Dance with a Teen Heartthrob

The female dormitory lounge at Stanford University.

Seven female students, who had just returned from their respective classes, were in the middle of watching television. On the CRT screen, The College Player was currently airing.

Ryan, played by Sion Lee, shouted excitedly, his face framed by thick, round glasses. The screen then cut to a dumbfounded Nancy.

Over the seasons, Ryan and Nancy's relationship had grown quite close. It was a bond that had started when Ryan helped Nancy, whose academic performance was lagging. Nancy, in turn, taught Ryan—who was completely clueless about anything other than studying—about fashion and how to style his hair, spinning off quite a few memorable episodes.

Ryan, who had initially thought Nancy was just a scary person, gradually opened up to her warm side, and the two began to fill in each other's shortcomings.

Ryan: the nerd of all nerds, unable to even hold a proper conversation with people. Nancy: the popular girl of all popular girls, who received all kinds of help from him.

Now, the relationship between Ryan and Nancy was generating a unique chemistry of its own, earning the enthusiastic support of the viewers.

Watching Ryan perform in such an exaggerated tone, the female students burst into laughter. He was the kind of nerd who looked like he could ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠easily exist in any college town. But what if one of them happened to be incredibly handsome underneath? This sitcom possessed the thrilling charm of peeking into the fluttering daily life of someone like that.

As Ryan pulled off his sweater, cheers erupted from the studio audience. Thanks to Sion's actual physique, Ryan boasted broad, well-defined shoulders. The smooth abs revealed beneath his T-shirt, which rode up slightly as he took off the sweater, were like an unexpected, premium bonus.

While he had indeed lost a significant amount of weight to portray a scrawny character, his naturally blessed skeletal frame was still highly pleasing to the eye. After all, the man underneath was Sion Lee.

The female students munched on popcorn and sipped beer, watching this glorious sight.

"Yes! Yes! Ye-sss!"

"Go Ryan! Go!"

This was the true charm of a sitcom. A program positioned somewhere between a reality show and a drama. It offered a lighter approach, providing the fun of watching the broadcast alongside the live studio audience.

As Ryan's baggy sweater slowly slid up, the girls giggled, saying, "Oh my, oh my." As if representing the viewers' reactions, Nancy lightly licked her lips and urged him on.

A massive wave of laughter erupted.

When he took off his glasses, an incredibly handsome face was revealed to the world. Before this, Nancy had said some rather harsh words to Ryan, who was struggling to muster up courage. She told him that a real man should know how to be brave, or that he should stop playing with computers and try holding a girl's hand. And Ryan, provoked by her words, used the tips Nancy had taught him to instantly transform his appearance... Honestly, it was hilarious.

Ryan walked over to the mirror and, in a fit of excitement, began applying pomade from the vanity to his hair. The fact that he fumbled around, taking much longer than expected, was another comedic point.

Whirrrrrr!

Finally, Ryan even used a hairdryer to neatly part his hair. Nancy watched him with a cold yet expectant gaze, looking like the editor-in-chief of Vogue.

While both the studio audience and the college girls in front of the TV roared with laughter, Ryan, finished with his hair, turned to face the camera.

A deafening, high-pitched cheer erupted from the female audience. With whistles and applause, everyone showered praises on the completely transformed Ryan. Nancy stared at Ryan in disbelief, and in response, Ryan struck various cheesy poses. The fact that his poses were still hilariously dorky made everyone laugh even harder. Eventually, the cheering died down a bit, and Nancy approached Ryan.

Laughter erupted once again. A naive man who didn't even know James Dean, the legendary actor and icon of rebellion.

Nancy stepped closer to Ryan with an enchanted look in her eyes. But even though she was supposed to be a girl who had dated many guys, suddenly initiating physical contact with a "friend" made her shy, and she subtly averted her gaze. Ryan, unable to comprehend her subtle behavior, merely tilted his head in confusion.

"Wow, seriously. If Belle lets a guy like that go, she really has no eye for men."

"Max is pretty handsome too, but he's no match for Ryan."

"I know, right? How can a person be so handsome without a single blemish on his face?"

The girls exchanged reactions as they continued to watch the sitcom. On the other hand, Elena, who had at some point quietly sat down on the sofa to observe the broadcast and their reactions, remained silent, her face as calm as ever.

She was currently deep in thought.

The first topic that captured her mind was this:

Amazing. Everyone's attention to detail is incredible.

