The last appearance of Jo Harin in Dream Future. Normally, this wouldn’t have been such a highlight. However...

"Is Jo Harin really leaving the show today?"

"Huh? Really?"

"So what happened with Park Minyul?"

To the public, Dream Future had already become a highly talked-about drama. The amusing part was that this buzz all started from a single movie.

"Oh, is there a live broadcast today too? Of course, there is!"

A YouTuber with 1.4 million subscribers, Han Bongshik, nodded enthusiastically at the camera. How could he not livestream Dream Future?

‘I really rode the wave at the perfect time.’

Han Bongshik chuckled as he looked at his subscriber count. After being stuck at around 1 million subscribers for a long time, the numbers had recently started climbing noticeably—now reaching 1.4 million.

All of this had happened after The Chaser was released. People who were either searching for reviews of The Chaser or looking up a certain actress common to both The Chaser and Dream Future had stumbled upon his content through the algorithm.

Even though Bongshik had already been one of the top three movie reviewers, now he was undeniably in second place. If he could surpass just one more person, he could take the top spot.

That’s why he had a special fondness for the actress who had contributed to his success.

‘I really love you, Ju Seoyeon.’

His affection for Seoyeon had reached its peak. With that in mind, his anticipation for today’s Dream Future episode 14 was sky-high.

‘I wish she could appear more, though.’

But the script had been changed, so there was nothing he could do about it. He just hoped that even if she was leaving, she would leave in the most spectacular way possible. And then...

"…Hmmm."

Jo Seohui narrowed her eyes as she awaited the live broadcast of Dream Future episode 14.

‘This isn't just a one-off, right?’

She wasn’t sure who had planned this drama, but it seemed well-tuned to current trends. It felt like waiting for a real audition show, with the drama streaming simultaneously as real-time reactions poured in online.

"I wonder…"

Jo Seohui was personally looking forward to episode 14 of Dream Future because it might give her some insight into the acting style Seoyeon would bring to Gyeongseong Lady, a project they might soon be filming together.

Given that the story would inevitably involve romance, Seohui wanted to see how Seoyeon handled romantic scenes.

‘I heard from Senior Jungwoo that she’s going for a more restrained approach.’

That’s what the script said. But would Seoyeon really settle for just that?

Every time they met, Seoyeon had a cool demeanor, but when it came to acting, she was nothing if not passionate.

"…"

But why is she only so cool toward me? She’s all wagging tails and smiles with everyone else.

‘This is why you need to be careful about what you say.’

...Maybe she was still holding a grudge over the "nepotism" comment she made when they were younger. Yeah, that must be it.

Jo Seohui convinced herself of this. In truth, Seoyeon hadn’t really thought much about the nepotism comment. In fact, she had almost forgotten about it.

The reason she felt awkward around Jo Seohui was purely due to her intimidating appearance. With a face that looked like it belonged to a villainous noblewoman, Seoyeon, who was naturally shy around people, found it hard to approach her.

"Anyway."

Jo Seohui turned her attention back to Dream Future as the music started playing, signaling the beginning of the episode. The protagonist, Song Soha, and Jo Harin were about to face off in the semifinals.

"You know, I’ve always been a little jealous of you."

Jo Harin spoke with a bittersweet smile. Usually so cheerful, Jo Harin was finally revealing her true feelings to Song Soha.

The viewers had known, but this was the first time Song Soha heard about Jo Harin’s inner thoughts.

"Seeing you sing on stage was always so dazzling…"

Idols are, after all, singers. Singing is more important than dancing.

Jo Harin had always been a better dancer than Song Soha, but her singing skills were significantly weaker. Although the gap had closed over time, Song Soha was still superior.

‘What an ironic situation.’

Seohui pondered as she watched the interaction between Song Soha and Jo Harin. In the story, Jo Harin was jealous of Song Soha, but in reality, it was the opposite.

Park Jungwoo had mentioned as much.

"Nahyi is too conscious of that girl."

"Conscious of her?"

"It’s obvious. She’s worried that if Ju Seoyeon gets more screen time, she’ll be overshadowed again."

