Chapter 100
Chapter 100
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Clinging Mornings and Photobook Plans
-----------------------------------------------------------------
An early morning call from the agency president forced me awake bright and early.
My mind still wasn't fully there yet.
Just a bit hazy?
Still not wanting to get up, I kept my eyes closed and let time pass.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
How much time had gone by?
I cracked my eyes open and turned my head.
The wall clock showed it was already well past 9 a.m.
"Ah, should I get up now..."
It was right as I started to sit up.
Hold on.
Suddenly, fragments of my conversation with the president swirled in my head like a jigsaw puzzle.
It had been something important...
"Hmm..."
Still lying down, I blinked and slowly pieced the memory together.
Ah, right.
He'd gotten permission to use the photos commercially and was contacting the company right away to make a photobook.
Yeah, that sounded right.
So, when would it go on sale?
I wanted to buy one as soon as possible. Seeing it in a photobook would be way better than on my phone.
'I'll call later and ask.'
Time to get up and make breakfast. I pushed aside my thoughts and hauled my heavy body upright, but it still felt weighed down.
'As expected.'
Once again, Yu-na was glued to my chest.
"Sigh, you're not a newborn anymore."
Maybe that's why I didn't mind these mornings? A smile crept onto my face unbidden.
"Let's see how long you can hold on like this."
Step. Step.
With Yu-na stuck to me like a sticker, I circled the living room.
I made sure to support her bottom lightly so she wouldn't fall. It'd be a disaster if she slipped and got hurt.
Every time her little lips smacked, her chubby cheeks jiggled faintly.
'They look like they'd pop if I poked them.'
It was a day off from kindergarten, so no need to wake Yu-na early. But I couldn't take her to the set either.
It was time to get her used to being apart from me.
After moving around a bit, I noticed Yu-na's eyebrows twitching.
She must be awake.
'If you're up, open your eyes already.'
Should I tease her a little?
I extended one finger and poked her side. She flinched and loosened her tiny grip.
Poke. Poke.
Her lips quivered faintly.
A bit more?
Poke. Poke. Poke.
"Eek hee hee hee. S-stop it!"
"Yu-na, if you keep clinging like this, Dad can't get ready to go out."
"Mmmph. Yu-na too... wants to go with you."
"Next time. Let's go together next time."
"Aww... It's always 'next time'..."
Her lips puckered out like a duck's.
Even her pout was unbearably cute. I couldn't stop smiling.
I gently set the now-awake Yu-na down and stroked her hair.
"Want to have a quick breakfast with Dad?"
"...Bean rice again today?"
"Nope. Let's keep it simple with bread."
Yu-na's face lit up.
Her pout vanished.
"Woo-hoo! Yay! Awesome!"
Can't resist her.
Lee Jun-seo, who had racked up sky-high ratings on every project, was now famous enough that practically no one didn't know him.
[Monster Rookie Lee Jun-seo. Will He Claim the Top Spot Again?] [A Rookie Lead Amid Veteran Stars... Is This Right?] [Director Han Mun-jin Says: Lee Jun-seo Really Is a Monster. He Doesn't Shrink Back Even in Front of Seniors.] [The Young Dad Actor's Path. How Far Will He Grow?]
Scanning all the articles online, most were favorable.
Just two years... His fame had skyrocketed in such a short time. Was it his looks?
Or the unique situation of having a daughter so young?
His acting chops?
Probably all of it combined.
That's what Do Bong-seok thought.
"He's really... something else."
Do Bong-seok, who'd been scrolling through Lee Jun-seo-related articles, leaned back from his chair.
Then he pulled up the photo Lee Jun-seo had sent on his computer screen. No matter how many times he looked at it, it never got old.
'A photo with a dreamlike vibe.'
How did they edit it so it looked different depending on the viewer's mood?
When he was down, it synced with the wistful atmosphere, drawing tears unbidden.
When exhausted, the ethereal mood pulled him in, filling him with energy.
'If only he'd worn a hanbok...'
That was the one regret.
It had such an Eastern flair.
"Should I suggest a historical drama next time? He could pull off this vibe..."
Do Bong-seok pondered briefly, then shook his head.
Lee Jun-seo had been working nonstop, so he needed some rest.
They say strike while the iron's hot, but he was a single dad raising a little kid.
'No family or relatives.'
He'd collapsed twice already. Worried about overdoing it, Do Bong-seok had turned down all the random offers.
Of course, after this project wrapped, he'd ask Lee Jun-seo directly.
About variety shows he wanted to do.
To carve out some downtime that way.
"Sigh, he's not some toddler, but he sure needs a lot of watching."
Do Bong-seok's lips curved into a grin.
He picked up his phone and called the marketing team leader.
"Hey, got a minute?"
-Y-Yes! President. What is it...
Do Bong-seok let out a quiet sigh at the tense voice, then got serious.
