Chapter 88: Comet

The officials of the court were precisely divided into two factions due to the ongoing debates.

It was almost embarrassing to call it a faction, as only Seo Hee and Yi Jibae did not follow the theory advocating surrender.

On the other hand, the scene of So Son-nyeong insisting that a minister be sent to meet the enemy, whether to surrender or negotiate, brought the court into deep contemplation again.

Director Lee Sang-hoon deliberately portrayed the court's silence by maintaining a few seconds of stillness, cutting off the upper bodies of the officials in the frame and only showing the floor of the hall and the officials' feet, with a cold color palette.

The screen coldly depicted the reality that no one had the courage to step forward.

The scene then reversed, showing a young Seo Hee under the moonlight, determined to convey her feelings to Hong I-yeon.

'If one step back means ten steps back, then if one cannot take a single step forward, how can one ever take a thousand steps?'

At that moment, the elderly Seo Hee, standing in the court, slowly took a step forward.

In this scene, Ryu Yeon-woo deliberately performed the step not as a resolute hero but as a feeble and trembling elderly Seo Hee.

'This drama is not about showing Seo Hee as a heroic figure. From the beginning, it has focused on Seo Hee's life, showing her human side to engage the audience.'

The step forward, due to Yeon-woo's acting choice, became a scene that vividly portrayed the human struggle of moving forward into a place that could be fatal.

"Please send Minister Seo Hee to the battlefield."

"···What do you mean?"

Seo Hee, seemingly having made a decision, lifted her head and spoke resolutely.

"The enemy commander wants a minister, so it is only right that a minister goes, Your Majesty."

The scene transitioned, and Seo Hee's words were made to linger with a subtle echo.

The scene then showed the king personally coming to the riverbank, holding Seo Hee's hand, and comforting her and her wife, Hong I-yeon, leading to the final scene of the drama.

The beginning of the story that the general public knows about Seo Hee.

But the beginning of that story is the end of this drama.

"Ah, it's finally here."

Seo Ji-eun, trembling with excitement, covered her small face with her hands and watched the TV through the gaps between her fingers.

The other staff members also watched the final episode with trembling eyes.

A grand piece of music, evoking a sense of drifting alone in a vast universe, played as a horse galloping across the desert was captured in a wide shot.

The camera then moved closer to the horse, capturing Ryu Yeon-woo's expression, which was deliberately kept emotionless, before pulling back up.

Instead of a brave or heroic expression, Yeon-woo's restrained performance made the audience feel the deep struggle of a single person running towards an enemy camp, unknown whether it was thousands or tens of thousands strong.

"Ooh."

As the camera panned up to the sky, a loud gasp erupted from the meat restaurant where the final episode party was being held.

In the distance, a massive army could be seen, and in the vast desert in front of it, Seo Hee's solitary figure, kicking up dust like a sandstorm, resembled a comet cutting through the quiet night sky, leaving a long tail as it moved into the distant universe.

With the end of the grand music, the screen went black, and the logo appeared.

"Beyond the Galaxy"

The staff members stood up from their seats.

Clap, clap, clap!

Wow!

The staff members cheered and gave a standing ovation to Director Lee Sang-hoon and Ryu Yeon-woo.

"Thank you."

Yeon-woo stood up, bowed in all directions, and thanked everyone.

Thus, his first leading role drama came to an end.

***

"Ugh..."

Holding his head, he got up from bed groggily.

"···I drank a lot. It's been a while."

Since being assigned to the overseas department, he had never let his guard down and never drank to the point of intoxication.

Even after reincarnation, he was a minor, and after becoming an adult, he continued to shoot projects one after another, so he always restrained himself during drinking parties, considering the next day's schedule.

However, yesterday, as it was his first time finishing a drama as the lead, he ended up drinking a lot while going around the tables and drinking whatever the staff poured for him.

"Ugh, I haven't felt this way in a long time. A hangover."

He slowly walked to the refrigerator and drank some water.

Then, he lay back on the bed and picked up his smartphone.

He had only heard that the final episode's rating was 27%, and he hadn't had time to check the internet reactions.

'Hmm, let's see.'

The highlight of the final episode was already uploaded to the official YouTube channel.

- No, don't end, please. Yeon-woo!

- The ending scene was insane. Seriously, my standards for dramas have gone up. What can I watch now?

- The final episode was really at the level of a movie.

- I really enjoyed it. It's a shame I won't see the combination of Ryu Yeon-woo, Jin Yohan, and Seo Ji-eun again.

- So, did Seo Hee know he would die when he ran into the enemy camp? Is it a sad ending?

└ Maybe you should study some history. What about diplomatic negotiations?

As he scrolled through the comments, the overall reaction was as good as he had hoped.

After checking the comments, he saw that congratulatory messages and KakaoTalk messages for the final episode had flooded his phone.

- Han So-hyun: Yeon-woo, you must have worked hard on the historical drama. I'm also shooting 'Flowers Falling in Hanyang'...

- Woo Sung-shik: Wow, the final scene was amazing. You look like a professional rider.

- Kim Joo-hyung: I enjoyed the drama! How did you shoot the final desert scene? I'm curious about the filming method...

- Son Jin-wook: Damn, my brother's acting has improved so much. We should do a project together.

- Kim Jin-ju: Yeon-woo, if the company allows it, will you do it? Please. I'm crying.

As he replied to the grateful names one by one, he came across a message that made him tilt his head.

