Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Variety Show Gambit
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I grabbed a seat right in front of the massive screen that covered an entire wall of the restaurant.
Fidgeting my legs in anticipation of the live broadcast starting soon, the staff came over and chatted me up.
Siu, you look just like a little prince today.
Our dramas number one hero! Whats your take on it all?
Hehe.
They said I looked extra cute today and snapped a ton of photos with me, and I signed autographs left and right.
Most of them wanted it in English, which let me show off my fancy signatureone of my favorite things.
I mustve heard Your acting was amazing and Its such a shame its ending about a hundred times.
Talk about the center of attention!
I was blissfully soaking up all the staffs fawning.
Waaah, Siu! Check this out. They say this place has killer lobsterit comes whole! Its huge!
Uncle, whod been hyped about the lavish wrap party since yesterday, was making a huge fuss beside me.
Cha Il-nam had said the KMB station head was going all out, and sure enough, an endless parade of amazing dishes kept coming.
I ignored Uncle and savored the moment.
Now that filming was wrapped, itd be a while before I got this kind of scorching spotlight again.
Mm, go ahead and stuff yourself, Uncle.
Youre not eating, Siu?
Sigh, Im already full even without...
It was perfect just like this, but he kept talking, so I was about to tell him to knock it off.
That was before I heard Uncle mutter as he dug into the perfectly grilled lobster meat.
Whoa... this is even better than steak.
Uncle. Me tooscoop out that one, and that one.
I shoved my plate forward, pointing to the butter-grilled and steamed ones.
Better than steak?
Ha, really? Well see about that.
Haha, hold your horses.
Uncle, like hed known it was coming, gleefully cracked the tough shell and piled the tender meat high.
Wow... Uncle actually nailed it for once.
This is way too good.
As I munched away happily, exchanging greetings with the staff, I spotted Kang Soo-jung heading my wayshed just arrived.
Trailing behind her was Moon Heesung, whod finished making the rounds at the restaurant.
Siu, your outfit today is just too perfect, isnt it?
Even Kang Soo-jung was this impressed.
Heh, Moms got impeccable taste, as usual.
When I mentioned heading to the wrap party, Kim Sangcheol recommended his go-to shop and told me to get ready there.
Id gone with Uncle and Mom in tow.
Mom had handpicked the cutest little tuxedo from the options at the shopclearly a stellar choice.
Maybe it was the extra effort I put into styling my hair too.
Everyone I met was raving about how sharp I looked today.
You too, though?
Its been a while since I went all out at the shop. But standing next to you, I might not cut it?
No way.
Kang Soo-jung, decked out in a sleek two-piece suit with her hair done to perfectionmiles apart from Han Ji-hyes styleradiated total actress vibes.
Siu, now that the dramas done, you cant just ghost me without a heads-up, got it?
Sis, didnt you say youre already prepping your next movie? Arent you the busy one?
Word travels fast... But no matter how slammed I am, Ill always make time to talk acting with you.
Whoa... a flash of waiting-room nightmare hell hit me.
Haha, Sius still got the popularity today.
Id flubbed my expression management.
It was just a fleeting thought that this break might not be so relaxing.
Seeing Moon Heesung next to me chuckling at my face...
I quickly schooled my features.
Hey, Siu... hi?
As Choi Taewoo joined from afar amid the laughter and chatter, the last of the leads, Nam Yeonsu, finally showed up.
Hey, bro, you made it? Youre late.
Yeah... I was in Cheongdam-dong today, and traffic was a mess...
He looked like hed gone all out prepping for today too.
Nam Yeonsu said hed gotten up early to hit a shop there and seemed a bit wiped out.
Hello, sorry Im a little late. Yes, hello.
Nam Yeonsus manager, whod seated him next to me, was hustling to greet everyone belatedly.
Hey, Manager Kim. Quick word.
Yes! Sunbae-nim. Yeonsu, wait here? Ill be right back.
Okay, go ahead.
Then he got called away by another actors manager.
With Nam Yeonsus manager gone too, it was just us two.
Perfect chance to grill him on everything Id been wondering.
Hed suddenly texted that he couldnt do the variety show anymore, and contact had been spotty since.
Filming was done, so no reason to cross paths, and I was curious how he was holding up.
What happened?
Huh, what...?
The variety show. You were super against it at first, right?
I had a rough idea, but I asked anyway.
At my question, Nam Yeonsu hemmed and hawed before finally speaking.
Sorry... Dad said no... I pushed for it first, then couldnt even make the meetings. You mustve been shocked.
Thats... fine. What about you, bro?
Huh?
Are you okay?
My question caught him off guard, his eyes widening.
Then he smiled softly and nodded.
Yeah, Im good. Just bummed we wont do it together. Theyre saying Im going into a movie next. Fitting for a top actor, right? Hee...
His laugh as he mentioned being a top actor still looked awkward.
