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“Well then, many people are curious about this. How was the casting done?”

As filming began, the young and handsome host’s first question was about the casting.

“Oh, I… initially, the writer…”

The first to answer was Moon Chang-sik, after all, he had been assigned as the main character and had been involved in the drama since its early stages.

But, um, casting… how did mine go again?

I racked my brain to remember, knowing I would need to answer next.

So, um…

“That’s how it all happened. And I also brought this person on board.”

Right, that’s it. Moon Chang-sik brought me along.

“Oh… was it directly by Senior Chang-sik? So, it sounds like Soo-hyun did well from the start.”

The young host called Moon Chang-sik “Senior,” implying he must have been an actor before.

“Yes, from the very beginning, he had the look of a great actor.”

“The look?”

But, hearing that… having the look of a good actor seemed ridiculous. I glanced at the smiling Moon Chang-sik beside me, whose expression looked forced and all too friendly.

“When did you start learning about looks?”

“Just kidding.”

Goodness… Still, thanks to Moon Chang-sik’s mention, I recalled the embarrassing moments from my casting days that I’d completely forgotten.

So, um… I came to audition for the role of the character who slaps the heroine.

But I couldn’t say that here…

“Uh, I was drawn in because I was offered the role of the villain.”

That’s what I should say.

“The villain?”

“Yes, I’ve always wanted to try it at least once, and this person suggested it to me.”

“Oh… I guess you had a friendship prior to this.”

Friendship, huh…

“Right? After all, it was through this person that I did my first drama.”

“Soo-yeon too? I didn’t know that.”

“I’m all part of the Moon Chang-sik line. Direct lineage.”

Does Moon Chang-sik even have a line? Well, if he doesn’t, I can make one. My acting career started because of him, so I might as well claim it confidently.

“That’s right. Here, Senior Chang-sik really favors Soo-hyun.”

Just then, Nam Han-kyung chimed in.

“I agree.”

Moreover, even Han Ye-eun added her two cents.

“Wow… Senior, are you discriminating against the juniors?”

With that vibe, the host started pressing Moon Chang-sik, and he awkwardly laughed.

“It’s not favoritism, but just helping a junior who’s not very familiar with this side of things.”

“That’s favoritism and discrimination.”

“Is Soo-hyun really saying that?”

Anyways…

With that, the behind-the-scenes details of my casting with Moon Chang-sik were cleared up, and next, Nam Han-kyung and Han Ye-eun explained their casting processes.

A formal, stiff exchange of words, contracts, and communication.

…Back then, I didn’t even have an agency and hastily signed my contract without thought, so it’s definitely different.

Now, I’ve got Park Kang-seok and an agency, but…

Thinking of how different things are now compared to back then gives me a clear sense of the change.

I may have changed a lot as an actor, but back then, we were barely making one album’s worth of songs, and now a concert is right around the corner.

I glanced forward.

In the bright studio beyond the host, a plethora of staff members were present.

Everyone was looking this way, aiming their cameras at us.

This sight has become familiar now.

At first, it seemed awkward, but when did I get used to it?

Turning my gaze back to the side, I saw actors I had only ever seen on TV seated next to me, smiling and chatting with the host.

And sporadically, I heard my name being mentioned.

Listening to the conversation, I thought about the recent variety show and ads I filmed, and now the drama that’s about to end.

…Have I become someone others see on TV now?

Running straight ahead, and here I am now.

From the shadows to the spotlight.

This is the success story of Vtuber Miro…

“Soo-hyun?”

“Yes?”

“What are you thinking so hard about during the recording?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just looking at the staff.”

“The staff? Well, there do seem to be a lot of them compared to this space.”

“Haha… Everyone here is essential, after all.”

“Oh, by the way, Han Ye-eun said earlier that Soo-hyun is very polite and treats the staff well.”

“Me? Wow, that’s quite an honor…”

…Speaking of myths and everything, drifting off during filming feels out of line.

I might be way too relaxed.

Thinking about how much distance I still have to cover, I focused on the filming.

**

Filming continued after that.

After asking about casting, the next question was about an anecdote from during filming, or…

“Soo-hyun played Sera, was there a part that was particularly difficult while acting?”

“All of it.”

“What?”

“Because it was so different from me…”

Questions about the character flowed back and forth, most of which were easy to answer.

After all, we’ve filmed together for months, so there are untold stories and personal interpretations of each character hidden in our minds.

I even felt relieved thinking about it as if I were telling the viewers about the drama through this filming.

