* * *

Mom put the papers back on the table and said,

“I’m worried because my little Kongja is becoming too famous. Do you know? You have a fan club now?”

Huh?

What did I do to have a fan club?

Isn’t that something only idols have?

Well, I’ve heard actors have them too…

I’ve never experienced it, so I didn’t know.

“It seems a lot of people like you. Do you know what your fans call themselves?”

I tilted my head.

Mom smiled and said,

“People who like you call themselves ‘Gomja.'”

But ‘Gomja’…

Is it because my name is Kongja (Kongja)?

There could be a better name.

Why ‘Gom’?

It sounded kind of religious.

That’s a bit solemn.

Why such a nickname?

“Because I’m your mom, they call me Grandmother.”

I frowned a little.

Am I some kind of saint now?

It’s nonsense.

It feels like blasphemy.

I found it strange, but Mom seemed pleased.

Mom hugged me tightly and laughed brightly.

“My little Kongja is so popular. But remember, popularity is a double-edged sword. Always stay humble. Mom would be really sad if you changed because of fame.”

I nodded. She was absolutely right.

“There are so many stars who got arrogant and lost everything in one blow.”

The public can be forgiving but sometimes ruthless.

“Who likes a show-off anyway?”

I held Mom’s hand and said,

“I’ll stay humble!”

“Oh, my angel. Don’t forget that. Even if you get cocky, I can always make you humble again.”

Oh.

“How are you going to make me humble?”

I blinked. Mom smiled and picked up the papers on the table.

“My little Kongja, you’re so famous that we’re getting a lot of commercial offers.”

I nodded.

“Mom usually turns them down because she doesn’t want you to be overexposed, but this one is hard to refuse.”

What is it? Is it from designer Jang Lily again?

Mom sighed deeply and said,

“It’s a national promotional commercial. It seems like all the famous people in Korea will be in it.”

Ah!

“Come to think of it, we’ve filmed something like this before!”

It was quite a hot topic.
Mom flipped through the papers. I glanced at it and saw it was a storyboard.

“Mom is worried.”

Why?

“Both you and I got offers. But my role is just to shoot a gun.”

I looked at the scene Mom was talking about. It showed her loading a rifle.

“Is it because of ‘City of the Dead’?”

I heard that movie did well in North America.

“It’s not for nothing that it opened the door for Korean zombie movies.”

Because of that image, they’re asking Mom for this.
Mom turned to another scene. It showed a child running in a field.

“Ah, this must be my part.”

Yeah, a child always appears in such videos.
The storyboard didn’t look difficult. But as she flipped to the next scene, Mom sighed again.

“Mom?”

“My little Kongja appears a lot.”

What?
It showed a child smiling in an old man’s arms.

“Well, that seems easy.”

Hmm, I guess I’m in two scenes. That is quite a lot.
Mom patted my head.

“I’m really worried.”

Why?

“My little Kongja, always be polite and humble. I know you understand. You’re very kind. Actually, that’s what worries me more. I’m afraid you’ll be taken advantage of because you’re too nice.”

What are you talking about? I’m not that nice. I take care of my own, Mother.

“But filming with the President…”

What?

I tilted my head in curiosity.

The President….

Honestly, I had no interest in politics in my past life or current one. But I did recognize the President’s face.

He looked like a really tired old man, I think?

I didn’t remember the details of his policies.

I was a pretty passive citizen who barely made it to the polls on election day.

Well, anyway, so I’m going to be filmed with that important old man.

I guess I just need to behave politely.

If acting cute helps, I could smile a bit and all. A sigh escaped me.

I’ve become so used to acting cute!

How could I have gotten used to this?

I swallowed my tears inwardly.

Yeah, well. There’s no choice until I grow up.

Mom hugged me tightly.

“I’m worried if you’ll be okay.”

I said from within her embrace,

“I’ll do my best, Mom!”

So please don’t worry, Mom.

They wouldn’t expect too much from a kid, right?

Mom looked down at me and sighed deeply again.

“I’m really worried, my dear.”

I said it’s okay.

“You’re so cute, what if the President wants to adopt you as his son?”

No way, really.

I think Mom’s overestimating me.

Just like a hedgehog thinks its baby’s fur is soft.

“Well, if that happens, we could just move abroad!”

I guess so, right?

I laughed awkwardly.

I don’t want to leave, though.

I want to go to Hollywood after making a name for myself in domestic works.

In the distant future, Korean works will also stand out in America.

So it’s okay to go by then, Mom.

“Well, if we go, we should make a big impression before leaving.”

Huh?

“No, I mean, even if we do make a big impression, that’s not how it should be done.”

Mom, he’s the President.

I blinked.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I have to stop it. I need to do well!”

I don’t know how to do well, but anyway.

Mumbling to myself, I smiled brightly.

---

The national promotional CF set wasn’t very luxurious.

“Except for the incredible cast. It’s a budget battle for national events, after all.”

I looked around. That might be why it looked somewhat shabby.

“Hey, crane!”

“I told you not to pull that wire!”

“Are you crazy!”

Shouts were coming from everywhere. Deok-soo quietly covered my ears, but it was honestly not very effective.

“This is not something a child should hear.”

True.

I smiled while holding a pinwheel.

Deok-soo looked around and said,

“It’s chaotic.”

I agree.

The staff seemed out of sync.

“I told you not to press that!”

“That’s not the camera setting!”

“Lighting!”

Wow, it’s a total mess.

“Is this okay for a national promotional CF?”

I heard they’re going to put this in Times Square.

At that moment, the CF director approached. He wiped sweat off his forehead repeatedly and said,

“Oh, you’re here. You’re the legendary sold-out star!”

Oh, he must mean the kids’ clothing.

“Hello!”

“Oh wow, you speak so well. Hi! I’m Director Lee!”

I see. Nice to meet you.

“Wow. You’re really cute. Thanks for agreeing to appear even though we can’t pay you.”

Not at all. It’s an honor to represent the country’s image.

The CF director stared closely at my face.

“Hmm….”

I blinked and smiled brightly.

“The industry’s praise was true. They said you have a face that makes people curious about how you’ll grow up….”

Is that so? Whoever said that has a good eye.

“Keep the compliments coming!”

I never get tired of compliments on my looks.

Director Lee tilted his head this way and that, examining my face.

“This angle is good too. And this one. Ah, they’re all good.”

My face looks perfect from any angle.

“No wonder everyone wants you. By the way, do you know what you’re doing today?”

I smiled bashfully.

“They said I’m supposed to run holding this!”

The pinwheel in my hand spun. Director Lee nodded.

“Right. From there to there, just run and smile!”

I recalled the storyboard I saw at home.

“A child runs across the grass holding a pinwheel.”

With this face, the CF will be perfect.

“A child always appears in national promotional CFs.”

I smiled broadly.

It’s a small thing, but it’ll look good on my future resume.

* * *