Chapter 74
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: A Firm Condition
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Ho, ho.
Whats so amazing about it, Siu? Isnt it pretty much the same as usual?
Uncle and I were sitting side by side in one of LSBs small conference rooms.
Maybe because it was my first time at a cable station, the vibe felt subtly different.
If I had to compare, it was smaller than KMB and a bit more chaotic.
Still, it was nice to see all these young, energetic people.
Maybe because were here for a variety show. It feels a little fresh.
Oh, really?
Uncle and I chatted about what the new program might be like.
Would we really be filming all day? Would the staff vibe be that different?
This being his first variety gig with me in tow, Uncle was on high alert, full of discipline.
Hed been muttering the whole way over that we couldnt afford to be underestimated, though I had no idea who he was so fired up about.
Its a shame Yeon-su cant join us.
...
I pulled out my phone to check the text from Nam Yeon-su yesterday.
It was from his manager.
Since he didnt have his phone, theyd sent it in a rush.
Sorry, Siu I wont be able to make it. I really wanted to go together
The message was full of sobs.
Yeon-su had begged to team up, but then suddenly texted he couldnt come.
Honestly, what was the point if it wasnt with him?
If they replaced him with some random co-star I barely knew, it wouldnt be fun at all.
Not for me filming it, nor for the viewers watching.
The meeting was already scheduled, though, and a gentleman keeps his word. Even if I was deflated, here I was.
I slipped my phone back into my bag just as the conference room door clicked open.
Hello!
A man burst in with a lively greeting.
That must be PD Kim Sanho.
He looked younger and fresher than Id expected.
Hello, Im Han Siu.
Im Sius manager, Ji Dongwook.
Uncle handed over his business card to Kim Sanho from the side.
It was a quick one with just his name and phone number scribbled on it.
Kim Sanho returned the greeting and passed his card to Uncle.
Wow, to meet the hottest topic of the year like this. Nice to meet you, Siu.
Mm, yeah. Nice to meet you too.
Haha, youre more cynical than I thought.
I ignored that and turned my head slightly.
You look even better in person than on screen.
Haha, Siu gets that a lot.
My parents are the best.
I slipped in a brag about Mom and Dad without missing a beat.
Kim Sanho laughed, calling it cute as I flashed double peace signs.
Speaking of, I heard a rumor that Sius manager is actually his uncle...? Is that true?
Yes, thats right. Hes my nephew.
Wow, figures. The genes are top-notch.
Hahaha, we hear that all the time.
Uncle looked especially pleased.
By the way... Uncle, this is the first time Ive heard that?
Youre acting like its old news.
Shall we get down to business, then?
...So, to sum it up at the end, Siu travels freely with us, and we capture Siu just as he is. Thats the gist.
From what Id heard so far, Kim Sanhos pitch didnt sound bad at all.
No pressure to be funnyjust pure, free travel.
Travel was a huge chance for an actor to gain experience and inspiration anyway.
Doing it in a variety show format with this PD could be a fresh experience too.
But for a travel variety, location was key above all.
So, where are we going?
Well, its not set yet. The concept, schedule, and budget all depend on the filming location. Once we lock in Sius partner, we can nail it down.
Just like dramas, the cast lineup affected scheduling and funding.
Having been in one drama, I already got the industry vibes and nodded.
But weve got several candidates. Want a peek?
Yeah.
I nodded right away.
If there were options, I had to see them.
Wait just a sec, Kim Sanho said, flipping open the thick clear file binder hed brought.
Inside were colorful printed pages of potential spots.
Various regional spots in Korea...
Oh, Jeju Island too.
I flipped through familiar names Id seen on TV.
You know all these places, Siu?
Mm, more or less.
He mustve found it amazingand suspiciousthat I breezed through without questions.
My casual answer lit up his face like Id passed some test.
Hahaha. Man, we scouted so well. Youre sneakily hilarious.
Hm, am I?
I barely registered his pleased words.
He was flipping so fast, just scanning the spots was overwhelming.
Mostly domestic destinations, with a few international mixed in.
Oh...?
One name jumped out instantly.
None other than London, England.
England...? We can go to England?
There were a couple other overseas options, but I didnt care.
Once I saw that name, England was all I could see.
Interested in England? Since you did theater, I thought visiting the mecca of plays might be cool. You could check out their theater scene too.
