Vol 1 Ch 7

It was Friday at 12 o’clock, a day with an outside work appointment.

 

From the Gangnam mansion to the Paju studio was about an hour and a half.

 

Yeonho’s Audi, having enjoyed the wide-open outer roads, entered the filming site’s parking lot, which was actually an empty lot.

 

The set, which was in full preparation for filming, had large trucks with open sides parked in a row.

 

The staff were busily unloading various equipment, from lighting, cameras, and steadicams to props and costumes needed for filming, and connecting cables to the set or inspecting them.

 

Yeonho, waving his hand at the dusty scene, stopped a staff member who was pushing a trolley.

 

“Excuse me. Can I ask you something?”

 

The staff member, who was sweating profusely as if it were midsummer even though it was only April, let out an “Ah…” of unknown meaning as soon as their eyes met. Then, as if by reflex, she quickly spoke.

 

“You can wait inside the set. Get a number over there and go to Section A.”

 

“……?”

 

Yeonho, not understanding, tilted his head and grabbed her again as she quickly turned to leave.

 

“Actually, that’s not it, I’m here to see the PD… Where should I go?”

 

“P…D?”

 

“Choi Jeongyun PD. Hasn’t she arrived yet?”

 

After a few more questions, she looked Yeonho up and down. Only then did she widen her eyes in surprise.

 

“Are you a staff member? Not a contestant?”

 

Yeonho finally realized her misunderstanding. Of course, it wasn’t an unpleasant misunderstanding. Yeonho raised the corners of his lips as if to show off.

 

“I’m Do Yeonho from Do it.”

 

She might not know the name, but she knew Do it. The agency that invested in the production of this program. She must have thought he was a participant just by looking at his face… He seemed to be a company executive. Her face flushed red, and she hurriedly continued.

 

“The PD is inside the set. She’s probably preparing for the rehearsal. You’ll see her right away if you go in there.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Perhaps feeling even more embarrassed by the polite greeting, she bowed her head and quickly disappeared, pushing the trolley.

 

Yeonho, covering his mouth to avoid the dust, slowly moved forward, avoiding the equipment and staff, after the air had settled somewhat.

 

It was then.

 

Caw, caw, caw.

 

A sudden commotion erupted overhead. A flock of black birds swarming in the air. Not only Yeonho but also the busy staff looked up at the sky at the urgent warning.

 

“What is it? What kind of crows are making such a racket from the first day of filming?”

 

As someone muttered, it was crows that were flapping their wings and making noise. But the expression “bad luck” was not correct.

 

When crows, who have a strong sense of territory, make such a fuss, it means an intruder has appeared. And a very threatening target to them…

 

The crows were the ones who were unlucky now.

 

Yeonho rolled his eyes and quickly scanned the opposite side of where they were flying. Then he found it. A huge bird circling around the tense flock of crows.

 

Its flying skills looked familiar.

 

‘What is it? Is it another eagle?’

 

He had witnessed such a rare sight twice, after the pigeon incident.

 

‘Seriously. Is there a rumor about a bird sanctuary or something? Why are eagles flying around the city like this?’

 

Compared to the city of Seoul, Paju was an outer region, but it still wasn’t a good environment for eagles to live in.

 

“Could it be… a Morpher?”

 

The words slipped out of his mouth unintentionally. But he soon shook his head. Avian Morphers, who are not numerous, also have independent alliances and networks.

 

As far as Yeonho knew, there was no one who would be flying around like that at this time of day. Maybe someone who was just lazing around?

 

‘Well… I can’t even fly like that…’

 

Yeonho swallowed his bitter thoughts and entered the set without regret, leaving behind the cawing noise.

 

The set, built inside a large prefabricated building, was as busy as the outside.

 

The main stage was a steel frame structure covered with reinforced glass. Lights were densely hung above it. Technicians checking various equipment were showing off their sharp movements even in the chaos.

 

“Move the camera 20 centimeters to the left. Raise the microphone a little higher. Make sure the sound doesn’t echo on the stage.”

 

The one who was generally in charge of these people and giving quick instructions was a young woman with a short haircut. He quickly closed the remaining distance to the familiar back of her head, which he didn’t even need to look for.

 

“PD Choi.”

