Episode 181
- The Juniors' Love
“Is filming really tough?” Jeong Seongbin’s question caught me off guard.
“No. Why?”
I fired back a question, acting nonchalant, and Jeong Seongbin smiled awkwardly as he answered.
“I heard your question and wondered if the set was giving you a hard time.”
I’d asked something that showed too much of what I was really thinking. I didn’t think he’d catch on, but I guess I’ve been treating these kids like total fools.
“Giving me a hard time? Who! Hyung only has two lines anyway!”
“Calm down. And there are people desperate for even those two lines, so that’s probably why.”
Kang Giyeon said something sensible and calmed Lee Cheonghyeon down. But Lee Cheonghyeon didn’t settle quietly.
“You can’t do that to someone who got an offer and even auditioned. If you’re going to complain, don’t you need to take it up with the person who offered the role to an idol and the one who did the final casting? That’s totally the strong oppressing the weak!”
“Why are you so angry?”
“It’s because I just got back from a frustrating meeting, that’s why!”
I told him to make a businesslike drama OST, and now he’s completely stuck in office mode. I’ll need to send him through the wash soon.
“I’m approaching it with the mindset that since there are desperate people out there, I should work hard so I won’t be ashamed. You don’t need to worry about that part.”
“Nobody’s worried about that. What’s the next issue?”
Kang Giyeon rested his chin on his hand and asked.
“There are some people who are a little unhappy with my appearance.”
“You mean they’re damn well unhappy.”
“Jeho-ya, where did all our promises to speak nicely and softly go?”
“I was just translating to normal standards.”
Then Choe Jeho turned his gaze toward the members.
No one refuted Choe Jeho’s words. The guy grew even smugger. Damn it, this is infuriating.
“Yes, there are people who are unhappy with it. I thought this was a natural phenomenon in the entertainment industry. But I guess it’s not necessarily so.”
“If it’s a natural phenomenon? You were just going to sit there and take it?”
Lee Cheonghyeon glared at me as if he wanted me dead. I thought he’d bore a hole right through my face.
“That won’t happen. I don’t want to just sit and take it anymore either.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Lee Cheonghyeon folded his arms and flopped back against his chair.
Jeong Seongbin, who had been silently lost in thought all this time, opened his mouth.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah.”
“This is just my opinion, but regardless of genre or field, while there are definitely universal reactions, I don’t think they’re absolute.”
Universal.
I had definitely been troubled. Between the sense of dissonance given by “changing jobs in society” as I knew it and “moving between fields” within the entertainment industry, wondering which side and how I should adapt.
Jeong Seongbin was saying that the boundaries of that “moving between fields” aren’t absolute.
“There will be people who want to promote you more because you came from a different major, and conversely, people who think you lack professionalism. In those times, wouldn’t it be best to gradually adapt to new work with good people?”
It was a nice thing to hear. If you twisted it, someone might call it empty comfort.
But I could tell from the words that followed that this was something Jeong Seongbin had come to after serious consideration.
“There may be difficult people right now. But there will definitely be good people, and more and more good people will surround you, hyung. Because everyone likes you.”
It was a bit—no, extremely cringeworthy.
“It’s not like hyung has the kind of personality that couldn’t receive love anywhere.”
He was throwing back at me, with a smile, the words I had spoken that day—the day I made Jang Junhu apologize.
Anyway, he’s a strange kid. Knowing full well how annoying my personality is, and yet saying such things. That Jeong Seongbin—seems his personality has changed since *Naega Jang*.
***
“You guys are close these days?”
As the members who had come out to see me off filed back in through the front door, the manager spoke.
“The kids have always been close.”
“No, these days it’s unusually good.”
This was all because every time I went to film *In My Office*, those guys would shout, “Spark’s official charming handsome guy! See you later!” They probably wanted to boost my self-esteem, but it only increased my shame.
“You’re on set all day today?”
“Yes. There’s a conference room scene during the day and a company dinner scene at night.”
At this rate, it’s over eight hours of work. Shouldn’t I be asking for the four major insurances at this point? Anyway, the year-end is coming up in a few months, and I want to join any company so I can get my year-end tax settlement handled all at once.
Still, it’s a relief I only have to say “Yes” twice in the conference room scene. The production company must feel it’s a waste of money to pay me a per-episode appearance fee for this.
But I’m sorry. I need to work on my skill proficiency too. I’ll have to get even just the top of my head on camera.
The conference room scene wrapped up smoothly, centered around the two main leads.
The scene where the product the two leads collaborated on achieved tremendous profitability also went over well. Gu Jahan stumbled over his lines about twice, but since the fund name was so long, everyone was in an understanding mood.
My New Vision Dynamic Securities Investment Trust—it must have been hard to memorize.
Perhaps because the main leads’ romance line had passed a milestone, the atmosphere on set was more harmonious than usual. It also helped that the supporting actors came out together whenever Gu Jahan and Ha Seomyeong appeared, neutralizing the vibe.
*I wish every day could be like today.*
I was picking up the papers scattered everywhere while filming the “Our profits are through the roof!” scene with the assistant directors when someone tapped me on the back.
