Chapter: 58
In the morning, GMN’s variety show PD, Choi Kwang-soo, received a call that made him doubt his ears.
Well, it was no surprise; the show he was managing was practically nearing its end.
It had been a while since a guest had graced the set, and lately, it was mostly the regular cast holding things together.
That said, there was no reason to expect that.
“Uh? A guest for our show?”
For a moment, he thought he must have misheard.
Sure, a guest could happen.
But the problem was who that guest was.
Joo Su-yeon.
The actress who had recently caused a stir in the variety show _”Looking Back at the Past and Memories.”_
Plus, she had performed a play in Daehangno that had been a complete sell-out; rumors suggested she even broke her contract with RY Entertainment.
Hot potato? You’ve got a spicy one there.
Considering her popularity, there was absolutely no reason for her to appear on this cable variety show.
“But, um… I don’t even know what that actress looks like.”
Just then, Hwang Joon-ho, who happened to be meeting Choi Kwang-soo over some ribs, chimed in while taking a bite.
Hearing this, PD Kwang-soo couldn’t help but chuckle.
After ten years of working on the same show together, they were practically friends, yet Joon-ho’s ignorance left him astounded.
“Ah, did you just come down from the mountains after, what, ten years of meditation or something?”
“Ten years? That’s a bit much.”
“No, Su-yeon has been trending since ten years ago. You know _The Sun Hidden by the Moon_, right?”
“Of course, I know! Just didn’t watch it because I was busy being a senior in high school back then.”
Yeah, being a high school senior is something, I suppose.
Wait a minute… if you were a senior, how could you even appear on _Looking Like a King_?
“I distinctly remember you were over twenty back then, so what’s this?”
“Oi, you’ve got a good memory.”
But still, it made sense not knowing Joo Su-yeon.
Sure, she had been in some CFs, but for Joon-ho, all he recalled was _The Sun Hidden by the Moon_.
Though that was nothing compared to the shock she delivered on _Looking Back at the Past and Memories._
Even now, replays of Park Jung-woo ’s reaction and her dramatic entrance were still rife on cable networks.
After that, _Looking Back at the Past and Memories_ shifted its format to include at least one guest, and unbelievably enough, the ratings started to climb.
Talk about resurrecting a variety show.
“We could do that too, you know?”
“Hmm, right? Oh, good point.”
While munching on the rib bone, Hwang Joon-ho felt a curious itch.
Who on earth is this actress who has Kwang-soo so enthralled?
“Show me a picture. Let’s check out her face.”
“Not joking; you really didn’t know her. Here, look.”
“Lemme see…”
On Choi Kwang-soo’s phone, a recent photo of Joo Su-yeon appeared.
It was her, dressed beautifully as Princess Yeonhwa at Yeonhwa High School.
Hwang Joon-ho nearly dropped his rib bone.
“High school student?”
“Yep.”
“Wow, I’ve seriously seen few actresses who look pretty just from a photo, but she’s something else.”
“Right?”
“Now I see why she’s popular.”
“For sure!”
“So, what’s she doing on our show?”
“Honestly, I don’t know either.”
They both exchanged glances.
Based on her looks alone, she seemed worlds apart from their gaming focus.
The ultimate in-crowd, if you will.
Actors have this celebrity aura about them, am I right?
“Well, we’ll find out when we meet.”
“There’s really no reason to refuse if she’s coming.”
“Suddenly you’re all smiles, huh?”
Cough.
Who wouldn’t like a pretty actress coming their way?
Regardless, Choi Kwang-soo continued to gaze intently at Su-yeon’s photo.
‘Let’s hope she’s not planning some ludicrous request.’
Not that they had money to spare.
In any case, it wouldn’t hurt to have a chat.
He just thought so and sent a reply.
*
Meanwhile, while all that chatter was going on in _Looking Like a King_, Su-yeon was wrapping up the curtain call for _Close Your Eyes_, celebrating the successful completion of the play.
