The Haunted Monster Actor - Chapter 77



Only Noblemtl

Episode 77

“Did I ever… … give you ‘that guy’s’ recipe?”

When Im Jin-han, who was slightly drunk, tilted his head with a dazed expression, Hyun-soo opened his mouth with a natural expression.

“I ate so much of that ramen that I already knew what the ultimate seasoning was in it.”

“Yes, how did you find out the identity of the seasoning… …!”

Soon, Hyun-soo continued to speak quietly in Im Jin-han’s ear, fearing that someone might hear.

“There’s so much MSG powder scattered all over the cupboard, how could anyone but be stupid and not notice it?”

“… … !”

Jinhan, who was so shocked by having his recipe stolen by his trusted disciple, stared blankly for a while, unable to open his mouth.

Soon Jinhan jumped up from his seat and shouted at Hyunsoo.

“Hey… … If someone saw this, they’d think I only fed my disciple ramen for three meals a day! Kimchi jjagalbi, budaejjigae, what is that, huh, double-braised chicken with soy sauce, and even raw fish rice! I fed him all the delicious restaurants near the studio! This brat wants a favor… … !”

“Sir, please speak clearly. I calculated all of that.”

Jinhan sat down quietly again in response to the unexpected counterattack from Hyun-soo.

“I just wanted to say that I ate well thanks to the generous grace my disciple bestowed upon me.”

At that moment when everyone burst into laughter at Jinhan’s teasing, Hyunsoo let out a sigh of relief.

‘The ramen recipe was something I learned intuitively from Hwang Su-in’s dream, not from Mr. Im.’

It was impossible to tell that fact to Im Jin-han.

Anyway, we got through the crisis safely.

As the mood grew to a certain degree, the topic of conversation at the drinking party among the artists naturally turned to acting and musical performance.

Just like Hyunsoo, the actors received serious feedback from the Gold Marie members about the stage and performance.

“Brother Jihoon, once you film a performance, you feel completely drained, right?”

“Uh, how did you know… … ?”

“I noticed that your shoulders were very stiff when you played the drums.”

Goldmary’s drummer Jooheon took out the drum sticks himself, held them in his hand, and continued his explanation.

“The drum is a fragile and timid guy, more than you think. Even if you put a little bit of force on it, it will complain that it hurts. Listen carefully, hyung. You don’t hit it, but like this. Tap. You stroke it. Do you know what I mean?”

“No… … I absolutely don’t know… … .”

Im Jin-han and Jeong I-shin, who were having a serious discussion about what the real taste of ramen is, also find themselves talking about music.

“I see that you have some extraordinary skills when it comes to playing the bass.”

“thank you.”

“Have you ever thought about learning music seriously?”

“doesn’t exist.”

“What’s that these days, sub-characters are trendy… … .”

“doesn’t exist.”

“No, I’ll give you a discount on the tuition fee as it’s Hyunsoo’s special discount… … .”

“doesn’t exist.”

“So, what is the true taste of ramen? Listen carefully, because from now on, it’s important.”

The topic then shifted back to the true taste of ramen.

“What about the keyboard? Can someone tell me how to use the keyboard?”

Jooheon scratched his head at Song Ahjin’s words and said.

“Oh, I’m sorry, but our band doesn’t have a keyboard.”

“… … .”

Song Ah-jin’s greatly disappointed face.

“From what I saw in the trailer, you play the keyboard in a very manly way, bro? I thought the keyboard was some kind of drum.”

“Haha, right? When I was young, whenever I participated in church contests, I was always the one who won an encouragement award, even if I didn’t do well.”

“Wow… …! If it’s the church contest encouragement award… … .”

“Isn’t it just a prize given to everyone who participates?”

“what?”

“Oh, no! Mari is used to talking to herself. Well, it’s sad, hyung! It’s sad! Hahaha!”

As we talked about the actors’ acting, we naturally moved on to talking about the musicians’ performances.

Then suddenly, Jooheon remembered something and opened his mouth to everyone.

“Come to think of it… … We’ve always watched our older brothers act on TV, but doesn’t this seem a bit unfair?”

