Chapter 68

68. A Different World Upon Waking

"Director, they say you were really impressed by Jinhyeok's acting in this High School 2. His action scenes were incredible, and you know, he did all of that without a stunt double."

Even though they were alone in the room, screenwriter Han Yujing lowered her voice even more.

"This is still off the record. The director has already chosen you for the role of Hong Gildong in the next project... Of course, PD Jung Doo-il and I have no objections to you."

Surprisingly calm, Jinhyeok made Han Yujing chuckle.

"Really, Jinhyeok, are you never surprised?"

"Sometimes I am."

"Haha. Right. Well, the official casting offer will go through the agency, but your opinion is the most important. That's why I wanted to ask you first."

Han Yujing said with an expectant look.

"So, Jinhyeok, will you do it with me?"

Jinhyeok smiled.

"Screenwriter."

"Yes?"

"Do you know that I like you?"

"What?"

Han Yujing's cheeks turned red.

"What? Jinhyeok, I didn't know you could say such things."

"But I need to make it clear that liking you and taking the role are two different things."

"Tch. I see. You're not interested anymore. Still, I'm surprised. Even if you're just saying it to be polite, Jinhyeok, you're doing a good job."

Han Yujing smiled.

"So, you want me to bring the synopsis and script?"

"Please."

"Wow. Jinhyeok, you're amazing. For a rookie, this is a card you should grab without hesitation."

Jinhyeok said to the amazed Han Yujing.

"I have... developed a bit of ambition for acting."

This time around, Jinhyeok had decided to live doing what he wanted, and the part of that was acting, which was becoming increasingly important to him.

"Alright, then. But I really want to work with you, Jinhyeok. If you have any preferences, I'd like to adjust the character to work with you. Do you have any ideas for the Hong Gildong character or the direction of the story?"

Ever since she first mentioned Hong Gildong, a thought had been lingering in Jinhyeok's mind.

"How about this story?"

As Jinhyeok began to explain the story he had in mind, Han Yujing's eyes widened, and she quickly pulled out a notepad.

"Wait, wait, Jinhyeok, so..."

For a moment, Han Yujing jotted down Jinhyeok's ideas and her own thoughts, then said with a look of amazement.

"Great. Really great, Jinhyeok. You could be a screenwriter too."

"No, I'm not interested in being a screenwriter."

He definitely didn't have a hobby for writing, whether it was him or the original owner of this body.

"Your ideas are amazing. I'll work on the synopsis in this direction. Since it's your idea, if I flesh out the plot, you'll have to take responsibility, okay?"

Just as Han Yujing was making a pledge, there was a knock on the door.

"Screenwriter, everyone is gathered."

At the staff member's words, Han Yujing and Jinhyeok stood up together.

***

"I don't know how to thank you all. Thanks to you, I've been really happy. I'm still happy, of course."

The final rating was 30.1%. High School 2 finally broke the 30% barrier, celebrating the end of the drama's journey.

It also spawned countless topics and new stars, and PD Jung Doo-il's face was as bright as it could be.

"We're not leaving until we finish a whole cow!"

"Understood!"

The staff and cast, drooling at the rare beef feast, were eager to tackle the whole cow.

Thus began the beef party, where enthusiasm and meat burned together.

"Jinhyeok, have a cola."

The male lead, Yoon Eui-joon, approached Jinhyeok with a cola bottle. After pouring a generous amount, Eui-joon said to Jinhyeok.

"Thanks."

Jinhyeok couldn't find a reason to be thanked by Eui-joon, so he thought it was just a polite gesture, but Eui-joon was sincere.

Although being overshadowed by Jinhyeok was disappointing as the lead actor, Eui-joon had gained a lot from the drama. His all-out performance earned him rave reviews from fans and a chance to be recognized by the public as an actor.

The preconception of being an idol and the glass ceiling were somewhat broken thanks to the strong stimulus of Woo Jinhyeok.

"One shot."

Yoon Eui-joon gulped down the cola.

Even cola can be one shot?

