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Chapter 18
From the moment Saeyi delivered her first line while meeting Byun Seojun’s eyes, she had a feeling.
This scene was definitely going to end in an NG.
And sure enough—
“Just stay out of it! Mom lives just fine not caring, so why are you the only one acting like this?!”
“Doyeon, that’s not—”
It was a scene meant to highlight the older brother’s gentle, guardian-like side.
Since it would reappear as a flashback whenever Doyeon felt guilty while thinking of her dead brother, any actor playing this part should have put real effort into it.
But far from putting in effort, Byun Seojun couldn’t even deliver his lines. Whether he had forgotten them or there was another reason, I didn’t know.
“……”
I silently looked up at him. Even after the director called “Cut,” his face remained blank.
Only after someone told him to take a moment and breathe did light return to his eyes.
Belatedly, Byun Seojun slapped his own cheek lightly and began reciting his lines in a rush. But even then, he couldn’t finish them properly.
‘That’s strange… Was Byun Seojun always the type to stumble like that?’
He was an actor who had appeared frequently in dramas I’d watched in my previous life.
Among second-generation idols who transitioned from singing to acting, he was probably the most successful case.
As far as I knew, the group he debuted in hadn’t been a huge commercial success. He had been the face of the team—the only real breadwinner.
To the point that even I couldn’t recall another member’s name besides Byun Seojun.
His diction and projection weren’t bad, and since he had a basic fandom, he’d often been cast in supporting, scene-stealing roles early on.
After steadily building his acting experience, he eventually hit it big as the male lead in a romance drama adapted from a webtoon.
‘At the very least, he’s not someone who shows up without memorizing his lines.’
No matter how talented someone is, if they’re careless, they get buried. Especially under demanding writers or directors.
And if he kept getting cast as a supporting regular and later even secured leading roles, he must have been diligent. There was no way he’d make repeated mistakes from not memorizing his lines.
‘And Byun Seojun… if anything, he’s a practice addict.’
In behind-the-scenes clips of several dramas I’d looked up out of curiosity about filming sets, I’d seen him constantly holding his script.
His copy had been so worn and tattered that I’d once thought, Wow, I should analyze scripts like that too.
If someone like him couldn’t even get his lines out, something had clearly gone wrong.
There was someone else who found his stumbling strange.
“Seojun, can I talk to you for a moment?”
It was Sung Hyesim, who had worked with him twice on variety shows and once in a drama.
Byun Seojun might not have been an outstanding actor, but he was a junior who always tried to fulfill his role to the best of his ability. That dedication had left a strong impression.
His growth was slow compared to the effort he poured in, but he was a diligent sprout who didn’t make major mistakes.
The Byun Seojun she knew would never blank on his lines.
“Um, we should resume filming now…”
“You know better than anyone that you’re not in a state to film.”
“Ah, that’s…”
Having seen countless actors on set, she immediately sensed that something was off with him.
At first she thought he might just be nervous, but he’d managed his breathing just fine. It didn’t seem to be that.
‘If it’s not nerves…’
One possibility came to mind.
The rookie who had overwhelmed him from the script reading itself—Joo Saeyi. The girl she had personally discovered.
Had her presence made this diligent actor shrink back?
He must have felt terrible. He had worked himself to the bone to climb up, only to be overshadowed by a complete newcomer.
The feeling of being crushed by a genius. Hyesim herself had felt it long ago, and she could understand Seojun’s complicated emotions.
But if he simply stayed crushed and stewed in resentment, he wouldn’t grow.
“Oh dear, Seojun, you’ve still got a long way to go.”
With a sigh, Sung Hyesim glanced at Joo Saeyi. As the youngest on set, Saeyi cautiously read the room, sneaking glances at Seojun.
‘She probably doesn’t even realize it’s because of her.’
Those deep, worried eyes shimmered in her sight.
If that child found out that her senior couldn’t even open his mouth because he felt overshadowed by her, how would she react?
She would surely blame herself. And that would be poison—for both Byun Seojun and Joo Saeyi.
This was Saeyi’s very first shoot—the beginning of the acting career Hyesim was nurturing. She couldn’t just stand by and let it be ruined.
‘Let’s do this.’
