Chapter 47: The Radio Star

Spring of 2001. I had become a second-year high school student, and Dahye had entered middle school.

Seeing my younger sister wear the red school uniform I used to wear filled me with new feelings and made me realize just how much time had passed. The childish look that was once so obvious on my sister had disappeared, and now she’d changed enough to be called a proper young lady.

I wished she could have stayed cute and little forever, but I knew that was impossible.

“Her adolescence will probably come soon, too.”

This is the time when people start to value their own time.

From here on, it gets harder to see their faces, and you never know where they might run off to—this is why parents worry the most during these years. But I see things differently.

The reason kids go astray is because people only see them as ‘children.’

At an age when they want to be recognized as individuals, it’s better to respect their intentions and empathize with what they want to do, offering support.

You just have to play the role of a navigator so they don’t go down the wrong path.

If you think back to when we were young, communicating with children isn’t hard at all.

The reason it feels difficult is simple.

It’s because we’re not children anymore, and we forget our childhood, so we can’t meet our kids at their level.

If I were young again, going back to those days, I’d realize what I hated and what I wanted to do, and I could get closer to them.

Well, for Dahye, puberty passed faster than I’d thought.

“Actually, what made things hard for Mom back then was Dahye’s makeup and financial issues.”

We scolded Dahye for wearing makeup, and, because money was always tight, we kept nagging her for not saving enough. Life was a series of us yelling, “Why do students need money?” and because of that, Dahye and I both exploded with frustration during those years.

We’d blame our circumstances, asking why others had things we didn’t.

Sometimes, I even felt like it was a sin to have been born, and I’d fall into a bout of depression.

‘Do you think money just pops out of the ground!?’

Back then, our family was rough, and we were very sensitive about money.

Whenever we asked for money, shadows always fell across Mom and Dad’s faces.

“But now, it’s different.”

My sister now freely wears pretty clothes every day and puts on makeup.

She doesn’t get caught up in trends, and she’s developed her own style.

Sometimes she says dressing up is a hassle, so she’ll just throw on a hoodie and pajamas to meet friends—she’s that relaxed now.

“That’s enough for me. Doing what you want comes before studying, and health is the most important.”

I want Dahye to focus on what she wants to do, rather than being stressed out by the mandatory studies everyone does. If she doesn’t want to work, she doesn’t have to. If she hates studying, she can just skip it.

【Oppa, do you know what I regret most now that I’m sick? It’s holding back what I wanted to do, just studying and working and saving money. Oppa, live your life doing everything you want to do.】

Dahye told me this every day.

Now, I hope she’ll live for herself, rather than being stressed by money or the pressure of promotions and competition.

Not a life of competition, but a life that’s purely for herself.

That’s why the project I’m preparing is to increase Dahye’s wealth.

I plan to guide her, to keep her from going astray.

“If I can raise Dahye’s fortune to about a hundred billion, she’ll be able to live doing whatever she wants.”

Since I’m doing this for her, I’ll do it properly.

Honestly, once you have money, making more is easier than eating rice cakes lying down.

Some nights, I think earning money is even easier than falling asleep when I can’t sleep.

Bzzz.

While I was in the middle of planning for the future, the phone I’d left on my desk began to ring.

The name ‘Deputy Manager Oh Juseon, Mideum Publishing’ appeared on the screen.

─ Hello, Author! I have good news, so I had to call even though it’s late.

The moment I answered, I heard a bright, cheerful voice.

Oh Juseon’s voice sounded very excited.

─ Today, MBC Radio 107.7 Starry Night’s producers contacted us. They’re interested in making ‘Living on Rent at the Chairman’s Mansion’ into a drama, and they want to invite the original author onto the show. It’s a great opportunity for novel promotion. What do you think? It’ll be a live broadcast, but they promised not to reveal that you’re a student. You’ll remain anonymous. If needed, you can even wear a Hahoetal mask. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about—how about it?

A very long message poured into my ear.

“Radio……”

After TV, now I was being invited on the radio.

I blinked unconsciously.

“Just a moment. Let me think about it.”

Would going on radio be good for me? Or bad?

I weighed my options.

“Hm… Alright, I’ve decided.”

If my face won’t be shown, and only my voice will go out, I think I’ll be fine.

No one my age listens to Starry Night anymore.

These days, people would rather watch good-looking celebrities on video than listen to the radio.

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

I guess it’s not bad to raise my value like this.

─ Haha, okay, got it. Are you still living at the same place as before?

“Yes.”

─ I’ll come pick you up at the right time.

“You don’t really need to do that. I’ll be in your care.”

Somehow, my relationship with Deputy Manager Oh has grown quite deep.

It’s already been two years.

Like I thought earlier, time really flies by so fast.

I need to fill every passing moment with deep memories with my family.

***

After school, as soon as the bell rang for dismissal, the classroom burst into excitement.

The kids gathered in groups, planning out the day’s schedule.

“Hey, want to go to the PC room today?”

“Let’s get tteokbokki first.”

The kids began to pack up and make plans, one by one. I glanced at my wristwatch.

4:10 PM.

I had just about twenty minutes left before my appointment.

“I’m heading out first.”

“Hey, where are you going again?”

As I slung my backpack over my shoulder and stood up, Minho, a classmate, asked.

“I’ve got some errands to run.”

I shrugged.

“What does he do that he’s always so busy?”

Another kid tossed out a teasing remark from behind.

“Just be happy I’m busy, okay? See you.”

I raised my hand in a casual farewell, just like always, and left the classroom.

