S-rank top actress Choe Rina. When listing the most prominent actresses domestically, she was always mentioned in the top 5. This year marked her tenth debut anniversary; she had less experience than other actresses, but her impact was tremendous.
If anything, she surpassed other top stars—she was never lacking.
She even had a good eye for projects, so the dramas she starred in always boasted high viewership ratings, and none of the movies she had filmed so far could be considered a failure.
On top of that.
"[Issue Talk] Lipstick, Cosmetics, Clothing… Choe Rina's Sold-Out Myth Continues"
With her fair skin, long straight hair, tiny face, beauty mark beside her tall nose, and so on, her visuals and figure always made her the public's ideal, so she was often a hot topic. At award ceremonies, she was always chosen as a best dresser. Such was Choe Rina, who, upon hearing PD Jeong Suryeong's name, quickly skimmed through the script despite its being a one-act.
As a top-tier actress, she could have easily brushed off a mere one-act drama.
"······"
She read the one-act script with great concentration. The CEO, who had been quietly watching her, let out a dry cough.
"I'm saying this just in case. You kept asking me to show you anything by PD Jeong Suryeong, so I brought it, but doing a one-act is overkill, isn't it? Even if it's directed by PD Jeong Suryeong, the assistant director will probably be the main one, with PD Jeong coming in as a CP. It makes no sense for that Jeong Suryeong PD to do a one-act, right?"
However, Choe Rina continued flipping through the script without answering, and only after several dozen seconds did she move.
"CEO, I'll eat later."
"Hey, hey. Rina, did you hear me??"
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you. I'm going."
"Rina! Choe Rina!"
Though the CEO called out after her, Choe Rina nonchalantly ignored him and left the CEO's office. She came down to the parking lot with her burly manager and got into a white van.
"Noona, what about the CEO?"
"Forget it. Let's go to the skincare shop first."
"Yes."
The van smoothly pulled away. Choe Rina swept back her long hair, put on a hat, and reopened the one-act script she had taken from the CEO's office. The title visible on the cover.
-"Rental Lover"
-Writer Gang Cheolsu
Setting the writer aside, Choe Rina lowered her gaze to the one-act script and recalled PD Jeong Suryeong's face. Then she muttered inwardly.
'Why is the PD suddenly doing a one-act?? If she's having a junior do it, she wouldn't put her own name on the directing credits.'
Choe Rina was somehow excessively concerned about PD Jeong Suryeong. The reason was simple: it was PD Jeong Suryeong who had discovered her. Naturally, there had been a time when Choe Rina was a rookie. The first project where Choe Rina landed a substantial role was a drama by PD Jeong Suryeong.
That was already almost eight years ago.
It had been a supporting/minor role, but PD Jeong Suryeong had insisted on casting the unknown Choe Rina over numerous recognized actresses. Of course, there had been an audition, but casting an unknown actress in a substantial supporting/minor role had been unprecedented at the time.
There had been opposition from the broadcasting station and others, but PD Jeong Suryeong stuck with Choe Rina.
Thus Choe Rina was able to take the role, and that drama achieved good ratings. That was when Choe Rina caught the public's eye and her recognition rose. Becoming the S-rank top actress she was today was also thanks to PD Jeong Suryeong. Later, Choe Rina had also starred as the female lead in a miniseries directed by PD Jeong Suryeong.
Choe Rina regarded PD Jeong Suryeong as her benefactor.
-Flip.
Since that benefactor had suddenly sent over a one-act script, Choe Rina couldn't help but take interest. PD Jeong Suryeong was quite a big shot in the drama industry. It made no sense for her to direct a one-act.
-Flip, flip.
Soon Choe Rina delved into the *Rental Lover* script, and after about thirty minutes had passed, she murmured as if to herself.
"'Rental Lover'? This is exactly the style PD Jeong would love."
Around noon that same day, at the Geubaekpeu campus in Paju.
Gang Rojun is seen sitting in an empty break room. He is wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and jeans. A laptop is placed in front of Rojun, who sits alone at a six-person table.
He is in the middle of revising *Rental Lover*.
Naturally, only Gang Rojun, who had been exempted from training, was in the break room, while the other participants were going through training as usual.
Rojun, who had been typing on the laptop, stopped for a moment and was currently looking at his phone.
"Oh-"
It was only natural that he couldn't concentrate on the script revision. Every few tens of minutes, Gang Rojun picked up his phone to check various reactions.
Right now, he was browsing Neotube.
On Neotube, including official videos uploaded by the Geubaekpeu team, numerous related videos were being uploaded like a bombardment. The views for each video were tremendous, showing how popular the clips were. The lowest view count was 300,000. It was a testament to how hot Geubaekpeu currently was, and today's #1 real-time trending video was.
-!Hot Clip! Participant #1 Who Flipped the Judges! The 'Bereavement' He Sang | 'Produce the 100!'