 

As he approached and tapped her on the shoulder, she turned her head sharply. Then, with widened eyes, she took out the earpiece she had been wearing. The somewhat harsh and sarcastic greeting came next.

 

“Oh, my. Who is this? If it isn’t Director Do, who’s so hard to see?”

 

Like Seungwon a few days ago, Yeonho’s appearance on set was met with a very surprised reaction. Yeonho smirked at the expected attitude.

 

“How have you been?”

 

What came out was casual, informal speech. She glared at him once more and also dropped the honorifics.

 

“What about you? I thought you were dead because I hadn’t seen you in so long… So you’re still alive?”

 

A broadcasting station PD and an entertainment agency director. Besides their professional relationship, the two had another connection.

 

The three of them, including Yeonho’s business partner Seungwon, were from the same university. Seungwon was their senior, but the two of them, who had met through Seungwon, were even in the same year.

 

The surrounding staff glanced at the two people speaking informally.

 

“I’ll be back in a moment.”

 

Jeongyun naturally entrusted the scene to the assistant director and pulled Yeonho’s arm. Only after going behind the set with the wooden outer wall did she glare at him again.

 

“What took you so long? Your colleague is working his ass off and is about to cross the river of no return, while you’re just lazing around?”

 

“A snack truck will be here later. With coffee and snacks.”

 

“Tch. You’re trying to get away with just that.”

 

“I ordered your lunch separately. You like Pyunbaekjib, right?”

 

Jeongyun flinched at those words, about to say something more. Look at him, preempting her so slyly. But the initially disgruntled mood had already eased more than halfway. Jeongyun lightly hit Yeonho’s shoulder.

 

“Seungwon must have told you to, right?”

 

“I paid for it, though?”

 

“Hmph, you’ll write it off as expenses anyway.”

 

“How’s the on-site preparation going? Any other problems?”

 

“If you’re so curious, you should have come earlier. Your company’s money is invested here too, you know?”

 

“That’s why. I thought you’d be bothered if the one who invested the money was always hanging around.”

 

That was a good excuse. Jeongyun pouted and looked down at her wristwatch.

 

“Standby in an hour. Are you going to watch?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Yeonho showed a lukewarm reaction. He was planning to just pretend to work and run away since he was out on business…

 

Jeongyun, noticing this, sighed.

 

“Seungwon is such a pushover. How can he be in business with someone like you…? Ah~ You should at least take care of your agency’s celebrities, even if you don’t care about the on-site work. I see a few of your guys are here.”

 

Next Icon is a survival-style entertainment program that gathers actors, singers, models, celebrities who haven’t gained much fame yet, and complete rookies to select one star.

 

As she said, Doit’s artists were participating in this program. One of them was someone Yeonho knew especially well.

 

Lee Seongmin. The Sponsor he had been taking care of until a few weeks ago. Yeonho, thinking of his face, looked around and lowered his voice.

 

“How are the kids doing?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I heard you’re dropping half of them today.”

 

“You haven’t forgotten the format, have you?”

 

“Do you think there’s any potential?”

 

“Does that sound like you’re asking me to promote them? This is clearly a request for favors, you know?”

 

“It’s all good.”

 

Yeonho smiled without denying it. She spoke harshly, but blood is thicker than water, right? As a university colleague and a participant from an agency that invested in the production, she would inevitably pay more attention to them. Jeongyun pouted.

 

“Well, they seem usable. Especially Lee Seongmin? He’ll probably survive for quite a while. He has a good style and a pleasant personality.”

 

As expected. You had to be shameless to some extent in this industry. In that respect, Seongmin, who was ambitious enough to use Yeonho, was especially suited for this.

 

He’ll probably make it to the top 5 at least, right?

 

Yeonho, reflecting on his own judgment, shifted his gaze to that area.

 

“The contestants are in Section A?”

 

“What? Are you really going to meet them?”

 

Jeongyun, who had told him to take care of his agency’s kids first, rolled her eyes as if surprised. Then, after a moment, she frowned.

 

“Is it this?”

 

Jeongyun raised her pinky finger. Yeonho’s sexual preferences were known since college. Of course, there were rumors she had heard since entering this industry as well.

 

“See you later.”

 

Yeonho patted Jeongyun’s shoulder once without saying anything else and moved his feet.

