Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Interview Request
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Hellooo.
I trudged into the theater troupes practice room.
It was the first time Id ever felt this drained stepping into the practice room.
This damn mouth of mine really gets me in trouble.
Moms drive was something else.
Shed already looked into everything and brought it up to me. The moment I said Id check out kindergarten once, she insisted we go tomorrow right away.
Shed even wrapped up talks with Kang Yonghwi already.
In the end, I had no choice but to head to kindergarten this morningthe very next dayand get completely worn out before finally making it to Emergency Iron 777.
Missing morning practice... No matter how I sliced it, the time felt wasted.
I exchanged greetings with the familiar actors and dove straight into practice.
Phew.
After one round of practice ended, it was break time.
I was gulping down cool water in the corner of the practice room when I heard someone calling my name.
Siu! Wheres Siu? Oh, there you are.
Hm? Hi, Theater Owner.
The person striding toward me was none other than Kim Sangcheol.
Spotting him, I bowed deeply in greeting first thing.
Yeah, yeah. Siu, wanna step out and chat for a sec? Hey! Im borrowing Siu for a bit.
Come back quick.
Jeez, Ill bring him right back.
With Kang Yonghwis permission, I trailed happily after Kim Sangcheol.
As always, I plopped down in the corner of the sofa in the theater owners office.
I was gonna get you some tea, but Kang Yonghwis making that impossible, huh?
Mm. Its fiiiine.
I swung my legs back and forth, but my eyes were fixed on the door.
Oh man, they probably cant do proper practice without their lead actor.
Id already missed the morning session, so it bugged me even more.
Kim Sangcheol mustve noticed how eager I was to get back.
He shook his head with a wry smile.
Fair enough. Youre a practice bug yourself. I forgot for a second there.
Mm, more practice is always good, right?
I said weakly.
Practiceyeah, its great.
No day had ever made me crave it more than today.
...Yeah. Hey, Siu? Did something happen today? You seem a little more wiped out than usual.
Theater Owner.
At his words, I let out a deep sigh from the depths of my dantian.
Startled by the sound, Kim Sangcheol scooted closer and asked.
Whats up? What happened? Kang Yonghwi bullying you?
No, its not that... I went to kindergarten today.
Oh, right, you said you were going this morning. How was it? Fun?
Id heard he had a daughter around my age.
So she might be in kindergarten too.
I carefully recalled what had happened that morning.
Even with the teacher announcing a new friend had arrived, hardly any kids were paying attention.
They were too busy playing with toys or chattering with the kids next to them to even hear her.
And that was just the start.
At first, no one gave me a second glance, but before long, they all swarmed over, curious about the new face, babbling away...
I couldnt make out a word they were saying.
Aside from a couple who spoke coherently, they all just blurted out fragments and ran off.
Phew, no. Why are kids these days so full of energy? They cry nonstop when they cry, run nonstop when they run. Zero focus.
...Arent you one of these days kids?
Kim Sangcheol gave me a weird look as I vented.
Sigh. I dont think kindergartens for me.
Oh, uh, I see. Heh... Not sure what to say to that.
Its fine. Its my problem. So, whatd you call me for?
I shook my head like I was exhausted and asked Kim Sangcheol.
There had to be some reason he pulled me out during practice.
Wed been talking about kindergarten so I hadnt heard yet.
Better hear it quick and get back to practice.
Oh, right. Siu. Something huge came up.
Huh? What?
My gaze snapped back from the door at something huge.
You got an interview request.
Oho?
An interview!
Like the ones on TV news all the time?
Or the kind Moon Heesung does sometimes?
Perfect news to blow away my kindergarten stress.
Its from Stage, the culture channel that covers theater and shows mostly. Not a bad opportunity. What do you think? Wanna give it a shot?
Mm! Yeah!
I hesitated just a moment, then nodded eagerly since it sounded fun.
Oh, after practice, okay?
Ha, got it. Ill tell them to come after practice ends.
I nodded, then hopped off the sofa in a flash.
Interview laterpractice was priority now.
After practice wrapped, I held Moms hand and followed Kim Sangcheol.
Our destination was a cafe near the Emergency Iron 777 theater troupe.
We stepped into the quiet, empty cafe, and a reporter whod arrived early spotted us and stood from her seat.
Lee Ga-eun, in a long parka reaching her knees, looked younger than expected thanks to her straight bangs.
With her big eyes and sharp nose, you could mistake her for an actress instead of a reporter.
Id thought her articles were so professionalmaybe she used to act?
Hello, Im Lee Ga-eun from Stage.
Lee Ga-eun handed out her business cards one by one to me and Mom.
Since they already knew each other, she and Kim Sangcheol skipped the exchange.
Long time no see, Lee. Havent seen you around our troupe lately.
What are you talking about, Theater Owner? I went to see People in the Attic House.
They seemed pretty close.
After quick hellos, Kim Sangcheol narrowed his eyes at her.
