Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Do You All Trust Me?
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2022.05.11.
I lifted my head for a moment. The blue sky was cloudless.
“It's fine. From the start, Executive Director Joo.”
A chuckle escaped me.
“Is being a shaman's son a crime?”
-Of course it's not a crime.
“But I don't get why everyone's making such a fuss. I can't understand why the articles are so negative. Are all the reporters old-fashioned religious folks? Or is every newspaper in Korea a religious magazine?”
Well, there are actual religious media outlets.
Executive Director Joo let out a deep sigh.
-They're just nitpicking. Trying to stir up trouble to damage your marketability. Honestly, it's not your fault, Dowon.
“Thanks for the encouragement. Then I'll head back to filming.”
-Okay.
The call ended soon after. I handed the smartphone back to the manager.
“What, what did they say?”
“They'll try to suppress the articles for now.”
“This is insane. Dowon, are you okay?”
“What can I do if I'm not?”
The film crew was all staring at me.
‘News travels fast, huh?’
I flashed a bright smile. The director approached cautiously and asked,
“Sh-should we postpone filming? Want to take a break?”
“No. I'm fine, Director. The next scene is tough for Ji-seok anyway, not really on my acting.”
I gave Jung Ji-seok a playful eye smile.
“It's the part where that bastard holds the dead Yi-jeong and cries, right?”
Jung Ji-seok answered.
“Yeah.”
“I just have to lie there like a corpse, panting a bit.”
“That's harder than it sounds.”
“Is it? I'll be careful not to let my stomach move.”
I turned to the director.
“Let's go right away.”
“You sure you're okay?”
“Yes. Looking forward to working with you, Ji-seok.”
With that, I walked back toward the blue screen. Actor Jung Ji-seok glanced at me once, then dropped his gaze to the ground.
‘Getting into character again?’
Not my business.
Jung Ji-seok whispered softly.
“You're tough, huh.”
What was that supposed to mean?
As I stopped walking, Jung Ji-seok cupped my face with his hands.
“You really were a tough kid.”
“Ji-seok?”
“Director, see? My son grew up so strong. But if a kid like this died, I'd lose my mind, right?”
I couldn't make sense of it. Had Ji-seok lost it?
But the director replied naturally.
“Yeah, he'd break.”
“Ah, right. I'd break.”
I narrowed my eyes. The vibe from actor Jung Ji-seok felt a bit different.
‘Ah, got it. He's focusing.’
Jung Ji-seok looked at me again. I met his eyes and smiled brightly.
‘Then I'll play along.’
The actor playing Yi-sae laughed out loud.
“Yeah. Let's go, son.”
“Yes.”
I got down on the blue screen. Soon the director's voice rang out.
“Stand by, cue!”
I heard Jung Ji-seok's footsteps crunching on the fake leaves. I wasn't doing anything, but strangely, it felt like a fuse was lighting up in my head.
‘This is thrilling, almost chilling.’
A weird sensation washed over me. I didn't know what it was, but this scene was going to be amazing.
Jung Ji-seok's voice came.
“Jeong-ah.”
I held my breath quietly.
“Why are you here? It's cold.”
Jung Ji-seok's voice trembled.
“My baby. Why are you lying like this?”
My body was roughly turned forward. Droplets of moisture hit my cheek.
“Son. My baby. Get up. Why are you here? Why are you here!”
The emotional depth from this acting powerhouse was spine-tingling. Jung Ji-seok held me tight, at a loss.
“Cut!”
At the cut call, I opened my eyes. But Ji-seok still didn't let go.
“Ji-seok?”
The actor's eyes were still brimming with tears.
“Son, it's tough, huh?”
Oh dear. Still riding the afterglow of the scene.
“It's bearable.”
“The industry is tough by nature.”
I grinned.
“Anything that makes money is tough.”
Actors don't earn big for nothing.
Ji-seok helped me up. I steadied myself and patted the actor's arm.
