Chapter 170
Chapter 170
Manager 24/7
On the screen, Yu Yeon-seo performed a relentless action sequence. After the breathtaking scene, he subdued the head of Snake, blood trickling down his forehead.
(You think catching me will end this?)
(That’s for me to worry about.)
Han Yu-jun didn’t pull the trigger. Then the scene changed. Han Yu-jun found a clue by reading sounds, and Oh Tae-seong secured the evidence. Faced with irrefutable proof, everyone connected to Snake was exposed by the media. Thanks to their efforts, Narcotics Unit 3 achieved the feat of a one-rank special promotion.
But Han Yu-jun wasn’t there. He refused the promotion and returned his police ID.
(What will you do now?)
(What else? I have to keep going. I haven’t caught all the remnants of Snake yet...)
(How?)
He needed a new identity to investigate the drug trade. Han Yu-jun spotted the prosecutor’s office building nearby and grinned.
-OMG Yu-jun, you’re insane ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
-Yu Yeon-seo is on a rampage lol
-Hey, who’s the director? This feels like a movie.
-But did he really not use a stunt double for that?
-Snake behind-the-scenes is up, go go
‘Snake’ Records Its Highest Ratings, Concludes with Great Success
‘Snake’ Yu Yeon-seo Creates a Masterpiece Scene with Wire-Free Action Stunts
‘Snake’ Uncut Version to be Released on OTT... Number 1 for 10 Consecutive Weeks
After watching the final episode of ‘Snake,’ he flipped through the channels and happened to catch a rerun of ‘Manager 24/7,’ the show he and Lee Tae-gyeom had appeared on.
He’d heard the ratings had jumped significantly at the news that Yu Yeon-seo, who rarely did variety shows, was appearing... Even after the drama ended, they were milking it for all it was worth.
‘He looks good on screen when he’s like that.’
Watching Lee Tae-gyeom’s awkward smile on the screen, Yu Yeon-seo recalled the day of the recording.
For the studio recording of ‘Manager 24/7,’ Yu Yeon-seo stopped by his usual salon. His face needed so little work that they just applied sunscreen. His hair was given a light curl for a natural look.
He looked at Lee Tae-gyeom, who was sitting behind him, through the mirror. Hmm... He’d clearly made an effort, but he still looked shabby.
“Hey, Lee Tae-gyeom. You sit down too.”
“Me? Why?”
“You’re going on TV. You’re going to go out looking like that?”
“I actually blow-dried my hair, you know?”
Yu Yeon-seo fell silent and stared intently at Lee Tae-gyeom. His gaze seemed to mock, ‘You call that done?’ Feeling humiliated, Lee Tae-gyeom sat in front of the mirror.
“Please work on him a bit too.”
“Of course.”
The hairstylist quickly picked up a comb. Lee Tae-gyeom stiffened, awkwardly staring at his reflection in the mirror.
“What’s with you? First time getting a haircut?”
“You wouldn’t know, but not just anyone can come to this salon.”
As he muttered, “It’s famous among your fans...”, the hairstylist working on his hair beamed, happy that someone finally acknowledged it. The young master, sulking with his arms crossed beside them, never appreciated such things since it was just his daily routine.
“Should I put something on your face?”
“Yes, please do. By the way, is that the only outfit you have?”
Yu Yeon-seo answered before the person in question could even open his mouth. Realizing his intention, Lee Tae-gyeom leaned back with an awkward expression.
“Why, why go that far?”
“I don’t like my manager appearing on TV looking so unimpressive.”
“Hey, who’s going to care about me? They’ll all be focused on you. Instead of doing this for me, you should worry about Seung-hyeon...”
“Im Seung-hyeon already takes care of himself just fine.”
Lee Tae-gyeom pressed his lips together. As Yu Yeon-seo’s executive assistant, Im Seung-hyeon was always dressed in a crisp, wrinkle-free suit, his posture as straight as if he’d had it professionally corrected. He believed that his appearance was a reflection of the person he served. And that was something taught in Juseong’s Strategic Planning Department.
“Well, that’s because he works for a major corporation...”
“We have some time left, right? Let’s stop somewhere on the way.”
“No, is that really necessary?”
“Want to go after a beating? Or just go?”
Seeing Yu Yeon-seo flick his fingers, Lee Tae-gyeom’s face turned pale.
“...Are you trying to kill me?”
“You won’t die.”
