Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Cast Meeting
JSTV’s ‘Welcome to the Guest House’ Reveals Dazzling Cast: Jin Su-ho, Yu Yeon-seo, and One Seven’s Kim I-jun
Yu Yeon-seo’s First Regular Variety Show Role... Netizens’ Interest Peaks
He had made a brief appearance on ‘Killing Time’, but this was his first time as a regular cast member on a variety show. The production team, eager to show off the moment Yu Yeon-seo signed the contract, immediately sent out a press release.
└Yu Yeon-seo and Kim I-jun??
└Who thought of putting those two together
└Aren’t they on bad terms?
└He seemed close with Lee Han-gyeol during the White Tiger meet-and-greet
While the news of a popular actor and singer joining the cast was significant, the announcement that Yu Yeon-seo and a member of One Seven would be appearing together was even more surprising, and it was all anyone could talk about.
The reaction was explosive, and to capitalize on the momentum, a pre-interview video with the cast was uploaded to MyTube.
(I’m confident in my cooking. As long as someone helps me out, serving guests will be no problem.)
(My parents told me to get some real-world experience... so I think I’ve done a bit of everything.)
(I worked a lot of part-time jobs during my hiatus, so it won’t be difficult.)
A senior actor asking them to leave it to him, the reliable Jin Su-ho, and the enthusiastic Kim I-jun.
(Someone else is doing it for me.)
(Why should I do that?)
(It’ll work out somehow.)
And unlike the previous cast members, Yu Yeon-seo’s confident declaration of knowing nothing was captioned with ‘As expected of a young master.’
-Wow, that’s Yu Yeon-seo for you
-Look how shameless he is lol. Why cast him if he can’t do anything?
└He’s Yu Yeon-seo
└└Is ‘Yu Yeon-seo’ some kind of all-purpose shield?
└At least he’ll guarantee ratings
-Seeing Yu Yeon-seo act like that, doesn’t it feel like he’s freeloading on a group project?
└He’ll just throw money at it lol. Haven’t you heard about his real-life group project?
└└What’s that?
└└└He said he couldn’t do the group project because of filming, so he gave everyone 1 million won and just asked them not to remove his name lol
└└└└Wow, crazy
└└└└You think that’s the same as a TV show? Tsk tsk
-It’s a variety show, just watch it as one, you professional complainers
-The show hasn’t even started and it’s already causing a stir lol. It’s gonna do well
The pre-interview video quickly climbed the trending charts. He took a fair amount of flak for his insincere attitude, which was so different from the other cast members, but Yu Yeon-seo was not the type to be bothered by criticism.
“Thanks to you, Yeon-seo, I think our program is off to a great start.”
“Is that so?”
“We’re already being flooded with so many sponsorship offers that we don’t know what to do with them all.”
It was Yu Yeon-seo who had readily agreed to the production team’s proposal to use the pre-interview as a teaser. He wasn’t particularly bothered by what others had to say.
“So you’re going to turn them all down?”
“Of course not. We’ve decided to accept offers that are a good fit for the seaside theme.”
Yu Yeon-seo fiddled with the pin microphone a staff member was attaching and furrowed his brow slightly.
‘The sea… This feels unsettling.’
There had been times when he thought he needed a vacation, but now that he had decided to stop the memory synchronization because of the hallucinations, any place that could remind him of Lee Hui-seo felt uncomfortable. But what was done was done. He opened the cafe door.
“Hello.”
The regular cast of ‘Welcome to the Guest House’ consisted of six people, including Yu Yeon-seo. Friends of the cast would make occasional appearances, but for the most part, these six would be living together for about two months.
“Yeon-seo. It’s been a while.”
“...Yes. Su-ho.”
“Have you been well?”
“Yes.”
Yu Yeon-seo greeted him stiffly. He knew objectively that Jin Su-ho was humble and kind despite his status, but he still felt awkward around him, as Jin Su-ho was the first person to have seen him cough up blood.
“Didn’t you two work on the same project? Why so awkward.”
“Hello, sir.”
And this made it seem like Yu Yeon-seo was putting up a wall.