The first performance of a play tends to be avoided by most people, but the last performance is often favored.
Why? Because the last show usually comes with perks.
Adding in some ad-libs, a post-show greeting, and actors sharing their thoughts.
Those who frequent the theater often catch a repeat performance of the final show even if they’ve already seen it once.
“Thanks to our lovely Joo Su-yeon, we had a great ride. It’s the first time I’ve ever experienced back-to-back sold-out shows in my life. I’ll do my best to stand on stages like this again!”
The actor who thrived as a multi-actor in _Close Your Eyes_ shouted enthusiastically.
Next up was Shim Cheong-seok, who played Bae Seong-hak.
“Honestly, I thought it’d be tough at first, but it truly was a fantastic stage.”
He glanced over at Su-yeon for a brief moment.
“I already want to act with you again next time.”
Su-yeon grimaced slightly at his words.
“Well, it might not be on stage next time, but I look forward to it.”
With Shim Cheong-seok’s surprisingly straightforward curtain speech wrapped up, it was finally Su-yeon’s turn.
It had been an otherwise routine greeting, but when she stepped forward, the atmosphere shifted.
Cheers erupted from the audience.
She might not have been the lead, but Su-yeon, playing Hong Jeong-hee, was undoubtedly the star of the show.
“…Thank you. It was all because of the audience that I could deliver such a good performance.”
She bowed slightly as she spoke.
And as she prepared to say more, the audience quieted in anticipation.
But Su-yeon stumbled, uncertain about what to say next.
“Ah, Su-yeon, I heard there’s a next project in the works?”
“Yes?”
The prompt question came quickly from Shim Cheong-seok, who had been on stage with her, sensing Su-yeon’s hesitation.
Knowing their collaborative efforts, he recognized her “I said my piece” demeanor.
Though he smiled while speaking, his piercing gaze met her.
At that moment, Su-yeon realized her greeting was a bit too brief and rushed to add something.
“Oh, um, yes. I think I’ll be coming back with a movie by the end of this year.”
The mention of a film brought cheers from the audience.
They exchanged a few quick thoughts about her roles and what film she would be starring in.
Thanks to Shim Cheong-seok unwittingly playing the role of MC, the conversation flowed freely.
“Oh! And soon, I’m set to appear on a variety show!”
“A variety show? Already?”
Shim Cheong-seok was a bit shocked.
Although she had gained popularity through the play, it was astonishing that she was already confirmed for a variety show.
“Is this what it means to be a hot topic?”
He internally clicked his tongue.
During the play, his views had changed a bit.
Earlier, he would’ve been content with merely being part of small theater productions, but now he had higher aspirations.
Seeing Su-yeon made him want to swim in bigger waters.
He wanted to showcase his acting to more people.
“What kind of variety show?”
A suitable show for a female actress.
Taking into account her recent popularity, it would likely be a variety show for promotion.
As the audience began tossing out some big-name variety show titles…
“_Looking Like a King._”
“?”
The name spontaneously rolled off her tongue, completely catching them off guard.
The lively performance hall fell silent.
Surely this wasn’t just some misunderstanding?
And then…
The next day at school…
“What were you even trying to say during the curtain call?”
Lee Ji-yeon exclaimed while looking at her phone screen.
“The trending Princess Yeonhwa, ‘Appearing on Looking Like a King?!’”
“What’s the reason she’s participating while the show is ending soon?”
There weren’t many, but the articles were well-positioned on Naver’s homepage.
Seeing that, Su-yeon felt wronged.
All she did was casually mention it for promotion.
Other actors do the same, right?
And what was wrong with _Looking Like a King_?
It was entertaining!
It’s been, what, seven years since she last watched it?
“Anyway, you really managed to grab some attention. It’s buzzing more in communities than in the articles.”
“Oh really?”
“Well, it’s definitely better than being ignored.”
As Ji-yeon mentioned, discussions were brewing in a few communities.
Just a quick glance reveals:
– Fashion gamer, fashionable nerd are back again!
