Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 31

신이 내린 탑스타 031. 사진 한 장의 위력 (1)(31/401)

031. The Power of a Single Photo (1)

2021.12.01.

A once quiet community. It was a famous fan page where fans of Kwon Seong-hyun, a national actor and top star, gathered. One day, a post was quietly uploaded there: [Hey guys. Did you hear the news?] The post that started like that seemed to be quietly buried at first, but that was only for a moment. As more and more people came to hear the news, the post quickly became a hot topic. Considering the nature of the community, it was very unusual. Like actor, like fans. Unlike fan clubs of other idols or actors, they weren’t the type to be overly enthusiastic and go around without knowing where to go. Rather, like Kwon Seong-hyun, who was a homebody, they didn’t move easily unless it was a big deal. [Sasaeng fans? What’s that…? My fans are all gentle people…] If the actor says this himself, isn’t that all there is to say? Most of the members were long past the age of running around like immature loaches. No, even if they wanted to, the actor they liked said that much! -Let’s protect Seong-hyun’s beautiful mental world. Most of them were mature enough to voluntarily restrict their own actions. Of course, it wasn’t just the mental part that was relaxed.

-Celebrating XX’s birthday, we are recruiting birthday celebration supporters!
If ordinary fans raise funds on a large scale like this for the birthday of their favorite celebrity,

-We donated 100 bags of rice to a welfare organization in Seong-hyun’s name.

-I bought some clothes and shoes from DiX, BalX, and IpX that would suit Seong-hyun this season, so if you want to send a gift, please avoid sending these brands.

-I sent a BangXol home theater; I hope he uses it well. I hope our Seong-hyun only hears good things and lives well.

Kwon Seong-hyun’s fan page didn’t need each individual to contribute a little money. Why? Isn’t it enough to just buy it and send it? Why bother splitting the money and buying it together? It’s not hundreds of millions [of won, equivalent to hundreds of thousands of USD], it’s only a few hundred or a few thousand!

Of course, these people weren’t all of the fans, but it was very strange that Kwon Seong-hyun’s fans had a large proportion of people with such extraordinary wealth and financial resources. Those who couldn’t do so were pushed by the atmosphere and went into hiding or were sanctioned by hardcore fans.

-We have to protect Seong-hyun.

-We exist because Seong-hyun was born; we weren’t born because Seong-hyun exists, so let’s not bother Seong-hyun!

A promise between fans. It was to do their best not to make Kwon Seong-hyun 신경쓰다 [worry or be bothered] because of their existence.

To put it differently…….

It was a kind of pretense? It could be said to be a desperate pretense to show only the good side to the person they like.

That’s how it was.

[Hey guys. Did you hear the news?] This post was enough to blow away the self-control and pretense of such hardcore fans.

-No……. What is this……?

ㄴ222 No……. What is this……?

-It’s Insta! Seong-hyun posted on Insta!

He posted a photo on Insta, which he created and hadn’t posted anything on for a year!

ㄴIt was worth following all this time…….

ㄴ 존버 wins [존버 is slang for “enduring until the end,” implying that waiting paid off]

ㄴSeong-hyun is the only one who has gathered 16 million followers with one photo……☆★

ㄴㅎㅎIsn’t that our Seong-hyun’s class?

-Even though we made a treaty not to be happy or sad about the news of the paparazzi;;; If it’s news that Seong-hyun posted himself, it’s a different story;;;; Guys. Where do you think that is? Looking at his makeup, it’s a filming set, right?;;; But why is he wearing such shabby clothes?;;;;

ㄴThat’s sponsored clothes. I know that X brand offered it to Seong-hyun as a tribute because he’s playing a third-generation chaebol [a wealthy heir or scion];;; It would have been more realistic to take it out of Seong-hyun’s closet;;;;

ㄴStill, I’m satisfied that I can see Seong-hyun’s comma hair……☜(U_U)☞

ㄴHeyㅋㅋㅋ Why are you already going to 성불 [achieve enlightenment/nirvana]? Even if you’re going, shouldn’t you know who the admirable cutie next to him is?

-Who is the person next to him? Is it true that Seong-hyun himself said he was “close” to him? Is it real that the photo he posted on Insta after a year is a two-shot? Who is that kid? His skin is so fair, he looks young, but I’ve never seen him before when I searched for him? Anyone know him?

ㄴThis person is at least a question mark killer [someone who generates a lot of questions].

ㄴYou? Like? This? Question mark? If there are many? Aren’t you? Tired?

-Isn’t Seong-hyun hacked? Suddenly a two-shot…….

ㄴWhat is the probability that a hacker has Seong-hyun’s unreleased photos?

ㄴRight? I couldn’t believe it, so I couldn’t help it…….

-Seong-hyun. If you’re being threatened, shake a carrot! I’m going to set fire to the agency!

ㄴThe agency is doing a good job, whyㅋㅋㅋ They’re doing such a good job that they make money even when the actor is resting^^……. It’s hard to be too capable…….

-Guys, stop escaping from the unrealistic reality and look at the post Seong-hyun posted properly.

