Chapter 57: Subtle Jabs

An article about my first scandal popped up, but no matter how much I scoured the comments: 

– lol If those two are dating, I’ll fry a pancake on my palm 

– Dating? No way 

└ Why why I’m out and can’t watch ㅠㅠ 

└ They fight all the time lololol 

└ lol There’s zero romantic vibe, they’re all just friends ㅠ 

Since Ryubyul and Im Hoon didn’t show any signs of dating, the fans weren’t buying it. 

That said, Ryubyul and Im Hoon didn’t strongly deny it either. They just playfully posted a photo on SNS with me included, without any further explanation. 

‘Probably just being courteous to the drama’s fans.’ 

As if mocking me, a ding! sounded, and a sub-quest success notification appeared. 

[Sub-quest ‘Act Yeonwoo to not seem hateful’ succeeded.] 

[Reward obtained.] 

[Points: 1] 

Now, of all times? 

[Sub-quest perfectly succeeded.] 

Perfectly? 

‘…Why the word “perfectly”?’

Could it be that this love triangle scandal made even those who disliked Yeonwoo empathize with her? That kind of nonsense… 

[Correct.] 

…It’s true. Building empathy. 

‘Should I thank the scandal?’

Since it’s come to this, let’s make the audience dive even deeper into the drama. 

[Im Bada] 

Appearance S+ [0] 

Acting S+ [0] 

Immersion B ▲ 

Vocal Delivery C+ 

Charisma A 

Affinity C▲ 

I should invest in the immersion stat. 

[Im Bada] 

Immersion B+ 

It’s an important shoot for getting into character today, after all. 

‘How many minutes left?’

With the script covering my face, I summoned the eraser in my mind. A massive window appeared, showing the time. 

[My Mind’s Eraser: Due to regression penalties, memorizing lines takes time.] 

[Per sentence: 35 minutes] 

Only? But it’s better than nothing. 

‘Not a lead, just a supporting role, and I’ve cut it down this much.’ 

As soon as I got out of the car, Manager Min Seo-eun rushed over, handing me my bag. The usual bunny bag. 

“Thanks, unnie.” 

“Always carry it. I’m worried you’ll lose it again, okay?” 

“Got it.” 

It’s still embarrassingly cute. I reluctantly nodded at her insistence and slung the bag on. 

Maybe because I arrived much earlier than the shoot time, the set was empty. 

‘No one’s here.’ 

In the dark pre-dawn, I took a few photos of the empty set. Sitting on a bench, I pulled out the script from my bag. 

There was a reason I came early. Sure, partly to avoid Ryubyul and Im Hoon’s teasing, but also to read the script in the quiet set. I wanted to feel the emotions stirring. 

‘I’m already burning through emotions.’ 

This is why raising the immersion stat might help. I felt it when acting with Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim after boosting immersion—it was intense. 

But the deeper the immersion, the harder it is to snap out, and it drains emotions heavily. Well, I’ll figure out a solution later. Maybe getting immersion to S will change things. 

“…This is something.” 

Even with my acting skills back, there’s no end to learning. 

As dawn broke and sunlight crept into the hanok village, a car pulled into the parking lot, and I frowned. 

‘Oh.’ 

The last person I wanted to see. 

“Hey, tragic sub-lead~!” 

Im Hoon rolled down the window, waving cheerfully. 

“How’s it feel to be the tragic sub-lead, huh?” 

I stared at him without getting out, wondering how long he’d keep this up. 

“Of course, I got dragged into a bad scandal too, but thanks to you, I came here laughing. Thanks, Im Bada!” 

I held it in until now. 

“But since when did you like me?” 

That, I couldn’t take. 

“…Hey, get out.” 

I stood from the bench, grabbed Im Hoon’s collar, and shook him. 

“What?” 

“They’re saying that’s how it looks, huh~?” 

“No, that’s how you see it. Want me to pluck out your eyes to fix it?” 

“Hey! Im-sensei! Plucking out eyes? That’s scary!” 

Im Hoon froze, staring at me as if I’d said something serious. But it didn’t last. 

“Pfft, haha!” 

“…Sigh.” 

“This situation is hilarious!” 

His twitching mouth finally burst into a wide grin. Holding my throbbing forehead, I watched as Im Hoon got out, wiping fake tears. 

“Man, I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt.” 

“…Wish they hurt more.” 

“No, think about it. You liking me…” 

Before he could finish, I elbowed his side. 

“Ugh!” 

“I told you to stop.” 

I gave a short warning to the trembling Im Hoon, casually pulling a chocolate from my bunny bag and eating it. 

‘Low blood sugar.’

Im Hoon recovered quickly and sidled up to me. 

“How’d you feel when you first saw the scandal?” 

“How’d I feel?” 

I thought for a moment before answering. 

“Can I curse?” 

It was shitty. 

“No, don’t. I can see the curse in your eyes. I know what it is.” 

Good that he knows. 

“Oh, the director and Ryubyul are here.” 

Other staff started arriving at the set. With a lot to prepare, everyone was coming early. 

“But there’s another car?” 

I followed his pointing finger and saw unfamiliar cars pulling in. The sun glared off them, forcing my eyes shut. As the car stopped and the door opened, my jaw dropped. 

“Jo Janghee sunbae-nim?” 

‘Why’s she here?’ 

What’s she doing here? 

