Chapter 43

Chapter 43

As bustling as the waves in Namhang were, so were the hands of Yeongguks mother. She was preparing colorful vegetable japchae, marinated beef galbitang, and dishes filled with the scent of the sea. It looked as if she was getting ready for a holiday feast.

The front door then opened, and a woman with a bojagi[1] entered the house as if it were her own.

Yeongguks mom, didnt you say youre going to Seoul tomorrow? Why are you making so much food?

Its for my son, Yeongguk.

Aigo! Look at that care! I thought there was some kind of celebratory banquet today. Give me that. Ill help you with this!

What are all these?

I made some cockle salad yesterday, and the saltiness made it so delicious. I also brought some salted seafood. Yeongguk loves salted seafood. You cant buy such quality stuff in Seoul even if you have the money to pay for it.

I dont know how to thank you.

Were from the same region, so its only natural that we help each other! Id like to go with you, but I cant because I have to run my shop. While youre not here, Ill look after Namhang!

The woman, Mrs. Yang, affectionately placed her bojagi on the dining table. She was the one who had set up a fish shop in Namhang Market with Yeongguks mother and had recently moved to this area. She was, in a way, an inseparable friend to her.

Oh, I almost forgot about the most important thing. Here, take this too.

Whats this?

When I heard that you were going to Seoul, I collected a little money from everyone in Namhang. Our dear boy lives alone in Seoul, and were always worried about whether hes eating well and dressing properly. We couldnt put in much, but we added a bit for transportation fees and some pocket money for Yeongguk.

I dont know if I can accept all this

Mrs. Yang pushed the white envelope into the apron of Yeongguks mother without hesitation and rolled up her sleeves as she stood next to her.

When are you going to finish all this cooking by yourself? I thought it might not taste good if we prepared it in advance. You have to pack, so lets hurry up. Dont worry, and Ill help you today!

At that moment, Mrs. Yangs gaze fell upon a small picture frame on the table. It was a photo of a young boy and his mother, with the background of Namhang. The photo was taken three years ago by PD Yoo Myeonghan when they were filming Men of August.

When did this little boy grow up so much? He appeared once in that funny show where he fell into the water. My daughter, Myeongja, watched it. She kept saying she wanted to see Yeongguk-oppa while singing all day long. I had to tell her to wake up from her dream!

Myeongja is a middle school student this year, right? That makes her four years younger than Yeongguk.

Do you really think so? If Yeongguk were my son-in-law, I wouldnt have any complaints! Why dont you take your mother-in-law with you too? Aigo, that boy wouldnt even think about it. Its a joke, just a joke.

Yeongguk s mother smiled silently. The people of Namhang were warm-hearted. Even after all these years, they still remembered the boy from Namhang. The boy who had been carrying blocks of ice from the ice factory since dawn, sailing through the mouth of Namhang and setting up a fish stall for his mother.

It was as if they had all cherished the boy as their own child. The mother looked lovingly at the bright smile of young Yeongguk in the picture frame.

* * *

Sonwon Entertainment.

Despite the typhoon that had swept through, the employees expressions were bright. It made sense as the pus deep in their skin had been removed, making them feel refreshed and relaxed. Many actors had left along with the loach-like person who had not only caused trouble but was also now under investigation by the authorities. Of course, those with actual talent stayed. The ones who left were just those who only showed their desires, without ever having learned to act.

Director, this CF is for apple juice, right?

Yes, Yeongguk! Anyway, the costume team was right. The outfit looks great! The red color could be tacky if worn incorrectly, but the hue is fantastic, and its a perfect fit too!

The unfamiliar soft lining of the suit embraced my body. The outfit itself was a stylish semi-fitted suit that one might doubt I was doing a CF for suits rather than a beverage. Moreover, the color was red. It brought to mind the Red Devils from the previous World Cup[2].

Yeongguk, todays concept is a devil who desires an apple. You can see from the storyboard that there are only movements and actions, and you can express them however you want. What we want is for the viewers to be captivated through the screen.

The CF directors request was as complex as a caf order. It seemed clear, yet abstract, like ordering a drink and asking for syrup to be removed, whipping cream to be added only to a third, and making it a little sweeter.

CF directors generally fall into two categories. Some pursued perfection, from movements and facial expressions to lines, while others were dreamers who drew metaphysical pictures like this one.

I shouldnt have agreed to this.

Its all because of PD Kim Jin, a snake of a man. He asked me to shoot a CF before the drama aired. The reason seemed plausible. The effect would be maximized if the main characters face appeared in a CF before the dramas airing. Plus, it was a golden opportunity given my increased public recognition thanks to my appearances in variety shows.

I never had any connections with CFs before.

In my past life, I lived far from CFs. I was tall, but as my image became more rugged, I barely received any contact from advertisers.

How should I express this?

The storyboard was simple, contrary to the directors difficult request. The scene involved beautiful women everywhere, me biting an apple and then glancing at the camera. There were no lines to deliver. The storyboard relied solely on actions and eye contact.

CF filming was even more challenging than dramas or movies with lots of lines. Its an abstract expression that could keep me awake all night, quite different from the simple storyboard.

Eventually, the CF shoot began.

As white as the set, women dressed in white gowns from various countries appeared. Some leaned on chairs as if to lie down, while others crossed their arms with an arrogant expressions. A bold woman even blatantly scanned the man.

Sexy and provocative!

Walking through the pure white set in a red suit, as if scattering red paint on a white canvas, it was an impressive sight. I walked slowly and leisurely without sparing a glance towards the surrounding beautiful women.

Great! Good job!

The CF director gave a thumbs up as I continued walking in my red suit without paying attention to the women. Finally, I picked up a red apple placed alone on a white table. My long fingers grabbed the apple, and I smiled. I recited the line I had thought through thoroughly.

Handsome men love apples.

I bit into the apple. With the tangy juice, a clearly provocative gaze was directed toward the camera.

[1] A bojagi is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth.

[2] South Koreas national soccer team is commonly known as the Reds, and the teams supporting/fan group are known as the Red Devils.



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