Yu Yeon-seo bowed respectfully to the man who approached him. It was Park Seung-hwan, the oldest of the six cast members and a veteran in the acting world. He was a man for whom the title ‘grand actor’ was no exaggeration, having achieved the ‘triple ten million’ audience mark and consistently taken home trophies from prestigious award ceremonies both at home and abroad.
‘How did they manage to cast him?’
Was Producer Lee more resourceful than he thought? Yu Yeon-seo shook the hand Park Seung-hwan offered.
“Wow… You’re really handsome. I’m Choi Jun-yeong.”
“Hello.”
This was Choi Jun-yeong, a singer and actor so beloved by the public that he was nicknamed the ‘chart bully’ because his songs always shot to number one upon release. He was also steadily building his career as an actor, step by step.
“I’m Lee Yun-jeong.”
Lee Yun-jeong was the only female cast member and a former child actress. In terms of experience, she had been in the entertainment industry longer than even Park Seung-hwan, and her filmography was just as impressive.
“You’re here.”
“Yeah.”
As for Kim I-jun… whatever.
Once all the cast members were seated, Producer Lee told them to talk freely, explaining that he had arranged this meeting so they could get to know each other before their departure.
“These are photos we took when we scouted the location.”
“Wow…”
A large monitor filled with the image of an emerald sea. It was beautiful. Everyone stared at the screen, mesmerized.
“This is the guest house where you’ll be staying and welcoming guests.”
“Oh… not bad.”
The building looked new and clean, and everyone seemed relieved. Seeing a spot for a campfire, Choi Jun-yeong said he would bring his guitar, to which Kim I-jun, Jin Su-ho, and Lee Yun-jeong cheered.
Only Yu Yeon-seo watched them blankly, his arms crossed. So this is a variety show reaction… It’s going to take some time to get used to this.
“Everyone, I suggest you don’t get your hopes up for a romantic getaway.”
“Are you trying to scare us already, Producer?”
“The concept is to have you genuinely run the guest house.”
Producer Lee smiled meaningfully. Yu Yeon-seo narrowed his eyes. There’s more to it than that…
“I saw the pre-interview video. Sir, I heard you’re a really good cook?”
“What’s with the ‘sir’… Just call me hyung, everyone.”
As the eldest, Park Seung-hwan broke the ice, and soon everyone was sharing their ages and establishing a pecking order. Yu Yeon-seo and Kim I-jun were the youngest.
Forgetting the producer’s warning, they chattered excitedly. They talked about going swimming, happy to be at the sea after so long, and started making plans before they had even boarded the plane.
“I think I can be the kitchen assistant.”
“I’m confident in my cleaning skills.”
“Then the only one left is…”
As if on cue, they all turned to look at Yu Yeon-seo. He uncrossed his arms as their gazes fell on him.
“What?”
“Yeon-seo… do you think you can handle it?”
Just as Yu Yeon-seo was about to open his mouth to reply to Jin Su-ho, Kim I-jun beat him to it.
“Honestly, you’d better give up any expectations for this guy.”
“What about me?”
“Do you remember when we lived in the dorm? You couldn’t even do simple dishwashing, so you paid your way out of it.”
“Ah, that.”
Fortunately, he had seen that memory through synchronization. Yu Yeon-seo let out a small laugh. It looked like a smirk, which irked Kim I-jun.
“What do you mean, ‘paid your way out of it’?”
“He paid the other members to do it for him. Waving cash around, saying, ‘Group living? This is capitalism.’”
“Wow, really…”
What a jerk. Seeing the others swallow their words, Yu Yeon-seo shrugged nonchalantly.
“I know.”
You can’t get by in life by being too nice. Kim I-jun scoffed at Yu Yeon-seo’s shameless reply, and the other cast members, who were starting to get a handle on his character, just shook their heads.
“You all see? This is the kind of person he is. Producer, why did you bring him on the show?”
“But didn’t you grab my pant leg back then, begging me to pick you?”
“When did I do that! I don’t remember.”
“You don’t remember? I remember it like it was yesterday… Should I help you recall?”
Watching the two bicker, the production staff’s eyes lit up. The aloof and arrogant Yu Yeon-seo was surprisingly entertaining when paired with someone his own age.
“Weren’t you two on bad terms?”
“Yeah, I saw an article about it the other day and looked it up…”
The incident of Yu Yeon-seo leaving One Seven, colloquially known as “flying away like a pigeon,” was considered one of the bigger entertainment news stories of 2011.
