You Must Read Our Writer's Book!
"Writer Park Geon? Writer Park Geon?"
"Ah, yes, yes!"
It was only after the staff member who opened the waiting room door called him several times that Park Geon-woo snapped out of his old memories.
"We need to go in for recording. Writer Park Geon?"
"Understood."
"Please follow me."
Leaving Serazade's manager, Kim Mi-seon, behind, Park Geon-woo followed the staff member out of the waiting room.
Walking down the hallway, Park Geon-woo organized his thoughts.
Why did I only remember just now?
He felt sorry to Han Se-rin.
Unlike him, Han Se-rin had remembered everything from the very beginning.
Whew. First, let's not get nervous and finish the recording well.
Since the recording came first, Park Geon-woo took a deep breath.
Soon, the studio came into view.
"Could you wait here for just a moment, Writer?"
"Yes, I will."
Standing side by side with the staff member, Park Geon-woo looked at Han Se-rin, who was in the middle of recording.
As Park Geon-woo came into view from outside the studio, Han Se-rin sent him a subtle smile along with a warm eye-smile.
To think that the runaway girl back then was Se-rin.
Waving back at Han Se-rin, Park Geon-woo marvelled anew at this fascinating twist of fate.
"Alright! Shall we invite the author of the web novel that Se-rin loves so much?"
The main MC, Jang Hyeon-seong, delivered his line.
"Writer, please go in."
Following the staff member's cue, Park Geon-woo stepped onto the studio set.
"Wow~ It's the rumored Writer Park Geon! Please introduce yourself to our viewers, Writer!"
"Hello, nice to meet you. I am the web novel writer, Park Geon."
"He's handsomer than I expected!"
"Oh my! He's quite a looker! A total hottie!"
The cast members of I Live Alone hyped up the atmosphere.
"So cool! So cool!"
On top of that, the members of Serazade gave an enthusiastic response.
Most of all, Han Se-rin's jewel-like eyes were sparkling.
Thanks to that, Park Geon-woo was able to relax and sit down next to Han Se-rin.
"Why don't you two greet each other?"
All the cast members in the studio focused their attention on Park Geon-woo and Han Se-rin.
"It's been a long time. You made it home safely back then, right?"
Summoning his courage, Park Geon-woo spoke first.
He brought up their meeting at the convenience store three years ago.
"Ah... Writer...?"
A flower of joy, mixed with surprise, bloomed on Han Se-rin's small face.
Park Geon-woo also smiled warmly.
"I was watching from the waiting room. I'm sorry. I remembered too late, Se-rin."
"It's okay. And thank you for back then, Writer."
"Oooooh!" The cast of I Live Alone and the members of Serazade cheered at the incredibly heartwarming atmosphere.
"I have so many questions, Writer Park Geon."
Everyone in the studio was completely focused on Park Geon-woo.
The nameless web novel writer Park Geon, who had helped a wandering teenage Han Se-rin become the top idol she was today.
"I heard you met Se-rin by chance when she was a trainee. Was there a reason you reached out to help her back then?"
"Because she was in trouble. And at the time, I was the only adult who could help her."
Park Geon-woo spoke plainly, telling the truth.
Han Se-rin's bright smile was an added bonus.
"I see. Then did you ever imagine that the high school girl you met back then would become Han Se-rin of Serazade?"
"Not at all. It was something I never could have imagined."
"Then what about when Se-rin appeared on the show last time and revealed she was your fan? How did you feel?"
Everyone in the studio eagerly awaited Park Geon-woo's answer.
"It was like a Christmas present to me."
Since that day, Park Geon-woo had instantly risen to become an S-class author in the web novel market.
"It's because your writing is so good. I can guarantee that."
Worried that Park Geon-woo's true worth might be overshadowed, Han Se-rin quickly chimed in.
"No, it's all thanks to you, Se-rin. Thank you."
Park Geon-woo waved his hands in dismissal.
Without her help, Park Geon-woo's works would never have been known to the world like this, let alone allow him to appear on a major network variety show.
"Writer Park Geon, I don't think you need to be that humble."
"Pardon?"
"Actually, I love books, so I bought and read the published volume of your work."
Jang Hyeon-seong pulled out a published copy of Regression Manager.
And that wasn't all.
"Wow, Chairman Jang is indeed quick to catch onto trends! I bought it too, you know?"
"I bought it as well!"
Two other cast members of I Live Alone also pulled out Park Geon-woo's book.
"You read my book?"
Park Geon-woo was deeply surprised.
As many as three famous celebrities were proving themselves to be his readers.
