Chapter 64

64. Mom's Seat

Dandan Dandan.

The recording studio is illuminated with the prelude, and the scene of Woo Jinhyuk and Yeon Serin smiling at each other as they prepare to sing appears.

The two, wearing headphones, stand in front of the recording microphone.

With two people of such strong visual appeal, the scene unfolds like a drama rather than a making video.

First, Serin's recording scene appears.

"Close your eyes and imagine - a bright future you can dream of -."

Serin, closing her eyes as the lyrics suggest, herself is a painting. However, Serin's vocals are even more shocking than her visuals.

Serin's voice, which stops the breath of everyone watching the video, flows, and scenes from High School 2 are displayed.

"Wow—."

The mouths of the W&C advertising agency employees, gathered to watch the video, opened wide as if by agreement.

With the visually stunning scenes of High School 2, it becomes a music video in itself.

"Take a break if you need to. It's okay if you're a little late. There's still a path to walk—."

Beautiful actor, beautiful visuals, beautiful song.

"Wow, the voice is insane. The song is so good. Was she originally a singer?"

Even if she was originally an idol singer, there are many unknown idol groups, so it's possible the employees didn't know.

A vocal that doesn't seem like just an actor. All the employees had the same thought: It's only a matter of time before the idol group she belongs to becomes famous.

As Serin's dream-like song pulls at something nostalgic in people's hearts, something heavy thuds down.

It's Jinhyuk's deep, low rap with an insane voice. People's hearts also thud down.

"From the moment we first met, I felt it from your trembling hands."

"Ah—."

An uncontrolled scream from an employee echoes through the office.

"What do I do? It's so good."

"Wow. Damn. What is this voice? My heart hurts."

"Isn't Woo Jinhyuk an idol singer?"

"There was no such content in his model profile."

"But he can rap like that?"

As the employees were captivated by the two's fantastic harmony,

"Passed! Haha!"

W&C CEO Kang Hyun-jung entered the office, shouting in triumph. All the employees' gazes turned to him.

"Really?"

"CEO, really passed?"

"Passed. Passed. Haha! The advertiser was so happy to secure Woo Jinhyuk."

It was a close call. After the second episode of High School 2 aired, CEO Kang Hyun-jung had been pushing the project like crazy.

Without a break, the result was finally confirmed by the advertiser. This means that the first advertisement of the hottest new star, Woo Jinhyuk, will be their advertisement.

"Haha. I wonder what our company will become now."

"Jinhyuk caused another incident yesterday."

"Incident?"

One of the employees showed CEO Kang Hyun-jung the OST making video.

Serin's unbelievable vocals and Jinhyuk's rap.

Unbelievable view counts and numerous comments.

– Really. Insane. My heart is still racing.

– Both should debut as singers!

– The song itself is ordinary, but they just grab each other's collars and create a hit.

– Is that Shin Da-bin causing an incident and singing instead?

– Yes.

– They say a successful family can pick up gold even if they fall backward. The High School 2 production team must be overjoyed.

– Woo Jinhyuk, with that voice, I bet his singing is amazing. I'll bet my fingers and all my money on it.

– I heard. He's really good. Better than his rapping.

– Really? You actually heard him sing?

– He and Yeon Serin dominated the Seonghyeon District Youth Song Festival last year.

– Wow! Did you see it live? I'm so jealous. 😢

The comments from viewers shocked by Jinhyuk and Serin's singing and rapping exploded, and eyewitness accounts of Jinhyuk, which had been quiet until now, started to pour in.

Seeing the chaotic online situation, CEO Kang Hyun-jung's mouth dropped.

***

"I am, Tropical Ice."

Woo Jinhyuk, with a charming smile, shakes a refreshing tropical fruit juice can and turns around.

As befits a beverage ambitiously launched by a large corporation, Jinhyuk's commercial plays on TV whenever it's turned on.

Especially in the monitors installed throughout the supermarket where his mother, Kim Sun-hwa, works, Jinhyuk's commercial is played repeatedly.

"Phew. Really, our Mrs. Kim Sun-hwa must be full even without eating."

A middle-aged female employee, working alongside her, looked enviously at Jinhyuk's mother. A young female employee, standing next to her, gazed at Jinhyuk's commercial as if hypnotized and said,

"By the way, Mrs. Kim, how much do you get paid for such a commercial?"

A nearby employee slapped the young female employee's back.

"What are you asking such a thing for?"

"Well, I don't know anyone like a celebrity, so it's really interesting and I'm curious."

