Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 032
Chapter Title: The Power of a Single Photo (2)
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Min Writer's prediction had been spot on.
-Admin: I'll go check it out myself. Please wait for the review!
The self-proclaimed "mother birds" of Kwon Seong-hyeon—however you sliced it—had chosen the simplest method of "tribute" to lay eyes on Yeonwoo, whom Kwon Seong-hyeon himself had publicly called a close friend. The most reliable way to legally gauge the set's atmosphere and meet the actors in person.
Of course, it cost money. And not just pocket change, either—a hefty sum that wasn't exactly disposable.
-Next time you need a coffee truck, just let me know. I'll cover it then.
But to these mother birds, that amount was trivial. Spending on support goods or shelling out extra for banners on the coffee truck? Pocket lint.
What truly mattered was one thing!
-Isn't some weirdo trying to leech off our Seong-hyeon, right?
-We gotta check first so no weird PR scandals like that Ddukbae or Ddukchon guy.
In this harsh world, protecting their actor—the one pure oasis in the fandom—was their sole purpose.
"They should've notified inside by now, so they should be coming out soon, right?"
"Ugh, I'm shaking. It's been so long since we've seen our actor's face."
"Hey, snap out of it. We're not here to play. Stay sharp and check that guy out first."
Dressed in upscale outfits with perfectly styled hair, the three women looked like they could pass for high-powered career women anywhere else.
They were none other than the fan page admins.
"We have to confirm what kind of person this rookie is first and foremost."
"Ah, but Chairman, doesn't he look kinda cute? Tall, great fashion sense. He'd rock this season's designs. And since Seong-hyeon approached him first, he can't be all bad, right?"
"True. He did look cute to me too. We've been hurting for decent talent in that age group lately—the pool's been trash. This one's promising, don't you think? The kids coming to my shop these days? Total wrecks. Without my makeup magic, they couldn't even go on TV..."
"No, girls. Focus!"
Vice Chairman 1 ran a famous Cheongdam makeup salon.
Vice Chairman 2 was a fashion designer getting love calls from overseas, drawing scorching attention at Milan—not to mention New York—Fashion Weeks every year.
The chairman shot them a stern warning.
For the record, the chairman didn't have a "job" per se. If you had to pin it down...
Daughter of a landlord? A few prime plots of goldmine land and some gleaming skyscrapers.
"Chairman, get your head in the game. You're the one who ditched real life entirely for full-time fangirling."
"But wouldn't it be nice to just rent out properties, rake in rent, and live that life?"
"Right? 'Above the Creator sits the landlord,' they say."
As the vice chairmen whispered, the chairman bellowed.
"What's wrong with me enriching my life through fangirling!"
"Who said anything? Oh, Chairman—staff's coming out. Snap to it."
They bickered affectionately, but these were besties of over a decade.
'Who dared seduce our innocent Seong-hyeon?'
The vice chairmen talked her down, but the chairman's eyes flashed.
The director and staff began descending one by one.
"Wow, another lavish spread. Thanks to Seong-hyeon, we're eating well again."
The chairman smiled back at the director's words.
"We're the grateful ones, Director—you cast Seong-hyeon. We finally get to see his face after months in hiding. No updates at all."
"It worked out that way? Ha! I'm the one relieved he's in our project. Anyway, thanks for the coffee. I'll enjoy it."
"No trouble at all. Have as much as you want..."
"I'll make sure to tell Seong-hyeon to come down."
"As expected of the director. So perceptive."
"Yeonwoo should be down soon too—just wait a bit."
The three women's eyes sparkled.
"Yeonwoo? That's his name?"
"The director doesn't cast just anyone. Must be a solid actor."
Subtle probing.
"Yeonwoo? Great guy. Talented too. Seems aloof, but he's actually super attentive. Off the record—only telling you three 'cause I know you can keep a secret."
"Oh, of course. Our lips are sealed. Have we ever leaked anything?"
Director Heo cleared his throat at Vice Chairman 2's smooth chime-in.
"Fair enough. So, bit of an accident during filming recently—Min Yerin fell in the water..."
"Min Yerin fell in? Oh no, that could've been disastrous."
"It nearly was. Mountain shoot at dawn, lights all out."
The director's grave expression sobered the trio.
"Then Min Yerin just plunged right in. Scene called for a quick exit, but she couldn't get out."
"And?"
"Yeonwoo jumped in."
Slurp slurp.
Director Heo downed his coffee, story done—like he'd earned it.
'No more questions!'
