Chapter 102…
Promise.
He went bungee jumping.
My heart dropped — thankfully, it didn’t stop.
But then, saying it was fun, he jumped two more times.
“Kyahaha!”
“Hey… isn’t that Woo Soo-han?”
“Is he filming a reality show or something?”
[No. Please ignore us.]
Watching my own body bounce around from a third-person view was maddening.
To make matters worse, more and more people recognized me.
Still, maybe because of the “image” I’d built up over time, no one looked at me too weirdly.
Lately, I’d been crossing off items from Yeon-joo’s bucket list whenever I had spare time.
Of course, I didn’t have much time to spare.
Since the movie had become a hit, I’d been busy with stage greetings and the occasional variety show.
And on those shows, I at least managed to appear normal this time.
Thanks to that, the articles about me were actually flattering:
“Woo Soo-han’s unfiltered charm!”
“Woo Soo-han’s natural talk!”
Though apparently that “natural” part meant “primitive.”
They just dressed it up nicely in print.
Anyway, splitting my time like this meant fulfilling Yeon-joo’s bucket list was turning into a hectic schedule.
After bungee jumping, our next stop was the amusement park.
To be honest, I’d kind of wanted to come myself.
[Do we really have to ride this?]
“Yes! I’ve wanted to ride it for so long!”
The problem was, we were standing in front of the roller coaster.
Specifically — Yeon-joo, me, and Gam-dong.
“Why am I here again…?”
“You’re the guardian!”
Sure, I could’ve come alone — but I’m a public figure now.
Coming by myself would look strange, so I dragged them along.
In trying to help her “find peace,” I was the one suffering.
[This doesn’t seem related to enlightenment.]
“Can’t you think of it as a gift?”
[You’re even rhyming now.]
“Dehet!”
[Stop sticking out your tongue! Look—people are taking pictures!]
“What are you two even doing…”
Gam-dong just looked at us like he couldn’t understand a thing.
Ah… and someone’s filming, too. Great.
Guess today’s trending clip will feature me again.
…No, why am I even happy about that?!
Even if I’m shameless, embarrassment is still embarrassment.
In the end, my body was strapped into the roller coaster.
At this point, it’d be worse to back out.
Clunk!
“Kyaaa!”
“Ugh!”
Oh, it’s moving.
Gam-dong’s face brightened—wait, is that paling?
Come to think of it, this wasn’t so bad.
If I let her experience the fear indirectly, maybe she’d try it herself later.
Clack-clack-clack-clack…
“Waaah, we’re going up!”
“Uuugh, Grandma! I’m coming!”
[Shut it, Gam-dong! You’re not going anywhere!]
The coaster slowly climbed to the top and stopped.
[Did it… break?]
Honestly, that wouldn’t have been the worst outcome.
If it stopped here, we’d get rescued, and the ride would close forever. Perfect ending.
Click.
Huh? It’s moving… faster?!
Shrrrraaaaa!
“GYAAAAAAAH!”
“KYYYYAAAH!”
[Stop making dolphin noises with my mouth!!]
The roller coaster shot forward at insane speed, dropping straight down like we’d fallen off a cliff.
I glanced over at Gam-dong — white face, big smile. He’s laughing?
You’re enjoying this?!
“Ha… hahahahaha!”
Gam-dong was laughing.
“Kyahahahaha!”
And Yeon-joo was laughing too.
At this point, I couldn’t help but ask—
[You having fun?]
“It’s so funnnn!”
The wind swallowed her voice.
Jeez, did she have to yell so loud?
“Switch! Switch! It’s really fun, you know?”
[Oh yeah?]
While we were still racing, Yeon-joo excitedly offered to switch control.
I looked again—Gam-dong was laughing with his mouth wide open.
“Hehehe!”
Guess he really was enjoying it.
[Alright then, let’s switch for a—]
“Eeeeeeek!”
My body suddenly felt weightless.
Time itself seemed to slip backward.
Finally, I could clearly see Gam-dong’s face.
[It’s fun, right?!]
“KYAAAAA!”
“Ehehehe…”
He wasn’t happy.
He’d lost his mind.
I shouted with the last of my strength—
“Sw–switch back!!”
[Sweet!]
As Yeon-joo re-entered my body, the world slowed down.
And for a brief instant, I saw myself on that speeding coaster, racing forward.
So this is what an out-of-body experience feels like.
Park Yu-cheon, my manager, spoke with a grave look.
“Is marketing lacking?”
“No.”
“Then why the hell are you two—”
Jo Gam-dong and I stared silently at the tablet he’d placed down.
“…Just as I thought.”
“Uh, Mr. Park?”
I turned away, embarrassed.
The tablet was filled with viral clips of “Gam-dong and Woo Soo-han.”
From me running while Gam-dong chased with murder in his eyes,
to me nearly delirious after the roller coaster.
Sure, my body didn’t act disgracefully—
but when I’d said, ‘Mister, can we ride again~?’ in a cutesy tone…
that clip hit 5 million views under the title:
“Top actor Woo Soo-han’s shocking aegyo!”
That was more than our movie’s total ticket sales.
“Wow, it’s trending!”
“Yeah, my soul is on fire. I’m getting texts asking if you two are dating. My heart’s the thing burning here.”
