*My Love From the Stars,* often abbreviated as *My Stars,* was a Wednesday-Thursday drama.

This meant that the reaction to the first episode, which aired on Wednesday, would mostly emerge on Thursday. Likewise, the response to Thursday’s second episode would be seen on Friday.

However, perhaps due to the overwhelming interest that saw the teaser reach 900,000 views in just two days, anticipation for Ha-eun, who made a striking appearance at the end of the teaser, had already started to surface on Monday.

Of course, the attention on the two lead actors, Yoo Sung-ah and Ha Yoon-sung, was still strong. However, as their “previews” had been released in various promotional articles since the initial filming of *My Love From the Stars,* much of the discussion had already been consumed.

- Do child actors usually get such a weighty role?
  ㄴWhy all this fuss over a child who only appeared for the last 10 seconds?
   ㄴThe fact that she got a solo shot at the end shows her role is significant. Do you even know what you’re talking about?

- Kang Sun-woo saved Kim Ji-ah while getting stabbed, all for this moment.
  ㄴWow, just how far did he plan ahead?
   ㄴSo far ahead that he hasn’t been able to secure his next project for five years;
   ㄴStop doing CFs and just come back in a movie or drama, please!

- That kid’s voice projection is on par with a professional voice actor.
- Comment here if the ending blackout gave you chills.
  ㄴMaybe the chills were from seeing your own face in the monitor reflection?
   ㄴThat’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?
    ㄴCan’t say it’s wrong, though.
     ㄴOut!!!

The only known fact about Ha-eun was that she played the young Han Yoo-hwa, yet discussions about her had already started spreading across various forums.

However, it was offline, not online, where Ha-eun truly felt the extent of the attention focused on her—namely, at her elementary school.

"Is she really a student at our school?"
"If you don’t believe me, come see her during break."

As soon as first period ended on Monday, the classroom became noisy as three or four kids from other classes came to see Ha-eun in Class 4. The same thing happened during the second and third period breaks, and even as lunch began after fourth period.

Ha-eun tried to answer their questions as best she could, since it was still manageable.

However, Min Da-yeon, who was beside her as always, quickly intervened.

"Hey, don’t you guys know that entering another class means a one-point penalty?"

With that, she drove out most of the curious students who had come to see Ha-eun, and soon, the classroom regained its usual quiet.

For Da-yeon, who had been well-known as an actress for years, dealing with this was second nature. After four years of experiencing it over and over, she had learned to nip such annoyances in the bud.

"Still, wouldn’t it be fine to listen to what they’re curious about?"
"Once you start listening, it never ends. Ever."

Although Da-yeon had watched the teaser for *My Love From the Stars* multiple times, she hadn’t voiced her curiosity about it out of sheer pride.

Previous projects Ha-eun had been part of, like Double Lee’s music video or *The Neighbor Uncle,* were generally not interesting to elementary students. For kids Ha-eun’s age, Double Lee were just funny guys from *Don’t Stop People* and *Infinite Challenge,* while *The Neighbor Uncle* was a restricted film, making it unwatchable for them.

As a result, while Da-yeon’s school life had been chaotic, Ha-eun’s had been relatively quiet. To put it another way, Da-yeon’s popularity had consistently overshadowed Ha-eun’s in school.

Ha-eun appreciated being able to enjoy a normal school life, but for Da-yeon, it had been a time to flaunt her fame in front of Ha-eun.

Now, seeing Ha-eun’s name being mentioned all over before *My Love From the Stars* even started airing was unwelcome for Da-yeon, who saw Ha-eun as a competitor. It felt like her own fame was being chased down rapidly from below.

In other words, she was feeling a sense of urgency. Or maybe, jealousy.

‘…Seriously, this annoying girl.’

Until now, Da-yeon could at least say she had firmly outranked Ha-eun at school. Unlike Ha-eun, who would only appear for a few episodes as young Han Yoo-hwa, Da-yeon was currently starring in a lead role in a daily drama with an established reputation.

And yet, just one teaser release, and Ha-eun’s popularity was already catching up to hers. To Da-yeon, it felt slightly unfair.