Jinhyeok didn't know the rules of cola in this industry, but one shot of cola wasn't a big deal.

*Slurp*

His throat tingled pleasantly. Yoon Eui-joon raised his thumb in satisfaction and returned to his seat.

A little while later.

"Jinhyeok, have a cola."

The female lead, Ahn Ye-na, approached Jinhyeok with a cola bottle.

"..."

Ahn Ye-na, who had poured a full glass of cola into Jinhyeok's cup, said.

"Thanks."

Jinhyeok couldn't find a reason to be thanked, but Ahn Ye-na was sincere.

Through this drama, Ahn Ye-na had managed to shed the stigma of being a lazy genius to some extent. Most importantly, the new motivation to improve herself, which was hard to be grateful for.

"Because of you, I want to try harder again."

"..."

"Come on, one shot."

"..."

Thus began the one-shot beverage session,

"We can't not have a drink with Jinhyeok!"

"Jinhyeok! Here, have a drink."

Through various supporting actors,

"Jinhyeok, really, really thank you..."

The atmosphere reached its peak with Se-rin, who was on the verge of tears.

*Clunk*

*Pour*

Someone poured a drink into Jinhyeok's cup, which he had just put down. It was Min Seo-yeon, sitting next to him.

She avoided eye contact, looking embarrassed, and said,

"Thanks."

She hesitated and then finished her sentence.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have thought about starting drama again."

Seo-yeon gulped down her drink.

Jinhyeok had heard of people speaking their true feelings under the influence of alcohol, but he had never heard of someone speaking their true feelings under the influence of carbonation.

With his blood sugar already high, Jinhyeok hesitated to touch his cup.

"..."

Seo-yeon looked at Jinhyeok's untouched cup with a slightly disappointed look.

Seeing Seo-yeon's expression, Jinhyeok picked up the cup and drank it in one go.

Frowning as if he had just downed a shot of soju, Jinhyeok stuffed a few pieces of meat into his mouth to wash away the sweetness of the drink.

At that moment,

A can of beer caught Jinhyeok's eye.

It was a strange thought. Since starting his new life, he had never once thought about drinking alcohol.

He wasn't exactly a heavy drinker, but Jinhyeok had boasted a decent drinking capacity in the mercenary unit.

Was it because he had only been drinking sweet drinks? He felt a bit of a craving for a sip of beer.

Seo-yeon followed Jinhyeok's gaze and saw the beer can.

Looking around discreetly, Seo-yeon whispered to Jinhyeok.

"Wow, Jinhyeok, you're surprising."

"..."

"Is it because you want to drink that?"

"..."

"I heard that only people who have drunk alcohol think of it when eating meat."

Seo-yeon looked at him suspiciously, and although it was a misunderstanding, Jinhyeok didn't know how to explain this situation.

"Of course, even the best students have secrets, right?"

"..."

"Don't worry. It's a secret, so I'll keep it."

Seo-yeon smiled, proud to have a secret of Jinhyeok's that only she knew.

***

"Director, how did it go? What did Jinhyeok say?"

The actor manager, Lee Kwang-soo, and the main producer, Joo Hee-tae, both focused on the planning director.

Normally, issues related to Jinhyeok's management would be handled by Lee Kwang-soo, who was in charge of Jinhyeok.

However, since the two directors had conflicting opinions about Jinhyeok's career path, the planning director had decided to have a direct conversation with Jinhyeok.

"For now, he said he can't do both activities at the same time."

"For now?"

"Yes."

"For now... Does that mean there's some reason for now?"

Joo Hee-tae, who sensed something was off, asked. Recalling the earlier conversation, the planning director chuckled.

"He said he needs to prepare for college entrance exams."

"Excuse me?"

Joo Hee-tae, who didn't understand, asked.

"Why is he worried about college entrance exams? Now isn't the time to think about college. He's on the verge of flying. Why would he need college... Is there a reason?"

"There is a reason."

The planning director scratched his head.

"He wants to go to Korea University."

