Romance and the Lab, Sprouting (5)
A few hours later, Jeong Seo-hoon and Im Seo-rin had grown remarkably close.
Im Seo-rin was showing an unusually high level of energy compared to the other actresses she'd bonded with. It was enough to make him wonder if this was the difference between singers and actors.
"Our duet video from today is gonna blow up on SNS. Fans are gonna flood our DMs demanding a full stage, right?"
"Are you keeping the featuring a secret until the moment it drops?"
"Yeah. That's what makes it thrilling. Keep it under wraps for me too, Seo-hoon."
"Got it."
"Ahh, I always felt like such an outsider on drama sets, but now it finally feels like I belong. The PD and writer are paying such close attention. Is this how drama productions usually go?"
"Not at other places."
The PD and writer had each called taxis to head home, while Im Seo-rin and her manager rode in the Benz van together.
Jeong Seo-hoon was dropping them off at the spot where Im Seo-rin's van was parked. It was on his way anyway.
So there were four people in the car right now.
"PD Song and Writer Kim are super ambitious about ratings, so they sweat the small stuff outside the script too."
"Ah, makes sense. They're on a hot streak with back-to-back hits."
"I got that kind of external care even back in my rookie days. They'd buy me drinks and dish out all sorts of advice. Connected me with a ton of people too."
"And now I'm reaping the benefits. Feels nice to be looked after."
As the stopover spot grew closer, a shadow of reluctance crossed Im Seo-rin's face.
"So you're heading home now, Seo-hoon? You said Nonhyeon-dong, right?"
He hadn't mentioned that today.
She seemed to know roughly what the answer would be but asked anyway.
"No. Straight to school."
"It's still 3 a.m. though..."
"Gonna crash in the lab for a bit and start work in the morning."
"That sounds tough. Juggling grad school and acting."
"As tough as it is for you, Seo-rin? With singing and acting on top—gotta be even harder physically."
"Nah, I'm on hiatus from solo stuff, just occasional concerts. But seriously, you're impressive. I gave up college to focus on music, and you did military service plus grad school. We're the same age, right? Ugh, suddenly feeling inferior."
The Sprinter finally pulled up, and Im Seo-rin stepped out with her manager, unable to hide her regret.
"See you. Drive safe."
"Yeah."
"I'll text."
"Sure."
The door shut, and the Sprinter pulled away.
Ha Tae-soo chuckled at the sight of Im Seo-rin watching them in the side mirror.
"Gonna spark another scandal with the new face?"
"Like I ever planned them."
"Man, I'd kill to live just one day as Jeong Seo-hoon."
"How about a day as grad student Jeong Seo-hoon?"
"Hey, that sounds good. The lab's a total flower garden these days."
"Shouldn't have said anything."
The van sped through the quiet predawn roads and arrived at the university lab.
Ha Tae-soo shook his head at the sight of lights still on in the windows.
"Ugh, I could never live like that. What time is it? What did those kids do to deserve grad school?"
"Go rest, hyung."
"Yeah. Gotta pick up the students and head back to the lab in the morning."
He meant the occasional shuttle runs for the grad students using Professor Lee Se-jong's shared dorms.
The Sprinter drove off, and Jeong Seo-hoon entered the lab.
The first-year master's students—his devoted fanboys—swarmed him like they'd been waiting.
"You're back early."
"You should still get some sleep. Script reading tomorrow, right? Wait, or was it something else?"
"How was the reading today? Ah, you're tired—I shouldn't pry."
"Rest up, even if it's just a little."
These first-years, burning the midnight oil on their studies. How could he not feel proud?
"Snoozed in the car on the way. Let me check what you worked on today."
"Yes!"
Before supervising their daily quotas, Jeong Seo-hoon checked his phone.
There was a KakaoTalk from Im Seo-rin: Today was fun. Made it home safe?
Past messages from Yoo Jeong-ah, Chae Ji-hyun, Han Seo-hee, and Lee Seo-hyeon had piled up too.
He replied vaguely that he was at school and closed the app.
Principal photography for the drama had begun.
Excluding interiors, a good chunk would be shot on the Korea University campus. The school had already promised full cooperation, even with internal labs if needed.
Jang Seung-won, Song Jeong-woo, and Kim Sang-hee were thrilled at the chance for authentic scenes.
"Research institutes rarely cooperate this much. They hate the hassle."
"Our production company's owner has more pull than the president. Pulling in billions for national projects."
"Anyway, like the professor said—let's shoot it so romantic that every exam-taker and undergrad dreams of engineering grad school."
Dozens of staff bustled setting up gear outdoors, but passing students barely glanced over.
Usually, crowds would gather, but not here.
"Figures—top university in the country. Everyone's too busy studying to gawk at a drama set."
