Chapter 70
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Manager's Resolve
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The talk about Han Siu's commercial had wrapped up for now.
They decided to go over more details after reviewing the contract at home in a few days.
"Dongwook and I have some things to discuss alone..."
"Ung! Then I'll go say hi to Mom, Uncle, and the troupe members!"
At Kim Sangcheol's words, Han Siu jumped up from his seat.
He'd already finished his chamomile tea, so this was the perfect chance to greet the troupe actors.
"Siu, thank you so much for caring like this."
"Oh, no need. I'm doing it because I want to. Seeing the Siu I thought so highly of doing so well makes me happy. Haha!"
Han Siu's mother stood, bowed her head to Kim Sangcheol in thanks, then took her son's hand and left the theater owner's office.
Click.
"So, Dongwook. You planning to keep being Siu's manager?"
After sending out Han Siu and his mother, Kim Sangcheol cut straight to the chase.
Ji Dongwook, who had wondered what needed to be said privately, snapped to attention at the words.
"Yeah... well, that's the plan?"
Kim Sangcheol eyed Ji Dongwook, who scratched his head as he spoke, then sighed and opened his mouth.
"Look, the calls coming in for Siu are already too much for me to handle. Before it gets worse, I'm thinking of finding him a good agency. If you're serious about being Siu's manager, I'll look into a spot for you there too. Just wanted to check where you stand first."
"...An agency?"
Ji Dongwook's expression darkened a bit at the words.
Sure, he'd volunteered for the manager role first, but joining an agency meant fully entering the management industry for real.
As a manager, not an actor.
Kim Sangcheol knew it wasn't an easy choice.
That's why he'd brought it up, thinking of Ji Dongwook who'd been with his troupe.
Asking if he was really okay giving up his dreams for that path.
Ji Dongwook fell silent for a moment.
Kim Sangcheol sipped his coffee, understanding, and waited quietly.
"It's not something to decide lightly. Let me think it over some more and..."
As the silence dragged on, Kim Sangcheol tried to give him time.
But Ji Dongwook spoke first.
"...No. I'll do the manager job properly. Look into a spot for me too, Theater Owner."
"You sure, Dongwook? Really okay with it?"
"Yeah, I mean it about being a manager. And once I tried it, turns out it suits me pretty well. Haha."
Ji Dongwook laughed, waving off his own joking tone.
It wasn't a face set in grim determination.
More like someone who'd just let out a big sigh of relief.
Kim Sangcheol gazed at the brightened face for a while, then nodded.
"Alright, if you're set on it, I won't stand in your way."
"I'm 28 already. Can't keep crashing at my sister's forever, you know? Time to try a different path."
Kim Sangcheol watched bittersweetly as Ji Dongwook enthusiastically sketched out his future.
The face of a senior looking at a junior who'd once dreamed of acting and trained hard under him.
He was all cheery now, but no doubt he'd lose sleep over it for days.
Knowing how huge it was to give up one's dreams, Kim Sangcheol added casually,
"If it doesn't work out, come back. We can start over. Age is nothing."
"Back to mopping floors? That might be tough..."
If he couldn't forget his dreams, if he still wanted to act, then come back.
It was Kim Sangcheol's hearthe didn't want to push the guy off a cliff, even if it was his choice.
Like a captain looking at a crewman he'd once sailed with.
Doing it because you have no choice versus sticking to it when you domindset's night and day.
At the words that he could return to the troupe, Ji Dongwook shook his head vigorously, face paling.
Kim Sangcheol chuckled and added,
"True, with your personality, you'll probably be great at managing. You were always good at that stuff. Got close to the troupe folks quick, didn't you?"
"Haha, feels like I've found my calling."
"Yeah, work hard. Let's grab a drink sometime."
"...Yeah, thank you."
He knew dragging it out with empty comfort wasn't helping Ji Dongwook.
Kim Sangcheol patted the shoulder of the bowing man.
In the car on the way home.
Mom and I sat side by side in the back, Uncle at the wheel.
"Whew."
Meeting the troupe uncles had been super satisfying.
Maybe because it had been a while, or thanks to the hit drama The Cactus Flower Has Bloomed airing now, but the response was scorching hot.
Autographs, photo requests pouring inI had them line up single file.
The rowdy actors all lining up obediently was hilarious.
Stuffed with photos and praise for my great acting, I felt full.
Gotta come by more often, I thought, staring blankly out the passing window before blurting,
"The commercial's gonna be fun. Can't wait to shoot it."
Then the 20 million won comes in, right?
I got all excited, legs bouncing.
"Yeah? You wanna shoot the commercial, Siu?"
"Ung, they said popular people do them. Heesung Uncle did one too."
