Chapter 315
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 315
[Following his role as Kim Woo-ho in Dead after Hope, actor Seo Ho-yun has been on a path to success. He participated in the interview with a relaxed and skillful manner, showing a poise far beyond that of a rookie…—.]
“Wow.”
The set of Shining Star was bustling.
Min Ji-heon, who had once again used a food truck as an excuse to hang around the set, sat on a folding chair in the corner. As soon as he saw the magazine cover on the table, he picked it up. Seo Ho-yun’s name was plastered across the front in a headline announcing his featured interview.
Min Ji-heon himself was currently rejecting the flood of interview requests he’d received since the end of Dead after Hope.
Flip. As he reached the middle of the magazine, Seo Ho-yun’s face appeared.
Wearing a baggy black shirt that contrasted sharply with his pale, almost translucent skin, Seo Ho-yun wore a refreshing smile.
It’s strange…
To Ji-heon’s eyes, Seo Ho-yun wearing the mantle of an "actor" felt strangely alien.
It was as if there were another set of clothes out there that fit him perfectly.
Tilting his head, Min Ji-heon turned the page.
[I was truly impressed by how much your acting has evolved over the past few months. There are rumors that you practically lived on set to focus on your performance. What do you think is the secret behind this sudden growth?
Seo Ho-yun: The help I received from my senior actors was a huge factor. In particular, I owe a great deal to Senior Min Ji-heon, who was by my side almost constantly on set. I am nothing but grateful to him.]
He owes me a great deal?
[We heard that Min Ji-heon visits you often during the filming of your new drama as well.
Seo Ho-yun: That’s true. It’s almost to the point of being a nuisance. (Laughs) I’m joking, of course; I’m always grateful. He’s a wonderful senior who always looks out for me warmly.]
Min Ji-heon felt goosebumps break out on his arms.
Back when they were filming Dead after Hope—no, even now—whenever he locked eyes with Seo Ho-yun, a chill ran down his spine.
It was like standing before a fierce predator.
“…Is this really an interview with Seo Ho-yun?”
Min Ji-heon flipped back to the cover to double-check the name.
His gut was screaming at him. Seo Ho-yun was no ordinary person. Even if the Lee Kang-seok power-trip incident had been a coincidence, the drug bust of that idol group and the whistleblowing on the shell company involved in the double-contract fraud were surely connected to him.
He looked so refreshed back then.
At that time, Seo Ho-yun had looked immensely relieved.
The thought that he, too, could be pushed off a cliff if he let his guard down for even a second made Ji-heon instinctively wary.
Min Ji-heon skipped past all the hypocritical, modest parts and opened the final page of the interview.
[What is your next goal?
Ho-yun: It’s clear.
To bring things to a proper end so that I have no regrets.]
“……”
Min Ji-heon’s eyes narrowed.
[Where will Seo Ho-yun be in six months?
Ho-yun: Won’t I be dancing?
Dancing? Is idol dancing a hobby of yours? (Laughs)
Ho-yun: It’s my main job. I plan to dance until my body breaks. (Laughs)
Throughout the interview, Seo Ho-yun never lost his amiable smile. We look forward to the future endeavors of this kind and humble man.]
Min Ji-heon slammed the magazine shut.
He didn’t know how Ho-yun had charmed the interviewer, but the piece was nothing but praise from start to finish.
Seo Ho-yun is definitely a total lunatic.
A sense of unease washed over him after reading the magazine, as if he were missing something again.
He had come here to see Seo Ho-yun, but he didn't even know why himself. He was simply following his intuition.
Min Ji-heon rubbed the back of his neck and turned his head.
Seo Ho-yun was standing before the camera with a blank expression.
“Mr. Seo Ho-yun, it’s the final shoot, so let’s make it a good one.”
“I’ll do my best.”
After his brief reply, he gripped the microphone, and the expectant gazes of the staff fell upon him.
Soon, the music began to flow.
