Chapter 52

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 52

Chapter Title: Fan Signing Buzz

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"......"

He had no need to sharply critique a boy group whose name was unfamiliar to him, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but he gradually realized he was becoming more detached and objective.

This was proof that his instincts as an entertainment reporter were kicking in.

Click.

The shutter clicked repeatedly, and he found himself sinking deeper into the moment.

"Hmm......"

The stage brimmed with even more passion now, sweat flying through the air like glistening beads. He swallowed hard.

How long had it been since he'd watched a rookie's performance with such focus?

'These kids have got it.'

When the music finally stopped, a massive cheer erupted in its wake.

-Waaaaah!

-Great job!

-You guys are awesome!

-So handsome!

There were more men in the crowd, many of whom had come for the author signing and wore expressions of indifference toward idols. But now, everyone was cheering for them.

It was an unfamiliar melody, yet their performance alone had captured everyone's attention. Once the music grew familiar to people's ears, there would surely be even more reactions to come.

-Thank you!

-Please show us lots of love and support!

-Right by your side—we are DM!

As the idols bowed repeatedly to the crowd, one person naturally took the mic.

-That was DM's celebratory stage—what a show!

'Min Choi.'

She deftly drew the audience's focus.

'The pro lives up to her reputation, huh?'

He had to admit that idols under her wing delivered top-notch performances and stage presence.

DM moved to join the actors and took their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠seats, their faces flushed with the thrill of a successful debut stage.

Min Choi spoke up.

-The energy's been electric from the start. Let's keep the momentum going with stage greetings from our actors. The Memento Mori signing will follow soon, so fans, please stay seated—we'd appreciate it!

As the actors climbed onstage, the lights brightened. The previous act had been hot, but the buzz grew even louder at the sight of these instantly recognizable stars.

'This promo's going to be killer.'

Seeing famous actors up close like this—outside a formal event or red carpet—was a stroke of luck.

Lead actor Kim Seung-gi took the mic from Min Choi.

-I bet everyone here already knows how the drama ends.

His lighthearted words, delivered with a smile, brightened the crowd's faces.

-We're giving it our all to make a drama worthy of the original's love. It was a daunting role, but the script was so good it sparked some real ambition in me.

As the actors' smooth charm drew the audience in, someone shouted.

-It's out!

-Ooooh!

Word had already spread far and wide, and clusters of people huddled over their phones.

'What's going on?'

'What?'

'Huh?'

The unfamiliar scene had even the reporters glancing around, and quiet reporter Go Yo-han watched the reactions too.

'What's dropped?'

He had no idea what it was, but if it was such a big deal, why? Most people were now glued to their phones instead of the actors, which only deepened his curiosity.

-The webtoon's out!

-Hnnng! What do I read first?

-Jackpot!

The actors, reading the room, wrapped up with smiles, and Min Choi grabbed the mic again.

-You've waited long enough? Signing starts now! Perfect timing too— the author's new release just dropped, so check it out while you wait!

A few reporters began dismantling their tripods as the actors exited, but Go Yo-han decided to stick around. He wanted to see exactly how this would play out.

-Hardcovers are available for purchase, and we've got events lined up too—so enjoy!

Fan signings were straightforward affairs. As long as no rabid fans caused trouble, people lined up, got their signatures, and left quietly.

He'd attended a few top-tier idol showcases, so he knew the vibe. But today felt entirely different.

'What are they all staring at?'

The crowd's focus was unnaturally intense. Not a single whisper.

He couldn't hold back and asked his junior nearby.

"What's up?"

"Oh, looks like the new release just went live."

"The novel?"

"Yeah, but the webtoon's out too, so everyone's glued to that."

People reading novels at a signing? It didn't compute, but if it was that captivating... Curiosity piqued.

'No schedule after this anyway.'

He pulled out his phone to feel the vibe himself.

"Thank you."

This was genuine. The man in his late thirties looked shy as he met my eyes, but his gaze was steady. Being first in this long line meant he'd arrived earliest—and waited the longest.

He placed the hardcover in front of me.

"What's your name?"

If there was anything more I could do, I wanted to. Was this the star's mindset toward fans? I still couldn't grasp my own fame, but I knew this moment meant the world to them.

"Lee Baek-san, sir."

