Chapter 45
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Kindergarten Invitation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Clap clap clap!
Kang Yonghwis latest production at Emergency Iron 777 had just wrapped up.
Jessica, Joy Su, and I, seated near the stage, leapt to our feet with enthusiastic standing ovations.
A brief curtain call brought the show to a close, and the audience began filing out row by row.
In the murmur of the theater, I turned to Jessica.
How was the play, Jessica?
Hmm, it was fun. I dont know much Korean, so I didnt catch a lot.
I burst out laughing at Jessicas grumbling about why translation tech still wasnt up to snuff.
She looked genuinely pitiful.
Its fineinstead, I got a better look at other stuff. Guess Ill have to skip the plot though.
Oh? Like what?
Couldnt follow the lines, so I zeroed in on the actors expressions and delivery. Had to tell if that guy was happy, sad, or pissed.
Makes sense.
And the direction was killer. This your debut stage, Siu?
Yeah, Director Kang cast me.
Oh, figures. Guys got an eye. Lighting on point, synced perfectly with the BGM. Made magic out of that tiny stage toosome scenes had me itching to perform them.
For real?
Even higher praise than Id expected.
Jessica, Broadway legend, itching to steal moves.
Vowed to tell Kang Yonghwi later.
Even if it meant his endless bragging.
This one directed and written by Kang Yonghwi too?
Joy Su, listening quietly from the side, chimed in.
Yeah, pretty sure everything here is his work.
Beyond expectations. Directions top-notch, but that storyline hooked me hard.
Joy Su, spillwhats it about?
You got it, Jessica.
Joy Su, fluent in Korean, latched onto the plot and raved about Kang Yonghwi with gusto.
Both of them singing his praises? Felt amazing.
Who recognized the current me first and foremost? Kang Yonghwi.
Way better than that one I caught in Korea ages ago. Good call coming.
Right, you mentioned seeing his show before?
Oh, Joy SuI need details.
Jessica and I fixed him with sparkling stares.
Caught in our eager beams, Joy Su balked and stepped back.
At this rate, Im not making it home tonight.
For good stories? Ill buy whatever.
Woo, count me in.
No way Id sit out theater talk.
Buzzing to tag along, I noticed the crowd had vanished.
Whoopslost in chat.
Staring at the empty house, I started to suggest we head out.
Hey, you still here?
Director!
Someone burst from backstage, spotting me.
Thought I heard a familiar voice. Lingering, huh... Whoa? Whoa?
He hurried over, then bugged his eyes at Jessica and Joy Su beside me.
Kang Yonghwi grinned and dashed across the stage to the seats.
Spotting the foreigner Jessica, he bowed low.
Oh, hello.
Yonghwi? Nice to meet you. Im Jessica Brown.
You know me? Nice to meetchu.
Whoaprime Conglish.
Uncle nailed it.
Korean can phoneticize any tongue.
English via Korean soundsfirst time live.
Kang Yonghwi shook her hand casually, all greetings.
Long time no see.
Who... Oh, that Broadway director! Right?
Yep. You rememberphew.
Bypassing Jessica, Joy Su greeted in Korean.
Names... kinda unique... JoJoy Su?
Joy Su.
Ah, yeah. Sorry. Thanks for the show anyway. Hope it clicked.
Loved it.
Kang Yonghwi and Joy Su went way back.
Quick forget on Kangs part, but they clasped hands, laughing easy.
You catch it with these two?
Yup, Director. Post-RUN, you wanted the troupe visit. Both raved today.
Yeah? You guystoday stage, fun? Fun?
Kang Yonghwi jabbed at the stage behind.
Jessica blinked, parsing his accent, then nodded yes.
Joy Su laughed, translating.
Jessica was super movedwe were just talking.
Yeah? Thanks. Im your fan too, Jessica.
Oh, really?
Yes, yes. Ill hit your stage. Mostly for Siu though.
Siu is great actor.
Jessica nailed my name from his Korean tag-on, praising away.
Wild.
His brand of English still sparked convo.
Joy Su and I spectated like it was intermission.
Oh, yes. Hathis. Dug up a diamond. You know? Sius my actor.
Huh? Nohes mine.
What? Nah, I found him first.
No, no.
...Whyre they beefing over me now?
I gawked up at Jessica and Kang Yonghwi, dumbfounded.
Adults tussling like I was propertyI shook my head sadly.
Ha, damn. Guess I gotta go big-time. Small-troupe guys got no place?
What?
Cut it out, both. Jessica too.
Dove in, mediating.
Korean-English mixthey hushed.
Kid between em for a spat? Awkward.
Oh, right. Jessicas RUN head director. Joy Suwhats your deal here?
Ah, Im assistant director on RUN.
No kidding?
Kang Yonghwi double-took.
Yeahpress hyped Jessica; Joy Su skimmed.
UungJoy Su oppas Jessicas right hand.
Haha. Right hand? Six-year-old dropping that where?
TV.
Freaking TV wrecks kids nowadays. SoRainbow Pictures now?
Yeah, settled in.
Nice climb. Hook me up next time? Ill cram English.
Directornot a bit, a ton.
Siuyou dissing my English?
Uung.
No white lie handyhead swiveled, playing coy.
Kidding. Jessica.
Uh-huh.
Real talkI respect you. Sius my build, but RUN? Killer. Ill direct Broadway somedaycome see. Deal?
Joy Su rapid-translated his blunt charm.
Jessica bobbed nods, grinning agreement.
Sure! Okay.
Okay, okay.
YeahKang wasnt her type to hate.
She digs this: skilled, proud, no grovel.
Casual with Rainbows top dog? Rare breed.
Chance meeting againthey shook.
Siumeet soon. America? Hit me uppromise.
Gotcha, Jessica. Flight tomorrow?
Morning. Shamesave the rest for stateside.
Bummer... Safe trip, Jessica.
My pout got her beaming finale.
See you again. My Little Giant.
Jessica and Joy Su jetted off; I locked next Kang Yonghwi gig.
Back to Uncle-commutes to Emergency Iron 777 every dawn.
Home with him usual toobut today Mommy scooped early.
Practice donehomebound cool.
Waved floppy to practicing Uncle, hopped in Mommys car.
Seatbelt?
Ung!
Smooth roll-out.
Troupe practice after ageshow?
Ung, good.
Siu. Mommys got words today.
Ung? What?
Rush hour jam.
Near-stop, Mommy ventured soft.
Yknowyoure six. Kindergarten try?
Kindergarten?
Kindergarten.
Kinda familiar, kinda not.
Totally alien vibe.
Yup. Spot for your age crew.
Whats there?
My age peers?
6-7 tops.
Korea school mandatory at 8.
RUN kids whined school-hatestuck.
Hmmpre-elementary: friends, basics. Kid ed hub. Love your troupe gigs, but kindergarten too? Whaddya say?
Ung... Gotta?
Kid swarm spot.
Heard itpooped already.
No-go vibe? Mommy leaned in.
Not must, butall adults you meet. Peers needed. Booksmovies cap out. Peer play? New stuff, acting boost later?
RUN oppa unni meet then?
Prefer them.
RUN kids 2-3 up still kiddosbut younger? Troupe reps.
RUN younguns tomorrow huddle.
Moms networkedregulars, heard recent.
Different from that, Siu. Purpose gap?
Purpose?
Yupkindergartens ed facility. Child actor play? Whole other.
Uum.
Ed? Pass.
Words? Mommys dict.
Slang? Uncle.
Culture? Booksmovies...
Whaddya think, Siu? Mommy once-over?
Tough dodging her hope-eyes.
Finetrial run.
Judge post.
Uung. With Mommy then.