Brrrrr—!
Inside the van speeding towards a high-end Korean beef restaurant for a gathering, Sua was checking her phone.
The messages were pouring in.
[Sua Special Ops]
[生地: Sua-ya, I don’t know anything.]
[生地: I only did what you told me…]
[Monkeying: Take a look at this.]
[Monkeying: (Community Link)]
When she clicked the link, it led to some gallery.
“Wow, the number of recommendations alone is insane.”
The first thing that caught her eye was the number of recommendations. It seemed to have garnered significant support from people, as it was categorized separately as a ‘Hot Post.’ However, the content seemed eerily familiar.
[Special Mobile Unit 808 Gallery]
[Title: Full Star Catch Article ㅇㅇ]
[On the eve of the storm. Lee Su-an chose not to justify himself to those who doubted and ridiculed him. Whether the people with such thoughts or Lee Su-an himself are foolish will be told by the results. ]
-What’s this template anyway?
-Is this article real?
-How do you intend to deal with it afterward?
[Title: I think I know why Lee Su-an is acting like this.]
[There’s no way a rookie actor would do something this crazy on his own whim. It clearly seems like someone talked him into some noise marketing. But it’s still just plain stupid…]
[Title: Whatever your smear campaigns, it doesn’t matter.]
[(Female-dominated Community Reaction)]
[In female-heavy communities, they take it in stride? Life isn’t all about looks. It’s your inferiority complex.]
-Cut it out with this nonsense.
-This is just openly inciting a fight.
At that moment, another message arrived.
[生地: Sua-ya, um, I mean.]
[生地: Does Master Su-an have some plan?]
“…No?”
Sua broke out in cold sweat.
“I was just using 生地’s name to have her write whatever I wanted…If I say it now, I’ll probably get beaten to death!”
It was truly a wicked act. Sua Satan!
But then, Sua shook her head vigorously.
“Nope, nope!”
Kim Yu-han said it was the best way. So, don’t worry about it. Our efforts so far will prove it.
…
…
…
…
…
Later, they arrived at a massive hanok-style restaurant.
“…It’s enormous whenever I see it.”
That was Sua’s impression.
Thinking about it, the production launch celebration dinner was held here too.
But the current Sua is different from back then. Because of this, Sua had a moment to indulge in some subtle reflections.
Soon after, Kim I-seo also got out of the van.
“I’m quite nervous. The entire community, including journalists, is watching which Wednesday-Thursday drama will take the lead. Furthermore…”
Kim I-seo glanced sideways at another person nearby.
“…The master director from Japan is also interested.”
Yusaku and his assistant could be seen getting out of a taxi.
He readily accepted Kim I-seo’s invitation. After all, he too wanted to know more about Sua.
Kim I-seo’s gaze then turned to Sua,
“How about you, Sua?”
“What about?”
“I’d like to hear your thoughts right now.”
“I just want to eat some Korean beef…”
Sua dodged the question vaguely.
That was genuinely how she felt. She didn’t eat a single bite at the previous dinner because she was mindful of everyone’s eyes on her. Perhaps today, she could eat a couple of pieces.
Kim I-seo chuckled.
“Well, my question was silly. Sua isn’t nervous, after all.”
Thump Thump Thump!
Her heartbeat answered for her.
“No, I’m quite nervous.”
At the time when they exchanged congratulations after all the filming was completed, she thought all that was left would be a peaceful period. But it wasn’t at all.
…Showing it to the viewers was another matter entirely.
How will the viewers perceive it? It’s frightening but exciting.
“It’s on a different level from the short film. This is insane.”
Thinking this, Sua entered the restaurant.
The side dishes, excluding the meat, were already set up, and the staff were all present.
To a person, they all leapt to their feet and greeted Kim I-seo and Sua when they saw them.
“Sua is here!”
“Shouldn’t we call her Kim Yu-han? Kim Yu-han!”
“Sua, the actress. Yuhan! Welcome!”
“Uh? Who’s the person beside you?”
