Chapter 62: Spoilers and Showdowns

People who didn’t know me must’ve looked me up after watching <Monster Class>. But that turned into a spoiler situation. 

“…My fame’s gonna rise.” 

Should I be happy about this…? 

Those who quickly watched <Monster Class> were posting theories about why I appeared. 

‘Oh.’

[(Monster Class) Spoiler Alert Spoiler Alert Spoiler Alert] 

Spoiler 

Spoiler 

It goes back 30 years, and IBD shows up, right? 

Keeping it vague with initials to avoid spoilers. 

The buildup in this movie is insane? 

– Buildup’s wild 

– Got boring in the second half, yawning, then IBD appeared and my eyes popped open. 

– Her face is the story lol, what happened in the past? 

└ 222 Im Bada’s face is the story lol 

Monster Class originally got harsh reviews. It wasn’t until Monster War came out that its reputation improved. 

[(Monster Class) Past Apocalypse Character lol] 

So moving ㅠ 

She lures zombies with shaman bells, so cool 

– lol 

– The zombies around her wake up and charge at Im Bada, wow… 

– Felt like the director made it just to show off Im Bada 

This is why Korea’s awesome. My prediction was right. Monster Class was the buildup for Monster War’s story. 

“Wow!” 

I let out a small gasp, and Manager Min Seo-eun responded. 

“Huh? Calling me?” 

“No?” 

Seo-eun unnie, parking the car in the lot, turned around. 

“Then we’re here, wanna go to the premiere?” 

“Yeah!” 

As soon as I got out, I saw actors heading to the premiere. None were close enough to greet. 

On the elevator ride to the premiere, fans’ shouts stopped me. 

“Bada unnie!” 

“Im Bada!” 

“Hawon-ah! Ewhawon!” 

“Yeonwoo-ya!” 

Hearing my characters’ names almost made me laugh. Instead of passing by, I grabbed their hands and approached. 

“I didn’t know you’d be at the premiere! If I’d known, I’d have brought a letter!” 

“No notebook or pen?” 

“I’ve got a notebook!” 

I didn’t need to hear the rest. No pen? Guess I’ll leave a kiss mark. I pressed my lips to the fan’s notebook and said, 

“Thank you.” 

I’d love to greet each fan face-to-face, but there wasn’t time. 

At the premiere, the MC introduced me. 

“Here’s an actor dominating dramas lately! Im Bada-ssi!” 

“Woooo!” 

For the record, I showed up to the Monster Class VIP premiere in military attire, fitting the “apocalypse” dress code. 

I struck a gun-shooting pose to greet the reporters. The MC handed me the mic to share my thoughts. 

“Uh… I’m so happy to be invited to the Monster Class premiere. I hope this opportunity leads to more zombie movies. Thank you.” 

Following the staff’s guidance, I met Yoon Hee-ae at the premiere stage greeting, dressed in a sharp white suit. 

‘Even from afar…!’ 

How can someone shine like that? 

“Hee-ae unnie!” 

Spotting me, Yoon Hee-ae hugged me tightly. Can’t… breathe… 

“Been a while, Bada-ya.” 

“Really has!” 

“We should’ve met outside more. I’ve been busy.” 

I heard Yoon Hee-ae’s acting career’s been hectic. So busy she got a Hollywood audition offer. 

“Meeting like this feels great. Bada-therapy.” 

“Unnie…” 

“Just let me hug you a bit.” 

In <Save Me>, she’d hug me to relieve stress too. I hate that I’m used to it. 

Cheon Ian, greeting others, turned and scrunched his nose at me. 

“Why’re you looking like that?” 

“What, same military outfit as me? Couple look?” 

“Huh?” 

“Told you not to fall for me~” 

…Couple look? Probably just because we’re from the same agency. I frowned and shook my head. 

“I don’t like you!” 

“Yeah, sure, sure.” 

Cheon Ian, teasing me, suddenly stared. 

“But Bada-ya, is that rumor true?” 

“What rumor?” 

Is there bad gossip? 

“For real? Your Monster Class cameo.” 

Oh, that? I don’t want to tell, especially not Cheon Ian. 

‘No choice.’

I buried my face in Yoon Hee-ae’s arms. She’d shield me. 

“What’re you doing to her? She said she doesn’t like it.” 

“Can’t I be curious, Hee-ae? Don’t you know friend privileges?” 

“Ian-ah, you’d know if you watched the movie. Why embarrass her?” 

“We’re in the same drama, and you’re acting like this?” 

“Yup, like this.” 

‘…Take that.’ 

As the Monster Class premiere leads were announced, I sat in my assigned seat. Why the dead center? Popping popcorn in my mouth, I glanced down at the front row. 

‘Shim Seonam?’ 

There he was, arm-in-arm with a woman, looking cozy. 

‘Wow… cheating on Dokgo Young already?’ 

“Hello! I’m Director Shin Yisang!” 

The audience’s applause made Director Shin Yisang beam. 

“Hello, I’m Jo Jang-hee. I hope you fall for zombie movies with this chance.” 

Jo Jang-hee’s fans waved signs saying “Our Pride Jo Jang-hee.” She greeted them back. 

‘…So good to fans.’

Then Seong Saebyeok shouted, voice trembling. 

“Please love Monster Class…!” 

Rookie vibes. I clapped loudly for her. 

“Now we’ll start the premiere.” 

In a way, it’s like my screen debut… 

‘I’m nervous.’

So nervous. 

*** 

Slipping into the premiere waiting room, I looked for Manager Min Seo-eun. She’d stepped out for something. 

“Seo-eun unnie!” 

