Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: What the Hell is a Homma? (2)
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Of course, regardless of whether Yeonwoo spoke up or not, new people kept pouring in, gasping in shock upon arrival, and others hunting for confirmation that it was all real.
[Whoa, a real article just dropped]
[Thought the agency was pulling a fast one with that last rumor]
[Fr, it was straight out of a rom-com and everyone was like ??? lol turns out it was legit]
[Romance? Romance? Our Yeonwoo in a romance?]
[Director Ji I love you forever for giving our Yeonwoo the romantic lead spot I'll bow three times a day wherever you are]
Amid all that, some were quickly digging up articles and freaking out.
The chat window buzzed with countless voices chiming in from all directions.
It made things even more chaotic, but Yeonwoo's hosting was surprisingly smooth.
He effortlessly picked out the key bits from the flood of teary-eyed dams, emojis, and chatter.
To those joining late and asking about him,
“Aniyo. It's not that I'm sick or anything. No need to worry—nothing hurts.”
To those wondering where he was and what he was up to today,
“This is an indoor shoot set. We had our first day of filming today, and the opening ceremony's done. The bills? I put in ten thousand won with the utmost sincerity.”
When asked if he'd keep doing X-App lives,
“I'll drop in like this from time to time. They said making-of clips will go up on the production's Nutyube channel now and then too. And I'll keep doing these separate X-App streams, so don't forget to follow and subscribe.”
He flashed a bright smile as he answered.
It was just basic greetings, a quick update, and a short tour of the set—and yet somehow an hour had flown by.
[Can't you stay just a little longerㅠㅠ?]
[Yeonwoo if you go now when will we see you againㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
Everyone voiced their regrets loud and clear, but they all promised to make the next one longer in response to his farewell and let it wrap up smoothly.
“Yeonwoo-ssi… did you maybe do X-App while I wasn't around?”
After closing the app and handing back the phone, Lee Gyu-han stared at him with a dazed look for some reason.
“…Aniyo. First time trying it.”
“Really? But how are you so good at it?”
Lee Gyu-han stuck out his tongue in amazement, no matter how he sliced it.
“X-App looks simple, but it's not that easy… Every time Seonghyeon does it, I feel my energy getting sucked dry. You've gotta manage your expressions, communicate, catch all the updates without missing a beat. But timing your interjections? Tricky as hell. Thousands of people clamoring for your attention, and ignoring them ain't easy.”
Questions came in the thousands, but only one person answering.
Plenty were duplicates too.
“It's like trying to cut into a round-robin song. Super hard to jump in just right. Sigh. Even when you answer, it feels like no one's listening—just a solo rant fest? Seonghyeon pulls it off 'cause he's got experience and his fans are chill enough to watch. But you, Yeonwoo-ssi… whew.”
Lee Gyu-han waved it off.
He'd tried to jump in and help midway but had no clue how, so he'd just watched.
“You were super kind and responsive, though.”
“That's what's amazing! You sure you didn't sneak some X-Apps on the down-low? Not a single flustered face. If you're gonna do it, just tell me ahead of time. We need to know at the agency level at least.”
“Really first time. What would I gain from lying?”
“Ah. Yeah, fair point…”
“Ne.”
“But rookies usually just get swept up in the chaos… Being that slick from the jump? Rare as hell.”
“I've done a similar format once before.”
“Ah, that In My Hand TV thing? But that's nothing like this. Staff controls everything there… X-App's pure live, total difference.”
“Doesn't matter as long as it goes well, right? Nothing bad about it.”
“Yeah…?”
“Then we're good.”
“…Is that how it works?”
Lee Gyu-han tilted his head at Yeonwoo's firm, decisive tone.
Somehow, everything Yeonwoo said rang true.
Lee Gyu-han didn't know it, but this was the handy perk of his newly combined stats.
‘Who knew it could work like this.’
An Enchanting Voice that hooked you after one listen, hard to shake from your ears.
An A-rank combo skill.
- A captivating voice lodges in the listener's ear, refusing to leave, enchanting them.
He'd figured mixing in the stats from singer-songwriter Lee Juha would shine on vocals.
‘Effect's pretty solid.’
Lee Gyu-han claimed the chat was utter chaos, but not to Yeonwoo's eyes.
With each reply, the vibe gradually settled.
Sure, the sheer volume made it subtle.
Even the clean shutdown at the end.
To Lee Gyu-han's question on how he nailed the exit so perfectly.
Simple: the folks whining a bit regretfully accepted his goodbye oh-so-meekly.
‘The enchantment range feels pretty wide.’
Enchantment: captivating and swaying hearts.
Not just fans falling for Yeonwoo, but an extra layer—getting them to nod along, convinced by his words and intent.
This somehow felt like…
‘If I play it right, I could outdo a cult leader, vibe-wise?’
Stronger than expected, so no reckless misuse.
Not that he planned to anyway.
Just one thought now:
Stats' scope was broader than imagined.
And even more varied effects possible.
