Chapter 12: An Awkward First Encounter

The next day.

Inside the SEM conference room.

The projector buzzed softly, and the face of Mark, the representative from Universal Pictures, broke into pixelated mosaic on the screen.

“The first Despicable Me movie grossed 1.18 billion Korean won in the Peninsula, and Gru’s voice actor only got 1 million? According to the Korean Voice Actors Association standards, the minimum pay should be 2 million…”

Mark’s electronic voice crackled with static:

“Mr. Kang is a newcomer with zero voice acting experience.”

Kim Da-won spoke offhandedly:

“But he has the potential of a Chungmuro reserve.”

With that, he shoved a screenshot of a theater news headline in front of the camera: “Trending on social media for 7 hours—this saves you 5 million in publicity costs.”

Kang Jae-hoon swallowed hard:

“Actually, 1 million is already…”

Before he could finish, Kim Mi-hye’s high-heeled shoe accurately struck his calf:

“We want the priority rights for the Korean version of the Gru character for any subsequent IP.”

Mark’s virtual background wavered:

“Universal Pictures prefers long-term partnerships with professional voice actors.”

“Paying a professional voice actor 1 million?”

Suddenly, the video froze, then after a moment, the Universal representative relented:

“The priority rights are limited to animated films only.”

Kang Jae-hoon nervously fiddled with the wood grain of the conference table, receiving another precise kick from Kim Mi-hye’s heels:

“Smile, nod.”

He immediately straightened his back and forced a businesslike smile, resembling an automatic door welcoming customers at a convenience store.

The video call ended.

Kim Da-won kicked his swivel chair:

“Damn, they’re so stingy.”

Kim Mi-hye shook her head:

“Still better than MBC’s cross-dressing roles.”

Kang Jae-hoon rubbed his nose and muttered:

“Actually, 1 million is enough to cover three months’ rent…”

“Shut up!”

The two said in unison.

With that, Kang Jae-hoon’s first formal job was settled.

The contract details would be handled entirely by Kim Da-won.

***

May 4th.

The day of recording for Despicable Me 2.

Early morning.

Kang Jae-hoon bounced around in tight leather pants by the entrance, causing Lee Sung-kyung, who was brushing her teeth, to peek out from the bathroom:

“Are you going to do voice acting or dance the horse-riding dance?”

“Da-won said wearing the same leather pants as Gru helps me get into character... Ah, they’re so tight!”

His sight in tight leather pants was enough to make Lee Sung-kyung scowl and slam the door shut.

When the zipper finally struggled its way up to his hipbone, Kim Da-won’s second-hand Kia honked five times downstairs.

Kang Jae-hoon hopped on one foot toward the entrance:

“I’m off!”

“Bang—”

In the car, Kim Da-won glanced at his tightly cinched waist and said:

“Are you sure you can sit down and do voice acting like that?”

“You picked the pants, don’t ask me.”

Kim Da-won smirked, one hand on the steering wheel:

“I bought it based on your teacher’s waist size. Who told you your butt is more lifted than his?”

“...Bro, how much did you pay for these pants? I feel like the quality is…”

“Street stall in Dongdaemun. 7,500 won.”

As the car tires rolled over a speed bump, the seam of Kang Jae-hoon’s leather pants let out a strained “creak.”

The second-hand Kia turned out of the alley.

Kim Da-won glanced in the rearview mirror at Kang Jae-hoon secretly undoing his zipper:

“By the way, the roles of Gru’s two daughters will be recorded alongside Kim Taeyeon and Im Yoon-ah.”

Kang Jae-hoon paused mid-action: “The Girls’ Generation one?”

“Who else?”

In 2013, Girls’ Generation dominated South Korea’s music charts; even convenience store speakers kept looping “I Got A Boy.”

Early May coincided with the tail end of “I Got A Boy” promotions.

The members were appearing on various variety shows and events to maintain their popularity.

***

The fluorescent lights flickered incessantly down the hallway of the Apgujeong recording studio.

Kang Jae-hoon carried his script, rubbing his legs together as he shuffled to the door of the lounge and knocked:

“I’m Kang Jae-hoon, participating in the voice recording today.”

He bowed ninety degrees toward the person inside.

