Chapter 41: You Are Just Like a Star
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 41: You Are Just Like a Star
“Writer, what exactly is an ambassador? I know it’s something like a promotional model, but...”
“An ambassador is like the official face and representative image a brand puts forward. It’s on a completely different level from a promotional model who just shows up for a few events. You have to align your lifestyle and values with the brand’s identity.”
Jung Yoon-ah always looked particularly excited when explaining the world of high fashion and luxury.
“It’s a role where you embody the brand’s ideal person. So, photo shoots, interviews, and attending events are the basics, but you also get to be the first to reveal core products or new releases to the world.”
She looked even more excited now.
“Because an ambassador can change a brand’s entire image, they don’t just pick anyone. They decide based on a comprehensive evaluation of image, recognition, fandom, and industry reputation. Oh, and there are tiers, too.”
“There are tiers everywhere. Seeing those Grandmaster kids flex their tiers on the Masters makes me sigh so hard I lose my breath.”
Jung Yoon-ah explained that they were divided into Global, Local, and Friends.
“I can guess what they mean just by the names.”
“Global is world-class, Local is national-level, and Friends is just a friendly partnership. Since you’re the most beautiful girl in the country, Yu-jin, don’t you think they’ll offer you a Global Ambassador position?”
“...Why are you shaming me again? At least give me some build-up before you dive in like that.”
Jung Yoon-ah clutched her stomach and laughed.
“Considering they offered a rookie who just debuted 500 million won a year for a three-year contract, it seems they really are aiming for a Global offer. If you add up the per-item fees for campaigns, pictorials, and events, you might pull in at least several billion won a year.”
So that’s how that Tier 0 idol center was able to buy a luxury duplex villa in Hannam-dong for 13 billion won in cold hard cash.
“But if I were you, I’d wait until a better offer comes along.”
“I don’t have any intention of doing it right now, anyway.”
My head spun just thinking about those bizarre outfits that made me want to crack open the designers' skulls to see what was inside.
“First, you need to find an agency. If necessary, the PD or I can introduce you to some. Reliable places.”
“I’m okay for now.”
*
Dad came back to Korea again.
The moment he stepped through the front door, he spread his arms wide toward me, as if expecting me to dive into them.
“You shouldn’t hug grown children. You need to raise them tough.”
“You’re too much. I can’t even remember the last time I hugged my daughter.”
After we exchanged greetings with a handshake, Dad’s mental attack began.
“My elf daughter came out so beautifully that I thought my heart was going to stop. My life, my everything, her name is my daughter Lee Yu-jin, and she is the sole reason I live in this world and...”
“Mom! Stop Dad! Argh!”
Since Dad was here, we went out to our usual barbecue place, but people recognized me and started greeting me from various tables before we could even sit down, so we just fled.
In the car on the way back, Mom muttered hollowly.
“I guess last time really was our last neighborhood outing.”
“Oh, come on. We can just go to a restaurant with private rooms.”
We decided to buy meat and drinks at the mart and grill them at home.
We talked while we ate.
“I think I’ll be able to stay in Korea this time.”
“Really? That’s great.”
“Living abroad without Yu-jin is too lonely and depressing. Even if I have to give up my overseas allowance, I should live by Yu-jin’s side now.”
“Oh, by the way, Father-in-law gifted Yu-jin a really nice luxury villa in Hannam-dong.”
“...”
I thought Dad would be really happy, but a bitter expression flickered across his face.
It was enough to make me briefly wonder if I shouldn't have accepted it.
“Right. You take Yu-jin and Yu-seok and move in there. I’ll stay here.”
“Forget it. I’m staying here too. We’ll just let Yu-seok live there, and I’ll drop by every morning and evening to take care of him.”
Come to think of it, they said Grandfather had opposed their marriage. Maybe Dad still held a grudge.
He always attended relative gatherings so diligently that I hadn't noticed at all.
“Yu-jin, what are you going to do about school?”
“Huh? I’ll just keep going.”
“Won’t it be hard now that your face is known? People might start camping out in front of the main gate every time you arrive or leave.”
“Are you finally giving me permission to drop out?”
“No, no. Not dropping out, but let’s think about transferring to an Arts High School.”
“Arts High Schools don’t have Pro-Gamer departments yet.”
“But if Sis goes to an Arts High School, how am I supposed to follow her?”
