Chapter 87
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Script Practice with Actress Hwang Soo-ah
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I've lived for over thirty years under my parents' control.
Dad and Mom now see me as nothing more than a company asset.
My wife, Hwang Soo-ah—no, Shin Ah-young—is the same.
She nags and tries to control me over every little thing.
When the company started shaking, her grip tightened even more.
She's the kind of woman who married me for the company and the money, so it's only natural.
I'm sick of it.
The only one who sets me free is Seon-ah.
She's the only woman who sees me for who I am—Hwang Jin-woo the man—not my wealth or family.
If only I'd married Seon-ah back then...
But Mom ruined everything.
My relationship with Seon-ah, my whole life.
...Is there no way to turn back the clock even now?
If I could just break free from all these chains and run away with Seon-ah...
"Honey. We need to talk."
"Talk? About what?"
Here we go again.
It has to be about meeting Seon-ah earlier today.
"Soo-jung's teacher called. She says Soo-jung hasn't been focusing in class lately and is being left out by her classmates. She asked if there's something wrong at home."
"Soo-jung?"
My daughter Soo-jung. She's in second grade.
No, third grade?
...The entrance ceremony was three years ago, so fourth grade?
Soo-jung's already in fourth grade?
"You handle that kind of thing. Do I have to worry about every little detail?"
"That kind of thing? This is about Soo-jung!"
Here we go again. She dumps every tiny issue on me.
What am I supposed to do if she didn't study a bit?
"I'm working. You're the one sitting around. You look after Soo-jung. Why should I have to deal with her too?"
"I'm not sitting around...!"
My wife starts to snap back but holds it in with a sigh.
"Sigh. Anyway, talk to Soo-jung. She won't open up to me."
"Forget it. She'll figure it out. Forcing her to do what she doesn't want is pointless. Just let her do whatever."
"Honey. How can you say that?"
"Say what?"
"She's your daughter. How can you show zero interest? You could talk to her, figure out what's bothering her as her dad."
"That's why you're home all day. Handle it yourself instead of bringing every little thing to me."
"Honey."
"Enough. I'm tired."
I leave my wife behind and head out of the room.
"Sun-hu. Can I slap you?"
"Pardon?"
"How can you be so infuriating?"
I scratch my cheek at Soo-ah's words.
"I figured acting annoying would help you get more immersed."
Right now, I'm doing script practice with actress Hwang Soo-ah.
The location is her house.
Last time I came over, we just hung out, but this time she wanted to dive straight into practice.
I'd memorized all the lines last time and the time before—feels like a waste if we don't even start.
"Sigh."
Suddenly, Soo-ah lets out a deep sigh.
"What's wrong? Something not clicking? Your acting was great."
"It's not that... It's the co-star actor..."
"Co-star? Actor Joo Jung-hwan?"
Actor Joo Jung-hwan is the one playing Hwang Jin-woo, the role I just did.
I prepared other parts just in case, but to help Soo-ah immerse herself, I focused on Hwang Jin-woo.
"Yeah... He's not focusing on acting. Lots of NG cuts."
"That's bad if the lead's like that."
Joo Jung-hwan has a solid name value.
Especially huge in China, from what I hear.
Mom said the Chinese sponsors pushed hard for him as the lead this time.
"Yeah. The set atmosphere's sour, and shoots are dragging on."
If Soo-ah's saying this, it must be serious.
Enough to distract even the co-star.
Mom told me to take good care of Soo-ah, and I'd love to help, but what can I do?
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
I ask anyway.
But then...
"You'd help?"
Soo-ah's eyes sparkle like she's been waiting for those words.
"Uh, yeah, of course, if it's something I can do."
She's way more eager than I expected. What could she want?
Not like I can make Joo Jung-hwan shape up.
"Could you be my temporary manager, Sun-hu?"
"Pardon? Manager? Me?"
Why me as manager?
Isn't that the agency's job?
She just switched to Mom's agency recently.
"Yeah. I joined the new agency not long ago, so no dedicated manager yet."
"No manager?"
Mom's agency is huge.
No way they're short-staffed enough to leave out a star like Hwang Soo-ah.
"So I drive myself everywhere... It's hard to focus on acting. If someone could just handle driving and errands..."
Yeah, actors driving themselves must be exhausting.
Especially risky after ten-plus hour shoots.
"I'm pretty confident in my driving, but..."
"Just driving would be perfect!"
...There must be tons of people who'd road-manage for Hwang Soo-ah for free.
Why ask me?
I've never managed anyone.
"No one I can trust with this... And traveling alone as a woman, there's been some sexual harassment..."
"Sexual harassment?!"
That's a big deal.
Shouldn't she report it first?
"Nothing worth reporting or making a fuss over, but being alone without a manager probably invites it."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
A big guy manager by her side would deter approaches.
But can my face pull that off?
"If you just drive and stay by my side, I'd feel so much better."
Hmm.
I'm grateful she trusts me, but... can I really do this right?
I'll bump into strangers a lot, and Mom would worry.
"I already got your mom's permission. She said it's fine if you're okay with it."
"Mom did?"
Soo-ah reads my mind, countering every concern in order.
She says it like it just occurred to her, but it feels meticulously planned.
Honestly, I want to try.
Experience like this could help later.
School's on hold anyway, nothing else going on.
My worry is whether I'd actually help Soo-ah.
Driving, errands, bodyguard (sort of)—I could manage that.
"No pressure. I don't expect a perfect manager. Driving alone would be enough. Try it, and if it doesn't work, quit—no hard feelings. The agency will assign someone then."
I can feel how badly she wants me on board.
Is the harassment that bad?
Actresses can't always shout about it.
Maybe she's more desperate than she lets on.
Sending me an SOS.
"...Alright. Send me your schedule, and I'll..."
"Yes! I'll text it right now!"
She fiddles with her phone, and messages flood in—like they were prepped.
Hmm. Shooting starts tonight already.
Wraps past midnight.
Tomorrow, early morning again.
Definitely too much for an actor to self-drive.
"Oh, and last time, after you left, this fell under the seat..."
"Ack!?"
I nearly pop my eyes out at the item in Soo-ah's palm.
A condom.
Familiar packaging.
0.01mm, XXL size.
How the hell did that end up in Soo-ah's house??
Did I drop the one Mom slipped me here?
Argh! Why now!
My face is burning.
"Th-this is, uh, a man's responsibility, I guess... Sorry."
Not intentional, but I apologize honestly.
...No way the harassment she mentioned is about me?
"No, I should be sorry... I slept like a log without realizing you had that in mind..."
"No! It's not like that!"
"It's fine. You're a guy, it's natural. My fault for not thinking."
Aah, Mom.
Why burden me with this trial?
"So... if you help me out well this time..."
Soo-ah trails off, blushing.
...Help well?
She'll pretend it never happened?
What if I don't?
Police? Or the 9 o'clock news?
"Yes! I'll work hard! Like a dog!"
She beams, pleased with my answer.
Phew.
That was close.
Could've been slapped with harassment charges.
I'd have helped without the blackmail vibe.
But if she overlooks it for this, I'm lucky.
"I'll hold onto this until then."
Soo-ah pockets the condom, embarrassed.
"Ugh... Y-yes, ma'am."
The condom's a hostage.
Slacking off means exposure.
Ugh.
Hwang Soo-ah... one scary woman.