Chapter 189
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Request
Kwak Chan-seok and Kwak Yu-seon knew how good Na Gang-in's party mix snacks tasted. The two didn't hesitate to take one each.
The vocal trainer was seeing party mix snacks for the first time today.
Weight management for PPF Girls wasn't her responsibility, so she didn't bother stopping them from sneaking the gifted snacks out.
She took one and tried it, then her eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh my. This is really delicious."
Choi Ji-hye boasted.
"Right? Eun-ha unnie says the teacher's cooking skills are insane. Apparently, whenever the teacher hops into the food truck on set, everyone cheers like crazy."
The vocal trainer only knew that Na Gang-in was the singer Ddangddang. She'd heard a few stories from PPF Girls bragging, but even they didn't know everything about him.
The vocal trainer munched on her free snack and said,
"This reminds me of that show. Did you watch Masked Chef?"
Choi Ji-hye shot her hand up.
"I did! The food there looked so tasty, didn't it?"
"Exactly!"
"Especially that dessert the Iron Chef made at the very end. I really want to see it in person and taste it myself."
"Too bad, but that's impossible."
"Even if we get famous and can pay top dollar for that cake?"
The vocal trainer shook her head.
"No way. People online dug into it, and there's nowhere selling that dessert."
Choi Ji-hye slumped her shoulders and pouted.
"I was really hoping to try it if we made it big. Ugh, if success doesn't even mean that, practice feels pointless. Can we call it a day?"
Na Gang-in spoke up.
"Where'd you learn to haggle like that? Think that'll get you out of practice?"
"Ah. Busted."
"But you're pretty good at acting, huh?"
"Me? Heh. Got talent for that? Then hook me up with a cameo or something?"
"No. You got time to look elsewhere? Focus on your singing."
"Yes, sir."
Na Gang-in ate at the SAH Entertainment cafeteria.
PPF Girls joined him for lunch. They got separate diet meals provided by the company.
The maknae Choi Ji-hye picked at her chicken breast and salad as she asked,
"But teacher, you're such a great cook—why eat at the company cafeteria?"
"I like other people's cooking better."
AI Jeon Ji-in preferred instant ramen cooked by someone else over her own grilled steak. Naturally, she loved anything tastier than ramen. Her absolute favorite was the food at Restaurant Penelope.
Na Gang-in wasn't quite that extreme, but he shared the preference for others' cooking when possible.
Shin Eun-ha's manager Park Woo-seop scooped his meal and turned, spotting Na Gang-in.
"Oh? Gang-in."
Park Woo-seop set his tray at the table next to Na Gang-in's.
"Since you're here, why not stamp that contract?"
"I told you, no."
Choi Ji-hye asked Na Gang-in,
"Teacher, you haven't signed the featuring contract yet? Aren't you doing our feature?"
Park Woo-seop explained.
"Not that. Gang-in's acting is no joke. Last time at the Namyangju set, I saw it and was blown away—begged him to sign on the spot. Fell on deaf ears."
Choi Ji-hye clapped like a seal.
"Whoa. He sings great, does makeup perfect, works out like a pro, and now acting too?"
"That's not even the half of it... Never mind."
"Why? What else?"
"You'd get hurt knowing."
Park Woo-seop changed the subject, asking Na Gang-in,
"Tomorrow's shoot has the Bok Kyung-san general scene too."
"Tomorrow it's manager, not general. Namyangju set was general; Seoul shoot is modern."
"Right. That general scene was so impactful, keeps slipping out. Haha. Ji-hye? Put that down."
Maknae Choi Ji-hye had been sneaking side dishes from Na Gang-in's tray during their chat and got caught red-handed.
"Just one bite?"
"Nope."
"I'm still growing!"
"They factor that into your diet."
"They just give extra grass and tough meat."
"You get fruit too."
"Cherry tomatoes are veggies, not fruit!"
Leader So Ji-hye poked Choi Ji-hye's side and whispered,
"Hey, cut it out."
"No, unnie. We gotta push back on this... "
"Not today. You know."
"Oh."
PPF Girls' four members needed to smuggle Na Gang-in's party mix snacks out of the building.
Choi Ji-hye gave up nagging Park Woo-seop.
Instead, she asked Na Gang-in,
"Teacher, you're amazing at cooking, right? Can't you make tasty food that doesn't make you gain weight?"
Na Gang-in whispered,
"Ji-in, any tasty diet food?"
"Fair enough."
"Perfect for salad."
"Uh..."
Na Gang-in told Choi Ji-hye,
"No such thing. Tough luck."
The next day, Na Gang-in headed to the Seoul street set for Fate's Spear.
The film company's office couldn't double as a set. They provided a nicely furnished conference room at best.
Director Byun Hyeong-chan rented an empty office in Jongno, decked it out, and used it as the set.