“Bada-ya, how was it?” 

“Came out great.” 

Monster Class got mixed reviews. I understood why it was called fast-paced early on but boring later. 

“How’s the screen debut?” 

“…Kinda meh?” 

“Why meh?” 

“Cuz I looked cool at the end…?” 

The scene where I, blood-smeared, shake shaman bells to lure zombies, then my ponytail comes loose as a zombie grabs it, and the movie ends. 

“Looked cool?” 

“Super…?” 

‘If I saw it…’ 

I’d say my face is the story. 

“SNS reviews say it’s getting good feedback.” 

“Really?” 

“I’m grabbing something from the car. Greet people.” 

“Okay.” 

I went to Director Shin Yisang. 

“Director!” 

“Our Bada-ssi! How was it?” 

“I looked super cool, right?” 

“Your face is the story.” 

“No, you made the story, Director!” 

“Nope! Wouldn’t have worked without your face.” 

Is he hyping me too much? I couldn’t hide my grin. 

“Bada-ya…? Don’t I exist?” 

Jo Jang-hee appeared out of nowhere. I beamed at her friendly approach. 

“You’re such a goof. Stop smiling.” 

“…” 

Coming in like that? Fine, I’ll let it slide. I’m in a good mood. 

“Our little sis looked great on screen.” 

“Cuz my face is great.” 

“This kid’s got no shame.” 

Who backs down from praise? 

“Jang-hee unnie, been a while.” 

“Hee-ae-ya!” 

Yoon Hee-ae appeared, stealing her attention. 

‘Phew.’ 

I stepped back, eavesdropping. 

“Been years, huh? Not sure if you’re that junior who used to get scolded by me.” 

“…You talk too much, then and now.” 

“It’s a compliment. Why say I talk too much?” 

“Not a compliment. Don’t I know you?” 

Jo Jang-hee pouted, clearly annoyed. 

“Someone calls me unnie, unnie, with only sweet words.” 

“Who?” 

“Guess who.” 

She looked at me. 

“Our little sis?” 

Yoon Hee-ae’s sharp gaze questioned my “unnie” calls. As I opened my mouth to explain, a voice cut through. 

“Hey! Why’re you here? Said you were home!” 

All eyes turned to Dokgo Young from <Girl and Boy>. 

‘Dokgo Young… was here?’ 

Shim Seonam, unaware she’d be at the Monster Class premiere, looked shocked and started explaining. 

“Babe, hold on.” 

“Babe? Babe…!?” 

Dokgo Young grabbed his hair, not letting go. 

“Why? Gonna ditch me for another girl?” 

“No! Just…” 

“Just what, you trash!” 

The woman sitting with Shim Seonam had already fled. 

“Wild.” 

“They’re fighting.” 

Good thing the waiting room only had celebrities and industry people. Otherwise, this would’ve spread like wildfire. 

‘No, it’ll spread anyway.’

“You damn jerk!” 

Despite his shouts, Dokgo Young’s grip was fierce. 

“Wow… wow.” 

Yoon Hee-ae shook her head, as if seeing something unbearable. 

“It’s entertaining.” 

Jo Jang-hee’s face was intrigued. 

“Ugh… babe, stop. People are watching.” 

“So what? I found out you’re already known as trash. Why act pure with me?” 

Oof… it’s getting intense. The audience outside might hear. Director Shin Yisang stepped in, warning them. 

“Fighting here’s pointless. Take it outside.” 

Despite his words, they didn’t leave. Instead, they geared up for more, Dokgo Young’s grip tightening. Jo Jang-hee stepped in next. 

“Didn’t hear the director? Fight outside. This isn’t your stage.” 

“…” 

“Get lost.” 

She probably thought that was polite. Dokgo Young and Shim Seonam left the waiting room, still bickering. 

“Thanks, noona.” 

Director Shin Yisang expressed gratitude. 

“No biggie. I’m the lead here. Can’t let others steal the show.” 

Not helping for nothing. 

“Why’re they fighting so crassly?” 

“…Cheating?” 

“How’s our little sis know that?” 

Yoon Hee-ae touched my cheek, staring. Oops, slipped up. 

“Just… heard things.” 

“Interested in dating, Bada?” 

“Not really, just heard a lot of rumors.” 

Yoon Hee-ae let my vague excuse slide, but Jo Jang-hee pressed. 

“From who?” 

“…Huh?” 

“Our little sis doesn’t have a wide social circle.” 

“Hey, it’s not that narrow.” 

I grinned, wrapping up the talk. At least this mess means Dokgo Young and Shim Seonam are done, so Go Eun-hyuk’s acting should stabilize. 

“Wanna grab drinks with this crew?” 

This group? Jo Jang-hee, Shin Yisang, Yoon Hee-ae… I’d go if it was just Hee-ae unnie. Pass. 

“Bada-ya!” 

Like divine salvation, Manager Min Seo-eun’s voice hit me. 

“Unnie!” 

“Huh?” 

“I’ve got a schedule, right? Yeah, got it. No choice.” 

“Huh?” 

I stared at Seo-eun unnie, urging her to play along. 

“Oh, our Bada! So busy.” 

She got it. 

“Sorry, I’m swamped.” 

“…Hmmm.” 

“I’m sorry, gotta go!” 

“…Hmmmm.” 

I ignored Jo Jang-hee’s sound effects. 

“See ya.” 

Leaving the premiere waiting room with Seo-eun unnie, I headed to the parking lot. Finally breathing, I checked my phone and saw messages. 

“Trending?” 

I’d hit number one on real-time search rankings. 

(1) Im Bada