[English title]
“Ah, you must be the JMT manager.”
When she glanced at the business card, her sales smile faltered slightly.
Deok-su’s reaction made Lee Hui-yeong pause too.
Having been seen with him, she had thought the warning would at least soften.
Yet the woman opposite looked even more on edge.
“I won’t keep you long. If you change your mind, contact me later.”
After waving off the chattering crowd, Hui-yeong returned to her seat.
Around the counter and the table where Deok-su sat, everyone was still murmuring softly.
Manager Director Lee Gwang-yong let out a short sigh and rubbed his forehead.
“Giving out business cards is one thing, but you should have checked the surroundings first.”
“I was worried I’d miss my chance…”
“Well, at least you moved quickly. Still, from now on pay more attention to your surroundings. There are so many scammers these days that caution is essential.”
“Yes, Director.”
Deok-su, meanwhile, listened with a smile to the fans’ selfie requests while absorbing the exchange between the two.
“Even I knew Director Lee Gwang-yong likes Hui-yeong… Now that I think about it, he did climb from the bottom too, didn’t he?”
Lee Gwang-yong had risen from behind the wheel to managerial director.
His experience was solid, but his skill was even better, earning him deputy-level treatment at the company.
Not everyone warmed to him, yet his abilities were undeniable.
After the short break, Deok-su and Hui-yeong stood up.
It was time to head to the location for shooting.
‘Deok-su, if you’re really thinking about the counter, don’t do anything stupid.’
Deok-su froze.
He had, in fact, been planning to chat with the woman at the counter even for a moment.
Seeing his puzzled look, Lee Gwang-yong continued.
‘He’s not the type to give up after one rejection. He’ll know how to delegate no matter the outcome.’
Deok-su nodded in agreement and decided to wait.
Later, Deok-su and Hui-yeong headed to the cathedral location in Ilsan with Park Hyeon-woo, who had brought the car.
While riding, Hui-yeong noticed an incoming message and frowned.
“Bad news?”
“Yes…”
She hesitated, then showed him the text.
“I’ve thought about the manager’s proposal, but it doesn’t seem like it’s for me. I don’t have any talent… Sorry. I’ll treasure the good impression I got from someone in the industry. Thank you.”
Deok-su smiled wryly.
“Can’t be helped. People’s hearts are what they are…”
“Op-pa. I really want to win her over. No matter how I look at it, the feeling is good.”
Though the tone sounded odd, Hui-yeong was burning with energy.
“If you feel that way, she must be a good person. Do you need any help?”
“Just hearing you say that means a lot. I’ll take care of it myself.”
Soon the car reached the cathedral on the outskirts.
Inside the empty church, Deok-su slipped into the costume Mun A-rim had prepared.
“The pants seem a bit short…”
There was a strange, hollow sensation at the ankles.
The short legs left his ankles fully exposed, and the hips and thighs hugged just enough to emphasize his legs.
Mun A-rim tilted her head at Deok-su’s puzzled expression and positioned him in front of the large mirror.
“Look. It’s fine. Deok-su, you’re showing off those sexy collarbones and making your legs look longer.”
“But it’s a church…”
“It’s just the ankles. Han Seo-won’s character wears clothes perfectly. Style is ultimately about fit. You have to show off this level of elegance even here for the character to come alive, don’t you?”
Though the exposed ankles felt awkward, Deok-su decided to follow Mun A-rim’s advice.
“By the way… is a making film being shot today too?”
Hui-yeong pointed at the staff carrying DSLRs and cameras.
The earlier conversation was being captured perfectly in the making film.
Deok-su waved at the making camera alongside Park Hyeon-woo.
Soon the rehearsal ended and main shooting began.
Deok-su sat side by side with Park Min-a, who wore the misa wigs.
As the misa procession passed and staff outside the frame rang a handbell, Park Min-a carefully opened her mouth.
“I’ve handled it exactly as the representative said.”
“Thank you, Secretary Im.”
“…”
“Representative… Are you really all right? This is…”
Deok-su clenched his eyes and fists.
“…”
“What happened?”
“It’s… ah, no.”
The sound director and CP Kim Mun-seong exchanged glances and nodded.
CP Kim Mun-seong stood up and shouted.
“Cut! Min-a, you did great. Deok-su, of course he’s great.”
“Can you give me some praise too?”
The atmosphere on set was excellent.
When ratings were high, the set naturally felt better.
Everyone’s acting was good, but Deok-su, at the center of the conflict, was the undisputed star.
“It must be hard doing an emotional scene. Are you okay?”
During the break, CP Kim Mun-seong moved Deok-su’s seat so the cigarette smoke wouldn’t reach him.
Deok-su continued with an embarrassed smile.
“Honestly… it’s not easy. Sometimes I get choked up over small things.”
“Actors who are good at acting have to deal with that. Keep your mental health healthy. Then we can work together on the next project, right?”
Deok-su simply smiled.
After the cathedral shoot, office shooting continued.
When Deok-su arrived, the office was in full lighting setup.
Behind the angle that couldn’t be captured, lighting equipment waited, and the lighting technician was hurrying to adjust.
“…”
“Ah, Deok-su. Thanks.”
Deok-su handed a coffee to Lighting Director Gil Tae-jin, who was giving instructions while standing. It was a special Dutch coffee specially brought from the café he loved.