'Writer Kim Jin-ju? What did we agree on yesterday?'

He remembered that they had talked about something, and he had nodded, agreeing to talk to the company.

"Oh! The signing event."

He finally recalled that Writer Kim Jin-ju had desperately asked him for a favor with a worried face.

The book of "Beyond the Galaxy" was being published simultaneously with the drama's end, and the publisher had earnestly requested a signing event.

"But, who would come to get a signature from someone like me? It's being held at the largest bookstore in Gangnam, but if only a few people show up, it would be embarrassing for the organizers. Sigh."

He remembered Writer Kim Jin-ju, who had desperately asked him, holding his hand and bowing.

"I know it's a lot to ask, but if you have any fan signing events planned, could you do it with me? Just sit there, and if anyone brings a book, we can sign it together. Okay? You're the main character of my book."

Yeon-woo looked at Writer Kim Jin-ju's desperate face.

"Well, I think a lot of people will come to the signing event because this work is so good."

"No, I've done a signing event before, and it was so embarrassing. Sigh."

Seeing Writer Kim Jin-ju's almost tearful face, Yeon-woo stroked his chin and said,

"Hmm, I was planning to do a fan signing or a fan meeting soon. I'll check with my agency."

"Please."

Yeon-woo nodded, recalling the conversation from yesterday.

"Well, if I'm going to do it anyway, it might be nice to do it together. There's a fan cafe and fans of the work."

He got up from the bed and made a call.

- Oh, Yeon-woo. Congratulations on the drama's end.

"Thank you. Team Leader Jung. You mentioned scheduling a fan meeting or signing event for me last time."

Team Leader Jung checked the schedule and replied.

- Hmm, there's nothing scheduled yet. It might have to be after the CF schedule is set, but it will happen soon.

"Then how about this? Writer Kim Jin-ju asked me yesterday..."

Yeon-woo explained the conversation from yesterday, and Team Leader Jung listened silently before speaking.

- That sounds good. It was a bit awkward to do a fan signing event without being an idol group, but doing it with the writer for the book release would be a good idea. Since you're the main character of the original work. Let me check with the publisher.

Team Leader Jung seemed to be checking something and continued.

- I'll need to coordinate with Writer Kim Jin-ju's publisher, but they'll be thrilled. If a major star like you is doing it, they'll be overjoyed.

"Then please coordinate it. Writer Kim Jin-ju looked really worried."

- I don't think it will be that bad even if you do it alone... Anyway, I'll handle it and let you know the result.

After a short while, Team Leader Jung, having completed the coordination, informed Yeon-woo and Writer Kim Jin-ju. Writer Kim Jin-ju, relieved of a major worry, called Yeon-woo to thank him repeatedly.

- [Notice] Actor Ryu Yeon-woo and Writer Kim Jin-ju "Beyond the Galaxy" Fan Signing Event

Author: [Manager] Yeon-woo's Manager

The announcement on Yeon-woo's fan cafe, "Wooz," caused an explosion of comments.

- Squeal! Is it like an idol signing event where they sign right in front of you?

- Will our actor sign headbands or hats like idols?

- Oh, my heart is pounding. I already pre-ordered the book. I'll definitely take a day off and go.

- Why is it on a weekday? I'll be really sick that day.

A few days later, on the day of the fan signing event, a long line formed in front of the bookstore in Gangnam from early morning.

Wise staff members, upon learning that Ryu Yeon-woo would be joining, set up a separate entrance for the fan signing event in a vacant store used as a book storage to prevent regular customers from being affected, and the line extended outside the building from early morning.

Inside the venue, Ryu Yeon-woo and Writer Kim Jin-ju were seated at separate tables, a bit apart from each other.

"Yeon-woo, thank you so much. I'll do anything you need!"

"Your good work is already enough. I was planning to do a fan signing event anyway."

Finally, the fan signing event began.

"Wow, this is amazing."

The first fan entered with a book, following the staff's guidance, and went to Writer Kim Jin-ju first to get a signature.

"Writer, I really enjoyed the drama. I also love your previous work, 'The Scent of Time.'"

"Oh, really? Thank you so much."

"I brought that book too. Can you sign it?"

"Of course. Here you go."

The fan took out Writer Kim Jin-ju's previous work from her bag.

Seeing this, Yeon-woo thought that Writer Kim Jin-ju might have more fans than he expected, feeling relieved.

However, while getting a signature from Writer Kim Jin-ju, the fan kept glancing at Yeon-woo, her face turning red.

"Thank you for enjoying it."

"Thank you, Writer!"

The fan bowed and walked over to Yeon-woo, already looking like she might cry.

"Wow, is this real? Is it really you?"

Yeon-woo smiled and extended his hand, which the fan grabbed with both hands.

"Hello."

"Wow, I might cry. I've been waiting since 5 AM."

Yeon-woo smiled and signed the book, then asked,

"It must have been cold. Is there anything else you want, like a selfie?"

"···Can I ask for something else?"

"Sure, if I can do it."

Yeon-woo nodded, and the fan took something out of her bag.

'Hmm? Is that a Rudolph headband?'

Manager Kim Min-soo, standing behind Yeon-woo, took it.

Before managing Yeon-woo, he had managed a girl group, so he was familiar with this culture.

The fan service culture of wearing hats or headbands as requested by fans and showing the desired expressions or cuteness.

"Can you do a nose rub once?"

Yeon-woo, who had stiffened, started to sweat.