Chapter 29: Little Starlight (2)
Chapter 29: Little Starlight (2)
It happened the day after the second episode of The Moon That Hides the Sun (Taesumdal) aired.
Two new dramas had premiered.
KMB’s The Moon That Hides the Sun and MDC’s Action King were both projects their respective stations had poured their hearts and souls into.
Expectations were high, and the fact that they aired in the same time slot only added to the excitement.
Then came Episode 2.
Action King boasted flashy direction and a provocative scene featuring the lead actress. True to its title, the action was superb.
A succession of scenes, almost too impressive for just the second episode, unfolded. It seemed Action King would emerge as the winner of the night.
However...
The tide turned at the end of Episode 2, during the climax of The Moon That Hides the Sun.
It was the confrontation between Grand Prince Jo Young and Princess Yeonhwa.
Yoon Jong-hyuk was a veteran actor with a solid career, known above all as a master of villainous roles. The presence he exuded was immense, making it feel as if the real Grand Prince Jo Young had stepped into the room.
And Princess Yeonhwa, meeting that performance head-on, left the audience breathless. For a brief moment, her intensity was powerful enough to overshadow even Yoon Jong-hyuk’s presence.
At that moment, people recalled an interview Yoon Jong-hyuk had given to an internet media outlet.
“Ah, the child actors I worked with this time?”
He had smiled brightly at the reporter’s question.
“Jung-woo goes without saying. He’s the son of Park Sun-woong, after all. It made me realize that even acting talent can be inherited like a silver spoon. Thinking back to when I was young... whew.”
Everyone nodded at that. Park Jung-woo, playing the young Yoon Seo-il, was already a proven child actor.
But the person everyone was truly curious about was Ju Seo-yeon, who played Princess Yeonhwa—the child actor who had received high praise from Kang Seong-chan during the teaser event.
“Seo-yeon? Man, has word already gotten out? Episode 2 hasn't aired yet, right?”
The reporter nodded.
Yoon Jong-hyuk’s smile faded, replaced by a serious tone.
“To be honest, I don’t like judging people’s work solely by the word ‘talent,’ but...”
He murmured as if looking at something far away.
“Honestly, that is talent. You can tell she hasn't been acting for long. But, you see... there’s a certain light.”
Light.
He was referring to a certain spark.
“You know how people call celebrities ‘stars’? A star, a superstar. They use those terms, and this time, I really felt it. Ah, so this is what real talent looks like.”
Yoon Jong-hyuk thought to himself.
Seo-yeon’s powerful weapon was her emotional acting. Her method acting, which even actress Jung Eun-seon had tried to restrain, was undoubtedly a formidable tool.
However, the girl possessed a quality that shone even brighter than that.
It was just a feeling.
As someone who had been in the industry for a long time, Yoon Jong-hyuk felt for the first time: Ah, this child was destined to end up here one way or another.
“If celebrities are stars, then that child is a little starlight. Everyone will probably see it in this drama. She’s still small and young, but more than anything, she’s a twinkling little starlight.”
A genius child actor.
Yoon Jong-hyuk didn't use those exact words, but everyone present understood that was what he meant.
Little Starlight.
It was a term that signified the qualities of a true star.
And at that moment...
What was that little starlight doing?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Hwang Jung-soo, the Drama Director of KMB.”
She was sitting with her parents, having a discussion about her future.
*
Anyone working in the broadcasting industry feels it at some point.
A gut instinct that says, "This kid is going to make it big."
Drama Director Hwang Jung-soo was no different. He’d had a hunch ever since he reviewed the footage.
But seeing the actual broadcast, he realized she was the real deal.
The explosive start of the drama The Moon That Hides the Sun was a godsend for KMB, which had been suffering through a drama drought. It was salvation found at the edge of a cliff.
Just a few days ago, everyone had been out celebrating, drinking their fill. Hwang Jung-soo couldn't rest until he met this young star.
“The station is in an absolute frenzy. Everyone wants to meet Seo-yeon.”
Some skeptics thought it was just a flash in the pan. But if it was a flash, all the more reason to capitalize on it now.
Variety PDs and drama PDs alike were currently scrambling to find a way to contact Seo-yeon. Of course, for Hwang Jung-soo, who had a close relationship with PD Ha Tae-oh, it only took one phone call.
“In fact, there were even suggestions to hurriedly insert about two more episodes of the child actors' portion.”
At those words, Seo-yeon’s parents, sitting across from him with tense faces, stiffened.
Ju Young-bin and Ju Sua knew that Seo-yeon wouldn't have the stamina to continue acting for a while.
Glancing at their daughter, they saw her sipping her drink, seemingly without a care in the world.
“Haha, you don’t need to worry. PD Ha Tae-oh here was dead set against it.”
Hwang Jung-soo said, glancing at Ha Tae-oh sitting next to him.
“Yes. It was quite a struggle. It’s true the child actors' part was amazing, but if we forced in two more episodes, the story would definitely fall apart. It wasn't in the original work, after all.”
“True, true. Though I personally thought it would have been fine...”
Hwang Jung-soo cleared his throat with a small cough.
“Anyway, you probably have an idea of why I arranged this meeting today.”
