Chapter 38:

Chapter 38:

Director Jang Jaeyi emerged from a meeting at Gu Film', a production company led by Gu Chanik, with a flush of excitement on his face and murmured, "Impressive, isn't it?" Gu Chanik had taken a strong liking to Han Yooil, remarkably so. Initially, it seemed that Chanik had arranged the meeting with Yooil with a casual, Let's just meet, don't expect much,' attitude.

"Now, he insists he won't do it without Mr. Yooil" Jaeyi pondered, a sly smile playing on his lips. Considering it was Gu Chanik, known for his exacting standards, Jaeyi was curious about how Yooil had managed to charm him to this extent. At that moment, Yooil, standing beside Jaeyi, looked completely oblivious to the situation.

With a light chuckle, Jaeyi continued, "The director, notorious for his meticulousness, will soon call only the actors. The shooting is likely to start in autumn."

"Understood," Yooil replied.

"You have a schedule today, right Mr. Yooil?"

"Yes!" The response came from Min Woojin, his eyes sparkling, "You have a recording for a number from Sing in High School' in two hours!"

"Oh, right. I forgot about that," Jaeyi nodded in realization, then gently patted Yooil's shoulder. "Good luck."

It didn't take long for Yooil to understand the meaning behind Jaeyi's look. Recording songs was proving to be more challenging than post-recording. In Sing in High School,' a song was featured in each episode, and Yooil had to record three of them. The feedback was thankfully specific, making the task a bit less daunting. The professionals gathered had indeed lived up to their reputation, as the music's quality was quite high. The guide track initially provided to the actors was good, but the final product was noticeably different.

"Wow." Even though Yooil wasn't particularly knowledgeable about music, he could tell that the soundtrack would appeal to many.

On the day the final episode of Sing in High School' was released, along with its soundtrack, HM turned on the TV for a modest dinner. HM switched directly to OTube, paying no attention to other channels. As the Sing in High School' subtitle started appearing on the screen, HM thought, Ah, this is exciting.'

Initially, HM had started watching the drama just for Kim Harang. Teen dramas weren't really HM's taste, especially the cringe-worthy ones. However, the drama proved to be enjoyable. It wasn't as juvenile as expected. Especially as the lead actors, including Harang, improved their acting skills over time. HM straightened up as Seon Gihyeon appeared in a close-up.

"He's been good from the start."

And then, HM was completely engrossed in the drama.

* * *

The team led by Hyobin was in the finals of Superstar High School'. The theme of the final round was Remake', focusing on how well the original music could be rearranged into the contestants' own style. The host clapped his hands and announced, "Next up is a team with quite a unique name, Haphazard Squad'!" Haphazard Squad' was a name Hyena came up with after giving up on finding a common point among the team members.

Hyena, with her hair sportily tied up, and Hyobin, with a scarf wrapped around her head, were the first to ascend the stage, followed by Harang, wearing an outfit reminiscent of sportswear. Behind them, Seon Gihyeon and Lee Taewoo, who had just reconciled temporarily, climbed onto the stage. The team members faced the audience, whose interest seemed to have waned after the previous performances.

It's getting a bit boring Seems like the earlier team will win, right?

What should we eat later?

Observing the murmuring audience, Seon Gihyeon slowly closed his eyes. When he reopened them, his teammates were looking at him. A smile gradually appeared on Gihyeon's face, a stark contrast to his usual cold and expressionless demeanor. And then, the accompaniment began to play.

The judges' eyes widened upon hearing the familiar tune.

This song is'

It was Shin Hyuncheol's Run', a song well-known by anyone who had lived through the 80s.

"Yeah, you're right

I don't know anything"

The intro, capable of inducing nostalgia in anyone, was transformed with a synth sound, providing a peculiar variation. While retaining familiarity, the arrangement shed some of the original music's heaviness.

"All we know is just this moment"

Hyobin, who had started singing at the front, quickly moved back, making way for Harang, who appeared with flamboyant steps.

"The time we clench our fists and roll our feet"

At that moment, the drama's audience gasped. The sparkling poms, which everyone thought were just part of the costumes, shone as they revealed themselves.

"Let's roll up our sleeves and run vigorously"

All five students raised colorful poms high into the sky.

"Feeling the refreshing breeze, like walking above the clouds"

Wow.

The judges watched their cheerleading in amazement.

They really nailed the concept.

The Newblix ranking, which had started in the top 10, steadily climbed until it reached number one in Korea within a week, and soon after, it entered the top 10 non-English-speaking countries.

Yooil, who already knew about the Newblix ranking thanks to the swift Brion, had to put in his utmost effort to produce a reaction that would satisfy Min Woojin.

It was an expected result for Newblix to be number one in Korea.

While Brion considered it a foregone conclusion, Sing in High School' achieved even better results than the production company had anticipated. It wasn't long before Kim Kyuoh, the director, called personally.

Yooil, I know that thanks to you, the other actors were able to fully demonstrate their abilities.

Han Yooil had to take a moment to find the right words in response to Director Kim Kyuoh's words.

"Oh, no, it wasn't just me."

Humble. Let's all go on a trip together when our schedules clear up. Everyone seemed to like the idea, right?

After expressing his gratitude and hanging up the phone, Yooil flopped down on his bed. Was this the so-called reward vacation he had heard about? "Feels good," he thought as he was about to close his eyes when he heard a subtle voice.

Mr. Yooil.

What?'

Tomorrow is the script reading for The Mysterious Garden'. I recommend you wear a scarf to bed for your throat's health.

Understood.'

* * *

The next morning.

It was the day of the script reading for The Mysterious Garden'. Yooil entered a conference room in Sangam and was guided to his seat by the production staff.

"Hello, Mr. Yooil, you can sit here. The director and the assistant director will sit over here!"

He slowly surveyed the table. There were nine chairs around the large table. It seemed that aside from the flower shop owner', played by Hwang Yiwon, and flower shop part-timer', played by Han Yooil, there would be a reading with about five supporting actors.

The flower shop owner.

A character full of secrets, blunt yet quirky, to be played by the middle-aged protagonist, Hwang Yiwon. Hwang had debuted 23 years ago in Pretty Brothers' and had since maintained a steady career, holding the title of flower boy actor'. His acting was also said to improve as time went by.

While Yooil was lost in thought, supporting actors Joo Heeyoung and Kim Miso entered the room.

"Hello, seniors."

"Ah, hello~ Please take your seats. Nice to meet you~"

After exchanging greetings with them, Yooil sat back down and began reading the script when he noticed a tanned face peeking through the door gap. It was Son Jisoo, followed by a manager who seemed new on the job, judging by his slightly clueless demeanor and contrasting appearance to the pale-faced manager he had seen in the hallway before.

It seems like the manager has changed.'

The average tenure of Son Jisoo's managers is 31.5 days.

Can that even be called tenure'?'

It was then that Son Jisoo's voice was heard.

"Yooil, long time no see?"

Yooil's eyebrows slightly raised. It was an unexpectedly gentle voice coming from him.

"Hello."

"It's our first meeting since that time. How have you been?"

As Son Jisoo asked warmly and took a seat next to Yooil, the door opened at just the right moment. It was Director Gu Chanik. Noticing him, Son Jisoo began to treat Yooil even more amiably, wearing a kind smile.

In his most recent interview, Son Jisoo mentioned Director Gu Chanik as the person he respects the most.

I see.

This shooting is going to be interesting in many ways.'