You Look Really Tired.
That evening, the day Seo Eun-seong signed his exclusive contract with J&J Entertainment, the agency wasted no time distributing a press release.
The articles hit the internet, and SNS and online communities exploded. Especially the 'contract certification shot' posted on the agency's official account, featuring Seo Eun-seong and the Siren members—it sparked a massive reaction.
In the photo, Seo Eun-seong beamed while holding the contract, with Seo Ha-rin and Choi Eun-jin clinging to his arms like koalas, Lee Ah-hyun right there too. Kim Chae-yeon flashed a wide grin like a pickle, and Go Min-ji joined in with her hamster cheeks. It was the perfect visual combo that cleansed the eyes.
SNS and communities were heating up just from Seo Eun-seong's existence. Chungmuro's supernova—and a bona fide rising star actor—had been born.
But at that moment, the 'supernova actor' Seo Eun-seong was struggling elsewhere entirely.
Sizzle!!
"Hot hot! The oil's splashing!"
In Seo Ha-rin's kitchen at their Han River luxury apartment, Seo Eun-seong was aproned in a pink lace number, battling the frying tongs.
Tonight's menu: spicy-sweet soupy tteokbokki. Sides included handmade shrimp tempura, squid tempura, and sweet potato fries.
"Oppa! Tteokbokki almost done?"
"Bear Doll! Make the fritters extra crispy! Got it?"
"Eun-seong oppa! I'm starving!"
On the living room sofa, Seo Ha-rin, Choi Eun-jin, and Lee Ah-hyun lounged side by side, giggling over comments on the articles. Classic foodie trio behavior.
"Yeah! Almost! Just need to pull the fritters!"
Just as Seo Eun-seong lifted the golden-brown shrimp from the fryer...
"Seo Eun-seong. What actor stands in the kitchen reeking of oil?"
Kim Chae-yeon crossed her arms and tsked.
"You're gonna make bank now—why bother cooking? Just order fancy takeout. You spoil these three foodies every time, and it's ruining their habits."
"Y-yeah.. Eun-seong oppa's working hard.."
Go Min-ji chimed in sleepily.
Seo Eun-seong wiped his hands on the apron and grinned.
"Forget the effort. Look."
He nodded toward the lounging crew in the living room.
"Your faces are too famous to eat out in peace. Hiding under hats in corners, watching your backs? Hate that. Better I sweat here so you can stretch out and relax."
"....."
A hush fell over the kitchen. Only the tteokbokki bubbling on the stove.
"As expected.. our Eun-seong oppa.. so touching.."
Go Min-ji's eyes sparkled.
Even blunt Kim Chae-yeon flushed, speechless.
"Tch.. way too nice, seriously."
Kim Chae-yeon turned away gruffly.
Seo Eun-seong ruffled their heads one by one.
"So come over anytime, no need to hold back. Whatever you crave, oppa'll make it."
"For real? Really? Every day okay? Eun-seong oppa?"
Go Min-ji perked up, sleep gone.
"Well.. if you insist.. I'll swing by when I can."
Kim Chae-yeon played coy, but her delight showed.
"Yeah. Come often. Five foodies or seven—same chaos."
Seo Eun-seong chuckled despite himself. Feeding these girls meant he'd have to act his heart out.
With the foodie trio plus Kim Chae-yeon and Go Min-ji, dinner was a hyena pack rampage. Not a drop of tteokbokki broth or fritter crumb left.
"Ahh~ stuffed~ Oppa~"
"Bear Doll's the best. Tastes a hundred times better than takeout."
"Gotta admit, you're a good cook. Explains why these three crash here nonstop?"
The five girls patted full bellies, satisfied.
Seo Eun-seong stood, untying his apron.
"You handle dishes and cleanup. Gotta step out quick."
"Huh? Where to?"
Seo Ha-rin blinked wide-eyed.
"Oh, just something came up. Be back soon, Ha-rin."
He brushed it off.
Truth was, as dinner wound down, a KakaoTalk pinged.
Kim Na-yeon's message. With his schedule free post-contract, he'd replied okay.
But tell these sharp foodies? Instant interrogation. Plus, didn't want Chae-yeon and Min-ji misunderstanding.
"Heading out."
He slipped into clothes while they chattered and bolted.
Moments later. A swanky, private cocktail bar in Apgujeong.
"This the place? Oh, there she is."
Dim lights, soft jazz. Kim Na-yeon sat alone, sipping a cocktail.
"Sunbae!"
Seo Eun-seong approached brightly. She looked up.
"You came? Eun-seong-ah?"
No trace of the glamorous actress. Just weary, melancholic.
"Sit here next to me."
She patted the barstool. He sat carefully.
"You look really rough. Something bad happen?"
Seo Eun-seong's concern drew a deep sigh.
"Sigh.. dunno.. Always feel empty and down after wrapping a film. And today, I was gonna vent to a close friend, but that flake bailed last minute."
"Ah.. that sucks."
He nodded sympathetically.
'Even top actresses have this loneliness behind the spotlight?' he thought sadly.
Then—
Kim Na-yeon wobbled, leaning her head on his shoulder softly.
"Call me Na-yeon noona like last time.. not sunbae.. You're drawing lines, Eun-seong-ah. After I took such good care of you..?"
"Ah, no. N-Na-yeon noona. But you're pretty drunk?"
