Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: You Really Need to Have a Daughter...
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As expected, you need to have a daughter...
Women's soccer usually doesn't have as much popularity as men's soccer.
It was inevitable, given the lack of basic physical strength and stamina, not to mention that women inherently weren't built for long-distance running.
However, at this moment, the viewers watching 'those women's soccer' match...
More precisely, those watching Chae Soo-jeong run had completely forgotten such thoughts.
Chae Soo-jeong's movements made it seem like she was playing an entirely different game.
At the same time, the Eagles players desperately trying their utmost to counter her created an exhilarating thrill unlike anything in typical women's soccer.
At first, they were overwhelmed due to panic, but as time passed, the Eagles began efficiently blocking Chae Soo-jeong.
Though the score gap had already widened considerably, watching them give their all until the end captivated not only the regular Soccer Girl fans, but also newcomers like Oh Young-ae who tuned in just for Chae Soo-jeong—they lost track of time, glued to the broadcast.
"Wow... Honestly, I never knew soccer could be this fun. I usually don't like this stuff... but now I get why people go crazy for it."
It had a slightly twisted vibe, but regardless, this episode of Soccer Girl succeeded in delivering far more entertainment than usual to the viewers.
On top of that, for the SBC Soccer Girl production team obsessed with ratings, it brought great joy... along with deep regret over not being able to recruit such talent immediately.
"Hoo..."
Lee Sung-min let out a heavy sigh as he clicked through the remote buttons.
His face, endlessly channel-surfing, looked utterly soulless, like a hollow shell.
As one of Korea's top actors, he should have been swamped with drama shoots right now...
But due to a sudden 'forced hiatus,' he was enduring endlessly boring days.
The aftermath of the arson incident was far more severe than anticipated.
Broadcast equipment not properly secured was badly damaged by the fire,
and several staff inhaled smoke or got injured while evacuating—falling or being crushed.
In particular, Son Bin, the SYPR department head Lee Sung-min worked under, was still hospitalized.
No life-threatening issues, but he'd suffered a concussion and cardiac arrest from a head blow, requiring absolute rest for the time being.
As a result, the drama in production was completely scrapped, SYPR was out of commission for a while, and Lee Sung-min took a direct hit to his acting career.
On top of surviving a major ordeal, his mother's advice to rest and recover since things had turned out this way was icing on the cake.
However, this rare abundance of free time only brought maddening boredom to Lee Sung-min.
For him, acting wasn't just a job—it was life itself, his ultimate hobby.
He had little interest in anything else, so the current situation was... honestly driving him insane with boredom.
'Damn... If even the agency was intact, they'd at least tell me to scout other projects...'
He wanted to nag them to grab any role, but unfortunately, he bore some responsibility for the incident.
His manager—and die-hard fan—had caused it, so he couldn't deny fault in managing people.
He couldn't shamelessly complain about not working in this situation, so he had no choice but to shut up and endure the frustration.
Thus, staring blankly at the pointless TV screen, Lee Sung-min started thinking maybe he should check out that OTT service that launched recently.
That's when.
"Huh? That person..."
His finger suddenly stopped while channel-surfing.
An unexpected figure appeared on screen.
-"Current score 2:0! With Chae Soo-jeong's consecutive goals, the Wyverns take a commanding lead!"
She exchanged light high-fives with her teammates, smiling.
Chae Soo-jeong.
Realizing belatedly it was SBC's Soccer Girl,
Lee Sung-min's scattered attention focused entirely on the TV screen.
"She's good... Honestly, even when she took down Kim Ji-su, I figured she wasn't ordinary."
The scene from back then still vividly replayed in his mind.
He hadn't been directly hurt, but it was a life-threatening moment that could have become trauma.
Yet recalling it brought a completely different feeling.
If he had to compare, like the 'hero arrives' trope in movies?
Chae Soo-jeong's dramatic entrance overshadowed the prior 'crisis' entirely.
Whether due to her overflowing aura as an actress or the circumstances, he wasn't sure...
Anyway, her physical prowess back then was clearly exceptional, as proven now in this soccer match.
Overwhelming speed and godlike footwork.
Precise passes that toyed with opponents,
and her unique aura that kept others at bay.
