Chapter 51: The Ever-Expanding Screens
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 51: The Ever-Expanding Screens
I suddenly remembered Yoon Se-rang laughing when she told me about this place.
「You really couldn't forget that taste, could you? Fine, I'll tell you. But you can't blame me, okay?」
「Pardon?」
I didn't know what she meant back then, but now I did.
The boiled pork from the lunchbox, filled with Eonnyeoni’s touch, wasn't sold at this restaurant. It had been a home-cooked meal, prepared with a mother’s devotion solely for Yoon Se-rang.
Senior, you should have told me that first! But man, this place is seriously delicious. It hits the spot perfectly.
Just knowing about a restaurant like this added another reason to live this life.
It’s not Eonnyeoni’s cooking, but it’s still so damn good. Mom, I’m sorry. I guess a stay-at-home mom just can't beat a Michelin chef.
This place had maintained one Michelin star for a long time. If they improved the interior or the service, they could probably get two, but maintaining one star based solely on taste meant it was a truly authentic gourmet spot.
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin, it must be really good. Your face is beaming right now.”
“Even I’m starting to feel a bit nervous. Should I get a job here and learn some of their skills?”
“Noona, you look like you’re about to die of happiness because it’s so tasty. Can I take a picture? It’s too good to miss.”
“This isn't a film set.”
“I feel like I’ll regret it forever if I don’t record this for the Lee Yu-jin archives.”
“Sigh, fine. Take it, take it.”
Since the day might come when I’d promote this place on SNS (which I haven't started yet), I just told him to go ahead. Once I let it slide once, I decided not to care whether they filmed or not.
“I’m not smiling because I’m happy right now. I’m expressing the sorrowful regret for all the time I spent living without knowing this delicious restaurant through a smile.”
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin, even I can’t defend that reach.”
We ended up ordering every single item on the menu to try them. I finished off the most, but even so, it was impossible to eat everything. We neatly packed the leftovers. I’d have to heat them up at home. You get punished if you waste food.
When I think about the Great Famine during King Hyeonjong’s reign, ugh, I really... Huh? Wait, was I reincarnated back then too? Wasn't I an orphaned army sergeant after the Imjin War?
Whatever, I probably got the memories mixed up with some other famine.
As I was about to get up from the table, a plain-looking woman in her 40s or 50s approached us. She handed me a plastic container inside a plastic bag.
“Oh my, I found myself watching you because you were eating so heartily, dear. I think this is the first time in my life I’ve seen a girl prettier than my own daughter. This is on the house, so take it with you.”
Latin almost slipped out of my mouth, but fortunately, the dining hall was on the quiet side. No one seemed to recognize me, so I replied softly in Korean.
“Thank you.”
“It’s not on the menu; I just made it to suit my daughter’s taste. It’s a bit mild, but it’s still good. What was it? It’s the food that was used as a prop in that movie coming out soon, Hwan’s Torch.”
A chill ran down my spine.
This woman was Yoon Se-rang’s mother...
Though her face was unfamiliar and not in any of my memories, the plastic container in my hand felt warm.
“My, you really are pretty. You don’t look human, you really don’t. Until now, I thought my daughter was the prettiest in the world, but I was just a frog in a well, a frog in a well.”
I climbed into the Carnival, carrying the leftovers and the extra food she gave me. In the back seat, I peeked into the service container, and the moment I saw the contents, I was moved.
This is it. This is the one.
It looked so damn delicious. I wanted to finish it off before it got cold and leave the container empty, but damn it, I was too full.
[Me]: Senior, thank you.
[Me]: I met your mother, and she even gave me some food on the house.
[Me]: But why didn't you tell me it wasn't on the menu?
[Yoon Se-rang]: My mom always gives that as a service to pretty girls who eat well when they leave.
[Yoon Se-rang]: That’s why I didn't tell you on purpose.
[Yoon Se-rang]: lol
Good heavens, Yoon Se-rang typed ‘lol.’ I doubted my eyes. She didn't seem like the type at all.
[Me]: But do the restaurant employees really not know you’re the owner’s daughter?
[Yoon Se-rang]: My mom isn't the type to brag about things like that.
[Yoon Se-rang]: If it were known, do you think the restaurant could operate normally?
[Me]: Anyway, thank you.
[Yoon Se-rang]: If you’re thankful, invite me to your housewarming.
[Yoon Se-rang]: When are you ever going to have that housewarming party?
[Me]: I’ll definitely do it soon.
I ended the chat and looked to my side. Jang Ji-hye was grinning while looking at the fan cafe.
“As I thought, watching a fire is the most fun thing in the world. Burn, baby, burn! Hehehe...”
