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“Is it really that amazing?”

Aside from the misunderstanding, seeing it does seem quite fascinating—though not surprising, really.

Thinking about it, it’s definitely unexpected that Moon Chang-sik and I are acquaintances.

After all, there’s clearly no intersection between us.

“Honestly, a bit? How did you two become friends? Was it during a film shoot or something?”

“Ah… quite the opposite.”

“Huh?”

“It was because of our connections that I was scouted.”

Wait, what? So, that Moon Chang-sik personally rolled up his sleeves and scouted me?

“Scout? Do you really call it that?”

“Hey, am I really being treated like a fish that’s already caught?”

Back when he was eloquently spilling words like a flowing stream, now he’s trying to wiggle out of it.

I mean, if a famous actor does that, it’s a bit much.

“For someone who’s a ‘caught fish’, you don’t seem to want to act anymore? I thought you’d reach out to me or the director since you wanted to act, but I haven’t heard a thing.”

“Ahaha, I’ve been busy.”

“That’s strange. After shooting once, you’d naturally get drawn in.”

Moon Chang-sik looked at me as if he really couldn’t comprehend, but honestly, he’s the strange one here.

What, get drawn in? What does acting even mean to that guy?

And the busyness was indeed real.

After the last shoot, the schedule got packed.

Not as much as Moon Chang-sik, but I’ve been living quite intensely.

Even now, isn’t it true that he’s busy preparing for a new song featuring?

“Well then, since the movie is about to start, I’ll go back to my seat.”

“Oh… you have a reserved seat?”

“Well, I am the lead.”

Impressive, I guess. For side characters like Kang Yun-sung or me, just sitting at the back without complaints is the norm.

After Moon Chang-sik left, Kang Yun-sung beside me casually spoke up.

“You seem to have quite the connections? Thinking about it, isn’t Izakaya Sake famous in Japan?”

“Not really that much.”

That’s true.

My connections probably only number about twenty, right?

And that’s a huge improvement compared to last year.

“Still, I never imagined you’d joke around with someone like Moon Chang-sik.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, because he doesn’t seem that friendly. It’s like he has clear boundaries, you know?”

Is that so?

Honestly, I didn’t feel that way at all.

Even during our first meeting, it was a bit awkward but not stiff.

“Anyway, I mentioned it because I’m envious.”

“Envious?”

“Yeah, I’m even envious that you don’t have to go to gatherings.”

“Do you go, Yun-sung?”

“Of course. I came here skipping my schedule just for that.”

Saying that, Kang Yun-sung already had a slightly tired expression.

Hmm… is that the plight of a popular idol?

But anyway, as the old saying goes, you shouldn’t worry about celebrities, so I decided to let it slide.

It’s not my place to meddle…

[Dung-]

The movie is starting now.

Just like that, both Kang Yun-sung and I finished our conversation and focused our gaze on the movie screen.

Well… I wasn’t paying much attention to the plot itself due to my curiosity about when I would appear.

After absentmindedly sipping on my drink for a moment.

A scene familiar to my eyes appeared during what could be considered the early part of the film.

Right, the set where I filmed.

‘Will I appear?’

I glanced at the screen with a bit of anticipation.

The screen zooms in, and I appear on the giant screen.

Well, technically, it’s ‘Han Hye-jin’ that I’m playing.

Hmm… I was waiting and excited, but seeing it on the screen feels strange.

What can I say, is that really me?

The composer and director must have spoken separately since a brief moment of Han Hye-jin singing flows out from the film.

Then, it cuts to me finishing up in the recording studio as I walk outside.

Wearing a hat pushed down low.

Even so, my naturally rosy lips, button nose, pale skin, and delicate ear frames shine through perfectly.

Hmm, pretty, right?

Even though my eyes are hidden by the hat’s shadow, beauty still emanates.

[What do you think?]

As I maintain an angle where my eyes are obscured by my hat’s brim, I continue the conversation with Moon Chang-sik.

Watching how I am having a proper conversation makes me—

“Ugh…”

My appearance is so cringe that I covered my face with my hand and abruptly turned my head.

…I can’t bear to watch.

Sure, people are watching and the director praised the scene, but I feel embarrassingly exposed.

I remember some actors switching channels when they see themselves on TV; now I understand that feeling.

What feels so awkward is just plain embarrassing.

Just then, hiding my face and turning my head—

“…?”

Kang Yun-sung and I locked eyes while watching the movie scene.

“…What are you doing?”

Though I spoke quietly during the show, I clearly heard those four words he said.

…This is awkward.

“…I’m hiding because I’m embarrassed.”

“…Seriously?”

Whether casually or genuinely, the air feels heavy with embarrassment.

Regardless, Han Hye-jin’s scene has ended.

Soon after, the main female character who was silently observing the conversation steps in.

From what I can gather, Han Hye-jin appears to be a one-time character meant to evoke the heroine’s sense of crisis or rivalry.

Still, it’s undoubtedly a role that feels a bit overrated for me.

