Chapter 84

Punishment Execution (3)

"Can I speak without holding back?"

"Yes."

Sweat formed on my palms as I sat across from the representative at the table. Our punishment was to "dress up as girls and walk around," not to "deceive the representative"! This is all Hong Oran's fault.

The red light indicating that we were being recorded encouraged us to continue our role-play. Now that things had come to this, I couldn't be the only one to get out of it.

"I want you to understand that I can only comment on your appearance, as I can't judge other aspects."

The representative's eyes sparkled as he scrutinized us carefully. It was like the gaze of an auctioneer evaluating a valuable item.

I had exchanged greetings with Director Son Junggi a few times, but I had never been observed from such a close distance. Was this how he saw us?

"You both have the aura of celebrities. Your height might limit the roles you can take, but your visuals are excellent enough to overcome that disadvantage."

Despite coming in abruptly and asking a question, he answered so kindly and seriously. I realized that being a representative of an entertainment agency wasn't a job just anyone could do.

"Seeing you without makeup would allow for a more accurate judgment, but even with makeup, it's not easy to achieve this level of visuals. You could also make a good commercial model. Our proposed strategy is for each of you to appear on variety shows with your families to gain recognition."

Recently, there have been more variety shows featuring the families of celebrities. Seizing this opportunity could quickly boost your recognition. There is a demand for the families of visually appealing celebrities.

As the representative delved into the specifics, my head started to spin.

What is this...? Hong Oran, what are you trying to do to defuse this situation?

"But, the most certain way is to be active as your true selves, Won and Oran."

"Wh-what?!"

I was listening seriously when I suddenly leaned back, startled.

When did he figure it out? Did he deliberately go along with our act until now?

"It would be strange not to notice a change in appearance. After all, you are the treasures I personally selected for our company."

Oh! To lead a company, one must have such a sharp eye. I was impressed, and the representative cleared his throat a couple of times before saying:

"Let's cut it here."

"...?!"

I was taken aback again. Everything so far was staged...? Did I get tricked in return? The representative isn't an actor, right?

This can't be. If I let this happen, the members' comments about me being clueless will become true...

"When did you figure it out?"

Oran, who had struggled to change her voice, relaxed and returned to her normal tone.

"From the beginning. The camera operator I deliberately chose to handle Theo is the one who noticed."

"Really?"

The creative team member holding the camera smiled awkwardly. So, this member must have guessed that the representative would figure out our identities. It wouldn't make sense for the Theo handler to suddenly take charge of another rookie.

After all, it would be too risky for a Hanul Entertainment employee to participate in a plan to deceive the representative without any safety measures.

I should have suspected something when the representative's office was included in the tour. It was all part of a plan.

"It's fortunate that we didn't cause any inconvenience. It would be great if this adds to the representative's image."

My eyes widened. In that moment, he must have considered what benefits he could gain...

"Hehe. Oran, you have a broad perspective. For someone so young."

The representative of an entertainment agency often appears in public. On audition shows, interview variety shows, and observation variety shows.

While Hanul Entertainment's history is on par with other agencies, the representative is known mainly within the entertainment industry.

Unless he plans to appear in public in the future, it's almost impossible in this era of developed SNS.

"Since I have to appear in public anyway, I need to strategically build my image. Don't you agree, representative?"

"It seems you've seen right through me. I must have underestimated you, Oran."

The conversation between the two left me dazed. The representative of the agency and the idol member. There's a thirty-year age gap, yet they seemed to understand each other perfectly.

"Being close enough to attempt a surprise camera with our artists while maintaining professionalism and insight, that's a cool representative. Representative."

"Every time I hear about Oran, I think she's the type who handles social life wisely. You certainly live up to expectations."

"I'm a bit disappointed with my current appearance. I'd like to have more conversations with the representative."

"Anytime, you're welcome."

The creative team member and I could only watch the two of them in a daze.

"Adding the scene where Oran and Won are surprised and the representative comforts them should be enough!"

Despite being nervous, the member was still doing their job well.

"Younghun, relax. I'm not that authoritative. You can see that with Oran, right?"

Hong Oran might be a special case. I and the creative team member are more typical.

In any case, after a series of twists and turns, we finished the shoot and left the representative's office. The members who had been waiting quietly near the door approached us curiously, eager to know what had happened inside.

"What should I say...? Two shrimps caught in a game of wits between a tiger and a lion?"

The members didn't understand and urged me to explain in more detail. Oran's ambiguous smile suggested that my description wasn't off.

As I recounted the conversation between Oran and the representative, the members outside finally burst into laughter. It seemed they weren't surprised, given how long they had known Oran.

"Whenever we have to meet the representative, we can just ask Hong Oran."

