Chapter 104

The drawings on their faces are already starting to smudge. "If redoing it takes five minutes, fixing the smudges should be even faster, right?" - Exactly. Shin Eun-ha shouted.

"Me too!" - What? - Me too! Full makeup! - You're not doing any activities these days. "I have a movie premiere in a few days. Do my full makeup too!" - Go to a salon. They'll do it better. "Salons take forever! Oppa Gang-in does it fast! Five minutes, right?" - I keep telling you, it doesn't last... "Then just touch it up often! Oppa! Please do mine too!"

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day, Na Gang-in visited SAH Entertainment

He had arranged to discuss the Baekhansuryeo CF with their representatives in one of the company's meeting rooms. The meeting was scheduled for the afternoon. Na Gang-in arrived early on purpose to grab lunch. AI Jeon Ji-in said. - This cafeteria is always so abundant and delicious, as expected. Na Gang-in said while eating. "It's even tastier because it's free." - Visit often, then. Shin Eun-ha sat across from him, eating together, and asked. "You'll do my makeup too, right?" "It might look similar at a glance, but up close, a salon's work is better

You might regret letting me do it." "If it turns out bad, you'll fix it quick." "Fine. Pick one you liked from before and bring a photo or video. If it's a photo, give me ones from multiple angles." Shin Eun-ha beamed. "Got it!" Manager Park Woo-seop, who was eating with them, worried. "Eun-ha, even Gang-in says Cheongdam-dong salons are better. Wouldn't it be best to go there?" "Does the company cover the cost?" "No, this is your personal appearance, so the company..." "Then tell the company to mind their own business

I'll handle it." "Well, suit yourself. I saw yesterday's performance video too, and Gang-in did a good job." The four Puff Girls came to the cafeteria for lunch and spotted them. The four rushed over and greeted. "Oh! Hello!" Last time, Puff Girls had greeted Shin Eun-ha first, but this time they greeted Na Gang-in. Na Gang-in waved. "Hey. Enjoy your meal." "Yes!" Whispers rose from here and there. "Who's that guy making them act like this?" "You don't know Na Gang-in? He caught a wild boar yesterday to save Puff Girls." "Oh! That's the guy from the video?" "I knew it the moment I saw him." "Whoa, first time seeing Na Gang-in in person

I figured he'd be huge, but he looks surprisingly sleek." "I like that build just fine." "Does he have a girlfriend? Whoever she is, she's lucky." Shin Eun-ha giggled. "Hee hee." Park Woo-seop asked. "What's got you grinning?" "Nothing. Hee hee."

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Baekhansuryeo's president's daughter, Baek Mi-so, arrived. She handed over her business card. "I'm Baek Mi-so, deputy from the PR department. We've agreed that as long as there are no special issues from the company, we'll approve whatever's decided in today's meeting." Manager Park Woo-seop gave his card too

"I occasionally help with Na Gang-in's work." "Yes. But why is Shin Eun-ha here...?" Shin Eun-ha, sitting in a corner of the meeting room, waved. "Oh, I'm like an assistant manager. Don't mind me." The CF production PD had also come to the meeting. He gave Na Gang-in his card and greeted. "I've heard a lot about you. Haha." "What kind of stories did you hear?" "Pardon? Oh, the beverage ad. I heard about what happened on that shoot, and I was impressed watching the ad too." Na Gang-in declared. "Then you get it

I won't wear tights this time." Last time, he'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had to wear green tights because of CG. "Pardon? No, that's..." The meeting began. They discussed how to shoot the ad. The CF production team brought three concepts. The third storyboard required several people. "Hmm..." Na Gang-in looked at the third storyboard and suggested. "Since it's sports cosmetics, how about using eight idols with good athleticism? Half guys, half girls." The PD looked troubled. "Pardon? Eight people? That's too many. Cost issues too..." "They're cheap." The PD's face brightened

"Oh, really? But who exactly...?" Na Gang-in had met Puff Girls and Angel Warrior Squad yesterday. Na Gang-in quietly asked. "What do you think from yesterday?" AI Jeon Ji-in answered. - They have better athletic ability than average people. With systematic training, they'd make decent soldiers. "Does that systematic training include sporty stuff?" - Plenty. Na Gang-in told the CF PD. "This company has two idol teams. I know them personally, and they're good at sports." "So you're saying these idols can handle action?" "Well..

something like that."

"Model fees are cheap, so that's solved. Good action means good footage. But for cosmetics ads, we really need high-profile people..."

Baek Mi-so interjected.

"Yesterday, videos of this company's two idol teams were all over the internet."

Na Gang-in asked.

"Did you see the performance video?"

"No, the wild boar hunt. Could we reference that for our CF? That video blew up online, so as long as the fees aren't outrageous, I'm all for it."

The CF PD said.

"If the client says so, I won't object."

