Chapter 93
Chapter 93
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: What the Public Wants to See
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2022.05.04.
Ki Jaeyoon plopped down on my bed. With three of us squeezed onto the small bed, it felt incredibly cramped.
“Manager assault? Was Sa Hyeok a thug or something?”
“Sa Hyeok’s just a top star. But it’s not like only thugs hit people, right?”
“R-Really? But Dowon, you must be happy. You hated Sa Hyeok.”
“Well, it’s good that he’s ruined.”
Anyone who uses violence deserves to pay the price.
‘Wonder if Manager’s gonna cash in big on this.’
The more he takes, the better.
“Wow, look at this. Articles are blowing up everywhere. They’re denying it’s Sa Hyeok?”
“Deny all they want—the bus has already left. Even if it’s not true, excuses won’t fly anymore.”
“Why?”
Ki Jaeyoon asked while eyeing my tonic packets.
“Because the public wants to see him fall.”
Lee Seungjun’s gaze sharpened.
“Explain in detail.”
“Sa Hyeok’s always been full of himself. He’s popular across Asia, a great actor, and his looks are decent enough. But he’s no humble guy. He could’ve hidden it, but he laid it all out there in variety shows and interviews.”
Confidence is fine, sure.
“But some people found him obnoxious. One person thinks that, it’s nothing—but if it’s a crowd, it becomes the public. And when something like this hits, they’ll pour it on relentlessly.”
I scrolled through the articles.
“When handling scandals like this, you need the public on your side for any chance of a comeback.”
But does Sa Hyeok even have that skill?
“Philosophical.”
“There’s no philosophy here. It’s just human nature.”
“You’re so smart. Impressive.”
You’re the impressive one for being a celebrity without knowing this stuff.
I shook my head at Ki Jaeyoon. I’d have to mark this kid from 1 to 99 or he’d be in trouble.
Lee Seungjun checked the articles I’d seen and asked,
“Is there an entertainer who could flip even this situation?”
“Who knows. If they’re clever enough, maybe.”
“You could.”
Was that a compliment? I pondered it.
“The best is avoiding this mess altogether, right? Though if it hits out of nowhere, no choice.”
As Seungjun and I talked, Ki Jaeyoon had already peeled open a tonic packet and gulped it down.
“This is tasty.”
No way tonic tastes good.
‘This kid’s impressive in her own weird way.’
He’d call even spoiled food delicious. Probably chew through iron too.
I shook my head and set my smartphone down. Sa Hyeok’s ordeal was just beginning.
***
“Father, I can’t stand seeing more scum like you pop up.”
Lee Jeong, the character I played, was a kid full of heart. I grabbed Jung Jiseok, who played Lee Saekyeok, by the sleeve and said,
“I can’t just watch. I’m going. Father.”
“You fool! You think war is child’s play?!”
“Better than being a coward!”
Lee Jeong turned and ran off. The director yelled right away.
“Cut! Great!”
Jung Jiseok grinned at me.
“Son, let’s check the monitor.”
My face twisted, but he didn’t care. He grabbed my shoulder, humming as he dragged me to the monitor.
The director watched us and said,
“You two really get along now, huh?”
“You don’t know how adorable he is.”
Ah, damn it.
I shot the director a desperate pleading look. But he just kept laughing like it was hilarious.
“Don’t torment our Dowon too much.”
“Who’d torment our Dowonie?”
You. It’s you, right now. Jung Jiseok.
“I’m treating him like my own son.”
“Hey, that’s what’s tormenting him.”
“Uhahahahaha. Isn’t that even cuter?”
I sighed deeply, as if the ground might swallow me. I wanted to protest, but seniority won out. Damn it. The movie needs to wrap soon so I can escape.
That’s when the manager approached.
“Dowon. Got time?”
“No more shoots lined up. What’s up?”
“Come for a sec.”
Not just a sec—if it meant escaping Jung Jiseok, I’d do it forever. I bolted to the manager like I’d been waiting.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing major, but I still gotta take you.”
What’s that mean?
I stared blankly, and he let out a huge sigh. He glanced around and whispered,
“Sa Hyeok’s manager is here.”
Whoa. Totally unexpected.
‘He seemed to be handling it fine.’
The media feud dragged on. This wasn’t Sa Hyeok’s manager’s doing—it screamed aunt’s handiwork.
‘Why seek me out now?’
I climbed into the familiar van I rode daily, and there was Sa Hyeok’s manager. He stood up the moment he saw me and smacked his head on the ceiling.
“Ow!”
“Why stand up in the car?”
“Habit...”
Sa Hyeok’s manager clutched his head and smiled awkwardly.
“Hello, Manager. Good to see you again.”
“Yeah. Hope you’ve been well? You’ve been in the news so much, I was thrilled.”
“Well, with the tide turning, Friends had to paddle hard. What brings you?”
“Came to say thanks.”
No need.
“You hooked me up with a great lawyer. Truly grateful.”
Ah, that was worth thanks. My aunt’s good at what she does.
“Pretty flashy, huh? How’re you holding up?”
Sa Hyeok wouldn’t hold back, yet this guy seemed fine.
“Yeah. Would’ve been tough alone, but luckily the lawyer got me bodyguards too.”
Good for him. Aunt’s the best.