The young female employee asked Kim Sun-hwa.

"Your son. He's doing so well, you're not going to quit the supermarket, are you?"

"What? Just because the kid is doing well, does that mean I should stop working? No such thing."

Kim Sun-hwa shook her head.

Lately, Jinhyuk's father, Woo Bong-soo, and mother, Kim Sun-hwa, have been dealing with the fame of their son.

– Sun-hwa, Jinhyuk is so handsome. I couldn't recognize him at first by his face.

– Sister, you really raised a good son. I'm so envious.

As the drama gained popularity and Jinhyuk's presence rose, relatives and distant acquaintances, whom they hadn't seen in ages, started to contact them.

– Sun-hwa, can you get Jinhyuk's autograph? My kids are going crazy.

– Sun-hwa, it's me, Mi-sun. It's been so long. Your son's story made the alumni meeting very lively. Please come to the next meeting. I want to see you.

As Jinhyuk's popularity soared, friends, acquaintances, and anyone with even a loose connection started to contact them.

– Hello, is this Kim Sun-hwa? Hello, I am...

– I'm sorry to contact you so suddenly...

Not only acquaintances but also people asking for investments or help, somehow knowing their contact information, started to flood them with calls, to the point where Woo Bong-soo and Kim Sun-hwa had to change their contact information.

‘Oh, I need to get my act together.’

‘You’re right.’

Woo Bong-soo and Kim Sun-hwa became even more serious after Jinhyuk's commercial fee was deposited.

Since Jinhyuk didn't have a trainee period, the settlement began from the moment the fee was received.

While the fee for a new actor's first work is a known amount, it was a significant sum for Jinhyuk's family.

However, the commercial fee that came in recently was a much larger sum compared to the drama.

And they learned from the agency that several more such commercial contracts were in progress.

Woo Bong-soo and Kim Sun-hwa were very happy about their son's success, but they were also worried about the future.

Their conclusion was one: regardless of Jinhyuk's success, they would continue to live the life they had built.

‘The money Jinhyuk earns is his. It has nothing to do with us.’

‘Of course.’

The parents, who were already grateful for using Jinhyuk's contract money to increase their deposit, thought they would only keep it until Jinhyuk's independence.

After that, they didn't touch a penny of the money coming in under Jinhyuk's name and put it in an account under his name.

Their son was smarter than they were. He was already mature enough to be independent, except for his age.

"I will continue to work until I become a grandmother."

"Hehe. Really? You really must. You can't quit. Do you know I love you, Mrs. Kim?"

The young female employee affectionately linked arms with Kim Sun-hwa. Being a polite and considerate young female employee, Kim Sun-hwa didn't mind her affection.

At that moment,

Murmurs.

The entrance of the supermarket became noisy. The murmurs seemed to be getting closer to Kim Sun-hwa and her group.

"Ah!"

The young female employee next to Kim Sun-hwa covered her mouth.

"Jinhyuk. What are you doing here?"

Jinhyuk stood in front of his mother without a cap, or rather, with a full styling.

With his properly styled appearance, both employees and customers were mesmerized by Jinhyuk.

"Hello, Mother."

"Ah. Your manager is here too. Hello."

Jinhyuk's manager, Kim Yong-soo, who had become a familiar face, greeted Kim Sun-hwa warmly.

"We have a shoot nearby. Jinhyuk wanted to see his mother."

Kim Sun-hwa's face brightened at the manager's words.

"Well, you can see him when you get home. No need to go through all this trouble."

"The shoot will probably end in the early morning. I'll probably go to sleep when I get home."

"Phew. Son, you must be tired."

Kim Sun-hwa patted Jinhyuk's shoulder.

"Ah! It's Woo Jinhyuk."

"Right! Right!"

"Wow. In person. He's not human."

"Is he not filming right now?"

Kim Sun-hwa looked around at the increasingly noisy surroundings, feeling both burdened by the gathering gazes and proud of her son.

***

Amidst the huge buzz, High School 2 had already passed the halfway mark and entered the latter half.

"Amazing."

The female lead, Kim Arin (An Ye-na), said to Jin Se-jin (Woo Jinhyuk), who was monitoring the broadcast video with her. Se-jin looked at Arin, wondering what she meant.

"Well, to be honest, I can't really say your expression is warm."

"..."

"But when you act, it's completely different. Actually, the fact that you act at all is already amazing."

In the video, Se-jin was acting in a completely different atmosphere from his usual self, while in front of Arin (Ye-na), the real Se-jin (Jinhyuk) was looking at her.

