Since they hadn’t thought Yeongwon would be here, as expected, Yeongwon received everyone’s attention at a glance.
<Joo Yeongwon is a hidden cast member revealed after filming starts.>
“That kind of thing pops up too? I was just curious anyway.”
Suddenly, a clear bell sound rang throughout the dormitory, and the frame hanging on the wall changed into a screen.
A message that appeared on the TV screen they hadn’t discovered dispelled everyone’s curiosity at once.
“I don’t know if there was originally a rule like that, but even I would have kept it hidden.”
“I know, right. I’m a bit flustered right now and don’t know what to say, but uh……. Did you coordinate to appear directly yourself?”
“I suppose it’s because you’re such a young friend, well, of course there’s no restriction but still…….”
“Does Yeongwon also count as someone we have to choose after living together?”
“Shouldn’t we step up and squeeze our eyes shut to protect Yeongwon?”
Though it was playful, each person’s embarrassment that they couldn’t swallow was slightly embedded in their tone. It was because they judged it would be somewhat difficult to reflect on the purpose of participating in this program while looking at Yeongwon.
Even without being told directly, there was an atmosphere that could be felt, so Yeongwon’s lips unknowingly jutted out halfway.
He was slightly dissatisfied that everyone was showing the same reaction as Jiseo. But soon Yeongwon understood that they could be like that.
After all, he had no interest in them either, just the same. Whatever thoughts they all had, he only had ulterior motives toward Jiseo. And it was also true that Jiseo was the prettiest here.
Either way, both sides were worrying about things they didn’t need to worry about, but it would be rude to say it out loud. So Yeongwon just wore an ambiguous expression.
“Then is there one person left now?”
“From what I see, I think only Yeongwon is a hidden member……. Does anyone have information about the other person?”
“I think the person appearing last will have the most intense impact?”
“Is there one more hidden member besides Yeongwon?”
“Oh! Something appeared over there.”
Fortunately, before an awkward answer, a notification sound rang out like before and the screen flashed.
<The last cast member is climbing the stairs.>
“We didn’t get this. I guess someone really special is coming?”
“I’m suddenly looking forward to it.”
The attention that had been directed at Yeongwon due to the special notification even showing the movement route instantly scurried over to the entrance all at once.
He already knew, but he felt he shouldn’t act like he knew, so Yeongwon also sent his gaze in the same direction. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.
Since it was Jiseo he was meeting after several weeks, his gaze couldn’t help but go there even without intending to.
Jiseo will receive everyone’s attention just like me. Much more than now.
Still, I hope he greets me first.
Because such greed was creeping up, Yeongwon’s body kept leaning forward.
“Uh, I think I can hear a voice faintly?”
“We shouldn’t be conscious of the cameras, right? That’s why I kept my mouth tightly shut the whole way here.”
“Since most of you are actors, not looking at cameras must have become a habit, but I haven’t heard anything specific about that.”
“That person outside keeps talking to themselves……. Wow, whoa. Really?”
Perhaps because it was the last turn, the doorbell rang once and then the door immediately opened with a clack. Through the gap, Jiseo could be seen striding in.
Thanks to the doorbell, everyone’s attention that had been focused for a moment concentrated on Jiseo.
“Why is Jiseo hyung here…….”
“Is it really Yoo Jiseo? Really?”
“There was no talk of Jiseo being here……. I contacted him recently too.”
Various reactions flowed out—some covering their mouths and bursting into exclamations, while others widened their lips with furrowed brows in surprise.
What they had in common was that everyone wore expressions showing they hadn’t expected Jiseo to be here.
“Ah, I’m a real fan of Jiseo hyung. This is serious.”
“Doesn’t he feel like a celebrity among celebrities?”
“Wow, who on earth will he be matched with? No, but is it really okay for him to be here?”
“I think we need to pop popcorn even among ourselves…….”
“Even if we can’t get a spot to appear, can’t you pick us as panelists? Just being together with him is an honor.”
Bewildered yet exaggerated whispers spread busily.
