Chapter 104
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104
“Whatcha doin’?”
“…What did you just call me?”
Is this punk crazy?
We were on a set packed with staff, and Min Ji-heon just called me… Hyung. I tried my best to force a smile, but my face was starting to twitch.
Min Ji-heon had the audacity to tilt his head innocently.
“Hmm… should I call you something else? Jeong-hun Hyung? Or Ho-yun Hyung? Which do you prefer?”
“…….”
“Haha, your expression is priceless….”
This high-maintenance brat….
He definitely saw me hanging out with the camera director.
“But by any chance, was what I just saw some kind of shortcut…?”
“…What are you talking about, Senior?”
I started by playing it cool with a smooth smile. Then, I turned and walked a bit further away from the staff. Min Ji-heon followed right at my heels.
“You shouldn't just drop surprises like that, Senior. I know you’re immersed in your acting, but we’re off-camera right now. If this ‘Min Ji-heon’ punk keeps acting up, do you think I’m going to lose my temper or not?”
“Wow… that slow-burn anger is actually pretty cool.”
“Why are you here? I told you not to act like you know me.”
Min Ji-heon gave a playful grin.
“Aww, don’t be like that. I just came by because I was curious to see how well you were doing.”
There was definitely something else. I stared him down and threw a straight ball.
“Do you know Lee Kang-seok… well?”
“Huh?”
Min Ji-heon tilted his head the other way this time.
“Of course I know him. He even gave me carrot cake once.”
“…Right, I bet it was delicious.”
“Ahaha, someone else ate it first, so I wouldn't know.”
Seeing him crack lame jokes, it seemed he didn't know about the rumors yet. Well, Lee Kang-seok probably maintained his image perfectly in front of Min Ji-heon, so it made sense.
I shrugged and organized my thoughts.
‘He told me to act better than Lee Kang-seok… but that’s subjective.’
There was a much more objective method.
‘I just have to make it so he can’t act at all.’
Besides, Lee Kang-seok had perfectly set the stage for me by power-tripping his manager. I’d send Lee Kang-seok into the abyss, and while the viewership increase might be marginal, it would still go up. I’d be an idiot not to take this opportunity.
After pondering where to start the work, I looked up to find Min Ji-heon still there, watching me with a peculiar smile.
“What?”
“Juuust because….”
Min Ji-heon lightly rubbed the back of his neck. I always got uneasy when he did that.
“It just… occurred to me. You said you have an original world you belong to. Are you going back when this is over?”
“Obviously.”
The system window remained silent.
My career, the fans, and the members I had built up over the past six months. There was a brief silence, but my mind was as firm as ever.
“The only reason I’m doing all this shit… is to go back.”
“Why? You even got rejuvenated.”
“Does that matter?”
“It does.”
Min Ji-heon chuckled.
“And I think I’d prefer it if you stayed here.”
“……?”
“It’s fun… and I want to see how things turn out.”
His tone was strangely full of conviction. I glared at him, but Min Ji-heon dropped his gaze.
“Well… good luck.”
“Min Ji-heon.”
Min Ji-heon tried to leave as if he’d said his piece, but I hurriedly caught him.
“Does that mean there’s a downside to me returning to my original world? Or do you think the benefits of staying here are greater?”
“Hmm…….”
“Why?”
“Uhh…….”
Min Ji-heon scratched his cheek. Then, he let out a deep sigh.
“It’s hard to say…. I’m not the one involved, so I don’t really know…. Sorry.”
Talking to this guy… felt like being stuck in an endless loop of unsolvable riddles.
Whether it was an act or not, Min Ji-heon glanced at me tentatively.
“The more I see you, the more I grow fond of you, so I’m starting to feel a bit bad about enjoying myself like this. But since we made a promise… shall we wait for the viewership ratings?”
“…….”
“Our drama is doing quite well right now.”
I furrowed my brows, but a staff member called out to Min Ji-heon from a distance.
“Min Ji-heon-ssi, we’re starting the shoot!”
“Coming! …I’ll be going now.”
After giving me an awkward smile, Min Ji-heon walked toward the set. I opened the calendar on my phone and started calculating. There were three weeks left until the final episode aired, and I had to get an answer on that day.
‘…Wait for what?’
I didn't forget to send a text to Kim Jae-yeon.