At that, Sua nudged Young-bin’s side with her elbow. It was a signal for him to stop smiling awkwardly and speak up.
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
Having been in the workforce for a long time, Young-bin had a general idea of why Hwang Jung-soo had called them.
“It’s regarding... Seo-yeon’s future activities, isn't it?”
“Exactly. As I said, she’s receiving a lot of interest from various places.”
Hwang Jung-soo took a sip of water from the table and continued.
“I understand she doesn't have an agency yet. If you don’t have any specific plans, there are a few KMB variety shows and some dramas I’d like to recommend.”
Actually, the variety shows weren't his department. But the Variety Director had begged him to mention it, so he brought it up.
For a child actor, this was essentially a path paved with flowers.
She had captured the station’s attention and blossomed brilliantly before everyone’s eyes. Without even having an agency, Seo-yeon, who had reached this position, could be called a Cinderella of sorts.
“Mmm.”
However, the expressions on Ju Young-bin and Ju Sua’s faces were peculiar. They looked pleased, yet troubled at the same time.
Seeing the couple exchange glances, Hwang Jung-soo and Ha Tae-oh felt a sense of confusion.
“Actually, regarding that, we’ve had many discussions with our daughter.”
Seo-yeon’s recognition had skyrocketed through The Moon That Hides the Sun. They realized it would be difficult to continue without an agency.
Young-bin paused for a moment. Then he looked at his daughter.
“Seo-yeon. Is it okay if Daddy speaks for you?”
“Yes.”
Seo-yeon’s face was calm. Though they didn't know exactly what she was thinking, she believed this was right. And as parents, they felt it was right too.
“Then, regarding Seo-yeon’s future activities...”
As Young-bin began to speak, Hwang Jung-soo and Ha Tae-oh could not hide their shock.
*
“Ah, that’s a shame.”
After the meeting ended, Hwang Jung-soo muttered to himself, taking a sip of bitter coffee.
Seeing his superior like that, PD Ha Tae-oh chuckled.
“I think it’s for the best.”
“Well, it’s a common enough thing for child actors.”
Still, it was a bold decision.
Ha Tae-oh let out a sigh. Honestly, he was disappointed, but considering the talent he had witnessed... he thought this might actually be better. He had seen too many child actors break under excessive attention at a young age.
Little Starlight.
Those who run too fast, relying only on that spark, often burn themselves out and extinguish their own light.
“Hmm, it’s a bit long... but looking back later, it might seem short.”
“But didn't they promise? That her next project would definitely be with KMB.”
“That’s great and all, but I probably won't be in this position by then.”
How long would it take for the child to return?
It probably wouldn't take forever. But it wouldn't be soon, either. That was what Hwang Jung-soo found regrettable.
“Who knows? You might be in my seat by then.”
“No way.”
“What do you mean, ‘no way’? Who else is there but you?”
Especially with Taesumdal, Ha Tae-oh’s stock had risen once again. Hwang Jung-soo sincerely thought it was a strong possibility.
“Well, anyway.”
Hwang Jung-soo chuckled.
“There’s going to be an uproar when this gets out.”
And with those words, the broadcast of Episode 3 of The Moon That Hides the Sun was only a day away.
“Ju Seo-yeon.”
Park Jung-woo, the other child actor from the drama, called out to Seo-yeon, who was sitting blankly by herself.
“They say it’s starting soon. Are you going to stay here?”
At Jung-woo’s blunt words, Seo-yeon looked a bit troubled.
How did it come to this?
Today was the day Episode 3 was airing. Originally, she had planned to watch it at home with her parents after coming back from kindergarten.
Episode 3 featured Seo-yeon’s acting, which was just as good as, if not better than, Episode 2.
However, actor Yoon Jong-hyuk had called that morning.
“I heard from PD Ha Tae-oh. It’s a bit of a shame, but... why don’t we all get together, Seo-yeon?”
Sua, who took the call, had been flustered and blurted out, “Ye-yes!”
And so, they had unexpectedly gathered at actor Park Sun-woong’s penthouse.
She knew it was a kind gesture from Yoon Jong-hyuk, but for Sua, nothing could be more stressful.
“Oh my, Seo-yeon’s mother. You’re really beautiful. You should have been a celebrity.”
“Ye-yes.”
She could see Shin Jung-hwa, Park Jung-woo’s mother, making a fuss and talking to the frozen Sua.
To Sua, this group of people commonly called "celebs" was incredibly difficult to deal with. She inwardly resented her husband, who had managed to escape this situation like a ghost.
She’s having a hard time.
Seo-yeon looked at Sua and then nodded.
“...I’m coming.”
“You... never mind.”
Seo-yeon answered Jung-woo and took a small sip of her drink. Park Jung-woo looked like he had a lot to say, but he just nodded and walked away.
Watching his retreating figure, Seo-yeon let out a faint sigh.
I still haven't figured out what to call him.
In truth, Park Jung-woo was the most difficult person for Seo-yeon to deal with.
After all, Jung-woo was ten years old. Since he was three years older than her, the titles she could use for him were extremely limited.
For example, "Oppa."
Ugh...
That was a title with a very high difficulty level, even for Seo-yeon.