Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: According to This Post, I...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
According to this post, I...
It said that during my school days, I constantly hurled abuse at my homeroom teacher and was a delinquent who extorted money from my classmates.
It was utterly ridiculous.
Even just skimming through Lee Jun-seo's hazy memories made it clear that I was the victim.
"Who would believe something like this...?"
No.
Ordinary people who don't know me might actually believe such absurd rumors.
Look at it now.
Anon 3: If it's the doting dad image... that guy who's blowing up lately?
Anon 1: If this is true, kick that actor off immediately! It's amazing how Korea lets school bullying suspects strut around the entertainment industry.
Anon 2: Then what happens to the drama he's in now? Isn't it in the middle of filming?
Anon 5: Is it really true? It doesn't match the image from the drama or live broadcasts. I'm staying neutral.
There were sporadic comments defending me. But the rest were flooded with insults.
'At least I don't see any hate aimed at Yu-na.'
Since it was an anonymous board anyway, there was no need to flare up and respond.
'If this turns into an article...'
As Senior Kang Su-ho said, I didn't have an agency yet, so handling legal matters like this would be tough.
But the reason I stayed calm was simple. Even if they dug up my past, it wouldn't hinder my activities.
I moved my fingers and sent a KakaoTalk message to reassure them.
Lee Jun-seo: Do you think I would do something like that?
Lee Jun-seo: I was the one being bullied, not the bully.
Lee Jun-seo: Back in school, I...
As I laid out my past like it was someone else's story, the chat exploded with profanity.
They were even naming the anonymous poster in ways that would be embarrassing to show others.
I couldn't help but frown.
I had no idea my seniors could curse like this.
How much time passed like that?
Finally, the language started to calm down.
It seemed their anger had subsided a bit.
Yoo Seol-hwa: What's the name of the jerk who bullied our junior?! I'll make sure he can't show his face in society!
Kang Su-ho: Seol-hwa, before the bully, we need to address that anonymous post first. It's okay for now since the reporters haven't found it yet...
Yoo Seol-hwa: Hey! I told you! If I'd known it would be like this, you should've just joined our agency!! Our legal team is the best compared to others.
Kang Su-ho: First, I'll talk to our agency CEO and let the legal team know in advance.
Shin Dong-hyun: Why'd you just take it lying down! Are you an idiot? I'm really pissed.
It was still just a small spark.
But anonymous posts like this could turn into a massive blaze and cause a huge stir.
Even if it blew up into a controversy.
It would end after a bit of hate, and I could just clarify...
Lee Jun-seo: Seniors, please calm down. It's anonymous anyway. It's not even an article.
Lee Jun-seo: And if I reveal the school I attended, everyone will know that anonymous post is a lie right away.
Lee Jun-seo: Oh! Dong-hyun, close the anonymous board. Celebrities can get in trouble for posting there.
I ended with a pointed piece of advice for Dong-hyun and let out a sigh of relief.
"Haa..."
Even sending messages is exhausting.
I reopened the anonymous post and slowly scrolled through it again.
School name, date, location.
The lack of specific details made it lack credibility. It felt like they just made it up because they hated me.
"Still, this is too much..."
Among the comments was one saying I sold my daughter to get into my debut project.
Even though Director Lee Han-sol saw potential in my acting and gave me the role.
Seeing comments dragging the director into it too made my anger rise.
'Just hate on me.'
Why question the director's judgment too? That's when I gripped my phone tightly without realizing it. Senior Kim Sung-hyun approached and tapped my shoulder.
"Hey, junior. What's going on?"
I'd been so focused on the post targeting me that I forgot Senior was nearby.
Seeing his worried expression, I quickly composed myself and answered.
"It's nothing."
"...You don't look okay. Did something bad happen?"
Right then.
The staff came rushing into the faculty office where we were. I still hadn't changed out of my costume or removed my makeup.
This might delay filming.
I pocketed my phone and said to the senior.
"Nothing happened. Oh! I'm heading to makeup now."
"Yeah, okay..."
After his reply, I headed to makeup without looking back.
Kim Sung-hyun blankly stared at the spot where junior Lee Jun-seo had been sitting.
Lee Jun-seo's expressions and actions kept flashing in his mind, changing moment by moment.
He looked shocked at something, then serious as he fiddled with his constantly vibrating phone.
Then his hand stopped abruptly.
He frowned, staring at the screen for a bit, then started tapping again soon after.
It was clearly something serious.
So Kim Sung-hyun just watched his junior quietly.
But at the end...
Seeing him clutch the phone tightly, he tapped his shoulder without thinking.
The junior fled the spot, insisting nothing was wrong.
It seemed like he was hiding something.
'...Did something bad happen?'
He'd know once they checked his performance in this shoot. If something bad had happened, it'd be hard to control his emotions.
Slide!
Right on cue, the principal's office door opened, and Lee Jun-seo returned, fully prepared.
"Hello!"
Snapping to attention at the spirited voice, Kim Sung-hyun closely observed Lee Jun-seo's face.
He definitely looked okay now.
The plain white dress shirt and contrasting black slacks suited him perfectly.
Lee Jun-seo smiled as usual and bowed to the staff busy with shoot prep.
"Please take care of me today as well."
"Haha! Sure."
