Chapter 140
Chapter 140
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Fan Meeting Surprise
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Quickly wrapping up my thoughts, I looked at Yu-na, who was completely absorbed in the cookies, and asked.
"Yu-na, have you ever thought about shooting a music video? You don't have to if you don't want to."
"Music video? Nom nom."
"Yeah, a music video."
"What's that?"
Even as she asked, Yu-na's hands showed no sign of stopping.
One. Two.
She just kept taking the still-warm cookies to her mouth and munching away, without a hint of contemplation.
"...It's just like the acting we did together last time. Simple, right?"
"Nom nom."
"Dad will be there with you, watching how great our little girl is."
"Nom nom."
"...Yu-na?"
Who am I even talking to right now?
It felt like I was conversing with a wall.
"Haa. Yu-na?"
Only after calling her twice did Yu-na's eyes finally turn toward me.
Seizing the moment, I pulled up a music video and played it for her.
"Here, this is a music video."
"......"
A video featuring a singer and actors performing to the song lyrics like a mini-drama.
If it involved a young child like Yu-na, this kind of atmosphere would fit perfectly.
No dancing required.
How much time had passed?
Yu-na, having polished off the plate clean, sucked on her finger and slowly closed her eyes.
"Hmm...."
Was she finally thinking it over?
"If you don't want to, that's fine. Dad won't force our Yu-na to do anything she doesn't like."
Suddenly, Yu-na's eyes flew wide open.
Then she grinned broadly and said.
"I wanna do it!"
"You're really okay with it? Even though it'll be just you on your own, without Dad?"
"Yeah! Acting is super fun."
I hadn't expected her to like it this much.
Proud of our bold little girl who declared she wanted to do it, I gently stroked her head.
"Alright, Dad will be right there helping you out."
"Yeah! Hehehe."
Then I should let them know today that we're accepting the music video offer, right?
The rep's number is...
Tap. Tap.
As I searched for the number and tapped it into my phone, Yu-na, fiddling with the empty plate, started whining.
"Dad, what about the bread? Now I wanna eat bread.... Yu-na's hungry."
"Just a sec. Let me send this first."
After sending the text, a reply came from the rep shortly after.
Rep: Got it. Yu-na doesn't need a manager, right? Since you'll be there.
Lee Jun-seo: Yeah, I don't think she'll need one with me around.
Rep: Okay, got it. Get some good rest.
Lee Jun-seo: Will do. Take care.
Setting my phone down on the table, I let out a chuckle. Right now, Yu-na was stretching her short little arms as far as they could go, eyeing the cookies meant for the fans.
What am I going to do with this little glutton?
I placed one cookie in Yu-na's hand and spoke softly.
"Just hang in there a bit. Dad will make you a ton of really delicious bread."
"But I'm hungry...."
"No cute faces allowed."
Time flew by, and soon the meaningful day arrived to meet the fans.
The venue we'd rented was Narae Art Hall, a spot in Seoul often used for performances.
Capacity: 150 people.
The perfect-sized hall.
And wow.
There were already fans waiting.
From inside the car that In-cheol was driving, I could see the long line of fans stretching out the window.
Roughly over 30, by my estimate.
"It's not even first-come, first-served...."
I muttered under my breath, and In-cheol glanced over with a small smile.
"They're just that eager to see you, hyung."
"...You think?"
Yu-na, who had been sitting quietly on my lap, suddenly jumped up and plastered herself to the window, letting out a gasp of awe.
"Wow! Dad! They're all here to see you? So many!"
"They're probably here to see our pretty girl too. Dad's fans are Yu-na fans as well."
"Eek! Really? For real? What do I do?"
Her eyes went wide as saucers, cheeks puffing out as she cupped them with her hands—it was adorable, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Worried you'll look weird?"
Yu-na nodded slightly.
She was dressed prettily in a sky-blue dress, complete with braids on both sides.
Anyone would think she was here for a recital. Of course, with me in my black suit, we matched perfectly.
'She's got the cutest worries.'
I reached out a hand, then paused.
Messing up Yu-na's hair after all her morning primping would be a disaster.
'That was close.'
Redirecting my hand to her chubby cheek, I pinched it gently so it wouldn't hurt.
The soft, stretchy feel was delightful.
"Our girl is the prettiest no matter what, so no need to worry."
"Hehehe."
"We've arrived. You can get out now."
We'd reached the parking lot, so I got out with Yu-na in tow.
Whoosh!
A cold wind blew in.
"Brr.... It's cold."
"Cold. Freezing. Hehehe."
Since Yu-na complained about the chill, I scooped her up in my arms.
"Not cold when you're stuck to Dad, right?"
"Yeah. Warm, and I love when Dad holds me. I wanna do this every day."
"Dad wants to every day too."
That's when it happened.
"Jun-seo!"
At the manager's call, I carried Yu-na straight to the trunk.
Two large boxes.
"Just these?"
I nodded slightly.
"Yeah, that's right. Don't drop them. They're full of snacks for the fans."
"No worries."
Yu-na eyed the boxes and licked her lips.
"...Dad. Can I have just one?"
Chuckling at her greed, I straightened my expression and said firmly.
"Absolutely not."
A clean, spacious waiting room.
