Episode 10

“It’s already cheerful from the beginning, and that’s very nice.”

A round of applause echoed.

Everyone stood up and bowed their heads in greeting, hands clasped.

“Oh, please sit down. Why is everyone standing? You’re making me look too old. Haha.”

The director and writer took their seats, exchanging greetings with the cast.

“Right, So-hyeon, you’re doing so well lately, and I’m enjoying it too. This time, a historical drama.”

“Oh, thank you, writer. As soon as I received your script this time, I really wanted to do it.”

“Hyung, have you read the script this time? It’s laid out horizontally like a book, and it’s not easy to get used to.”

“That’s true, but as I read, it’s starting to feel comfortable.”

Writer Choi Mi-hyu and Han So-hyeon exchanged words while the actors chatted with each other about various things.

Numerous cameras and lights placed around tried relentlessly to capture the actors’ expressions for the making-of footage.

At that moment, the assistant director entered the conference room, closing the door behind.

“Director, it looks like everyone, from the actors to the staff, is here.”

“Yes, let’s begin then.”

Director Kim Han-soo rose from his seat.

“Nice to meet you all. I’m the director of this summer’s Summer’s Promise’, Kim Han-soo.”

Cheers and applause erupted from the surroundings.

 

Then, led by writer Choi, each person stood up one by one, introduced themselves, and greeted the others. From Kang Seo-joon to Jeong Yeoreum, and now it was Ryu Yeon-woo’s turn as Cha Woo-joo. Yeon-woo stood up.

“He’s so handsome! Our Woo-joo!”

Ahn Jun-ho who already know him during the audition shouted from the opposite side, filling the script reading room with laughter, thinking that Yeon-woo was probably nervous as a newcomer, Ahn Jun-ho intentionally tried to lighten the atmosphere, and Yeon-woo smiled appreciatively.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Ryu Yeon-woo, and I’ll be playing the role of Cha Woo-joo this time. As a newcomer, there’s a lot I don’t know. I’ll be like a sponge, eager to learn from all of you. Please take care of me!”

Yeon-woo greeted loudly, confidently bowing 90 degrees in all directions, which brought smiles to everyone in the room.

Applause followed.

After the introductions concluded, the director and writer introduced the drama and shared the production’s intentions, signalling the start of the official script reading.

“Scene number 1, let’s begin.”

Rustling sounds filled the room as everyone turned their script pages.

“Our parents and your parents are really something. Carrying around this troublemaker, huh?”

 

“Ha! What do you mean? Why did you follow me to university and bother me?”

“What are you saying? Jeong Yeoreum. We’ve been together since elementary school, middle school, even kindergarten. I wanted us to attend university separately, remember? I didn’t show you where I applied.”

Proving their acting skills, the seasoned actors Son Jin-yuk’s Kang Seo-joon and Han So-hyeon’s Jeong Yeoreum traded lines smoothly like well-fitted gears.

As the scenes progressed, it was finally Cha Woo-joo’s turn.

“Father, times have changed. It’s a different era. Father, unlike your life, you said I should do what I want, that’s my dream.”

With a strong and resolute voice, contrasting his pretty appearance, Yeon-woo delivered his lines flawlessly. A low exclamation of admiration spread throughout the room.

“Director?”

“Oh, is it me?”

Haha.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the timing was slightly off for the role of Cha Woo-joo’s father, Chairman Cha, originally portrayed by a veteran actor. The director Kim Han-soo, who had agreed to deliver the lines, missed the cue, breaking the solemn atmosphere.

“I’m sorry for causing this. Could you do it again, Yeon-woo?”

After taking a breath.

“Father, times have changed. It’s a different era, Father. Unlike your life, you said I should do what I want, that’s my dream.”

Not missing a single line, Yeon-woo flawlessly delivered the lines, prompting another round of soft applause.

“When I told you to do what you wanted, I meant business, not fooling around. What? Even if I said I’m in the entertainment business, I wouldn’t be comfortable. You think I’d proudly walk in front of people wearing flashy clothes?”

Being a senior to Jeong Cheolmin meant that even the director Kim Han-soo had majored in acting when he was young. The force of Chairman Cha’s anger was palpable.

 

“So, did you treat mother that way right up until she passed away? Just because she was a former singer who used to perform on the street?”

“What’s this brat?”

“That brat is your son, Chairman.”

Cha Woo-joo’s determined tone and defiant voice provoked Chairman Cha’s anger.

Instead of throwing a script, as instructed in the script, Director Kim Han-soo banged the table to deliver the line.

Thump!

“Get out, you brat! Leave my house right now. You haven’t earned a single thing in this household, so don’t even think about taking anything!”

“That’s right. Oh, the bike was bought with the allowance mom gave me while she was alive, so I’ll take it with me!!”

And then, in the next scene, Ahn Jun-ho, who portrayed Hwang Jaeil, the role meant to ease Yeon-woo’s tension, entered.

“Did you call for me, Chairman?”

“Jaeil. I did kick that brat out in a fit of anger but keep an eye on him and follow him around. He’s still my son, and I can’t let him get into trouble.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

After a few more hours of script reading, the session came to an end.

“Great job, everyone. Judging from the exceptional performances today, I think this drama will turn out well.”

Wow!

