Free Web Novel“Seo Hangyeol is an actor?”
And not just any actor, but a famous one? Roy was flabbergasted—especially given how Hangyeol used to claim he’d never be able to act.
Weren’t you saying you’d die before you tried acting?
Had he been exaggerating? And if even bone-dry Bi knew him, Hangyeol must be pretty famous.
“Is he really that famous?”
“Is that even a question? You’ve never heard of Seo Hangyeol? What, did you grow up in some rural hick town with no internet?”
Hangyeol—the original “nation’s idol” who debuted as a kid in the children’s series Magic Kid Harry. He was every Korean child’s dream and hero. His next show, Sunfish Family, became a classic sitcom, and every project since shattered viewership records, cementing him as a box-office ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) guarantee.
He’d acted steadily since debut, then last year tackled his first adult role, shedding his child-star image and ascending into legend.
“Last year’s Divine Descent? Girls went crazy for him.”
Sure, fine—whatever. But why are all these drama titles so over the top? Roy’s face twisted in disgust.
“I’d say there’s not a single person in Korea who doesn’t know Seo Hangyeol,” Bi scoffed.
That serious?
“But why didn’t he show up when I searched?”
When Roy first woke up in the Wilderness, he’d googled Hangyeol’s name in the hospital—and got nothing. Pulling out his phone, he tried again:
[No results for “Shooting Star Hangyeol.”]
“He’s not there!”
Roy flared, thrusting the phone at Bi, who rolled his eyes in disbelief.
“Jesus. You’re really that stupid? Why search ‘Shooting Star’? You’ve got to search just ‘Seo Hangyeol.’”
Oh. Roy had never thought to search without the team name. Typing “Seo Hangyeol” exploded results.
“Holy crap.”
Just removing one word changed everything. Roy’s jaw dropped at the top hits: photoshoots and headlines like
[Seo Hangyeol: “Sexy? I’m an adult now!”]
[Face Genius Seo Hangyeol Lights Up Paris Fashion Week]
[Twenty-Year-Old Seo Hangyeol’s Perfect Adult Star Turn]
[(Exclusive) MBS Star Hero MC Seo Hangyeol Confirmed, First Recording Next Month]
[Seo Hangyeol Confirmed as Star Hero MC]
Roy froze on that last one.
“Star Hero...?”
Bi clicked his tongue.
“Tsk. Of course empty-headed people all care about the same nonsense.”
Of all those articles, Roy fixated on Star Hero. Now was the time to focus on school—why was everyone desperate to be on that idiotic show? What would they become later?
Bi shrugged and picked up his bag. Roy decided to make his escape while Bi was distracted.
✧
Back in the dorm, Roy began gathering intel on Hangyeol. In the Wilderness, Hangyeol had debuted at nine and built a flawless career as the nation’s adorable younger brother and acclaimed child actor. Media dubbed him a “face genius,” and critics praised his performances. He was a 21st-century top star—with the looks to match.
Honestly, Shooting Star had its visuals, but they couldn’t compete with Park Yeonwoo—and now Hangyeol was on another level entirely.
So they really padded his résumé to absurd levels, huh?
His features weren’t drastically different, but everything looked subtly perfected. Yet Roy’s problem wasn’t Hangyeol’s buffed-up face.
Why—of all things—an actor?
A top actor would be nearly impossible to reach. Idol or not, actors and idols rarely crossed paths outside end-of-year awards. As a non-industry insider, Roy had no way of knowing Hangyeol’s filming schedule or locations.
That left only one option: Star Hero.
He’s the MC, right?
Roy had read that over three thousand Awakened had applied. He felt like the floor had dropped out. He should have just called him “Jay-Dragon’s dog” and left it at that—at least he could have snuck in and snatched the tape. Meeting top star Hangyeol seemed hopeless.
Damn it. If only it weren’t Hangyeol, I’d just ghost the whole thing.
Roy still hadn’t forgiven Jeonseo for lying about it being a simple reality show. He planned to repay the favor—until learning he had to participate in the prelims, which rank-and-file participants attend, even when MCs don’t meet them until later.
He’ll probably only show up at the first ranking announcement.
Meaning Roy had to survive until that—when the field would narrow to maybe a hundred contestants.
Let’s say five thousand apply...
Roy lacked confidence to rank in the top two percent solo. Then he remembered Taeeon and Yeonwoo—both Awakened, too.
I don’t have to go alone.
Taeeon was B-class, so he’d have a better shot at top two percent. Roy leapt up and called him.
“Hyung! Hyung!”
“Yeah, Roy? Whoa, what’s got you so hyped?”
“Let’s do Star Hero together!”
“Huh?”
“Star Hero! That new survival show for Awakened—M Company’s producing it.”
“A survival show... sounds dangerous?”
“No, it’s totally safe. It’s a broadcast show—what danger? And they say the three major guild masters are the judges.”
“Really...?”
“Yeah! It could be your chance, too. You said you’re interested in one of those guilds.”
Taeeon perked up at “three major guilds.”
“If you win, I heard you get an exclusive contract with one of the big three.”
“Okay. I’ll look into it. What’s the name?”
“Star Hero! Look it up now!”
Taeeon searched at Roy’s urging.
“Roy... it’s closed. Registration deadline was yesterday.”
Closed? Roy went pale.
“I should’ve checked sooner. Did you apply?”
“Uh—no...” freeωebnovēl.c૦m
“I can’t enter, but I’ll cheer you on. I hear there’s a viewer vote component—I'll tell my friends to vote.”
Promoting his own application was far from Roy’s worries. His hope flickered out—he couldn’t last until the first ranking announcement without Taeeon and Yeonwoo.
Frantic, Roy ended the call and immediately dialed Jeonseo. Of course, no answer.
Ha! So that’s how it is, huh?
Signed contract or not, Roy wouldn’t go down quietly. If he didn’t show up at the prelims, that was the end of it. He could always break a leg and fake an injury. Jeonseo wouldn’t expect Roy to be this cunning. Roy had considered silent protest, but opted for negotiation.
PDnim, I broke my leg—I can’t film.
A fracture in the Wilderness healed in minutes with a single heal—Roy knew that. But he hoped to drive Jeonseo crazy. Roy folded his arms and glared at his phone. Sure enough, moments later—
[Missed call: PD Jeonseo]
How easy. Roy refused to answer. After five missed calls, Jeonseo texted:
[Jeonseo: Roy, I’m sorry. I messed up... Please pick up. ~:]
Roy wanted to savor it, but he needed this favor—time to negotiate. He called back, and it connected almost immediately.
“Roy!”
“So you answer right away today, huh? I’ve called you nonstop.”
“Haha, I’ve been swamped—sorry. I did dodge you on purpose.”
“But you admit it fast.”
With a sly grin, Roy cut to the chase.
“I have a favor.”
“A favor? But you said you broke your leg—what do you mean? Have you seen a doctor?”
“Oh, that? My leg might heal or stay crippled forever, depending on your answer.”
“Wha—?”
“Just a small favor—it might even be a great deal for you.”
“Go on, why the suspense?”
Jeonseo’s nervous laughter came through the speaker.
“I know Star Hero’s deadline passed, but could you let two more people in? Kim Taeeon and Park Yeonwoo.”
“You want extra slots? That’s... not impossible. Are you talking about the Park Yeonwoo?”
“Exactly.”
Click!
Jeonseo erupted with cheers.
“Oh, wow, how did you—such connections!”
“You’ll do it, right?”
“Of course! Don’t worry!”
Jeonseo figured this stroke of luck would boost the show’s appeal.
