Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 14

The door opened and Eun-chans uncle came in. Eun-hye, who had greeted her brother at the front door, glared at him fiercely. Seo-jun and Lee Min-joon held their breath and pressed themselves against the sofa.

Eun-chan had something crinkly in his hand.

He was terrified of his sister, whom he hadnt seen in a month. He had stopped by a nearby mart and bought a gift for his target of persuasion.

Hahaha. This is for Seo-jun.

A bribe?

Uh.

Eun-chan answered with a crestfallen face, his intention exposed. Eun-hye sighed and stepped aside.

Eun-chan cautiously entered the living room. He saw the two people curled up on the corner of the sofa.

Hello, brother-in-law. Hi, Seo-jun.

Long time no see.

Wow!

He handed Seo-juns gift to Min-joon and knelt down quietly in a corner of the living room. He bowed his head.

Im sorry!

Give me your phone.

I saved it!

Eun-hye took the phone from Eun-chan and checked the contact list. She sighed again and sat down. This time, Eun-hyes phone number was properly saved.

How could you not recognize your own nephew?

Well, babies all look alike. Besides, its been a month since I saw him. How was I supposed to know Seo-jun became so famous?

Eun-hye rubbed her forehead at her brothers evasive answer.

Yeah. Hes not your son. You could miss him.

Hahaha.

Register your number again.

Yes!

Go home today.

Uh, about that

Eun-chan hesitated for a moment. Eun-hyes eyes shot up to the sky. Seeing her face, Eun-chan hurriedly explained.

No, its just that our company is new and I got a job there three weeks ago, but were so short-staffed that Im already a manager. So I have to debut an idol group as soon as possible. Somehow, we got to go on a music show in a month, but Im so busy preparing for that

Busy?

I dont think I can go home until the music show is over.

Where are you staying?

Our kids are all boys, so were staying together at the dorm that the company provided for them. I dont know about anything else, but our company has good benefits, so the dorm is nice too!

Eun-hye ignored her brother, who seemed ready to show her the dorm at any moment, and asked.

Can you go home after the music show?

Uh if we fail?

Min-joon and Seo-jun shook their heads vigorously.

No, they cant fail. Eun-hye looked at Eun-chan with a disdainful expression, as if to say What kind of idiot is my brother?

Im sorry. Ill try not to fail.

Eun-chan apologized quietly, feeling the gaze of the three people.

If it doesnt fail and actually succeeds?

If it does succeed then there will be events to attend and broadcasts to appear on. Im only called the director in name, but Im also acting as a manager.

So youll be even busier than now?

Yeah. I suppose so.

Seo Eun-chans noncommittal agreement led Seo Eun-hye to give up, as if resigned.

Well, youll be thirty next year. Youll manage on your own. At least call mom more often.

Sure! Ill call more often.

Seo Eun-chan quickly responded, glancing around cautiously.

Since youre here, have some food before you go. Have you had dinner?

I have!

Then have a cup of coffee before you leave.

Seo Eun-hye stood up and headed to the kitchen. The three men quietly sighed in relief. Feeling that the commotion had ended, Lee Min-jun spoke up.

But whats this about a variety show, brother-in-law?

Oh, that.

Seo Eun-chan hesitated. He had been riding on the popularity of a YouTube baby star, not realizing it was his nephew. He wondered if it was alright to discuss such an unexpected situation.

So, whats the story?

Seo Eun-hye asked, placing coffee on the table.

Mom, dad, Uncle Chans. None for me.

Seo-jun, feeling left out, was about to burst into tears when something caught his attention.

Here, the baby snack your uncle brought.

It was his father. Grateful.

Yum yum! Banana flavor!

Seo-jun enjoyed the snack, gnawing it with his lower teeth. Holding the snack in one hand, he sucked on it diligently.

Seo Eun-hye, who had silently praised Lee Min-jun for averting Seo-juns tears, turned her sharp gaze to Seo Eun-chan. Swallowing hard, he began to speak.

Our group is so unknown that we dont have a single fan. It would be a blessing to have someone we know. We only got on one music broadcast as a filler. I thought we should at least get our name out there, so I worked hard on a music video and posted articles online, but the views are low. Im afraid well just fade into obscurity.

Seo Eun-chan took a sip of his coffee, his throat parched.

I thought we should at least get our name out there, so one of the members suggested posting a broadcast on YouTube. Not just an introduction, but something like a short variety show. Since parenting shows are popular these days, we thought that might be a good approach.

So youre using Seo-jun?

Seo-jun is famous, so we thought we could use that popularity uh

Exploit it?

No, not exploit

No?

Yes. Thats right.

Tension rose again. The choice of words about using his nephew was unfortunate. Cold sweat dripped down his face.

Seo Eun-hye fell into thought. Her brother had spent three years unemployed, his self-esteem waning.

But now, employed, his complexion looked good despite not being able to come home. He was clean-shaven, his hair neat, and his clothes clean. It seemed he was finally starting to fulfill his role as a person.

Well, if the company fails, will he become unemployed again?

