“…Seo Hoyun.”
Throughout the overlapping shooting schedules, Lee Kangseok took every spare moment to approach Min Jiheon with a mournful smile. Min Jiheon, who seemed like he could drink even a bowl of soapy water, appeared slightly uncomfortable. However, Kangseok’s friendliness did not extend to me.
As I walked by, trying to chat with the staff, I accidentally locked eyes with the gloomy Kangseok who had been waiting for me.
“Why are you treating me like this?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m trying to do well, you know….”
He looked visibly depressed. Was I supposed to praise him for trying to butter up Min Jiheon and Yu Jia?
As I crossed my arms, Kangseok suddenly looked up.
“Everything’s easy for Seo Hoyun, right?”
“Excuse me?”
What nonsense was this?
“Being a popular idol, everything works out smoothly. Your agency is the same as Min Jiheon, and all your friends are successful people….”
“So? What’s the problem? Oh, Lee Kangseok-sunbae… Do you consider all that when making friends?”
“…”
Kangseok muttered a curse under his breath. I could feel the burning emotion in his eyes.
Inferiority complex.
And a victim mentality.
How interesting.
I’ve seen a lot of people like this during my time as a PD.
They blamed others for their lack of success, saying it was because those on top were hogging everything.
Well, it wasn’t entirely wrong, but they also closed off their own chances of climbing up because of this unfortunate mindset.
Such a shame.
I wasn’t that different from him, but I didn’t really like his type. As I kept staring at him without a word, Kangseok suddenly dropped his gloomy expression and accelerated.
“You’re doing well with acting, right?”
“Huh?”
“I’m just worried because there have been controversies over idols’ acting skills. The first episode is airing soon, so hang in there. I’ll be cheering for you.”
= You’ll be fucked when the first episode airs
He tried to sound cool and cultured, but he couldn’t completely hide the sarcasm in his tone.
What was the point of talking this way? Trying to start a fight in a public place with people around was just proof of stupidity.
…Huh?
Was this a self-introduction?
I briefly contemplated my actions and gave up on thinking, half-listening to Lee Kangseok’s continued ranting.
“But isn’t it easy for idols to have NGs?”
“…”
“I’m disappointed. Idols are just different from actors in tone. That’s why people should professionally learn how to act….”
It seemed like the conversation would drag on, but I needed to talk to the staff and get my makeup done soon.
I scrutinized him from head to toe.
An actor… and one absorbed in the art.
I diagnosed him briefly.
People with acting sickness were tough and stubborn. There were many cases, especially among those who claimed to love the arts. They believed they couldn’t succeed because they solely focused on the craft of acting while others made efforts through strange methods.
“But when idols join, the quality drops, right?”
“Yes. Thank you for your support, sunbae.”
“…”
“So, when will I get the cream cake to celebrate my first episode?”
“Shit….”
Unable to withstand the provocation, Kangseok immediately cursed. Honestly, it was fun to watch.
Well, at least Kangseok made some efforts, considering his character. He even made carrot cakes for his sunbaes.
But if it were me, I would have given the cake to the PD or writer instead of Min Jiheon.
“Lee Kangseok-sunbae. Why do you like Min Jiheon-sunbae so much?”
“What?”
Kangseok blinked for a brief moment. He looked very flustered but still answered.
“Well, um, he’s popular now… handsome… kind… innocent. And he’s overflowing with consideration.”
“…?”
Kind and innocent…
Were we talking about the same Min Jiheon right now? As I looked at him with a tired face, he became increasingly embarrassed.
This guy, the way he’s acting, is so wrong…
“And then…”
He mumbled in a gradually sinking voice.
“…and because he’s good at acting.”
Wow…
Min Jiheon was thought to be the only exception who had risen without any backing, solely through his acting skills.
Is he the role model for those suffering from the actor’s disease?
Min Jiheon was indeed a respectable actor.
I scratched my cheek, feeling somewhat defeated.
I pulled over a chair that was lying around and sat down. Next to me, Lee Kangseok regained his composure and mumbled,
“But it’s a world where being a good actor isn’t enough.”
I just nodded vaguely.
“… Are you listening to me??”
“Of course.”
“I’m a supporting actor in a drama airing at the same time as Please Take the Camera. There’s a difference between me and a supporting character like PD Lee Jeonghun. Remember, I’m a secondary lead.”
“Of course, of course~.”
“…Let’s see if you can be as confident after the results come out.”
“Ugh… Yes. I walk confidently wherever I go~.”
“…”
After going along with his nonsense, I looked at his retreating figure, laughing and shaking my head.
Well, from his point of view, it was understandable that he didn’t like me.
If an actor struck with the actor’s disease was trying to flatter and stick to Min Jiheon, but then an idol suddenly went for acting… it would be infuriating.
However, it wasn’t my concern.
I’m Lee Jeonghun, you bastard.
Once he has seen the first episode, he won’t be able to say such things anymore. After all, the supporting actor in the drama I’m in was inspired by me… This situation was so ridiculous.
I turned, only to discover Yu Jia and Min Jiheon staring at me with great interest.
“…Ahaha.”
It seemed they witnessed the entire situation.
“What are you doing here?”
“Opening some popcorn….”
“Honestly, this is even more entertaining than the drama now.”
My face must have contorted in anger momentarily because Min Jiheon subtly averted my gaze, and Yu Jia extended her index finger and said,
“It’s fascinating how Seo Hoyun only attracts those kinds of people. It’s becoming a bit pitiful.”
“Me?”
“People like Lee Kangseok.”
“…”
***
Drama filming did not always have to proceed in the order of the script. Most of the time, the schedule was adjusted according to location arrangements and the actors’ schedules.
Even though the filming had been going smoothly, and most of the scenes from the script up to episode 4 were completed…
“Wow! Is that Seo Hoyun?”
