PAP Chapter 2

Reporter Kim was the one who persistently dug into Yiwoon’s life for a whole three years, starting from when Yiwoon was just beginning to make a name for himself.

At first, he approached Yiwoon, pretending to be a fan, but gradually became obsessed with a strange sense of mission. He started monitoring Yiwoon’s every move, claiming that he had to inform those who liked Yiwoon, just like him, of every single detail.

He called himself a reporter, but his actions were no different from a stalker’s, and eventually, he started acting like a real stalker. Appearing suddenly wherever Yiwoon went and even trespassing into his house were not surprising events. Later, he even found out Yiwoon’s phone number, and started spouting nonsense about how Yiwoon was his idol and they were destined to be together.

It was impossible not to be stressed, but Yiwoon was relatively composed. He was somewhat desensitized, having lived a life in the spotlight since birth.

When Yiwoon returned home exhausted after finishing his schedule, he encountered Reporter Kim unexpectedly in his dark house. Without much agitation, Yiwoon dealt with him.

‘You really are something else.’

‘…….’

‘If you’re going to do this kind of thing with the title of reporter, why don’t you quit before you tarnish the name of other reporters?’

Yiwoon was a light sleeper. Due to his busy schedule, he was often called out even while sleeping, so he became accustomed to light sleep. Countless times, he would collapse from exhaustion, only to wake up at the slightest rustling sound.

Having experienced numerous uninvited visits, he had already installed CCTV cameras in his house that alerted him to intrusions. 

When Yiwoon, tired from a late night at work, got on the elevator, the alarm signaling an intrusion rang out. Leaning against the front door, he watched on his phone as Reporter Kim moved around inside his house as he pleased. He considered just going to a hotel, but seeing Reporter Kim holding up his clothes and underwear to his face, rubbing them against his skin, he couldn’t stand it any longer.

Yiwoon easily subdued the man, who was a head shorter than him, and dragged him out of the house. Because he went straight to the police station without wearing a mask or a hat, articles about “Actor Han Yiwoon’s stalker” flooded the internet after that day.

After the incident with Reporter Kim, Manager Han immediately moved Yiwoon to another place, despite Yiwoon’s insistence on staying put. Even though his previous house wasn’t lacking in security, Manager Han went house hunting himself, looking for a place with even stronger security measures. 

In addition, he took the initiative to announce that he would take strong action without showing any leniency in the future, so the reporters following Yiwoon quietened down for a while. However, they started to follow him around again when Yiwoon began mentioning that there was someone he was interested in.

“Whatever it is, just don’t cause any trouble. I know better than anyone that you’re not that kind of person.”

“Don’t I listen to you well? I’ve never caused you any trouble.”

“I know you do what you’re told and don’t cause a fuss. But this is the umpteenth time we’ve argued about your interview content.”

“…….”

“Judging by your stubbornness, I’m afraid you’ll go somewhere and break an arm after collapsing from not getting your way.”

“Why would I break my arm…?”

Yiwoon muttered with a dumbfounded expression. His delicate brows furrowed as if he could feel the pain just thinking about it. Breaking an arm was close to a joke, but collapsing wasn’t.

“I’ve told you time and time again, you have enough scheduled work to fill your fingers. Plus, some of them can’t be canceled.”

“…….”

“And you agreed to all of them. This vacation is for you to rest and recharge.”

Despite having a gentle appearance and easygoing personality, Yiwoon would sometimes act unexpectedly. When he was dissatisfied, his usual weapon of choice was to push himself physically until he was completely exhausted.

If he wasn’t allowed to rest despite an unreasonably busy schedule, or if he wasn’t given what he wanted, he would stubbornly stay awake throughout the entire filming, as if in protest. He would deliberately hold out and then collapse near the end of his schedule.

When his manager rushed to him in surprise, Yiwoon would wake up with a refreshed face after a deep sleep, smiling as if nothing had happened and say, “I told you I was tired. Do you believe me now?”

He knew how to pick his battles. Without disrupting filming, he skillfully tormented Manager Han. Manager Han, who cared deeply for Yiwoon, knew he was doing it on purpose, but he couldn’t help but give in to his demands.

“Take care of your injured ankle. You’ll really get in trouble if you injure it again.”

“It was an accident…”

“Because it was an accident, I’m telling you not to injure yourself on purpose.”

Clicking his tongue, Manager Han loosened his tie in frustration. His face, similar to Yiwoon’s but with sharper features, creased with worry.

“Wear your brace properly. Don’t make me say it twice.”

