Chapter 48

The Moon That Hid the Sun, three hours before the reenactment of Episode 8.

Park Jung-woo had arrived. It was the moment when the crew was busily filming.

“Joo Sooyeon.”

Jiyeon extended a hanbok toward Sooyeon.

It was the hanbok of Princess Yeonhwa given by the staff that morning.

“Put it on.”

Sooyeon gave it a slightly awkward look.

That look stemmed from many complex reasons:

The dangerous moments nearly encountered when she was known as Princess Yeonhwa during middle school.

That this role was given to Jiyeon, not herself.

The worry that it might somehow harm the play.

All these factors made Sooyeon hesitate.

“Jiyeon, I—”

“I know what you’re thinking.”

Jiyeon spoke to Sooyeon. They’d been close for a decade.

In the past, reading the stoic face was difficult, but not now. Even if occasionally unclear, in situations like this, it was crystal clear.

“There are several reasons, I’m sure. Above all, it’s an opportunity too good for me to pass up.”

It was the chance to shoot alongside Park Jung-woo, a young actor nearing top-star status.

Any actor of their generation would have gone to great lengths to snatch this opportunity.

Insufficient ratings? Park Jung-woo would fill that gap.

And even if the variety show didn’t catch fire, mere internet articles about it would likely shoot his fame skywards.

Jiyeon understood everything.

“All of it.”

“I know you want to do something with theater.”

There’s definitely some plan brewing, Jiyeon thought. However, she didn’t like the idea of Sooyeon’s first post-break stage being a common play.

It was only the first stage after her return. It felt like throwing away a premium chance.

“To become a top actor, right?”

Jiyeon thought: if Sooyeon didn’t like a plain stage, then making it special would suffice.

This variety show presented just the right opportunity.

“This is our chance. You know that.”

From the moment Jiyeon received the role of Princess Yeonhwa, she had envisioned this kind of scenario repeatedly.

Princess Yeonhwa belongs to Sooyeon. That was clear.

From the moment she had seen her on TV long ago.

From the moment she bore witness to her starlight, her decision hadn’t wavered.

“…”

Sooyeon quietly stared at Jiyeon.

Calmly.

And quietly.

After a bit of time passed, Sooyeon slowly nodded.

“Alright.”

A decision was made. Jiyeon was right.

Sooyeon’s participation in ‘Eyes Closed’ was a stepping stone for future steps.

But making that stepping stone exceptional wouldn’t hurt.

It would be disrespectful to Jiyeon, who hesitated yet still offered this opportunity.

“I’ll do it.”

With Sooyeon’s firm response, the costume change began. The makeup artist Jiyeon had personally brought, along with the manager, assisted with the process.

Everything proceeded smoothly, thanks to Jiyeon’s prior preparation.

The makeup artist. The manager assisting with the costume. With their help, Sooyeon entrusted her body to the transformation process.

Into Princess Yeonhwa, Lee Hye-wol.

After ten years, she would once again become her.

“Here, lift your arm, please.”

Fitted into the layered silk skirt. Then the jeogori.

“Seoyeon, lift your head.”

The long black hair was tied back. Facing the mirror, they delicately styled and applied makeup.

In the mirror, Princess Yeonhwa appeared— a grown-up, beautiful Hye-wol reflecting.

“Miss Jiyeon? What’s going on…?”

At this moment, Producer Jung Min-jae, summoned by Jiyeon, arrived with a perplexed face. As soon as he arrived, he froze in shock.

“Jiyeon?”

He blinked. He’d seen Jiyeon’s photos countless times before this shoot.

But who was this woman standing right in front of him?

Black flowing hair, slightly slanted eyes, elegant posture, and a still, serene atmosphere.

She was, in essence, the reincarnation of Princess Yeonhwa.

The image of how the young Hye-wol might look grown up after seeing her on TV a decade ago…

“Uh… Wha-? What? Hold on, hold on. Jiyeon, isn’t it? No—you’re not Jiyeon, right?”

