Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Answer, 1989
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“Shall I call her again?”
“Uh… um… no… I think it’s okay now…”
At Seon-hwa’s words, Lisa stammered out her response.
Two hours since recording had begun.
Yet, in that time—which couldn’t exactly be called long—the work was already done.
Of course, it was just one song, and the song itself was on the easier side. Even accounting for that, though, the current situation was enough to make Lisa’s head spin with shock.
Finishing at this hour… is that even possible? I cleared my whole schedule on purpose…
She had planned for at least five or six hours, maybe seven or eight at most. This was an absurd shortcut.
In fact, it had wrapped up even faster than when she recorded alone.
The reason this was possible was simple.
The girl who, for some reason, was stuck to her mom’s side on the sofa outside the recording booth.
It was all thanks to Chae Seon-hwa’s ridiculous talent.
I always thought I wasn’t bad as a singer, but…
Lisa was a working idol singer who had risen to this point through years of grueling trainee life.
She had a certain pride in her skills and believed that with a bit of luck, she could climb even higher.
The positive feedback from her OST work objectively proved her talent.
But at this moment, watching the eight-year-old girl before her eyes.
Watching this tiny child—who had no special training or experience, just innate talent—make her tremble.
Lisa had no choice but to admit it.
She herself was just a hardworking amateur.
True genius—the kind whose talent touched the heavens—belonged to someone else.
If she’s already this good at her age… how massive will she grow up to be?
A child prodigy with extraordinary potential from the start.
A being born to be a singer.
Maybe this girl could even reach that distant place Lisa saw as a fantasy.
An immortal existence twinkling forever in the hearts of millions.
What they called a star.
And that thought led Lisa to one major decision.
“Um… Director?”
“Yes?”
Originally, today’s session with this child should have ended after one take of this one song.
But now that she knew the child’s true potential,
Lisa didn’t want to let this moment end here.
This could be the proudest boast of her life…
A historic moment, witnessing the birth of a star.
*
“So, what happened in the end?”
“She wants to do about four more songs together. She said she’ll definitely fit it into her schedule, so no worries.”
“Hmm…”
Lee Dong-cheol PD made a genuinely surprised face upon hearing the request relayed by the youngest writer.
Honestly, it was just a throwaway incentive to lure her in, but who knew our Seon-hwa would…
Chae Seon-hwa, who had no real experience or even proper training.
Personally, Lee Dong-cheol had some fondness for the girl who brought out his dad smile,
but as a seasoned PD in the industry, he saw this OST gig as little more than a favor.
A small lever to lock in actress Chae Soo-jeong, who was always serious about her daughter.
He hadn’t invested any more meaning, let alone expectations or interest.
Yet, for the singer she collaborated with to request more time with Seon-hwa?
Singers usually avoided working with kids like this, so it was highly unusual.
I heard Seon-hwa was surprisingly good at singing, but this? How amazingly does she have to sing for this?
He hadn’t checked the track yet since post-production wasn’t done,
but something unexpected was clearly happening.
To sway someone of Lisa’s caliber showed real ‘power.’
With growing anticipation for the upcoming OST, Lee Dong-cheol PD approved her request.
“Alright, that’s settled for now. How’s prep for tomorrow’s shoot?”
“All confirmed. No need to worry.”
The youngest writer spoke confidently.
A light smile tugged at Lee Dong-cheol PD’s lips as he watched her.
Full of eager anticipation for his other ambitious masterpiece.
*
A set evoking a university club room.
A wide central desk in the middle, shelves stuffed with all sorts of books,
calling to mind a so-called literary society.
There.
Park Chan-su, a member of The Beasts who thought he’d never be outshone anywhere,
was feeling an extreme rare sense of being overwhelmed in his life.
Stepping in as a lead supporting role in place of Yoon Tae-young, who jetted off for some Southeast Asia fan meeting.
He’d heard the cast was lighter this time, so he hadn’t minded the request at first.
He even hoped to solidify his acting creds among real rookies.
But now? Forget position—would he even survive without getting crushed?
Haha, fuck… how did this lineup even happen?
Four people settled in their spots on set.
Just sitting there, they exuded extraordinary presence. Park Chan-su wanted to scream internally.
They said it’d be rookies since no one big was available. Why gather all these monsters?
Rummaging through bookshelves in prop glasses: Ha Yu-ra, last year’s excellence award winner he knew well from past projects.
Even she was beyond his acting league, but relatively the weakest here.
In the corner, toying with decorative dumbbells: a muscular woman.
Action queen and variety show big sis, Yeo Hyo-min.
