Free Web NovelI ran until I felt like I would die. I thought if I drained every bit of stamina, it would get better.
But the duller my body became, the clearer the noise in my head grew.
‘Do Gyeoul, sitting right across from me during the script reading... I still can’t get her out of my head.’
Every time she spoke a line, the status window above her head flickered.
<Protagonist on Stage> B
<One Who Dominates Attention> B+
I didn’t want to admit it, but Do Gyeoul definitely had the power to pull attention in an instant.
‘Even when she’s photographed with actors of similar standing, people end up looking at her first without even realizing it.’
Was it because her face was so familiar from childhood? Or because she had looks that ranked among the very best in the industry? Or simply because she had always stood at the center, in the protagonist’s position?
‘I don’t know the exact reason, but....’
I thought I’d made a name for myself by now. I thought “Han Yeoreum” carried some weight.
But sitting across from Do Gyeoul at the script reading—
Anxiety crept in.
My first project with Do Gyeoul. A script reading where I couldn’t even deliver a single line. An interview where I couldn’t properly answer because of spoilers. Reporters already on edge because of that. And unlike me, Do Gyeoul drawing attention right from the official video...
“Argh!”
This was suffocating. Would this anxiety go away once filming started?
I shouted and sprang to my feet.
Even after my regression, I had never felt this unsettled while working on a project.
“Yeah... times like this call for <Summer Day> attendance.”
I’d checked it just two hours ago, but rereading posts never got old. I turned my phone back on and took a short break.
Buzz.
[Dok Gomin: Where are you?]
See? All these people looking for me. Who am I? Han Yeoreum—the rising actress who’s about to make another mark with a new character and become fully iconic.
Reply: Unni, I’m at the action academy.
“Okay, break’s over! Get up!”
The moment I replied to Dok Gomin, Kang Hanseong called out. I set my phone down and stood up.
‘Don’t overthink.’
As always, the only way to melt away anxiety was through practice.
A prepared actor gained confidence on set.
And exactly twenty minutes later—
“...Huh?”
The usually noisy action academy fell completely silent all at once. The thuds of punching bags, the pounding of footsteps, the shouts—all gone.
‘This feels familiar.’
I knew instinctively.
“Hi, Yeoreum.”
Right. This was that peculiar silence that always surrounded Myeong Jeha.
Holding Dok Gomin’s phone and waving it lightly, Myeong Jeha smiled gently.
* * *
“Why are you ignoring my calls?”
After pulling me aside, saying he had something to talk about, Myeong Jeha asked the question. There was a hint of a smile—but I wasn’t falling for it anymore.
‘He’s annoyed....’
I had ignored every single message since the script reading. No wonder he was irritated. I curled my lips into a practiced smile.
“I’ve been doing intense training at the action academy, so I couldn’t really check my phone. Earlier was just a coincidence—I happened to see it at the right moment....”
“For someone who says that, your fan café attendance has been steadily increasing. Want to check screen time right now?”
“....”
I swiftly changed the subject.
“And you think it’s okay to just steal Dok Gomin's phone?”
“Yeah. I’ll just say I found it.”
“Who would believe that? That makes no sense!”
“Exactly. Who would believe that, Yeoreum? Why did you ignore all my messages?”
Of course it didn’t work.
But I couldn’t say it. Absolutely not.
‘How am I supposed to say that!’ freewebnoveℓ.com
Before regression, I was on the same set as you and Do Gyeoul. Back then, both of you were top actors, and I was just an unnamed extra watching from far away.
We weren’t even that far apart—but it felt like I’d never be able to reach that place.
I keep remembering that moment.
The feeling of standing on a set with no lines, no place for me. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
‘No way.’
There was no way I could say that. Not with my pride. I was a rising actress who had swept all three major network rookie awards.
‘And even if I said it... he wouldn’t understand.’
The truth was—
I was scared.
There had to be a reason behind Seomun Ihwa’s decisions. Reducing my screen time couldn’t be entirely a bad thing.
‘But I’m too used to this....’
The fact that my role hadn’t disappeared entirely reassured me. The fact that my name was still in the script made me grateful. The fact that I hadn’t been replaced by someone else—
Even when I tried to gather those thoughts, remembering that set from before regression made fear creep back in.
What if I couldn’t act anymore?
“You should answer.”
As if he had noticed my thoughts spiraling, Myeong Jeha spoke quietly.
But I barely heard him.
Wait... what if he notices? I don’t want him to realize I’m intimidated by Do Gyeoul. Absolutely not.
Without realizing it, I took a step back.
“Did I do something wrong?”
That was when Myeong Jeha asked something unexpected.
“Is that why?”
This time, the smile was gone.
I looked up. I had never seen that expression on his face before.
“Well... it’s not that....”
I forced my stiff brain to come up with an answer.
“I’m... nervous.”
Not a lie. Not really. The dream, the awkwardness, overlapping schedules with Do Gyeoul, being sensitive—it all added up.
“Really? I didn’t do anything wrong?”
“Of course not. When have I ever lied—”
“I’ve seen it. Plenty of times... haha. I’m honestly speechless.”
“...Fair enough.”
“So you weren’t avoiding me because you don’t want to see my face?”
“Of course not. I just needed some mental preparation before starting the project.”
“Haha. I worried for nothing, then. So I’ll tell them yes?”
“...To what?”
Of course. It was Myeong Jeha. He never let anything slide.
This time, he didn’t close the distance again. He just stood there, looking at me.
“Shim Juhwan’s new song music video.”
The unexpected words slipped from his lips.
“He wants to cast you and me together.”
“What?”
In an instant, all my anxiety disappeared. It was replaced entirely with excitement.
Shim Juhwan? That Shim Juhwan? The one whose songs always shot straight to number one on the charts—and me, in his music video?
“Really?”
“Oh, he just texted again... hold on. Let me reply.”
“Okay!”
I nodded quickly, then took a moment to bask in it.
‘After Huijae, will I get another number-one song appearance?’
Right. That dream must’ve been a premonition. There was no reason to be awkward or nervous.
One of the things on Han Yeoreum’s wish list had come true. Everything melted away.
‘Just how far does my talent go...?’
It was almost scary now. Even having prophetic dreams based on acting instincts.
‘Shim Juhwan means a ballad. If I’m appearing with Myeong Jeha, there’ll naturally be couple scenes. Emotional lyrics—so of course there’ll be a kiss scene. Obviously that’s my part.’
Now I felt calm.
I smiled ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ at Myeong Jeha. No awkwardness. No embarrassment.
“You said yes, right? You won’t change your mind?”
“Of course not. It’s Shim Juhwan! Everyone wants to work with him! There’s no way I’d give this to someone else. I’m doing it!”
“Sounds like you’re confident.”
“Of course!”
I’d already done it once in my dream—so I’d be even better now.
If I could leave an impression with a two-shot alongside Myeong Jeha before <Seoul Metropolitan City> even aired, it would be entirely in my favor.
‘Good. Myeong Jeha....’
Just like in 〈The Great Garland〉—
I’d make full use of that face.
“Then I’ll be counting on you.”
Myeong Jeha smiled calmly, and I nodded without hesitation.
And a few days later—
For the first time in my life, I experienced consecutive NGs.
For the first time ever, there was a stretch where Han Yeoreum couldn’t get a single “okay.”