【There's a moment that you feel】
Not only Ha Seo-yeon, who had been reading her script, but also Shin Hee-chan, who had been chatting with the staff, Director Ju, who was spearheading the shoot, and even Min Ji-heon—everyone found themselves unable to look away the moment Seo Ho-yun opened his mouth.
【Glory comes up as light
Dawn comes down as end】
A low, mid-range voice that seemed to rasp against his throat.
A voice that stretched out straight and true, devoid of any unnecessary artifice.
【I won't say that I will miss you
That's too selfish, I know…】
He really was good.
Seo Ho-yun’s performance was enough to make even someone like Ji-heon, who had no particular interest in singing, think that.
He really looks like an idol.
When he stood still, he had an unapproachable aura, but the moment he slightly curled the corners of his mouth, the atmosphere shifted entirely.
It seemed he knew this and used it to his full advantage.
That’s why people’s walls just melt away, even after they’ve been on guard.
Min Ji-heon let out a small sigh.
There was a reason his younger sibling, who rarely even answered his calls because of their busy life, was always singing Seo Ho-yun’s praises.
【You won't say that I will miss you
That's way too ideal, I know…】
Just what is his deal?
While he was lost in thought, a chorus of exclamations broke out.
Seo Ho-yun, who had finished the shoot in a single take, was walking down to monitor the footage.
As soon as Director Ju gave the "OK" sign, cheers erupted from the staff once more.
And as was customary for an actor’s final shoot, a bouquet of flowers was thrust into Seo Ho-yun’s arms.
Min Ji-heon stood up, his eyes fixed on Seo Ho-yun.
With every step Seo Ho-yun took, staff members approached him to talk.
“Mr. Seo Ho-yun, you worked so hard! The set was always so bright and happy thanks to you! Thank you!”
“What are we going to do without Kang Ji-sung now? I’m so sad this is the end.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
As he greeted them, Seo Ho-yun seemed to be in higher spirits than usual.
“Let’s work together again if the opportunity arises!”
“……Haha.”
However, at those words, his body stiffened for a moment before he let out a delayed laugh.
…Why?
“…I’ll think about it.”
“Ahaha, so you’re already acting like top star Kang Ji-sung, huh?!”
Seo Ho-yun was heading toward the entrance of the set. Min Ji-heon glanced at Ho-yun’s manager, who still seemed busy talking to Director Ju.
“Mr. Seo Ho-yun, excuse me…”
Thinking there was a moment to talk, Ji-heon approached him, but—
“Whoa!”
“Hey.”
Seo Ho-yun pressed down on the back of Ji-heon’s neck and whispered softly.
“Did you bring your car?”
“Ye-yes??”
Even in this absurd situation, Ji-heon dutifully nodded in response.
“Ji-heon, lend your car to your hyung for a bit.”
“…What?”
“The car.”
“Why? Where are you going without your manager?”
Without giving a specific reason, Seo Ho-yun’s lips curled into a soft arc.
“I’m asking a favor.”
Min Ji-heon suddenly realized something.
He had been curious about Seo Ho-yun but hadn't intended to pry further, yet he had felt an inexplicable urge to come here today. It was all for this very moment.
Despite his reluctance, Min Ji-heon slowly held out his car keys.
Seo Ho-yun snatched them away instantly, smiling like a well-fed cat.
“Thanks. Where is it?”
“…Follow me.”
Ji-heon led the way, hearing the footsteps following behind him.
After stealthily slipping out of the filming site, they headed to the underground parking lot.
“Whoa.”
Seo Ho-yun let out a whistle when he saw the red sports car parked neatly in the corner.
“You must’ve made a lot of money. You’re driving something nice.”
“Please, treat it with care…”
Ji-heon wanted to take the keys back, but his gut kept signaling that he shouldn't. As he closed and opened his eyes in silent agony, Seo Ho-yun was already opening the driver’s side door.
“By the way, is your agency pushing you to do media play?”
“Media play?”