After some thought, Sung Hyesim decided to intervene. Having made her seasoned judgment, she signaled Director Woo.
After a brief discussion, the production staff tactfully selected a different scene that didn’t require Byun Seojun and Joo Saeyi and began preparing to film it.
‘There’ll be a slight delay… but this should help Seojun get a grip.’
With concern in her eyes, Hyesim looked at him. He seemed consumed by the thought that the shooting order had been changed because of him; his hands were trembling.
When she placed a hand on his shoulder, he flinched.
“S-Sunbae-nim. Is the schedule messed up because of me…?”
“Seojun, your acting isn’t flowing well right now, is it?”
“……”
Byun Seojun lowered his head deeply. He didn’t respond, just bit his lip. Hyesim, as if she had expected that reaction, continued calmly.
“I know one way to fix it.”
“……!”
“Are you going to swallow your pride and solve it? Or keep struggling alone?”
“I’m not sure what you mean…”
“I think well of you, Seojun. So I hope you choose the first option.”
She looked him over as he stiffened. Judging by the tension in his body, he seemed to be leaning toward abandoning his pride.
“If you’re ready, follow me.”
She confidently led the way.
Their destination was the rookie she was raising—and the root of this situation—Joo Saeyi.
“You want me to coach sunbae-nim’s acting?”
“Is that not possible?”
“I mean, how could I possibly…?”
I trailed off, unable to even close my mouth.
Of course I reacted like that!
While I was waiting after the shooting order changed, Sung Hyesim brought Byun Seojun over to me. Then, without warning, she practically pushed him toward me and asked me to coach him.
‘Did Byun Seojun even agree to this?’
I discreetly checked his expression. He looked just as flustered as I felt. It seemed like a unilateral decision by Sung Hyesim.
“S-Sunbae-nim. Maybe it’s better to let Joo Saeyi-ssi just rest—”
“Seojun, stay still for a moment.”
“Y-Yes, ma’am…”
Even when the person being dragged over tried to object, Sung Hyesim exuded such overwhelming senior presence that she silenced him instantly.
Left speechless, Byun Seojun folded his large frame in on itself and pressed his lips together.
“Why not? Saeyi practiced Dohun too, didn’t she?”
“Wait—she practiced Yeon Dohun? Joo Saeyi-ssi did?”
Byun Seojun, who had seemed determined to stay quiet, asked hurriedly.
“I practiced a little. Not everything…”
“But why? Not adult Yeon Doyeon, but Yeon Dohun?”
“Ah, Teacher Sung assigned it as homework before…”
Normally I called her “Actress Sung” because her image as a great actress was so strong, but in a moment like this, “sunbae” or “teacher” seemed more fitting.
The moment I called her “teacher,” Sung Hyesim—who had been watching us—lit up.
…Does she like that title?
“You felt it too, didn’t you? Saeyi’s acting quality.”
“…Yes.”
“Our Saeyi isn’t only good at Yeon Doyeon. She can handle Yeon Dohun too.”
“So that’s why you’re asking for my coaching…”
“Opportunities like this don’t come often. Even with money, it’s not easy to get coaching from a genius like Saeyi.”
Sung Hyesim began showering me with praise in front of Byun Seojun.
“You freeze up acting in front of her, right? It’s not just you.”
“Then who else…?”
“Me too. The first time we met, I had her try Yeon Dohun. The moment she started speaking, her tone completely changed from before—oh, it was honestly frightening.”
“Y-You, sunbae-nim…?”
“Mm. I completely blanked on my lines. Saeyi covered it with ad-libbing, but if it had been on set, I would’ve been embarrassed.”
Ah, please. Even if it’s true, aren’t you hyping me up too much…?
No matter what, teaching someone like Byun Seojun—a senior in the industry—wasn’t an easy thing.
And Sung Hyesim knew that!
“Take the coaching and try matching your rhythm together. It’ll definitely help.”
“I…”
Please refuse. Judging by his dark expression, he’ll refuse. Please don’t put this burden on me… I don’t want to be remembered as the junior who coached her senior on set…
Just as I was praying internally—
“I’ve made my decision.”
Byun Seojun spoke in a solemn voice