"Hey. Hey. This expression. It's like a cold wind is blowing. Hey, be honest. Don't you want to laugh? You want to laugh, right?"

Kim Arin (An Ye-na) tried to joke with Jin Se-jin, hiding her still wavering heart with her usual charm.

Jin Se-jin (Woo Jinhyuk), who had gradually opened up a bit, smiled.

"Really? You laughed? Haha. Da-eun, did you see that? He laughed?"

Kim Arin (An Ye-na) said to Se Da-eun (Yeon Serin), who was in charge of the video script. Se Da-eun (Yeon Serin) replied with her usual innocent smile.

"You know, among famous actors, there are many who are very introverted."

"Ah, that's true."

"Because they usually don't express their emotions and keep them inside, they can explode in front of the camera, right?"

Se Da-eun (Yeon Serin)'s words made Kim Arin (An Ye-na) nod. Arin looked at Se-jin again and said,

"But, you definitely look better without glasses."

Se-jin (Jinhyuk), who had taken off his glasses for acting, was told by Arin (Ye-na).

"Really?"

You're saying the same thing as someone else. Se-jin thought.

Da-eun (Serin), who had been listening, said to Arin (Ye-na),

"Hey, Arin. You should respect Se-jin's preferences."

"Oh, really? Sorry."

"Well, it's not that big of a deal."

Se-jin (Jinhyuk) replied to Arin (Ye-na) as if it didn't bother him, and Da-eun (Serin) smiled and said,

"Actually, Se-jin, I also think you look better without glasses."

As befits a drama with a solid fan base, even in such ordinary daily scenes, the fans' love overflows.

– Serin, if you want, I'll take off my glasses even if my vision blurs.

– Hey, get a grip. That's Woo Jinhyuk.

– Usually, the more you hide, the better.

– Serin, I love you so much ♡

"Hey? Jin Se-jin?"

Degreea (Min Seo-yeon) called out to Jin Se-jin (Woo Jinhyuk) coming out of the acting school, looking a bit surprised.

"You go to an acting school?"

"..."

"Well, you're in the broadcasting class, so it makes sense. Still, it's unexpected."

"Where have you been?"

With makeup and a fancy dress, Degreea (Seo-yeon) looked a bit unfamiliar to Se-jin (Jinhyuk).

"Oh, just a part-time job."

"..."

Degreea (Seo-yeon), understanding Se-jin's puzzled look, quickly added,

"Don't imagine anything strange. I'm not that kind of person."

"What do you mean by strange imagination?"

Se-jin (Jinhyuk) smiled. He already knew that Degreea (Seo-yeon)'s family wasn't well-off and that she always helped with the household by working part-time.

She seemed like a rebellious teenager, but she was actually a deep and thoughtful person.

"Really, there are all kinds of weird people in the world..."

Degreea (Seo-yeon) was walking alongside Jin Se-jin (Woo Jinhyuk).

While listening to Degreea (Seo-yeon)'s enthusiastic story about her part-time job, a faint smile appeared on Se-jin's lips.

After walking for a while,

"Ouch. I really wanted to punch that guy back then..."

As Degreea (Min Seo-yeon) raised her fist, engrossed in her story, Jin Se-jin (Woo Jinhyuk) suddenly stopped walking.

As Se-jin (Jinhyuk) stopped, Degreea (Seo-yeon) also stopped talking and looked at Se-jin, then followed his gaze.

"Mom..."

There, Jin Se-jin's mother stood with a stern expression.

***

Dark lighting. A heavy silence hung between Jin Se-jin (Woo Jinhyuk) and his mother, sitting across the table.

The mother spoke first.

"Quit the broadcasting class and the acting school immediately."

"Mom!"

"How could you lie to me and go to the acting school? Se-jin, why have you become like this!"

The mother, who usually maintained a cold and calm expression, was flushed with anger.

"And that girl! You've become like this because you hang out with those low-quality people, haven't you!"

"Mom!"

Bang!!

Jin Se-jin slammed his fists on the table.

Under his bowed head, Jin Se-jin's (Woo Jinhyuk) chest heaved with heavy breathing.

"Enough. I'm done with this."

Slowly raising his head, Jin Se-jin's (Woo Jinhyuk) eyes were colder than ever, but beneath the ice, a deep well of sorrow was trapped.

Jin Se-jin's mother straightened her back and leaned against the chair.

"What? What do you mean by 'enough'?"

Her distorted face had an inappropriate smile hanging oddly on it.