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“Yeah, so the concept for this advertisement is…”

I was listening to the staff member from the client side explaining why we were shooting here, what the concept is, and what the product is, as well as why we were invited.

I tried really hard to focus, but…

Sitting next to me, Moon Chang-sik felt awkward enough that I couldn’t concentrate well.

Hasn’t everyone had this experience in school at least once?

You know, when you were getting along well with a friend of the opposite gender, but then everyone around kept asking if you were dating, and it created a weird distance.

Of course, I’m past that awkward adolescent phase now… but still, it felt just as awkward.

Anyway, we sat through the explanation uncomfortably until the serious meeting began.

“Alright, let’s start shooting.”

The ad shoot commenced.

Surprisingly, the ad was not as complicated as I expected, considering they brought us all the way here.

We simply shot various scenes in a spacious, nice set, and if there were any parts we didn’t like, we just took feedback.

Having done a few shoots now, I was somewhat used to receiving opinions and making adjustments as we filmed.

Even though I continued to feel awkward around Moon Chang-sik, I didn’t show it while we were filming.

I now carried a professional attitude, and as for Moon Chang-sik… well, he could pretend everything was fine even if he was shooting with someone he couldn’t stand.

Anyway, as we wrapped up the ad shoot, it was past lunchtime.

“Great job today.”

“Yes.”

I bid farewell to the staff from the client side and the camera director, and left the set.

Moon Chang-sik was like, “Uh, well, if we bump into each other on the way out, we can say hi.”

There’s no need to actively seek each other out, right? Huh?

What’s more, having the camera crew from the variety show following us around, it wouldn’t do us any favors either.

I was filming this variety show to clarify things.

I wanted to drop hints that I was a single person with no interest in romance- I need to keep that image intact! If I’m shown with Moon Chang-sik on screen, it defeats the purpose.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Just then, as we were heading toward the parking lot with Park Kang-seok and the camera crew waiting outside…

“Kim Soo-hyun.”

Coincidentally, I bumped into Moon Chang-sik, who was just coming from the opposite direction.

“You seem to be heading out.”

“Oh, uh? Yeah, you’re right. I have a busy schedule for the next shoot…”

“Looks like you’ve been working hard.”

“Ah, yes.”

However, unlike my awkward demeanor, Moon Chang-sik appeared completely unfazed.

…Didn’t he seem a bit awkward earlier before we started filming? Did the camera rolling help ease his discomfort?

So, this is the great actor Moon Chang-sik for you.

Just one shoot and he’s noticeably more relaxed.

I thought at least it was a relief if he was no longer feeling awkward.

As I tried to move toward the parking lot…

“Oh, Kim Soo-hyun.”

“Yes?”

“Could you come a bit closer for a sec?”

Closer?

It seemed he was a bit concerned about the cameraman’s presence.

He probably has something to discuss privately.

Hmm… being close might not look good once it airs.

Well, I could always request for this part to be edited out.

It might be a bit much, but asking to cut just this tiny bit seems reasonable.

“What do you want to say?”

So I stepped a bit closer to Moon Chang-sik.

“That is…”

“Really?”

Moon Chang-sik shared an unexpected comment with me.

**

After the advertisement shoot, we got into the car and headed to the next location.

Though we wrapped up the morning schedule, there was still plenty of day left.

“Then, I’ll head in first.”

“Okay, take care.”

After Park Kang-seok dropped me off at the next place, he headed home.

Well, it’s no longer Kim Soo-hyun’s job, so it’s time for him to go.

“Alright, let’s go.”

With just the cameraman beside me, we entered a vocal academy.

“Welcome, Kim Soo-hyun.”

As I walked in, the receptionist lady at the counter greeted me.

“Yes, hello.”

“The director is waiting for you.”

After exchanging formal greetings, I headed to the room where the director was waiting.

Since I had informed them earlier about filming for a variety show, they seemed unfazed by the presence of the cameraman.

“Hello.”

“Yes, it’s nice to see you.”

In the lesson room was the director, who had elevated my singing during the concert preparation phase.

Honestly, the previous vocal instructor was good, but this director was on another level.

There’s a reason this academy is successful in a bustling area.

“Did you have a good break?”

“Oh, me? Well…”

With the drama gathering and various weekend events, I hadn’t come for vocal lessons in a while, so today was my first time back.

Although the director was just making polite conversation, I hadn’t been doing very well.

“Um… right, let’s warm up our voices first, shall we?”

Noticing the awkwardness, the director coughed before starting the lesson.

…I guess the rumors about my love life had spread to this academy too.

Everyone must know I attend here.

“Let’s start with the part we practiced last time.”

“Yes.”

The lesson was designed to film without capturing the sound, as previously discussed with the variety show writers.

We wouldn’t want any concert spoilers now, right?

It would look strange to be filming someone practicing a song by the popular VTuber Miro with the camera obviously pointed at me.

So, I explained to the cameraman on the way here that I had come for vocal lessons because I enjoyed singing.

Well, it’s true I love singing, and I already have the official singer name ‘Miro’ to disguise myself with.

Having multiple avatars like this really does come in handy.

Anyway, I spent the entire afternoon in the lesson.

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

“Thank you.”

The lesson wrapped up before dinner.

I promptly left the academy, caught a taxi like usual, and got in with the cameraman.

I feel like I used to rely on public transportation like buses and subways a lot, but nowadays, on days when Park Kang-seok isn’t around, I just take a taxi everywhere.

It would be nice to have my own car.

I sometimes think about getting a used one, but considering I still need to get my driver’s license, it feels daunting.

When would I even find time to take the test and get the license?

I can only procrastinate it until after the concert.

These days, it seems I keep pushing everything back for the concert.

It can’t be helped.

What else can I do right now?

