Free Web Novel“Hey! Junhyeok! Are you crying again?!”
“I’m not crying....”
“Break time’s over. Come on! Pick up the wooden sword, now!”
Kwon Junhyeok did as the coach said, gripping the wooden sword and getting to his feet. His blunt-looking face was heavy with worry.
The coach grinned and swung his own wooden sword.
Clack—!
It was a fairly fast strike, but Junhyeok blocked it cleanly. The sound of wood colliding rang briskly through the action school.
“You went and looked up articles again, didn’t you? Hey! From here on out, it’s all smooth sailing. Huh? Your first project with Geum Bitgang! Do you know how huge that is?”
“...The scale’s too big. Way too big. They definitely didn’t say anything like this at first....”
Looking dejected, Junhyeok flexibly twisted his neck to dodge the blade, then knocked away the next series of strikes one after another.
“They said I could just take it easy... that since it’s based on a web novel, it’s not a traditional historical drama....”
The agency heard the name Jegal Rok and decided on the spot. This wasn’t just “big”—it was on a completely different level.
So they pushed Junhyeok in without hesitation.
He had a trendy look that suited historical dramas well. And just looking at his vibe, people were ready to hold up perfect tens—he had that unmistakable staff-officer feel.
“Works! Totally works!”
For the record, the agency had told Junhyeok, ‘It’s a fusion historical drama based on a web novel, so it’ll be much more comfortable than a traditional acting challenge. Your counterpart is also a rookie, it’ll be fine, and without heavy backing, the scale will be small.’
“Works, works!”
...And that was, of course—
[JC ENM, making moves... “We will open a new market for fusion historical dramas”]
[A lavish cast including Noh Jeongyeon and Geum Bitgang—<Strange Tales> selected as a highly anticipated title for the first half of the year]
[Is CG only for dramas? JC ENM’s Jegal Rok division head speaks]
A scam.
“But there are anxious articles coming out every single day now...!”
“Hey. What’s wrong with things going well? Your first project! Conditions like this, all lined up! I’m the one who feels like crying!”
“...I feel like crying too....”
The coach drove Junhyeok back relentlessly with the wooden sword. The pitiful scam victim Junhyeok blocked a low strike with his leg and smashed upward hard.
Bang—!
The coach’s wooden sword went flying into the corner of the school.
“Hic....”
“Look at this bastard. Pretending to cry while doing everything just fine. Hey! Go pick it up! And don’t you dare break another window like last time.”
“Yes....”
As Junhyeok trudged off, sniffling, to retrieve the sword, the coach quietly asked the actor who had been pounding the sandbag behind him—Kwak Cheolsik, the man cast as Detective Kwak in <Law-Faster-than>.
“So... what do you think? Junhyeok’s co-star.”
Wiping sweat with the towel around his neck, Kwak Cheolsik thought briefly of Yeoreum.
‘We haven’t shared that many scenes, but... you can feel it.’
The corners of his mouth lifted into a grin.
“Hmm...!”
Then he gave his verdict.
“He’ll gobble up someone at Junhyeok’s level, easy! Hahaha!”
“No, no. Keep it down...!”
“Tell them to cut his lines! Use your body more! That’s how you survive. Even if they’re both rookies, the weight class is different, the weight class! Hahahaha!”
At that, Junhyeok froze in place. The rookie actor returning with the wooden sword had to wipe his eyes again, now wet once more.
* * * freewebnσvel.cѳm
“What about this one?”
This was Daily Media in Jongno District. As usual, reporters were discussing “celebrities with brand value.”
“Meh, pretty average. Thought he’d blow up, but he stalled.”
“He popped with rom-coms, then kept switching to genre stuff. Lost all his female fans. Cold truth? He’s not heavy enough to carry genre work.”
If December was “Celebrities Who Shined This Year,” then January was “Celebrities to Watch This Year.”
Over lunch, the Daily Media reporters talked about their personal picks.
“For women, number one is obviously Do Gyeoul.”
