Chapter 1153: The Warmest Season, Winter (25)

A post-credit scene.

In other words, the kind of clip that appeared at the very end of a superhero film with a dramatic boom to announce, "Here is your setup for the next movie!"

"They want to make me the central character in it."

"Ohhh."

Junghyun clapped in admiration.

"As expected of a global star, Wooju."

"It felt more like they wanted the firepower of the Souffles. I think they want to use the post-credit scene as bait to make them watch the other superhero movies too."

Junghyun stroked his chin with a thoughtful hum.

"A post-credit scene is only a few dozen seconds long. Would the Souffles really come just to see that?"

"Right? I do wonder whether they'd really come for something that short."

I turned to the others and asked,

"Would you watch a two-hour movie just to see my post-credit scene?"

"No. My time is precious."

"I would if the movie was good. Otherwise, I'd wait until it came out on a streaming platform."

"I would absolutely go see it."

The others shook their heads at the sight of Biju's sparkling eyes.

But judging from Biju's reaction, I doubted the other Souffles would respond very differently.

Jiho asked,

"But you're going to film the post-credit scene anyway, aren't you?"

"I have to."

They wanted to film a post-credit scene centered on me. There was no reason to refuse.

The only problem was....

"Will I survive if I go film a post-credit scene too?"

"Why are you making such a fuss over something like...."

"Here. My schedule."

The moment I showed Ri Hyuk my schedule, he snapped his mouth shut with a gasp.

The calendar was packed. No, it was beyond packed. Every available space looked densely engraved with appointments.

Ri Hyuk's eyes widened as he looked back and forth between the schedule and me before carefully examining my face.

"Let's see. I should check you over. Move your eyes for a moment. This way, good... Hold on."

Using the flash on his phone like a flashlight, he examined me like a doctor.

Jiho placed a hand on my shoulder and began acting with sobs.

"Doctor, what illness does this man have? I can't make a living without him. I'll have to survive on bread alone."

Junghyun answered,

"The diagnosis is severe work addiction."

"How can it be cured...?"

"It can't. He's beyond saving."

Ri Hyuk, who had been watching the two of them with a pathetic expression as though wondering what they were doing, spoke to me.

"Well, you're not flying out to film it immediately, right? I think you should schedule it after the award ceremonies. But if you think it'll be too much, say no now. A superhero movie's post-credit scene isn't worth pushing yourself that far."

I agreed.

There were famous superhero films, but there were no famous superhero post-credit scenes, were there?

Perhaps among die-hard superhero fans.

But I could not recall ever seeing a post-credit scene become a major topic among the general public.

Still, post-credit scenes were extremely short, so the filming itself would not be too demanding. That was why I was considering it.

"They said they'd like to film it sometime in December. If possible, I'll have to do it after the award ceremonies."

"All right."

"More importantly, Ri Hyuk, check Jiho instead of me."

I tore open a packet of red ginseng extract, sucked it down, and pointed at Jiho.

Ri Hyuk said with a sour expression,

"Why Wang Jiho?"

"Yeah. Why me?"

I wiped away the red ginseng extract threatening to run down the corner of my mouth.

"His complexion hasn't looked very good lately either."

Our youngest had recently begun filming a movie about four siblings from a chicken restaurant fighting aliens.

I had never filmed a movie, but I had filmed a sitcom, so I knew how grueling a set could be.

I had only played a supporting role, and even that had been exhausting. Our youngest was now the lead.

There was the pressure of having to perform well as the lead, not to mention how burdensome the uniquely tense atmosphere of a film set must be. I could hardly imagine the workload when his main job still required him to sing and dance.

"That's true."

Biju agreed and studied Jiho's face.

"Jiho's dark circles seem deeper lately. His eyes have been bloodshot too, so I've been worried."

"I'm really fine."

Junghyun offered his own testimony.

"Doesn't look like it to me. Jiho's skin used to be really bright and glossy, but these days he looks like a tangerine that's been sitting outside the refrigerator for too long."

