"Nahee, your acting was really impressive!"

Director Kim Pilseok clapped his hands as he spoke. The staff members also looked at Cha Nahyi with wide, surprised eyes.

It was the first time she had received such positive feedback during the filming of Dream Future. Up until now, any applause she received felt forced, but this time, it was different.

Everyone’s reaction. Even she was surprised when she replayed the performance in her mind. Had she really done that well?

'No, was that even acting?'

As the heat that had been coursing through her body began to cool, she recalled the moment on stage. The moment when Seoyeon stepped forward and began to sing. Originally, she was supposed to downplay her presence or perform awkwardly, but...

‘It was as if she was asking, "Is this okay?"’

Instead, Seoyeon had stolen Nahyi’s spotlight with full force. Acting? Yes, it was acting. Seoyeon was a monster capable of doing something like that while staying in character.

Nahyi had felt it. But she wasn’t the same. Her pride as an idol wouldn't allow it.

‘The stage was already set the moment Seoyeon stepped forward.’

Maybe she sensed it instinctively. The moment Seoyeon moved, the emotions of Cha Nahyi and Song Soha couldn’t help but align.

A scene not in the original script. Confusion and bewilderment. The jealousy she had felt toward Seoyeon all this time.

The moment Seoyeon stepped forward, it turned the stage into a place where 'Cha Nahyi' appeared to be 'Song Soha.'

‘Is this what it means to be an actor?’

She had felt something similar while filming with Park Jungwoo. But Seoyeon's influence was more raw and instinctive.

It was as if she was forcibly drawing her into the flow. Thanks to that, on this stage, Cha Nahyi undoubtedly became Song Soha.

The applause that followed on stage began to extend to the viewers as well.

“Did you watch Dream Future episode 14 last night?” “Wow, it was something else. Cha Nahyi as Song Soha? Which group was she from again? The live performance was no joke.” “I was really bummed that Jo Harin got eliminated.”

The showdown between Jo Harin and Song Soha. Honestly, it felt less like acting and more like a real idol battle.

The main character in the show was Song Soha. In that sense, the scene where Song Soha took a step ahead in the competition with Jo Harin was incredibly impactful.

And that scene...

“Heh, she really played with the acting.” “You noticed that too, huh?”

Lee Sangsoo and Song Gwangmin, who had appeared on Star Fisherman with Seoyeon, were discussing episode 14 of Dream Future. It wasn’t the type of drama that usually appealed to them. But there was something that drew them in.

By the time they realized it, they had watched the entire episode 14. Especially last night’s episode. Any actor with a keen eye would have noticed right away.

“She naturally guided her co-star’s emotions. And that means she moved the emotions of the viewers as well.” “Right. If it had been done poorly, it would have been a very uncomfortable scene.” “It was definitely an ad-lib.”

Replaying the scene, the moment Seoyeon stepped forward, Cha Nahyi’s genuine emotions burst out. But because it fit the situation so naturally, none of the viewers realized it was an NG (no good) take.

The NG flowed seamlessly into the emotional transition, and Cha Nahyi became Song Soha.

“To have such acting skill at this age...” “It would be difficult without having observed others’ emotions for a long time.”

How could someone of her age pull that off? It raised questions. The depth of her understanding of emotions was profound.

‘It felt like she knew exactly how people would react in certain situations.’

It was as if she had mechanically learned how others would emotionally respond to her actions. Considering Seoyeon’s age, it was ridiculous, but that’s exactly how it felt.

“Senior.” “Hmm?” “So, what are you going to do?”

Seoyeon had asked Lee Sangsoo to watch this episode 14. Her intention was clear.

“Our junior is practically encouraging you to start acting again.” “...”

He had failed in Hollywood and lost his passion for acting.

‘The spark.’

A close junior had once said something like that to him.

‘The one who holds both starlight and the spark.’

Unfortunately, Lee Sangsoo was the one with the spark. Unable to shine like starlight, he was an actor who burned himself to act.