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ They left the meeting room

Baek Mi-so said. "Then I'll head out." Na Gang-in pointed to the elevator. "You first." Puff Girls and Angel Warrior Squad passed by and spotted them. The Angel Warrior Squad quickly greeted Na Gang-in. "Hello, hyungnim!" "Hey. But why do I always see you guys here at the company?" Puff Girls' maknae Choi Ji-hye quickly answered. "Food's free here. We can hang in the practice rooms when they're empty. Computers in the break room too." "Practically living here, huh?" "Hee hee." Baek Mi-so subtly asked

"Oh, Gang-in. Are these the ones?" The eight quickly greeted. "Hello!" Baek Mi-so waved with a smile. "Nice to meet you. See you again soon." "Pardon?" The CF PD scanned the eight up and down, then grinned wide. "Perfect." They took the elevator down. The eight idols bowed politely. Then one asked. "Who were they?" "No idea." Manager Park Woo-seop said. "Here for CF negotiations." Maknae Choi Ji-hye envied. "Whoa, someone else shooting a CF. Lucky." "You guys are." "Us, nim?" Park Woo-seop laughed and explained

"No contract signed yet, but talks are basically done. Just need approval from each company." "Whoa! Whoa? Waak?" Park Woo-seop quickly added. "Of course, fees are super low. Low-budget CF to start, and with eight of you splitting one person's fee, plus CG cuts." Only after hearing the low fees did the eight idols realize it was real. "Kyaaak!" "Euaak!" "Uwaaaak!" "Kyahaha!" The eight screamed in unison. Office staff, actors, and singers there for business came out to the hallway, wondering what was up

Park Woo-seop briefly explained. "These kids are shooting a CF." People laughed and said. "Congrats." "Nice one." The eight idols bowed repeatedly to everyone. "Thank you!" "Thank you!" Shin Eun-ha watched and said. "Reminds me of the old days." Na Gang-in asked. "When?" "My first minor role in a commercial film, first role with lines, first supporting role, first CF, first award." "You've had a lot of 'firsts' like that." "Someday it'll be my first lead role and first grand prize. Bet that'll be thrilling too

And my first Hollywood breakthrough..." "Eun-ha. I get it, stop."

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Park Woo-seop reported to SAH president Seo Jae-hyun. "In conclusion, we've decided to put all eight from Puff Girls and Angel Warrior Squad in the Baekhansuryeo CF. Fees are minimal." Seo Jae-hyun waved it off. "Cosmetics CF. Sports line, not beauty, but it'll boost the kids' recognition even a bit. Fees aren't an issue." "Yes. For the CF music, we're using Na Gang-in's 'Walking Again Today,' and he'll handle their action too." "Any other issues?" "None

We just need your approval, sir. Baekhansuryeo's rep has full authority, so it'll sail through. Production follows their lead." Seo Jae-hyun leaned back in his chair. "Park Manager, when that guide recording leaked, I thought we were screwed." "Me too." "Heard Na Gang-in does no events or TV, and my gut sank. Can't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠exactly grab him by the collar... guy's scary?" "Grab Na Gang-in by the collar? You'd die, sir." "I know. Half-given up..." Seo Jae-hyun grinned wide. "And it all falls into place? Felt bad for our kids not breaking through, but how'd it suddenly smooth out?" "From what I've seen, hanging around ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Gang-in means danger, but tons of good stuff too

Get friendly with him, sir." "Eh... I'm a bit scared, so you buddy up. Gifts like luxury snack sets or meal vouchers—nothing burdensome." "Snacks and cooking? I mooch off him..." "Huh?" "Nothing, sir."

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The manager for Puff Girls and Angel Warrior Squad is one person, usually handling other singers. Only jumps in when idols have work. SAH doesn't mistreat idols specifically. Company runs that way. Shin Eun-ha's manager Park Woo-seop handles two other actors too. After president Seo Jae-hyun's approval, the manager explained to the eight idols

"You're shooting Baekhansuryeo's sports cosmetics ad." Choi ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ji-hye's jaw dropped. "The one only top beauties do—for us?!" "Beauty line for those beauties. Yours is sports. You eight fighting a beast like a wild boar." Maknae Choi Ji-hye clapped. "Whoa! Yesterday's boar was a lucky dream!" Puff Girls leader So Ji-young said. "That wasn't a dream. You were in real danger." Choi Ji-hye asked the manager. "So we fight beasts too?" "Think we'd make you? Beast's CG, obviously." Angel Warrior Squad leader Nam Jeong-sik said

"That hyung saved us from the boar yesterday, so we get the CF. Bow deep next time." The manager said. "It's thanks to Na Gang-in. He pushed for you in today's meeting." "Pardon?" "Training for CF prep? He'll do it personally. His action direction is a contract condition." "Pardon?" "You know he's the singer Ddaengddaeng?" "Paaardon?" "What? Why do you know nothing?" Choi Ji-hye suddenly declared. "I'll do folder bows, not navel!" "Me too!" "Me too!"

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Five agents came to learn Total Kwon Do from Na Gang-in

Na Gang-in said to police agent Park Sun-gi. "Thanks to your help last time, things resolved smoothly." When the explosive November B materials leaked, quick site control was thanks to agent Park Sun-gi coordinating everywhere. Park Sun-gi laughed and shook his head. "Aigoo, without Master Na, it'd have been a disaster. I'm grateful. Got tons of praise from higher-ups too. Haha." An intelligence agent chimed in. "If that truck blew, direct casualties projected in hundreds, thousands if buildings involved." Min Young-hee, who was there then, nodded

"Yeah. I was there—if it went off, I'd be dead." She added softly. "Maybe I should stab Master Na? Just bypass Shin Eun-ha and Lee Bora..." Bodyguard Choi Nam-su, right beside her, clicked his tongue. "No cure for idiots."