Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Portrait Session
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What the hell is this girl?
I entered the studio under the gaze of a man who looked utterly baffled.
“What’s with the sudden visit and all this talk?”
“Haha… Just kidding.”
I gave an awkward laugh at Hyun-su’s scolding. Lately, with all the streaming, blurting out nonsense had become a habit.
“So, who are you…?”
As I walked in casually, the guy who was already there asked me with a hint of fluster.
Hmm, what should I say?
I felt like pulling another prank. Right then, Kang Hyeok’s guitar caught my eye.
“Oh, I’m the band’s guitarist here.”
With that, I naturally picked up Kang Hyeok’s guitar.
“Huh? Isn’t that Hyeok hyung’s guitar?”
Hyeok hyung?
Seems like he’s pretty close with the folks here.
“We’re competing for the main spot.”
“I see…”
Looking behind the guy, Kang Hyeok approached with a dumbfounded expression.
“Competing for main spot? Can you even complete a single song?”
“Now I can. Should we go busk outside?”
“Busking? You need at least five songs down pat for that.”
Ah.
Come to think of it, they don’t just do one song.
“…Lip-sync on guitar? Play the track.”
“Are you insane?”
Wasn’t that… a decent idea?
Not something deserving that reaction.
Anyway, I set the guitar down, ending the prank.
Then I asked what had been bugging me.
“But more importantly, who’s this guy?”
Who the hell is this man?
Some celebrity, probably?
“I’m Lee Hyun-jun from Beasts.”
“An idol?”
“Yeah.”
Figured as much.
With that flashy look, it’s no surprise.
Now that I look, his hair’s black with white highlights.
“Knew it.”
“Oh, really?”
“You look flashy.”
I said exactly what came to mind, and he looked surprised.
“You’re blunt.”
“Just saying what I think.”
His clothes aren’t flashy, but his face is.
Or maybe that contrast makes him seem even flashier?
“So, don’t I look familiar?”
I gave an awkward smile at Lee Hyun-jun’s question. Well… I couldn’t even recognize Moon Chang-sik, so no way I’d know a male idol.
“No idea. I don’t watch much TV.”
“Sigh… Figures.”
Why the sigh?
Not popular?
By my standards, he looks top-tier idol material. Has the idol scene leveled up that much?
“Um… Keep at it. Your big break will come someday.”
What good’s my pep talk, but I could say that much, right?
“Huh? Oh, haha.”
Weirdly, he just laughed at my words.
Did I mess up like some rookie?
“I’m super popular.”
“Huh?”
“Our album sold over a million copies this time.”
“Huh? A million albums?”
Not YouTube views—a million albums?
Even at ten thousand won each… that’s huge.
“Oh, uh, I don’t really listen to idol music, so I had no clue.”
I hurried to explain.
What did I just say to a top idol?
“No worries. Honestly, male idols these days lack mainstream appeal unless they’re world-famous. Casual folks don’t know us.”
“Oh, gotcha.”
Now that I think about it, all the idols I recall are girl groups.
Girls going mainstream, guys digging deeper into niches?
Elite few, basically.
“Anyway, who are you? Not Hyun-su’s girlfriend, clearly. And you got totally edged out on guitar main spot?”
“Haha… Name’s Kim Suhyun, but I don’t have a job, so tough to introduce properly.”
“Huh?”
“I’m unemployed, just here visiting.”
With that, I plopped down on a nearby sofa.
Come to think of it, do I tell outsiders VTubers are just unemployed?
Say “internet streamer,” and they’ll ask for the channel.
Then “VTuber Miro” pops out…
Nah, unemployed’s safer.
“So, you’re not working right now?”
Too much of a deadbeat vibe?
Oh, wait, I do have work.
My main income before possession, as woman Kim Suhyun.
“I do freelance illustrations for pocket money.”
“Illustrations?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty good.”
“Oh… Fans sometimes draw portraits for me.”
“Oh, yeah? Want me to do one?”
“You sure?”
Of course. I already caused a misunderstanding. What’s one sketch?
“Hey, draw me too!”
Ayoung, who’d been listening nearby, raised her hand.
“Sure. Doesn’t take long.”
“Me too. Pay up for borrowing my guitar without permission.”
Kang Hyeok chimed in. Hmm… fine, since we’re at it.
“I’ll draw everyone. Line up one by one.”
Might as well.
“You cool with that?”
“Totally. Hyun-su, pass me a pen and notebook.”
Ignoring Hyun-su’s concern, I grabbed the pen and notebook, starting with Lee Hyun-jun.
