Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: RUN: Encore
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Hahaha.
Uhahaha.
Laughter echoed nonstop through the audience at the Gwanghwamun Cultural Centers grand theater today.
Never before had the laughter been this loud during any performance.
The special subtitle for this final show was RUN: Encore.
Since it was the very last performance wrapping up the entire run, the actors had decided to have some fun on stage.
There had been advance notice that the encore subtitle meant this show would be something special.
Running time may be longer than announced due to the actors special performance.
That notice had gone up during the final ticketing round.
Jessica and the cast had planned to honor the sold-out run by mixing in some changes from their usual format.
Theyd agreed to sprinkle in ad-libs without derailing the core storyline.
The special notice had sparked an even fiercer ticketing war for the finale.
The last round sold out in just two minutes flata new legend.
No way! This is pepperoni... Johnnys absolute favorite...!
Nixon, are you sure Johnnys favorite is really pepperoni pizza?
Uh, Mother.
Think about it again. Are you really certain?
It was a line that usually just passed by, but Bella (No Yeong-hee) primly picked at Nixon (Yoo Jung-seok)s words.
Caught off guard by No Yeong-hees ad-lib, Yoo Jung-seok floundered to recover.
Um... cheese pizza?
Hmm.
Hot chicken pizza!
Did your son really handle spicy food that well?
...Combination after all, huh.
Its pepperoni, I tell you.
Oh, Bella!
The audience snickered at Bellas cheeky teasing of her son Nixon.
It drew even bigger laughs because Yoo Jung-seok, as Nixon, genuinely looked flusteredno prior rehearsal for this.
Elsewhere, an actor who was supposed to ask for water suddenly demanded a carrot.
The actor holding the water pitcher panicked and fired back, sending the crowd into hysterics.
A barrage of ad-libs and the casts deadpan reactionsnot quite mistakesslowed the shows pace by a full hour.
The audience reveled in the wild ad-lib extravaganza, just as the special notice had promised, savoring every bit of the finale.
Grandma, what is this? Seriously, I told you to be careful...
Oh... Johnny.
Naturally, the two leads stood at the heart of this riotous show.
The final scene of the final performance.
Grandma No Yeong-hee lay in the hospital bed, heartbroken after collapsing during the marathon challenge, with her grandson Siu sitting beside her.
Half the audience already knew the plays story by heart.
Many had returned for this rumored special finale.
Repeat viewerssecond or third timersanticipated half the upcoming lines as ad-libs and watched the stage with eager eyes.
The original finale confirmed their love for each other in a heartwarming close.
Anything besides a marathon? Grandmas bucket list is way too hardcore.
Who makes a bucket list tiptoeing around feelings?
Youll end up marathoning through China, Japan, and Korea at this rate.
Why... theyre all East Asia. Johnny. Youre eight years olddont you know any other countries? That world map in your room must be crying. Im going to Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Palestine, Madagascar, Paraguay, Australia. Just watch.
Ugh, next bucket list item: become a rapper?
The audience chuckled softly again at Bellas machine-gun ad-lib and Johnnys flustered reaction.
Even if you become a rapper, just stay healthy, okay?
Johnny, whod been getting worked up, looked at Bella on the bed and suddenly welled up with tears.
Oh dear, Johnny. Sweetie. Dont cry like that over a little leg pain.
Bella panicked and soothed her grandson with all her might.
Johnny wiped his tears resolutely and, after the long winding ad-lib detour, reached the shows final line.
So, Grandma... lets run together forever. No more getting sick.
RUN.
At Johnnys plea to run together anywhere far away, Bella beamed.
The lights slowly dimmed.
The two clasped hands, smiling warmly at each other.
Full blackout.
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Waaah!
As the curtain fell, the auditorium exploded in cheers and applause.
The Gwanghwamun Cultural Centers grand theater burned hotter than ever.
The darkened stage gradually lit up again, the hospital bed and set from moments ago cleared away spotless.
The crowd kept clapping at the empty stage.
Soon the main theme song flowed gently once more, and supporting actors and key cast began curtain call bows, starting from the smallest roles.
Woo! Amazing!
Great job, everyone!
The audience held back surging emotions and showered the actors with fervent applause.
As the supporting cast bowed and exited, the leads emerged one by one for their bows.
Finally, Yoo Jung-seok appeared.
Nixon! Become a superstar and take care of Johnny!
Yoo Jung-seok flashed a playful grin and wave toward the shouting fan.
The crowd roared in delight at his friendly vibe.
When Yoo Jung-seok gestured backstage, the two stars of the show emerged hand in hand.
