Writer Min’s prediction was spot-on.
—Admin: We’ll go see for ourselves. Stay tuned for a report!
The self-proclaimed “mother birds” of Kwon Seonghyun were eager to meet the newcomer he himself had called “a close friend”. They had chosen the simplest tactic: tribute.
That is the surest legal way to gauge the atmosphere on set and meet the actors face-to-face.
Of course, that always cost money. It was more than pocket change for a one-time splash.
—If another coffee truck is needed next time, just say so. I’ll cover it myself.
But to these women, the amount didn’t matter. Kicking in for support items or paying extra for the banner to hang on the coffee truck was nothing.
Only one thing truly mattered:
—Let’s make sure this person isn’t some strange leech trying to cling to our Seonghyun-nim.
—We can’t have another media-play freak like that Deok-chun. Step one: verify.
In this harsh world, protecting their pure, unspoiled actor was their sole purpose.
“They told the crew inside, so they should be coming out soon, right?”
“Ahh, my heart’s fluttering! I get to see our actor’s face again after so long.”
“Hey, focus. We’re not here to fangirl. Keep your wits and evaluate that newcomer first.”
The three women, impeccably dressed and perfectly coiffed, would look like high-powered career types anywhere else.
In fact, they were the administrators of the fan page.
“We absolutely must find out what kind of person that rookie is.”
“But President, don’t you think he’s kinda cute? Tall, carries clothes well. I could dress him in this season’s line and it would be perfect. Plus, if Seonghyun-nim approached him first, he can’t be that bad.”
“True. I thought he was cute too. Lately the talent pool in that age group is awful. This one might be okay. The kids who come to my shop, honestly, are beyond salvage; without heavy makeup I can’t put them on TV…”
“Please, you two, snap out of it.”
Vice-president 1 ran a famous Cheongdam makeup salon.
Vice-president 2 was a fashion designer courted overseas, hot at Milan and New York Fashion Weeks.
The president gave them a stern warning.
As for the president’s job, there wasn’t one. If anything, it was “building-owner’s daughter.”
She possessed several prime parcels of golden real estate, each crowned by a grand building.
“Madam President, get a grip. You’re the one who tosses real life aside and dives into fangirling first.”
“Well, if I could just lease property and collect steady rent, I’d live that way too.”
“Right? They say ‘Landlords outrank gods.’ ”
While the two vice-presidents whispered, the president shouted, “What’s wrong with investing my passion in something that enriches my life?”
“Nobody said it was wrong. Oh! President, staff are coming out. Eyes up.”
They squabbled, yet had been close friends for over a decade.
Who’s the sly thing trying to snare our innocent Seonghyun-nim?
The president’s eyes flashed.
Staff, including the director, began descending the steps.
“Wow, another lavish treat. Thanks to Seonghyun, we’re eating well today,” the director said.
The president answered with a smile.
“Director, we’re grateful you cast Seonghyun-nim. We get to see him again after months of seclusion; there’d been no news.”
“Is that so? Ha-ha! I’m the lucky one. Having him in our project lifts a weight off me. Anyway, thanks for the coffee; we’ll enjoy it.”
“Please drink as much as you like.”
“I’ll be sure to tell Seonghyun to come down.”
“Director, always so thoughtful.”
“He and Yeonwoo should be down soon. Just wait a little.”
The three women’s eyes gleamed.
“Yeonwoo? That’s his name?”
“You’re picky with casting, Director. He must be fairly good, eh?”
A casual question slipped in.
“Yeonwoo? He’s a great guy and capable, too. Looks aloof, but he’s actually very considerate. This is off the record. I know you ladies won’t gossip around.”
“Oh, of course. We’re tight-lipped; you’ve never heard a leak from us, have you?”
At Vice-president 2’s polished reply, Director Heo cleared his throat.
“Right, nothing ever leaked. So I’ll tell you: a while back, during filming, Min Yerin fell into the water…”
“She fell in? Goodness, that could have been serious.”
“Nearly was. We were shooting in the mountains before dawn; even the lights had blown. And in that chaotic moment Yerin went under. She should’ve popped right back up, but something was wrong.”
“And then?”
“That’s when Yeonwoo jumped in.”
Director Heo sipped his coffee, as if the story repaid the treat. No more to say!
A veteran indeed, dropping bait at just the right moment.
The three women swallowed disappointment and stepped back.
“Could he have scored the role just by diving in? Seems unlikely.”
“With all these crew around, digging up info won’t be hard.”