Hyungjin tilted his head at Jooheon’s words.

“What’s unfair?”

“What I mean is, don’t we have to show you something too?”

As he said that, Jooheon’s gaze was suddenly turned towards Hyunsoo.

“Brother, you haven’t properly listened to our finished song yet, have you?”

Hyunsoo nodded after hearing Jooheon’s words.

“I think the title was ‘Wings’? I think I heard the basic melody line last time.”

As soon as Hyunsoo finished speaking, Jooheon suddenly continued speaking with a resentful(?) expression.

“… … Brother, I’m sorry, but there was a time when I hated you.”

“Huh? You hate me? What do you mean?”

“It’s the Nadav trailer! I wonder what kind of inspiration Mari got from watching it… … She completely rips and changes everything from the BPM to the chords and everything from beginning to end. There’s not much time left until the concert, but because of that damn stubbornness, Hyungjin and I both thought we were going to turn to ashes.”

Im Jin-han nodded and added to Joo-heon’s words that were full of resentment.

“Thanks to that, I got involved and was in a hurry to do the arrangement and mastering work, so I was really confused.”

“… … Did something like that happen?”

And before you know it, the faces of the actors listening to the story around you are filled with interest.

‘This song was inspired by the appearance of Jiyuhan… … .’

“I want to listen to that song too.”

At Jeong-i-shin’s words, Joo-heon nodded with a sinister smile.

“Hehehe, what could be difficult? As soon as you open the door, the stage is right in front of you.”

As Jooheon said, the Drug Kitchen stage was equipped with all the instruments so that filming of the main scene could begin at any time.

Since the setup was for simultaneous recording and not just simple filming, there was no problem performing a live performance right away.

Soon, everyone’s eyes naturally turned to Anna, the club’s hostess.

“no.”

“Why not!”

“Don’t you see all these bottles of alcohol rolling around here? You guys just drank.”

“Don’t you remember? Back in the day, we used to perform here and drink with our fans? We didn’t say anything back then! Look, we’re still fine!”

“Anna, I also want to show our stage to my brothers.”

“Yeah! Hyungjin is always drunk, but Mari has been drinking coffee milk instead of alcohol since a while ago!”

“Yeah, I usually… … what?”

Despite Hyungjin and Jooheon’s continued persuasion, Anna’s position remained firm.

“That’s what I was talking about when you brought your instruments up there. If you accidentally damage the instruments while filming, you’ll be responsible for compensation?”

It was then that Song Ah-jin, who had been listening, opened her mouth.

“I don’t think it will be a big deal if it’s a musical instrument compensation issue.”

“……huh?”

“All the instruments set up there were brought by us. I don’t know about the other actors, but it doesn’t matter to me.”

“Of course it doesn’t matter. Gold Marie doesn’t have a keyboard.”

“Oh, so that’s what I hear?”

Soon, the gaze of the embarrassed Song Ah-jin, hoping for salvation, turns to the rest of the actors, including Hyun-soo.

“I don’t mind.”

“Me too.”

“… … I really want to see Gold Marie’s stage.”

Anna looked bewildered as she watched the actors and musicians all shining brightly, all of whom had become one.

“Wow, do actors sometimes use drama props as their personal belongings?”

“No, this is… … .”

Soon the actors’ gaze turns to Hyun-soo.

“I first said I would use the guitar I received from teacher Im Jin-han, but then the other actors all said they would use the instruments they were more familiar with… … That’s how it turned out.”

Finally, Jeong In-shin joins.

“I can just buy a new instrument, but I don’t want to miss out on the chance to experience a live performance. It might help my acting.”

“Hmm, but still… … .”

Im Jin-han, who still looked troubled, immediately got up from his seat.

“Okay, do it! I’ll let you, so go and play to your heart’s content! Ah, if you’re going to do it, do it for real. Hey, Jooheon, you go and set up the lights first.”

“Yes! Understood, sir! While we’re at it, should we also load a can of dry ice into the fog machine?”

“Fog machine? Hey, Anna, aren’t you going to shoot fire here? If you’re going to have a rock concert, you’ve got to have fireworks, right?”

