Chapter 88
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: To the Broadcasting Station
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That evening.
I drove actress Hwang Soo-ah's car to the broadcasting station's drama set.
Even with two celebrities at home, this was my first time coming to a broadcasting station.
And to think I'd arrive driving another celebrity's car, acting as a road manager.
"No need to be nervous. Once they know you're Teacher Im's son, no one will dare look down on you."
"That's its own kind of problem. I'm here as actress Hwang Soo-ah's manager."
Mom was probably the most senior actress on set, aside from the director and staff.
Having debuted in her teens, her acting career was nearing 30 years.
I worried that if the other actors found out I was actress Im Shin-hye's son, they'd treat me awkwardly out of excessive respect.
"Come to think of it, how old were you when you debuted, Soo-ah?"
"Pretty young. I'm a former child actress. At six."
"Six?!"
She was 27 now, so that meant 21 years of experience?!
They say the world changes completely in ten years, but she'd been acting through two full changes.
"So some older actors could be your juniors?"
"Plenty like that. Some debuted in their twenties or later. Actor Joo Jung-hwan, who's acting with me, is one."
"How do they address you then? As sunbae?"
"Some do, some don't. Joo Jung-hwan and I just use polite -ssi honorifics."
"I see."
It really hit me just how impressive actress Hwang Soo-ah was.
21 years of experience. In most fields, that'd make you a master.
Debuting at six, huh.
I was adopted at six.
For some reason... it made me feel the gap in our life experiences as humans.
"Sun-hu, let's go say hello to the staff and actors."
"Ah, sure."
Did a mere manager need to do that? Still, if Soo-ah wanted to go, I had to follow.
The first stop was the waiting room labeled 'Actor Kang Chang-jae.'
Actor Kang Chang-jae played Mom's husband in this drama—the chaebol chairman role. A veteran actor.
"Teacher, it's Soo-ah."
『Come on in.』
A gravelly voice replied after I knocked.
I trailed after Soo-ah into the room.
Actor Kang Chang-jae was seated in a chair.
"Come on in, Soo-ah."
"Hello, Teacher."
I bowed 90 degrees right after Soo-ah.
Actor Kang Chang-jae often played charismatic villains in dramas, but in person, he was a kindly grandfather.
Kind of like Mom, in a way.
"This is Jin Sun-hu, Teacher Im Shin-hye's son. He's filling in as my temporary manager today."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Jin Sun-hu."
I bowed once more.
Actor Kang Chang-jae was way more senior even than Mom. No way could someone like me stand tall in front of him.
"Oh? Shin-hye's son is your manager? He's tall and handsome. Total actor material. Seems a waste for managing."
"Th-thank you."
"No way. Without Sun-hu, no one's driving me around."
We exchanged some kind words in the room before leaving.
I'd been a bit tense, but it went better than expected.
"Next is this one."
Ah. Mom's waiting room.
"Teacher, it's Soo-ah."
『Come in.』
Mom's voice came from inside after the knock.
Meeting Mom in a place like this felt strangely surreal.
I followed Soo-ah inside.
"Teacher, I brought my manager to introduce him."
"Your manager?"
Mom was in the middle of makeup.
Our eyes met in the mirror.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Jin Sun-hu."
I threw in a bit of playfulness with my 90-degree bow.
Mom's mouth dropped open in the mirror.
She looked shocked. Like she had no idea.
...Huh? Didn't I tell Mom it was okayed?
Soo-ah was grinning ear to ear beside me.
Like a kid whose prank had succeeded.
"...Soo-ah, let's talk. Sun-hu, step out for a bit? I'll call you when we're done."
"Ah, okay."
A little scary.
Mom seemed mad.
Cold sweat trickled down my back as I stepped out into the hallway.
Even if Soo-ah said she'd gotten permission, maybe I should've called Mom myself.
Sigh. Never thought I'd be this nervous in Mom's waiting room.
I'd just wanted to greet her warmly and leave. Ugh.
But what was up with Soo-ah?
No way she'd lied about getting permission.
Or maybe she never even asked?
Hmm. No clue.
Wonder what they're talking about in there.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, a little girl was staring up at me from the side.
Looked like early elementary school age.
She was doll-like and adorable.
Could pass for a child actress.
Ah, right—this was a broadcasting station. She probably was one.
So this must be Soo-jung, playing the daughter role?
"Ah, hi? You Soo-jung?"
She was staring so intently, I greeted her first.
The kid kept looking at me.
Then, instead of answering, she stretched both arms toward me.
"Huh? Want me to pick you up?"
She nodded.
Hmm.
Should I?
She's not an assassin, right?
...What could go wrong?
Mom and Soo-ah were right behind this door.
I scooped under her legs with my arms and lifted her up.
Our eyes were level now.
"Hi. You Soo-jung?"
I asked again, looking into her eyes. She finally nodded.
Yup.
"Na Seung-hee..."
