Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 73

These days, shooting and uploading videos is a hot trend, but I never thought they would advertise a toy repair shop with videos.

It felt like the nostalgic scent I felt as a child was being plastered over with cutting-edge technology.

‘Where did it go?’

‘Those buildings that were in that facility back then.’

Of course, it was an undeniable fact that business had to adapt to the times.

I looked at the shop owner.

“Um, do you think it’s fun for me to play with toys?”

“As long as your face looks good. Fun is secondary. A well-packaged face is better marketing than anything else. Good-looking rice cakes taste better, right?”

“That’s true. By the way, do you also run a channel?”

“Everyone’s online these days. It’s an era where we receive and send broken toys by 택배 [delivery service]. Well…”

“I guess so.”

“I have my own channel too. Wanna see it?”

The shop owner showed off his channel as if boasting.

He had quite a few subscribers than I thought.

50,000.

It didn’t seem like enough to make a living from the revenue, but isn’t it pretty good for this much?

Since the purpose isn’t video revenue.

“Your channel has grown quite a bit, huh?”

“Right? It’s better to have young people like you in the videos than an old man like me.”

“Everyone looks pretty good. And beautiful too.”

“These days, I mainly upload videos with young husbands and moms. Haha.”

“You’ve included quite a few scenes of fixing things too.”

I was quite surprised at the marketing he was doing more seriously than I thought.

‘Is that how I should film it roughly?’

“Anyway, if you film this kind of video, I’ll repair this for free.”

“Okay. There’s no such thing as a perfect freebie in the world.”

Even if they advertise it as a free phone these days, it’s not really free.

It’s just that you get 공시지원금 [official subsidy] and sign up for expensive plans.

If you calculate it well, the money you pay over three years is about the same.

‘But this is different.’

Filming one video isn’t difficult, and there are quite a few toys, so it was right to call it free.

“But I’m not handsome. Is that okay?”

“You’re handsome enough.”

“Really?”

It was a problem I had never thought about.

‘Should I put some wax on my hair for the first time in a while?’

I was worried about my appearance because they said they would upload the video.

“Okay, I understand. But what kind of toy should I introduce?”

“It’s not about introducing toys. I’m going to use this toy in the video when I fix it this time.”

“Ah, you’re going to use the fixed toy in the video? Then it will take quite a while to fix it, right?”

“Not really. It will take time to paint it. And that one just needs to be sewn. You can come the day after tomorrow.”

“It’ll be that fast?”

“It’s not fast. I just haven’t been sleeping much lately. I’m doing it as a side job.”

I nodded.

‘He must be rich.’

“You’re doing this store as a hobby, right?”

“Well, if you call it a hobby, it’s a hobby. It’s rewarding because coming here to fix things means they cherish their toys.”

The shop owner smiled gently as he looked at the children.

He must think the kids looking around are cute.

“I’m the landlord of this building now, though.”

“Wait a minute. The 서사 [narrative] is flexing from the start?”

“Come on. Just listen.”

I failed to stop the 투머치 [too much information] he was about to start.

“Yes.”

At that time, Siha came to my side and grabbed my leg tightly.

The shop owner looked at Siha and pointed with his finger.

“It’s a story from when my son was a little bigger than that baby. He had a robot he liked. But where would I get the money? Those toys are expensive.”

“They’re still expensive now.”

“But could I disappoint my child? So I made it.”

“You made what?”

“I made it so the kid could wear the robot suit. I made it this big myself. You know, like 아이언맨 [Iron Man] these days.”

“Wow.”

Siha widened her eyes as if she understood.

Seung-joon and Hana were also amazed by the new fact.

“Wow! Grandpa is amazing!”

“Amazing!”

The shop owner rubbed his nose.

His proud look was funny.

“Ahem. The kid liked it so much. He called me the best dad. From then on, my skills gradually increased, and later I became a skilled person who does this kind of work.”

“Wow~ That’s a good story, isn’t it?”

“It’s not that good of a story. When kids grow up, they lose interest in toys.”

That’s right.

The time comes when children grow up and no longer play with toys.

It might be even more so now.

There are computers and game consoles.

Because it’s a world where there are so many things to play with.

“But I couldn’t let go of this job. The image of my son and daughters being happy kept lingering in my mind.”

Do strong memories and recollections make you choose a job?

I think I learned something again here.

“Now I think I did well not to let go back then. Because I can give toys to my grandchildren.”

“That’s true.”

“So I want more kids to cherish their toys. Don’t throw them away just because they’re broken. You can fix them. I want to say that.”

“Don’t throw them away, fix them……”

“If you film a video, people who watch it will have another thought. So you have to film the video.”

“Hahaha. Okay. I can film it.”

‘This shop owner. He wasn’t building up to this, was he?’

After all, the experience of 노련함 [seasoned; experienced] is something you can’t follow.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

The shop owner gently grabbed my hand and handed me something.

“What is this?”

“It’s a camera. It’s a very good one.”

Everything was ready.

Just film the video.

I felt that meaning and laughed out loud.

‘It’s refreshing to be persuaded like this.’

***

After returning home, I had one concern.

How to film the video.

I looked at the channel now, and there were traces of 고민 [worry; effort] in everyone.

It seemed like they had tried this and that.

There were quite a few fun videos.

‘If possible, I wish Siha would enjoy it too.’

I was worried about what would happen if Siha got bored while filming the video.

It would be nice to participate together, but I’m still reluctant to show Siha’s face.

To be exact, I’m afraid that bad comments will be posted about Siha.

No, I’m afraid that Siha will read those posts later and get hurt.

‘I wonder if there are people who would write such 욕 [curse; swear words] even to a child.’

You never know.

And personally, I want to protect Siha’s 초상권 [portrait rights; right of publicity].