“You just go to a Science High School. Please, stop following me to school.”
“So, what about the transfer? Wouldn’t it be better to finish it during the break?”
I didn't know when I’d quit acting, so a transfer felt like overkill, but...
Then again, thinking about how my arm almost fell off from the impromptu autograph session at school last time, a transfer seemed like the right move.
“Okay. Please look into the transfer.”
I wasn't cut out to make a living with my brains anyway.
Being last in the group project still weighed heavily on my mind.
*
The filming set.
Filming had finally begun, but I felt a bit rushed.
“It’s not just a feeling; we actually are being rushed.”
“Writer, really?”
“Netscreen asked us to hurry up and make it quickly. They said it doesn’t necessarily have to be a movie; a spin-off drama format is fine too.”
We decided to cover the Princess’s childhood in the spin-off, and because of that, child actor Kim Yu-jung’s mother was very grateful to me.
“Thanks to you, Yu-jin, our Yu-jung has caught such a great opportunity again. Thank you so, so much.”
Jung Yoon-ah had been racking her brains lately.
“But we can’t go with a 100% 'healing' vibe. We have to lay down at least a minimal narrative.”
“You’re working hard. But are we already starting to film when the script isn't even out yet?”
“I’ve already written side scripts for a few scenes that absolutely must be included. We just need to knock those out first.”
“Side scripts?”
“There’s a beautiful tradition in this industry that has almost disappeared now.”
Anyway, filming began, but the order was even more jumbled than during the 16-episode main series.
I was confused about which scene in the overall story I was even doing.
“Si-ho, this is delicious. You try some too.”
“I am fine.”
“Why doesn't Si-ho ever eat anything?”
“...Give it to me.”
I took the food child actor Kim Yu-jung handed me, pretended to eat it, and then secretly threw it away. The Soul of the Sword does not consume things like human food.
The court lady uniform was even more vibrant and flowy than in the main series, which was burdensome, but I decided to think of it as armor rather than a costume.
‘I am a soldier on the battlefield called a filming set. This is armor for battle...’
Unlike miniskirts or school uniform skirts, this covered everything down to my shoes, so it was somewhat bearable.
I absolutely cannot wear skirts that reveal my legs; they give me the creeps.
The story focused on their childhood, but they said there would be adult parts as well.
“Since it’s a spin-off, I’m going to try a feeling where the timeline branches off.”
“A branch?”
“A happy ending where Prince On Ji-wook eventually gives up on his revenge. Instead, the event where Yeon Si-ho fully releases her power is deleted, so...”
“So I won’t have to do hair coating again?”
“Exactly.”
Writer Jung Yoon-ah suddenly gave a wicked laugh.
“Do you want to see a lot of Yeon Si-ho’s face? Do you want to see her happy? Okay, I’ll show you. But in exchange, the viewers will have to lose something too, right? Silver-haired Yeon Si-ho won’t appear in the spin-off, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“It’s better for me since it’s easier, but... Writer, you looked really evil just now.”
“Nothing is as fun as controlling the viewers' emotions. You’d understand if you ever tried writing. When I imagine the reaction of people tearing their hair out at every line, stage direction, and setting I write, my fingers just fly across the keyboard.”
PD Jang Hyun-soo, who had appeared out of nowhere, chimed in with a chuckle.
“Right. You can’t have everything in life. That’s just greed. You have to give something up and accept it; that’s life.”
“...”
“Her face? We’ll show it. But no silver hair. Man, Writer Jung really knows how to gouge out people's hearts.”
“Could I ever be as good as you, PD?”
This duo... they were too well-matched.
I cleared my throat and changed the subject.
“But the Netscreen CEO is amazing too. Even if he was wearing a bulletproof vest, he was actually shot, yet he forgave it.”
“The prosecution also judged from the recorded video that there was no intent to kill.”
“But he shot without knowing the CEO was wearing a vest, didn't he?”
“I’ll show you the video.”
Curious, I watched the video Jung Yoon-ah showed me.
It even had helpful subtitles.
The rancher’s gun fired while aiming at the very edge of his side.
An angle where the bullet would graze the skin and fascia without damaging the internal organs.
Even as the CEO fell, his mouth didn't stop.
The video ended with the rancher, unable to contain his rage, firing wildly into the sky.
