Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: The 'I Love Dad!' Filming Day
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Today was the day we were filming the variety show *I Love Dad!*. My heart had been pounding since yesterday, keeping me up until sunrise. I couldn't help it—I was as excited as a kid waiting for a field trip.
Unlike shooting a drama or sitcom, this was about showing our everyday life raw.
It was on a whole different level.
And I was a little worried, too.
Would others see me as a good dad raising Yu-na right?
"Haa..."
I let out a sigh amid pointless anxiety while eating breakfast, when a strange sound caught my ear.
Clink. Clink.
Snapping to attention, I looked ahead to see Yu-na scraping her rice bowl clean, scooping the last bits into her tiny mouth.
I smiled faintly.
*She tried hard. It'll be fine.*
Wiping the smile from my face, I picked up the beans she'd hidden behind her plate with my chopsticks.
"You have to eat these too. Think Dad wouldn't notice? Come on, say 'ahh'?"
"I don't like beans..."
"Ss-up!"
Yu-na pouted and hesitated before slowly opening her mouth.
I popped the bean in, and her face scrunched up tight. She chewed a little, then gulped it down fast. She really hated them.
Like that, two. Three times.
It was our morning routine...
But fixing Yu-na's picky eating was harder than acting.
After feeding her all the leftover beans,
I cleared the table and tied her hair back.
Time for kindergarten.
*There's something to do before we head out.*
I grabbed a mask and hat from the shoe rack shelf, covering my face completely, then checked myself in the mirror.
"Perfect."
"What's perfect, Daddy?"
Yu-na, already bundled in her coat, came over and asked. It'd gotten chilly lately, so we had to be careful not to catch colds.
"Nothing."
I buttoned up the front to keep out the draft and gently stroked her hair.
"Ready to go?"
"It's hot like this..."
"Just hold out until we get to kindergarten."
"Okay."
Holding Yu-na's hand tight affectionately, we stepped outside to wait for the kindergarten bus.
How much time passed?
The crisp autumn breeze slipped through our thick clothes, cooling my body.
The wind picked up, and yellow ginkgo leaves from the trees across the street began falling like snowflakes.
Yes. Winter was coming soon.
And two months from now...
Yu-na's birthday, which I'd failed to celebrate last year. This time, I'd marked it on my calendar and phone so I wouldn't forget.
*How should I celebrate?*
Her birthday fell right at year-end awards season, so I'd need to plan carefully.
"Hmm."
As I pondered, the New Sprout Kindergarten bus pulled up in front of us.
"Ah! It's here!"
Yu-na dropped my hand and dashed toward the bright yellow bus.
Regretfully, I clenched and unclenched my fist before raising my hand.
"See you later, Yu-na."
"Okay! Bye, Daddy!"
The teacher who lifted Yu-na safely onto the bus spun around.
Staring straight at me, she glanced around furtively before bowing her head.
"I heard from the director. You're appearing on *I Love Dad!*, right? They're not filming you from afar right now, are they?"
Her eyes were still darting this way and that.
She seemed to be searching for cameras.
"Ahaha. Not yet. We'll start after I head to the station today."
"Does that mean I'll be on TV later too...?"
Just then, the driver in the front rolled down his window and raised his voice.
"Teacher, we'll be late."
With a final reassurance that I'd entrusted Yu-na safely, she hurried aboard and shut the door firmly.
Through the translucent window, I saw Yu-na.
She waved wildly at me, then turned to her friend in the next seat.
Once the bus vanished from sight,
I turned toward the bus stop.
The moment I arrived at KY Station, I called PD Kim Eun-young right away.
No way was I wandering around lost and getting chased off by staff. So I sat on a lobby bench, waiting for her to pick up.
After two calls,
the line finally connected with a click, and PD Kim Eun-young's voice came through.
- Ah! Jun-seo. Sorry, I've been swamped and just got back to you.
"No worries. Anyway... I'm in the lobby now. Where should I go? I'm not great with directions."
- Ah! I'll send the rookie down right away. The interview content... Hey! Can't you see I'm on the phone?
"...Over there."
- Sorry about that.
"It's fine. I'll wait here then."
Even as we hung up, her booming voice echoed.
From what I caught, they'd drafted interview questions, but the main PD wasn't satisfied.
The reason they'd called me here today was to film the interview footage.
I already knew that much.
Of course, they said they'd share the questions on the day, so I had no idea what they were...
*PD will handle it.*
As I pocketed my phone and blankly scanned the lobby,
I spotted a middle-aged man perilously perched on the upstairs railing, leaning out.
His face looked familiar.
*That guy... Ah!*
It was rookie PD An Ki-hoon.
He looked so different from the coffee shop last time that I hadn't recognized him at first.
Dark circles visible even from afar.
Hair like it hadn't been washed in days.
Cheeks hollowed out, cheekbones protruding.
