SWNOVELXO Chapter 222
Chapter 222
After parting ways with Larry, I couldn’t shake off the thoughts that clashed endlessly in my mind. No matter what, I was convinced that I wasn’t as crazy as that guy, but then again, what exactly was different?
Eventually, when I came to terms with the fact that I was on the same level as Larry, an overwhelming sense of self-loathing washed over me.
“I can’t believe I’m at the same level as that scumbag Larry…”
Thinking back to how appalled I was at Larry’s behavior when Seo Ju-won was strangling me.
Looking at Ban Yo-han, who had a rough idea of the situation, I could somewhat understand how much of a lunatic I must have seemed to him.
But there are things in this world that are unavoidable, right?
This time, I really had no other choice, but next time, I just need to avoid any situation where I’d end up falling down the stairs.
I concluded my thoughts reasonably.
And in this world, everyone has their own circumstances that others can’t understand and shouldn’t try to understand.
“I should’ve gotten a more definite apology back then…”
Anyway, I had the chance to learn why and how Larry was able to come into the real world, which I’d been curious about since last time.
“I originally belonged to the Returnees Management Department of the Dimensional Administration Bureau, and my job was solely to take care of you. However, I was able to come out with official permission this time because I was assigned the task of capturing Zero. Honestly, I never imagined a day would come when I’d voluntarily take on additional duties! Just knowing that my dedication and service are helping you get revenge is enough for me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re doing this out of personal vendetta too.”
“That’s not entirely incorrect.”
Larry continued.
“You don’t have a hundred years left to live. For someone like me, that amount of time can pass by in a blink. Zero will gradually weaken over that period. I could just wait for it to happen and deal with him then. However, in that case, you, who might die of old age soon, would miss your chance for revenge. Do you really want that?”
“I kind of get what you’re saying, but I’m not even twenty yet. Isn’t it a bit much to say I’m going to die of old age?”
“Since ancient times, there have been few cases where humans with healing abilities lived long. If you keep overusing the grace with an incomplete core like yours…”
I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt a hand tapping my shoulder.
“Why don’t you answer when I call?”
“I had some things to think about.”
“If you have concerns, talk to me.”
“It’s not that.”
“You’re watching ‘Producer’s Case Notes’ today, right?”
“Yeah, I have to.”
Today was the broadcast day of the interview with PD Chun Hae-kyung that I did last time on ‘Producer’s Case Notes’.
* * *
At around 10:30 PM, when some people were going to bed for the next day or just starting their day in earnest, a rare schedule notice was posted on Orca’s official SNS, which had been mostly quiet except for occasional statements about incidents.
[ORCA]
At 11 PM, members #Seong-ha #Raon will appear on MBS’s ‘Producer’s Case Notes’.
Most Aeri were stunned when they saw the notification.
‘Why are our boys appearing here…?’
Meanwhile, Aeri, who knew the topic ‘Producer’s Case Notes’ would cover this week, quickly guessed why the two were appearing on the show.
– What’s today’s episode of ‘Producer’s Case Notes’ about?
– (Link) This is last week’s teaser. This week seems to be about the realities of child actors and idols like minors in the entertainment industry.
– Oh, On Raon and Gyun Seong-haㅠㅠㅠㅠ Why do I feel like crying already?
– I hope they at least say they’re doing wellㅠㅠㅠㅠ They didn’t appear on Music Bank this week. Are they okay?ㅠㅠㅠ
– I’m glad to see their faces even like thisㅠㅠㅠㅜㅜ
And soon, it was 11 PM.
With a scene from the most talked-about drama of the first half of the year, ‘No Life,’ this week’s ‘Producer’s Case Notes’ began.
[- Ji-min, why are you doing this? Your grades have improved this semester. If you keep it up, you’ll be able to smile three years from now!
– Mom, why do you think I’ll be happy if my grades improve? What’s the use of it three years or ten years later? I want to die right now!
– Hong Ji-min!
(Cut)
– So, mom, are you happy now? Is that… the face of a happy person?
– Yes. I am happy if you do well.
– See? In the end, it was all for you, mom…]
[In the drama ‘No Life,’ which ended earlier this year, the outstanding performances of teenage actors were more prominent than ever.]
Starting with the story of the entrance exam drama ‘No Life,’ which caused a lot of buzz during its broadcast, the show quickly covered the appearances of child actors, idols, kid models, and child YouTubers in various fields of the entertainment industry.
