actually, I’m still busy.”
Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon smacked my shoulder with a laugh.
“You little rascal. I was worried.”
She immediately linked arms with me. I quietly slowed my steps.
“Heard you got an earful for my recommendation?”
“The director was fine, but that bastard Jeong Ji-seok called you a performer.”
Ah.
‘Jeong Ji-seok, huh.’
A famous middle-aged actor. One of the top five most seasoned in the industry right now. I’d heard plenty about him even before regressing.
‘Loves booze, great actor.’
In a way, the quintessential top star.
“I heard he’s not a bad guy.”
“He’s not bad. Just ruthless.”
What did that mean?
“I’m a bit worried about our Dowon. Felt like Jeong Ji-seok had it out for you.”
“Why?”
“You’re hot right now. He hates kids who can’t act.”
Huh.
“Do I suck at acting?”
“No way would I have picked you if so. Jeong Ji-seok just has it preset that all performers can’t act. But once he sees you perform, it’ll change right away.”
Tough customer.
“Trouble with the lead makes it rough for a supporting role.”
“Plus, Jeong Ji-seok plays your dad, right?”
“Ah, yeah.”
We’d be in scenes together constantly.
“A little concerning.”
Of course, I wasn’t worried. If it was about acting skill, that worked in my favor.
“Jeong Ji-seok has strong pride as an actor and is thorough about performance. No way he’d hate you. You can tell at a glance. Your acting is the real deal, right?”
I grinned broadly.
“Thanks for believing in me first. Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon.”
“You!”
Soon the director and Jeong Ji-seok entered. I bowed my head quickly, then lifted it.
“Ah, Cha Dowon!”
“Nice to meet you. The Zenith to you! Cha Dowon of Zenith.”
The director laughed, amused by the idol chant.
“I’m Lee Jung-man. You know me, right?”
“Of course, Director.”
“Press conferences are usually just the leads making a quick appearance. Sorry to drag you here like this.”
Ah.
I got the picture.
‘They’re short on investment funds.’
Trying to squeeze more by parading anyone with buzz.
I greeted Jeong Ji-seok too. But he wouldn’t meet my eyes at all. Deliberate snub.
‘Oh dear.’
I shrugged. Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon looked worried. I gave a small smile to show I was fine.
“Alright, let’s go!”
The director led us out. As the newbie, I hung at the very back.
The seasoned MC announced.
“Here come the cast.”
We advanced amid applause. Flashes popped from all sides.
“Cha Dowon, over here!”
“Cha Dowon, to the right!”
I happily posed and smiled as directed.
“The stars of Gwiju Victory. Director, what kind of film is Gwiju Victory?”
“Gwiju Victory revisits the life of a commoner swept into a massive war. The protagonist isn’t General Kang Gam-chan, but Yi Sae, the everyman.”
The film explanation continued.
‘And I’m Yi Sae’s son, Yi Jeong.’
Before regressing, I’d seen Gwiju Victory in theaters. So I knew the character Yi Jeong well. Or rather, there wasn’t much to know.
‘Such a short role.’
He just ran out yelling ‘Father!’ and got shot by an arrow. That was it.
But reading the script surprised me. The narrative was surprisingly solid.
‘The actor botched it, so they cut it in editing.’
Yi Jeong, son of the master archer Yi Sae. A boy with scholarly ambitions, blocked by his status. Yet he faces the era head-on, fighting the Khitans.
‘Yi Sae joins the battle because of ‘Yi Jeong.’’
Despairing of the world, Yi Sae takes up a proper bow only after his son dies.
The director looked at me and said.
“I think it’ll be a work where you can glimpse father-son love too.”
Reporters covered their mouths, chuckling. The MC followed up smoothly.
“Really makes you curious about the story. You all want to know more, right? Questions now. You there, in gray?”
Ah, questions already. I quietly focused.
“To Cha Dowon. Elementary graduation is your highest education, right? Not too tired these days?”
Me first? Why ask that?
‘They’re dying to know how much I’m raking in.’
Or probing if I’d brag like on a talk show.
I already had the perfect answer. I took the mic and smiled brightly.
