Chapter 61: Jealousy and Jabs

I grabbed Dokgo Young’s chin, scanning her from head to toe. 

“Pretty.” 

“…” 

Acting as if I were consumed by jealousy, I flipped my bangs back and smirked. 

“How could you do that…?” 

“…Who are you?” 

“No need to tell you, is there?” 

I mulled over the character Ewhawon. What would she say here? With a spark of realization, I widened my eyes and stared at Eom Goyo. 

“You had your fun with me, huh?” 

Maximizing the sense of betrayal. 

“Uh, excuse me?” 

“I told you cheating’s not okay, Dohyuk-ah.” 

“My name’s Eom Goyo.” 

“Changed your name too? Thought I’d come looking?” 

Pausing to catch my breath, I placed a hand on Dokgo Young’s shoulder. Shaking someone’s heart over something as trivial as “love”—isn’t that unfair? 

“…Feels pretty shitty.” 

Just as I was about to kick Eom Goyo’s shin, unfamiliar men in suits grabbed my arm. 

“President Min Dohyuk is calling for you.” 

“Huh?” 

I blinked rapidly, as if Min Dohyuk were right in front of me. 

“He’s a high schooler, sister-in-law.” 

“…What?” 

That line, and getting into the car, would wrap it up, but… 

‘That’s lame.’ 

Did I need to go all out and break down? Ewhawon wasn’t the type to fall apart. 

And even if Min Dohyuk left to chase another woman, Ewhawon wouldn’t cry or laugh. 

‘It’s not love, it’s possessiveness.’

“Cut!” 

The “cut” call echoed with the staff’s laughter. But for a cameo… 

‘If it’s boring…’ 

As I stepped out of the car and crossed the school field, someone called out. 

“Bada-ya!” 

Go Eun-hyuk ran to me, leaving Dokgo Young behind. 

“Hey, Eun-hyuk.” 

“Why so glum?” 

“It wasn’t fun.” 

“Fun? Your face was fun.” 

My face? 

“That’s a given.” 

“Wow…” 

Then the director, taking off his headset, skipped over like a schoolgirl and spoke. 

“Bada-ya, why so glum?” 

“Oh, it wasn’t fun.” 

“Why? Sorry, but that scene was great. The staff loved it.” 

“Really?” 

I heard the staff laughing after the shoot, but I wasn’t satisfied. 

“I…” 

Go Eun-hyuk cut me off. 

“It was great! I thought Ewhawon came to life. No one controls their eyes like you.” 

…A prison of praise, but I’m not impressed. I didn’t even show off satisfying acting, so what’s this? 

“Eun-hyuk’s got a good eye.” 

“Right, Director?” 

Ugh, trapped in a sticky prison. 

*** 

No reshoots after that. I planned to head home to recover from fatigue. But then… 

“…Ugh, look at that.” 

After Go Eun-hyuk and Dokgo Young’s hand-holding scene, Shim Seonam appeared, wiping Dokgo Young’s hand with a wet tissue. It made me nauseous. 

‘Did an actor come to set to date?’

Go Eun-hyuk, looking awkward, shrugged and approached me. 

“Bada-ya, let’s grab food.” 

“Shall we?” 

“Today’s food truck’s gonna be good.” 

Arriving at <Girl and Boy> food truck, my eyes widened. Jeyuk bokkeum and seaweed soup…! 

“You gonna eat all that?” 

I’d piled rice and jeyuk bokkeum high on my tray, starving. 

“Yeah, I can eat it.” 

“Really hungry?” 

“Yup. Super.” 

All that thinking made me ravenous. I mean, I survived on one kimbap this morning. Held up pretty well. 

Settling in a corner, I picked up my spoon. The seaweed soup cleared my throat, and a bright smile spread. Food in my stomach gave me energy. 

“Bada-ya, good?” 

“Yeah, good. Full.” 

This satisfaction. You can’t starve. As I mixed jeyuk bokkeum with rice and ate, Director Han Jun-hyuk arrived. 

“Hey! Bada-ya!” 

“Director, I saved you a seat!” 

“Nice, nice! I’ll head there.” 

As he took the seat across, Dokgo Young and Shim Seonam sat near us too. 

‘Really… with us?’

Seeing that shameless couple, I felt bad for Go Eun-hyuk. I handed him my yogurt. 

“Huh?” 

“Eat this and stay strong.” 

It’s one per person… 

“Bada-ya, I’m curious. Why’d you bring up cheating?” 

“Oh, that?” 

I glanced at Shim Seonam, smirking. 

“Someone around here’s a cheater…” 

I brought up cheating because of Shim Seonam. In my past life, he caused chaos on set. 

His ex-girlfriend stormed the waiting room, slapped him, and kicked his shin. 

Turns out, Shim Seonam cheated a lot. Too much to count on fingers. 

‘Probably still at it.’

For Go Eun-hyuk’s sake, I hope they break up. Without saying it outright, I looked at Shim Seonam. 

“Cheating’s bad.” 

I fired the warning shot. 

‘If he’s sharp, he’ll get it.’

If he’s dumb, he’ll keep dating. Dokgo Young’s expression already seemed to shift, so he’ll figure it out soon. 

My job here was done, and a message from Manager Min Seo-eun arrived. 

[Manager Min Seo-eun: Bada-ya, I’m here!] 

[Manager Min Seo-eun: Where are you?] 

No reason to stay. I stood, holding my tray. 

“Hey, Director, I’m heading out.” 

“Mid-meal?” 

“Yeah, got a schedule.” 

“Alright, see you next time.” 

I waved to the director and staff, signaling Go Eun-hyuk to follow. 