Leaving behind such splendid reactions, Jiseo, wearing a subtle smile, slowly approached those gathered. As if he wasn’t nervous at all, he nodded his head first and diligently gave greetings.
To appear on a program receiving explosive attention, people with easygoing personalities or who weren’t shy had to gather. Since there were also those he was already acquainted with, conversations continued without pause, leaving no gap in the audio.
“Wow, I’m a real fan. Please shake my hand just once.”
A man with a handsome appearance, his forehead clearly revealed, extended his hand as if he’d been waiting, wiping it on his pants.
At a glance, he acted as if he had a favorable impression of Jiseo, but since everyone was excited, it didn’t seem like particularly outstanding interest. Everyone kept their eyes on Jiseo without looking away, continuously spouting exclamations.
At the same time, though they tried not to show it, they also wore expressions that they absolutely couldn’t understand why he was here.
“I have so many things I want to ask—is it okay to be comfortable? I did hear to greet freely and have conversations.”
“I’m curious how everyone ended up applying, but should we start with introductions first? Since you’re all such famous people, it might seem unnecessary, but there are kids like me too.”
“Even if we know each other well, introductions are fun in programs like this. Should I start? I’m twenty-nine this year and I’m an actor named Lee Jiwoo. I’ve filmed the same work with Hajin hyungnim here.”
Following the lead of the one who actively laid out his introduction, the standard first meeting conversation naturally continued.
In the comfortable atmosphere connected with laughter, the one who was particularly distracted was Yeongwon.
While nodding his head and showing the best reactions possible, he endlessly worried about how to resolve the small dissatisfaction blooming inside.
It wasn’t unbearable that many people’s attention was directed at Jiseo. That could certainly happen. It was unavoidable and natural that he was popular with fans and fellow colleagues alike.
Also, he wasn’t dissatisfied that Jiseo hadn’t actively acknowledged him except for briefly making eye contact since entering this place.
Since Jiseo and his own acquaintance was revealed enough that those who knew would know, no one cared about the fact that they hadn’t particularly exchanged greetings.
‘When will he change seats.’
Rather than dissatisfaction, naturally Yeongwon’s attention was entirely focused on the distance between Jiseo and himself.
Unlike Yeongwon, who had taken a seat far from the entrance, Jiseo naturally sat in the spacious area. Rather than being close, it was a composition where they were almost facing each other.
“Now that introductions are ending, I’m saying this……. Honestly, I’m really curious about the two hidden members’ stories. How did you come to participate here?”
“Even if we’re all similar, to be honest, it’s a slightly different vein from us, so I’m curious about Jiseo’s story, and also Yeongwon?”
“…….”
“Is it okay to call you that?”
“Please call me Yeongwon.”
“That seems easier to do than I thought……. Honestly, aren’t we almost ahjussis?”
“Hey, it’s not quite that far, and even if it is, I want to be called hyung. Is that too greedy?”
“I’ll call you hyung. Also, is it okay to call you noona?”
Yeongwon first approached those who were suddenly having a discussion about him in a friendly manner.
It was somewhat out of spite. He extended his hand calmly, but he actually hadn’t thought such a conversation flow would unfold.
Of course, Yeongwon knew that everyone was stepping forward to worry that he might feel burdened.
The feeling was different from Jiseo. Since Jiseo blatantly treated him like a child, it was a rebellion stemming from that.
“You’re not doing this on purpose because you’re uncomfortable, right? Even though you’re young, you’re a senior to me, so should I comfortably call you senior?”
“I have seniors here too. I think it would be nice if everyone comfortably called me by my name. Ah, you can also speak informally to me.”
“Then I’ll gradually increase it.”
“Can I speak informally too? I was surprised, but I watched the movie Yeongwon filmed before coming here. So somehow I built internal intimacy right away?”
“But really, how did you end up appearing here?”
Eventually, at the moment it returned like a refrain to the most curious question, the screen flashed again in time.
“Don’t tell me there’s someone else left?”
“We shouldn’t go out to greet them, right?”