Their activities, the influence they had on the public, and how brilliantly they shone were monotonously explained by the show’s host, Kwon Yoon-gun.
### Chapter 222
[(A photo of On Raon smiling happily on stage)]
[Those who have been pursuing their dreams from a young age generally appear happier than many students who are stuck in school doing studies they do not want.]
[However, the glamorous entertainment industry is so tough that even adults find it difficult to endure. This week, we have documented the hardships that children face in the industry on Producer’s Case Notes.]
The broadcast showed the various difficulties that teenage entertainers face with their studies and peer relationships.
[Tachi (12): I started doing YouTube because it looked fun, but as time went on, I got a lot of negative comments… I even received abusive texts on my phone. It made me take a break from broadcasting.]
[Kim Ah-hyun (pseudonym, former child actor): Since I was a child actor, there’s a strong perception that I’m still a kid… As I grow into an adult, that initial perception doesn’t change, so I often wondered if I was not being recognized by the industry. I worried a lot about whether I could continue doing this job ten years from now. The future felt very uncertain.]
Then, the eagerly awaited appearance of Gyun Seong-ha and his younger brother Gyun Ha-ram arrived.
[Gyun Seong-ha (18): Hello. I am Orca’s Gyun Seong-ha, a second-year idol.]
[Gyun Ha-ram (17): Hello. I am actor Gyun Ha-ram.]
Kwon Yoon-gun’s narration revealed that these two had been embroiled in a series of school violence controversies last month. It was clarified that the accusations were false, made by a classmate who had bullied Gyun Ha-ram because he was a child actor.
The two brothers explained the difficulties they faced as a child actor and an idol who had started as a child actor.
[Gyun Ha-ram (17): I haven’t completely given up on my studies, so I tried to schedule filming around weekends. But schedules aren’t something we can control, so for dramas that require filming five or more days a week, I inevitably had to miss school. This made it a bit difficult to make friends. (Omitted)]
After their interview, an expert came on to explain the emotional challenges faced by those who started in the entertainment industry at a young age.
Next was an explanation about Pick Heart, an organization that is always mentioned when discussing the rights of adolescent idols.
It was then that On Raon appeared.
[Raon, a contestant on Pick Your Heart Season 3 and a member of the boy group Orca since their debut last November, came to Korea from the U.S. a few years ago to live as a trainee.]
Following Gyun Seong-ha’s clean-cut appearance, On Raon’s interview continued.
[On Raon (18): I came to Korea with only the dream of becoming an idol… (Omitted)]
The Producer’s Case Notes team detailed the unfair treatment On Raon faced at his former agency, T, and the subsequent difficulties he encountered.
The broadcast, which proceeded in this manner, gradually reached its conclusion.
[Young entertainers are exposed to various hardships.]
[What do they think about this?]
[Producer: If you could go back to before you started this, would you still take on the challenge?]
The composed yet complex expressions of all the young entertainers interviewed in today’s broadcast crossed the screen.
After a tense moment passed slowly.
The seven children nodded their heads as if they had promised.
[Gyun Seong-ha (18): Yes. I would do it.]
[Gyun Ha-ram (17): Of course I would.]
[Na-woo (12): Definitely.]
[Song Ji-yoo (15): I would…try again?]
[On Raon (18): Absolutely.]
Then the production team calmly asked, “Why?”
[Na-woo (12): It’s not something my parents forced me to do. I wanted to do it, and I still prefer acting to playing games or soccer.]
[Gyun Ha-ram (17): I really love my work. I can’t think of doing anything else. No matter the difficulty, I never want to give up.]
[On Raon (18): Because I love it. So, I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me not give up.]
With the boy’s calm confession, the scene shifted to host Kwon Yoon-gun in the studio.
[Although they operate in different fields from ordinary students, their passion and determination to do their best for their dreams are no different. We must consider how our society can protect these children.]
With the concluding remarks, the hour-long broadcast came to an end, and for the first time in a long while, a post appeared on Orca members’ SNS.
– (Photo) It’s been a while, Aeri!! Thanks to the members and the company, I’ve had a good rest. I’m really sorry for worrying you. (Omitted) From now on, I only want to bring you happy news. You trust me, right..? See you again soon with good news!
#Orca #ORCA
#Raon #RAON
Geum Gyu-ri, On Raon’s fan who had been deeply worried since his accident on the stairs, looked at the photo of On Raon smiling gently for a long time before leaving a comment on his post.
– I don’t know exactly how hard it’s been for you, but I’m really glad you’re okay.