I waited patiently for the fans to fill the empty seats, jiggling my leg nervously.
At first, everything felt fine....
But with the meet-and-greet drawing near, my heart started racing.
Maybe that's why?
It felt hot, so I loosened my tie a bit and sighed.
"Pretty nervous, huh?"
At the manager's question, I cleared my throat softly and replied evenly.
"...Not nervous. Anxious."
Yeah.
Definitely not nerves.
Would I disappoint the fans who'd come early and waited?
Would I fail to create a memorable, happy memory for them?
These negative thoughts kept swirling, making me uneasy.
"......"
"You'll do great, Jun-seo. Don't worry."
"Dad! Eat this and power up!"
Their encouragement gave me a little boost.
Regaining my smile, I popped the chocolate Yu-na offered into my mouth.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Jun-seo, time to head in."
At the staffer's words, I shot to my feet and gripped Yu-na's tiny hand tight.
"Let's go, Yu-na. In-cheol, handle things from the back, yeah?"
"Got it. Have a good one."
Leaving In-cheol behind, we stepped out of the waiting room, greeted first by our agency staff.
"You know the order, right?"
"Of course. Ten-minute intro video, self-intros, fan interaction, quiz, Q&A, drawings.... Ends with individual photo times, yeah?"
"Yep. Follow me."
We followed the staff to a small waiting area beside the stage.
Five agency staffers.
The kind folks helping me out.
"Jun-seo, you're here."
"Today it's all about connecting with fans! Interaction is key—don't forget."
"Oh! Your tie's loose."
Right, I loosened it earlier.
Letting go of Yu-na's hand to fix my tie, I answered the staffer's question.
"I know interaction's the most important."
"By the way, this might stir some controversy. A fan meet for hotshot Jun-seo with only 100 people...."
"Hey, after all that hassle? I never wanna do this again...."
"But you got a bonus."
"It's nice, but this is too exhausting."
While the staff chatted away, I scanned the room.
A large box and two mics on the table.
Faint sweet scent of snacks mixed with pleasant makeup smells.
That's probably....
Coming from that gift box over there?
Prizes for the quiz time.
And the snacks I made myself.
Hope everyone likes them.
That's when it happened.
"Woooow! So many! Hello! I'm Lee Yu-na, seven years old!"
"Kyaaa! It's Yu-na!"
"Auntie loves you! Yu-na!"
"Uncle loves you tons too!"
Yu-na's voice and cheers erupted from the stage.
Only then did I realize she was gone, slapping my forehead.
When did she snag the mic?
There were definitely two on the table just moments ago....
Now there's only one.
"What do we do? The video of Jun-seo's journey has six minutes left...."
"What else? We start."
"We'll have to cut the current video...."
The staff sighed softly and stopped the video.
The MC from the opposite waiting room rushed onto the stage.
"Ahaha! S-sorry, folks. Looks like we'll have to skip the video."
Clearing his throat with a small cough, the MC smiled brightly.
"Alright! The daughter-obsessed dad you've all been waiting for enters!"
Not my name, but "daughter-obsessed dad"—kinda embarrassing.
Well, the reaction's good, so that's what matters.
"Woooah!"
The cheers were smaller than when Yu-na appeared.
Basking in them, I strode toward Yu-na.
Matching her eye level, I lightly flicked her forehead.
"You little troublemaker.... You pushed the schedule up because of you. What now?"
"Hehehe. Dad, say hi quick."
Seeing her innocent smile, I adjusted my mic, faced the fans, and spoke.
***
After a quick greeting, I bantered with the MC to buy time. We had to sync it up somehow.
"Ahaha! Really?"
"Yeah, really. That's why my pajamas always end up with huge drool stains on the chest."
A little episode about Yu-na sleeping plastered to my chest like a cicada.
Sharing it got a great response.
Everyone was doubled over laughing.
"So, shall we ask Yu-na? Why does she sleep stuck to Dad's chest like a cicada?"
Yu-na politely held the mic and answered the MC confidently.
"Because Dad is really, really great!"
"Ah, that's the answer. No wonder they call her Dad's sticky gumdrop. So jealous. I'd love a daughter like this."
With chit-chat, we'd filled the time perfectly. Now for fan interaction.
"Alright! On to the next segment."
Pretending ignorance, I asked the MC casually.
"What's that? Kinda worried. You won't make me do anything weird, right?"
"Ahaha! Jun-seo, you're such a worrier. This one's for close-up interaction with fans."
"Close-up?"
"You go down there and chat with them directly."
"Ahaha! Thought it'd be something weird—false alarm."
"Shall we head down?"
I nodded.
Descending into the crowd, fans were snapping photos with their phones.
Some gazed with desperate eyes, hoping to be picked.
Save the front for later....
Maybe someone in the back?
They probably can't see me well.
With that in mind, I strode to the very back row. In the corner seat, a woman caught my eye—wearing a mask and hat.
Holding the mic in front of her.
"Um, hi. Mind if I ask where you're from?"
As I handed her the mic, the masked woman flinched. Her phone clattered to the floor.
The phone strap sparkled noticeably.
I picked it up and handed it back kindly. That's when our eyes met exactly between her mask and hat.
"Huh?"
"......!"
I was speechless.