 

Ah, from vocal exercises pulled up from the stomach to stretching that twisted the body this way and that. The hundred or so contestants, gathered and buzzing while waiting for the main shoot, couldn’t hide their excitement and tension.

 

Yeonho, who was looking around to see who was usable and who would be his kids’ rivals, met Seongmin’s gaze.

 

“Director…!”

 

Seongmin, who was about to raise his voice without realizing it, quickly closed his mouth and approached Yeonho with quick steps.

 

Only after moving to a secluded spot, as Jeongyun had done earlier, did Seongmin burst into a bright smile.

 

“What? What’s going on? When did you get here? You didn’t say you were coming today.”

 

“Am I supposed to report everything to you?”

 

“Come on. You should have told me in advance. You came to see me, didn’t you? You came because you were worried about me, right?”

 

He had quite the dream. Yeonho, scoffing, looked Seongmin up and down. Seongmin, who was neatly dressed in a suit, lowered his eyes and clapped his hands.

 

“That’s right, you bought this for me before. Do you remember?”

 

Did he? It seemed like he did and didn’t.

 

“I put some effort into it. There’s probably no one dressed as well as me today.”

 

Basic makeup was done by the beauty team, but the costumes were separate. Of course, there were cases where the company prepared them, but the contestants’ attire varied widely, as those without affiliations had to prepare on their own.

 

In this situation, would a luxury suit be a benefit or a detriment? It wasn’t good to be too buried, but being too flashy was also a bit…

 

It was when Yeonho was internally pondering this.

 

Flitch! Suddenly, an unknown cold feeling brushed against his lower back. It wasn’t strange for outside wind to enter the set built on the empty lot, but it was a fundamentally different sensation.

 

Not unpleasant, but not comfortable either. Not hostile, but somehow persistent… the presence of someone else.

 

What was it? Yeonho, immediately narrowing his brow, quickly scanned his surroundings, leaving Seongmin, who was still showing off his style, behind.

 

Then, in the next moment, ah… his eyes were fixed in one place along with the exclamation that burst out without him realizing it.

 

Was he a program participant? A huge man standing over there was staring at him.

 

An overwhelmingly tall figure that seemed to tower over him even from a distance. The right-angled shoulders, the prominent muscle lines that couldn’t be hidden by clothes, and the long limbs and physique all indicated that he was 100% not Korean.

 

But what was even more surprising was the face that stood out as much as his body, the incredibly perfect balance of features.

 

Even the most handsome faces usually have subtle imbalances, but from the distance between his eyes to the angle of his nose and the thickness of his lips, the beauty of the sculpture, which was a perfect blend of East and West, was almost like a work of art.

 

‘What country is he from? He looks like a mixed race.’

 

‘With that height, is he aiming to be a model? No… his facial profile is too good for that, isn’t it?’

 

The initial wariness was gone, and Yeonho was mindlessly scanning the man with continuous admiration.

 

“Director? Are you listening to me?”

 

Seongmin grabbed his arm. Yeonho, who had completely forgotten about his existence for a moment, faltered, and Seongmin, pouting, crossed his arms.

 

“What are you thinking about so much? Even if we’re over, I’ll be upset if you do this, you know?”

 

The form was a complaint, but the tone was a subtle and bold coquetry. Yeonho, regaining his senses, quickly pulled Seongmin away.

 

“Get off. Where do you think you are?”

 

“Tch. Then why are you looking away? Did you see someone better than me?”

 

Judging by what he said, Seongmin didn’t notice the presence over there at all. He even pretended to look around. Yeonho, realizing this, quickly averted his gaze, worried that they might have heard their conversation.

 

…However,

 

“What? There’s nothing there.”

 

As Seongmin had said, the man had vanished without a trace in a brief moment. Yeonho, his eyebrows raised, glanced around once more before striding forward.

 

‘It’d be troublesome if rumors spread…’

 

Emerging from the corner and turning the bend, he saw the cast members still gathered in groups of three or five in the same space. But the man was nowhere to be found here either.

 

Could he have gone to the restroom? A staff member… surely not?

 

“Are there any other waiting rooms besides this one?”

 

“Maybe over there? But why?”

 

Undaunted by the warning, Seongmin stuck his face close over Yeonho’s shoulder, tilting his head. Yeonho scanned Seongmin anew.

 

Just a while ago, he’d thought such flashy attire might be a minus… that was a naive thought. Yeonho twisted his lips.