ㄴAh, he looks a bit cute…….

ㄴI know. I can’t believe there’s a sprout who’s still fine even next to Seong-hyun.

ㄴGrow, sprout, sprout!

The photo was simple. Kwon Seong-hyun, well-dressed, was smiling brightly with his arm around a neat young man in a very friendly manner. But that wasn’t all that was visible in the photo. The young man with the white face had a slightly sullen expression, which was very contrasting with Kwon Seong-hyun. In any way, it was clear that Kwon Seong-hyun was being more friendly. The comment added to it was even more refreshing.

[A cut with my close younger brother. I’m happy to be with you!]

This news went beyond the fan page and was even reported in articles. [New drama that was having difficulties due to the departure of idol Lee, new actor ‘casting’ completed!]

[Rookie actor who shows off a special friendship with famous actor Kwon Seong-hyun. Who is he?]

[Who is he who appeared on Kwon Seong-hyun’s Insta? “A cut with my close younger brother” …… “Happy to be with you”]

[The vacant “Grim Reaper” role. Which actor took that spot?]

Reporters who quickly received the news couldn’t have missed this hot issue. Yeon-woo, who belatedly heard that the internet was turned upside down by a small ball, no, a single photo, shot by Kwon Seong-hyun, looked 질린 [aghast/horrified]. “No, how can a single photo lead to articles……?”

It wasn’t even a few days ago. Just a few hours ago.

-It’s a 기념비적인 [monumental] thing, so how about we take a photo together as a 기념 [memento]? Kwon Seong-hyun, who seemed to be 계속 고민 [constantly contemplating], said.

-Yeon-woo. I think something serious is going on with our actor Kwon? Could it be that he’s still hurt because of that 덕 모시기 새끼 [ungrateful bastard]? Even Dongja-ryeong was worried like this.

No. How long has it been since that bastard self-destructed 화려하게 [spectacularly] and 잠정 [temporarily] retired? With that thought, Yeon-woo asked without thinking.

-Do you have any 고민 [worries]? Kwon Seong-hyun is a great 생명 공급원 [life source], so 지속적인 관리 [continuous management] is necessary. That’s why I asked that, but. I was wrong to think lightly of the answer that came back. ‘I didn’t know it would be like this.’ If I had known that the aftermath would be so great, I wouldn’t have allowed SNS, let alone taken a photo.

“I didn’t know it would be like this either. I just posted a photo……?” Kwon Seong-hyun was also embarrassed because of the articles that came out not long after he posted the photo, and because the reporters who smelled it were 어슬렁거리며 [prowling] approaching the filming set.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Thanks to Seong-hyun, the promotion costs will be reduced, right? I was 고민 [worried] about how to let people know about Yeon-woo anyway. As you know, our drama is in a bit of an 애매한 [ambiguous/uncertain] situation right now. But there was this method. The marketing manager might 절 [bow deeply in gratitude] to Seong-hyun.”

The atmosphere of the filming set became 어수선 [chaotic], but surprisingly, Director Heo and writer Min didn’t care much. This was because they saw that a positive public opinion was being formed based on curiosity.

“Should we 공개 [reveal] our making 현장 [behind-the-scenes footage] while we’re at it? I think we can 몰 [drive/attract] the 내면 화제성 [inner buzz] centering on Yeon-woo?”

“Yes?”

“Everyone was 난리 [in an uproar] that the drama was 삐걱댄 [creaking/faltering] because that 망할 놈 [damn bastard] was 빠져 [missing/left], even though there were Kwon Seong-hyun and Min Ye-rin. But in fact, seeing that there’s a 미친 존재감 [crazy presence/impact] like Yeon-woo in the place where that 망할 놈 [damn bastard] was 빠져 [missing/left], I think those words will disappear.”

“Yes?”

미친…… what?

‘Don’t these people have any shame?’

Maybe the 중추신경 [central nerve] that feels 민망함 [embarrassment] is 마비 [paralyzed]. To hear the word 미친 존재감 [crazy presence/impact] directly 육성 [spoken aloud]. Moreover, what’s even more 환장 [infuriating/crazy-making] is that there are no humans 태클 [raising objections] about it. For some reason, everyone was nodding with an attitude that they were 납득 [convinced/understanding].

“Director! They say a coffee truck is coming now. What should we do?”

In an atmosphere where only Yeon-woo was 오그라드는 [cringing], the youngest PD [production director] ran in.

“Coffee truck? Already? Who sent it?”

The director asked with an 어리둥절한 [puzzled] look.

“They said it was sent from Kwon Seong-hyun’s fan page.”

“Ah, there! There’s no problem there. Okay. Tell them to send it.”

“Yes! I’ll 전달 [convey] it as is!”

Watching the youngest PD run out, writer Min 혀를 내둘렀다 [shook her head in amazement].

“What is a coffee truck?”

“Ah, Yeon-woo wouldn’t know. Sometimes fans send it to the filming set. It’s a truck they send so you can take a break and drink coffee.”