“The great Min Ji-heon has been visiting the set day and night, even though he knows I won’t be opening my mouth anymore.”
Min Ji-heon smacked his lips.
“…Media play? That’s hurtful. I just came.”
Especially today.
Why does it feel like I’ll never see him again?
An inexplicable sense of dread crept up his spine.
He approached the driver’s seat and leaned down slightly to face Seo Ho-yun.
“Mr. Seo Ho-yun.”
“What.”
“I don’t really like you.”
The sight of Seo Ho-yun sitting in his car looked strangely familiar.
As if he had seen this happen before.
Or perhaps, as if he had sensed that this would eventually happen.
“But wherever you go, I know you’ll do well.”
Seo Ho-yun’s eyes widened in surprise, then he let out a smirk a moment later.
“Why does everything you say sound so ominous?”
Setting the bouquet down in the passenger seat, he pulled out the Shining Star script and a pen from his bag.
Then, popping the cap off the pen with his teeth, he called out to Ji-heon with muffled pronunciation.
“Min Ji-heon.”
It was a minor role with a short appearance and few lines.
Nevertheless, the script was tattered.
It was a testament to how seriously Seo Ho-yun had taken the role.
As someone who truly loved acting, Min Ji-heon didn't find this side of Seo Ho-yun half bad.
“I don’t like you much either, but…”
Seo Ho-yun’s signature was etched onto the front cover of the script.
“You were quite docile here, so you were tolerable to watch.”
Here?
Seo Ho-yun handed it over, his eyes crinkling into crescents.
“Come find your car yourself. It’ll be in a parking lot near the Express Bus Terminal.”
“What?!”
“If you ask my manager to give you a ride, he’s nice enough that he probably will. Why don’t you ask him?”
You’re going to dump my precious car where?
“Bye~.”
Before Ji-heon could even argue, Seo Ho-yun left him with only a farewell and drove out of the parking lot with incredible skill.
Vroom.
Roar!
“……Is this for real?”
Left alone, Min Ji-heon muttered blankly.
Belatedly, he looked down at the script in his hand. A short message was written there.
See you again soon, Noeul. I miss you.
-Ho-yun
It was accompanied by a signature shaped like a rabbit.
“……Is he a rabbit because he bolted?”
And who the hell is Noeul?
Min Ji-heon lowered his head and pressed a hand to his forehead, soon letting out a hollow laugh.
.
.
.
“Min Ji-heon, his intuition really is like a ghost’s.”
I let out a small exclamation of admiration as I stopped at a red light.
Even though I hadn't given off any hints, he had acted as if he were treating someone who was about to leave.
The morning after I returned from Japan, a system window had appeared, informing me that the errors had been completely fixed.
I figured it would be best to finish what I had started, so I had continued with the few remaining shoots.
Still, I’m glad it wasn't as long as I expected.
I looked down at my hands gripping the steering wheel.
There was no trembling at all.
If there was one great thing I gained from being here, it was that I had plenty of time to calmly organize my thoughts. Thanks to that, my heart didn't race even when I got into the car.
So, I had tried driving as a test, and fortunately, I was fine.
Then again, I used to drive all the time back when I was a PD; those ingrained habits weren't going anywhere.
I’ll just fix things one by one like this.
When I arrived at a paid parking lot near my destination, the tension left my body.
As I leaned back against the seat, I finally realized my palms were damp.
“……Whew.”
I caught my breath, which had quickened slightly from the nerves, and pulled out my phone. It was to send Min Ji-heon the location of his precious car.
I’m being pretty kind, all things considered.
Just as I was about to turn off the engine and head out, a notification from the system window rang out.
Ding!
[Good job on the drive.]
Are you a navigation system now?
[But why did you come here? You could have just gone back immediately.]
“Hmm.”
I scanned the surroundings.
This place, where people were busily coming and going, was the Express Bus Terminal.
“There’s something I wanted to check before I go back.”
A certain billboard that I had passed by without a thought at the time, but which had been weighing on my mind ever since.