Wow.
Perfect idea.
England... yeah, that pulled me in hard.
Id been wondering when I could go.
The theater holy land, huh.
My heartonce the star actor of Londons top troupe, Oscar Theaterpounded wildly.
Just the name had my chest racing.
If we do this, I wanna go to England.
Okay. Unclell keep that in mind.
Kim Sanho seemed thrilled at my sudden enthusiasm, after Id been so meh.
Not even an hour since intros, and he was already calling himself Uncle, treating me super casually.
Seeing him circle England big with his pen, it felt like we might actually go.
But...
First, there was something to settle.
I went straight for it.
What happened with Yeon-su hyung?
Uh, well...
For the first time, Kim Sanho looked a bit troubled.
It didnt suit his confident vibe so far.
Truth is... Nam Yeon-sus side already turned it down. I really wanted you two together, but they...
He started to continue, then clamped his mouth shut.
I narrowed my eyes at that.
Even from his words, I could guess.
After a beat of awkward word-choosing, he switched to a bright smile.
But were scouting someone else. No worries there. If Siu wants in, well find another co-star somehow. Its not falling through.
Mm, got it.
Id suspected, and there it was.
Yeon-sus dad mustve blocked it again.
I couldnt help a smirk.
Thinking of his situation dredged up past memories Id rather forget.
Like myself, trapped in that tower back then.
For some reason, anything with Yeon-su hooked me deep.
Not just this showhis raw talent and passion for acting couldnt be left to rot.
PD-nim. I want in. Great concept, feels new. And Id love to see England.
Really? Awesome. Uncle wants to go with you too.
Yeah. Linking my theater stage to England feels unique. To viewers, I was just Kang Woo-joo from The Cactus Flower Bloomed, but before that, I was Youngsu, and Jonathan too.
I listed my theater roles one by one.
Kim Sanho, listening quietly, widened his eyes in slight surprise, then grinned.
Ha, seriously. My eyes didnt lie. Genius, genius. Seeing you seriously discuss the proposal like thisits so fresh. Cant wait to see how viewers react.
Genius, what?
His sudden Konglish threw me for a loop.
I was still adjusting to Director Kang Yonghwis version...
Were all directors and PDs in this world like that?
Blinking in confusion, I nodded big at his words and declared it.
Luckily, he seemed to like me a ton, so hed probably play along with my stubbornness.
But one condition.
Condition? Shoot.
I wont do it without Yeon-su hyung.
What...?
S-Siu?
Kim Sanho gaped like thunderstruck, and Uncle, whod been quiet, called out in shock.
But I couldnt just leave Yeon-su hanging.
The past-life vibes nagging me sealed it.
Kim Sanho looked troubled at my firm stance, but I wasnt backing down.
You can make it happen, right, PD Kim Sanho?
They called him a big-shot PD. Time to prove it.
More than half of 2007 had slipped by.
The Cactus Flower Bloomed, which started in midsummer, aired its finale today, September 9.
Episode 15 the night before hit 45 ratings, making it the years top drama.
KMB planned a grand wrap party to celebrate the Cactus teams efforts.
Before the final episode aired, all staff and cast would gather for drinks and a group watch.
Cha Il-nam had rented out a huge downtown restaurant entirely.
As the buzz grew, word of the The Cactus Flower Bloomed wrap party spread through the industry.
The front of our all-day chartered spot was lined with flower wreaths from all sorts, and reporters camped out like it was a red carpet photo zone.
Everyone watched if todays finale would break the magic 50.
Moon Heesung!
Click, click, click
Actors started arriving at the restaurant one by one.
First among the leads and supports: Moon Heesung.
Hed played Ji Hyun-seong, grabbing both bold flair and tenderness he hadnt shown before, earning praise for a wider range.
Moon Heesung greeted the flanking cameras with a handsome smile before heading in.
Then, a large car pulled up.
Rumble.
Out stepped the dramas top buzzmaker: Han Siu.
Eutssa.
Pop, pop.
The tiny figure hopped out of the big car, beaming brightly and striding confidently to the entrance.
A torrent of flashes and shutter clicks.
Siu! Look this way just once!
Siu-ya, over here! This side! This side!
Han Siu, armed with a bright smile, waved cutely to the desperate reporters calling him as he entered the restaurant.