"Oh, right. Guess we can ask Moon Heesung about it."
"Ung!"
Mom laughed at my excitement and stroked my head.
"When'd you grow up so big, earning money already... Mom's gonna live easy thanks to you?"
Ah, that bittersweet face again.
I stared at Mom's face, then burrowed into her arms.
She must feel bad seeing her young kid earning already.
No need, though.
My insides are a full-grown adult.
You gave me this new lifegotta do some filial duty, right?
"Hehe."
"What's this? Our Siu acting all spoiled."
I don't hug much usually, so Mom seemed pretty cheered up.
Seeing her face relax, I felt relievedthen an excited voice flew from the driver's seat.
"Ooh, Siu. What're you gonna do with the commercial money? You're gonna be rich!"
"Hmm, hmm... Buy Mom a car!"
"Gasp."
Uncle sucked in a big breath at my words.
Mom asked in shock,
"Really? You're gonna get Mom a new car?"
"Ung! I keep taking the car, leaving you without. I'll buy one with the commercial fee! Hmm... Can I not get one with 20 million won?"
Uncle and Mom were so shocked, I asked worriedly.
Mom shook her headno big deal.
She thought a bit, took my hand, and asked,
"Haha, nothing you wanna get for yourself, Siu?"
"Hmm. After Mom's car, if there's money left, get a big TV like at Heesung Uncle's!"
"Uhahaha, that's so you, Siu."
Uncle burst out laughing at the TV plan.
Mom laughed too, but suddenly sobered up.
"But Siu... We can't fit a TV that big in our house."
"...How big is Moon Heesung's TV exactly?"
Uncle asked, spooked by Mom's serious tone.
Guess he hadn't believed my usual boasts about the huge TV at Moon Heesung's.
Even though I said it was enormous, and folks don't trust kids, huh.
"Hmm... Then no good."
Nothing else I wanted big-time besides that TV.
And it won't fit our house.
Fine.
Gotta move to a bigger place first.
I was plotting away inside when Uncle kept peeking at Mom in the rearview.
Not driving rightwhat's up?
Fidgeting like he had something to say, Uncle slyly dropped to Mom,
"But Sis... This car didn't cost that much, right?"
"What?"
"No, you've been driving this one forever, so a new one might be hard to adjust to..."
Aha.
I'm buying a car, so Uncle wants a new one for himself.
An actor, and he can't control his face like that.
I shook my head inwardly, but Mom hugged my head tight.
"Our Siu's even buying Mommy a new car. You've grown up so much."
"Ung!"
You bet!
Technically, I'm over thirty, Mom.
I'd earned bits here and there from actinga few hundred thousand, maybe millions of wonbut this commercial felt different, I guess.
She didn't seem to spend that money anywhere, probably saving it for me.
Her hand stroking my face nonstop made her feelings clear.
Worried if the responsibility was too heavy for a six-year-old earning big bucks.
"I'm fine, Mom."
"Hehe, yeah? Right. You'll do great, Siu."
My words wouldn't erase her worries completely, but I said it to lighten her load a bit.
Mom beamed and hugged me tighter.
We were in full heartwarming mode when the hyper uncle's voice cut in from up front.
"Right, Sis. You should've seen Siu scarf down that cereal on set. Folks'd think he'd starved all morning. That good, Siu?"
"Ugh, I ate it tasty like the director said!"
Jeez, it was all acting.
I was exasperated at Uncle not getting my acting soul.
"Hehe, the commercial'll go smooth too. My boy."
"Ung! Trust me, Mom."
"Who else but our Siu?"
I patted Mom's arm hugging me with my chubby little hand.
"Siu... So the car for Uncle too, right? Yeah?"
"You...!"
Mom finally snapped at Uncle ruining our sweet moment.
I inwardly prayed for Uncle as she whipped her head to the front.
"Hello!"
"Oh, Siu's here?"
Time flew after that, and soon it was the final shoot day for The Cactus Flower Has Bloomed.
I greeted Cha Il-nam and the clustered staff as I entered the set.
The drama had gone smoothly.
Smooth? It was a smash hit, by their words.
Last week's episode 12 ratings hit 39.
With everyone watching if we'd break 40, I dragged my somewhat weary feet along.
Final shoot today.
Relief at wrapping safe, regret at it ending...
My mood was all jumbled, down.
"Sigh."
I sighed, settling into the chair Uncle had set up.
Shooting wouldn't start for a while.
I'd gotten used to these long waits now.
But now that I was used to it, the end made it bittersweet.
"Siu!"
"You're here, Siu?"
I'd just sat when two people swarmed me; I eyed them through gloomy eyes.
Ah... these two meant my wait times weren't for rest anymore.
Lately, my downtime was anything but relaxing.