Chapter 76
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: 하트 받는 탑스타-76화
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Successful Premiere
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The endless ringing tone finally cut off as someone picked up the phone.
Lee Jun-hyung shouted in a panic.
"R-Representative! Right now, I...!"
- Hang up.
"Yes...?"
- You planning to blab this all over the neighborhood? You stupid idiot! Get your ass back to the company right now!
The representative's bellow blasted through the speaker like it was about to explode. Before he could even make an excuse, the call ended.
Jun-hyung, bewildered and clueless about what was happening, finally pieced it together when he saw Lee Do-jun grinning ear to ear at him.
If the guy had been recording, every word he'd said to the rep would've been evidence against him. He ground his teeth.
Even amid it all, Do-jun's voice came through, laced with amusement.
"Why'd you stop talking?"
His mocking tone made blood rush to Jun-hyung's face.
"Or did getting yelled at by someone younger embarrass you? I could hear the shouting from here."
"You son of a—!"
It was obvious provocation, but Jun-hyung couldn't hold back.
Had he ever been treated like this before? And by some green rookie, no less.
The humiliation fueled his rage, and with the booze he'd drunk, he couldn't control his emotions at all.
That was when it happened.
"What the hell are you doing?"
PD Kim Shin-hyo's voice rang out. No one knew when he'd arrived, but his flushed face screamed drunk, cola bottle in hand.
Caught off guard, Jun-hyung hesitated. Do-jun, on the other hand, beamed like it was perfect timing.
"PD, out for some fresh air?"
"Something like that. And looking for our two leads who vanished..."
PD Kim Shin-hyo trailed off. He'd clearly heard the yelling and sensed the tension between them.
Jun-hyung bit his lip. With everything already gone wrong, if the PD found out too, it would be a disaster. He felt uneasy.
"And who's this?"
After glancing around, PD Kim Shin-hyo eyed the woman. She stammered, flustered and clueless.
"Uh, I... um..."
"Think I've seen her around set a few times?"
He didn't quite remember her face—probably an extra.
Before Jun-hyung could stammer an excuse, Do-jun stepped in kindly.
"She's helped out on a few shoots. Said she just happened to run into sunbae here."
"Just happened to run into him?"
PD Kim Shin-hyo squinted skeptically. It sounded fishy, like they were hiding something...
'Well, after that incident on set, no surprise they're not on good terms.'
It couldn't be a fight over her, right?
His boozy brain wandered into absurd territory.
Meanwhile, Jun-hyung glared daggers at Do-jun, teeth clenched. But Do-jun just smiled casually.
"Right?"
"You little...!"
Jun-hyung's face turned volcanic, lips flapping silently.
But in the end, he said nothing. No clue where things had gone wrong meant no excuse to make.
"Anyway, PD, it's hot out. Let's head inside."
"Mm... yeah, maybe."
PD Kim Shin-hyo decided not to pry further. They'd sort it themselves. Do-jun was done filming anyway.
"We'll head in first, sunbae."
Do-jun deliberately waved his phone as he passed Jun-hyung.
"W-Wait, I'll go too."
The woman hurried after them.
She glanced back nervously, half-expecting Jun-hyung to grab and hit her, but he stood frozen like a statue.
A few minutes after everyone left...
"Son of a bitch!"
A thick curse painted the summer night.
The after-party had gone from lively to overflowing in our absence.
I returned to my seat, picked up my glass, and downed the lukewarm beer in one go.
"Ahhh."
It was room temp and flat, but cooler than any brew I'd had tonight.
I chatted with everyone, knocking back a few more. Unlike before, a pleasant buzz settled in.
'He must've bolted.'
Quite some time had passed, and Jun-hyung still hadn't returned. It satisfied me even more.
Bzzz!
Talked to that woman already.
Secured the KakaoTalk too.
Should be good to negotiate with Carrot Ent now.
Perfect timing— a text from Reporter Kim I-seul.
Before heading back, I'd handed the woman off to her, and it looked like things had gone smoothly.
Normally Kim Han-soo or the company would handle it, but that wasn't an option now.
'How the hell do I explain this.'
Better to bury it than risk explaining and causing issues.
Of course, when she heard the company was in the dark, she eyed me suspiciously but didn't dig deeper.
Despite the doubt, she trusted me and helped as promised.
'Gotta buy her a real meal next time.'
Without her, it wouldn't have gone this well. Pure gratitude.
"Junior!"
Park Min-ha plopped down across from me. Pretty tipsy— her cheeks flushed like red bean on white rice cake.
"Where'd you go? Bathroom?"
"Just some air. Felt stuffy."
"Oh? Not drinking too much, are you?"
"I'm good now."
"Good. Relieved."
A bright smile lit her face. I couldn't help staring.
