Unexpected Development
He extended the tablet he was holding straight toward Kang Seok-ho.
There has been a massive hit for the drama Monthly MediaLT__/strong__! A new model has been cast for the latest Dongnam Foods coffee mix line, Max Moka Cream.
As the Japanese branch employee of the hit drama Monthly Media, who is trending worldwide, Satoshi. He has been selected as the model for Dongnam Foods’ new coffee mix, Max Moka Cream.
The words left Kang Seok-ho’s mouth in disbelief.
How could this be? I was just scouting. I did a look-see. I was just testing the waters.
He grabbed the tie around his neck and yanked it roughly.
Sigh… Yeah. I get it.
I have nothing more to say. I’m truly sorry.
No, I was already getting the hints. I tried contacting the agency to lock in the schedule, but Horse Entertainment kept dragging their feet.
The staff sat down heavily in the chair, all the fight draining out of him.
Kang Seok-ho handed him a glass of ice water. The exhausted man drank it down in big gulps, trying to ease the frustration.
Watching him, Kang Seok-ho spoke carefully.
We’ll have to pull together a fresh list of model candidates. A lot of people will have already booked other schedules by now.
No, it’s fine.
At those words, Kang Seok-ho’s heart gave a heavy thump.
Most of the time, the whole contract would simply be cancelled.
After all, they had specifically chosen Satoshi because he matched the product’s image perfectly.
If that happened, Mubibro would lose a fortune.
Everything they had already worked on would be wasted.
The entire concept and storyboard would be useless.
They had only landed the contract because Satoshi could be secured.
The blame fell on their side.
Luckily, the contract papers had never been exchanged, so they wouldn’t have to pay a penalty.
Of course, the reputational damage would sting.
But there was something else on his mind.
Um… When is Mr. Namhun going to arrive?
At the question, Kang Seok-ho felt a flicker of confusion.
Why is he asking about Nam now?
But he kept his surprise hidden behind a professional mask.
Excuse me? I told him to be here by ten-thirty…
So there’s still about forty minutes left. Sorry, but could you spare a moment for something simple to eat? I didn’t have breakfast and rushed over.
His clothes were messy, yet his relaxed attitude caught Kang Seok-ho’s eye.
This might be…
There are cup noodles and instant ramen in the break room. Would you like some?
Ah, that would be a great help.
With those words, Kang Seok-ho sent the staff to escort the marketing team leader to the second-floor break room.
Then he quickly pulled out his smartphone and dialed Namhun.
The call went straight to voicemail.
What the—did that guy forget about today’s meeting?
His heart dropped.
One time was a fluke. Twice was not.
He tried several more times, but Namhun still didn’t pick up.
That was when…
Ah! Boss! Mr. Namhun just arrived!
At those words, Kang Seok-ho shouted urgently.
Really? Tell him to come up to the fourth floor right away!
* * *
As soon as he stepped onto the fourth floor, Namhun came face to face with an anxious Kang Seok-ho.
Why didn’t you answer your phone?
Phone?
Only then did Namhun realize he had left his phone at home.
Ah. Must have left it there this morning.
I was so caught up in wrestling with Yesol that I forgot.
Don’t you even use a map app?
Phone navi? Yes, I have a car navi too… I have a good sense of direction. I didn’t use one today.
Namhun’s words brought back the praise Seong Yujin had once given about Elixer.
Namhun oppa has an amazing memory. Once he sees sheet music, he remembers everything.
…Sigh. At least he showed up right on time.
Eh?
Well, Jang Nam. Listen carefully to what I have to say. The situation is serious.
The more Kang Seok-ho spoke in his stern tone, the more bewildered Namhun became.
Got it?
At that, Namhun could only reply.
Hyung. I’m a singer. I mean… Could I actually become a CF model?
Kang Seok-ho answered casually.
Satoshi was a model before he was a singer.
Namhun was instantly at a loss for words.
He had heard the explanation and found it unbelievable.
So… does that mean I might have to step in as the model instead of Satoshi?
Because he won’t be appearing?
Yes. The exact details aren’t out yet, but from how the staff is acting, it looks like that’s how it will go.
Ha…
Namhun found the whole thing absurd.
He had come to narrate. Now they wanted him to play an ad model he had never even tried?
Ah…
Namhun gave a faint smile.
This hyung is pulling another prank.
Hey, hyung. Do you think I’m gullible enough to fall for that? Satoshi, the Bitcoin developer, would he go and shoot an ad?
…What?
Of course Kang Seok-ho was just thinking how weird Namhun was acting right now.
Many people had come to the logistics center and construction sites he worked at after losing everything.
Recently, surprisingly, a lot of twenty-somethings had been showing up.
Hyung, did you fall for coin gambling too?
Coin gambling? What’s that?
…You know what Bitcoin is?
Namhun had learned quite a lot about coins.
Even if Bitcoin prices had dropped lately, Satoshi was already a rich man. And if his identity came out, his life would be in danger. But even though Namhun had been busy scraping by, he knew who Satoshi was.
Of course Kang Seok-ho was just bewildered.
He really has no interest in the entertainment industry these days.