-#1 Fastest Rising Video
-5,197,745 views
An edited video of Gang Rojun's "Bereavement." Other participants' stage videos had reached several hundred thousand, up to two million views at most, but Gang Rojun's had overwhelmingly surpassed five million.
Rojun, who had been grinning to himself, checked the tens of thousands of comments.
-I think an all-time character has appeared in the idol fandom lololol... looking forward to next week
-He sang his late parents' favorite song as his first audition piece, is this a drama or what
-Came back to listen again after the live broadcast... can't forget it... raise your hand if you came back like me
-I don't like him, he has a freaking terrible attitude
-Wow, isn't this insane? His face easily puts actors to shame... and he sings insanely well too
-He knows he's disgustingly good-looking and it's annoying, but he's the type you forgive when you see his face lolololol
-Bereavement is my life's song, but that young friend brought out the emotions so well that I listened with full focus
-Isn't it the first time someone this skilled and a championship contender is portrayed as a villain??
·
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Gang Rojun got goosebumps from the wonder. His face was floating around on Neotube, and an enormous number of viewers who had watched Geubaekpeu were focusing their attention on #1. Since things he had only ever imagined were happening in reality, it was no wonder he got chills.
-Swish.
Shaking his head to clear his mind, Gang Rojun put down his phone and returned his gaze to the laptop once more.
'Once I start looking, time just vanishes. I might get addicted.'
Then, after working on the script revision for about an hour, Gang Rojun stopped, thinking it was roughly done.
'For now, the fourth lover's story should be good enough at this point. More detailed revisions or supplements can be decided after meeting with PD Jeong Suryeong-'
Rojun, who had created the character of the fourth lover, who hadn't existed in *Rental Lover*, crossed his arms. Soon he recalled PD U Hanseok, who had heavy dark circles.
'I should probably tell PD U Hanseok soon that I'm appearing in *Rental Lover*.'
He had mentioned his writing activities and that *Rental Lover* had been selected as the best by SBC, but he had not yet told PD U Hanseok that he was appearing in the work. He had already received permission for writing-related activities, but the appearance was a different matter.
At that moment, Rojun's phone vibrated.
The caller was PD U Hanseok, whom he had sent a message to in advance. Currently, he was not at the campus but had entered the JTVM broadcasting station.
"Yes, PD-nim."
"Yeah. I saw your message, Rojun-ssi. What did you want to say??"
"I think it would be better to tell you in person."
"Is that so? Ah, I can't go to the campus today anyway, so I probably won't be able to go in until tomorrow afternoon." "That's fine. Then I'll tell you tomorrow. And as I mentioned in the message."
"Yeah, I saw. You said you're meeting with the SBC Drama Department tomorrow morning? That's fine, but- hmm, you really need to be careful right now?? You saw what a fuss it is; the Geubaekpeu craze is insane right now. If your face gets seen by any chance, crowds will gather and it'll get difficult."
"Yes. That's why the Drama Department PD said they would come pick me up personally. We decided to talk somewhere out of sight."
"Alright, got it. You have to be as careful as possible. If anything happens, call me right away."
"Understood."
Gang Rojun finished the call and slowly scratched his chin, muttering inwardly.
'Crowds gathering because they see my face? I really feel like a celebrity now.'
The next morning, in front of the Geubaekpeu campus.
It was around ten o'clock. A sedan stopped near the campus entrance. In the driver's seat inside the car sat PD Jeong Suryeong, her dull brown hair tied up. As she looked toward the campus entrance with a wide yawn, she saw a black-haired man walking toward her.
The moment she saw him, PD Jeong Suryeong broke into a grin as if impressed.
"Keu- a feast for the eyes from the morning. How does this kid look like a pictorial just by walking?"
The one walking over was Gang Rojun. Rojun approached as soon as he saw the car stopped in front of him, and PD Jeong Suryeong, who had rolled down the driver's side window, waved her hand.
"Writer-nim, good morning-"
"Yes, hello. It's a strong morning."
"'Strong morning'? Anyway, you're quite unique. Anyway, get in."
As soon as Gang Rojun got into the passenger seat, PD Jeong Suryeong started the car immediately. She asked Rojun as she turned the steering wheel.
"You brought a mask and hat, right?"
"I did."
"The Geubaekpeu production team would have told you too, but you're not just an ordinary person anymore. You're the face of a program that surpassed fifteen percent viewership. You need to be mindful of the public eye. But you were already turning enough heads even before Geubaekpeu, right??"
Gang Rojun nodded slightly and looked down at the hat and mask in his hands.
'In the past, I wore these because my face was monstrous, and now I have to cover up because my face is known.'
Though the situations were starkly different, he felt something strange about arriving at the same result, and PD Jeong Suryeong, who had stopped the car at a traffic light, turned her head.
"I was thinking of meeting someone before our meeting. If it's uncomfortable, I can go alone."
Meet? Who? Out of curiosity, Gang Rojun answered briefly.
