LIGHTNOVELONLINE Episode 165 - Hollywood
After successfully completing the talk show filming, the host Powell offered a handshake.
“To be honest, I was a bit worried, but you’re a natural for shows. How about coming to America later and hosting a show?”
“Haha. You’re too kind. The guest is only as good as the host makes them.”
Yeon-woo smiled awkwardly at Powell’s words.
Of course, it must be a joke.
Even if he was serious, there was still a mountain of work to do in Korea.
Accompanied by the satisfied talk show production team’s send-off, he headed towards the vehicle under the guidance of the security guards.
As they walked out of the studio, the expedition members looked at Yeon-woo with admiring eyes.
“Wow, Yeon-woo, do the right words just pop into your head?”
Jung Cheol-min clicked his tongue, watching Yeon-woo answer smoothly during the show as if he were a seasoned politician.
“It really seemed like you were running the show by yourself, hyung.”
“Well, it wasn’t quite like that…”
In European social circles, eloquence was essential if you wanted to pick up even one more piece of information.
As they were walking out with the security guards, a middle-aged woman in a suit approached Yeon-woo and his group.
“You can’t approach.”
As the security guards initially blocked her, the woman raised both hands and smiled brightly.
“I apologize for the sudden visit, but if you have time, I’d like to have a brief chat.”
At that moment, Bernard Penton, who had been waiting, saw the scene and approached, opening his mouth.
“Oh, who do we have here. It’s been a while, Camella.”
“Penton. Congratulations on your recent big success.”
“Haha. You’re still as beautiful as ever.”
Then he signaled to the security guards that it was okay.
“Mr. Yeon-woo. This is Camella Hill, the vice president of Sublime Pictures.”
“Nice to meet you, actors of ‘White Blood’. Please, call me Camella.”
Yeon-woo recalled Penton’s earlier words about other production company representatives attempting to make contact.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Camella.”
“Ah, Mr. Ryu Yeon-woo. It’s nice to meet you.”
As Yeon-woo shook hands and the other members approached in turn, James Choi suddenly appeared out of nowhere and cut in between them.
“Haha, nice to meet you. I’m James Choi, in charge of the overseas division at LN Media.”
“Ah, I see.”
Camella nodded with an unimpressed look and turned back to Yeon-woo.
“Congratulations on your recent achievement. If you’re considering expanding through Netflix or filming in Hollywood in the future, I’d love to build a good relationship. I’m quite close with Mr. Penton here as well.”
Camella extended her hand with a bright smile, and Yeon-woo took it.
“Having a new friend is always welcome.”
At that moment, James Choi stepped forward again, slightly blocking Yeon-woo’s view.
“I’m in charge of handling those aspects. We can discuss the details separately…”
“Mr. James Choi.”
Yeon-woo called out to James in a firm voice.
Then, gently pushing aside James Choi who was blocking his view, he looked him straight in the eye.
“I appreciate your kindness, but I’ll handle my own affairs.”
“Excuse me? No, this isn’t just kindness, as the person responsible for LN…”
Look at this guy…
As James Choi tried to interject again, Yeon-woo looked at him with sharp eyes.
“As far as I know, Team Leader Yoon Mi-yeon is in charge of the U.S. schedule, and right now, I’m not discussing overseas investments with Camella, but rather ‘good relationships’. Don’t you think it’s impossible for someone else to maintain a good relationship with a friend on my behalf?”
While James Choi was at a loss for words, Yeon-woo smiled at Camella.
“There was a brief misunderstanding with our staff.”
Although Camella couldn’t understand what was said in Korean, having been in this industry for over a decade, she grasped the situation roughly from the nuances.
And Camella smiled at Yeon-woo.
“It’s alright. I think your schedule might be too busy for a long chat today, would you accept my business card?”
“Of course.”
Yeon-woo took the business card Camella pulled out from her pocket and put it in his own.
‘I didn’t even use Chairman Seo Tae-kwang’s business card, but I’m becoming a card collector.’
After Camella shook hands with the members one more time, she left.
Yeon-woo glanced at James, who was still standing there with his face flushed, and turned to leave.
