“It’s me!”
Hearing that phrase refer to me, who had climbed all the way to second place on the real-time search rankings, I found myself getting a little excited without even realizing it.
Of course, I wasn’t the only one.
Mom, Dad, and Uncle all yelled out in unison, none of them holding back.
It was a miracle the neighbors below and next door didn’t come knocking.
After screaming for a while, we finally came to our senses and calmly assessed the reaction.
“This is huge…!”
Uncle was the first to speak.
The expressions of the three of us, who hadn’t quite grasped what the number 21.6% meant, brightened.
The Cactus Team, including me, had somewhat anticipated this drama becoming a hot topic.
It was truly rare for Moon Heeseong, who had appeared in a drama not long ago, to make such a quick comeback.
It had also been a long time since he’d appeared on the small screen for two consecutive years, not to mention in a movie.
And the fact that the work was by a rookie writer also played a part.
Plus, it was scheduled for the so-called prime time slot on weekend nights.
Getting a 21% rating for the first episode meant it wasn’t bad.
“Look at this, the reviews are really good too, right?”
My uncle turned the screen to show people’s comments about The Cactus Flower Has Bloomed.
—Watching this feels refreshing compared to dramas that just endlessly focus on romance.
—This isn’t going to turn into a makjang, is it? Like, suddenly it turns out that son is the neighbor’s son or something. Stop with that already.
—The baby is so cute lol What is that little one?
—Looks like it’ll be a heartwarming drama. Cheering you on.
—Watched episode 1, it’s definitely different from other dramas. Planning to keep watching for now.
“See? Everyone’s saying it’s good!”
“Siwoo must be happy.”
“Mmm!”
Cha Ilnam and Han Yuju’s prediction hit the nail on the head.
When I first watched Korean TV, I preferred the shocking twists of makjang dramas too, but I was starting to get tired of them.
Cha Ilnam and Han Yuju, who had been spitting fire every day about how the story would be distinctly different from other dramas, seemed to have hit the viewers right where it counts.
Uncle kept reading the live comments as they came in.
“There’s a ton of people saying Kang Sujeong is pretty. They’re like, ‘How can she be a mom?’… Well, that’s true. She doesn’t have the face of a mom.”
Listening quietly, I got excited and grabbed Uncle’s arm, shaking it as he relayed people’s reactions.
“Uncle.”
“Huh? Why? Want me to show you that part again?”
“No, is there an article with my name in it?”
I slapped Uncle’s arm hard, urging him to quickly check the news tab with a serious expression.
Searching for ‘Kang Sujeong’s son’ wasn’t enough.
Hearing me, Uncle stared at me blankly for a moment.
“You really are… who do you take after?”
Muttering that, Uncle obediently typed ‘The Cactus Flower Has Bloomed Han Siwoo’ into the search bar.
Of course! I knew it would be like this.
News articles mentioning my name poured out in droves.
[Kang Sujeong’s seven-year-old son… six-year-old actor ‘Han Siwoo’]
[‘Han Siwoo,’ who captivated Jessica Brown of Rainbow Pictures, takes on his first drama! Was it a success?]
[Let’s learn about ‘Han Siwoo,’ the child who captivated home theaters with his overwhelming visuals]
Quite a few articles focused more on me, the new face, than on Kang Sujeong, who already had some public recognition.
The articles also mentioned my first acting debut in “Bisangcheolddo 777” and Kim Sangcheol.
I should remember that and tell Kim Sangcheol.
Of course, the most articles were about the work itself, The Cactus Flower Has Bloomed.
“Wow, Siwoo. You’re really popular.”
“Aren’t there more articles now than when you appeared in that RUN performance last time?”
“Oh, come on, brother-in-law. Performances and dramas are different. Now Siwoo has to wear a hat when he goes out.”
“That much…?”
My father, seemingly unable to grasp his son’s sudden popularity, just stared curiously at the articles featuring my name and photo.
