Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Heading to the Set
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With the phone I currently had, it was impossible to check the contract documents I'd supposedly sent.
So the moment I got the text, I headed straight to the PC bang I frequented.
I really need to get a new phone soon...
I slumped into an empty seat and leaned back against the plush headrest.
Cool air from the AC overhead quickly cooled the sweat on my skin.
This place is paradise...
As I savored the brief respite, a strange noise came from beside me.
"Hooop!"
It was Yu-na's voice.
What is she up to now?
What on earth this time?
I turned my head to look.
Yu-na had seated herself next to me without me noticing and was stretching her short arms forward, trying to press something.
Her tiny fingertips were aimed at the computer power switch.
"Hup! Just a little more!"
Instead of pulling over the chair that had rolled back, she was just stretching to turn on the computer, which was hilarious.
[If only she'd just ask for help.]
Suppressing a laugh, I reached over, turned on the computer, and pulled the chair forward.
"There you go. If anything doesn't work..."
Yu-na's shoulders slumped.
Her cute lips puffed out like a duck's.
[What's gotten into her?]
Wondering if I'd unknowingly done something wrong, I asked carefully.
"Isn't this what you wanted?"
Her voice came faintly.
"I wanted to do it myself..."
She must have wanted to turn on the computer herself. But I'd beaten her to it, so she was sulking hard.
Do kids get upset over stuff like this?
I couldn't relate at all.
"You can do it next time."
"Still..."
"Didn't you say that game was fun last time? Want me to open it?"
Nod. Nod.
I quickly moved the mouse and launched the educational game. Her slumped shoulders perked up, and her pouty lips relaxed.
Kids really are simple.
"There you go."
Yu-na placed her little hand on the mouse and started the puzzle game. To an adult like me, it was so easy it made me yawn...
But Yu-na's brow furrowed.
Whatever. Time to check my email first.
I opened the browser, logged into the account I'd made last time, and checked my mail.
"Congratulations on passing the minor role audition!" Skip that... I scrolled down and opened the attached e-contract.
The moment I started reading the first line carefully, Yu-na urgently called out.
"Daddy! Daddy! It turned off!"
"What? I told you not to press X."
"I didn't press it. It just turned off."
Liar.
Her mouse skills were clumsy, so she'd probably hit it by accident.
I restarted the educational game and focused on the e-contract.
[...What the heck?]
[Appearance fee per episode: 1.5 million won.]
[If appearing with your daughter, we will double the fee.]
For a minor role, they're offering this much?
Stunned by the fee and terms, my body stiffened. It was way higher than what I'd seen in the casting notice.
Is this a scam?
It was hard to believe they'd offer such generous terms to someone with zero experience.
Suspicion crept in.
[Should I call the number from the notice?]
I immediately went to the casting site and dialed the contact for the listing I'd applied to.
"Hello. This is Lee Jun-seo, who passed the minor role audition. I'm calling about the contract."
-Ah, is there a problem?
A kind young woman's voice tickled my ear. Even though she wasn't in front of me, I shook my head.
"No. The fee is just so high."
No sooner had I finished than a small laugh came from the other end.
-This was a decision from above. It's generous for a newbie, sure.
So that's why I was surprised...
-Are your questions resolved?
"Yes. Sorry for the trouble."
After the brief call with the polite staffer, I let out a quiet sigh.
They're really giving me terms this good with no experience?
It was hard to believe, but it was real.
Whatever. I'll just work hard enough to earn it.
I shrugged and looked at Yu-na, engrossed in her game.
"Hehehe. This is fun."
"You've played enough games. Shall we head home and rest?"
"Yesss!"
I thought she'd whine no...
But Yu-na hopped down from the chair without a second thought.
Then she grabbed my hand tight.
For the first time, she'd taken my hand first. I flinched in surprise.
"C-Can I hold your hand...?"
Oh no, she's gauging my reaction again...
Because of me, Yu-na was hesitating and fidgeting with her hand.
"...You're already holding it? Let's go home."
"Hehehe."
Her tiny hand was so soft and squishy. Her fingers wiggled in my big palm.
[Kids' hands really are soft.]
As we stepped out of the PC bang, Yu-na tugged my hand and spoke.
"Daddy. Daddy."
"Yeah?"
"Yu-na really, really likes Daddy right now."
Her sincere words warmed my heart. It felt like a reward for all the effort I'd put into playing with her.
"Yeah? Daddy likes Yu-na too."
"Hehehe. Really?"
"Really."
"Really really?"
"Yeah, really."
Hand in hand, we walked home affectionately.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Silence hung over the meeting room.
This was the mid-report meeting for the sitcom [Guard the Pojangmacha!].
Director Lee Han-sol sat at the head.
The directing and planning teams around him watched him nervously.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Director Lee Han-sol drummed the table, his face impassive.
"So. What's the problem?"
"Director! Is it really okay to cast them on those terms?"
The directing team leader raised his voice.
But Lee Han-sol didn't budge, holding his head high.
"What's wrong with that?"
"Pardon?"
"This is a world where skill is everything. You gonna take responsibility if we miss out on a gem with top-tier acting chops?"
"......"
Everyone clamped their mouths shut.
With a deep sigh, Lee Han-sol pressed the remote, turning on the beam projector.
The lights went out, darkness fell. Light burst forth, clearly showing the audition footage.
[This'll change your minds...]
Watching Lee Jun-seo act reminded him of Lee Seo-jun, who had passed away just days ago.
In all his years directing countless projects, he'd worked with many actors, but none stuck in his memory like Lee Seo-jun.
