Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Off to the Drama Shoot
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The footsteps of four people echoed softly through the quiet underground parking lot.
I could hear the conversation between Kim Han-soo and Manager Park Min-ha, who were walking just a step ahead of me.
"So, when do you plan to stop showing up on site, Team Leader?"
"Hmm, until the maknae can pull his own weight?"
"That means you'll be out in the field for another five years or so."
"Well, even if they hire someone with experience, I'll probably still need to keep an eye on things."
I was used to hearing only polite speech from Kim Han-soo, so the casual banter felt a bit awkward.
"We're this way."
"Ah, we're over here. See you at the company, then."
As soon as they finished their goodbyes, Park Min-ha and I locked eyes, as if on cue.
"Great work today, sunbae-nim! Catch you later."
"You too, hoobae-nim."
Park Min-ha flashed a bright smile in response. She turned to follow her manager but paused midway.
"And don't worry about what happened earlier."
What happened earlier?
'Ah!'
It had been absurd, but honestly, I wasn't completely caught off guard, so it was fine. If anything, I was grateful that Park Min-ha had spoken up for me out of the blue.
"Thanks to you stepping in, I've already forgotten about it."
"Really? For sure?"
"For sure. Thanks for looking out for me."
I bowed my head again in thanks. Her smile seemed to deepen just a touch.
"Alright, then. Coffee next time."
"A latte will do, right?"
"Oh, you remembered?"
"You mentioned it last time."
"I thought it'd be too casual for you to remember."
Park Min-ha let out a soft "Ooh, I'm a little touched," and beamed radiantly.
"Fine, I'll remember your favorite coffee too. What is it?"
"Huh?"
How did the conversation veer here?
"Tell me. Don't get your hopes up—I'm not buying."
Her playful tone had us all chuckling on cue.
Park Min-ha's manager, who had been stifling a laugh, cut in and led her away.
"We've got our next schedule, so save it for when I collect that latte."
"Ugh, you're no fun."
She waved her pale hand lightly in farewell.
"See you later, hoobae-nim. Drive safe, Team Leader."
"You too, Min-ha-ssi."
"Take care."
"Have fun filming, you two."
Her parting words lingered in my mind all the way to the van.
Right... I'm really doing a drama.
It felt different from the excitement of debut. Now, I was eager to see my acting on screen after filming.
I already enjoyed reviewing practice footage, but imagining it as a full drama broadcast made my anticipation skyrocket.
'Before the script reading, I was worried about the comments and likes.'
Those concerns had vanished long ago after syncing up with the other actors.
It was just too much fun now, and I couldn't wait to dive into principal photography.
'Well, Lee Jun-hyung is a bit of a concern...'
I'd said I'd forgotten, but ignoring him constantly might make filming awkward.
Still, what could I do? At worst, it'd be more of today's brush-offs. And luckily, Senior Min-ha was there too.
...That's what I naively thought at the time.
"Hyung! Hyung! Did you see the article?"
Kim Ha-woon burst into the practice room, making a huge fuss after stepping out to the bathroom.
"What article?"
"The teaser article for Oh, My Cat! Your name's even in the headline this time!"
I took the phone he thrust at me. The screen dominated with a massive article.
The long-awaited teaser was finally dropping.
Seo Ji-hye's New Drama, Oh, My Cat: First Teaser Video Released!
Oh, My Cat: Park Min-ha x Lee Jun-hyung x Han Yeo-ul x Lee Do-jun Show Excited Vibes Ahead of Drama Filming!
Just a few lines of dialogue and it's already packed with gems lol. Hail God Ji-hye! ㄷㄷ
The lines are great, but the acting is on point too ㅠㅠ
With a cast like Park Min-ha, Lee Jun-hyung, and Han Yeo-ul? Duh, of course.
What about Lee Do-jun? He was good too, right? Just me?
2222 Honestly shocked lololol
Lol no, just you guys lolol He's a total nepo plant lololol
What do you mean "just you guys" lol Even a casual listen shows no stink acting. They clearly gave him decent screen time too.
Calculating teaser screen time? lololol Pida employee? Tough making that money?
"...Not a real employee, right?"
Someone was battling it out in the replies to the nasty comments. Sure enough, the jabs about being a staffer were piling up.
Lee Jae-ha, who had been helping me practice acting on the side, asked what the big deal was.
"Why? Would it be a problem if they were?"
"Of course not."
Someone might wonder why I was practicing with Lee Jae-ha instead of co-star Park Min-ha...
But Min-ha was swamped. Way busier than me.
Outside of Oh, My Cat schedules, seeing her face was tough.
And as a Pida alum, Jae-ha's acting was solid in my eyes.
The company seemed to have him pegged as the next acting pick after me.
Though he'd freaked out and waved it off when he heard.
"Still, it'd be nice if it was a real fan. Staff just defend out of obligation."
