Hollywood
After wrapping the talk show without a hitch, host Powell offered a handshake.
"Honestly, I was a little worried — but you're a natural. How about coming over to the States someday and hosting a show of your own?"
"Haha. You're too kind. A guest is only as good as the host who steers them."
Yeon-woo smiled, a little sheepish at Powell's praise.
It was a joke, of course. And even if the man had been serious, the mountain of work waiting back in Korea left no room for anything else.
Escorted out by the satisfied talk-show crew, Yeon-woo followed the bodyguards toward the waiting car. As they left the studio, the expedition members watched him with undisguised admiration.
"Man, Yeon-woo — do the right words just pop into your head on their own?"
Jeong Cheol-min stuck out his tongue, still reeling from the way Yeon-woo had fielded every question like a seasoned politician throughout the entire show.
"It really looked like hyung was playing the whole show like an instrument."
"It wasn't that dramatic…"
In European high society, sharp conversation had been a survival skill — the only way to pick up one more scrap of useful intelligence.
They were walking out with the security detail when a middle-aged woman in a tailored suit approached Yeon-woo and his group.
"Please do not approach."
The bodyguards moved to intercept first. The woman raised both hands and smiled.
"I'm sorry to drop in like this unannounced, but if you have a moment, I'd love a brief word."
Bernard Fenton, who had been waiting nearby, spotted the exchange and came over.
"Well, well. Look who it is. It's been a long time, Camella."
"Fenton. Congratulations on the huge success."
"Haha. Still as beautiful as ever."
He signaled the bodyguards that everything was fine.
"Yeon-woo. This is Camella Hill, vice president of Sublime Pictures."
"A pleasure. Cast of White Blood — please, just call me Camella."
Yeon-woo remembered Fenton's earlier warning that other studios would try to make contact.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Camella."
"Actor Ryu Yeon-woo. Delighted."
Yeon-woo shook her hand. The rest of the members stepped forward in turn — and then, appearing out of nowhere, James Choi wedged himself into the middle of the circle.
"Haha, a pleasure. James Choi, head of the overseas division at LN Media."
"Ah. I see."
Camella nodded with zero interest and turned straight back to Yeon-woo.
"Congratulations on everything you've achieved. If you're considering further expansion through Netflix or shooting in Hollywood down the line, I'd love to build a good relationship. I'm on quite good terms with Mr. Fenton here as well."
Smiling, Camella extended her hand. Yeon-woo took it.
"I'm always happy to make a good friend."
James Choi edged forward again, half-blocking Yeon-woo's view.
"On matters like that, I handle everything personally. If we could discuss the details separately—"
"Mr. James Choi."
Yeon-woo's voice cut in, firm. He gently moved James aside and met his eyes dead-on.
"I appreciate the goodwill, but I'll handle my own affairs myself."
"Excuse me? This isn't goodwill — as LN's responsible party—"
Look at this bastard…
When James tried to insert himself again, Yeon-woo fixed him with a sharper look.
"As far as I know, the person in overall charge of the U.S. schedule is Team Leader Yoon Mi-yeon. And right now, Ms. Camella and I are not discussing overseas investment — we're talking about a 'good relationship.' I don't believe anyone else can maintain a friendship on my behalf. Do you?"
While James Choi stammered, speechless, Yeon-woo turned back to Camella with a smile.
"There was a small misunderstanding with our staff. A brief mix-up."
Camella hadn't understood a word of the Korean exchange, but after more than a decade in this business she grasped the situation from the tone alone. She smiled at Yeon-woo.
"It's fine. Your schedule looks too packed for a long conversation today. Would you take my card?"
"Of course."
Yeon-woo accepted the business card she produced from her jacket and slipped it into his pocket.
I still haven't even used Chairman Seo Tae-gwang's card. At this rate I'll become a business-card collector.
Camella shook hands with each of the members once more and left. Yeon-woo gave the still red-faced James a single glance, then turned on his heel.
"Shall we? Time for us to enjoy our vacation."
The group fell in behind him, chattering excitedly.
"Yes! Hollywood sightseeing! Who's coming with Teacher?"
"I have shopping to do!"
"I want to look around too!"
In Hollywood they toured with bodyguards in tow. The members experienced paparazzi for the first time. Whenever someone snapped a photo from a distance, Han Byeol would spot them with uncanny accuracy, beam, and wave — leaving even the paparazzi wearing soft, fatherly smiles.
Meanwhile Manager Kim Min-su, who seemed to awaken as a claw-machine hunter the moment he set foot overseas, was already working a joystick with fierce concentration.
"Whoa! Got another one!"
"Here you go, Actress Han Byeol. One more coming up."
Kim Min-su spun the joystick again. The claw whirred, zeroed in, and claimed another plush in sequence. Dong-ha filmed the whole thing on his phone, openly impressed.
"Insane! How are you that good?"
"Mm. It's a long story."
Watching them, Yeon-woo stepped aside and made a call.
We're in LA. I should at least see her. We did make a promise last time.
The line connected, and a familiar, bright voice came through.
"Jay!"
"Chrissy. How have you been?"
The hidden MVP of Sketch — music director Chrissy Monroe.
"Same as always. Haha. What made you call?"
"I'm in LA right now."
"Oh my. Really?"
"Last time I promised that if I got the chance, I'd come over and make you tteokbokki."
Laughter spilled through the receiver.
"Tteopokki is the best. If Jay shows up at our house, my daughter might actually have a heart attack. She's been hunting down every drama and movie you've been in lately."
"Then we definitely have to make it a surprise visit."
"Okay. See you in a bit, then."
Yeon-woo ended the call. A moment later a text arrived with the home address.