“Don't worry too much.”
“Isn't this the first time something like this has blown up?”
“It is, but it'll keep happening. Whatever.”
“Our son has it rough.”
I shook my head immediately.
“Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. I don't plan on bending just because it's tough.”
I planned to stand right up and punch back at the enemy.
Sa-hyuk, you bastard. Things won't go your way.
‘But before that...’
I made eye contact with each crew member one by one. Then I bowed quietly.
“I might cause some external noise. Sorry about that.”
The director approached cautiously.
“No, Dowon. Don't apologize.”
“I'll resolve it quickly.”
“Aigoo. What a mature kid.”
“Trust me.”
As I lifted my head, some were dabbing at their eyes. No need for that. Such sensitive souls. I grinned and walked to the monitor.
“My scenes from Gui Ju Dae-cheop are all wrapped up.”
“Ah, this was Dowon's last one.”
“Yeah. Shame I won't be back on set.”
“Hey, come visit when you have time.”
“Yes, thank you.”
On the monitor, Ji-seok's acting was chillingly good. Ji-seok wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we reviewed it.
“Want to act with you again.”
“An honor.”
“What about you?”
As I unwrapped Ji-seok's arm, I said,
“With acting? Anytime.”
Ji-seok's face went blank. Uncle, you really love acting.
Didn't seem like we'd reshoot. I said goodbye to everyone and left the set.
‘War's coming.’
What to stockpile, what to unleash.
I smiled brightly at the manager. Maybe feeling guilty, the round-faced manager bowed his head deeply.
“Uh, Dowon.”
“Let's head back first.”
Schedules were still packed.
***
“Is it okay to be this chill?”
I sat on the sofa, reviewing lyrics. Kang Min-je had loaded up a ton of tracks this time; the recording volume was no joke.
“You okay?”
In front of me, Ki Jae-yoon fidgeted like a dog desperate to poop. He was so restless I asked directly.
“With what?”
“No, Cha Dowon, aren't you in crisis?”
Was I?
I thought it over and shook my head.
“With this?”
“They're always making noise about you being a shaman's son. Religious groups are saying our music is Satan's tunes.”
I chuckled. Vivid imagination.
“If I were a pastor's son, it'd be hymns, huh.”
I went back to memorizing lyrics. With my boosted memory, a few repeats stuck easily.
“Hey, Leader hyung!”
Ki Jae-yoon grabbed Yoo Ha-jin since I ignored him.
“Are we okay? If we keep belting out vocals like this and the album gets delayed, we're done.”
How's a guy with no parts straining his throat?
Yoo Ha-jin, sitting beside me, answered.
“Executive Director Joo said to keep going.”
He did.
“Then we keep going.”
“Ah, I'm gonna die! Am I the only one anxious?”
Lee Seung-jun replied.
“Yeah. Just you.”
“Wow, seriously! Why are you all like this?”
I set the lyrics aside and whispered.
“It's trust, Ki Jae-yoon.”
I looked around. The members' gazes were pretty earnest.
“Do you all trust me?”
Everyone but Ki Jae-yoon and Kang Min-je nodded at once.
Then the fox kid spoke.
“Still kinda worried.”
“You can't worry yet. Something bigger's coming.”
Kang Min-je's pupils shook.
“I've lived without sin, but the world has framing too.”
Yoo Ha-jin grabbed my arm.
“Some people see me as bad just 'cause I shot a lot of CFs.”
“You okay?”
“It's not time to say okay or not. It hasn't all hit yet.”
I smiled brightly around the room.
“So let's focus on recording.”
Ki Jae-yoon yelled.
“How do you focus in this mood!”
“That's why you have to. In idol life, smooth sailing is rare. It'll get worse the closer to the top.”
I patted Ki Jae-yoon.
“We're not reaching the top?”
“I want to.”
“Then focus on recording.”
