Chapter 26
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Your Nephew Will Escort You
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Scene.26 Your Nephew Will Escort You.
The characters, events, and places in this story are fictional and may differ from reality.
Scene.26
Your Nephew Will Escort You.
“CP-nim, what are you doing? He’s greeting you.”
Kim Seong-hui gave Yu Han-seong a sharp poke in the ribs.
“Oh? Ah! Yes. I’m Yu Han-seong, the Chief Producer in charge of this drama.”
‘I’m 178 cm… He looks like he’s at least 185.’
Yu Han-seong had never considered himself short, but standing face-to-face with Yu-hyeon, he found himself having to look up.
“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you, CP-nim. You’ve had a bit of an unpleasant welcome, but I hope this incident doesn’t define your entire impression of Malta.”
“Ah, well, of course. There are bad people everywhere. And we got the bag back. In fact, I should be the one thanking you.”
Yu Han-seong nodded repeatedly as if to say not to worry.
“It’s good to see you again too, Writer Kim. Has it been two months?”
“Yes. The… Prof…”
“I’ve decided to take a year off from school. To help my father with his work.”
As Seong-hui hesitated over his title, about to say "Professor," Yu-hyeon preemptively clarified the situation by mentioning "school."
“Oh, I see. Was it, by any chance, because of us?”
“Haha. Of course not. It was just the right time for a break. And my father asked me to help with the family business, so that’s how it turned out.”
At Yu-hyeon’s words, whispers started up again from behind them.
‘Oh my, he must be a student.’
‘He looks to be in his early to mid-twenties. A college student, I guess?’
‘What a good son. Taking a leave of absence to help his father.’
‘Anyway, his voice is amazing.’
Seong-hui subtly shook her head at the comments she overheard.
As Yu-hyeon glanced past Yu Han-seong and Kim Seong-hui, Yu Han-seong stepped up to make the introductions.
“These are the Korean actors who will be starring in the drama.”
“A pleasure to meet you all. I’d like to welcome you to Malta once again. I will do my best to ensure your stay is comfortable, so please don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything at any time.”
The older actors nodded with warm expressions at Yu-hyeon’s greeting, while the younger ones watched him with curiosity. Of course, not all of those curious gazes were friendly.
While the women’s reactions leaned toward positive, the young men’s curiosity was closer to wariness.
“Shall we all get in the cars for now? Alain.”
“Ah. Right.”
“Please coordinate the passenger arrangements according to the request of the head of the broadcast station here.”
“Right, right.”
As Yu-hyeon conversed fluently in English with Alain, the women’s eyes sparkled once more.
Yu-hyeon turned his head to Yu Han-seong.
“CP-nim, did you bring an interpreter with you?”
“Ah, our FD here studied abroad.”
The FD, who had been busy relaying messages between Alain and Yu Han-seong, moved closer to Yu-hyeon.
“Hello. I’m FD Lee Ji-eun.”
To FD Lee Ji-eun’s Korean, Yu-hyeon replied in English.
“A pleasure to meet you, FD Lee Ji-eun. This is Alain, and he’ll be in charge of the drivers during the shoot. Please feel free to tell him whatever you need for transportation. Consult with the CP-nim and please assign the vehicles and personnel.”
Lee Ji-eun glanced back and forth between Alain and Yu-hyeon, replied, “Yes!” and immediately began organizing the passengers.
Yu-hyeon scanned the actors and then asked Kim Seong-hui a question, as he couldn’t see the person he was looking for.
“Writer-nim. Those actresses…”
“Pardon? Oh! Ms. Yeon Jeong-suk and Ms. Han Mi-ra are over there. They’re sitting in the airport waiting area.”
Yu-hyeon nodded at Seong-hui’s answer and walked straight back into the airport.
The staff, actors, and even the agency managers all wore puzzled expressions.
“Excuse me, Writer-nim. That man over there. Does he know Ms. Yeon Jeong-suk?”
One of the managers asked in a hushed tone about the relationship between Yu-hyeon and Yeon Jeong-suk. Yeon Jeong-suk was an actress with his agency, Haneul Entertainment.
From his expression, it was clear that if there was a personal connection between Yeon Jeong-suk and Yu-hyeon, he was ready to hand over a business card in a heartbeat.
Kim Seong-hui could only shake her head, looking as frustrated as someone nursing a secret sorrow.
