NOVEL NEXT Chapter 491
“…Excuse me.”
“Hmm….”
“Wake up.”
“Ugh, uh… yes?”
Opening my eyes, I’m enveloped by a pitch-black background.
“Oh, I can’t see anything.”
Why can’t I see?
Is it night, perhaps?
But even at night, I should be able to see in front of me….
For a moment, confusion set in.
“…Just a moment.”
I heard Moon Chang-sik’s voice.
Swoosh.
Gradually, my sight began to return.
“Ah.”
So it’s not night.
“…Looks like you had a really good sleep.”
“No, uh… the sleeping arrangements were actually quite uncomfortable.”
The moment I got up, my body ached.
I had completely forgotten I was wearing a sleep mask.
“Cough, um… have the works finished?”
“No… it’s lunchtime.”
“Aha.”
…Oh man.
This is really embarrassing.
After wearing the sleep mask for so long, a little mishap happened.
“…Where are we having lunch?”
“I’m thinking of going to a nearby restaurant.”
“Hmm, sounds good. I’ve looked up some restaurants too.”
“Even the restaurants?”
“Our manager suggested it, you know.”
Isn’t it a manager’s duty to find tasty places for the actor to eat?
So, it was after identifying some good spots near the studio we were filming in.
“Excellent. Where is it?”
“It’s just a 15-minute drive.”
Saying this, I patted the passenger seat next to me.
“Alright, let’s drive.”
“…I’m thinking about changing managers.”
“No exchanges or refunds allowed.”
Well, anyway.
Since the morning schedule seemed to be finished, we headed to a nearby restaurant for lunch.
“Is it good?”
“Yeah, well… it’s good.”
“It’s a recommended place.”
After having a delicious lunch,
“Shall we get back to work?”
“Yes, we should start filming again.”
Now that Moon Chang-sik had filled his belly, it was time to return to filming.
“How long will it take?”
“Probably about two or three hours.”
So I can take a break again during that time?
Man, this feels like such an easy gig!
“Is there anything I can help with?”
Still being a temporary manager, I wanted to do something….
“Um… not really.”
“Should I get some coffee?”
“No, there’s a coffee truck inside as well.”
Looks like there won’t be anything for me to do.
“Then what should I do?”
“I’ll give you a card; go get some coffee at a nearby café.”
“Wow, that’s a nice benefit.”
My task is to drink coffee at a café.
Is this what it’s like to be Moon Chang-sik’s manager?
I’d rather do it full time than just for a day!
“Is the card okay? So I’m really going to the café?”
“Yes, that’s better than sleeping in the car.”
“…Alright, let’s go, staff.”
Anyway.
Moon Chang-sik went off to work again.
I led the cameraman to a nearby café by the filming location.
“Oh, Soo-hyun.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Can we do a light interview at the café?”
When I arrived at the café, the cameraman suggested an interview.
Looks like they were waiting for the right moment since they couldn’t get an interview during the variety show.
“Sure. Please order some coffee first.”
“Okay, also, other staff members will be coming.”
“Then let’s order for them too.”
“Ah! Thank you!”
Even though I was just a guest for the day, I had to treat them properly considering how much I was being paid.
After ordering a bunch of coffee, we sat on the empty second floor of the café.
“So, how do we do the interview?”
Do I just talk to the camera here?
“Yes, yes, the staff will come with questions.”
“Oh… this is serious.”
“It’s for the video.”
Hmm, it’d be nice to have something like this occasionally.
Since it was quite some time before Moon Chang-sik would return, I should act responsibly.
A little while later, people rushed up to the second floor.
“Oh, Soo-hyun.”
“Yes, yes, please sit here.”
How many staff members are there for this interview?
They even brought more cameras.
“…This is more serious than I thought?”
“Well, I figured we wouldn’t have time later.”
“Aha….”
Well, since we’re doing it, it’s better to do it well.
“Now we’ll begin.”
“Sure, feel free to ask questions.”
And so.
The serious interview began on the second floor of the café.
“To start, how did you end up being a daily manager?”
The first question was about how I got to appear on the variety show.
Must be quite surprising for these people, right?
Since I, a busy person, suddenly appeared as a guest.
“Ah, I met with them about work last time, and that’s when the topic came up.”
“Oh… but you’re quite busy these days; did you decide to participate immediately?”
“I’ve received a lot of favors from my mentor, so I thought I’d repay them this way.”
“Ah… repaying a favor….”
“Just doing manager duties while taking care of things for them.”
“Taking care?”
“Yeah? Is there a problem?”
“All you did was come, get your makeup done, sleep, and eat….”
“Hey, isn’t that allowed for a manager?”
“Well, it’s not like it’s forbidden…”
Goodness, what are these people thinking?
Do they think a manager is like a servant in the Joseon era or something?
We all do this to make a living.
“I was thinking of offering my help here and there, but you didn’t seem to need much.”
I took a sip of the coffee I ordered earlier.
“I didn’t expect it to be this idle either.”
Moreover, since Moon Chang-sik has so much experience, there wasn’t much to do.
