Aetami threw her fist into the air as she watched the reporter accurately pinpoint the very discussions that had been circulating on the boards and in the gallery.
“That’s right! That was such a good question!”
He had sharp eyes. Extremely sharp. Aetami held her breath, heart pounding, waiting for Yeoreum’s answer.
—Thank you for noticing. When I was thinking about how to help viewers naturally accept Huijae’s growth from child to adult... I worried a lot about that transition. I really admire senior Eun Baekhap, and I’ve watched every single one of her projects. So I tried emulating her a little.
At some point, Aetami felt as if she were sitting in the clubroom with them. Like she was there in person, munching on snacks and chatting along.
“Ah... I love this so much....”
They talked about how brutally hot the filming set in Jinhae had been that summer, whether Jeha was actually that good at riding a bicycle, how the four of them had analyzed the script together, what Yeoreum’s audition had been like.... Before she knew it, the video was nearing its end.
—We hope everyone enjoys watching The Great Garland....
Each of them said their goodbyes one by one, and it made her feel like she might go crazy from disappointment. She just wanted to see Yeoreum in her school uniform, waving at the camera, for a little longer.
—I’ll come visit again next time.
It was such a common farewell line. But to Aetami, it sounded like foreshadowing.
“My dutiful daughter, bring lots of new projects next time....”
It sounded like a promise. Like she would come back with her next work.
INTUBE
[Last Period Is Club Activities! The Great Garland Jeha & Yeoreum Behind Story ⎜KBC] 42:10
Views 510,000
Starting with Magyo-dong, the insane schedule rush for the two child actors of The Great Garland officially began.
* * *
“Hello, this is Shim Juhwan from Two O’Clock Nap. Today we’ve invited two very special guests. After the first episode aired, the response absolutely exploded.... I was honestly shocked watching the live broadcast myself. Even those who hadn’t heard the news probably guessed by now, right? Yes, that’s right. The two who delivered those heart-wrenching child performances in The Great Garland. Myeong Jeha and Han Yeoreum, welcome.”
“Hello. I’m Myeong Jeha, who played young Taeseok in The Great Garland. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Hello. I’m Han Yeoreum, who played young Huijae in The Great Garland. It’s nice to see you again.”
“Oh, Yeoreum. Our listeners are already flooding us with messages. You were our special DJ for exactly one week and then left—don’t you think that’s a bit cruel?”
Outside the recording booth, the writers and technical director of Two O’Clock Nap smiled warmly as they watched Han Yeoreum return.
“Wow... good thing we secured at least a verbal promise back then.”
“Right.... Since it’s a different broadcasting station, she almost could’ve gone somewhere else.”
“She said she has another schedule right after this one, didn’t she?”
“Both of them. Interviews, pictorials—probably even a commercial shoot immediately after.”
Since The Great Garland was a hit from KBC, there had been a strong possibility the radio schedule would go there instead. But because this wasn’t pre-broadcast promotion and the show had already finished airing, Two O’Clock Nap had managed to secure them.
This wasn’t promotional scheduling for The Great Garland.
This was a personal schedule for the two hottest actors of the moment.
Because they were here to share updates and drop hints about their upcoming projects, the listeners’ reactions were even more heated than usual.
“I heard you have quite a few upcoming works lined up, Yeoreum. I also heard you’re doing a project with us at MBS?”
“Yes. This time, the director from my terrestrial debut work No Interest Whatsoever cast me again along with some friends, so I think it’ll be an even more meaningful project.”
“Could you give us a brief introduction?”
“The title is Youth Disqualified!, and it vividly portrays the emotions of students in their early twenties at university....” fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Shim Juhwan continued with a grin.
“I remember promising I’d sing the OST for you at least once, but unfortunately, for your next project Youth Disqualified!, you’ll be handling the OST yourselves?”
“Yes. It’s really unfortunate. The three leads in Youth Disqualified! form a band together. We’ve been practicing ensemble rehearsals really hard, but it’s not easy. So... would you maybe consider visiting one of our rehearsals and helping us out? We’re honestly... a little....”
“Overwhelmed?”
“If I’m being honest, yes.”
“Maybe you can tell us just a bit more, without giving away spoilers?”
“Hmm.... We’re lucky that one of us has played piano for a long time. If it weren’t for that friend....”
“Let’s keep the rest a secret so listeners can look forward to it. Then in the OST band, what role are you taking, Yeoreum?”
The writers and technical director leaned in, focused. Han Yeoreum in a band. Just hearing that made their expectations rise.
“Vocalist?”
“If it’s just one vocalist, that puts too much focus on one person. They’ll probably all have microphones.”
“Does Yeoreum even play an instrument?”