“Uh, I’ll walk Bada out!” 

Heading to the parking lot where Min Seo-eun waited, I elbowed Go Eun-hyuk’s side. 

“Ow… that hurt.” 

He looked wronged. Didn’t he catch what I said earlier? 

“Bada-ya… why?” 

He was so perceptive in my past life. Was that just industry-acquired savvy? 

“You’ll thank me later.” 

“Huh? Oh! Thanks.” 

“For what?” 

“Dunno! Just wanted to say it. Thanks, really.” 

His sincere words brought a smile. It used to feel like teacher and student, but now… 

“We’re like friends!” 

“What… we weren’t friends?” 

“No, not like that.” 

I knew what he meant. Just my mischievous urge to tease him? 

“…Got it.” 

I put on a glum face, and Go Eun-hyuk panicked. 

“Ba, Bada-ya…!” 

“…Going now.” 

“Bada-ya!” 

His voice called out quickly, but I waved without answering and got into the car. 

Sitting down, Seo-eun unnie turned and smiled. 

“Bada-ya, was filming fun today?” 

“Today’s shoot? Kinda fun.” 

Hope it looks fun on screen. 

“Hope it comes out well.” 

*** 

Park Bujeong quietly sat next to her mom, munching on chicken. Her mom always ordered late-night snacks while watching dramas, which made her happy. But! 

‘There’s a reason I’m here today.’ 

[Im Bada, cameo in <Girl and Boy>] 

Im Bada’s cameo scene was airing tonight. 

“Why’re you sitting so close?” 

“Just, eating chicken and watching the drama.” 

Park Bujeong, not a fan of youth dramas, watched with disinterest, waiting for Bada to appear. 

“She’s acting…” 

Her mom always complained about Go Eun-hyuk’s acting. 

“He was good in <Save Me>.” 

“Him?” 

“…Decent enough to watch.” 

Was it because Bada’s acting was so good it elevated her co-star? 

“You’re only watching because of Im Bada, aren’t you?” 

“What, Mom, you know Im Bada?” 

“She’s in the dramas I watch.”  

“No way, you watch <Youngyoung> too?” 

“Everyone kept saying it’s good!” 

So that’s why <Youngyoung>’s ratings spiked. Middle-aged fans? 

Then Im Bada appeared on screen. 

“Hey, Im Bada. Your favorite.” 

“Whoa…?” 

“You didn’t know she was in it?” 

“No, I knew, but…” 

Not like an IF from <Save Me>. Same network, so they could do it? 

‘What’s going on?’ 

Not with her <Save Me> bob but long, straight hair, like years had passed. 

“She’s really pretty.” 

“Always was.” 

I prefer Bada’s long, straight hair too. 

[“You said it was only me, but you’re laughing with another girl?”] 

[“Uh, I’m not Min Dohyuk…”] 

[“Wearing a uniform to look like a high schooler? That won’t work on me.”] 

The immersion was so intense, it felt like a real scene, not a cameo. Passersby’s shocked whispers added to the realism. 

Her mom, feeling the same, tilted her head. 

“She acts better with Im Bada?” 

“Yeah, true.” 

I felt that too… 

“She’s destined to act with Im Bada.” 

Munching chicken like popcorn, a shout of her name rang out. 

[“Hawon-ah.”] 

[“Min Dohyuk?”] 

The scene shifted. 

“Im Bada’s a great actor.” 

“Right? Isn’t Bada’s acting amazing?” 

“Yeah. Great at comedy too.” 

I’m proud. Is this what stanning an actor feels like? Pride when others praise her. Im Bada pride. 

“Why’re you grinning?” 

“No, nothing, Mom. Watch the drama.” 

‘Gotta check the comments!’

Park Bujeong opened her phone to the drama community. 

[(<Save Me>) Watched <Girl and Boy>? Hawon? Hawon x Dohyuk crumbs] 

– It’s like an IF ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ 

– Wow 

– Been a year, right? 

– ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Crumbs won’t let go 

– Dohyuk takes her away at the end, right? 

└ Gimme <Save Me> season 2 ㅠㅠㅠㅠ 

[(Im Bada) Doesn’t Bada rest?] 

Doing cameos nonstop lol 

I’m happy but 

– Crumbs won’t let go 

– Stanning’s hard, no crumbs, I thought I could live my best life, but what’s this? I’m dying from crumbs 

– Another drama soon? 

True, Im Bada’s been in tons of dramas, including cameos, for two years. 

[(Im Bada) Should we send a coffee truck for her next drama?] 

What do you think? Let’s pool money 

– Oh, nice 

– I’ve wanted to try 

– Let’s do it! 

– Count me in! 

I was gonna quit my part-time job when school starts, but… 

‘Gotta keep going…’

To chip in for the coffee truck. 

Planning her stanning, she checked the time—30 minutes had passed. The chicken in her hand was cold, the cola lukewarm. 

“Daughter!” 

The drama ended, and her mom called. 

“You didn’t forget we’re seeing <Monster Class> tomorrow morning, right?” 

“Of course not.” 

They’d planned to see <Monster Class> as a morning show. Not a zombie fan, but the reason for going was… 

‘Will Bada really be in it?’ 

That’s why she convinced her mom. If she’s not, it’ll still be a memory. 

*** 

With cold, tired eyes, I stared at the portal site’s trending search rankings. 

(10) Im Bada 

As soon as <Monster Class> opened as a morning show, I hit the real-time search rankings. Great to be up there. 

What celebrity wouldn’t love their fame rising? 

But… 

“…Bada-ya, this.” 

“Yeah…” 

Isn’t this a spoiler?