Chapter 80 - Are You Going to Do It Half-heartedly?

“You bastard! I woke up in the morning and my knee hurts again!”

The next day.

Baek Hyeon-woo received a call from WAVE's Yoon Si-kyeong.

He had called after seeing the business card he was given at the beach.

“There's no way it would be all better just from me pressing it a few times with my fingers.”

Because Baek Hyeon-woo had stimulated the trigger points and loosened his rectus femoris, his knee probably didn't hurt when he went on stage.

However, as time passes, the rectus femoris stiffens again, and the pain relapses.

Since he continuously used his thigh muscles while performing, it could even hurt more than yesterday.

“To properly pull out the root, you have to receive treatment repeatedly several times.”

“Repeatedly several times?”

“Yes, then the improved state will be maintained, and in the end, you'll be completely cured.”

“Then you treat me.”

“I have a schedule too.”

As Baek Hyeon-woo answered that way, Yoon Si-kyeong got annoyed.

“Hey, then I'll just go to Haram Entertainment, right?”

“If you suddenly visit someone else's company, it's a bit...”

“I'm close with your aunt! Tell Yeon-ah noonim that I'm coming!”

“Understood. Then please come tomorrow morning.”

After ending the call with Yoon Si-kyeong, Baek Hyeon-woo gave a slight smile.

Because things were going well.

……

The next day.

Yoon Si-kyeong, who had shown up loitering around Haram Entertainment, flinched in surprise.

Because a bunch of people from the broadcasting station were gathered there.

“Huh? What's this? Is today some kind of filming day?”

“Aigo, welcome.”

A man who looked just like a PD approached and handed Yoon Si-kyeong a business card.

“I am Kim Jun-hyeok, and I make variety shows at TVX. I heard from Team Leader Baek.”

“Uh…?”

“I heard you came today to mentor your junior singers. We'll just be filming from the side, so please be comfortable.”

What on earth is this?

Yoon Si-kyeong, feeling flabbergasted, was about to call Baek Hyeon-woo.

“Si-kyeong, you're here?”

At that moment, a familiar voice was heard.

His sunbae singer, Baek Yeon-ah, was approaching Yoon Si-kyeong.

“N-Noonim, what is this?”

“You, you said you came to get treatment from Hyeon-woo?”

Baek Yeon-ah said, crossing her arms.

“But you weren't thinking of getting treated for free, were you?”

“……!”

Yoon Si-kyeong's eyes went round.

“Our Hyeon-woo is incredibly busy, you know? He was recently promoted to team leader, so he has too much to do. You're taking away the time of such a busy Team Leader Baek Hyeon-woo, so you have to give something in return too.”

“No, that, I already repaid him by showing a great stage...”

“What kind of repayment is showing a great stage? That's a given for a singer.”

“……”

Baek Yeon-ah placed a hand on the shoulder of the speechless Yoon Si-kyeong.

“Since you've come this far, give some guidance to your juniors as a sunbae singer. You're not a professional trainer, but you have your own know-how, don't you.”

“E-Even if I concede and give the juniors guidance, what are those cameras?”

“TVX came to film an observation variety show today. Since they're filming the daily lives of Newstarz and their manager, they'll also be filming you mentoring Newstarz.”

“Noonim! I don't go on variety shows!”

He barely even goes on music broadcasts, and now a variety show!

“It's an observation variety show, so you don't have to do any special talking. Just be comfortable, and the cameramen will take care of filming.”

“Wow, I'm going crazy...”

Should I just go back?

Just as Yoon Si-kyeong was contemplating that, Baek Hyeon-woo's voice was heard.

“You're here.”

“You bastard...!”

You tricked me!

He lunged as if to grab him by the collar, but Baek Hyeon-woo immediately opened his mouth.

“Your back isn't good today either, is it?”

“What?”

“It was uncomfortable when you got out of bed this morning, wasn't it?”

Yoon Si-kyeong's mouth fell open.

Because Baek Hyeon-woo was guessing it with uncanny accuracy even though he hadn't said anything.

“It seems your iliopsoas, which connects your lower back and pelvis, is knotted. It looks like fatigue has built up due to the Super Marine Festival schedule.”

