🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 36
Han Jun-woo.
He debuted as an idol over ten years ago, became famous for his unusually handsome face, and rose to the ranks of a top star almost overnight after the drama he filmed two years ago became a huge hit.
His dazzling looks, the kind that made anyone admire him regardless of age or gender, combined with his good manners, made him a favorite among the public. You could type just a few letters of his name online and countless good stories about him would appear.
Anyway—
We were thrilled, seeing Han Jun-woo, currently the hottest actor in Korea, right before our eyes.
“I couldn’t catch him even when I tried so hard before, and now here he is.”
Her honest feelings, unable to be hidden, gathered in her clasped hands at her chest—and Yoon-jae could see them clearly.
“……”
Watching us, so excited for a completely different reason, he muttered,
“I didn’t know you liked celebrities.”
His voice was oddly lower than usual.
She didn’t notice the subtle change at all, still focused only on the actor on set, and replied,
“Oh, did I never say? I like anything beautiful.”
“You?”
“Yeah. There’s seriously no face more aesthetically perfect than his. The fact that the public chose him means he’s extraordinary.”
“Perfect.”
“See? That’s natural-born. The balance is so harmonious it satisfies anyone who looks at him.”
Her unbroken stream of compliments didn’t sound like empty flattery.
Tilting his head a little more, Yoon-jae called out,
“Joo Ae-jung.”
“Yes. He’s taller than I expected. His proportions are completely different.”
She barely acknowledged his call, still caught up admiring the actor. Yoon-jae took a firm step forward.
“Hm?”
That one step brought him directly in front of us, blocking our view. He looked down at her and said,
“You’re a secretary, aren’t you.”
“……Eh?”
“What you should be paying attention to isn’t that.”
“Ah.”
Only then did we tear our eyes away from “that,” laughing awkwardly.
“I’ve been interested in him for a long time, so I got carried away. Sorry.”
Interested?
Yoon-jae’s frown deepened, his displeasure sharper.
It was the first time he’d ever seen her like this—so passionate about something. For some reason, it grated heavily on his nerves.
Such a waste.
Of course, her interest was for a reason completely different from what he imagined.
A few years ago, when the company was focused on publicity, she had wanted to recruit Han Jun-woo, back when he wasn’t as popular.
But her foolish, idiotic half-brother had stubbornly opposed it, so she gave up—and within a single year, Jun-woo skyrocketed in fame.
Just thinking about that still stings. Who knew I’d get to see him up close like this.
Carrying a secret she could never tell anyone, she shrugged.
“But it’s strange—no one stopped us from coming in.”
“The car’s registered.”
“Oh… is that so?”
We nodded lightly.
If his car is registered, then does that mean Ha Eun-se really doesn’t interfere at all?
It seemed Yoon-jae was constantly involved after all.
[Executive Director Ha Yoon-jae, what a shame. Always cleaning up after things.]
Just like the gossiping wives at the department store had said when she went to meet Hye-won and Eun-se.
Of course, she had heard him say it himself too, but seeing it with her own eyes gave her a strange feeling.
Wait—why should I feel bad about this?
Her thoughts tangled until a loud voice snapped her out of it.
“Executive Director!”
A man at the center of the shoot whipped off his cap and ran toward them, breathless.
He quickly bowed repeatedly in apology.
“Sorry for greeting you late, we were in the middle of filming.”
“It’s fine. Please proceed comfortably.”
“Thank you for understanding. Just a bit more and we’ll wrap… oh, and this is?”
The man—seemingly the person in charge—glanced at us standing beside Yoon-jae.
Catching his curious look, she introduced herself promptly.
“I’m his secretary.”
Thanks to Yoon-jae not denying it, her words were accepted without doubt.
“Ah, I see. Usually you come alone, sir. Oh, one moment—Jun-woo! Over here, please!”
And just like that, the tide rushed in after a simple introduction.
At the man’s call, the fair-skinned actor descended from the set and approached quickly.
Caught off guard by this sudden invitation, Yoon-jae instinctively glanced down at us.
“……”
Her eyes were already sparkling brightly behind her glasses, her hands once again clasped together near her chest.
If twisted emotions could make a sound, there would have been a sharp screech just then.
Meanwhile, the person in charge began introductions.
“Executive Director, this is Han Jun-woo, our main model for this shoot. Jun-woo, this is Executive Director Ha Yoon-jae of Yeongdo Group. Say hello.”