“I was busy until a few days ago, but now I’m quite free. Hope I get busy again soon.”
Laughter rippled through the reporters.
The MC continued.
“Yes, next question. Red outfit there?”
“To Cha Dowon too. What do you think of Yi Jeong?”
Good question this time.
“When I first saw him, I felt his greatness. Even in desperate, harsh circumstances, he pushes forward. Yi Jeong knows well that a commoner going to war brings nothing back. He didn’t head to the battlefield for glory. He just couldn’t stand by while those around him died.”
An incredibly brave character.
I looked at Director Lee Jung-man and said.
“Honored to play a role like this.”
The bespectacled director grinned, pleased with my response.
‘I’m pretty good at character analysis.’
Flashes popped from reporters. The MC passed it on.
“Black outfit there?”
“To Jeong Ji-seok. Cha Dowon is a rising rookie star. How’s it feel having him as your son?”
Wow. Brutal.
‘That’s a question……?’
I let out a small sigh. Sure enough, Jeong Ji-seok glanced at me and replied.
“Feels meh. I figured since he’s an idol, he’d dance and sing here too. He’s not. Guess his character read is passable. Lucky. The director and Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon expect a singer, so he’ll do fine.”
Ouch.
‘In other words, why’s an idol lurking in acting territory?’
What to do. I’ll keep lurking, stake my claim, and endure.
I smiled sweetly. Seeing it, Jeong Ji-seok asked me.
“What do you think, Cha Dowon?”
Provocation.
“I’m an idol. But I want to act well too. Just acting perfectly would be boring.”
Reporters buzzed instantly. No surprise—they weren’t idiots.
‘They sense something’s up.’
I quietly stood from my seat.
Smiling as brightly as possible, I said.
“Of course, I sing and dance great too. As Jeong Ji-seok said for Yi Sae in Gwiju Victory, I’ll belt out a song. Requests welcome!”
No way they’d actually request, I thought, but a reporter shouted.
“If Our Meeting Were Like Coffee!”
Of all things, trot. Must be the rural life vibe. Gotta throw one in the next album or they’ll be disappointed.
“Alright, one song it is.”
I launched straight into the choreography a cappella.
“If our meeting were like coffee~ that could cool down~”
Glancing around, Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon covered her mouth laughing. The director turned away, shoulders shaking to hold it in. Jeong Ji-seok looked like he’d eaten shit.
‘See, lead actor? This is an idol.’
Even a cappella, nailing the song and dance got the reporters hyped. They started clapping the beat, now cheering outright.
“If our love were like a cup of coffee~”
Belting it solo, suddenly Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon stood. Like in Rural Life, she held out her hand.
‘Wants a spin again?’
I grinned and spun her gladly. She went three full turns, then sat laughing.
‘Never got why she loves it.’
Reporters went wild. Even the MC stared only at me now.
‘Idols who act well too. Isn’t 1+1 even better? Why treat concentrated talent like amateur?’
What gives you the right?
If idols acting bugs you, dance and sing yourselves. Or stone the casting director who picked me.
The song ended. Someone called for an encore, but I bowed.
“The Zenith to you! This has been Cha Dowon of Zenith.”
Cheers erupted instantly.
I returned to my seat amid the heat. Jeong Ji-seok, stunned, wouldn’t even look at me.
Meanwhile, the MC stuck to his job.
“Yes, next question. Film-related please. Brown hair there?”
Wow. Pro.
Next questions weren’t aimed at me. Fair enough after that show.
Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon next to me whispered.
“Dowon, they’ve got straight cams too.”
Huh.
‘Didn’t notice.’
Everything gets filmed these days.
“I caused a scene.”
Teacher Yoon Mi-hyeon smacked my shoulder, laughing at whatever amused her.
“Hohoho! You’d have done it knowing.”
Knows me too well.
“Busted.”
“Hohoho heheehihik!”
She covered her mouth, laughing for ages.
“How do you think the articles’ll run?”
“Hot, probably?”
“You really have insane buzz. Planned it?”
“Half and half. But Teacher, this one’s real.”
Watching the questioning reporters, I whispered softly.
“Today wasn’t on purpose.”