Green, who has a lot of responsibilities beyond his role as leader, appointed Oran as the representative's liaison, taking one task off his plate.

"Is it just about going in and conveying our intentions? What's so difficult about that?"

All the Theo members knew Green was struggling with a heavy workload, so they were trying to share the burden. Even Oran, who was grumbling, was no exception.

"I want to take you outside the company. It's a real shame to keep you all to ourselves!"

Parkha, who had been circling around Oran and me, whined in disappointment. Jeong agreed.

"Go ahead. Why not?"

What are you talking about? The punishment was to dress up as girls within the company.

"Should we?"

"Are you crazy?"

I was surprised by Oran's lack of reaction. How far does she plan to go with this cross-dressing?

Even though I'm not bothered by women's clothing, walking around outside after deliberately dressing up as a girl is a different matter.

"Since we have to go back to the dorm anyway, we can just walk there. No one will recognize us, so it's safe."

"Is safety the issue here?"

"Isn't it?"

In Hong Oran's dictionary, the word "shame" doesn't exist. Without any sense of embarrassment, she makes choices that seem bizarre by normal standards!

"Would you be embarrassed? Passersby wouldn't even imagine you're a man."

Ah, we're not getting through to her. I might be swept away by the majority's decision.

The other four members listened to our conversation with great interest. Their sparkling eyes were a bit overwhelming.

The Theo members often band together based on the principle of "if it's fun, it's okay!" Sadly, this seems to be one of those times.

"We're working as idols. As entertainers, we should be able to endure a bit of embarrassment to bring joy to people."

Green tried to rationalize the unusual behavior. I've known the members for almost a year, so I can read their dark intentions.

"Won, why not think of it as an interesting experience?"

No way, even Hyun-hyung!

"Let's go, Won! It'll be fun!"

"Go! Won! Go!"

Parkha and Jeong were openly trying to persuade me. They should at least wipe the smiles off their faces.

"Can't be helped..."

"Yay! Good thinking, Won-hyung!"

They were very excited.

I never thought I could win against our members. The outcome was already decided, but I just wanted to try.

I sighed deeply, then chuckled. My parents used to say they did all sorts of crazy things with friends when they were young. I guess I'm not much different.

It felt like I had finally found my place.

"Can you bring me a pair of sunglasses? I can't go out without them."

"Got it! I'll be right back!"

"Yes, sir!"

Parkha and Jeong quickly returned with dark sunglasses. I put them on and started self-hypnosis. I am a beautiful woman, Ham Eun, and anyone who sees me will think so.

"Let's go."

Clack, clack?

The low-heeled boots clicked as I straightened my shoulders and lifted my head. I hoped the makeup would hide my flushed skin.

* * *

Fans were thrilled by the flood of content. The members were posting more selfies, appearing on more radio and variety shows, and there was even a fan meeting.

This fan meeting, in particular, provided valuable insights into the members' real lives.

Especially, the "Ham Won's favorite restaurant list" mentioned by Hyun sparked a lot of interest. Fans wanted to get their hands on it, believing that a restaurant recommended by Ham Won, known for his sensitive palate, would be reliable.

It was already known that Ham Won had perfect pitch and a keen sense of hearing. If his taste was even half as sharp, his restaurant list would be a surefire success.

Even when fans were discussing other topics, they would inevitably mention their desire to find "Ham Won's carefully selected restaurant list."

This topic spread widely among fans. The result was:

The primary goal was to enjoy delicious food at the recommended restaurants, with a slight hope of possibly encountering Theo members.

However, the members were often too busy to visit these restaurants.

In reality, they often ate diet food or Jeton's cooking at the dorm. When they did go out to eat, it was usually to places that fans couldn't find, so no one's dreams came true.

Even fans of other groups were drawn in by the intriguing title and the content spread to other communities, becoming a popular post.

– Did you see that? They guessed Ham Won's restaurant list!

└What's that?

└A member said, "If you go to a restaurant Ham Won recommends, you won't be disappointed."

└Oh, I see.

– I found a photo of Ham Won at a local French restaurant!!!!!!

└What, in France?

└I was traveling in France and saw a place where they put up instant photos. I saw Ham Won! He must have been on a family trip!

└Fake.

└I didn't want to post the personal photo, but it went viral 10 minutes later.

└(Deleted photo)

└Haha, really? There can't be two faces like that!

└Ham Won's parents' beauty shines through the blur.

└If there are Ham Won-approved restaurants abroad, they must be almost Michelin-starred.

└It's deleted... I want to see the photo.

...

The topic became a fun game of "Finding Ham Won's Restaurants" in the community.

If they asked Ham Won directly, he would likely get permission from the restaurant owners and answer honestly, but that fact was no longer important to them.