“She raked it in over in Japan, didn’t she? I’m jealous, seriously—.”
“Then who’s number one for men? Ji Haebeom again this year? Come on, give me someone fresh.”
Someone spoke up.
“Ah! How can you leave out Myeong Jeha?”
When something is too obvious, it’s easy to forget. The reporters groaned as if they’d just realized.
“Ah—! Right. Myeong Jeha. His movie comes out in the first half of the year.”
“After <Crossing Lines>, scripts must’ve been flooding in. That <Law-and-War> director got lucky—said he cast him after randomly visiting a set.”
“Wow. Rookie-picking jackpot.”
They got animated talking about Myeong Jeha’s upcoming film.
It was a story linked to the incident commonly called <War Against Crime>, asking whether corrupt officials from a rotten era could truly stand upright.
“Still kind of a waste. He should’ve gotten a bigger role... Myeong Jeha has the face that would explode in romance.”
“Guess he doesn’t like dramas. When there’s a clear path to success in film.”
Myeong Jeha’s name was added to the list. Then the conversation swung back to female celebrities.
“Oh, right—can’t forget her!”
“Who?”
“Han Yeoreum!”
You idiots—reporters forgetting this year’s rookie, this year’s rising star, this year’s newcomer. Do your jobs properly....
Those words caught in the reporter’s throat.
“I’ve seen her on set. I’ve got a feeling about her. She’s going to make it.”
“With Jegal Rok backing her, even someone who shouldn’t succeed will succeed—!”
“That’s not it. She just stands out.”
Han Yeoreum’s name was written onto the list of celebrities to watch this year. Each reporter shared one thing they remembered about her.
“She’ll be busy this summer. Movie and drama at the same time. But is that thing with Seo Eden real?”
“She’s just about to take off—dating now would be stupid. Anyway, I like her. I saw her at MNAA. She never looked at the cue cards. Not once.”
“At a six-hour event? That’s insane.”
The reporter nearly burst with pride and started gushing about Yeoreum, but barely restrained herself with sheer workplace professionalism.
“Yeah. She’s good. You can tell she prepared seriously, her diction’s clean. And when people from the theater-musical gallery were fighting over her final exam play, saying she should come over to us—well, that says everything.”
“Oh, yeah. I think I heard about that. That was her?”
The reporter almost nodded violently, but settled for a couple of controlled nods.
“Does she have a fan café or a gallery yet? Try searching.”
“Nothing comes up.”
“Wow... weak core fandom, but chosen by the real ones? That’s kind of fresh.”
“If she lands just one role that really hooks actor fans, she’ll be flying. Popular appeal, recognition from everywhere—her gallery will pop up soon.”
The reporter’s lips curved up slightly.
“So who’s next?”
The topic moved on, but the reporter quietly reflected on how big this moment really was.
If the reaction among reporters is this positive...!
If there’s no interest, people don’t talk at all—or can’t even remember. Or you just hear vague industry whispers.
But here, everyone subtly knew what Yeoreum had done.
Yeoreum...!
It was proof enough that, at some point, each of them had looked her way—naturally, without even realizing it.
* * *
“She’s blown up—!!!”
Aetami was so happy she rolled around on her bed.
“This is seriously a noble household... ah... what am I even supposed to do with this....”
She’d stanned plenty of actors, but this was the first time she’d found someone this perfect to obsess over.
Weekly idol styling breakdowns on MusicN were already a blessing, and now the agency was even uploading well-made vlogs on its own. Aetami closed her eyes for a moment.
“I’m overwhelmed....”
[Intube]
@JC ENM Subscribers: 840K
[From MNAA MC to movie wrap party? Han Yeoreum Vlog, right now] 23:17
With trembling hands, Aetami clicked the vlog.
Handwritten text reading “Yeoreum-Vlog” appeared in the center of the screen. An upbeat pop song started, and for the first 25 seconds the shots switched rapidly.
