Actress Seol A-yoon
Of course, she could tell acting from sincerity. Seol A-yoon had been receiving admiring gazes from the moment her peers started awakening to romance. [OO Goddess]—the epithet that followed her hadn't changed, not through neighborhood, district, middle school, high school, acting academy, or even into the prestigious film department at university.
She got those looks on the way to and from school, heading to her café part-time job, working, hanging out with friends, or stepping out for any errand. Business cards from talent agencies piled up in her bag until family and relatives joked she must've landed a job at an entertainment company.
That was when she made up her mind. Rather than dealing with this hassle every time, better to get her face on TV or the big screen ASAP—it'd make life way easier.
"......My college image was crap anyway."
Even the film department was full of humans. In her early twenties, classmates jealous of what they lacked poured out envy toward her. She'd been the star of countless whispers and twisted rumors more times than she could count.
"......At least I snagged you—that's my life's one win."
"Yawn."
"Hey, listen when someone's talking."
"No, seriously—are you calling me here just to dredge up old stories when I'm busy?"
"Busy? You're not."
"You didn't hear? I'm in production."
"Model Detective 3? That's on full stop right now."
"I've got my shoot schedule."
"So, no time even for your one and only classmate's troubles?"
"Not my only one. We just don't talk much since we drifted, but my classmates from......"
"Ugh, are you a T-type?"
She scowled and downed her glass. A-yoon Bar—her inner sanctum where only her closest allies entered. She'd been mulling how to broach the topic with this colleague who'd made it all the way here.
"So, what's the dilemma? FYI, no confessions. You're not my type."
"Pfft."
Seol A-yoon spat out her drink and shot up, fist raised.
"......God, seriously!"
He flinched, jerking back too far. She dropped her shoulders with a sigh. Annoying, but unavoidable. This college classmate she bickered with every time was the most objective sounding board for her current mess.
Han Joo-hyuk. The acting weirdo who'd always looked at her differently from the film department crowd—eyes full of jealousy, envy, or lust.
Yeah. She could open up to him. With that resolve:
"You absolutely cannot tell anyone else, okay? Not reporters, not even your agency folks."
"Got it."
"So, like—"
Seol A-yoon spilled to her industry colleague the same hunch she'd shared with her brother.
Lee Tae-gyu seems to like me.
And moments later.
"......"
"......"
Han Joo-hyuk stared into her eyes, then slowly nodded and spoke.
"......Bullshit."
"No, for real!"
"If you're drunk, crash. I gotta practice."
"There was a vibe, okay?"
"What vibe."
"Hey. I've been in this game for years—think I can't tell real feelings from acting?"
But Seol A-yoon felt wronged. She knew. Showbiz was a battlefield of pros. This jungle crammed with the hot, the pretty, the talented, the gifted—it thrived on weaponizing charm. Eyes. Gestures. Tone. All tools to build likability, snag roles or screen time, even fake love itself.
From idol heartthrobs to heavy-hitters with killer filmos, directors wielding megaphones like heirloom swords. Through debut trials and post-debut encounters with fakers "acting" sincere, her eye for people had sharpened.
For her...
"Lee Tae-gyu was different, I swear."
......Lee Tae-gyu was different. Especially that three-way talk. The script read with veteran Cha Jin-tak playing her father, Lee Tae-gyu, and herself all on scene together.
"Only weird when he looked at me."
His gaze shifted 0.01-second micro-performances whenever it flicked from her to elsewhere. That wasn't acting level.
"The role made him. Greedy used-car dealer obsessed with cash, but awkward virgin with pretty girls."
"Ha."
"Nailed the character."
"Hard to explain, but that's not how it works. You know script read vibes."
"Yoon Chang-ho's reads are quirky."
"No, it wasn't full acting yet......driving me nuts."
She raised both hands, trying to mime it, then sighed deeply. How to convey this? Lips spewing sleazy greed-talk with Cha Jin-tak, but every overlapping line, his eyes burst hearts. Not just lines—the nods, sighs, breaths syncing to the read, even casual glances across the table pouring burdensome stares like a vending machine.
Pure unconscious reflex. Flashing those eyes mid used-car sleaze act whenever he "sensed" her—that didn't feel like acting to her. Juggling on a unicycle? Easier. This wasn't split upper-lower body; it was frantically toggling some deep emotion switch non-stop.
And moreover.
Each mask-crack revealed sparkling affection in his eyes toward her.
"......Get what I mean?"
A gaze impossible to parse without assuming "someone you actually like." No wonder she was confused.
"I'm not an idiot. Think I can't spot acting?"
"Hm."
"Right? Something off, yeah?"
"Acting within acting."
"......What?"
"Base layer love, overlay dealer greed. Cracks staged for effect."
"No, not—"
"Even unconscious slips pulled into the act. Insane. Thought I'd caught up......one step ahead again?"
Arms crossed, muttering—Han Joo-hyuk naturally assumed she mistook top-tier acting for real. Lee Tae-gyu, that madman, had reached a realm fooling not just audiences but thirty million actors' eyes and ears. He slammed his glass down, bolting up.
"No, not admiration......hey, where you going!"
"Not booze time."
"Hey. I really think he likes me? Eyes were off even before/after the read—why you concluding solo?"
"Method game's peaking."
"Hey."
"Heard he practiced from the hospital bed."
"You listening? To me?"