"Thought the fans who came to grad school because of Seo-hoon would at least peek out."
"Probably avoiding us to not get in the way."
The outdoor set took shape, and actors lounged in folding chairs, chatting or reviewing scripts.
Yoo Jeong-ah, arms crossed, scanned around.
"Where's Seo-hoon? He's late today."
"Yeah. No van means he's not on campus either, oppa."
The subtle smugness in that "oppa" made the three older actresses' eyebrows twitch ever so slightly.
Then, amid the four flamingos slipped a yellow chick—or what used to be one.
"The van's probably at the dorms up front. He shuttles the grad students around. Seo-hoon's likely inside there?"
Im Seo-rin pointed to a lab building, drawing sharp stares from the four actresses.
Lee Seo-hyeon smiled kindly.
"My, how do you know that?"
"Heard it on the first reading day. He's basically glued to the lab outside drama shoots. Van's for student transport."
"First reading day?"
"Wow, you two got close fast. Well, our Seo-hoon is super sociable and kind to everyone."
"Exchanged numbers too, huh?"
"Lucky. Drinking with oppa. Ah, wonder when I can join."
"Don't worry. It's not far off."
"It's forever for me. Didn't know twenty would feel so distant."
Laughter hiding blades.
That was the actresses' vibe right now.
Too hectic on day one to notice, but Im Seo-rin now sensed the wariness behind their smiles.
But she wasn't a chick anymore.
Never had been—just a swan cygnet masquerading.
"Yeah, he's so kind and fun to drink with. Made me feel at ease, matched the vibe perfectly. And he dances great too."
"Dances well?"
Chae Ji-hyun asked, shocked. The others looked the same.
Im Seo-rin flashed the practiced "oops" expression and awkward laugh.
"Ah, poor wording. When we sang together, his hand and foot rhythm was spot-on. Thought he'd crush it if he trained."
"Sang together? Sounds fun."
Yoo Jeong-ah smiled demurely, arms still crossed.
Jeong Seo-hoon's first onscreen kiss partner—the one with the most skinship progress. All for the camera, of course.
"Yeah. Tried the Haegeuk OST opener—sounded amazing. Manager filmed it, but it got deleted. Bummer. Filmed more later though."
A faint stiffness crept onto Lee Seo-hyeon's lips, the eldest.
"Soun—fun, yeah. Seo-hoon sings great. Saw it at Baek Hyeo-seon's concert—could go pro."
"Oppa sings insanely well. Even as an idol, I'm impressed."
If she checked a mirror now, she'd see a tsk-tsk tongue-click.
Im Seo-rin met Han Seo-hee's eyes with a relaxed smile.
Keep emphasizing that 'oppa.' Who you fooling?
Han Seo-hee might be top girl group, but Im Seo-rin was top solo artist. Her skills, fame, and cash outshone.
Couldn't match that 171cm physique, though.
"Yep, like Seo-hee said. Singing with him confirmed it. With my Melon No.1 experience, I guarantee—he'd dominate charts as a singer."
What the—?
Flexing shared 'singer' status?
This a set or concert venue?
Treating me like a sub-vocal center in her group?
The four realized the overlooked chick had shed her down overnight into a swan.
One with the premium of being "female Baek Hyeo-seon."
Seo-hoon didn't mind concert stages—seemed to enjoy them...
What if Im Seo-rin lured him with private concert bait?
A weapon they lacked.
Even Han Seo-hee couldn't easily guest him in her group.
"Sorry I'm late. Wrapping up some work."
Jeong Seo-hoon appeared then.
Stepping straight from the lab, lab coat on.
Slightly tousled bangs suited his bright, flawless skin, exuding subtle wildness amid the coat's crisp intellect. The actresses' gazes softened.
But Im Seo-rin's chipper voice upended their hearts.
"Seo-hoon, about that thing I mentioned. Probably next month."
"Next month? What day?"
"Friday or Saturday? Should finalize this week."
"Plenty of notice—I'll make it work. No worries."
"Talked to our agency CEO. Really wants to pay you proper fee."
"No need. Between us, it's fine."
"Still..."
"I'm doing it 'cause I want to. Don't sweat it."
"Got it. Shame, but I'll pass it on."
Jeong Seo-hoon took the empty seat next to Yoo Jeong-ah.
No special reason.
"Our face-off scene first, right?"
"Yeah. You'll shoot one with me then back to the lab?"
Her tone edged sharp.
"Probably. Timeline says my next is in two hours."
"Lemme see... After hearing Professor Hwang hogged the new gear, you get indignant, spot him from afar, and storm over."
Yoo Jeong-ah smirked twistedly.
"Immersion's gonna be perfect today. Expect method acting for the ages."