I turned around to see Team Leader Gu’s team members standing there holding drinks.
“Lee Wol, thanks for the coffee!”
“Huh?”
I was just picking up papers here; I didn’t buy any coffee?
Ha Seomyeong pointed outside and spoke to me in my bewildered state.
“Your members sent a coffee truck? I guess they kept it a secret from you?”
“A coffee truck?!”
I put the papers I’d picked up on the table and dashed outside like lightning. No wonder a Spark behind-the-scenes cameraman had been attached to me today; he too ended up hurrying outside after me.
There really was a small, compact gray coffee truck parked there. Staff members were receiving coffee in front of it.
“……”
I couldn’t get a word out.
*Cheering for Yeonghwan’s life at My Asset Management!*
The message attached at the very top of the coffee truck was shocking enough…
*Employee Do’s treat!*
*Seniors, recharge your caffeine!*
…and the banner set up next to it was also shocking.
*How much does this cost!*
Even a coffee truck sent to a music video set easily breaks a million won.
And for a drama set with several times as many people? These guys haven’t even received their settlement payments yet?
*I need to call these guys right now… ah, I don’t have a phone.*
Seeing my expression turn vacant as I fumbled in my pants pocket, the behind-the-scenes cameraman covered his mouth and laughed.
“Shall I lend you a phone?”
“I would be truly grateful.”
If I called the manager’s number, she’d probably pass it along. Once I explained the situation, I was immediately connected to the guys who were practicing.
— Hyung! What do you think of the coffee truck color? Do you like it?
Lee Cheonghyeon chattered excitedly, oblivious to my feelings. My head throbbed.
“Did you guys do this?”
This question contained many meanings. Like previous reverse-support incidents, it meant: *Answer that the company paid for it!*
But Spark betrayed my expectations.
— Yep. We pooled our own money.
As always.
“You haven’t even received your settlement. Where do you have the money for something like this? You must be busy with no time, so who placed the order? Did you write the messages yourselves? When you do something this micromanaged, you should tell me in advance—”
— I can’t stand how noisy this hyung is on the phone. Anyone want to take over?
Lee Cheonghyeon’s disgusted voice came through the phone.
— Hyung, it’s me.
“Yeah, Seongbin-ah. Shall we have a slightly rational conversation?”
— From what I hear, you’re the only one not being rational right now.
Kang Giyeon grumbled from the background.
From where I stand, none of you are in your right minds. Since when do high schoolers send coffee trucks worth hundreds of thousands?
“Seongbin-ah, who suggested doing this?”
— Juu suggested it, and the majority voted in favor to proceed.
“There was someone who opposed it? Who was this thoughtful friend?”
— It was Jeho-hyung.
Choe Jeho!
So he was completely useless in meetings, sitting quietly spouting nonsense!
But at least as a hyung, he tried to stop them!
Since I’ve known you, I’ve never been so proud of you.
If only he had a bit more enforcing power. Going forward, I should give him more authority so he can maintain balance with Jeong Seongbin while I’m away…
— Jeho-hyung suggested sending a bundle of natural mineral water since hyung only drinks lukewarm water, but we talked it over and agreed that wasn’t it, so we settled on a coffee truck among ourselves.
…Like hell. You bastard, know that you’ll never get speaking rights in non-business meetings for the rest of your life.
— Shouldn’t we give the main character something he actually drinks?
Choe Jeho’s muttering was heard from afar. You… I’ll see you back at the dorm.
— Juu looked into the trucks. Giyeon submitted the quote, I wrote the messages, and Cheonghyeon edited the photo!
— I cut the background out really well, right? Background removal tech is so good these days!
“And Choe Jeho? Was he just drinking water on the sidelines?”
— He took on the important duty of calling the business owner, Lee Cheonghyeon said gravely.
Right, there was no one better suited for that than Choe Jeho. He has a voice that doesn’t get scammed easily.
— Hyung, you know I get composing fees. Giyeon and Jeho-hyung get choreography fees. Did you think the five of us couldn’t even split this N-ways?
Lee Cheonghyeon laughed.
It’s good that you’re competent and earn a lot. But…
“Your money…”
Why spend it on something like this? These guys don’t even spend money normally.
— Don’t talk like we’re spending it recklessly. You’ll hurt our feelings.
— That’s right. We did this to make you look good, so if you scold us, what does that make us?
— Just like Seongbin said, you should let us dote on you…!
Without considering the listener’s position, the guys chattered like a choir. I got the feeling it would be difficult to subtitle this behind-the-scenes footage.
I held back a sigh that tried to escape out of habit. Then I alternated my gaze between the coffee truck and the phone once each.
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
At my words, cheerful laughter burst from the phone. The guys shouted in unison.
— Take a hundred pictures in front of the coffee truck!
After hanging up, I received a peach iced tea in front of the coffee truck.
And I took one picture of the coffee truck. I’d had the manager take a few pictures of me in front of it too, but I just wanted one of the truck itself.
After taking all the proof shots and returning, I sat in Do Yeonghwan’s warm seat inside the set and drank my beverage.
On the cup holder, I was smiling brightly.