I was speechless for a moment, then finally managed to speak to Jung Yoon-ah.
“He’s something else. This guy.”
“Actually, they said it wasn't the CEO who rushed the spin-off, but the other executives because they were scared they’d get shot.”
After finishing filming and getting ready to head home, I finally saw the KakaoTalk message from Curator Han Ji-woo.
[Curator Han Ji-woo] Do you have some time after filming?
[Curator Han Ji-woo] I want to show you my gallery.
[Me] Can I bring a friend?
[Curator Han Ji-woo] By all means.
“Jang Ji-hye, Curator Han invited us to see her gallery. You’re coming, right?”
“I’m in, I’m in!”
“Sis! Me too, me too!”
“Ahem, this is no place for you.”
After lightly sinking my brother’s hopes, Jang Ji-hye and I decided to go together.
*
This is a small gallery? This is small?
“Wow, it’s so cool.”
“Whoa, it’s huge.”
Jang Ji-hye’s mouth was hanging open in constant admiration, and I was also overwhelmed by the scale and atmosphere.
This wasn't just a gallery.
It was a massive luxury item, a masterpiece in itself.
‘Is this what it means to be beyond a golden spoon—a diamond spoon?’
Even I, who knew nothing about art, could tell at a glance that it was incredibly nice, expensive, glamorous, and eye-popping...
Just stepping into this space gave me the feeling of having a massive privilege.
We had tea at a window-side table with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the clean streets of Cheongdam-dong.
“I know you like Coke, but I didn't know if you preferred Diet Coke or Pepsi Zero, so I prepared both.”
“Thank you.”
I’m an original Pepsi fan, but in a place like this, I should just quietly eat what I’m given. After all, she’s the benefactor who handed me 3,000 shares of Envidium.
“I really couldn't believe it when I first found out you were a high school freshman, Yu-jin. Oh, I don’t mean you look old.”
“I just finished growing early. I’ve had this build since the second grade.”
“Oh my, really?”
“It was so bad that some parents even mistook Yu-jin for the homeroom teacher.”
“I can see how that could happen. How fascinating.”
Jang Ji-hye was practically drooling over the desserts, so I pushed mine toward her.
I’m not big on desserts. I like meat.
“But Yu-jin, shouldn't you be looking for an agency soon? I’m sure you’re getting offers from all over.”
“My mom is thinking about it.”
I hadn't thought about anything beyond the spin-off, so a management contract wasn't really on my mind, but I just gave a vague answer.
Actually, my heart had been wavering lately because my appearance fee had jumped hundreds of times over with those 3,000 Envidium shares.
The maintenance fees for the Hannam-dong villa I received as a gift would probably be insane, too...
“If you haven't decided on a place yet, could I take care of you, Yu-jin?”
“Pardon? You, Curator?”
“I don’t have experience taking care of actors. But I’ve supported and managed many artists and classical musicians for a long time. If I headhunt a capable CEO in this field, I don’t think running the company will be a problem. And it’s not like I’m someone who would struggle with money.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. If the Curator takes care of our Yu-jin, I can return to school with peace of mind...”
“Miss Jang Ji-hye, you have to join too. You can’t back out now.”
“Huh? Me too? Are you serious?”
“Of course. Mental care is so important for artists. Miss Jang Ji-hye will be in charge of Lee Yu-jin’s mental care. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure your salary is more than satisfactory.”
I haven't even said I’d accept yet?
But thinking about the mountain of Hermès boxes piled up in my living room, it seemed hard to find someone more trustworthy than her.
“The management care will, of course, be at the highest level in the industry—no, the world. Let’s set the profit split at 100:0.”
“Pardon?”
“Cu-Curator?”
We were both stunned for a moment.
“Then how will you handle the company’s operating expenses?”
“Do you think I’d be worried about that kind of money? I am the daughter-in-law of the Baekhyun Group.”
“But then... there’s no profit for you, Curator.”
“Why would there be no profit?”
Curator Han Ji-woo’s eyes were smiling so warmly that I felt embarrassed and wanted to hide.
‘Argh, here it comes, here it comes...’
“I get to admire the starlight from the closest possible distance. Do you know how much joy and reward that is?”
Why is the embarrassment always, always mine to bear...
“Yu-jin, you just need to shine like a star. The company will take care of everything else.”
Is this a burden I have to carry alone...?