Startled, PD Jung Min-jae didn’t even realize Jiyeon was right next to Princess Yeonhwa.

He noticed someone nearby but was entirely fixated on Sooyeon’s face.

“Yes, Producer.”

Sooyeon softly smiled.

“I’m Joo Sooyeon.”

At the sound of that name, PD Jung Min-jae dropped his smartphone to the floor.

***

The moment happened, and those inside the auditorium didn’t understand what had just transpired.

At first, it was mistaken for acting. High school streamer Song Yong-ho, who was filming the event closely with his smartphone, felt the same.

Initially, it seemed like a regular play. Sure, it felt more like a play than a drama. Yet not particularly captivating.

Mostly, it was a boring story focused on students.

Chat comments echoed similar thoughts:

– Meh ㅋㅋ this explains why it failed.

– Haven’t slept well recently… watching this makes me want to sleep already…

– Might as well play a game at home. It would be tens of times more interesting.

Sure enough, the chat conversations mirrored Song Yong-ho’s thoughts. Without any editing, watching live variety like this could naturally evoke such reactions.

But the tone completely flipped when Park Jung-woo arrived.

The moment he appeared in hanbok, there was a roar of cheers that echoed through the auditorium.

– What? Is he a dinosaur?!?

– I was almost asleep, but damn it, now I’m wide awake.

– PLEASE 3 CM PLEASE 3 CM PLEASE 3 CM PLEASE!

Comments began flooding in rapidly, and the number of viewers surged from around 200 to 500.

Song Yong-ho grinned, turning his gaze back toward the ongoing variety show.

“Definitely, he’s an actor.”

Park Jung-woo’s entrance made the distinction between ‘student’ and ‘actor’ crystal clear. His scenes were certainly worth watching.

But that’s all there was. After all, a variety show isn’t solely about watching a single actor’s performance.

– Wake me up when it’s over…

– Not even Park Jung-woo can salvage this.

– Hmm…

Just as everyone was losing interest, a multitude of students surged onto the scene, creating a lively crowd.

Perhaps portraying a ‘market,’ they mimed selling different items. In the midst of this, Park Jung-woo was walking calmly.

“Almost done.”

It was around two-thirds through the event. As Song Yong-ho helplessly observed the dwindling viewer count, something unexpected happened.

“Eh?”

“What?”

Park Jung-woo’s pace quickened. Was this acting? If so, it was incredibly realistic.

Mesmerized, he pursued after someone. At the end of that gaze was a woman cloaked in a long robe.

Princess Yeonhwa. That’s who everyone thought it was.

But then—

「Seoil」

When that clear voice rang out through the microphone, chills ran down Song Yong-ho’s spine.

The woman slowly lowered the robe covering her head, revealing a girl smiling softly.

– ????????

– What’s going on?

– Isn’t that Jiyeon?

– Who’s the actress for Princess Yeonhwa?? Her appearance is insane… was she the child actress?

– No way… stop with the jokes.

– That’s Ju Seoyeon, the real child actress from Princess Yeonhwa.

– Seriously??

– Does that even make sense???

Song Yong-ho couldn’t bring himself to look at the chat, which was overwhelmed with shock.

“Insane…”

In that instant, he became completely immersed.

‘Isn’t this… Seoyeon from class 4?’

‘Wasn’t she in the theater club?’

‘No, come to think of it…’

The Moon That Hid the Sun was a rather unfamiliar drama to the students—it aired when they were only seven years old, after all.

Even a famous drama with well-received young actors can be easily forgotten.

“Is Seoyeon really ‘The Ju Seoyeon’?”

“Nah, I thought they just looked alike…”

“Wait. Let’s confirm it’s her.”

Teachers instantly recalled the young Princess Yeonhwa.

Ten years later and the memory stayed vivid. But they hadn’t anticipated this pretty student to be the real “Actress Seoyeon.”

