Chapter 34

You Came from the Stars

Commonly referred to as “Star from the Stars,” it was a drama that belonged to the Wednesday-Thursday drama category.

This means that the reactions to the first episode broadcast on Wednesday were generally revealed on Thursday.

The reaction to the second episode airing on Thursday, in turn, would be evident on Friday.

However, perhaps due to the immense interest it garnered—exceeding 900,000 views just two days after the teaser was released—the attention on Ha Eun, who made a striking appearance at the end of the teaser, began surfacing on Monday, before the first episode had even aired.

Of course, the interest in the two lead actors, Yu Seong-a and Ha Yoon-seong, was still holding strong.

The “bait” concerning the two had been consumed through various promotional articles since the first filming of “You Came from the Stars.”

– Do child actors usually appear this heavily?

– Just because they showed up for the last 10 seconds, what weight are you talking about?

– A child actor appearing solo at the end is already weighty enough, you oblivious person.

– Kang Seon-woo saving Kim Jiji while taking a stab was all for this moment.

– Wow, just how far ahead are you seeing?

– You’re seeing too far ahead; a project hasn’t been confirmed in five years.

– Quit shooting commercials and please, give me a movie or drama!

– What kind of vocal tone does that kid have; it rivals professional voice actors!

– If anyone felt chills when the teaser went dark at the end, comment!

– The chills were probably due to your reflection on the monitor, wasn’t it?

– Isn’t that a bit too harsh?

– I can’t say otherwise.

– Go!

The only known information about Ha Eun was that she played the role of young Han Yu-hwa, but new “bait” targeting her began to circulate in various communities.

Consequently, Ha Eun felt the interest directed at her not online, but offline.

Specifically, it occurred at the elementary school she attended.

“Is this kid really from our school?”

“If you don’t believe it, come see during break.”

As soon as the first period ended on Monday, a few kids came to class 4 to see Ha Eun, causing a brief commotion.

The problem was that a similar situation arose during break times of the second and third periods.

Even after the fourth period ended, similar incidents occurred just as lunch began.

Still, it was manageable to some extent.

Ha Eun tried to respond sincerely to the various questions from the kids who came to see her.

However, as usual, Min Da-yeon, who was by Ha Eun’s side, intervened.

“Hey, you all! Didn’t you know it’s a point deduction if you enter another class?”

She coldly chased most of the kids who came to see Ha Eun out of the classroom.

The calm of class 4 quickly returned after that.

From Min Da-yeon’s perspective, who had been enjoying fame as an actress for quite some time, this was a nuisance she had expressed countless times over the past four years.

For that reason, she felt that such annoying situations should be stomped out right from the start.

“Hmm, can’t we at least hear what you’re curious about?”

“Once you start listening, it’ll never end. Absolutely.”

Of course, like other kids, Min Da-yeon had replayed the teaser for “You Came from the Stars” a few times.

Yet, she refrained from voicing her curiosity about the series purely out of pride.

In the past, the music video of “Daulby,” which Ha Eun appeared in, and the “Next-door Uncle” weren’t things that garnered much interest among elementary school children.

For kids around the same age as Ha Eun, “Daulby” was just a funny uncle who appeared in “[Don’t Stop People]” and “[Infinite Challenge],” while “Next-door Uncle” was an adults-only movie, making it impossible to watch.

Thanks to that, while Min Da-yeon had a tumultuous school life filled with noise since the first grade, Ha Eun’s elementary school experience was comparatively quiet.

In other words, within the elementary school, Min Da-yeon’s fame had completely overshadowed Ha Eun’s fame.

Of course, from Ha Eun’s perspective, it was rather nice to have the ordinary school life she longed for.

However, for Min Da-yeon, those were the times she could showcase her popularity and fame to Ha Eun.

Thus, seeing Ha Eun’s name being mentioned everywhere before the airing of “You Came from the Stars” was not a pleasant sight for Min Da-yeon, who considered Ha Eun a competitor.

It felt as though Ha Eun’s rising fame was catching up with Min Da-yeon’s fame from far below, at a frightening speed.

In other words, anxiety.

Or perhaps, jealousy.

‘…Anyway, what an annoying brat.’

So far, at least within the elementary school, Min Da-yeon could confidently say she had surpassed Ha Eun.

Unlike Ha Eun, who would appear for a few episodes as young Han Yu-hwa, Min Da-yeon was currently starring as a recognized lead in a respected daily drama.

However, to think that just because one teaser was released, Ha Eun’s fame was already starting to catch up to Min Da-yeon’s!

From Min Da-yeon’s perspective, there were moments when that felt a bit unfair.

