Fandom's Laughable? (1)
“I'll stay behind.”
When he said he wouldn't join the after-party, the staff looked deflated, full of regret. The female staff especially so.
The assistant director asked,
“Why? Come on, join us. What's an after-party without you, Seo-hoon?”
“Someone's gotta stick around and keep an eye on the PD.”
“Ah.”
“You two get hooked on something new and dive in all night. Gotta have someone to pull the plug midway.”
Han Seo-hee started to say she'd stay too, but her manager stopped her.
Lee Seo-hyeon checked the time with elegant poise, then fluttered her script.
“Then how about we do a one-on-one script read? Haven't had time for group reads lately. We can save on rehearsal before shooting starts.”
“Sounds good.”
Lee Seo-hyeon felt Han Seo-hee's covert glare but smirked inwardly.
She probably sensed it like a ghost, even if I didn't show it.
The staff packed up all the equipment and filed out of the studio one by one.
“Text if you change your mind and come late. I'll be glued to my phone.”
“Nah, I've gotta escort these two. We'll probably grab dinner with the PD and writer anyway, right?”
“Oh, right. Yeah.”
“Enjoy your meals and get home safe, everyone.”
Even the assistant director left, leaving just six people in the vast special effects studio.
The professor duo was lost in their own conversation, while an awkward silence hung between the two actors.
“Shall we sit for now?”
“Sure.”
The two pulled up folding chairs and sat facing each other. A small table sat between them.
“You really don't carry scripts around. They say you've memorized everything. Is everyone at Korea University like that?”
“I tend to remember every book I read.”
“······Even ones from years ago?”
“Every book I've read since birth is stored in my head.”
Lee Seo-hyeon nearly let out a groan.
But she barely held onto her poised mid-to-late-twenties image.
A rookie six years younger should be all cute and bubbly, but this guy was the total opposite.
“So, where should we start?”
“From the parts we haven't synced up yet. The script you've got?”
“Episodes 17 and 18, the second half.”
“Then scene 23 of episode 17?”
Lee Seo-hyeon flipped open her script naturally—and nearly groaned again.
Just as Jeong Seo-hoon said, scene 23 started right at the Grand Prince and wife's joint scene.
Spot-on like that... his script really is all in his head.
“I'll read the stage directions. Scene 23: Rain falls chill and steady in the courtyard. The Grand Prince stands with his back to the palace, gazing toward it. The Grand Prince's wife approaches from behind, making faint sounds to announce herself······.”
His clear, precise pronunciation flowed into her ears like a movie narration, pleasant and smooth.
The baritone-like, soothing mid-low voice tickled her heart, evoking the comfort of a childhood lullaby.
Before she knew it, Lee Seo-hyeon had closed her eyes, just listening to Jeong Seo-hoon's narration.
She wished time would freeze like this, lost in the trance, unable to open her eyes.
······!
Lee Seo-hyeon snapped to.
Her eyes opened to Jeong Seo-hoon gazing calmly at her, steadily reading directions and the Grand Prince's lines.
“Why······ I didn't say my line, but you kept going solo with directions and lines?”
“You had your eyes closed. Seemed like you were getting into the emotion. So I kept feeding you lines.”
What shocked her was that she'd missed her cue by a mile.
His voice was just too captivating; she'd gotten lost in it.
“You should've said something about delivering lines. Reading directions alone, doing lines alone? Made me feel awkward······.”
“Worked out great for me too—got a feel for acting the scene where the sleeping Grand Prince's wife is gazed at gently.”
That calm, sly vibe—how was this a 22-year-old?
His brotherly smile in his eyes made Lee Seo-hyeon feel oddly embarrassed.
Acting like the big bro or whatever. Making my heart race for no reason······.
“Not much left in episode 17. Want me to finish it up? Or restart from the top and do lines together properly?”
“······Finish it. Helps me get into the mood too.”
“Got it.”
“You'd be perfect as a radio host later. The scene played out crystal clear in my head just listening.”
“Thanks.”
She was a top star actress in her prime. Shouldn't a rookie feel a bit shy?
This guy brushed it off like it was the most natural compliment.
“Must be from all those awards? You're so composed, Seo-hoon. Doesn't feel like a rookie at all.”
“Second year in—gotta act a bit grown-up.”
“Kinda more mature than my big bro even. Bet you hear that a lot?”
“Nah. Don't have that many friends.”
“Really? Want me to be your friend? I love making new ones.”
Lee Seo-hyeon desperately steadied her nerves to keep her casual tone and gaze.
Don't let him notice how nervous I am inside.
“I'd be honored to be friends with a senior like you, Seo-hyeon.”
Now's the time.
Lee Seo-hyeon psyched herself up to ask for his number.
But he beat her to it, perfectly.
“Mind putting your number in?”
Jeong Seo-hoon held out his phone first, and Lee Seo-hyeon nearly collapsed from released tension.
Pretending calm, she swept back her hair, steadied her breath, and entered her number.
“Text anytime. Friends, right?”
“You too—text whenever. I might be busy and reply late, so don't get frustrated.”
“That's what friends do—leave on read sometimes, reply when it hits you. Friends, yeah?”
Jeong Seo-hoon saved Lee Seo-hyeon's number carefully.
She was one of the three top beauties alongside Yoo Jeong-ah and Chae Ji-hyun—a key connection for his acting career ahead.
Plus budding star Han Seo-hee. Now he had ties to four actresses total.
Connections are always better the thicker. Especially in this industry. When the actresses start chasing you, befriend as many as you can. Don't miss S-grades especially.
The drama world was a curious place.
Jeong Su-ryeon's advice came in handy sometimes.
***
The two middle-aged professors roamed every corner of Paju Studio tirelessly.
