Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Please!
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Onegai shimasu!
There are many ways to express emotions.
For instance, when it comes to expressing anger,
some people slam their fists on the desk and bellow loudly,
while others maintain a calm face, simply smiling and speaking in a gentle voice.
Does that mean the latter is any less intense than the former?
Depending on the situation, this quiet anger can feel dozens or even hundreds of times more frightening... and dangerous than the explosive outburst.
And in that regard,
Hyo-min found herself inwardly nodding at Yu-ra and Su-jin's advice.
Of course, whether it would work and actually carrying it out were entirely different matters.
"Ha... but that's..."
"Why? Worried it'll fail?"
"Don't worry. If this doesn't work, no other method will anyway. It's just a difference between failing later or failing now, right?"
"True. If you're doomed to fail anyway, better save time."
"...Even so, can't you give me some more encouraging words?"
Her friends unhesitatingly hurled facts that were far from warm comfort.
But paradoxically, their blunt words strongly pushed the hesitant Hyo-min forward.
True enough, dragging out time endlessly, suffering like a dog over unwanted soccer, was worse than
just confronting it head-on and ending it cleanly.
"Mm... A... Alright. So, what exactly should I do?"
"Well..."
Having made her decision, Hyo-min began devising a more detailed plan with her friends.
There was still some burden, but her friends stepped up as if it were their own issue.
Watching them, a lighter smile gradually spread across Hyo-min's lips.
Hyo-min's narration flowed out in a tone filled with calm joy.
And so, today again in this peaceful atmosphere, gentle smiles graced the lips of the three women in Literature Club Y.
But then...
"Hey! What are you all doing?"
"Huh?"
"What's up? Why the fuss?"
Two men entered the clubroom with grave expressions.
Sung-min and Chan-su responded with equally serious faces, presenting something.
It was...
"...Huh? What's this?"
"Disbandment...?"
A notice boldly emblazoned with the stark words "Club Disbandment" at the top.
Their faces hardened instantly.
The refreshingly upbeat ending theme, now familiar to viewers' ears, began to play.
Given the work's nature, the situation leaned more toward comedy than seriousness,
and the stark contrast with the lively ending left an even deeper impression on viewers.
Though the singers remained unknown, their sweet voices pierced clearly into listeners' ears.
Sounding just like seasoned professionals, everyone assumed it was a pro singer.
And at this very moment,
the singer in question was...
"Here, carrot for you, sis."
"Thanks."
"Haa..."
Passing a carrot while nestled in the arms of Yeo Hyo-min, who was at least three times her size.
Right in front of her sighing mother.
A barbecue restaurant in Myeongdong.
In a place bustling with people drinking, one woman held her phone with a dark expression, continuing her call.
"Eh? But that's..."
A woman in a suit speaking Japanese on the phone.
Watching her face sour in real-time, the bespectacled woman across from her sipped her soju, gauging her mood.
"...Yes, understood."
The rather long call finally ended as she set down her phone.
"Hoo..."
In front of the sizzling grill with pork belly and kimchi, she let out a heavy sigh.
The bespectacled woman poured soju into the glass before her.
Han Jeong-hwa, advertising department manager at Venaris, a major cosmetics company.
Looking at her friend bound by years of business and drinks, she asked in a concerned tone.
"Ms. Yukari, what's wrong? Why the deathly face even in great Korea?"
"Gulp. Gulp. Haa... Ms. Jeong-hwa, well, it's like this..."
Downing a shot as if her insides burned, the woman spoke fluent Korean.
Sakamoto Yukari.
Visiting Korea for business and travel, her great mood had crashed moments ago.
She began venting to her drinking buddy.
Yukari, section chief at Japan's famed broadcaster Asaha,
overseeing various programs, was currently agonizing over one issue.
Asaha's top-rated show.
Mask Hero.
This show ran in a unique format rare in Korea:
live actors in costumes with special effects—Japan's "tokusatsu" superhero genre.
A long-running series with history and tradition, its popularity undimmed after years.
It boasted thick fanbases in Japan and abroad.
As an aside, the costume makeup was sponsored by Venaris, Asaha's partner for years—
a matter close to Han Jeong-hwa's heart.
The problem: the new season's production stalled due to the director's stubbornness.
Over a new character slated for the next season.
No suitable actor, he claimed.
"No way. How do you hire an actor and then... What doesn't that director like that he's scrapping it again? If shooting delays more, what am I supposed to do?"
"Refusing even a famous actor... Must have special standards?"
"Haa... Honestly, no idea anymore. Showed him countless fits, all rejected. This time, a multi-million-yen star, tossed out..."
"Tough gig. Artists, huh."
Artists' infamous stubbornness,
plus Japan's so-called artisan spirit.
Great for quality, but exhausting for managers like Sakamoto.
Especially veterans like Mask Hero's current director, dubbed a master.
Unable to do much, Han Jeong-hwa could only offer comfort and pour drinks as her friend stewed over soju.
She handled sponsorships, not internal broadcast politics.
Thus, purely friendly consolation.
She switched topics to lighten the mood.
"Wanna see this? You like Korean historicals, Ms. Yukari. Recent hit drama..."
"Oh? Historical?"
"Personal rec. Work's work, but vacation means destress."
"Hmm... I see..."
Sakamoto perked up at Han Jeong-hwa's words.
The headache lingered, but semi-vacation—she shifted focus.
"What king's era? Kira Bangwon something? Or Sadoseongma?"
"Not real king, fusion historical. Best I've seen lately."
"Hee... Interesting... Lemme watch."
Not based on history but unpretentious, Sakamoto watched the shorts curiously.
The drama's opening, Han-seo's debut scene.
Intensely gripping from the start—Han Jeong-hwa's favorite.
Sakamoto grew intrigued.
"Looks fun. Hot guy actor too... Hotel chill tomorrow, perfect."
"Do it. Sorry your work snagged, but nothing now. Oh, that actor models our cosmetics. Might see him in Japan ads."
"Oho..."
Sakamoto's interest deepened at Han Jeong-hwa's words.
The next day, after sharing her fave drama over drinks and parting,
"Ugh..."
Hangover throbbing, Han Jeong-hwa barely finished her day, crashed on bed vowing early sleep.
Then.
-Ring ring ring.
"...Ah... Ms. Yukari?"
Late call from her friend.
Despite fatigue, Han Jeong-hwa answered.
"Hi, moshi moshi. Ms. Yukari, what's up..."
-"Ah... Ms. Jeong-hwa! That actor... Otaigosama! Can you contact him?"
"Huh? Yeah, possible... Why suddenly?"
The urgent late-night voice puzzled her.
Sakamoto pleaded desperately.
"Onegai shimasu! Please, I beg you! Help just this once!"
"?!?"