There was a hint of resignation too.
I could still vividly recall him jumping for joy on the phone about filming variety together, but now here he was, smiling like it was all fine.
Frustrated, I blurted it out straight.
This was variety, sure, but bro, you wont make top actor like this.
Huh...?
My words threw himhis eyes trembled wildly.
Just doing the roles they tell him to, skipping the ones they say no to.
Even acting straight from that script crammed with notes.
Was that really enough?
The Nam Yeonsu Id seen was brimming with talent.
Bro, one more time. Be honest.
...
You really okay?
At my repeated question, Nam Yeonsu slowly shook his head.
Looking utterly deflated, he sat there quietly, head down.
As I swallowed a sigh threatening to escape, a commotion spilled over from nearby.
Oh my god! The dramas MVP child actors are both here together!
What the? Then I saw the loud woman, with a huge camera behind her.
And the crisp KMB logo plastered on it.
Ah. Right.
Come to think of it, Cha Il-nam had mentioned KMBs entertainment news show Entertainment Express was covering the wrap party today.
I flashed a bright smile and locked eyes with the reporter introducing herself as Choi Rin.
Hello.
...Hello.
Startled by my chipper greeting, Nam Yeonsu snapped to and smiled back.
His face was still a bit stiff, though.
That noise from over there earlier...
They mustve wrapped up interviews with the other actors while we talked quietly.
Oh! Our little stars! Sis loved the drama!
Hehe, thank you.
An honor.
Choi Rin nodded with a pleased smile at our polite responses.
Youre only six and eighthow do you act so well?
Haha, thank you.
Born with it?
As Nam Yeonsu humbly bowed his head beside me, I cupped one chubby cheek with my hand and said.
Everyone watching, Choi Rin included, clutched their hearts.
C-Cute...
Hm, great reaction.
I dropped my hand with a satisfied look.
Seeing you two up close, you really get along great. Not sad its over?
Super sad!
Time flew by.
Ah, you too? Kang Soo-jung and Choi Taewoo just said the same
The standard questions ticked by.
With time to kill before the live broadcast, this was the event, apparently.
Nam Yeonsu, clearly trained for interviews, answered smoothly without a hitch.
All humble, textbook responses.
Final question for our little stars! You werent just bit partsyou led the whole shoot to the end. Mustve been tough. Now that its wrapped, what do you two wanna do?
Shed asked all the others this too, no doubt.
But for us kids, they were probably expecting something else.
Something super cute and innocent.
I pondered my answer, thendinga brilliant idea hit.
This could flip Nam Yeonsus situation with one line.
Thought sorted; time to act.
Before Nam Yeonsu could respond, I jumped in.
Oh, me...
Im gonna do a variety show with Yeonsu bro!
Huh, wha...?
Nam Yeonsu gaped, speechless, blinking in shock.
Choi Rin, caught off guard by the answer, eagerly shoved the mic closer.
Variety? You two together?
Yeah! Kim Sanho PDs program. Bro wants to do it, and Im hypeditll be so fun!
I spilled it all, straight up.
Choi Rin lit up like shed struck gold.
Uncle, whod overheard from afar, came rushing over in alarm.
S-Siu!
Tch.
I clammed up at the sight of him.
Uncle clamped down on me, then hurriedly told Choi Rin.
Sorry. Better not air that. Talks with PD Kim arent set yet. Haha.
Ah, got it.
Choi Rin flashed a pro smile and agreed.
Exactly. Thats the glint in her eye I wanted.
Uncle, meanwhile, grabbed me and whisper-yelled.
Of course a bit quieter, but still.
Siu, you cant say stuff like that...!
Ignoring him as he shook my shoulders, I turned to Nam Yeonsu beside me, whod gone pale and was flapping his mouth.
S-Siu. Whatre you saying? I cant do it!
Bro.
H-Huh...?
You said you wanted to. Right?
This wouldnt cut it.
I decided to push hard.
That was then... I,
Hang on. If you wanna do it.
I cut him off and whipped out my phone, dialing someone.
Uncle and Nam Yeonsu watched anxiously, bracing for whatever chaos Id unleash.
PD Kim Sanho! Its Siu. So, in this interview just now...
I cheerfully recounted the whole thing into the receiver.
Uncle and Nam Yeonsus faces filled with horror as they eavesdropped.
PD-nim?
-Yeah...
Kim Sanho went quiet, probably thinking.
Sheesh, this guy.
Slowpoke.
Id tossed him the baitnow bite.
-Siu. Choi Rin, the reporter?
Yeah, thats her. KMB Entertainment Express.
-Got it. Dont sweat it. Yeah. Hanging up!
I smirked down at the phone as Kim Sanho rushed off.
They said he was capable; this much groundwork should let him run with it.
Phone away, I beamed at the two staring at me.
Dont worry too much. Lets just wait a bit.