"True."
"Feels bad for the fans, though. Replying to this crap must be stressful."
I hated that they were stressing over me. I wanted to meet up and buy them a meal as thanks.
With that in mind, I left a comment for the mystery fan-slash-staffer.
Leave it. Lee Do-jun probably doesn't even care about punks like this.
Lee Jae-ha, who had sidled up next to me unnoticed, spotted it and asked,
"You really don't care?"
"What? Of course I do. But it's not like it's ruining my life."
"Fair."
He gave a bland reply and stepped back a bit.
"Hyung! Hyung! Can I practice with you too?"
Kim Ha-woon had somehow grabbed a script and cleared his throat with a "Ahem."
Without waiting for an answer, he launched right into lines.
"Yeah, animals have lives too. But don't humans come first?"
"That's the male lead's line. Not my role."
"Oh! I know that!"
He replied triumphantly and barreled on.
"But might as well practice the protagonist! Not that your role sucks or anything!"
Ha-woon shouted energetically and dove back in. But he bit his tongue soon after.
"Ow!"
Park Tae-hoo, waiting in the wings, tsked and teased.
"Anyone can act? Nah, you've gotta be on Do-jun hyung or Jae-ha's level."
"Damn it! They said I had actor vibes at the company!"
"Every trainee there heard that."
Here they go again. They bickered so much that it felt weird when they didn't.
But they never crossed lines, so it probably made them closer.
Kim Ha-woon stuck his lips out at Park Tae-hoo.
"I'd never act if it was up to you, hyung."
"I'd do it before you anyway."
"Nuh-uh?"
Park Tae-hoo mimicked, "Nuh-uh?" It was hilariously spot-on.
Lee Jae-ha and I burst out laughing. Ha-woon stomped the floor in frustration.
"Damn it! Why are you laughing, hyungs? You're making me mess up!"
Sorry, but the mimicry was too perfect.
As we kept laughing, Ha-woon put his hands on his hips like "You'll see!"
"Just wait! I'll be the best and make you all eat your words."
"Nuh-uh? Do-jun hyung's the best? Fans cry for our crybaby leader when he's not at events?"
...Why bring up my crying?
Time to redirect.
I joined Tae-hoo's teasing.
"Oh yeah? You cried too, Tae-hoo. So after me, they'll call for you next."
"Right? I'm next in popularity after hyung."
"See? You've gotta have emotions for acting. You're up next, Tae-hoo."
"Ooh, been thinking the same. Ha-woon's light-years away."
"Not light-years—not even visible."
We traded jabs laughing, but no comeback from Ha-woon.
What?
I turned. He was pouting, lips pursed tight.
Then—
"Enough. Back to practice."
Lee Jae-ha clapped to refocus. Ha-woon pumped his fist like he'd been waiting.
"Yeah! I'll practice and show you all cheering for me #1!"
He stormed out—probably to vocal lessons. Tae-hoo followed.
"Shall we keep practicing?"
We should, but...
"Jae-ha."
"Yeah."
"Didn't Ha-woon seem a bit upset earlier?"
"Upset?"
He pondered, then shook his head.
"Seemed normal to me."
...Really? Did I misread?
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Official promotions for the debut album were over, but events kept coming. Prepping the next album left no breathing room.
'Feels like promotions never ended.'
Breaks and gaps would come with more fame, but not yet for us.
Still, better than empty schedules during official activities.
In the early dawn while the others slept, I rose from bed.
I washed up quietly and stepped out to find Kim Han-soo waiting in the living room.
"Rough-dry your hair and finish at the salon."
I nodded, threw on clothes haphazardly, and crammed my feet into shoes while yawning. A door creaked open.
"Hyung, have a safe trip. No mistakes."
Lee Jae-ha, hair a mess, watched me—clearly just woken.
"Why're you up? Sleep more."
"Gotta send you off... Yawn. First shoot and all."
His touching words clashed with the sleepy chuckle that escaped me.
Maybe the bedhead or half-open eyes.
"You've sent me off. Go back to bed before you fully wake. You've got schedules today."
"You catch naps too, hyung. You were up late with the script again."
His pronunciation sharpened as sleep faded.
The sincerity hit me, warming even the predawn chill. I replied in kind.
"Yeah. Take care of the kids. Sorry I can't join schedules."
Jae-ha felt more mature than same-age Tae-hoo. Or maybe Tae-hoo seemed kid-like with Ha-woon.
Anyway, entrusting them to him was right.
"No need to be sorry. Knock 'em dead."
With that, I boarded the car. Even at dawn, the air wasn't chilly anymore.
It struck me: personal schedules weren't just mine.
'Screw up, and it's not just me—the members get dragged too.'
Couldn't let that happen. I'd caused enough damage already.
With that resolve, I opened the script as the car pulled away.