Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity
Chapter 117
“Hoo….”
I took a deep breath to calm myself.
“Sir, you must be very nervous. Would you like a calming pill?”
“…I think you’re the one who needs it more, hyung.”
“What? I don’t need it.”
Sweating profusely, he didn’t have the strength to argue, so I put it in his mouth.
Jin-bae hyung quietly took the pill and sat next to me.
“Sir, don’t worry too much. Everything will be fine.”
“I know. You need to calm down first, hyung.”
Jin-bae hyung’s face was as tense as when I had my first shoot.
Seeing his furrowed brows, I couldn’t help but feel less nervous.
“It’s understandable for me to be nervous, but why are you, hyung?”
“It’s my first time participating in such a big event.”
I chuckled at his sheepish response.
It wasn’t something I could argue with. I was also overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the event.
‘Are fan signings usually this big?’
I thought it would be held in a place like a company building.
The fan signing event was held in a place that looked like a stadium.
There were multiple entrances, making it chaotic, and the outside view was packed with people, making it feel surreal.
I shook my head vigorously to shake off the sense of unreality.
‘Get a grip. Don’t make any mistakes.’
I had received plenty of instructions.
Three days ago, I had even asked Kang Se-hyun directly for guidance and training.
‘Listen carefully. I’m an idol, so it might be slightly different from being an actor. But the basic principles are similar.’
‘Yes.’
‘Fans are incredibly precious to celebrities. It’s not easy to like and support someone without any reason. We must always strive not to betray that trust.’
Kang Se-hyun’s face was very serious when he said that.
‘Fans support us everywhere, but we don’t often get to feel it. Fan signings are one of the few precious opportunities to do so. When you directly look into their eyes and talk to them, you’ll wonder if you deserve this kind of love.’
‘…….’
‘So the taboos I’m about to tell you must never be broken. Never!’
The taboos Kang Se-hyun told me about fan signings were surprisingly simple.
Pay attention to what fans say, agree with them as long as the request isn’t unreasonable, and don’t show that you’re tired or exhausted.
He also pointed out some easy-to-make mistakes in detail.
‘He said that as long as I don’t say, “Oh, really?” I’ll be halfway there.’
I recalled Kang Se-hyun’s impassioned emphasis once again.
He said not to make the fans talk more.
I should initiate conversations and make them feel like they’re having an exchange, not just one-sided talking.
I muttered to myself to make sure I didn’t forget.
When Jin-bae hyung patted my back, saying it was time to go up, my heart sank.
I tried my best not to show it, clenching my fists tightly.
I followed the staff down the corridor.
Even though I had walked it during rehearsal yesterday, it felt like a place I was visiting for the first time.
“Now, let’s welcome actor Lee Yeon-jae!”
I heard the voice of the anchor who would host the event beyond the curtain.
After taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes.
‘Let’s do this.’
I felt the sweat on my palms as I slowly drew back the curtain.
* * *
“Please sit here. Would you like some water?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
In a daze, I sat down as directed by the staff. I was out of it.
Even in that state, I could feel the numerous eyes glued to my face.
Hundreds of gazes clung to me every time I blinked. I hoped I was managing my expressions well.
‘Did I make any mistakes just now?’
My memory was hazy after opening the curtain. It was like my brain was soaked in bleach.
As soon as I opened the curtain, there was a moment of silence before cheers and screams erupted.
All I could do was recite the lines from the script like a robot.
I think I smiled and bowed, but I couldn’t remember.
I wanted to ask Jin-bae hyung if I looked awkward, but where was he?
I couldn’t ask like a child where Jin-bae hyung was, so I just clenched my fists.
‘Get a grip. People are still watching you.’
After a brief stage greeting, I moved to the signing table.
It was almost time for the first fan to come up.
I consciously adjusted my expression.
“Be careful with the steps as you come up.”
The guide spoke to the person approaching.
Seeing In-yeong getting closer, I clenched my fists.
‘I need to start the conversation first.’
The signing would proceed with each person getting about a minute to talk while seated across the table.
Swallowing hard, I looked at the large hand holding the opposite chair. I needed to do well.
Smiling, I raised my head.
“Hello—”
And then I froze.
“I’m a huge fan, sir.”
“…What.”
“Aren’t you going to give me an autograph?”
The face in front of me was all too familiar.
Unconsciously, all the tension in my face eased.
“What is this?”
“I thought you might need a rehearsal. Oh, but I really am a fan.”
Seeing the person smile, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Shaking my head, I wrote the autograph I had practiced a few days ago on the paper.
“What’s your name?”
“An Jin-bae.”
“That’s a very unique name.”
“I hear that a lot.”
It was amusing to have a conversation as if meeting for the first time.
Although the numerous eyes still felt strange, I wasn’t anxious. I wasn’t alone.
“Take care and dress warmly to avoid catching a cold.”
“Yes, sir. Please take care while filming.”
The conversation with my first fan, Jin-bae hyung, ended without incident.
Just as the guide instructed him to leave, Jin-bae hyung exclaimed and sat back down urgently.