‘How can I tell them he’s vetting his father’s girlfriend candidates?’
He might be helping her because of his father's blind date, but to be this direct from the very start…
No, wait. The father and son had sunk billions of won into this venture. Maybe this level of directness was to be expected?
As Kim Seong-hui shook her head at the manager, this time an employee from Han Mi-ra’s former agency asked the same question.
“Then with Ms. Han Mi-ra…”
“Ha. I don’t know either. So please stop asking strange questions and let’s get moving.”
Kim Seong-hui shook her head again, grabbed her suitcase, and headed for the taxis.
“Oh my, sis. Look at that man over there.”
“Hm?”
At her junior actress’s voice, Yeon Jeong-suk turned her head toward the airport entrance and spotted a tall, handsome young man walking inside.
“How old are you now?”
Yeon Jeong-suk chided her junior, Han Mi-ra, for still fawning over men at her age.
“What does age have to do with it? If he’s good to look at, that’s all that matters.”
“Gosh. What am I even saying to you? After all you’ve been through, you still haven’t learned your lesson.”
Though she had calmed down now in her forties, in her heyday, Han Mi-ra was notorious for constantly being embroiled in dating scandals.
“You know better than anyone, sis. All those nasty rumors were just cooked up by malicious people.”
“I know. That’s why I’m saying this. You were young back then. You’re forty-four now. Do you really want to be tormented by more strange rumors at your age?”
“Who cares? It’s my life, I’ll live it my way. The ones who spread lies about things that never even happened are the strange ones.”
Han Mi-ra pouted.
Once nicknamed the “Love Maker,” Han Mi-ra had been the undisputed queen of dating scandals in South Korea.
However, contrary to her reputation, she had never once had a proper relationship and had reached her current age all the same. Because she was constantly surrounded by dating rumors, men had actually stopped approaching her altogether.
If Yeon Jeong-suk’s life had been worn down by her thoughtless family, Han Mi-ra’s was a case of youth cut short, aging while caught up in a lifetime of romances she never had, all due to baseless rumors.
“Huh. But why does it look like he’s coming this way?”
As Han Mi-ra tilted her head, Yeon Jeong-suk also looked on with a puzzled expression. ‘You’re right. It does look like he’s heading over here.’
Yu-hyeon arrived in front of Yeon Jeong-suk and Han Mi-ra and bowed politely.
“Good afternoon.”
“Ah. Yes… But who are you…”
“My name is Kang Yu-hyeon. I’ve come from Pension Camu to escort you.”
“Oh. Yes. I see.”
At Yu-hyeon’s polite demeanor, Yeon Jeong-suk and Han Mi-ra rose from their seats.
They hadn’t lived their lives so poorly as to remain seated while someone, regardless of age, showed them such courtesy.
“Everyone is boarding the cars.”
“Are they? Then we should get going too.”
As Yeon Jeong-suk and Han Mi-ra each reached for their suitcases, Yu-hyeon quickly took the handles from them.
“Allow me to help with your luggage.”
“Oh no, it’s fine. The managers are here.”
“I will escort you to the airport entrance.”
The two women’s faces brightened with smiles, pleased by Yu-hyeon’s polite actions and speech.
“Well, thank you then.”
“Please, feel free to speak comfortably. You can think of me as your nephew and call me by my name.”
“Oh, my. How could we? We’ve just met. And nephew is a bit much. It’s not like we’re old ladies.”
Yeon Jeong-suk waved her hand dismissively, but Han Mi-ra readily accepted the offer.
“Can I really?”
“Of course. You’re Ms. Han Mi-ra, correct?”
“Puhaha. At my age, ‘Ms.’ is a bit much. How about ‘noona’? I much prefer that to ‘auntie’.”
“Hahaha. May I really? I heard you are both very famous actresses in Korea.”
“Famous? Please. When you’re abroad, we’re all just the same. Isn’t that right, sis?”
Han Mi-ra waved it off as if it were nothing, asking him to just be casual, and even pulled Yeon Jeong-suk in for agreement.
“That’s right. As Mi-ra said, out here, we’re just fellow Koreans.”
Yeon Jeong-suk smiled as if she truly couldn’t be helped.
“Still, calling you ‘noona’ feels a bit much. I’ll call you ‘auntie.’ From today until the day you return to Korea, your nephew will ensure you have a comfortable and safe journey. Shall we go?”
