[Did you see Yerin on today’s episode of A Normal Day?
I know that A Normal Day often forces nonsensical developments that don’t match the title and harshly treat young idols, which makes the variety show unpopular among fans.
But still, my kid is the MC… (omitted)… There are probably many who don’t know Yerin because they’re not interested, but the episode that was supposed to air this week, O-T-D, caused a big issue last week and can’t be aired à As a filler, Actor Lee Seohan was brought in for a special episode this week.]
Suhyeon thought it was just an observational variety show capturing a celebrity’s daily life, but A Normal Day was infamous for treating rookies harshly.
They assigned provocative missions to those who couldn’t refuse and edited the footage in a manipulative way to boost ratings.
On a major network, aired on weekends during prime time, and had decent ratings
The bait was so attractive that rookies appeared on the show, knowing they would be treated harshly, but they had no choice but to grit their teeth and endure it.
Most idol groups appeared together, and usually only one member would be picked on, so those thirsty for popularity pretended not to notice, grateful it wasn’t them being sacrificed.
But wasn’t Seohan’s agency known for being really strict about image management?
So the show couldn’t treat him roughly and ended up filming a genuinely normal day.
[His face is handsome, but his weekend behavior is exactly like my oppa at home, which is mind-blowingㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Why is he in relaxation mode at homeㅋㅋㅋ Eating up his screen time effortlesslyㅋㅋㅋ?]
However, even those who mistreated other idols couldn’t treat Seohan the same way.
Seohan’s agency was sensitive about the marketability of their golden goose.
Moreover, since he was cast through the drama department’s head—not the entertainment department—A Normal Day filmed an actual normal day for the first time in a long while.
Like other office workers, Seohan was shown resting and recharging.
Since he wasn’t the type to meet people, the production team received his daily schedule in advance, which left them in a bind.
That’s why they called Suhyeon.
[Suhyeon came. When he appeared, it was crazy, crazy, crazy.
So cute ㅠㅠㅠ So fair ㅠㅠ Like an angel ㅠㅠ My younger brother is just a cute squid, but why does God discriminate? ㅋ큐ㅠ… (omitted)… It’s been a while since A Normal Day made me so happy.
Even when my bestie was fangirling over Suhyeon, I mocked her for fangirling, but now I realize I was dumbㅋㅠㅠ I didn’t know fangirling was the way to go.
Anyway, I hope A Normal Day keeps going like this, healing healing ㅠㅠ It was so good, really.]
Suhyeon fulfilled his role 200 percent.
Viewers were delighted with his adorable appearance and said it had been a long time since they enjoyed such a heartwarming variety show.
They cheered for the father-son-like date situation.
He showed the production team, who only chased after sensationalism, that they could gain enough response even without such provocations.
As a result, there was a shift in public opinion about the variety show, and those who perceived Suhyeon as a “dark child” because of Praise and Promise of the Blue Summer started to reconsider.
[└Suh★yeon★ is love. So cute with a cocoa mustache…
└Why cheer for the cocoa mustacheㅋㅋㅋ? Seohan wiping it carefully was legendary. Is he his dad?
└For realㅋㅋㅋI found myself smiling like a mom with food on his mouthㅋㅋㅋSuhyeon is so cute.
└After watching Praise, I thought the kid was a bit pitiful, but he’s just purely cuteㅋㅋㅋ So bright and livelyㅠㅠㅠ Tiny and cuteㅠㅠㅠ
└Why did they treat our babies harshly when they could do this? Seriously, the production team pisses me off ㅂㄷㅂㄷ.]
Breaking away from a fixed image.
For Suhyeon, who went to meet Seohan, it was an unexpected gain.
“Suhyeon, I saw you on that variety show! You looked great with Actor Lee Seohan in the two-shots.”
“Thank you, teacher.”
“I happened to be with my friends. They were going crazy saying you were cute, so I bragged that you’re my student.”
Suhyeon smiled brightly at Siyeong’s words.
While online reactions were nice to see, direct compliments were always enjoyable.
Suhyeon welcomed the unexpected result.
“Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot about you from industry people. Many in the Chungmuro area are disappointed they didn’t work with you before you got snatched by Director Eulhong.”
Siyeong, who had a wide network, was well-informed about the industry.
She knew many actors and directors and often played the role of a casting director.
So, her words were not just empty flattery.
Even though they haven’t contacted me directly, it seems that more people are interested. Good, good.
As he was enjoying his smooth progress, Suhyeon immersed himself in the lesson again.
Just one step.
He had too much ambition to be satisfied with just a piece of sweet pie.
* * *
“…Are you really sure you don’t need Mom to go with you today?”
“Mom, you’re really tired. I can do well by myself, and the staff hyungs and noonas are there… It’s fine!”
“Mom must be getting old. To think I would collapse after just a few days… Take care and call me if anything happens.”
“Yes! I’ll be back!”
Suhyeon gave a peck on the cheek to Jiyeon, who was lying on the bed, and left the room.
The familiar ivory-colored corridor welcomed him.
To be honest, I’m happy just because she came along.
As he walked briskly out of the building, he noticed people bustling around early in the morning.
They were the Shadow Road’s filming staff, busy with preparations.
“Good morning, Suhyeon. Did you sleep well?”
“Good morning!”
To shoot the orphanage scenes for the early part of the movie, the production team rented a massive filming studio in the countryside.
No orphanages or other child facilities had granted permission for filming.
Well, that’s expected.
Filming child actors in facilities used by children could trigger feelings of relative deprivation.
If it could happen to children from ordinary families, it was even more likely to leave scars on children with complicated family situations.
If kids become curious and end up interfering, the filming could be delayed too.
Various realistic reasons overlapped, so the early part of the filming took place in a large set in the countryside.
