Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: Supporting Cast Announcement
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Time flew by like an arrow, and before long, the list of successful auditionees for the supporting roles in the drama currently in preparation was fully revealed.
First up.
"Kang Min-woo, the actor I know well."
He'd been cast in the role of a guy who picks a fight with the protagonist and gets schooled right away.
Following the high school series.
I'd get to work with him again.
"It'll be a short reunion, though..."
On top of that, a bunch of actors whose names alone rang bells had been selected through auditions.
Among them, the most famous one.
The news that veteran actor Yoo Ho-jin, who had stepped away from acting, would take on the final villain role spread like wildfire... Well, no need to explain that one.
Four acting Grand Prizes.
Twelve Best Supporting Actor awards.
With a resume like that, his comeback was bound to ignite a frenzy.
What was it he'd said in that recent interview where he gathered the press?
-"After leaving 'Not Grandpa, But Ajusshi,' what made you audition right away for writer Jo Sung-gil's 'Viper'?"
[Reporter, have you... watched every drama featuring actor Lee Jun-seo?]
-"Of course. But what does that have to do with my question?"
[After binge-watching all his works, it suddenly hit me.]
-"Hit you with what?"
["If I'd been younger, could I have... worked with that actor?"]
-"Ah, so that's why you left and prepared your comeback immediately?"
[Yes, exactly. I read the script this time... I guarantee it. This one's going to be a massive hit. Get your expectations sky-high. Ahaha!]
Yeah, that was it.
The joyful comeback news from a senior I'd worked with on multiple projects in my past life—I'd looked up the interview and memorized every detail.
"Haa."
I gazed listlessly at the ceiling.
Even though it was morning, the lights in the action school practice room stung my eyes more than expected.
Hold on.
Thinking about it...
We'd done so many projects together.
But after "that incident" blew up, it was like he'd blocked me—communication just cut off.
Was it because it was such a sensitive topic?
Worried it might backfire on him too?
Maybe both.
"......"
Just dredged up some bitter memories for no reason.
"Even if it's tough, let's do five more minutes!"
"...Yes!"
Thwack! Pow!
Thud!
The heavy impacts from beside me snapped me back to attention, and I started moving again.
The sleek black sandbag right in front of me.
At first, it was perfect for blowing off steam, so I loved pounding it.
Now, even looking at it made me sick.
Thwack! Pow!
Not long after.
Yang Hyuk-su, who'd been relentlessly hammering the sandbag next to me, let his arms drop limply.
"Whew. Five minutes up. Let's take a break."
At his words, Shin Su-young peeled off her gloves and let them drop with a clunk.
"...Hyuk-su oppa? When are the supporting actors coming?"
"They said around 11... but maybe earlier?"
That was right.
They weren't using any stunt doubles at all. To avoid injury, even the supporting actors had to learn action.
So today.
The two supporting actors confirmed via audition were scheduled to visit the action school.
"Haa... haa."
Catching her ragged breath, she wiped sweat with the towel around her neck.
"I was hoping for some healing time during the break... but not much time left."
"You find playing with that kid that fun? It just drains me."
"I only ever enjoyed it."
"Yeah, try entertaining a kid nonstop for three hours. It's exhausting. Totally exhausting."
"That's probably your stamina issue, oppa."
"It's killing me just coming here on weekends—how am I supposed to keep up with that stamina monster kid?"
While learning tough action sequences, we'd grown close enough to drop the sunbae/hoobae titles and agreed to treat each other as equals.
Maybe because of that.
Shin Su-young had started mingling with us more, talking a lot unlike before.
"Ahem! Jun-seo."
Shin Su-young draped the towel she'd just used back around her neck and strode over.
"...You're heading there again this time, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Have to."
"Then let's go quick. No time."
She brushed past me and headed outside first.
The bright sunlight poured down outside.
Yu-na, who had monopolized the attention and affection of all the students here, had her little mouth wide open.
"Like this...!"
"Yu-na. How about this? Isn't it cooler than what that ajusshi showed earlier?"
"Wow! So cool!"
"Right? Wanna try, Yu-na?"
"Yes! Yu-na wants to try!"
Yu-na, handed a model sword by the students, started swinging her arm vigorously.
"Hi-ya! Yah!"
"Ahaha! That's not how you do it."
"Watch how the ajusshi does it."
No, what were these guys teaching Yu-na?
A toy sword, maybe.
But seeing Yu-na swing what looked just like a dagger model sword was a bit much.
"...Jun-seo. Is that okay?"
I shook my head at her question.
First things first, better stop it now.
Moving faster than Shin Su-young, I snatched the dagger-like model sword from Yu-na's enthusiastic swings.
"Huh? Huh?"
Eyes round as saucers, Yu-na hopped up and down, reaching high.
"Daddy! Daddy! All done?"
"No. Still a ways to go. But first..."
With that, I narrowed my eyes sharply and glared at the students.
They glanced at me, then slipped away one by one.
"Haa..."
"Yu-na? That's dangerous, so no playing with it. Play with unnie and this doll instead."
