Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Explosive Followers and Gym Hell
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After finishing the live broadcast, I was on my way home. Messages from seniors and friends kept pouring in, to the point where my phone felt like it was about to catch fire.
Every single one was about how fun the live stream had been, along with check-in texts.
They'd all been watching. I felt a bit embarrassed for no reason, but I was incredibly grateful for their attention.
I replied to each one with care, then checked the reactions on my Starlight account.
'This is insane.'
I'd only promoted my Starlight account at the end of the live, and the follower count had skyrocketed.
This wasn't right, was it?
It completely defied common sense.
'From 2.5 million to 2.7 million...'
It had grown more than the combined viewer count. Were they promoting it elsewhere too? The suspicion crept in.
There was no other way to explain such steep growth.
'...Still, maybe it's a good thing?'
There were tons of comments envying our wholesome family photos.
Sure, there were occasional nasty ones accusing me of using my daughter to grab attention.
But I let them be. They didn't stand out much, and the fans handled the backlash for me.
Well, malicious fans are still fans.
And besides.
If I let trivial things like this get to me and hurt my feelings, I might as well quit being a celebrity.
I nodded inwardly, but my heart was still conflicted.
"Still... this is too much."
Follower numbers rivaling those of major actors. What started as a hobby had somehow become something else entirely.
I knew I needed to get used to it since my goal was top actor status. But I never dreamed popularity would surge this fast.
At this level, I had real influence, so I couldn't just post any old photo. The higher you climb, the faster you fall.
Maybe it was smart to let the agency manage my Starlight account.
From now on, I needed to watch my behavior.
With that resolve, I tossed my phone aside.
"What's too much?"
The manager, deep in driving, asked with a puzzled look.
"...Nothing."
"All your schedules for today are done. We're heading home—anywhere you need to stop?"
"Home. And you can head out early today."
"Got it."
The corners of his mouth curved up slightly.
No one hates getting off early. Even this stoic manager was human, after all.
Yesterday, Yu-na and I watched the first-run episode of [High School 2022, Episode 6].
The part where Yu-na puffed up and squeezed between me and Ha-yul came on.
After coming to the agency in the morning to discuss account management with the team.
I posted about what happened on Starlight, and the response was explosive.
People praised Yu-na for being cute.
Most defended it, saying the seat next to me was obviously hers.
I should be happy about reactions like this.
But right now, I felt conflicted.
All my seniors built their fame steadily through variety shows, yet no one was calling me.
'Why no contacts for me?'
Pacing the agency office, I bit my nails.
The offers must have gone to the agency.
"Haa..."
Was the CEO keeping me off variety shows? To soothe my disappointment, I scoured the new projects.
"This one's meh... This too..."
Nothing good compared to that audition script from before.
All duds...
Thud!
I tossed the last script and leaned back.
The wall clock showed lunchtime had come and gone.
Everyone handling work had gone out to eat, leaving the place empty. No one invited me.
Anyway.
"When's the CEO coming? He calls me and shows up two hours late. Losing track of time in old age?"
"Don't badmouth me outside the office?"
I was grumbling with my eyes closed when a familiar voice came from behind.
This voice... no way.
I turned slightly. CEO Do Bong-seok stood there, arms crossed, eyebrow twitching.
"D-Did you hear all that?"
"Old age messing with my ears? What'd our Jun-seo say?"
He heard everything! Meeting his icy gaze, cold sweat trickled down my back. I shot up, bowing with a forced smile.
"Ahaha. Just kidding, CEO. So, why'd you call me? Any variety offers?"
Do Bong-seok's lips curved up.
Goosebumps prickled my arms.
Something felt off...
He uncrossed his arms, approached, and patted my shoulder.
"Starting today, hit the gym, manage your diet, and sculpt that body."
"...Pardon?"
Did I hear wrong?
"You heard right."
He read my mind and cleared it up instantly.
"You passed for the lead in [Devil's Errand Center]. So, before drama filming starts, get that body in shape—orders from above. I turned down all the variety offers."
"......"
My mind went blank, like I'd been struck hard on the head. He continued with a wicked grin.
"Booked the gym right next door under your name. Go with your manager waiting downstairs. He'll help."
His words hit like thunder from a clear sky, freezing me stiff. Memories from my past life of the agony to build my body. Holding back cravings, choking down tasteless chicken breast...
"Urp."
Dry heaves came unbidden.
"Ahaha! That excited?"
No, does this look like excitement?