“… … .”

Anna opens her mouth with a bewildered expression as she looks at the sight.

“Hey, Im Jin-han! Who the hell are you to be asking for permission to perform at someone else’s club?”

“Then who gave you permission to send indie bands to my studio on a whim? Because of you, there will never be any ramen left in the kitchen cupboard, ever!”

“That, that’s… … !”

When Anna, who had nothing to say, was unable to continue speaking, Jinhan smiled like a winner.

Im Jin-han, who easily defeated the final boss of Drug Kitchen, soon began to lead Gold Marie’s surprise live performance.

“Hyungjin, go check the stage setup. Mari, you’ve been recording all day and night lately. How’s your throat?”

“It’s a little embarrassing, but I’m okay because I drink coffee with milk.”

“I don’t know what embarrassment, coffee milk, and a sore throat have to do with anything… … Anyway, okay! Let’s show the actors here how real tantrum-makers play on stage!”

Song Ah-jin and Kang Ji-hoon stood up and clapped their hands in raptures as they were captivated by Im Jin-han’s transformation from a drunken old man to a charismatic musician.

“Wow! You’re so cool, Mr. Lim!”

“Wow, I’m really looking forward to it… … !”

“oh.”

In the end, Jeong In-shin also joined the ranks.

When I came to my senses, Gold Marie was already on stage.

Rising Dive members, including Hyunsoo, are in the audience below the stage.

Ahem.

Ah, ah, ahh―!

Hyung-jin, who took the microphone in place of Mari, who was shaking her head, looks at Hyun-soo below the stage and begins introducing the song that will soon be played.

“Actually, this song… … is a song I really wanted to share with you, my brother, and not anyone else.”

“… … to me?”

“Yes, ‘Winged’… …was the beginning of a question I received from my brother.”

Diriring-

Soon, a monotonous guitar melody begins to play quietly.

Gold Marie, who starts her story with a serious expression, her usual light-hearted demeanor nowhere to be found.

“One day, we were asked a question.”

“Will Gold Marie without Marie still be able to stand on stage?”

“Marie is like the wings that first allowed us to fly when we had nothing.”

“But what if… … those wings fall off? Then will we be able to fly back… … onto the stage?”

Chichichichichichichi.

The hi-hat on the drums announces the introduction of the song.

“This song contains our concerns about him.”

At the same time, Hyungjin handed over the microphone he was holding to Mari.

“Winged, please listen.”

A dull bass performance sinks deep into the depths of the stage.

With Marie’s guitar playing, the bass line that the drums have dropped down on is lifted up and she starts to jump around freely over it.

The song started.

-I’m afraid of flying. I’m afraid of falling. Even though I have wings, I don’t spread them.

―Then one day you said, it’s okay if you don’t spread your wings. You don’t have to fly.

The dark, low-mid range voice meets the bass playing and transforms into an attractive tone.

―Instead, won’t you run with me? Instead of spreading the wings on your shoulders, won’t you lean on me warmly?

– Only then did I realize. What I was afraid of was not the high sky. It wasn’t the dark space.

The dull drums combined with the dreamy guitar melody gently touch the hearts of all who listen to the performance.

-Actually, the reason I didn’t fly was because I didn’t want to fall.

Marie’s appealing tone continued.

―It was because I didn’t want to be separated from you, not from the sky or the universe.

Just leave it open.

Everyone at Rising Dive who listened to her song unconsciously wished that this stage would never end.

Her voice… … made me want to lean into their harmony.

-I just wanted to run around where you were watching.

From the beginning to the end of the stage, the members of Rising Dive were just absorbed in Goldmary’s performance with blank expressions.

“Thank you for listening to the end.”

Below the stage, silence flowed for a while even after the performance ended.

At one moment, Jeong-i Shin and Song-ah Jin opened their mouths at the same time.

“This song is… … .”

“Is this by any chance… … ?”

Soon, two people looking at each other.

“Senior Jeong, do you think the same as me?”

Jeong-i Shin nodded while looking into A-jin’s eyes.

“I think so.”

Continued in the next episode ▶