I flashed a bright smile, signed the book, and added his name.

He took it with evident satisfaction and said,

"Your novels got me through some tough times. Keep up the great work."

What greater praise for a writer?

I stood and bowed to him.

"I'll do my best."

Something welled up inside me. Until now, our connection was through text, but face-to-face, the emotions hit raw and real.

The next fan, and the one after, had bought hardcovers too. The price wasn't cheap, yet fans opened their wallets without hesitation. I worried if we'd have enough stock.

Reading my concern, Ye-jin flashed an OK sign from across the way with a grin.

The sixth fan arrived.

He blurted out,

"Only got through the opener so far, but the new one's a blast. The trip home won't be boring. Thanks! I'll check out the webtoon too!"

I'd been nervous too. I knew the new novel and webtoon would drop mid-signing, but seeing reactions live was a whole new thrill.

'Wish I could chat longer, but...'

One minute per person meant sixty an hour. Six hundred would take ten straight hours—no breaks, no bathroom. Concise it was, regrets aside.

Then the fanfare blared.

-Gasp, an event?

-Whoa, what is it?

-Jealous!

-Think I saw it in the cafe notice?

Ye-jin brought over a large paper bag and handed it to the seventh fan.

"Congratulations! You've won a photo op with the author. Or just take the gift if you'd prefer."

The guy in his late twenties looked dazed as he accepted the bag and opted for the photo.

I stood and headed to the photo area; Ye-jin snapped it quick. Shutters clicked from the reporters' corner too.

"Thank you!"

The seventh fan hoisted the bag high and shouted, drawing cheers from the crowd.

'Not easy.'

Just number seven. With events at 77 and 777 to go, this was only the beginning.

"Got a sec?"

The junior approached the seventh fan.

"Huh? Why?"

"Nothing major—just wondering if we could do a quick interview."

"Uh... Will my face be in it? I'd rather not."

"No problem—we can use another pic or mosaic it."

"Okay, then..."

Go Yo-han frowned slightly at his junior.

Articles needed public hook. He was still here out of personal interest, not some scoop.

But the junior thought differently.

With eager curiosity, he asked the fan,

"What's inside?"

The fan was just as excited.

"Oh......"

"Whoa......"

Gasp after gasp as items emerged one by one.

"Diary, perfume... Is this an artbook?"

"Looks like it."

Cute sundries too—pens and a desk clock printed with characters from Memento Mori's novels.

"Mind if I arrange them for the shot?"

"Go for it!"

The fan beamed his approval, and the junior artfully laid them out onstage.

"Six gifts, huh."

"Nah!"

The fan placed the hardcover beside them.

"Seven items."

"Ah......"

The junior tilted his head.

"Any meaning to the number 7?"

"No clue. Lucky number maybe?"

The junior snapped photos and did a brief interview—how he discovered Memento Mori, favorite work, etc.

As the fan left with his haul, Go Yo-han asked,

"Think it'll run?"

Who'd care about a random fan chat? Better to cover the rookie idols.

"You never know. Could blow up."

"Blow up......"

He crossed his arms, eyeing the line.

"Yeah, it might."

Even at a brisk pace, another four to six hours loomed. The signing itself was a hit.

After-party wrapped past 4 a.m., and back at the goshiwon, everyone crashed hard.

The fatigue and high from yesterday lingered; even awake, I lay there staring blankly at the ceiling.

'No familiar faces.'

I'd half-hoped some writer I knew might show. So I'd scanned nearly a thousand faces closely.

'But damn, that felt good.'

Bzzz.

Phone vibrated—a message.

「Fan cafe's exploding! Check when you're up!」

Ye-jin. I hauled my leaden body to the desk. Normally I'd dive into writing, but today? A little slack couldn't hurt. The afterglow lingered.

The cafe had never been this alive. Signing talk dominated, but new members flooded in—thanks to yesterday's novel and webtoon drop.

This interested me more than past signings.

Click.

New posts kept pouring in.

Comments were endless.

I called Ye-jin.

-Seen it?

"Yeah, checking now."

-Page hit us up 30 mins ago. Sales are insane! Congrats!

"Really?"

Couldn't verify visually, so the daze hit harder.

-Female readers at 40%! First time ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a guys' novel pulls that many women, they said.

Ah, so that's what hooked 'em.