Chapter 149

“[The Sunshine]” is a melodrama set against the backdrop of the late Joseon Dynasty.

Like other melodramas, the central story of [The Sunshine] revolves around the tangled relationships between the two main characters.

The core narrative follows Park Ju-ho and Kim Jeong-hyun as they become aware of their feelings for each other.

However, up until the airing of episode 5 yesterday, the two did not show the slightest hint of getting together.

“Director Kwon, it’s started.”

Many people were closely watching the newly started episode 6.

The production team of [The Sunshine] felt the same way.

It was not an exaggeration to say that how episode 6 left an impression would determine the future of the drama.

After all, this episode marked a turning point in the relationship between Park Ju-ho and Kim Jeong-hyun.

An episode that put a significant focus on that emotional line.

This was the starting point where Park Ju-ho’s attitude, which had been cold toward Kim Jeong-hyun, began to change slowly.

‘We need to hint at the future of these two.’

Director Kwon Jae-hyuk, who seated himself alongside familiar faces, wore a serious expression.

Other staff members also gazed at the two protagonists on the screen with slightly tense expressions.

This episode was crucial as it needed to inform viewers that [The Sunshine] was indeed a melodrama.

It had to imply that the relationship between the two protagonists would begin to evolve, instilling anticipation for what lay ahead.

– Episode 6 begins

– No way, they get shot right as it starts LOL

– That fall from that height must hurt a lot

– So, is Kim Jeong-hyun dying??

Fortunately, the response on community boards and social media was still decent.

Thanks to summarizing the last part of episode 5 and inserting it at the beginning of episode 6, it was easy to understand the situation of Park Ju-ho and Kim Jeong-hyun.

And so.

– Click.

“What guts do you have to pull this off? A girl who flinched at the slightest scratch.”

Park Ju-ho aimed his gun at Kim Jeong-hyun.

“If you’re going to shoot, then shoot; if you plan to let me go, then let me go. I’ve got places to be.”

To Park Ju-ho, Kim Jeong-hyun was the bloodline of the enemy who killed his parents.

This was a fact that Kim Jeong-hyun was also well aware of.

The bittersweet smile that surfaced on Kim Jeong-hyun’s face was due to that.

At the very least, there was a reason for Park Ju-ho to want to kill him.

Thus, he did not run away.

Even though consciousness was gradually fading due to bleeding from the gunshot wound, he stood his ground.

His hair, tousled here and there.

His formal attire covered in dirt.

His shoulder soaked in blood.

It was not the image of the beloved young lady everyone in Hanseong would remember.

If they knew that Kim Jeong-hyun looked like this, there would be many who would be in shock.

“Do you even know what path you’re walking on right now?”

Park Ju-ho’s furrowed face voiced this as if scolding Kim Jeong-hyun.

The current Kim Jeong-hyun was not in a state that Park Ju-ho could hate freely.

“I don’t know well. However, I do know that this path is my path.”

“Killing a traitor won’t change anything! Why would you take such risks?”

“I wish I had known a little earlier that you were such a kind person.”

Staggering. The young lady’s appearance, in many ways a mess, swayed precariously in front of Park Ju-ho.

Without realizing it, an arm stretched out.

The small back that was weakly swaying was firmly supported by Park Ju-ho’s hand.

The gun that had not been heard from for some time.

Gradually, Kim Jeong-hyun’s gaze moving upwards faintly focused on Park Ju-ho.

The clarity that had been present in his refined gaze had already vanished.

Park Ju-ho’s gaze, looking down at Kim Jeong-hyun, was also far removed from the previous coldness.

Perhaps that is why.

“Can I trust you with my fragile life for just a moment?”

The powerless voice that seemed almost ready to shatter flowed into Park Ju-ho’s ears.

The atmosphere that was slowly diffusing was vastly different from before.

– The acting is really good

– Seriously, the expression looks like they’re going to faint

– They should just kiss, what are they doing?

– If they betray here, it would be a masterpiece

– What is this atmosphereㅠㅠㅠㅠ

The audience’s response was also not bad.

It seemed that the emotional line intended by Director Kwon Jae-hyuk was conveyed effectively between the two.

Just a few seconds later, thud.

Kim Jeong-hyun, who had completely lost consciousness, slowly collapsed into Park Ju-ho’s arms.

“Do you believe that I am yours? Or do you believe that I will become yours?”

The scene of Park Ju-ho protecting Kim Jeong-hyun instead of killing him.

As the relationship which had stagnated for a long time began to progress in a different direction, viewer ratings began to react as well.

“Ah, it surpassed 15 percent!”

Considering that [The Sunshine] is a cable drama and not a terrestrial one, this was an excellent figure.

It was a level that could not be described as a failure.

However, episode 6 was not over yet.

