Free Web NovelPeople who had been scrolling unconsciously stopped mid-motion.
“Isn’t this the one Do Gyeoul was in a while ago?”
Do Gyeoul’s diligence—balancing acting work with school—was widely known not only among drama fans but also to the general public.
Because of that, footage of Gyeoul’s play had circulated as phone-camera recordings. But footage of Myeong Jeha and Han Yeoreum was a first.
And so, including drama fans, even theater-and-musical fans naturally ended up encountering that day’s Romeo and Juliet.
[Featured / Not a talent to be stolen by the drama world—we need to steal this one back]
[Featured / Analyzing Romeo and Juliet (might be wrong though)]
[Featured / Why the hell was a one-time stage this good? f*ck]
Users like IP 85.132—who had regretted to their core that there was no phone footage of the stage seen only by the “real ones”—rose up in force.
Yup(211.234) thinking back on how people who saw it said it was insane and then the mindless rebuttal freaks swarmed LOLOLOL
Yup(121.160) that low audio but it still punches through, that’s crazy... these are the kids who should be doing theater
Yup(182.222) someone please drag them back I’m begging you not even a revolving door I’ll just live there LOLOL T_T
And just as Manager Ma had said, they were worth a hundred each. Riding every SNS, Han Yeoreum’s Juliet flowed all the way to ordinary viewers.
[Anonymous 20s Board / Anyone know Pi Chaewon goes to DaeYeJong? That play with Myeong Jeha dropped]
I thought she was good at acting, but I didn’t know it was this good. Even her vocal projection is different from everyone else’s. I know I shouldn’t say this T_T.. but honestly I don’t get why they split the lines between the Nurse and the mother—feels like just Pi Chaewon and Myeong Jeha would’ve been better
-I saw it too LOLOLOL doesn’t seem like she’s shouting but it’s like... resonant? Clear and ringing, I guess T_T only those two have different projection
-ah I really wish this was released in higher quality f*ck it’s Myeong Jeha’s face why isn’t it HD is DaeYeJong insane
-what is that?? where do I watch it? link pls
︎˪https://www.intube.com/watch?v=
Once they earned recognition from users of that infamous gallery, everything after that was easy.
-Han Yeoreum is seriously good as an MC, I didn’t get why they made actors present trophies at MNAA but you can tell from the pronunciation alone
︎˪fr I was like why are they even there; but having actors is way better
︎˪Pi Chaewon is insanely likableㅠ just cracked at her main job
New tags began attaching themselves to Han Yeoreum’s name.
#Diction #ActingSkill #Theater #Voice #DaeYeJong
For actors with trendy images, being recognized by the public as genuinely skilled was something that stayed difficult no matter how many billions were poured in.
But Han Yeoreum was different.
‘At this level, it’s not a massive explosion yet, but....’
Watching the gentle ripples spread, Manager Ma recalled something Manager Hong had once said.
“And you know—maybe one day we won’t even need to brand or promote like that, and the work we do later might just disappear.”
That absurd, unbelievable assumption—
“Real stars shine even without spotlights.”
—was beginning, little by little, to take shape.
“Eat more.”
“Huh? I’m already eating a lot.”
“Eat even more. Cutie.”
Ma Suyeon pushed a melon soda toward Yeoreum, who was already on her third plate of okonomiyaki. It was right after the six-hour live MNAA awards broadcast ended. As MC, Yeoreum had carried it through perfectly, without a single mistake.
‘So when the skill’s there, people naturally follow?’
At JC ENM, where even nonexistent ability could be packaged convincingly, wrapping an already-prepared talent was hardly difficult at all.
‘No matter what labels reporters slap on her, we’re safe at this point....’
Reporters who loved “VS” narratives—who they’d pick as the sacrifice to stick next to Do Gyeoul once the MBS awards ended was obvious without even looking.
It was also easy to imagine Do Gyeoul’s agency grinding their teeth ever since the Seoul Drama Awards. Even so, Manager Ma felt much more at ease.
‘She lined up at just the right timing.’
Yeoreum still didn’t have an official fan club or a dedicated gallery. If Do Gyeoul’s fans and the general public who hadn’t watched <ParCheHi> attacked, she’d have had to take it head-on.