 

“You, go get your makeup redone. Have them fix your hair too.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Do your best, as much as you can.”

 

Even if he somehow made it to the Top 5… he didn’t think he could take first place.

 

There were things to take care of, and since he’d come all the way to Paju anyway, he thought he’d at least watch the first take… but as was often the case with on-site work, unexpected situations arose one after another.

 

One of the jimmy jibs that had been working perfectly suddenly malfunctioned. Just when the technicians, sweating profusely over the crane that wouldn’t budge, had finally managed to fix the situation, they received word that the main MC would be late.

 

The excuse was vehicle trouble, but it seemed like just that—an excuse.

 

“That bastard’s probably drunk again!”

 

As Jeongyun ground her teeth, the male actor, famous in the industry for being a heavy drinker, was someone whose notoriety Yeonho was well aware of.

 

‘What should I do…’

 

Before he knew it, the time was 4 PM. If he didn’t leave soon, he’d definitely be stuck in rush hour on the way back to Seoul.

 

‘It’s not like him being late is going to make him come any sooner just because I’m sticking around…’

 

The responsibility of his work versus the sweetness of a Friday night. The scale didn’t last long before easily tipping. Yeonho lightly tapped Jeongyun’s shoulder, who was repeatedly getting angry at the unanswered phone, and gestured that he was leaving.

 

“Hey?” Jeongyun raised her eyebrows and grabbed Yeonho, but with coincidental timing, a languid voice came from the receiver, “PD-nim…”

 

Jeongyun, with a fierce expression, but a voice as sweet as could be, hurriedly opened her mouth, “Haejun-ssi? Where are you right now?”

 

Her fist, clutching the phone tightly, had bulging veins, but her voice gave no hint of it.

 

‘Being a PD can’t be easy… Hang in there, working stiff.’

 

Yeonho, not missing the opportunity, left behind a ‘good work’ with multiple meanings and darted off.

 

The outer roads were wide open, but as soon as he entered Seoul, the traffic increased rapidly.

 

Could it be that it would take longer to get home than it took to get from Paju to Seoul?

 

Boredom was written all over Yeonho’s face as he tapped the steering wheel to the rhythm of the increasingly congested road conditions.

 

About ten minutes later, the phone rang. The caller was Seungwon.

 

He thought about ignoring it, but figured it would be better to have something to do to chase away the boredom. Pressing the call button, Seungwon’s voice poured out as if a dam had burst.

 

“Where are you?”

 

“Where else? On location.”

 

“Don’t lie. I just talked to Choi PD, you know?”

 

……Tsk. That bitch. Couldn’t resist telling on me.

 

Even though his lie had been exposed, Do Yeonho was still Do Yeonho. Yeonho retorted shamelessly.

 

“Then you know where I am, so why ask?”

 

“Always with the smart mouth. You’re not home yet, are you? Then come over here. We’re at the Royal.”

 

The Royal. One of the hostess bars Seungwon frequented for entertaining. He’d said he had a meeting today, so this must be an extension of that.

 

Regret quickly washed over him for even answering the phone. Despite the still-heavy traffic, he rattled off another lie without batting an eye.

 

“I’m at my doorstep. Just about to enter the password.”

 

“I told you not to lie. At this hour, you’re still on the Olympic Expressway. And even if you were home, you’d have nothing to do.”

 

“What?”

 

“It seems like you and Lee Sungmin are done. You don’t have a new partner yet, so what’s the point of going home? Stop playing hard to get and come over. There’s someone here who wants to see you.”

 

“…Someone who wants to see me?”

 

Setting aside the fact that he’d touched on his private life, the latter bothered him. But Seungwon omitted any explanation beyond ‘You’ll know when you get here.’ Instead, he added a threat.

 

“It’s not even 6 PM yet. Don’t you dare leave work early. I’ll make sure you don’t get reimbursed for expenses.”

 

He must be referring to the snack truck he’d ordered to the set.

 

Seriously. How much does that cost to be so petty?

 

His face crumpled, but in his head, the calculator was already running.

 

Jamsil is closer than home, at least… Whether I go straight home or stop by, it’s probably the same difference, right?

 

‘I should take this opportunity to claim overtime pay too.’

 

Just like he said, how much is overtime pay anyway, it was just as petty.