Chapter 54: A Must-Have for Any Successful Fan
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 54: A Must-Have for Any Successful Fan
Han Ji-woo’s reaction—her sheer, uncontrollable excitement—was so foreign to me.
To think that a daughter-in-law of a chaebol family, whom I thought would be nothing but dignified, could make such a girlish expression.
Doesn't her eldest son even have two years on me?
“Ah, Director? You can’t just take it like that. There’s a whole procedure for this, you know?”
“Ji-hye? What kind of procedure?”
“I’ll support you. Yu-jin, give the hairpin back to the Director for a second. Now, Yu-jin, take out the one you’re wearing and redo the Director’s hair with it.”
“What? Take this out and redo it?”
Dumbfounded, I pointed to Eonnyeoni’s hairpin currently stuck in my hair.
Jang Ji-hye, having finished her phone’s camera setup, looked more serious than ever. It was as if I were looking at PD Jang Hyun-soo himself, ready for a sortie with his camera in hand.
Like father, like daughter, I suppose…
“From now on, I’m going to give you two a few minor directions. They aren’t hard at all, I promise. First…”
As if possessed by her father, Jang Ji-hye worked hard to give us directions.
Han Ji-woo clapped and giggled like a young girl; she looked truly happy.
“This sounds fun! Let’s do it right now!”
“…Understood.”
Since my benefactor wished it, I had no choice but to comply. It wasn't exactly a difficult request.
I pulled out Eonnyeoni’s hairpin and redid my hair with the prop hairpin.
Jang Ji-hye pointed her phone camera at me and asked, “Actress Lee Yu-jin, are you ready? Can we start the shoot?”
“Copy.”
“Ready, cue!”
The phone camera began recording.
In front of me, Han Ji-woo was immersing herself in her role as calmly as possible. Her emotional immersion was clumsy and her breathing unrefined, but I could feel her sincere desire to do a good job.
Right now, I am not Lee Yu-jin. I am Yeon Si-ho. I am Yeon Si-ho, the veteran high school girl of South Korea, visiting Lunaris Art Hall for a brief moment…
Habit is a scary thing; before I knew it, I was faithfully following Jang Ji-hye’s directions.
I stood up slowly and, with a stoic face, walked behind Han Ji-woo.
Seeing her finely groomed eyelashes trembling slightly, it seemed Han Ji-woo was quite nervous herself.
Standing behind her, I carefully stroked her hair and swept it up. I pulled the prop hairpin from my own hair and slid it into hers to secure the bun.
Focusing so that my gaze would translate well on camera, I spoke in a voice as close to Yeon Si-ho’s blunt tone as possible.
“It’s something I used. I’m giving it to you, Han Ji-woo.”
I spent a few seconds pretending to brush her hair, and then—
“Cut! Cut! Cut! Wow, that was amazing. It was an improv scene, but the atmosphere turned out incredible! Director, Director, do you want to see?”
“I do! Show me, quickly!”
“No, but seriously. Look at how our Yu-jin-Yu-jin’s eyes change the moment the camera starts rolling.”
“Where is Yu-jin? All I see is Yeon Si-ho.”
“Director, your fangirling is totally my style!”
The two of them huddled over the phone, making a fuss over the ‘proof of gift’ video they had just made.
Do people usually go this far for proof?
I agreed with the logic that there needed to be undeniable evidence that I had personally gifted the prop. But did we really have to perform such an embarrassing improv scene?
“Thank you. It’s the best gift ever.”
I was about to crack a joke, but I stopped when I saw Director Han Ji-woo’s eyes were slightly rimmed with red.
“I’m the one who doesn’t know what to do with myself, seeing you so moved by such a small, insignificant thing. It’s an honor.”
“My goodness, how can someone your age speak so elegantly? I wish my sons were even half as refined as you.”
If she saw my other self, the ‘Rocktten Jupiter Bell’ of the Rift, she would never say such a thing.
“I’m touched. It couldn’t have been easy—did you go through a lot of trouble to sneak this out for me?”
I didn’t understand what she meant.
“Pardon? PD Jang Hyun-soo gave this to me as a gift.”
“Yu-jin-Yu-jin, actually, my dad didn’t negotiate with Netscreen. He secretly stole it so you could have it as a souvenir.”
“…?”
“You know that arrow hairpin Yeon Se-rang took? She stole that too. Why would a production company just give away props to actors?”
My head spun.
“Th-then, does that mean I just gifted the Director stolen goods?”
At that, Han Ji-woo turned serious.
“Stolen goods? Actors ‘repositioning’ props after filming is a long-standing tradition that dates back to World War II.”