“Ugh, as his manager, I’ve got a mountain of work ahead.”
Seeing my father, who knew nothing about this industry, react like that, my uncle seemed to feel a sense of responsibility and steeled himself.
But why one corner of his mouth was turned up like that was anyone’s guess.
“Sigh…”
“…Siwoo, why are you sighing?”
“Being popular is exhausting, you know.”
What about our walks around the neighborhood now?
I used to enjoy strolling through the park near our house with Mom sometimes, but I worry I’ll have to cut back.
Hearing the ladies say I was cute while out walking was one of my joys, and I really miss it.
But, what can you do?
You can’t have everything.
The drama’s first broadcast.
Not a bad start.
A cafe in Sokcho with a panoramic view of the sea.
Today, filming was scheduled to take place at this cafe with its great view.
“Kyaa.”
I was sitting at a spot with a great view of the sea, slurping down the yogurt smoothie my uncle ordered for me while enjoying the scenery.
About ten days had passed since the premiere of The Cactus Flower Has Bloomed.
The drama had aired up to episode 4 by now.
The recorded viewership rating for episode 4 was 28%.
The ratings were steadily increasing as the story progressed.
Thanks to this, Cha Ilnam, feeling elated, was boosting the entire filming crew’s morale lately by always bringing up the ratings before shooting began.
On weekends when the drama aired, our show dominated the popular search terms.
The outfits Kang Sujeong and Choi Taewoo wore were selling out in droves, and the children’s clothing brands worn by me and Nam Yeonsu were also selling out completely.
It was said that Sokcho, the location for this shoot, was already seeing an increase in tourists.
“Oh my, Siwoo. You’re eating so deliciously. What is this? Is it tasty?”
Cha Ilnam approached me, smiling broadly as I sipped my drink, and asked.
“Yes. It’s a yogurt smoothie.”
“Be careful, eating too many cold things can upset your stomach. Did you see the new article yesterday?”
Cha Ilnam, seeing that more than half of my drink was already gone, asked with a smirk.
Article?
Of course, I checked the articles every single day.
Lately, it was like my articles popped up every time I refreshed the page, so my mother was seriously considering buying a printer.
She said it was too much trouble to go to a PC room and print them out one by one.
“Yes. I check my articles every single day. There are so many it’s a big problem.”
It was a very important part of my daily routine, the last thing I did each day.
Searching my name together with my uncle.
There were so many articles to check that I was now considering doing it even while waiting for filming.
Cha Ilnam looked genuinely surprised by my answer, his eyes widening in disbelief, then he laughed out loud.
“Huh? Really? Ha ha! You’re a star now. Really. No, wait, you’re definitely the biggest star in our drama right now, Siwoo. How’s it feel? People recognize you more these days?”
With this drama’s success, it was only natural that Moon Heeseong, Choi Taewoo, Kang Sujeong, and Nam Yeonsu became hot topics.
After all, they were actors who already had a certain level of recognition.
But among them, the one generating the most buzz lately was none other than Han Siwoo.
That was me.
Starting from Episode 2, Kang Wooju’s screen time increased dramatically, drawing viewers’ attention.
Cute looks paired with flawless acting skills.
Despite playing a prickly character, the narrative and masterful pacing made it impossible not to sympathize with and love him, captivating viewers.
By the end of each episode, viewers were leaving comments demanding more screen time for me.
Below that, reactions wishing Kang Wooju happiness also poured in.
When Cha Ilnam asked, I leaned my arms on the table as if exhausted and shook my head.
“Sigh, I can’t even walk around the neighborhood anymore.”
“Haha, can’t be helped. That’s the life of a star.”
“Yeah. I’ll just have to endure it.”
It had been over a week since I last heard the neighborhood aunties’ “Aww, so cute!”
Since I wasn’t meeting fans at the theater company, it had been far too long since I’d heard cheers like that.
On a day without filming, I should pester my uncle and cautiously venture out to the neighborhood park.
