Chapter 92
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 92
“What do you want?”
“…You’re a quick study, aren’t you?”
The moment Min Ji-heon let out an awkward laugh, his manager came running in, breathless. It felt like his manager was always running into similar situations looking exactly like this.
“Min Ji-heon!! Hey, you brat!!”
“Ah, Hyung!”
Min Ji-heon raised his hand with a bright smile, but the manager, Kim Seong-cheol, was a restless mess as he approached.
“Hey! Do you have any idea how much my heart dropped? I thought you were pulling another disappearing act! If you’re going somewhere, you have to tell me!”
“Aw, come on. Would I really do that?”
“Your track record is legendary, you punk!”
Since I was the one who had practically dragged Min Ji-heon to the coffee shop, I felt a slight prick of guilt. Come to think of it, I hadn’t mentioned anything to my own manager either.
“Anyway, why are you with Seo Ho-yun again? …What about, you know, what happened last time?”
“It’s fineee.”
They were trying to whisper, but every word reached my ears loud and clear. It seemed they’d had a conversation about what happened at the restaurant previously.
“Sigh, honestly, this kid is so dim-witted. How is he going to survive in this world…?”
Dim? Diiiiiim??
What is wrong with all the managers at Daepasung?
Does Daepasung have some special technique for hiring people who are kind and clueless over actual competence?
Manager Kim Seong-cheol beat his chest a few times as if frustrated by Min Ji-heon, then glanced at me and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, hello, Seo Ho-yun.”
Is your character analysis broken?
Which part of Min Ji-heon is dim? This guy doesn’t even flinch under my—Seo Ho-yun’s—intense pressure.
While internally repulsed by the description, I bowed my head to the manager. True to his "my way" personality, Min Ji-heon didn't listen to a word his manager said and just kept smiling, focusing only on what he wanted to say.
“Good timing, Hyung. There was something I wanted to ask.”
“Sigh… what is it?”
“Was there something I wanted recently?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Why are you asking me?”
The manager grumbled but gave it some serious thought. Then, he tilted his head.
“Eating a lot? Touring the best restaurants in the country?”
“I can never get enough of that… I want to try every dish in the world before I die. They say a ghost that dies while eating has a nice glow, right?”
“…….”
“I think that’s actually true.”
As I watched Min Ji-heon mutter that creepy joke, the manager suddenly snapped his fingers.
“Ah! Getting rid of people who make you uncomfortable? Didn’t you say that one actor was annoying you the other day? Said he was clinging to you too much.”
An actor?
“…Who?”
“You don’t remember?”
When I narrowed my eyes slightly, the manager glanced my way as if checking my reaction.
“The, uh, the person who was originally supposed to play Seo Ho-yun’s… I mean, Lee Jeong-hun PD’s role. The guy who was following you around saying how much he respects you.”
“…Ah, that… that guy.”
Min Ji-heon nodded and clapped his hands. I’d bet anything this jerk had completely forgotten that person even existed.
At that moment, a flash of something crossed Min Ji-heon’s eyes.
…What is it?
The corners of Min Ji-heon’s mouth curled up as if a brilliant idea had just struck him.
“Mmm~ Hyung, do you think he knows that person?”
“……Who?”
“…What’s with you again? Are you already immersing yourself in the role??”
Manager Kim Seong-cheol spoke while keeping a wary eye on me, but he seemed inclined to let it slide for now. As long as he didn't explicitly point it out, I planned to play dumb as well.
Regardless of the manager’s reaction, Min Ji-heon didn’t care one bit and just kept beaming.
“There’s this actor named Lee Kang-seok. He kept appealing to me, saying he loved the script and really wanted the part. …But he’s a bit much. A bit… burdensome, so I recommended you to the writer instead.”
Did this guy sell me out not for my sake, but just because he didn't want to work with someone he disliked?
“…Haha, I heard he ended up taking a supporting role in a drama airing at the same time.”
‘Shall I take a look at your acting? I think you need some practice before the audition…’
I remembered the man who had suddenly picked a fight with me in the waiting room. A groan escaped my lips.
It was because of Min Ji-heon.
I glared at the unexpected source of my past trouble, but Min Ji-heon just shrugged. Then, he stroked his chin, looking genuinely contemplative.
“…Hmm, should I really give you a hand?”
“What?”
“Since I like you….”
Min Ji-heon smiled brightly and began muttering the words I had used earlier: ‘Scenario,’ ‘Quest,’ and so on.
“So that’s how it is, right….”
“…….”
Then, he snapped his head up.
“Hyung, do you want to do a quest with me?”
“…A quest?”
“Or you could call it a bet?”