[There’s something I’d like you to look into.]
—By the time I finished filming, a reply from Kim Jae-yeon had arrived.
[I don’t think you need to worry about that matter.]
“…Phew.”
That was the signal that I could take this win for free.
And exactly three days later, the Lee Kang-seok incident exploded.
* * *
[Never a Quiet Day in Entertainment… The Shocking True Face of Actor B]
[Lee Kang-seok ‘Power Trip Controversy,’ Video of Him Hurling Profanities at Manager Goes Viral ‘Shocking’]
[Title: Did you guys see the Lee Kang-seok video?
The agency is working hard to take it down, but it’s already everywhere lololol. Ah... wasn't Lee Kang-seok’s image supposed to be gentle and sweet?
└ For real, it’s such a turn-off.
└ Wow.. I listened to the recording and I feel like my ears are polluted..
└└ He’s done for. His acting was just okay, but he blew up because of that sweet campus oppa image lol. It’s not like he can fall back on god-tier acting skills.
└└ It’s just over.
└ Didn't the manager leak this? How much of a grudge must he have held? lol
└└ You think he’d be crazy enough to do that? It’s still the company he works for..
└└ Why not? It’s totally possible. Lee Kang-seok tried to manage his image, but he must have let his guard down thinking the manager would just take it.]
The posts spreading online had already declared the end of Lee Kang-seok.
While he climbed the real-time search rankings and parodies of his power trip were being created on Nutube, causing an explosion of negative attention, another rumor began to circulate.
[Title: Did you know Lee Kang-seok was originally supposed to play PD Lee Jeong-hun in Kabu??
A friend of mine works at the station, so I know.
Apparently, Lee Kang-seok really, really wanted the role of Lee Jeong-hun.
It was almost a done deal, and he just had to audition, but then a rookie appeared who killed the audition.
So Lee Kang-seok was dropped and the rookie was cast.
The day the casting was canceled, Lee Kang-seok supposedly threw bottles at his manager and went on a rampage.
└ Omg really??? Wow.... Honestly, thinking about it now, he wouldn't have fit the role at all. Casting was a stroke of genius.
└└ The insiders must have all known Lee Kang-seok had that kind of personality..
└ Wait, so the kid who got the part was SHY? I thought he just squeezed in because he’s in the same agency as MJH;
└└ We all thought so too lol. No matter how you looked at it, the age didn't fit the role.]
[Title: Hey guys, SHY went through the 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd auditions for Kabu.
He had the highest score among all participants. End of story.
└└ Wow, so Seo Ho-yun actually won the role through acting lololol. Wow, how embarrassing for an actor to lose to an idol in acting.
└ But honestly, I can’t imagine anyone but Seo Ho-yun as Lee Jeong-hun now.]
It wasn't true. I didn't exactly win it through acting; I just got lucky. However, public opinion shifted in Seo Ho-yun’s favor.
Once the video of Lee Kang-seok’s power trip spread and it became known that he had originally wanted to be in Please Take Care of the Camera, people began to take an interest in the drama airing in the same time slot.
Consequently, during the week the controversy broke, the viewership for Please Take Care of the Camera rose by about 2 percent, recording 14 percent.
“Yoo Jeong-hwa-ssi.”
The final scene of the shoot.
I was walking briskly with my employee ID in hand when I spotted Yoo Jeong-hwa talking to Min Seung-tae in the distance, and I furrowed my brows. Min Seung-tae was smiling brightly, looking very satisfied with how well things were going and his happy relationship. Then, he saw me, his expression hardened instantly, and he walked away with a curt nod.
I took a deep breath to relax my expression and slowly approached Yoo Ji-ah. Then, I called out to her again, pretending nothing was wrong.
“Yoo Jeong-hwa-ssi.”
“Oh, PD Lee? What is it?”
“You left your ID behind.”
“Ah, thank you!”
Seeing Yoo Ji-ah’s smile, I cleared my throat and spoke.
“So… did things get settled with Min Seung-tae-ssi?”
“Yep. I gave him a smack and felt much better.”
“I see. That’s good.”
“Wow~, seriously, if you hadn't helped me back then, Senior, I think I’d be cleaning up a corpse right now! I’m so grateful to you.”