Not Satoshi, but the Satoshi from the K-pop group Centaurus. He’s Japanese. He appeared as a cameo in the drama that broke fifteen percent ratings and the positive reactions turned it into a supporting role.
…Really?
Yes.
Namhun’s face flushed red, completely off the mark.
I’m sorry. I thought you were just teasing me again…
There’s no need to apologize. Anyway, whether or not the staff knows, it seems they want you to model as a stand-in for Satoshi… so I thought you should know the situation.
Namhun had understood the explanation, but it still didn’t make sense.
To him, it was clearly just another one of hyung’s pranks.
So… why? I’m a singer. I haven’t even debuted yet.
I used to be an idol, a ballad singer…
Those pasts meant nothing now.
What mattered in the advertising world was current recognition.
It’s an ad for a new product. The agency is looking for a new face that fits the image. A slim, slender male model. Satoshi fits that image perfectly.
At those words, Namhun bristled.
Because he hated any mention of being slender or feminine.
Back when he was Elixer with Evil Spirits.
He had been surrounded by female idols who were older than him.
The hyungs, including Won-hyeong, envied him, but in reality…
Elixer, your legs are even thinner than ours?
Try this wig once. Whoa. You look just like a girl?
Ah, my pride is hurt. Among us, you seem the prettiest?
Because you’re five years older. Wait, noona, stop it…
Aigoo. Our baby is angry?
Those were the memories he wanted to erase forever.
Namhun had no desire for that to be the case.
No, someone like me with broad shoulders… look at these muscles.
Kang Seok-ho stared at the firm arms of the man in front of him.
At twenty-eight, Namhun looked very different from his Elixer days.
From an innocent young master to the provider for three children.
Only his face remained the same.
Of course, it wasn’t to the point where he would be mistaken for a woman anymore…
I think I know what the staff is thinking.
Satoshi was twenty-three. Namhun was twenty-eight.
The five-year difference didn’t make a huge visual gap.
Back in the Evil Spirits days, Namhun had that Japanese boyish idol look.
The Korean music scene had been copying Japanese styles.
Now the tide was turning, but still…
Satoshi compared to him? Namhun was far superior.
People weren’t meant to be ranked.
But in reality, especially in the entertainment industry, it happened every day.
If Satoshi was A-grade, then Elixer’s looks had been S-grade, or even S-plus.
That was why Won-hyeong had desperately pursued him.
And the hardships have matured him into someone more refined and calm.
Probably. Namhun had worked his fingers to the bone.
Would the staff believe that?
Probably not.
Anyway, no matter what happens, I can’t return the advance. Hyung. I’ve already spent it all.
At Namhun’s half-hearted words, Kang Seok-ho chuckled.
This fool never understood the value of himself.
That was why everyone wanted to help and protect him.
But he really has no idea about the stakes.
That was exactly what made him excited.
If Namhun’s face became known through this ad, how would someone who had learned of his return—who was now a superstar—react?
Kang Seok-ho lived for the thrill of it.
Seok-ho hyung, why are you so worried? Just live every day with joy and effort. The more you pour your heart into what you love, the more you become an expert. That’s how I’ve been practicing singing.
Because he had worked hard at something he loved, he succeeded.
So you’ll do well too.
Namhun recalled the story of Evil Spirits’ disbandment after the wedding and spoke inside himself to his hyung.
Don’t worry.
Even if rough winds blow again…
This time I’ll shield you from the waves.
Perhaps others felt the same.
* * *
After wiping the cup noodles and instant ramen clean, Song Hojin finally caught his breath.
Ah, I feel like I’ve had something to eat. Thank you.
Not at all. Would you like some water?
If you do, I’d appreciate it.
The junior staff felt good about Song Hojin’s polite manner.
Most people who came to advertise had eaten manners with their rice.
After all, they were clients who handed over money, so client and contractor were clearly defined.
Even though Kang Seok-ho’s name carried weight and no one would act rudely, to the junior staff, there was little mercy.
That’s why seniors said not to look at broadcasting people.
But Mubibro had a much better environment than others, so he could endure it.
When he had been at other companies, he had received treatment below human.
So, naturally, he became kind to Song Hojin, who spoke with respect.
Ah, has Mr. Jang Namhun arrived?
Yes. He just got here and is on the fourth floor.
Great. I heard Mr. Namhun was once Elixer with Evil Spirits.
Excuse me? Ah, yes. I heard that.
The junior staff didn’t know him, but he had heard others talk about it.
Originally it wasn’t that name. Did he change it?
I don’t know about that.
I see. Anyway, thank you.
Song Hojin bowed politely, and the junior staff was so surprised he bowed deeply.
No, I’m sorry for eating cup noodles. If you had told me earlier, I would have prepared a bento…
Haha, no. It was delicious.
That Namhun had been Elixer was unknown to many in the industry now.
The junior staff had no idea.
He had quietly given Song Hojin very valuable information.
Hmm. Elixer…
Song Hojin picked up his phone and sent a message to his subordinate.
[Investigate Elixer of Evil Spirits. Focus on industry reputation. One hour.]