Yeonhwa High School.
Among its classes, Gil Da-hyun, the class president of one of the 1st-year classes, occasionally felt a strange sensation.
There was an entertainer in her class.
Moreover, when the school year first began, this particular female student had just been an ordinary, quiet girl.
“Not exactly.”
To be more precise, she had been exceptionally beautiful.
A student who had somewhat been isolated since the beginning of the year.
Of course, it had less to do with her personally, and more to do with her appearance and the distinct aura she exuded.
One that wasn’t easy to approach.
Back then, Gil Da-hyun hadn’t understood the reason.
However, as time passed, she learned through an event called “Past Recollection” that this student was, in fact, a former child actress who had made a huge hit with a work ten years ago and then disappeared from the scene.
Perhaps it had started from there.
The atmosphere in the school had changed.
“I think we should focus more on specializing in the arts.”
“We should significantly increase the club’s budget and create more learning opportunities in this area…”.
When you’re the class president, you often interact with teachers and come across various pieces of information.
Yeonhwa High School is located in an area with numerous prestigious schools, and purely in terms of academic competition, it doesn’t quite measure up.
Additionally, due to the declining birthrate, the number of students has decreased.
From the school’s perspective, without some noticeable merit, the number of students would gradually dwindle.
“There are more schools being closed these days.”
In such a situation, Sooyeon Joo’s emergence must have been a welcome event for the school.
Currently, nearby middle schools are showing significant interest in Yeonhwa High School.
Of course, one Sooyeon is already special, but the involvement of another student, Jiyeon Lee from the neighboring class, makes a difference.
With rumors spreading that Seohui Jo often visits too, Yeonhwa High School is becoming quite a topic.
“Writing Sooyeon’s name openly on the school promotional material…”
“That’s something Seoyeon can’t decide on her own, right? You should talk to her agency.”
“They probably won’t allow it…”
“There’s also Jiyeon from the neighboring class.”
“They’re from the same agency.”
“Ah, is that so? Should we contact them then?”
“Have you not known they’ve been from the same agency all along?”
“Hmm, I guess it could be missed.”
Such conversations could be overheard in the staff room. Da-hyun, who had come by to discuss something, listened to the talk and thought for a moment.
A school promotional flyer featuring Seoyeon’s face.
One way or another, it might feel good.
Seoyeon, from Da-hyun’s perspective, was undeniably beautiful.
“Ah, Da-hyun. The teacher is quite busy right now. Can you come back later?”
“Yes, understood.”
“By the way, Da-hyun, are you close with Seoyeon?”
Da-hyun hesitated before nodding — were they close?
They were friends, but they didn’t talk all that much.
“Anyway, it seems Seoyeon doesn’t really talk to anyone in the class except Da-hyun.”
That seemed true too.
“Didn’t we study together before?”
Seoyeon hadn’t been a very talkative person by nature.
Although it was often said that entertainers behave differently on and off screen, Seoyeon had a unique vibe about her.
“…Or maybe not?”
Recalling her performance during the school festival, it seemed otherwise.
According to the students from other classes and Jiyeon Lee,
“She gets really carried away once she gets into the groove, so it’s best to be cautious.”
It was a casual piece of advice given to Da-hyun.
Despite the group of female students surrounding Jiyeon and making her nervous,
“Is she part of a school clique?”
No, that wasn’t quite it.
In fact, the school cliques avoided Jiyeon, likely due to her appearance and being an entertainer, making it difficult for them to mess with her.
In essence, among the first-year female students at Yeonhwa High School, Jiyeon had the strongest clique influence.
“Troublesome.”
Anyway, separate classrooms for boys and girls weren’t really ideal.
Groups, or cliques, naturally formed among the students.
Hence, Seoyeon struggled to easily make friends.
Although she was protected by Jiyeon, which made it so no one dared harass her.
With her current fame, many students now tended to avoid her.
“Da-hyun?”
Lost in thought, Seoyeon’s teacher called her once again.
“Yes?”
“Would you mind asking Seoyeon if she could help with school promotion later?”
“Umm, alright.”
“Da-hyun being so reliable really reassures the teacher.”
With such words from her teacher, Da-hyun smiled awkwardly.
Being meticulous and diligent were traits often attributed to her.