But now, hardcore users like IP 85.132—people who had actually seen <Romeo and Juliet> Team B—knew that Han Yeoreum was the real thing.
‘...Now this is a fight we can win.’
Do Gyeoul’s agency would probably try to crush Yeoreum while they had the chance.
There were only so many roles for actresses in their twenties, and even fewer good ones. It was easier to push someone down while you could. And conveniently, Yeoreum wouldn’t be able to receive drama awards next year anyway.
‘...Because <Strange Tales> is airing on TVM.’
TVM, a general programming cable network, didn’t even have an awards ceremony yet. No one knew when one might start.
But trophies weren’t only earned through dramas.
Manager Ma’s eyes gleamed as she surveyed the board coldly.
‘Even if she loses on the drama side....’
In Yeoreum’s hand, there was a joker set to release next year: <Law-Faster-Than>.
‘If it’s film, that’s a whole different story.’
To repeat it once more: the entertainment industry may look open and free, but like any other field, it has a starkly defined hierarchy.
A film trophy was valued more than a drama trophy.
‘Okay. Let’s draw it big—up to the Baekryong Film Awards next year.’ freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Best Supporting Actress. The award Yeoreum could win came to mind. Reflexively, a folder opened in Manager Ma’s head.
The most important elements in a film’s success.
Platform-specific campaigns, new proprietary content videos, actor-audience interaction through SNS, trailer marketing, merchandise, premiere screenings. Countless formulas for how to make <Law-Faster-Than> a success unfolded before her eyes.
Yeoreum had proven it through acting. The rest was Manager Ma’s job.
* * *
After receiving Manager Ma’s report, Jegal Rok fell into thought.
From the Ministry of Culture, from the promotion agency, from brands—<Strange Tales> received no financial support from anywhere. It had become a new problem for JC ENM.
‘And yet it’s pulling in potential viewers all on its own....’
There was a reason the marketing department poured billions into promoting a single project. The most important factor in success was people.
‘Especially heavy internet users who spread word of mouth.’
And Han Yeoreum had captured the attention of even the most influential among those heavy users. Jegal Rok looked over the materials.
Then he picked up his phone.
“This is Jegal Rok. Let’s readjust the production budget for <Strange Tales>.”
He decided to pour JC ENM’s capital into <Strange Tales>. Trusting Han Yeoreum.
* * *
There really was no rest. After returning from Osaka to Korea, the next schedule was the MBS awards ceremony. I stepped out of the car as if by habit.
Click-click-click-click-click—!
The moment I stood in front of the red carpet holding the hem of my dress, the reporters’ shutters greeted me.
‘So this is... the taste of being a celebrity...?’
Was it just my imagination? The cheers sounded louder than usual.
I carefully managed my expressions so every shot would come out well. Even now, controlling the corners of my mouth whenever I get attention is difficult.
“Yeo-reum-aaaah!!!”
Who handed her a mic? Startled by a voice that sounded like it was right beside me, I turned my head toward it. My eyes met a woman covering her mouth with one hand.
‘...From the last awards ceremony!’
She was someone I’d seen at the Seoul Drama Awards. I was so happy to see her again that I failed at expression control without realizing it.
‘She must be my fan!’
I couldn’t believe it. I had a fan. My heart started pounding. It felt like I’d already won an award even without receiving one.
Instead of looking into the camera lenses, I waved at my very first fan. Another hand flew up to cover her mouth.
“Heart, Yeoreum-ssi!”
“Look over here too—!”
Only after responding diligently to the reporters’ requests could I leave the red carpet. Inside, I followed staff guidance to my seat.
[Actor Han Yeoreum]
My name was there again. Even if it wasn’t a seat where I’d be receiving an award, it was enough that my presence wasn’t erased like before.
That alone was enough for now.
“Waaaah—!!!” fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
A scream loud enough to shake the inside echoed from outside. Murmurs rippled around.
“What is it? Who is it?”
“Do Gyeoul.”
Just yesterday, <Beyond the Closed Door> had aired its final episode. It ended strong from start to finish, and articles about Do Gyeoul were pouring out endlessly. She had written a new chapter of history.
‘Enough to call her the protagonist of today.’
Perfection. There was no other word for it.
Before the drama even finished airing in Korea, it had drawn massive reactions in Japan and China. Articles about the overseas sales of brands she served as a muse for doubling filled the portal main pages.
