Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Leap
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Unlike Jo Jin-gu, who had been making a racket since morning, Woo Ji-hyun's day started off just like any other.
He got up early, turned on a cable music channel to clear his head, and began his morning by reading a book on his smartphone.
"Girl groups really are the truth."
With a refreshing smile and upbeat songs from the girl groups on TV right from the morning, Woo Ji-hyun wore an uncle's grin.
He knew all too well why they called them uncle fans.
His physical age was twenty-eight, but mentally, he was a full-on uncle.
A super uncle, even.
"Aigoo, so cute."
Even after logging into Kakao Page, Woo Ji-hyun paid no attention to the main banner.
All his focus was stolen by the music video playing on TV.
Watching the girl groups bursting with fresh appeal in their dances, he felt his hazy mind snap wide awake.
"Girl groups in the morning, for sure."
He muttered as he swiftly changed the channel whenever a boy group came on.
It had become such a routine that his remote-handling skills were now razor-sharp.
"Look at you. Great shot."
Only belatedly did he notice Lee Woo-hyung proudly occupying the main banner spot on Kakao Page, and Woo Ji-hyun broke into a soft smile.
It was a bust shot of him smiling brightly while holding a steaming mug—the warmth practically radiated from the image alone.
Of course, there were no comments on the banner, so he couldn't check user reactions directly, but to his eyes, it looked pretty damn good.
"But with so many female users, do women even know who this guy is?"
Men basically liked soccer by default, so even if they skipped overseas leagues, they'd watched national team matches and knew Lee Woo-hyung to some degree.
Women, though, were different, so Woo Ji-hyun voiced his belated concern.
Since he wasn't a celebrity, they might go, "Who's this?" or "What's this guy's deal?"
"Well, Kakao Page knows what they're doing. They only hire smart people."
In Woo Ji-hyun's book, Kakao Group was one of the most innovative companies out there.
Shaking off his worries, he headed to the fantasy genre.
To check if his own work was properly featured on a banner.
He was pretending otherwise, but he already knew that God of Martial Arts, Return had launched at dawn.
"Huh..."
Woo Ji-hyun paused as he switched from the overall main screen to the fantasy section.
His face—his upper body—was boldly plastered on the main banner.
And opposite him was a roaring Lee Woo-hyung.
Both decked out in Borussia Dortmund uniforms, no less.
"...They actually went with this photo."
The title Maestro on the Field looked tiny next to the sheer impact of the shot, leaving Woo Ji-hyun speechless for a moment.
He'd figured they might use it since they'd shot it, but he'd pegged the odds as slim.
In terms of recognition or buzz, Lee Woo-hyung had the edge, after all.
Yet Kakao Page had slapped their two-shot right on the main banner.
"Even labeling me as 'the author' in tiny print."
In the corner of the photo, their names—Lee Woo-hyung and Woo Ji-hyun—were clearly marked in small font, drawing a wry chuckle from him.
Not that many people would read the fine print.
Bzzzzt!
He'd braced for his face going public, but not this fast—and not front and center—so he couldn't hide his fluster when his smartphone vibrated.
A friend's name popped up on the screen.
"Hm? What's up this early?"
-Yo!
Surprised by the unexpected call, Woo Ji-hyun still picked up.
Soon, a roar full of shock and awe exploded from the speaker.
"Aigoo, you scared me. Why are you yelling first thing in the morning? Nearly burst my eardrums, man."
-Why didn't you tell me you shot an ad?
"You've seen Kakao Page, huh?"
-What're you talking about? I called 'cause your teaser video's all over the internet.
"Internet?"
Woo Ji-hyun furrowed his brow.
He'd assumed it was about Kakao Page, but internet out of nowhere?
-Go check Naver portal. Real-time search has Kakao Page, Lee Woo-hyung, and Making Film—three entries.
"My name?"
-Yours? Obviously not. Why would it be?
"Figures."
Woo Ji-hyun replied with relief.
He wasn't famous, public figure, or celebrity—last thing he wanted was his name trending.
Better if it was his book, though.
-I saw the pic with Lee Woo-hyung and thought, "Check this guy out," but an ad too? You're blowing up. Still can't believe it.
"That why you called at the crack of dawn?"
-Duh. You popping up outta nowhere scared the shit outta me. And acting? ...Urk!
Woo Ji-hyun scowled at Kim In-hu's voice, like he'd gouged out his eyes with fake retching.