Sometimes, when they were bored waiting during shoots, they would play simple games like rock-paper-scissors for a forehead flick, but Yu Yeon-seo’s flicks were downright violent. Enough to leave a bruise on his forehead.
“Go to the nearby department store.”
“Oh, how gracious of you.”
“If you know, then act like it.”
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty.”
Well, he was overflowing with money, so buying a set of clothes for his manager was probably no big deal. But he had momentarily forgotten about Yu Yeon-seo’s expensive taste. He was horrified by the long string of numbers on the price tag, but with the recording time fast approaching, he was forced to wear it.
‘Damn it, this is too much.’
In the past, he would have gladly accepted it. Yu Yeon-seo was famous for frequently replacing his managers. So, he had casually thought that his time as Yu Yeon-seo’s manager would be brief anyway. I’m going to get fired eventually, so I might as well take what I can get... But things were different now. He felt he had to work as much as he received.
Seeing Lee Tae-gyeom’s reaction, Yu Yeon-seo laughed inwardly. In fact, half the reason he bought it was to torment him like this.
When they arrived at the M Company studio, the MCs and panelists had already finished their preparations and were waiting. Yu Yeon-seo first bowed his head.
“Oh my, Yeon-seo! Hello!”
“We’re a little late, I apologize.”
“Not at all, you’re right on time.”
After a brief greeting, he was fitted with a microphone and headed to the sofa set up in front of the cameras. Yu Yeon-seo and Lee Tae-gyeom sat in the center, with the MCs and panelists flanking them like wings.
“Yes! ‘Manager 24/7’ has finally brought on a huge guest!”
“I’m sure many of you have been curious about his daily life...”
After the MC’s opening remarks, it was finally time to introduce the guest.
“Hello, I’m Yu Yeon-seo.”
Despite the stinging lights and the numerous cameras and staff in front of him, Yu Yeon-seo smiled leisurely as he greeted them. Lee Tae-gyeom, who had been spacing out, felt Yu Yeon-seo tap his arm and looked at the camera. But which one was he supposed to look at?
“Sir, you can look at the camera with the light on.”
“Uh... I’m Yu Yeon-seo’s manager, Lee Tae-gyeom.”
Feeling like he had delayed, he blurted out his introduction. The panelists laughed. As regular cast members on the show, they had seen this kind of awkward reaction from managers more than once.
“It’s awkward, isn’t it? Everyone’s like that.”
“Yes, this is my first time sitting in a... spot like this. My place was usually over there.”
Lee Tae-gyeom pointed behind the camera. Normally, he would have been standing next to Im Seung-hyeon, carefully observing any changes in Yu Yeon-seo.
“For today, you, the manager, are the star. Please relax. How many years have you been Yeon-seo’s manager?”
“Um... It’s been over four years.”
If you included the period when he had briefly taken the job and then quit, it would be about five years. Lee Tae-gyeom was visibly nervous, but his answers were still fluent.
“I heard you two are the same age. Maybe that’s why you seem so comfortable with each other.”
“Yes, more than a manager... we’re basically friends.”
“...What did you save me as in your phone?”
“Slave. Ah, please edit that out.”
Everyone took Yu Yeon-seo’s answer as a joke and laughed. But it’s not a joke, I really saved him as ‘Slave.’ Still, he couldn’t scowl, so Lee Tae-gyeom also laughed awkwardly.
“I’m excited to see what a day in your lives looks like.”
“Then shall we watch the observation camera footage?”
At the MC’s cue, everyone turned to the screen.
It began with the installation of an observation camera in Lee Tae-gyeom’s house. Lee Tae-gyeom was sitting on the edge of his bed, writing something on a tablet.
“What are you doing right now?”
“Ah, he’s starting a new project soon, so I have a lot more to do.”
I thought he just dropped him off at the filming location on time and took care of any inconveniences, but it seems there’s a lot to prepare beforehand? Yu Yeon-seo looked at Lee Tae-gyeom with a newfound sense of surprise.
(I think I’ll go to bed now....)
After reviewing the schedule several times, Lee Tae-gyeom lay down in bed. After a brief black screen, it showed Lee Tae-gyeom coming out early in the morning and starting his car.
(Wow, there’s a camera in the car too.)
(Hmm... I should get going.)
The drive wasn’t very long. A year after becoming Yu Yeon-seo’s manager again, he had moved. To a vacant officetel owned by Yu Yeon-seo that happened to be nearby.
