Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Devil's Errand Center Success
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The drama that had just aired its first episode.
"Devil's Errand Center."
Even late at night, SNS was buzzing with activity.
The reason was the shocking appearance of the nameless demon.
- Anyone watch the drama that just ended?
- Actor Lee Jun-seo's body is insane! Is that really the body of a dad with a seven-year-old daughter?
- Actors really are different.... Totally unlike his image on variety shows.
- If demons really exist, would they look like that? If so, please come to me! I'll be waiting!
- The person who left that comment above, look in the mirror. The demon's right in front of you.
- The special effects this time were crazy too. When the demon raised his hand and snapped his fingers, I got chills all over.
- Reliable actor to watch. Lee Jun-seo.
- The part where all the house windows slowly shattered and time froze for a moment was epic.
- Episode 2 airs tomorrow, right? I wish tomorrow would come soon! Finally found an entertaining drama! I hope it runs for a long time.
- Wake up. It's only 12 episodes.
A beastly, feral look utterly different from his doting-dad image...
I'd been inwardly worried they might find it unfamiliar, but everyone was full of praise. What a relief.
Even better, there wasn't a single negative reaction toward me.
That said...
"‘Reliable actor to watch’..."
There couldn't be higher praise than that.
No matter what project it is, any drama I'm in will be entertaining.
That's what they were saying.
The only downside...
Not a single bit of praise for actress Yoon So-hee, who worked just as hard as I did.
"Senior worked her butt off too."
Putting aside my regret, I set my scorching-hot phone down on the table.
"You don't believe me."
Yu-na's stern yet adorable voice.
At some point, Yu-na had started putting on a performance in front of me. It felt like playacting, so I watched with a fond gaze.
"I'll show you my true power!"
Yu-na slowly raised her hand and snapped her tiny finger.
"Pew-shing! Pabapak! Crash!"
"...Hahaha!"
Her cute sound effects made me burst out laughing.
She'd mangled the lines a bit...
But cuteness forgives everything.
I jumped up and scooped up Yu-na, who was still making sound effects.
"You're late. Time for bed now."
"Huh? Already? I want to watch more..."
"Next episode is tomorrow, so even if Yu-na wants to watch, you won't be able to."
"I'm not sleepy, so I don't wanna sleep..."
She'd cried herself to sleep and woken up in the evening, so of course she wasn't tired...
Still, at an age when she needs to grow, it's bedtime.
"How old is our daughter right now?"
"...Seven."
"Good kids go to bed early and wake up early."
I pressed down on Yu-na's duck-lipped pout and let go as I spoke.
"And this drama isn't for kids like Yu-na to watch."
That's right.
The big framework of this drama...
Is "the law of the jungle in society."
It depicts a world where the weak struggle to survive, so I didn't want pure Yu-na learning from that.
I want her to see only good things.
Hear only good things.
Isn't that what a dad's heart is all about?
"Aww.... Can't I watch next time?"
"Let's sleep with Daddy now. Want me to read you a picture book? It's been a while."
"...Three."
Her tiny fingers spread wide made me chuckle again.
"Hahaha! No, that's not it. When counting books, it's ‘volumes.’ How many volumes?"
"Three volumes."
"Good job. That's my girl."
"Hehehe."
Yu-na, beaming at the praise, buried her face in my chest.
Time flew by, and before we knew it, it was late autumn, time to pull out the thick puffer jackets.
During that time, the drama "Devil's Errand Center" aired steadily every weekend.
The first episode's ratings were a whopping 16.8%.
Impressive enough, but last night's episode hit 29.3%.
Maybe because the ratings kept climbing steadily even after six episodes?
Variety shows that wouldn't give up kept trying to book me.
Articles speculating about my next move were popping up one after another.
Look at the one I'm reading now.
[Monster rookie actor tops ratings again. What's next?]
[Is actor Lee Jun-seo really a monster?]
[Marvo expanding overseas! Thanks to actor Lee Jun-seo...?]
[Did actor Lee Jun-seo save the sinking variety show "Daddy, I Love You"?]
"Haa."
I let out a quiet sigh and closed my phone, scanning the room.
Countless boxes scattered across the floor made the once-spacious office feel cramped.
The plushie that made me look cute.
Keychains and bookmarks too.
The staff were busy opening the scattered boxes and checking the merch quantities.
"Hey! We're short 10 posters!"
"Did you check properly? Look inside the right box! I'm busy too, so don't bug me. Do it right!"
"Ah! Found it. Thanks!"
"Take the checked ones downstairs!"
I'd settled in a corner to avoid getting in the way, but I still felt awkward.
‘The fan meeting in two days.’
I'd come early because they said there was something to discuss about the schedule...
That said...
‘What’s In-cheol doing?’
Unlike the busy staff, In-cheol was at his usual seat, carefully transferring something from a small box.
