Episode 17

After the filming set was roughly cleaned up, Jin-yuk stayed behind in the university building to film a few more scenes. While observing the filming, Seong-sik and Junsoo couldn’t help but be amazed. It was fascinating to see someone they only saw on TV or in movie theaters come to life right in front of them.

“Wow, this is amazing. I never thought I’d meet Son Jin-yuk in person.”

“Hey, don’t just call him by his name in front of him.”

Seong-sik retorted to Junsoo’s remark, with a grin.

“I know that too.”

By now, filming had concluded, and Jin-yuk approached Yeon-woo and his friends.

“Yeon-woo, the director said he wants to take some additional location shots of the university campus, so he asked us to leave first.”

“Oh, really? Should we head out then?”

Following Jin-yuk’s guidance, the high school students followed him like ducklings.

“This is the van. Hop in.”

Seong-sik and Junsoo got into the van, both marveling at the experience of being inside a van for the first time.

“Hyung, have your friends gotten a lot younger these days?”

Sangwoo joked from the driver’s seat. Following Yeon-woo, Jin-yuk had invited high school students over to his house for the second consecutive day.

“Hahaha, that’s right. Are you going on a date again today?”

“Yes. I’m caught.”

Jin-yuk and Yeon-woo chuckled at Sangwoo’s response. Despite saying he’s “caught,” his face looked happy.

“What should we bring to eat?”

When Yeon-woo asked, Jin-yuk shook his head.

“Let’s just go and order something.”

With the kids in tow, the van quickly headed to Son Jin-yuk’s house, and before they knew it, they had arrived at Jin-yuk’s place. As they entered the parking lot, friends who had been in awe since the entrance gathered around Jin-yuk as he got out of the van. They took the elevator up and entered the house, guided by Jin-yuk.

“Alright, let’s go in. Come on, guys.”

“Wow, thanks to Yeon-woo, I’ve been to Son Jin-yuk hyung’s house.”

As they entered the house, Seong-sik and Junsoo’s eyes widened from the entrance.

“Wow, this is incredible.”

Seong-sik and Junsoo marveled as they wandered around Jin-yuk’s house. Even Junsoo, who usually teased Seong-sik, was too excited to do anything but explore.

Seeing these kids, Yeon-woo quietly apologized to Jin-yuk.

“Hyung, I’m sorry. They’re just kids. They’ve never been to such a nice house before.”

“Hahaha, it’s okay. Yeon-woo, you really talk as if you’re not kid.”

“Well, that’s true too.”

Yeon-woo smiled quietly.

Seeing Yeon-woo’s interaction with his friends, Jin-yuk thought that Yeon-woo was strangely mature for his age.

“Well, should we order something before the award ceremony officially starts?”

“Sounds good. Hey guys, come over here.”

Yeon-woo called out to Seong-sik and Junsoo, and they gathered around.

Seeing this, Jin-yuk asked, “Do you guys have any specific food you want? I’ll order something for us.”

“I want pizza!”

As soon as Jin-yuk asked, Seong-sik immediately responded.

“I knew you’d say that.”

Jin-yuk chuckled and replied, “Alright, classic is always the best. Well, let’s order some pizza and chicken.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

After placing the order, they spent some time getting to know the house and soon enough, the delivery arrived.

“Alright, the food is here, and it’s almost time for the award ceremony.”

“Hey, Jin-yuk hyung.”

Seong-sik hesitated, as if he had a favor to ask.

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Could we take a group photo with the four of us?”

“You’re trying to increase your followers by uploading it on social media, right?”

Seong-sik felt embarrassed by Junsoo’s remark.

“Actors have their private lives and rights to their own images, so you can’t just take photos recklessly.”

“Shh! Just be quiet!”

Embarrassed by the playful teasing, Jin-yuk chuckled.

“Originally, Junsoo’s words are correct. But it’s okay today. Let’s take a picture. I’m the model for this pizza anyway, so let’s take a photo together. You’ll be seen as a star, too, right? The advertisers will probably like it.”

With a cheerful consent, Jin-yuk entered among the high school students.

“Hyung, are you really okay?”

“Well, I haven’t removed my makeup yet, so now is a good time.”

“Well then, without further ado, let’s take a picture! One, two, three.”

–Click–

“Wow, amazing! Hyung, is this picture, okay? Can I use it?”

“Well, it’s fine.”

While looking at the photo, Junsoo spoke up.

“Aren’t you uncomfortable? You’re next to them, and you will be like an octopus.”

“Hey, I’m still better than you, right?”

Junsoo grimaced at that comment.

Whether Junsoo agreed or not, Seong-sik proudly posted the group photo on family chatrooms and class chatrooms.

 

–Ringing–

–Ringing–

–Ringing–

 

Junsoo’s phone chimed repeatedly.

“Hey, did you post it already?”

“I can’t stand just waiting around.”

Junsoo switched his phone to silent mode and checked the class chatroom.

In the chatroom, there were selfies of Seong-sik with Han So-hyeon that he had taken in the afternoon, along with the just-taken group photo.

 

[Wow, what’s this?]

[Are you all crazy? Where are you? Seong-sik and Junsoo?]

[Yeah, where are you? Sneaking off to see Yeon-woo?]

[I want to meet Han So-hyeon too.]

[Yeon-woo, look, Son Jin-yuk is right next to you and you’re completely uninterested.]

