Free Web Novel* * *
The applause that followed the ending of 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 completely swallowed the dinner venue.
“Waaah!”
“It’s finally over!!!”
“Everyone, you all worked so hard!”
As the final scene faded out, the room filled with clapping. Director So Yesol rose from her seat.
“All right, then.... shall we each say one last word before we wrap up....”
Her voice was as listless as ever, yet it carried a smile.
It was because the final scene had captured the very last page of the youth she had held in her mind.
Across from Director So, Choo Gaeul, who had been sitting with her head lowered for a while now, had shoulders that trembled.
“Then let’s start with Yungyo.... Make sure you film this properly.... We’re uploading it without editing.”
That was exactly the kind of broadcasting-station bastard move that drove the final nail into the “Choo Gaeul is a scary kid” running joke.
The staff who had once created that fan-café obsession through devil’s editing now mercilessly filmed the crying Gaeul.
“Hic.... don’t, film me.... hic.... uuuugh....”
Still sobbing with her head bowed, Choo Gaeul could barely get the words out.
The vicious staff stubbornly shoved the camera right under her face.
“You’re going to cry and not even give your final thoughts?”
“Huh? This is our last day. Our last day, and you’re doing this?”
“Ah, sh-she keeps saying ‘la-last daaaay’.... huuuwaaaah...!”
Choo Gaeul finally burst into full-on wailing.
So Dami raised her hand and stood up.
“Then since Gaeul said she’s not doing it, I’ll go instead!”
“Wh-when did I say I w-wasn’t.... uuuugh....”
“Everyone really worked so hard.... and since this was my first terrestrial-broadcast debut, I was really nervous and honestly lacking in so many ways, but everyone took such good care of me without holding anything back, so I learned so much!”
At So Dami’s bright smile, the staff smiled back just as warmly.
The camera filming the final vlog zoomed in on her face.
“I won’t forget this! Thank you so much!”
“So! Da! Mi!”
“So! Da! Mi!”
Her name rang out from all over the room.
The next turn was Han Yeoreum’s.
“Now that it’s really over, I feel like I might cry too.... but since Gaeul is already crying enough for my share, I won’t cry today, okay? Instead, you all have to know that I cried in my heart!”
The gazes turned toward Han Yeoreum were filled with affection.
Even though she had been the busiest person here schedule-wise, she had still agreed to the vlog project.
She forced herself through regional shoots and guitar practice without once saying she was tired.
Even in the latter half, when filming for her next project had started at the same time, Han Yeoreum had always remained the perfect Na Yuna.
“I was truly happy while living as Na Yuna! Should we do one final toast together?”
“Sounds good!”
“If I say Youth! then what do you say?”
Compared to her other projects, the distance between the actors and the staff here had been much closer.
It was thanks to the vlog they had built together from the beginning.
They all knew the answer without needing to be told.
“Qualified!”
“Great! Then here we go! Youth—!”
That was when it happened.
Jingle—.
The door to the dinner venue was yanked open.
“Who said you could finish the final wrap-up without me! Huh?!”
The staff burst into laughter, pounding on the table.
“Saerok!”
“Which bastard was that just now, huh? Is the Center Director your friend?”
Saerok had now become a nickname.
The MBS Drama Center director strode in proudly with the corporate card in hand.
“You really have no sense.... stop ruining the flow and grab a drink already.... we’re going hard tonight....”
Director So scolded Saerok.
There was already a glass in his hand too.
“All together!”
Choo Gaeul was still crying, So Dami was still smiling, and Han Yeoreum raised her glass high.
“Youth!”
“Qualified!”
It was the moment everyone’s hearts collided.\
* * *
[〈Youth Disqualified!〉 Gallery]
[It started strong and ended even stronger, literally my life drama lol]
The narration in every episode was seriously so good, now hand over the script book I left with you.
Anonymous (23.33): Give me the Blu-ray I left with you too.
[How am I supposed to let these three go]
TT__TT damn don’t go...
Anonymous (112.123): I can’t let them go either f*ck, it’s even sadder because the ending was so beautiful
Anonymous (58.237): Looking forward to all three of their next projects. Only Han Yeoreum’s has been announced so far, right?