“Ah, seriously, this is hilarious. Siwoo, you’re the best. The best.”
“The director’s the best too.”
I gulped down my yogurt smoothie and gave Cha Ilnam a thumbs-up.
Cha Ilnam chuckled nonstop, probably dying of laughter at my precious little words, until the assistant director called him and he headed back that way.
“I’m the lead, but somehow you seem more popular than me?”
“Oh, come on, sunbaenim. We’re both popular.”
As soon as Cha Ilnam disappeared, Kang Sujeong appeared like a ghost and started talking to me.
Sigh, these days I’m busy even on set.
I slurped up the rest of my smoothie, making a slurping sound.
Hmm, it’s delicious, but if I ask for another one, they probably won’t get it for me.
Just as I was licking my lips in disappointment, Kang Sujeong’s cautious voice reached me.
“But, you know…”
“Huh?”
“Why do you call Taewoo ‘Dad’ and Yeonsu ‘Brother,’ and call Moon Heeseong ‘ajusshi’ while trailing after him, but call me ‘sunbaenim’?”
Kang Sujeong’s tone was sharp and staccato, and I gaped at her in a daze.
She crossed her arms and turned her head away, pretending not to care, but that was clearly a sulk.
That Kang Sujeong who only exchanged greetings on set and was always too busy looking at her script to be bothered.
That Kang Sujeong who was so intimidating you couldn’t even strike up a conversation… showing her feelings like this…!
No, more than that, I was so dumbfounded by what Kang Sujeong was saying right now that I couldn’t speak.
Call me ‘sunbaenim’!
She said it herself, so why is she blaming me?
“You… said it, sunbaenim.”
“I did?”
“You did!”
“But haven’t we gotten pretty close now? Calling me ‘sunbaenim’ just feels weird.”
“Huh…”
I was utterly dumbfounded and speechless.
I’d seen this proverb before and wondered what on earth it meant, but experiencing this situation made it instantly clear.
This is exactly what it feels like to be utterly dumbfounded and speechless.
Barely holding back the urge to jump up, I looked up at Kang Sujeong.
Her expression was pure innocence, asking why I was acting this way.
It was utterly ridiculous, but I couldn’t help but chuckle.
It made me realize she’d opened up to me quite a bit.
I opened my mouth, laughing weakly.
“Then… Mom?”
“Well, since it’s just Mom in the play, that’s fine. But there’s that other thing, you know? The one you said last time…”
Ah. So that’s what she meant.
Seriously. If you want it, just say you want it.
“Sujeong noona~?”
I tilted my head innocently and called her by the name she wanted.
“So now I can call you noona? Right? Noona?”
Kang Sujeong, who had stiffened for a moment at my noona attack, cleared her throat awkwardly and turned her head away.
“Fine, if you really want to call me that, go ahead.”
“Yes, Noona!”
“Ugh, why is it so hot today! I need another cup of coffee.”
Blaming the weather, Kang Sujeong turned and walked away, her ears bright red.
I chuckled softly and sucked on my straw.
Ah, I’m done eating…
Chewing on the straw with regret, I noticed Nam Yeonsu at a table a little further away.
Spreading the script on his lap again today, Nam Yeonsu was staring intently at it, as if he might be sucked into the pages.
Judging by his moving lips, he seemed to be reciting the script aloud.
“Yeonsu, Siwoo. Let’s get ready to stand by.”
“Yes, understood.”
Nam Yeonsu answered with a bright smile at the assistant director’s call, but after replying, he fixed his gaze back on the script.
I jumped up from my seat and approached Nam Yeonsu.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“Mhm, go ahead. Siwoo.”
Seeing Nam Yeonsu just smile and answer without moving, I headed toward the camera first.
Only after the assistant director called out a few more times did he finally put down the script and come over.
He’s textbook-like usually, but today it’s worse.
What’s with that guy?
It’s unsettling.
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