There were many reasons why laugh tracks were used in sitcoms, but among them, the effects of "rhythm" and "amplification" were crucial. They served to stimulate emotions, signaling to the audience, This is the funny part, or The person next to me is laughing, so I should laugh too, helping viewers enjoy the show more easily and merrily.

Therefore, actors in a sitcom were required to have an additional skill, different from when they shot a movie.

The ability to read and react to the audience's responses in real-time, adapting to them.

A prime example of this was the scene that had just played out.

When Sion took off his glasses and suddenly transformed into his handsome self, the audience reacted explosively. Sensing this, Chelsea extended the duration of her gaze at Sion significantly.

They capitalized on that dynamic right there on the live set. It was a very brief detail, and the viewers watching at home, like the girls next to her, probably wouldn't think too deeply about it. And that meant the broadcast was exceptionally well-crafted. Sion and the other actors naturally threw in ad-libs, making this entire sequence feel as though it had been a perfectly planned flow from the very beginning.

They were evolving with every passing season. When Elena watched the early episodes, she felt that even when the audience reacted strongly, the actors would just push through, causing the timing to feel slightly off. But now, everything connected seamlessly without a single awkward moment.

On the other hand, while confidently and actively communicating with the audience during their performance, they sometimes made remarks that made them seem like real-life actors rather than their characters. Yet, that very aspect functioned as another comedic element. It provided a sort of meta-fictional amusement.

If the past The College Player had been a somewhat static comedy closer to a movie, it now fully captured the lively, popping charm unique to sitcoms. Including the real-life chemistry and dynamics between the actors, this sitcom was driving its ratings higher day by day, much like a sold-out Broadway play.

Wonderful, Sion. You're still leading them, just like you led me.

A gentle smile finally spread across Elena's cold face. The college girls, who had been subtly keeping an eye on her state along with the broadcast, whispered quietly among themselves so she wouldn't hear.

"...See? I told you. She only smiles when Sion appears on TV."

"Seriously, let's take this secret to our graves. We have to protect Elena."

"Yes, absolutely."

The girls exchanged firm glances, steeling their resolve. They were thoroughly enjoying the company of the white cat who was gradually warming up to them.

February 17, 1992.

Before the filming of The College Player Episode 3-18 began, Olga Asimov paid Sion a visit.

"Only four episodes left... until the end of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠season."

"I know. It's already that time. They say time flies when you're with someone beautiful."

"Do you need some pocket money?"

"I have no reason to refuse."

Sion replied with his usual playful charm. The reason he was being deliberately more playful was because of a very slight undercurrent of friction between him and Olga. A minor crack that had formed in the midst of their cooperation, arising from their respective moves to secure slightly different benefits. However, Sion suspected that even this friction might be something Olga had intended.

"The ratings for the last episode, Episode 17, were 29.4 percent."

"We've come quite far. ...Or will it still take a bit more time?"

"What do you think? Including today, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠there are five episodes left in the broadcast, and considering Elena's appearance, four episodes left. If we don't break through the 30% mark soon, the significance will fade. Quarterback."

"I was actually planning to do just that in this episode, Director."

"Oh? How?"

"Look forward to it. I'm working with the best actors, after all."

Sion smiled with his usual confidence. Looking at him, Olga thought he certainly had the right to be confident. Because of him, The College Player team had completely transformed. The young actors, who used to be chronically late, throw tantrums, and wander aimlessly without a goal, had become a single team, actively moving forward for their future. Olga suddenly recalled the sight of them arriving early to finish their styling.

Even when they saw me, they didn't avert their eyes or look uncomfortable like before.

Perhaps the fact that they were with Sion gave them a sense of stability.

Not a bad dynamic.

To put it simply, good versus evil. Sion was the good that everyone followed. The pillar and hero of this sitcom. She was the evil that needed to be vanquished. The outsider and villain trying to ruin the show. Olga couldn't help but feel a surge of youthful vigor from this dynamic, which had become the exact opposite of how the season had started.

And so, the live shooting began, as always, in front of an audience of about three hundred people. According to the producer, the number of postcards sent to obtain audience tickets had increased more than tenfold. In addition to the Sion Lee effect, the soaring popularity of the sitcom itself surely played a part. In any case, with everything running smoothly as intended, Olga couldn't help but smile.

