Chapter 243
Sunwoo, co here for a sec!
Sunwoo, how long has it been? Why arent you on TV anymore?
Do you rember Junbeom? The youngest son from the Ulsan uncles family. Hes a fan of Neptune. Hey Junbeom, ask your older brother for an autograph from Neptune.
Im not sure if Im at a relatives wedding or my own.
It seems there are more people looking for
than for the bride and groom.
How many tis was I stopped just while trying to fill my plate at the buffet.
Hey, Sunwoo!
Hello, Uncle.
So, the third cousin of my grandfathers brother... anyway, a relative elder Ive always addressed as Uncle. His face was flushed, perhaps from a drink, as he gathered other elders with a gesture.
This is Sunwoo, our nephew. You know him, right?
Of course, of course, hes on TV too. Oh, he is so handso.
Is he married?
Not yet
Before I could finish my response, Uncles eyes narrowed.
No matter how busy you are, its late already. In the old days, youd have two kids by your age. If you delay any longer, all the good won will be married. How about I set you up? My friends daughter is available
Barely resisting the persuasion to et her, I sat down at an empty seat. It was a corner table where my cousins were gathered. I set down my battered plate and took a shot of cold water first, making my cousin brother chuckle.
Weve all been caught once or twice. What did they say to you? But do they even have anything to nag about? Youre the pride of the Jeong family these days.
They told
to get married.
Ah, cant avoid that.
Roars of laughter followed.
Oh, the twins got caught.
I turned around while putting a beef rib in my mouth. The twins had been grabbed by Uncle. Soon, the kids with sour faces ran towards us.
They left Winter alone, the other three ca.
My cousin sister clicked her tongue.
Did they say anything to you?
The sa old lecture. You must study hard; your dad would have been soone big if it werent for you kids. He gave up his career for making money because of you... What is this, the Joseon era?
Sumr grumbled.
Why did you leave Winter alone?
She asked Grandpa for allowance if he was going to lecture.
The bustling chopsticks halted.
Soone actually said that?
As everyone looked at Sumr with that expression, Winter, who had just escaped from Grandpa, approached, waving a fifty thousand won note like a trophy. The twins eyes widened.
What, you actually got the allowance? Fifty thousand won?
No, one hundred and fifty thousand.
There were actually three fifty thousand won notes.
I told him Id study better than dad and beco a prosecutor, so he gave it to .
The rest of the twins set down their chopsticks and stood up.
Im going to be president.
too.
too.
The kids sward out. Watching their backs, my cousin sister muttered, I really cant keep up with these kids nowadays. Right, Sunwoo, didnt you take uncle and auntie for a round at the departnt store last ti? Even with the twins?
aningful glances poured my way.
Oh, I heard, I heard. The rumor has spread to every house.
You have no idea how much mom nagged
because of that.
Seriously, if youre going to do such an event, you should at least create a group chat to give us a heads-up. Then we could also buy a bouquet or sothing as a face-saving asure. Im always being compared to you.
Each cousin had their say until my cousin brother whispered.
Are you going to be more famous?
What?
Are you appearing on any reality shows? Like being a judge on a survival program?
What are you talking about?
If youre planning to beco a real celebrity, please let us know in advance. I need to clean up my past embarrassnts if Im aware that Im a relative of a celebrity.
Ah, right, this is important.
My cousin sister chid in.
If anyone else is going to beco a celebrity or a politician, give us a heads-up. I have a lot to lose.
Like theres anyone among us whos going to do that. I still cant believe Sunwoo has beco this famous. I still get surprised every ti I hear his na outside.
Hey, Sunwoo. But about that Jeong Sunwoo list,
Its just a rumor.
Now it was almost automatic. Press a button and the response pops out.
That damn Jeong Sunwoo list didnt seem to be dying down. It was now reaching beyond the online realm
.
The cousins at the table started to worry on my behalf.
Is it really just a rumor? There are so many kids online saying theyll go watch 'Hong Gil-dong' because they trust you. What if they go and its not fun?
Everyone would co blaming Sunwoo then?
How is that his fault? Its the fault of those who didnt believe him.
People arent always rational, you know. What do we do about this? Should I post a clarification on SNS? Im Jeong Sunwoos cousin, and that Jeong Sunwoo list is all rumors?
Dont show off, just shut up. Ive never seen anyone co out as a celebritys relative on SNS and end up looking good.
Thats true. Better keep quiet.
Listening to my cousin sister, my cousin brother thumped my back.
Sorry I cant help, man.
Just staying quiet is helping.
Yeah. Ill try to help as much as that way.
I picked up a piece of octopus sashimi, lost my appetite, and just put it down.
Again, CEO Baek Hansungs words ca to mind.
Am I really that ntally strong?
Lost in thought, my phone vibrated.
It was Itaehui.
Hey, Taehui.
-Youre not at the office right now. Busy ah, ah, its the weekend. Thats why theres no one at the company. Sorry to bother you while youre resting.
Its okay. Whats up?
-Thats over.
Could it be.
That?
-The carol.
I imdiately stood up from my seat.
It was a rare feeling.
Like finding a sparkling thread in a dark place.
Following that thread seed to lead to sothing incredible.
Wait. Im coming right now.
Itaehui was in the companys producing room.
She had been living there.
