Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 046
Chapter Title: What Is a Star's Life? (1)
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“Uh…… Huh?”
“Yeonwoo doesn’t have any business at your agency, so quit worrying about it.”
“Wow, that’s cold. Kicking a friend to the curb like that?”
“Friend? Who? You?”
Lee Juha clicked his tongue at the three-word retort.
“Damn. Telling me to buzz off, huh? Your attitude’s gotten even worse somehow.”
Grumbling under his breath, Lee Juha paired Kwon Sung-hyun with words that didn’t suit him at all.
But since he didn’t add anything more, it was clear he was subtly avoiding crossing the line.
“No agency means no manager, right? Yesterday, your manager tagged along, so I thought you two were from the same agency. So how should we keep in touch? Oh, Yeonwoo, you can just text me directly.”
With that, Lee Juha quickly pulled away.
“Alright, I’m out! Hit me up on KakaoTalk! Oh, and you don’t have to appear or anything—just message me when you’re bored!”
He vanished in a flash, just like when he’d arrived.
“Yeonwoo-ssi.”
Kwon Sung-hyun called out to Yeonwoo.
“I recommend blocking that jerk…… No, that guy. He’s not a bad person, but he’s kind of a nuisance. Super clingy type.”
“Yes, well……”
He’d almost said “punk” just now, hadn’t he?
“Honestly, I was a bit surprised. I listened to the broadcast yesterday too, so I figured it might happen, but I didn’t expect him to show up the very next day.”
“Yes. I was surprised too.”
Who in their right mind barges into someone they just met’s house the next day?
“Still, getting to know him won’t be all bad. If a music nut like him says that much…… He could be helpful if you’re thinking of going that route.”
“Is that so?”
Come to think of it, Enchanting Voice was a stat he’d gained from Lee Juha.
To wield that ability more freely and skillfully, learning from the source might be best.
Kwon Sung-hyun watched Yeonwoo nod.
“It’s great that Yeonwoo-ssi is gaining recognition……”
He added in a slightly weary voice.
“But it sucks that weirdos keep latching on……”
The fatigue didn’t last long, though.
Kwon Sung-hyun quickly composed himself and spoke to Yeonwoo as usual.
“They confirmed the reward vacation schedule. They want you to check if it works.”
With no agency or manager, contacts were still going through Kwon Sung-hyun’s manager, just like before.
“They could’ve just called.”
Or sent a manager.
No need for someone as big as Kwon Sung-hyun to come in person.
“I had something to pick up from you anyway.”
“……?”
“We need your passport, Yeonwoo-ssi.”
Kwon Sung-hyun finally revealed why he’d come over since morning.
He hadn’t gotten to it earlier because of the unexpected guest, Lee Juha.
Yeonwoo asked back.
“Why the passport?”
“To book the accommodations and flights, obviously?”
“Oh.”
Right.
The reward vacation was overseas.
‘Where was it again? Somewhere in Europe……?’
The drama’s success meant a reward trip, which was great.
But there was a problem.
“I don’t have one.”
“Huh?”
“Passport. Don’t have it.”
“You don’t have a passport……?”
“No……”
As if he would.
Yeonwoo had never even been abroad.
He hadn’t even been to Jeju Island, for that matter.
Not that he was rejecting the outside world like Heungseon Daewongun, but life had just turned out that way.
“Hmm…… Yeah, that can happen……. It’s fine. Totally understandable……”
Kwon Sung-hyun spoke calmly.
“Fortunately, there’s still some time before departure. We can get one right away. What’s your schedule like today, Yeonwoo-ssi?”
“Nothing much……”
“Then let’s get moving. No ID photo either, I assume?”
“How’d you know?”
His resident registration card was made from a quick subway photo booth snap.
He had no idea where that ID photo even was.
Kwon Sung-hyun said, “I had a feeling.”
Then he stood up and urged Yeonwoo along.
“Let’s go. Today’s gonna be a short day.”
***
Kwon Sung-hyun took Yeonwoo to a familiar studio.
“Yeonwoo-ssi!”
Someone equally familiar rushed over excitedly to greet him—clearly tipped off in advance.
“It’s been forever! I watched the drama—loved it! Never thought you’d pull off that role like that. Man, your face is just glowing……. Good thing I scouted you first, or I’d be kicking myself……”
The photographer who’d first offered Yeonwoo a modeling gig.
The one who’d given him Frame Composition.
Park Daeil, the famous photographer.
Woof woof!
[Oh, Mungi. Long time no see? You remember me, huh? Good boy. So smart—even without the pigeon this time. Good boy!]
Park Daeil’s ever-present guardian angel, Mungi, wagged his tail and grinned beside him.
“Your shots were the most popular, hands down. Even I thought they turned out artistically perfect……. Had so many offers I could barely say no. I sent an invite, but figured you were busy with the drama. Bummer, but I’ll send one for the next exhibition too—come then. Oh, but. No pigeon today?”
“He left.”
