Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Final Performance and New Horizons
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May 5, 2007.
In this era, this day was dedicated to children.
For today, I was sitting at a barbecue joint with the whole Emergency Iron 777 crew.
It was because I'd asked to go to an afterparty as my Children's Day gift this year.
Today marked the final performance of Five Teachers, One Student.
A show that had sold out every night right up to the end, wrapping up on a high note.
Once the final curtain fell and we all stood on stage, the packed audience gave us a standing ovation.
Five Teachers, One Student had captured both gentle humor and heartfelt emotion, earning massive popularity.
Those in the know about theater muttered that it was Kang Yonghwi's genius at work, while the fans who'd come to see adorable me shed tears of joy.
Just like with People in the Attic House, I made a point of greeting fans on my way out after the show.
But since the performance ran so late and crowds were surging, they decided a kid my age shouldn't handle the fan meet outside.
Thanks to that, I got to dominate the stage as much as I wanted and meet plenty of fanstotal satisfaction.
The final performance ended safely and successfully.
To celebrate, Kim Sangcheol gathered all the staff who'd worked on the show at a meat restaurant.
"Come on, everyone, grab your glasses. Great job today!"
"Great job, sir!"
"Eat up, Siu!"
"Yes!"
With a beaming smile, I sat with the other actors, snapping up the pork belly Uncle grilled.
Maybe it was the afterparty vibe, but it tasted even sweeter than usual.
Theater talk and acting stories flowed freely between bites.
Ah, so this is what a real company dinner feels like.
I'm happy. So happy.
"Alright, everyone, listen up!"
Once we'd all had our fill of drinks and meat, Kim Sangcheol shot up from his seat and shouted.
"You've all probably heard the rumors, but our baby Siu here is joining a KMB drama. None other than Cha Il-nam's project, starring alongside Moon Heesung. Let's give it up!"
Kim Sangcheol, looking proud as punch, announced my drama casting news.
The room erupted in cheers from those who'd only heard whispers.
Those who hadn't heard about Moon Heesung's involvement were especially shocked.
"Wooow!"
"Our maknae's moving up! Same drama as Moon Heesung!"
"Attaboy! I knew our Siu had it in him!"
The sudden reveal meant I had to bow my head to practically everyone.
Making a big announcement without even telling me.
My hair a total mess from all the head pats, I shot Kim Sangcheol a glare.
But he was already flushed from the booze, grinning ear to ear as he grabbed the actor next to him to brag about me.
"See? I spotted his talent from the start. Boom. Hey, that's why I brought Siu to our troupe...!"
Hmm, confronting him now would just tire me out more.
I skipped the protest and went straight for the steamed egg.
Weirdly, the steamed egg at a barbecue place tasted different from homemade.
Mom's was fluffy and delicious, but this had some extra zing that made my mouth water.
"Whoa, so Siu's doing a drama with Moon Heesung now?"
"Seriously the best. First drama with him, no less."
"Yeah, I'm pumped."
I swallowed the mouthful of egg and replied.
The other actors were fixated on acting with Moon Heesung, green with envy.
"But Siu... after standing on a huge stage like RUN, was it okay doing a small one like this? Haha, didn't it feel like a step down?"
The table went dead silent at one actor's cautious question.
Everyone buzzed from booze, now peeking at me and zipping it.
What? This vibe.
They all figured I'd think that way, apparently. No one said a word.
They hadn't shown it, but deep down, they must've thought so.
Sigh, can't be helped.
Time to clear the air.
"Hmm? Stages are all the same to me. And if I hadn't stood on this one, I couldn't have done RUN either. I love the Emergency Iron 777 stage best!"
Not just to lighten the moodit was the honest truth.
Emergency Iron 777 was special to me.
No other stage could compare.
How could I forget the place that first recognized and embraced my potential?
"S-Siu..."
"Ugh, see that? See? That kid just..."
The actor who'd spoken looked guilty, while Kim Sangcheol choked back tears.
Touched 'em good.
"You guys! What're you saying to my kid!"
Kang Yonghwi yelled at the actors for no reason, his ears bright red.
Obvious as day.
Acting tough while loving it.
I grinned up at him mischievously.
"What, man."
"Wrap me one, Mr. Touchy-Feels."
Teasing his embarrassment, I beamed even brighter.
Kang Yonghwi started to retort, then sighed and picked up some lettuce and perilla leaves.
"You're thirty in kid's clothing, but your hands are so tiny you can't even wrap your own. Hey, Dongwook. Does Siu eat raw garlic?"
"Raw's too spicy. Grilled."
Uncle's words led to a perfect wrap with a golden grilled garlic clove.
Kang Yonghwi hand-fed it right to my mouth.
"Why's your palate so picky? Here."
"Yum!"
Grumbling all the while, he popped it in.
I chewed happily, smile bursting out.
"Our Siu will shine anywhere!"
"Yeah, we'll never forget you said that."
It spread to Kim Sangcheol.
The actors, eyes misty, showered blessings on my future.
Is this how afterparties always go? I tilted my head.
"Why talk like you won't see me again?"
Dead silence again.
What's with everyone today?
Tilting my head in confusion, Kang Yonghwi placed a perfectly cooked piece of meat on my plate and explained.
"Once kids hit TV, they rarely come back to theater. So they're thinking this was their last show with you."