"An old tangerine...."

We laughed as our youngest puffed out his cheeks in selfie mode and checked their elasticity.

Even so, we continued watching him with worried expressions.

He's the baby of our family....

His face has gotten so thin.

The reason we worried was Jiho's personality.

When people imagined Jiho, they usually pictured the youngest member grumbling and whining at his older members.

Of course, that was accurate.

But that was only in everyday situations, like, "Someone stole my juice!!" while Junghyun went, "Slurp... flinch."

Whenever things became genuinely difficult, Jiho tended to fall silent.

-The others are all having a hard time too.

That was why I could not help worrying that he might be pushing himself while thinking, I just have to endure it!

Perhaps sensing our gazes, Jiho waved his hands.

"I'm really fine. The people on set are fun, and Jihoon takes really good care of me."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Everyone's kind, and they've been very considerate with the filming schedule, so there's no problem. It'll get a little tough once the superhero movie is added, but my role isn't that big there anyway."

"Oh. Right."

"?"

I held out one of the documents Seokhwan had given me.

"They said your role got bigger."

"Really?!"

"Apparently, after Sound of the Sun became a hit, Wonder Comics said they wanted to increase your screen time significantly."

"Wow! That's amazing!"

Jiho sprang to his feet and threw himself into my arms.

"Wooju! This is all thanks to you!"

"Kyareuk!"

"Wow, then I'm basically moving up from an extra or cameo to almost a supporting role, right? That's incredible."

"Kyarareuk!"

We were clapping our hands together and celebrating when someone whose hobby was always ruining the mood spoke up.

"But doesn't that mean Wang Jiho's filming workload is going to double?"

"Huh?"

"Uh...?"

Jiho was not working quite as hard as I was, but his current workload was already close to overwork.

As he thought it over, his face gradually turned pale.

Then he turned his head and looked at me.

"Wooju...."

"I'm sorry...."

"No, Wooju. My role got bigger thanks to you...."

"Don't cry, Jiho."

"These are tears of joy."

Jiho, who had been giggling only moments earlier, and I embraced as we shed tears of shared suffering.

For some reason, knowing there was now one more person in the same position as me gave me an odd sense of relief.

After patting each other on the back for a while, I said,

"It's about time I got going."

"Where are you going?"

The others tilted their heads as they watched me rise from the practice room floor and gather my things.

I picked up my bag and smiled at them.

"I'm going to help promote Hanbyul's album."

I have a friend.

He was born in the United States, auditioned there, and came to Korea to pursue his dream of becoming an idol.

Life in Korea was not easy, but he overcame it with his exceptional language skills.

-Taehyun, how is your Korean worse than his?

-I'm better at using chopsticks.

-Then pick up this black bean.

-This is when I really hate you.

With his easygoing personality, refreshing vocals, and solid dancing skills, he smoothly made it into TNT's debut lineup. After debuting, he became wildly popular in China.

Whenever he advertised cosmetics, they sold out across China.

His merchandise sales were overwhelming as well.

Naturally, because he was so popular in China, his agency began making him promote there exclusively.

-When am I going back to Korea?

-Soon. Just wait a little longer~ Hahaha.

-You said that last time too....

-Hanbyul, you're at the height of your popularity right now. Honestly, TNT's popularity in China is being sustained by your activities there. Your role is extremely important.

-If it's for the team... then fine. Sigh.

He became one of the biggest stars in the Chinese-speaking market, but it was not the path he wanted.

The conflict between him and his company deepened until, around the time of the Pyeongchang Olympics, it finally exploded.

He had an important performance ahead of him and needed emotional support, yet company employees came to him, caused a scene, and pressured him to sign a contract.

At that very moment, a man appeared like a hero and saved him from danger....

"That man was me. That's what I'm saying."

"Ah. It's not wrong, but I really want to argue with you."

"Hahahaha!"

I burst out laughing at the sight of Hanbyul clenching his lips.

"Should I continue?"

