Lee Hyuk-soo family's eldest, Lee Min-hyuk.
A role with significant weight alongside the protagonist Lee Yoo-ju.
Because of that, he frequently appeared together with Lee Yoo-ju.
「What did you do to Min-seo?」
Lee Min-hyuk said with a scowl to Lee Yoo-ju, who was sitting alone in the reading room.
「You should be quiet in the reading room.」
A low voice.
His gaze wasn't even directed at Lee Min-hyuk.
His gaze remained solely on the book he was currently reading.
It was even an ordinary book unrelated to his classes.
The fact that he had time to read such things seemed to show the difference between Min-hyuk and Yoo-ju.
Of course that couldn't be the case, but Min-hyuk somehow felt that way.
'If it's Lee Yoo-ju, he could do that.'
Lee Min-hyuk thought.
For good reason, most of Lee Yoo-ju's actions had hidden motives.
Provoking other kids on the first day of school.
And starting to tell Min-seo about the portfolio.
Even more, Lee Yoo-ju set a condition.
Right in front of his eyes.
「Until the mock exam, don't tell our parents.」
Not to tell them what?
That was obvious.
The portfolio of Lee Yoo-ju's older brother that he knew about.
He was passing down everything about the life of the genius who entered Baekyeon University's medical school as top of the class to someone like the stupid Min-seo.
'Why didn't he give me such a warning?'
Even if Min-seo keeps it a secret from their parents, Min-hyuk just needs to tell them.
Didn't he consider that?
No, rather, did he think Min-seo would listen to those words?
'He knows.'
Min-hyuk ground his teeth.
He knows there will be a watchdog preventing Min-seo from telling their parents about this fact.
That's himself.
If their parents knew that Min-seo was receiving help from Lee Yoo-ju, all their attention would focus on Min-seo.
He thought that he wouldn't stand by and watch that happen.
Because Lee Min-hyuk knew he could never tell his parents about this, he said those words to Min-seo right in front of him.
With a vicious smile.
"Don't ignore me and tell me right now!! Lee Yoo-ju!!"
"Cut, cut, cut!"
At the sudden voice, Lee Min-hyuk—no, Kim Hyun-seok's—concentration broke.
When he turned his gaze, the director Kim Il-soo was shaking his head.
"Hyun-seok. That's too much."
Saying so, Kim Il-soo approached Hyun-seok and said,
"Let's step over here for a moment and talk."
At the director calling someone aside personally, the other young actors swallowed dry saliva.
The fact that he called Hyun-seok aside instead of continuing the shoot meant there were parts he wasn't satisfied with.
However, such cases weren't particularly special on this set.
It happened frequently when filming scenes with Lee Yoo-ju—rather, with Seo-yeon.
'He clearly doesn't have that many lines.'
At first, he did think it was just luck.
Even after watching
It was self-rationalization bordering on denial.
To dismiss such acting as coincidence and try to ignore it.
Reality is cruel.
As is always the case with creative works, viewers generally can't tell the difference.
But from the perspective of an actor who has to work alongside it, that difference is vividly felt.
I can't do it, but the other person can.
Without ever fumbling a line, without emotions ever faltering.
When he started acting, Lee Yoo-ju was already there.
Not the actress Joo Seo-yeon, but Lee Yoo-ju.
How can that be?
The moment such a thought arises, one is already shaken.
Especially if it's a younger or peer actor, inferiority naturally springs forth.
People can't help but be that way.
It's just a matter of how well one manages it.
That depends solely on morality and character.
"Hyun-seok."
"Yes."
At Director Kim Il-soo's quiet gaze, Hyun-seok stiffened his shoulders.
He had been pointed out several times before, but this was the first time he was called aside like this.
"You put too much force into it."
"Force?"
"Acting requires you to release some tension appropriately."
For example, think of the emotional acting that Seo-yeon mainly utilizes.
It's similar to method acting, but ultimately focuses on 'naturalness.'
By becoming the character oneself, the goal is to naturally express those actions and emotions.
Just with that, people applaud.
"Of course there are times when exaggerated acting is needed. But looking at this scene, it's a static scene."
Emotional excess.
If jutting emotions are shown in such a static scene, viewers will naturally feel that way.
"The acting is cringey."
At Kim Il-soo's cold words, Hyun-seok's face turned pale.
To Hyun-seok, who had only heard praise about his acting being good, Director Kim Il-soo's words were terrifying.
"It didn't seem like this in other dramas."
He muttered so and sighed looking at Hyun-seok.
He roughly guessed the reason.
'Just look at the internet and it's full of comparative posts.'
