Dinner Cheers and Homecoming Joy
The dinner spot after the reading was a grill house near the broadcasting station. Judging by its large scale, they must hold group dinners here often.
Park PD, Seo Writer, the lead actors, and senior actors took seats at the center of the table in that order, with supporting actors and staff filling in around them.
Once everyone was seated, Park PD proposed a toast.
"If everyone's got their glasses filled, I'll make the first toast."
At his words, everyone raised their glasses. Woojin lifted his own, eyes on Park PD.
"Great work today, everyone. To the massive success of Wanted!"
"To success!"
The clink of glasses filled the air around them. Woojin downed his shot in one clean go. The liquor tasted sweet and smooth.
"Dig in, everyone!"
The meat on the grill was already perfectly cooked. In the lively atmosphere, conversations flowed easily, building camaraderie with the others.
"Pass me the tongs. I'm a pro at grilling."
Woojin took charge with a cheeky grin—different from Choi Kyu-bo's quirky charm.
"Hey, have a shot."
Oh Seong-cheol sidled up beside him, pouring a glass. Woojin accepted it politely with both hands.
"You act real well, kid."
Seong-cheol had fully turned toward Woojin, radiating an unmistakable vibe of I like you.
"You before..."
"Senior! Pour me one too!"
That's when it happened. Jeong Tae-young came barreling over to their table.
"Oh? Uh, sure."
Seong-cheol poured for him too, but his expression was worlds cooler than when he'd served Woojin.
"Thanks, Senior! Wanna do a shot?"
"Nah, later."
"C'mon, just one now~"
Tae-young wheedled with a playful whine. When a much younger junior approaches a senior so freely with affection, the senior can't help but take a shine to them.
But Seong-cheol's face soured. Even after a couple more refusals, Tae-young kept pushing.
Thud.
Seong-cheol set the bottle down on the table. The mood chilled instantly. While other tables buzzed with laughter, Woojin's table froze.
"Tae-young."
"Yes, Senior!"
Tae-young still hadn't clocked the tension, beaming innocently.
"Didn't you hear me? I said no, how many times?"
Seong-cheol's grave tone hardened his face.
"Ah, sorry. I just..."
"Enough. I'm talking to this guy—go drink somewhere else."
Seong-cheol turned back to Woojin like nothing happened.
"What were we saying?"
His expression and tone flipped 180 degrees from when he'd addressed Tae-young.
"......"
Tae-young rose stiffly and slunk to another table. Seong-cheol remained kindly attentive to Woojin.
This was their second project together, yet his coldness still stung. And now this newbie was hogging all his favor? Envy and jealousy surged. Humiliation and defeat made his hands tremble.
"Let's talk more later."
"Yes, thank you!"
After wrapping up with Woojin, Seong-cheol headed back to his table. A makeup staffer who'd seen it all leaned in.
"Senior Oh must really like you, Woojin-ssi!"
"Pardon?"
"That's his thing. He adores juniors who act well."
"What do you...?"
"I worked with him two years back, and he was the same. Sweet as can be to talented juniors, but ignores the rest completely. You saw Tae-young, right?"
The staffer whispered the rundown conspiratorially.
"Honestly, Tae-young rides his looks, not his acting. But you? Pure acting chops, passionate, diligent too. I was shocked you memorized the whole script already. No wonder Senior Oh's taken with you!"
He'd made his presence felt at the reading and left a stellar first impression on the seniors. Intended or not, Woojin's start was off to a great run.
"You're too kind. Thank you."
"And humble to boot. I'm about to become your fan."
"Haha, cheers then."
The party grew merrier by the minute. Great food, great vibes, great people. Happiness swelled in him. He couldn't wait to dive into filming.
"Woojin-ssi! Come here for a drink."
Park PD beckoned him to the main table. Woojin sat beside him, accepted a pour, returned the favor, and drank.
"You left the biggest impression today."
"Thank you."
"My glass too."
Seo Writer handed hers over.
"Mine too."
"Hey, me too!"
Kim Ye-chan and Park Soo-hyun joined in. Hands reached for him nonstop.
Haha. He'd just acted as analyzed, yet the impact lingered deep. The attention was a tad overwhelming, but... not unwelcome.
"I'll give it my all!"
Glasses kept coming. Each time, Woojin raised his with a bright smile.
Morning light broke. Opening his eyes, Woojin saw the familiar ceiling of his childhood home in Incheon. First visit in months.
Ah, my head.