“Actually, Dad wanted to sneak out the Haeju Sword for you. But he failed that negotiation.”
She probably meant he failed the ‘reallocation of supplies.’
“The Haeju Sword? Oh, please. This hairpin that Yeon Si-ho always wore is the best. I was even thinking about participating in an auction for it later, so it’s truly an honor to have the actress herself put it in my hair.”
From what I heard, all props and costumes belonged to the production company, so actors stealing them was an ancient custom.
I didn’t want to know. Truly.
“…I’m just glad you like the hairpin.”
“A hairpin the actress herself pulled from her own hair and put into mine? I love it. All eighty million Elf fans around the world will be so jealous of me, won’t they?”
It was strange. This woman felt strangely similar to Jung Yoon-ah.
“It’s not even my birthday, yet I received something I really wanted as a surprise gift. I feel so good today.”
Was this the ‘noblesse oblige’ mindset of someone born into wealth who became a chaebol daughter-in-law? It was simply dazzling.
To be so sincerely happy over such a trivial gift. If medieval nobles had followed even 1% of her example, that hell wouldn't have existed.
Maybe it was because this was the era of nitrogen fertilizer.
I should make sure to read up on how to implement nitrogen fixation before I go to sleep tonight. Who knows? I might be reincarnated into a post-nuclear war world next time.
Nothing much happened after that.
With the prop between them, Han Ji-woo and Jang Ji-hye shared fun behind-the-scenes stories from the shoot.
I quietly played on my phone like a third wheel. I watched League of Legends match videos with the volume off.
Am I the protagonist of this gathering or not? The two of them are getting along so well; is there any reason for me to be sitting here?
The gathering was clearly formed with me as the catalyst, yet I wasn't actually participating in the conversation. And the parties involved didn't seem to mind at all.
In that case, wouldn't it be fine if I weren't here?
Every now and then, a mandatory Q&A session would come my way.
“Is that boiled pork with cabbage really that delicious? I’m asking because I want to try it too.”
“I can objectively guarantee it’s the most delicious boiled pork in the world. You’ll probably find the red fresh kimchi even tastier, Director.”
“Let’s go together sometime.”
“Yes, I would be honored to take you.”
Once the mandatory answer time was over, they would go back to chatting happily among themselves.
Feeling a bit stiff, I looked for an opening to get up and look at the artwork.
“Where are you going?”
“Where are you going?”
“Um, I was just going to look at the art…”
“Then let’s go together. I’ll give you a tour.”
“Yu-jin-Yu-jin, why are you trying to disappear quietly by yourself? That’s mean.”
“I didn't think I was contributing much here, so I was going to stand in another line by myself.”
“What do you mean, no contribution? Just looking at your face makes me happy.”
“Exactly. Yu-jin-Yu-jin, you look great even when you’re just keeping your mouth shut and wearing a serious expression.”
Since they were having so much fun together, I thought it would be fine if I disappeared…
Anyway, under Director Han Ji-woo’s guidance, I toured the artwork.
And I immediately regretted it.
“The philosophy and anguish contained in this work project a certain rebellion against the aestheticist era the artist lived in at the time…”
Why on earth did I say I wanted to look at the art?
I could have just let a curator’s explanation go in one ear and out the other, but I couldn't do that with the words of a chaebol daughter-in-law who might become the CEO of my agency.
Ah, I’m getting so sleepy. No, I have to endure. Today is the day I have to make a serious request to the Director…
If I were my usual self, I would have just said, ‘Please sign a contract with me and be my CEO!’ out of frustration.
But I felt guilty for not contacting her often, and the management contract terms were so good they were practically a noble’s sponsorship, so I couldn't bring myself to speak.
I wish she would ask first.
I was so nervous I didn't even dare to politely ask for permission to ask a question.
“Director, did you know? Because of that scene where Yu-jin eats boiled pork, there’s a huge boiled pork craze happening both domestically and abroad.”
“I know. Because of that, international pork prices have jumped.”
“Whoa, really?”
“I even received a report that international pork belly consumption is expected to increase by at least 30% compared to last month.”
“That’s insane. Totally insane. I guess that’s why Yu-jin’s getting offers for boiled pork, pig’s feet, and bossam commercials. They say CF offers are just pouring in lately.”
“You didn't just snap up any of them, did you? That would be a problem.”
Oh, now’s the time.
An opening to jump in suddenly appeared. I swear, I didn't plan this with Jang Ji-hye beforehand.
I subtly slipped into the conversation.
“Since I don’t have an agency yet, I’m being as careful as possible with those kinds of contracts.”
“How disappointing. What do you mean you don’t have an agency? It’s right in front of you.”