"Go ahead."

And so...!

Sun Wooju stepped forward to help Jang Hanbyul achieve success as a Korean singer, and now he was finally preparing for his solo debut.

"Aren't you nervous?"

"I am. But I don't think I'm that nervous yet. The album isn't being released today."

Today was not the day Hanbyul's album came out.

There was still about a week left until its release.

The schedule Hanbyul and I had today was a variety show recording.

"Thanks, Wooju. You must be busy."

"It's fine. I should at least help with something like this. I can't promote it directly."

I had been involved in Hanbyul's album, but I planned to keep my involvement in its promotion to a minimum.

What our TF team and I wanted was for all public attention to focus squarely on the artist Jang Hanbyul.

Not on a title like: A song made by Sun Wooju!

That sort of title might help a completely unknown singer, but it was not a good strategy for someone like Hanbyul, who had already built recognition through TNT.

Instead, I planned to support him by appearing with him on variety shows as a friend.

"Thank you so much."

Hanbyul smiled brightly and held out his hand.

For some reason, he sounded like he was reading from a textbook.

"I will never forget this assistance filled with friendship. I aspire to this kind of friendship with you."

"Of course."

I smiled and replied in equally formal language.

"You did just say you aspire to it, not that you wish to avoid it, correct?"

"Hmm~ As though I would make a mistake like that."

Then Hanbyul said to me,

"I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. But I will never yield to you in today's competition."

"Hehehehe. That's my line."

"Prepare yourself, Wooju. I even earned a level certification on the PBS Korean Proficiency Test."

"I'll show you the dignity of someone who received a perfect score in Korean on the September mock exam."

"But you didn't take the college entrance exam, did you?"

"……."

Feeling as though I had lost that exchange, I rose from my seat.

I narrowed my eyes at Hanbyul as he received his makeup.

"Just wait until later."

Hanbyul laughed scornfully.

"Hehehehe! Hehehehe!"

Beside us, the name of the program posted on the waiting room door gleamed.

[PBS Battle of the Korean Language! Contestants' Waiting Room]

Wooju, Jang Hanbyul

The program we were appearing on today pitted foreigners and Koreans against one another to determine who had greater command of the language.

Bright lights.

An audience.

An announcer at the host's desk warming up his throat with a sip of water.

It had been a while since I had experienced the atmosphere of a television studio recording.

[Battle of the Korean Language!]

I smiled and exchanged greetings with the people standing in the contestants' area.

There were university students looking at me with fascination, as well as several entertainers currently active on television.

"Hello, Mr. Jett."

"Y-You remember me!"

"Of course."

He was Jett Miller, an Australian who worked as both an actor and entertainer in Korea.

He had also served as our guide for a day when we filmed NewBlack's Travel Diary: Australia.

Amid the mix of foreigners and Koreans active in Korea, Hanbyul and I, standing across from each other, met eyes.

It won't be easy. Hehehehe!

Prepare yourself, Wooju.

The producer, who looked slightly more nervous than usual, approached me.

I heard him swallow.

"Um... Wooju."

"Yes."

"……May we begin recording?"

"What? Yes."

I did not understand why he was asking for my permission, but the moment I agreed, the recording began.

"Waaaaaaaaah!"

We all clapped along with the audience's reaction.

"Yes! There's a saying that if you know yourself and your enemy, you will win every battle. Then how well do we know our own language?"

After finishing a meaningful opening about Hangul, the announcer raised his cue cards.

"We sincerely welcome you to Battle of the Korean Language!"

"Waaaaaaaaah!"

Next came the introduction of the cast.

As each name was announced, the host began,

"Yes, and today we have invited two particularly unique guests. We have two of the greatest K-pop singers with us, don't we?"

The original script had included a line like, "Introducing global mega-ultra-superstars NewBlack! And Asia's greatest stars, TNT!" but I had asked them to simply call us top idols.

Since TNT and we were the leading idols of our respective eras, wording like that could easily start a fight.