The CEO's hearty laugh made him so infuriating I wanted to die.
This is hell.
"Your hips are dropping! Lift them higher, or you'll wreck your back."
My manager majored in security in college, so he's got real exercise chops, apparently.
That's how my PT with him started.
After his pitch to build a solid core base with planks.
Time crawled like it had stopped.
"Only 30 seconds in. Hips dropping again. Up! Quick."
How many times was this?
Five?
"Ugh!"
"Too high now. Lower a bit. Good. You're doing well."
"Urk."
"Nice. 20 more seconds like this."
The manager was chattier than usual, his vibe totally different. Solid muscles, shoulders broader than the Pacific.
And who knows where he got them from.
Scars covered his body, drawing my eyes.
"Hngh!"
"Good. Rest now."
I collapsed, panting without wiping the sweat.
He'd say let's start for real now, right?
"Get back in position. Legs spread this time."
Yup. Spot on.
After that, I followed his instructions, switching poses and focusing on the workout.
As time passed, my mind blanked white—no thoughts. Just moving as he said.
How much time had gone by?
While he meticulously corrected my sloppy form, he got an urgent call and left.
Finally, time to rest without eyes on me.
"Uwaaah. Feels like dying."
Well, I'd died once already.
No pain then, though.
"Urk."
Just shifting brought groans. Dragging my powerless legs to the bench, I chugged the cold water.
"Haa. Even if it's just for a few days... this phase is killer."
I'd done brutal training in my past life too. Knew the start was toughest.
When would I get used to it?
Catching my breath during the break, four pairs of legs appeared before me.
Who was it?
Looking up, middle-aged ladies.
"Oh my, Lee Jun-seo?"
"Yeah, it's him. Looks just like the photos."
"Working out? Must be tough. Have some fruit."
One offered a container of mixed fruits, her cheeks flushing.
Fans, probably.
"Sorry. On a diet today. Can't take it."
"Huh? Oh... I see."
Her face fell.
Too blunt?
"Ah, don't be too upset. I'd take it any other day."
Her drooping eyes brightened.
"What hours are you here?"
"Probably from 1 PM... for about four hours."
We chatted as I rested, when the gym door burst open energetically. The manager, finishing a call outside.
"...We should head out."
"Work out hard!"
"F-Fighting!"
"Yeah... You too, ma'am."
The ladies eyed my manager and left.
Ah, back to training.
"Jun-seo, up."
"Got it. One sec."
Pushing off my knees to stand—body wouldn't budge.
"Haa... No acting. Get up. Doesn't work on me."
Acting? My throat burned, but I swallowed it, struggled up, and reset for core work.
"All done. Back to planks from the start. Don't forget today's routine."
"Ah, got it... Little more rest? Yeah?"
"Fine, 10 minutes..."
What? 10 minutes?
Joy was short-lived.
"Today, five simple sets."
Repeating everything so far five times? His smile...
Pure devil.
Heading to pick up Yu-na after the workout. Even a light touch made my body twitch; pain like being pummeled throbbed everywhere.
"Here."
Now, conserve energy to get out.
Use the last bit here, and I couldn't make it home.
"...Can you grab Yu-na? Can't move."
"Ah..."
He scanned me top to bottom, sighed deeply.
"Yes, sure."
What's with that reaction?
My stamina that bad?
No energy to snap.
I waved him off. He got out, headed into the kindergarten.
'Diet control from now on.'
Trunk full of chicken breast and eggs. Bought at the mart before picking up Yu-na.
'Eating that tasteless stuff till filming ends.'
So many boxes in the rearview.
Sigh escaped.
Shivering hands into pocket, pulled out phone. Cooking methods?
Searched recipes—plenty of good ones.
"This'd be fine even with Yu-na?"
Looked healthy just watching.
Focused on a cooking video, when the passenger door flew open. Someone hopped in.
"Daddyyy!"
"Gyaaah!"
Landing on my knee like a hammer blow. I groaned; Yu-na tilted her head.
"Daddy, hurts?"
"Ung. Hurts bad..."
No room for white lies now. Admit pain so she wouldn't cling like usual.
But.
Against my expectation, Yu-na clung tight, suppressed groans bursting out nonstop.
"Gyaah!"
"Waaah! Daddy! Really hurts?"
Yu-na burst into tears in my arms.
And her squirming on my knee tortured me.
Total chaos.
Manager smirked at the scene, amused.
'Please, stop grinning and pry Yu-na off.Dad Becomes a Top Actor