“Alright then, since we’ve got such precious guests, we should probably play a game too, right?”

After unraveling some backstories, we engaged in some light mini-games among the actors… and it turned out to be quite fun.

There were four of us, so it was easy to split into two teams and we switched teams around, and everyone was surprisingly skilled.

Maybe it’s because they’ve done these kinds of things often on variety shows?

Honestly, I was confident as a gamer, but many of these offline mini-games were my first experience, so I struggled a bit.

“This wraps up the filming. Everyone worked really hard today!”

So, after filming concluded, since everyone had other filming to do, we headed straight out of the studio.

“This means everyone struggles until dinner.”

As we left together, Moon Chang-sik commented.

“Struggling is better than nothing~ Working a lot is the best!”

“I’m dying over here. I can’t adjust.”

Then Han Ye-eun and Nam Han-kyung responded in turn.

Well, everyone must be tired since they’re so busy nowadays.

And here I am barely keeping myself awake after filming.

“Soo-hyun, what about you? Aren’t you tired?”

“Me? Well, I’m a bit tired.”

“With the concert preparations, it must be twice as hard, huh?”

“…That’s true.”

After wrapping up today’s schedule and going home to sleep, tomorrow I’ve got lessons.

On lesson days, while they are more relaxed than the filming marathons, since I have a broadcast in the evening, it’s still not easy.

And the day after that? More filming…

I seriously need to avoid overlapping schedules in the future.

Going back and forth like this is exhausting.

But that doesn’t mean I can just focus on one thing.

“By the way, you know we have a company dinner this week, right?”

“Oh, I know.”

Plus, there’s a dinner this weekend as the drama is ending this week.

They say all the actors, staff, and everyone will gather for a big dinner.

“Make sure not to be late.”

“Yes.”

“Who’s buying the meat?”

“That? The writer will probably cover it.”

Anyway, we chatted comfortably and then departed for our respective filming locations.

I also headed to where Park Kang-seok was waiting and got into the car.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes.”

“Here, have some coffee.”

“Oh, thank you.”

As I took a sip of the refreshing coffee Park Kang-seok had bought in advance, I felt a bit better.

Having a good manager is really vital.

“We’ll take our time, so just relax.”

“Understood…”

With those words, the car smoothly started.

I pulled out my eye mask again for a quick nap.

After that, filming concluded without any issues, and just like that, the day came to an end.

**

Then, a few days later.

“Is today the day?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

I sat in the living room with Mrs. Jang, watching TV.

“Ugh… it feels like just yesterday we were watching episode one, time flies too fast.”

“It really does.”

“Are you going to come out again today?”

“Sera? Sera has exited now.”

Chatting away comfortably on the sofa, we turned on the TV and switched channels.

Just then, the drama started at the perfect timing.

“Oh, I’m excited.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, last week ended way too suspensefully.”

Today is the final episode of the drama.

After Sera’s exit, only Nam Kyung-min remains, and the main characters unite to strengthen their efforts.

But in the meantime, Nam Kyung-min, successful in eliminating his rivals, solidifies his position as the heir and exerts stronger influence to pressure the protagonists.

Amidst all this, there are deaths, captures, and demotions, making it confusing whether this is a drama or a gangster story with group fights appearing.

The latter part threw in all sorts of dopamine-inducing modern fights.

And now…

The final episode is where those who have exhausted their cards pull out their last ones for the showdown.

It occurs to me how it would have been if Sera were still here—lost in thoughts, I watched the last episode of the drama.

It began with the heroine and her allies suddenly appearing to bind Nam Kyung-min’s helpers.

After that, the struggle continued between Nam Kyung-min and the protagonists, ultimately leading him to choose to flee overseas.

However, as Nam Kyung-min moved to the harbor, the protagonist confronted him for their final battle.

Until then, it had been all about legal threats and tax audits, surrounding intimidation and company-wide pressure.

A high-class modern chaebol battle then culminated in…

“Oh my! Oh my!”

“Oh…”

They just fought with their fists.

Both of them were tall and had long limbs, making the fight a treat to watch.

Seeing the final conflict of those once esteemed chaebols turn into a brawl was something to behold.

In the end, Nam Kyung-min lost the fight and, true to his previous ways, ended up being taken down by the protagonist.

…Honestly, I thought Nam Kyung-min would end up in prison like Sera, but the darkened protagonist just tossed him into the sea.

“What did you think?”

“It was fun!”

Anyhow, the drama that has been capturing attention over the past few months came to a neat conclusion.

 

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