Chapter 71:

Chapter 71:

Chapter 71

Wow.

As the sentimental voice falls like snow outside the window, the womens hearts are piled up with fluff.

His singing is beyond words, and his deep eyes that occasionally look at the camera make the camera director swallow his saliva unconsciously.

As the song ends, there is a burst of admiration.

Hello, Im actor Jang Young-guk. Thank you for listening to my song, even though its not good enough.

As Young-guk bows deeply to the cast and the camera, applause pours out from everywhere.

Lee So-yeon, a singer who is active in the womens team, cant erase her sparkling eyes as she looks at Young-guk.

She was also proud of her singing as a singer, but as soon as she heard Young-guks song, she felt her heart flutter.

As a proof, her heart still seems to beat hard.

Gulp.

They said it was a variety show where young men and women gathered to play games and chat.

She didnt want to appear at first because it was a pilot.

She didnt know if it would be a regular program or not. But as soon as she saw Young-guks first appearance, she realized.

Hit.

This is it. Not only her, but everyone in the shooting team seemed to think so.

Especially, Jung Ji-yong PD, a rookie director, clenched his hands and smiled with joy.

From his first appearance, he shook the womens hearts so much that he was called the nations first love.

Okay, now that both the mens and womens teams have finished their self-introductions and charm time, we will proceed with the first vote. Since its a competition based on first impressions, Ill give you a chance to say one last thing each!

The womens eyes are blatantly directed at the last man, number 4, Young-guk.

The male celebrities who preceded him were also handsome or humorous enough, but Young-guk had an aura that drew peoples attention even without knowing it.

As Young-guks turn approaches, the women lean forward.

Sister, you did well today, right?

The audience flips over at Young-guks bold remark.

Young-guk decides to do it properly while helping PD Jung. His daring and novel comment makes the female celebrities pay attention to him.

Well, the results are in.

The MC receives the results of the voting paper and makes a meaningful expression.

Ill announce the womens team first. Woman number 4, Lee So-yeon, 2 votes. Woman number 1, Kim Ji-min, 1 vote. And 1 vote is abstained?

The womens eyes widen.

They didnt expect an abstention. But the surprise doesnt end there.

As the mens team announcement follows, the male cast members react differently with expressions of expectedness, disappointment, and shock.

The mens team is, uh, this is, unanimous. Man number 4, Jang Young-guk, 4 votes.

The reaction is more lively from the female celebrities.

They look at each other with a look of you too? You too?

It seems that a sense of competition has been created unconsciously.

Interview.

Man number 4, how many votes did you cast?

PD Jung becomes an interviewer and interviews man number 4, Young-guk.

Young-guk sits in a chair facing the camera and scratches his head.

Fortunately, there are only the camera director, PD Jung, and himself in the room where the interview is held.

I abstained.

Sure enough, the owner of the abstention vote was number 4. Is there no one you like among the female cast members who came today?

Of course not.

Young-guk adds cheekily.Vissit novelbin(.)c.om for updates

I didnt know the concept of the shooting very well today. If I knew it was a program where young men and women gathered, I might not have appeared. Im more shy than you think. They are all beautiful people, so its hard for me to pick one. Rather, I think its rude to vote as a junior. Anyway, Ill just do my best as the youngest in this shooting.

***

Click.

The axe grazes the wood like a mouse making a sound, and the frozen wood doesnt budge, let alone split. The male model, number 3, makes an awkward expression. Then, man number 1 steps up.

Chop.

But the axe didnt listen to him either.

As part of a reality show in the countryside, they had to make their own meals and light a fire in the fireplace to keep warm at night. It was practically a documentary of self-reliance.

This time, the second male contestant, a former comedian, stepped up.

Believe it or not, I majored in physical education before I became a comedian. Leave anything that requires strength to me!

He showed off his biceps and his masculinity. The female celebrities responded positively. But.

Chop.

It was not as easy as it looked to split wood with an axe.

The third male contestant tried several times, but it seemed like the wood and the axe were repelling each other.

The only thing that got damaged was the chopping block. Thats when it happened.

Guys, can I try for a moment?

Young-guk had no intention of volunteering. He had said in the interview that he was only there to be a bridge between the others. But if things went on like this, they would have to sleep in a cold room with blankets, let alone eat.

Young-guk, can you do it?

The male celebrities looked at him with disbelief. How could a young lamb who hadnt even served in the army do anything? He probably had never chopped wood in his life. At that moment.

Crack!

The axe plunged into the wood, splitting it apart as if they were magnets of opposite poles.

Young-guk, wearing gloves, swung the axe with ease.

There were exclamations of admiration from all around.

Its not something you can do with brute force.

It would be a sensation when it aired. It had a scene that fit the entertainment show. I could say that I nailed the fun part.

After two days of filming,

Phew.