An airplane window with white clouds, a bustling airport, a sign reading “JAPAN,” Yeoreum’s back as she entered Kyocera Dome, her serious face checking routes with cue cards in hand, Yeoreum walking the red carpet in a dress, her sparkling moment on stage, and finally Yeoreum raising a soju glass for a toast.
“I’m already excited....”
Aetami bit her lip, worried the 23-minute video would feel too short. The subtitles used a familiar movie-theater style.
-It’s my first time overseas... I’m so nervous.
-Yeoreum, you have to take your shoes off on the plane!
-I’ll believe you if you buy me Pepero. Almond flavor.
-That didn’t work, huh.
Seeing Yeoreum’s relaxed daily life made it even better. Watching her get along so naturally with people around her made Aetami smile again and again.
-In my bag! I’ll show you real quick.
-What tint is that? Is it a family heirloom or something?
-No, wait! Wait, wait!
“Noting down Yeoreum’s tint....”
Aetami opened the Olive0 app and added Yeoreum’s tint, cushion, and even her hand cream to the cart.
If something’s really good, you should watch it, pause, savor it.
While watching, Aetami started drafting a post.
Aetami @Anybodyloveme
f*** YEOREUM!!! if you’re this cute I can only adopt you as my daughter do you get it?? if you get it do a cheek heart right now!!!
“Hoo... calm down.”
After taking a deep breath, Aetami refocused on the vlog. Yeoreum smiled and handled MC duties flawlessly, without a single slip.
“The reaction was good back then. Yeah.”
Thanks to her professionalism over the full six-hour event, community reactions had been extremely favorable.
A memory flashed by—uploading the <Romeo and Juliet> Team B video. Even now, the views were still climbing, which made it even more satisfying.
-We’re finally here to eat okonomiyaki! This is with my acquaintance? senior Joo Junseo, and—
-Hey.
-Our Hina. Choo Gaeul!
-Hello, I’m Choo Gaeul. Do you have a name for your subscribers? What should I call them?
-Choo Gaeul, are you being greedy for screen time right now...?
-Hey! Han Yeoreum!
On screen appeared, in order, Joo Junseo, Choo Gaeul—and then Myeong Jeha.
-Hello. I’m Yeoreum’s classmate, Myeong Jeha.
“Ugh....”
Before she knew it, she’d gasped at Myeong Jeha’s face, and the screen switched.
“They ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) all look so close!”
There was chemistry you only get between people who are genuinely comfortable with each other. Aetami watched proudly.
“Myeong Jeha really is so proper. Guess it’s because he started acting first? He takes good care of everyone.”
With practiced hands, Myeong Jeha portioned out okonomiyaki onto a small plate and handed it to Joo Junseo.
-Here. It’s hot, so be careful.
That gentle smile was no joke. How much of no joke? Like—really no joke.
Aetami’s brain overloaded for a moment, and she lost the ability to speak.
“Joo Junseo is kind of like a baby kitten....”
Receiving the plate, Joo Junseo avoided eye contact, looking shy. Now that she thought about it, every time Myeong Jeha spoke to him, Junseo answered briefly. He seemed very shy around strangers.
“Well, having a 4K face right in front of you—even as a guy, I get it.”
It made sense.
Choo Gaeul complained about how much everyone was eating, but still ordered extra food for Yeoreum every time.
Feeling warm at the sight of the four of them getting along, Aetami suddenly screamed again.
-What about photo-ticket goods?
“Goods!!!”
She suddenly remembered Yeoreum’s schedule, which had slipped her mind while focusing on <Strange Tales>.
The photo-ticket goods for <Law-Faster-than> drove Aetami insane.
“I really wish the movie would come out already. I want to collect them by week!”
<MusicN>, <ParCheHi> team, <Law-Faster-than>—Yeoreum was steadily building her filmography, and it made Aetami proud.
After hitting the like button and rolling around again, Aetami imagined just how far Yeoreum could go.
“Ah... I really hope that works out.”
She thought of the advertising proposal she’d submitted not long ago—a product that would suit Yeoreum perfectly.
