T/N: Someone updated the tags… ~( ˘▾˘~) It wasn’t me.
A quiet online community.
It was a well-known fan page where admirers of Kwon Seonghyun, national actor and top star, gathered.
One day a single post appeared there, quietly.
[Guys, did you see the news?]
At first the post seemed destined to sink without a ripple.
But only for a moment.
As people who had caught wind of “the news” arrived one after another, the thread shot straight to the top of the hot-issue list.
Given the character of this community, that was highly unusual.
Like actor, like fans: they were nothing like the shrill crowds that swarm every corner of the internet for idols and other actors.
Much like the homebody Kwon Seonghyun himself, they did not stir unless there was real cause.
[A sasaeng? What’s that…? All my fans are dignified people…]
If the actor says that himself, what more is there to say?
Most members had long since outgrown the age of frolicking like thoughtless mudskippers.
Even if they wanted to, how could they misbehave when their favorite actor spoke so plainly?
—Let’s protect Seonghyun-nim’s beautiful inner world.
They were mature enough to impose limits on their own behavior.
And their composure was not only spiritual.
—We’re collecting for XX’s birthday support project!
Where ordinary fandoms would do large-scale fund-raising for a celebrity’s birthday, this page looked different:
—Donated one hundred sacks of rice to a welfare charity in Seonghyun-nim’s name.
—Bought some clothes and shoes from D-, Bal-, Yip- that match this season’s vibe; if you’re sending gifts, please avoid those brands.
—Sent a Bang-all home-theater system. I hope he enjoys it. Our Seonghyun-nim deserves only the best sound.
No one here needed to chip in a little at a time.
Why bother pooling money when you could simply buy the whole thing yourself?
It wasn’t millions… only a few hundred thousand, a few million won at most!
Of course not every fan was like that, yet, curiously, Seonghyun’s fandom had a large share of people with both leisure and means.
Those who could not keep up either lurked or were quietly reined in by the hard-core fans.
—We’re the ones who must protect Seonghyun-nim.
—Seonghyun-nim came first, then us; it wasn’t us first and then him, so let’s not trouble him!
Their pact: do everything possible not to burden Kwon Seonghyun with their own existence.
Put differently… a kind of modesty?
A desperate modesty that wanted to show only the best sides to the person they adored.
Until now.
[Guys, did you see the news?]
This post was enough to blast the die-hard fans’ restraint and modesty to smithereens.
—What… what is this…?
ㄴ222 Seriously… what is this…?
—It’s Insta! Seonghyun-nim posted on Insta!
He created the account a year ago and never uploaded a thing, and now he posted a photo!
ㄴFollowing him all that time finally paid off…
ㄴPatient waiting always wins
ㄴWho else gathers 16 million followers with a single photo but our Seonghyun-nim☆★
ㄴHaha, that’s our Seonghyun-nim’s class, isn’t it?
—Sure, we swore we wouldn’t get jerked around by tabloid gossip;;; but if it’s news he posted himself, that’s different;;; Guys, where do you think that is? Looks like a set, right, from the makeup?;;;
But why are his clothes so plain?;;;
ㄴThose are sponsored. I heard Brand X sent them because he plays a chaebol heir;;;
It would’ve felt more real if he’d pulled something from his own closet;;;
ㄴStill, I’m satisfied because we got to see Seonghyun-nim’s comma hair… ☜(U_U)☞
ㄴHey, lol, why ascend already? Even if you’re going, shouldn’t you at least find out who that dutiful cutie next to him is?
—Who’s the person next to him? Is it true Seong-hyun-nim himself wrote “close friend”? First upload in a year and it’s a two-shot. Is that for real? Who is that kid? Pale skin, looks young; I searched and he’s never shown up before. Anyone know?
ㄴThis one’s at least a question-mark killer.
ㄴYou? Like this? So many? Question marks? Aren’t you tired?
—Could his account be hacked? A sudden two-shot…
ㄴWhat are the odds a hacker has Seonghyun-nim’s unreleased photos?
ㄴRight? I couldn’t believe it either, so I just…
—Seonghyun-nim, if you’re being blackmailed, shake a carrot! We’ll burn the agency down!
ㄴWhy, lol, the agency works too well. They even make money for him when he’s resting^^…
Being too competent is hard…
—Guys, quit escaping into this “unreal reality” and read what he actually wrote.
ㄴAh… kinda cute, though…
ㄴFor real. Who’d have thought a brand-new sprout could stay calm right next to Seonghyun-nim.
ㄴGrow, little sprout, grow!
The photo was simple:
Well-dressed Kwon Seonghyun, arm slung around a neat-looking young man’s shoulders, both beaming.
Yet more than that showed.
The pale-faced youth looked slightly sulky, a stark contrast to Seonghyun’s warmth.
Anyone could see Seonghyun was the one doing the friendly pulling-close.
And the caption was fresh:
[One shot with a younger brother I’m close to. Delighted we can work together!]
