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A peaceful morning.

It had been quite a while since I woke up early and started getting ready in a flurry.

Today was the day I was returning from what was, in fact, a rather lengthy vacation.

So, I quickly finished my preparations and stepped outside, where I spotted a familiar vehicle.

I hadn’t seen it for a few days, and seeing it now felt both welcoming and bittersweet.

…Maybe I should have taken a bit more time to rest?

It seems I’ve grown so accustomed to living a busy life since last year that I couldn’t really lounge around for too long.

Maybe it’s because I kept feeling the urge to do something, I ended up deciding to return earlier than I initially planned.

“Long time no see.”

“Yes.”

As I got into the car, Park Kang-seok greeted me from the driver’s seat.

It wasn’t a long vacation, so his appearance hadn’t changed much.

“Did you rest well during that time?”

“Oh, yes… yawn… I am a bit sleepy though.”

I was still having a little trouble adjusting.

Lately, I’ve been deeply engrossed in that medieval war game, which had made it habit for me to stream late into the night.

Now that I had to get active in the morning, my mind still felt a bit foggy.

Despite that, I managed to get back to work as an actor in a slightly dazed state.

Well, when I went to get styled at the shop and then headed to film a variety show, I felt less like Kim Soo-hyun the actor and more like Kim Soo-hyun the celebrity.

“Welcome back, Soo-hyun.”

“Yep.”

“I heard you took a vacation, but you returned so quickly.”

“Did the word get around?”

“Haha, it’s because the industry is so small.”

Maybe it’s because I suddenly stopped filming a lot lately?

The variety show director brought up the topic of my vacation.

If the industry is that small… does everyone know?

Like the fact that I’m actually the domestic V-Tuber King Miro.

Older folks might just think of it as being a YouTuber, but even the younger actors… well, they’d probably lump it in with that too.

Most probably don’t even understand what a V-Tuber is.

“Welcome.”

“Let’s do great today.”

After greeting the variety show panelists, I stood before the camera.

Coming back after a break felt a little different.

Still, the camera wasn’t new to me, so I smoothly conducted the filming.

Thus, after a relatively long shoot that lasted from morning until early afternoon…

“Wow, great job everyone!”

“Yep, I enjoyed the filming a lot.”

“Oh my, such kind words, will you join us again next time?”

“Haha, if you invite me, I will.”

After completing the usual polite farewells with the director, I left the filming location.

“Huh…”

Maybe it’s just been a while?

Having come in early and filmed for quite some time, I genuinely felt a bit drained.

More than anything, I couldn’t let my tiredness show on a variety show, which was quite a struggle.

But after another week or so, I should get used to it.

“Here’s your coffee.”

“Oh, thank you.”

For now, I accepted the coffee from Park Kang-seok and made my way to the next filming location.

I heard my schedule would be quite packed for the foreseeable future after my return.

It seemed about time for the bubble to burst… yet work kept coming in, which was quite fascinating.

I’ve heard that I was getting rave reviews from both variety shows and other filming locations.

Well, I didn’t feel like I had done anything particularly standout.

Even if I was just sitting pretty and playing along, the PDs seemed to like it.

Truly, it pays to be born pretty.

Even when doing the same thing, I seem to be more likable, making them want to invite me, and it feels like I should be offered a higher fee, doesn’t it?

Top-notch looks, the pinnacle of youth.

Huh? If I keep this busy for about five more years, I should never have to worry about money for the rest of my life…

“Phew…”

What kind of thoughts are these?

While sitting in the car seat for a moment, I felt a slight, very slight sense of reality hitting me.

Though I felt stuffed to bursting with that heavy thought, after a chaotic morning of variety filming, heading to another shoot made me wonder about my life choices.

When did I become such a diligent professional entertainer?

Honestly, I could step back if I wanted to… but people’s hearts, you know? They look up instead of down and want to walk instead of stop even just a little.

Moreover, I feel lucky to have many people pushing me forward, so I’ve quickly reached a high and distant place.

It’s hard to simply step down from the spot I’ve climbed to.

…When I look at my bank account, my rational mind automatically lifts my gaze up.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Oh, already?”

Anyhow, while I was lost in thought, we arrived at the next filming site.

“Welcome!”

“Ah, yes.”

“I heard you just returned from vacation, but you’re here so soon…”

Once again, the industry’s connections proved strong, as I repeated the earlier conversation with the variety show PD.

“Now, let’s give it our best today.”

This time, since we were filming outdoors for a variety show, we walked around various locations and shot scenes.

It was tiring but… better than just sitting around in a studio.

“Great job, everyone.”

After wrapping up the filming like that, I noticed the sunset outside, painting the sky with hues of red.