“…Hello?”
The problem was that the drama was set in a broadcasting station. I unintentionally kept running into people I knew because we were filming in various parts of the station.
While taking a break from filming, I was cooling myself with a mini fan to keep my makeup from melting. I was also drinking a beverage from a vending machine when I unexpectedly ran into White Cherry. After exchanging greetings with them, I thought they would move on, but surprisingly, they stayed.
“Are you filming a drama?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Oh~! You’re in a drama with Jia-unnie, right? That must be nice~. Isn’t Jia-unnie’s personality so good?”
Yu Jia laughed at me yesterday for fighting… But with Min Jiheon by her side, Yu Jia was like an angel.
“Yes, I’m always indebted to her.”
“Ahaha!”
And then she laughed again.
I was flustered by such a friendly disposition from someone I hadn’t really spoken to before. There wasn’t even any connection between us. If I had to choose, maybe it would be Joo Woosung, who has been sulking and barely replying to my messages lately.
However, since I was close to Joo Woosung (even though I’m not) … since they broke up on bad terms, I thought I would be on their guard list.
…What?
I didn’t know how to react since I usually didn’t form relationships for no reason. I just rolled my eyes, and the leader of White Cherry stepped in, smoothing things over. She let out a sigh and poked Han Chaeri.
“Hey, don’t surprise him like that.”
“Oh my, I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. But do you have any business with me?”
If someone saw a sunbae apologizing to a hoobae in the broadcasting station and then they decided to spread weird rumors, it would be a disaster. Liz quickly conveyed her intention.
“We wanted to say hi to you since the Victory Is Mine incident. But none of our members had Seo Hoyun’s number… You don’t seem to have many acquaintances, do you?”
…So, were they saying I had no friends?
“Thanks to Seo Hoyun… well, not exactly, but a few events were canceled after that.”
Ah.
“I didn’t do anything deserving of thanks.”
Liz seemed to read my mind and smiled back as I tried to slip away with a faint smile. Noticing my awkwardness, she began talking about her own difficulties.
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but I injured my ligament a few years ago. It’s still hard for me to perform intense choreographies.”
There were many idols like that.
It wasn’t just that program; many idols had hurt themselves by overexerting on variety shows. As a result, they could no longer perform intense dances.
“Well, I completed my rehabilitation, so I’m fine, but I’ve always hoped my hoobaes wouldn’t go through the same thing… And now it’s become a reality, so I wanted to thank you.”
“Do you know that video of you carrying one of your members is still a hot topic on YouTube? So cool.”
“Han Chaeri, be careful with your words.”
Liz playfully hit Chaeri’s side, and Chaeri laughed and clung to her.
“Unnie~, you know, most rookies wouldn’t even think of doing that. Now I’m a little more relaxed, but I was too scared back then to do anything like that!”
“Chaeri-unnie, you were just the same back then, right?”
“Was I~?”
Han Chaeri laughed heartily. It was just like her to pour water on Joo Woosung during the competition.
…I then remembered the post she posted on SNS during Jeong Dajun’s incident and lowered my gaze for a moment.[1] My hesitation was brief.
“Thank you for that time.”
Liz smiled brightly without saying a word.
Han Chaeri, who had been watching me with a pleased expression, suddenly changed the subject.
“By the way, is that Woosung bastard doing well?”
“…”
It was an even more awkward topic.
As one of Woosung’s acquaintances, I wasn’t sure how to respond in front of Han Chaeri, one of his many ex-girlfriends. I just rolled my eyes again, and she snickered.
“Ah, I’m sort of acquainted with Woosung. You two are close, right?”
We’re not close…
And Woosung has been really sulky lately.
“Um, I don’t know. I don’t really keep in touch with him…”
“Really?”
Han Chaeri shrugged her shoulders.
“He used to be… quite unstable, but he seems to be doing better these days.”
“…”
Joo Woosung was unstable?
I blinked my eyes at this unexpected remark, and Han Chaeri awkwardly scratched her cheek.
“Ah, I guess you don’t know… Well, I don’t know why, but he’s been more clear-headed lately. It’s possible that Seo Hoyun might not know that.”
“Huh?”
“No, um… He had a kind of meltdown… No, I better not say anything.”
Chaeri stopped talking as she continued to have an awkward expression.
“Um, I’m not the person involved, so I shouldn’t be saying anything.”
“…”
“It is not like he had an accident or anything special. It’s just that he’s received a lot of envy and jealousy because he’s so gifted.”
As I processed this new information, Han Chaeri chuckled lightly.
“Anyway, please get along with him. He’s a bit of a bastard but a good guy in his own way.”
Speaking so casually, the ex-girlfriend closed her mouth tightly when her leader scolded her to watch her words.
“Chaeri, what are you doing holding up someone who is busy?”
“Ah, um, I’m sorry. I was just glad to see you.”
“No, it’s fine…”
As I turned around, I could hear the whispers of the White Cherry members.
“But, unnie, are you really dating Joo—?”
“Him—I don’t you know—?”
“Ah—”
“…”
Chaeri and her fellow White Cherry members disappeared without a trace.
The lingering thoughts kept circling in my mind. I fiddled with the empty can that I had already finished drinking. I thought about how I had unintentionally started a quarrel with Joo Woosung before, so I sent him a message.
– Me: Where are you?
Surprisingly, the reply came quickly.
– Joo Woosung: At work?
Was this brat still upset?
Soon after, a submissive reply came.
– Joo Woosung: Cali
– Me: Oh?
– Me: Why?
– Joo Woosung: Just because
– Joo Woosung: Hey, but this place is surprisingly nice to live in??
– Joo Woosung: It feels open
What was he talking about?
[1] See Episode 71
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