In the commonly called ‘조공 [tribute/offering]’ culture, fans of celebrities who 출연 [appear] sometimes put 사식 [treats/snacks] in the filming set to raise the spirits of the actors. There are various types of 보내는 [things they send] besides coffee trucks. They sometimes send snack trucks, sometimes send 도시락 [lunchboxes], and 통 크게 [generously] sometimes 쏠 [treat to] meals altogether. Pizza, chicken, 분식 [Korean snack foods]……. You can think of almost all the types you can eat.

“By the way, Seong-hyun’s fans, their 실행력 [execution power] is really 끝내주네요 [amazing/incredible]. How did they 공수 [procure/arrange] a coffee truck already? It hasn’t even been two hours since he posted the photo, has it?”

“I know. I didn’t know there would be so much 관심 [interest] either……. Most of my fans are 점잖으신 분들 [gentle/refined people].”

“It’s probably because it’s the first time Seong-hyun has voluntarily posted a photo. Seong-hyun’s fans are famous for their 어마어마한 [tremendous/immense] 실행력 [execution power]. I think it’s probably because they’re more curious about Yeon-woo.”

Suddenly the 대상 [subject] of the conversation 옮겨졌다 [shifted] to Yeon-woo.

“Me?”

“Yeah. Yeon-woo is the first person Seong-hyun has 대놓고 [openly/bluntly] said he’s ‘친하다 [close]’ with, so that’s probably why. Seong-hyun gets along well with everyone, but he’s a bit 낯을 가리는 [shy/reserved]. Ah, that’s an 이해 안 가는 [incomprehensible] face. You still haven’t 이해 [understood], have you?”

How did you know?

“Um……. So you can think of it as Seong-hyun’s fans are coming to 살피 [check out/observe] Yeon-woo. The coffee truck is just an 핑계 [excuse].”

“Yes……?”

So. In other words, it’s an 면접 [interview]?

“Don’t worry. Seong-hyun’s fans are famous for being 점잖기로 [being refined/gentle]. They won’t 협박 [threaten] you not to be 친하게 지내 [close] with Seong-hyun or anything.”

Writer Min said with a 생긋 [bright] smile. But Yeon-woo felt a 한기 [chill] for some reason.

[Don’t worry, Yeon-woo! I’ll 지켜줄게 [protect you]! Even though they’re the actor’s fans, I can’t 참을 [tolerate] someone who 괴롭히 [bullies] our Yeon-woo!]

Dongja-ryeong 외쳤다 대차게 [shouted boldly] from his chest, but it wasn’t very 위로 [comforting].

How much time has passed?

Not long after the youngest PD, who went to 전달 [convey] the permission, 헐레벌떡 [frantically] 돌아왔다 [returned] again.

“The coffee truck has 들어왔다 [entered] in the 주차장 [parking lot]!”

“Aigo. I’ll take a 한숨 [sigh]. I’m going to drink some delicious 커어피 [coffee] for the first time in a while.”

“Should I call some 아는 기자 [acquainted reporters] too? I think it would be good to use this as a 홍보자료 [promotional material].”

“I’ll 연락 [contact] the 홍보팀 [PR team], what.”

The 스태프 [staff] who 던진 한마디씩 [threw a word each] 주섬주섬 [one by one] 일어켜 [got up] 향했다 [headed] 밖으로 [outside] 촬영장 [filming set].

“Yeon-woo, you should 꼭 가봐요 [definitely go] too. Seong-hyun’s fans’ 입맛 [taste] is 고급 [high-class], so it’s as delicious as a 웬만한 [decent] 프랜차이즈 [franchise] coffee shop.”

Director Heo 사라졌다 [disappeared] 바깥으로 [outside] 먼저 [first] 웃으며 허허 [laughing heartily].

“Let’s 가 봐요 [go], too, Yeon-woo.”

“Are you telling me to go get 시험당하러 [tested/evaluated]……?”

Yeon-woo 질색했다 [was disgusted]. I heard something just now, but you’re telling me to 나가자고 [go out]?

“I’m not 준비 [ready] yet……”?

A 차디찬 [icy] 경멸의 시선 [look of contempt]. 비난 어린 눈동자 [reproachful eyes]. All of those are 익숙한 [familiar] to Yeon-woo. But just because it’s 익숙하다 [familiar] doesn’t mean it’s not 기분 나쁘지 [unpleasant].

“If they’re going to 시험 [test], that means they don’t like me, so is there a 굳이 가 볼 필요 [need to go]?”

All of a sudden, I’m going to be 평가 [evaluated] by people I don’t even know.

“There is.”

But Kwon Seong-hyun said to such Yeon-woo with a 확신 어린 [confident] 목소리 [voice].

“Don’t worry. I’ll 장담 [guarantee].”

Kwon Seong-hyun 생긋 웃었다 [smiled brightly].

“There’s no one who would 감히 [dare to] 싫어할 [dislike] Yeon-woo.”

A 부드럽지만 단호한 [gentle but firm] 웃음 [smile]. A 웃음 [smile] that was 어딘지 [somehow] 확신에 찬 [full of confidence].