Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 172

The God-Given Top Star 172. Because It’s Not My Work (2)

172. Because It’s Not My Work (2)

April 21, 2022

Who doesn’t know it’s a business card?

‘It definitely looks like a business card.’

A fancy imported paper with subtle pearls, and the name ‘Michael’ written in elegant silver ink.

Below it, there’s only an email address without any other information.

It was a neat and simple business card,

perfectly reflecting Michael’s meticulous personality.

The problem is, why is he giving it to me?

“Why are you suddenly giving me this?”

“Keep it.”

“……?”

Wasn’t this guy supposed to dislike me?

As I stared at him expressionlessly, Michael muttered.

“……Take it.”

“……Pardon?”

“If you want to take pictures, contact me here.”

“……?”

Then, he hardened his expression and held out his hand.

‘What is this? A new kind of battle declaration?’

That couldn’t be it.

Even though his expression was sulky, it was clearly a gesture for a handshake.

As Yeon-woo slowly took his hand, a familiar window popped up in front of him.

-Name: Michael Lee (34/Male)

-Occupation: World-Class Commercial Photographer

-Disposition……

It was Michael’s status window.

One part of the status window caught Yeon-woo’s attention.

‘Favorability… Neutral?’

That was quite unexpected.

He definitely seemed to dislike me a lot.

The status window, which I checked while receiving the business card, surprisingly showed a result far from Yeon-woo’s expectations.

“Contact.”

“……?”

“Me. Definitely. If you ever need to take pictures.”

“I understand.”

“Then.”

After hearing Yeon-woo’s confirmation, Michael finally let go of his hand and turned around.

It was quite a brusque gesture.

‘What is it? Is he the type to cause misunderstandings with his actions?’

It’s impressive that it’s not favor.

But it wasn’t disfavor either.

Complete neutrality.

He seemed to separate work and personal matters thoroughly.

“It’s been a long time since a shoot ended so smoothly without any big issues. We survived thanks to you.”

“Oh, you’re welcome. It’s all thanks to the photographer’s excellent work.”

The assistant manager and manager Lee Gyu-han exchanged greetings and wrapped things up.

“It’ll be released in a week, right?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right. The pictorial will be published in a high fashion magazine for the first time. After that, it will be released on the client’s official website. Articles will also be released accordingly, so please take good care of us.”

“Oh, we should be the ones asking for your help.”

“Haha. Now that I think about it, I heard that Kang Yeon-woo’s program will be broadcast before our pictorial is released?”

“It will be broadcast this Sunday.”

“That’s in a few days. We’ll definitely tune in.”

The staff standing behind also added a word each.

“I’m already looking forward to it after seeing the preview.”

“I’ll definitely watch it on Sunday!”

It was a heartwarming atmosphere brought about by good work.

And a few days after the photoshoot was completed.

“Is it finally today?”

The day for Yeon-woo’s first reality show finally arrived.

*

“Wow, friend, it’s been so long! How have you been… no, you haven’t been well. Is Kwon not treating you right these days? Does he scold you? Why is your face so gaunt?! It looks sharp, but… huh? Your body got better again? What kind of routine is this?”

A flood of words poured out.

I’m getting dizzy.

What cut it off was Kwon Seong-hyun, who kindly kicked Lee Ju-ha’s joint as he strode up and poured out words while grabbing Yeon-woo.

“Why would I scold Yeon-woo? Stop talking nonsense and go inside.”

“Ugh! Kwon Seong-hyun! I told you not to kick there?!”

“Then why are you blocking the door with that big body of yours?”

Tick-tock.

The quiet dorm was filled with noisy sounds.

“Ah, hello…….”

“Oh! You’re my friend’s *danggdang engineer* [in charge engineer]! Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Ju-ha.”

“O-of course, I know! I’m Jerry. I’m a fan of Lee Ju-ha……!”

“Wow. Kwon, where did you get such a proper *insa* [greeting/well-mannered person]? He’s my fan. There are no bad people among my fans. There are no bad Ju-ha fans in the world.”

“Crazy…….”

Yeon-woo witnessed the rare sight of Kwon Seong-hyun shaking his head as if he had a headache.

Several cameras were filming their *moseup* [appearance/scene] in front of them.

It was a camera that people were filming directly, not a *geo-chi* [fixed] camera.