Last time, Na Gang-in played General Bok Kyung-san, locked in fierce combat with the protagonist. He'd stepped in because the original actor got in a car accident.
But once he took the role, he had to film a few other scenes with the same character.
"Lucky Bok Kyung-san doesn't have many scenes, and they're short."
"You help with my acting."
"Recite a textbook then?"
Lead actress Shin Eun-ha approached.
"Wow, oppa Gang-in. The suit looks perfect on you."
"Character's look is the same past and present."
Na Gang-in pointed to his hair.
"Except hairstyle and beard."
Modern managers with long flowing hair weren't unheard of. But keeping Na Gang-in's would force other actors to match the historical style.
So Byun Hyeong-chan went modern on everyone's current hairstyles and shaved beards clean.
Na Gang-in hadn't done makeup yet. Short duration, so right before shooting.
Shin Eun-ha looked disappointed.
"Sucks we can't act together."
Both shooting today, no shared scenes.
"You'd be let down acting with me."
"Why?"
"My acting's the issue."
"Looked great last time?"
"I act okay in fights. This is everyday stuff—my weak spot."
Na Gang-in's scenes started.
Gong Ji-hyeon panted heavily on the company stairwell.
Disguised Na Gang-in climbed the stairs and spotted her.
"Oh, So-yeon?"
"Ah, Manager Bok."
Bok Kyung-san managed the team next to So-yeon's.
"How'd you know I hate 'Belly General' and call me that?"
"Pardon? No, it's not..."
"Heh. Kidding. Kidding."
"But why stairs, manager...?"
"Walking up for exercise. That's why no belly. Heh heh."
"Ah, yes."
"Why you here panting? That earlier thing?"
"Yes. I messed up..."
AI Jeon Ji-in couldn't assist every action.
The script floated before his eyes. Na Gang-in just read it. But flat delivery would sound like a textbook.
This next line, though, he related to.
"Not your fault. Company's the problem."
"But it was my task?"
"Forcing rookie work on a newbie. Expecting five-year vet skills from a first-year? Can't pay full, fine—at least treat like a third-year. They don't. It's okay. Not on you."
Bok Kyung-san kept climbing as he said,
"Shh, secret from others? Bosses are petty; hear this, they'll hassle me. Heh heh."
Bok Kyung-san pushed through the steel door. Alone on the stairs, So-yeon's expression brightened a bit.
"Wish my manager had half of Manager Bok's chill vibe."
That wrapped Na Gang-in's shoot for the day.
Byun Hyeong-chan approached, grinning.
"Man, felt great."
"Acting never gets comfy."
"You nailed it. Great voice, expressions."
AI Jeon Ji-in's doing.
"Perfect vibe too. Exactly what I wanted."
"Morning shoot's done for me. See you afternoon."
He left the office set without removing makeup. Outside, he sighed.
"Phew. Got through it."
"My acting's not that bad."
"I handled the emotions. What if I was too good and director adds lines? Trouble."
"See? You think I did well too."
Out now, but nothing immediate.
"Kill time somewhere, head back for afternoon shoot."
"What to do meantime?"
"Lunch with Eun-ha at noon. She's working too—if I eat first, she'll sulk."
"Digest that quick?"
"Earth Union Strategic Special Forces' cutting-edge tech! More food for me!"
"Where's the spot?"
Na Gang-in walked toward the restaurant AI Jeon Ji-in indicated. But after a few steps, his phone rang. Caller: police trainee Park Soon-gi from Total Kwon Do class.
"Hello."
Park Soon-gi's voice was frantic.
"Master Na! Where are you? Seoul?"
"Around Jongno."
"Yes! So close! Heaven sent you!"
"Heaven helping how?"
"Sending a car. Come here first, then talk? Hard over phone."
"Mm. Okay."
Na Gang-in shared his location and hung up.
"Something up? Why call so urgently?"
"Right? Maybe consulting me?"
Gong Ji-hyeon had acted in office attire today. She stepped out in costume.
"Saw you leave, where'd you go?"
Past: warrior So-yeon. Present: office worker So-yeon. Key supporting roles, not lead. Fewer scenes than stars.
One more shoot left for her, hours away. Shared with Na Gang-in.
She followed him out to spend time till then, ask afternoon acting tips.
"Where... Ah! There."
She spotted Na Gang-in by the roadside and headed over. Sirens blared from the street.
"Fire somewhere?"
She turned. Not fire truck—police car speeding with lights.
"Dispatch to a scene...?"
The car screeched to a halt right at Na Gang-in. Uniformed officer hopped out, saluted.
"Why's police saluting the teacher...?"
Na Gang-in got in the back. The police car peeled out quietly, no siren this time.
Her eyes shook watching it go.
"Teacher's a martial arts director and actor—why the salute and police ride?"