Episode 18 was the starting point of the climax when the season was divided into segments. In this episode, Ryan would drunkenly confess his feelings to Belle, and Max would overhear it. Over the remaining episodes, a major conflict would unfold among the three, leading to a final resolution.

As soon as the explanation ended, filming commenced immediately. Olga, transforming into the Russian-American cafe owner "Smirnova," closed her eyes and lightly composed her emotions. Just that simple act seemed to shift the surrounding atmosphere. When she opened her eyes again, she was no longer an actress who had survived the discrimination faced by Russian-Americans, but a presence who humorously satirized that very discrimination through her performance. Indeed, her career of over thirty years in Hollywood had made her an unrivaled actress.

And on this stage, there was another such presence.

"Whoa, wow... I've been here before!"

It was Sion Lee. Until just before the cameras rolled, he had been waving to the audience with a sophisticated smile, but the moment "Action" was called, his demeanor shifted instantly. The audience watching this live felt as if they were witnessing Bruce Banner transforming into the Hulk.

His hunched neck and shoulders were slightly more straightened compared to the beginning of the season. By doing so, even without taking off his glasses, he subtly hinted that Ryan was not just a mere nerd, but a character possessing a certain charm.

Stepping into the set decorated in Russian style, his eyes sparkled as he looked around. Kyle, standing behind Ryan—who was wearing glasses and a red cape draped over his shoulders—tilted his head.

"Of course you've been here. It's the least busy and least famous cafe around here. But what's with that cape on your shoulders?"

"It's Superman style. ...This is the Soviet Union, after all."

"You're terrible."

The audience burst into laughter at the perfectly timed delivery. And at that very moment, Smirnova smoothly entered the set.

"Mister Kyle."

"Ah, Smirnova! Hehe, thanks for inviting us today!"

"Hmm. Just now, I heard something... unpleasant. Twice, even."

Smirnova spoke in a heavy accent, clipping her words sharply.

"Oh, no, it's nothing! Should we help you finish decorating?"

"...Yes, over there. Move that statue so it's more visible."

"Wow, this is huge. Whose statue is it? Smirnova's cousin?"

"Lenin."

Laughter erupted again. While Kyle and Ryan, visibly tense in front of the strangely charismatic Smirnova, moved the statue, the other actors began appearing on stage one by one. Every time they made their entrance, the audience erupted in massive cheers, and finally, the party featuring the four main actors, Ryan, Smirnova, and the extras began. Within that sequence, Sion Lee, as the protagonist of today's episode, put on a dazzling performance.

"Alright. I will start the game. The winner can go home safely."

"W-what about the rest of us?"

"Are we going to be dragged off to a camp?"

"That is a very discriminatory remark. There are no more Gulags in the Soviet Union. Instead, you help clean up."

"...Damn it!"

"What's wrong, Kyle?"

"That Lenin statue is seriously heavy! Ugh, I have to win no matter what!"

"Here, a drink to wish you victory."

Smirnova served a bowl full of fruit punch, and the students drank it.

"Oh, this tastes pretty good."

"What's in this?"

"Cherry juice, lime juice, lemon juice, and... a traditional Russian beverage."

"What's that?"

"...Hiccup!"

Right then, a loud, ominous sound echoed from among the main cast.

"Phew."

When Ryan, his face flushed bright red after drinking the punch, let out a silly laugh, everyone burst into laughter. The four main actors looked back, nodding as if they understood what the "traditional beverage" was without needing any further explanation.

Meanwhile, Olga Asimov froze for a fraction of a second upon seeing Sion's "drunk acting."

What is with this kid? How can he make his face turn red so suddenly?

The prop fruit punch didn't contain a single drop of alcohol. Even if he was acting drunk, he shouldn't be able to produce a physical reaction like his face flushing. Yet, looking at Sion, whose flawless, pale skin had turned a distinct, warm crimson, Olga couldn't hide her astonishment, if only for a brief moment. To Smirnova, "Ryan" seemed genuinely drunk, and to Olga, "Sion" seemed the same.

Has he reached a level where he can control his own body to that extent?

Olga temporarily exited to the back of the set, looking forward to the performance he would continue to deliver. Meanwhile, Sion noticed her gaze—the only one reacting to his physical transformation—and smirked inwardly.

The trick to a magic show always seems simple once you know it.

To pull off the drunk acting realistically, he had actually snuck a shot of vodka he had hidden in his coat just before the scene.