"They are Jang Hanbyul of TNT and Wooju of NewBlack!"

"Nice to meet you! I'm Jang Hanbyul!"

"I'm Wooju of NewBlack."

The host asked,

"Is there a particular reason you decided to join us today?"

"My album is coming out soon, and since it's an album in Korean, I really wanted to appear on a program where people compete using the Korean language. They say even a dog at a village school can recite poetry after three years, so today I intend to show off my tremendous Korean skills!"

After Hanbyul promoted his album, everyone's gaze turned to me, and I spoke.

"I came to prevent this friend from winning."

"Ah! So you came with a truly meaningful purpose."

"Yes. He constantly brags about how good he is at Korean. He keeps saying, 'I'm better at Korean than you are!' So in the name of Korean pride, I'm going to prove him wrong so thoroughly that he can never say it again!"

"You'll compete with the heart of a national representative. Yes, we've heard your excellent resolve."

The audience burst into laughter.

At that moment, Jett jumped in with perfect timing.

"Wait, Hanbyul isn't Korean?"

"No."

Hanbyul began giving a lengthy introduction about himself.

When I thanked Jett with a glance, he smiled.

Please help me get some screen time, Senior Wooju. Hehehehe.

His eyes were sparkling a little too intensely....

In any case, after creating several entertaining moments, the quiz show began with the host's energetic shout.

"Then from this moment on, Battle of the Korean Language begins!"

"Waaaaaaaaah!"

It was a quiz show where

«N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t»

the difficulty increased with each stage.

At the end, the person with the highest score would take home one million won in prize money.

A Korean literature student who had taken a test to enter the program was in the lead, while Hanbyul and I chased close behind.

"Which of the following is the correct form? Her complexion looked extremely pale."

"The answer is haelsuk."

"Correct! Hanbyul gains ten points."

As though showing viewers just how skilled he was in Korean, Hanbyul winked at the camera.

He really was good.

Hanbyul soon tied with the Korean literature student for first place, and then it was my turn.

"Wooju, here is your question. Which of the following is the correct term for armpit sweat?"

The display board lit up.

[Gyeottam / Gyeottam]

Before the timer could even begin ticking, I shouted the answer.

"The answer is gyeottam."

"Yes! Correct!"

As the audience murmured in surprise, Hanbyul looked at me with unexpected admiration and asked,

"Did you know that?"

"No."

I answered confidently,

"But if the answer had been the obvious one, they wouldn't have used it as a question."

"……."

"Tests are all about intuition, Hanbyul. Kyareuk!"

When I laughed obnoxiously, Hanbyul pouted.

I smiled back at the laughing audience as my score rose into a tie for first.

That was right.

I did not possess exceptional knowledge of Korean, but I had a knack for selecting the correct answer.

And there was one more advantage I was counting on today.

"Yes! Hanbyul, correct!"

"Hanbyul! Correct! That moves you into the lead!!"

"Correct!"

As Hanbyul surged ahead and widened the score gap, I merely smiled calmly.

"All right, Wooju. Please select your question."

"I'll choose the thirty-point question."

"!"

"And I'll use my phone-a-friend."

A thirty-point question could overturn the score gap in a single move.

When I announced that I would also use my phone-a-friend, the audience began murmuring.

They probably knew whom I intended to call.

"Yes!"

The announcer must have sensed the ratings rising, because he shouted excitedly.

"Then we'll connect the call first."

"All right."

Using the phone handed to me by a staff member, I called the person I wanted to ask for help.

The greatest mind in our New family!

The spelling demon created by the National Institute of Korean Language!

Once he answered on the other end, I would have twenty seconds.

Riiing....

Soon, someone picked up, and I smiled.

-Hello.

[Countdown: 20 seconds]

The announcer shouted, "Here comes the question!" and put it on the screen.

"Hey, Ri Hyuk, I.... Wait. Ri Hyuk?"

-No. It's Junghyun.

"Where's Ri Hyuk?"

-He's in the shower right now.

"……."