Look outside.

Having come out early in the morning, it’s starting to get dark outside as I’m about to head in.

Watching the familiar scenery change around me, I glanced at the cameraman reflected in the window.

That guy must be exhausted, having only filmed me since morning.

I imagine the camera will be rolling until he heads to bed tonight. What will he do after dinner?

Honestly, if I think of it as filming a variety show, I could just show some casual resting moments before going to bed…

But I want to broadcast today.

I haven’t turned on the stream much since the gathering.

It’s important to keep the audience’s trust.

I also want to do it myself.

“Alright, we’ve arrived.”

As I mulled these thoughts over, the taxi arrived in front of my house.

After getting out with the cameraman, I opened the main gate and stepped inside.

Is Bok-sil inside? The yard was empty as I looked around, and I punched in the code at the entrance before heading inside.

“What’s that smell?”

A delicious aroma wafted from the house.

Now that I think of it, I hadn’t eaten much after the kimbap and lunch box they gave us during the shoot.

Drawn in by the smells, I wandered to the kitchen and spotted Mrs. Jang busy cooking.

I also noticed that the dining table was filled with various dishes.

“Whoa, is this a bit overdoing it for a broadcast?”

“Wash your hands first!”

When did our home-cooked dishes become this plentiful?

Gazing at the mouthwatering setup, I dashed to the bathroom to wash my hands and face.

“Come on, staff, you should come in too.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, I thought you’d join us since it looks like we are all having a meal together.”

“Uh, alright.”

I washed my hands and feet first, then seized the cameraman’s camera, pushing him toward the bathroom.

Hey, if he’s followed me around all day, he should wash his hands too.

It’s a fundamental law of my household, and he must comply.

I took a moment to capture him on camera until he emerged from the bathroom, and then I returned the camera to him.

“Though, I’m not sure about sitting at the table… since, you know, this is for filming.”

“Oh, come on, it’ll be fine. We’ll just blur you out when it’s time to air it.”

This was my second time filming this variety show.

While it’s termed as observational, having some staff around isn’t a big deal.

In fact, it often adds a fresh element to the content.

“Alright, sit comfortably.”

“Uh…”

So I had the cameraman sit at the table and waited a moment.

Clank.

“Here it comes.”

The front door opened, and Manager Kim walked in.

“Now that you’ve arrived, wash your hands first.”

Naturally, Manager Kim followed our household law, washed his hands, and changed his clothes before sitting at the table.

“Who’s this next to you… the staff?”

“Yeah, he’s the one who filmed me all day.”

“Wow, thanks for your hard work.”

“Yeah… haha…”

The cameraman, unexpectedly partaking in our family meal, happened to look a bit awkward, yet I could see him swallowing as he eyed the table.

After all, he had been enjoying the kimbap and lunch box earlier.

There was no way he could resist the sight of Mrs. Jang’s warm homemade meal spread out on the table.

Honestly, that was another reason I made him sit down.

He seemed like he wasn’t eating enough with his busy filming schedule.

It would be good for him to fill up during such moments.

Moreover, with Mrs. Jang overdoing the number of dishes, if our entire family dug in, someone might end up stuffed to the brim.

Adding one more mouth to feed might be beneficial for everyone.

“Alright, it’s done.”

With that, Mrs. Jang placed the steaming soup she had simmered in the center of the table, completing the feast.

The spread looked fit for a king, making even royal chefs proud.

“Everyone, eat until you’re full.”

“I’ll be stuffed.”

“Stop grumbling and eat!”

She said this to me but was smiling contentedly as she took her seat, and we finally began our meal.

“Today at the company…”

“Really? Though, that part is…”

Given it was my second time filming this observational variety show, the dining atmosphere felt significantly more natural this time around.

I also enjoyed the food while chatting.

Hmm, delicious as always.

The cameraman was also enjoying his meal.

After the peaceful meal, I rubbed my filled tummy and returned to my room.

Trying not to lie down for digestion, I was seated looking at my phone when I found my gaze drifting toward the soundproof booth.

Hmm, I want to stream.

Just inching along.

I caught a glimpse of the cameraman quietly filming me from a corner.

…But honestly, with a camera in the room, isn’t the cameraman’s presence redundant now?

The room is equipped with a camera, so he could take his leave, but it seems he’s enthusiastically filming me, wanting to make the most of his day.

“Maybe I should play some games.”

Watching him, I slyly stood up.

I slipped into the soundproof booth.

Since the booth isn’t that spacious, it wouldn’t be comfortable for the cameraman to film me in there.

So, the cameraman couldn’t follow me through the door that closed behind me.

Instead…

There’s a camera positioned high on the wall above the monitor.

I requested that the monitor itself not be filmed, so it’s deliberately set to target the angle where the monitor isn’t visible.

I took a moment to glance at that camera, then powered on the computer.

Extending my hand, I adjusted the camera’s position higher.

Just the right angle, so only I would be visible.

I even pushed it a bit higher to ensure I wasn’t clearly seen.

Of course, the camera has recording capabilities, and I have a mic attached to me…

But with all that in mind, I promptly sat down and turned on the stream.

“Um, can you hear me clearly?”

-Yes, yes!

-Can hear!

-Hey, hey!

As soon as I activated it, viewers flooded in.

After testing the mic for a bit, I casually spoke as if having a conversation with someone.

“Okay, I can hear myself clearly.”

-???

-?

-What’s being heard?

“Come on in for the game now.”

-What?

-You’re doing viewer participation today?

-??? What’s even going on?

This was my grand idea.

Since the screen in the monitor won’t be recorded, I figured if I acted like I was gaming with a friend, it could pass off…

…Thus, beginning the clandestine broadcast of extraordinary deception, fooling both sides—me and the audience.

 

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