There Are Four Top Idol Uncles - Chapter 32

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 32

 

However.

 

“I know well enough.”

 

Surprisingly, Hwang PD answered calmly.

 

“But well, with your experience, you can hide it on your own, right?”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Eon readily agreed.

 

Ah, those two already… know each other, I guess?

 

“But it’s okay to show that you don’t get along.”

 

“!”

 

“Actually, I’d prefer that. It seems like that would get better ratings?”

 

“…”

 

At Hwang PD’s words, Eon smiled, but Yeongeo’s expression rapidly darkened.

 

“That won’t do… PD-nim, then we’ll be ruined. Please package it nicely for us.”

 

“Hahaha. Well, I’ll do my best~! Always.”

 

“…”

 

I don’t think so. It seems like he’ll stir up a lot of controversy.

 

“Just be natural, natural. No matter what you do, we’ll make it look pretty for you. That’s our job.”

 

Hwang PD’s words made Yewon even more nervous.

 

PDs who talked like this were actually the scarier ones.

 

“…”

 

Would it be okay. To entrust this to this person.

 

After Taeyoung’s withdrawal, GLEET’s public image had deteriorated significantly.

 

If Taeyoung had withdrawn quietly, it might have been different, but since he left while playing every dirty media game possible, public opinion was currently quite confused.

 

Taeyoung officially announced that he left ‘because his health had deteriorated significantly, to rest and study music’ –

 

But on SNS and the communication app Sparkle, he said things like ‘because there was an emotional whirlwind…’, ‘because the wounds from relationships were unbearable…’, ‘because I want to live as myself a little…’, ‘because now I want to take care of myself a bit more rather than sacrifice…’ and so on.

 

He spouted every piece of nonsense imaginable, not only ruining the fandom’s atmosphere but also planting a bad image of GLEET in the minds of the general public who didn’t know the internal situation.

 

Of course, the Company hadn’t just sat back and watched that mess, so they tried their best to respond with clarification statements, articles, interviews, and so on, but the public’s reaction was cold.

 

They were only holding on because Doha and the other GLEET members had such good images until now, but GLEET’s brand value was in a precarious state.

 

So a change of atmosphere was needed, and this reality show was the most effective opportunity for that change.

 

Yewon took a deep breath.

 

“By the way. How about Yewon here. What do you think, uncles? Do you like her?”

 

“…!”

 

“Can you do well without crying in front of the camera, Yewon?”

 

Yewon instinctively knew.

 

This was Hwang PD’s unique ‘audition’.

 

Then-

 

“Yes! I can do well without crying.”

 

I have to pass.

 

Yewon smiled brightly and linked arms with Doha.

 

Everyone knew that this opportunity was very crucial for GLEET.

 

Then what about for Yewon?

 

‘I’m desperate too.’

 

Could there be a way to raise recognition this quickly?

 

It wouldn’t be wrong to call it an unfairly powerful cheat key.

 

These days, with so many media outlets and so much content pouring out, simply appearing in media didn’t guarantee creating buzz.

 

‘That’s why when casting newcomers, they look at follower counts before casting.’

 

The fact that they prioritize casting actors with influence on SNS says it all.

 

But would it be easy for a child actor to build recognition?

 

There were countless actors who disappeared without getting opportunities, even if they acted well and had perfect faces.

 

Yewon didn’t necessarily want to become a star.

 

However, it was also an undeniable reality that stars got the good roles.

 

So she had no choice but to accept that reality.

 

‘If becoming famous means I can do more diverse acting, then I have to rise.’

 

Better roles, better works.

 

For those things, Yewon was prepared to do anything.

 

Hadn’t she even cried in front of Doha to seize this opportunity?

 

‘Really, it was acting, but… it wasn’t easy trying things I’d never done once in my life…’

 

It was almost like she had succeeded by throwing a tantrum.

 

Yewon glanced slightly at Yeongeo. She couldn’t quite gauge how much Hwang PD knew.

 

“I heard everything, mister. You’re Doha’s niece, right? You two really do look exactly alike. Doha, you must be happy?”

 

He told him everything.

 

Well, the filming couldn’t proceed without saying it.

 

“…I’m very blessed.”

 

Doha seemed more nervous than Yewon.

 

“Haha. This is the first time I’ve seen Doha nervous. Are you nervous because you’re in front of your niece? Last time you weren’t nervous at all and did well?”