This was mainly due to Yu Yeon-seo’s high profile as a Juseong heir and the son of Lee Hui-seo. After One Seven’s resurgence, their resentful fans had pushed a narrative, posting things like, ‘The group failed to get popular because Yu Yeon-seo bailed on them.’
The story was so widespread that even celebrities who didn’t know the full details were aware of it. Yu Yeon-seo pushed away the pestering Kim I-jun and spoke.
“We are on bad terms.”
“Ah, about that…”
“Hey.”
Don’t say it, Yu Yeon-seo mouthed. But the others were not the type to miss such a cue.
“What is it?”
“Let me in on it too.”
“Are the two youngest already forming a clique?”
“What’s the secret you’re keeping from us?”
When even Jin Su-ho joined the interrogation, Kim I-jun quickly caved.
“Well, it turns out this guy has been investing money in our group.”
“Hey.”
Kim I-jun glanced at Yu Yeon-seo, who was pressing a hand to his forehead, then turned back to the other cast members.
“Ever since he left, for seven straight years. That’s why we were able to keep active even when we weren’t popular.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Releasing albums and promoting costs a lot of money. Our company isn’t a major label, so how else could we have kept making comebacks?”
Producer Lee’s eyes widened as if he were hearing this for the first time. If this gets on air, it’ll be huge. A smile spread across his face at the unexpected jackpot.
“We didn’t know either until recently. He said he’d take responsibility for the duration of the contract even after leaving…”
They could have been labeled the group that couldn’t make it even with a chaebol’s investment, a “push crusher.” But now that One Seven had risen to become a top idol group, it worked.
In fact, his agency had told him to keep it an absolute secret, but Kim I-jun and the other members had different ideas.
The fact that Yu Yeon-seo had been secretly investing in them might dilute One Seven’s story of hardship and adversity, but they couldn’t just take the money and do nothing.
‘We were able to keep going, which led to our resurgence and success… Our fans need to know this.’
Kim I-jun ignored Yu Yeon-seo’s glare, which seemed to scold him for revealing the secret. He felt a bit shy for some reason.
“Oh… You don’t look it, but you’re a loyal guy, huh?”
“It’s nothing. I have a lot of money anyway.”
Yu Yeon-seo said with a sullen expression, and the others nodded with knowing looks.
“I think I get your personality, Yeon-seo. Ah, it’s okay if I drop the formalities, right? I’m older.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s get along well.”
Park Seung-hwan, in particular, felt awkward. He had heard rumors about Yu Yeon-seo’s terrible personality and had even subtly questioned Producer Lee and Writer Seo about casting him.
‘As long as it doesn’t get aired, it’s fine.’
Yu Yeon-seo was flustered, but the atmosphere had changed for the better, so he decided to just go with the flow.
“So, Yeon-seo, you’ll be…”
“I’ll try whatever you ask me to do.”
Yu Yeon-seo answered quickly. Surely, I must have a talent for at least one thing.
After the meeting, having taken care of all their business in Korea, the cast and crew of ‘Welcome to the Guest House’ headed to the airport.
Producer Lee, making a show of not being able to put top stars in economy class, handed out business class tickets.
“Actually, Yeon-seo’s contribution was a big part of this…”
He explained that many investors had unconditionally backed the show because it was Yu Yeon-seo’s first variety program. Juseong Group had likely put up a significant amount.
“The airport we’re connecting through doesn’t have a runway that can handle a large plane… so please bear with the inconvenience.”
The first flight was comfortable, but the second was different. After an hour on a cramped plane, another hour on a boat, and a twenty-minute car ride, they finally arrived at their destination.
“Do tourists really come all the way out here?”
“Many people seek it out, calling it a hidden gem of the Mediterranean. It’s a short trip for people from nearby countries.”
Everyone roughly set down their luggage and, as if enchanted, headed toward the beach.
“Look at the sea!”
“Wow!”
The water was so transparent you could see the bottom, and the shimmering sunlight breaking on the surface looked remarkably similar to the place in his memories.
‘The sea…’
It was nice now that he was here, but… Surely the hallucinations won’t come back during filming, right? Yu Yeon-seo touched his temple, a wave of anxiety washing over him.