Lee Jae-yi is quite the sensation!
Whenever he shows up, it’s a given that ratings will skyrocket,
and he brings immense joy to the viewers!
But…
“He doesn’t really fit with Haidream.”
That also spells trouble for Haidream.
It’s just plain weird if the story of a youth band suddenly turns into a classical solo performance.
Furthermore, KBC can’t unilaterally decide on this.
It’s a drama co-produced by the actors’ agency and the idol’s agency.
But KBC changing the story just for ratings?
And making their own actors and idols mere side characters?
Who would even allow that?
However, ignoring Lee Jae-yi isn’t an option either.
“Having only KBC’s chosen characters as minor roles isn’t fair.”
Writer Lee Minha has been contemplating this issue for a while now.
The debate started the moment she heard Jae-yi’s “La Campanella.”
Can Lee Jae-yi really just end up as a side character?
With her experience writing numerous scripts, Lee Minha understood.
His role would inevitably grow,
like a character who just refuses to stay dead and keeps coming back, you know?
“I absolutely must not get swept up by the viewers.”
In the past, she was uncertain, but as time passed, her thoughts became resolute.
The story won’t change.
Haidream must win, and maintaining that title [Haidream] is paramount.
“But I’ll still make Lee Jae-yi a lead.”
Being a lead means he’s a protagonist, the central figure!
But what if we interpret that central character differently?
“Well, let’s make both of them winners.”
Keep the existing actors’ roles intact and expand Jae-yi’s part.
Then, just cut out some unnecessary scenes!
The things that can be trimmed,
and moments inserted just to fill time.
You can’t keep dishing out highlights without a breather,
so there are intentionally drawn-out scenes to balance things out.
What if we insert Lee Jae-yi into those moments?
It’ll definitely be tough.
“But I have to do it.”
To write an even higher-level story,
“I just love happy endings.”
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.
Her keyboard began to blaze with activity.
+++++
Recently, Choi Seok-ho was caught up in a whirlwind of busyness.
The days when the dust in the office was his only friend were long gone,
and now he was tackling a packed schedule with his staff.
“Did you send the script changes to Dong-ho?”
“Yes, and I postponed the meeting date. It seems right to do it after the additional shooting wraps up.”
“Oh, excellent. And since Dong-ho said he wants to attend the final shoot for the Endless Frontlines, please clear that date in the schedule.”
“Got it.”
He thought he could finally take a breather after finishing the Endless Frontlines shoot.
But as popularity soared, the schedule kept piling up.
“Dong-ho also said he only wanted to do one ad wearing a school uniform.”
Some good offers for ads came in later on, but they were all canceled.
Since he’d have to return to school soon, it made sense to keep the schedule relaxed.
Once the semester starts, who knows how the schedule will look?
“Health and condition for Dong-ho come first, no matter what.”
“Health and condition come first, Donghu.”
Clink.
Choi Seok-ho quickly grabbed the car keys.
Today was a day for additional filming of “Hydream.”
+++++
An art high school covered in a blanket of snow.
The location for the extra filming felt even cozier than before.
I guess I’ve gotten used to it now.
Or maybe…
“It could be because the story has changed.”
I glanced at the script in my hand.
When I first got invested, I had unknowingly shed tears over it.
If it really went according to the script, wouldn’t Lee Jae-yi be satisfied too?
Just then…
“Kim Donghu, are you going here too?”
“Huh?”
Su-Jin, who had naturally come to visit the filming site, struck up a conversation.
“Going to school here?”
“This place, the art high school? There’s a ton of actual celebrities that come here, a lot of idol hopefuls too. They really take attendance seriously.”
“Oh… really?”
I looked closely, and finally took in the name of the high school.
“Comprehensive Arts High School.”
Even from the name, I could feel a sense of pride.
Now that I think about it, Principal Edward Park had sent over some materials, but I’m so busy I can’t quite remember if I actually looked at them.
“I’ll have to go over them thoroughly later.”
In a bit, I’d be in the second year of middle school,
And if I blinked, I’d be a third-year, needing to decide on a high school career.
It definitely seemed like going to a school that accommodates celebrities would be easier for both the school and me.
“Our agency also thinks adding more to your role isn’t a bad idea. If the ratings go up, that’s a good thing.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, the vibe is good. It doesn’t mean their parts are getting cut, and they won’t be in the spotlight any less.”
“You really know a lot, huh?”
As I responded to Su-Jin’s continued remarks, her face suddenly turned bright red.
Is it getting cold?
“W-What? You think I figured that out because of you? Kim Donghu, that’s crazy! I just heard the rumors and passed it on!”
“Is that so? Anyway, it’s nice to hear there’s no noise.”
“And since I live with my mom, I can get more detailed information.”
“You don’t even have to ask for details?”
Whack.
Instead of answering, Su-Jin hit my shoulder.
“What’s that for?”
“Are you really that innocent? Are you sure you’re just asking?”
“I know, but I don’t really ask, right?”
Whack.
Another hit!
Why am I getting hit?
“But if you’re saying ‘you too’, that means you’re going to go here, right?”
“Yeah, my mom says this is the best place, but I think you might be coming here too.”
“…Why?”
“Because our moms are close?”
But, ‘our moms’? That title is a bit strange.
I decided not to think too deeply about it.
“If I end up going here, it might not be bad.”
Thinking that, I started to make my way towards the filming set.
Today, I wouldn’t really be playing the piano or anything.
Just a few simple scenes to add.
It was kind of amazing that in such a short moment, I was transitioning from a minor role to a leading one.
“Alright then, let’s go.”
Off to find Lee Jae-yi’s happiness.