While confusion spread across the faces of those who recognized Director Yusaku, Kim I-seo gently patted Sua’s shoulder.
“I’ll take care of introducing you to the staff. Sua, go inside and get a seat first. There should be a separate place set up for the actors to eat comfortably with low seating.”
Sua moved toward where the actors were, and greetings poured in there as well.
“Sua! I’ve prepared a cushion for you here!”
“Wow, where did you get such a facial treatment? Your skin looks even better! It’s just glowing. Can I use it as a mirror?”
“Why doesn’t Sua’s hair color fade? Is it really dyed? Or is your actual hair originally white?”
Sua didn’t dislike this ruckus.
If they had avoided her while making a racket, it would have felt prickly. But everyone here was genuinely eagerly welcoming her.
To the point where Sua felt quite proud.
It was then that Writer Lee Geum-sook and Director Choi Hee-won appeared.
Lee Geum-sook raised her hand high.
“Sua! I was genuinely shocked when I read about her award speech. When did you learn Japanese? What is there that you can’t do?”
Director Choi Hee-won chuckled softly.
“Writer has been very excited recently. Every time she realizes the breadth of Sua’s talent, the scope of her next work broadens, too.”
“Exactly! Sua, will you participate in my next work?”
Sua vaguely smiled and brushed off the question.
Starting tomorrow, Crescendo and Seo Yeon-joo’s Grade 5 scripts… She already had plenty on her plate with what was coming in.
Just as Sua was about to take off her shoes and enter the room,
“Alright everyone! Line up! Line!”
A shout began, and in no time, a line formed in front of Sua. The person at the head abruptly clasped their hands and closed their eyes.
As if in front of a Buddha statue at a temple.
“Our son is turning one soon, please keep him healthy.”
That was the beginning. Each person added their own single sentence.
“Please let me buy a new car next year.”
“Help me win the lottery.”
“Help my stocks rise.”
“Ensure I don’t have to go to the military.”
From quite practical wishes to heart-wrenching requests, Sua could only feel bewildered.
Why are they doing this to me?
Sua asked Lee Geum-sook,
“What’s this all about?”
“They’re making wishes.”
“So that’s what it seems like, but why me…?”
“Sua is rumored to be a falling star.”
Lee Geum-sook shrugged with a prankish face.
“Out of nowhere like a meteorite, showing an incredible presence? Afterward, she revived a dying short film and completed an unfinished script; that’s what makes you a falling star, right?”
Sua thought for a moment.
“…If I’m a falling star, then it’s not too bad?”
Still, it was better than being thought of as a Yakuza before. Perhaps this was warmer and more welcoming?
So ultimately, she just stood there, like a meteor stuck in the night sky.
Right around that time, Seo Yeon-joo appeared.
“Ah, I’m so late? The nail technician made so many mistakes today! Eventually, I had to start all over…”
Naturally, Kim Sun-il also arrived around the same time.
Kim Sun-il appeared a bit perplexed.
“…There’s Director Yusaku outside. What’s going on?”
Gradually, as the group filled up, the restaurant unexpectedly fell silent, as if by some unspoken agreement.
Sua instinctively knew.
The moment had come for the first episode of Special Mobile Unit 808 to air.
Everyone began to shift their gaze towards the TV, where they could see well from their spots. Even though only advertisements were showing, they couldn’t take their eyes off it. Many were nervously wiping their hands with towels.
“Few more ads and it starts, right?”
“Oh, I can’t see it! But I can’t not watch it either!”
“What kind of ratings will we get?”
“What’s our target?”
“If we achieve 10%, that’s enough for me!”
At that moment, Lee Geum-sook yelled.
“What’s 10%? We completed this incomplete script with precious people! Let’s aim big, go for 15%!”
“Deal! Let’s go for 15%!”
With a shout, they set the goal for higher ratings.
In that heated atmosphere, Sua suddenly noticed the gazes turning towards her one by one.
She immediately understood the meaning in their eyes: they wanted her to say something.