I stared at him with my mouth slightly agape at the ridiculous suggestion.
“If Hyung~ manages to show acting skills that surpass that actor, and if our drama gets a higher peak viewership rating… if you satisfy both conditions….”
Min Ji-heon grinned.
“I’ll tell you what I know.”
…Is he insane?
How am I supposed to surpass a professional actor in acting?
And besides that, viewership ratings weren't something I could control. No matter how good the script or the acting, ratings always required a certain amount of luck.
I glared at him, but as expected, Min Ji-heon didn't care.
“…Let’s say the ratings are one thing. But how can you judge if my acting surpasses his?”
“I’ll be the judge. It’d be nice if you won a Rookie Award or something, but unfortunately, there aren't any suitable award ceremonies during this period.”
“Based on such a vague standard? What if you change your mind later, Senior Min Ji-heon?”
“Aw, that hurts my feelings.”
The slight curve that had been on his lips vanished instantly. In the most serious tone he’d used yet, Min Ji-heon spoke.
“I don’t play around when it comes to acting.”
The arrogance and confidence unique to a master actor sparkled in Min Ji-heon’s eyes, which had always seemed opaque except when he was performing. I tapped my finger on the table, weighing the conditions I currently held.
I’m… at a disadvantage.
First, did I have anything to blackmail Min Ji-heon with?
The answer was ‘no.’
Second, what if Min Ji-heon went back on his word?
I couldn't be sure, but my gut told me he wasn't lying. Artists with that slight madness in their eyes didn't lie about their craft.
…Except for Im Hyeon-su.
Third, was the answer Min Ji-heon would give after this ‘quest’ bullshit worth it?
“What’s it going to be?”
I lifted my gaze from the table to look at Min Ji-heon.
The System Window was still silent. Before, it had popped up warning windows telling me not to act or meet Min Ji-heon, but now it was as quiet as if it had broken down.
That meant there was definitely something it wanted to hide.
Therefore, the answer was….
“…Fine.”
I obviously had to get something out of this guy.
“If you back out, you’re dead.”
If he didn't keep this vague promise, I was prepared to take his head.
As soon as he heard my answer, Min Ji-heon stood up refreshed, as if his work there was done.
“I don’t really want to die… so I won’t back out.”
“…….”
“Call me if anything happens, okay?”
“Sigh….”
Min Ji-heon nudged his manager, who was looking back and forth between us with a strange expression, signaling it was time to go.
“Well, I look forward to you and our Ji-heon making a great drama together.”
“…Yes, I look forward to working with you.”
Manager Kim Seong-cheol lowered and then raised his gaze before following Min Ji-heon away.
Left alone, I watched their retreating backs and unconsciously gripped my plastic cup so hard it crumpled.
* * *
“Oh! Ho-yun’s here. Why didn't you answer your phone?”
Because I was busy dealing with Min Ji-heon’s aggro….
When I returned to the practice room, Seong Ji-won was there, drenched in sweat as if he’d been practicing again. He greeted me with a bright smile. I answered as I tossed my bag down.
“Did you call?”
“Yeah, me and the other guys, a ton of times.”
Was there something they needed to say?
When I gestured with my eyes to ask what it was, Seong Ji-won conspicuously changed the subject.
“Well, we can talk about that later. How was the script reading today?”
“It was fine.”
“Hmm…….”
Ji-won narrowed his eyes at me. After everything we’ve been through, these guys have developed senses like ghosts. Deliberately ignoring his gaze, I pulled the script straight out of my bag and asked.
“So, why did you call?”
“Uh… I wanted to tell you when everyone was together.”
“Where did the others go?”
“Practicing in the recording studio! We have to start on the next comeback song~.”
They certainly live diligent lives.
Actually, I wasn't particularly curious about Kang Yi-chae. That guy had already recovered his mental state, so it was obvious he’d be holed up in the dorm or Im Hyeon-su’s studio, working away while they called each other geniuses.
I had already mentioned the acting lessons to the manager on my way back. Since the company’s finances had likely improved quite a bit, they would probably agree to it readily.
Acting skills….
No matter how I thought about it, the standard of ‘acting better than Lee Kang-seok’ was too vague.
I need something that will make it impossible for Min Ji-heon to change his mind.
While I was stroking my chin, wondering if there was a more certain way, Seong Ji-won kept hovering around me.
“Ho-yun, Ho-yun. …You know.”
“…What? You look like you’re in a good mood.”
“Haha, do I?”
Ji-won sat down next to me with a slightly bashful smile.
“So, they said today is our settlement day.”
“……!”
Oh, damn it!
