By Zephyria In response to the stylist’s question, Song Hyun-soo nodded.
“Ah… yes. Senior takes good care of me.”
“Yoon Joo-ho does?”
“Yes.”
The stylist’s eyes, which had been filled with suspicion, now held a hint of amusement. It seemed strange that ‘that Yoon Joo-ho’ would take care of a junior like this.
“He’s a diligent actor.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m talking about Yoon Joo-ho. He’ll wait for an actor who isn’t good, but he won’t even treat an actor who isn’t diligent as a person. Whether it’s a junior, colleague, or senior. No exceptions.”
Saying this, she picked up and ate one of the small appetizers on the table. Her expression suggested she understood why Yoon Joo-ho was looking after an unknown rookie actor like Song Hyun-soo.
Even if an actor’s performance was a little lacking, Yoon Joo-ho would wait for them if they were diligent. — Song Hyun-soo found that expression meaningful.
So that’s it. In Yoon Joo-ho’s eyes, I seemed diligent.
The fact that someone recognized his effort, and that person was none other than Yoon Joo-ho, struck him deeply. It was more reassuring than hearing that he was well-treated because he was a good actor. Strangely so.
“Mr. Hyun-soo, once filming wraps up, you must do a photoshoot with our magazine first. You haven’t been contacted by anyone yet, right?”
Song Hyun-soo, who had been lost in thought for a moment, quickly looked up at the editor-in-chief’s voice.
“Yes, not yet.”
“That’s good. Do it with our magazine first. Is that a promise?”
“R-really, Editor-in-Chief? Then I would be incredibly, incredibly, incredibly honored!”
Song Hyun-soo’s hips wiggled. It was impossible for anyone other than an acknowledged top star or a highly talked-about figure to be featured in the pages of
“He’s going to rise, so the editor-in-chief is already making behind-the-scenes arrangements. So quick.”
The designer chuckled, sipping her champagne, and shook her head. The editor-in-chief, as if struck by a good idea, snapped her fingers several times.
“Hmm! It would be great to do a shoot with Joo-ho too. Bromance concepts are still popular.”
The thought of shooting for
“Teachers! I didn’t know you were here and kept looking for you.”
Just as Song Hyun-soo was about to turn his head to look for Yoon Joo-ho, a new voice was heard from behind him. The three people on the sofa looked over Song Hyun-soo’s head with welcoming expressions.
“Oh, Won-i. You’re here? Come and sit.”
The new arrival took the seat on the backless ottoman facing the sofa, where Yoon Joo-ho had been sitting moments before.
Wow… Actor Jeong Seong-won. Song Hyun-soo, sitting on the ottoman, was greatly surprised internally, though he didn’t show it. Jeong Seong-won was likely the most famous person at the party today, besides Yoon Joo-ho.
“You’re on TV all the time these days, aren’t you? I saw the news that the drama’s ratings exceeded 20%.”
“Thank you. It’s thanks to the director, writer, and fellow actors.”
“Oh, Jeong Seong-won! Don’t be so exemplary even in private. It’s no fun if you’re too much like that.”
Laughing sheepishly at the teachers’ teasing, Jeong Seong-won cautiously pointed at Song Hyun-soo and asked,
“But who is this handsome gentleman?”
“Ah, he’s a rookie actor. Mr. Hyun-soo. Joo-ho is personally bringing him around and introducing him?”
“Joo-ho Senior is?”
Jeong Seong-won’s reaction was similar. And he, too, carefully examined Song Hyun-soo again. His curious gaze, wanting to see who was receiving special treatment from the prince, was quite overwhelming for Song Hyun-soo. He felt both shy and awkward. However, he had no intention of leaving, as if he were rejecting special treatment.
“Hello, Senior. I am rookie actor Song Hyun-soo.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Hyun-soo. I’m Jeong Seong-won.”
In an instant, Song Hyun-soo had ascended to the status of ‘a junior particularly cherished by Yoon Joo-ho.’ Whenever someone introduced him as ‘a junior Yoon Joo-ho greatly cherishes,’ people immediately showed him favor. No one ignored or ostracized Song Hyun-soo, an unknown actor.
For Song Hyun-soo, who only had memories of frequenting film industry drinking parties and being ignored even by junior staff in his quest for roles, these were miraculous moments. Beyond mere popularity, he could feel the power of the name Yoon Joo-ho in this industry.