How much had he drunk? Even hazy memories surpassed his limit. He'd gone to thirds with his new friends, somehow making it home safe.
Woojin rose, changed clothes.
"Son, up?"
His mother entered just as he finished dressing. They only met during holidays. Not far, but infrequent visits.
Before claiming solid supporting lead status, coming home felt like an apology.
"Something good happen yesterday?"
She beamed at her long-lost son's face.
"Yeah, dinner party."
"Dinner? What for?"
"I'll tell you later."
"My boy's got good news."
She always skirted direct words like "acting" or "actor" around him. Worried it'd stress him.
Woojin smiled at her subtlety.
"Good news, yeah."
First time. No hesitation, pure positivity to his mom.
"Can Mom get excited?"
Her voice and face brimmed with anticipation. In his original timeline, that look only brought guilt and discomfort.
He should've passed auditions proudly, made her beam. Instead, endless rejections. She'd hidden her disappointment, comforting him.
"......"
Never given her pocket money when she deserved it—instead, she'd slip cash into his place till he was thirty-five.
When others bragged jobs, she'd endured silently. Imagining her heart now, at twenty-five again, Woojin turned away. Eyes welling, he hid them.
"Son? You okay?"
Concern etched her face.
He wiped tears hastily.
"Oh, no. Just yawned... When'd I get in?"
"Around one a.m. yesterday?"
"Ah... Last bus, probably."
"Yeah. Oh, I made pollock stew for you. Coming right up."
"Sure."
Woojin headed to the living room. Home unchanged despite regression. Modest villa family place, frugal traces everywhere.
But empty. After he left for acting and sister for work, Mom alone.
Dad would've eased the loneliness.
Woojin scanned the room blankly, recalling his father—lost in a middle school accident.
"Son, ready. Eat."
He sat. Table laden with home cooking, long missed.
Woojin sipped the stew.
"Ah, feels alive."
Hangover vanished in one spoonful. Mom topped his rice with sides.
"Tasty, son?"
"Yeah. Best ever. Mom's cooking tops all."
She grinned wide. Woojin studied her. Younger than original timeline, but wrinkles lingered.
Acting obsession had made him forget his mother. Regret surged.
"Son."
"Yes."
"So, what was yesterday's dinner?"
Her eyes sparkled expectantly.
"Mom."
"Hm?"
"I'm in."
"What?"
"March 26th, Friday 10 p.m. tvKR Fri-Sat drama Wanted."
He declared proudly.
Her face lit with shock, joy overwhelming reaction.
"You got it?"
"Yeah. Big supporting role. Lead-supporting level!"
"Congrats! My son's the best!"
She celebrated like her own win. Woojin felt joy mixed with surreal haze.
"Was gonna wait till confirmed, but reading was yesterday—then dinner."
"Hold on. Gotta tell your sister."
She rushed a call. Sister's excited voice carried over.
Should've said sooner.
Never shared audition wins with family. Extras and bits hidden from shame.
Promised himself: only brag big roles. Took too long, but now he could.
"Woojin-ah, sis wants you."
She passed the phone.
"I'll call her after breakfast."
He smiled, resuming eating. Mom called acquaintances, boasting.
Watching her pride, unfamiliar emotions flooded him. Late bloom's thrill? Those 500 failures led here.
This is why we act.
Bigger than any pass call. Aristotle's catharsis—this moment he'd craved most.
Right now.
Mom headed out to meet neighborhood ladies—off to brag. Woojin finished his sister call, lay on bed.
Her joyful face looped, smiling involuntarily.
Oh right, almost forgot.
Bolting up, he sat at desk, pulled diary and script from bag.
Yesterday, at this part, Director and Writer said...
He noted feedback for his scenes—even on counterparts. Knowing directors' and writer's cues on others eased scene prep. Acting's a duet, breathing together.
She got that note, so I'll prep like this.
Detailed recollections filled pages. Writing clarified plans.
"Okay. Done."
He closed the script. Reaching for diary—soft glow leaked.
Light? No way?
Text burst forth.
"Whoa!"
Familiar yet startling after so long.
An invitation message has arrived.
Woojin read slowly. Invitation? From Kyu-bo hyung?
Accept?
He tapped Yes. New text.
Guiding you to the virtual world.
The diary rustled, lifting from desk into air. It beamed intense light at him, enveloping in glow.
Transferring in 5 seconds.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Numbers ticked down, pulling Woojin into the virtual world.