 

At the relentless pace of the exploding chatroom, Junsoo gave up reading and covered his phone. When he looked to the side, Seong-sik had his mouth agape.

 

“Sigh, you’re such an attention seeker.”

“Hahaha, if I were the king of Joseon, I’d be the king of attention seekers.”

Junsu shakes his head in confusion. This time, Yeon-woo also got confused.

“Alright, the award ceremony is starting.”

The four men turned their attention back to the award ceremony.

After a while, Han So-hyeon’s face appeared on the screen.

“Wow! It’s So-hyeon noona! Fighting!”

Thanks to Seong-sik shouting “Fighting” like a baseball cheer, everyone burst into laughter.

“Now Yeon-woo will go to such events soon, right? When you go, you have to mention my name too!”

“Hahaha, well, you know. Our drama is on JNBC, so there won’t be an award ceremony.”

“Come on, in the next work, or the one after that, someday. He’s so handsome, after all.”

“Yeah, I’ll definitely mention your name.”

Before they knew it, it was time for the Best Actress award nomination for Han So-hyeon. The presenter announced the winners.

[Now, we’ll announce the winners. The recipient of the award is an actress who received a lot of love in the past year, as well as the drama she was in. She portrayed the character Lee Seon-jeong in ‘Falling Flowers in Hanyang’, Han So-hyeon!]

[Yes, congratulations. Please give her a big round of applause. Through her passionate performance as Bing Heogak Lee’s role, which marked the first female scholar of the Joseon era, she received a lot of love.]

So-hyeon received the award on stage amidst cheers from her fellow actors.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

The atmosphere of celebration reached Jin-yuk’s house, where they were watching the live broadcast.

“Knowing that our So-hyeon noona would win.”

“Since when are you calling her ‘our’ So-hyeon noona?”

As Seong-sik went wild, Junsoo held him back.

But not only Junsoo, Yeon-woo and Jin-yuk also clapped their hands and were pleased.

[First of all, I want to thank SBC and the ‘Falling Flowers in Hanyang’ team, who allowed me to win this big award. Also, ah, there are so many names to thank, but I can’t mention them all now.]

With a cute and carefree smile, So-hyeon tried to name everyone she was grateful for, from the CEO of their agency, Kim Minsu, to the writers, and so on.

[And to my family, including our agency staff, and ….. .]

Finally, So-hyeon looked at the camera, winked, and spoke.

[I wonder if Yeon-woo and Mr. Jin-yuk are watching on TV. Thank you.”]

“Wow! She just mentioned Yeon-woo’s name! Right? Did I hear wrong?”

Upon Seong-sik’s words, Junsoo confirmed that he heard it too.

“Ms. So-hyeon, you weren’t supposed to mention other broadcasters. Can’t believe she couldn’t hold it in.”

While shaking his head left and right, Jin-yuk’s lips also curled into a smile.

Despite being taken aback by the unexpected mention, Yeon-woo was in a good mood too.

After the award ceremony, Yeon-woo and the boys each got their assigned rooms and prepared for bed. The house was so big and, since he lived alone, even with everyone having their own rooms, there were still spare rooms.

“Can I really use this room by myself? This room is as big as our living room.”

Sitting on the guest bed and looking at Yeon-woo, Junsoo asked,

“Anyway, there’s no smaller room in this house. Let’s have fun while we’re here.”

Seeing Yeon-woo smiling mischievously as he spoke, Junsoo shook his head. Later, Yeon-woo returned to his room, lay down for a while, and came out to the living room before going to sleep.

 

–Ring!–

 

At that moment, Yeon-woo’s phone vibrated.and he looked at the screen.

[Actress Han So-hyeon]

“Yes, Noona. Congratulations on receiving the award.”

Yeon-woo answered the call with a smile.

[Did you see it? I mentioned you too, Yeon-woo!]

“Haha, yes, I saw it. Jin-yuk hyung and I watched together.”

On the other end of the line, So-hyeon exclaimed,

[Really?]

[Are you sleeping at his house again tonight?]

“Yeah, we gathered to watch the award ceremony together.”

[So touching!]

Just then, Jin-yuk walked out of the bathroom while brushing his teeth.

 

“Ah, Hyung. A call from noona.”

“What’s up, who is it?”

Jin-yuk asked, while a toothpaste still in his mouth.

“Yes, So-heyon.”

From the other end of the line, So-hyeon asked if it was Jin-yuk.

“Yes, I’m brushing my teeth right now, so I don’t think I can’t talk.”

Jin-yuk quickly spoke and then gestured with his hand as he returned to the bathroom.

“Tell her I said congratulations!”

But Yeon-woo understood his vague words perfectly.

[Alright, thank you! I don’t have a shoot tomorrow morning, so I’ll see you on the 28th!]

“Yes, the outdoor scene was cold earlier, and the dress was cold too, right? Make sure to rest well and not catch a cold.”

[What’s with this sweetness? You sleep well too, Yeon-woo.]

After ending the call, Yeon-woo also went back to his room.

The next morning, after finishing the shoot, Yeon-woo took a train to visit his parents’ house with his friends. His steps were light as he returned home after several weeks. He hugged his welcoming parents and his sibling and enjoyed a delightful Christmas dinner while grilling pork belly.

After that, he returned to Seoul, finished additional shooting and drama poster photoshoots, and welcomed the new year. And now, today, the highly anticipated Wednesday, January 3rd arrived – the day of the first broadcast of “Summer Promise”.