Chapter 301
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 301
“Junior!”
“Where did the junior go?”
“Hey, kid! We’re busy! Why haven't you finished this yet?!”
The youngest staff member of the Dead after Hope art team was half out of his mind from being hounded.
It was especially hectic today because they were filming on location.
“This is driving me crazy.”
He had so much to do that even having three bodies wouldn't be enough. He had been told repeatedly that if he wanted to work in the art team on-set, he should give up on any semblance of work-life balance, but he never imagined it would be this bad.
He finally managed to organize the equipment and stood there dazed, shoulders slumped with exhaustion. His seniors soon approached, sipping on iced coffees.
“Hey, look on the bright side. This is actually decent. There are so many other sets where they work you like a dog without even giving you time to rest or eat.”
“Really?!”
“Of course. And the mental stress? It piles up. You might not know it, but… the actors on our set are absolute angels.”
The senior lowered his voice significantly, as if afraid someone might overhear.
“You know that chaebol rom-com drama that was a hit last year? The lead actor back then actually said something like, ‘How does a mere staff member dare to carry such an expensive bag? Don’t you have any shame?’”
“Wow… that’s insane.”
“Exactly. Celebrity power trips are everywhere. They treat their own managers like dirt all the time. ‘Are your ears clogged?’ ‘Do you really expect to get paid for working like this?’ ‘Wouldn’t it be better for everyone’s mental health if you just quit?’… That kind of talk is a daily occurrence.”
The junior staff member couldn't hide his horror at the examples his seniors were listing.
“And they get away with that? Don’t celebrities live off their image?!”
“Hey, this is the mild stuff. Plenty of them look perfectly normal in front of the camera, but the moment they step away from the lens, they turn into absolute lunatics.”
The junior staff member’s gaze dropped.
He, too, had celebrities he had liked since childhood. But after starting work in broadcasting, how many times had he been revolted by the rumors he heard?
Since then, it had become difficult for him to like celebrities with the same innocence as before.
“That’s why this set is heaven. Do you think people like Min Ji-heon and Seo Ho-yun are common in this industry? There’s a reason they’re called ‘Min-Sweet’ and ‘Seo-Kind.’”
“True, they’re both incredibly nice. Especially to the staff.”
Even the drinks they were currently enjoying had been provided by a coffee truck Seo Ho-yun had paid for out of his own pocket.
“I thought Seo Ho-yun was prickly at first, but the more I see him, the more I realize he’s the real deal. He’s got a great personality, and he’s always asking if there’s anything he can help with or if we need anything.”
The junior staff member recalled a moment from a few days ago when Seo Ho-yun had helped a senior move some heavy equipment.
He understood why everyone praised him so much. He would have felt the same if it had happened to him.
Lately, the person receiving the most attention on the Dead after Hope set wasn't Min Ji-heon, but Seo Ho-yun.
Ever since the entertainment news program he appeared in with Min Ji-heon aired, offers had been pouring in from everywhere, and interview requests seemed endless.
—“We heard that the smoking scenes weren't actually real. Was the white smoke all CG?”
—“Haha, unfortunately, I had a lot of help from the production team.”
People loved that, saying, “I guess Seo Ho-yun doesn't even smoke!”
—“There are so many jokes about people wanting to marry and then divorce Seo Ho-yun. For those hopeful spouses—or divorcees—could you tell us your ideal type?”
—“I have no intention of getting married.”
—“Pardon? Oh, no, even just a little bit…”
—“I don't have any.”
—“But assuming you did…”
—“I don't.”
Fans were delighted by how he thoroughly avoided anything related to the opposite sex, even his ideal type, saying it was "so idol-like" of him.
A rising rookie actor who was good at acting, good at dancing, and deeply cared for his fans.
That was the reputation of the actor "Seo Ho-yun" until recently.
The junior staff member glanced around cautiously before speaking in a low voice.
“……But there’s been some talk lately. About Seo Ho-yun…”
“Talk?”
“Yeah, it’s been all over the place since last week. You didn't know?”
“Ah, that.”
The seniors, who had been looking at their coffee with the same fond expression they reserved for Seo Ho-yun, suddenly turned sharp.
“That’s total nonsense.”
To summarize, the rumor was that a famous actor, ‘A,’ and a rookie actor, ‘B,’ had a power struggle on set.
More specifically, the rumor claimed that even though rookie actor ‘B’ had used his connections to steal ‘A’s’ role and join the drama, he would hurl verbal abuse at ‘A’ every time they crossed paths.
People who saw this began searching for the parties involved. They soon discovered a magazine article stating that Lee Kang-seok had auditioned for the role of Kim Woo-ho and had been on the verge of being cast.
Consequently, most people were convinced that the protagonists of this rumor were Lee Kang-seok and Seo Ho-yun.
