The Casting Offer and Sasaeng Troubles
The other day, doubts had begun to surface in his mind.
It was no simple task to determine whether the face and physique of a model, along with the aura she carried, aligned with the concept the designer had envisioned.
Oh Young-ji explained the necessary items to the Deok-su who revealed his doubts.
“This time, designer Jay Young is holding a runway at Dongdaemun. A few days ago, when I showed you Mr. Deok-su’s profile, you were quite positive about it.”
“Is that so?”
“I got the call today and decided to call right away. He wants to meet you once. What do you think?”
Deok-su postponed his answer for now.
He planned to discuss it with Lee Hui-young first.
After the lesson ended, Deok-su informed Lee Hui-young about the casting offer.
“... That Mr. Jay Young, I heard he’s famous in the industry. He’s known for effectively using simple yet unique patterns, and he prefers unisex styles that blur the lines between men and women. He’s very delicate, you know.”
“When did you hear that kind of information?”
“I did some research. I think it would be fine to try it. If it’s a look like my chest or something... I should be able to compete with the models without any issue.”
The next day, Deok-su headed to a modeling agency where casting for models was in full swing.
Oh Young-ji was the representative of the company.
As soon as Deok-su entered, an agency employee guided him to the waiting area.
There were quite a few models gathered there for the casting.
“Huh? That person... is...”
There was one model that stood out unusually.
A man with a long grayish beard, Senior Model Jang Deok-su.
Over sixty years old, yet with a slender chest and a unique aura that made him a dominant force in the modeling world.
“I never thought I’d meet this person.”
“Me too. Wow... it’s awesome...”
Seeing Lee Hui-young’s eyes, Deok-su was bewildered.
They resembled the adoring fan-like gaze of a young girl.
Deok-su let out a soft chuckle.
“Should I get him a signature too?”
“Ah, no. I’m concentrating... Oppa.”
Deok-su immediately went over to where Jang Deok-su was sitting.
With a polite greeting, he handed over the fan and paper.
“I know you’re focused, but I’m sorry. My manager and I are such big fans that I had no choice but to intrude.”
Jang Deok-su’s face changed to that of a mask as he accepted the fan from Deok-su.
“I’d like one too. Our daughter is a fan of Mr. L’Vyu.”
“Of course. Ah, and a photo too...”
Deok-su called over the shy Lee Hui-young, sat her down next to Jang Deok-su, and took the photo himself.
Lee Hui-young lowered her head with a blushing face.
With the signature in hand, Jang Deok-su rose and encouraged Deok-su.
“I hope we walk together on the runway this time. Look forward to it.”
After Jang Deok-su and the second model, it was Deok-su’s turn.
When Deok-su entered the studio, a man with a shaved head, Designer Jay Young, and Oh Young-ji, the agency president, were seated there.
As Deok-su greeted them politely, Jay Young spoke in a blunt, high-tone voice.
“First, let’s take a look at the walking feel.”
Deok-su began his walk toward the two people present.
“Keep your upper body upright. Hands naturally...”
In a state of tension, various thoughts ran through his mind during the runway.
When he reached the sticker stuck to the floor, Deok-su twisted his body and slightly turned his head.
It was a basic pose, but one he was most confident in performing.
After Deok-su returned to his position, Jay Young said.
“The fit is very good. The mask is also okay. The feel is excellent—even if not from a professional model.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s a bit of jiggle when walking... but the mask is firm... No, how about one more try?”
With that, Jay Young made Deok-su walk the runway several times.
“Think of it as walking comfortably. Just naturally.”
After that, Deok-su walked the runway a total of seven times.
“On that day, eat a lot of Cheongsimhwan. Because you have to go up on stage three times.”
Deok-su bowed deeply.
It was the first time in his life he had stepped onto the runway as a model.
In Korea, no one argued that Signature was the idol group with the largest fandom.
Its fan club, Arosam, was known to have a loyalty and cohesion as high as its scale.
But wherever people gathered, problems were bound to arise.
-Jeebaal! Let’s post in-flight photos together!
-Who’s the crazy X selling panties they stole by sneaking into the members’ hotel? It was trending on the gallery.
-Don’t chase the members in taxis! Don’t call them! Stop with the sasaeng stuff!
Within Arosam, the campaign to expel private fans was in full swing.
Some extreme fans were buying dishes that the Signature members had eaten from and selling them, while secretly entering the hotel to steal underwear and selling it on SNS.
Dangerous chases had even happened due to taxis following members.
But what drained the members the most was at the airport.
-Please. The cabin is the only space where we can finally relax. Stop following us.
-Please stop taking photos of us in the cabin and canceling tickets. We don’t want to cause trouble for the airport staff.
The posts Signature members Sinae and Min-jae uploaded to SNS spread across the entire internet, but the malicious sasaeng activity still raged on.
“... Kang-hyeok oppa, the number changed again? They stole it again?”
When Ryu Min-hye saw the number, she let out a sigh.
Since Ryu Gang-hyeok, the member with the largest fandom, had the most sasaeng fans.
