<Episode 64>
The reaction to Spade Joker’s music video was explosive.
It had gone far beyond a level that would simply satisfy fans.
‘It was a good call to ask them to make two different versions, since it didn’t seem like Kang Woojin would appear in the basic music video.’
Thanks to that, interest in the film music video was also rising.
“Even the album turned out well.”
This time, they created an album in the shape of a card. It used an NFC card-reading system; when you touched it to your phone with NFC enabled, the songs would play.
Maybe because of that, even though the albums hadn’t been shipped yet, the reactions on SNS were already heated.
[What do you mean the album is shaped like a card? This is just pretty, though? It’s so cute. And it comes in Spade, Joker, and Clover versions? I have to buy this. I have to buy all versions.]
↳ If I don’t buy this, I think I’ll seriously regret it.
↳ Even just seeing it in photos, it looked so pretty.
↳ Ugh. I mean, we praised them for doing well, but they went and did this well? Seriously. This person has no middle ground.
↳↳ LOL I totally agree with that “no middle ground” comment. When they were bad, they were terribly bad, but now they’re too good.
↳↳↳ The “John Raid Lombardi has a twin” theory must be true.
Thanks to that, album sales increased compared to last time.
Since promotions hadn’t even properly started yet, future sales were even more anticipated.
‘At this rate, we might end up building a new company building and moving much earlier than in previous cycles.’
That thought alone made him feel good.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
As always, it was Han Suseok.
“Something up?”
“Aren’t you going home?”
“I’m about to. I’ve got plans.”
“Plans? What kind?”
“Not business. Personal. So you don’t need to worry about it. Ah, you sent this to the Spade Joker members too, right?”
“Yes.”
“Would they really be that happy to receive this?”
“Isn’t it because it’s their own album?”
“Well… maybe.”
He nodded vaguely at Han Suseok’s answer.
“Han Suseok, you should head home too. And after this promotion ends, I’ll give you a vacation… go visit the U.S.”
“The U.S.?”
“Yeah. You must miss your family. I’ll book your flight.”
“It’s fine.”
Han Suseok waved his hands, declining.
“Don’t refuse. You came all the way to Korea and suffered because of me. I feel bad toward your parents, so I’m doing this. If you keep refusing, I won’t give you a vacation either.”
“…Will it really be okay if I’m gone? The company…”
He trailed off, worried.
“It’s fine now.”
Before, when John Raid Lombardi had been incompetent, Han Suseok couldn’t even go to the U.S. and had worked himself to the bone.
But after the possession, everything had changed.
“I suppose that’s true.”
Han Suseok grinned.
“Right? So just go. I can’t last long without you either, just one week. Spend a week with your family and come back.”
“Thank you.”
***
“Why are you suddenly treating me to a meal? You’re usually busy avoiding me.”
When Kang Woojin arrived at the meeting place, he asked right away. He took off his cap and lightly shook his hair as he sat down.
“I have something to say.”
“Something to say?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Let’s eat first.”
“…Alright.”
He looked curious but held back.
“But you know, I suddenly feel really uneasy.”
“What are you uneasy about?”
“Think about it. A fancy traditional meal. Private room dining.”
“The only way to eat comfortably with you was in a private room. And the reason it’s traditional cuisine… is because I wanted it.”
Kang Woojin fiddled with his chopsticks.
“What’s making you so uneasy?”
“I just… I don’t know. I tend to be an anxious person.”
That much was obvious.
“Then I’ll just say it first.”
Kang Woojin quickly put down his chopsticks and looked at him.
“You said this before, ‘people seem to love the version of me that was created.’”
“…Yes.”
“What do you think about showing your true self to people?”
Kang Woojin’s eyes wavered.
“…Well…”
“Do you dislike it?”
He hesitated, so the question came again.
“It’s not that I dislike it.”
He answered quietly.
“Then why are you hesitating?”
“I’m worried if it’ll really be okay… and I have no idea how to reveal it.”
That was understandable.
“I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?”
Kang Woojin gave a barely noticeable nod.
“Have you heard of the drama [Soohan and Hansoo]?”
“No. First time hearing it.”
That was expected; it didn’t match his usual image.
“It’s a romantic comedy about fraternal twin brothers who are actually clumsy despite thinking they’re perfect. One of the characters would suit you really well.”
“Me?”
“Yes. So I asked a PD I know and got the script. Would you like to read it?”
“Now?”
“You can read it after we eat.”
“…Can I read it now?”
He asked carefully.
“Of course.”
He took the script out of his bag and handed it over.
“I’ll read it quickly.”
“Take your time.”
Kang Woojin immediately flipped it open and started reading.
‘While he reads… I should check some emails.’
Proposals for Spade Joker were piling up to the point that even after a few hours, the inbox would fill again.
He took out his phone.
‘Even though I said we won’t take ads like this… they keep sending offers.’
The first email was from a cosmetics company known for exaggerated ads, claiming pores would disappear in two weeks.
He had politely declined multiple times, but they kept sending emails.
He finally blocked them.
‘This is the best option.’
There were many offers, but few were worth accepting.
Especially advertisements… they had to be handled carefully: the company must be clean, the product must be reliable, and it must match Spade Joker’s image.
Only if at least the last condition was met would it even be considered.
[Sportswear ad – We believe your group matches our brand image of perseverance and success…]
‘This one’s good.’
It was a well-known brand; just receiving the offer was impressive.
He saved it to reply later.
‘We should film a dance practice video with them wearing these outfits. Fans will figure it out.’
Fans were sharp. Just seeing matching outfits could be enough.
“Director.”
“Yes?”
“I finished reading.”
“Already?”
He looked up.
“Yes. I skimmed it.”
“Is that enough?”
“These days, I can tell just by skimming whether a project will work.”
That was impressive.
‘He could’ve succeeded as a producer too.’
“But… you brought this for me? How? Your company doesn’t have actors.”
“The PD mentioned it while asking if I wanted the members to try acting. The moment I heard it, I thought of you. I told him you were considering an image change, and he agreed to send the script as soon as he heard your name.”
“…Thank you.”
Kang Woojin gripped the script tightly.
“I thought you didn’t like me much.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“You always avoid me when I talk.”
“That’s because you make unreasonable suggestions. I don’t dislike you. You’ve helped me a lot.”
Kang Woojin smiled faintly.
“Anyway… thank you. I’ll think about it positively. The script is really good.”
“Take your time. Contact the production company when you decide. And now, let’s eat… the food must be cold.”
“…Alright.”
Only then did Kang Woojin finally start eating properly.
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