“...”
Jang Ji-hye hates it when I say this, but she definitely inherited a lot of her dad’s blood.
A Season 2 production, huh...
When PD Jang Hyun-soo had subtly asked after filming ended, I told him I would definitely appear. I only added the condition that there should be no love line.
I need to earn enough for the maintenance fees and property taxes.
I heard the bills for ultra-luxury housing come in December. I was already scared of what numbers would be written on them. Though Jang Ji-hye told me to expect around 150 million won.
But why hasn't the maintenance bill come yet? Why hasn't anyone said anything?
Could it be that my most respected grandfather in the world is paying it for me? I really hope so.
*
The fan cafe, which had already surpassed 500,000 members despite the strict sign-up conditions, was buzzing with the broadcast of Quarter 2.
[Title: You HAVE to go see it in IMAX]
- Go appreciate the Baby Elf’s glowing face on a massive screen. It’s a whole new world.
└ This is true;; It really is a new world;;
└ I saw it in IMAX and then watched it again on my 98-inch TV at home, and I’m praising myself for going to IMAX.
[Title: Who else cried when she closed On Ji-wook’s eyes? ㅠㅠ]
- I was watching in IMAX and the tears just started pouring out. That nonchalance, like she was just putting a tired baby to sleep, pierced through me like an awl...
[Title: Elf, is this kind of thing tasty?]
(Various photos of delicious-looking boiled pork with fresh kimchi.jpg)
- The next tribute will be a boiled pork truck. Just you wait. I’m preparing the fresh kimchi too.
└ This part, seriously ㅠㅠ The Baby Elf’s tears trickling down... Wow, her acting is insane;;
└ How can tears well up so instantly?
└ I thought she couldn't handle emotional acting yet because she only played the indifferent Sword Spirit, but seeing the tears gush out, I was truly impressed.
└ Meanwhile, her eyes aren't crying at all. Her nose isn't red either. Just her eyes are overflowing with tears;;
└ I want to make a ‘my future whatever’ joke, but she’s a minor kkkkkkkkkkkk ㅠㅠ
└└ Watch your mouth or you’ll get cancelled.
[Title: Let’s take a look at a Baby Elf selfie while we’re at it]
(A photo of Lee Yu-jin’s tribute selfie, taken super, super awkwardly.jpg)
└ Pure eye-cleansing;;; Pure light;;;
└ Where’s the selfie? I only see light???
[Title: Netscreen overseas reactions right now]
(Photos of foreigners crying while watching Yeon Si-ho’s boiled pork with cabbage mukbang.jpg)
(Photos of people scouring Koreatowns asking what boiled pork with cabbage is.jpg)
(A YouTube Short of a bearded death metal YouTuber with 3 million subscribers doing a mukbang of boiled pork with red fresh kimchi)
└ I work at a Korean restaurant, and today a bunch of skinhead macho guys stormed in and caused a scene ordering boiled pork.
(A photo of large skinhead men filling the hall and eating boiled pork.jpg)
└ I’m at a Korean place in Vietnam, and boiled pork is selling like crazy today;;;
└ The Northern European silver-haired elf spreading the majesty of K-Boiled Pork & Fresh Kimchi to the whole world lol;;
└ But I heard a rumor that the actress Lee Yu is actually silver-haired and the black hair is dyed. Is that for real?
└ Eh? Really?
└ The silver hair isn't a wig or dye, but natural? This is huge.
[Title: I was in the same class as actress Lee Yu in 10th grade, and it’s not natural silver hair]
(A photo of a graduation certificate with personal info blurred out.jpg)
- It’s a rumor that started because Lee Yu was a bit sick when she was young and her hair color faded for a while. I know because I bullied her a lot trying to pull out the silver hair because I was curious.
└ Hey, that’s school violence;;;
└ (Author) ㅠㅠ I’m living with a heart of lifelong atonement;; Anyway, Lee Yu’s silver hair isn't natural;;; Yu-jin, I’m really sorry, I was wrong back then;;
└└ Is that you, Chang-sik? She doesn't even remember you, so just live in peace.
└└ (Author) Gasp, really? ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└└ Have you ever seen a jaguar get truly angry just because a puppy was yapping?
└ Are you the person herself?
└ Is it you?
└ Are you Lee Yu?
└ Seeing as they disappeared, it must be her.
*
I didn't wake up to find +999 texts and +999 missed calls on my phone. To begin with, the only acquaintances saved on my phone besides family were Jang Ji-hye, Jung Yoon-ah, Jang Hyun-soo, and Yoon Se-rang. Somehow, I hadn't even exchanged numbers with the child actors; I just didn't ask because it was a hassle.