After passing through the early scenes, the movie progresses smoothly.

The story features a former child prodigy composer who fell from grace and a budding singer who overcomes various trials to conquer the music industry.

What surprised me were the hints dropped intermittently about Han Hye-jin during the earlier scenes.

Whether on TV or in the news.

She appears without fail, providing the kindling for the heroine’s passion.

Gradually, the movie heads toward its final scene.

Now, with the genius producer regaining his confidence, the heroine steps onto a grand stage, bringing the film to its climax.

As the heroine begins her performance, familiar faces that helped or were connected to the protagonist get close-ups one by one.

Starting from the initial supporters, we shift viewpoints.

Until it’s one woman’s turn.

With a hat and sunglasses that scream style, the moment she removes them while standing in the audience area, her full face finally appears.

With hair slightly swaying in the breeze, her striking looks perfectly fit that of a top star as she gazes flatly at the stage before—

Ugh.

Making a displeased face as if to say she doesn’t like it before heading back out through the exit connected to the stairs.

…She really looks like some villainous noble.

Though her role is relatively minor…

There’s no way to call me an extra at this point.

It is certainly my scene, yet it all made it on screen without any edits….

Afterward, the film showcases a few more characters and depicts a touching scene between the heroine and hero as they recognize each other before ending.

Overall, neither did I focus intently, nor did it seem bad.

It looks like there’s a lot going on, but given that it had to be compacted into the movie, the pace feels rapid, yet the inserted songs sounded good, so perhaps it will gain some popularity?

Especially since the lead is a famous actor, and the popular idol seated next to me also had a supporting role; I can expect quite a return.

Once the film wraps up, everyone stands up to applaud.

Perhaps the viewing audience is satisfied.

“…There was more footage than I expected?”

“Yeah, well….”

Kang Yun-sung, sitting a few seats down, looked at me as he applauded and said that.

“I think you had a more impactful presence than I did.”

“Really?”

“I saw the part you were in, right?”

“….”

“Oops…”

Honestly, I think I missed it.

I was far too distracted trying to figure out when I’d appear.

“Well, since we met by chance, shall we exchange numbers?”

Kang Yun-sung said this, holding out his phone.

“We’ll probably see each other often.”

He added that, and honestly, I’m not so sure about “often.”

Coming here was a struggle in itself; will I truly plunge into the entertainment industry?

Honestly… no matter how I think about it, a relaxed personal broadcast feels far more comfortable.

But anyway, I went ahead and exchanged numbers.

For me, having another contact is a plus.

“I won’t contact you. I don’t want you feeling burdened.”

“Oh dear, if I really seemed that way, I apologize.”

“Then can I go ahead?”

“Do as you please. I might not reply, though.”

He said that, and I saved his number too.

“Oh… is that a joke?”

“….”

“Oh dear.”

Thus, my conversation with Kang Yun-sung came to an end.

After that, aiming to reach home quickly since I’d accomplished my goal…

“Where are you in such a rush to go?”

Just as I was about to leave, I bumped into Moon Chang-sik.

Hmm… seeing the protagonist I watched on screen right before my eyes brings about a strange feeling.

It is indeed fascinating.

This guy just played the producer character I saw earlier.

“Wow…”

“What are you staring at?”

Since I didn’t respond and continued staring, he seemed a bit shy and quickly diverted his gaze.

Oh, does this guy feel shy too?

“You’re that protagonist from the movie I just watched.”

“How was my acting?”

“Uh, can I really evaluate it?”

That means he did great.

I mean, Moon Chang-sik is certainly not someone whose acting can be criticized.

With his looks and skill, it’s tough to find any faults.

“You were great too, Soo-hyun. How about you try playing a minor villain next?”

“A villain?”

Oh… that means slapping the heroine and doing bad things?

That sounds a bit tempting.

“Still, I’ll pass.”

But really, when would I find the time to shoot a movie?

One experience was enough for me.

This experience could serve as great material to boast about over drinks later.

Besides, I have many more stories to share.

“That’s a shame… so you’re really leaving now?”

“Of course.”

“It’d be great if you came to the gatherings, too.”

“Sadly… I need to go home and practice my rap.”

“Really?”

“Is that so?”

The rap I mentioned earlier featuring, I really decided to go through with it.

After that meeting, I practiced hard for three days, and it was manageable.

Now, with a bit more practice, I could be ready for recording.

It wasn’t as difficult as I thought, so I should finalize it for the next meeting.

Just like that, I bid farewell to Moon Chang-sik and stepped out of the building without hesitation, hopping into a taxi.

Time to head home.

Inside the returning taxi.

As I glanced outside the window, the movie I just saw suddenly came to mind.

When was the release? I don’t think it’s too far away.

If so…

“Hm, right.”

Eventually, I made up my mind and grabbed my phone.

“Let’s delete it in advance.”

Then I erased the community mobile app I often used.

Not viewing it is the remedy.

“Phew.”

Feeling somewhat liberated afterward, I leaned against the taxi window and gazed outside.

It was summer.

 

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