Director Han Ji-woo looked truly disappointed, making me feel embarrassingly apologetic.
“Were the terms not enough? Or did you get a better offer elsewhere…?”
“I sincerely want to be under your management, Director, but the terms were so, so good that I was too embarrassed to say anything.”
Director Han Ji-woo gave a sigh of relief and smiled.
“To make a gem like Lee Yu-jin shine, that level of polishing is basic. So, are we signing the contract?”
“Yes! I’ve even received my parents’ permission!”
I spoke as energetically as possible on purpose.
This was advice from my brother that I hated to admit was right: doing this would make the other person feel better.
We moved to the Director’s office.
A secretary brought over elegant teacups and the contract.
My cup was filled with original Pepsi. She had figured out my taste already.
Han Ji-woo held out her cup as if to make a toast, and I lightly clinked mine against it in a daze.
“If you drink this, you’re signing with me, okay?”
“Yes! Of course!”
“Ah, I guess kids these days don’t know this one.”
“…?”
“Drink up, drink up.”
Thinking I should definitely look that up later, I gulped down the cola.
We each signed, and Han Ji-woo pushed both copies toward me.
“Get your parents’ signatures on both and let me know. A staff member will come to pick them up.”
“Understood.”
Now that we were officially in a business relationship, it felt different. Han Ji-woo’s halo seemed to grow even brighter.
“I’m also going to hire Jang Ji-hye and Lee Yu-seok as managers. Since they’re minors, I can’t give them labor contracts, but if we bypass it through a youth internship experience program, there won’t be any problems.”
She said their salaries would be paid all at once in the form of foundation scholarships twice a year. Apparently, receiving a regular wage would make it a labor contract, which wasn't allowed.
Then what happens to the 30 million won I gave them? Well, my brother and Dad will figure it out.
As complicated legal talk started coming up, I almost started nodding off again.
“This is boring, isn't it? I’ll talk about the complicated stuff with your parents later.”
“I’m sorry I’m only a Grade 3 in my mock exams…”
“But I heard you hardly study. If you’re a Grade 3 despite that, doesn't that mean you’re quite smart?”
“I’ve seen it with my own two eyes; I’ve never seen her study. At home, she’s always watching LoL matches or just playing LoL.”
“Ah, LoL? I’ve seen my sons play it a few times, so I know a little. I heard a player named Shin Sang-hyun is a rising star there?”
“Yu-jin is great at LoL. She’s number one on the server. Number one. Even the pros crawl before her.”
“Really?”
I never get tired of hearing praise for my LoL skills. It’s always fresh and thrilling.
“Hmm, I definitely shouldn't let her meet my sons then.”
“If your sons are worried because they want to go pro despite having no talent, I will show them the high, high wall of the professional world and utterly crush their dreams.”
“Oh, that’s not what I meant.”
“It’s because Yu-jin acts like that without even realizing she’s flirting that drives men crazy, you know?”
Dammit, it was a buildup for a shame attack.
I quickly pretended not to hear and focused on watching a LoL match (muted) on my phone.
Then, the topic of the housewarming party came up.
“Oh, that sounds fun. Am I invited too, by any chance?”
Han Ji-woo hadn't been on the guest list in my head, but from now on, I would revise it so she had been my top priority from the start.
“Of course. I was just looking for the right timing to tell you.”
“As expected of the Challenger of Challengers. Your sense for timing and finding an opening is truly unparalleled.”
Seeing her naturally adopt the title ‘Challenger of Challengers’ made me feel proud.
“I’ll bring lots of delicious food that day.”
“We were going to prepare it…”
“Originally, guests are supposed to bring lots of food to a housewarming. The host has a hell of a time cleaning and organizing everything after the guests leave.”
I was about to say it would be fine since my brother would be doing it all alone, but I quickly bit my tongue.
I had to maintain my image in front of my benefactor.
*
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea.
The immigration department had been having a headache lately over an increasing list of suspicious entries.
“Charles André Roussel? Who is this now?”
“He’s the direct heir to France’s number one energy conglomerate.”
“And the purpose is study abroad again?”
“Yes, sir.”
“No, they should at least make the excuse somewhat plausible. What kind of nonsense is ‘study abroad’? Are we supposed to believe that?”
Global giants from various fields—food, finance, energy, telecommunications, space, defense—were entering Korea one after another under the guise of their children’s ‘study abroad.’
It was a covert, uncoordinated movement that they almost missed, but the immigration office had sensed that international cartels were gathering in Seoul.
“These bastards… it looks like they’re gathering to plot how to strip our country bare.”
“I believe this is an emergency situation that needs to be handled at the level of the National Intelligence Service.”