"Korea University?"

"He says he has to go to Korea University. Haha."

Finding it absurd even after thinking about it again, the planning director burst into laughter.

"Does Korea University have a drama department?"

Joo Hee-tae asked the actor manager, Lee Kwang-soo, who shook his head.

"No, it doesn't."

"Jinhyeok has been the top student in his school from his first year to now."

"Really?!"

The two directors' eyes widened at the planning director's words.

"Anyway, he said he will only do acting and related broadcasting activities until he enters college."

Joo Hee-tae's shoulders slumped. The planning director, as if to console him, said,

"Director Joo, there's only a year and a half left until the college entrance exam. It's not a long time. You can prepare a custom project for Jinhyeok until then."

Joo Hee-tae nodded. Since it was decided to be resolved through a meeting with the planning director, it was silly to argue further.

It wasn't the best, but it was a reasonable compromise. He wasn't saying he wouldn't do it at all, just that he would do it after a year and a half. Considering the time needed for planning and song production, it wasn't a long wait.

As long as he didn't retake the exam.

...

*Slap!*

Joo Hee-tae, without realizing it, slapped his forehead.

Retake the exam?

What kind of person would even think of retaking the exam?

The sudden action of Joo Hee-tae made the planning director and Lee Kwang-soo look at him with puzzled expressions.

***

"Kyaa-!"

The crowd at Incheon Airport's departure lounge buzzed. The focus of everyone's attention was Woo Jinhyeok and Min Seo-yeon, the leads of High School 2.

"Oh my, what do we do? It's Woo Jinhyeok."

"Wow! I heard he's even more handsome in person, but this is insane."

"But, where are they going to shoot?"

"It seems so. Since Min Seo-yeon is with him."

While receiving the attention of many people, the principal, standing next to Jinhyeok, smiled contentedly.

"Hehe. It's been a few months since the drama festival, and it feels like a different era. They say the world changes overnight. Hehe."

The head teacher echoed the principal's words.

"Thanks to Jinhyeok and Seo-yeon, our school has become famous nationwide. Hehe."

While Jinhyeok and Seo-yeon were exchanging well-wishes, Mr. Kim Jong-ho approached.

"Principal, head teacher, the students are all gathered."

After reporting the headcount, Mr. Kim Jong-ho looked at Jinhyeok and Seo-yeon and said,

"It's a shame the male and female leads can't go together. It's really disappointing."

It was the day the drama club, led by the generous principal, was leaving for an overseas study trip. The theme of the trip, befitting the principal's scale, was:

A tour of New York Broadway theater and musicals.

Jinhyeok and Seo-yeon, unable to join due to filming schedules, had come to the airport to see off the drama club.

All the students were excited, and Mr. Kim Jong-ho, who was about to visit the dreamy Broadway for the first time, was also very excited.

"Thanks to you, Jinhyeok, I can achieve another dream. I'm really grateful."

While Mr. Kim Jong-ho expressed his gratitude to Jinhyeok, Do Min-woo approached.

"Sniff! My friend. I'm not sure if I'm happy that you're becoming so famous. But I guess I shouldn't think that way, right?"

With a mix of playfulness and sincerity, Do Min-woo expressed his disappointment.

"Really. It would be great if you could go together. It's a shame."

The disappointed gazes of Kim Min-young and other students gathered on the two of them.

"Have a safe trip."

"Have a safe trip."

As Jinhyeok and Seo-yeon said their goodbyes, the group left the departure lounge. Seo-yeon, looking at the disappearing group, turned to Jinhyeok.

"Where are we going now?"

"Stopping by the company, then to an indoor photo shoot."

"Ah."

"What about you?"

"I'm done for today. I need to go home and prepare for tomorrow."

As they left the airport gate and arrived at the waiting car, Seo-yeon looked at Jinhyeok with an excited smile.

"I'm really looking forward to it."

Jinhyeok chuckled. Seo-yeon got into the car and said goodbye.

"See you tomorrow."

"Right. See you tomorrow."