Veteran of the industry, he tossed bait at the perfect moment.
The three swallowed their regret, stepping back.
"No way he became an actor just for jumping in, right?"
"Plenty of staff around—info won't be hard to get."
"Chatty type maybe? Director Heo wouldn't gush like that otherwise."
But every staffer they asked afterward? Only praise for Yeonwoo.
"Guy's got loyalty. Remember that expelled idol? Dude picked fights one-sided, but Yeonwoo zipped it to avoid ruining the set vibe and hurting Seong-hyeon..."
"So clean and proper. No weird demands. Directors and writers fawn over you, anyone'd get cocky—but not him..."
"Yeonwoo? Don't get me started. This drama's gonna launch a real rookie star."
"Being around him clears your head..."
All good things, one and all.
"Weird...? How's it all praise?"
"Clears your head? What, he secrete phytoncides?"
"Rich kid bribing everyone?"
Vice Chairman 2 floated a conspiracy.
The chairman scoffed.
"If bribes worked, they'd have by now. Not on Seong-hyeon—you know that."
"True..."
Kwon Seong-hyeon shrouded his family in mystery.
But his clothes, watch, shoes? All luxury—limited editions money alone couldn't buy.
Fans staunchly backed the "chaebol heir" theory.
"Man, now I'm dying to know who he is."
"Why aren't they coming down?"
Most staff had passed, but no sign of Kwon Seong-hyeon or the suspect.
That's when—
"Gasp. Incoming!"
Vice Chairman 1 hissed low.
They held their breath as murmurs drifted down the stairs.
"Not just coffee, y'know. Other stuff too. Like Yeonwoo's fave—mint choco frappe."
"But it's from Kwon Seong-hyeon's fans. Feels off eating as strangers, no?"
"They sent it for the whole set to share and power through. Yeonwoo's included. Bet he's waiting for it?"
"No way."
Way.
"Chairman. Think Seong-hyeon sniffed our scheme?"
"Nah... Wait it out. Gotta do what we came for, caught or not."
She spoke with grim resolve, eyes steely.
'Anyone harming Seong-hyeon's path—doesn't matter who...!'
But her thoughts shattered.
"......?"
Wait. Who was that fresh-faced cutie?
Lightning struck the chairman's skull.
A youthful face in his early twenties. Yet his expression and vibe radiated cool detachment. Mild annoyance seeped from every pore.
'No way... How's he so chill with Seong-hyeon right there?'
Shock number two paled next to the real blow.
'His face... it's visible...!'
Sound ridiculous? It was crucial.
'Even in fan cams, he seemed no joke.'
But IRL? Next level. A heavy presence photos couldn't capture—elevating him further.
The chairman knew this type well.
'Just like Seong-hyeon...!'
Debut days. One shot of bloodshot eyes glaring—millions of fans hooked. Supporting role, brief frame, massive ripple.
That's when she'd first tumbled into obsession.
And now.
'Nooo. I'm here to judge—not stan...!'
She whipped to her side, desperate for backup.
But...
"You like mint choco? Perfect. They do it great here. Try some."
"Must be the co-star. Looked close in pics—totally vibe in person."
The other two had fallen long ago.
'Screw it.'
She gave up thinking. That pull after so long? Too potent from this newbie.
Plus...
'Can't lag behind here!'
Comrades through meals and trials, sure—but starved hyenas of Kilimanjaro at heart, parched for new faces!
Eyes squeezed shut.
Then open.
"Hello? I'm the president of Seong-hyeon's fan club..."
Sunny smile, she'd surged ahead of them.
***
"Why's his skin so flawless?"
"Young age? Early twenties, right?"
"Yeah, Chairman. Twenty-three."
"Twenty-three. Prime of life."
Murmuring as his image burned vivid behind closed lids.
"Sounds like straight from civilian life to casting—no newbie vibes though?"
Said Vice Chairman 1, who'd seen countless celebs at her Cheongdam makeup haven.
"Skin pale, zero pores... Glowier than regulars. Natural-born?"
"Sis, you noticed that? I was too dazed..."
"Me too. Job makes you notice. Seong-hyeon dragged him in, probs—doesn't look maintained. Innate."
They recalled Yeonwoo seeming indifferent to Kwon Seong-hyeon's fussing.
Ever seen a celeb dote that hard?
The admins could swear: Never before—but now?
-Thank goodness. They do mint choco well. Eat up, Yeonwoo.
First time seeing Kwon Seong-hyeon smile genuinely, speaking soft and sweet.