I came down from the mountain village in Gangwon-do and headed to my agency.

I had a lot of questions.

I entered the presidents office, and Kim Seong-hwan, the president, was waiting for me as if he knew I was coming.

President, why didnt you tell me the concept of the filming properly?

You didnt ask.

Thats true, but you could have mentioned it. Do you know how embarrassed I was?

Did you enjoy the filming? How about it, Young-guk? Do you think it will be a regular show since its a pilot?

Its a new format of entertainment show that hasnt been seen in Korea before, so I think it will be quite a hit.

Really?

Kim Seong-hwan, the CEO, said with a smirk.

Why do you think I asked you to appear on that variety show, Young-uk?

Young-uk was not oblivious to Kim Seong-hwans intentions.

In fact, he had been puzzled when he first arrived at the cabin.

Why did he insist on having him join a program where young men and women gathered?

There were plenty of other variety shows to choose from.

The reason was simple.

I know, you want me to shed my child actor image.

Kim Seong-hwan, the CEO, gives me a faint smile. Hes more focused on helping me break out of my child actor image than on helping the PD. I can tell that right away.

He told me the concept of the show. Its a dating format, but its pretty wholesome. And since its a gathering of young celebrities, I thought it would be a natural opportunity for you to transition from a child actor to a youth. Its not easy to break an established image, you know. Youre the only one who understands me, Young-uk.

Yeah, right. How much do you make from this business?

True, Youth was a work that depicted the romance of high school life. So it was hard to completely get rid of my child actor image. Besides, you look like an adult, Young-uk. How can anyone call you a kid? We have to gradually change your image before the premiere of The Priests Confession.

I knew what Mr. Kim Seong-hwan was worried about.

There were countless child actors in South Korea. But not all of them could make a living as actors.

Most of them failed to shed their image as child actors and struggled to deliver good performances as adults. This hindered their chances of being cast in adult roles.

Young-guk, and this.

Mr. Kim Seong-hwan suddenly handed me a white envelope.

What is this?

Its Lunar New Year soon, right? You should go back to your hometown with something nice. This is for you to buy a warm coat for your mother.

Mr. Kim, you dont have to. I earn money too, you know.

Im not giving this to you, but to your mother as a token of gratitude. She trusted me, Kim Seong-hwan, with her only son and sent him all the way to Seoul. I have to repay her somehow.

Kim Seong-hwan, the CEO, gets up from his seat and forces a white envelope into my hands.

He seems different from the agency heads I met in my previous life. Meeting someone like him is a blessing for an actor.

***

Namhang is bustling with people preparing for the upcoming Lunar New Year.

Fishing boats and meat boats are bobbing on the water, cutting through the waves to catch the best fish and meat.

The market is packed with people buying ritual supplies. My mothers stall is also full of customers.

She is busy cleaning fish when she sees her son and is startled.

Son?

Even though I wore a hat to avoid being recognized, my mother knows its me right away.

That causes a commotion among the people in the store. After a brief disturbance, I reunite with my mother in the quieted stall.

You must be busy, why did you come down?

I came to see you, Mom. How can I stay alone in Seoul on a holiday?

What about Mr. Baek Jang-hoon?

Grandfather is preparing for a movie shoot, so hes always in the countryside. Its so lonely to be by myself in that big mansion.

Well, when you go back, Ill pack some food and other things for you to give to Mr. Baek, so make sure you take them.

Okay, oh a customer is here.

I havent cleaned fish in a long time, but my skills havent rusted.

The customers who visit the stall are surprised by the unexpected appearance of an actor, and they buy fish and get autographs as well.

My mother watches me with a warm smile on her face.

Good.

I also greet the market vendors, including Mrs. Yang, the fishmonger.

I notice that there was a placard hanging at the entrance of the market before I arrived.

The pride of Namhang, the nations first love, Jang Young-guk, Excellence in Acting Award!

He said.

I close the shop and head home with my mother.

As we walk on the white snow piled up under the moonlight, old memories come to mind.

Mother, arent you tired when there are so many customers?

Tired? No, Im happy when there are more customers. Its because of the festival. Its not usually like this. But thanks to you, Young-uk, today was easier.

Im glad you came down, son.

I hold my mothers hand and enter the apartment. While my mother prepares dinner, I go to my room for the first time in a long time and sit down by the bed. Then I open the play that the playwright Jung Yong-dae gave me.

The Greatest Casanova of Joseon.

I was worried. I wondered if I could do well in this role. But I wanted to do it. As proof, my eyes were captivated as soon as I saw the first paragraph of the play.

-Joseon is changing rapidly. The swords and guns that fought against Japans invasion are gone, and now you can meet Japanese people who act as if they own the place wherever you go. In this situation where the nations fate is fading, what can I, a mere playboy, do?

As I was about to read the next paragraph, my mother called me that dinner was ready.