I could hear their muttering voices through the door, but I didn’t care much.

That’s just the fun of being a teenager.

Leaving their gossip behind, I walked through the school gate.

“Author.”

Just as I stepped out the gate, the rear door of a luxury imported car parked on the roadside swung open. A man in a suit stood holding the door open. It was Deputy Manager Oh Juseon from Mideum Publishing.

“…… What are you doing, Deputy Manager Oh?!”

It wasn’t the budget-friendly Korean car I’d seen before, but an imported car worth at least hundreds of millions, and he was opening the back door for me like a chauffeur.

“Haha, orders from the CEO.”

Deputy Manager Oh smiled warmly and gestured with his eyes for me to get in the back seat.

“Hey, who is that, does he have a driver or something?”

“That’s Seunghyun, right?! Is he rich?”

“No way, I went to elementary school with him, he wasn’t well off. Is that someone he knows?”

“He wasn’t rich? He didn’t look that way to me. Have you seen his watch and the way he dresses? He’s no joke!”

“Yeah, he’s always so laid back, too.”

I could feel several students’ eyes on me. The sound of their whispering buzzed in my ears, just extra.

I’d ended up putting on quite the show for their curiosity.

The thought of all the attention I’d get at school tomorrow made my head throb.

‘Sigh, let’s try to think positive.’

I ignored it as best I could and got in the car.

Deputy Manager Oh gave a small smile and closed the door before getting in the driver’s seat.

“The car’s different now?”

“They decided to get one for your care at the company. With the broadcasts coming up, they said image management is important.”

He gave an embarrassed laugh.

“Ah… Okay…”

I was about to ask him not to do this next time, but closed my mouth.

After all, Deputy Manager Oh was just an employee following orders.

I didn’t want to burden him, so I let it go quietly.

Besides, it’s not like I’ll be riding around like this every day.

‘I’ll get my license and buy a car next year.’

That way, Deputy Manager Oh won’t have to go through this hassle every time.

A new plan took root in my mind.

Leaving behind the kids who couldn’t take their eyes off me, I closed my eyes and headed for the broadcast station.

It took about an hour and twenty minutes to reach our destination.

“I’ll come out as soon as the broadcast is over.”

After getting out of the car, I quickly confirmed the broadcast schedule. The status of the radio show, what kind of questions might come up, how long the program would run, and so on.

I already knew most of this from studying in advance, but the way Deputy Manager Oh explained everything again with responsibility and sincerity made me feel like I was reviewing for an exam.

“This is just for your reference. And I’ve made absolutely sure your student status won’t be mentioned. There won’t be any awkward questions.”

“Yes.”

We walked through the lobby, received our access passes, and followed a staff member inside. The lobby walls were lined with posters of famous programs and photos from past broadcasts.

As I followed the pictures along the wall, the elevator came into view.

I got in and watched the city, tinged with dusk, out the window.

Second floor, third floor, fourth, fifth...

Ding-dong.

As we left the city noise behind and reached the seventh floor, the arrival chime sounded.

Soft music played in the seventh-floor hallway, and here and there, staff bustled around checking broadcast equipment.

Seeing them reminded me of the time I’d worked as a part-time camera crew.

“Huh? That woman?!”

When the elevator doors fully opened, I saw a woman who had arrived before us.

Pale skin, short bobbed hair, a cute impression but with sharp features.

For a moment, I froze in place.

There stood Chaerin, the actress cast as the female lead in ‘Living on Rent at the Chairman’s Mansion.’

In real life, she was even thinner and had a smaller face than on screen.

Maybe this is what people mean by a feast for the eyes.

“Hello.”

I approached her and bowed my head in greeting.

“Who...?!”

She looked me over, sending a puzzled glance my way.

“Hello, Ms. Chaerin. This is the original author of the drama you’re starring in, writing under the pen name Unreal Oppa.”

Deputy Manager Oh, ever quick on the uptake, stepped up and introduced me.

It would have been awkward for me to introduce myself as the original author, so Deputy Manager Oh saved me.

“Oh! Really? I’m a fan! I really enjoyed ‘The Lord of the Smartphone’ and ‘Living on Rent at the Chairman’s Mansion.’”

As soon as she said that, Chaerin’s eyes sparkled.

I was caught off guard by her unexpected reaction.

“Thank you. I still have a lot to learn, though.”

I couldn’t have guessed that Chaerin, the nation’s little sister and a popular idol, would read my novel.

I was genuinely surprised by this part.

“Don’t say that! I loved the script so much I agreed to do it right away. But I had no idea you’d be this young. How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I keep my age private.”

“Oh, really? That’s a shame.”

A look of genuine disappointment crossed Chaerin’s face.

“I can’t tell you my age, but my parents and I are big fans of yours, Chaerin-noona. If it’s not too much, could I ask for your autograph…?”

“Oh?! Really? Then let’s sign for each other! Please sign here for me.”

Remembering my parents’ request, I cautiously asked for her autograph, and Chaerin made the same request in return.

Nice!

I clenched my fist tightly in triumph, secretly.

For the first time in my life, I got a celebrity’s autograph.

We gave each other autographs where we wanted, and at her suggestion, we exchanged contact information for networking as the author and actress.

This absolutely has to be a secret from my parents and friends.

With a new number added to my phone, a new connection was formed.

“By the way, what brings you here? Do you also have a radio schedule today, noona?”

“Oh?! Didn’t you know? We’re on the show together!”

“Huh?!”

With a strange sense of excitement and emotion, I entered the radio booth with Chaerin.