*Star.*  
A term that describes those whose talent and charm captivate the world. Yoo Sung-ah was one of those stars, a figure who was, without exaggeration, the most popular actress at the time.

Ha-eun found herself seated at the same table in the same cafe as this superstar by sheer happenstance.

*Click.*  
*Click-click.*  
*Click-click-click-click...*

"Excuse me, are you Yoo Sung-ah? Could I trouble you for an autograph—"  
"If it's not too much, could we take a photo together—"

Chaos surrounded them. Ha-eun hadn't even exchanged a proper word with Yoo Sung-ah or learned why the actress had asked to meet her.

Of course, quite a few people recognized Ha-eun, too. However, the overwhelming number of people who noticed Yoo Sung-ah drowned out any attention directed at her.

It took another twenty minutes for the atmosphere to settle enough for conversation. Yoo Sung-ah finally broke the silence with a calm remark.

"It’d be good for you to get used to this kind of attention, Ha-eun. Before long, you’ll be dealing with it yourself."

The comment wasn’t directly related to *My Love From the Stars,* but Ha-eun took it as a compliment and thanked Yoo Sung-ah.

Soon after, Yoo Sung-ah began explaining why she had asked Ha-eun to meet her.

"I’ve been watching your acting closely. It genuinely feels like I’m watching my younger self standing in front of the camera."

Yoo Sung-ah continued, offering Ha-eun praise for her acting.

However, Ha-eun sensed that this meeting wasn’t just for compliments. She patiently held Yoo Sung-ah’s gaze, waiting for her to reach the true point.

"The reason I wanted to meet with you today is because of the flashback scenes that will start filming next week," Yoo Sung-ah finally revealed.

Yoo Sung-ah’s true purpose for the meeting began to unfold.

"Up to this point, it seems like you’ve been too focused on mimicking my portrayal of Han Yoo-hwa. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it feels like you’re limiting your own range as an actor."

Neither the crew nor the cast had any complaints about Ha-eun’s performance. Yet, Yoo Sung-ah couldn’t help but notice how it differed from the acting Ha-eun had shown years ago in *The Neighbor Uncle.*

"Personally, I’d like the Joseon-era Han Yoo-hwa to be slightly different from the modern one. It might be better to highlight the contrasts between her past and present selves instead of showing her the same way across both timelines."

While the modern Han Yoo-hwa inevitably overlapped with Yoo Sung-ah’s portrayal, Yoo Sung-ah suggested that Ha-eun’s version of the character from centuries ago take on a distinct flavor.

This was Yoo Sung-ah’s personal opinion, based on intuition. No one could know if this advice would ultimately help or hinder Ha-eun in the future.

But if Ha-eun could harness that special quality she had shown in *The Neighbor Uncle,* the one that had made her stand out from countless other child actors…

"As you know, the flashback scenes from Episodes 2 to 5 are your stage, Ha-eun."

Not only would her scenes carry the expectations set by Yoo Sung-ah and Ha Yoon-sung’s powerful performances in the first episode, but she could also give viewers another reason to be deeply invested in *My Love From the Stars.*

“So, let the audience be mesmerized by *Lee Ha-eun,* not just a young doppelgänger of Han Yoo-hwa.”

Yoo Sung-ah advised Ha-eun not to focus so much on imitating her but rather to bring out the unique qualities only Ha-eun could give to Han Yoo-hwa.

From Ha-eun’s perspective, it was a daunting request, almost like asking her to come up with a completely new approach instead of following the exemplary model Yoo Sung-ah had set.

"I don’t say this to just anyone, you know. I’m only giving you this advice because I believe you’re fully capable of doing it."

“Um… I didn’t think it was nagging. Really, I didn’t,” Ha-eun replied.

"Then I’m glad to hear it."

With a high success rate in her predictions, Yoo Sung-ah felt certain that Ha-eun would succeed, just as she had been right to insist on Ha-eun for the role of young Han Yoo-hwa without even auditioning other child actors.

"Shall we head out? Sorry to keep you so long."

With that, they exited the cafe together. As people on the street began recognizing Yoo Sung-ah again, she pulled Ha-eun close and took out her new phone, sponsored just days before.

“Ha-eun, let’s take a picture together. It’ll be fun to share ‘the meeting of young and adult Han Yoo-hwa’ on social media.”