The fire had been extinguished by the cold waters, making it difficult to rekindle. Watching dramas or movies no longer brought him any joy.

‘But...’

Yesterday, for the first time in a long while, he felt joy. He wanted to act again.

“Honestly, I had been thinking...” “About what?” “That after Star Fisherman ended, I would retire completely.” “!!”

It was the first time Song Gwangmin heard his true feelings, and his eyes widened in surprise. Seeing his reaction, Lee Sangsoo chuckled.

“But it seems I won’t be able to do that.”

The spark that the young junior had breathed life into was beginning to glow faintly.

And the person who had ignited that spark...

“Could you... teach me that song?” “...What?”

...was now making a personal request to Cha Nahyi.

It happened while Seoyeon was out shopping with Jiyeon. Seoyeon wasn’t the type to buy clothes for herself often.

She usually just wore what her mother, Sua, picked out for her, as she never really cared about fashion.

“Seoyeon, why don’t you make use of your pretty face more?” “I use it for acting.” “...” “Sorry.”

Seoyeon quickly apologized under Jiyeon’s sharp gaze. She thought it was a humorous answer, but apparently, Jiyeon didn’t think so. In any case, Seoyeon had never really thought about clothes much before. But recently, after shopping around with Jiyeon, she started to take a bit of interest.

Watching her, Jiyeon remarked with a bit of surprise.

“...You really seem to like skirts.” “They’re comfortable.” “You’re probably the only one who thinks skirts are comfortable.”

Well, they were comfortable, in a way. Skirts were practical for moving around. However, they were also challenging due to the attention they attracted or the fact that they’d ride up if you ran a bit.

‘Sometimes it feels like she doesn’t really understand what embarrassment is.’

Jiyeon thought Seoyeon might be a bit insensitive to her own emotions sometimes, but she wondered if she could be that oblivious.

Skirts were cool in the summer but cold in the winter. But Seoyeon mostly lived in her school uniform, and she definitely preferred skirts.

‘This is probably due to her mother’s influence.’

As a child, Seoyeon only wore pants. Jiyeon used to find it odd, but Sua worked hard to change that, and now here she was.

‘Hmm.’

However, Jiyeon felt slightly uncomfortable around Sua. That was mostly due to something that happened back in middle school...

“What? OST work?”

At that moment, Seoyeon’s voice broke into her thoughts. OST?

“What’s going on?” “Well...”

Seoyeon hesitated, unsure where to start. Should she mention first that she might be the lead in a new drama?

‘But...’

At this point, Jiyeon had probably noticed. It felt like Seoyeon was the one constantly landing roles.

In reality, Jiyeon hadn’t secured any significant roles since her cable drama. She said she was taking a break, but...

“They asked if I could play the lead role in a new drama.” “Did your manager call?” “Yeah.”

Apparently, it was a script originally meant for a cable network. The scriptwriter was Min Sehee.

She hadn’t taken on any major projects before. However, due to the high praise for the latter part of Dream Future, the higher-ups had taken an interest.

Coincidentally, it was a drama featuring young actors, just like Dream Future. KMB proposed airing it.

Upon hearing this, Min Sehee requested if it would be okay to cast Seoyeon as the lead, and the higher-ups approved.

“And since you performed quite well live in Dream Future...” “They asked if you’d be interested in doing some OST work as well?”

Seoyeon spoke calmly, trying not to show that she was bothered. Fortunately, Jiyeon didn’t seem to mind much.

‘What can I do?’

Of course, it wasn’t that Jiyeon didn’t care. But she knew Seoyeon well enough. The young star. Having watched her grow up, Jiyeon knew exactly how wide the gap between them was. However, just standing by without doing anything made her worry, and her pride wouldn’t let her.

‘Gyeongseong Lady.'

A chance brought to her by Jo Seohui. It was obvious that she had brought it with the cunning intention of acting alongside Seoyeon, but it was a significant opportunity for Jiyeon as well. In that sense, she was genuinely grateful to Jo Seohui.