Once it aired abroad, Do Gyeoul would climb even higher in ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the blink of an eye.
‘...Whew....’
I took a deep breath. It’s fine. Who am I? Han Yeoreum—the woman who has exactly one fan attending this ceremony.
‘Overseas success. I can do that too.’
As the ceremony began, I relaxed and enjoyed it. Because I hosted MusicN, I cheered along to the invited stages of familiar singers, applauded as expected when a rookie actress from an MBS genre drama won.
And finally—
“Best Acting Award. <Beyond the Closed Door>, Do Gyeoul. Congratulations.”
I could applaud even as Do Gyeoul stepped onto the stage. Just as always, she delivered her acceptance speech with a model smile.
“To everyone who helped me reach this place, I offer my thanks.”
While looking at me.
“During the time I wasn’t acting, I thought about many things. Whether I could act. Whether I could continue living as an actress.”
Do Gyeoul’s voice trembled slightly.
The eyes watching her filled with empathy and support. Everyone there knew her passion for acting.
“I truly, constantly doubted myself.”
The mere fact that the lead of a drama that broke 20% ratings had split her sleep to attend a single school play was enough to move people’s hearts. The hall filled with emotion.
“After endless worry, my conclusion was one.”
Do Gyeoul paused to catch her breath.
Her expression on the screen was subtle. We were still locked in eye contact.
“Even if I don’t deserve it....”
She inhaled—and then spilled her sincerity as if vomiting it out.
“I want to act.”
“Thank you to those who made me, and who will continue to make me. I will show you Do Gyeoul growing as an actress....”
I maintained my expression as I met Do Gyeoul’s gaze, looking down like prey. Acting at this level was nothing—but for some reason, goosebumps kept rising along my arms.
“I will give it everything I have.”
It was a flawless acceptance speech. This time, my face appeared on the screen. As her peer—and publicly known acquaintance—it was a natural focus.
I clapped, pretending to congratulate her sincerely.
Ding—!
As Do Gyeoul stepped down the stairs, a status window appeared before my eyes.
「Mission: Work of the Year」
Keyword: Ratings
It’s time to create a representative work that makes people think of you. Perfect acting draws viewers in. Write a new history with ratings proven by numbers!
Success Conditions
[Exceed 10% ratings]
Rewards
Increase in [Recognition]
Increase in [Delivery]
Increase in [Analysis]
‘...Wait a second.’
「Mission: Work of the Year」
Keyword: Ten Million
Sometimes, you need to define yourself short and sharp. Is there anything more powerful than the words “ten-million-viewer film”? Write a new history with audience numbers proven by numbers!
Success Conditions
[Surpass ten million viewers!]
Rewards
Increase in [Recognition]
Increase in [Delivery]
Increase in [Analysis]
Acquire [Title]
...Why are there two mission windows?
* * *
“See? I told you Do Gyeoul would win.”
The bar buzzed with praise for Do Gyeoul, who had just claimed a trophy.
Empty bottles rolled across tables in a bar near DaeYeJong. The freshmen who had recently put on <Romeo and Juliet> were gathered.
“There was really no one else who could’ve won.”
“But it’s kind of unfair. If she were just a bit older, she could’ve even taken the grand prize. Didn’t she lose just because she’s twenty?”
“Yeah. Even I’m pissed about that—what the hell!”
Amid the flushed faces chiming in one by one, So Dami fiddled with her glass and muttered,
“Yeoreum was a shame too.”
Her classmates looked at her in confusion.
“Yeoreum? Why Yeoreum?”
“She probably knew she wouldn’t get it since it was a one-episode thing!”
That was true. From the moment Han Yeoreum’s name was nominated for Rookie, everyone must have known, to some extent.
Even so, So Dami still felt it was a shame Yeoreum didn’t win.
“Look at So Dami, loving her classmates as always!”
But it wasn’t just classmate affection. The reason was simple.
She was good.
Thinking back on that stage made a sigh escape on its own.
“When you look at Yeoreum, you really realize how important an agency is.”
A classmate who’d been on <Romeo and Juliet> Team A laughed. The tone had an oddly sharp edge.
“What do you mean by that?”
So Dami met that classmate’s gaze.