‘Plus this on top…’
Poker Face to top it off.
Masterful expression control plus voice stats? Synergy on point.
That was the behind-the-scenes on the manager's shock at the rookie's nonchalant X-App debut.
A secret Lee Gyu-han would never know.
“Schedule's done for today, so let's head home and rest. Tomorrow it'll ramp up hard. Low-budget flick and all…”
Lee Gyu-han peered at his phone as he spoke.
“Hit the salon at five a.m. sharp tomorrow, then scene shooting at ten. And…”
Yeonwoo's head snapped around mid-schedule rundown.
A piercing gaze hit him.
His eyes widened.
“…?”
No way. Why's this guy here?
***
“Woo Do-gyeom-ssi?”
No way he's seeing things.
He double-checked, and a calm reply came back.
“Running into you here of all places. What a coincidence.”
“You two… know each other…?”
“Do you two happen to know each other?”
Assistant Director Jo followed Director Ji's question, the guy who'd strolled up casually beside Woo Do-gyeom.
Shock plain on his face.
“Aniyo.”
“We know each other very well.”
Contradictory answers flew out at once.
“…?”
Director Ji stood there, unsure whose side to buy, then started smoothing things over.
“Uh… so, introductions then…”
Sadly, proper damage control came from the assistant director as usual.
“Yeonwoo-ssi, this is Chairman Woo Do-gyeom, who's offered additional investment for the film. Chairman. This is our lead, Kang Yeonwoo-ssi…”
An awkward intro hung in the air.
Sensing the frosty vibe between them, Assistant Director Jo desperately piled on explanations.
“Yeonwoo-ssi, Chairman Woo graciously stepped up with extra funding. Thanks to him, we're talking distribution with a major company now. We were such a shoestring production, mostly personal investments—now budget's boosted big time, so locations are getting richer too. Was gonna call you soon, but perfect timing meeting like this. Guess you two go way back.”
His obvious pump-up attempt landed flat.
Director Ji and Assistant Director Jo suffered alone in the sullen standoff.
“Investment? Sudden investment out of nowhere?”
“Turns out Kang Yeonwoo here's a promising talent. Great acting, great character. Can't just sit by when a film with him like that struggles for backers, right?”
“Not something you'd normally dip into, though?”
“What's it matter how I got involved? Isn't my being here the key?”
“That's exactly the problem…”
He'd breezed through the toughest schedule as a certified manager, only for this curveball.
Yeonwoo pressed his throbbing temple.
“Never heard Woo Do-gyeom-ssi was in entertainment.”
“Hmm. Didn't realize you were that interested in me.”
“…Not that. If you're doing this to repay a debt, please stop.”
“Why?”
“Ne?”
“Why should I stop?”
“Don't waste money on me needlessly. Didn't fix your thing for this.”
“You're misunderstanding, kid.”
“What misunderstanding?”
“This film's gonna kill it anyway. What's wrong with me jumping in?”
“…Ne?”
Woo Do-gyeom crossed his arms leisurely.
“I'm a businessman. Never throw my blood money at sure losers.”
“Then why.”
“Told you. Couldn't just watch a stock primed to explode—had to buy in myself.”
What the hell's his basis for this.
A glance sideways: Assistant Director Jo beamed, face lit with joy at the overt box-office hype.
Director Ji fidgeted anxiously, though.
“No other reasons at all?”
“Well. Do I gotta spill everything to you?”
“…”
“Want my consulting? Pay up. I'll cut you a deal. We're 'very well acquainted' after all. Lived through life and death together—counts as very well, no?”
Irked at the flat denial, Woo Do-gyeom tacked that on.
‘Really? When the hell?!’
Ignoring Director Ji's glaring what-the-fuck eyes, Yeonwoo let out a shallow sigh.
“Some issue?”
No trace of worry on Woo Do-gyeom's retort.
That smug, everything's-going-my-way face.
“No. Fine.”
“Could hook you up special cheap, just for you.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Hit me up anytime. Always open special for you.”
Laughter danced in Woo Do-gyeom's eyes as he said it.
[So he's checking out for movie production?]
Makes sense why he griped in the hospital.
Pestered about discharge, just to pull this.
‘…Shot myself in the foot.’
Yeonwoo felt bone-deep just how dangerous an unknown rich go-getter could be.
Headache brewing already.
‘What happens if he meets Kwon Seonghyeon?’
No hypertension, but neck prickled at the thought.
Kwon Seonghyeon already showed clear hostility to Woo Do-gyeom alone.
Investor news? What reaction.
‘No way he'll show up on set.’
Yeonwoo decided to trust the top actor's decades of poised restraint.
…Not super trustworthy.
Oblivious or not to Yeonwoo's thoughts, Woo Do-gyeom drawled leisurely.
“Now film's flush, we can shoot at a comfy pace. Gotta check in often. Watching my golden egg hatch right is key business.”
“Weren't you busy…?”
Looked slammed in that Yeouido securities hub.
‘Why this guy of all people?’