Free Web NovelThis was the studio where the Taiwan Ruel shoot would take place. Inside, it had been running as busily as midday since the crack of dawn.
“Did you organize everything by number from the left? Don’t get the order mixed up!”
“Check the steam here again.”
From the props laid out across the tables to the costumes hanging from the racks, everything was packed to the brim. The lights had already been switched on, flooding the studio with brightness like the sun at noon.
“Has the director arrived?”
As the main photographer stepped onto the set, heads bowed here and there in greeting. With an easy nod, the photographer lifted their tablet and checked the final layout drafts for today’s shoot one last time.
‘One group shot, and the rest all solo....’
It had taken quite a long meeting to decide who would decorate the cover.
“Ji Haebeom is the obvious choice if we want sales to spike. He’s the actor with the largest fandom in Asia.”
“But if we consider K-TV’s relationship with Eun Baekhap’s agency... that complicates things.”
“Are you not thinking about mass appeal? Other than Han Yeoreum, who else is there?”
Ji Haebeom, who had a solid female fanbase. Eun Baekhap, backed by an agency closely tied to K-TV, the force that had sparked the first Korean drama boom. And finally Han Yeoreum, who was currently generating the hottest buzz by far.
Everyone around the table had a valid reason for choosing one of the three as the magazine’s main face.
“Everyone, quiet!”
In the middle of the heated discussion, the editor-in-chief of Taiwan Ruel, seated at the head of the table, raised their voice.
“...Does there have to be a rule saying we must put forward only one person as the face of our Ruel?”
At that, the noisy conference room instantly fell silent. The editor-in-chief of Ruel laid out a clean, perfect solution.
“One group cover. Then one individual cover for each of the rest. We’ll proceed with a split release of six total covers.”
In the age of fandoms, five solo versions always drew a much faster reaction than a single group shot.
From Ruel’s perspective, producing at least five different covers from one shoot was far more profitable. And in Ji Haebeom’s case, with his overseas fandom strength, they could further split releases into domestic, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and even an online-exclusive cover.
“And if we do this... they’ll probably commit to it even more sincerely, won’t they?”
The editor-in-chief of Taiwan Ruel understood better than anyone the pride battles that happened endlessly in this industry.
Who stood in the center. Who got the focus. Whose A-cut became the final selection.
One trivial issue like that was directly tied to status.
A versioned cover release that functioned like a popularity vote.
Which version sold out first—it was only natural that agencies and actors alike would be on edge over it.
* * *
“Hello, sunbae!”
“Mm. Hi. You came early.”
When Ji Haebeom arrived on set, he waved at Han Yeoreum, who was in the hair and makeup zone.
“Was I the first one here?”
“Yes. Jeha is doing his fitting today, and Sunbae Shin Seojin stepped out for a phone call.” ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
“I see. I heard you’ve been filming a lot of commercials. What did you shoot?”
“You heard about that! Yes! A burger one, and a café franchise, and ah, a convenience store! I did a convenience store one too. And then....”
Ji Haebeom sat down as he listened to Han Yeoreum’s nonstop bragging. As he received makeup with practiced ease, he checked the shooting order that had been sent to his phone.
‘As expected.’
The main cut was first. And his solo cut was also scheduled earliest.
In this industry, the natural order was that top actors never had to wait.
‘She must be furious.’
From the airport until they arrived in Taiwan, Eun Baekhap had maintained a thorny attitude. She was always somewhat like that, but this time it was especially severe.
‘Now that news of Han Yeoreum’s commercial shoots has reached her, this is probably her peak irritation....’
It wasn’t hard for Ji Haebeom to imagine Eun Baekhap grinding her teeth.
Meanwhile, Han Yeoreum was still diligently answering his earlier question. Something about the way she proudly said she had nailed the burger commercial in just two bites sounded strangely bittersweet, but Ji Haebeom still responded properly.
“Mhm. That must’ve been nice.”
“It was great, but I want to film a lot more in Korea too.”
Just then, as Han Yeoreum smiled with ambition sparkling all over her face, sharp heels rang out through the studio’s steady ambient noise.
At the subtly hurried footsteps, Ji Haebeom let out a small laugh and picked up the mirror from the table. Tilting the angle just right, Eun Baekhap’s reflection appeared behind him.
‘As expected.’
The sound of Eun Baekhap’s heels entering the studio was unusually sharp. With each step, the staff turned their heads.
No matter how many models, idols, and actors one had seen in this industry, Eun Baekhap was different.