I had at least thought I’d do something like Park Kang-seok would have prepared.
I was so surprised I had nothing to do!
“Ah… I see. Tomorrow, Moon Chang-sik will be the manager. What do you think about that?”
“Hmm, having someone like the esteemed actor Moon Chang-sik as my manager feels a bit burdensome.”
How many years is he my senior?
At least 20, right?
To have such a person as your manager…
It’s quite a burden for a lot of actors.
But….
“I’ll take advantage of you both on and off the show.”
After all, Buhwang Miro.
I’m a person who genuinely cares about the broadcast.
I’m ready to do things no one else would do for the show.
“Oh, taking advantage…? Understood!”
Upon hearing that, I could see the staff’s expressions light up.
Looks like they secretly wanted that.
Anyway, the interview continued after that as well.
Since we had plenty of time, the questions were quite varied.
They asked about my relationship with Moon Chang-sik and how I compare to my actual manager, even about whether I’d participate in the show again.
Since I had nothing else to do while waiting, I earnestly answered all the questions and passed the time.
“Alright, that’s all.”
“Chang-sik said he’s done!”
In no time, I got the news that Moon Chang-sik’s filming was over, so we headed back to the car.
“Is everything finished?”
“Yeah, now we just have to go to the next filming location.”
Arriving at the parking lot, I met Moon Chang-sik who just returned.
We got back in the car and headed off to digest the next schedule.
“Once we shoot one commercial, the day will come to an end?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Since filming had already been going on since morning,
Moon Chang-sik’s schedule was almost all done.
Just a simple commercial to finish.
“This doesn’t feel like a daily manager but more like a companion.”
Since I couldn’t get into the filming location, there wasn’t much for me to do as a manager.
How should I have asked for permission to get in?
“The commercial filming should allow you inside.”
“Aha, then what can I help with there?”
“You really don’t need to do much….”
…So you mean there’s nothing for me to do, huh?
Is a manager supposed to be this helpless?
Or maybe it’s because I can’t drive that I’m feeling powerless as a manager.
I should really get my license.
Well, anyway, after that, we went to the commercial filming location and completed the shoot.
The last stop with Moon Chang-sik after finishing all his filming schedules was, believe it or not, the gym.
“So if we work out here, that’ll wrap up our day.”
“Yeah, sometimes I come early, but not today.”
“Phew, let’s go for it then.”
I’d heard some simple murmurs about the gym beforehand, so I brought workout clothes.
So after changing into my workout clothes and stepping out, it felt strange with cameras and staff already set up inside the gym.
They’ll be filming the workout too, huh?
Or maybe this part will actually get good viewer ratings?
“Phew… phew….”
Just look at Moon Chang-sik, who has already started working out.
The muscles that were covered when he wore the knitwear are now highlighted in workout clothes.
More importantly, he’s wearing the workout clothes I gave him.
If he wears that on the variety show, it’ll have a good advertising effect.
The madam will love it.
“I’ll help you with your workout.”
So I quietly approached to assist Moon Chang-sik.
“…You’re going to help me?”
“Is there a problem with that?”
Isn’t it normal for a manager to help with workouts?
Our Park Kang-seok did everything from managing to being a personal trainer.
“Um, no. It’s too dangerous; let’s go over there.”
But here, I was firmly rejected.
Well, if I incorrectly assisted Moon Chang-sik with the weights, he might get injured.
“Then I’ll just do it by myself.”
With that, there was nothing I could do but leave Moon Chang-sik and start my workout alone.
By now, I had done enough that I could manage easily without Park Kang-seok’s help.
“Your posture is off, manager.”
“Excuse me?”
“Keep your back straight.”
I found myself getting coaching on my workout from Moon Chang-sik who had come over to check on me.
Seriously… who is the manager here?
Tomorrow, it will be his turn to be my daily manager. I’m excited about how that will play out.
And so, after finishing our workout, the day ended.
“I’ll drop you off.”
“No? You should go home. I’ll take a taxi back.”
“…You really don’t have to do that.”
“I’ll do my duty as a manager.”
Lastly, we headed to the parking lot of Moon Chang-sik’s house.
“Phew, time to clock out.”
“You did a great job today.”
“Definitely a long schedule.”
It feels like I just arrived in the morning, but it’s already evening.
As a manager, it seems I spent nearly 12 hours.
“Then tomorrow, I’ll be in charge of the actor?”
“Yes, I will work hard as a manager.”
“I’ll give it my all too.”
“Your all…?”
To be honest, I felt a bit guilty since I hadn’t done that much for him….
But tomorrow, I must forget today and behave like a proper actor.
Moon Chang-sik will probably understand.
After all, we came out for the sake of promoting the show.
I’ll have to put on a little show of my own, right?
“Look forward to it.”
“…You’re just making me feel anxious.”
“Alright, I’ll be on my way!”
With that.
After giving Moon Chang-sik a sufficient reminder, I left the parking lot.
My day as a daily manager ended today.
Tomorrow, I’ll be back as the high-handed actor Kim Soo-hyun.