Han Yeoreum let out a small laugh. The sound seemed to brush softly against the technical director’s ears, and he adjusted his headset unconsciously.
“I and Chu... no, that’s a secret. One friend has never played an instrument before and is really struggling right now. Anyway... I ended up taking guitar.”
Listener messages poured in instantly.
[What’s the point of stopping at “Chu” LOOOLLL that’s basically a real-name reveal]
[We promise not to say you totally meant X Gaeul]
[Already excited for Summer and Autumn’s growth~^^ But all three of you have such unique last names.... Hard to keep anonymity lol]
“Ah! Han [N O V E L I G H T] Yeoreum! Seriously!”
Choo Gaeul, who had been listening to the radio, exploded in fury.
* * *
In the practice room, fully set up as always, Choo Gaeul shot to her feet. A drum set stood in front of her.
“You can’t just spoil it like that! Aaaah! This isn’t how it’s supposed to go!”
“Why not?”
“Because the worst one has to be Han Yeoreum, obviously. It can’t look like she and I are equally bad!”
“But you’re both beginners? What’s the big deal, Gaeul—.”
“So Dami, what do you even know! I want to absolutely nail my solo part! Not just ‘pretty good for a beginner’!”
Outside the practice room, Director So and the MBS Center Chief watched the two bicker and smiled as if they were watching something adorable.
“No wonder Gaeul approached me last time with a request....”
“A request? What kind?”
“She asked me to subtly smooth things over in the editing....”
“She still doesn’t know your personality.”
“She doesn’t need to....”
It was a somewhat sparse setup for a band. There had been no disagreement about splitting vocals between the three of them.
The problem was that the only one who had seriously handled an instrument before was So Dami, who had played piano for years.
Han Yeoreum and Choo Gaeul had to divide guitar and drums. Choo Gaeul claimed an instrument first.
“...Han Yeoreum, you take guitar.”
“Why? Drums require way more practice.”
“You’re running around filming. How are you supposed to constantly come to the practice room? You can’t carry drums around, but you can carry a guitar.”
“Wow, Choo Gaeul.... Since when are you this thoughtful? Huh?”
“Wooow. Gaeul’s so nice!”
“It’s not about being nice! It’s basic logic! I made the most rational decision! Anyway, I need a drum solo. So Dami already has the ‘skilled’ part, and you’re front and center. My screen time needs to increase for fairness.”
As she grumbled for no reason, Han Yeoreum and So Dami stuck close to her side and improvised a song on the spot titled “Gaeul Is So Nice Song.” Shouting at them to get lost and calling them annoying, Choo Gaeul nevertheless stamped her attendance at the practice room every single day. In terms of practice hours, she was unquestionably first.
“But is it really okay to just film this on a phone? The quality is kind of....”
“That’s the point. It gives it that raw vibe.... Like we’re leaving behind a genuine memory vlog....”
“Raw? Gaeul’s fully styled again today. Look at those dramatic eyelashes.”
“When a well-dressed, pretty classmate like Choo Gaeul suddenly appears slightly disheveled and focused on something, that contrast is appealing.... You really don’t know anything.... How are you even Gam Dajeong’s uncle.... You have zero instinct....”
“...Didn’t you used to keep the last part to yourself?”
Ignoring the MBS Center Chief’s wounded stare, Director So checked his phone.
“Ah, Yeoreum said she’ll join us straight after finishing her commercial shoot.”
“What’s she filming?”
“Milk.”
The Center Chief nodded immediately after seeing the screen.
“Yeah, you bring Han Yeoreum in for that. Good call. Strong concept.”
“Right....”
“Wait. Do you guys have a group chat without me?”
“....”
“Why are you avoiding eye contact? Yesol? Director So! Where are you going!”
* * *
‘Who am I?’
With only four episodes as a child actor, she had completely captured the public’s heart. From episode one through four, she took first place in peak viewership scenes every single time. Critics called it flawless acting. Her fan café “Yeoreumnal” surpassed 600 members at exactly 4:11 p.m. today. She earned the title of “Nation’s First Love.” Though her image was pitiful, fragile, and lovely, she even managed to secure the completely opposite nickname, “Baby Melon Bread.”
“Oh my gosh, it suits you so well.”
“How does light green look this perfect on you?”
At the word perfect match, I spread my shoulders wider.
‘More.... Please say more....’
「Hidden Mission achieved!」
Making people smile fondly just by looking at you is the foundation of viewership ratings! You are currently in the spotlight with a flood of articles and buzz volume.
The couple name based on your character is gaining massive popularity. Mentions of “GiYeon Couple” have surpassed 50,000 in a short period of time.
Reward
[Skill has increased]
Perfect Match C+ >>> B