X
A few months after
I had memorized my lines until the script was worn thin and meticulously researched the character of Yoo Seo-jin. Yet, standing before others to perform for the first time, a wave of nervousness was inevitable.
Some might argue that having acted since childhood, I should be accustomed to it by now. But that was far from the truth. In fact, with each passing moment, my trepidation only deepened.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
My voice sounded calm, yet my trembling legs betrayed me. Catching a glimpse of my reflection in the rearview mirror, my manager let out a soft chuckle.
“If I’d known you’d be this nervous, I would have bought some cheongsimhwan.”
“No, it’s not that bad. Don’t worry. I just need to rest a bit.”
“Ah, okay. I won’t bother you. Get some rest.”
As we drew closer to the broadcasting station, my tension escalated to the point where I couldn’t even maintain a conversation with my manager. Resting my chin on my hand, feigning interest in the passing scenery, I secretly exhaled a shaky breath.
‘It’s fine. I’ve always done well.’
After a prolonged period of self-reassurance, the car finally slowed as we arrived at the broadcasting station. Stepping out before my manager, I deeply inhaled the stuffy air of the underground parking lot.
“You really are okay, aren’t you?”
My manager, noticing my ashen face, asked cautiously. I tried to force a smile, but my lips merely twitched, remaining rigidly set.
“This won’t do. The pharmacy is right here, I’ll quickly go buy some cheongsimhwan.”
“I told you I’m fine.”
“Go on ahead. I’ll catch up soon.”
Watching my manager hurry off to the pharmacy, I raised a hand to lightly rub my face. ‘I should have just taken it earlier instead of being stubborn,’ I thought ruefully.
With heavy steps, I passed through the automatic doors and reached the elevators. As I watched the numbers on the display panel rapidly change, someone stopped beside me.
‘Is it my manager?’
However, the person was too tall to be my manager, casting a shadow over my face. Turning my head without much thought, my eyes met those of the stranger who had simultaneously turned to look at me.
‘It’s Seon Woo-jung.’
Having searched for every video of Seon Woo-jung acting, from his days as an extra to his current leading roles, I recognized him instantly.
His eyes were a deep, dark black, without double eyelids, his features distinct, and his skin flawlessly fair. While it was true that no actor was truly unattractive, Seon Woo-jung was undeniably different.
‘But why isn’t this jerk greeting me?’
Seon Woo-jung stared directly at me, yet offered no greeting. My pride wouldn’t allow me to initiate one. After all, by debut date, I was significantly his senior.
‘So he thinks he’s hot stuff, huh?’
It wasn’t uncommon for actors who suddenly shot to fame to become arrogant, often disregarding their seniors.
With everyone fawning over him, he probably felt no need to treat a perpetual supporting actor like me as a senior. Annoyance surged within me.
“Joon-hee, the pharmacy isn’t open yet, so…”
My manager, returning from the pharmacy, trailed off as he spotted Seon Woo-jung standing beside me. Seon Woo-jung’s gaze shifted from my frozen manager to me, then back again.
As if he harbored some grievance against me, he furrowed his straight brows and let out a short sigh. Though I was momentarily dumbfounded and nearly retorted, I wasn’t so ill-mannered as to be rude on our very first encounter.
“I, uh, left something in the car, so I’ll just go back and get it…”
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, my manager quickly made his escape. Ending our pointless staring contest, I stepped into the elevator that had just arrived. Seon Woo-jung followed me in, but I completely ignored him.
‘My tension’s gone.’
Perhaps I should thank him; thanks to the arrogant Seon Woo-jung, my nerves had completely dissipated without needing any cheongsimhwan. Though, in their place, irritation now festered.
‘This shoot is going to be a pain.’
It was obvious how someone so afflicted with ‘star disease’ that he’d ignore his senior would behave on set. He’d prioritize his own schedule, expecting everyone to accommodate him without question.
Indeed, it would have been stranger if someone who’d risen to fame so quickly didn’t have star disease.
“Um…”
It was Seon Woo-jung who broke the silence lingering in the elevator. Hesitantly, he turned to face me, his expression noticeably subdued, unlike before. With his drooping eyebrows, he almost resembled a dejected puppy.
