Siblings Working in Business (205)
「“How about we wear hanboks and give Chuseok greetings on O-Tube and E-FAN?”」
With the end of September fast approaching, that was the extent of Eun-ho’s suggestion.
That was, until the CEO of DI Music Entertainment suddenly offered this hanok as a filming location.
CEO Park Chang-seok valued cost-effectiveness in filming.
Thanks to his frugality, they were able to produce more photocards and merchandise, and this time was no different.
「“We have a chance to film in a new location, wouldn’t it be a waste to just use it for Chuseok greetings?”」
All the NRY Entertainment employees’ eyes lit up.
「“Remember the story Eun-ho submitted a few weeks ago for the next single’s music video?”」
「“Yes.”」
「“See if there are any scenes that could be adapted to a historical setting. Since we got this location for free, it would be great to make the most of it.”」
This was the result of that cost-effectiveness.
So, they decided to also film a concept video, or as they called it internally, a “bang for your buck” video.
「“My wife is the best at making high-quality, cost-effective videos…”」
Thanks to CEO Park’s subtle bragging, the PD in charge of filming this time…
…was PD Kim Cheol-soo, who had been in charge of Toxin’s music videos for a long time and was now CEO Park’s wife.
Although it was called a ‘concept video,’ it was obvious that the footage would also be used in the music video.
‘The upcoming single is about intertwined fates, after all.’
The Joseon era setting, using the hanok provided by CEO Uh of DI Music, was a good choice for portraying the ‘past.’
So, Eun-ho had no complaints.
He was actually quite pleased, as it would enrich the story.
Eun-ho looked back at the zelkova tree.
Its trunk was so massive that even four adults with outstretched arms couldn’t fully encircle it.
Its branches, reaching towards the sky, were just as thick and large.
The serene scenery evoked a sense of timelessness, almost unsettling.
But…
‘Why does this scenery make me feel so uneasy?’
“Just walk around like this, lost in thought, admiring the scenery.”
“Okay!”
Eun-ji followed PD Cheol-soo’s instructions.
On the monitor, Eun-ji looked like a noblewoman strolling peacefully under the zelkova tree.
The beautiful scenery and the surrounding area were quiet.
However, behind PD Cheol-soo, who was directing the shoot, were a group of elderly residents shushing each other.
As they were filming several takes under the zelkova tree…
Thud.
Something fell from the tree and landed on Eun-ji’s head.
‘What, what is this?’
Eun-ji was startled, but she managed to maintain her composure and carefully reached up to touch her hair.
If it was a bug, she didn’t want to ruin her hair and the shoot by shaking it off.
She didn’t want to disrupt the schedule, so she tried her best to stay calm.
Her hand touched something hard.
‘A twig…?’
She took the object off her head and looked at it. Eun-ji breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Phew.’
Fortunately, it wasn’t a bug, her worst-case scenario.
But then… why?
The middle-aged residents were still watching Eun-ji’s filming as if it were a local attraction.
However, their reactions changed after the twig fell on Eun-ji’s head.
Some of the elderly residents’ faces paled, and they even started leaving.
“Where are you going, Mother?”
“Oh, be quiet.”
“Elder?”
“I-, I’m going home.”
Eun-ji, watching them leave, tilted her head and looked at the zelkova twig in her hand.
It was a small twig, without any leaves.
Just then, one of the elderly women who was about to leave turned around.
“Child.”
“Yes?”
Eun-ji, looking at the twig, tilted her head.
The staff and PD Cheol-soo, who had been confused by the atmosphere, also perked up, hoping for an explanation.
“This zelkova tree has always been a harbinger of misfortune. Especially for those who are struck by its branches, like you, child.”
“Ah…”
Eun-ji looked at the twig in her hand again at the elderly woman’s gentle words.
“Be careful, child.”
Leaving only that short warning, the elderly woman turned and left.
“Whoa, wasn’t that Grandma Gochu from the pepper farm?”
“Why would she say such an unlucky thing?”
“But I heard about it too. This happened years ago, Gisi’s grandfather was resting under this tree and a twig fell on his leg.”
“What happened?”
“A few days later, he had an accident and lost that leg.”
“Oh my…”
The remaining residents murmured amongst themselves.
The staff members also started whispering, their voices gradually growing louder, until the filming location was as noisy as a marketplace.
PD Cheol-soo, displeased, sighed and finally spoke,
“Excuse me, but we’re filming, so please be quiet.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
A middle-aged man, who had been the loudest, apologized and quieted the others down.
“An accident…”
Although she was a bit far, Eun-ji overheard their conversation.
She looked at the twig, her expression unreadable, and remained silent.
PD Cheol-soo, seemingly concerned, stared at Eun-ji and then approached her.
“Eun-ji.”
“Yes, PD-nim.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Eun-ji tried to brush it off with a smile.
“Just be careful. Even if what they said is true, it’s a warning.”
“Yes.”
PD Cheol-soo patted Eun-ji’s back and turned around.
“Let’s continue filming. Working is the best way to clear your head.”
“Haha. Okay.”