Han Siu, holding No Yeong-hees hand carefully since she couldnt rush out, led her gently to center stage.
The pair bowed deeply to the audience, hands clasped tight.
Even the sitters shot to their feet in a standing ovation.
Three bows eachto the left, right, and center of the first floor.
Then waves and bows to the second and third balconies, tears streaming down some faces.
Johnny! Bella! Be happy!
Our Johnny, only flower paths ahead!
Fans unfurled placards theyd held back during the show.
Held lownot over headsfor clear stage view, one featured Han Sius smiling face.
Spotting it, Han Siu grinned brighter and waved his little hand again.
The audience laughed and clapped on.
What do we do? Sius tearing up. His acting was seriously incredible.
Han Siu? Yeah. And No Yeong-hee matching him perfectly? Total pro.
God-tier casting.
RUNs worth every penny, even second or third time.
Yoo Jung-seok joined, taking Han Sius free hand.
The full cast linked hands in a line and gave one final deep bow to the house.
Sniff, that was incredible! So good!
Among todays crowd sat PD Cha Il-nam, whod become Han Sius fan after his first viewing.
Tears streaming, he bellowed toward the stage.
Cheers rang out everywhere.
By Act Two, his eyes were red from sobbing.
Han Yuju had recommended the show, and this marked his fifth visit.
The first three times, hed been stunned by Han Sius skill; after that, he was fully immersed, loving every minute.
He couldnt miss this special finale.
Damn, shouldve brought more tissues.
Out of tissues already, he couldnt wipe his face.
Cha Il-nam clapped furiously through the actors final bows, dabbing tears nonstop.
Hows a kid that good even at ad-libs?
He applauded till his arms ached.
He was fully immersed now, a true Siu stan.
The extra-long curtain calltwice as lengthy as usualended as the cast exited.
Murmuring, the audience trickled out.
Cha Il-nam, sunk back in his seat lost in afterglow, gazed at the empty stage, murmuring how great it was.
Then,
Huh? Cha PD?!
Someone called his name.
Startled, Cha Il-nam whipped around, oblivious to his disheveled state.
His eyes went wide recognizing the voice.
Huh? Sang-cheol hyung!
It was none other than Kim Sangcheol greeting him warmly.
Back when Kim Sangcheol buzzed through broadcasting, Cha Il-nam had worked with him.
The lively scene-stealer who lit up setstheyd grown thick as thieves, bro-ing out.
Contact had cut off when Kim Sangcheol ditched TV for Daehakro theater, saying he was back to basics.
No way, you came today too?
Youre one to talk! Havent seen you in years, now we keep bumping into each other?
This wasnt their first run-in here.
Theyd met when Cha Il-nam came for his third viewing, joyfully reuniting then too.
No, whyre you here every time I see the show? Lets step out and catch up.
Kim Sangcheol snickered at the absurdity, nodding toward the exit.
Yeah, sure.
But man, you bawled hard today? Eyes are bloodshot.
Speak for yourself. Yours have tear tracks all over.
...Bathroom first, then talk?
Sounds good...
Out of the theater, they hit the restroom, handled business, then checked mirrors to assess the damage.
After splashing water and blinking away redness, they headed to a nearby café.
No way, last time you said this was your third time?
Yeah. And you said it wasnt your first either.
Mines businessI manage actors here. But you? How many times today?
Kim Sangcheol narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
As far as he knew, Cha Il-nam was still KMB Drama PD.
No word of the star PD switching stations; he was still cranking out shows...
Yet here he was, repeat-viewing the same play?
Something smelled off.
Fifth time, fifth. Look, first time was work. But once I saw it... its too damn good. What can I do?
Fair. This shows killer. I come for my actors, and its fun every time. Today I was hooked bad.
Kim Sangcheol nodded knowingly, getting the vibe.
Cha Il-nam slurped his coffee and shot back.
Huh? You too? Same here.
It was fun?
No, well, yeah fun. But Ive got an actor Im eyeing. Came for him. Im not that idle, you know?
Kim Sangcheol smirked, thinking, There it is.
Of course.
A star PD like Cha Il-nam wouldnt just show up casually.
Yeah, figured as much. KMB PD sees it five times, theres gotta be a reason. But no way its one of mine.
Huh? Listen to you. Like you know who I mean. Me neitherI respect your eye, but my picks no slouch.
Pfft, come on, Cha Il-nam. RUNs a talent goldmine, sure, but a six-year-old owning this huge stage? You got nothing better than our Siu...
Huh?! Han Siu?
What? ...Huh? You too? You came for Han Siu?!
Mid-sparring, the two men realized they meant the same kid and froze in stunned silence.