Oh yeah, thats right. But why no article then? If youd written one from back then, it wouldve been great promo for us.
Huh? Haha, I had other deadlines... So Im here now. To meet actor Han Siu in person. I spotted your potential right from the start.
I widened my eyes at the card reading Stage Lee Ga-eun.
Whoa, Lee Ga-eun? Youre the one who wrote our Sius RUN articlefrom the casting announcement?
Thats right! We saw it. Thanks for the article.
Yeah, that Lee Ga-eun!
At our outburst, Lee Ga-eun looked surprised, then smiled bashfully.
Oh! You recognized me. Yes, exactly, maam. I became a fan of actor Han Siu right then.
Kim Sangcheol grumbled beside us about why she wasnt a fan during People in the Attic House, but Lee Ga-eun pretended not to hear and gestured to the seats across from her.
Come on, sit. Get comfy, and well start the interview once drinks arrive.
Okay.
We waited a bit, and our drinks came out.
Regretting missing teatime for kindergarten and practice, Id ordered chamomile tea.
I sniffed the mug first.
Hm, lighter scent than the stuff in the theater owners office.
As I savored it while waiting for it to steep, Lee Ga-eun pulled a big camera from the chair beside her.
Before we start the interview, can I take a few pics of Siu?
Sure.
Yeah, just be natural. Or look here and smile.
Having been Moms photo subject since I was little, I knew the drill.
I flashed a big smile at the camera.
She even pulled out a little light, snapped a few shotsclick, clickand sat back down, satisfied.
Up close like this, your looks just glow. How are you this cute and pretty?
Lee Ga-eun kept marveling as she looked at me.
T-Thanks.
Her face melted at my little bow.
Youre just too cute. Maam, whats the secret?
Hehe, you tell me.
My mom and dad are awesome too.
Totally. Maam, now it all makes sense.
Lee Ga-eun lightened the mood with compliments on our looks.
And above all, I was blown away by your acting, Siu. I was shocked watching People in the Attic House, you know? Then when I saw you cast in RUN, I wrote that article right away.
We saw it!
The article Uncle had brought in excitedly.
The first person to write about me.
That was Lee Ga-eun.
And one of the few who kept writing steady, thoughtful pieces after.
Oh, really? Thanks so much. With your buzz from RUN these days, do you feel the popularity and attention growing?
Most adults jumped straight to casual speech with me, but Lee Ga-eun politely stuck to formal.
As careful as her articles, she really knew manners.
Mm, not sure. But the articles have piled up a ton.
I thought of the article count Uncle recited every morning.
During RUNs run, so many came in I couldnt read them alljust tracked the numbers now.
Wow, already keeping tabs on articles? Impressive.
Yeah. With Uncle.
I nodded.
At Uncle, Lee Ga-eun blinked in confusion.
Uncle...?
Oh, hes part of our troupe now. Just starting out as an actor.
Kim Sangcheol chimed in from the side.
She nodded at hearing Uncle was an actor too.
I see. Talent runs in the family, huh.
Mm.
I pictured Uncles acting and held back.
Even empty words couldnt call this genetic.
Sorry, Uncle.
How was working with Rainbow Pictures Jessica director? Did Broadway directing feel way different?
Hm, no. Not super different from Director Kangs style. Just... different things they wanna show? I dont know what Broadway directing is exactly... But I liked both!
What even is Broadway directing?
Gotta look it up at home.
Never thought about it till now... Better remember.
You mean Kang Yonghwi the director. As expected from the rising genius. So, RUNs opening night at age five wasnt that tough?
Yeah. Stomach hurt a bit at first from projection, but the more shows, the easier it got. Fine now.
My biggest gain lately.
Gwanghwamun Culture Centers such a big halleven with mics, we practiced louder from the start.
Thanks to that, my morning tummy aches were way better.
Wow, dont you ever wanna play with friends?
Acting is playing.
I said firmly.
Play at kindergarten?
Practice wins a hundred times over, no contest.
I see. Heard you jumped straight into the next show after RUN. Nothing else you wanna do? Hobbies? Where do you spend allowance?
Hm... I like watching TV. Dont need allowance. Mom handles all my earnings anyway. Buys me whatever I want.
Id heard the amount, but without local prices, it didnt feel real.
No spending needs at not-even-six anyway, so Mom managed it.
Wow, amazing. RUNs pay mustve been huge. No urge to buy something nice with it?
Moon Heesungs living room TV flashed in my mind briefly, but that was it.
No time to watch TV lately anyway...
I shook my head after a moment.
Im good. Plus, lots of money means no acting.
...Huh? Um, Siu. What exactly do you mean by that?
I shut my mouth, seeing Lee Ga-euns flustered face.
Slipped out without thinking, talking money...
Mom and Kim Sangcheol looked just as shocked.
The three of them stunned by my answer.
I racked my brain on how to explain.