I didn’t want to upload photos without permission just because we were family.

Some people might say, ‘Why are you even worrying about this?’ but I want to do that.

I want to protect her because she’s young.

I also want to respect her even though she’s young.

I hope this consideration of mine will have a positive impact on Siha.

I hope there are more circles than crosses in your choices [hoping for more positive outcomes than negative ones].

I’m always 신경 [conscious; concerned] about education, but I’m always confused about whether I’m doing well.

First. Yes, I guess it’s because it’s the first time.

Will there be more crosses than circles in the education I give Siha?

If possible, I hope there are more circles.

“Siha.”

“Huh?”

“I’m going to film a video when I fix the toy later. Will you film it for me?”

“Ah ah.”

“I’ll show you how well Hyung [older brother] plays with toys. I don’t know if it will be fun, though.”

“Ah ah.”

I stroked Siha’s head.

Then the bell rang.

Ding-dong.

I wondered who it was and opened the door.

“Huh? What’s going on?”

Baek Dong-hwan was shaking a chicken in front of the door.

“What’s going on? Something good happened. I’m late to report, but I passed the broadcasting station’s open recruitment.”

“Wow! Congratulations! But didn’t you say that before?”

“Did I? Anyway, can I come in?”

“Chicken is okay, but I don’t think you can?”

“Ah. Hyungnim [term to address older brother or close male friend].”

“Okay. Come in. Siha. Baek Dong-hwan uncle is here!”

Siha ran over and greeted Baek Dong-hwan.

“Ah ah! Baek Ddong!”

“Siha. Uncle is Dong, not Ddong [poop]. Baek Dong. Got it?”

“Ah ah. Baek Ddong!”

“Are you deliberately emphasizing the pronunciation at the end?”

They’re having a pleasant conversation as soon as he came.

After all, poop and farts are indispensable elements of children’s fun?

While I was having such absurd thoughts, Baek Dong-hwan opened the chicken.

Siha’s eyes are sparkling.

“Siha. Let’s eat chicken!”

“Ah ah. Baek Ddong.”

Siha tore off the chicken deliciously.

I watched the scene and told Baek Dong-hwan what happened today.

I also held the camera next to me.

“Wow! Hyungnim! Then Hyungnim’s video will be uploaded?!”

“Yeah. But I’m worried about how to film it.”

“Then leave it to me. I have a good method.”

“Really? What is it?”

“You said you have several toys, right?”

“I have several.”

“Then let’s do a role-playing with that. By writing a scenario. I’m a voice actor. I’ll participate too.”

“Oh! That’s a good idea?”

As expected, he’s a voice actor, so he’s making content by connecting it with his job.

‘Wouldn’t Siha enjoy this?’

“Then Siha can enjoy it too.”

“Hyungnim. How about Siha coming out as an audience member?”

“Siha too? No!”

“Just the back view, not the front. Wouldn’t that be okay?”

“Hmm. That’s not bad?”

“Yes. Is it okay?”

Thinking about it, it seemed okay.

But do I have to go this far?

I had such a thought.

‘Hey. Still, they’re repairing all those toys for free.’

At least I have to earn my keep, right?

And it would be nice if Siha enjoyed it too.

“Then shall we write a story? We can’t just do it randomly.”

“Then that would be good. Do you have any pictures of the broken toys?”

“I do.”

I showed him the pictures I had taken.

Siha was still engrossed in the chicken, holding two legs in both hands.

‘I have to take this.’

I was about to show the picture to Baek Dong-hwan, but I secretly took a picture of Siha.

“Huh?”

“Haha. Siha. Cute. I’ll film a fun video for you later.”

“Ah ah.”

I turned my head again and discussed the story with Baek Dong-hwan.

I had a feeling that a good story would come out.

***

-Two days later.

Why did it turn out like this?

Was it supposed to be this big?

Really, somehow, it turned into a performance as a 봉사 [volunteer act] at the daycare center.

“Why did things get so big?”

I looked at Baek Dong-hwan next to me.

“Well? But it’s good because the audience has increased.”

Seo Soo-hyun, who was preparing next to me, said.

“Oppa [term to address older brother or close male friend, used by females]. Everything is ready here.”

“How did you come? Did the frog kingdom tell you [a humorous way of asking how she knew]?”

“What are you talking about? I told you that I also do 너튜브 [YouTube], so I asked if you would like to participate here.”

“That’s right. But why did it get so big?”

I sighed.

I was just filming a video, but it turned into this small event.

The beginning was the cute Siha.

I don’t know how she said it, but Siha sang a video, video song.

Seung-joon and Hana, who received the toss after that [continued the idea], talked about filming a video, and the daycare teacher wrote a scenario with shining eyes.

And by request, I ended up doing this mini-performance.

For reference, Baek Dong-hwan had no work today.

“Ahahaha. Oppa. Are you 정신 [out of it; spaced out]? Is it because you played with the kids today?”

“Yeah. Sorry. I’m a little like that now.”

It must be because of this that my head is dizzy.

“Have fun while you’re doing it.”

“Yeah. It’s okay if Siha has fun. But why am I a little anxious?”

“Don’t worry too much. The story is pretty good, too?”

To be honest, Baek Dong-hwan and I tried to write the story, but it wasn’t easy.

You have to know the elements that children will like.

In the end, I had no choice but to consult with the daycare teacher, but that’s how it turned out.

I looked at Baek Dong-hwan and said.

“Is the story really good? Dong-hwan, was it okay?”

“I liked it?”

Am I the only one who felt strange?

Thinking so, I sat in front of the camera.

The three people each held the fixed toys.

“Ahem. Then let’s start.”

I said the title with a slightly flushed face.

[The time I became a toyㅋㅋㅋ]