Cha Nahyi had only managed to regain her standing as the main character once Seoyeon’s role was scaled back. In the first few episodes, most of the reactions had been about Seoyeon. So after the script was revised, Nahyi had been working hard to keep up.

"As expected, Seoyeon’s acting has come to the forefront again."

"And Nahyi’s acting is being criticized again."

Seohui was aware of this. While it wasn’t as harsh as what Ma Yeonwoo had faced, it was still "disappointing."

But for someone like Cha Nahyi, who was taking on her first lead role, it must have felt like a stake through the heart.

"So it’s understandable that she’s desperate…"

"She shouldn’t worry too much."

"People are different."

"Hmph, you were overshadowed by Ju Seoyeon too, Senior Jungwoo."

"…"

Jungwoo was about to say that his character didn’t have much screen time and was too bland to make an impact, but he decided against it, realizing it would be a weak excuse.

"…I’ll keep an eye on you in your next movie, Gyeongseong Lady, right?"

"Uh-huh."

Anyway, just like that conversation with Jungwoo, episode 14 needed to show Song Soha’s impact as the main character through her showdown with Jo Harin.

‘Otherwise, the finale might feel lackluster.’

But this was also up to Seoyeon. Seohui recalled Eyes Closed.

Back then, Seoyeon had played Hong Junghee, a role meant to elevate the main character. Seoyeon had executed her role brilliantly.

But unlike in a play, in a drama, it’s hard to avoid wanting more screen time. Moreover, since many viewers already saw Jo Harin as a quasi-main character, any misstep in stepping back could lead to controversy.

‘The conflict between the two in the drama.’

This episode focused more on the conflict between Song Soha and Jo Harin than on the male-female dynamics. It was the right decision.

Jo Harin revealing her inferiority complex, and Song Soha accepting it.

At the same time, Song Soha also secretly admired Jo Harin’s bubbly charm and dancing skills. So, hearing that Jo Harin was jealous of her was a shock.

"…I can’t lose."

Song Soha said.

"But then again, neither can you, right?"

Song Soha, who had always been timid, showed strong determination. And so the semifinals began.

"In the semifinals, there will be two rounds."

The host announced. The semifinals would be decided over two rounds.

First, they would sing a duet to show their harmony. Then, they would each perform a solo to determine the winner.

"Are you confident?"

It seemed like the question was directed at Song Soha. But as Seohui watched, she felt like it was a question for Cha Nahyi.

Was she ready to face the "acting" that was about to unfold?

"Yes."

Song Soha answered simply. And as the music started, the two began to sing.

‘Of course, as an idol, she should be more skilled.’

Just like Ma Yeonwoo. However, Ma Yeonwoo had managed because the character had been tailored to her.

Could Cha Nahyi fill the stage as "Song Soha"? And then...

• Cha Nahyi is doing better than I expected.

• They do feel like the main character when they’re together.

Online reactions began to pop up. This was the first time they had performed together on stage, apart from the early episodes.

When compared like this, it was clear that Song Soha was better in terms of skill.

‘Something feels off.’

The 1.4 million-subscriber YouTuber Han Bongshik felt it.

‘This hasn’t even started yet.’

Jo Seohui watched the screen carefully. The desperation that should have been present in an audition was missing.

And she wasn’t the only one who noticed.

‘Why did they air this as is?’

Director Kim Ilsu, who was watching episode 14, frowned. As someone who knew a thing or two about directing, certain things stood out to him.

It was the acting. Yes, it felt too much like acting.

It didn’t feel like an audition show. While the viewers' reactions were fairly positive…

But then, Jo Harin took a step forward in front of Song Soha.

• Huh?

At first, it was just a simple question. But as Seoyeon started singing during her turn, Song Soha’s eyes filled with confusion.

‘This isn’t acting.’

It was real. Song Soha was genuinely confused. After all, Cha Nahyi wasn’t skilled enough to portray such emotions through acting.

So Seoyeon brought out the real deal.

• Wow

• Jo Harin is better in terms of skill, isn’t she?