They were potential dates for his father; what was this about ‘noona’? He wasn't about to mess up the family tree from the start.
As Yu-hyeon came outside with Yeon Jeong-suk and Han Mi-ra, pulling their suitcases, two managers belatedly approached.
“Our apologies. We were preoccupied with the other actors.”
Yeon Jeong-suk nodded calmly as if to say it was fine, but Han Mi-ra shot back a sharp remark.
“So does that mean we’re not actors or something?”
At Han Mi-ra’s pointed comment, the two managers’ faces fell. But that was the extent of it.
“We’ll be more attentive from now on. For now, let’s head to the cars.”
Watching the managers’ behavior, Yu-hyeon recalled the profiles Kim Seong-hui had written.
# Yeon Jeong-suk (46) Debuted in the entertainment industry after winning Miss Chunhyang.
Gained popularity for her elegant beauty and personality, but her life took a downturn due to her family.
They used the money she earned to start businesses and other ventures, only to rack up debt, forcing her to take on any role she could get for 20 years. Her image became overexposed, and she was relegated to a common supporting actress.
Current Agency: Haneul Entertainment.
*No history of power abuse or causing social controversy.
# Han Mi-ra (44) Debuted in the entertainment industry as Miss Korea runner-up.
After her debut, she became the “nation’s girlfriend” due to her vivacious personality and striking looks. However, her career plummeted after being entangled in all sorts of rumors and dating scandals.
According to confirmed reports, a wealthy suitor she rejected retaliated against her.
She did not hesitate to sue reporters and newspapers to make her voice heard. Due to her bold personality and refusal to back down from speaking the truth, she is something of an outcast in the industry.
No current agency.
A temporary manager has been assigned from her former agency, Eoulim Entertainment.
*Has caused some social disturbances, but has no history of power abuse or controversy.
‘Still, this is too much. They’re veterans in this field.’
He knew that treatment in the entertainment industry varied based on popularity, but this was excessive. Now he understood why the two of them had been sitting alone inside the airport.
The two managers took the suitcases from Yu-hyeon’s hands.
“This way, please.”
As Yeon Jeong-suk and Han Mi-ra were about to follow the managers, Yu-hyeon gently stepped in front of them.
“Excuse me, managers. Just a moment.”
“Yes?”
“I will escort these two.”
“What? No, that’s not necessary. The car assignments have already been made.”
“No, it’s fine. These ladies are like aunts to me. I will escort them.”
At Yu-hyeon’s words, Yeon Jeong-suk was about to say it was okay, but Han Mi-ra grabbed her hand and shook her head.
“If our nephew wants to take care of us, that’s great for us. Yu-hyeon, where should we go?”
Though they had only known each other for a few minutes, Han Mi-ra treated Yu-hyeon with casual familiarity. Yu-hyeon liked Yeon Jeong-suk’s calm demeanor, but he also found himself liking the unrestrained Han Mi-ra.
“This way, aunties.”
Yu-hyeon took the suitcases back from the managers’ hands and led Yeon Jeong-suk and Han Mi-ra toward his car.
“Oh my goodness. What is that? The car looks like a spaceship.”
Han Mi-ra’s eyes widened with wonder as she spotted the Lamborghini.
“But why are those girls standing in front of the car?”
Standing there, a short distance from each other, were the lead actress of the drama, Lee Ha-na, and her on-screen rival, Seong Ye-rim.
Han Mi-ra found it odd that the actresses were standing in front of a car that seemed to have nothing to do with them.
“They must find it fascinating too. Maybe they want to take a picture.”
“Nah. Why would they find it fascinating? We’d be grateful to ride in a Carnival van, but those girls get driven around in imported vans. I bet they’ve ridden in plenty of sports cars.”
“Aunties. That’s my car.”
At Yu-hyeon’s words, Yeon Jeong-suk and Han Mi-ra looked stunned.
They didn’t know much about cars, but they had heard that such vehicles were not only expensive to buy but also incredibly costly to maintain.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
As Yu-hyeon strode toward the car, Lee Ha-na and Seong Ye-rim gave him a slight nod of greeting.
Yu-hyeon immediately understood why the two women were standing there. They wanted to arrive at Camu in a Lamborghini, not a taxi.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
At Yu-hyeon’s question, the two women just glared at each other, neither willing to speak first. Then, a manager standing beside them stepped forward.