“Lack of noteworthy activities on her school resume doesn’t make sense, does it?”

Seoyeon had stopped acting before elementary school started. Of course, there wouldn’t have been any such mention in her records.

But.

The proof that resolved all the teachers’ doubts was Park Jung-woo’s reaction.

The sight of Sooyeon, frozen in place, proved she was indeed that child actress.

“…”

Park Jung-woo, eyes wide, frozen in place, slowly approached Seoyeon, as if forgetting to breathe.

His stammering attempt to speak seemed genuine.

Stored within Park Jung-woo’s memory was the image of a small child. The girl before him now was the beautifully grown woman.

Playful crimson eyes and soft curved lips. Her expression was warmer, brighter, than ever before.

「Seoil?」

The acting couldn’t have covered all of that.

“You, you!!”

Clutching Sooyeon’s arm in shock, her expression mirrored confusion.

“The lines are wrong.”

“Is this even the moment to say that? This is really Seoyeon. You’re Joo Seoyeon, right…”

Why are you here.

Or, rather, where is Jiyeon? Why is the real Princess Yeonhwa here?

Park Jung-woo, unaware, grasped Seoyeon’s arms and nearly blurted those questions.

“Ah.”

And then he realized that the auditorium had fallen into a deathly silence.

What must he look like right now?

Park Jung-woo closed his eyes tightly.

***

A bit startled, Seoyeon thought, ‘There was no scene like this, was there?’

But of course, there wasn’t.

“Hold on, we’ll pause here!”

The filming paused momentarily as a camera crew stepped forward to capture Park Jung-woo’s reaction.

It would all go into the footage.

Seoyeon watched and spoke.

“NG.”

“You… what exactly…”

Park Jung-woo, holding his head, tried to calm down. The fatigue he’d felt a moment ago seemed to have disappeared entirely.

“…Why is it you here anyway?”

“Because this is the high school I currently attend.”

“Is… that really a convincing answer?”

His racing heart was still loud. After briefly glancing at Seoyeon, he turned his head. Something about looking at her directly felt strange.

Perhaps it was awkwardness. Or maybe just a mixture of various odd feelings.

“…Are you really making a comeback?”

Quietly, Park Jung-woo spoke. The camera captured his voice. Everyone’s attention in the auditorium was drawn.

Students participating in the filming and teachers watching all focused their gazes on the duo.

Seoyeon felt it.

This was the right moment.

“Yes.”

“Did you get a project yet? If not, I can help…”

“I’ve already found one. A play.”

“A play?”

It was a completely unexpected answer for Park Jung-woo. Why had Seoyeon chosen a play as her comeback project?

“What’s its title?”

“…”

Seoyeon started to speak. Her words resonated clearly in everyone’s ears.

The name of her comeback work, a decade after becoming famous as Princess Yeonhwa.

“But, this acting is important, isn’t it?”

All the students in the auditorium focused their gaze. Seoyeon looked at Jung-woo and then—

The atmosphere shifted.

The relatively calm aura around Seoyeon shifted into the cheerful yet graceful personality of Hye-wol.

Still maintaining the elegance of Princess Yeonhwa.

Even forgetting it was just a variety show on TV, everyone was deeply drawn into the drama.

「Seoil」

Princess Lee Hye-wol.

The scene depicting her reunion with the grown-up Yoon Seoil.

The iconic scene that fans of The Moon That Hid the Sun for ten years had been waiting for.

「Have you been waiting long?」

To that, Jung-woo chuckled.

「Yes, my lord.」

And thus, the 10-year reenactment of Episode 8 began.

[ The Return of the Child Star, Joo Sooyeon ]

[ The Dramatic Twist of ‘Looking Back at the Past’]

[ What is the Play Chosen by the Child Star? ]

[ Eye-Opening Results: Tickets Sold Out Within 30 Minutes of ‘Eyes Closed’]

The ripple effects were enormous.

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