Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Daddy's Haircut Fail
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After sending the two actors away, Han Mun-jin let out a deep sigh and called the head writer.
"Ah! Director!"
"Yeah. I kicked them out, just like you said."
"Really? Thank goodness. I had no idea they were like that. A friend told me... that actor..."
Thank goodness? Maybe it was.
'Who the hell picked those guys?'
The night before, he'd heard the head writer's story and learned something shocking.
'The anonymous post sniping Lee Jun-seo.'
And other posts that seemed to know the pasts of various actors. They all had one thing in common.
They were all rookie actors who'd worked with Im Ju-ho.
It wasn't solid proof that Im Ju-ho wrote the anonymous posts.
But separately, their behavior was the issue.
When Kang Min-woo got hit by Im Ju-ho during filming, Han Mun-jin had seen it clearly.
The way he grinned at the fallen Kang Min-woo was chillingly malicious.
He'd called them out on their behavior several times.
He'd warned that next time, contract or no contract, they'd be gone.
And yet.
Im Ju-ho hadn't listened at all.
'I never thought it'd come to this...'
If he'd spoken more harshly, maybe it wouldn't have escalated?
That nagging thought was why he'd apologized to Lee Jun-seo.
"...Director?"
If he'd realized the severity sooner and booted Im Ju-ho...
If he'd replaced him with another actor...
"Director! Are you listening?"
Han Mun-jin snapped out of it, sighed deeply again, and spoke.
"They insulted this actor. And it even turned into a fight. Who the hell picked those guys?"
"I-I didn't!"
He'd personally selected the key actors after seeing their acting. The rest were up to the head writer and the production manager.
'Wasn't it the head writer who picked them?'
Han Mun-jin racked his memory, then raised his voice.
"You're the one! You said he looked like the type who'd pick a fight with the lead!"
"Ah! Y-you said they fought. So what happened to Actor Lee Jun-seo?"
"I know you're trying to change the subject."
"What happened to Actor Lee Jun-seo?"
"Haa... He's not badly hurt."
Not enough to affect the next shoot. There was a scene stopping fighting students, so they could tweak the script to say he'd gotten hurt then.
"That's a relief."
"And Yu-na got hurt too. Just a scrape on her little palm..."
Before he could finish, a thud came from the phone. Sounded like the head writer, sitting in her chair, had toppled backward.
"Ow... W-what do you mean..."
"Im Ju-ho. That bastard pushed her and hurt her. That's when this actor got mad and fought back."
"How dare he touch our Yu-na..."
A barrage of curses faintly reached him.
The child actress had a pure charm in every little gesture that made smiles come naturally.
That charm shone even brighter with Lee Jun-seo.
Which was why all of Yu-na's fans were fans of Lee Jun-seo too.
Han Mun-jin was a fan of the father-daughter duo too.
He just never showed it.
"Folding her in half..."
"Hey. What are you plotting?"
"Ahaha! Plotting? Oh, Director, about this incident. You're not planning to cover it up quietly, right?"
"Ahaha!"
Han Mun-jin snorted at her words.
'Do I really need to step in?'
Even so, he couldn't suppress the anger bubbling inside.
"...You're really going to cover it up?"
"Should I tell you?"
"I'm curious!!"
"That guy was on his last chance with this drama anyway. If I talk directly to his agency rep... he'll never work in this industry again."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah."
Time flew by, and it was only entering fall when my schedule as the teacher wrapped up.
'I thought I was gonna die.'
The leads still had shoots left.
But they'd adjusted the tight schedule to finish on time for broadcast, or so I'd heard.
'At least that's something?'
The shoot had been delayed from the start.
Actor Cha Eun-hyuk's enteritis.
Me collapsing after recalling all my memories.
And the clash with Im Ju-ho.
Despite all that, the pace was faster than expected.
Because everyone's acting had improved so much from the beginning. The director was thrilled...
I sighed deeply and picked up my unusually quiet phone.
My face reflected on the dark screen. Bedhead hair, deep pillow marks on my face.
I looked a mess.
'She'll definitely... come today too, right?'
Even with no scenes left, the director always called for me.
Late evening calls inviting us to dinner.
Weekends, dragging me hiking because he'd found a great mountain.
Fall mountains are the best, he'd say.
After bonding over hikes with the director, he'd firmly promised to recommend a good agency.
'I do need an agency now.'
He had wide connections.
Who'd turn down a recommendation from someone like that and scout alone?
I was lying on the bed, staring blankly at the silent phone.
Bang!
"I'm home!"
Already time for her to be back?
At Yu-na's cheerful voice, I sat up.
"You're early? Go wash your hands and feet in the bathroom first..."
Yu-na kicked off her shoes and came running. Did she like me that much? I shrugged and spread my arms toward her.
Pat pat pat!
In an instant, she was close, snatching the remote by my side.
She turned on the TV, plopped down, and flipped channels.
"Phew, made it in time."
"......"
My outstretched arms lost their purpose, so I scratched my messy hair.
'This is embarrassing.'
Yu-na settled not far from the TV, clutching the remote with her tiny hands.
Like she was determined not to let me take it.
Cute was cute.
"Ahem! Yu-na."
"Yeah?"
"Forgot our promise?"
"Oh!"
She inched back slowly, eyes glued to the TV.
"Like this?"
"Hehe. Yeah."
The boring ad ended, and the opening theme started.
"Hehehe. It's starting."
Yu-na swept back her bangs sticking to her face with a small hand.
'Maybe hit the salon tomorrow?'
I thought for a second, then shook my head. Too pricey just for bangs.