As time went on, Min Da-yeon continued to block the children’s barrage of questions towards Ha Eun, and Thursday arrived.

That meant that Ha Eun, as young Han Yu-hwa, was set to make her first appearance in the second episode just a few hours later.

“Hey, Da-yeon, are you going to watch ‘You Came from the Stars’ later tonight?”

Once again, with no ill intentions, Ha Eun simply wanted Min Da-yeon to watch her first drama.

However, the response she received from Min Da-yeon, who was pouting, was:

“…You haven’t watched my drama.”

In a tone that implied why Min Da-yeon should be compelled to watch Ha Eun’s drama.

Upon closer inspection, Da-yeon’s drama aired at a time that made it difficult for Ha Eun to watch due to her schedule.

Min Da-yeon was aware of this fact, which is why she also knew her last remark was unreasonable.

However, just seconds after that, Ha Eun’s unexpected response was:

“Um, I’ve been watching the reruns…”

“Really?”

Min Da-yeon’s frown disappeared in an instant, and without realizing it, she demanded Ha Eun’s opinion on her drama.

Thus, after hearing Ha Eun’s honest and rather precise feedback, she said, “It’s from 9:30 PM… You’ll watch it, right?”

Even for someone as self-centered as Min Da-yeon, she couldn’t outright say she wouldn’t watch it.

Ultimately, she added that she would surely critique Ha Eun’s acting thoroughly, down to the smallest details, so Ha Eun should look forward to it.

As time flowed on, the clock struck 9:30 PM.

Reluctantly seated in front of the living room TV, Min Da-yeon turned to her father, who was enjoying a rerun of a variety show.

“Can I have the remote? I have something to watch.”

“Huh? Uh…?”

“Quickly.”

Disregarding the patriarchal authority of changing TV channels, she turned the channel, finally catching sight of Ha Eun transformed into a beautiful young lady.

Of course, the Lee Ha-eun Min Da-yeon knew had always done that.

“…What are you staring at so intently?”

“No, it’s just. Your earlobes are red, resembling raspberries, and I just wanted to taste them.”

“Y-Yes?!”

“Haha. Just kidding, just kidding. No matter what, I won’t do such shameless things.”

Since Min Da-yeon saw nothing that warranted critique, she completely forgot her original intention to find fault with Ha Eun and became engrossed in “You Came from the Stars.”

Later, as time flowed yet again, Friday morning arrived.

As expected, Ha Eun, who had been subtly observing Min Da-yeon, began to show signs of wanting to hear Min Da-yeon’s opinions.

However, seeing Ha Eun like that made Min Da-yeon want to refrain from giving her feedback, for no particular reason.

She held her silence until the second period break, eventually making an excuse to go to the restroom and leaving her seat.

But right after Min Da-yeon exited the restroom, the corridor’s atmosphere was remarkably raucous.

Rising on her tiptoes to figure out what was happening during those moments, she heard:

“Wow, it’s really Han Yu-hwa!”

“What’s Yoon-seong like in real life? Does he really radiate light from his face?”

“Hey, Lee Ha-eun! I’m going to post this on Facebook, so look this way and give a V sign!”

An overwhelming display of attention and annoyingly excessive inquiries were directed at just one person—Ha Eun—which Min Da-yeon witnessed.

Fortunately, it was the last day of the second semester, culminating in the winter break ceremony that day.

This meant that if they could get through today, it would be a while before Ha Eun would be engulfed by a crowd of kids, just like now.

“Run, you fool!”

Min Da-yeon barely pushed through the enormous crowd and managed to grab Ha Eun’s wrist, sprinting toward the school gate with all her might.

In the end, all that remained before the throngs of children were the fresh footprints scattered across the snowy playground.

After finally joining Manager Kim Jin-soo, who had been waiting at a café near the elementary school, they both gasped for air.

However, with Ha Eun not even breaking a sweat, one couldn’t help but doubt whether she had truly run alongside Min Da-yeon.

“…School hasn’t ended yet.”

“Is that really the problem?”

Seeing Ha Eun exhibiting her often oblivious side in odd situations, Min Da-yeon let out an exasperated sigh.

It was absurd to think that a proper session could take place amid such a chaotic situation.

“I left my bag in the classroom.”

“You can just go get it later!”

I can say with confidence that if Ha Eun were left in that chaotic scene, something would have surely gone awry.

Yet, Ha Eun’s bewildered expression, as if there was no problem at all, was enough to leave Min Da-yeon speechless.

“If the 5th and 6th graders start to swarm, it’ll really be no joke! You fool!!!”

She scolded the oblivious girl for acting like an airhead.

---