A genuine smile finally appeared on Eun-ji’s face.
‘Right. It’ll be fine. I just have to be careful. I’ll be fine.’
After Eun-ji returned to the hanok after her solo shoot…
She casually chatted with Seul-gi, mentioning the incident with the zelkova twig, as if it were nothing.
And as she continued, recounting the residents’ stories…
Eun-ho’s brow furrowed, and he snatched the twig from Eun-ji’s hand.
“Throw it away.”
“Hey, why?!”
“It’s bad luck, so throw it away! Why did you even bring it back?”
“No way!”
Eun-ho was usually quiet on set, unless it was just the two of them.
Although he did raise his voice occasionally while joking with Eun-ji… he wasn’t the type to get angry easily.
But he was now raising his voice at Eun-ji because of a twig.
Even Seul-gi, Hyun-woo, and PD Cheol-soo, who knew Eun-ho, were surprised and looked at them.
“It’s just superstition. Why are you so angry?”
“That… haa…”
As Eun-ho lowered his head and sighed, Eun-ji let out a wry chuckle.
“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s okay. I’m not going to die, Lee Eun-ho.”
“Hey, I told you not to say that… damn it.”
Today, it was Eun-ji who calmly reassured Eun-ho.
Just then, as Seul-gi and Hyun-woo watched them with surprised eyes…
Their eyes widened.
“I-is Eun-ho crying? Is he crying?”
“Shut up.”
“OMG… seriously, is Lee Eun-ho actually crying?”
“Ah, shut up! I’m not crying!”
Although he yelled, Eun-ho kept his head down.
“Yes, you are. You’re crying.”
“Ah, get lost!”
Just as Eun-ji tried to peek under his chin…
Thwack.
Eun-ho, his face bright red, pushed Eun-ji’s face away.
“Ahahaha.”
Eun-ji, ignoring the fact that he just hit her, pointed at his teary eyes and laughed hysterically.
“Are you seriously crying over that?”
“So what, damn it. What’s wrong with crying?”
“Oh? So you admit you’re crying?”
“Yeah. I’m crying because Lee Eun-ji’s face is so damn ugly.”
Eun-ji’s laughter stopped at the insult.
And a moment later…
“Come here, you little shit. I’m going to chop you up and make seafood pajeon.”
Eun-ji reached out as if to strangle Eun-ho.
Eun-ho dodged effortlessly and flipped her off.
“Here, take this, ugly little sister.”
“You’re dead meat if I catch you, you bastard!”
“Yeah, you have to catch me first. Haha.”
Seul-gi and Hyun-woo looked at the staff and PD Cheol-soo.
The staff and PD Cheol-soo, watching them like a sitcom, chuckled for a moment, then resumed their meeting.
Fortunately, they had all worked with PD Cheol-soo for a long time and had seen Eun-ho and Eun-ji like this during previous filming sessions.
Seul-gi and Hyun-woo sighed in relief, clutching their chests.
Meanwhile, Eun-ho and Eun-ji, dressed in beautiful hanboks, complete with hairpins and hats, were playing tag, or rather, a game of “You’re dead if I catch you,” in the hanok’s spacious front yard.
Judging by Eun-ho’s expression alone, one might think he was having fun…
“Lee Eun-ji’s face is terrifying! Hahaha!”
As Eun-ho said, Eun-ji, in her elegant hanbok, chasing after him with a furious expression, looked like a vengeful thousand-year-old gumiho.
They ran around the yard tirelessly for an hour.
“Gasp, gasp. Lee Eun-ji, you made me waste all my energy for nothing.”
“You, little, gasp, shit. If you hadn’t, pant, messed around, damn it. I’m so tired… haa…”
Eun-ho and Eun-ji collapsed on the wooden floor, sprawled out.
Fortunately, it was still break time, as the set wasn’t ready yet.
The staff chuckled, looking at the exhausted siblings.
However, there was one person who wanted to smack them both.
“Haa… these siblings, seriously…”
Seul-gi sighed deeply, looking at Eun-ho and Eun-ji’s makeup, which had long been wiped away by sweat.
“It can’t be helped…”
Hyun-woo, the only one who understood Seul-gi’s feelings, offered her a chocolate bar he had saved for Eun-ji.
Seul-gi chuckled at the chocolate, popped it into her mouth, and munched on it.
“Seriously, if I weren’t an Eun-ji-nim fan, I would have quit this hellish job a long time ago.”
“I’m starting to think CEO Park prioritizes fans for this reason. Haha…”
“Haha, haa…”
Seul-gi and Hyun-woo, the support system behind the shining stars Lee Eun-ho and Lee Eun-ji of E-UNG, ensuring they could shine brightly…
…suppressed their wry smiles, sharing the unique frustration of raising ‘unruly children.’
Just then…
“Hey, but Lee Eun-ji.”
“What now?”
“Doesn’t running around like a gorilla in a hanbok kinda ruin the mood?”
“And you— ah, fuck. You’re pissing me off again, you—!”
Just when they thought it was over, Eun-ho and Eun-ji were on the verge of round two.