Chapter 65

“[The Moonlight Split by Clouds]” is a drama consisting of a total of two arcs.

At this moment, the shooting for the first arc’s conclusion, “Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol’s Union,” had just wrapped up.

There was about a month left until the first broadcast.

The early episodes of [The Moonlight Split by Clouds] had already been edited, so there were no significant issues for the airing.

“Hmm… I’m still worried about the casting of [Full Moon Lovers].”

“Honestly, we’re at a disadvantage. They’ve filled their entire cast, including supporting roles, with established actors.”

The problem was that new articles related to the competing drama, MBS’s [Full Moon Lovers], had started flooding the internet.

The two leads of [The Moonlight Split by Clouds], Yu Sung-jae and Ha Eun, were what you might call “young blood.”

Both were undoubtedly excellent actors, but neither Yu Sung-jae nor Ha Eun had frequently held leading roles.

On the other hand, for [Full Moon Lovers], most of the cast consisted of “vetted” actors.

To exaggerate a bit, the budget of the MBS drama department was worrisome.

Just as the KBC drama department had poured their heart and soul into [The Moonlight Split by Clouds], the MBS drama department was sharpening their knives.

Having faced failures for the past three years, the KBC drama department had no choice but to feel pressured in comparison.

However, they were undeniably just as desperate for success as the MBS drama department.

“MPN News asked for our promotional dance source!”

“MPN? Isn’t that a cable broadcaster?”

“What does it matter if they’re a cable channel? They came to cover us and even interviewed citizens!”

“Alright, I got it, but calm down, Writer Kim. You’re too excited right now.”

Active promotional campaigns like special dance videos featuring the supporting male actors began to take shape.

This was a drama that absolutely had to succeed.

They wanted to definitively break the slump that had lasted for three years.

Therefore, they were prepared to do anything for the success of [The Moonlight Split by Clouds].

Less than a week after the special dance video had been released, a fairly large-scale production presentation took place for this very reason.

It was a strategy to amplify the interest gathered from the special dance video with the articles from the presentation.

“Okay, please strike your signature pose, Sung-jae and Ha Eun!”

“Ah, sounds good. Now look to the right!”

And so, Ha Eun found herself facing a crowd of reporters.

Countless requests for poses.

And a plethora of flashes.

‘…I hope my eyes don’t get worse from this.’

Nothing was easy or comfortable.

Although she didn’t show it outwardly.

The photo time continued for quite a while.

Since the photo session was part of the presentation, she had no intention of participating half-heartedly.

‘How long do I have to keep my arms crossed?’

In [The Moonlight Split by Clouds], striking a couple pose with Yu Sung-jae as Prince Lee Hyun, Yeom Wol’s counterpart, wasn’t easy.

Was it because she had kept a calm expression throughout the shooting, except during filming?

Though she wasn’t awkward with Yu Sung-jae, it was difficult to create the sweet atmosphere and loving gaze the reporters expected.

To put it nicely, it was a poker face.

To put it negatively, it was emotionless.

For Yu Sung-jae, standing next to Ha Eun, this expression of hers was certainly concerning.

Five minutes later, Yu Sung-jae’s cautious voice whispered to Ha Eun.

“…Ha Eun, are you not feeling well today?”

“…No, I’m fine.”

“…If you’re having a hard time, please let me know immediately.”

“…It’s just that whispering is hard right now.”

“…Sorry.”

With that, Yu Sung-jae, who was trying to look out for her, fell silent once more.

Judging that continuing the couple shoot would yield no benefits, the MC moved on to solo shots.

Ha Eun stood alone in front of the cameras, and it was relatively better.

When standing with Yu Sung-jae, she had to pose like a loving Yeom Wol toward Lee Hyun, but alone, she could just display Yeom Wol’s dignified character.

‘Definitely, being alone helps make my character shine.’

‘Huh, to think a high school student has such charisma…’

‘So fierce.’

Thanks to that, Ha Eun’s internal burden began to lift slowly.

The blinding flashes from the cameras still persisted.

About three minutes later, Ha Eun’s solo photo time ended.

Afterward, she could just watch Yu Sung-jae’s solo photo time from the sidelines.

However, after Yu Sung-jae’s solo photo session, a Q&A with numerous reporters was scheduled to begin.

“Just in case, drink some water, Ha Eun.”

“Ah, thank you, unnie.”

Taking a few sips from the water bottle Ju Jung-yun had handed her, Ha Eun began to predict the questions that would come her way.

She reunited with Jin Kyu-seong after he had momentarily stepped away.

“Wow, dressing like that really makes you look like a different person.”

“…Director, you look great too.”

“Me? I’m fine. Actors should stand out in situations like this.”

Soon, Jin Kyu-seong’s voice echoed, saying directors like him should intentionally dress poorly to appear like a director.

Ha Eun remained silent, neither confirming nor denying, simply showing a lukewarm expression.

There was a sense of uncertainty over whether he was joking or serious.

As they stood in the slightly awkward air with Jin Kyu-seong, Yu Sung-jae’s photo time also came to an end.

Once the microphone and table for the Q&A were set up, she climbed the stage with Jin Kyu-seong and began to answer reporters’ questions one by one.

Over the 30-minute Q&A, there weren’t any particularly difficult questions.

Most were inquiries about her role as Yeom Wol.

However, among the many questions, when asked about her feelings as a lead in such a role,

“I acted like a protagonist… Thank you for your anticipation.”

She answered with a more serious expression and voice.

It was better to appear confident as a lead, the more the better.

As a result, Yu Sung-jae’s expression, who had been worried about Ha Eun’s condition just moments ago, improved noticeably.

Ha Eun had to be in good condition for the recording of [2 Nights, 3 Days] scheduled in two days.