++++++
Unlike last week when the viewer board was heated,
“Hydream” was steadily increasing its ratings due to Lee Jae-yi’s increased screen time.
Jay’s increased screen time was steadily boosting the viewer ratings.
But it wasn’t like a massive leap! More like just enough to quench your thirst?
After talking with the chairman and principal, his painful family backstory was highlighted, making the character Lee Jae-yi a bit more fleshed out.
But honestly, that was more than enough.
“Ah, so there’s a reason why Jay’s personality is all twisted like that.”
With just that amount of screen time, Kim Donghu’s acting conveyed everything.
You could say that it was only possible for him to do extra footage.
His ability to pack emotions and story into fleeting moments was awe-inspiring every time I watched, and his handsome face never got old, even daily.
Maybe that’s why the fan cafe members were noticeably increasing every day.
Ji Eun-bi was preparing to watch episode 12 of Hydream, and she quickly jumped into the fan cafe.
Once upon a time, she would watch alone and share her thoughts, but these days, watching together and posting reactions on the bulletin board was super fun.
Especially since, “Today’s the day for the Mirinae stage!”
The twelfth episode featured Lee Jae-yi’s piano performance, and such days felt like a festival, definitely meant to be enjoyed together.
“Wow, the Hydream kids have really improved in their acting compared to the first episode…”
“Must be because our Donghu acts so well that everyone upped their game? LOL”
“I totally agree.”
Their first stage was after overcoming all trials and tribulations, leading them to participate in Mirinae.
– Hydream! Spread your wings and chase your dreams!
A hopeful song about youth, singing that you can shine if you don’t give up through tough times.
Ji Eun-bi found herself nodding along without realizing it.
“Seems like the song is good…”
“Definitely, they’ve got some talented singers, so that makes sense.”
The viewers didn’t know that this was a glorious result from the Hydream members’ grueling practice.
They normally wouldn’t have worked this hard, but Kim Donghu’s presence fired them up to participate more passionately in the drama.
“Wow, there he is!”
“Donghu oppa’s shaved head is seriously so cool!”
“Like, how is that even real?”
As soon as Hydream’s stage wrapped up, Lee Jae-yi’s performance followed.
Then came the piano performance, “The song that grew up hating the world, now Lee Jae-yi’s La Campanella shakes the world outside the TV.”
Could Hydream even compete with that stage?
Of course, it wasn’t that Hydream’s song was bad, but the comparison between a band and classical music was laughable.
From an absolute perspective, viewers thought Lee Jae-yi was ahead in every aspect.
I could totally understand the blank expressions on the principal and chairman’s faces.
Who wouldn’t be moved by something like that?
Everyone watched in a trance as Lee Jae-yi’s solo unfolded.
La Campanella.
It felt eternal, and as the technically demanding piece concluded, everyone snapped back to reality.
“…What do we do?”
Ji Eun-bi let out a worry without even realizing it.
After the performance, Lee Jae-yi gave a light wave before moving backstage.
Thinking about parents who didn’t come to see his stage, he felt like there was no one in the world who truly wanted him.
Feeling as if no one is there,
the image of struggling with relentless loneliness and shedding tears vividly unfolds.
Normally, this would have been where the story ended,
but then the door backstage swings open and light rushes in.
“Everyone loves you so much; what are you doing crying alone?”
Someone slowly approaches the curled-up Lee Jae-yi.
Song Cheolsu, the leader and vocalist of Haidream, extends his hand to Lee Jae-yi.
“An encore request has come in; everyone is looking for you. They want you to sing one more song.”
At his words, Lee Jae-yi looks up at Song Cheolsu and asks,
“How is it that you don’t hate me? I’ve treated you so badly.”
Where does this kindness, able to reach out a hand at this last moment, come from?
Lee Jae-yi finds the warmth he’s never experienced before unfamiliar.
His face, distorted by awkwardness and tears, carries an expression of someone seeing warmth he had never sought.
Looking down at that face, Song Cheolsu answered nonchalantly,
“Who knows? Isn’t that what friends are for?”
“Were we friends?”
“If we’ve shared the same stage, we’re all friends. What are you getting so picky about? Stop being a weirdo!”
Friends.
At that word, Lee Jae-yi’s expression melts away in an instant.
Despite telling himself not to cry, promising to be strong, tears pour out uncontrollably.
No matter how much of a genius he is, he’s still only seventeen.
He’s far too young and should be receiving care.
This child, who kept whipping himself saying he didn’t need anyone,
was taken aback by the first unconditional kindness he received, and
“…Thank you.”
He grabbed onto that kindness desperately.
Song Cheolsu lifted Lee Jae-yi up by the hand.
Then suddenly,
“Oh right, our band is missing a keyboardist; do you want to do it?”
He let out the words he had wanted to say for a long time, and
“Sure,”
Lee Jae-yi replied with a bright smile.
How long had it been since he smiled like that?
On stage,
in this moment where there are no winners or losers,
this sensation he felt for the first time,
“Not bad.”
In truth, he was incredibly happy.
That day, the flower that grew from hatred
turned into a weirdo.
++++++++
The drama department head office is shaking.
Cherry pie flows into his mouth like a wave.
His whole body is brimming with energy.
Could this be a transformation?
“Zuhahahaha! Now, I declare!”
Chomp chomp chomp.
Cherry pie keeps going into his mouth.
Clap clap clap clap clap.
Producer Kim Youngmo sheds tears of joy waiting for Director Kim Cheoldo’s next line.
“From now on, it’s the era of KBC dramas!”
Zuhahahaha!
Viewership ratings at 23%.
A moment when history is born.
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