Time Flies, Doesn't It?
KBC's weekend drama Jang Pharmacy's Three Sisters was already approaching its 10th episode.
"Cut! Okay! That was fantastic!"
Lee Han-bit PD's cheerful shout echoed across the outdoor set.
"Eun-seong! Your positioning just now was perfect! Na-yeon threw in that ad-lib, and you caught it all with just your eyes? You're like a sponge! A sponge! Your acting improves every single day!"
Lee Han-bit, monitoring from behind the camera, raised her thumb high and showered him with praise.
"Right? Now he's actually understanding the angles and acting accordingly."
"Isn't Actor Seo Eun-seong's growth speed just monstrous?"
The veteran camera director and nearby staff nodded in agreement.
Seo Eun-seong scratched the back of his head sheepishly at all the compliments.
"Aw, come on. It's all because Na-yeon noona led so well—I just followed her."
"Oh? Really, Eun-seong? When did I ever lead?"
Kim Na-yeon pouted playfully and lightly smacked his arm.
Should I rest a bit?
Seo Eun-seong headed to a folding chair in the corner of the outdoor set and sat down.
"Phew."
He took a long breath and leaned back against the chair.
"Time flies, doesn't it."
As the drama reached episode 10, many things had changed. The biggest shift was the romance storyline between Seo Eun-seong's character Kim Young-woong and Kim Na-yeon's Jang Seo-ah.
Viewers had dubbed them the Youngseo Couple and were going wild over them.
The viewer bulletin boards and online communities were exploding daily with demands for more Youngseo Couple content.
In response to the hot reaction, writer Jeong Eun-young revised the script, massively increasing Seo Eun-seong's lines.
So yeah, I've gotten busier.
Early on, he'd just lurked silently in the background or relied on raw instinct for his scenes. But now it was different.
Seo Eun-seong pored over the script dozens of times, trying to grasp the full arc of Kim Young-woong. He was also learning to control his emotions based on advice from senior actors.
He was truly becoming an actor.
"Eun-seong! Good work."
It was Oh Ji-yeon. Spotting him resting, she handed him a cold ion drink.
She was still in her sharp bob haircut and sleek suit today.
"Thanks, Manager. We've got some time before the next scene, right?"
"Yeah. But clear your schedule next week."
Oh Ji-yeon pulled something from her briefcase: two crisp airplane tickets.
"Airplane tickets? Heading to Jeju?"
"Jeju? No. Cuplefix hit number one in Asia, so we've got a promo schedule."
Oh Ji-yeon smiled proudly.
"Next week, you're going to Bangkok, Thailand with Na-yeon for a global fan meeting and stage greeting. Eun-seong."
"What? Bangkok?!"
Seo Eun-seong's eyes widened in surprise. He'd assumed promo meant domestic, not Thailand.
"Eun-seong! We're going to Bangkok together? First overseas gig, right? I'll be your perfect guide."
Kim Na-yeon, who'd been listening nearby, approached with a bright smile.
"Didn't expect to go with you... This'll be fun, huh?"
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Yeah. Didn't think it'd be Thailand, though. Wild."
Seo Eun-seong stared at the tickets in a daze.
From a movie extra to weekend drama sub-lead, and now Asia promo? His life story was turning global.
A few days later, at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
"Kyaaah! Mystery Boy!"
"Kim Young-woong! Oppa!"
The moment Seo Eun-seong passed through the gate, ear-shattering cheers erupted.
Countless Thai fans filled the arrival hall.
[Mystery Boy! We love you!]
[Kim Young-woong ♥ Jang Seo-ah]
[Seo Eun-seong Welcome to Thailand]
The Thai fans held vibrant placards and fans printed with Seo Eun-seong's face.
"Hm? All these people are here for me...?"
Seo Eun-seong was stunned by the welcoming crowd.
He hadn't expected fans in Thailand, let alone this many.
The Thai heat matched the fans' passion.
"Eun-seong! Over here! What are the security guys doing?!"
Oh Ji-yeon and dozens of local bodyguards had to surround him to clear a path.
"Eun-seong! Your popularity is insane! Total world star!"
Kim Na-yeon, walking beside him, marveled at his massive fame—way bigger than hers.
"Haha... It's all thanks to the Siren girls and you, Na-yeon noona. Oh, and Cuplefix too."
Seo Eun-seong waved shyly at the fans.
"Kyaa! I love you! Eun-seong!"
Each wave triggered screams that shook the first floor.
Bathed in that immense welcome, Seo Eun-seong's group exited the airport and arrived at Bangkok's top luxury 5-star hotel suite, courtesy of the local organizers.
"Whoa... It's seriously hot."
Seo Eun-seong tossed his jacket and flopped onto the sofa the moment he entered.
The flight fatigue and airport crowds had drained him.
"Shower first, then rest..."
As he started to get up—
"Hm?"
Ding-dong.
The suite doorbell rang.
Manager?
Seo Eun-seong casually opened the door.
"Surprise!"
Familiar, loud voices filled the hallway.
"Wha...?"