"Huh? I'm coming back, though?"
"Hah, really? Alright then."
My instant promise brought a faint smile to Kang Yonghwi's lips.
The actors, who'd been holding back, burst out.
"For real? We'll be right here waiting, Siu!"
"Uncle wants to share the stage with you again..."
I had to repeat "don't worry, I'll be back" a hundred times before they let me off.
Man, suddenly I've got way more uncles?
A Chinese restaurant in downtown Seoul.
"Welcome. Moon Heesung, sir. First time meeting you. I'm Cha Il-nam."
"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you, PD."
"I'm Han Yuju, the writer for this project. Pleased to meet you."
The three strangers greeted each other warmly.
Han Siu, holding Moon Heesung's hand as they entered, ignored the adults and claimed his seat first.
His eyes were glued to the spinning lazy Susan on the table, full of wonder.
"Order whatever you like. We're treating you out of gratitude today. Haha!"
"Thanks. Siu, what do you want?"
After greeting Cha Il-nam, Moon Heesung asked Han Siu, who was studying the menu intently.
Pointing at a picture, Han Siu asked,
"What's this?"
"Kung pao chicken might be spicy. You okay with that?"
Han Yuju asked worriedly, eyeing the chopped chilies.
At "spicy," Han Siu's finger dropped slyly.
"How about this? Yu lin chickenit's fried chicken too. If there are chilies, Uncle'll pick 'em off."
"Sounds good!"
After ordering cheerfully, Cha Il-nam beamed at Moon Heesung and Han Siu with thanks.
"Haha, thanks to you two, we've locked in the slot and casting. Couldn't let it pass without this dinner."
"I didn't do much. I just saw Siu's show by chance, loved it, and wanted in."
"Yeah! Writer Han's the best."
Han Yuju nodded, grinning, touched by their words.
"The script did turn out pretty great, huh?"
Cha Il-nam had finally snagged the weekend evening slot.
Han Siu brought Moon Heesung, and Moon Heesung sealed the slot.
In sky-high spirits, Cha Il-nam urged Moon Heesung to eat, laughing heartily.
"Eat up, eat up. Care for a drink, actor?"
"No thanks. Protecting Siu today, so I'll pass on booze."
Everything falling into place was thanks to Han Siu and Moon Heesung.
He'd hoped to pour some baijiu, but with the kid there, Moon Heesung declinedCha Il-nam hid his regret.
"Never dreamed Moon Heesung would star in my drama. Such an honor."
Han Yuju gazed at him dreamily between bites.
"Haha, the honor's mine. Script's fantastic."
"Gasp... thank you. It fits you so perfectly, like I wrote it with you in mind."
Han Yuju chatted warmly with Moon Heesung, unusually affectionate.
Cha Il-nam stared at his junior in shock mid-bite.
Han Yuju didn't notice.
"Haha, you two close already?"
"Oh? Ah, yeah. Han's my college hoobajunior. We go way back."
"Right when I started at the company, turns out PD had a sunbae there."
Moon Heesung smiled comfortably at their backstory.
"We had no idea Siu knew Moon Heesung."
"Shocked me too. Phone rang, I picked upthen he hands it to Moon Heesung..."
"Yeah. Uncle Heesung asked me to."
Han Siu chomped a big yu lin chunk Moon Heesung served, replying casually.
"Perfect. First drama with someone you know?"
"Yeah! Happy to work with Uncle. Got tons more to learn from him."
Moon Heesung smiled at Han Siu's sparkling eyes.
"Siu, how much more do you want? Feels like you're right on my tail already."
"Heh, scared of my meteoric rise, Uncle?"
Han Siu puffed up proudly, but as a kid, it just came off cute.
Moon Heesung cracked up at the fancy idiom.
"Haha, Siu. Reading idiom books at home? I never taught you that one."
"The path of math is long and arduous."
Meanwhile, Han Yuju and Cha Il-nam were so stunned listening they forgot to eat.
"...Explains why Siu reads scripts so smoothly. Six-year-olds drop lines like that normally?"
"No clue. But those two are tight, huh?"
A quiet May day after Emergency Iron's run ended.
Finally, the day arrived when all the drama's cast and crew gathered.
"Hello!"
"Oh my, hi. Siu, here for another meeting?"
"Yeah. With PD and the other director."
Holding Mom's hand, I crossed the KMB lobby, greeting the front desk sisters.
After back-and-forth meetings post-casting, we'd naturally gotten friendly.
I'd locked in these fans with my belly bowsnow daily fan service.
"Adorable. Have a great day, Siu."
"Oh, take this snack?"
"Yay! Thanks!"
Cute-!
Echoing screams from the sisters as I headed to the elevator with Mom.
Phew, morning already fulfilling.
"Hello."
"Siu's here?"
"Aww, looking sharp today."
First time at the station, it was a mazeendless and confusing.
By the time I reached Drama Division past Variety, News, Radio, I was wiped.
Now? Casual hellos to staff like a pro.
Even security and cleaning ladies cooed "cute" thirty times en route to the conference room.
Gulped a gifted yogurt coolly.
"Ahh."
"Our Siu, first script read todaynervous?"
Mom straightened my clothes again, asking.
Pride and worry mixed in her tone.
To reassure her, I answered from the heart.
"Nope! I got this!"