The protagonist Lee Yoo-ju, that is.
If you appear in a scene with Joo Seo-yeon, it can't be helped.
When two actors perform in one scene, the weaker one stands out more.
Honestly, it wasn't even a scene that should make one waver.
But Kim Hyun-seok was definitely conscious of Joo Seo-yeon.
That showed in his acting.
"Don't look at internet stuff and just think about your own acting. Hyun-seok, you're doing well enough."
Director Kim Il-soo patted Hyun-seok's shoulder and returned to the set first.
Of course, Hyun-seok knew what Director Kim Il-soo meant.
It meant to not be nervous and do his own acting.
'Like I can do that.'
Even if told not to look at the internet, how can one not?
The people around naturally bring it up.
The considerate attitude is visible.
They avoid the topic of the drama he's appearing in.
Even his parents, who would have happily chattered if he had a reasonably important role in the drama.
Is he being compared that much?
Is he being criticized that much?
When such thoughts arise, one naturally ends up looking.
"…How pathetic."
Hyun-seok gave a self-deprecating smile and let out a sigh.
Ultimately, what he said at their first meeting was just empty talk.
Joo Seo-yeon was real, and rather, he was the fake.
A talented actor.
That is bound to fade before greater talent.
***
The atmosphere on set was unsettled.
No, to be precise, there were somewhat contradictory aspects.
Looking at the big picture, the atmosphere on set was rather good.
The adult actors had very encouraged faces about the drama's current performance.
"Seo-yeon, you're still in high school, right? I'm jealous. Man, I got so much hate at that age."
"An article came out about me too. 'Young actors these days, is this okay?'"
"Ah, I remember, I remember."
"That was when you appeared with actor Yoon Jong-hyuk, right?"
"That's right."
The actors who were criticized back then have now grown to become some of the top method actors in Korea—how funny is that?
Among the amicable actors, especially.
The role of the lady of the Lee Hyuk-soo family.
Lee Mi-ran, who played Gil Soo-jin, almost had honey dripping from her eyes when she looked at Seo-yeon.
"Seo-yeon, I'm telling you it's scary. When we have scenes together, I end up paying even more attention."
"It's all thanks to you, sunbae-nim."
"Oh my, so modest."
At the sight of Lee Mi-ran covering her mouth and laughing ho-ho-ho, Seo-yeon smiled awkwardly.
'Is this okay?'
The adult actors' performances were actually receiving rave reviews.
With good viewership ratings to boot, their reaction was only natural.
Of course, there were those who received criticism.
Mainly villains or those who were relatively lacking.
However, even in such a situation, no dark shadows were particularly visible.
"Ah, I'm really lacking. Should I join a theater troupe and practice?"
"Theater and drama acting are different. I found cable dramas quite helpful. How should I put it—like the tension in my throat was released?"
"Ah, I know what you mean."
Actors having such conversations here and there.
Seo-yeon was among them, then slipped back to the young actors' side.
'Uh, it's dark.'
Where did that initial spirit go?
Many were depressed from receiving criticism in succession.
Of course, there were many who were fine.
Like Park Se-jin, who played Lee Min-seo.
Right away, Han Sung-jin, Kim Hyun-seok's friend, who exuded the most depressed atmosphere.
And lastly, Cha Na-hee.
"I didn't have much screen time to begin with, so I'm okay."
Cha Na-hee said in a small voice.
"And you know that feeling. I got hate tremendously."
"…"
"W-wait, I'm not saying anything about you, Seo-yeon!"
Cha Na-hee hastily waved her hands.
Anyway, Cha Na-hee didn't have many appearances currently.
'Song Ga-yeon hasn't had a scene to shine yet.'
After all, a student who frequently talks to Lee Yoo-ju in the same class—that was the extent of Cha Na-hee's current role.
She doesn't know much about portfolios, just a character who wants to get close to Lee Yoo-ju.
Because of that, Lee Yoo-ju rather couldn't understand Song Ga-yeon and was wary of her.
At least up to the currently aired episode 4.
"Well, I think it's good."
Cha Na-hee just shrugged and said.
"Actually, this is what motivates me. I was like that too."
Is that so?
But Cha Na-hee had such strong pride that she was the type to do well on her own.
Come to think of it, it's the same with her activities as a 'Summer Girl'.
When the company treats her like leftovers, honestly, it's natural to not want to work hard.
Yet, even though Cha Na-hee was leading Summer Girls alone, she was treated as leftovers and didn't have good relationships with the members.
Of course, that side was unilaterally refusing her.
Even so, the one who worked the hardest was Cha Na-hee.