“Yoo Joon-hee Senior… that’s you, right?”
I couldn’t fathom why he was suddenly greeting me after treating me like I didn’t exist moments ago. Could it be that he hadn’t recognized me? Having been in this industry for so long, the thought of him not knowing me was even more insulting.
“Yes, that’s right.”
My temper already frayed, my reply came out curtly. Sensing my mood, Seon Woo-jung hunched his broad shoulders and stammered out his words.
“Actually, I should have greeted you earlier, but I was so nervous… the words just wouldn’t come out. I apologize, Senior! I’m Seon Woo-jung, and I’ll be working with you this time!”
Seon Woo-jung bowed so deeply that his waist folded in half, apologizing to me loudly enough to make the elevator shake. Anyone observing would surely misunderstand, thinking I was disciplining my junior, leaving me utterly flustered.
“It’s fine, please stand up.”
“Are you sure it’s alright?”
Seon Woo-jung slowly straightened, self-consciously rubbing the back of his neck with a large hand. Just as a new kind of silence filled the cramped elevator, a polite announcement chimed, signaling our arrival at the floor.
“Well then, I’ll go first.”
Unable to endure the awkwardness, I nodded curtly and walked past Seon Woo-jung. We would have to meet for the script reading anyway, but at least we wouldn’t be alone like this.
“Senior!”
As I tried to make a quick exit, Seon Woo-jung grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop. Turning around, I saw him abruptly thrust his phone in front of my face.
“C-could I get your number, please?”
His stumbling voice was thick with nervousness. I watched Seon Woo-jung’s face, now flushed crimson, and only a beat later did his words truly register.
‘Is he trying to get my number right now?’
The unexpected situation was so absurd that a laugh escaped me. Seon Woo-jung, glancing nervously, pushed his phone a little closer.
While I had no desire to become close, refusing him outright would be impolite. After a moment’s hesitation, I took Seon Woo-jung’s phone and entered my number.
Then, I pressed the call button, ensuring his number would appear on my phone as well. Pulling out my own phone from my pocket, I looked at the number displayed on the screen, finding it strangely familiar.
‘The last digits… they’re my birthday?’
No matter how many times I checked, the number remained the same; it truly was my birthday. Yet, I dismissed the thought, convincing myself it must be a mere coincidence.
“Here.”
“Th-thank you—”
“No need for thanks.”
I barely managed to stop Seon Woo-jung from bowing again, just as he had in the elevator. Unlike before, there were passersby here, and I knew that unnecessary rumors would only tarnish my image.
After all, there were already plenty of whispers suggesting I only played villains because of my poor character.
“Thank you, Senior.”
Perhaps he wasn’t entirely clueless after all, as Seon Woo-jung spoke this time in a significantly softer voice. The intensity of his gaze was overwhelming, so I lowered my eyes, seeing his hands cradling his phone reverently.
His phone wasn’t small, but Seon Woo-jung’s hands were so remarkably large that it looked like a child’s toy. Self-consciously, I hid my own hands, which were smaller than most men’s, behind my back.
“I’m really looking forward to this shoot.”
Having been cast as the lead in Choi Yoon-hee’s new work, his excitement was certainly understandable. He was already popular; how much higher would Seon Woo-jung’s stock soar after this drama?
‘He’ll probably hit top-tier appearance fees. How many hundreds of millions will he get per episode?’
As I entertained these pragmatic thoughts and headed towards the script reading venue, Seon Woo-jung, walking closely beside me, spoke in a low voice meant only for my ears.
“Honestly, I agreed to this project because your name was on the casting list, Senior.”
“…Pardon?”
Seon Woo-jung’s unexpected words elicited a genuinely surprised reaction from me. In his shyly smiling eyes, there wasn’t a hint of falsehood.
“I’ve always wanted to work with you, Senior.”
Unable to withstand this barrage of ‘confirmation shots,’ I quickly averted my gaze from Seon Woo-jung. Then, I hastened my steps, significantly widening the distance between us.
‘Don’t get the wrong idea. He’s just saying what I want to hear.’
As his senior, there’s no harm in getting on my good side, so he’s just giving me lip service. Otherwise, why would he say such things to me?
I knew this for sure, yet I felt strange. Just… very strange.
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