She raised her phone, drawing Ha-eun in close. But just as they posed, Ha-eun’s voice took on a slightly hesitant tone.

"Um, Senior Yoo Sung-ah, are you sure it’s okay to post on social media?"

Her concern stemmed from the fact that several scenes in *My Love From the Stars* showed Han Yoo-hwa struggling because of her use of social media. Yoo Sung-ah blinked in surprise for a moment before chuckling.

"Believe it or not, I graduated from K University. I may not be flawless, but I’m not going to mix up cottonseed with mocha seeds like Han Yoo-hwa does."

Yoo Sung-ah found Ha-eun’s innocent worry endearing, seeing this childlike side of her for the first time.

---

“Ha-eun, please be careful not to trip. We don’t have many backup costumes like the one you’re wearing…”

A staff member from the wardrobe department looked anxiously at Ha-eun. She nodded understandingly. Her outfit, a pure white hanbok, would reveal even the slightest stain. It was much simpler than the brightly colored hanbok she had worn for scenes where Han Yoo-hwa explored the marketplace with Park Do-joon.

Walking carefully, Ha-eun made her way to the set, where she encountered Ha Yoon-sung, already dressed and waiting.

“Oh, Ha-eun! That outfit suits you. You look stunning in anything!”

“Uh… thank you.”

She still wasn’t used to Yoon-sung’s enthusiastic compliments.

Most of the praise she had received about her appearance came from her mother, Na-yeon, or female makeup artists. But when someone like Yoon-sung or Kang Seon-woo from *The Neighbor Uncle,* actors known for both talent and good looks, gave her compliments…

‘Hmm… I wonder if I’ll ever get used to this.’

It made her cheeks flush in embarrassment, and it took her a moment to recompose herself.

Soon, filming was about to start.

“Alright, everyone, we’ll begin filming at precisely 8 o’clock! Please take your positions!”

Ha-eun moved to her spot on set, and Ha Yoon-sung, who played Park Do-joon, walked over to join her.

“Moments like this make me the most nervous. You don’t seem nervous at all, Ha-eun,” he remarked casually.

But Ha-eun was too preoccupied with Yoo Sung-ah’s advice to pay much attention to his small talk.

Though she hadn’t watched *The Neighbor Uncle* herself, she grasped Yoo Sung-ah’s suggestion to bring a unique version of Han Yoo-hwa to life on screen, instead of simply emulating Sung-ah’s interpretation.

“Is everyone ready? Alright, three, two, one… Action!”

In that moment, Ha-eun set aside the version of young Han Yoo-hwa she had crafted by observing and emulating Yoo Sung-ah. Instead, she layered her own interpretation and analysis onto the character, bringing forth a fresh perspective on Joseon-era Han Yoo-hwa.

“Someone has reported seeing those vile creatures hiding by the riverside. Find them at all costs!”

The scene opened with the chilling voice of the patrol captain, his eyes bloodshot as he glared. Both Park Do-joon and Han Yoo-hwa were seen as monsters to be hunted down, with dozens of soldiers mobilized to capture them.

And, as if matters couldn’t get worse, tonight was a full moon—the very night when Park Do-joon’s powers would weaken.

“My lady, you must flee first. I’ll buy you some time,” Park Do-joon said, releasing her hand.

As he prepared to confront the soldiers alone, Han Yoo-hwa hurried forward to stop him.

“No, please… don’t do this.”

Park Do-joon’s gaze faltered slightly as she stepped in front of him.

“You said you have a place to return to. You told me our journey together would be brief, that we wouldn’t walk this path forever.”

To Han Yoo-hwa, abandoned by everyone, including her parents, Park Do-joon was her only sanctuary. Without him, her life would be a lonely and hollow existence.

“So please… don’t throw away your path. You know what matters most…”

Losing Park Do-joon would be like losing her own life. She realized it was better to repay her benefactor, her savior, even if only this once.

“Do you know, sir? You’ve already shown me why even foolish flowers bloom.”

In that moment, a resolute determination, rare for someone as young as her, emerged in Han Yoo-hwa.

“Please remember, sir. Like the foolish flowers that only ever wanted to bask in the sun…”

With a gentle smile, contrasting the tear-filled eyes, she finally expressed her heartfelt gratitude.

“Once, long ago, there was a flower that was happy simply to be by your side.”

Han Yoo-hwa, that beautiful flower, had reached her time to fade.