↳ Anonymous (46.39): Yeah, with Shin Seojin, 〈Unfair Trade〉
[Today’s directing was seriously legendary]
Honestly I kind of expected the title payoff at # Nоvеlight # the end, the whole Youth Qualified thing? But I thought it’d only appear as subtitles, and they threw it onto the billboard instead lol So Yesol’s sense is insane
Anonymous (118.176): I got chills when the OST came in. I already felt it from the vlog, but So Yesol really does have great instincts
Anonymous (1.72): Yessss Yuna’s actress absolutely killed that final narration
Aetami covered her mouth with one hand as she looked at the uploaded posts.
“Ghh....”
There was a unique kind of lingering emotion that only the final episode of a good drama could leave behind.
It felt as if the protagonists’ lives would continue even after the screen went dark.
“The problem is that I can’t keep watching it.”
Unable to bear the thought of letting the drama end like this, Aetami began patrolling social media.
The communities were overflowing with praise too.
[HOT / The drama that made every drama addict cry tonight.jpg]
(final scene capture.jpg)
This image explains everything.
— Anonymous 1: This really is my life drama TT_TT I understood all three of them so much.. so proud of them
— Anonymous 2: I dropped it because Jeong Heejeong was too boy-crazy T_T Is it worth going back?
↳ Anonymous 14: Get back here right now
— Anonymous 15: I’m looping the OST right now TT_TT I wish they’d release another season
— Anonymous 29: It’s the kind of drama where you can’t help but relate to at least one of the three
↳ Anonymous 56: For real, there’s a reason it kept starting arguments everywhere
[OurTownBuzz / Hey nerds who watched since the 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 vlog, how was the finale?]
I had tears streaming down my face,, I also retook exams for years so every autumn I got anxious too, seeing Yuna unnie face the college entrance exam again was so amazing
—I became a crying nerd too..TT_TT the WillEdu sign in the finale was guaranteed trauma healing if you’ve ever studied for civil service exams
—The finale was incredible. Honestly I don’t know if I’ll ever watch another drama this good
[DramaMovieActor TALK / I’ve been following Han Yeoreum’s entire filmography and wow her eye for projects is amazing]
Not a single flop lol I liked her since 〈ParCheHi〉, and even if the highest peak was 〈War with the Rule of Law〉, I personally liked 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 more
—Anonymous 1: Yessss Han Yeoreum’s filmography is insanely solid, anything you pick is at least above average
—Anonymous 2: Peak is definitely 〈War with the Rule of Law〉 lol but I’m hyped as hell for the next one freewebnσvel.cøm
“Yeoreum really does have an amazing filmography.”
Aetami nodded with a proud expression.
She had followed every single project since 〈ParCheHi〉, and there truly hadn’t been a single one worth throwing away.
“Looks like everyone’s in a mood to anticipate her next project.”
Aetami browsed the portal sites.
The entertainment news section was flooded with wrap-up articles about 〈Youth Disqualified!〉.
[Han Yeoreum’s luxury narration brings MBS 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 to an emotional close... “Of course we had to cry,” netizens relate]
[Trending actress Han Yeoreum raises anticipation for her next project as well... showing a new side in 〈Unfair Trade〉?]
[Forget college student Han Yeoreum~ now she transforms into a “criminal analyst”... SBC’s 〈Unfair Trade〉]
The moment 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 ended, Aetami had already been smiling warmly at the thought that she would get to see Han Yeoreum in her next project right away.
And then, a moment later—
“...What?”
Aetami froze as she scrolled down.
“What is this?!”
* * *
At JC ENM’s PR team, Assistant Manager Shin—the once-brand-new rookie—and Director Hong monitored the articles.
[The Nation’s First Love, will she spark a “Yeon Huijae fever” in Taiwan too... Han Yeoreum’s explosive rise promises terrifying growth]
Han Yeoreum, who rose to the title of “Nation’s First Love” through her solid acting skills and lovable charm, continues to be a daily hot topic in Taiwan. Last year, Han Yeoreum played Yeon Huijae in KBC’s 50th-anniversary drama 〈The Great Garland〉, receiving immense love. After recording a 44.7% viewership rating in its final episode, 〈The Great Garland〉 was exported to Taiwan last month and is currently airing to great popularity. The newly coined phrase “Huijae fever” has crossed over to Taiwan as well, and the June issue of Taiwan Ruel featuring Han Yeoreum on the cover sold out in the blink of an eye. Even the in-person stock caused people to do an “open run” from dawn.
That wasn’t all.