“Noona! This is huge! The whole world is going crazy for your elf-ness! You want to see this?”
“I’m busy recovering my Challenger rank points right now.”
I’d been neglecting my duties as a guardian of peace in the Rift lately, so I’d plummeted out of the top 10. I had to grind hard today. Before I knew it, Jang Ji-hye appeared behind me to watch.
“What champion is this? It looks like a nine-tailed fox.”
“It is a nine-tailed fox.”
“Hmm, so the Elf Gumiho plays a Gumiho even in the Rift?”
“I’m just playing it because it’s good for warming up my hands.”
“No matter how much I think about it, I believe Lee Yu-jin, the Challenger of Challengers S-grade actress with insane vocals and visuals, should handle the Worlds opening stage. If I imagine someone else doing it, I’ll wake up in the middle of the night out of pure frustration.”
It hadn't been long since we started living in the Hannam-dong villa, but the three of us adjusted quickly. Mom, who comes in and out every morning and evening, takes care of meals and school drop-offs. I left my room empty and set up a gaming desk and mattress in the living room, living there instead. I liked the feeling of seeing the open view of the Han River through the large living room windows every morning and evening.
This is why everyone wants to live in a nice house. It would be great if Mom and Dad could live here too.
There seemed to be some unresolved conflict between Dad and Grandfather, but there was nothing I could do about that. Suddenly, Jang Ji-hye grabbed my shoulders and made a fuss.
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin! This is massive! Netscreen is going to greatly expand the number of theaters for Quarter 2 nationwide!”
“What? I thought they were only screening in parts of Seoul?”
They definitely said it wasn't an official theatrical release. I heard it was just a service for fans who wanted to see it on a big screen.
“But the reservation rate is insane, and apparently, the theaters were flooded with complaints from the provinces asking why they were being discriminated against. So they decided to boldly increase the screens!”
“I’m a bit dazed.”
“This is all thanks to your face doing all the hard work, Yu-jin! You should be proud!”
“What did I even do... we all worked hard together.”
“Honestly, this craze right now is definitely because of your face, okay? The fandom that’s been building since Quarter 1 just went BOOM this time.”
“Noona, from Netscreen’s perspective, theaters are extra profit anyway, so there’s no burden in increasing screens. Theaters are happy too because not many people visit them these days.”
It was a bit fascinating. I thought it would only be shown in parts of Seoul, but for it to spread nationwide... And then, I felt an even more fascinating anger toward a teammate.
“Ugh, is that guy even human? This is why Grandmaster kids are no good! Their keyboards and mice should be confiscated so they can't play!”
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin, why are you so generous to tiers below Master but especially harsh on Grandmasters?”
“Ji-hye noona, it’s only natural. You’ll never even meet anyone below Master, but you can actually run into Grandmaster kids if you’re unlucky when there aren't many people online. And whether they’re on your team or the enemy’s, the game becomes incredibly unfun.”
“Ah, I see. I’ve gained enlightenment.”
*
Today, I received high praise from Teacher Timpani again.
“Yu-jin, your sense of rhythm is like a metronome itself. Your stamina and concentration are also remarkable. If you keep this up, I believe you’ll become a world-class timpanist.”
“I was born with great physical specs.”
Once upon a time, I’d grown tired of hearing the ‘praise’ of being asked if I was using a helper hack in LoL. That was all in the past.
“Would you happen to be interested in participating in the all-grade regular concert?”
“I’m only a freshman, though?”
“In terms of skill, you’ve far surpassed the seniors. In my view, you have enough skill to join the KBC Symphony Orchestra as a guest performer.”
I felt proud, as if my performance as a drummer boy in a line infantry military band amidst gunpowder and gunfire was being recognized.
“I’m asking you as a favor. Skill is one thing, but if you participate, many people will come to watch, which will be a great motivator for the other students.”
“I’ll think about it, but I can’t make any promises. I don’t know what my future schedule will look like.”
“Please consider it positively. And I really enjoyed Quarter 2. Could I get an autograph?”
He was someone who contributed to my 700-million-won appearance fee. I gave him one with a heart full of gratitude.
*
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin! We’ve already surpassed 3 million viewers!”
“What? Wasn't our work an OTT production?”
“Your face did all the work! Everyone’s going to the theaters because they want to see it on a big screen! IMAX is completely sold out!”
The daze grew day by day.
Hwan’s Torch Quarter 2, which was Netscreen content, ultimately achieved a record of 5 million viewers.
“Wow! Netscreen subscribers can watch it for free, so 5 million viewers is practically 10 million, isn't it? Right, Yu-seok?”
“This is an honorary 10 million. If you disagree, you’re a dwarf.”