[His boldness was his charm...]
An old memory surfaced, drawing a smirk from Lee Han-sol.
Back in his child actor days, Lee Seo-jun never stopped acting, no matter the mistake.
Not until the camera stopped.
Born with raw talent, Lee Seo-jun had caught his eye early, and he'd watched his growth from afar.
Even after that incident...
Wiping the smile from his face, Lee Han-sol murmured to the air.
"He wasn't the type to give up easily."
"Director?"
Snapping back, Lee Han-sol eyed the planning team leader.
"What? Got something to say?"
"I'll admit Lee Jun-seo's acting is impressive. But..."
Lee Han-sol cut him off, furrowing his brow.
"Even audition passers often decline. Especially for a short minor role like this."
The planning team leader bit his lip and bowed his head.
"Shouldn't we offer good treatment to talent, even in a minor role?"
"Hah, but... Casting a kid like that messes with the direction."
In the looping footage, the kid was kicking energetically at the air.
Lee Han-sol stood quietly.
"I've talked to the head writer. Tweaking the minor role won't affect the flow."
"......"
The clip ended with Lee Jun-seo cleverly turning the kid's outburst into comedy.
Lee Han-sol left the meeting room.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Finally, the long-awaited shooting day arrived. I couldn't calm my pounding heart no matter how hard I tried.
I'd memorized the script from the email at the PC bang.
Was I so well-prepared?
I wanted to reach the set as fast as possible.
So I scooped up Yu-na, who was waddling along, and hurried.
Soon we reached the bus stop and sat on the bench to catch our breath.
I'd walked briskly the whole way, and my breath was up to my throat.
"Daddy, it's going thump-thump here."
Yu-na placed her little hand on my chest and beamed.
"That's 'cause we rushed here."
"Ah, Daddy!"
Yu-na's urgent call startled me into flinching.
"Yu-na's is thump-thump too."
She pressed her hand to her own chest, eyes wide like a bunny.
Of course it is, you're human...
I swallowed the words rising in my throat.
"...Y-Yeah?"
"It's so amazing! Yu-na didn't even run!"
"Pfft..."
Laughter erupted around us.
The people waiting for the bus covered their mouths, shoulders shaking.
They couldn't hold back at Yu-na's innocent question.
"Ahem! Lots of people now, so let's be quiet?"
"Hehehe. Okay! Yu-na's a good girl who listens to Daddy."
She'd picked up the phrase from the picture book I'd read recently.
'Good girl.'
It was from the story where bad kids get eaten by scary wolves.
So innocent.
Kids her age took fairy tales as gospel.
Can't read her just anything.
Screech!
Our bus arrived right on time. I tapped my card and sat in an empty seat.
"How long do I have to be quiet?"
Her whisper made my lips curl up.
"Until we get there?"
"Okay..."
"Yu-na, if Daddy's lap is uncomfortable, want to sit next to me?"
Shake. Shake.
Yu-na shook her head firmly and gripped my hand tighter. She clearly had no intention of letting go.
What if she clings like this even at kindergarten?
Her affection made me worry unnecessarily.
[Whatever...]
She'll change once she makes friends there.
I gently patted her back and watched the scenery roll by.
How much time passed?
We were nearing our stop.
It wasn't far from home, so it hadn't taken long.
"Is that it?"
"Daddy, can I talk now?"
Her tiny voice made me chuckle.
"Haha! Yeah, it's fine."
I set her down gently and stroked her head.
"Let's go in."
"Okay!"
Holding her hand safely, I walked slowly under the sky-blue tent.
Just days ago, I'd met the staff and stamped the contract.
Normally, script readings happen once casting is set...
But as a minor role, I didn't need one.
First impressions matter. No mistakes.
Director Lee Han-sol is over there.
I strode forward confidently.
"Director Lee Han-sol, hello. I'm Lee Jun-seo."
He just stared blankly.
No words.
"Ah, Yu-na. Say hi."
"Hello. I'm Lee Yu-na."
The director's expression didn't change at Yu-na's greeting. He just looked back and forth between us impassively.
"Director?"
"...Greetings done? Move along."
His curt attitude didn't faze me.
He ignores greetings from actors he doesn't like. Only responds formally to those he approves of. I knew that already.
[Same as ever, even in old age.]
Once we work together a bit, he'll loosen up, talk casually, even swear like old times?
Forcing down my grin, I bowed deeply.
"Yes, understood. Let's go, Yu-na."
"Okay."
Yu-na's beaming smile had turned to stone.
"You okay? Hurt somewhere?"
Shake. Shake.
"Afraid of the director?"
Nod. Nod.
Smiling, I scooped up the sullen Yu-na.
"The director's just shy, that's how he shows it."
"Really?"
"Yeah, he's super kind."
"Oh, I see."
Wandering aimlessly, I looked for seniors to greet.
"Too late and it'll rub them wrong. Where are they?"
Then.
A middle-aged woman with a distinctive aura strode toward us.
That's definitely...
Sharp eyes like a top predator.
Lips red as if dripping blood.
She matched the photo of actress Yoo Seol-hwa from the cast info.
"......"
I swallowed dryly and hurried over, bowing to my senior.
"Hello, sunbaenim!"
"Yes. But... who are you?"
I answered her question steadily, without trembling.
"I'm Lee Jun-seo, cast in a short minor role this time."
"Ah, the one appearing with his daughter?"
"Yes, that's me. Please take care of me."
"......"
Looking down at Yu-na, her eyebrow twitched slightly.
[Does she hate kids?]