He stiffened, startled. Her silky hair and heavy perfume clouded his senses.
"I'm not drunk. But drinking alone sucks. Drink some for me?"
She pushed her strong martini to his lips.
Seeing her down, he took it without suspicion and downed it.
"Gulp."
Burning throat. Potent stuff.
'Gotcha.'
Leaning on him, Kim Na-yeon smirked inwardly. The 'ditched by friend' bit? Total lie. Bait to lure him out. Get him tipsy, then set the mood.
"One more. Noona's treat—finish it?"
"Sure. Cheers."
He drank whatever she offered.
But—
Her plan missed wildly.
One hour, two. Empty glasses piled up.
Seo Eun-seong's face? Not a blush, eyes sharp.
Cocktails were no match for his tolerance. Nepal's brutal training turned his metabolism monstrous.
"E-Eun-seong-ah.. n-not drunk..?"
She slurred instead, matching his pace.
"Nah, I'm fine. You're the drunk one, noona."
"Whoa.. room spinning.."
Plan failed. But nine-tailed fox Kim Na-yeon switched tactics.
"Ugh.. dizzy.. can't stand.. Eun-seong-ah.."
Eyes shut, she collapsed fully into his arms, limp.
"H-Huh? Noona! You okay?"
"Too drunk.. need a break.."
Playing passed out. He shook her—no response.
"This is bad. Can't sleep here.."
Decision made. He scooped her up effortlessly.
Light as a feather vs. his 30kg pack days.
'Yes! Hooked him!'
In his arms, she peeked, thrilled. Home or hotel—tonight was hers.
"Check, please."
Paid up, he carried her out, hailed a cab.
Late night cab backseat. Seo Eun-seong propped her on his shoulder, arms gentle.
"To XX Apartments, sir."
Her heart raced, pretending to sleep.
'Knew it! Taking me home! Seo Eun-seong, innocent act—still a man!'
She buried her face, smirking secretly.
Soon, underground parking.
He supported her unsteady form into the elevator.
Beep. Door unlocked.
'Faster than expected? Hehe.'
Thrilled at invading his private space, she peeked.
But crossing the threshold—
No bachelor pad romance.
"Oppa! Why so la—huh?!"
Five girls in the living room, chatting over TV: Seo Ha-rin, Choi Eun-jin, Lee Ah-hyun, Kim Chae-yeon, Go Min-ji. Siren members stared aghast at Kim Na-yeon in his arms.
"Oh.. still up?"
Seo Eun-seong fumbled. Seo Ha-rin's eyes narrowed fiercely.
"O.. p.. pa? Who's the woman in your arms..? Kim Na-yeon sunbae..?"
Her words cut deep.
"It's her! Actress Kim Na-yeon!"
"Eun-seong oppa? For real?"
"Whoa? Seo Eun-seong? What's this?"
"Eun-seong oppa.. brought a girl home..?"
Hyena pack swarmed the entryway.
'Eek..?'
Realizing she'd walked into the den, Kim Na-yeon's heart sank.
"....."
She squeezed eyes shut, playing dead—or blackout drunk.
"What the hell's this? Oppa?"
"Hey? Bear Doll? Bringing girls home now?"
Seo Ha-rin and Choi Eun-jin grilled him throat-grab fierce.
"Shh! Quiet. You'll wake Na-yeon noona."
He shushed, finger to lips. Then, clear-eyed innocence:
"She's down after wrapping. Got ghosted by a friend today too. Drank too much wallowing—blacked out."
"....."
"How'd I know her address? Can't ditch her on the street, so brought her here."
So logical, pure. Even the hyenas paused, stumped.
"That's.. really it? Oppa?"
"Course. Don't you trust oppa? Ha-rin-ah?"
Bold as brass.
Seo Ha-rin eyed Kim Na-yeon suspiciously but stepped aside.
"Sigh.. if you say so. Lay her down."
"Got it."
He guided her carefully to the bedroom.
"Let's get you settled."
Laid her straight on the bed, removed shoes.
"You look really tired."
Fetched warm damp cloth from the bathroom, placed gently on her forehead.
"Can't have you catching a cold."
Turned electric blanket low.
"There."
Tucked blanket to her chin meticulously.
Last, cool water on the nightstand.
"Na-yeon noona.. tough day, but sleep well and recharge."
Whispered sincerely, killed the light, shut door softly.
"....."
Click.
Door closed.
"Ha.."
Kim Na-yeon bolted up, sober as ever. Cloth fell to her lap.
"What the..?"
Absurdity sparked a laugh.
Any guy would've schemed with a drunk actress in arms. Hotel, dark moves.
But Seo Eun-seong? Pure worry.
"....."
Warm cloth, gentle heat, bedside water—proof.
"Kim Na-yeon.. you idiot..?"
She clutched her burning cheeks.
Approaching with ulterior motives from the start—endless shame before his kindness.
"Eun-seong-ah.. sorry.."
Whispered into dark.
And.
"Such a good guy.."
Shame mingled with fluffy new warmth blooming deep.
Vain, showy since debuting. Top actress turned shallow.
Seo Eun-seong's real warmth thawed her cold heart.
"No helping it.."
She burrowed back under covers.
Cozy with his scent, softener.
Chronic insomniac, pill-dependent.
Tonight? Peaceful. She slipped into deep, sweet sleep.