They focused mainly on how conductors, insulators, and semiconductors were arranged and used.
Jang Seung-won sweated buckets trailing them with explanations, while Kim Sang-hee observed these rare characters with eagle eyes.
“No closing time here?”
“Nope, runs 24/7. Shoots go late night, dawn too.”
“Ah, right. Dawn sunrise scenes, obviously······.”
Lee Se-jong muttered common knowledge to viewers like a profound revelation.
It sparked fresh inspiration for the PD and writer.
“You two hungry?”
“Dunno? Jeong Professor, you?”
“I'm good. You, Lee Professor?”
“Fine here. But PD seems peckish—better eat.”
“Oh yeah. Forgot myself again. Seo-hoon's mom always nags me to fix that.”
Jang Seung-won secretly sighed in relief.
Schedule had slack, but he was obsessed with saving time.
Today's breather meant grinding actors and staff hard from tomorrow.
“Cafeteria's meh for your tastes. Nothing decent nearby—you saw coming in. Let me take you to a good spot in Seoul.”
“Nah, we'll go ourselves. Handle your stuff, PD.”
“But you came all this way······.”
Jang Seung-won wanted out.
But Kim Sang-hee's laser-glare froze him.
Need to observe these characters more! Grab them quick!
Before those screaming eyes, he tearfully insisted again.
“Your convo gave me tons of inspiration too.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Our talk was fun?”
The professors beamed; Jang Seung-won stammered out improv lines.
No more snapping at actors' ad-libs from today.
Making up lines on the spot was brutal.
“Yeah, super specialized—couldn't follow much, but just listening was fun. Made me wanna audit a physics class someday.”
“Ours was electronics, not physics.”
“Eh, Lee Professor. Laymen might think that. We both started in theoretical physics.”
“Oh, really?”
“Needed funding to do it right, so we dipped into electronics.”
Jang Seung-won recalled advice: theoretical physicists are monsters—run if you meet one.
“We do public lectures on theory sometimes. I'll send invites—you should come.”
Lee Se-jong grinned wide; Jang Seung-won inwardly despaired.
“Off to eat now?”
“Huh? Why're you still here?”
“Gotta look after you two.”
“Who's the beauty next to you?”
Lee Seo-hyeon nodded calmly.
“Hello. Lee Seo-hyeon, playing the Grand Prince's wife.”
“Ah, virtual daughter-in-law to me then?”
“Is that so?”
“Gotta get a signature then. Sign here?”
Jeong Tae-hyeon pulled out a signature book and pen; Lee Seo-hyeon took it gladly.
“What should I write?”
“Hm, 'To Lee Jeong-sook from Grand Prince's wife Lee Seo-hyeon'?”
“Of course.”
Lee Seo-hyeon signed To Lee Jeong-sook from Grand Prince's wife Lee Seo-hyeon and handed it back.
“Right—wife wanted signatures from other virtual daughters-in-law too. Forgot.”
“No biggie. One smack on the back and done.”
In the end, all six piled into Jeong Seo-hoon's van.
The professors took the widest back row seats side by side; writer and PD in front of them; the two actors up front.
Lee Seo-hyeon beamed.
“Nice van. New model? Gonna tell my agency to upgrade.”
“Great, right? Snagged a rejected lease—lucky find.”
Jeong Tae-hyeon chimed in excitedly; Lee Seo-hyeon listened intently, eyes locked.
Sandwiched between, Jang Seung-won marveled at her patience and charm.
He quietly texted Kim Sang-hee.
Sitcom thriller—what odd combo.
[Jang Seung-won] Next after Haegeuk?
[Kim Sang-hee] Nah, few years out? Just brainstorming.
Late as it was, the restaurant owner happily took the reservation.
Perks of being a regular.
Ordering, Lee Se-jong declared boldly,
“I'll cover it.”
“No, my treat. Company card anyway······.”
Jeong Tae-hyeon cut in,
“Company cards mean watching what you order and add. Better use mine. We'll pay—keep the company card, PD.”
“Ah, okay······.”
“Jeong Professor, Dom Pérignon for drinks. Nothing else worth it.”
“Beggars can't be choosers. Anyone skip booze?”
Jeong Tae-hyeon glanced back; Ha Tae-soo and Lee Seo-hyeon's manager tentatively raised hands.
“Driving, so no.”
“Me too······.”
“Six bottles of that then.”
Kim Sang-hee gaped,
“Six bottles of champagne?”
“Six drinkers—six bottles. Problem?”
“No. None.”
That night, the owner grinned ear-to-ear, serving till dawn.
Last-minute regular group boosted a week's sales—nonstop smiles.
First time a group ordered hundreds-of-thousands-won bottles like soju.
Kim Sang-hee clicked perfectly with Lee Se-jong; Lee Seo-hyeon laughed nonstop with Jeong Tae-hyeon.
“Ah, just drink—you two. Don't hold out at a spot like this.”
“Call a driver! Driver!”
Jeong Seo-hoon's presence bridged everyone, hyping the vibe; even the managers eventually grabbed glasses.
Jang Seung-won alone floated outside the mood.
Stepping out for a smoke, Jeong Seo-hoon quietly followed.
“Tough, huh?”
“Drama world's booze central—knew that. But this? Can't compete. Profs always drink like fish?”
“Gotta entertain big for hundred-billion national projects—give and take lots.”
“Hundred-billion national······.”
Jang Seung-won muttered, awed.
“Different league from dramas.”
“Not all labs like this, PD. Don't misunderstand.”
“Whatever······ investors, writer, actors, managers all happy—so PD's satisfied.”
Jang Seung-won added wistfully,
“Satisfied. Yeah······.”