# Chapter 15
* * *
Hwiseo turned off the broadcast and checked the time. It was the middle of the night, a time when Woojoo would be asleep too. It was approaching the late night when Je Wooseung would have already come and gone. Hwiseo tiptoed to the baby’s room. Trying to breathe as quietly as possible, he approached the bed where a night light illuminated Woojoo like moonlight. He was truly adorable.
* * *
The manager came looking for Hwiseo as soon as it turned 9 o’clock, as if he’d been waiting impatiently for morning to break. Hwiseo was eating a slightly late breakfast. There was seasoned green laver among the side dishes, and it tasted amazing, as if it had been mixed with salted seafood. It was a side dish that the grandmother at the soup restaurant used to make well for him. The tip of his nose tingled with emotion.
“You! What was that yesterday?”
“I think the response was good.”
“No, I’m not saying the response wasn’t good, it’s just—ah well, I’m grateful for whatever you give me.”
Hwiseo’s eyes narrowed. The manager claimed he hadn’t eaten breakfast as he naturally took a seat, showing more shamelessness than Hwiseo had expected. It almost seemed like his primary purpose was to eat the food here, with having business with Hwiseo being just secondary.
The broadcast wasn’t just talk—by the end, the viewer count had exceeded 8,000. Hwiseo was quite satisfied with that number. Apart from the awkwardness of feeling like he was talking to himself, it had been both fascinating and fun.
“This beef bulgogi smells incredible. By the way, Hwiseo, when did you create that song?”
“It’s nothing special, really.”
The manager acted as if he’d heard something extraordinary, spraying rice grains as he excitedly explained how the fans’ community and social media were buzzing with positive reactions. But his excitement seemed genuine, which surprised even Hwiseo. It was just a short song of 1 minute and 30 seconds with one verse, a highlight, and a chorus. It was barely a song, just something he had hummed lightly. Hwiseo stood up and put his dishes in the sink, thinking that listening to the manager any further would only result in watching more rice grains being launched.
“I’ll wash my own dishes at least.”
“We just do a preliminary rinse and then put everything in the dishwasher anyway.”
Hwiseo called all the housekeepers “Yeosa-nim” except for Manager Oh. At first, they had been somewhat distant, but when Hwiseo approached them with friendliness, they became warm toward him. Having grown up surrounded by neighborhood grandmothers, these older women felt familiar to Hwiseo. He bowed politely to the housekeeper who was nudging him away, saying he’d enjoyed the meal. She asked from behind if he wanted some fruit, but he declined and quickly headed to the second floor. Staying would only create more work.
After finishing his shower, the manager, who had already finished eating, entered Hwiseo’s room. In his hands were milk tea and simple desserts. Hwiseo only took the cup with milk tea and sat on the sofa. The manager pulled a plate of baked cookies toward himself and spoke.
“The response is really good. Of course, lives are usually watched by fans, but occasionally attention-seekers come in too. There were some yesterday. But you handled it smoothly, and the company people praised you for that.”
The manager looked at the guitar placed on one side of the room. He didn’t know that Hwiseo could compose music, let alone play the guitar. Of course, it was true that he hadn’t seen much of him for over a year, as Hwiseo had practically stopped activities due to marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Hwiseo, whom the manager had known since he was 21, was a kind and gentle person but lacked confidence. He would become intimidated and shrink at the slightest criticism. To be frank, he was too delicate to be a celebrity. Hwiseo couldn’t sleep without sleeping pills and eventually underwent psychiatric counseling and medication. It was surprising that this same Lee Hwiseo, who once seemed to lack even the will to live, was now learning various things and doing something—it couldn’t help but be astonishing.
“I guess marriage has brought you psychological stability, although that’s also a fatal drawback for an idol.”
“Well. There are aspects that are healing.”
Hwiseo thought of Woojoo sleeping in a bed on the first floor. At this time, the baby would be having tummy time. He had even started rolling over yesterday. After several attempts, he succeeded, and the proud expression on his face, as if he realized he’d accomplished something, was truly adorable.
“By the way! I heard your phone has been off, and yesterday they said the number doesn’t exist. What happened? If you don’t have one, should I get one for you?”
“No. I ordered one online yesterday, so I should receive it tomorrow or the day after.”
“What’s the number?”
“I’ll let you know when I get it.”
Hwiseo answered, drawing a clear line. The manager found it unfamiliar—this Hwiseo who did things on his own, even ordering a phone online. He used to be someone who just did what he was told and lived with “anything is fine” constantly on his lips.
“Oh, I meant to show you the reactions to your broadcast.”
The manager took out his own phone and showed Hwiseo a community post.
[New Post] After watching Lee Hwiseo’s LiveQ video…
Link_Nureongi
I think I’ve become a fan lol. Still watching all of Lee Hwiseo’s videos. But only the “Nureongi” song is my taste, so I’m listening to it on repeat lolololol
I knew Lee Hwiseo was handsome…
Never thought I’d fall for a married man with a kid again…
But honestly, isn’t that face unfair?
He could chew up and spit out most idols out there these days.