So cautiously.
I circled around to avoid bothering the staff and approached In-cheol.
"In-cheol, what are you doing?"
"Jun-seo, I'm busy right now. If you’ve got nothing to do, have some of this."
"...What's that?"
At my question, In-cheol finally turned his chair to face me.
"Snacks, probably."
"Snacks?"
Nod. Nod.
I snatched it from In-cheol and examined it closely, turning it front to back.
A small box wrapped in red packaging.
I brought it to my ear and shook it lightly, and In-cheol jumped up to stop me.
"Don't shake it like that."
"Hey, snacks are fine even if they crumble. They all end up in your stomach the same."
"...Open it and see."
Taking In-cheol's words lightly, I tore open the packaging and checked the contents.
"This is..."
"If you shake it and ruin the shape, it'd be a waste, right? Fans probably made it by hand."
"...You're right."
Only then did I understand In-cheol's intentions.
‘A slightly cracked cookie shaped like me.’
If I'd ignored him and kept shaking... it would've crumbled into something unrecognizable.
I flashed a small smile, schooled my expression, and patted In-cheol's shoulder.
"Hey! If it's a fan gift, you should've told me sooner."
Even my solid hit didn't faze In-cheol.
He just grinned sheepishly and scratched his neck. With a deep sigh, I examined the snack closely.
It's ugly, but you can tell effort went into making it look like me.
"...They really can't make ‘em."
"What matters most is the sincerity."
I shrugged with a grin.
"It's almost Pepero Day, so fans sent handmade snacks?"
"Probably."
"All these are for me?"
Looking at the desk full of gifts, In-cheol shook his head.
"Some are for Yu-na too, so I was sorting them. I'm your manager and Yu-na's too."
Wait a sec...
A great idea suddenly hit me.
To show gratitude to fans who like me... why not make Pepero sticks myself, like they did?
100 fans coming to the fan meeting.
Matching that number isn't hard.
‘The fan meeting’s in two days.’
Plenty of time.
That's when I'd decided on the plan.
Right on cue, the president strolled in, picking his teeth leisurely.
"What? Not done yet? Take the checked ones downstairs quick."
"President, help out a bit. This is so tedious and headache-inducing. Right?"
"Yeah! Yeah!"
As everyone jeered, the president tossed his toothpick in the trash and chuckled.
"If that's the case, you guys be the president."
"......"
Everyone went silent.
This was my chance.
I hurried over to the president.
"President, got a sec?"
The president facing me spread his arms and hugged me tight.
"Aigoo! Our agency's star is here? Of course I’ve got time."
"......"
His utterly unfunny joke made me narrow my eyes.
The president stepped back with a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! Just kidding. What's up?"
"There's something I want permission for. For the fan meeting this time..."
After hearing me out, the president pondered briefly and nodded.
"Hmm... Sounds good. Do whatever."
Solo singer Yusia.
Real name: Park Seo-yeon.
Long hair dyed gray, sharp nose bridge, and fair skin.
She looks haughty at rest.
But in truth, Yusia was all confidence bundled into a sharp personality.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
In the waiting room outside the recording studio, Yusia furiously pounded her poor phone.
Her manager sighed softly at the sight.
"Seo-yeon... no, Sia. What's wrong?"
"No! Why no contact yet! Don't they have enough time to think?"
The manager snatched the phone from the fuming Yusia.
"Let's wait a little longer."
"Sis! Isn't this too much?"
"......"
"It's been three weeks already! Isn't that forgetting about it?"
"I'll call the agency again. Just hold on a bit more."
"No! I can't wait."
Yusia stood up.
"Lunatic Agency, right?"
"Wait, Sia. You planning to go there?"
"Sound recording's done. They said they'd give plenty of time to think, but now's when we prep the music video."
The manager pressed her throbbing forehead and spoke.
"We can find another kid."
"It has to be Yu-na!"
She couldn't understand.
Child actors overflow in this industry. Ha-yul, known as Yu-na's friend, is cute and pretty too.
"Why her?"
"Wait, give me that."
Yusia grabbed her phone back. She scrolled through the gallery, clicked one, and showed it.
"My old family photo."
"...Is this real?"
"Of course it's real. Why would it be fake?"
The manager gaped in shock. In the photo she thrust forward while huffing, there was a kid who looked just like Yu-na.
"What's the title of my comeback track?"
"If memory serves... ‘Time Travel.’"
"Right. It needs to show me going back in time and meeting myself."
"......"
Only then did she finally get why Yusia was fixated on Yu-na.
Finding a kid who looks just like her younger self isn't easy.
As she nodded...
Yusia finished getting ready and bolted out the door.
‘If they forgot the casting request...’
How long we've waited.
How much damage we've taken.
I'll make them feel sorry and accept.