Though sudden, Jun-woo, clearly used to such situations, bowed politely.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Jun-woo.”
His slightly shy yet friendly smile—whether acting or genuine—was flawless.
Without a change in expression, Yoon-jae extended his hand.
“I’m Ha Yoon-jae. I look forward to your work today.”
No one could match him in hiding his true feelings.
For a brief moment, the entire set focused on the two men—both striking in completely different ways.
If Jun-woo was dazzling like a flower in full bloom, Yoon-jae was noble, like a dew-kissed orchid at dawn.
Standing between two such presences might have been overwhelming—but we, eyes shining, were focused only on Jun-woo.
“As I mentioned, he’s very talented. He matches the image you wanted perfectly. He even storyboarded everything himself before the shoot. Both his passion and skill are exceptional.”
“Our planning department is expecting great results.”
“I’ll do my best. Thank you.”
After a brief exchange, the man in charge gestured outward.
“You must be busy—let’s head to the office. Jun-woo, take a short break before the next shoot.”
“Yes, Director. Then, I’ll excuse myself.”
Jun-woo bowed neatly one last time.
Holding his displeasure deep in his eyes, Yoon-jae quietly sighed to himself. Then, for us—still utterly captivated by Jun-woo—he spoke instead,
“If it’s all right, could I ask for an autograph?”
He himself wasn’t sure why he was doing this.
“My secretary is a huge fan of yours.”
“Ah, of course! Absolutely!”
Jun-woo nodded quickly, delighted.
The manager’s eyes went wide—clearly surprised that Yoon-jae would make such a request. Yoon-jae glanced at us, signaling.
Finally, breaking her silence, she carefully spoke,
“Um… instead of just an autograph, could we maybe take a photo too?”
If only she’d stayed quiet.
At those ridiculous words, another deep crease appeared between Yoon-jae’s brows.
She liked photos, and now she wanted to make a memory with Han Jun-woo.
Suppressing his inexplicable irritation, Yoon-jae stayed back as Jun-woo immediately warmed up to us.
“Of course. Should I take it, or shall we ask someone?”
“I don’t mind—just as long as you look good in it.”
“Then give me your phone, I’ll take it.”
The three of them—excluding Yoon-jae—quickly got into position, cheerful and at ease.
She stood shyly next to Jun-woo, chatting as though she’d known him for ages.
“Here we go. One, two—”
His insides boiled.
For no clear reason, his chest felt hot, like something was simmering inside.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
After the short fan service, even shaking hands with Jun-woo, she beamed happily, her smile unrestrained.
The manager, too, smiled as if he’d earned some points.
“If you’ll wait just a bit, we’ll be ready.”
“Take your time.”
As the manager and Jun-woo moved away, Yoon-jae turned back to her.
“Wow, amazing.”
“……”
She was already checking the photo they’d taken, zooming in on Jun-woo’s face. A vein pulsed on Yoon-jae’s forehead without him realizing.
His voice turned cold.
“So that’s your type?”
“Hm? What?”
Her eyes stayed glued to the screen as she asked, and he tilted his head slightly, still in that low voice.
His sharp chin gesture pointed directly at Jun-woo’s handsome face on her phone.
Realizing what he meant, she gasped lightly.
“No way. Of course not.”
The firmness of her denial surprised him.
“Not?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t need to hide it.”
“What’s there to hide? Oh—I get it. Because I said I like beautiful things, right? I do, but that doesn’t mean it’s my type. Look at this instead.”
She brushed off his suspicion with ease and held out the zoomed-in photo.
“See how sharp his eyes are in real life? I was curious how they’d look on camera, and he knows exactly how to control it. He’s a good actor. He knows how he’s being captured. Today’s a poster shoot, right? This’ll definitely get praised. I guarantee it.”
He hadn’t expected such insightful words.
Just as she said, the photo captured a completely different charm from his real-life presence.
Relaxing the vein in his forehead, Yoon-jae asked,
“So you wanted the photo… to check this?”
“Of course. I came today to help you, remember? Why else would I take it?”
“……”
“I’m Ha Yoon-jae’s secretary, after all.”
She had introduced herself as “secretary” all along—and now she proved it true.
In that moment, Yoon-jae realized: her sparkling eyes and enthusiastic attention toward Jun-woo had all been for him.
“What? Why are you smiling? Are you laughing at me?”
No—he wanted to hold her in his arms right now.