When he looked up, he caught sight of Im Yoon-ah’s delicate face turning toward the sound.

—She was even slimmer in person than on TV.

Her long hair loosely tied in a ponytail, bare-faced and glowing under the fluorescent light. Her sweatshirt sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing a silver bracelet wrapped around her wrist bones.

Im Yoon-ah stood and returned the bow, then extended her hand:

“I’m Im Yoon-ah, responsible for voicing Edith.”

“Nice to meet you.”

As they shook hands, her gaze flicked over Kang Jae-hoon’s taut leather pants, a faint smile curling her lips:

“Your outfit... really captures the character.”

“Th-thank you, senior!”

“This is my first time doing voice work too, so I wouldn’t call myself a senior.”

With that, Im Yoon-ah released his hand and stepped aside.

Kang Jae-hoon awkwardly shuffled inside.

Just as he settled onto a folding chair, the seam of his leather pants finally gave way with a crisp “rip.”

“……”

Im Yoon-ah paused mid-twist opening a water bottle, glancing sideways at his embarrassed figure:

“Do you want me to call someone to help...?”

“No need! I’m going to the restroom!”

Kang Jae-hoon stood, crab-walking sideways toward the door.

Meanwhile, the rip along his pants grew wider with every step, resembling a flounder gasping with its mouth open.

Just then, Kim Taeyeon pushed open the door holding her script:

“Yoon-ah, the PD said we start in ten minutes... pfft!”

She suddenly turned to the wall, stifling laughter, her shoulders shaking like a phone on vibrate.

***

Kang Jae-hoon: “……”

Honestly, he never imagined meeting the face and lead singer of Girls’ Generation for the first time in such a ridiculous scene.

If he could do it again,

he definitely wouldn’t have listened to Kim Da-won’s advice about the leather pants.

“Uh... wait.”

Just as he was lost in thought, Im Yoon-ah spoke to stop him.

“Tie it around your waist.”

Kang Jae-hoon stared dumbfounded at the denim jacket she handed him:

“How is this going to help...?”

“If you want everyone to see your elephantine underwear... ahem, you can always choose not to take the role.”

“……”

Kang Jae-hoon clutched the jacket’s sleeve and wrapped it around his waist three times, but his fingers trembled so much he couldn’t tie the knot.

“Unexpected things happen all the time; don’t be nervous.”

Im Yoon-ah’s voice was like a breeze sliding through an automatic door—neither warm nor cold, yet somehow grounding. Kang Jae-hoon’s fingers regained feeling, and he twisted the denim into a crooked bow at his hip.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

As Kang Jae-hoon left the lounge, he heard Kim Taeyeon’s low murmur behind him:

“His butt is even more lifted than Senior Rain’s…”

“Rip—”

The tear along his pants suddenly widened to three finger-widths.

***

Back in the second-hand Kia.

“Bro! Look at this cheap street stall junk you bought!”

Kang Jae-hoon tugged at the rip in his pants, gesturing:

“Even Teacher Hwang Jung-min’s underwear is sturdier than this!”

Kim Da-won, toothpick in mouth, glanced up:

“How was I supposed to know your butt is more lifted than fried chicken…? Whose jacket is that?”

“Im Yoon-ah’s.”

Kang Jae-hoon changed pants as he spoke: “Didn’t expect her to be so kind in private.”

“Well, you should thank me for giving you the chance to work with Girls’ Generation’s face.”

“I’d rather not have it!”

“Clatter—”

After changing, Kang Jae-hoon grabbed Im Yoon-ah’s denim jacket and opened the car door.

He took two steps, then inexplicably turned back, folding the jacket neatly and placing it back in the car.

Kim Da-won, still holding his toothpick, looked at him in surprise:

“You… have this quirk?”

“It has to be cleaned before I give it back!”

“Oh…”

When Kang Jae-hoon hurried back to the recording studio, the whole corridor echoed with the director’s roar from inside the conference room:

“Where’s Gru? First day and already late?!”

Kang Jae-hoon was about to push the door open and explain.

But then he heard Im Yoon-ah’s gentle voice from inside:

“I’m really sorry, Director-nim. I accidentally spilled water on his pants...”