“Could you wear this? You can take it off if it feels too stuffy.”
Ah, this. Kang Se-hyun had mentioned it.
I carefully put on the headband with deer antlers he handed me.
“Ah!! So cute!”
“Seriously, what’s with that face.”
“Yeon-jae, look here!!”
Because of the close distance, the cries of the people, which had sounded faint earlier, now rang clearly.
Even though the content was a bit embarrassing, I consciously raised my head, remembering Kang Se-hyun’s advice.
As I looked around for the person who asked me to look, I heard someone groan right next to me.
“Gosh, he’s so cute….”
It was the second fan. I greeted them hurriedly.
“Hello. What’s your name?”
“Kim Yuri…. Could you write ‘Yuri noona’ for me?”
“Sure.”
After confirming the name was correctly spelled on the signing sheet, I immediately raised my head.
Kang Se-hyun had told me to maintain eye contact with the fans as much as possible.
Thanks to three days of practice, I could talk to the fans while my hands naturally drew the autograph.
I focused all my attention on the person in front of me.
“Was it cold on the way here?”
“No. It was okay!”
“Dress warmer. It’s the season where it’s easy to catch a cold.”
The conversation wasn’t awkward or special as I had feared. It was just an ordinary conversation.
But the fan’s eyes sparkled as they looked at me.
“Your eyes….”
“Pardon?”
“Your eyes are really beautiful. They sparkle.”
Before I knew it, it was already the fifteenth fan.
Interestingly, every person’s eyes were incredibly beautiful. They all sparkled like jewels.
Finding it fascinating, I couldn’t help but say it out loud.
Hearing my words, a woman in her late twenties teared up.
“You’re the prettier one, Bambi….”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve liked you since ‘Zelkova Tree’ ! I joined your fan club just recently!”
“Ah, really?”
Oops. Surprised by my own words, I covered my mouth with my hand. I quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry.”
“Huh? For what?”
“For what I just said. I shouldn’t have said that.”
I had been so careful, but the words slipped out as I got more relaxed.
I wished I could go back five seconds.
Seeing if the fan was offended, I noticed she looked puzzled.
“The words just now…? You mean ‘Ah, really?’”
“Yes. I’m sorry. Did it offend you?”
“….”
The fan bit her lips, as if holding back something.
Was she really offended? As I hesitated, the fan shook her head with difficulty.
“No. You’re the best. Perfect. Never lose your confidence….”
She said and staggered down.
‘I really need to be careful from now on.’
I resolved again as I greeted the next fan.
But strangely, my heart kept softening.
All the words from the people in front of me were warm. They were even hot.
Their eyes sparkled, and their flushed faces were lovely.
I felt my body flinch involuntarily. It felt like I was floating.
I could feel the silly grin on my face.
“I even set my phone background to your picture. It gives me strength at work.”
“What makes work so tough for you?”
“Uh… everything?”
Her rolling eyes and speaking manner were so cute that I laughed.
“I wish at least one thing was okay. I hope you don’t work too hard.”
“…Okay! I’ll try my best!”
Every conversation was enjoyable.
Even though I had announced in advance that I wouldn’t accept any gifts, fans came up with their hands full.
I checked and found they were all headbands, bouquets, and accessories.
I took the items handed to me without hesitation and wore them.
As the event progressed, more diverse items appeared.
One headband with floppy ears hanging down was cute, but it covered my ears and hindered the conversation.
I held up one ear with my hand to hear better.
“Sorry. What did you say your name was?”
“Han Ji-woon! Sir, I’m a huge fan. Thank you so much for acting.”
Most fans were women, but occasionally, male fans came up too.
A young man who looked like a high school student shyly spoke.
“After watching your acting, I found my dream. I changed my major to Theater and Film.”
A few days ago, I would have found such words burdensome.
But perhaps it was the power of facing the fans directly; their warm words were just gratitude to me.
“I hope we can act together someday. I’ll try not to forget and greet you first when that day comes.”
“Wow, thank you. It’s okay if you don’t remember! I’ll remind you!”
This fan had a loud voice.
When I complimented him on his good projection, he stomped his feet.
His misty demeanor made me smile.
“See you next time, Ji-woon hyung.”
“…!”
The fan covered his mouth with his hand. Even though his raised cheeks were clearly visible.
I focused on the fans without realizing how time passed.
My hands felt numb after signing the last fan’s autograph, and I was surprised to hear that two hours had passed.
Even when Jin-bae hyung told me to go down, my feet wouldn’t move.
I bowed several times to apologize to the fans who were crying and asking me not to leave, then went behind the curtain.
“Are you feeling okay, sir?”
“……”
I had so much to say that I couldn’t speak.
Jin-bae hyung patted my back, saying I should rest well at home.
In a daze, I got home and took a shower.
When Jin-bae hyung came to my room to wish me sweet dreams, I whispered softly.
It already felt like I was dreaming.
* * *
While Lee Yeon-jae was whispering with An Jin-bae, a frenzy unfolded on the internet.