But he got it, deep down.
If Kim In-hu suddenly saw himself acting in a viral video, he'd react the same.
"No choice. I'm a slave to money. And for promoting my book? I'd burn this body white in sacrifice."
-That's a given. But you and Lee Woo-hyung must really be tight.
"We clicked fast—same age and all."
-Hard to buy, but you're his fan, right? All over the making video. Three minutes of pure bromance.
"That's how awesome your buddy's become."
Woo Ji-hyun puffed up proudly.
He had to be humble with others, but not Kim In-hu.
-Ugh, gross. Success doesn't suit punks like you...
"Forgot who shone a ray of hope on your shitty life already?"
-Pretty face is all you need? Oh right, ortho guy—so hook me up with a stunner with killer legs for blind dates?
"Thanks, very much."
Woo Ji-hyun beamed, picturing Kim In-hu groveling flat.
Not just the attitude—Kim In-hu nailed his type perfectly.
-But need time. Tough finding a girl packing that heat.
"If she was around me, I'd have charged already."
-Then get shot down. Rinse and repeat.
"That's life. Too easy, no fun. But saying that, I want a boring one."
-Me too.
They sighed in perfect sync, like scripted.
If it was easy, he wouldn't be single.
"But you've got the parent plug. Bound to be a middle or high school teacher among 'em."
-Problem is, their picks and mine don't match at all.
"Hang in there."
-...Gotta. Hey, seeing Lee Woo-hyung again? Get me a signed Dortmund jersey. Replica's fine! I'll buy it if you want—just get it signed!
Kim In-hu finally got to the point.
Congrats and teasing done, now the real reason.
"Dunno. We're grabbing soju before he heads to Germany, but jersey? It's his uniform, and he said he first wore it for the ad—no extras."
-Replica! I'll get one and give it to you—sign it!
"Desperate, huh."
-What's friendship for? Hitting me up now.
Kim In-hu sounded dead serious.
He was that desperate—no direct meets or signs from fave players ever.
"I'll think about it."
-What?! Man?!
Not even "I'll try"—just "think it over," and Kim In-hu's voice spiked.
But Woo Ji-hyun smoothly hung up right then.
Mom was calling, like on cue to bail him out.
"Oh, Mom's calling. I'll think it over and call you back."
-Yo! Hey, Woo Ji-hyun!
Woo Ji-hyun said his piece and ended the call.
Then picked up Mom's immediately.
"Yeah, Mom."
-Son, you're up?
"I always rise early. But what's up so early?"
-They said you're on the internet, so I called after seeing it. Your uncle told me. But Mom's hurt. Should've told me you shot an ad.
Her voice dripped with disappointment.
Hearing it from little bro instead of her son stung.
"Did tell you I was shooting, but if it didn't air, you'd be bummed. Was gonna call once confirmed."
-Gonna? Really?
"Yeah, after I checked. Saw it on Kakao Page, but not the teaser online yet."
-Really?
Mom sounded mildly shocked.
The teaser's buzz had her circle abuzz, yet the star hadn't seen it.
"Yeah, just got off with In-hu—he told me."
"You too. It's your thing—can't be that out of the loop."
"Busy with new launch. Shot the ad in between."
-No aches? Eating right?
Mom jumped to health and meals at "busy."
Nothing topped that for a solo liver.
"Eating fine, doing great. You?"
-Same as always. But your sister's webtooning and slacking—stressing me out. Still sprawled out, what time is it?
"Hahaha."
He just laughed at her laziness—par for the course.
Late kid, spoiled rotten—his fault too.
-Missing art school was huge.
"No big awards? Tough for Hongdae. Sharks everywhere. But end of first sem, still art school whining?"
-That's why I'm worried. Feels like she'll drop out. Fine by me—no tuition. But stifling.
Woo Ji-hyun sensed it instinctively.
Mom shifting from nagging to venting mode.
"How's the car, Mom? No issues?"
-New car, duh. Breakdowns would be weirder. Love bragging it's from my son—no one else among friends. That braggy mom shuts up around me. Hohoho!
"Still, any weirdness, call the dealer—or me."
-Got it. No sweat. Mom's driven a ton—spot it quick. But Ji-hyun. You're not young, settled now, so marriage...
"Oh, call from management. I'll call back!"
He cut off as it veered to marriage post-vent—too risky.
Stay on, it'd be thirty minutes of "advice."