From the outside, the building resembled a school, which made it easy to transform the interior into a functional facility.
Additionally, it was an ideal location that provided affordable lodging.
The only downside was the difficulty of commuting from Seoul because of the distance.
I was the biggest problem. Hmm.
Except for a very few famous actors, most stayed in the lodging and filmed daily.
Travel time and costs were significant, so it was efficient.
However, Suhyeon, being only six years old, had limited choices.
He couldn’t stay out overnight or travel long distances alone.
At six, it was essential that he had a guardian with him.
Even if it was allowed, Sangil-hyung couldn’t stick with me 24/7.
When faced with this unexpected problem, Jiyeon, who heard about the situation, immediately packed her bags.
Since she had decided to support her son’s activities, she thought it was only natural to go along.
Even though she was swamped with freelance work, she didn’t hesitate between work and her child.
‘I can just take my laptop for work. Suhyeon doesn’t need to worry about that.’
Hochan, who suddenly became a weekend husband, cheered Suhyeon on with a slightly gloomy face.
Every time Suhyeon realized the affection of his parents that he hadn’t known in the past, his heart felt heavy.
It was similar to the feeling when a missed bus suddenly stopped for you, so he had no choice but to chase after it quickly.
“Hello. Where’s your mom?”
“Mom couldn’t get up because she’s tired today. But Suhyeon can do well alone, so it’s okay!”
Jiyeon, who had followed Suhyeon, eventually collapsed from juggling filming during the day and work at night.
Her sleep time had been cut in half because she was helping on both fronts.
Exhausted, she couldn’t resist her young son’s pleas for her to rest.
“I thought she was overdoing it… Should I get her some medicine? We have some in the first-aid kit at the lodging.”
“She said she just needs more sleep. Thank you.”
“Alright. Let me know if you need anything. The other actors are over there.”
“Yes, hyung!”
Suhyeon greeted everyone he passed, heading in the direction the staff had pointed out.
cccccThe staff, captivated by his adorable charm, didn’t forget to return his greetings despite being busy.
* * *
“Teacher! Teacher! Is this for us? What is it?”
“It’s a violin… It came with a basic guidebook to study the instrument alone… It’s a bit tricky.”
While the orphanage teacher looked puzzled, Jiseok stared intently at the small instrument case in her hand.
Judging by the worn corners and the newly attached, differently colored zipper, it was clearly second-hand, but such items were common where Jiseok lived.
“Can I take a look?”
“Huh? Oh, of course. Shall we open it together?”
“Yes!”
The teacher placed the small case she was holding on the floor and unzipped it, revealing an ivory velvet interior and a brown instrument.
A fingerboard with white stickers, a scroll with scratched marks…
The smaller-than-usual violin was old and shabby, but Jiseok couldn’t take his eyes off it.
“Jiseok.”
“Teacher, I want this! I saw it on TV!”
“Yes, you remember? Smart boy. Since it’s for everyone to use, shall we show it to the other kids too?”
“Yes…”
Jiseok’s voice, which had been bright, lost its strength just then.
Even if he wanted something for himself, he shouldn’t be greedy.
The basic rule of the orphanage was something even Jiseok, who received plenty of love without any wrinkles, couldn’t break.
* * *
“Suhyeon, you’re really good at acting. It’s so comfortable working with you.”
After hearing the director’s OK for “the scene where the protagonist first encounters the instrument,” Lim Seora, playing the role of the orphanage teacher, quietly approached Suhyeon and offered him a caramel.
It was a kind of treat Suhyeon had been receiving frequently these days.
“Noona, you did well too.”
“Oh no. You know, I got scolded a lot from the script reading to today’s rehearsal. My face is kind of cold looking, so it was serious… But when I’m with you, I just can’t help but smile…”
“Uh-huh.”
“I want to indulge you because you’re so cute, but I get this strong feeling that I shouldn’t because of the rules! What did you eat to grow up this cute?”
“My mom and dad’s love and my noona and hyungs’ love?”
“Ahaha. So cute. Then have a bit more of noona’s love.”
Seora, who had been laughing for a while, took out a few more caramels from her pocket and placed them in Suhyeon’s hand.
Having finished filming a scene, her cold face now showed a sense of relief.
Should I take this as recognition of my acting skills or be sad that my cuteness is too overpowering… Huh, it’s hard to tell if it’s my acting or my looks because I’m so beautiful.
The character Jiseok that Suhyeon played was a child loved by the teachers among many children.
He was like a rare ray of sunshine in the orphanage.
Even the children who envied him would become friends after a few scuffles.
Jiseok was therefore the quintessential protagonist who made everyone smile.
It’s good that people find it easy to work with me, but it feels like I’m only being recognized for my looks, which is a bit disappointing. This must be the dilemma of someone who has everything…
Suhyeon melted his feelings of regret with a caramel in his mouth.
Those who acted alongside him found it remarkably easy to capture the emotional lines.
With a presence that was lovely just to look at, the actors naturally portrayed the affection they felt, without needing to act.
His appearance, combined with his subtle acting charm, produced this result, but people only saw the surface.
Well, the director seems to have figured it out to some extent, so that’s fine.
Even though his acting skills were sometimes overshadowed by his looks, there were still those who recognized them.
A prime example was Director Eulhong.
While watching the whole scene on the screen, she easily picked up on Suhyeon’s calculated charm.
She often muttered “interesting” while watching Suhyeon, but because of her small irises, her gaze seemed like a glare, and her twisted lips looked like a crooked smile.
Her expressions were so fierce that the staff and actors on set often worried about Suhyeon’s well-being.
This is really sweet.
Thinking back to that point, Suhyeon savored the lingering sweetness of the caramel in his mouth.
No matter what people thought, the taste of regret was sweet.