‘I have to pass the audition.’

She had heard that, since Director Baek Min preferred art films, the competition might not be as fierce. But who knows?

“But Jiyeon.” “What?” “...Do you think I could learn a bit more from that person?”

The 'magician' who sometimes collaborated with 'Ramiel.' It was clear she was talking about Han Dayoung.

‘That person?’

Jiyeon tilted her head at the oddly distant title. But then she remembered how Seoyeon would become strangely prickly whenever the 'magician' teamed up with 'Ramiel' and chuckled.

Despite that, Seoyeon still wanted to learn singing from Han Dayoung. The 'magician' was indeed good at singing. She was also a great teacher.

“But, she’s in Japan right now.” “?” “She has a meeting with a... company there.” “Oh, for how long?” “She probably won’t be back until the end of the month.”

Jiyeon stopped short of saying it was a meeting with a VTuber agency. After all, this was a topic mostly discussed among those in the know. It was a silly thing, but Seoyeon was extremely meticulous about such matters.

“...Really?”

Seoyeon was clearly troubled by Jiyeon’s words. And for good reason. They had suggested she test out her skills in the studio before working on the OST.

That test was in exactly two weeks. If she performed poorly, the OST might be canceled.

‘I don’t want that.’

Honestly, she wanted to try working on the OST. She wanted to try new things, no matter what. Besides, everyone kept saying she was a good singer, so naturally, she wanted to sing more.

‘It would also be useful if I end up becoming a VTuber...’

As if making excuses, Seoyeon mumbled to herself, eager to work on the OST.

‘Come to think of it, agreeing to do the OST means I also agreed to take the lead role.’

She wondered if she had accepted too hastily. But, since the action movie audition planned by the GH Group had yet to be scheduled, and since Gyeongseong Lady wouldn’t start filming for a few months—plus, she didn’t even need to audition for it anymore—she suddenly found herself with a lot of free time.

“Normally, during such times, you take a break by doing some commercials or variety shows.”

That’s what Manager Park Eunha had said, but Seoyeon wasn’t very interested in that. Her abundant energy couldn’t be satisfied with just commercials.

‘What should I do...’

Seoyeon hesitated. Wasn’t there someone who could help her? Just as she was pondering this, someone came to mind.

After all, she had recently become close to an idol during a shoot.

“Excuse me?”

Labin of the girl group 'Summer Girl' tilted her head in response to Cha Nahyi’s words.

“Oh, um, yes.”

Cha Nahyi hesitated. Her position within the group was somewhat ambiguous.

Specifically, in terms of relationships. By chance, she had gained popularity on a variety show, monopolizing the spotlight.

She also had the most broadcast activities. And now, with her proven skills in Dream Future, 'Summer Girl' was starting to feel like a group of extras with Nahyi as the star.

Because of this, there was a sense of distance between Nahyi and the other members.

‘She got lucky and blew up.’

Labin frowned slightly as she looked at Nahyi. When they first debuted, Nahyi had the lowest rank among the members.

There were even rumors that she was chosen only for her looks.

‘Aside from her looks and singing...’

Labin tried to convince herself that was all Nahyi had going for her.

‘Even if Nahyi brings someone, they probably won’t be much.’

Nahyi was rather timid within the group. She was thoughtful and cautious when making friends, so most of the people she knew were fairly boring.

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

So, Labin, the leader of 'Summer Girl,' casually gave her approval. And the next day...

“Hello.” “...”

A slightly stiff voice. Long black hair, a neat school uniform. A pale face and shockingly beautiful features filled her view. This was an actress. Moreover, the girl who had recently become the hottest star in town through The Chaser and Dream Future.

Ju Seoyeon calmly greeted them. And as she watched them all react in shock, Seoyeon thought to herself:

‘Their legs are really slender.’

She wondered if they would break if she kicked them.