Chapter 420

Side Story (37)

“PRISM! What’s in My Bag!”

“……”

“……”

“…Huh?”

A brief silence fell after the production staff boldly called out the name of the program, which made its general premise easy enough to guess. And for good reason. Normally, when filming What’s in My Bag, celebrities would be informed beforehand and told to prepare their bags to some extent, since the contents would be filmed. But this time, there had been no warning whatsoever.

In other words, the contents of our bags were completely raw and uncurated.

“…Manager-nim?”

While the Prism members instinctively hugged their bags protectively to their chests, I called out to the manager with a faint smile. The manager, sweating profusely, began explaining the situation.

“You told us to book all the schedules that Seras requested a lot…….”

As it turned out, this program was explosively popular, with any video they uploaded easily getting a million views.

And the secret behind its popularity was barging in on celebrities without giving them any prior notice about the filming schedule, capturing the truly authentic contents of their bags.

‘It seemed like the production team would edit out anything they felt crossed the line too much, but…….’

Honestly, weren’t people at least a little curious about the things celebrities actually carried around when they weren’t advertising or being sponsored to use them? It was also amusing to see celebrities who always looked perfectly put-together in front of the camera get flustered as their completely mundane personal belongings were revealed one by one.

‘And right now, I’m the one who’s flustered.’

In an entertainment industry where everything was an advertisement or sponsorship, it was only natural for a program that emphasized authenticity to become hugely popular.

To give an idea of how unscripted the filming is: if a guest didn’t bring a bag, they would simply rummage through the contents of their manager’s bag or the center console of their car and end the shoot that way. After all, celebrities who didn’t normally carry bags kept all the things they needed there anyway.

[“Wait, hold on. You’re seriously only filming this? This isn’t even a bag! You got my half-eaten snacks on camera, what is this?!”]

[“Yes. We’re seriously only filming this.”]

Wasn’t that what made it genuine, after all?

It was honestly funny when someone who normally didn’t even carry a bag around suddenly brought along a luxury handbag just because they were filming.

I’ve heard rumors that an agency didn’t trust its celebrity, they would give them a little advance warning and have them pretend to be genuinely surprised ……. but our company was such an honest and wonderful company that it seemed that definitely wasn’t an option for us.

‘Besides, apparently it was way too obvious when celebrities were acting, and the comments weren’t particularly kind.’

It shouldn’t be a big problem.

…Probably.

[Let’s start with the eldest member, Seo Yutae-ssi.]

I looked at the monitor displaying the production team’s instructions and immediately pulled myself together before continuing with the shoot.

“Ah, I didn’t expect us to be thrown into this kind of filming so suddenly … still, I guess we lucked out. Because I don’t usually carry a bag around. More than 60% of the time, I just walk around with my phone in my pocket, but thankfully I have a bag with me today.”

“We almost had the world’s first What’s in My Pocket segment.”

“Be quiet, Lee Chise.”

Why were people so curious about what was inside other people’s bags?

Did this … really make you happy, Seras?

I just don’t get it…….

“Yes, first up, there’s my phone. And when it comes to phones, Stella is the way to go, haha.”

I took out the phone from the brand I was currently promoting, gave a thumbs-up, and delivered the brand’s signature slogan, causing laughter to erupt around the set. Usually, even when celebrities endorsed a brand, they often used a different product in their personal lives, but I was stubbornly loyal to this brand and this brand only.

[As expected of the brand ambassador, you really use it in your everyday life.]

“I’ve been using only Stella products since I was young … so I couldn’t really get used to phones from other brands.”

Because this phone was manufactured by Sanghwa Electronics, a flagship subsidiary of the Sanghwa Group.

Even if I hadn’t been their advertising model, I would have continued using it anyway, since Choi Jeokhyeon had been putting this phone in my hands ever since I was a student.

If I used a competitor’s product, I’d have to face that meaningful stare from Choi Jeokhyeon. No, perhaps he would even drag the employees of Sanghwa Electronics over and make me explain, right in front of them, every single reason from A to Z why I had chosen a competitor’s phone. And he’d do it for the purely genuine purpose of wanting to make improvements.

‘That’s what makes it even scarier. What did his subordinates even do wrong?’

Sitting there awkwardly while Choe Jeonghyeon’s employees stood before me looking like criminals was an experience I had no desire to repeat.

[You’ve been serving as the brand ambassador for Stella for several years now. What’s the secret behind your longevity as their model?]

Sanghwa Group was famous for only casting the biggest stars of the era for its advertisements.

Therefore, the most important thing was maintaining the highest level of recognition and a successful career. Celebrities who had reached that level could, after all, effortlessly pull off whatever trendy, sophisticated image Sanghwa Group demanded.

