Chapter 60

60. Turning Point

– Newcomer Woo Jin-hyuk in High School 2. Acting controversy resolved. Rising as a new star?

– Shocking debut, High School 2 actor Woo Jin-hyuk. Standing tall as a promising talent with solid acting skills.

‘Hehehe.’

PD Jung Doo-il, with a broad smile, was checking the ratings of yesterday's broadcast while sipping his morning coffee and reading the article about Jin-hyuk.

After the script reading video that fueled the acting controversy, the exact picture he had intended to create was now painted.

Jin-hyuk's shocking appearance and the solid acting skills he subsequently displayed became the perfect card for a dramatic turnaround, bringing about a new issue.

Seeing the exact reactions from the audience that he had intended, posted all over the forums, he couldn't help but feel extremely satisfied.

The most gratifying part was the astonishing ratings that perfectly matched the hype.

* * *

PD Jung Doo-il, after checking the caller, answered the phone with a cheerful voice.

“Yes, Mr. President! Seeing your call this early, I guess you've seen the ratings. Hahaha!”

PD Jung Doo-il's bright expression gradually darkened as he continued the call.

“Ah, oh dear. It's a drunk driving and hit-and-run incident.”

Is this what they call a jinx? One of the main OST singers has caused an accident. The only fortunate thing is that it's not one of the cast members.

PD Jung Doo-il sighed with relief.

“We need to find a replacement and record as quickly as possible. Even though it's just one OST, if it dampens the current good atmosphere, it could be a big problem. If we replace quickly, there shouldn't be much controversy.”

* * *

“Come on, come on, what percentage will it be!”

Do Min-woo shook his phone, trying to build up the tension.

Everyone could already sense the ominous atmosphere from Do Min-woo's expression after he checked the ratings.

Still, surely not.

Everyone looked at Do Min-woo with disbelief.

“Ta-da!”

The rating displayed on Do Min-woo's phone was a shocking 18.1%.

It was exactly as Do Min-woo had predicted, down to the decimal point.

“Hahaha!”

Do Min-woo shouted in triumph, his arrogance reaching its peak.

Lee Young-jun shook his head in disbelief.

“Wow, really, not Do Min-woo, but Do Muneo.”

Last year, in 2010, during the South Africa World Cup, the German 'octopus fortune-teller' had a 100% accuracy rate.

“Hahaha!”

With his hands on his hips, Do Min-woo's nose seemed to protrude like an octopus's mouth as he laughed proudly.

This moment,

when Do Min-woo discovered his unexpected talent,

was the historical turning point in his life.

The birth of Do Muneo.

* * *

Do Muneo, or rather Do Min-woo, visiting the filming set.

In front of Do Min-woo, who had his mouth agape, was a passionate performance by Ahn Ye-na, whom he had always admired for her singing.

“That guy just touched my friend's butt and walked past!”

“No, you're making it up! When did I? Do you have proof?”

“I have proof! There, there, oh? CCTV, dashcam, they're all there!”

“A-ah, Ah-reum….”

The female lead, Kim Ah-reum (Ahn Ye-na), stepped forward with her sleeves rolled up, trying to protect her friend who was trying to run away in fear.

“Hey, stand still. People like you need to be taught a lesson.”

“Are you crazy! Let go! Oh, this is just my bad luck!”

“Where are you going!”

“Hey! Are you not letting go?”

The passionate high school student, Kim Ah-reum, grabbed the pervert by the arm in the alley.

“Neighbors! There's a pervert here! Oh, I'm going to die! The pervert is trying to kill me!”

Kim Ah-reum's exaggerated scream echoed through the alley,

“Cut!”

PD Jung Doo-il called out with a satisfied expression.

Ahn Ye-na shook her head, looking a bit unsatisfied. She approached the PD,

“Director, can I try one more time? I think it needs more energy.”

PD Jung Doo-il waved his hand.

“No, no, Ye-na, that was amazing. Don't you know I'm picky? When I say it's good, it really is.”

“…”

Ahn Ye-na's expression turned a bit gloomy. PD Jung Doo-il shook his head, looking a bit awkward.

“Ye-na, you're working hard, which is good…. How about one more time? Just once?”