Then Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim arrived, and the sound of swallowing echoed around. 

They probably know about the industry rumors about their relationship. 

“Aren’t they close?” 

Except for Im Hoon. 

‘Why do I feel anxious and nervous?’ 

I haven’t committed any crime, right? Jo Janghee’s manager got out, opening a parasol. 

“It’s not even that sunny yet.” 

“Be quiet.” 

“Uh, okay.” 

He’s so clueless. My glare thankfully shut him up. 

Jo Janghee finally appeared, scanning the surroundings. Spotting me, she waved. 

“Bada-ya.” 

She called me warmly. At least Im Hoon was nearby for some emotional stability… 

‘Huh?’

Im Hoon was gone. Left alone, I faced her as she spoke gently. 

“Spending time here?” 

“…Uh, yes.” 

“What, shy?” 

“Not shy, just surprised. Why are you at the set…” 

“Oh, just to check it out?” 

Check it out? Isn’t she busy with her own drama? 

“I was passing by for my drama shoot, but I saw a big sign saying ‘No entry, Youngyoung filming.’” 

“Ah…” 

“Came to see you too.” 

Who just barges into a Youngyoung set like that… Oh, she’s right in front of me. 

Jo Janghee looked at me with a slightly hurt expression. 

“Why don’t you call me unnie?” 

“…There are a lot of eyes watching, unnie.” 

“No informal speech either?” 

“I’ll speak informally!” 

It’s hard to naturally call her unnie. 

“Doesn’t this feel nice?” 

Why’s my face burning? I glanced away and locked eyes with Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim over Jo Janghee’s shoulder. 

‘Scary.’

Her expression was neutral, but her piercing gaze felt heavy. 

By the way. 

“Got something to say to me?” 

She casually tossed out, like she’d forgotten. 

“Don’t ignore my messages.” 

“Huh? Messages?” 

I’d gotten a few recently but blocked most, thinking they were spam. 

“Didn’t you get my number from my manager?” 

“No, I didn’t.” 

“What? You didn’t? I thought you were ignoring me on purpose.” 

As I explained, Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim approached. 

“What’s up, Jo Janghee?” 

“…Oh my, Jin-hwa. It’s been five years, hasn’t it?” 

“Yeah, five years.” 

Their sharp gazes sent chills down my spine. Like a shrimp caught between whales. 

“Why are you here? Not for a drama shoot.” 

“Oh, just because. Can’t I come?” 

“Others are busy shooting. Is it okay for a lead actor to be so free?” 

“That’s my business.” 

“You’re the same as ever.” 

It felt like sparks flying between a tiger and a dragon. The staff’s whispers grew louder. 

Then a window popped up, saying I was fatigued. 

[Please relieve fatigue.] [59:59:59] 

Showing this meant… 

Suddenly, I felt cold shivers. Clenching my fists and trembling, Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim came over and patted my back. 

“You okay? You must be startled.” 

“Yes, yes…” 

Knowing my personality, Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim adjusted to me. Meanwhile… 

“What, you sick?” 

“…Just lately.” 

“Tch, an actor’s body is their life.” 

Jo Janghee wagged her finger, clicking her tongue. 

“Drama shoots are tough.” 

“Tough for a supporting role?” 

I was about to retort that today’s shoot was hard. 

“Our Bada’s shoot is tough today. Go on.” 

Sunbae-nim stepped in, shooing her away. 

‘As expected of sunbae-nim!’ 

She’s the best. I cheered inwardly. 

“Tough shoot? When?” 

“Why? Wanna watch?” 

“No, just to remember. It’s my little sister’s scene.” 

…Little sister? Since when was I her little sister? 

I glanced at Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim, whose face was frozen in shock. 

“Sister?” 

Why’s she reacting to that, sunbae-nim? Jo Janghee, igniting hearts, smirked. 

“I’ve got a shoot too… gotta go.” 

“Go already.” 

“I’m going. But your acting’s lacking.” 

Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim, lacking…? 

“You were so busy supporting your co-star, you didn’t show your own skill.” 

“…Not leaving? Got too much time?” 

“Oh, I’m going. Just some advice. Bye.” 

Even after she left, Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim stared at me intensely. This situation… 

‘Awkward, isn’t it?’

I quietly slipped away to Yeom Haejin. 

*** 

A tense atmosphere lingered. A scene with heavy rain, from water trucks to various setups, meant a lot of preparation.

And with the risk of something going wrong, I sighed to shake off the tension, flipping through the script. 

On a rainy day, Yeonwoo kneels before Lee young, begging him to destroy evidence that her mother killed Kim Sohyun.

Lee young keeps refusing, and the scene ends with Igeum Jin, soaked in rain, collapsing from exhaustion and embracing Yeonwoo. 

Yeom Haejin specifically requested this pivotal scene, calling it the climax that fuels Youngyoung’s intensity. 

Coughing several times with a hoarse voice, I spoke. 

“Sunbae-nim, about today’s scene…” 

“Bada-ya, are you bothered by what Jo Janghee said earlier?” 

“About my co-star?” 

“Yes…” 

In episode 4, there was minor controversy about my scene with Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim. They said her acting was off.  

‘Because of me.’ 

She said it indirectly. 

‘Her personality’s as bad as ever.’ 

It would’ve felt better if she’d just said it outright. 

“The problem she mentioned…” 

I tapped the script against myself. 

“She meant I’m the problem, right?”