It was fortunate that the living room was *neolda boni* [because it was wide], so it seemed that there were fewer people *bokjak-bokjak* [bustling/crowded].

It started like this.

-Our first episode is this Sunday… Would you be available that day? If possible, we would like to film you watching it.

In short, it was a story of *ppoba meokgetda* [milking/extracting] the *contenteu* [content].

-So… do you have anyone you want to call… It would be nice if they were close, but it’s okay if they’re not.

This was a kind of *win-win* strategy.

From the broadcasting station’s point of view, it’s better to have several people watching than one, because the reactions are better and there are more scenes to *ppoba sseul* [extract and use].

It’s not a bad suggestion from Yeon-woo’s point of view either.

In times like this, you can deliberately call people from the same *so-sok-sa* [agency] to raise awareness together or give them a chance to be exposed to the public once more.

But.

‘The problem is, I don’t know anyone.’

*Nui joko, maebu joko* [an idiom meaning “good for the sister, good for the brother-in-law,” similar to “killing two birds with one stone”].

Maybe the broadcasting station made the suggestion with that intention…….

‘Hoo…….’

I thought I knew more people since I entered the entertainment industry and lived alone.

‘When I think about it, I don’t have anyone to call. Did I live in vain…….’

I was an *assa* [outsider/loner]……!

Of course, I wasn’t hurt or anything.

It just added a little more *gomin* [worry/concern].

I couldn’t call Director Ji Un-jae here either.

Yeon-woo thought about contacting Yeon Do-hee, who he had become close with while filming the movie.

Surprisingly, the answer came from a simple place.

-I can go.

-Yes?

-I said I can go.

-You’re saying Kwon Seong-hyun would bother to appear on a *yeneung* [variety show] like this……?

-There’s no reason why I can’t go, right?

When I thought about it, that was also true.

-Yeon Do-hee is a little dangerous. It might not be good for Yeon Do-hee, not Yeon-woo. There’s even talk of a sequel because of the chemistry between the two of you…….

When I thought about it, that was also true.

If a scandal breaks out, there will inevitably be someone who loses out.

There’s a slightly higher chance that it will be Yeon Do-hee.

‘I can’t cause such *minpe* [trouble/nuisance] just because I need it.’

As a result, it was natural that Kwon Seong-hyun was chosen for the spot.

Lee Ju-ha was added on Kwon Seong-hyun’s recommendation.

-They said the more people, the better.

The *danggdang* PD [in charge producer] who heard this story,

-Yes, well, yes? Who did you say? Huh. Of course, we like it……! If you come…….

I think he screamed with joy.

It was only for a moment.

-Are you really okay with this?

-……?

-Hmm. We like it, but it’s also possible that more attention will be focused on Kwon Seong-hyun…….

-Yes, well. I don’t care.

Usually, in cases like this, people of similar class or *so-sok-sa* [agency] do business-like *kkiwoopalgi* [tie-in sales/bundling].

In severe cases, the entire *so-sok-sa* [agency] is mobilized from the first episode.

For example, PPL people, not things [referring to product placement, but with people instead of products].

But Yeon-woo was completely the opposite.

What is this cool reaction?

Anyway, that was the reason.

That’s why Kwon Seong-hyun and Lee Ju-ha gathered in this place.

“Yeon-woo, what kind of exercise do you do these days? Which gym do you go to?”

“Stop groping me.”

“Ah, why? I’m trying to find a new place to go because the gym I go to these days is crowded, so why.”

“Don’t even think about going because it’s bad luck.”

“Bad luck?! Kwon is too much~! What’s wrong with me that I’m bad luck~!”

Kwon Seong-hyun and Lee Ju-ha continued to bicker even after sitting down.

The production crew filming seemed to find it interesting and fun.

“Ha. Our *jjokkomi* [little one/small fry] has grown up so much that he’s even filming a solo reality show… This friend is *gamgyeokseureopda* [moved/touched]. It’s rewarding to have raised him so hard, rewarding.”

“Who raised him……”

The writer in front of them asked about their *tikyeoktaekyeok* [bickering/bantering].

“I’ve heard a lot about how close you two are, but you must be really close.”

“Haha. If it weren’t for me, this guy wouldn’t have any friends. I’m, in vulgar terms, Seong-hyun’s *bul* [dick]…… Ack!”

“You have to use good and beautiful words, Ju-ha.”

Kwon Seong-hyun said with a smile.