Ahn Ye-na's expression brightened. She said with a determined look,

“Yes. I'll do my best this time.”

Watching Ahn Ye-na turn around, PD Jung Doo-il muttered to himself,

“Do your best? You already did great.”

“Huh. It's not easy when actors are too passionate.”

Writer Han Yoo-kyung approached PD Jung Doo-il.

“Oh, I'm grateful, but….”

“Thanks to you, the rumors about Ye-na not putting effort into acting have disappeared.”

“Right, when an actor is trying hard, it's something to be grateful for.”

Ahn Ye-na's first drama, as an idol-turned-actor, didn't have many acting controversies.

Her talent was that good. However, she was also often criticized for lacking passion in her acting.

But in this 'High School 2,' those criticisms have disappeared.

“That kid is making a lot of people happy.”

Writer Han Yoo-kyung smiled and looked at Woo Jin-hyuk.

Jin-hyuk was talking to his friends while watching the filming.

“Wow, to be able to watch Ahn Ye-na perform so closely. Indeed, you need good friends. Thanks, friend!”

Do Min-woo clasped his hands together, looking moved.

“But, seeing her in person, Ahn Ye-na is really something. It's completely different from what I heard.”

“Rumors?”

“Yeah, when I watch variety shows with Ahn Ye-na, people often say she doesn't seem to put much effort in. But, seeing her in person….”

Do Min-woo shook his head.

“She's so dedicated. Anyway, people can be quick to judge others.”

Another performance by Ahn Ye-na began,

“Wow, amazing, amazing!”

Do Min-woo's eyes widened as he exclaimed in admiration.

“Min-woo, your eyes are popping out. Is it that good?”

Kim Min-young patted Do Min-woo's shoulder with a smile.

“It's good. Hahaha.”

The oblivious Do Min-woo kept smiling.

“Huh?”

Do Min-woo's eyes widened, and he whispered to Jin-hyuk,

“Hey, hey, Ahn Ye-na is coming this way. Wow, amazing.”

Do Min-woo was ready to wag his tail if she came closer.

“Hello, Jin-hyuk. Friends?”

Before Jin-hyuk could answer, Do Min-woo jumped in.

“Hello, ma'am! I'm Do Min-woo, Jin-hyuk's friend!”

Ahn Ye-na chuckled.

“Huh. I've heard of seniors, but this is my first time meeting a 'ma'am.'”

“Hehe. Then, shall I call you 'ma'am'?”

Do Min-woo's smooth talk didn't seem to bother Ahn Ye-na.

“Better than 'ma'am.'”

“Yes! Ma'am! If Jin-hyuk is your 'ma'am,' then I'm your 'ma'am' too!”

“Jin-hyuk doesn't call me 'ma'am.'”

“Huh?”

Ahn Ye-na looked at Jin-hyuk with a smile.

“So far, I've called you 'senior.'”

“Ah, hahaha! 'Ma'am' doesn't fit me, so let's just go with 'ma'am.'”

“Sure, whatever.”

“Yes!”

Just as Do Min-woo was about to say something more friendly, Kim Min-young intercepted.

“Then, can I call you 'sister'? I'm Jin-hyuk's friend, Kim Min-young. You're so beautiful, sister!”

Kim Min-young, who had been the class president for 10 consecutive years since elementary school, unleashed her signature smile that could win over anyone.

“Huh. Jin-hyuk's friends are all so polite. Completely different from Jin-hyuk.”

Just as Ahn Ye-na was looking at Jin-hyuk, the male lead, Yoon Eui-joon, approached.

“Hello, Jin-hyuk.”

“Hello, senior.”

“Hello, brother.”

As Jin-hyuk and Ye-na greeted each other, Kim Min-young, still wearing her signature smile, stepped forward.

“Hello! I'm Jin-hyuk's friend, Kim Min-young! I'm a big fan, brother.”

Yoon Eui-joon, impressed by Kim Min-young's smile, responded with a bright smile.

“Oh, nice to meet you. Jin-hyuk being a fan of me? Thanks.”

Seeing Yoon Eui-joon's smile, Kim Min-young's signature smile turned into a broad grin. Do Min-woo, seeing this, quickly stepped in.