Already at the door, shoving into sneakers. He'd thought he'd matched him at last, relaxed......but post-hospital, another leap? Anxiety brewed.
Thump.
Yet his heart thrilled pleasantly. Lee Tae-gyu—rival he'd pegged, steadily climbing to fool even his Seol A-yoon target.
Sneer.
More. He can go higher still.
Grinning purest satisfaction, opening the door—
Click.
Grip on the knob, he turned to her with meaningful eyes, mid-rant.
"For real? Wow, leaving like this?"
"......Hey, Seol A-yoon."
"What, posing again."
"Not time for wild thoughts."
"Huh?"
His next words jogged her memory. Not his backstory that hooked him on acting obsession.
"Keep that up......you'll get snagged by me too."
Her own debut days, grinding practice for shortest path here.
"......What?"
And realization hit.
Me 'too'?
Now. Method actor Han Joo-hyuk believed Lee Tae-gyu's skills surpassed top-star her.
SBC Broadcasting Station. Drama Division.
Ironically, in the division head's office—known as the brightest spot even in a near-canceled drama department.
"Lead actor?"
"Tae-gyu, obviously."
"No, other candidates?"
"Tae-gyu, no question. The sequel was written for him from the start."
"Ah."
"Why? Same age group, he's tops. Pure skill? Even Seol A-yoon's out now, right?"
"No, not that."
Ji Cheol-geun PD trailed off, eyeing the head seat.
Nam Yun-ju, division chief. Smirking, she voiced what Ji couldn't to Kwak In-ho.
"......Will he do it?"
"Pardon?"
Kwak In-ho lifted his head from the desk.
Flip.
Closing episode 1 script for their massive-budget sequel, he chuckled dryly.
"Ha, of course. Tae-gyu promised anytime for my next."
Kwak In-ho pictured the blockbuster poised to flip Korea and global OTT. Unlike anxious Monster City days, this guaranteed smash—research done, he anticipated.
Year-end to next spring. Recruit Monster City's saviors, aim for America's top prize: the Emmy Awards.
"This'll make Tae-gyu a full world star."
"He's already one."
"Nah, just starting."
"No, really. Scheduling him soon? Tough."
"Pardon?"
"Why so naive, Kwak? You know—his size exploded. No shoe-string promise holds now."
"Still."
"I'd love him back, sure. But he's eyeing films now, right? Drama actors go movie-side, they don't return."
Chief Nam spoke flatly, aura like a parent sending kids off—bittersweet relief.
"Rumors already. DK grooming him as next superstar. Post-variety? Probably done with us."
"......Variety?"
"What, first you heard, Ji PD?"
"Yes."
Stunned by the news, Ji blurted.
"Thought you'd hear from your buddy. Not close?"
"Buddy?"
"Kim Bok-hyeon PD? Tae-gyu's on his variety 1-team show."
Ji's face froze at Chief Nam's words.
Kim Bok-hyeon PD. Same public hire batch as Ji—but polar opposite style.
Like...
That......overly principled PD type?
True-blue, ratings-first—defying agencies or pressure for his vision.
SBC Variety 1-Team.
In a small meeting room with snacks and drinks, a man and woman conducted a brief pre-interview for a program guest.
"......Thanks for your valuable time."
"No problem."
"Variety shoots aren't long. Won't mess with your film schedule—rest easy."
"Appreciate it."
"We're the grateful ones."
Kim Bok-hyeon PD rubbed hands, beaming affably. Gesturing openly at his subject, polite.
"Tae-gyu-ssi's blowing up. Carving out pre-interview time? Our honor."
Lee Tae-gyu. Rising star fresh off script reads, eyeing Model Detective 3 and tentative 108-Month Full Installment shoots.
"Shoots are short. Few hours max, rare reshoots—relax."
"Got it."
Prep done, Kim flipped papers, eye-signaling his head writer.
Ready to roll?
Let's.
Adjusting round glasses, Kim's eyes gleamed. Pre-interview—soon CP-bound, he stressed this for rookies entering variety.
Real start's here.
Pre-interviews nailed guest characters. Crucial for shows like upcoming Your Heart Speaks, judging celebs publicly.
Actors are trickiest.
Mystery kingpin, no less. His opener shaped their program attitude.
Kim smiled, gesturing at the red-lit interview cam.
"......As said, be as honest as possible on our show."
"Understood."
"Not lip service—sincere advice."
"Yes. I'm always sincere."
Kim sensed it already.
......Okay, this type.
Expert on agency image-training for superstardom, his eyes scanned Lee Tae-gyu's face like a scanner.
Blank, emotionless expression. That near-poker face screamed calculated answers for max good PR.
"Haha, no tension. Not main shoot—just pre, chill."
"Yes."
Sending laser stares despite the nod, face rigid. Perfect, actually. For this lie-detector/hypnotist psych variety's hype, needed stars blatantly "no flaws here" guarded.
"Everyone knows your acting chops now. Interview'll hit personal stuff."
"Ah, I'm still lacking in acting."
"Haha, too humble?"
Fake, lies—all exposed in Your Heart Speaks. Kim prepped first question.
"Straight shot. Debut to here, no obscurity slump. Raking cash now, right?"
"Yes."
"Oho, crisp answers?"
Eyeing writer surprised, but real hook next. Knowing fresh fame's temptations, he dropped it.
"So, first thing you did with the money?"
He felt it from the reply.
"Ordered 20kg LA ribs."
......This guy's off.