“……We’re very close *jukma-gogu* [childhood friends]. Haha!”

“I see. You seem really close. How about with Yeon-woo……?”

Yeon-woo thought.

‘Ah. That’s why he brought Lee Ju-ha.’

There’s no time for the *audio* to be empty.

While the main writer was interviewing the guests, Yeon-woo opened the shopping bag that Lee Ju-ha had bought.

Inside were various *gwaja* [snacks] and *hambeogeo* [hamburgers] and *gamjatwigim* [french fries].

“Uh-oh. I didn’t eat dinner, so I bought some *anjutgeori* [snacks to eat with alcohol].”

“Is this dinner?”

“I didn’t have anything else to buy… Ah! Of course, I bought yours too.”

‘Are you eating this for dinner……?’

Although the interior has been remodeled in a modern style, Yeon-woo was born and raised in a *hanok* [traditional Korean house].

Most of the *gwishin* [ghosts] in the house are old people who have stayed in this world for a long time.

They’re the so-called *josangsedae gwishin* [ancestor generation ghosts].

And what about the *gapung* [family tradition]?

-Koreans live by *bapsim* [the strength of rice/food].

Ms. Kang’s taste, who wears *gaelyang hanbok* [modernized hanbok] or *musogin* [shaman] unique attire for most of her life, was also that of a traditional Korean.

Of course, Yeon-woo, who grew up under her influence, also had Korean food as the standard for meals.

Of course, it’s not that I want to stick to only Korean food because it’s a global era.

‘But why *hambeogeo* [hamburger] of all things? Isn’t *hambeogeo* [hamburger] a *gansik* [snack]?’

I don’t know about *seuteikeu* [steak] or *paseuta* [pasta] as a substitute for a meal.

But *hambeogeo* [hamburger]?

Yeon-woo didn’t have the hobby of eating *gansik* [snacks] for meals.

‘I’d rather not eat it. If I’m going to eat it, it’s better to eat well.’

Isn’t this all for the sake of living?

I don’t want to feed these things to the guests who came all the way here.

Yeon-woo went to the kitchen and started *buseokdaegi* [rustling/making noise], and the PD quickly followed.

“Are you going to cook?”

“Yes.”

“Oh……. I was curious after watching the video. Have you ever learned to cook separately? You’re very skilled.”

“Yes, well…….”

Rather than learning, I gained it.

From a *gwishin* [ghost] who was a famous chef.

Of course, I can’t say this, so I vaguely glossed over it.

“Will it be over before the opening? No. It’s better to send this out…….”

The production crew gathered and started *ssukdeokgeorigi* [whispering/murmuring].

Lee Ju-ha, who had finished the interview, came *eoseulleong eoseulleong* [sauntering/strolling].

“Oh. Friend. What are you trying to make?”

“Yes. *Hambeogeo* [hamburger] isn’t enough for a meal.”

“Huh? Are you going to prepare a meal instead of a *gansik* [snack]?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? Really? Friend, you can cook too? Kwon, did you know?!”

“Hoo…….”

Kwon Seong-hyun, who was standing behind Lee Ju-ha’s words, took a deep breath.

Kwon Seong-hyun didn’t like Yeon-woo cooking for safety reasons.

He was like an *geukseong* [overzealous] protector who showed up while the *hongbo* [promotion] schedule was being *japhimyeonseo* [being scheduled] after the ‘Most Beautiful Days’ *keuraengkeueop* [wrap-up/end of filming].

From some point on,

-I’m going crazy. Are you going to *jejae* [sanction/restrict] even this?

He would mutter these words to someone and reduce the *gwahobo* [excessive protection] that made it seem like the sky would fall if he went to the kitchen.

He still tried to do it himself when it was just him and me.

“That’s weird. It’s like I’m seeing Kwon give up for the first time……? But friend, what are you going to make? Thinking about eating this together like this, it’s like a home party, a home party.”

Lee Ju-ha clapped his hands.

“It’s a home party. A *ginyeom* [celebratory] home party to celebrate my friend’s solo reality show’s first episode!”

That bright sound became a hint.

‘A *janchi* [feast/celebration]…….’

There were a few foods that came to mind when I thought of *janchi* [feast/celebration].

“PD. Is there a mart right now…….”

“Yes, of course!”

The main PD gave a thumbs up and answered, as if the production crew had already finished talking about which direction to *teulji* [turn/change].