Chapter 58

58

"Hello."

"Yes, hello."

In the end, a drinking party took place at the black pig restaurant. When I stepped outside to get some fresh air, I ran into Min Jihun. I thought he might be smoking, but he wasn’t.

We exchanged awkward greetings and started tapping on our phones, but I could feel a piercing gaze. I glanced sideways and saw Min Jihun staring at me intently, as if I were some exotic animal.

'...What's wrong with this guy?'

If there were any rumors about me, like "I saw Seo Hoyun in person, and he was really rude in front of the seniors," it wouldn't really matter. But I felt he would keep staring if I didn't say something first, so I took the initiative.

"Is there something you want to say?"

"No... I'm just curious."

"About what?"

"Um..."

"..."

"It's really unique and interesting."

Min Jihun just shrugged. Despite his naivety, he seemed to have some social skills and introduced himself.

"I'm Min Jihun. We didn't properly introduce ourselves."

"Yes, I'm Seo Hoyun. Nice to meet you."

"So... it seems like it's our first meeting. If I had seen you before, I would have remembered you because you're so unique."

"..."

What does that mean...

I frowned slightly as I looked at Min Jihun.

Min Jihun was an actor who had been in the theater scene for a long time before he was cast as a supporting male lead in a drama, which made him a Hallyu star.

He existed even before the game started, but unfortunately, I never met him when I worked as a PD. If I had known him, I might have had some information, but Min Jihun was a mysterious actor who rarely appeared on variety shows or gave interviews.

He rarely held fan meetings, and there was almost no information about him available to the public.

'I can see why he's so mysterious.'

If he were any less naive, his image would be ruined...

Every time I met someone new, I prepared myself mentally for the dialogue selection window that would pop up. But this time, it was strangely quiet.

'Hmm...?'

This shouldn't be happening. I frowned slightly, and Min Jihun turned his head to look at my face carefully.

"So... you're an idol, right? You're in the same group as Jeong Dajun... I remember seeing you on TV."

"Yes, I've only been active for a short time."

"Is that so? You won't last long, I think."

What?

"..."

Is this some kind of territorial thing?

I couldn't help but laugh. Just as I was about to roughly run my hand through my hair and ask what he meant, Kim Sungcheol, Min Jihun's manager, burst out of the restaurant.

"Hey! Min Jihun, where were you?"

"I'm full."

"Finally full? Should we stop now?"

"No! I think I can eat five more servings."

"Min Jihun, you pig..."

"Hmm, I'm human too, you know."

Min Jihun pouted and mumbled. However, Kim Sungcheol, who was used to this, didn't pay any attention and greeted me before quickly pulling Min Jihun away.

"Hey, let's go."

"Um."

Yeah, it's better to get rid of this unpredictable guy as soon as possible.

"Ah, Seo Hoyun, can I have your phone for a moment?"

Min Jihun, who was being dragged by his manager, suddenly turned his head and said. Kim Sungcheol, standing next to him, looked at him with a puzzled expression, as if to say, "Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?"

"Sure, here you go."

I handed it over without hesitation, and Min Jihun quickly typed in a phone number.

"This is my number. Please contact me later... yeah, when you get back to Seoul. It seems urgent."

"Wh-What?"

"Huh?"

"Jihun, are you feeling sick? Did you eat something bad? Why are you doing things you never do?"

"Hey, Sungcheol, I have social skills too."

"Did you drink too much? Should we go to the hospital?"

Kim Sungcheol, confused, grabbed Min Jihun's shoulder and shook him. Min Jihun pouted and grumbled, "What do you think I am?" before handing me back my phone.

"Anyway, please contact me later."

"...Okay."

"Seo Hoyun, sorry! We have to go first!"

Min Jihun was eventually dragged away by Kim Sungcheol. I watched his naive face and quietly looked at the number on my phone.

"Feels weird..."

I don't need big data for this. Min Jihun is weird. The warning signals are already blaring.

I added Min Jihun's name to the blacklist and saved the number before calling Kim Jaeyeon.

[Hello?]

"Kim Jaeyeon, do you have a moment?"

It's always good to have insurance.

"Can you check one thing for me?"

***

"Hey! Seo Hoyun, more! It's been a while!"