– _Has Looking Like a King_ tanked completely? Did the agency just lose it?
– So, do you even know how to play games?
– With her being a high school girl, it seems like they’re aiming for a friendly concept, huh.
– Looks like she’ll make the show all awkward with her clueless vibe, lol.
Reading these, Su-yeon felt one overwhelming thought.
“I should learn boxing.”
When they meet, I plan just to deliver a single jab!
That sentiment filled her completely.
“As if I can’t play games.”
She was confident in her gaming skills.
After all, hadn’t the Million TS squad proved it?
If you’re TS, gaming prowess is a given.
If you’re clueless, just memorize the basics!
Thus, Su-yeon firmly believed she’d fit right in.
Absolutely.
*
A few days later.
On the day of _Looking Like a King_ filming…
The cast, staring at the same faces and posing in the same way, was secretly a bit jolly.
It had been ages since a guest appeared.
The male cast members felt lighter seeing the face of Su-yeon from photos.
Two female cast members were also present, but even they seemed excited.
“Maybe we should sit a bit far?”
“Her face is sooo tiny. I’ll keep my distance.”
Looking Like a King was not even filmed in a proper set.
In fact, they had sometimes shot episodes at PD Choi Kwang-soo’s or Hwang Joon-ho’s homes.
But for real, it had been several years since they filmed at GMN’s studio.
“Word is, she was pretty eager after watching _Looking Back at the Past and Memories._”
“Still, it’s on public broadcasting…”
Even though _Looking Back at the Past and Memories_ had yielded ratings of 3 and 5 percent, it was still incomparable to cable shows.
But overall, it’s still a good thing for the cast.
They were looking forward to an easygoing shoot.
As they prepared in GMN’s newly decorated, pretty filming location…
“She’s here!”
“Really? Is she arriving now? So does that mean the cameras will be rolling?”
“The cameras have actually been on for ten minutes already.”
Oh, is that so?
Hwang Joon-ho nodded at his fellow cast member Gong Tae-kyun.
“Ahem. Now, today we have a guest! You all must have heard about it.”
After a round of half-hearted reactions, the air buzzed with eager anticipation.
With PD Choi Kwang-soo’s signal, Hwang Joon-ho spoke up loudly.
“Our guest today is… the long-awaited return of Princess Yeonhwa! Joo Su-yeon!”
Upon Joon-ho’s announcement, all six cast members instantaneously focused on the entrance of the set.
Despite having seen various celebrities before, every time they met an actress or idol, it felt entirely fresh.
And there she was, stepping gingerly into view with a swish.
“Uh, school uniform?”
While everyone already knew Su-yeon was an active high school student, they never imagined she would actually show up in a school uniform to the filming.
“Hello!”
With a deep bow reminiscent of her younger days as Princess Yeonhwa, she greeted them.
“A! Four! Hello!!”
The other cast members all jumped up in unison, bowing back in response.
Thanks to that unexpected reaction, Su-yeon, who hadn’t anticipated this formality, was bound to feel flustered.
“Um… why the school uniform?”
Did she come straight after school, or what?
Hwang Joon-ho wondered aloud, and Su-yeon, blinking those big eyes, just smiled back.
“I got it sponsored!”
“O-Oh, really?”
“A sponsorship for the school uniform?”
As a current high schooler with the main viewership in the younger gaming demographic, it seemed the school uniform brand rushed to offer support.
But, wouldn’t a school uniform brand typically avoid gaming broadcasts for image reasons?
That doubt crossed his mind but was ultimately not his concern.
“Not that I’m complaining.”
Hwang Joon-ho swallowed hard.
He’d seen many actresses, but Su-yeon’s appearance was particularly striking.
She had them entranced, gazing blankly.
Indeed, the rest of the cast stood there with their mouths agape, staring.
“…Is this even okay?”
Wasn’t the camera supposed to be rolling right now?
Amidst those thoughts, the filming for Looking Like a King finally kicked off.
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