Riding the ripple effect of the new K-drama wave, Han Yeoreum increased sales for Creamy Soda, the brand she models for, by twelve times. All eleven types of goods released at the Taiwan pop-up sold out as well... (omitted)
When emphasizing Han Yeoreum’s popularity in Taiwan, nothing worked better than on-site realism.
Jegal Rok had deliberately contacted the Taiwan Ruel side and intentionally kept the online sales volume low.
“Look at the article photos, man. The color and atmosphere are gorgeous.”
“There are seriously so many people.”
And so, the stage had been perfectly set so that everyone lined up in front of the giant Taiwanese bookstore would look like Han Yeoreum’s fans.
Even the resellers who had flocked there to buy Ji Haebeom’s cover magazine naturally ended up in the same frame, which in turn added even more halo effect to the Creamy Soda pop-up.
[Humor Board / The celebrity currently being called the Nation’s First Love in Taiwan.jpg]
(Taiwan Ruel cover open-run situation.jpg)
(Creamy Soda pop-up line.jpg)
— Ah, Huijae absolutely deserves it lol
— Oh wow, is the Korean Wave coming back again in Taiwan lol seeing makgeolli getting love overseas makes me weirdly happy
— Damn, Han Yeoreum is no joke
— This is shocking. Can’t they buy it online? Standing outside under that blazing sun..; I’d just give up
↳ They’re the people who couldn’t get it even after preordering online, so they went in person lol I heard Han Yeoreum sold out at almost the same speed as Ji Haebeom
↳ Ji Haebeom’s overseas fandom is terrifying enough already~ this is insane
“Good. There are enough next-project articles up now—.” freewebnσvel.cѳm
Director Hong finished monitoring the communities.
Now it was finally the moment they had been waiting for.
“Post it.”
“Yes, sir.”
[Actress Han Yeoreum, first official fan club “ReumMate” 1st generation opens amid her ‘it-girl momentum’]
Han Yeoreum will recruit the first generation of her official fan club, ReumMate, on LEMON Ticket for three weeks from June 11 to July 5. Official fan club members will receive a variety of benefits, including an official fan-club kit and early ticketing privileges for fan meetings.
The fan-club kit includes a set of 9 Han Yeoreum photo cards, 3 random posters, a keyring, an official membership card, and a behind-the-scenes photo book containing images taken since her debut days.
In addition, an official fan-club sign-up event is scheduled to be held... (omitted)
* * *
“The article’s out.”
Among the excited, tipsy crowd, the only person who had not taken a single sip of alcohol—Dok Gomin—shot to her feet.
“Look at this. Look at this. Look at this, look look look.”
Then she thrust her phone toward Han Yeoreum, who was seated beside So Yesol.
As if trying to make up for how invisible she had been lately, Dok Gomin grabbed Han Yeoreum and shook her.
“See it? Do you see the words photo book? This is the work of genius Dok Gomin. Mm-hmm. I prepared it in just a tiny moment. You have to think long-term. You need to carefully decide whose side you should stick with. Don’t forget whose muse you are, Han Yeoreum.”
Dok Gomin had been taking still cuts ever since the 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 vlog days.
Like with 〈Strange Tales〉, she had immediately agreed when told it would be included separately in the Blu-ray—but the moment she read the line written at the very bottom of the contract, she had nodded like crazy.
*Additional inclusion: Han Yeoreum fan-club photo book edition
“Well? Well? Huh? What do you think?”
Dok Gomin already had mountains of photos taken before Han Yeoreum even joined JC.
From personal work to behind-the-scenes cuts she had shot during 〈No Interest Whatsoever〉.
Just imagining showing all of it at once already made her excited.
Not a single cut had been deletable.
Han Yeoreum’s past years would finally emerge into the world through Dok Gomin’s hands.
“Hey! Han Yeoreum! What is it? What is it?”
“Yeoreum’s opening official fan-club recruitment? Wow—. I’m jealous.”
At the noisy fuss from So Dami and Choo Gaeul, Dok Gomin—who had spent the entire shoot getting suppressed by Director So—lifted her chin proudly.
“You’re really trying hard....”
But Director So looked at Dok Gomin and smiled with the satisfaction of victory.
“A photo book... even so, it can’t make people cry, can it.... I wonder if you understand what narrative means...? Then again, it seems you still don’t really understand what it means to have a muse... so of course you wouldn’t understand a story that hits people in the chest.... Maybe it’s because you’re young....”