It was clear that the fate of the new idol group depended on their debut, since they belonged to a fledgling company. Even if they didnt fail completely, things would get harder for them.

Seo Eun-hye took a sip of her coffee.

Its nice to help my brother, but

This was different from the two short videos of eating food that they had filmed.

Even though it was on YouTube, not television, it was still a variety show.

Seo-jun would be seen by many people, and his mouth would be moving up and down. She was worried.

I agree.

Abu!

Agree!

Lee Min-joon raised his hand. Seo-jun, who had finished his snack, also raised his hand. He didnt expect it, but he was already going to appear on a variety show! He was all for it!

The two father and son, who looked alike, raised their hands in the same pose. Seo Eun-hye relaxed her stiff face and chuckled.

Look. Seo-jun agrees too!

But

Its okay. This is also a memory. Im busy with work and youre busy taking care of Seo-jun. How can we film Seo-jun all day long? It will be a great memory later.

He said that, but he was clearly agreeing for her and Seo Eun-chans sake.

Seo Eun-hye squeezed her husbands hand. Lee Min-joon also held his wifes hand. The couples eyes softened.

Before long, Seo-jun slipped out of his dads arms and sat on his uncle Chans lap. He leaned his back on his uncles stomach. Seo Eun-chan also quietly followed the mood.

Theyre still newlyweds.

Amum.

Seo Eun-chan gave Seo-jun a baby cookie and quietly left the living room. He headed to Seo-juns toy room.

He closed the door tightly.

Phew. Sis. You scared me to death.

He shivered. Then he flopped down on the floor and hugged Seo-jun, talking to him.

Seo-jun. Your mom. Shes really scary. Right?

Abubup!

Be nice to her later, so you dont get scolded. This is a favor, a favor. If its not for your uncle, theres no one who will take your sister. Your uncle is like a Buddha.

Seo Eun-chan grumbled and looked at Seo-jun. He was sucking on a cookie in one hand. He was so cute.

Is this because youre my nephew and you look cute to me? Or are you just cute?

Im just cute.

Eek!

The door opened. Seo Eun-hye was standing there. Seo Eun-chan stuttered.

Did, did you hear?

What?

Never mind. You didnt have to hear.

That your uncle is a Buddha?

You heard everything!

Stop talking nonsense and come out.

Seo-jun heard everything. He learns bad words!

Seo Eun-hye snorted and hugged Seo-jun.

Our Seo-jun is smart and doesnt use bad words.

Abu!

Thats right!

See, thats what Im talking about.

At his sisters doting words, Seo Eun-chan was at a loss for words.

So, are you going to appear on the show?

Lets hear the plan first. They havent discussed what content theyll shoot. And we need to hear how much theyll pay.

Seo Eun-hye spoke decisively, and Seo Eun-chan nodded in agreement.

Thats my sister.

What?

Nothing! Shall we look at this proposal first?

Seo Eun-chan quickly took out his phone and opened the file.

The file was a proposal created by the members of Cocoa Enter, huddled together with the presidents permission.

It looked a bit rough, as it was something none of them had done before.

Seo Eun-chan began, Weve set the filming time to 48 hours.

Isnt that too long?

Her first comment was a criticism. Seo Eun-chan, with a face full of things to say but choosing not to, continued.

24 hours is too short, sister. It would end just as were getting to know each other.

Fine. Lets move on.

Alright And the number of episodes well upload on YouTube will depend on the footage we get, but were thinking about 8 episodes, each 15 minutes long. People watch short videos on YouTube, unlike television. And if we upload two episodes a week, we can release them all before the music broadcast in four weeks.

Lee Min-jun and Seo Eun-hye nodded. Gaining confidence, Seo Eun-chan said, Well upload it on our group channel, but I hope Jun can promote our channel on his channel later.

Ah!

Of course, well pay separately for the promotion.

As Seo Eun-hye raised her hand, Seo Eun-chan quickly responded, understanding his sisters intentions. Seo Eun-hye smiled in satisfaction.

We have Christmas in the middle, so well shoot one or two episodes with that concept, and the rest will be our daily lives.

Listening to the plan, 48 hours seemed insufficient.

What if we run out of content?

Hmm. Were also considering 8 episodes of 10 minutes each. Or maybe just 4 episodes

Seo Eun-chan trailed off and sighed.

Will we even get that much? What do you think, sister? Does Jun have a sense of variety?

What do you expect from an 8-month-old baby? How about the variety sense of your group members?

Uh

At Seo Eun-hyes question, Seo Eun-chan racked his brain.

Smart Park Seo-jin, Kevin Kim who blurts out English when rushed, playful Hwang Ye-jun, and the youngest Choi Si-yoon.

They had only been together for three weeks, but their characters were distinct. But as for variety sense

Im not sure.

Ugh.

Itll go well. Jun is already a YouTube star. If all 500,000 subscribers watch it once, itll be huge.

Lee Min-jun patted the gloomy siblings shoulders. Jun shrugged his shoulders.

Abup!

Indeed, the channel [JUN] had already surpassed 500,000 subscribers.