<Episode 55>
After hearing the news through Han Suseok, the members of Spade Joker regained their smiles.
“Apparently, a correction article is going out for us.”
At Sora’s words, the staff nearby applauded in congratulations.
“I knew it would turn out this way.”
“I’m glad it got resolved quickly.”
“Congratulations. It must’ve been really stressful, right?”
“Thank you for worrying about us. We’re sorry for making you concerned because of us.”
Heeseo spoke politely to the staff.
“Oh, no, not at all. More importantly, shouldn’t we have a party today? On a day this good, you can’t skip a party.”
“That’s true.”
“PD Yoo! Let’s have a small party, please?”
The staff urged PD Yoo.
PD Yoo pursed his lips as if thinking for a moment.
“Well, since we’re in a good mood… let’s skip the card draw today and go eat something nice.”
“Waaaah!”
The members of Spade Joker cheered.
“Then shall we resume filming?”
“Yes, sounds good.”
The camera operators took their positions again.
“Spade Joker!”
“Yes!”
No matter how much they tried to act normal, there was a clear difference now… their voices were full of genuine energy.
“We just received some good news, right? I can’t say exactly what it is…”
Since it was awkward to directly mention the schedule no-show issue, PD Yoo glossed over it.
“To celebrate, we won’t be doing the card draw today. For today, you can just relax and enjoy sightseeing.”
At that moment, Sora raised her hand.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Then… can we spend our own money today?”
“That’s a bit of a different issue. One moment.”
PD Yoo began discussing with the writer. The Spade Joker members stared at them intently.
Almost to the point of pressure.
“Um, Cain.”
“Yes?”
“This is a bit… pressuring.”
“Is it? Don’t mind us.”
He said that, but didn’t stop his sparkling gaze.
“Could you maybe stop staring like that?”
“We’re just looking. Is that not allowed?”
PD Yoo faltered.
“Ah… not everything, but we’ll allow three things. You can each buy up to three items.”
“Waaaah!”
The members grabbed each other’s shoulders and cheered.
“Thank you.”
They fully enjoyed their happiness.
***
A message arrived from Kang Woojin asking if everything was okay. I replied that it was, but he insisted on buying dinner.
Even after repeatedly refusing, it felt like he would show up at the company if I kept declining, so I eventually agreed.
“Today, I’m inviting you to my place.”
And so, I ended up at Kang Woojin’s house.
‘Why am I even here?’
“Come in.”
“Then excuse me.”
I took off my shoes and stepped inside.
“It’s more organized than I expected.”
“Right? I’m actually pretty neat. If it’s messy, I can’t stand being at home.”
That was a relief.
I didn’t want to eat dinner in a messy place.
“Here, have a seat.”
The table was already filled with food.
“What is all this?”
“I said we’d have dinner.”
“I didn’t expect it to be fully set up already. Did you make this yourself?”
“No, I bought it.”
That was also a relief. Eating something he personally cooked in this situation would’ve been a bit uncomfortable.
“I can’t cook. Stuff like Vietnamese spring rolls looks homemade in photos, you know? So before we eat, let’s take a picture.”
“Why suddenly take a picture?”
“There’s a reason. Come on, look here.”
Kang Woojin took photos insistently, then immediately checked them.
“Hmm. This should be good. You can eat now.”
I didn’t know what he was thinking, but I was hungry, and I needed to finish eating to get back to the company, so I picked up my chopsticks.
“Eat a lot.”
“Alright.”
I wanted to eat quietly, but Kang Woojin wasn’t the type to allow that.
The moment he took a bite, he spoke.
“By the way, aren’t you going to ask why I took the photo?”
“I figured if I wait, you’ll tell me anyway.”
My answer was accurate, as Kang Woojin nodded lightly.
“I’m going to upload a photo with you on social media.”
“With me?”
I glared at him, implying: “why are you doing that without my consent?”
After my face had already been exposed, I was hoping people would gradually forget me. But if a photo with him got posted, that process would definitely be delayed.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
He waved his hand.
“Then how should I look?”
“This will help you too.”
“How exactly?”
“Since things turned out like this, you should promote Spade Joker’s album.”
He was suggesting noise marketing.
Even in this situation, he was targeting a niche… very much like a businessman.
“And I said I want people to find out I’m composer Maru, right? This helps with that, too. So can I upload it?”
“Go ahead.”
I allowed it, thinking it was for Spade Joker.
“Alright.”
Kang Woojin’s fingers moved quickly. Even after quite some time, he still hadn’t put his phone down.
“How long are you going to keep typing?”
“I don’t post often, so when I do, I write a lot. It’s a kind of fan service.”
I continued eating without waiting for him.
‘It tastes good.’
“All done. Oh, by the way, why don’t you create a social media account too?”
“No thanks.”
I refused firmly.
“Why?”
“Going on the broadcast was already enough. It’s not good for a CEO to step forward too much. It’s the perfect way to get criticized by fans. I don’t want to hear ‘focus on your job instead.’ The emails we get are already enough.”
I had created an official account once before.
Around the third iteration.
At an employee’s suggestion, I made it to communicate with fans and share the members’ daily lives.
But it was a mistake.
There were too many people sending curse-like messages in DMs or playing pranks, and the reactions were terrible.
People said things like: “Why is a CEO acting like a celebrity? Desperate for attention.”
After that experience, I never made the account public again.
“And I do have an account. It’s just private. The ID doesn’t reveal anything about me either.”
“Oh? Really? Tell me your ID.”
“That’s difficult.”
“Why?”
Kang Woojin’s eyebrows drooped into a “4:20 shape.”
“You’re an actor. If you post a photo with me, people will know we’re acquainted. Naturally, fans will dig through your following list.”
“Tch.”
He clicked his tongue as if the thought was unpleasant.
“Let’s just eat.”
“Okay.”
***
[??? Why is Kang Woojin eating with CEO Jeon Ryedo? I thought it was edited. Why are these two together? Somehow, their vibes are similar, so it feels oddly comfortable. Both have sharp, intense looks. (Screenshot from Kang Woojin’s SNS.)]
↳ They seem completely unrelated. What is this?
↳ Even if Spade Joker members act, that doesn’t explain how he’d get close to the CEO.
↳ Seriously, they seem like they’d never know each other, but now they’re eating together at his house.
↳ It’s such a weird combo… like kimchi dumplings and cream pasta together. Their visuals match, but something feels off.
[Apparently, Kang Woojin said they got close over time and now even invite each other home, but… when did they get that close? Isn’t Kang Woojin known for being very reserved?]
↳ Yeah, that’s what I heard too.
↳ People who worked with him said it’s hard to get close to him. He keeps strong boundaries.
↳ That’s why his circle hasn’t changed much. Even his manager has been with him since his debut.
↳ So how did he become close with him? Jeon Ryedo doesn’t seem like someone who approaches others easily, either.
↳ I seriously want to know the connection between these two.
↳ Instead of what you’re eating, tell us how you became friends.
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