Lee Sang-soo was an acting powerhouse.
He didn’t want to let go of the connection made in [Star Fisher] lightly.
There was only one reason for that.
‘Director Jo Bang-woo’s film.’
The father of Cho Min-tae, the director who formed a bond with Seo-yeon when they were young.
His film was set to begin production early next year.
Seo-yeon wanted to star in that movie alongside Lee Sang-soo.
‘Director Jo Bang-woo’s film isn’t just any movie.’
He received decent investments, and Director Jo believed it was his last chance, pouring everything into the film.
A rare disaster film.
The subject matter was somewhat fresh, and the protagonist had considerable charm… or so it would be later evaluated.
However…
“Tomorrow, [Dream Future] episode 14 airs.”
“Oh, really?”
“It’s going to be my last episode as Joo Ha-rin.”
In other words, it was the episode where Song So-ha competes with Joo Ha-rin for the final spot.
There, Song So-ha defeats Joo Ha-rin and advances to the finals.
“I really hope you’ll watch it.”
“Ha ha, of course, I will. I’ve seen it recently, and it was decent enough.”
The “decent enough” comment was quite the compliment.
From the start, [Dream Future] was a drama that didn’t quite suit Lee Sang-soo.
He was just viewing it from the perspective of appreciating Seo-yeon’s acting.
“And…”
Seo-yeon hesitated for a moment about whether to speak here.
But soon, she shook her head.
‘Trying to persuade him with words will only make him dismiss it.’
Lee Sang-soo had almost detached his heart from acting.
What remained was merely the ember of lingering attachment.
Seo-yeon knew that she must first fan that ember into a flame.
“I hope we can meet again later.”
“Oh, definitely. If you ever want to go fishing again, just let me know.”
“Oh dear, senior. Fishing is something that old men like us enjoy.”
“Why not? Seo-yeon, you have talent!”
As she watched the conversation of those old men, Seo-yeon subtly shifted her gaze.
At the lively atmosphere, she caught sight of a young man managing his expression with great difficulty.
*
“Ji-woo, your acting was good today.”
Sim Cheong-seok said, patting Pyo Ji-woo’s shoulder.
Before leaving the theater, they were able to wrap up the play on a rather decent note.
“But you should try to diversify your acting style a bit, okay? Right now, you’re all just one shade.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Yeah, I mean you have talent, so you’ll get it soon.”
Pyo Ji-woo sighed.
Still, Sim Cheong-seok ending his praise just like this meant that today’s performance was good.
If he didn’t like it, he would’ve kept them there for two or three hours, grilling them.
“Ah, and.”
Just when it seemed like they were done, Sim Cheong-seok spoke as if he had just remembered something.
Pyo Ji-woo stiffened, wondering if there was more to come.
“You have someone waiting for you, so go on ahead.”
“Who?”
Someone waiting?
It’s not that he was being rude, but Pyo Ji-woo had a very limited social circle.
The only person looking for him…
“Hello.”
“……”
Joo Seo-yeon.
The girl who had saved him from almost walking down a dangerous path was waiting outside the theater.
Unlike the school uniform he had seen before, she was wearing a breezy summer uniform.
“So….”
Pyo Ji-woo moved to a nearby café and stared at Seo-yeon.
Just like before, her extraordinarily beautiful appearance was strikingly intense.
“What’s going on suddenly?”
Her tranquil gaze was directed at him.
To be honest, even the usually confident Pyo Ji-woo felt a bit flustered under such a gaze.
‘Cha Seo-ah, right?’
He heard she appeared in [Dream Future] too, but he hadn’t seen it, so he didn’t know.
At least, he had seen [The Chaser].
Pyo Ji-woo tended to enjoy thriller movies quite a bit.
The acting he saw from Seo-yeon there even managed to impress him.
Maybe the image lingered.
Now, having Seo-yeon sit across him felt unnecessarily intimidating.
To begin with, what was the reason she sought him out?
‘Isn’t she doing quite well lately?’
With [The Chaser], and [Dream Future].
Recently, she’s been slowly increasing her recognition through [Star Fisher].
Perhaps seeing her doing well led Sim Cheong-seok to consider seriously stepping into the entertainment world as well.
“Pyo Ji-woo, elder sister.”
“Uh, huh?”
“How do stalkers typically target their targets?”
“?”
Why are you asking me that?
He had once followed Min Se-ho for a bit…
“I want to get some advice from an expert since I don’t really understand that kind of mindset.”
“I, I’m not exactly a stalker or anything!”
“?”
Seo-yeon looked at Pyo Ji-woo with confusion.
Pyo Ji-woo felt a bit wronged.
He just wanted to act together; he was only trying to join the play he was participating in with genuine intentions.
Following Min Se-ho around wasn’t something he did actively.
‘Was I a harmless stalker?’
Seo-yeon thought, pondering about Pyo Ji-woo.
Upon reflection, it was slightly late for her to realize the extent of Min Se-ho’s network.
Of course, it could sound obsessed if one said they purely wanted to pursue acting.
‘His mindset might be a bit different. After all, he’s professional.’
Seo-yeon thought that way and let it slide.
After all, she hadn’t come to ask for advice, right?
“Um, usually they tend to investigate their target’s frequently visited places…”
This was a basic stalking behavior that even Seo-yeon could recognize.
“And?”
“They might try to become close with acquaintances to gather information.”
Getting the contact number is usually the first step.
Sometimes they might try to find out and send a text saying, ‘Your number has changed, right?’
“Like after trespassing and then stealing a seal to falsify marriage documents… or even throwing themselves into moving vehicles of celebrities and getting hit…”
“……”
“Ah, no! I haven’t done that!”