In other words, I wasn’t simply holding onto this position because I happened to be Choi Jeokhyeon’s acquaintance.

Every time he looked at me with an attitude that practically said, “Of course you’ll be able to renew the contract, right?”, I ended up thinking, “Fine. I’ll definitely do it. I’ll get it done even if it kills me.” Was it because I was just too simple-minded?

“I I simply strive to be someone who fits the brand’s image.”

The moment I said that with a fake smile, the members of Prism, who had been grinning mischievously, immediately started running their mouths.

“He says that while using a wallet phone case.”

“Booooo. Old man vibes.”

“Even my dad doesn’t use a wallet case these days.”

…….

So what if I use a wallet case?

It’s so convenient because I don’t have to carry a separate wallet around.

Come to think of it, I’d never actually seen anyone around me use a wallet case. The only person close to me who was older than me was Choi Jeokhyeon, and didn’t that bastard just carry his phone around completely bare, without even a case? Meanwhile, the Prism guys seemed to use either flashy, expensive cases or ones with built-in power bank batteries.

“Wow, look at this hyung’s card. Yoohoo, it’s black.”

Nam Yihwon rummaged through the phone case as though he were excavating an ancient artifact, then pulled out a black card with a smug grin, as if he’d found something worth teasing me about. Then, as though they had rehearsed it beforehand, the other members stuck their heads out like a flock of pigeons, huddling together and whispering among themselves.

“Oh, looks like he’s got some money. Is he rich?”

“Why does he use a black card when he doesn’t even shop that much?”

“Even his card is Sanghwa, as expected. He must own stock in Sanghwa.”

“That hyung can’t do stocks or anything like that. He says it makes his head hurt.”

“…Why are there so many malicious comments over a single phone case?”

When I snapped in irritation, the members pretended to cover their mouths with an “Oops”, then snickered and backed away. It was ridiculous how they were teasing me while they themselves used black cards and conveniently kept quiet about that part.

[They say black cards can’t be used for small purchases. Is that true?]

I tilted my head at the production team’s question that appeared on the monitor again.

“…I don’t think so? These days, I think it works fine as long as you’re not using some really old card reader.”

“Not really.”

“No? We’ve used that hyung’s card to buy coffee and stuff all the time.”

The other members rattled off answers one after another in my place, leaving the production team momentarily flustered before they threw out another question.

[Does Yutae-ssi buy things for the members often?]

TReading the prompt on the screen, the members locked eyes with a spark, then deliberately put on serious expressions.

“Prism’s absolute golden rule. The younger members never take out their wallets.”

“Even when it’s not Yutae hyung, the oldest person at the time pays.”

[Then Jay-ssi and Yuseong-ssi must hardly ever have to pay.]

“Pretty much, right? But Yuseong rarely ever asks for anything in the first place.”

“Yoo Jay does?”

“Yoo Jay does…….”

“Yoo Jay films a lot of commercials, so he must be making quite a bit of money … well, that’s just how it ended up.”

Hearing what Prism’s hyung line said, envious reactions burst out from the production team.

[Jay-ssi, living as the youngest member of Prism must be really nice!”]

“No, I make my own money now, so I also want to pay for things sometimes. But whenever I take out my card, the hyungs keep making fun of me, so I don’t like it.”

But Yoo Jay shook his head as though that assumption were absolutely ridiculous, his eyes turning cold as he bluntly stated his complaint. At that, the whole group—except Seo Yuseong and Jo Inchan—burst out laughing and started rubbing Yoo Jay’s head and cheeks.

“Aww, are you upset?”

“Right. You make money now too, huh?”

“Don’t get cocky.”

The members tried to comfort him like they always did, but perhaps that only made him feel worse, because Yoo Jay frowned and abruptly turned his head away.

“…Forget it. Let’s talk about something else.”

Seeing how obviously sulky he looked caused the set to erupt in laughter once again, after which filming resumed.

Next, I dumped out a whole pile of supplements that had been swimming at the bottom of my bag onto the table.

[That’s quite a lot of supplements.]

“To be honest, I don’t really know what they’re supposed to do. I’m actually pretty healthy, so I don’t pay much attention to supplements … but since someone gives them to me and tells me to take them, I just take them.”

[Who gave them to you?]

“I don’t know if you’ll know, but there’s this person named Lee Saehwa. He’s our CEO.”

When I awkwardly mentioned the name Lee Saehwa, the production team looked at me with expressions that seemed to say, ‘How on earth could we not know who he is?’. Feeling a little embarrassed, I pretended not to notice their reaction and plowed ahead with my explanation.