*How rough has it been...*
He looked ready to collapse as he headed for the stairs. It was pitiful.
An Ki-hoon, now down in the lobby, glanced around. The second our eyes met, he hurried over, looking utterly exhausted...
"Huff. Huff..."
I said nothing to the panting man. He seemed like he'd answer anyway.
Once his breathing steadied, An Ki-hoon flashed a bright smile and bowed.
"Hi. Long time no see."
"You could've taken it slow coming down..."
"No, can't keep you waiting. Let me guide you."
"Yes. Thanks."
Kim Eun-young ruffled her hair roughly.
She'd toned down the interview questions as much as possible into a list, but the words on the paper were still too blunt.
*'An actor who had a kid young.'*
She'd picked questions the public would be curious about since it wasn't common, but she couldn't avoid sensitive ones entirely.
So she'd planned to soften them further, and the writers' draft didn't sit well.
"Lee Jun-seo is coming soon, so prep in 10 minutes flat."
"Yes! Got it!"
After sending the writers off, Kim Eun-young let out a deep sigh.
They'd succeeded in booking rising star Lee Jun-seo...
But worry crept in unbidden.
*'Not like he had an accident and got her pregnant, right?'*
No, probably not.
Otherwise, he couldn't have brought his daughter into the industry.
Leaning back in her chair, Kim Eun-young thought it over.
*'Blowing up like this from a sitcom...*
She smiled at the computer screen full of articles about Lee Jun-seo.
[Long-running sitcom *Guard the Pojangmacha!* holds steady ratings. All thanks to actor Lee Jun-seo and his daughter?] [Lee Jun-seo was originally just a bit part... Director Lee Han-sol promoted him to supporting himself...] [Will Lee Jun-seo's daughter appear in his next project *High School 2022*?]
If his next drama aired, it could bring massive popularity.
She could use that boost to reverse their sagging ratings.
"...Let's make it last over a year this time."
Just then, the writers approached with the revised list.
"We toned it down as much as we could..."
"Can't soften it more without it not sounding like questions..."
Their exhausted faces brimmed with desperation after endless tweaks—over 50 revisions just for this list.
*'Please...'*
The rookie writer prayed silently behind them. The main PD was scrutinizing the list without a word.
Peeking, the rookie saw her expression was different from usual.
Not even an eyebrow twitch.
"Hmm, it's just right, but..."
She trailed off, and the writers' faces fell in despair. Still, the rookie trusted his gut.
It felt different this time...
It had to be okay.
Hesitating, he pointed to the last line.
"Why'd you add this?"
"Ah... That was the rookie..."
"Rookie?"
All eyes turned to him. Shoulders slumping, he gauged the mood before speaking.
"Truth is, I'm a fan of actor Lee Jun-seo and his daughter. So I added it from a fan's perspective. The senior writers approved."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Kim Eun-young stopped drumming the table, scratched her head, and replied.
"Hmm, then slot it in the middle. Right after a sensitive one—to switch up the mood."
With that, she praised the rookie lavishly.
Only then did everyone's faces relax.
They'd escaped revision hell at last.
Following An Ki-hoon's lead, I sat in the studio chair provided.
*Not my first variety gig, but I'm nervous.*
I swallowed dryly.
Gulp.
"Um, are you sure you don't want makeup?"
A middle-aged man approached with tools, asking in a nasal tone.
High-pitched like a woman's.
Red nails and accessories.
He was full of personality.
I looked at him, smiled brightly, and shook my head.
"Yes, I'm good. This isn't a drama or movie shoot. It's everyday life, so natural is best."
"I see. Too bad."
He shrugged like he genuinely regretted it and turned away.
As he exited, Kim Eun-young and staff entered.
"Hello, Mr. Lee Jun-seo."
"Yes, hello, PD."
"We're about to film the interview. Okay to ask casually?"
"Yes, go ahead."
The interview was finally starting.
PD Kim Eun-young sat right across, placing a drink on the table.
PPL, no doubt.
*They want me to drink it, right?*
I twisted the cap without covering the label and took a sip, turning my head.
With my experience, this was child's play.
I chugged it down and set the empty bottle aside. Her eyes widened round.
Shocked at my smooth PPL, probably. Regaining composure, she gave an awkward smile.
"...Ahaha. Thirsty, huh?"
"Pardon? Ah..."
I pondered briefly.
Nail this indirect ad perfectly, and maybe endorsement offers would roll in later?
In that case...
I answered without much delay.
"It's my favorite drink."
"We have tons—help yourself. Now, to the questions."
"Yes."
"First... You went to the sitcom audition with your daughter, right?"
"Yes."
"Why together?"
"No one to watch Yu-na. I have no family left... No wife in this world either..."
Drip. Drip.
My vision blurred as something warm trailed down my cheek.
I wiped it with my hand.
It came away wet.