So you didn’t have to clarify that!
Seo-yeon squinted her eyes at Pyo Ji-woo.
Clearly, he knew more than he was letting on.
Anyway, the information Seo-yeon was gathering was focused on stalkers, or rather “sasaeng fans” who attach themselves to celebrities.
The very starting point that led to ThunderSt’s ruin.
‘It’s not just sasaeng fans who are the issues, though.’
She recalled Liam from some time ago.
An idol perpetually beaten down.
This was evidence that even the agency offered little care.
ThunderSt.
Sasaeng fans’ attacks.
Internal discord among the members.
Such thoughts flashed through Seo-yeon’s mind.
Liam.
Kim Ho-seung.
She knew their birth names, even if she didn’t know their idol names.
In the future, he would quit being an idol and debut as an actor.
And it would be quite a spectacular rise.
‘But it took so long for that to happen.’
She could vaguely recall it was around a few months before her past life ended.
Thinking of the timeline, it would be at least five years ahead.
“I don’t know what it is, but don’t just intrude in like that.”
As Pyo Ji-woo spoke, observing Seo-yeon lost in thought, he felt a hint of concern.
Having already experienced interfering in the past, it still made him uneasy.
“That’s because we currently lack actors.”
“Hmm?”
What in the world was that?
Seo-yeon didn’t deem it necessary to elaborate.
After all, there was no point in saying more.
‘With Hwang Min-hwa leaving, Nova Entertainment will be shaky for a while.’
She could fill the void herself, but she could have also said that.
‘It’d be great if at least one talented actor joins in.’
For Nova Entertainment to grow, it would also benefit Seo-yeon in her future works.
Most importantly, in her past life, Nova Entertainment barely even made it to second-tier.
‘If I’m going to do this, I might as well aim for the top.’
The reason Seo-yeon chose Nova Entertainment wasn’t for any other reason.
She believed she could elevate it to the top, no matter where she went.
In that sense, it would be better for Seo-yeon to have a voice in Nova Entertainment.
‘At least to the level of RY Entertainment.’
She hoped it could grow to that extent.
Seo-yeon was immensely competitive.
*
“Stay right there. It’s dangerous.”
“No way.”
“I’ll find out and come back, so just wait here.”
“Alright, I suppose.”
With that, Pyo Ji-woo decided to step out on his own after hearing Seo-yeon.
After all, it would be better for an expert to handle this than a rookie like him.
‘It’s not going to blow up immediately anyway.’
At least there was still time.
There might be things he didn’t know.
Given such matters, it was better to be cautious.
Additionally, just in case he missed something.
“This is a wooden sword.”
“?”
“If you stab someone with a steel knife, they can die.”
“A wooden sword can still hurt someone. I’m not planning to fight anyone!”
Well, Pyo Ji-woo would likely know how to handle it.
Even if he had to deal with sasaeng fans, Pyo Ji-woo would win if he had a sword.
With those thoughts, heading to the convenience store he usually visited on Tuesdays.
“……?”
The reaction from the part-time workers was different from usual.
Perhaps due to [The Chaser], they seemed a bit shaken when Seo-yeon appeared.
“Ah, hello.”
Their response was oddly warm.
They seemed to want to engage in conversation more.
And it was the same at school.
“Ah, hi?”
“Came in early today, huh?”
Rarely did classmates greet Seo-yeon like that.
Should he go ask Lee Ji-yeon about the reason? Just when he was pondering,
“Yesterday’s episode of Dream Future was great! I was rooting for you to win; it’s such a shame!”
The class president, Gil Da-hyun, exclaimed, beaming.
That was when Seo-yeon realized.
‘Ah, it’s because of episode 14 of [Dream Future] that aired yesterday.’
It was the episode where Joo Ha-rin competed with Song So-ha in skill.
Excluding the ending part, it was the last episode featuring Seo-yeon in [Dream Future].
‘I was just satisfied with improving the image of Cha Seo-ah.’
That had brought about a reaction far exceeding Seo-yeon’s expectations.
“……The drama OST work?”
It primarily came from a direction Seo-yeon never anticipated.
*
“Ugh, that damn [Dream Future].”
Director Kim Il-soo sighed, throwing the materials he received today onto the table.
Since [Dream Future] achieved great results through the ‘youth drama’, it seemed KMB wanted to produce another similar project.
They seemed to want to use the rookie writer, Min Se-hee, for the script.
However, Kim Il-soo was not pleased with the situation itself.
From the outset, he wasn’t suited for soft dramas like [Dream Future].
The dramas he directed were mostly cynical and socially critical.
“Another high school student for the main character? [Dream Future] was just lucky.”
He had plenty to say.
But apparently, the higher-ups in the drama department were quite taken with that girl.
“Joo Seo-yeon, right?…”
A young actress who’s been creating a stir lately in various ways.
She certainly had qualities that would catch the attention of the higher-ups.
“Episode 14, right. She said she would be done appearing today.”
He was planning to watch the missed episodes of [Dream Future] today.
He had watched the first four episodes but stopped there.
The first episode was alright, but after that, it became quite lackluster.
So he hadn’t bothered with it since episode four.
However, it turned out that they might be casting her in his upcoming drama, [Sky Garden].
The acting side had also mentioned they were positively reviewing her…
“Well then, let’s take a look and see what it’s about.”
Recalling Cha Seo-ah’s strong image from [The Chaser], he calmly began watching [Dream Future].
Until the next morning, with the sun rising,
He watched without stopping even once.
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