For the next few days, Da-yeon continued to block the flood of questions directed at Ha-eun. Soon, it was Thursday, the day episode 2 of *My Love From the Stars,* featuring Ha-eun’s first appearance as young Han Yoo-hwa, was set to air.

"Um, Da-yeon, are you going to watch *My Love From the Stars* tonight?"

Ha-eun asked, with no hint of malice, just hoping that Da-yeon might watch her first drama appearance.

However, Da-yeon’s response, delivered with a pout, was:

"You didn’t watch my drama."

It was a curt remark implying that if Ha-eun hadn’t watched her drama, there was no reason for Da-yeon to watch hers.

In truth, Da-yeon’s drama aired at a time when Ha-eun’s schedule made it difficult to watch live, something Da-yeon knew. So she knew her own words were a bit unreasonable.

But then Ha-eun’s next words caught her completely off guard.

"Hmm, I have been watching the reruns… though."

"What? Really?"

Da-yeon’s face, which had been scrunched up, brightened instantly, and she instinctively asked Ha-eun for her thoughts on the drama. After hearing Ha-eun’s honest, insightful feedback, Da-yeon reluctantly agreed to watch.

"It’s on at 9:30 pm… You’ll watch it, right?"

Although she was typically self-centered, even Da-yeon couldn’t bring herself to refuse. Instead, she left Ha-eun with a warning that she’d critique her performance down to the last detail.

Later, at 9:30 pm, Da-yeon took over the TV in the living room, interrupting her father’s enjoyable rerun of a variety show.

"I have something to watch, so give me the remote."

"Huh…?"

"Quickly."

With that, she committed the audacious act of taking control of the remote from her father, the household authority over TV channels, and changed channels to catch Ha-eun’s appearance as the elegant noble lady.

Unsurprisingly, just as she had done in the past, Ha-eun showed nothing that Da-yeon could criticize.

｢…What are you staring at?｣
｢Oh, nothing. It’s just that your ears are so red they resemble strawberries. It makes me want to have a taste.｣
｢Wh-what?!｣
｢Haha, I’m joking. Even I wouldn’t do something so shameless.｣

With nothing to find fault with, Da-yeon quickly forgot her original intention and became completely absorbed in *My Love From the Stars.*

When Friday morning came, Ha-eun, hoping for feedback, subtly observed Da-yeon’s reactions.

However, seeing Ha-eun’s eagerness made Da-yeon reluctant to give any feedback, so she kept her mouth shut, even through second period break, eventually leaving the classroom under the pretext of going to the restroom.

After leaving the restroom, however, Da-yeon noticed a commotion in the hallway.

Standing on tiptoe to get a better look, she saw…

"Wow, it’s really Han Yoo-hwa!"
"What’s Yoo Sung-oppa like in person? Does he really shine?"
"Hey, Lee Ha-eun! Pose with a V sign! I’m posting this on Facebook!"

Every imaginable kind of attention, as well as annoyances, were directed solely at Ha-eun. Thankfully, it was the last day of the semester and the beginning of winter break. This meant that after today, Ha-eun would have a break from being swarmed by kids.

-Grab!

"Run, you dummy!"

Pushing through the crowd, Da-yeon grabbed Ha-eun’s wrist and dashed toward the school gate. The only thing left behind were fresh footprints in the snow covering the schoolyard.

After reaching the nearby café where manager Kim Jin-soo was waiting, they finally caught their breath. While Da-yeon was panting, Ha-eun appeared suspiciously unfazed, as if she hadn’t run at all.

"We didn’t even finish homeroom yet."

"Is that really your concern right now?"

Da-yeon sighed in exasperation at Ha-eun’s cluelessness. Did she honestly think homeroom would proceed as normal in that chaotic scene?

"I left my bag in the classroom."

"You can grab it later!"

Da-yeon was confident that leaving Ha-eun in that mess would’ve led to something catastrophic. And yet, Ha-eun’s utterly untroubled expression was almost enough to render her speechless.

"If the fifth- and sixth-graders had started swarming, there would’ve been no way out! You blockhead!"

She shouted at the oblivious celebrity, who seemed entirely unaware of the reality of being in the public eye.