A cold December, where even a slight breath creates visible frost. The atmosphere of Christmas carols was gradually spreading.

On the set of High Dream, the crew seemed determined to overcome the cold. They were sipping on instant coffee, blowing on it to cool it down.

“What’s everyone doing for Christmas?” “What can we even do? If we're unlucky, we might have to come in for work.” “What?!” “Why are you so shocked, kid? The show airs in early January, do you think we’ll get Christmas off?” “I think the PD and the cinematographer have already decided to work through Christmas.”

This was the usual small talk before getting to work. After a few minutes of light conversation, the topic naturally shifted to today’s shoot.

"Today is Lee Jae's final shoot, right?" "Why do you call it the 'final shoot'? Can't you just say 'the last shoot'? This younger generation loves to shorten everything." "These days, even five-syllable words get shortened." "Good grief, this world is doomed."

The crew glanced around the set. While there were no reporters, there were plenty of people who could fill their shoes.

“Did we break something at the school?” “No, we didn’t.” “Then why are so many people from the performing arts academy here?” “You really don’t know? Ah, that’s right. You were sick that day.” “Huh? What did I miss?” “You didn’t see Kim Dong-hoo's piano performance as Lee Jae.” “No, I didn’t.”

The senior crew member slurped down the last bit of their coffee and continued.

“Everyone who saw that performance is here today, wanting to see Kim Dong-hoo play the piano again.” “Is he really that good?”

Is it possible for an actor to play the piano so well that even people from a performing arts academy would show up to see it?

The senior crew member chuckled and shrugged.

“You’ll know when you see it.”

+++++

At the same time.

Edward Park, the principal of the arts academy, was staring intently at the school gate.

“Principal, staring at it like that won’t make the actor arrive any faster. You’re going to scare him away.” “Hmm, was my gaze that obvious?” “To be honest, you’re giving off some pervy raccoon vibes.” “Pfft!”

A piano teacher, standing quietly behind them, spat out their coffee at the blunt comment from the vice-principal.

Since witnessing Kim Dong-hoo's performance, Edward Park had been adamant about getting him admitted to the arts academy. That was why so many teachers from the academy had gathered here today.

Despite being likened to a pervy raccoon, the principal had a keen eye for spotting talent.

Given the principal’s high praise, it was only natural for everyone to be curious.

“But isn’t it a bit early to be waiting? There are still two hours until filming starts.”

Edward Park nodded in response to the vice-principal's question.

“Kim Dong-hoo is incredibly diligent. He usually arrives two hours early.” “No way, really? Why is he so diligent?” “And here’s something you haven’t seen yet: he’s unbelievably handsome.”

In my opinion, he’s the most handsome person in the world.

As Edward Park gushed, everyone laughed. At that moment, a small food truck slowly pulled up to the school gate.

A vehicle that hadn’t been scheduled. The crew and the academy staff quickly moved toward it, wondering what was going on. Sensing people approaching, the food truck driver rolled down the window.

“I’ve brought fishcake soup. Kim Dong-hoo sent this. Is this the set of High Dream?”

On this chilly winter filming day, Kim Dong-hoo had sent a fishcake soup truck to the set.

“As expected from Kim Dong-hoo! I knew you had a good heart ever since your Doctor Carrick days!”

And thus began the unexpected worship of Kim Dong-hoo.

Then, a black van pulled in behind the food truck. Curious about who it could be this time, the crew watched closely.

“Hello! I’m Kim Dong-hoo, playing the role of Lee Jae!”

Just like the first time he arrived, Kim Dong-hoo appeared, always keeping his humble spirit intact.

“Dong-hoo! Dong-hoo! Oh my, you’re so precious!”

As if waiting for this moment, PD Kim Young-mo immediately ran to greet him. No one found this strange. The fishcake soup was exceptionally warm.

+++++

As Kim Dong-hoo arrived, the other actors began to show up as well. The core cast members of High Dream, including Jang Gun-ho, who played the principal Wang Ho, and Kim Yu-ryeon, who played the chairwoman Maria, had all gathered on set.

All the main and supporting actors of High Dream were present. Today was the day they would shoot the key performance at the Mirinae Concert Hall.

High Dream, known as a group of underachievers, was set to boldly take the stage. Thanks to the schemes of Wang Ho and Lee Jae, they would be the first to perform. Afterward, the final performance by Lee Jae would mark the end of the concert.

The audience would demand an encore, leading High Dream to perform one last time. That was the general flow of events planned for the shoot.

Since the members of High Dream had to perform twice, they were diligently tuning their instruments.

“Did everyone practice a lot?”

Jin Soo-hyuk, who played Song Chul-soo, the leader of High Dream and the male lead, asked. Everyone nodded in response.

“It was really tough.” “I started to feel like I was part of a real band instead of an actor.” “This is the first time I’ve immersed myself in a role this deeply.” “Same here.”