“Fans say my face is hard to draw. How’s it for you?”
“Not hard, just tedious. Piercings, highlights…”
Sure, tedious, but distinctive features make characters pop.
Long time no real drawing. I sketched swiftly with the ballpoint.
Woman Kim Suhyun’s memories: tons of these in school.
Memories there, but no nostalgia. Wasn’t me.
Odd feeling aside, it turned out pretty good.
Satisfying, even to me.
Lots of standout features—perfect for character design.
“There, done.”
“Ooh, can’t wait.”
Lee Hyun-jun took it eagerly, eyes widening.
“You drew this just now? For real?”
“Good, right? Bet most fan art isn’t this quality.”
“No, seriously amazing.”
Guess he had zero expectations.
Too bad—I’m pro-level pro.
“Wow, Suhyun, you drew this?”
Ayoung, back from elsewhere, gawked too.
Feels good showing my true skills after so long.
Ahh—no clumsy-singing, guitar-fumbling Miro here.
Just pro illustrator ksh remains.
I quickly did Ayoung next, then subtly expectant Kang Hyeok.
Drew all band members and Hyun-su too—sunset outside already.
“Dinner time already?”
Lost track drawing one by one.
“Lost track of time? You were super focused.”
“Been ages since I held a pen.”
Yeah, hadn’t drawn lately.
Busy with this and that.
But with second single out, some breather—time for drawing.
“With that skill? What a waste.”
“I draw periodically, just not lately.”
Am I nuts? Quit drawing?
It’s my golden asset.
Plus, human greed kicks in.
Good enough to live off, but wanna get even better.
Gotta carve out practice time.
As Hyun-su and bandmates admired the portraits lined on the studio wall,
Lee Hyun-jun approached, done filming some song challenge with Hyun-su.
“Hey, uh.”
“Yeah?”
He picked up his portrait from the side.
“Can I post this on Insta? Too good to keep to myself.”
“Uh…”
Post it? Brief hesitation, then nod.
“Sure, why not.”
No one’ll know who drew it—just free promo for my account.
“But keep secret who and where. Fans figuring it out’s fine.”
“Hmm… Should be okay?”
He seemed worried posting, but I smirked.
“What’s the worst? Celebs post random stuff on Insta all the time.”
Some spark drama, but this? Just a portrait.
No controversy fodder.
“Cool, I’ll say ‘at a friend’s studio, friend-of-friend drew it.’”
“Yeah, that works.”
Wrapped up with Lee Hyun-jun.
Evening now, prepping to head home—Hyun-su approached.
“Heading out for dinner?”
“Yeah, gotta get back early.”
“We never got that dinner together.”
“Mom eats alone without me.”
Mrs. Jang secretly loves having me home for dinner.
Not sure when I’ll head out again, but evenings together.
“But how’d you get chummy with that idol?”
Meant to ask earlier, but drawing got in way.
How’s Hyun-su buddying with an idol?
“Oh—met on variety, turns out middle school senior.”
“Middle school?”
“Yeah, chatted, hit it off. Came today for challenge vid.”
“Saw that. Dances well.”
“You teasing?”
I shrugged at Hyun-su.
Next to an idol, no one’s dancing competitively.
“But better than me?”
“You can’t dance?”
“Nope, hopeless at physical stuff.”
Flopped my arm limply.
“Zero muscle.”
Me, Suhyun—just flesh and bones.
“Damn, get some exercise.”
“Says the guy who shouldn’t.”
Your stage name’s Slim Gold? Far from buff.
Skinnier than that managed idol, even.
“Fair. Oh, can I post my portrait on Insta too?”
“Sure, didn’t know you did Insta.”
“Yeah, post with band hyungs and noonas sometimes. Gets popular.”
“Oh, the whole lineup on the wall?”
Pointed at the row of portraits.
Damn, I drew well.
“Yeah, folks loved us after that variety show.”
They’re fun, plus genius teen singer and ace band daily chaos.
Movie material—obvious hit.
“What about me?”
“Uh, fans keep asking, tough to reply. What should I say?”
“Whatever, good luck.”
“Hey?”
“Had fun today. Next time, new guitar song practiced!”
That day, I happily sketched away, then headed home from Hyun-su’s studio.
Home now, mildly—very mildly—curious about the Insta post, but what’s the big deal?
Busy day, all non-streamable stuff.
No chit-chat fodder today—quick Civ stream.
Dragging hyped viewers from second album smash into Civ.
This’ll be fun. Time to go live.