Huh? Where did my day go?

Having filmed in a daze since morning, it was already evening.

“Ah… time really flies.”

“Filming usually goes by quickly.”

Nonetheless, it was finally time to clock out, and I climbed into the car feeling exhausted.

“Would you like to catch a nap on the way?”

“No… I think I’ll sleep at home.”

More than that, with how tired I am, I probably won’t be able to broadcast today.

Considering how much I’ve streamed lately, I should be alright taking a break, right?

…On the contrary, I might find myself more restless since I got used to streaming every day.

But what can I do? Just feeling a bit regretful.

Lost in thought, staring out the window on the way home…

“Oh, Soo-hyun.”

“Yes?”

Park Kang-seok, who had been driving quietly, started chatting with me.

What’s this about?

It’s unusual for him to initiate a conversation.

“Are you interested in filming your next project?”

“Oh, the next project?”

So that’s what he meant—he was asking about the next role.

I haven’t acted since I wrapped up with Sera, so it makes sense he’d be curious.

I can’t just keep shooting variety shows and ads forever.

“I’m not sure… Are there any casting offers?”

After all, acting isn’t something you can do alone, right?

Casting has to come in.

If offers do come in, then I could probably pick and choose a few to do.

Momentarily, I recalled Ahn Ji-young, the writer’s comment about not wanting to take on a lead role right now… I honestly feel like a lead might be too much for me at the moment.

So, for now, I’d like to try for a couple of supporting roles or minor parts.

“Yes, there are a few casting offers.”

“Really? Why didn’t you say anything?”

It sounds like he’s gotten quite a few offers while I was away, but why keep it a secret?

“The director told me to casually inquire about your interest once your vacation ended.”

“Am I some sort of priceless treasure?”

It’s like he’s treating me as delicately as a glass bead.

I could even say I’m the industry’s prized possession at Sangshik Entertainment.

“By the way, where did the offers come from?”

Casting offers… I wonder where they might be from.

Truth be told, I wouldn’t be able to make much sense of them anyway, but still, I should at least look through and pick some, right?

“I’ll send you the files after we get home, so feel free to check them out.”

“Got it, thanks.”

Files? There must be quite a lot to check out.

I thought he would just tell me verbally.

And so, I finally returned home.

After dragging my tired body into the shower and lying down on the bed, just then, I received the files from Park Kang-seok.

“Let’s see.”

I wanted to sleep, but I got up from the bed and turned on the computer.

Since I’m not very knowledgeable about directors or writers, I planned to do a little searching to compare things.

I opened the file…

“Huh? What’s this?”

The file was quite large.

Is the script included, making it bigger?

Since it seemed a bit too large to view on mobile, I transferred it to my PC and opened the file.

“Hmm?”

As I scanned through the lengthy list of scripts, I felt a bit surprised.

“…Why are there so many?

Am I really becoming a seasoned actor?

After all, I’ve only done one supporting role, one minor role, and one lead role, right?

Well, I’ve done quite a bit of variety and even more advertising.

I decided to look through them one by one.

It turned out not every piece was a lead or supporting role; there were indeed many smaller parts and even web drama offers.

It seemed they had sent me every single casting offer that arrived.

I had thought Sangshik Entertainment would filter them a bit for me, so why did they send everything?

As I scrolled down the titles, I clicked on a script that seemed interesting.

And then….

“Uh…”

Up popped the format and script for my character.

It had been slightly simplified, but it clearly indicated what kind of role it was for which drama.

This one’s a supporting role, right?

Looking at it… it’s for a beautiful chaebol villain appearing early on.

Was this because of my image as Sera?

After skimming through, it felt too much like Sera, so I moved on.

The next one I glanced at this time was bizarrely a good-hearted role.

Playing a doctor during the Joséon Dynasty, caring for patients with a kind heart.

“Hmm…”

This was too reminiscent of Lady Soo-yeon.

It seems like the casting would be based on the characters I played before, so such roles are being offered.

I skimmed through the other scripts.

Basically, they were similar roles to what I had shown until now.

…And there was even a very odd character role of an internet broadcaster.

Of course, not all roles were like that, and there were various options available, but…

“…This won’t do.”

Just looking at them like this, I can’t get any clarity.

I realized that I should have experience picking roles by now.

The prized treasure of Sangshik Entertainment doesn’t know about these things—my guardian has to help me pick.

I figured I’d need to consult an expert after all.

I fiddled with my phone that I had set down on my desk.

…It’s not my manager, and it was late, so they were probably asleep or resting.

Since it was late, I finally put my phone down.

I’ll have to seek expert advice tomorrow or so.

 

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