I had a decent savings, but you had to pinch pennies.
Guess I'd cut them myself.
Saturday morning, I spread newspaper on the living room floor, prepped clean scissors and a big plastic sheet.
"Yu-na. Sit in the middle. Daddy'll cut it pretty."
"Okay."
I draped the plastic around her neck where she sat in the center.
Rustle rustle.
"Sip. Stay still."
"Hehehe."
Yu-na stopped fidgeting and stared straight ahead. First time cutting someone else's hair, I was tense.
Gulp.
Should've just gone to the salon.
But I'd said I'd do it, so no backing out.
I swallowed dryly and picked up the scissors.
"Gonna start. Close your eyes."
"Okayyy."
Yu-na, who always obeyed perfectly, closed her eyes tightly.
'Don't poke her. Careful careful.'
Snip snip snip.
Yu-na's bangs shortening bit by bit.
Stray hairs stuck to her face; I brushed them off gently, hands moving.
But even this simple bang trim kept going crooked.
'Huh? This feels off...'
Trying to even it out made the once-long bangs too short.
Finally.
I succeeded in a straight, clean cut, but the result wasn't great.
Yu-na's bangs were super short, exposing her shiny forehead completely.
If I showed her a mirror, 100 out of 100, she'd cry.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
"Daddy. Done?"
Yu-na turned her head and asked.
My conscience stung.
Should've gone to the salon...
"Uh. Y-yeah. All done."
"Then show me the mirror!"
Yu-na tossed the plastic and brushed off the hairs on her face.
Then dashed to the bathroom.
Moments later...
"What is this! Waaah!"
A wail full of betrayal, as if stabbed by trusted me, filled the house.
She'd cried after all.
Honestly, to me, Yu-na looked adorable no matter the style.
'Haa, what now.'
Spilled milk.
I tidied up roughly and went to the bathroom. Yu-na was face-down, sobbing buckets.
As I approached, she looked up. Her now fully exposed forehead starkly visible.
It was so cute and funny.
Ah, can't laugh.
"Sniff. Sniff."
"...Pfft."
"Waaah! Nooo!"
My laugh set her off; she rolled on the bathroom floor.
Even reaching out got swatted away.
'What do I do.'
I forcibly scooped her up and gently stroked her cheek.
"Daddy's sorry. Okay?"
"......"
Trust shattered, no words would soothe her.
Tried tempting with her favorite snacks.
Promised toys...
But Yu-na stayed silent.
"To Daddy, it really suits you. And others will think so too. Wanna bet?"
"......"
"We'll ask your big brothers and sisters, and your fans who love you. They'll all say it's cute."
An hour of coaxing.
Finally, Yu-na's lips parted.
"...R-really?"
I seized the chance, smiling warmly and nodding.
"Of course. Daddy doesn't lie."
"Daddy always... lies..."
Even sniffling, she had to get her say in.
But now it was fine.
It did suit her, honestly.
I grabbed my phone to snap a pic and ask right away.
Yu-na startled and fled to the bathroom. Embarrassed to show her look?
So cute.
***
Yu-na's face finally bloomed with smiles. Rubbing her straight-cut bangs, gazing in the mirror.
Praise from seniors and friends had her warming to her new hair.
At first, I was nervous.
Sending real-time pics to the group chat—would they laugh?
Even now.
The responses were explosive.
Yoo Seol-hwa: So cute!!
Yoo Seol-hwa: Look at those dewy eyes. Junior! Can I set this as my wallpaper? Permission granted!
Kang Su-ho: Cut cute. Looks like the junior did it at a glance.
Shin Dong-hyun: Yu-na looks prettier without bangs. Wait! Almost forgot to tell you.
Shin Dong-hyun: You know the variety show 'Dad Loves Me!'?
I tilted my head.
Asking if I knew the super-famous 'Dad Loves Me!'?
Who do they think I am?
Lee Jun-seo: Why ask about that?
Bzzz.
Suddenly my phone rang—Shin Dong-hyun calling.
"Hey!"
"......"
His booming voice hit as I picked up; I pulled the phone away.
Did Yu-na hear?
She'd been grinning at her mirror reflection but shuddered.
She came right up, head cocked.
"Daddy, who? Dong-hyun oppa?"
Only then did Dong-hyun's ear-splitting voice quiet.
"Haa, yeah. Yu-na, wait a sec? I'll hand you over soon."
"Hehehe, okay."
I sighed and put the phone back to my ear.
"You know that show. Interested in appearing?"
"Why ask me?"
"Ah, the PD from the variety I did recently also handles 'Dad Loves Me!'"
"Yeah, and?"
"He called me in and asked me to ask you, please."
"Why you?"
"He said he sent a direct casting email, but no reply. So I told you to get an agency quick."
"...Been super busy. Too lazy to check mail... Planning to join one soon on recommendation."
"Anyway! No pressure. I'm just asking. Even if you say no..."
I was gonna rest a few days anyway. A variety with Yu-na? No reason to refuse.
Before Shin Dong-hyun could pivot, I gave a positive answer.
"I'll do it."
"Huh? R-really?"
He sounded shocked, never expecting a firm yes.
"I'll give it a try. Just give me the PD's contact. I'll call myself."
"Ah, got it."
Click!
After hanging up, Yu-na's eyes drooped sadly.
Ah, right. Forgot to switch.
"Wanted... to talk to oppa."
"Ah! Yeah. Sorry. Daddy'll call back. Don't cry. Click!"
Called Dong-hyun again, handed to Yu-na, and relaxed.
Variety show, huh...
Fits my doting dad image perfectly. Looking forward to it.