A celebrity among celebrities.
That kind of title wasn’t given to just anyone. It was a designation reserved only for those who seemed to belong to a world separated by invisible lines.
Eun Baekhap walked forward as though naturally pulling all those gazes toward herself.
Toward Han Yeoreum.
‘Ah. This is going to be exhausting.’
Ji Haebeom lowered the hand mirror and lifted his chin toward Han Yeoreum, who was just rising from her chair.
“Do well today.”
“Yes! Thank you.”
“No. I mean it.”
Perhaps thinking it was his usual casual encouragement, Han Yeoreum smiled brightly.
But Ji Haebeom did not smile back.
He only looked seriously at his much younger junior.
“Don’t get eaten alive.”
* * *
‘This is so good—!’
Coordinator Hwang, Han Yeoreum’s dedicated stylist, pressed her lips inward as she stared at Yeoreum standing on the prepared set.
‘How long has it been....’
After being exhausted by 〈Youth Disqualified!〉, where Yeoreum wore the same check shirts every day, and 〈Unfair Trade〉, where she had been stuck in turtlenecks, Coordinator Hwang’s eyes practically lit up.
Today’s Han Yeoreum had hair and makeup reminiscent of Huijae from 〈The Great Garland〉. The beige blouse paired perfectly with the wine-colored beret.
Just looking at her properly styled like this filled Hwang with pride.
“Wow... the hat is so cute....”
Beside her came the voice of Eun Baekhap’s dedicated stylist.
“Ah. Hello, unnie.”
“Mhm. Hello.”
Eun Baekhap’s stylist was famous in the industry as a top-tier one. Eun Baekhap had never once been named worst dressed. She was known as one of the best-dressed celebrities around, all thanks to the meticulous attention her stylist paid to everything from outfits to accessories.
So hearing approval from that stylist about Han Yeoreum’s look made Coordinator Hwang’s lips curl upward.
‘Right. Even during the Taiwan reward vacation, we got along surprisingly well. She’s a little oblivious, but I should get closer to her. Then maybe I’ll hear more sponsor and brand talk too....’
Just as she was about to decide to build that relationship—
“This would’ve looked amazing on our Baekhap unnie too....”
At those words, Coordinator Hwang’s smile dropped at an astonishing speed.
“Oh, come on. Do you think I’d have put a hat on Yeoreum for no reason? It’s because it suits her best.”
“Nooo... Baekhap unnie likes scarves, so the beret was only our second option....”
Anyone could tell Eun Baekhap had no intention of giving up today’s spotlight.
She was wearing a pure white silk scarf dress, and a pearl pin adorned the side of her half-tied hair.
As irritating as it was, there wasn’t a single flaw to pick at visually, and Coordinator Hwang clenched her trembling fists.
“Our Yeoreum likes hairpins too... and of all things it had to be pearls? It’s a slight mismatch for her fresh melon-like image, so I guess Actress Baekhap took it....”
“Nooo. That’s a D-brand piece.”
But that was checkmate. Once Eun Baekhap’s stylist pointed out that she was D-brand’s fashion ambassador, there was nothing left to say.
‘Yeoreum... I’m sorry....’
Coordinator Hwang had to swallow back tears.
“We’ll begin the shoot!”
The first group shot was a composition with no props at all, just everyone arranged around an antique sofa.
Ji Haebeom sat on the left, Eun Baekhap on the right, the two of them in the center. Shin Seojin sat at Eun Baekhap’s feet. Myeong Jeha and Han Yeoreum stood behind the sofa.
‘Even without any props....’
The studio had been intentionally left undecorated. There was only a black backdrop.
But even that alone made the frame feel overwhelmingly full.
Coordinator Hwang hurriedly looked around. It seemed every member of the staff was thinking the exact same thing she was.
Because before anyone realized it, no one could take their eyes off them.
‘....’
People often called it presence.
There were people who, simply by standing in one place, naturally stole everyone’s attention.
The kind who seemed to hold the very flow of the air in their hands.
Click.
The shutter sound rang through the studio, which had gone momentarily silent.
A moment later, the freshly taken photo appeared on the connected monitor.
It was the kind of image where every individual presence was so distinct that you couldn’t even tell who your eyes should focus on first.
The group shoot ended astonishingly quickly. Before anyone knew it, they had already moved on to the solo cuts.
As soon as Ji Haebeom stepped in front of the camera, the lights shifted. At once, sharp shadows formed along his defined jawline.
“A little more to the left, yes, there!”
