Chapter 24

24. A Steadfast Person

"Are you going to the movies with Jinhyuk?"

"Yeah."

"What are you going to watch?"

"Koreanin."

"Koreanin? Didn't you already see it with Dad?"

The new young actor, Jung Ji-an, who was only two years older than her daughter Yeon Serin. She still vividly remembered the chills she got from his performance.

What made her even happier was her daughter's reaction.

"There's a scene where Gungnin first explodes at Mom. Wow, I didn't think he could express it like that."

After the movie, it was the first time Seo Hoon had seen his daughter talk so seriously about acting.

Of course, Jung Ji-an's acting was so outstanding that there was a lot to talk about. But even after seeing the performances of more experienced actors, his daughter had never spoken so passionately about acting.

Seo Hoon knew the reason.

Woo Jinhyuk.

Since starting to practice with Woo Jinhyuk, his daughter had been changing.

Seo Hoon had long been confident that his daughter had the makings of a star. He had met many stars in this industry, and he had never wavered in his belief that his daughter should become an actor someday.

However, not giving her a single child role was his own way of being considerate of her.

She was a girl with a painful past. He wanted her to be a carefree child for as long as possible. Learning acting should have been no more than a light game.

Around the second year of middle school, she started formal acting lessons. It was something she wanted to do. Serin did an amazing job.

But that was it. A talented child. A child who did well.

There was something missing in Serin that made her a true actor. A deep, soulful passion for acting.

However.

His daughter was different now. Clearly different. It was all because of Woo Jinhyuk.

While she didn't suddenly start delivering soulful performances, she had become more serious about acting. Definitely.

Woo Jinhyuk's acting, which sometimes seemed to draw out the soul of the audience. Even though he thought there was no one among his peers who could match Jung Ji-an's acting, Jinhyuk was at least more talented.

Jinhyuk's intense power, which drew others into his inner world, was also affecting his daughter, Yeon Serin.

"I've seen it with Dad, but watching it with Jinhyuk is different. I want to see Jinhyuk's reaction to Jung Ji-an's acting, and I want to watch it again carefully and talk about it with Jinhyuk."

"Oh, that's a really good idea."

Most importantly... she looked happy. Her face.

Because she was enjoying practicing with Woo Jinhyuk so much, a few days ago, Seo Hoon jokingly asked his daughter,

"Jinhyuk is really great, isn't he?"

"Hee. Yeah, he's a really good kid."

"Really? What about him?"

"Um, his posture, his attitude, they're very mature, you know? And..."

"And...?"

"Um, when we act together, it's... I can't really explain it well. Dad would understand better, right?"

Seo Hoon smiled and nodded. Then he asked,

"And, is that it?"

"Then, what else?"

Seeing Seo Hoon's mischievous expression, Serin blushed.

"No! Dad! What are you thinking!"

"What am I? What did I think?"

"Really, I just think he's a good friend!"

"Sure, sure. Who said anything? But you know, Dad is open-minded about these things, right?"

"Ugh. Really. Dad!"

From his father's intuition, it seemed his daughter didn't have any romantic feelings.

Even if she did, he had no intention of opposing a healthy relationship for his high school daughter. Especially if the other party was Woo Jinhyuk.

In fact, he often had a strange feeling. Clearly a boy of Serin's age, but sometimes he gave off the scent of a mature man.

He wasn't a talkative person, but the occasional words he said... it was as if he was speaking like someone of Seo Hoon's age. A trustworthy person, not just as an actor, but as a person.

However, from Seo Hoon's perspective, it didn't seem like Jinhyuk had such feelings either. Jinhyuk always looked at Serin as if she were a younger sister.

It was a strange mix of gratitude and disappointment.

'You, if Serin is enough to make you fall in love at first sight!'

Seo Hoon, as a father who was a certified daughter-lover, chuckled at the silly thought.

In fact, if they remained good friends, it would be the best outcome.

He didn't mind healthy relationships, but if they broke up, it might lead to her giving up on learning acting out of a young heart.

Seo Hoon didn't want to lose his daughter as an actor or Woo Jinhyuk as an actor. They were that brilliant.

However, an unexpected statement came from his daughter, Serin.

"Actually, we're not just good friends."

"Huh?"

"A friend I admire."

"Admire?"

Is that a word you use for a peer?

"Actually, I've been thinking lately, I want to be like Woo Jinhyuk."

"What kind of person is Woo Jinhyuk?"

Yeon Serin spoke earnestly.

"A steadfast person."

***

Woo Jinhyuk was wavering.

In front of three flavors of popcorn: Original, Caramel, and Cheese.

"Hey, Jinhyuk, do you want popcorn? Then, I'll buy it!"