“Ahem, he sends them to me regularly. There are so many health supplements at my place that it makes me wonder if I’m living in a pharmacy. And even when I tell him to stop sending them, he doesn’t listen ……. I’m not very good at keeping track of this kind of thing, so every time I finish one, Yuseong fills my bag back up with a new one.”

Why did saying it like that make me sound like such a high-maintenance person?

Feeling strangely self-conscious, I cleared my throat again and rummaged through my bag.

“Next is … my car key. It belongs to me, but I’m not the one who drives it. Usually, it’s driven by one of the members, my manager, or a close acquaintance. Seo Yuseong completely scratched up the side while parking recently. Yes, I’m planning to send it in for repairs soon.”

[It’s quite an expensive car. Weren’t you angry?]

“…Angry? It’s just a car ……. as long as he didn’t get hurt, that’s all that matters.”

[Who would Seo Yutae pick as Prism’s best driver?]

“Jo Inchan. He’s very calm and steady. His cornering is smooth, too.”

The moment his name came straight from my mouth, Jo Inchan broke into a beaming smile.

It was such a simple thing, yet he smiled so brightly, just like a happy Golden Retriever, that I was startled.

‘What a relief, he really seems to have recovered a lot lately.’

“I’m not sure about the other members. Maybe because they’re young, but I think they drive a little recklessly. As for Cha Woon … he worries so much that I feel like whoever’s riding with him ends up getting nervous too.”

“Wow, I feel betrayed. After I drove all the way to pick you up and drop you off every single time?”

“Honestly, I’m better than Chise-hyung at driving. Right?”

“Definitely not.”

The other members complained about why they hadn’t been picked, but I casually ignored them. Though, I did feel a tiny bit sorry for Cha Woon, who looked a little dejected.

“This is toothpaste, a toothbrush, and dental floss.”

[What brand are they?]

“…Brand? I don’t really … I just use whatever we have at home.”

What brand does toothpaste even need to have? You just pick up whatever has high fluoride at the supermarket.

When I stared into the camera with a look of pure confusion, another wave of laughter burst out from behind the scenes.

‘Did I say something weird?’

Before I could voice the question, the production team managed to stop laughing and moved on to the next question.

[You’re famously known for for brushing your teeth a lot. (Several screenshots from broadcasts showing Seo Yutae brushing his teeth). How many times a day do you brush your teeth?]

“I think about five times a day.”

[Is there a reason why you brush your teeth so often?]

“……”

Because I smoke.

… Obviously, that wasn’t something I could say in front of the cameras.

I gave another thumbs-up and smiled brightly at the camera.

“I just think it’s good to stay clean.”

“What’s the point of lying when you’re going to get caught by your lighter and cigarette pack anyway?”

I ended up pinching Nam Yihwon in the side.

And since it was already getting exposed anyway, I quietly took out my deodorant and perfume as well.

“……”

The members immediately stuck their faces in one after another to smell them, then nodded and chattered among themselves.

“Yeah, when you mix these two, that’s what Yutae-hyung smells like.”

“That hyung always smells this refreshing even when he changes his perfume. His taste is so consistent. Look, it even says ‘Cool Aqua’ on the deodorant.”

They were having way too much fun.

The members seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely, but I wasn’t so sure.

‘…Seras, is this actually entertaining to watch? Well, as long as you guys are happy, that’s all that matters…….’

I smiled with my soul completely dried out and bowed my head toward the camera.

“Yes, that’s everything inside my bag.”

My belongings were pretty unremarkable, so my segment wrapped up quickly, but the other members seemed to carry around an entire mountain of belongings, like turtles with their houses on their backs. Just thinking about how much longer filming would continue made me feel dizzy.

---

You can support this translation through Buy Me a Coffee -`♡´-

Translator’s Corner:

We’re done with the sad things (for now?) and back to happy Yutae daily life 😉

But tbh … I actually never find What’s in My Bag content entertaining … probably because in real life, most of them are sponsored…..

Please take good care of your body, everyone. I swear something is wrong with the weather and air because I kept getting sick …. even I still has runny nose while writing this. Is this the heatwave? I felt like the heat getting worse everyday … there’s no rain too. Though I hope the rain waits a bit more too. Stray cats have been running around my rooftop and they messed up the rooftiles position, so I will be in a lot of trouble if it suddenly rains asdfghjkl I haven’t had the chances to fix them since I’m sick.

Anyway, that’s for the life update. Have you guys been well?

Thank you swyw511 for supporting the Wishlist!

(Actually I was wondering if you sent it wrong since there’s no messages, but thank you so much …. it gave me a lot of breathing room, especially since I suddenly got sick for too long. May you always be healthy and happy, and everyone who reads this too!)