Rebirth: King to Superstar

Choe Kwan nodded and said while patting Joon-won, "That's good. From what I see, your body is fit but still very weak. If you continue whatever you are doing, you'll end up being a skeleton. With a trainer, he can give you advice on what to eat so that you can gain some weight and what exercises to follow to turn that weight into muscle. I promise you won't regret that decision."

"I also hope I won't regret it." Joon-won nodded.

"Alright, we can talk about the rest of the money, after a complete week, when you are satisfied with the facility and are willing to pay the money. Right, before I forget, we also have a student discount here. Are you a student?" to which Joon-won immediately nodded. He was happy if he could save money. 

"Right, then, that is great. When you are going to pay the money, then bring your student ID along with you. We provide a 15 percent discount to students. So do you want to start your week trail from today? Or tomorrow?" 

Joon-won thought for a second before looking at his phone for the time. Noticing that there wasn't much time left, he shook his head and said, "No, I'll join from tomorrow. I need to go right now." 

"Alright then, when you come tomorrow, come directly into my office. I'll introduce you to a trainer for this one week and then you can get started. Sounds good?" Choe Kwan nodded and asked Joon-won. Joon-won nodded and got out of the gym. 

He kept his headphones back on and started jogging back to his apartment. He was honestly every satisfied with the gym. Even though he didn't know most of the machines there, he still felt it was enough for his current budget. He eventually did a few exercises in his living room before getting ready for work. 

Joon-won got to work and stood behind the counter after changing into his uniform. He looked at Eum Kyung in front of him, who asked him, "What were you up to yesterday? You didn't miss a single day for 2 weeks and suddenly broke your streak." 

Joon-won shrugged and replied, "I was at a party on Sunday and got hungover pretty badly. So before I went to sleep, I sent a message to the boss to give me a leave if possible and if not to call me. Lucky for me, Gah Soo was there to cover me." 

Eum Kyung nodded and said while patting his shoulder, "Well it's good to party at your age but don't party on a Sunday. Party on a Friday, you won't come in on Saturdays, anyway." Joon-won nodded, and Eum Kyung left. He continued to serve the customers and took a rest when Gah Soo came in. 

After the morning rush was done, both of them sat on their chairs and Joon-won said, "Thanks for covering me yesterday. I was pretty hungover and couldn't come." 

Gah Soo shook her hand and replied, "Nah, it's ok. I already told you yesterday through text. You covered for me and then I covered for you. So it's even. No need for thanks and everything. How is your drama house thing going on? Will you act this weekend?" 

Joon-won shook his head and replied, "I don't know yet. I will audition for the main role in for this Sunday's drama this Wednesday and if the boss picks me, I'll act in the drama." 

"Tell, me if you will act. If you do, then I'll try to book a few tickets so that I can come and watch the show. It'll be exciting." 

Joon-won nodded and said, "Sure, I'll tell you on Wednesday if I get the role or not. So don't worry. Right, how are your studies going on? I heard from the boss that you had assignments and exams coming up." 

As soon as he asked that question he could see her become tired and she replied, "Yeah man, exams are so tiring. There are still a couple of days to go and I should be fine but it's huge pressure for us. I feel jealous of you art students in general. I mean, I understand even your exams might be tough for you, but for us, from the outside, they seem easier. I mean see your exam, most of you will pass because the drama is a collective effort from everyone. I just wish everything ends quickly. I last year would be more fun because of the practical elements in it." 

Joon-won shook his head and said, "Well, exams are meant to be tough and challenging for the students. So if they aren't hard then it means they don't serve their purpose. Even our exams are pretty tough because the judges observe pretty much everyone on the stage and can spot the mistakes people make. Just grind through them and before you see it, they will be done." 

"Yes, I also hope they will be done quickly. But unlike you guys, we also have shorter holidays. It's only a month for us. Our exams end by the end of this month and the holidays are for one month before they open for a new semester in July." she slumped her shoulders again. 

Joon-won couldn't say anything to that and simply patted the girl's shoulder before wishing her good luck and continuing on with work. He got out of the store by 1 and had to go to the auditorium by 3 to report which roles they are going to audition for. 

Joon-won wanted to eat something more fulfilling instead of the supermarket food he eats every day and decided to go to the ramen shop Jung-hwa took him before. He walked towards the university and quickly found the ramen shop. He went in and ordered a large bowl of beef noodles. 

He sat there on the table alone and enjoyed his food in silence. It has been a long time since he was able to enjoy food outside, in a restaurant, in silence. Every time he eats outside there is either Jung-hwa or Hea-Jung who were the two biggest chatterboxes he knew in the world. 

Remembering Hea-Jung, he sent her a text asking how she was doing in the movie set. He remembered her telling him that the film shooting will start back on Saturday or Sunday and thought whether she would be able to reply. But as soon as he sent it, he received a reply. 

[Little brother, I am hugely disappointed in you. You didn't even send me a text on the day of my shooting to know if I am doing well or not. I thought you will send me a text yesterday itself. I am deeply disappointed in you.] and sent a few angry emojis along with it. 

Joon-won then understood her shooting started yesterday itself. He thought for a second on how to reply and simply told her that he was busy with the drama house, as there was a performance. 

[Do not try to lie to me. I am more knowledgeable than you when it comes to how the Roses Drama house functions. You were only in charge of the costumes last week. So you do not have much work at all during the actual event. Now apart from forgetting to wish me, you are even lying.] and sent a few crying emojis this time. 

Joon-won sighed and kinda regretted sending her a message. He quickly apologized and promised her lunch when she comes back. Before she could reply to that message he sent another asking how her shooting went on Sunday.

[Alright then, I will hold on to this lunch you are promising me. My first day is not bad, but it was very boring. I only had one small shot, but I had to stay almost the whole day, waiting for that stupid director to call me up for the scene. I mean, he could have sent me back and called me half an hour before he was going to shoot it. But that idiot made me stay the whole day. I was so pissed.]

[Right there was also another irritating guy on set. He also plays some minor role in the movie and he was trying so hard to flirt with me. I wanted to slap his face]

Before he could reply to the first message, she sent another message, which made him almost spill the noodles he had in his mouth. He couldn't believe that someone wanted to flirt with the devil. He immediately sent a text back, hoping she didn't really go for it. 

[Of course, I didn't go for it. I am not that dumb. That guy is more experienced than me. I asked around and people told me he acted in 2 other movies. So compared to him, I'm still a little less accomplished. Just let him wait till I have a few successful movies under my belt, I'll squash him like a bug he is.]