A vague memory from 20 years ago flashed through Jinhyuk's mind.

The concession stand in front of the ticket booth, filled with the aroma of buttery popcorn. Children, holding hands with their parents, hopping around happily. And the young orphans from the orphanage, staring intently at them.

The orphans' gazes moved from the parents to the popcorn bags in the children's hands.

A sound of swallowing could be heard, but none of the children dared to say they wanted popcorn.

Jinhyuk's heart was the same as the orphans'. Even on what should have been a joyful trip to the cinema, there was a tinge of sadness.

Someday, when he grew up and earned money, he would buy as much popcorn as he wanted. Jinhyuk made a vow.

For that reason, Jinhyuk's legs were drawn to the popcorn stand, to the popcorn he had wanted to eat but couldn't 20 years ago.

Jinhyuk said to Yeon Serin,

"I'll buy the popcorn. I want to buy it."

After the principal called him, Jinhyuk's parents were contacted about the scholarship.

"Jinhyuk, the principal said he's giving you a scholarship. What's going on?"

His mother asked, looking surprised.

It was money provided monthly for tuition, academy fees, and textbook fees, but since Jinhyuk didn't attend an academy, his parents wanted to put the money directly into his account.

However, as a high school student, especially one who didn't have much to spend on besides studying, sports, and acting, Jinhyuk didn't really need the money. Despite his strong objections, his parents were firm.

"Since you manage your studies on your own, Jinhyuk, it's right for you to use this money where you need it."

In the end, the money became Jinhyuk's. It was a considerable amount for a high school student.

With his pockets suddenly full, he now had his first "necessary place" to spend it.

"What flavor do you want?"

"Oh, I'll buy it. I suggested we watch the movie, remember?"

Jinhyuk looked at Serin intently, without a word.

His eyes conveyed a firm resolve not to give in on this. Then he said resolutely,

"I'll buy it."

Perhaps because they had practiced acting together, Serin quickly caught Jinhyuk's gaze.

"Hehe. Okay, I'll enjoy it. I'll take the cheese flavor."

Jinhyuk told the staff,

"Give me a set of cheese, and a large set of half caramel and half original."

"Wow, isn't that too much? The smallest size would be enough."

Serin's eyes widened, but Jinhyuk didn't care. Popcorn had to be big. That was a universal truth.

As they turned with their hands full of popcorn and drinks,

"Hey, hey, students!"

***

Author Han Yookyoung couldn't help but jump up from her seat. Her body moved before her mind, and she rushed out of the cafe.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Unfortunately, she encountered a few customers entering the cafe at that moment.

'Oh no, this won't do.'

For a brief moment, her eyes followed the two students. Fortunately, the students didn't leave but headed towards a nearby stand.

As soon as she slipped out of the cafe entrance, Han Yookyoung ran towards the two students.

"Hey, hey, students!"

Jinhyuk and Serin turned to look at her simultaneously.

"Us?"

Jackpot.

Han Yookyoung's eyes widened as she looked at the two. The characters from 'High School 2' she was drawing flashed through her mind.

'They were definitely giving autographs to the kids. That means...'

They were in the entertainment industry.

"Are you two actors?"

If they were known enough to give autographs to kids their age, they were likely idols.

There were many idol groups she hadn't heard of, even though her nieces knew them well.

But Han Yookyoung's question was filled with a desperate hope. Please, be actors!

A hint of awkwardness flashed across Woo Jinhyuk's face. Yeon Serin waved her hand and replied,

"Ugh, no."

"No...?"

"No, we're not."

A slight disappointment appeared on Han Yookyoung's face. Not actors...

Of course. How could one easily find a polished diamond on the street?

"Then, are you part of an idol group?"

It was a question she asked out of regret, even though she was disappointed they weren't actors.

"Which agency are you from?"

"Ugh, what? We don't have an agency."

"Idols... not?"

"No, not at all."

Strange.

"But I saw you giving autographs to other students just now..."

"Oh, that's..."

Serin smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, that's... the kids just kept asking for autographs."

"Oh..."

Han Yookyoung clicked her tongue.

But she couldn't just let these kids go. Even though they weren't prepared, they were shining gems.

Stunning looks. A perfect star aura that made everything around them seem black and white. Especially the unfathomable eyes of the boy.

As an author who had spotted the potential of actor Jung Ji-an, she had a good eye. And she had a steadfast will to discover new stars.

"Then, have you ever thought about acting? If you have... Oh, who am I? I'm..."

"Ah! We're learning acting."

Huh?

"You're learning acting?"

"Yes, we attend the same acting school."

Acting school. Only then did Han Y