Director Kwon, who had only that one person in mind, calmly awaited the true climax of episode 6.

At last, footsteps continued.

– Step.

– Step.

Park Ju-ho, holding the unconscious Kim Jeong-hyun in the so-called princess carry, exited the alley.

He was heading to Kim Jeong-hyun’s house.

Park Ju-ho had taken his own steps toward the house of the enemies who had taken his parents long ago.

Since viewers had already witnessed Park Ju-ho’s past in episode 1, they immediately understood what this action signified.

Finally arriving at the tiled house.

Park Ju-ho could not help but feel a mix of emotions for a brief moment in front of the gate where he had fled back in the day.

– Bang!

Ultimately, he kicked the large gate open and stepped inside the enemy’s house.

Naturally, all eyes concentrated on Park Ju-ho and Kim Jeong-hyun in his arms.

“Ah, miss!!”

“W-What is going on!? What happened?!”

As expected, Kim Jeong-hyun’s nurse or one of the servants in the Kim household was shocked.

It was concerning that the ‘young lady’ was being held by a strange man, but furthermore, her condition was shockingly bad.

Thus, they first wanted to check on Kim Jeong-hyun.

No matter who Park Ju-ho was, they had to check on their young lady first.

And so, time flowed on after this shockingly significant event.

Thanks to the attentive care of those around her, Kim Jeong-hyun’s condition was slowly improving.

It was on one of those days when Park Ju-ho, who had been constantly confused, went to meet Kim Jeong-hyun.

He wanted to confirm what he had been thinking himself—what on earth was he thinking to act against the enemy who had killed his parents.

Finally, he reunited with the young lady.

Park Ju-ho walked toward Kim Jeong-hyun, who was wandering alone in the spacious tiled house’s backyard.

“…You are alive.”

“Thanks to you.”

It was after this that Kim Jeong-hyun expressed her gratitude for being saved by Park Ju-ho.

However, perhaps it was not long after that that the first snow began to fall.

As he momentarily stopped to look up at the sky, Park Ju-ho’s gaze gradually caught onto Kim Jeong-hyun’s beautiful face.

Thus began the climax of episode 6.

Thoughts during the near-death experience gradually transformed into spoken words.

“I’ve been thinking alone.”

Neatly arranged hair.

A beautiful hanbok.

Even delicate flower shoes.

The image of the young lady that Park Ju-ho remembered was so graceful.

However, if she continued to choose the path of a righteous army.

If she only chose the dangerous path where the future was uncertain.

“If you grant me the next opportunity, another chance to live,”

Just like the snow falling at this moment, a person who would ultimately melt away and leave behind nothing but cold despair.

A person who would be completely shattered by the brutal bullets of the Japanese army.

– Agony.

He hoped not to burden himself any longer.

He wished he could somehow let go of the handful of lingering regrets.

“Like a newly awakened butterfly, I want to throw everything off lightly and soar, embracing the vast world.”

Yet, her head refused to turn back.

Unperceived tears.

“I would live more freely than anyone else.”

Not a mere monologue—this was what Park Ju-ho felt his heart tighten at.

What faced him was the usual refined face.

“Even if I can’t see a step ahead, even if arrows fly from all directions.”

He would soar like the wind.

Kim Jeong-hyun whispered this as she gazed at the softly drifting snowflakes, wearing a tranquil smile.

A scene like a painting.

The young lady, in Park Ju-ho’s eyes, was so enchanting.

“…The chance you gave me, I won’t waste it.”

All of her outward appearance, voice, and thoughts were so pure.

He found himself wishing she wouldn’t step into perilous places like the path of the righteous army, that she wouldn’t be marked by hardships.

“…So beautiful….”

Na-eul and the viewers, too, could not take their eyes off for even a moment.

Kim Jeong-hyun, standing alone among the small snowflakes, looked almost like a picture.

This aspect of Ha Eun spread widely across community boards and social media.

The scene where Park Ju-ho and Kim Jeong-hyun exchanged silent glances.

That single moment was so beautiful that it could be called a ‘life shot.’

The climax of episode 6 ended, leaving a profound impression.

The highest viewer rating of [The Sunshine] had already been rewritten.

Perhaps that is why.

Or perhaps it was destined to be that way for a long time.

As time passed and March arrived.

Finally, after starting school, when Ha Eun entered the school, the long hallway was filled with buzzing voices.

Eyes that were slightly different from before.

A gaze with a different meaning than before, solely due to being a celebrity.

“Isn’t this the third-year level? Why are freshmen….”

“Don’t act clueless, they all came to see Lee Ha-eun.”

“…I have to study.”

Ha Eun felt awkward watching the sight of those who had come to see the amazing friend or senior that had made the internet buzz all weekend.

It was her first time receiving this kind of attention.

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