Actor Lee Sang-soo was known as a skilled performer.
He didn’t want to lightly pass over the connection he’d made through this production of [Star Fisherman].
There was one specific reason for that.
‘Director Jo Bang-woo’s film.’
The father of Director Cho Min-tae, with whom Seoyeon had formed a bond in her youth, was responsible for this movie. His next project was set to begin production next year.
Seoyeon wanted to appear in that film alongside Lee Sang-soo.
‘Director Jo Bang-woo’s film isn’t something impossible to produce.’
The movie received sufficient investment and was Director Jo Bang-woo’s last attempt, made with desperate effort. It was a rare disaster film with rather fresh material, and the protagonist was quite appealing — so it was later evaluated.
Still…
“Tomorrow, [Dream Future] episode 14 will air.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“It’s my last appearance as Joo Ha-rin.”
Specifically, it was the episode where she competed with Song So-ha for a spot in the finals. In that scene, Song So-ha would defeat Joo Ha-rin and advance to the finals.
“I’d really appreciate it if you watched.”
“Hmm, of course I will. I watched it recently, and it was quite watchable.”
This ‘quite watchable’ was an extraordinary compliment considering that [Dream Future] was entirely unsuitable for Lee Sang-soo.
He had merely watched purely to see Seoyeon’s performance.
“And…”
Seoyeon hesitated for a moment whether or not she should say what was on her mind but quickly shook her head.
‘Does it even matter if I try to persuade him with words? He’d just pay half attention anyway.’
Lee Sang-soo was currently at a point where his heart had almost left acting entirely. All that remained now was the faint embers of nostalgia.
Seoyeon understood that reigniting those embers had to come first.
“Hopefully, I’ll see you again sometime.”
“Ah, of course. If you ever want to go fishing, just let me know.”
“Aiy, sir, fishing is for uncles like us.”
“No, why not? You, Seoyeon, have talent.”
Watching this uncle-like banter, Seoyeon subtly shifted her gaze.
There was a young man barely managing his composure within that energetic atmosphere.
***
“Ji-woo, your acting was great today.”
Sim Cheong-seok said this as he patted Ji-woo Pyo on the shoulder. Before leaving the theater, he had managed to conclude the play on a not-so-bad note.
“However, you should try diversifying the range of your acting. Right now, it’s all one color.”
“Uh, I’ll try hard.”
“That’s right. Anyway, you’ve got talent, so you’ll pick it up quickly.”
Ji-woo sighed. Even this mild critique from Sim Cheong-seok meant today’s performance had been decent. If Sim didn’t like it, he’d badger someone for two or three hours straight.
“Ah, and…”
Just when it seemed over, Sim Cheong-seok remembered something.
Holding his breath in anticipation of another comment, Ji-woo waited.
“You’ve got someone waiting for you, so go ahead and leave.”
“Me?”
Waiting for him?
While uncomfortable admitting it, Ji-woo had an exceedingly narrow social circle. Who could possibly be looking for him?
“Hello.”
“…”
It was Seoyeon.
The girl who had stopped her from walking down a dangerous path waited outside the theater. Unlike the old school uniform she had seen before, today Seoyeon wore a fresh summer one.
“So…”
Ji-woo, having moved to a nearby café, gazed at Seoyeon.
Just as before, her beauty was eerily breathtaking.
“Is there something sudden?”
A tranquil gaze was directed at him. Even quite tough Ji-woo flinched under such a gaze from Seoyeon.
‘Cha Soo-ah, right?’
She had also appeared in [Dream Future], though he hadn’t watched it. However, he had seen [The Chaser]. Ji-woo liked thriller movies anyway.
The performance of Seoyeon he had seen there was quietly impressive enough to make even Ji-woo feel intimidated. Could this be why?
Now, sitting across from him, Seoyeon felt unnecessarily imposing. Why had Seoyeon come to meet him?
‘Hasn’t she been doing quite well recently?’
[The Chaser] and [Dream Future]. Recently, through [Star Fisherman], Seoyeon had been steadily increasing her public recognition. It seemed Sim Cheong-seck was also considering venturing further into the entertainment business.
“Ji-woo, sister.”
“Huh, uh.”
“How do stalkers usually target their victims?”
“?!”
What? Why is she asking me?
Although he once chased after Min Se-ho…
“I, well, I simply don’t know much about that kind of psychology, so I wanted to ask an expert for some advice.”
“!”
“Wait, I never actually stalked anyone!”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
With a questioning gaze, Seoyeon regarded Ji-woo.
Ji-woo felt wronged. He had only made efforts to participate in plays Min Se-ho was working on because he genuinely wanted to act together.
He hadn’t been stalking Min Se-ho around everywhere.
‘Maybe he’s a gentle stalker.’
Seoyeon mused, watching Ji-woo. On reflection, although Ji-woo had noticed Min Se-ho’s activities involving octopus a bit late, he was definitely more obsessive than your average stalker.
‘Still, his mindset might differ. He’s professional, after all.’
Deciding to let it slide, Seoyeon continued.
“Uh, um. Usually, they investigate the places the target frequents…”
This was already common stalker knowledge Seoyeon herself would know.
“And…?”
“They also try to befriend the victim’s associates to gather information.”