Being known as such wasn’t originally bad, but Da-hyun interpreted it as implying she was a rather dull child.
Studying can be done anywhere.
She came to Yeonhwa High School with that mindset, but as she observed Seoyeon, various thoughts came to her mind.
“Especially…”
Sky Garden.
One of the most successful dramas released in recent years.
After this drama ended, Yeonhwa High School was quite chaotic for a while.
When Seoyeon came to school, students from other classes would gather to see her.
Even nearby residents would show up at times.
Reporters, paparazzi.
All sorts of people could be seen arriving.
Yet again, Seoyeon would mysteriously disappear like a ninja.
Where did she vanish to?
Da-hyun was genuinely curious.
“During Sky Garden, you really helped a lot, Da-hyun.”
In the midst of her daily routine, Seoyeon approached Da-hyun stealthily to say such words.
“When I was portraying Yoo-ju, I referenced a lot of you as a class president.”
Yoo-ju, the main character of Sky Garden. The drama revolved around Yoo-ju’s journey of growth.
A storyline where Yoo-ju, constrained by her parents’ plans, eventually discovers her own dream.
It was a thriller-drama combined with a story of personal discovery and transformation.
“Yoo-ju and me?”
For the person who watched the drama, understanding how she and Yoo-ju were alike was difficult.
They didn’t seem particularly similar in terms of personality or how Yoo-ju determined her own future.
“Maybe, specifically…”
Perhaps they both hadn’t envisioned some grand, special dream for themselves.
Still, it didn’t seem like Seoyeon referenced her as Yoo-ju in that sense.
Why did Seoyeon say that?
Da-hyun wasn’t like Yoo-ju, finding her own path.
Anyway…
Seoyeon wasn’t only asked about or requested by their homeroom teacher.
Especially when family gatherings would come up, it became a recurring topic.
It happened this time as well.
“This time, our daughter really wants to enter Yeonhwa High School. For now, she’ll be staying at Da-hyun’s house—would that be alright?”
As in any family, there are always more prominent relatives.
Compared to Da-hyun, who came from what one might call the struggling middle class, these people were clearly from the “silver spoon” category.
The child was similar too.
They were more interested in arts and athletics rather than studies, for the same reasons.
Of course, being interested in arts and athletics didn’t necessarily mean one was from a wealthy family.
But generally speaking, without much free time, it wasn’t often considered.
“Onee-san, have you ever seen Sooyeon Joo?”
The cousin’s younger sister was rather cute.
Her name was probably Song Nalin, if Da-hyun remembered correctly—a somewhat spoiled child who seemed to look down on her.
Actually, this relative wasn’t the only one to look down on Da-hyun’s family.
In fact, that seemed to be a common trait throughout the extended family.
“Yeah, I’ve seen her.”
Of course, they were in the same class, but she didn’t mention that.
There was no need to make conversation anyway—it would just be exhausting.
“Have you ever maybe talked to her…? Oh, never mind. You probably wouldn’t be interested in that sort of thing.”
The comment felt like calling Da-hyun uninteresting.
“Still, I’m counting on you, Onee-san.”
The parents had decided to take Nalin in.
Apparently, the relatives planned to send them a fair amount of money as well.
For the tight budget of Da-hyun’s working parents, it would be quite valuable.
“Feels like it’s going to be troublesome.”
Da-hyun sighed, wondering how exhausting the next year would be.
“…More people seem to keep showing up.”
As Seoyeon slipped out of the school, she reflected on the growing number of visitors.
Even though she managed to escape by jumping over the fence and sneaking through the trees, it seemed like more people kept coming to the school.
“The impact of Sky Garden has been bigger than expected.”
Shows like The Chaser or Dream Future hadn’t drawn this much attention.
But ever since Sky Garden, the number of people seeking Seoyeon has noticeably increased—reporters, paparazzi, YouTubers, and other assorted people.
Honestly, it wasn’t easy to move around like she used to.
“Seohui seems to just come riding her bike despite being so famous…”
Technically, Seohui was still more famous than Seoyeon.
Yet, she consistently came riding her bike to Yeonhwa High School.
“Eh, I haven’t appeared in many recent hit works, unlike you.”
Seohui said this as she gave Seoyeon a sly look, one that seemed to suggest she wanted Seoyeon to hop on the back of her bike.