"I don't mind, but who are we meeting?"
"I got a sudden call too. Hmm, maybe. No, it's almost certainly someone related to *Rental Lover*, so it's good for you to meet them too. Feels like a big catch?"
"A big catch?"
"Yeah. Do you have a favorite actress by any chance?"
Gang Rojun didn't particularly have an actress he was passionately interested in. Still, he knew a few whom he considered good actors.
"I don't have a favorite actress, but I've watched a few works by Choe Rina and Seo Sumin because they act well."
PD Jeong Suryeong's smile deepened.
"Is that so? Then you might be a little surprised."
Surprised? What was she suddenly talking about. When Gang Rojun tilted his head subtly, PD Jeong Suryeong changed the subject.
"*Rental Lover* is growing bigger and bigger. This is my first time doing a one-act like this. But make no mistake, it was all started by Writer Gang Cheolsu. Honestly, I took on *Rental Lover* because I became interested after seeing you. If it weren't for you, I would have obviously given it to a junior."
It was a valid point. Gang Rojun was the one who submitted *Rental Lover* to the contest, and the reason big-shot PD Jeong Suryeong took on the directing was also because the writer was Rojun.
In essence, Gang Rojun was the one who had started everything.
Then, PD Jeong Suryeong continued as she entered the highway.
"I may not know much else, but I have a decent eye for people. I have high expectations for you, as both a writer and an idol. As for acting, it's still hard to judge, but one thing is certain. Among the male actors I've seen, you're the undisputed top visual."
Embarrassed by the outpouring of praise, Gang Rojun looked out the window for no reason.
The place PD Jeong Suryeong guided Rojun to was a Korean restaurant with a somewhat luxurious feel, quite far from Sinsa Station. Naturally, PD Jeong Suryeong took the lead.
"I reserved a private room under the name Jeong Suryeong."
"Yes- just a moment."
Gang Rojun, wearing a mask and hat, looked around the expensive-looking interior of the Korean restaurant.
-Slide.
He entered the room guided by the staff. It was a sitting room with a floor table. PD Jeong Suryeong, who had ordered tea ahead of time, checked the time.
"We arrived a bit early. She should be here in about ten minutes."
"Yes."
"Ah, and keep your mask and hat on even if it's uncomfortable. It's not time to go public yet."
Who on earth was coming? Gang Rojun speculated.
'Since she mentioned an actress earlier- don't tell me a real actress is coming??'
His heart began to pound. About five minutes later, the tea they ordered came out, and after another ten minutes had passed, the room door slid open with a knock. It was a woman wearing a mask, just like Gang Rojun.
The woman swept back her long hair and took off her mask.
"PD-nim- I'm here."
PD Jeong Suryeong smiled and hugged the woman, bouncing up and down.
"What, what? Your beauty form got even better? I guess you've been getting intense skincare since you've been resting??"
"Of course. But PD-nim, you've gotten prettier too?"
"Are you picking a fight? Bring it on."
Gang Rojun, who had been awkwardly getting up, was startled.
'Huh? Huh!! Crazy... Choe Rina???!'
The one who appeared was someone Gang Rojun knew well. No, it was top actress Choe Rina, whom the whole nation knew. Rojun froze at the first top actress he had seen in his life. Meanwhile, PD Jeong Suryeong exchanged greetings with Choe Rina for a moment, and Choe Rina, seated across from him, smiled at Gang Rojun.
"But- who is this?"
It was understandable. She had thought it was only PD Jeong Suryeong, so it was strange to see a man sitting there in a mask and hat. PD Jeong Suryeong answered.
"He's the writer who's working on the project with me. He's a bit shy. Plus, there are circumstances, so his face is covered. Is that okay?"
Choe Rina's eyes widened slightly as she asked again.
"The writer? Then did you write that *Rental Lover*?"
PD Jeong Suryeong nodded.
"That's right. Writer Gang Cheolsu, who wrote *Rental Lover*."
Gang Rojun, who had been mesmerized by Choe Rina's smile, barely came to his senses.
"...Hello."
"Nice to meet you, Writer-nim. I finished reading the entire work in one day because it was so fun."
Choe Rina had just praised his shoddy writing. Adrenaline surged rapidly through Rojun, and PD Jeong Suryeong, who was holding a teacup, interjected.
"How did you even read that?"
"I had asked the CEO to show me anything of yours unconditionally, PD-nim."
"Scary, so scary."
"Oh, come on. I was surprised when I heard you were suddenly doing a one-act."
"Well, that's how it happened. So? What's the reason our star Choe suddenly wanted to see me?"
Choe Rina flicked her hair behind her ear and leaned forward. When Gang Rojun caught a pleasant fragrance, top actress Choe Rina answered with an eye smile.
"PD-nim, I want to do *Rental Lover*."
Gang Rojun blinked, his thoughts momentarily stopping.
'......Huh?'