In that regard, Seo-yeon thought Cha Na-hee was truly remarkable.
"Of course that's my case... but still, it's better than having no worries at all."
"Is that so?"
"Because it means you were that sincere about this work."
Sincerity.
At Cha Na-hee's words, Seo-yeon slowly nodded.
It definitely seemed like the right thing to say.
Then, something suddenly came to mind.
"Na-hee unnie."
It was what she recently heard from Soo-ah.
"Was being an idol originally your dream?"
"Huh?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
Why did I say that, it's embarrassing now.
Being asked about her dream so suddenly, Seo-yeon felt her face flush hot, which was rare for her.
"That's right."
But Cha Na-hee answered casually.
"I wanted to become an idol from the beginning. I work hard as an actress too, but the more things I can do, the better."
Idols also have to act in the end.
It's mainly about fan interactions or the 'character' shown on variety shows, but.
She said she did it thinking acting work might help with that too.
"So lately there's something else I'm interested in~."
Saying that, Na-hee glanced at Seo-yeon.
The magician who came in as a vocal trainer while working on this
Or rather, she had become quite close with Han Da-young.
"Hmm, that's something I still don't know."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. But why are you suddenly asking about dreams?"
"…It's nothing."
Na-hee was rather puzzled by Seo-yeon's attitude.
Why is she suddenly asking about that?
When such thoughts crossed her mind, she suddenly recalled Lee Yoo-ju, the character Seo-yeon was playing.
"Lee Yoo-ju is definitely a somewhat pitiful character."
"Is that so?"
"Of course, the goal Lee Yoo-ju is currently pursuing is one he set himself. I think that's great... but I don't know if it was what he truly wanted to do."
What he truly wanted to do.
At those words, Seo-yeon tilted her head for no reason.
She felt her mind becoming complicated for some reason.
"What about me?"
"Huh?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
Seo-yeon shook her head.
That was something she needed to decide for herself, not others.
***
The following week.
The aired episodes 3 and 4 of
There wasn't a dramatic rise like the first week, but this was considered a decent state.
For reference,
It didn't go up any further, but showed no signs of dropping either.
However.
- The female lead's screen time has increased lately?
- Romance again??
- But the main viewership is that demographic ㅇㅇ
- Even with romance, the story is still stable so it's fine
The reactions themselves felt a bit sharper than usual.
Not particularly bad, but not good either.
"Seo-yeon, Soo-yeon went to play with her friend today? She should be at the playground, can you bring her back?"
"Okay."
"Thanks, our daughter~!"
At Soo-ah's figure giving a thumbs up, Seo-yeon smiled awkwardly.
Recently, Soo-ah seemed to be in a very good mood.
To be precise, since Seo-yeon started filming
Soo-ah wasn't really the type to watch variety shows.
She would only watch consistently when Seo-yeon appeared.
But in the case of
'Since the Ashen Crow appeared, right?'
It seemed to be around that time.
Then again, the Ashen Crow does sing well.
Being a skilled singer close to the Hall of Fame currently.
'…She probably won't win the semifinals.'
For reference, Seo-yeon was working hard preparing a new song with Summer Girls and the Magician.
She couldn't sing a Summer Girls song again, so choosing what to sing was difficult from the start.
Then.
"Ah, I like this song, what do you think?"
"Huh? Ah, it's good. But wouldn't it be hard to sing?"
"At least this one doesn't seem to have high notes."
Unfortunately, Seo-yeon didn't have the skill to sing such high notes.
Her strength was mostly in songs where she could bring out emotion.
Coincidentally, she liked the song she heard from Lee Ji-yeon before, so looking up that singer's songs helped.
"I like Yeo-hee sunbae's song. I'll recommend this one too."
"Really? That's a relief."
Seo-yeon decided on Yeo-hee's song as the one she would sing in the semifinals.
"Unnie!!"
As she walked while thinking, Soo-yeon, who was playing in the sand, came running back.
"You'll get hurt if you run like that and fall."
"It's okay! Soo-yeon is strong!!"
Soo-yeon said while raising both arms up high.
'…She is somewhat strong.'
Our Soo-yeon doesn't seem to have the immense strength like herself, but she was a younger sister who rarely got sick and was very healthy and sturdy.
"Unnie, I was playing with my friend, can we go back together?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
Saying that, when she turned her head, she saw a girl coming toward them late.
That child had a very surprised face looking at Seo-yeon.
And, the moment Seo-yeon saw that child, she couldn't help but stiffen.
That was because, at the
She was the girl who had gotten her autograph back then.