“Gasp…… Sorry……”
Park Daeil clapped a hand over his mouth at Yeonwoo’s curt reply.
“It’s fine. He went peacefully……”
Too peacefully, actually.
The moment Dongja-ryeong left the pigeon’s body, it looked around confused, cooed once like “Coo-coo?”, then flapped off without a care.
It had been so well-fed it even struggled a bit taking off……
“Yeah. Right……. Best to go painlessly. Street pigeon, wasn’t it? They say strays like that go quick……”
Deeply misunderstanding, Park Daeil tried his best to console Yeonwoo.
Yeonwoo didn’t bother correcting him.
How do you explain a ghost left the bird, it snapped out of it, and flew back where it belonged?
“Hmm…… So, you’re here for an ID photo……?”
Kwon Sung-hyun nodded at the awkward topic shift.
“Not even a profile pic, but a passport photo out of nowhere? Did I mishear ‘profile photo’ or something?”
“Passport photo, yes.”
“For real? Why?”
“Yeonwoo-ssi doesn’t have a passport.”
“……Oh.”
Really? No passport?
Park Daeil’s glance at Yeonwoo seemed to ask.
‘No. What’s the big deal about not having a passport?’
The Heungseon Daewongun inside him stirred.
“You can do profile pics anytime……! Better to knock out the passport one that lasts ten years!”
Somehow, it felt like a nonstop word party.
The photo session wrapped quickly.
No need for expression acting or frame composition skills.
“There we go. Look straight ahead. Eyes open. Chin down a bit. Perfect—you nail it without instructions!”
A heavy shutter click later, it was done.
Soon, an assistant brought the printed photos.
Kwon Sung-hyun smiled softly and hurried Yeonwoo again.
“Alright. District office next.”
With Park Daeil seeing them off, the car sped away.
“Might be a tight timeline. If I’d known sooner, we could’ve applied earlier.”
“You don’t need to come with me……”
“No way. Who’s gonna get the reward if the lead doesn’t go? Plus, I’m really looking forward to this trip.”
Kwon Sung-hyun’s sleek car pulled smoothly into the parking lot.
“Here, wear this.”
“What’s that?”
He handed over dark-tinted sunglasses.
“People might recognize you now, so better safe.”
Yeonwoo had starred in a drama with over 40% ratings.
But his lifespan was coming in steadily, and he hadn’t gone out much during filming anyway.
‘No one I really need to meet……’
No friends or acquaintances to speak of.
Everything ran smoothly without outings, so no reason to go out.
Kwon Sung-hyun’s advice didn’t quite land.
Still.
‘Eh. No harm in listening.’
One thing Yeonwoo had learned: Kwon Sung-hyun was the ultimate professional at work.
A big goofy dog off-duty, but rock-solid when it counted.
‘But…… Feels kinda pointless?’
Even on a weekday afternoon, the district office was surprisingly crowded.
The moment they entered, Yeonwoo sensed the buzz.
[Sunglasses seem useless……? Duh, a top star like ours wouldn’t be fooled by shades.]
Ignoring the stares.
Kwon Sung-hyun led Yeonwoo to the passport counter.
“P-p-p-please f-f-fill out th-the f-forms h-h-here……”
The receptionist, eyes shaking, guided them.
Lots of fields to fill.
‘What’s this about Romanized name?’
Stuck from the start? For real?
After meticulously completing the form with a serious face, Yeonwoo sighed.
“Phew……. Thought it was just pack and go. Travel needs so much paperwork.”
“Europe’s easier—no separate visa. Places like Guam or Hawaii need one……. At least it’s e-visas now; used to require interviews.”
“Visa……?”
No clue what that was, but sounded headache-inducing.
Kwon Sung-hyun chuckled shortly at Yeonwoo’s expression.
“Agencies usually handle this stuff. That’s half the reason they exist.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Surprisingly convenient.”
“Hmm……”
Made sense.
“For passports, just prep a power of attorney ahead, and no need to come in person.”
“That’s nice.”
“Right?”
Kwon Sung-hyun grinned.
“They manage every schedule detail, so no worries. Send stylists, makeup artists—lets you focus on acting. I review all synopses and scripts myself, but others get pre-filtered, so safer picks with less risk.”
As Kwon Sung-hyun explained quietly, his eyes suddenly darkened.
“But thinking about it, kinda sucks. Stylist…… I could just keep doing it like before. No need for a road manager either……. Was planning a break anyway……?”
Weird.
Hadn’t he said before the drama he’d rested too long and needed work? Now another break?
Weird, but not Yeonwoo’s main concern.
“Agency. I’ll think positively about it.”
“You don’t have to……”
“No. Your explanation was super helpful.”
He’d underestimated it.
‘Travel’s optional, but if it were overseas filming……’
Basic stuff, but easy to overlook.
‘Kwon Sung-hyun’s manager helped a lot with set commutes too.’
Filming schedules were erratic.
Afternoon shoots dragging to dawn.
Yesterday’s radio gig ended at dawn too, right?
‘Definitely convenient to have one.’