Somehow, Shin Su-young held a cute doll.
Yu-na glanced at it, then turned away like she couldn't care less.
Then she stretched her hands out to me.
"Can't we play something cool instead of the doll? Yu-na wants to swing it whoosh whoosh like those ajussis earlier."
"......"
"Right? Daddyyy. Pretty please."
This time, she clasped her hands neatly and fired sparkling puppy eyes at me.
How could I resist...
"Ah!"
A great idea hit me.
I fished out my wallet and pulled a precious slip of paper from inside.
"...Yu-na?"
"Yeah?"
"Know what this is?"
Flutter.
I waved the paper in the air, and Yu-na's eyes went huge.
"Ah! Wish coupon?"
"This is a massage coupon. Can I use it now...? Massage teacher?"
Actually, a few days ago.
I'd asked Yu-na when she'd use the coupons she'd gifted me. Each time, I said later...
But now was the time.
"Waaah! Finally! Finally!!"
"Possible?"
Even as the model dagger passed to Shin Su-young's hand, Yu-na stared only at the massage coupon in mine.
Good, going according to plan.
"Hehehe. Yes! Possible! So, where do I massage?"
"Just my shoulders."
With that, Yu-na headed to a comfy spot for massaging.
The nearby stairs.
I sat with my back to Yu-na, who'd hopped up two steps, and tapped my shoulders.
"Here. You can start now."
"Yes. Customer, hold on a sec."
Yu-na rubbed her tiny hands together, then started kneading my shoulders.
Squish squish.
Not super refreshing...
But hearing Yu-na's little grunts made me smile for some reason.
"Customer Daddy, feel good?"
"Yeah. Feels great, teacher Yu-na."
"Hehehe."
Right then.
Shin Su-young, who'd been watching us enviously, slowly parted her lips.
"How many massage coupons you got? Sounded like you had wish coupons too."
"...Used one today, so four massage left, five wish."
"......"
From her expression, she seemed jealous of my wish and massage coupons.
"Why? Want one?"
"Gonna give me one?"
Her face suddenly brightened.
I could tell she genuinely wanted the coupons Yu-na gave me for my birthday.
"No can do. Yu-na made them for my birthday. I have to use them all."
"Right. This is Yu-na's birthday gift to Daddy. No one else can use them."
"...R-Right?"
Shin Su-young clamped her mouth shut at Yu-na's firm reply.
"The more I get to know her, the more fascinating she is."
Su-young noona's first impression...
Was cold.
Like a solid wall against anyone approaching. But once we got close, she was actually fun.
Loved kids so much.
Yet super cautious about touching them.
Look at her now.
Trying to poke Yu-na's chubby cheeks, then pulling back, over and over.
"Noona, just poke already."
"I-Is that okay?"
"Yu-na said yes this morning."
"Still... what if it hurts..."
Grab!
The tiny hands kneading shoulders suddenly clutched Shin Su-young's slender wrist.
"Ah! Like this. Like this, unnie!"
"Ah, ahh..."
Yu-na must've been that frustrated.
Shin Su-young, stiff-faced, gently poked Yu-na's plump cheeks repeatedly.
Led by those tiny hands.
"Sigh."
11 o'clock rolled around.
I woke the manager dozing in the car and handed Yu-na over.
"In-cheol, take good care of Yu-na. Make sure the students don't teach her anything weird."
"Yes, no worries."
"...And this is the guy who left her with the students to nap?"
"Ahem! All good now."
"...I trust you?"
"Yes, trust me."
I firmly left Yu-na with In-cheol and headed back to the practice room with Shin Su-young.
Were we late?
Over there, two men were talking with martial arts supervisor Park Mu-jin.
"They already here?"
"Let's hurry."
We quickened our pace toward the supervisor.
"Kang Min-woo, you'll be the delinquent high school hotshot, right? Then train under that graduate over there."
"Yes. Got it."
"Next..."
"I'm Lee Seo-gu!"
"Yes, actor Lee Seo-gu, first project this time, right? So focus on tumbling and safe striking action first. For that..."
As the supervisor scanned the students, we approached behind the supporting actors.
Did they sense us?
Both turned at once.
The man on the right was Kang Min-woo, leader of the Python group, whom I knew well.
And the one on the left...
Face seemed familiar.
'Feels like I've met him before...'
As I racked my brain, Kang Min-woo bowed first to Shin Su-young.
"Senior Shin Su-young? Hello. I'm Kang Min-woo, leader of Python group and part-time actor."
"...Uh. Hi."
"And... Jun-seo, long time. Right? Let's get along."
"Yeah, hyung. You too."
As our brief greeting with Kang Min-woo ended.
A small cough came from beside us.
"Ahem, hello! Seniors! I'm Lee Seo-gu! Newbie actor, please take care of me!"
What a clear, ringing voice.
Ah, wait...
It finally clicked.
"Excuse me... aren't you... that acting prep student from the Seoul acting academy?"
"Ah, you remember!"