The first thing to learn was the target’s phone number. Many would immediately figure out when it changed and send a text saying, “Hey, your number changed?”
“Or, there’s the case of sneaking in to steal a seal for a fake marriage registry, or throwing themselves in front of moving vans of celebrities.”
“…”
“Ah, no! I didn’t do that!”
‘Do that?’
Seoyeon stared at Ji-woo, narrowing her eyes.
‘Well, you know about this pretty well, huh.’
What Seoyeon was gathering from Ji-woo was information related to obsessive fans, the so-called ‘sasaeng fans,’ the phenomenon that had spiraled out of control and ruined Thunderstorm.
‘The issue isn’t simply sasaeng fans, though.’
She recently remembered Liam.
An idol who seemed deflated in everything. Evidence that the management company didn’t really care for him.
Thunderstorm.
Sasaeng fan’s attack.
Conflict between members.
These thoughts flitted through Seoyeon’s mind.
Liam.
Kim Ho-seung.
She didn’t know his stage name, but she knew his real name since he would later transition to acting and make a glamorous debut.
Though it had taken him quite a while.
‘In my last life…’
From what she recalled, he had become famous about half a year before her life ended. If she estimated the timeline, it would be over five years from now.
“You shouldn’t meddle.”
Seeing Seoyeon lost in thought, Ji-woo interjected. Ji-woo, who had once experienced someone interfering, was naturally concerned.
“Well, we’re short on actors.”
“Huh?”
Not feeling the need to elaborate further after hearing this, Ji-woo did not ask more. It was likely meaningless anyway.
‘Ever since Hwang Min-hwa left, Nova Entertainment has been shaky in various ways.’
As long as Seoyeon could take her place, that would suffice. She could have said it like that.
‘It would be good if even one talented actor could join.’
If Nova Entertainment grew, Seoyeon would reap more benefits when pursuing her own projects.
After all, in her previous life, Nova Entertainment had only reached mid-tier status.
‘Aim for the top if we’re doing this.’
Seoyeon had selected Nova Entertainment for a reason. Wherever she went, she believed she could elevate it to the top.
In that sense, being at Nova Entertainment where she had more sway was preferable.
‘At least to the RY Entertainment level.’
She hoped it would grow at least to that extent. Seoyeon had a fierce competitive spirit.
***
“You, just stay here. It’s dangerous.”
“I don’t want to.”
“I’ll check it out for you, you just wait.”
“Okay, then.”
Seoyeon’s suggestion led Ji-woo to personally take charge, allowing her to wait peacefully. Beginners like herself stood no chance against experts.
‘Anyways, it won’t happen right away.’
There was still some time ahead. It was also possible that her information was incorrect. So caution was key in such matters.
Plus, just in case.
“Here’s a wooden sword.”
“Huh?”
“A metal sword can kill.”
“The wooden sword can, too. Actually, I have absolutely no intention of fighting.”
Ji-woo would handle it appropriately. Even if he were to fight with sasaeng fans, wielding a wooden sword, Ji-woo wouldn’t lose.
Thinking thus, as they stopped by the convenience store on Tuesday,
“?”
The cashier’s reaction was different from usual.
Perhaps due to the influence of [The Chaser], whenever Seoyeon appeared, it was noticeable that their pupils would shift restlessly.
“Hello.”
The cashier’s response was surprisingly calm and cheerful rather than star-struck. They even seemed eager to chat.
It was the same at school. Rarely did her classmates greet her.
“Hey, long time no see.”
“You came pretty early today, didn’t you?”
Yesterday’s airing of [Dream Future] episode 14 seemed to be the turning point.
It was the episode where Joo Ha-rin faced off against Song So-ha. The last time Seoyeon would appear in [Dream Future], excluding the ending.
What Seoyeon had aimed for – improving ‘Cha So-ah’s’ image to a reasonable extent – exceeded her expectations in terms of reaction.
“Working on a drama’s OST?”
The response came from a direction Seoyeon had not anticipated at all.
***
“Damn that [Dream Future].”
Drama director Kim Il-soo sighed, tossing the material he had just received. It seemed that KMB, seeing the great success of [Dream Future] as a ‘youth drama,’ wanted another similar work.
They even intended to use that rookie writer, Min Se-hee.
But Kim Il-soo found the whole situation distasteful since he didn’t really fit the mold of [Dream Future]-like soft dramas.
Most of his dramas tended to be cynical and socially conscious.
“High school protagonists again? That was just good fortune for [Dream Future].”
He had much to say, but it seemed that someone higher up in the Drama Department had their eye on that young actress.
“Joo Seoyeon, wasn’t it?”
A young actress who currently stirred up various controversies. She certainly had qualities that caught the attention of those in power.
“Episode 14, she only appears today, right?”
He planned to finish watching all the backlogged episodes of [Dream Future] that night. He had stopped at episode 4.
While episode 1 was decent, the subsequent episodes were unremarkable, so he stopped.
However, this movie he was now planning to shoot, [Sky Garden], might feature an actor who would be working with him.
The actor’s side had expressed positive interest, so…
“Let me see how it goes.”
Recalling Cha So-ah’s intense presence from [The Chaser], he began watching [Dream Future] methodically.
And continued until the early morning without a break.
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