“…But if I say the wrong thing, they’ll misunderstand it again.”
After deliberation, Sua raised one finger.
Then tapped her lips.
It was a silent sign to watch quietly for now.
At this, everyone raised their glasses together with a cheer,
“Deal! Let’s achieve 100%!”
“Great! Let’s go for 100%, Sua!”
“Kim Yu-han stars in all of our drama’s 100%!”
“…”
With an imperfect goal in place, the first episode started.
◈◈◈◈◈
Gangnam. A luxurious party room.
Three women entered.
“Wow, the facilities here are insane.”
That was Monkeying’s comment.
Balloons adorned every corner like decorations, and the furniture was impossibly cozy. 생지 (Saeng-ji), Monkeying, and Deer rented the party room today.
To enjoy drinks and watch dramas.
생지 smiled and muttered,
“Indeed. The facilities are incredible. Is Eun-bi okay, though? Isn’t she supposed to broadcast even on days like today?”
“Temporary hiatus. She handed over the reins to another host.”
Today’s temporary break for Deer – Go Eun-bi was strategically planned.
Even if she broadcasted, it would end up becoming a discussion about whether they’d managed to invite Sua, and they wouldn’t be able to watch Special Mobile Unit 808 together. There would be endless comments about why someone would watch a drama with a male lead; the target audience being men mostly.
“So, a well-deserved temporary break today. I was looking forward to this drama too. And the next broadcast will be a collaboration with Sua.”
That’s not all.
“Right, today after watching, I should ask Sua to bring that person here. Apparently, he’s incredibly handsome.”
Meanwhile, they covered their table with delivered food.
“What drinks are we having today?”
“Today, soju. Reporting is too exhausting.”
“Ah, what’s this, why didn’t you order more tteokbokki and fish cakes?”
“Order again. We have plenty of time.”
As they were discussing, the drama began.
『Special Mobile Unit 808』
It didn’t take long for the trio to immerse themselves entirely, but their mouths didn’t stop. After all, it’s more fun when there’s drama and chatter.
『Lee Kang-cheol. Assigned to the 808 team.』
It started with Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il in their uniforms.
Go Eun-bi began slapping Monkeying’s shoulder.
“Oh my, oh my gosh, look at Kim Sun-il’s shoulders. What is that? Is that the Pacific Ocean? I could just jump in right now! Should I start swimming?”
“…You’re incredibly aunt-like. Why are you so excited?”
“Ah, but he’s genuinely so cool! The atmosphere!”
Soon, everyone was holding their chopsticks suspended mid-air.
Not because they were full.
The reason was simple— the drama was much more entertaining than expected.
“Is Lee Ga-ram’s gaze slightly suspicious? Could she be a spy?”
“Seo Yeon-joo is truly pure. Right? But aren’t my breasts bigger?”
They continued their excited chatter.
Until the moment came.
A man with white-blond bangs covering his eyes appeared.
Kim Yu-han.
『Oh, how kind of you!』
The moment he flashed a casual smile,
Whoosh!
And the moment he snatched the key from Lee Kang-cheol’s pant pocket…
“…”
The mouths of the three opened in stunned silence.
A while later,
Go Eun-bi started fidgeting with her bangs, Saeng-ji swept her side hair behind her ear, and Monkeying adjusted her posture ever so slightly.
Why they were doing this, they themselves couldn’t comprehend.
But.
‘How would virtual streamers think? I need to be introduced to Sua. Where should we go for our honeymoon? And how many kids will we have? What names should we choose?’
‘From now on, I need to disconnect from online communities and live life more solidly. I need to exercise and take care of myself seriously. I have goals now.’
‘…I should try to start a video call conversation. What greeting should I use? By the way, did you know about the scandal? The rumor that we’re getting married.’
A whirlwind of dizzying thoughts began to mingle.
Special Mobile Unit 808 was certainly a phenomenon.
『Haha!』
“Uh-hee-hee!”
“Kyarrl!”
“Ho-ho!”
Suddenly, the room was filled with laughter.