"Jun-seo, let's do our best!"
Lee Jun-seo approached with a bright smile and bowed.
"Senior. Please take care of me today too."
"......"
For some reason, recalling the junior's earlier expression made it feel like a forced smile.
What emotions were hidden behind Lee Jun-seo's warm, sun-like smile?
"...Yeah. And later, let's talk."
"Huh? Haha. Yes, got it."
Filming began shortly after.
As expected, Lee Jun-seo messed up even simple scenes repeatedly.
It was obvious he wasn't himself.
'I knew it.'
Even though the director gave actor Jun-seo several chances to collect himself.
The result was the same.
"Talk to your junior directly. He's off today."
"Yes, understood. I was planning to anyway."
"...Okay."
After talking with the director, Kim Sung-hyun strode over to where Lee Jun-seo was sitting.
Even though he was right in front, he was spaced out, mind elsewhere.
Like nothing was wrong...
It was clear something was up.
Kim Sung-hyun sat right next to his junior and cleared his throat.
"Ahem! Junior. What's wrong?"
"Ah.... It's nothing."
Judging he couldn't stand by anymore at Lee Jun-seo's evasive gaze, Kim Sung-hyun spoke in a lower, firmer voice.
"If something's hard, I'll listen to it all, so tell me. Can't you tell your senior... no, your big bro?"
"Ah, it's just..."
Kim Sung-hyun kept his mouth shut until Lee Jun-seo would definitely speak.
In front of Senior Kim Sung-hyun, I couldn't even sigh.
How do I even say this...?
That old hate comments from my past life bullies were resurfacing, making it hard to focus.
I thought it'd be fine after a brief wave of hate, but imagining a future flooded with malicious comments made everything go dark.
I knew that such a weak mindset wouldn't survive the cutthroat entertainment industry.
That's why it was hard to tell this person who was genuinely worried about me.
He'd think I was pathetic.
By the way.
I'd messed up fifteen times already...
'Just yell at me to stop messing up.'
I could still feel that persistent gaze.
He seemed intent on waiting until I spoke. Finally giving up on hiding it, I cautiously opened my mouth.
"...This is why."
I pulled out my phone and showed him the post targeting me.
Senior Kim Sung-hyun's eyebrow twitched slightly as he read it.
"You couldn't focus on filming because of something this trivial?"
"Yes..."
"Is what's in this post true?"
"Absolutely not!"
He smirked and smacked my back mercilessly.
Smack smack!
His hand stung on my back.
Ow, hit lighter or it'll bruise?
I frowned and glanced at him, but he hit even harder.
"If one post like this weakens your resolve, I'm disappointed. Once you're in this industry, you have to endure hate comments."
I knew he'd say that.
'I know that, okay?'
Unaware of my thoughts, Senior Kim Sung-hyun scanned the post and stroked his chin.
"There's not a single piece of solid info here. You let something like this ruin your focus for this shoot? I didn't know you were this fragile, Jun-seo."
"Haha..."
There was no room for rebuttal.
My mentality was weak, after all.
"Ignore crap like this. Where's that boldness that countered with acting back then? This doesn't suit you."
"......"
"And this doesn't even qualify as the vicious hate I've seen."
"......!"
He was right.
Compared to the hate from my past life, this was child's play. It was like when I was rising as a child actor.
Regaining my energy, I jumped up and bowed deeply to the senior.
"Thank you! I'll nail it without mistakes now. Senior."
"Good. Let's wrap this in one take."
The next morning.
I sat at the folding table eating breakfast with Yu-na while skimming the anonymous board that targeted me yesterday.
Overnight, the post had vanished without a trace.
The anonymous site continued as if nothing had happened.
"Hmm..."
"Daddy."
"Hm? Yu-na. Why?"
"You said eat only when eating. Can Daddy play with his hand-phone?"
"Ah.... Right. Yeah."
Kids are mirrors of their parents.
Hearing Yu-na, I set my phone down.
"...Yu-na?"
"Yes?"
"You said eat everything evenly when eating. We promised, remember?"
"Tch..."
Yu-na, who was secretly hiding beans, pouted.
I picked up the hidden beans with chopsticks and brought them to Yu-na's mouth.
"Here, say ahh?"
"Ahh..."
Munch munch.
Yu-na's face scrunched up.
Even that scrunched face was so cute.
Ending my tough battle to fix Yu-na's picky eating, I stood from my seat.
"Yu-na, the weather's nice. Want to walk to kindergarten with Daddy today?"
Nice weather my foot.
It was drizzling outside, humidity at max.
I said it was nice because I had nothing to do and wanted an excuse to go with Yu-na.
"Woo! Yes! I wanna go with Daddy!"
Luckily, she bought it.
After clearing the table, I washed Yu-na and prepped for kindergarten.
Perfect.
I dressed her in uniform, put on raincoat and boots, and was satisfied.
"Alright, let's go. Yu-na."
"Oh! Right! Daddy! Daddy! This."
Yu-na suddenly flung off her raincoat and rummaged in her bright yellow bag.
She pulled out a neatly folded paper and handed it to me.
"They said show this to Daddy."
"Hmm, parent notice?"
Unfolding it, it listed supplies needed for the next class.
"Brush... water cup. And palette?"
None of which we had at home.