There stood five girls in casual tank tops and shorts: Seo Ha-rin, Choi Eun-jin, Lee Ah-hyun, Kim Chae-yeon, and Go Min-ji.
Top girl group Siren, dominating Korea and Asia.
But...
"Wh-what are you guys doing here?!"
Seo Eun-seong yelped like he'd seen ghosts.
Seo Ha-rin rolled her eyes and barged in.
"What do you mean? We have our Asia tour concert in Bangkok this week! What are you doing here?"
"Me? Drama promo, fan meeting..."
"Oh right! Oppa, Cuplefix blew up so you're in Thailand! Awesome! Same hotel?"
Seo Ha-rin plopped onto his bed. Choi Eun-jin dove in excitedly.
"Suite room is the best! Bear Doll? You've really made it!"
"Whatever. How'd you find this place?"
Seo Eun-seong asked.
"Eun-seong oppa, our room's right below. Asked Tae-ho oppa for your room number and came up."
Lee Ah-hyun explained shyly.
"Got it."
"Eun-seong orabuni... I'm hungryyy..."
Go Min-ji clung to his waist like a koala the second she entered.
"Seriously? You're globally bothering me now?"
Seo Eun-seong chuckled in disbelief.
Still, running into his kids(?) abroad felt great.
"Hungry? Got it. Hold on. Gotta do Thai food right since we're here."
He grabbed the room service menu and called, ordering everything: Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Pu Pa Pong Curry, papaya salad, morning glory stir-fry, mango smoothie—the hotel's signature dishes.
"Whoa? Eun-seong oppa, your English is amazing!"
Lee Ah-hyun gasped.
His was way more fluent than theirs, despite their world tours.
"Prestige uni kids are different, huh? Bear Doll?"
As Choi Eun-jin said, he was from a top school.
"All worth it, sending you to college after slaving away. Right, Eun-jin unnie?"
"Yeah... thanks... everyone...?"
Seo Eun-seong just laughed it off.
Soon, three room service carts rolled in. The suite table overflowed with Thai dishes.
"Let's eat!!"
The five foodies cheered and attacked with chopsticks.
Slurping spicy-sweet Pad Thai, scooping crab from creamy curry—they were in bliss.
"Hey, slow down. You'll choke. Ha-rin, no basil? Don't make that face again."
"Okay! Oppa!"
Seo Ha-rin grinned.
Next...
"Here, Ah-hyun. Shrimp."
He peeled and placed it on her plate.
"Min-ji, wipe first."
He cleaned sauce from Go Min-ji's mouth with a tissue.
Even in Bangkok's finest suite, his mom instincts didn't stop.
"As expected, Bear Doll's meals are the best, even abroad."
"Facts. Without Seo Eun-seong, we'd have no clue and ordered burgers."
Kim Chae-yeon chugged Tom Yum broth and thumbs-upped.
As the lively meal wound down, Choi Eun-jin set her chopsticks down and eyed Seo Eun-seong.
"Hold up. Bear Doll."
"Yeah? What?"
"You said you came for drama promo?"
"Yeah."
"So... that fox... I mean, senior Kim Na-yeon came too? Staying here?"
"Uh?"
Seo Ha-rin and Lee Ah-hyun froze mid-Pad Thai bite.
"....."
Like they'd rehearsed, the five hyenas turned to him in unison.
The suite's warm vibe turned tense with alarm bells.
"Uh... yeah, Na-yeon noona's here too. Probably next door or upstairs?"
Seo Eun-seong answered honestly, and Seo Ha-rin narrowed her eyes with a growl.
"Sigh... Even here with that fox? Oppa, don't go out alone with her. Got it?"
"Right. Eun-seong oppa, don't open the door for just anyone. She might use room service as an excuse."
Even Lee Ah-hyun warned seriously.
"Why are you guys like this? Na-yeon noona's not a monster. And I'm too tired to go out anyway."
Seo Eun-seong shook his head, ignoring the foodies' nonsense.
Next morning, 7 a.m.
"Mmm... wanna sleep more..."
Seo Eun-seong frowned at the chirping by his ear and pulled the covers over.
Thailand had morning birds too, weirdly.
But...
"Wake up!"
Someone yanked the blanket off mercilessly.
"Bear Doll! Sun's up!"
"Oppa! Hurry and get ready! Local market time!"
He opened his eyes to Seo Ha-rin and the Siren members fully geared(?) around the bed: masks, bucket hats, no makeup—full incognito.
"What the... Tae-ho hyung? Manager know?"
"Of course not! Sneak out before manager oppa wakes. Can't just eat hotel food in Thailand!"
Seo Ha-rin tugged his arm.
"Hurry! Dangerous without you as bodyguard!"
"Hah?"
Seo Eun-seong fought his sleep and dragged himself up.
"Whoa... muscles..."
"....."
Go Min-ji's mutter brought silence.
"Eek!"
Kim Chae-yeon covered her face, eyes peeking.
"Ahh..."
Lee Ah-hyun whipped her head away.
"What, embarrassed? First abs you've seen?"
Seo Eun-seong chuckled.
Indeed, his chiseled abs were bare under the fallen blanket.