“Oh? Other managers usually just let themselves in, but you’re ringing the bell, Tae-gyeom?”
“He’s not the only one living in the house.”
At Lee Tae-gyeom’s answer, the panelists turned back to the screen.
(Hello, hyung.)
(You’re here? Yeon-seo is still asleep.)
The person who opened the door was Yu Eun-ho. The panelists in the studio buzzed with excitement. The reaction from the female panelists was particularly explosive.
“That’s Yeon-seo’s older brother, right? Do they live together?”
“He’s glowing even in the morning.”
“And his voice? Those are some seriously selfish genes.”
Yu Eun-ho, who had opened the door while trying to tie his tie, finished with the knot and fastened his watch, glancing at Yu Yeon-seo’s bedroom door.
(Are you in a hurry? Should I wake him?)
(No, I’m a bit early. Would you like some coffee if you haven’t had any yet, hyung?)
(Sure.)
Perhaps because they shared a common ground in worrying about Yu Yeon-seo’s health and cooperating to catch the culprit, Lee Tae-gyeom and Yu Eun-ho had grown close enough to speak comfortably with each other.
Lee Tae-gyeom skillfully ground coffee beans and heated water at the home bar set up in a corner of the kitchen.
“You seem very, uh, used to it.”
“He’s picky. There’s even a coffee recipe specifically for Yu Yeon-seo that’s been passed down in the company for generations.”
“No wonder it suits my taste.”
Yu Yeon-seo leaned back comfortably in his seat. He actually knew about it, but since it was for broadcast, he pretended it was the first time he was hearing it.
On screen, Lee Tae-gyeom finished brewing the coffee, handed a cup to Yu Eun-ho first, and was getting another cup when Yu Yeon-seo’s bedroom door opened.
(You’re up?)
(...You’re here?)
Yu Yeon-seo, his face still heavy with sleep, staggered out and half-lay, half-sat on the sofa. But perhaps because of his naturally handsome face, the panelists let out small gasps of admiration.
“Wow, did he really just wake up?”
“But his face looks very tired. I guess it’s because he’s about to start a new project.”
Ah, right. That’s when I synchronized the memories.
“This is going to cause an uproar when it airs.”
It was almost the first time seeing him so disheveled on broadcast. And when this show aired, the fans indeed loved it, calling him cute, and even gushed that they thought he was a god because he was always so radiant, but seeing him like this made him feel more human.
(Coffee? What about food?)
(...Not hungry. What time is it?)
(7:30.)
(About time for them to arrive.)
As soon as he finished speaking, the doorbell rang. This time, Lee Tae-gyeom opened the door.
“Who is it this time?”
A panelist’s question was answered by the caption that appeared at the bottom of the screen.
<Im Seung-hyeon, Executive Assistant>
“Oh, he’s in the studio too. That’s him standing over there, right?”
“Yes.”
The original caption actually read <Im Seung-hyeon, Manager, Juseong Group Strategic Planning Department. Yu Yeon-seo’s Executive Assistant>, but Im Seung-hyeon didn’t like it, so he told them to remove it all. Was it really necessary to be so detailed for a brief appearance?
They probably did it thinking his announcer-like appearance and unusual job title would draw a lot of attention.
(Hyung, you’re here? Coffee?)
Im Seung-hyeon gave a slight nod and placed a tablet in front of Yu Yeon-seo.
(Young Master, the task you assigned was completed yesterday.)
(Yes, good work. Anything I need to know?)
(They say the stock price fluctuations are unusual. The report is on the next page.)
Yu Yeon-seo ran a hand through his hair a couple of times, his eyes turning sharp as if he had never been sleepy at all. He instantly switched into work mode, lost in thought as he looked back and forth between the tablet screen and some documents.
(For now, let’s pull the assets from this side and move them elsewhere.)
(Then what should we do about this?)
(That is....)
Difficult financial terms were exchanged between the two, and the sums of money they mentioned casually were astronomical.
“...Anyone watching would think he’s a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur, not an actor.”
“But isn’t he a successful entrepreneur too?”
“Suddenly, I feel a huge distance between myself and the person sitting next to me.”
Yu Yeon-seo moved amounts of money that some people would never touch in their lifetime with a single word, yet he seemed unfazed. Watching this, the panelists murmured in admiration, remarking that this was just what you’d expect from Yu Yeon-seo.