I had forgotten such important news. As a common citizen of South Korea who was obsessed with capitalism, I quickly pulled out my phone.
“Did you check?”
“Haha, not yet. I don’t even know how much it is… they said there’s a statement, but I haven’t received it yet.”
“Do the other guys know?”
“Yeah. We agreed to check together when they get here… Oh.”
Right on cue, my phone vibrated. The manager had posted in the group chat: ‘Settlement is complete, check your accounts!!’
The moment Ji-won and I locked eyes, the practice room door slammed open.
“Hyungs!!”
The first one to come running in was Jeong Da-jun. Behind him, Kim Seong-hyeon, with his hat pulled low, walked in with a pale, ghostly face as if he’d seen a spirit.
“Did, did you see the settlement amount?”
“…Hey, we said we’d look together!”
“Ugh!! I’m sorry. No, my fingers were just itching so much…! But that’s not the point!!”
Jeong Da-jun ran over and slid onto his knees, blowing hand kisses in a celebratory gesture.
“I’m so happy I became an idol! I’ll dance until my bones rot! Thank you!!”
“…….”
Jeong Da-jun, just how much did you get to act like this?
Even the kind Seong Ji-won ignored him.
Why is he making such a fuss….
As I sighed and opened my banking app, Ji-won pulled out his phone beside me.
It had been a while since I’d looked at my pitifully empty account. Every time I saw it, I got so annoyed I wanted to smoke….
Even if I opened it, how much could we have earned from six months of activity? I’d heard we’d passed the break-even point by a long shot, but I figured it would be around 20 million won at most.
“…….”
But when I opened the account, I doubted my eyes. It seemed Seong Ji-won felt the same. I hurriedly counted the digits.
“One, ten, hundred….”
“Hyung!!”
While I was blinking in surprise at the amount, Jeong Da-jun clung to me. Being young and encountering such a large sum for the first time, he was overflowing with pure joy.
“Hyung, it’s insane! Insane!!”
“Yeah, …it is.”
I checked my phone again, unable to believe it. Since we had passed the break-even point and weren't being charged for training costs, it was a possible amount.
Wow…. Still.
Compared to the guarantees I used to get offered back when I was at the top of my game, it was still a long way off, but…
To get this much after only six months.
“This is crazy. We’ll earn even more in the future.”
Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been quiet the whole time, trudged over weakly and slumped against the wall, covering his face with both hands. Then, he buried his face in his knees and spoke in a trembling voice.
“Seo Ho-yun….”
“What is it, Boiled Dumpling?”
“Ah, please….”
Despite being annoyed by the joke, Seong-hyeon finally asked.
“From now on, do I not have to feel sorry to my parents anymore?”
Ah.
He was asking me the same thing I had boldly thrown at them when I first entered this practice room about six months ago.
I think I’d said something about not wasting their family’s or the company’s money….
I let out a short laugh.
“You sure have a lot to be sorry for.”
“You’re the one who said it.”
“Well, back then you guys were failing so hard it was justified—ack!”
When I added the joke, Seong-hyeon lightly hit me with the hat he was holding. But it actually hurt.
While the two of us were bickering, Seong Ji-won suddenly stood up and made a call.
“Yes, Grandma! Yes… it’s Ji-won. Yes, yes, I’m eating well.”
“I want to call too!”
“Ah, right… me too.”
At that, everyone got up, grabbed their phones, and headed outside. Left alone, I was staring blankly at the closed door when the System Window appeared.
Ding!
[Aren't you going to call?]
“Who would I call?”
[Your brother.]
“Pfft, forget it.”
If I bragged about making a lot of money, he’d just worry about whether I was working too hard.
As I sprawled out on the practice room floor, the door opened again. It was Kang Yi-chae, who lived as if he and his chewing gum were one body. He was chewing vigorously today as well.
“Hyung, hi?”
“Did you check your settlement?”
He’s way too calm for someone who just got paid.
Kang Yi-chae was likely the member who received the most among us. Think of how many songs he’s produced. I wondered if his amount had an extra digit, but Yi-chae just gave a slight nod.
“Ah, I saw it.”
‘Ah, I saw it?’
That’s it?
“So that’s why everyone is so excited? Like puppies seeing snow for the first time.”
Kang Yi-chae was excessively indifferent.
Wasn't that an unbelievable amount for a first settlement? No, even generally speaking, it wasn't a sum you could easily get your hands on.
However, Kang Yi-chae didn't seem to care much about the money. He flopped down next to me and opened a rhythm game app on his phone.
“Did the script reading go well?”
“Of course.”
“Right….”
After a long silence, Kang Yi-chae added calmly.
“So that means something happened.”