• Isn’t the actress playing Song Soha an idol? How can a singer be outperformed by an actor?

‘Was this intentional?’

Director Kim Ilsu watched in a daze. This was probably Seoyeon’s own doing.

You could tell from Song Soha’s reaction. Seoyeon’s explosive emotions filled the screen.

It was as if she were erasing Song Soha’s presence.

‘She knows.’

Director Kim Ilsu realized that Seoyeon knew how to draw out Song Soha’s potential. By provoking emotions.

‘Cha Nahyi is an idol, and her pride as an idol must be stronger than her pride as an actor.’

But what if Seoyeon’s performance on stage was so overwhelming?

It might completely break Cha Nahyi, but...

‘Method acting.’

If immersing oneself completely into a role is method acting, then what would you call this?

What Seoyeon was doing was drawing her opponent into the role as well. By provoking her emotions, Seoyeon was forcing Song Soha to immerse herself in the character.

Cha Nahyi, who had been on countless stages, would instinctively know. She would realize how she looked on camera compared to Seoyeon.

‘It’s like Ma Yeonwoo, but different.’

While Ma Yeonwoo had acted out of her own choice, this was becoming a "forced immersion."

As Song Soha’s emotions and Cha Nahyi’s feelings aligned in the final moment before the finals...

Seoyeon’s eyes turned red.

Facing the overwhelming emotions, she smiled at Song Soha. And at the audience.

It was a smile that probably evoked different feelings in each viewer. As they watched, the audience, along with Director Kim Ilsu, clenched their fists.

Song Soha gripped the microphone tightly. And then...

An explosive emotion burst forth.

"This is... how long has it been?"

One of the producers in KMB’s drama department said this.

"Since one actor had such a strong influence on a drama’s ratings."

No one knew exactly how much, but it was clear the impact was significant.

"I did see potential in Dream Future to some extent..."

Dream Future episode 14. The episode that focused on the final showdown between Song Soha and Jo Harin.

Its ratings...

"23 percent."

The drama department was abuzz. After all, this was the highest rating achieved by any drama in the past year.

Ten years ago, this would have been considered a "decent" rating, but now, it was an almost unreachable number.

It was close to the highest ratings ever recorded for a youth drama. A youth drama surpassing 20 percent? That hadn’t happened even ten years ago.

"Honestly, there were some risky parts in yesterday’s episode 14..."

"Was that Ju Seoyeon’s doing?"

"We don’t know."

Seoyeon herself hadn’t made any comments about her acting. Those who watched could only speculate.

"If it was intentional…"

"It’s like she’s playing with emotions."

Was it possible because she had an abundance of emotions? Or was it because she had a deep understanding of others' feelings?

How much did she observe people's emotions to be able to do something like that? Seoyeon’s strength had always been her emotional acting.

Anyone who had been in this industry for a while knew that. It was evident in The Hidden Sun and the Moon. And recently, she had clearly demonstrated it in The Chaser.

Though the impact of her emotional acting had been somewhat diluted in Dream Future, episode 14 left a different kind of strong impression.

"The new drama... Sky Garden, right?"

"Yes, originally, it was supposed to be a cable drama."

"Written by Min Sehee?"

"Yes."

The meeting today was to discuss the casting for Sky Garden.

"Will it be her first lead role?"

"Without an audition?"

As they discussed, the door to the meeting room opened. A middle-aged man with a pleasant demeanor walked in and took a seat.

"There will be an audition."

"Huh?"

"But it’s not really..."

Drama director Hataeo smiled at them.

"Do you think there’s any chance she won’t get the role?"

"Well…"

"The audition is to reduce noise, and young actors tend to be sensitive about these things."

For instance, they might think it was "nepotism."

"Come on, she’s already a known name."

"But it could also serve as a way to assert dominance."

It was a way to show what it means to have the presence of a leading role. This was, in its own way, Hataeo’s consideration.

Consideration for the other actors who would be working alongside Ju Seoyeon.

"Oh, and about the OST for Sky Garden, how about having Ju Seoyeon do it?"

There was no one in the room who could refuse Hataeo’s suggestion.