Yoo Jeong-hwa chattered away actively. I focused hard on the sentiment the writer had mentioned: ‘Thinking Yoo Jeong-hwa is way too good for Min Seung-tae, but having a paternal heart that can’t help but accept it because the junior is happy.’
Honestly, since I already felt that way, it was quite easy to act.
“…You should have hit him one more time.”
“Are you going to help me?”
“Should I?”
When I let out a small chuckle, Yoo Jeong-hwa stared blankly before giving me a big thumbs up.
“PD-nim, your personality is really trash except for your face…. But if you look closely,”
“…….”
“You definitely have other strengths….”
“…….”
“I’m sure. If you look hard enough somewhere.”
“Yoo Jeong-hwa-ssi, do you want to work tomorrow too?”
When I asked with my arms crossed, Yoo Jeong-hwa arched her eyebrows. Her expression clearly said, ‘What kind of bullshit is this when I’m going to be working my ass off tomorrow anyway?’ I looked at her and said nonchalantly.
“I was going to give Yoo Jeong-hwa-ssi a day off tomorrow and work by myself….”
“……!”
“But seeing you now, it looks like you really want to work hard with me tomorrow. Well, I don’t mind having an extra hand.”
As I turned away, Yoo Jeong-hwa hurriedly followed behind me. I ignored her, rubbing my eyes.
“Se-se-se-senior! You know I respect you the most, right??”
“Hmm….”
“Face genius! Brilliant mind! Early graduation, top of the class, and every PD project you touch becomes a hit!”
“I’ve heard all that already….”
As I dismissively brushed my ear, Yoo Jeong-hwa grit her teeth. I gave her a smirk.
“And my personality?”
“…Pardon?”
“Is it trash?”
Yoo Jeong-hwa trembled and took several deep breaths. Finally, forcing her quivering lips into a smile, she sold her soul for the vacation I offered.
“……You are a cooomplete angel.”
“Hooo?”
“The rumors are all over the station… that PD Lee is the kindest. Where did you leave your wings?”
“I took them off and left them behind.”
I chuckled and stuffed the ID card into my pocket. Instead, I unwrapped a candy from my pocket, popped it in my mouth, and said while chewing.
“Go on, take your vacation.”
“Yes….”
“About two days. I’ll cover for you that much.”
“……!!”
Whether she thought I was being petty or dirty, Yoo Jeong-hwa, who had been secretly sticking her middle finger out where I couldn't see, widened her eyes and nodded her head like crazy.
“Senior, I’ll go pick up your wings for you!! I saw them in the smoking room! They’re a bit dirty, but they’re still usable!”
“Sure~. My dear junior, you’ve gotten quite good at backtalking now~.”
“Who do you think I learned it from?”
Yoo Jeong-hwa laughed loudly, waved her hand, and disappeared. The camera captured my solitary figure. I stood there, watching until Yoo Jeong-hwa’s back was no longer visible. I clenched and unclenched my fingers before letting out a refreshing laugh.
“What a waste, seriously.”
After delivering the line, I turned and walked into the broadcasting station. Behind me, I heard Director Yoo shouting "Cut!" and the sound of clapping.
“Cuuuut! That’ll do it!”
“Great job everyone!”
“Perfect, perfect!”
“Wow, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, great job on your last shoot!”
After finishing the final shoot like that, I was told we would immediately proceed with monitoring Episode 14, so we sat in the outdoor seating and talked.
“This episode is the real deal. Everyone’s emotional lines are clean but not cliché.”
“Even if Lee Jeong-hun doesn't have a lot of screen time, he subtly adds just the right amount of tension to the drama. He’s a helper to Yoo Jeong-hwa, but also a funny rival to Min Seung-tae with their back-and-forth….”
“Well, he is a character with a trash personality and a silver tongue, after all!!”
“…….”
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi, you were perfect!”
“Yes, I’m veeery happy to hear that.”
I was listening to the general feedback when the surroundings suddenly became noisy. Then, a large bouquet of flowers was suddenly thrust in front of my eyes.
[PD Lee Jeong-hun,
You did such a great, great job!!
- From all the Kabu Staff]
“Oh….”
“Congratulations! You really worked hard for your first shoot.”
“Wow~, the bouquet even looks good on you.”
“Thank you so much for preparing something like this.”