Because of his history of using his health as a form of leverage, Yiwoon obediently nodded. Relieved, Manager Han thought he’d understood, only for Yiwoon to add a suggestive question.

“What’s the definition of an ‘accident’?”

“Something I can’t fix by stepping in.”

“…….”

“Why are you asking that? Are you planning on causing trouble?”

“……If it leads to marriage, can I stir things up then?”

“What?”

“If it leads to marriage, can I make a fuss? Can I date if I’m thinking about that?”

Manager Han’s smoothed brow furrowed once again. As his strong jaw visibly tensed, Yiwoon shrugged as if it were nothing.

“I was just repeating what you said.”

“…….”

“Besides, Mom’s been saying why you haven’t been home much lately. She says she sees me every day since I’m always showing my face on TV, but she’s wondering what keeps you so busy. Don’t you call her often?”

“I was planning to go after giving you your vacation. You can come with me.”

“I went last time. I’ll rest well, so you go alone.”

“Don’t cause any trouble. Stay home as much as possible.”

“I haven’t caused any trouble, so why do you keep saying that?”

Annoyed by the constant nagging, Yiwoon slightly narrowed his eyes. He didn’t intend to cause trouble, but being repeatedly told not to do something made him feel a bit rebellious. However, as he was currently on the receiving end of the scolding, he quickly softened his expression and put on a gentle smile. Yiwoon didn’t want to upset Manager Han just yet.

“I have a feeling you’re going to do something big. I keep getting that feeling.”

Manager Han, who led a major entertainment agency at a relatively young age, possessed a unique strength; an incredibly sharp intuition. It was the most essential ability and greatest advantage in the industry. 

His intuition, always illuminating the right path, applied to judging people as well. His keen eye for projects and talent made ‘B,’ the company he led, a highly competitive place for aspiring artists every year.

Just like its name, which meant ‘Balance,’ the company lacked nothing internally or externally. It offered excellent treatment befitting its name, making it a company that even established artists considered during contract renewal seasons. There were also many who flocked to the company because of its star actor, Yiwoon.

However, that sharp, discerning ability was useless only against Yiwoon. Being summoned to the president’s office was a cause for nervousness, even if it wasn’t a big deal. Yet, Yiwoon’s comfortable demeanor, as if he were at home, stemmed from the fact that Manager Han was his older brother. 

The resemblance, yet distinct difference in their faces, oddly triggered Manager Han’s sensitive intuition today.

“Can I go now? I’ll be good.”

“…….”

“If you keep me here any longer, I might cry…”

Trailing off, Yiwoon gestured with his chin towards the tightly closed door. Now that the conversation had ended, the anxious footsteps outside became clearly audible. The faint sound of someone impatiently knocking softly on the door and urging, “Manager Han…,” could be heard. If he didn’t leave immediately, the schedule might really get disrupted.

He needed to keep Yiwoon longer and figure out what he was up to.

Forced to concede, Manager Han reluctantly nodded. Yiwoon immediately rose. As he bowed his head in farewell and turned away from Manager Han, just as he was about to reach for the doorknob…

“Oh, by the way, there’s a program that wants you.”

Yiwoon’s steps toward the door halted abruptly. Surprised by the unexpected news, he lowered his hand from the doorknob and looked at Manager Han.

“It’s a regular variety show, filming about three days a week. It’s a travel program, so it’ll probably have to be filmed continuously.”

“…….”

“It’s a seasonal show, so at most, it’ll be over in about two months. It’s an offer, so consider it.”

Rummaging through the corner of his desk, Manager Han pulled out a proposal and held it out to Yiwoon. Although he called it a proposal, it was more of a notification, as if it had already been decided.

“I have already reviewed it, and it’s not a bad offer. If you say yes, you can skip the individual meetings and confirm your appearance.”

“Suddenly?”

“It’s been a while since the offer came in. It was delayed because I was reviewing it thoroughly.”

“No, I mean, we agreed I wouldn’t do regular variety shows.”

Yiwoon questioned, not even touching the proposal Manager Han offered. There were many questionable points to simply accept the sudden offer.

Yiwoon’s daily life was always packed with a tight schedule, leaving him with little to no rest. Even after finishing one project, he rarely had a long break before starting the next. As he often took on lead roles, there were many instances where filming revolved solely around him for days.

Because his projects had to be prioritized, offers for regular programs were often declined due to time constraints. And a variety show, at that? Apart from the occasional appearances for drama or movie promotions, variety shows was a genre far removed from Yiwoon’s usual work.