“……”
I was starting to regret speaking casually with him.
“There’s a reason for this, actually…”
“What reason.”
I explained the “Yeon-joo enlightenment mission.”
Park sighed deeply.
“Seriously… I guess it’s better than you getting kidnapped again, but still…”
“Better two than one, right?”
“Then why are you always walking arm in arm?”
“That’s because Yeon-joo—”
“Can anyone else see this Yeon-joo?”
“…Oh! Right.”
Park rubbed his temples.
The scene reminded me of some old drama.
“Be careful. Keep this up and you’ll die. I’ll have to exorcise you next.”
“Please. Just call me when that happens.”
“You want dating rumors with me?”
“Stop!”
“Then should I go out with Si-yeon sunbae instead? Dilute the rumors?”
Gam-dong smacked his palm like I’d just invented fire.
Park, however, glared coldly.
“And what about her image as an actress?”
“How bad could it get just from hanging out with me—”
He shoved the tablet in my face and scrolled down.
“Director and actor—or lovers?”
“Comedy duo?”
“New hidden-camera show?”
“Psychiatrist Dr. Jung @@ suspects actor Woo Soo-han may suffer from dissociative identity disorder. Offers free consultation if he visits.”
“Oh? Free checkup?”
“Sigh. Put the bucket list on hold for now. Until we hit 5 million viewers, keep it quiet.”
“Yes, sir.”
Gam-dong and I had no choice but to bow our heads.
[It’s fine!]
“That’s good.”
Even though the “bucket list” was banned for now, Yeon-joo seemed happy.
Well, she had done quite a few of her wishes in a short time.
Plus, after all those snacks she’d eaten through my body, I’d actually gained weight for the first time.
Who knew my body could even put on weight?
Of course, Park hyung snapped at me, saying it must be the off-season.
[That promise, though.]
“What about it?”
[Can I come too?]
“Uh… to see your senior?”
[Hehe. That, and it sounds fun.]
“Sure, why not.”
At least she didn’t seem disappointed.
A few days later, we went to Hongdae to fulfill our five-million-views promise.
“Should’ve done promotions here from the start. So many people.”
The place was packed — street performers singing and dancing everywhere.
As soon as we started setting up for our busking performance, a crowd gathered.
[It’s unni!]
“Oh…”
Yeo Si-yeon appeared, in full stage makeup.
“Wow…”
She looked completely different from her usual actress image — almost idol-like.
Age thirty, yet glowing like a trainee again.
“Hyung!”
“Who are you?”
“Heheheh!”
And Ju-hwan—this kid really was idol material.
How had someone with that face ever been called a failed idol?
No wonder the idol scene was a battlefield.
“Wow, hyung, you look like a singer!”
“Hmph.”
I’d gotten a proper stage makeover too.
“But really, five million already, huh.”
“Yeah. Every morning I see Gam-dong’s grin and nearly jump.”
“Why?”
“He looks like the Joker. His mouth almost reaches his ears.”
“Pfft—haha!”
Gam-dong had been on cloud nine lately.
Honestly, so was I — the revenue share from the movie felt worth it.
These days, I even bragged to my old mentor —
“You made money thanks to me, didn’t you?”
Back when I was broke, my luck was garbage.
Now, it felt like it was exploding.
“Are you ready?”
The staff approached.
Ju-hwan and Si-yeon both looked nervous.
Why were they nervous now?
“Hey! Pull yourselves together before I start singing hymns and Buddhist chants back-to-back!”
“Please don’t.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll do great.”
They straightened up instantly. Good.
I moved toward the keyboard and winked at Yeon-joo.
[Waaaah!]
She clapped like a seal from the front row.
Being a ghost must be convenient—no tickets, front-row access to every concert.
“Hello everyone! We’re Dream Evil Salvation Band!”
The crowd erupted.
“Anyone here still hasn’t seen our movie?!”
Such blasphemy!
Hands went up everywhere.
“You with your hands up—come watch it! Got it?!”
“Yes!”
Well, it’s free anyway.
The staff handed out tickets — courtesy of my old mentor.
“Alright then—let’s go!”
Yeah, let’s have fun.
My fingers hit the keys.
[Wow… I’m jealous.]
Jo Yeon-joo watched Woo Soo-han and the two actors busking, feeling a pang of envy.
Her gaze lingered especially on Yeo Si-yeon.
[Unni’s good.]
She was happy that Si-yeon had finally broken free from CEO Jang Sang-su.
And grateful to Soo-han for punishing that man on her behalf.
She was just… thankful for everything.
He’d said it was for her enlightenment, but she knew — he’d just been keeping her company so she wouldn’t feel sad.
And maybe, just maybe, while doing that… she might actually ascend someday.
Still, living with Soo-han, she sometimes thought —
maybe staying as a ghost like this wouldn’t be so bad.
At least she wasn’t lonely.
But she knew that wasn’t right.
[Oh… I know this song.]
After Ju-hwan sang one of his old idol tracks, Si-yeon took the mic.
Then, a familiar melody played.
It was a song Yeon-joo used to sing and dance to during practice days.
Her mouth opened instinctively to join in—
but she stopped, smiling softly instead,
and clapped along, cheering for Soo-han and Si-yeon on stage.