Each cast member expressed how difficult it had been for them. As they spoke, they couldn’t help but remember why they had worked so hard.

‘Kim Dong-hoo.’

That day. The day Kim Dong-hoo, as Lee Jae, sat at the piano and played.

The disgust-laden melody left everyone in shock. At the same time, they realized something.

They had to surpass that performance. That was the real Lee Jae.

And so, they practiced relentlessly. To protect High Dream, to deliver a better performance.

These feelings only deepened as they rehearsed. The more they played, the more they became emotionally invested in their roles in High Dream.

Why they wanted to win so badly, why Lee Jae would have the final performance. What they needed to show in their opening act.

A whirlwind of emotions surged through them. By the time they regained their composure, they realized the cameras were rolling.

“Action!”

At the director’s signal, the filming began.

Tap, tap, tap, tap!

The rhythm of the drumsticks signaled the start. The bass and guitar followed suit, adding a smooth foundation to the melody. The keyboard further enriched the sound. And finally, the vocals they had practiced for months sought perfection.

♪♩♪♩♬♩♪

A song celebrating youth. Encouraging them not to lose sight of their dreams, assuring them that they could achieve anything.

“High Dream! Show the world your dreams!”

In a small opera hall, ill-suited for a band performance, The song of dreams and hope echoed. It was the core theme of High Dream and the essence of the drama, brought to life at the highest level.

“They really practiced hard.” “Yeah, I’m so proud of them.”

PD Kim Young-mo and writer Lee Min-ha smiled warmly as they watched. Perhaps it was the powerful stimulus that pushed them, but the performance was truly top-notch.

“Cut!”

As soon as the director gave the OK signal, everyone burst into applause.

“That was amazing!” “Woohoo! So handsome!” “High Dream is the best!”

Amid the applause from the crew, the actors playing the members of High Dream stepped down from the stage, smiling proudly. After that, the extras, hired for the shoot, took the stage. The final curtain was about to fall.

To prepare for the next scene, for the final performance.

Once again, the curtain rose. It had risen several times before, but this time it felt different. It weighed heavier than any other.

A grand piano appeared in everyone's view.

+++++

“If I don’t give it my all, I’ll be left in the dust.”

At Jang Gun-ho’s remark, who played Wang Ho, Kim Yu-ryeon chuckled.

“Indeed, he’s not only acting well, but he’s also prepared for the band performance.”

Kim Yu-ryeon, who played Chairwoman Maria, shared the sentiment. Balancing both acting and band practice couldn’t have been easy.

As they continued to praise the members of High Dream, the grand piano caught Jang Gun-ho’s attention, pulling him into his role as Wang Ho, and Kim Yu-ryeon into hers as Maria.

‘…Is it happening?’

‘I heard he changed the song after discussing it.’

Originally, Kim Dong-hoo was supposed to perform Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata during the actual shoot. However, he had suggested something better and proposed a different piece.

On one condition: he didn’t want to rehearse it beforehand.

Normally, such a request would be out of the question. But writer Lee Min-ha had strongly supported the idea.

Since no one saw any harm, they decided to skip the rehearsal. Now, for the first time, everyone would hear Kim Dong-hoo’s new performance.

“Alright, let’s begin. Action!”

As if waiting for the director's cue, Kim Dong-hoo, or rather, Lee Jae, appeared from backstage.

Dressed in a clean uniform, the kind worn for piano competitions. His hair neatly slicked back.

With his overwhelmingly handsome appearance, dressed up like this, he looked like a true aristocrat. But his face was filled with a deep disgust.

It seemed as though simply stepping onto this stage was disgraceful. As if proving his talent was something he loathed.

The disfigured aristocrat approached the grand piano.

Before sitting down, he gave a brief bow to the audience. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Lee Jae’s performance.

In his first performance, he had spread disgust everywhere, showcasing his talent. What would he reveal in his second performance?

The entire set was so tense that people forgot to swallow their own saliva.

And then...

Dum, dum, dum, ding, ding, ding.

Bells rang out.

Not the kind associated with Christmas carols. These bells signaled the end for those unworthy.

With every movement of Lee Jae’s fingers, emotions flowed. But now, there was no disgust.

Only contempt. He no longer considered them worthy of being in the same realm.

In 1838, inspired by a violinist who made a deal with the devil, a new score was born.

An introduction to transcendental technique, The pinnacle of piano mastery, A dazzling display of genius,

And the graveyard for those without talent.

“La Campanella…”

Amid someone’s awe-filled whisper, Lee Jae seemed to ask:

Do you really intend to give these worthless people a chance? Do you think it's right for these insignificant beings to win?

Perish. Don’t even dream. Just perish.

He whispered to everyone.

Change the story, Don’t bother giving chances to the inferior.

Do not imagine a scenario where I lose.

A flower nurtured by hatred blooms in full.