P.S. How are you doing, Kim Chungi teacher?
[Comments]
Anonymous: I got emotional watching it yesterday
Anonymous: Learned that’s what they call beauty shining through
Anonymous: The lyrics are so beautiful too… something makes my heart flutter… what is this feeling?? I like Lee Hwiseo
Anonymous: 00:45 when he smiles then slightly frowns;;; but I’m also just properly listening to BLEN songs while looking for Hwiseo… damn, what did the agency do to Hwiseo?
Anonymous: I’m a fan of another group, but honestly, at this level, isn’t this person an alien? Or some kind of immortal. Honestly, I’d believe it if you told me he was 19.
Anonymous: BLEN’s songs are bad enough, but their concepts and choreography are all terrible. Looking for noona then becoming a killer lolololol Nureongi is a hundred times better
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.
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Anonymous: So funny, abandoning the group and causing all kinds of trouble for other members, and now lololol after marrying a chaebol and changing your fate lol the madam wants to be an idol again?
Anonymous: BLEN’s last activity was their 3rd mini album in September 2017. In 2018, they just attended events like crazy, and in 2019, Juhyun released a solo and that was it. The rest was just Hwiseo filming commercials and appearing on variety shows, right? Why is getting married such a deadly sin???
Anonymous: Honestly, Hwiseo did enough for BLEN. He single-handedly dragged the rest up that far. What more could he do? Leave him alone, you CEO bastard.
Anonymous: Whatever, he’s still a has-been. Please just quit already
OP: Above anonymous bitch. Didn’t you see Hwiseo yesterday??? If Hwiseo is a has-been, what does that make your oppa???
“By the way, you play the guitar well too.”
The manager hastily closed the screen as if he hadn’t seen the new comments and changed the subject. But Hwiseo grabbed the phone and checked a few more posts. The once quiet fan community that had at most 2 or 3 posts a day was now bustling with people who had watched Hwiseo’s live broadcast yesterday.
The existing regulars—fans of other members—were confronting the new fans brought in by Hwiseo’s livestream with dismissal and criticism. Two of the other members seemed to be preparing a unit, as there were articles about their recent SNS photos, album concepts, and even posts asking to choose lunch menus. These were pushing down the occasionally posted content related to Hwiseo.
“Oh, and Song Ju and Juhyun are coming out with a unit this time. After watching your broadcast yesterday, they asked if you’d make a cameo in their music video.”
“Are you saying they asked me to appear in their music video?”
“Yeah, they said they haven’t seen you in a while and would like to see your face too. It would be good if you appeared, killing two birds with one stone. Oh, are you worried it might be awkward because you don’t remember?”
“It’s not about memory, but haven’t you seen the ‘Lee Hwiseo Bullying Video,’ Manager-nim?”
“That’s just one of the rumors. Devil’s editing.”
“I’ll think about it. I’d like to meet them face to face and ask them some things too. And while we’re on the subject, about my contract with the company—can you show me the contract?”
Hwiseo crossed his arms as he spoke. The manager, who was eating a madeleine, coughed, “Kek.” He asked why Hwiseo was suddenly curious about that. Hwiseo had spent the past few days trying to understand his financial situation. Since he was currently penniless, he thought he’d try to get an advance, thinking of it as a loan. But all he found was a single credit card and assets in a bank account. It didn’t seem like he had bought luxury goods either. Judging by the neatly organized credit card statements, insurance certificates, and bank statements, he didn’t seem the type to hide assets.
What was more shocking was the amount settled by the agency every quarter, and even that had last been deposited in March of last year. Hwiseo wondered if this meant he couldn’t receive even a penny for not being active. Literally, was it possible to not earn even 10 won?
“Does asking to see a contract need a separate reason?”
“No, I guess not. I’ll bring it the next time I come.”
Hwiseo gazed intently at the manager who couldn’t meet his eyes as he sipped his milk tea. Today, the bitterness of the tea leaves particularly touched the tip of his tongue. After the manager left, when Hwiseo went to the baby’s room, Woojoo was in a housekeeper’s arms, drinking milk and preparing for bed. He carefully closed the door to avoid eye contact with those drowsy eyes. Then a sudden thought occurred to him, and he ran to his room on the second floor.
There were definitely his clothes in the shopping bag he received when discharged from the hospital. After searching for a while, he found it in the closet and couldn’t help but shout. Sitting sprawled on the floor, he pulled out the bag and found one slipper neatly placed on top. He tossed aside that inexplicable item and grabbed the jacket he had been wearing. With urgent hands, he opened the zipper of the pocket. A rustling sound revealed a plastic bag.
The knot was tightly tied, so he just tore the plastic open with his fingernails. A rotten egg smell rose up nauseatingly. Hwiseo crumpled the plastic and threw it in the trash can, then wiped the phone with wet wipes. He pressed the power button urgently and tapped the screen, but the dead black screen gave no response.
“Dad, tell me I’m strong.”
Hwiseo closed his eyes and tried to recall his father’s voice. Somehow, he felt a little tired.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