Releasing phone numbers was commonplace, and one sasaeng even snuck into Ryu Gang-hyeok’s house, took photos, and sent them to him.
-Now what... How about Deok-su? No sasaengs?
“Who cares about who? The person sasaengs fear the most is Deok-su oppa.”
A bitter laugh echoed from Ryu Gang-hyeok’s phone.
In the early days, Kim Deok-su was the one among the members who suffered the most from sasaengs.
While other members somehow placated the sasaengs who sneaked into the dorm, Deok-su always hit them with his fist.
Fans who were beaten by Deok-su reported to the police, and the company went into chaos.
But Deok-su never apologized, even once.
“But the company is too much. Still saying that? Sasaengs are fans too, aren’t they?”
-They still keep posting and running campaigns.
“Is that passive response good? They don’t clean it up because it smells like shit. Sasaeng stuff is still stalking. They didn’t take legal action?”
Ryu Min-hye burst out, but all she got in return was Ryu Gang-hyeok’s bitter smile.
-Tell Deok-su to be careful. Sasaengs are running wild lately. Deok-su’s popularity has risen a lot, so there must be some.
After the call, Ryu Min-hye set her phone down.
Every time the topic of sasaengs came up from Ryu Gang-hyeok, her head would throb.
Passive company, oppa who tried to endure it...
“What happened?”
At the right moment, Deok-su came out of the changing room after changing into workout clothes.
Ryu Min-hye quickly started training as if nothing had happened.
“One, two... one more. One more! That’s right.”
After completing the pull-ups, Deok-su jumped down and took a deep breath.
“Min-hye-ya. Why does your face look like that?”
“No. Why? There’s nothing.”
“It looks dark.”
Ryu Min-hye tried to avoid it, but hiding was impossible.
Finally, she told Ryu Gang-hyeok and Signature about her worries with a bitter expression.
“Oppa, you haven’t had any sasaengs lately?”
“I haven’t seen any. Sometimes a reporter follows me.”
“... Yeah. Who would do sasaeng stuff to you.”
Deok-su chuckled and grabbed the iron bar again.
After the schedule ended and he returned home, there was a small box in front of the entrance.
-To L’Vyu oppa ♡♡
At the top of the box, there was even a heart written in delicate handwriting.
There was no address or name of the sender.
As Deok-su tilted his head curiously and tried to pick up the box, Lee Hui-young blocked him and took it instead.
“Wait a second.”
Lee Hui-young shook the box.
No weight was felt. No sound.
Deok-su shrugged his shoulders.
“Probably a fan nearby.”
“Oppa. It’s not that simple. The sasaeng issue is all over the news lately.”
When the two of them entered, Jeong-mi welcomed them.
She hadn’t been off work long, so she was dressed in casual clothes.
“Come in, this manager. I just got home. What to do. Wait a little longer. I’ll make coffee.”
“I’ll help too.”
Lee Hui-young and Jeong-mi went to the kitchen together.
Lee Hui-young was polite even with adults.
Seeing Lee Hui-young like that, Jeong-mi smiled happily every time she saw her.
Soon, with a tense face, Lee Hui-young opened the box.
Inside the box, along with shock-absorbing newspaper, there was a postcard of unknown content.
Lee Hui-young quickly picked up the postcard.
“... Deok-su oppa. I love you?”
It was the same handwriting as the one on the box.
Lee Hui-young rummaged through the box, but nothing else came out besides the newspaper and postcard.
“No name either. Were you embarrassed?”
Deok-su smiled blankly, but Lee Hui-young and Jeong-mi’s faces hardened.
“... Oppa. Haven’t you received any strange calls for a few days?”
“Yeah. None.”
“If it’s an unknown number or anything weird happens, definitely tell me! Promise me.”
Lee Hui-young also made Jeong-mi promise.
“Mom, make sure to lock the door properly. Never accept anything from unknown people. And...”
“I know. I’m used to it.”
Jeong-mi was composed.
Such things were already familiar to her.
In the time when there were many anti-Deok-su around him, she had endured all kinds of harassment.
Instead, Jeong-mi worried about Lee Hui-young.
“Hui-young-ssi, you live alone?”
“I’m fine. Rather than me...”
“Don’t be stubborn. If anything happens, come here. Don’t worry about it. Okay?”
Lee Hui-young nodded.
Jeong-mi’s kindness felt deeply appreciated.
“I thought there were no worries about sasaeng fans. I was too naive.”
It was not yet confirmed as a sasaeng fan, but Deok-su was also firmly tense.
Fortunately, nothing happened for several days.
But it was difficult to focus on training as casually as before.
Still, Deok-su continued with ordinary daily routines to somehow shake off the anxiety.
Zziing—
In the car going to the company, Deok-su’s phone rang.
“... This is...”
Deok-su let out a groan.
The text “Caller ID Restricted” stood out even larger on the screen.
Deok-su hung up, but the call continued.
Lee Hui-young and Park Hyeon-woo, who were holding the steering wheel, also hardened their faces.