“But isn't that a bit strange? Ho-yun has never been rude to anyone…”
“And doesn't the scenario seem way too favorable to Lee Kang-seok? Lee Kang-seok was clearly the one in the wrong back then. When the assistant director told him it was a restricted area, he got all twisted about it. If it weren't for Seo Ho-yun, he definitely would have said something even worse.”
“My point exactly. Don’t you think Lee Kang-seok’s side spread that rumor? Especially the part about the role being stolen.”
Publicly, Lee Kang-seok was often called the "number one choice for a son-in-law" because of his good looks and manners, but within the industry, there were many stories floating around about his behavior.
“Ahem.”
While they were grumbling about how everyone else must be blind, a dry cough sounded from behind them.
They jumped and spun around to see Jeong PD and…
“Hello.”
Seo Ho-yun was standing there.
“Oh, hello!”
“Ahaha, hello. You’re here.”
It wasn't that they were bad-mouthing him, but since it was a sensitive topic, the junior staff member felt awkward and couldn't look Seo Ho-yun in the eye.
“…Seo Ho-yun, thanks for the coffee!”
“Oh, it was nothing. Was there enough for everyone?”
“More than enough. Even if everyone here drank a bucket’s worth, there’d still be some left. Did you have some, Ho-yun?”
“Ah, I don't handle caffeine very well.”
As Seo Ho-yun responded naturally with a genial smile, the seniors’ expressions softened slightly. Jeong PD, watching him, let out a deep sigh.
“Hey, everyone watch your mouths. Got it? You’re all busy, so get back to work.”
“Yes, sir~.”
However, the seniors used their experience to linger nearby at a modest distance. They seemed to want to hear what kind of conversation would take place. The junior staff member also maintained a certain distance while pretending to work.
“You’re having a rough time, Ho-yun. Something like this breaking right at the end of filming. You know you don't need to pay any attention to that crap, right?”
When Seo Ho-yun gave a slight nod with a faint curve to his lips, Jeong PD coughed again, as if feeling unnecessarily embarrassed.
“Ahem, anyway, anyone who knows you knows it’s a false rumor, so don't take it to heart.”
“Haha.”
At that, Seo Ho-yun burst into a hearty laugh.
“Thank you, Jeong PD.”
“…….”
“I guess you’ve grown a bit fond of me, Jeong PD? To even worry about me like this.”
“…Ugh, look at that nerve.”
As Jeong PD looked fed up, Seo Ho-yun chuckled and shifted the conversation back to work.
The gazes of the three staff members, who had been eavesdropping while organizing equipment and moving props, met. They discreetly gathered in a corner.
“Wow, his mental state is seriously made of Vibranium…”
“Right! How can he be like that?”
Just as Seo Ho-yun’s popularity was skyrocketing, it was now plummeting just as fast, accompanied by the labels of "a rookie actor who got a role through nepotism" and "is rude to his seniors."
Yet, Seo Ho-yun looked perfectly refreshed. In fact, he looked even more vibrant than usual…
“Like the director said, he just has a lot of nerve.”
He almost looked… excited.
‘No way. That’s going too far.’
“Starting filming!”
“Yes!”
At the assistant director’s call, the three quickly scattered.
Soon, the sound of the clapperboard echoed.
[The news Kim Woo-ho finally receives about his younger brother is that Kim Woo-hyeong might be dead. Min Han-jun is unable to offer any comfort, as he cannot possibly fathom the depth of his grief. Yet, Kim Woo-ho, the one actually involved, calmly suggests they move to the Gangwon-do shelter as if nothing is wrong.]
Originally, Kim Woo-ho was only supposed to appear until Episode 5.
However, after seeing Episode 3, the main writer urgently announced they would revise the script, and his screen time was significantly increased.
[Min Han-jun thought Kim Woo-ho’s mental state would be unstable, but it wasn't.
That night, late.
Waking from his sleep, Min Han-jun realizes Kim Woo-ho is not in his spot. Just then, the faint scent of a cigarette wafts from somewhere.
Following the scent, he finds Kim Woo-ho staring up at the sky.]
“…Mr. Kim Woo-ho.”
Seo Ho-yun takes the cigarette from his mouth and exhales as if breathing out colorless smoke.
“……Why are you so composed?”
Seo Ho-yun’s eyebrows shoot up as if asking why he’s out here picking a fight instead of sleeping. Min Ji-heon presses his lips together for a moment, then finally brings up the topic that had been implicitly taboo.
“Your brother, Kim Woo-hyeong… don't you think he’s dead? Especially after what we heard today…”
Like a fragile leaf in the wind, Min Ji-heon’s eyelids trembled uncontrollably.
“……No, sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up.”
Just as he was about to turn back to his bed,
“……Han-jun.”
A low voice calls out, stopping Min Ji-heon in his tracks.
“Have you ever tried archery?”