“Hello! I'm Jin-hyuk's friend, Do Min-woo! Brother!”

Usually, Do Min-woo's smooth talk would be overshadowed by Kim Min-young's signature smile, but today, he held his own.

Thanks to this, the smiles on Yoon Eui-joon, Ahn Ye-na, and Jin-hyuk's faces didn't fade for a long time.

“Okay, Min-woo and Min-young, enjoy your visit.”

“Yes!”

Thus, Min-woo and Min-young, who had quickly become close to the two leads, said their goodbyes with a hint of regret.

As they watched Min-woo and Min-young leave, Do Min-woo approached Kim Min-young.

“Hey, when did you become a fan of Yoon Eui-joon?”

“Uh, from today.”

Do Min-woo looked at Kim Min-young with a bewildered expression.

“Wow, Kim Min-young, you're a trickster. What? 'I'm a big fan, brother.' I've never heard such a nasal voice from our president before.”

“Haha. Hey, Do Min-woo. Wipe the drool you left while watching Ye-na, and then talk.”

“Wow, Kim Min-young, you're so mean. When did I drool?”

Seeing the two, Woo Jin-hyuk couldn't help but laugh.

“Hey, what are you laughing about?”

“Do Min-woo, why are you picking on Jin-hyuk for laughing?”

“What? 'Our' Jin-hyuk? 'Our' Jin-hyuk? Since when?”

Do Min-woo's eyes widened as he looked back and forth between Jin-hyuk and Min-young. Jin-hyuk, seeing this, said,

“You two look good together.”

““What?””

They both looked at Jin-hyuk in surprise.

“Look good together?”

“…”

“Hey, do you enjoy watching us fight?”

Jin-hyuk smiled and said,

“It's my turn. I'll go film now.”

Watching Jin-hyuk's disappearing back, Min-woo and Min-young met each other's eyes. Then, as if by agreement,

““Hmph!””

They turned their heads away.

* * *

After filming, the celebratory dinner.

“Okay, okay, it's only the second episode, but as you know, the start has been really good. Everyone, please bear with it a little longer.”

PD Jung Doo-il called out with a happy face.

“Today, we have pork belly, but let's try beef for the wrap party! Cheers!”

All the cast and crew raised their glasses in a happy toast.

“Hey, everyone's in a good mood. Is there anyone brave enough to sing a celebratory song?”

As soon as PD Jung Doo-il finished speaking, the male lead, Yoon Eui-joon, raised his hand.

“I'll try to liven up the atmosphere.”

“Wow, as expected, a current idol! Then, let's hear a song from Yoon Eui-joon, the face of Korean idol culture.”

““Wow!””

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Yoon Eui-joon stood up and walked to the karaoke machine next to PD Jung Doo-il. As a main vocalist of an idol group, he delivered a song with impressive skill.

“Indeed, indeed, idols are different. Now, let's keep this atmosphere going. Eui-joon, pick the next person to sing.”

PD Jung Doo-il, in high spirits, delivered his lines smoothly. Yoon Eui-joon, scratching his head, said,

“I'd like one of our talented new actors to sing. Jin-hyuk, Se-rin, or Se-yeon.”

“Uh, that won't work. You need to pick one person.”

“Ah….”

Just as Yoon Eui-joon was thinking,

“Director! I'll go first!”

Yeon Se-rin stood up.

Jin-hyuk's eyes widened.

Is Se-rin… drunk from cola?

After overcoming her stage fright at the last singing competition and choosing an agency to pursue her dream of becoming a singer, it was still unusual to see Se-rin so actively volunteering to sing.

Next to Jin-hyuk, Writer Han Yoo-kyung was surprised for a different reason.

“Jin-hyuk, Se-rin… isn't she not good at singing?”

It was because of the terrible singing she had heard at the audition. But her surprised expression soon turned into a smile.

“Well, what's the harm in being tone-deaf at a gathering like this? Our Se-rin is brave. Se-rin! You're amazing! Wow!”

Writer Han Yoo-kyung joined in the cheers.

““Wow!””

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Se-rin bowed, and everyone waited quietly for her to sing.