Chapter 97

97

"…Seo Hoyun."

Throughout the overlapping shooting locations, Lee Kangseok would always come to find Min Jihun during every break, greeting him with a gentle smile. Despite the fact that Min Jihun, who would drink even soapy water if it meant eating, looked slightly displeased, that kindness didn't extend to me.

As I was about to pass by to chat with the staff, my eyes met those of the gloomy Lee Kangseok, who had been waiting for me all along.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're trying to be nice to me…."

Lee Kangseok looked noticeably dejected. Is he trying to flatter Min Jihun and Yoo Jiya?

Trying to understand what he wanted to say, I crossed my arms and looked at him, and Lee Kangseok suddenly lifted his head.

"Seo Hoyun, everything is easy for you, right?"

"Excuse me?"

What kind of nonsense is this?

"Popular idol, everything goes smoothly. Same agency as Min Jihun, only hanging out with successful people…."

"Really? What a strange thing to say…. Ah, Senior Lee Kangseok… Do you really consider all these things when making friends?"

"…."

Lee Kangseok quietly muttered a curse. The obvious emotion in his eyes was clear.

Inferiority.

And a sense of victimhood.

'Interesting.'

I've seen plenty of these types during my PD days.

People who blame everyone else for their lack of success, thinking it's because the ones above them are blocking their way.

Well, they weren't entirely wrong, but they also closed off any chance of climbing up by doing so.

'A bit sad.'

I wasn't much different from them, but I didn't particularly like this type. As I stared at him silently, Lee Kangseok, misunderstanding something, suddenly dropped his gloomy expression and lunged forward.

"Your acting is good, right?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm a bit worried about the idol acting controversy. The first episode is coming up soon, so try your best. I'll be cheering for you."

=You'll be fucked when the first episode airs, lol.

Trying to act cool and cultured, but the condescension in his tone couldn't be completely hidden.

What's the point of saying nice things if you're going to cause trouble in a public place….

'…Wait?'

Is this some kind of introduction?

I briefly reflected on my actions, gave up on thinking, and half-heartedly listened to Lee Kangseok's continued speech.

"But you get NGs easily, right?"

"…."

"I feel sorry for you. After all, idols and actors have different tones. So, people should learn acting professionally…."

It seemed like the conversation was going to drag on. I had to go to makeup after talking to the staff.

I slowly scanned him from head to toe.

'Actor's syndrome… and deeply immersed in art.'

I made a quick diagnosis.

People with actor's syndrome are quite common, especially among those who talk about art. They believe they didn't succeed because they only relied on their acting, while others used strange methods to succeed.

"But when idols come in, doesn't it lower the standards a bit?"

"Yep. Thanks for the support, Senior."

"…."

"So, when is the celebration cake for my first episode?"

"Shit…."

Lee Kangseok couldn't resist the provocation and immediately cursed. It was entertaining to watch.

Still, Lee Kangseok did try. He even made a carrot cake to give to the seniors.

But if I were in his position, I'd give it to the director or the writer instead of Min Jihun.

"Senior Lee Kangseok, why do you like Senior Min Jihun so much?"

"What?"

Lee Kangseok blinked for a moment. He seemed very flustered but still spoke.

"Well, he's popular now… good-looking… kind… gentle. And very considerate."

"…?"

Kind and gentle….

Are you talking about the same Min Jihun that I know? As I looked at him with a disbelieving face, he became increasingly embarrassed.

'This guy is completely off…'

"And."

His voice grew quieter as he mumbled.

"…And he's a good actor."

'Oh…'

He seems to think Min Jihun is the only exception, rising solely on his acting skills without any connections.

'Is he a role model for actor's syndrome?'

Min Jihun is indeed a respectable actor.

I scratched my cheek. I felt a bit deflated.

I dragged over a chair and sat down. Lee Kangseok, standing beside me, regained his composure and started rambling about how the world doesn't just reward good acting, but I just nodded absentmindedly.

"…Are you listening to me??"

"Of course."

"I'm a supporting actor in a drama airing at the same time as the one you're in. It's different from a supporting role in a movie."

"Sure, sure~."

"…Let's see if you can still be as confident after the results are out."

"Ugh… Sure. I'll walk confidently anywhere~."

"…."

After giving a half-hearted response, I rested my chin and watched him storm off, muttering to himself.

'Well, from his perspective, he might dislike me.'

If he's trying to flatter Min Jihun to get ahead and an idol suddenly comes in to act… he'd be upset.

But it's not my problem.

'I'm the one in charge, kid.'

He won't be able to say such things after seeing the first episode. The idea that he's a supporting actor in a drama where I'm the main character, and that I'm the inspiration for his character… the situation is absurd, making me laugh and turn my head. I noticed Yoo Jiya and Min Jihun looking at me with excited eyes.

"…Hehe."

It seemed they had witnessed everything.

"What are you doing here?"

"Peeling popcorn…."

"To be honest, this is more entertaining than the drama now."

My face must have twisted into a grimace, as Min Jihun subtly turned away, and Yoo Jiya pointed at me.

"Seo Hoyun, it's amazing how you keep running into such people. It's almost pitiful."

"Me?"

"Lee Kangseok."

"…."

***

Drama filming doesn't always follow the script in order. It's mostly adjusted based on location scouting and the actors' schedules.