...The booze?
"Kinda sad thinking I won't see you on set anymore."
"Ah, yeah. You guys have tons left, right? Good luck."
"Really? You think I'm working hard?"
"Of course. You're the hardest worker, sunbae."
PD and staff too, but with the most screen time, Min-ha was grinding nonstop.
Radio, drama promo photoshoots, interviews piled up.
I'd filmed with her— I knew.
That was when...
Bzzz!
Done talking with Carrot Ent.
They were waiting for it.
Another vibration from Kim I-seul, thanks to her last message.
They wanna shut it down quick, so they moved fast.
They'll be tiptoeing around you for a bit.
I dropped a hint it came from elsewhere.
Oh, nice. What'd they say?
Didn't snap at me...
Just messes with their heads.
They'll suspect insiders, feel watched. Scary stuff.
Not true, but if they think so, great for me.
Anyway, no worries now.
Congrats on Ep1 7.6%! Drama's gonna smash!
You too.
Thanks. All thanks to everyone else.
Oh, haven't seen it yet?
What haven't I seen?
Check online articles after party!
Promo team's probably freaking. Exclusive interview with me next time!
^^
The chat ended with her smiley.
"Done chatting?"
Min-ha asked out of nowhere, like she knew.
"Huh? Yeah, finished."
"Something good?"
"Drama's off to a great start."
"Obviously. Solid for cable— even terrestrial it'd be good."
The party rolled on joyfully. Everyone buzzed about final ratings.
No hitches, pure comfort. Made me glad I'd done the drama.
"Alright! Final cheers!"
Lee Sung-hoon of Wall Bird Pictures hyped it up, wobbling.
"Cheers to 'Oh, My Cat'!"
I raised my glass high too.
"Cheers!"
Pop!
"Hyung! Congrats!"
"Congratulation!"
Door opened to confetti poppers. I brushed paper from my hair.
"Thanks. When'd you get these?"
"Jae-ha hyung dashed out after checking drama reactions!"
Kim Ha-woon spilled; Lee Jae-ha turned away sheepishly. Acts like he hates this stuff, but surprises. I punched his arm gratefully.
"Thanks, Jae-ha."
"No biggie."
"No biggie? He scoured the neighborhood!"
Ha-woon kept teasing; Jae-ha finally growled low.
"Kim Ha-woon."
"N-No... kidding!"
Ha-woon's face paled; he bolted to the couch.
"Do-jun hyung! Come on, we got chicken...!"
"Chicken? This late?"
Kim Han-soo poked his head in from the entry, still lingering.
Ha-woon's face went blue.
"Knew I smelled something savory. Know what time it is?"
Han-soo's stern face tensed everyone. He eyed the chicken, then us.
"Didn't expect it from Jae-ha."
"Uh..."
"Comeback prep soon. Fried grease this late? Good for management?"
"It's baked..."
Ha-woon mumbled weakly. Han-soo, stone-faced, strode in and confiscated the box.
It looked delicious—even post-party me drooled. Jun-hyung'd ruined my appetite earlier.
But busted by Han-soo? Pie in the sky.
'Damn, bummer.'
Then Han-soo smiled faintly.
"But tonight's fine. Worth celebrating."
Silence hung. Eat okay?
"R-Really?"
Ha-woon first; Park Tae-hoo chimed.
"P-Pizza too?"
"Hyung! Chicken only!"
Ha-woon panicked, muffling Tae-hoo.
Han-soo grinned brighter.
"Pizza fine. Order up."
"For real?"
"Wooo! Team leader best!"
They whipped out phones for pizza.
"Hawaiian! Hawaiian!"
"Add shrimp!"
Our little party kicked off. Jae-ha beside me asked.
"Hyung, seen comments?"
"Not yet."
Phone shoved in my face. Drama reactions galore.
Lee Do-jun's acting shocked only me? Barely in Ep1 but nailed it lol
Fr, can't chalk it up to good editing—no awkward bits
Haters all gone? ㅋㅋ Embarrassed and hiding?
Nah, they were just here
Drama quality insane. Seo Ji-hye never disappoints ㄷㄷ
All praise, unlike before. Felt weird— half hate usually. Kinda embarrassing.
'No wonder I-seul said check comments.'
Lying if I said not thrilled. Chest swelled. Effort recognized, rewarded.
As actor Lee Do-jun, not singer.
Bzzz.
Phone buzzed; message made me chuckle.
Hyung! Drama killed it?
Gonna outshine me? lol
Jae-yoon. Busy but watched. 'Still miles to catch you.' Quick reply, then chicken with members.
"Pizza's here!"
"Yes!"
We whooped, ate, drank. No booze, but vibe intoxicated us.
Hoping for more fun ahead.
I wished it from the heart.
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