“Let’s go. We should enjoy our vacation now.”
Hearing Yeon-woo’s words, the group followed, chattering excitedly.
“Great! We should go sightseeing in Hollywood. Who wants to go with teacher?”
“I have some shopping to do!”
“I want to go sightseeing too!”
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**
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In Hollywood, they toured with security guards.
The members experienced paparazzi for the first time.
When they took pictures from afar, Han Byul would spot them incredibly well, smiling brightly and waving, causing even the paparazzi to smile like proud fathers.
And Manager Kim Min-soo, who awakens as a doll hunter only when abroad, was already busily turning the joystick.
“Wow! Got another one!”
“Here, this one’s for Actor Han Byul. Let’s go for one more.”
As Kim Min-soo turned the joystick, the claw spun around again, targeting the dolls one by one.
Dong-ha filmed the scene with his smartphone, marveling.
“Amazing! How are you so good at this?”
“Well, it’s quite a long story.”
Watching this, Yeon-woo made a phone call to someone.
‘Since we’re in LA, we should meet. We did promise last time.’
After the dial tone, a familiar voice was heard.
– Jay!
“Chrissy. How have you been?”
It was none other than the unsung hero of ‘Sketch’.
Music director Chrissy Monroe.
– Same as always. Haha. Why the sudden call?
“I’m in LA right now.”
– Oh my. Really?
“You remember last time I said I’d come over and make tteokbokki if I had the chance?”
Hearing this, Chrissy’s laughter could be heard over the phone.
– Tteokbokki is the best. If Jay comes to our house, my daughter might have a heart attack. She’s been watching all the dramas and movies you’ve been in lately.
“Then I should definitely surprise her with a visit.”
– Alright. See you later then.
After ending the call with Chrissy, a message with the home address arrived.
As they were about to finish their Hollywood tour, they got into the car heading back to the hotel, arms full of dolls.
The members, after appearing on the talk show and touring, were drowsy with their eyes half-closed.
Looking at the members, Yeon-woo smiled and spoke.
“After we arrive at the hotel, I have somewhere else to go.”
“Huh? Where?”
“Well, I’m going to visit the house of the music director I worked with during the ‘Sketch’ filming.”
Dong-ha’s eyes lit up at this.
“Hyung! I’ve always wanted to visit an American home. Can you take me with you? Oh, would that be rude to them?”
Yeon-woo tilted his head at Dong-ha’s words and sent a message to Chrissy.
– Is it okay if I bring a friend? He’s a K-POP idol, so your daughter might like him…?
An immediate reply came back.
– Chrissy Monroe: Our house always welcomes guests! Bring whoever you want!
After seeing the message, Yeon-woo looked at Dong-ha and nodded.
“She says it’s fine. Want to come along?”
“Oh, great!”
Then, as if it looked fun, Han Byul’s face popped up from the back seat where she was lying down.
“Take me too!”
At Han Byul’s words, looking at the other members in the back, Jung Cheol-min waved his hand saying he’d pass, and Jeong Soo-yeon was already fast asleep, her head leaning against the window.
“Okay? Then let’s go, the three of us.”
Since they said they watched “White Blood,” they might like it if I bring Ella and Akhenaten…
Upon arriving at the hotel, the staff and members got out of the car, while Yeon-woo and the other two remained inside and set off again.
“Driver, could we stop by a Korean mart on the way?”
“Yes, understood.”
At this, Han Byul and Dong-ha looked at Yeon-woo.
“Why the mart? Are you going to buy gifts?”
“Hmm? Well, I suppose they are gifts. I’m going to buy some ingredients to make tteokbokki.”
“Wow, tteokbokki! My mouth is watering.”
Yeon-woo remembered how Chrissy, who had helped as a one-day assistant during the surprise street food event for Son Jin-wook, had really enjoyed the ‘tteokbokki’.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve made a friend to visit in LA too.’
Recalling memories from filming “Sketch,” Yeon-woo smiled softly.
Before they knew it, they arrived at the Korean mart, and Yeon-woo and the kids bought the tteokbokki ingredients.