"You know the Lee Jun-seo photobook? Pull together ideas on how to use it and send me a file."
-R-Right now?
"As soon as possible. Give it as a gift at a fan cafe meetup? Sell to fan cafe members first? Whatever good ideas you've got. Got it?"
-...Yes, sir.
Ending the call, Do Bong-seok stood and stared out the window.
The sky looked ready to pour, dark even in the morning. The stifling heat was breaking, ushering in late monsoon rains.
"Looks like the heatwave's finally easing."
The babysitter would arrive any minute. I sat on the sofa with Yu-na, watching a kids' show.
Even though we'd be parting soon, she wasn't whining at all.
Was I a little bummed by that?
Unthinkingly, I poked her chubby cheeks playfully.
"Dadddy. Stop poking!"
"Yu-na, do you have fun playing with Ms. Miso?"
"Hee hee hee. Yesss. It's fun. She shares cookies, and teaches studying in a yummy way. Today it's cake. Hee hee."
"Huh?"
Teaches studying in a yummy way?
Her cryptic words puzzled me.
"What do you mean..."
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang, and Yu-na jumped up, racing to the door.
I followed her to the entrance and checked the intercom screen.
A familiar face.
Yoon Mi-so arrived in casual clothes, but my eyes went to the big box in her hands.
'What's that?'
Beep!
As the door swung open, she stepped in like she owned the place.
"Come on in."
"Woo-hoo! Hi!"
She patted Yu-na's head as the girl clung to her leg.
"Yes, just watch her until afternoon, right? Anything I need to watch out for?"
"Same as usual. But... what's with the box?"
"Oh, cake-making supplies. We're gonna make one today while studying numbers."
"Ah..."
Yoon Mi-so stammered at my lukewarm response, like she was making excuses.
"W-well, Yu-na loves food so much, right? So..."
Her explanation: Using Yu-na's love of eating to spark interest in studying.
Truth was, I'd never baked a cake alone with Yu-na. A twinge of envy made my reply curt.
'No need to feel bad about it.'
It seemed like a great teaching method to me.
"I'll make sure she doesn't eat too much, so don't worry..."
"Nah, it's fine."
Glancing at the time, it was already past 1 p.m.
Ah, the manager's waiting.
"Whoa, time already..."
I hurriedly slipped on my shoes.
"Please take good care of Yu-na today."
"Yes. Call if you'll be late."
"Daddy! Bye-bye!"
"Got it. Yu-na, be good and listen, no mischief."
I rushed out and headed straight to the parking lot.
Cloudy skies overhead.
The humidity made even light movement suffocating. No sweat, but everything felt sticky, clothes clinging uncomfortably.
Ah, just rain already and cool things off.
Why just clouds?
I spotted the manager's car soon enough. I jogged over and yanked open the passenger door, hit by stuffy, sweltering heat.
'What, no AC?'
I hopped in and cranked the air conditioning full blast.
Whew, finally breathable.
"Yes? Understood. I'll keep an eye out. Thanks."
Thud!
As In-cheol set down his phone.
I spoke quietly.
"Let's head out. We're late."
"Got it. But first..."
The manager stared at me, then suddenly leaned in close. Unlike usual, he buckled my seatbelt for me.
"You gotta wear your seatbelt."
His casual care somehow looked cool.
Just one more scene, and our first omnibus shoot would finally wrap.
To end without regrets, we huddled in a corner, practicing intensely.
Us being Kwon In-ju, Yoon So-hee.
And me last.
I blankly watched as my two seniors exchanged tips to elevate their performances.
"How about pushing this part more seriously?"
"That might make you stand out too much. Use the surroundings instead."
"The surroundings?"
"Don't fixate on one person—glance at others too."
She was pinpointing exactly what Kwon In-ju lacked.
It was clear her personality had shifted a lot.
No more butting in everywhere to help like before.
The ridiculous rumor about throwing flirty glances at hot guys was gone too.
Senior-junior dynamics felt sharper now.
She'd even chew me out sharply for small mistakes...
"No. That's not it. How many times do I have to tell you?"
"......"
"It's your character's personality."
"...Yes."
"The charm is being endearingly clueless but serious when it counts. So in this scene, don't you need to look serious to anyone watching? What's with that half-hearted acting?"
She gave precise advice without hesitation.
"And... Jun-seo."
Eek!
I flinched hard.
Senior Yoon So-hee's sharp gaze turned to me, standing a bit away.
"You're good at acting. I'll give you that."
Why the sudden praise? It's scary...
"But here's the thing. The drama doesn't finish just because you're good."
Right. Spot on.
"What's with not joining practice? Let's run the next scene."
She suddenly shuddered.
Her expression changed the instant she pulled out her phone.
A flush colored her cheeks.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Ah! Hold on. You two practice the harmony first."
She grabbed her phone and dashed off somewhere. The keychain dangled, sparkling wildly.
Had she reconnected with that ex from the restaurant?