Her violet-eyed glare flashing as she dominated the field ferociously made even Lee Sung-min forget his view that 'women's soccer is boring.'
'! Ah... Time flew already...'
About 40 minutes passed unnoticed.
Snapping back, Lee Sung-min saw the post-match interview.
"Chae Soo-jeong, you put on an amazing show today. Any final words?"
"Thanks to you all, I had a great time today. If there's a chance, I'd love to play again. Finally, look forward to my next drama!"
Utterly different from her field-dominating self moments ago,
she exuded an elegant poise reminiscent of nobility.
Watching her subtly tease her upcoming drama in this impressive close,
a spark of strong curiosity ignited in Lee Sung-min.
'Come to think of it... ZTVC is prepping a new project, right?'
He'd heard about it recently but hadn't paid much mind then.
Kim Ji-su's mess was still being cleaned up, and he never imagined the agency would end up this wrecked.
But now, her 'new project' piqued the interest of the idle, bored-to-death Lee Sung-min.
'Roles might all be cast already... but I should check anyway.'
He wanted to act opposite her properly at least once.
A project perfectly to his taste might be tough now,
but with nothing else to do, he wasn't in a position to be picky.
Decision made, he grabbed his charging phone nearby.
"Yeah, it's me. Send over those ZTVC new project materials you mentioned. Yeah. I'll see if it fits...
They haven't finished casting yet? Oh... Nice. Yeah, handle it for me."
"Hmm..."
Lee Dong-cheol PD was handling pre-production tasks ahead of principal photography.
The script was ready, location scouting mostly done,
yet his face remained clouded with deep worry.
'I expected it wouldn't be easy, but I didn't think it'd still be unresolved...'
This shoot had unusual top-level support.
Plenty of budget leeway, but one issue persisted unsolved.
A problem money alone couldn't fix due to complex factors.
For a mid-tier broadcaster like ZTVC, it was especially toxic: 'casting.'
Lee Dong-cheol PD felt deeply uneasy.
That's when.
"Hello, PD."
"Oh! Come on in, Seon-hwa."
The small, cute creature bowing before him.
Chae Seon-hwa.
Even on non-shoot days, she popped in following her mom,
becoming the ZTVC drama department's unofficial mascot. Seeing her brought a smile to Lee Dong-cheol PD's lips.
And then.
"Um, here. Mom said you've been stressed lately... Seon-hwa made these with Mommy."
"R-Really? Thanks. I'll enjoy them."
"Fighting, PD!"
"Haha... yeah, fighting."
The small bag of cookies handed over with tiny, fern-like hands.
As he took it, she clenched her little fist in encouragement,
and Lee Dong-cheol PD felt his earlier worries lighten a bit.
'As expected, daughters! You need to have a daughter!'
For a moment, he even thought having a third wouldn't be bad.
Watching him, Seon-hwa asked cautiously.
"But PD, Mom said actors aren't coming? Your shows are fun, why don't they come? Even with good pay."
"Ah... well, that's..."
Explaining truthfully involved adult circumstances, connections—stuff hard for a kid to grasp.
Pondering how to explain, a good analogy popped into Lee Dong-cheol PD's head.
"Right. Seon-hwa, you order pizza sometimes, yeah? What kind usually?"
"Domino's Cool. Sometimes Mr. Pizza."
"Yeah? Ever tried Gogu Pizza?"
"No. Just heard the name."
"Really? There's one near my place. Tastier than Domino's or Mr. Pizza, but fewer customers. Small chain, only open 2 years. Our station's like that."
"Oh... so our station's small and new?"
"Exactly. Actors are sensitive to that. They prefer big names like SBC or MBS. Plus, it's peak drama/movie season."
"I see..."
Seon-hwa nodded, understanding, her bright eyes and bobbing head adorable as she mulled it over. The PD gently patted her head.
That's when.
-Ring ring ring
The sudden phone ring made Lee Dong-cheol PD snap his relaxed face into focus.
He picked up, injecting 'adult' dignity into his voice.
"Yeah, what's up?... What?"
But then.
"Say that again... who agreed to join? Actress Yeo Hyo-min and... L-Lee Sung-min?"
"..."
Names he hadn't dared hope for, let alone request.
At the absurd news from the phone, Lee Dong-cheol PD completely failed to maintain his composure.