"Your real name's Seung-hee. Pretty name. Why are you here, Seung-hee? To see actress Im Shin-hye?"
"Yeah..."
But for someone bold enough to ask a stranger for a hug, she was awfully shy.
Her voice was barely audible.
Maybe because she'd just been acting as Soo-jung with her dad, she didn't feel like a stranger.
But Hwang Jin-woo had a daughter like this and a wife like Hwang Soo-ah... and still cheated?
Talk about zero plausibility.
"Seung-hee!"
A young mom called Seung-hee from down the hall.
Glasses, energetic black suit.
Looked like a manager at a glance. So, a colleague of mine.
Probably Seung-hee's mom.
"Seung-hee, looks like Mom's here? Ready to come down?"
She shook her head no.
As I tried to set her down, Seung-hee clung to my neck and buried her face.
Hmm. Tricky.
Her mom might misunderstand if she saw.
Maybe I could play it off with a smile.
"Hello. You're Seung-hee's mom?"
I greeted her first with my mom-melting killer smile.
"Ah... Yes, sorry. Our Seung-hee is..."
I'd worried she'd think I was a kidnapper, but she looked apologetic instead.
Makes sense—no kidnappers at a broadcasting station.
"Seung-hee, come to Mom."
"No."
"Na Seung-hee!"
Even as Mom called, Seung-hee didn't budge.
Stuck in the middle, I was at a loss.
"Haha. If it's okay, I can hold her a bit longer."
"Sorry. Our Seung-hee is still so young."
"No big deal. She's at that age."
Seung-hee's mom kept bowing repeatedly.
No need to apologize that much.
It wasn't any trouble.
"Here to see actress Im Shin-hye, by any chance?"
"Ah, yes. To greet her."
"Actress Hwang Soo-ah's inside with her right now, talking."
"Oh."
Awkward. How long did I have to wait?
Seung-hee's mom was fidgeting awkwardly too.
I couldn't hold out and knocked on the door.
"Um, Seung-hee and her mom are here."
"...Come in."
A reply came after a moment.
Not an angry tone.
I relaxed a bit and went inside.
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Oh my."
Mom and Soo-ah stared wide-eyed—at me, or rather, at Seung-hee in my arms.
"Sun-hu, you've already gotten close to Seung-hee."
"Haha. Just happened."
I set Seung-hee down once inside the waiting room.
"Hello."
Seung-hee greeted Mom and Soo-ah politely.
Seung-hee's mom bowed beside her.
"Come on in, Seung-hee. And Seung-hee's mom, welcome."
"Grandma, Mom, who's this uncle?"
Grandma. Mom. Uncle.
Here, Grandma was our Mom, actress Im Shin-hye; Mom was actress Hwang Soo-ah; and Uncle was me.
A barrage of unfamiliar titles left my head spinning.
Calling our Mom 'Grandma'!
This tiny thing!
Ah, right—in the drama, Mom was Soo-jung's grandma.
"Seung-hee, isn't this oppa handsome? He's Grandma's son."
"Grandma's son? Then he's our dad?"
The room's atmosphere plummeted at the innocent question.
I could practically feel sweat beading on my forehead.
"Seung-hee, you have a dad, right?"
Seung-hee replied glumly to my words.
"No dad."
"What."
My heart sank this time.
What hurtful thing had I just said to this kid...
"What are you saying? You have a dad. Seung-hee, why pretend he doesn't exist?"
That was Seung-hee's mom.
What.
He does exist?
You scared me for nothing.
"He's not our dad. Our dad..."
Seung-hee started to sniffle.
"Ignores me when I talk to him, and my friends tease that he cheated..."
Whoa. What was this? What do I do?
Seung-hee began crying in earnest.
And while bawling, she threw herself back into my arms.
"Can't Uncle be our dad? I'll listen well. Be good. Can't Uncle be our dad?"
Whoa. How do I handle this?
I felt like crying along with her.
"It's okay. It's okay, Seung-hee. Dad's just wandering a bit right now. Deep down, he loves you, so he'll come back soon."
I patted her back, only able to offer irresponsible comfort.
Seung-hee's dad!
What the hell are you doing!!
Your daughter's crying like this!!
Is that any way for a Seung-hee dad to act?!
As I fumed inwardly, Seung-hee's mom spoke awkwardly beside me.
"It's fine. It's just the role. Seung-hee's too immersed."
"What!?"
What!?
It was acting?
"Come on, Seung-hee, let's go. Sorry, we'll head out first."
Seung-hee's mom forcibly picked her up and left the room.
"Nooo~! Dad~!"
Clinging as she was carried out, Seung-hee reached for me, wailing like the world was ending.
Looked just like a real kidnapping.
"Seung-hee really acts well. It's like seeing you as a kid, Soo-ah."
"Aw, Teacher. I wasn't that good."
I stared blankly at the door after Seung-hee left.