The main photographer called out in a voice an octave higher. It was because they could watch in real time how Ji Haebeom’s gaze changed depending on the lighting.
Myeong Jeha approached from behind Han Yeoreum, who was busily typing on her phone.
How is Ji Haebeom sunbae looking right now
Won’t you come see? His face is going insane every time they move the lights
No no a man who cares too much about other men’s popularity has no demand with women T_T ƒгeewёbnovel.com
True TT_TT then I take back telling you to come look
But really, can I keep this hair?
Looking at it again don’t I look too much like a gold kiwi?
Did I shave it too tight
Ah
Seriously
Honestly
Please
A pitiful conversation was unfolding on Han Yeoreum’s screen. Myeong Jeha rested his chin lightly on top of her head as she typed with deadly seriousness.
“What are you doing?”
“Whoa, you scared me.”
“You only play with the ahjussi, not me.”
“What are you talking about.... If you’re going to call someone an ahjussi, Sunbae Shin Seojin is younger than you....”
Myeong Jeha laughed quietly.
Just then, a soft beep sounded, followed by the shutter.
For Myeong Jeha, it was a noise far too familiar.
“You checked the group shot earlier, right?”
“Yeah. I looked good. I worked with that photographer before, and they really do have a great eye.”
“That’s all?”
“You keep circling around things like this, and after everything that’s happened it really makes me nervous, so could you please just say it directly?”
Myeong Jeha deliberately dragged out the end of his sentence.
From far away, he could feel Ji Haebeom’s gaze.
Even from the shadowed corner of the set, Ji Haebeom’s sharp eyes seemed to catch everything instantly.
“I’m saying you look a little too relaxed for someone who didn’t come out better than Eun Baekhap in the group cut.”
“...You can tell?”
“Of course. Everyone else can too.”
“Ah, damn... I still thought I held my own.”
Han Yeoreum immediately turned serious again.
She was always like this. The moment work came up, her concentration shot past its limits.
“So what do I do? Right now the outfit and props don’t give me any conditions that can stand out more than Sunbae Baekhap’s....”
It seemed Han Yeoreum had already checked all of Eun Baekhap’s shooting drafts.
Ji Haebeom and Shin Seojin had already vanished from her mind.
Satisfied by that, Myeong Jeha’s lips curled upward.
“If you think just a little harder, you’ll figure it out.”
“So you have absolutely no intention of telling me easily, elder.”
“Mm. There’s still some time left... you can think of it before then, right? This isn’t the time to be playing around with other people. Haha.”
“...Right. I got too carried away over filming the most commercials. This isn’t the time for that.”
The moment Myeong Jeha gave her room, Han Yeoreum immediately turned and strode away.
A notification briefly appeared and disappeared on the phone in her hand.
But Han Yeoreum had already completely lost interest in it.
TT_TT Is my hair really that bad? TT_TT So bad you can’t even say it? TT_TT
Left alone on set, Myeong Jeha turned his head and glanced toward Ji Haebeom.
His gaze was still fixed here.
* * *
“Unnieee. You were so, so beautiful again today. Perfect. Gorgeous. The most beautiful flower on earth.”
“Don’t exaggerate.”
Eun Baekhap had already finished even the interview portion. Beyond the partition, the clicking sounds of the shoot still continued.
“It really helped that today’s outfit was so your outfit, unnie... I was talking a bit earlier with Yeoreum’s coordinator, and she said pearls suit your elegant image perfectly....”
“Hey. Is that really what she said? You’re sure?”
“Of courseee. You really need to fix that habit of doubting people.... Yeoreum’s coordinator and I are closeee....”
“It’s not that I’m doubting people, it’s your lack of sense— ha... forget it.”
Eun Baekhap gulped down the jasmine tea she’d been handed.
‘I don’t need approval from that damn nobody coordinator anyway. I was at my peak condition today.’
Standing in front of the camera, Eun Baekhap knew it.
There was no actress here who could beat her in an individual cut.
‘No matter how hard Ji Haebeom flies and crawls, he still loses to me in pictorials.’
There were celebrities who became awkward the moment a photo was taken—the type who unconsciously became too aware of themselves in frozen moments.
But Eun Baekhap had displayed star power in pictorials strong enough to rival top {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} actors even as a rookie.
It was the result born from her obsession with being the protagonist.
“Anyway... let’s go.”
There was nothing more to do here.
Today’s schedule was over.
Eun Baekhap moved to leave the studio with her team.
‘What’s that?’
But after only a few steps, she stopped in place.