“Should I pick up and curse?”
“That would actually make them happy because they’re getting attention. In situations like this...”
Lee Hui-young took Deok-su’s phone and blocked the caller ID restricted number.
She also set it so that calls would not even be notified unless the app was checked.
When no more calls came, Deok-su marveled.
“There was such a method too?”
“Don’t get too comfortable yet. Since we don’t know who it is...”
“I’ll look for a solution at the company.”
While Deok-su entered the training room, fortunately there were no more calls.
Shaking his head vigorously to dispel the uneasy feeling, Deok-su put the cork in his mouth, which was hanging around his neck.
“I had surgery and it was hard to get it done easily, so I brewed some mountain herb good for the mind and body...”
While Deok-su was practicing pronunciation, the phone started ringing again.
This time it was not caller ID restricted, but an unknown number appeared.
Deok-su pressed the call button with tension.
“... Hello?”
-Honey. It’s me, me.
A plain female voice sent a chill down Deok-su’s spine.
“You seem to have trouble making calls.”
-Oppaang. Why are you like that-. Don’t you know? Our L’Vyu oppa is loved by me, Jeong-a-ja, very very much. Is it because I accepted your confession and got excited?
Deok-su pressed the record button and spoke calmly.
“You said Jeong-a-ssi, right? First...”
“I like it. How did you know my number?”
-Kyahaha. It’s hard to know a number when you love someone. If it’s money, there’s nothing you can’t do.
“You bought my number? From who?”
-Oppa-. We need time to get to know each other. If I find out about that person, are you going to try to run away like before?
Deok-su sighed briefly.
His head grew cold.
The first sasaengs he faced made him feel not only fear but also hatred.
“If you don’t want to talk, don’t. Don’t contact me again.”
-Eh? Oppa. Are you sulking? Jeong-a was playing a prank and I cooled down? I was wrong...
“... If you’re sulking, can you tell me?”
-Wooong. I asked a JMT employee for it. I paid six months’ part-time salary, but it’s fine because I love her.
Deok-su felt his blood boil.
An internal employee had leaked the number... But there was still no evidence.
Even Jeong-a-ssi didn’t reveal who the internal employee was.
“I need to provoke them a little more.”
Now was not the time to make them reveal what they knew by tempting them.
He needed to make the other person more anxious.
After capturing the number, Deok-su hung up.
Of course the phone kept ringing, but Deok-su turned it to silent.
“Oppa. This is... surely...”
Lee Hui-young, who heard the whole story from Deok-su, grabbed his face.
Especially when she learned that the number had been leaked from inside, her face distorted with anger.
“I’ll go up there. Whoever it is, just...”
“Wait. We still don’t know who it is. Let’s wait until the information gathers. What does the company say?”
“They said they’ll attach a security team for now. Even if we catch a sasaeng, it’s hard to punish them legally...”
Lee Hui-young sighed.
Realistically, it was not easy to legally punish a sasaeng even if caught.
Ultimately, attaching a security team, changing numbers frequently, or finding a secure dorm was all that could be done now.
“It’s a good thing.”
“Huh? What...”
“I have something in mind.”
Deok-su turned on Star Live broadcast, Slive.
Even though the morning time made watching the broadcast difficult, the number of visitors surged quickly and surpassed three thousand in an instant.
-L’ha-! I get to see Oppa’s live... T_T
-Why don’t you do a sleepover live?
-I became a fan after watching Moment. Oppa-! What’s the next work?
.
.
The scroll pressure of three thousand messages shooting up was tremendous.
Realizing his rising popularity, Deok-su opened his mouth with a gloomy face.
“I want to do the next work quickly... Ha.”
-Oppa. What happened?
-What’s the sigh about in the first live?
-Is it real that your face is glowing in the middle of this?
-Are you really returning to Signature?
.
.
While the scroll was in chaos, Deok-su spoke gloomily.
“Because of the sasaeng... I... When will I do the next work... Sniff.”
With tears in his eyes, Deok-su revealed the existence of the sasaeng.
The scroll window changed so fast that the messages being typed could not be seen.
-Who? The crazy X who made L’Vyu cry?
-Kkkkkk Shit, there’s still a crazy person doing sasaeng stuff.
-Hyung. Don’t cry. I’m Taekwondo 4th Dan. I’ll find the sasaeng and take them down for you.
-I’m 110kg with 3rd Dan Judo. I’ll flip the sasaeng over.
-To make L’Vyu cry... The sasaengs are amazing.
.
.
All messages were similar.
Clearly, the effect of crying even in the first Slive was huge.
When the scroll began to slow, Deok-su said.
“Thank you for worrying. It gives me strength. Still, it doesn’t seem like I’m bothering the fans. Sasaengs, since you’re watching this, listen well. Never appear in front of me. Do you know what happened to those who did sasaeng stuff to me?”
The sasaengs who had done it to the old Kim Deok-su mostly ended up in the hospital.
Of course, Deok-su also knew how the old Kim Deok-su had dealt with the sasaengs.