Rumors said soccer was her main gig now, but her fame alone outstripped his, not to mention her skills.
She had multiple action flicks over 8 million viewers.
And then.
Across from Yeo Hyo-min, legs crossed at the desk: a man.
Korea’s flower boy icon, no one unknown.
Grand Prize winner and 10-million actor.
Lee Sung-min.
His annoyingly handsome face—even to another guy—and aura too intimidating to approach, just from sitting there, pressured Park Chan-su immensely.
At that moment.
“You okay? You look pale.”
“I’m… fine.”
“Tell me if anything’s wrong. Shooting starts soon.”
“Yes… thank… you.”
That ever-gentle figure returning to her seat.
A rookie, but after filming together, her presence felt stronger than the others—vividly etched in his senses.
Queen Dowager from before, his lord as Captain of the Inner Guard, Park Chan-su’s.
Chae Soo-jeong.
Facing these four dragons coiled quietly before him,
Park Chan-su—at best an ogre—seriously questioned if he belonged, his sanity draining in real time.
At that moment.
“Shooting starts now. Everyone to positions.”
At the youngest writer’s call, actors moved swiftly.
Park Chan-su, gauging the mood, quietly rose and headed to his marked spot.
Of course I’m first…
The first scene aired would start on K University campus,
but adult circumstances like filming permits forced them to begin at scene 23.
Thus, this supporting role got stuck with first batter. His stomach churned again.
Chan-su sat at the desk, facing Chae Soo-jeong, forcing calm as best he could.
At least they’d breathed together as Queen Dowager and Captain before, easing the burden a bit. He sighed deeply, focusing.
On his role.
College student ‘Kwon Chan-su.’
“And… action!”
*
K University, tucked in a Seoul corner.
In a shabby building in the school’s corner: the Arts and Culture Creation Club.
‘Y’
This place with its simple name reeking of someone’s clear bad taste
still drew footsteps from idle college students today.
“Jeez… why make me sing some crap song…”
A man entered, grumbling irritably.
Kwon Chan-su.
Venting about today’s events, he naturally stepped inside.
And then.
“!”
Right after, Kwon Chan-su instinctively shut his muttering mouth.
Those appearing before his eyes.
Four people already seated.
Disguised as college students, but
the moment acting began, just sitting there, they radiated sharp pressure.
The instant he saw them, Kwon Chan-su…
no, Park Chan-su froze, tongue numb.
This… first thing, this tension is trouble…
It wasn’t intentional on their part.
Just his instinctive cringe from their actor auras making him feel small.
This wouldn’t do.
He knew it mentally, but his body wouldn’t obey.
Doubts resurfaced sharply: did he really belong here?
From the start, the looming NG sign flickered before him.
Already mentally cornered, Chan-su’s insides burned.
At that moment.
“!?”
“!”
“…Heh.”
A presence piercing the heavy pressure, suddenly sharpening.
Intense yet familiar from repeated encounters,
it swept away the curtains around him, lightly pushing back his pressure.
No lines, just her presence filling the room.
Literary Society Vice President ‘Choi Soo-jin.’
With a haughty face, seated at the desk silently gazing out the window, she slowly turned and spoke.
“You’re here?”
“…! Uh… yeah.”
To Soo-jin’s dry question, Kwon Chan-su—no, Park Chan-su—replied awkwardly without thinking.
Looking at Choi Soo-jin… Chae Soo-jeong watching him, he barely spoke.
The past Queen Dowager’s mere presence overwhelmed.
This situation differed from the start in vibe.
Before, like facing a lion ready to kill.
Now, like staring at a cat eyeing him intently?
Yet her presence so vivid it blotted out others showed once more her stellar acting.
“You… came early today? Didn’t you have class now?”
“Canceled.”
“…Right…”
Park Chan-su pressed down his amazement, continuing his lines.
Tension blurred acting from reality, but the awkwardness fit perfectly—no notes yet.
He headed to the bookshelf, fiddling with books needlessly.
Watching him, Choi Soo-jin quietly remarked.
“You look upset.”
“!...”
Her question brought a sense of calm.
Seemingly ordinary, but delicately tuned like fine thread…
Evoking ‘gentleness,’ her words settled the chaotic mood.
Park Chan-su realigned his shaky emotions.
Residual disorientation dissolved,
his face relaxed as he continued.
“Sigh… so, get this. The department’s doing an event, and they want me to sing. Me? I’m no singer. What the hell…”
Once in the flow, his acting poured naturally.
His seamless lines let him embody the role splendidly.
Grateful inside for her…
Chae Soo-jeong’s subtle ‘consideration’ watching him.