Blankets, pillows, and other household items were strewn about, and on the other side, beer, makgeolli, and cans of energy drinks were scattered around, clearly showing that she had been holed up here for more than a day or two.
Have you been sleeping here recently?
No, Ive been sleeping in the sleep room. The mattresses there are good.
Good indeed.
But thats not the point.
How long have you been doing this?
At the dorm, I could feel the younger ones constantly fretting over . If it gets worse, I might just start tiptoeing around. I find it easier to be at the office. Besides, when he visits, I can focus and get as much done as possible.
...He?
Ah, did you say last ti that a deity briefly visited?
Is he still here?
Yes. He's right here now, around this area?
Itaehui pointed near her right shoulder.
Of course, there was nothing there.
She doesn't seem to be in her right mind.
Brushing off the blanket, I sat down in an empty chair and said,
...It's not a job you can finish in a day or two, so take care of your health and manage your stress. Dont just hang around like a ghost tied to this place. We have enough company ghosts with Director Kim Hyunjo.
I'm not that bad. I manage my condition with these.
Itaehui confidently opened the mini fridge.
Half of it was filled with alcohol, and the other half with ginseng roots, fruit juices, and high-protein health drinks. She took out a beer and a ginseng root, handing the ginseng to .
Ive been managing my stress by smashing phones, but today I lost two hundred billion in a single go... Shall we listen to the track?
Itaehui popped open the beer can, changing the topic.
Soon, music started playing.
The track was lively and exhilarating. The rich brass section and the catchy chorus instantly transford the stark production room into a space filled with the romanticism of Christmas.
I suddenly craved hot chocolate.
Snowfall, snowfall...
When did you record the guide track?
Inspired late at night, I just tried sothing. If it's finalized, the lyrics will be reworked with the others. Oh, the tracks title is 'Snowfall'.
Youve already decided on the title?
While working, it just ca to .
Humming along to the lody, before I knew it, the song had ended.
I spoke calmly.
I didnt expect it to be completed so quickly. I hope it hasnt been a distraction from Neptunes album work?
No, the lody ca out right on the day. He must really like Christmas... Anyway, weve been focusing on the title track and occasionally working on this when we could. Its been really fun, you know?
Is it?
It feels like goofing off while studying for a big exam.
I rubbed my ear as we talked, unaware.
The lody seed to linger as if stuck to .
*
As soon as Monday ca, I went straight to see the manager at World Art Pictures.
It was fortunate that this was before the release of 'Hong Gil-dong'. Afterward, the mood at World Art Pictures, and the managers, would likely turn sour.
But for now, it was still tolerable.
Please, co this way, manager.
Thank you.
What would you like to drink? We have coffee, tea, juice, all kinds. If we dont have what you like, I can go out and buy it.
The manager was exceedingly polite.
He seed to have quite a few things pricking his conscience.
Our staff has ntioned Mr. Seo Seo-jeong several tis while conducting SNS marketing. Ive made sure to clarify that those rumors are false, directly to you, so there should be no issues moving forward.
Mistakes happen when youre hard at work. Thats fine. How are you doing, sir?
I greeted him warmly, and his complexion noticeably brightened.
Well, even if the world ends tomorrow, we should still plant apple trees today.
The fate of 'Hong Gil-dong' seed to have already been sealed.
It was doubtful he could remain calm if it bombed spectacularly.
Todays eting isnt about the rumor. I have a personal request for you.
Yes, please tell . If its a request from Manager Seo, well do our best to accommodate.
About 'Let It Snow', the upcoming winter release.
He blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected topic.
This one?
He pulled out a neatly folded note from his wallet.
It was a list of foreign films likely to succeed dostically that I had personally written down in Cannes.
Actually, my staff has been quite abuzz about it. It's not just anyone but Manager Seo who ranked this film number one on the list, and the list includes several blockbusters, even an outworld series with a production budget exceeding 300 million dollars.
As he continued, his tired eyes began to sparkle.
I ant it as a bit of fun, but it caused quite a stir for a while, especially among the investnt and import team. But why suddenly 'Let It Snow'?
Is the soundtrack work completed for that film?
The soundtrack?
Yes. If its still in progress, Id like to send a track, as it might be quicker to go through a familiar distributor than for us to contact them out of the blue.
I took out a USB containing Itaehuis track.
A mont later.
With earphones on, the manager started nodding his head, soon to be humming the chorus, just as I was doing.
This is good. Feels like Christmas already.
Itaehui from Neptune,
Yes, Ms. Itaehui.
She composed it herself. Thought it would fit well with 'Let It Snow'.
The manager removed his earphones and looked at
intently.
You must really think 'Let It Snow' will do well, seeing you go to these lengths. It reminds
of the ti with 'City Jungle'.
Is that so?
Yes. It was not the sa with 'Hong Gil-dong'.
I hope 'Let It Snow' will be a hit.
He adjusted his glasses and smiled.
So, Neptune will perform this song?
Yes.
Well send the track and see how the studio reacts. If things dont work out with them, maybe we could collaborate dostically.
That sounds great. I appreciate your help.
Yes, Ill look into it as soon as possible. Oh, but... this isnt really it?
What?
Seo Seo-jeongs list.
He chuckled, looking down at the mo in his hand.
In a way, this is also Seo Seo-jeongs list, right?
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