The music, which had been playing at a moderate volume, gradually lowered, and the MC for the party took the stage. He was a famous MC currently enjoying immense popularity. People stopped their conversations and focused on the stage.
“Everyone, are you looking forward to
Cheers, whistles, and applause erupted from various places.
“The actors who will be acting alongside actor Yoon Joo-ho in
He bowed his head slightly, pointing at Shin Hyo-jin, who was standing not far from the stage. The MC’s banter elicited a light ripple of laughter from the audience.
Song Hyun-soo stood up from the sofa, tiptoed, and craned his neck. He wasn’t sure when they had arrived, but Shin Hyo-jin and Han Joo-young were mingling together. It was nice to see familiar faces in a place like this. Even the annoying Han Joo-young. He raised his arm and waved, but because they were watching the stage, neither of them spotted Song Hyun-soo.
“And another member of the
The long pin spotlight, which had been circling the venue, illuminated Song Hyun-soo. The moment the bright light poured down on him, Song Hyun-soo had to close and reopen his eyes.
“Ah, there you are! Look at our actor’s mask. He’ll be a star as soon as the movie is released, won’t he?”
Amidst the audience’s attention, anticipation, and applause, Song Hyun-soo walked towards the bar. The long pin spotlight continued to follow and shine on him. He felt like he had just won a rookie award at a year-end awards ceremony.
Just a short while ago, his life had been about choosing between canned coffee with Yoon Joo-ho’s face on it and a steamed bun. The next moment, he found himself dressed in a designer suit, impeccably styled, and drawing the attention of industry heavyweights at Yoon Joo-ho’s birthday party.
He had been swept along to get here. As soon as he realized that, sweat beaded on his palms.
Standing behind the bar, Song Hyun-soo looked around, searching for Yoon Joo-ho.
However, the spotlight shining on him was so bright that he couldn’t see his surroundings.
As promised during rehearsal, Song Hyun-soo, positioned behind the bar, began to greet guests, and the music started again. With increased volume and dimmed lights, the interior of the bar was instantly transformed into a high-end club. As the spotlight that had been following him disappeared, he gradually began to see his surroundings. Yet, he still couldn’t find Yoon Joo-ho.
Instead, people lining up in front of the bar came into view.
Song Hyun-soo had worried, even during rehearsals, whether these celebrities invited to Yoon Joo-ho’s birthday party would be interested in cocktails made by an unknown actor. But it seemed that an unknown actor who Yoon Joo-ho “kept around and introduced” was different.
Film directors, drama PDs, writers, editors, photographers, stylists…
Song Hyun-soo wasn’t just working as a bartender at this bar. While making cocktails, he could greet and appeal to many influential figures in the industry, introducing himself.
It felt less like a ‘bar’ and more like a ‘stage’ that Yoon Joo-ho had prepared for him. To show himself off as much as he wanted.
As his tension eased and his usual skills emerged, allowing him to exchange a few jokes with customers, Song Hyun-soo greeted Shin Hyo-jin and Han Joo-young.
“Hyun-soo, wow, you look so handsome today!”
Shin Hyo-jin, wearing a simply designed black dress with a jacket draped over her shoulders, tapped on the bar with an excited voice. Song Hyun-soo tapped back, matching her energy.
“You too, Senior! You look so chic and amazing!”
“I almost didn’t recognize you. I didn’t even know it was you, Hyun-soo! Hyo-jin told me.”
Even Han Joo-young’s eyes widened as he continued to scan Song Hyun-soo’s attire.
“That tuxedo looks really good.”
“As expected, you recognize quality, Hyung. I put in some effort today for Joo-ho Sunbae’s birthday.”
Instead of pretending ignorance or feigning humility, Song Hyun-soo playfully puffed out his chest, stroking the lapel of his tuxedo.
“I always thought you looked like a college student, so I didn’t realize. But when you dress up like this, Hyun-soo, you really look like an actor. You should dress up more often.”
More so than seeing Song Hyun-soo anew, Han Joo-young seemed almost shocked. Even though he knew Han Joo-young wasn’t intentionally being mean, Song Hyun-soo sometimes found him annoying. Just seeing his bewildered expression made Song Hyun-soo feel as if a weight had been lifted.