Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Drama Cameo Dilemma
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The proposal was put on hold for now.
After all, it wasn't something to decide on the spot—it needed some serious thought.
Of course, Moon Chang-sik had said I needed to give an answer within a week to make the shoot happen, so it wasn't like I had forever....
Still, I needed to mull it over properly.
More than that, if I showed up on TV, Dad would be thrilled to death.
Then I wouldn't have a leg to stand on with the relatives. No dodging it.
With those thoughts swirling, I ate lunch in the studio and stepped out.
Should I just head home like this?
No. With this dilemma on my mind, and a friend who'd already broken into the industry first, consulting them didn't seem like a bad idea.
So I headed straight to Hyun-su's studio.
It wasn't far, so I got there quick, but I started to worry a bit.
Lunchtime had just ended—would anyone even be there?
Maybe I should've texted before coming.
Well, it hadn't taken that long anyway. I could peek at the door—if it was locked, I'd just head home.
Or I could consult someone else.
Despite it being midday but not too hot, with a cool breeze blowing, I walked along the main road to the building where Hyun-su's studio was.
I went inside, down to the basement, and tugged on the studio door. Luckily, it opened smoothly.
Good, someone's here.
As I stepped in, I spotted blond hair on the sofa.
"Hey."
"Hm? Oh, long time no see."
Slim Gold himself.
Hyun-su was sitting alone on the sofa, scribbling notes.
"No one else?"
"Nope, not today. Everyone's busy."
"Oh... still picking up work, huh."
"You're kidding? With clients that famous."
Well... I knew he had the skills, so yeah, people would call him up.
I took off my jacket and sat on the sofa across from him.
"So you're here by yourself? Oh, right—what about school?"
Come to think of it, it was a weekday.
A high school senior hanging out in a studio during the day? What about studying?
"I only do morning classes and head out. The school's cool with it."
"Oh...."
"But anyway, you're not here about my studies, right?"
Fair point. If Hyun-su actually studied and went to college, all the band uncles pushing him now would riot.
"Still, you gotta make some school memories. Those days don't come back."
Looking back, those school days when I could just drift through without a care were pretty precious.
But this kid in front of me was throwing it away... tsk, he'll regret it later.
"Even if I try, the other kids treat me all formal. They just come for autographs."
"Uh...."
Yeah... there was that issue.
It was a problem I could try to fix for him, but probably couldn't.
So what do you do?
Brush it off.
"When's the next song dropping?"
"Song? I'm just starting to plan it out, so probably diving in properly soon."
True to form as a one-track music guy, he already had the next project mapped out.
"Got a concept in mind this time?"
Last time there was a clear one—wonder if this time too?
"Yeah, well... I've got some inspirations, so I gotta mix 'em right."
"Whoa... you sound like a total pro."
If only he'd make an original for Miro with that pro vibe... no. Not the time for me to pile on more.
"So, what's up this time? Doesn't seem like guitar practice."
"Hey, do I need a reason to drop by?"
"Usually, yeah?"
Sharp as ever. Must be from jumping into showbiz young. Not very high-schooler-like.
Hard to believe he's just two years older than my cousin Kim Nam-seok, who's 17.
"Uh, actually, I've got this dilemma."
"A dilemma? You have those?"
When I said I had a worry, Hyun-su's eyes went wide like he was shocked.
This punk? Should I smack him?
"What's with that face?"
"No, I thought you lived worry-free."
"Does anyone?"
"I thought you did. Until just now."
Sheesh, mouthy kid.
It feels like yesterday he spat out his drink at our first meeting, and now he's talking back.
"Anyway, this happened earlier."
Since I did come for advice, I told him about what went down at the studio.
That naturally led to mentioning the new song, and when he heard, he looked at me all surprised.
"You're doing a new song?"
"Yeah, the track's just too good."
"You were all 'no way in hell' before."
"Things change."
"So you'll feature on mine later too?"
Featuring? Does he even need me now?