Still, it's progressing quite smoothly, and most of the scenes from the first four episodes have been filmed, except for a few.

"Wow! Seo Hoyun?"

"…Hello?"

The issue is that since the drama is set in a broadcasting station, we've been filming at the station's set and various locations, unintentionally running into people I know.

While waiting for filming to start, I used a mini fan to keep my makeup from smearing and grabbed a drink from the vending machine. I ended up bumping into White Cherry and exchanged greetings. I thought she would just pass by, but she unexpectedly started a conversation.

"Are you filming a drama?"

"Ah, yes."

"Ooh! You're acting with Jiya? That's great~. Isn't Jiya's personality amazing?"

She had laughed at my confrontation with Min Jihun yesterday, but next to Min Jihun, Yoo Jiya seemed like an angel.

"Yes, I always rely on her."

"Aha!"

Then she giggled again.

I was taken aback by her friendly approach, even though we didn't have much in common. If I had to think about it, it was probably Joo Woosung, who I barely replied to these days?

But if I said I was close to Joo Woosung… (which I'm not) I wondered if I'd be seen as a target to be wary of, given that he was a former girlfriend who had a bad breakup.

'…What?'

Not knowing how to react, I just rolled my eyes, and White Cherry's leader stepped in to mediate. She sighed and nudged Han Chae-ri.

"Hey, you're making him uncomfortable by suddenly talking to him."

"Oh my, I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. But do you have any business here?"

If a senior at the broadcasting station apologized to a junior and someone overheard, it could cause trouble. Rees seemed to have similar thoughts and quickly explained.

"I wanted to greet you after the 'It's Mine' incident. But none of us had your number…. I didn't realize you didn't know many people."

…Are you saying I don't have friends?

"Thanks to you… not really, but some programs were canceled after that."

'Ah.'

"You don't need to thank me."

As I tried to naturally leave with a slight smile, Rees smiled as if she saw through me. Knowing I was uncomfortable, she shared her own struggles.

"A bit embarrassing… but, I, um, injured my ligament a few years ago. I still find it hard to do intense choreography."

There are many idols in similar situations.

Not just from that program, but from various entertainment shows where they push themselves too hard and can't perform intense choreography.

"Well, I've completed my rehabilitation, so it's fine for me, but I always hoped my juniors wouldn't have to go through that…. This time, it really became a reality, so I wanted to say thank you."

"Your carrying the members is still a hot topic on YouTube. It's amazing."

"Han Chae-ri, be careful with your words."

Rees nudged Han Chae-ri. Han Chae-ri laughed and clung to Rees.

"Sis~, usually rookies don't think like that. I only got guts now, but I was too scared to do it back then!"

"Wasn't Chae-ri the same back then?"

"Was I~?"

Han Chae-ri laughed heartily. Her boldness was fitting for someone who poured water on Joo Woosung.

…Remembering the various stories that surfaced during the Jung Dajun incident, I briefly lowered my gaze. My contemplation was short.

"I was grateful at the time."

Rees smiled without a word.

Han Chae-ri, who had been watching us with a pleased expression, changed the subject.

"By the way, how is Joo Woosung doing?"

"…."

But that was an even more uncomfortable topic.

I rolled my eyes, trying to figure out what to say to Han Chae-ri, one of Joo Woosung's many ex-girlfriends, as a friend of Joo Woosung, but she chuckled.

"Ah, I know Joo Woosung a bit. I heard you two are close."

We're not close….

And Joo Woosung is quite upset these days.

"Um, I don't really keep in touch…."

"Really?"

Han Chae-ri shrugged.

"He used to be… quite unstable, but he seems better now."

"…."

Joo Woosung unstable?

Surprised by the unexpected comment, I just blinked, and Han Chae-ri scratched her cheek awkwardly.

"Ah, you might not know…. Well, he seems to have pulled himself together recently. You might not know, Seo Hoyun."

"…?"

"No, um… he had a breakdown… but I shouldn't say more."

She stopped, looking embarrassed.

"What am I saying, I'm not even involved."

"…."

"It's not that there's any incident or accident. It's just that… he's received a lot of envy and jealousy because of his talent."

As I processed this new information, Han Chae-ri chuckled.

"Anyway, try to get along with him. He's a bit of an asshole, but he's a good person."

Saying this in a cool manner, her ex-girlfriend was nudged by the leader to be more careful with her words and closed her mouth.

"Chae-ri, why are you holding up a busy person?"

"Ah, um, sorry. I got carried away."

"No, it's fine…."

As the White Cherry members turned to leave, I faintly heard them whispering.

"But, sis, is J-- still…?"

"Doesn't he know…?"

"Ah--."

"…."

Han Chae-ri and the White Cherry members walked away without a second thought.

The thoughts lingered like an aftertaste. I fiddled with the empty can I had already finished, and remembering the time I unintentionally provoked Joo Woosung, I sent him a message.

[Me: What's up?]

Surprisingly, he replied quickly.

[Joo Woosung: Your business?]

Is this guy still upset?

He then replied more casually.

[Joo Woosung: California]

[Me: ?]

[Me: Why?]

[Joo Woosung: Wrong]

[Joo Woosung: But it's kinda livable here??]

[Joo Woosung: It's like a whole new world]

What does he mean?