Why did Seohui want her on the bike so badly?
It was questionable, but she sensed Seohui just wanted to be friends.
“It feels like Seohui carrying me on the bike would be more appropriate.”
Seoyeon was mentally preparing herself for the possibility of Seohui whining behind her. The thought made her anxious.
“Probably for a while, this situation will last. Normally, if things quiet down after a year, they fade away… but with you, I’m not sure if that will happen.”
Seohui looked at Seoyeon, who stared silently.
Despite Seoyeon’s growing fame, she wasn’t the familiar face often seen in numerous advertisements plastered across buildings and billboards, unlike Sky Garden.
In fact, Seohui had anticipated more attention for Seoyeon based on the drama’s success. It was almost as though “only this much” interest was surprising.
“Is it because too many hits have come out in just one year? Or…”
Could there be some unseen rivalry brewing beneath the surface?
Although she could ask her father, she really didn’t feel the need.
She was an actress, not a business person.
“Anyway, the important thing is the next shoot.”
Seohui said, leading her bike along the path.
“Last time, I heard you were struggling with some acting issues. Did you solve them?”
“Yes.”
“…Oh, really?”
Had she not solved her problems, Seohui would have used it as an excuse to goof around again.
Seohui secretly felt a bit disappointed.
“This time will be different.”
Seoyeon spoke confidently, as though she’d obtained some kind of tip.
“Hmm, that sounds promising.”
Seohui chuckled, realizing there would always be opportunities to have some fun during the next shoots.
Director Baek Min watched the footage he’d already captured, reflecting on how lucky he was to have talented actors.
With no mistakes in the lead performances, the filming sped along smoothly.
There was no need for arguments on set.
Acting guidance could sometimes lead to various issues, but with both Seohui Jo and Seoyeon, that wasn’t the case.
“Eun-you Lee is unexpectedly impressive.”
She was doing better than expected as though she’d always excelled at this type of role.
But looking at the other roles Lee had played before, there didn’t seem to be any that directly matched her current character, Yeon Seonye.
“Personally, I think Miss Seoyeon’s acting has faltered a bit.”
As he was reflecting, a deep voice came from behind him.
“Mr. Lee Sang-soo.”
“Hello, Director. It’s been a while since the last shoot, so I came a bit early.”
The set buzzed with excitement at Lee Sang-soo’s arrival.
Most knew he would be participating, but some had been kept unaware due to the need for secrecy.
“By nature, Miss Sooyeon Joo is an actor with strong emotions. Lately, though, her acting seems a bit restrained.”
“Are you suggesting she hasn’t fully immersed herself in her role?”
Baek Min’s question made Lee Sang-soo smile lightly.
“You know I didn’t mean it that way. If rumors get out, I might get slapped by Miss Jeong Eun-seon.”
“…Seems like Miss Jeong Eun-seon cares deeply about her.”
“Indeed, she’s shown considerable interest in the role of Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo. Perhaps it’s because this is a work involving her two most favored actresses.”
The love Jeong Eun-seon held for Jo Seohui was well-known.
She likely saw Seohui as her heir in the acting world.
Additionally, Seoyeon had a deep connection with Jeong Eun-seon.
“She seems intent on making a cameo appearance if the opportunity arises.”
“Hmm… a cameo, eh?”
He recalled Seoyeon’s recent impactful cameo in Japan.
Having Jeong Eun-seon herself appear as a cameo…
Too extravagant an ensemble of actors.
It was far beyond what Baek Min could have imagined when initially planning the shoot.
Jo Seohui’s involvement had been her own wish, but the rest surpassed his expectations by a wide margin.
“Regardless…”
Baek Min rewatched the footage. Regardless of Lee Sang-soo’s words, Baek Min had been forming similar thoughts.
It wasn’t that Seoyeon’s acting was flawed or that she hadn’t fully immersed herself in the role.
On the contrary, the performance was too precise.
“Like a painting.”
Her portrayal of emotions was pristine, without fault, beautiful but felt slightly off from her recent performances, which had been raw and powerful.
“But expecting more from that is the director’s greed, honestly.”
Still, it was a bit disappointing.
Baek Min couldn’t help but feel that way while watching Seoyeon’s performance.
At least,
That was true until today’s acting session.