“Uh, well...”

“Don't worry. When today's schedule is over, I'll satisfyingly release it all for you.”

“……”

Yoon Si-kyeong couldn't say anything more.

After letting out a deep sigh, he plodded into Haram Entertainment.

……

The filming for TVX's new variety show, 'Going to Work Today Too', began.

This program was something PD Kim Jun-hyeok had come up with after seeing the chemistry between Baek Hyeon-woo and Kim So-yeong at the last 'The Idol' recording, and its content was to closely observe the daily lives of an idol and their manager.

PD Kim Jun-hyeok had said that they just needed to show their usual working selves without feeling burdened, but Baek Hyeon-woo thought that wasn't enough.

He thought it would be good to have an additional element that could firmly grab the viewers' interest.

In that situation, the one Baek Hyeon-woo met was none other than Yoon Si-kyeong.

If they cast WAVE's Yoon Si-kyeong, the permanent fixture of the summer music scene, they could maximize the buzz…

Thinking that, Baek Hyeon-woo had secretly proceeded with a plan, and in the end, was able to make Yoon Si-kyeong's appearance happen.

“Alright, stop there.”

Haram Entertainment practice room.

Yoon Si-kyeong, who had been watching Newstarz dance and sing, opened his mouth.

“You must have practiced a lot. You're all pretty good.”

“……!”

Everyone made pleased expressions at the praise from Yoon Si-kyeong, one of Korea's best vocalists.

“It seems you've received proper vocal training, who's the trainer?”

“These days, Trainer Tae Jong-soo has been training us.”

“Ah, it was Jong-soo?”

Hearing Baek Hyeon-woo's answer, Yoon Si-kyeong nodded.

Probably, in the actual broadcast, a cut introducing who Tae Jong-soo is will be inserted here.

Saying that he is the vocal trainer for Korea's top female singer, Lyeo-woo.

“By the way.”

Yoon Si-kyeong, who had been praising the members until just a moment ago, said in a cold voice.

“If you guys sing like that, you'll all collapse from exhaustion after the performance is over.”

“……!”

“It's useless no matter how good your stamina is. Because you're pulling out and using all the strength you have.”

This was something Baek Hyeon-woo had also felt until now.

After finishing a big stage, they were all exhausted and had to lie down for a while.

This was a problem that couldn't be solved with just stamina training alone.

“You guys are releasing a new song this time, right? You'll be on music shows every day, from the major networks to cable, right?”

“Yes…”

“I guarantee it, you guys won't last. In the middle of it, someone will collapse and leave a hole in the schedule.”

Appearing on a music show and singing and dancing in front of the camera is by no means an easy task.

However, Newstarz performs with all their might, much more diligently than others.

Continuing that every day becomes a big burden.

“Whether it's singing or dancing, take the strength out of your shoulders and do it more naturally. Let's do it comfortably. Okay?”

“Yes…!”

“Good, then for now, what you specifically have to do is…”

Yoon Si-kyeong gave them more full-scale guidance than expected.

As expected, the know-how of a singer who has survived in the music industry for 15 years was not something that could be ignored.

“At this rate, the program's purpose changes a bit.”

PD Kim Jun-hyeok, who was watching from the side with a cameraman, made a bitter expression.

“Team Leader Baek brought too amazing a person as a guest. If it's like this from the first episode, the people appearing in the next episode will feel burdened.”

Of course, a scene like this itself wasn't a bad thing.

This was because Kim Jun-hyeok was planning on intensively spotlighting the skill of the manager named Baek Hyeon-woo on this program.

The very person who fostered Newstarz into a constantly growing, professional group is Baek Hyeon-woo... that was the kind of direction he was planning.

Bringing in a heavyweight like Yoon Si-kyeong was also a meaningful event from that perspective.

Because it was proof that Baek Hyeon-woo wasn't just a simple manager, but a person who possessed tremendous skill.

“As expected, Dong-cheol hyung has an eye for people.”

Newly admiring his sunbae PD who had recognized Baek Hyeon-woo's value early on, Kim Jun-hyeok gave an instruction to the cameraman to close up more on Baek Hyeon-woo.

……

“Alright, let's end it here.”