Dok Gomin trembled all over.
“...Then maybe my photos won’t be going into the 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 Blu-ray! Do you think that Blu-ray will sell without genius Dok Gomin’s pictures?”
Lee Saerok stepped in between Dok Gomin and Director So.
“Come on now—. Don’t be like that....”
“What are you?”
“Unnie. How can you call the Center Director ajusshi?”
“He looks exactly like an ajusshi, so why can’t I call an ajusshi an ajusshi?”
Even after seeing his face several times already, Center Director Lee Saerok still hadn’t entered Dok Gomin’s field of concern even once, and he was slightly hurt.
Still, Lee Saerok handed his phone to Dok Gomin, who had somehow climbed up and sat on Han Yeoreum’s lap.
“Instead of that, why don’t you take a group photo for this good day? Hmm?”
“A group photo is something you just shoot roughly. It’s not really something a genius like me needs to take. It’s boring. Not fun. So Yesol is also whatever.”
“My name... you kept pretending not to remember it until now, but now you have no choice but to admit it, right? I mean, just look at the final episode.... By now you must realize that I’m the one who truly made a work of art with Miss Yeoreum as my muse.... Acting all prideful for no reason... cute.”
Dok Gomin trembled even harder.
Lee Saerok sent Han Yeoreum a pleading look for rescue.
“Ah, but if unnie takes it, the quality really is different—.”
“...”
“A genius like Dok Gomin has to press the shutter, right? Huh? How could you possibly just take it casually?”
At those words, Dok Gomin immediately climbed down from Han Yeoreum’s lap and snatched Lee Saerok’s phone.
“Huh? We’re taking a group photo!”
“Everyone! Come gather up!”
The staff noisily crowded together.
Centered around Choo Gaeul, whose eyes were swollen from crying too much, So Dami flashing a V sign with her fingers, and Han Yeoreum smiling brightly.
After checking the frame, Dok Gomin fixed the lens.
“One, two—.”
Click.
And just like that, the final scene of 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 was captured.
“Center Director! Please send it to our group chat!”
“...You guys have a group chat without me....”
“Ah, I kind of blinked.”
But seeing the staff laugh while looking at the group photo, it felt like the dinner still had a very long way to go before ending.
How long had it been since he had seen this?
Lee Saerok, who had twice in a row been hit by the early-cancellation beam, had missed this atmosphere to the point of pain.
The feeling of having released a good work into the world, and spending time together with the people enjoying its lingering aftertaste, was enough to make him tear up with happiness.
Han Yeoreum....
Han Yeoreum was going around from one staff member to another, giving her final greetings.
Once she had been Pi Chaewon, whom he had thought would someday become the enemy of their station.
Then she had been the not-bad Jung Yeondu.
Then Seoryeong, who had delivered a performance so absurdly good it made no sense.
And in the end, she had become Yuna—the pride of their station.
I should have brought her in sooner.
[Send?]
The MBS Center Director sent the group photo.
Most likely to a friend who would soon feel exactly the way he did.
* * *
[MBS Lee Saerok: The pride of our station ^^]
[MBS Lee Saerok: (group photo.jpg)]
[MBS Lee Saerok: You better stream our drama OST too! Wonder if you even know what streaming means~ lol]
And at that same moment, SBC’s Drama Director frowned at the message that had come in at dawn.
“What time is it.... tch.”
After seeing Han Yeoreum smiling brightly in the group photo, the SBC Drama Director tried to put his sleep mask back on and go back to sleep.
“...”
But a few minutes later—
[Send?]
He ended up sending Lee Saerok the teaser for 〈Unfair Trade〉, which was scheduled to be uploaded the following week.
The SBC Drama Director’s eyes gleamed above the sleep mask pushed all the way up to his forehead.
“You think only your station makes dramas? We make dramas too! You can tell just from the teaser that this one is different! And Lee Saerok, if you’re a director, you need to keep the right distance from the juniors under you and separate work from personal life. Honestly, it’s kind of pathetic! The kids are probably all uncomfortable, tch! They probably didn’t even want to call you to the dinner in the first place, and once you finished your job as the corporate-card delivery boy, you should’ve left on your own! In today’s terms, read the room and act smart! I know all of it too!”
Inside the SBC Drama Director’s usually quiet heart, gentle ripples had finally begun to spread.