“Maybe he’s a smooth suck-up? That strict director wouldn’t praise him for nothing.”
Yet every crew member they asked had only praise for Yeonwoo.
“He’s loyal, you know. That expelled idol kept picking fights, but Yeonwoo kept quiet so the atmosphere wouldn’t sour and hurt Kwon Seonghyun.”
“Very neat and orderly. No weird demands. Even with the director and writer doting on him, he’s never gotten arrogant.”
“Yeonwoo-ssi? Don’t get me started. Bet he’ll be the rookie breakout of our drama.”
“He’s the kind of person who clears your head just by being near.”
Strangely, it was all good.
“This is odd… How can there be nothing but praise?”
“ ‘Clears your head’? Is he phytoncide or something?”
“Maybe he bribed them? Rich kid spikes the pot?” Vice-president 2 floated a theory.
The president snorted.
“If bribes worked, they’d have worked ages ago. At least with Seonghyun-nim, that stuff never flies.”
“Oh… true.”
Kwon Seonghyun kept his family background a mystery, but the limited-edition luxury clothes, watches, shoes screamed money. Fans firmly believed he was born with a silver spoon.
“Seriously, I’m dying to know what he’s like.”
“Why are they taking so long?”
Most staff had already passed by, but Seonghyun and that person of interest were nowhere in sight.
Just then.
“Gasp! They’re coming!” Vice-president 1 hissed.
They held their breath. Footsteps and quiet conversation floated down the stairs.
“There’s more than coffee, you know. They probably have mint-choco frappes, your favorite.”
“But isn’t it odd for a total outsider like me to drink what your fans bought?”
“They sent it for everyone on set. Of course you can have some. Besides, I bet they’re waiting for you.”
“…Surely not.”
Surely yes.
“Madam President, I think our Seonghyun-nim saw right through us,” Vice-president 1 whispered.
“We still have to see this through… even if we’re caught,” the president muttered, eyes fierce.
If he’s some leech who’ll drag our actor down, whoever he is…!
Her vow stopped short.
“…?”
Who on earth was that fresh-faced youth standing there?
A bolt of shock struck the president.
Early twenties at most yet his expression and manner carried a chic detachment, a hint of boredom in every line.
How can he stay so nonchalant with Seonghyun-nim right beside him?
That was surprise number two.
The first shock?
I can SEE his face!
Sounds absurd, but it mattered.
Even on Insta he looked unusual, and in person, wow. A weighty presence the photo never captured made him stand out all the more.
The president recognized this type well.
Wasn’t Seonghyun-nim like this once…?
At his debut: a single shot of his bloodshot eyes staring down an opponent spawned hundreds of thousands of fans. A supporting role, a fleeting scene, yet the impact had been immense.
That day the president first felt what it meant to fall deeply for someone.
And now…
No, I can’t. I came to judge, not to fall…!
She turned desperately to her comrades for backup.
But—
“Mint-chocolate’s your favorite? Perfect! This place does it well. Here, try some.”
“So you’re the co-star in the new project? You two looked close in the photo. Seeing you together, it’s true.”
Her allies had long since defected.
Oh, whatever.
The president gave up thinking. The pull she felt after so long was too strong to resist.
Besides… I can’t be the only one left behind!
Though comrades, the other two were hyenas prowling Kilimanjaro, thirsting for a fresh face.
She squeezed her eyes shut, steeled herself, then stepped forward.
“Hello? I’m the president of Seonghyun-nim’s fan club…”
Suddenly she was front and center, bright smile dazzling, having elbowed past her friends.
“His skin is so pale!”
“Is it just youth? They said early twenties?”
“Twenty-three, President, remember?”
“Twenty-three… the prime of life,” the president murmured, picturing him clearly whenever she closed her eyes.
“From what we heard, he was cast straight from civilian life, but he didn’t feel green at all,” said Vice-president 1, the makeup-salon owner.
“Porcelain skin, no visible pores… even kids on regular treatments don’t glow like that. Must be natural.”
“That’s what you noticed? I was so dazed I barely remember…”
“Same. My professional eye just picked it out. Looks like Seonghyun-nim dragged him in, so he hasn’t had any beauty work. He’s simply born with it.”
They recalled how Yeonwoo seemed to keep the doting superstar at arm’s length.
Had they ever seen Kwon Seonghyun lavish such gentle attention on anyone?
They could answer with confidence: never before… until now.
—Good thing they do mint-choco well. Yeonwoo-ssi, try some.
For the first time, the admins had watched Seonghyun speak softly, truly smiling at someone.
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