Well, Ki Jae-yoon barely has parts anyway.
That's when the manager burst in.
“Do, Dowon! You mad ambitious bastard!”
As expected.
I stood up.
“Something blew up.”
“Th-that! Cough!”
The manager coughed nonstop, unable to speak. I eyed the sweat beading on Manager Heo Yongdam's forehead.
“What happened?”
“Your relative's interview dropped.”
I tilted my head.
“My relative? Aunt?”
“No, paternal side, they said?”
Laughter bubbled up. Fine. Play it that way?
“Then they'll trash me. What'd they say?”
“Cough! They said they're struggling financially, but you're an ungrateful grandson who won't share a dime.”
“Really? Weird. If they're so wronged, sue for money.”
But that wouldn't make headlines.
“Reporters aren't called trash for nothing.”
Especially entertainment reporters—rotten ones are the norm.
“What do we do, Dowon? Advertisers are freaking out.”
“Oh, really?”
“Big trouble. What now!”
I crossed my arms and looked at the members. Kang Min-je, Lee Seung-jun, even Yoo Ha-jin—all grim faces.
“What's Executive Director Joo say?”
“Go to the executive office ASAP. President's there too.”
“Good. Hajin hyung.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“You're leader. Come with. We need to know the situation.”
Yoo Ha-jin nodded and stood.
“Keep recording.”
Ki Jae-yoon muttered.
“How record in this mess.”
“Do it. You can if you try.”
To Kang Min-je, I said,
“Hyung, you trust me, right?”
“Yeah. In this stuff.”
“Thanks. Keep going then. I'll repay the trust. Break through somehow.”
I turned, patted a worried Lee Seung-jun's shoulder once, and slowly left the booth.
“What do we do, Dowon? Articles paint you as the world's worst scum.”
“I see.”
“Curses everywhere.”
“Yeah.”
“You okay?”
I chuckled.
Okay?
“Yeah.”
“Hey, how are you okay! In this!”
“That's why I am.”
“You're crazy again. You sure you're not nuts?”
“Never more sane. Head's clear.”
I headed to the elevator. Yoo Ha-jin trembled anxiously.
“It's fine, Leader hyung. I won't let us crash.”
“Dowon.”
“Ads won't drop. No penalties.”
The walk felt extra slow today. I crossed the hall and opened the executive office door.
‘They look serious.’
Rarely, Executive Director Joo didn't acknowledge me.
“Dowon's here.”
“Long time no see, President.”
“Ah, yeah.”
The round-eyed president offered a handshake. I took it leisurely and shook.
“Sit first.”
“How's the situation?”
Executive Director Joo answered.
“Bad. Advertisers throwing fits. Be straight: why are relatives doing this?”
“Not relatives.”
Joo's secretary handed water. Cold, judging by the condensation on the clear glass.
“Wh-what's that mean?”
“Not in the article, right? Mom divorced. Household registry's with her already.”
Joo rubbed his forehead.
“W-wait. So barely any ties?”
“Of course not. They came to the funeral home. Left quick.”
I recalled the thinning hair. Not that long ago, but with everything, it felt distant.
The president asked.
“But why the fuss?”
“Why ask something so obvious? Vulgar.”
I smiled brightly.
“I blew up. My face everywhere, ads all over TV.”
Joo sighed deeply.
“You've seen this, running an idol company.”
“Who hasn't? Parents grabbing kids' hard-earned cash to shut up—plenty.”
“Exactly that.”
“What to do, really. But Dowon.”
Joo's lips quivered.
“No matter how innocent you are, can't block this. It'll snowball.”
“Let it.”
“Then disaster. Album now?”
“Not really.”
I rested my chin, smiling.
“Album drops on my timing. Perfectly.”
“With this mess?!”
Surprisingly timid.
“No way out!”
“Why no way?”
To the president, I said,
“Frontal assault.”
“How?”
“Prepare a press conference.”