"Hello, Director Jeong."

After greeting Director Jeong, whom I hadn't seen since the Second Chance filming, he patted my shoulder warmly with a friendly smile.

"I really enjoyed your 'Over-Engagement Leader' variety show. It was really funny."

"Thank you."

"My daughter is a fan of Kim Seohyun, and she says she likes Seo Hoyun... If you don't look good in the music video, I'll be kicked out of the house, you know."

"..."

Director Jeong greeted us warmly with a joke.

After a few more exchanges, I looked around and saw the turquoise waves shimmering in the sunlight.

This time, the MV was mainly going to be filmed at the sea. Our song was already playing on the beach.

"The song is great. Is it still Lim Hyunsu?"

"Yes, I asked him again this time."

"That high-and-mighty Lim Hyunsu, who is famous for not composing songs even if you offer him a pile of money. How do you manage to get songs from him first?"

Threatening him works.

"It was just luck."

Director Jeong chuckled and turned his gaze to the beach.

"Wow, the weather is great today. Perfect for a refreshing concept."

"Agreed."

"We'll be going into the water later."

"Wh-What?"

"I want to go home too."

I asked, but Director Jeong just hummed and walked away. I thought I might have misheard and tried to ignore it, but Jeong Dajun gently brushed my arm from the side.

"It's still cold in the water..."

"Perfect for catching a cold..."

"Is there a hairdryer?"

"Let the sun dry you, whatever."

Seong Jiwan passed by and said casually.

"Sometimes, he seems like the least scared person among us."

"I agree."

"Seohyun, is the sandwich good?"

"Yeah, it's great."

Jeong Dajun sat down next to Kim Seohyun, who was eating a delicious-looking sandwich, and rested his chin on his fists.

"Getting that autograph yesterday still feels like a dream."

"From whom, Min Jihun?"

'Min Jihun?'

I didn't want to hear it, but my ears perked up reflexively. Jeong Dajun's cheeks turned red.

After living together, I realized that Jeong Dajun is a drama enthusiast... or rather, a drama otaku. He has a particularly high praise for actors who can act well.

"Is he that good?"

"Of course. He's an amazing actor!"

"Is that so?"

Everyone seemed indifferent, but Jeong Dajun got even more excited and chattered on.

"I watch a lot of dramas and know many popular actors, but Min Jihun is different... When he acts, it's like he's possessed by a god!"

"Uh, yeah..."

"I wish I could have seen Min Jihun in a play...! He used to take on experimental roles. For example, a mad scientist who falls in love with a frog...!!"

"..."

Did he really do that?

Despite my growing discomfort, Jeong Dajun continued to rave about Min Jihun's greatness. I was about to cover my ears when Seong Jiwan suddenly spoke up.

"Didn't Hoyun talk to that senior yesterday?"

"Yeah."

I frowned, and Jeong Dajun leaned in closer.

"How? Why didn't you tell us?!"

"Um? We just exchanged greetings."

"Bro... maybe!"

What?

Jeong Dajun suddenly stood up.

"Bro, are you a fan of 'Please Give Me a Soda,' where Min Jihun stars...?!"

"Sit down."

I was foolish to think he had noticed something. Jeong Dajun just kept whining about how Min Jihun is the pinnacle of Korean acting, with a versatile range from romance to thrillers, and is simply a god.

I stuffed a sandwich in his mouth to make him shut up.

'...But Min Jihun is strange.'

My gut tells me he's suspicious. It's best to avoid him as much as possible. As Jeong Dajun put it, Min Jihun is definitely different.

'Unlike these guys, he's different.'

I can't pinpoint it, but he just feels off. After talking to Kim Jaeyeon last night, he called me early in the morning, but there wasn't much to gain from our conversation.

-There's nothing. He's not just mysterious; there's really nothing.

"Ridiculous."

I took a sip of my sports drink.

There's no way someone can be so clean. Such a person doesn't exist...

"Did I say something ridiculous?"

...Maybe he does.

I turned my head away from the ever-cheerful Jeong Dajun.

Anyway, that's not important... It's time to start my plan.

"Lee Chae, you look great!"

"Really?"

Kang Lee Chae was getting his hair styled with a pomade. Two stylists were whispering next to him.