At the sudden question, Min Ji-heon’s gaze slowly drifts toward Seo Ho-yun. He was still looking at the sky while taking a drag of his cigarette.
The sky where, because the world had stopped, the stars were now clearly visible even over Seoul, like glitter scattered over black ink.
“Do you know that in archery, because of the nature of the sport, your body can't shake even a little bit?”
“……Pardon?”
“Whether the wind blows or your fingertips tremble.”
Seo Ho-yun looked down at his hand.
“Even the slightest tremor at the starting point can drastically change the result.”
“…I’ve seen archery athletes measuring their heart rates. You seemed really peaceful back when you were active, Mr. Woo-ho.”
“Well, yeah.”
He clenched his fist and looked at Min Ji-heon, putting the filter back to his lips with his other hand.
“Anyway, peace of mind is vital for archers. If that breaks, you crumble completely. Just like I did.”
‘Kim Woo-ho’ had failed to return as a national athlete even after receiving rehabilitation following a car accident. It wasn't a physical issue.
His hands shook if he felt even the slightest psychological agitation.
“But to put it another way.”
Swallowing the last puff deep into his throat, he flicked the cigarette away with his fingertip.
“It means as long as I don't let myself get anxious, I’ll be fine.”
“…….”
“I decided to believe that for the brief moment I’m holding the bow, I’m the one in control of everything.”
Seo Ho-yun firmly gripped the bow that he never let leave his side.
[In that moment, Kim Woo-ho’s fingertips do not tremble in the slightest.]
“People are going to believe whatever they want to believe anyway, and they’ll talk all kinds of shit about me… tell them to fuck off.”
Kim Woo-ho’s lines seemed to pierce through Seo Ho-yun’s current situation as well. The camera captured the sharp, edged look in Seo Ho-yun’s eyes.
“That kid is my flesh and blood. He’ll survive anywhere, just as stubbornly as I do.”
“…You believe that?”
“I believe it.”
And he was going to make sure it became the truth, no matter what.
So that the tip of his arrow would never waver.
“Simple, right?”
Kim Woo-ho’s lips curled upward.
.
.
.
After finishing today’s filming, I went around greeting the staff, and everyone I ran into pressed snacks or drinks into my hands.
“Wait, why is everyone like this today?”
“Oh, come on, we’re always like this. You have no idea how much we like you, Ho-yun.”
I let out a small chuckle and thanked them.
My manager seemed busy on the phone a short distance away. He looked like he was being hounded from all sides because of the rumors spreading rapidly across the internet.
“Yes, it’s fine. The atmosphere on set is bright. Ah… someone came looking for Seo Ho-yun? No, I don't know who it was. We’re getting calls from so many places……. Yes, I’ll handle it on my end for now. Yes. Understood.”
I tapped the manager on the shoulder and signaled that I’d head to the van first, then started walking.
“Seo Ho-yun, leaving already?”
Just then, Min Ji-heon approached, clutching an armful of bread.
“Yeah. Don't come over here; just stay there and eat your bread.”
Min Ji-heon quirked an eyebrow but asked me anyway, unbothered.
“Don't you feel wronged?”
“About what?”
“Just… everything. You’re so calm for someone with your personality.”
I guess the news reached his ears too.
Come to think of it, even back during Unknown Idol Tycoon, he knew Lee Kang-seok was a power-tripping prick long before it was exposed.
And yet he just let it slide. Simply because he wanted to see how I would respond.
I clicked my tongue softly and spoke.
“Why would I feel wronged?”
When faced with a moment so unfair and shitty that just thinking about it makes my blood boil, I have only one solution.
“I am right.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a simple matter of proving it.”
Min Ji-heon’s eyes narrowed slightly.
It was an expression the ‘Min Ji-heon’ of this world often made, and he was clearly on guard.
I curled one side of my mouth.
“Ji-heon, I’m a bit curious.”
“…What kind of weird thing are you going to say now?”
“Now, now.”
When I gave his arm a playful nudge, Min Ji-heon shivered and stepped back. I took a step forward and swept back my bangs.
“…What on earth are you curious about, my older-than-me, preachy-as-hell junior?”
“Do I look like the rumors?”
“The rumors?”
“Do I look like a junior who would lose his cool and cause a scene with a senior?”
Min Ji-heon’s body jolted, and the bread he was holding tumbled to the ground. He soon let out a sharp breath and retorted as if it were absurd.
“……You don't? The poor living witness is right here.”
“I guess so, right?”
Not that it really matters.
I actually wanted this image of a rebellious junior to burn even brighter.
“Well, whatever. Don't get distracted by useless things.”
I picked up a piece of bread rolling on the ground, shoved it into Min Ji-heon’s hand, and smirked.
By the time the scene we shot today hits the airwaves…
“You just worry about the viewership ratings.”
People will be obsessed with me anyway.