“I’m Director Park Sang-do, lead actress Lee Ha-na’s manager.”
“Yes.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, perhaps you could give our Ha-na a ride.”
Just as Park Sang-do was making his request, someone from Seong Ye-rim’s side stepped forward.
“We were about to ask the same thing. I’m Director Choi Pil-yeon from TNT Entertainment. We would be grateful if you could escort our lead actress, Seong Ye-rim.”
Lee Ha-na’s agency, UN Entertainment, and Seong Ye-rim’s agency, TNT Entertainment, were famous rivals back in Korea. Now that they were co-starring in this drama, the subtle war of nerves between the two women and their agencies had grown even more intense.
As if enjoying the situation, not only the broadcast team but also the other actors and managers watched Yu-hyeon with intrigued expressions.
Their faces all seemed to say they were curious to see who would claim the first victory in Malta, knowing that this battle of wills would continue throughout the filming period.
Han Mi-ra gently tugged on Yu-hyeon’s arm.
“Yes, auntie.”
“We’ll just take a taxi.”
Han Mi-ra knew better than anyone how fierce the rivalries between actresses could be. Already treated like second-class citizens, she knew there was nothing to be gained by getting involved.
While she could put on a brave face in front of a junior manager, she had to be cautious in front of the A-list actresses and powerful directors from UN Entertainment and TNT Entertainment.
In this industry, power was measured by ‘popularity’ and ‘name recognition,’ a rule that no one in entertainment could break.
“Just a moment.”
Yu-hyeon took out his phone and made a call.
“Long time no see. Yeah. I need a car. For a VIP. The airport. Three minutes? Great. Thanks.”
The two aunties, the two young actresses, and their managers all looked slightly surprised as they watched Yu-hyeon on the phone.
It wasn’t because they understood what he was saying, but because he was speaking in Italian, not English.
While the women looked impressed by Yu-hyeon’s linguistic skills, the two agency directors’ eyes gleamed for a different reason.
‘He’s trilingual—Korean, English, and Italian!’
‘His proportions are perfect, his looks are even better, and his voice is top-tier!’
‘He said he’s on a break from school, so he must be a college student… If we could just sign him, he’d be a huge asset.’
‘I’ll have to find a chance to talk to him separately. We’ve been struggling with our male actor lineup, but if I could just get him to join TNT…’
Director Park Sang-do and Director Choi Pil-yeon sized Yu-hyeon up with covetous eyes.
About three minutes later, a massive vehicle glided smoothly into view from among the taxis.
“A li… limousine?”
Someone scrambled out of the driver’s seat of the limousine and hurried over to Yu-hyeon.
“Capo. I’ve brought the car.”
“Liong, it’s been a while. And Marcos is the Capo, not me. Let’s not say things that could get us both in trouble, even as a joke.”
“Haha. Yes.”
Liong scratched his head sheepishly.
Yu-hyeon handed the Lamborghini keys to Liong.
"Where are the limo keys?"
"Nicky's inside. We couldn't let Camu drive himself."
"Alright. Tell Marcos I appreciate him looking out for me."
"You should stop by when you have time. He's been grumbling that he's going to forget your face."
"Let's do that. Oh, or have him come to Camu tonight. My father is throwing a party. Looks like he’s planning to show off his skills for the first time in a while.”
“Ah, is that alright?”
“There will be a lot of guests, so don’t come as a mob.”
“Yes, sir!”
Yu-hyeon placed Yeon Jeong-suk’s and Han Mi-ra’s suitcases in the passenger seat of the Lamborghini and turned to look at Lee Ha-na and Seong Ye-rim.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Are you saying one of you *insists* on riding in the trunk?”
“……!”
At Yu-hyeon’s question, the two women’s expressions froze as if they’d turned to stone.
But just then, Seong Ye-rim took a step forward and linked her arm with Han Mi-ra’s.
"I'll take the limousine. Ms. Han, is that okay?"
"Oh? Oh. Sure. Let's do that. Nephew, is it okay if she rides with us?"
Yu-hyeon glanced at Seong Ye-rim for a moment, then smiled brightly at Han Mi-ra.
"Of course. If that's what my auntie wants."
The spectators, who had been watching the first clash between Lee Ha-na and Seong Ye-rim with bated breath, all nodded in unison.
The Malta ‘Actress Battle’…
Seong Ye-rim, 1 win