The news spilled beyond the fan page and even became articles:
《New drama stalled by idol L’s departure finally ‘casts’ a new actor!》
《Rookie actor flaunts unusual friendship with star Kwon Seonghyun—who is he?》
《Who’s the man in Kwon Seonghyun’s Insta shot? “One shot with a close dongsaeng”… “Happy to be together.”》
《Vacant “Grim Reaper” role filled—meet the actor who claimed it!》
Reporters who caught the buzz wasted no time.
Yeonwoo, who only later discovered the internet had flipped over a single photo Kwon Seonghyun uploaded, went pale.
“Why are there articles over one photo…?”
Not even days ago… just hours.
—It’s a milestone; how about we take a commemorative photo together?
Seonghyun, who had seemed deep in thought, suggested it.
—Yeonwoo, looks like our actor Kwon has something serious on his mind.
Could it be he’s still hurt because of that power-tripping rascal?
Even little Dongjaryeong was worried.
Come on. When did that idiot implode and announce his hiatus? How could he still be hurting?
So Yeonwoo had asked without thinking:
—Something on your mind?
Kwon Seonghyun was a splendid life-source, after all. He required steady care.
It was a reasonable question.
He hadn’t expected the answer to ripple like this.
I had no idea.
If he’d known the aftermath would be this big, he’d have refused social-media permission, heck, even the photo.
“I didn’t expect this either. I only uploaded one picture…”
Seonghyun looked just as flustered.
Not long after he posted, articles popped up, and reporters sniffing around drifted toward the set.
“It’s fine, really. Thanks to Seonghyun we’ll save on promo costs. I was wondering how to introduce Yeonwoo. You know our drama’s in a tricky spot. Who knew this angle existed? Marketing might bow to Seonghyun,” Director Heo said, unbothered while the set buzzed.
“Should we release some behind-the-scenes footage too? Center it on Yeonwoo; that could pull in buzz,” Writer Min added.
“Pardon?”
“Everyone screamed the drama would fall apart because that jerk quit, even though we still have Kwon Seonghyun and Min Yerin. But if Yeonwoo’s insane presence fills the vacancy, those complaints will vanish.”
“Excuse me, what presence?”
Do these people feel no embarrassment?
Hearing “insane presence” spoken aloud… and no one objected.
Everyone nodded as if in full agreement.
“Director! The coffee truck’s on its way. What do we do?” the youngest PD burst in.
“Coffee truck? Already? Who sent it?” the director asked, baffled.
“They say it’s from Kwon Seonghyun’s fan page.”
“Oh, them? Then it’s fine. Tell them yes, send it in.”
“Got it!”
Watching the PD dash off, Writer Min clicked her tongue.
“What’s a coffee truck?” Yeonwoo asked.
“Ah, you wouldn’t know. Sometimes fans send a truck so the cast and crew can rest and drink coffee.”
Part of the so-called tribute culture: snacks, lunches, even full meals like pizza, chicken, tteokbokki… if it’s edible, it shows up.
“Seonghyun’s fans work fast,” Min marveled. “How did they arrange a truck already? It hasn’t been two hours since the photo.”
“I didn’t know they were so interested… Most of my fans are very reserved,” Seonghyun replied.
“It’s the first time you posted a photo voluntarily. Your fans are famous for moving mountains. I think they’re curious about Yeonwoo.”
Suddenly the spotlight landed on Yeonwoo.
“Me?”
“Right. You’re the first person Seonghyun openly called ‘close.’ He gets along with everyone, but he’s shy with strangers. What’s that face? Still not getting it, huh?”
How did she know?
“So think of it this way: Seonghyun’s fans are coming to check you out.
The coffee truck’s just an excuse.”
“Excuse…?”
So basically, it’s an interview?
“Don’t worry. His fans are known for being civil. They won’t threaten you to stay away,” Writer Min said with a sweet smile, yet Yeonwoo felt a chill.
—Don’t worry, Yeonwoo! I’ll protect you! I can’t stand anyone bullying you, even if they’re the actor’s fans!
Dongjaryeong shouted bravely from his chest, but it wasn’t comforting.
Time passed.
Soon the PD returned, panting.
“The truck’s in the parking lot!”
“Great. Time for a good coffee break,” someone said.
“Should we call a few reporters? Could be nice promo material.”
“Let’s ping the PR team.”
Staff members rose, heading outside.
“You should come too, Yeonwoo. Seonghyun’s fans have refined taste—the coffee’s better than most franchises,” Director Heo laughed, vanishing out the door.
“Let’s go, Yeonwoo,” Seonghyun urged.
“Go to be tested…?” Yeonwoo cringed. “I’m not ready…”
Cold, contemptuous stares, eyes full of blame… he knew them well.
Familiar didn’t mean pleasant.
“If they’re testing me because they dislike me, why go at all?”
“There is a reason,” Seong-hyun said firmly.
“Don’t worry. I promise you.”
He smiled gently yet decisively.
“No one could possibly dislike you.”
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