Fortunately, there weren’t many customers in the store, so no commotion occurred, but the cashier recognized the three of them, quickly got their autographs, took pictures, and then they got back in the car.
“But it’s kind of amazing. I’ve hardly ever signed autographs in our country, yet I’m recognized in such a far-off place.”
At Han Byul’s words, Dong-ha tilted his head.
“Don’t you get really popular when you go to school these days?”
“Ah, not these days! You guys were famous from the start, so you probably can’t feel much difference, right?”
At Han Byul’s words, Yeon-woo crossed his arms.
“Hmm, famous from the start, you say. Actually, I’ve only been in the industry for 3 years, you know?”
“Eh? Really…?”
With so many mega-hit works, they had forgotten that it had only been 3 years since Yeon-woo’s debut.
“I remember seeing you at the shop not long after your debut, hyung.”
“Shop? Dr. Jung Ha-neul’s shop?”
“Yes. I think it was the day of the Korean Arts Awards. We members were talking about how actors are indeed different.”
“Oh, really?”
Back then, he had no idea that he would be appearing on an LA talk show with Dong-ha like this.
As they chatted about old times, they soon arrived at Chrissy’s house.
“Thank you. I’ll call you before we head back to the hotel!”
As the members thanked the driver and got out of the car, the security guards began patrolling around the house.
“Hmm, it’s just a private home, so you don’t really need to guard it.”
While he had provided security for others countless times in his past life, Yeon-woo wasn’t used to receiving it himself, and he scratched his cheek with an awkward smile.
Knowing they wouldn’t listen even if he told them it was their job, Yeon-woo went to Chrissy’s front door and rang the doorbell.
Chrissy’s house was an ordinary American home in a quiet neighborhood,
A home with white walls and a brown front door at the top of a short marble staircase, just like the ones always seen in American TV shows.
Ding-dong─.
As the doorbell rang, Chrissy’s voice came through the speaker.
– Oh, you’re here already. Wait a moment!
Then Chrissy and her husband came out to the front door together to greet Yeon-woo and his companions.
“Chrissy. It’s been a while.”
“Wow, Jay. It’s really great to see you.”
Smiling happily, Yeon-woo gave a light hug and then extended his hand to the husband standing next to her for a handshake.
“I received a lot of help from Chrissy in my last project. I’m actor Ryu Yeon-woo.”
“Haha. Nice to meet you. Ever since Chrissy came back from Korea for her last work, she’s been insisting we go to Korea for our vacation, talking about it every chance she gets. I’m Tom, Chrissy’s husband.”
Then Yeon-woo introduced Han Byul and Dong-ha standing next to him.
“Wow. To be honest, our whole family was watching ‘White Blood’ just the other day. Having the main characters right in front of our house feels like a dream.”
Yeon-woo smiled at Tom’s words.
“Well, please come in first. Welcome to our home.”
“Jay, what’s that in your hand?”
At Chrissy’s question, Yeon-woo held up the bag.
“I said I’d make tteokbokki, remember? I bought the ingredients.”
“That wasn’t just a joke?”
“Of course it was serious.”
As they entered the house, Chrissy’s Cocker Spaniel approached, wagging its tail.
The interior of the house was also a typical American home, just like the ones seen in TV shows.
While placing the groceries on the table, Yeon-woo asked Chrissy,
“Where’s your daughter?”
“Ah, Lily went out to play with her friends earlier, but it’s dinner time now, so she should be back soon.”
Just then, they heard the front door opening.
“Mom! There are strange men walking around outside the house!”
She must have seen the bodyguards patrolling nearby.
Yeon-woo went around the kitchen corner to greet Lily.
“Hi, Lily?”
“Oh my. What the fu…”
Immediately, Chrissy called out to her daughter.
“Lily! Good word!”
“Fu… Fun.”
What the fun, indeed.
Laughing at the sudden drift, Yeon-woo extended his hand.
“I’m Ryu Yeon-woo, your mom’s colleague. Nice to meet you.”
Lily froze at the sight of the star suddenly summoned to her home.
She hadn’t even seen Ella and Akhenaten in the kitchen yet.