"I want to give Lee Chae a delinquent look."

"How?"

"Since Lee Chae's hair dye is fading, it gives a rough, summer beauty... "

"Ha ha, I'm rough?"

Kang Lee Chae smiled and winked. The makeup artist called me.

"Hoyun, come here."

"Ah, okay."

"Since Hoyun always goes for a sharp and sexy look, we want to change the concept this time. How about a national first love feel for summer?"

"Wait! But it's a shame to lose the sharp look!"

"Sexy or pure!"

The hair and clothing stylists were having a heated debate while the sun was scorching and the waves were cool. I kept thinking as I watched the members bickering and playing.

'If I can charm three more of them and become a top member, the mission will be complete.'

Everything is going according to my plan. Even if a variable like Min Jihun comes in, the outcome is already decided.

'I'll escape this game and return home, back to my life.'

It's something I have to do.

"What do you think?"

...There were things I needed to confirm.

"Hoyun!"

"..."

"Why are you so out of it?"

Suddenly, the attention turned to me. I felt guilty for being distracted and smiled awkwardly.

"Ah, sorry."

"..."

"..."

A moment of silence followed. The staff members tilted their heads and whispered.

"Hoyun, what did you do before becoming an idol? I'm really curious."

"Why would you... no, I guess you got a lot of business cards."

"..."

Then, they quickly gathered around me.

"Of course, a pure and sexy look!"

"Agreed. It's a shame to give up either with that face. I'll style the bangs to look slightly wet."

They quickly set it up. I glanced in the mirror, and it looked good.

I thanked them and joined the members. The MV shooting started soon after.

"Great! Try to look more lively!"

Director Jeong still gave strange orders, and I kept my focus. Even for a simple scene of walking on the beach with the waves lapping at my ankles, it took several retakes before it was approved.

"Break!"

"Thank you."

"Hoyun, you're looking great on camera today. The atmosphere is amazing~."

The atmosphere and everything else, I don't need to keep drawing my own conclusions and slouching. There's no need to complicate things.

'Just focus on one person.'

I looked around.

Come on, let's have a serious talk. Everyone is doing their individual shots, and the only one not around is Kang Lee Chae.

"What's he doing?"

Ding!

[...Building a sandcastle?]

Yeah, he looks happy and good...

I walked over to Kang Lee Chae, who was happily building a sandcastle, and tapped him.

"Middle schooler."

"Whoa, you scared me."

I sat down next to him, maintaining a serious expression due to the costume, and asked.

"Got any problems?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Spill everything. I'll give you advice."

Ding!

[What are you doing right now?]

It worked with Kim Seohyun, right? If I gently prod Kang Lee Chae, he might spill his guts too?

Ding!

[...I get what you're thinking, but it won't work like that!]

Who knows. It's worth a try.

Kang Lee Chae looked me up and down with a puzzled expression.

"..."

"Ah, never mind. Just say something."

"Hmm..."

Kang Lee Chae shook the sand off his hands and smiled. He lowered his voice and said,

"Hoyun, I have a problem. It's keeping me up at night."

Oh!

"What is it?"

"Will you listen?"

"Sure."

I gave a trustworthy smile. The infamous "Devil Producer's Charm Smile." Even if they cursed me for being a bad-tempered PD or a villain, this smile always disarmed them, and they would spill their guts in interviews. I felt a sense of triumph inside.

Ding!

[Will it... really work?]

Even the system was confused.

But the person in front of me was Kang Lee Chae.

"I want to be better at being cute."

"..."

"I want to do it for my fans. I'm trying to figure out how to be as good as you, Hoyun... Ah! Bro!!"

He kicked the sandcastle in frustration and stormed off. I could hear Kang Lee Chae deliberately making fake crying sounds from behind, but I ignored it. Sure enough, he soon ran over and hovered next to me.

"What's up? You've been acting weird since yesterday."

"I don't know."

"We came all the way to Jeju, so at least try to relax."

Kang Lee Chae gently poked at my nerves. After I gave him a light headbutt, he calmed down. As we were about to walk around a building with a café on the first floor, we heard voices from inside.

"Actually, I don't think this group, more, was meant to be this popular."

"Agreed."

It was the staff gossip.