On days with office shooting, Deok-su always brought Gil Tae-jin that Dutch coffee.
While sipping, Gil Tae-jin wore a satisfied smile.
“Deok-su. You don’t have to bribe me every time. How much do I even worry about Deok-su’s lighting?”
“I know your directing skills well. I just happened to pass the café and thought of you.”
“Even if you can’t say it… Hey! Shadow, get a reflector. And bring an A-stand.”
Holding the coffee, Gil Tae-jin moved busily.
During the break, Deok-su checked the angle and the set.
Since the black curtain blocked natural light, the role of lighting here was absolute.
“Deok-su. Is the makeup better than before? Your skin is showing well?”
The result was immediate.
CP Kim Mun-seong looked at Deok-su’s face properly lit and furrowed his brow.
“All right, let’s rehearse. The mood is too heavy. Your expression…”
With CP Kim Mun-seong’s cue, rehearsal resumed.
Deok-su’s invisible efforts were lighting up one by one.
For Ryu Gang-hyeok, who frequently had overseas schedules, a trip to Korea was always enjoyable. But today was the exception.
“…”
“Just me? The president?”
“Yes. The CEO wants to see you. She has something important to say…”
While heading to the company, Ryu Gang-hyeok let out a heavy sigh.
President Kang Sang-mi was truly difficult.
Before debut and now. Same as today.
“…”
“So you’re asking me to persuade Deok-su?”
“Why? Is it hard?”
Kang Sang-mi’s words made Ryu Gang-hyeok show rare hesitation.
“Deok-su is doing well right now. He’s getting support. There’s no need to force it…”
President Kang Sang-mi stood up and gripped Ryu Gang-hyeok’s shoulder tightly with both hands.
“Yeah, you can think that. But how long are you going to let your team stay half-baked? Arosam is already saying Deok-su should return.”
“From Arosam? Such words…”
“Come. Starting today.”
Ryu Gang-hyeok froze.
Whether the word “return” existed or not, it meant forcing the issue.
“President. That’s…”
“Our Gang-hyeok today is really talkative. You weren’t like this before, were you? If you keep this up, I might start not liking Gang-hyeok.”
Ryu Gang-hyeok bit his lip.
The person in front of him was the head of JMT.
‘What can I do?’
Even after leaving the president’s office, Ryu Gang-hyeok’s worry only deepened.
“University of the End is over. Rating 35.1%. Final episode…”
“The ending was unsatisfying…”
“After so much talk, they rushed the ending…”
“University of the End is over. A star is born…”
“Park Min-a, Song A-yeong, love calls everywhere…”
“University of the End is over. Exporting overseas…”
“A Korean star is born?”
“Signature returning? Future activities…”
.
.
.
NBS drama University of the End concluded.
The ending received mixed reviews, but the ratings were a huge success.
Writer Sin Yu-mi herself, and the actors, directly benefited.
Actresses like Kang Jeong-ran, Lim Na-ra, and Yoon Tae-seon were flooded with CF offers, and child actors suddenly rose to stardom, signaling bright futures.
“What star? I don’t feel it that much.”
Deok-su stirred the chicken galbi with a spatula and grumbled.
With Ryu Gang-hyeok, who had come because of an unexpected break, they were at a chicken galbi restaurant.
Ryu Gang-hyeok poured soju into Deok-su’s glass with a wry smile.
“You’ve really settled in as an actor now.”
“Everyone says so. I’m grateful.”
Even while talking, Ryu Gang-hyeok’s mind kept replaying President Kang Sang-mi’s words.
Unaware of his thoughts, Deok-su continued in a slightly higher tone.
“The rating rise is good, but knowing we can do something here is even better.”
“People who’ve tasted the broadcast world can’t escape it. “Acting fun?”
“Saying that already is funny, but it feels like this is my job.”
The drinking session that started in the evening lasted until dawn.
Ryu Gang-hyeok, following President Kang Sang-mi’s order, couldn’t persuade Deok-su to focus on Signature activities.
Frustrated, he drank too much and passed out.
“Ryu Gang-hyeok. Aren’t you drinking too much?”
“I’m not drunk. Damn it.”
“Suddenly swearing.”
Deok-su chuckled.
“You’ve never said harsh words before.”
“…”
“From now on, keep acting.”
“Of course. But you…”
“President Kang… is trying to stop Signature activities… Don’t give up… keep going…”
Thud.
Completely drunk, Ryu Gang-hyeok collapsed onto the table.
But Deok-su had long since sobered up.
‘…Looks like the time has come.’
The bitter face Ryu Gang-hyeok had worn all along was bothering him, but the cause…
Deok-su felt bitter.
After seeing Ryu Gang-hyeok home, Deok-su headed back too.
The next day, when Deok-su told Hui-yeong about his time with Ryu Gang-hyeok, she sighed.
“…”
“Yeah. President Kang held on for a long time. Deok-su-op-pa is almost recovered.”
“Now we need to prepare for full activities. The money received so far, the money to come, and two months of hard work…”
“There’s plenty of work, but can you handle it? You’ll be busier than an idol…”
Deok-su nodded silently, and Hui-yeong picked up the phone.
“Hello, Team Leader. This is Lee Hui-yeong. I’d like to proceed with what we discussed…”
The frantic two months in Deok-su’s life began.