Perhaps because I had spent a time that was both short and long rubbing shoulders with the staff, their delicate care for someone who had struggled alongside them touched my heart.
I turned my head and gave my manager a brief look. The manager nodded and handed out small cards to the staff.
“Please take these! Ho-yun prepared them all night.”
“…What is this?”
As the staff took them in confusion, I hugged the bouquet and smiled brightly.
“It’s nothing much, I was just grateful.”
“Heol, gift certificates…!!”
“Why did you prepare all this?! Wait, did you prepare this with your own money?”
“Haha, it’s nothing.”
While the staff members' eyes widened, another staff member behind them let out an exclamation.
“…And hand-written letters??! You wrote every single one?”
“Yes.”
“Amazing…. The contents are all different too….”
It was only a few lines anyway, so it didn't take much time. I adjusted the bouquet that kept slipping and bowed my head repeatedly to the staff who were looking at me with touched expressions. I saw a few of them taking photos to post on SNS.
As I calmly took in the scene of the final filming set, Director Yoo, standing beside me, took off his glasses and dabbed at his eyes.
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi… you’ve really… become a person…. What am I going to do now that you’re leaving, I’m going to miss you so much….”
“You should have fun with Min Ji-heon Senior….”
Preferably, work him to the bone.
Anyway, I chuckled and looked at the large bouquet. My heart was fluttering slightly, but my mind was already busy.
The tacky conditions Min Ji-heon had set.
The first was to beat Lee Kang-seok, and the second was to achieve the target viewership ratings.
‘The first condition was met because Lee Kang-seok went into the abyss.’
“I just hope the viewership ratings come out well~.”
Now for the second condition.
“I agree.”
Since the drama was nearing its end, it seemed the peak viewership would depend on the ratings for this episode. Near the end of Episode 14, a call came from the control room.
“Yes, yes. Ah… what?!”
Director Yoo jumped to his feet. Everyone looked at him in surprise as he covered his mouth with one hand and hung up the phone.
“What is it! Director, what is it!”
“Hey, we, we….”
Director Yoo, still unable to finish his sentence, rolled his eyes and looked at the staff and cast one by one before raising both hands and shouting.
“They said the viewership is 18 percent!”
At that moment, a smile played on my lips.
“Ei-ei-eighteen percent?!”
Everyone burst into cheers. Perhaps because everyone had been filming for days on end, practically on a caffeine IV drip, their adrenaline seemed to explode.
“Unbelievable. Isn't that the highest rating among all currently airing dramas?”
“It’s a massive hit….”
“Congratulations so much!!”
Sensing the moment, the manager hurriedly turned on the camera and filmed my reaction. With a bright smile on my face, I bowed repeatedly. For the record, it was a genuine smile, not a business one. A smile of joy at having achieved the mission Min Ji-heon had thrown at me.
“Company dinner tonight…!”
“Nope, can’t do! We still have a lot to film tomorrow. Go home and rest.”
Director Yoo cut it off cleanly, but in reality, he seemed to be the most disappointed.
I received a shower of congratulations until the moment I left the set with the large bouquet.
“Please get home safely, thank you so much.”
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi! It’s not over yet, see you at the wrap-up party~”
“Haha, yes. We’ll have to celebrate again then.”
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi, good job.”
After finishing my goodbyes to the staff, including Yoo Ji-ah who was smiling and waving, I got into the car. The manager, who still hadn't come down from the high, kept chattering away.
“Hey, this is seriously huge. The agency is getting calls non-stop.”
“You worked hard too, Manager.”
“Ugh, you’re the one who worked hard, Ho-yun! The bouquet was so, so touching too. Thinking about the hardships you went through, I still feel like crying….”
“Really? Then let me see those tears.”
“……Ho-yun, you’re really mean.”
I got a free win thanks to Lee Kang-seok blowing himself up. I thought we’d only pass 18 percent by the wrap-up party, but it happened sooner than expected.
I buried myself in the seat, responding to the manager’s stories while fiddling with my phone.
‘Now, come on.’
Min Ji-heon was a strange guy, but he wasn't someone who would break a promise. Even if he was fickle, he seemed to have his own set of standards (though I didn't understand them), so if I met the conditions he set, he would keep his word.
Just as I was finishing my thoughts,
Vrrr.
The phone vibrated.