“Thank you!”

“You worked very hard!”

Yoon Si-kyeong's lesson, which had gone on for nearly two hours, was over.

Unlike his usual loose attitude, Yoon Si-kyeong taught the Newstarz members with real passion.

Perhaps he had been more diligent than usual because he was conscious of the camera.

“You worked hard.”

“I really did work hard, you know? I'm originally a person who doesn't go on variety shows. I hate cameras themselves.”

Yoon Si-kyeong, who was saying that to Baek Hyeon-woo, tilted his head.

“Is something the matter?”

“Did you say Seo Na-eun? I mean her.”

Yoon Si-kyeong said, pointing at Seo Na-eun who was cleaning up.

“I feel like I've seen her somewhere before... where did I see her?”

“……”

Yoon Si-kyeong had not noticed that Seo Na-eun was the woman he had seen at the beach last time.

At that time, Seo Na-eun had been in disguise, and the time they met was also short. That's why it seemed he couldn't recognize her.

“It would be a problem if you had any impure thoughts towards our idol.”

“Hey! Do I look like someone who doesn't have that much discernment?!”

Yoon Si-kyeong got angry at Baek Hyeon-woo's single remark.

“What kind of bastard are you to be so arrogant every time...”

“For now, you need to receive treatment, so please come this way.”

“Listen to what I'm saying!”

While getting angry at Baek Hyeon-woo, Yoon Si-kyeong stopped showing any more interest in Seo Na-eun.

Taking that Yoon Si-kyeong with him, Baek Hyeon-woo entered a separate room prepared next to the practice room.

“What is this place?”

“It's the Healing Center.”

He had attached a grand name to it, but it was just a room where Baek Hyeon-woo had brought a cot, treatment tools, etc., to make it easy to treat the members.

The Healing Center was a name temporarily attached for the purpose of airing it on the broadcast.

“Please lie face down on the bed. I'll take a look at your back first.”

“……”

Yoon Si-kyeong lay face down on the white bedsheet that was washed every day.

“How is it when I press here?”

“Hmm, it hurts a bit.”

“How about here?”

“Ah, that spot hurts a lot.”

“I roughly understand.”

Baek Hyeon-woo nodded, conscious of the camera.

“Yoon Si-kyeong-nim, originally, the plan was to film our idols.”

“What?”

“But it seemed a bit much to air something like an idol's scream on broadcast... so I talked with the PD-nim and changed the plan.”

“……?”

The camera, which had been inside for a while, closed up on the bewildered Yoon Si-kyeong's face.

“It's going to hurt a bit.”

“What are you talking about... Gyaaaaaak!”

Press!

Yoon Si-kyeong's scream echoed all the way to the hallway.

PD Kim Jun-hyeok was grinning from ear to ear, saying he had gotten an interesting scene.

……

The day after filming 'Going to Work Today Too'.

Baek Hyeon-woo put only Kim So-yeong in the car and departed.

Because it was the day of filming episode 1 of HBS's fusion historical drama, 'Unshakeable Dynasty'.

“Sorry, you don't have a single day to rest, So-yeong.”

“No, it's okay.”

Kim So-yeong, who was sitting in the back seat, answered in a calm voice.

“Rather, it's you who doesn't have a single day to rest, Hyeon-woo oppa.”

“Me… I'm just watching, that's all.”

What was fortunate was that, in the beginning, there weren't that many scenes where Wol-hwa appeared.

He had checked at the script reading held a while ago, but it seemed she would be able to proceed with the filming without much of a physical burden.

“Oh, So-yeong-ssi is here.”

When they arrived at the bustling filming site, an actor in his mid-sixties with deep eyebrows and a distinct gaze welcomed Kim So-yeong.

It was the national actor, Lee Dong-jae, who had played the lead role in numerous historical dramas.

As an acting-focused actor well-regarded for his dignified voice and outstanding acting ability, he had also taken on roles with a strong presence in various dramas besides historical ones.

A few years ago, he appeared on a variety program where older actors traveled the world together, and the charming side he showed on the program became a huge topic, making him famous even among young people.

Currently, as the top influencer in the South Korean acting world, he was enjoying great popularity, regardless of gender or age.