Applause and cheers erupted from the staff and cast at Director Kim Han-soo’s words.

“Oh, I know you must be tired, but since we need separate making-of interviews with the three main leads and Hwang Jaeil, please wait. Alright, that’s a wrap. Thank you for your hard work.”

 

“Good work.”

“Everyone, you worked hard.”

Everyone exchanged greetings and left the room.

“Woo-joo, your acting is so good, isn’t it? Is this your first project? You’re a minor, right?”

Approaching and lightly tapping his arm while smiling, Han So-hyeon. She addressed him as Cha Woo-joo, not as Ryu Yeon-woo.

“Yes, So-hyeon noona. It feels awkward.”

“Does it feel awkward? I feel close.”

“That’s not it. It’s because my younger sister’s name is the same as you, so I’m calling you Noona.”

Han So-hyeon clapped her hands, remembering.

“Oh right! You mentioned that earlier. Um, then call me ‘Yeoreum’ for now. Aren’t we the same age during this drama’s production?”

“Ahaha.”

Yeon-woo laughed with an embarrassed expression.

“So-hyeon, are you secretly friends with youngster?”

Coming from a distance after greeting familiar staff, Jin-yuk playfully teased So-hyeon.

“Busted. Hehe. Well then, I’ll go get my makeup touched up first. Us girls are busy, you know.”

Waving to Yeon-woo and Jin-yuk, she left.

“Yeon-woo, I’m the same age as her. But for now, just call me ‘Hyung’.”

“Yes, Jin-yuk hyung. It’s an honor to have a top star hyung.”

“Hey, what’s with the “top star”… I think I’ve got a future top star little brother?”

 

Jin-yuk clapped his hands.

“Alright then, let’s also go get our makeup done.”

“Yes, Hyung.”

Guided by the staff, Yeon-woo entered the makeup room.

Meanwhile, inside the makeup room, Joo-hee was tapping her foot impatiently. Despite feeling unwell today and planning to rest, she came to work with aching body for an external from reading script session of new drama.

Juhee is famous among her friends as an ‘idol lover’. She had come to the set hoping to see a handsome male actor. However, she found herself captivated by a kind and handsome rookie actor who had come over to greet her personally.

And then, the door opened, and Ryu Yeon-woo walked in.

 

“Kyaa! He’s here.”

“Yes!”

The makeup team in the room shouted in unison as Yeon-woo entered.

“Hello. Noonas.”

Yeon-woo greeted with a smile as he closed the door behind him.

“Ah, I’m melting. You did well to come for this business trip today.”

“Hmph, everyone. Please have a seat here.”

“Yes, thank you.”

As he closed the door and entered, Yeon-woo exchanged smiles and greetings with the makeup team.

“Nice to meet you.”

Sitting in the chair, Yeon-woo made eye contact with the makeup artists.

At that moment, Juhee’s cheeks turned red.

“I overheard on the set earlier that you’re actually a high school student. Is that true, sir?”

 

Joo-hee asked while enhancing her skin tone.

“Yes, I’ll be in my third year of high school next year.”

“Wow. Is it a baby skin, I guess. I don’t know how to do your makeup.”

While chatting, Juhee continued using the brush without stopping, creating a perfect face that she had added a bit more beauty to here and there.

Behind Yeon-woo, another hairstylist was tidying up his hair in a neat and dandy style.

In less than five minutes, makeup and hair were done. With smooth baby skin and finely detailed features, there wasn’t much to touch up.

“I wonder if I can be paid for only this much work.”

“But, Joo-hee, he is already so perfect that touching up might make it worse, don’t you think?”

“That’s the tricky part.”

Finishing up their conversation, Yeon-woo opened his eyes, smiled, and said, “Thank you. It’s much better now.”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. Heheh. You were perfect from the beginning anyway.”

“Oh, hahaha.”

As Joo-hee confidently applied make up to her face, Yeon-woo also felt slightly embarrassed.

“Well then, I’ll go for the interview now.”

“Sir, fighting! I’ll join your fan club!”

“I don’t have a fan club yet but thank you!”

With a smile, Yeon-woo greeted them and left, feeling good.

 

Afterwards, they conducted individual interviews based on prepared questions and answers. Then, together with the other leads, they finished the filming of the making of videos with cheerful smiles, asking for lots of viewers’ support and watching the live broadcast.

Meanwhile, the time shifted to the past, specifically the morning when Ryu Yeon-woo called [The Love and Hope House] to inquire about his donation.

“So, you’re saying there’s a record of the donation?”

[Yes, but why did the prosecutor…? We transparently publish all our information on the internet.]

“Oh, no, I didn’t contact you because of issues with the donation. It’s just that we need some information for the ongoing investigation. Anyway, thank you for your cooperation.”

[Yes.]

Unbeknownst to his superiors, Han Hae-woon continued his personal calls and used his personal PC for the investigation. As the investigation progressed, he became increasingly certain that ‘Jeon Su-hwan’, his recurring dream character, was a National Intelligence Service agent. A dedicated agent, no less.

Han Hae-woon even approached the fact that the welfare organization he had been talking about in his dreams was a facility that ‘Jeon Su-hwan’ had been entrusted with as a child. However, the reason why this person continued to appear in his dreams remained a mystery.