“Should end well somehow.”
“Congrats.”
“But I’m wondering what ‘somehow’ is best.”
The manager fidgeted with his hands. I leaned back on the van seat.
‘I get the gist.’
Settlement or press charges. Something like that.
“Do what you want.”
“Sa Hyeok offered too much to refuse.”
“How much?”
“500 million.”
Whoa. Big money.
“What should I do? If you were me, Dowon, what would you pick?”
I couldn’t help a chuckle.
“No clue. I’m not you, Manager.”
The timid man smiled faintly.
“I see.”
“Everyone chooses what fits their situation.”
“Sa Hyeok’s desperate. If he can’t contain this, top-star status is gone.”
“Half gone already.”
“He won’t go quietly. He’s got grit—one of his few virtues.”
Fair enough. His manager knows him best.
“Sa Hyeok wants you to shut up going forward?”
“Yes. Silence the moment he pays settlement.”
“What’s the lawyer—aunt—say?”
“She’ll respect my choice.”
Typical aunt.
“What’ll you do?”
“Dowon.”
The ex-manager sighed deeply.
“Deep down, I want to push through. Watch his career crumble, see him sentenced.”
Of course.
“But life’s at stake. 500 million’s huge—more than I’d earn in a lifetime. Lost my job, need living expenses now.”
“What’s the family say?”
“Wife says do what I want.”
Sweet lady.
“I need your advice, Dowon.”
I shook my head with a bitter smile.
“A middle schooler’s advice won’t help much.”
“You’re the one who got me out of there, in a way.”
“Overpraise, and scary. What’d I do? No way. Without your resolve, nothing. You walked out yourself.”
The weary man smiled faintly.
“Still, you showed me the path.”
“Even so, advice? I’m not qualified.”
“Then say whatever, lightly.”
Even light words from me would weigh heavy on you.
‘No choice.’
I rested my chin and thought. A brief silence filled the van.
I spoke carefully.
“Movies and novels say fight for justice to the end. But that’s fiction.”
Real life’s different.
“I’d take the money.”
“Won’t that seem cowardly?”
“Cowardly to whom? Yourself?”
The timid man’s jaw trembled.
‘Nailed it.’
I smiled deliberately.
“Still, I’d take the money.”
“Mind if I ask why?”
“Never been broke. When I was, everyone around me suffered.”
I thought of my sister, who’d been a nurse.
‘Sis could’ve gone to med school as a nurse.’
If she’d kept saving her salary.
“Me suffering’s fine. But those around me? That’s different.”
Endless part-time jobs changed nothing. Days of realizing it was too late.
“Of course, assuming they actually pay 500 million.”
“I see.”
“You’re the head of a household, Manager.”
I smiled at him. Sa Hyeok’s manager swallowed hard and bowed his head.
“Thanks for the time on something trivial. You’re busy.”
“Nah, got time for this.”
“Oh, your aunt said call her.”
Oops.
‘Yeah, been a while since I called.’
Call now, get scolded. Later, still scolded. Eh, later it is.
“Working with Sa Hyeok made me think—how fun would it be with someone like you?”
Whoa. I shook my head.
“Tell your current manager that—he’d laugh.”
“You’re a sentimental guy, Dowon.”
Lord help me.
“Zenith members hear that, they’ll avert eyes and curse.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Guarantee it.”
Sa Hyeok’s ex-manager nodded with a smile.
“Still, I’d love to work with you once.”
“Then after this, join Friends Entertainment. They’re hurting for staff.”
Not my call, the company’s.
“Hahaha. Thanks for the words. I’ll head out.”
“Yeah. Take care, stay strong.”
The paper-thin manager exited the van. He even bowed deeply as he left.
‘Awkward.’
What’d I even do?
I bowed back, but felt off.
Honestly, him pushing charges fully would’ve suited me better.
‘But his life matters more.’
Outrage and justice need money.
What even is money?
Bitterness rose after ages.
***
‘Sure, I’m doing well now...’
Still, better paddle harder when the tide’s in.
I shook my head and stepped out. For some reason, I missed Sis today.
***
Zenith’s Manager Heo Yongdam peeked out like a meerkat. The talk was dragging—no sign of anyone emerging from the van.
‘Wonder what they’re saying.’
Burning curiosity, but he couldn’t intrude. He retracted and stared holes into the van.
Then.
“Manager?”
Heo Yongdam jolted like a lightning-struck goose.
“Huh? Oh, this manager. What brings you?”
“Brought Cha Dowon’s next schedule outfits. What’s going on?”
Heo smiled awkwardly, averting his eyes.
“Thanks for the clothes. I’ll dress him and send him. Oh, nothing big. Dowon’s just wasting affection needlessly.”
This manager tilted her head.
“Wasting affection?”
“He’s ambitious and sly, but weirdly sentimental. Our Dowon. That’s why elders love him—so much.”
“What do you mean?”
This manager didn’t get it at all.
“He doesn’t know. Only he doesn’t. Kinda cute, though.”
This manager asked again.
“Uh, explain...”
Heo Yongdam said his piece regardless.
“This manager doesn’t know one thing. Our Dowon can’t get mad easily. Funny for such a tough guy. Jung Jiseok sticks like glue, drives him nuts, but he can’t shake him off.”