“Hello, sunbae-nim.”

Kim So-yeong greeted him, politely bowing her waist.

At that, Lee Dong-jae nodded with a benevolent smile.

“Work hard today. You did well at the reading, so you'll be able to do well today too.”

“Thank you!”

The role Lee Dong-jae was playing this time was General Choi Young, known as the last loyal subject of Goryeo.

Since the protagonists of 'Unshakeable Dynasty' have the goal of tearing down Goryeo and building a new country, Lee Dong-jae could be called the main villain of this drama.

In the story, a secret organization called 'Milgeom' (Secret Sword), which Choi Young uses as his limbs, appears, and Wol-hwa, played by Kim So-yeong, is the top skilled member of this Milgeom.

For that reason, in this drama, Lee Dong-jae and Kim So-yeong had a superior-and-subordinate relationship.

“It's a relief that the actor, Lee Dong-jae, thinks well of So-yeong.”

“Yes, he helped me a lot during the script reading too.”

Honestly, the other actors treated Kim So-yeong coldly.

Since she was an idol singer who had suddenly taken a role without any acting experience, from the perspective of full-time actors, they couldn't help but look at her with prejudice.

However, Lee Dong-jae treated Kim So-yeong kindly and gave her a lot of help.

That's why Baek Hyeon-woo also felt grateful to Lee Dong-jae.

“So-yeong-ssi, are you ready?”

When it was time to film Kim So-yeong's first scene, the PD personally approached and spoke to her.

“You did well at the script reading, so just do it like that. Don't be nervous.”

“Yes, PD-nim!”

Finally, Kim So-yeong's first filming began.

It was a scene at the Milgeom training grounds where Choi Young and Wol-hwa were having a sword duel.

Since this was the scene where Wol-hwa, as the warrior personally trained by Choi Young, first appeared, she had to give the most impressive performance possible.

‘She'll be able to do well.’

After checking the movements designated in advance by the martial arts director one more time, they went through a rehearsal and entered the full-scale filming.

Lee Dong-jae, dressed as Choi Young.

Kim So-yeong, dressed as Wol-hwa.

Seeing the two of them face each other, he certainly felt that Lee Dong-jae's presence was strong.

‘As expected, there's something different about a national actor.’

Because this drama was a fusion historical drama, many young and handsome actors were cast compared to a regular historical drama.

Compared to those actors, Lee Dong-jae's presence was unrivaled.

Would Kim So-yeong be able to put on an impressive performance in front of this great actor?

“Standby… Cue!”

When the signal was given, Lee Dong-jae and Kim So-yeong raised their swords and began their duel.

The sound of swords clashing, chang chang, was heard. Since they weren't real swords, the sound was a bit feeble, but they would probably add plausible sound effects later.

Kim So-yeong was not intimidated, even in front of the great actor Lee Dong-jae.

She was expressing the character of Wol-hwa well, like a single, sharp, cold blade, shooting an intense gaze at Lee Dong-jae.

‘The scene where Choi Young drops his sword is coming up.’

Due to his advanced age, the weakened Choi Young drops his sword at Wol-hwa's fierce attack and it leads to a scene where he praises her, saying, 'Your skills have improved a lot.'

Wol-hwa's first line comes out there.

Since she had received good reviews at the script reading, she would be able to do well this time too.

However, at that moment, an anomaly occurred.

“Ah…!”

Whoosh!

It wasn't Lee Dong-jae, but Kim So-yeong who dropped her sword.

However, it wasn't a mistake.

Lee Dong-jae had swung his sword with all his might and sent the sword flying from Kim So-yeong's hand.

“Huh?”

“S-Sir?”

The staff, including PD Kim Jun-hyeok, were bewildered.

This wasn't a mistake, but an intentional act.

Of course, the most flustered person was Kim So-yeong herself.

“S-Sunbae-nim.”

“So-yeong-ssi.”

Looking at the pale-faced Kim So-yeong, Lee Dong-jae opened his mouth.

“Did you come here to dance? Even if this is a fusion historical drama, are you going to do it so feebly like that?”

“……!”

The charismatic actor's anger-filled voice rebuked Kim So-yeong.