After the production presentation ended completely, she asked Ha Eun for a bit more time, also regarding [2 Nights, 3 Days].

There was a need to discuss the recording of [2 Nights, 3 Days] at least once.

The reason Yu Sung-jae and Ha Eun were guest starring on [2 Nights, 3 Days] was primarily for the promotion of [The Moonlight Split by Clouds].

Thus,

“I think it would be good to talk about any episodes that happened during the drama shoot at intervals during the recording.”

“Episodes? What kind?”

“Um… The time when I almost dropped the veil on you during the first episode shoot?”

“…I told you I wasn’t actually going to drop it. Really.”

Conversations about the anecdotes that could be shared during the [2 Nights, 3 Days] recording continued.

“What would you do if you were hit with outdoor sleeping?”

“I’d have to do it. A penalty is a penalty.”

“But there will be tons of mosquitoes in the mountains?”

“…That part’s a bit iffy.”

Discussions arose regarding the unique penalties that could be found only on [2 Nights, 3 Days].

Or,

“Seong-ho-hyung said that this time, we’re going to harvest watermelons ourselves and make drinks like punch.”

“Seong-ho-hyung? Do you know Chang Sung-ho?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve shot with him a few times.”

They chatted about the main MC of [2 Nights, 3 Days], Chang Sung-ho.

Ultimately, for Yu Sung-jae and Ha Eun, and moreover for [The Moonlight Split by Clouds], the filming of [2 Nights, 3 Days] had to go smoothly.

They needed to leave a good impression on the viewers of [2 Nights, 3 Days] to garner attention for [The Moonlight Split by Clouds].

“Let’s do our best this time too.”

“Yes.”

After parting ways with Yu Sung-jae with a promise to meet again in two days, Ha Eun’s mind remained complex.

‘…The recording starts at 8 AM for sure.’

It was an exceptionally early start time for the recording of [2 Nights, 3 Days].

Coincidentally, the day before the recording was scheduled to have a collaboration with the members of Fantasy Land.

Since this collaboration was Fantasy Land’s official first collaboration, she had no intention of skipping it even for a moment.

‘Should I take an energy drink or something?’

She kept worrying about how she had been utterly exhausted after every Virtual YouTuber broadcast.

Since the shooting for [The Moonlight Split by Clouds] started at 3 PM, she could recover the energy and stamina spent during the Virtual YouTuber broadcast.

However, the recording for [2 Nights, 3 Days] was set to begin at 8 AM.

Thus, she needed to find a way to recover her strength, which would likely be depleted due to the previous day’s collaboration, by the early hour of 8 AM.

She wanted to avoid any negative impacts from the collaboration on the recording of [2 Nights, 3 Days].

For quite a while, the worries continued.

However, Ha Eun’s concerns were finally resolved on the day of the collaboration.

-Ding.

“You are a ‘Killer’ . Kill all citizens while remaining off everyone’s radar.”

– Gasp.

– Diah is the killer? What is this?

– A one-year-old killer, whoa.

– I wonder if she knows what killing is?

– With Diah it will be obvious.

– Killing two to three people is already a lot.

The content of this collaboration was a “hide and seek with the killer” happening in the game [Minecraft].

It revolved around a killer who had to eliminate all members except for herself and citizens who needed to uncover the identity of the killer.

There were a total of 9 participants.

Along with the five members of Fantasy Land, four members from the [Da Ramji Crew], including Diah and Jee Hye-min, joined in the content.

The important thing was that Ha Eun had now taken on the role of the sole killer.

In other words, Diah had to talk and act as the “killer” from now on.

“Okay, everyone, let’s scatter and find clues about the killer!”

Once the content officially began, Diah completely shed her usual high energy and cheerful tone.

She continued to search for the other members she had to eliminate while whispering throughout.

“I need to find the sound of footsteps…☆.”

– She’s cuter since she whispers.

– Look at her focused.

– Our Diah is a pro.

– The first ASMR-type killer in the world, lol.

Thanks to that, her physical energy consumption wasn’t so great.

The burden on Ha Eun’s voice was also significantly less than usual.

Was that why?

“Ah, there’s Diah!”

“…Hello, unnie….”

When Diah met Cream, one of the citizens she had to eliminate, she maintained her low energy.

Later, when Cream asked why she was whispering.

“…The killer might be listening, you know….”

“…Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

Diah rationalized her lowered energy due to fear of the killer.

Regardless, the ‘citizens’ had to escape from the killer, who could appear at any moment.

Eventually, Cream started speaking in a whisper like Diah’s as they continued to look for hints regarding the killer’s identity.

“Oh, Diah! There’s a box over there…!”

However, just as Cream had discovered the first hint about the killer, the moment came.

– Sliip.

Diah’s avatar, which had been empty-handed until now, gripped something small and sharp in its hand.

Then, within seconds.

“…Goodbye☆”

– Schlick─!!

“?!?!?!!?”

With an incredibly clean motion, Cream’s avatar was completely eliminated.

– Aaaaahhhhh!

– What just happened?

– What was that voice?

– That’s chilling.

– Cream, that was wild.

– Is that really Diah?

“Ah, no…. Wait a moment, I’m so startled, ah, um… I’m going to get some water.”

Even as Cream walked toward the living room after standing up from her broadcasting chair, her hands trembled slightly.

Her heart was still pounding.

‘Why did it have to be Ha Eun.’

The chilling voice she had just heard lingered in Cream’s mind.

Was this what a performance moment felt like?

For an actor, it was incredibly rare for a mere citizen like Cream to see through Ha Eun the actor’s performance.

She had completely fallen for it.

In a roundabout way, even though there were still seven citizens remaining,

For some reason, it felt as though those seven citizens would be unable to uncover Diah’s identity.

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