By the time the Hollywood tour wound down, they piled into the car heading back to the hotel, arms full of plush toys. After the talk-show appearance and a full day of sightseeing, the members looked half-asleep, eyelids drooping.
Yeon-woo smiled at them.
"Once we get to the hotel, I've got somewhere else to stop by."
"Huh? Where?"
"The music director I worked with on Sketch. I'm heading to her place."
Dong-ha's eyes lit up.
"Hyung! I've always wanted to see a real American house — can I come? Wait, would that be rude to her?"
Yeon-woo tilted his head, then fired off a quick message to Chrissy.
The reply came almost instantly.
Yeon-woo looked at Dong-ha and nodded.
"She says it's fine. Want to come?"
"Ohhh, yes!"
It must have looked fun, because Han Byeol's face popped up from where she'd been lying across the back seat.
"Take me too!"
Yeon-woo checked the others behind them. Jeong Cheol-min waved a hand — he was out — and Jeong Su-yeon was already dead to the world, head resting against the window.
"Yeah? Then the three of us."
She said they watched White Blood. Bringing Ella and Akhenaten along should make her pretty happy…
At the hotel the staff and remaining members climbed out. Yeon-woo and the other two stayed in the car and set off again.
"Driver, please stop by a Korean market on the way."
"Yes, sir."
Han Byeol and Dong-ha looked at him.
"Why the market? Getting a gift?"
"Well — a gift of sorts. I'm buying ingredients so I can make tteokbokki."
"Whoa. Tteokbokki! I'm already drooling."
Yeon-woo remembered how Chrissy, who had once helped as a one-day assistant on the surprise snack van for Son Jin-uk, had absolutely demolished her "tteopokki."
Come to think of it, now I've got a friend to visit even in LA.
Memories of filming Sketch rose gently, and Yeon-woo smiled.
They reached the Korean market soon enough and bought everything for tteokbokki. The store was thankfully quiet, so no chaos broke out — though the cashier recognized all three of them. They quickly signed autographs, took a photo, and climbed back into the car.
"It's kind of weird, though. I've barely ever signed anything even back home, and people recognize me all the way out here."
Dong-ha tilted his head at Han Byeol's comment.
"Don't you get mobbed at school these days?"
"Not recently! You oppas were already famous, so you don't really feel the difference, right?"
Yeon-woo folded his arms.
"Hmm. 'Already famous,' huh. I've only been debuted for three years myself."
"Whaaat. Is that… true?"
There had been so many mega-hits that it was easy to forget, but Yeon-woo really had only been in the industry for three years.
"I still remember seeing you at the shop not long after you debuted, hyung."
"The shop? Director Jeong Ha-neul's place?"
"Yeah. I think it was the day of the Korea Arts Awards. The members and I were talking about how actors really are different."
"Is that so?"
Back then, neither of them could have imagined they'd one day appear together on a talk show in LA.
Trading old stories, they arrived at Chrissy's house before they knew it.
"Thank you. I'll call when we're ready to head back to the hotel!"
They thanked the driver and got out. The bodyguards immediately began circling the property on patrol.
"Hmm. It's just a regular house — they really don't need to guard it this hard."
In his previous life Yeon-woo had provided security countless times, but receiving it still felt awkward. He scratched his cheek with a sheepish smile. Telling them to stand down would be pointless — this was their job — so he walked up to Chrissy's front door and rang the bell.
Chrissy's place was an ordinary American home on a quiet street: white walls, a short flight of marble steps, a dark-brown front door — the kind of house you always saw on TV dramas.
Beeeep—
The doorbell chimed, and Chrissy's voice came through the speaker.
"Oh. You're already here. Hold on!"
Chrissy and her husband appeared together at the door to welcome Yeon-woo and the others.
"Chrissy. It's been a while."
"Wow, Jay. It's so good to see you."
They shared a light, warm hug. Yeon-woo then offered his hand to the man beside her.
"I received so much help from Chrissy on the last project. I'm actor Ryu Yeon-woo."
"Haha. Pleasure to meet you. After she came back from Korea for that job, she kept saying we absolutely had to take our next vacation there — every chance she got. I'm Tom, Chrissy's husband."
Yeon-woo introduced Han Byeol and Dong-ha standing beside him.
"Wow. Honestly, our whole family was still watching White Blood just the other day. Having the main characters standing on our doorstep feels like a dream."
Yeon-woo smiled at Tom's words.
"Well, come on in first. Welcome to our home."
"Jay. What's that in your hands?"
Yeon-woo held up the bags.
"I said I'd make tteokbokki. I brought the ingredients."
"That wasn't just a joke?"
"Of course I was serious."
As they stepped inside, Chrissy's cocker spaniel trotted over, tail wagging. The interior was a classic American home straight out of a sitcom. Yeon-woo set the grocery bags on the kitchen table and looked at Chrissy.
"Where's your daughter?"
"Ah, Lily went out to hang with friends earlier. It's dinnertime, though — she should be back any minute."
Right then the front door opened from outside.
"Mom! There are weird guys walking around outside the house!"
She must have spotted the bodyguards on perimeter watch. Yeon-woo rounded the kitchen corner to greet her.
"Hi. Lily?"
"Oh my. What the fu—"
Chrissy called out instantly.
"Lily! Good word!"
"Fu… Fun."
What the fun.
Yeon-woo laughed at the abrupt verbal drift and held out his hand.
"I'm your mom's coworker, Ryu Yeon-woo. Nice to meet you."
Lily froze solid at the sudden appearance of a star in her own living room — and she hadn't even seen Ella and Akhenaten waiting in the kitchen yet.