 

“I guess I want to look cooler in front of my niece.”

 

“Wow. How are you trying to get even cooler here. Stop being so cool, man.”

 

Hwang PD laughed and turned his gaze back to Yewon.

 

“Seeing you stick close to Doha, I can tell you’re very close with Uncle Doha. But you’re not that close with the other uncles yet, right?”

 

I’m not that close with Uncle Doha either, but…

 

Yewon nodded.

 

“Actually, that’s good. Perfect.”

 

“!”

 

“Don’t get close until our filming. I like that kind of thing. If you’re going to get close, it’s better to get close in front of the camera. Don’t get close where I’m not around~!”

 

…I understand what he means.

 

He wants to show the relationship building process.

 

“Should I not act close with Uncle Doha in front of the camera either? Should I act scared?”

 

“!”

 

Hwang PD’s eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected Yewon to answer like this.

 

“Oh? Can you do that?”

 

“Yes!”

 

Acting shy wouldn’t be difficult.

 

…Acting close would be harder.

 

“Right. Then should we set the concept like that? ‘Hoping Yewon and her uncles become close’, something like that?”

 

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

 

“…!”

 

“I can do well with any concept.”

 

At Yewon’s bold answer, not only Hwang PD but everyone in the Meeting Room showed surprise on their faces.

 

* * *

 

“…Are all kids these days this smart?”

 

After the GLEET members and Yewon left.

 

Hwang PD scratched his head and asked Yeongeo.

 

“I don’t know either. We don’t usually take trainees that young. Well, the kid is definitely mature for her age. It’s not just the way she talks-”

 

Yeongeo stopped there and recalled Yewon’s eyes.

 

Usually she had an innocent face, but sometimes she had the eyes of an adult who had lived through everything.

 

When she occasionally read his mood, or when she was gauging the personalities of uncles she was meeting for the first time.

 

‘…Before coming to Doha, did she live just reading people’s faces?’

 

Thinking that way, his sympathy for Yewon grew.

 

“Well, for us, it’s easier to film when the kid is sharp. She wants to be an actor?”

 

“Yes. We’re planning to have him try child acting for now.”

 

“Is Doha okay with that?”

 

PD Hwang could still vividly remember the first moment he saw Doha. Back then, it wasn’t for a regular casting, but for a guest appearance.

 

In their second year, GLEET members who had just shed their rookie image were unbelievably successful – no, incredibly successful – to a degree that was hard to believe for second-year artists.

 

So at first, PD Hwang was a bit worried. He wondered if they might have gotten cocky in some half-baked way. Among idols who rose to fame quickly, there were often cases where their pride reached the sky.

 

But.

 

‘Hello, PD-nim. I’m Lee Doha, the leader of GLEET. I’m still lacking in many ways, but I’ll work hard. Please take good care of us.’

 

Contrary to his worries, Doha was truly respectful. To the point where he thought if he had a daughter, he’d want exactly this kind of son-in-law.

 

Actually, there had been a small incident during filming.

 

The condition that Time Entertainment had set during the preliminary meeting – ‘absolutely no mention of Lee Doha’s family’ – was forgotten by the youngest writer who put a related question in the script-

 

Thanks to that, one of the cast members ended up asking Doha, ‘Now that you’ve become incredibly famous, your parents must be very proud. What kind of filial gift did you give your parents with your first settlement money?’

 

Just thinking about that moment still gave him chills.

 

For a second-year artist who had just shed their rookie image, it would have been natural to panic and freeze up, ruining the recording.

 

‘My trainee period was long, so I haven’t received settlement money yet. But if I do receive it… I’ll have to think about what kind of filial gift to give. Could you give me some advice?’

 

Doha had simply answered calmly.

 

Even after that, during filming, all the GLEET members worked incredibly hard. Giving their all without holding anything back.

 

So PD Hwang had thought that someday, he definitely wanted to work properly with them once.

 

After that, he occasionally met them as guests, but couldn’t find an item that suited them-

 

‘Who would have thought I’d end up casting an idol who actually raises his nephew.’

 

And not just anyone, but GLEET’s Lee Doha. Raising his nephew.

 

It still didn’t feel real.

 

If even he felt this way, how unreal must it feel to the viewers.

 

Anyway, the buzz for this project was guaranteed.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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