Last time was just because he couldn't find anyone. Now even major singers would jump at the chance.
"At your level, can't you get someone better?"
I figured he could, but Hyun-su gave me a what-are-you-talking-about look.
"When it comes to singing, there's no better or worse—just each person's color."
Oh... that's some genius musician talk right there.
Is Hyun-su a genius musician? Sounds good anyway. Gotta use that on stream someday.
"Yeah? Well... if you need my color, I'll do a track or two."
I'd gotten a lot of help from him.
Featuring was doable.
I'd grown too, working on composing and recording the new song.
"Anyway, new song aside—the guy named Moon Chang-sik offered you a minor role?"
But even mentioning Moon Chang-sik, Hyun-su looked fuzzy on it. No way....
"You don't know Moon Chang-sik?"
"Huh? No? Should I?"
Hah.
See? It's not just me.
This kid doesn't watch TV either.
Feeling a bit of camaraderie, I pulled up Moon Chang-sik on my phone and showed him.
"Here, this guy's it."
"Oh... I've seen that movie. He's famous."
Seeing the list of lead roles, he finally got how big a deal he was and sounded impressed.
"Right? But you do variety shows and don't know him?"
"Well... I just go where they tell me, shoot, and leave. And looks like he doesn't do much variety anyway."
That was unexpected. Don't actors promo every drama on shows? Though with Moon Chang-sik's personality, he'd probably rather act in one more project than do variety.
"Yeah? Don't they hit variety for promo with a big filmography?"
"Oh, he does a couple, yeah."
Ah, so even a star like Moon Chang-sik does variety for promo.
"Anyway, you're悩ing whether to take the minor role?"
"Yeah, feels kinda complacent just saying no."
"Nah, it's your call—not complacent or anything."
"You think?"
Now that I thought about it, maybe I was overreacting.
Would people even recognize me in a minor role?
Even if it blew up online, no way it'd get me recognized on the street.
"What about you, Hyun-su? Would you do it?"
"If it'd promo my song? No reason not to, really. If a lead actor's pushing it, the treatment should be decent."
Promo... promo, huh.
That reminded me of the new song.
The composer's not super into marketing—maybe I should step up and promo it.
It was my song too, in a way. Felt like I was dumping all the responsibility on him.
"Well, think it over more. No choice is regret-free, right? Whatever you pick, you'll miss the other side—so you agonize to pick the one that hurts less."
...Is this kid really 19?
Words flowing like a river.
He wasn't always this eloquent—must be the variety shows honing his tongue.
"Got it. I'll mull it more and let you know when I decide."
In the end, no solid answer from Hyun-su's studio either.
Hm... maybe I gotta figure this out solo?
Back in the neighborhood with the dilemma unsolved, someone else popped into mind.
Oh yeah, what was Maho up to?
Her place was close—maybe swing by?
Heavenly Realm Project members were all nice, but with my kinda full-belly worry, someone might get the wrong idea, so I hadn't brought it up first. But Maho....
She loved staying home anyway.
...Honestly, she seemed ambitionless.
Content with the now—like female Kim Suhyun's vibe?
Just a milder version.
I turned and headed to Maho's place.
She said drop by anytime last time, so....
Might've been polite, but she said it, right?
I went to her apartment building, called from the front gate.
[Hey, hello? What's up?]
"Sis, I'm at your door—buzz me in?"
[What??]
Sudden house call had her panicking for sure.
Come on, girl to girl—what's to prep? Just open up.
"I've got a dilemma."
[You have dilemmas? Wait, no—I'm streaming right now?]
Streaming? Oops.
Should've checked. Slipped my mind.
"Uh... important content?"
[Nah, just chit-chat. Was gonna check the Fan Cafe.]
Right, got it....
Chit-chat stream? Right up Miro's alley.
Perfect timing.
"Let's do it together then. Consult me after?"
I'd hype her stream proper today.
In return, help with my dilemma.