Jang Hyeon-seong then opened the book to a marked page.
"Among the passages written by Writer Park Geon, this part really resonated with me. It's page 128 of volume one. Let me read it."
Jang Hyeon-seong straightened his posture.
"Just because someone is a third-rate, nameless trot singer doesn't mean their life is third-rate too. That's why I want to give them a chance. Because there is no life that isn't precious."
"..."
Following Jang Hyeon-seong's recitation, the studio fell quiet.
It was a passage that struck a chord deep in the heart.
Since most of the people gathered here were in the broadcasting industry, they could relate to it even more.
Jang Hyeon-seong and the others had all experienced their own days of obscurity.
"Isn't it comforting?"
Han Se-rin asked, and everyone nodded in agreement.
"You must read our writer's book! Buying the physical copy is great, and purchasing the chapters on the serialization platform is also good!"
"Se-rin?"
Park Geon-woo chuckled at her sudden promotional plug.
"Ah, this is so heartwarming."
"Like reader, like writer. Truly."
The main MC, Jang Hyeon-seong, and the cast of I Live Alone wore pleased expressions.
The story of the obscure web novel writer Park Geon-woo and the top idol Han Se-rin was like a fairy tale that perfectly suited the year-end season.
Perhaps because of that, the recording went smoother than ever before.
Serazade's waiting room.
With the help of Han Se-rin and the Serazade members, Park Geon-woo successfully finished his first appearance on a major network show.
And Park Geon-woo was experiencing something bizarre for the first time in his life as a web novel writer.
Starting with MC Jang Hyeon-seong, the cast members of I Live Alone were waiting in line to get Park Geon-woo's autograph.
"Is it really okay for you to get an autograph from me?"
This situation felt incredibly foreign to Park Geon-woo.
He wasn't some prominent, famous author; until just recently, he had been a completely average, run-of-the-mill writer.
"It's an investment in the future. You know how the value of an obscure painter's work skyrockets once they become famous? You're going to do great, Writer Park Geon. I have an eye for these things."
"Thank you. But I don't have a proper autograph. Is something like this okay?"
'Park Geon' written in neat, block letters. That was Park Geon-woo's signature.
"Haha, that's perfectly fine."
Jang Hyeon-seong gladly took the signature on the cover of the book.
The other two cast members also received signatures, offering warm words of encouragement that he would surely succeed.
Even the staff members took photos with Park Geon-woo.
A moment later.
The cast of I Live Alone all left.
"Writer! You were so cool today! How did you speak so well without even shaking? I was so proud of you!"
Having watched everything from the recording to the autograph session, Han Se-rin was so excited that her cheeks were flushed red.
Despite it being his first time on a major network show, Park Geon-woo had not lost his characteristic composure and stability.
It was to the point where the cast of I Live Alone even joked that he was a natural-born broadcaster.
Most of all, she felt proud that other celebrities, starting with MC Jang Hyeon-seong, recognized Park Geon-woo's work enough to ask for his autograph.
"Did I really do anything? I think I was able to relax because you were there, Se-rin. And thank you to the rest of Serazade for helping as well."
Park Geon-woo bowed his head politely.
"And he's humble too. Approved."
"Pardon?"
Park Geon-woo tilted his head in confusion at Ju Ja-yoon's declaration of approval.
Meanwhile, meaningful glances were exchanged between Han Se-rin, Ju Ja-yoon, and the other two members.
...?
Of course, Park Geon-woo had no idea what was going on.
"W-Writer! Aren't you hungry?"
Seizing the opportunity, Han Se-rin asked Park Geon-woo tentatively.
"Maybe because I was nervous, I'm not really that hungry..."
Park Geon-woo couldn't finish his sentence.
"The writer is great in every way, but he's too honest."
"Usually, having a get-together after a recording is an unwritten rule..."
Following Ju Ja-yoon's sharp gaze, Seo Ra-hee also openly expressed her disappointment.
"Is that so...?"
"Let's go eat together, Writer Park Geon. Don't you and our Se-rin have a lot to talk about?"
Lim Yeon-doo, the leader, spoke up warmly.
"..."
"..."
In that moment, Park Geon-woo and Han Se-rin's eyes met.
It was true.
Although the past three years had been different for each of them.
The starting point was shared by the two of them.
There were many things they wanted to ask and say to each other.
"Writer. I'll buy you delicious beef today, okay?"
"Haha. Alright. Let's go eat some delicious meat, Se-rin."
The cup ramen and single roll of kimbap from the past were returning as beef after all these years.